Disclosed are apparatus and methods for blood and other biological fluid purification using a membrane with cell containing vascular channel systems and filtration channel systems. Also disclosed are methods of making the apparatus as well as methods of making membranes.

Disclosed are apparatus and methods for blood and other biological fluid purification using a membrane with cell containing vascular channel systems and filtration channel systems. Also disclosed are methods of making the apparatus as well as methods of making membranes.

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for sensing gas bubbles within a liquid flow line, such as within a medical device. The systems, devices, and methods can measure a change in capacitance across a pair of conductive plates to calculate a volume of gas in a flow line. If a calculated volume of gas exceeds an established threshold, an alert can be sent and/or changes made to operation of the device.

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for sensing gas bubbles within a liquid flow line, such as within a medical device. The systems, devices, and methods can measure a change in capacitance across a pair of conductive plates to calculate a volume of gas in a flow line. If a calculated volume of gas exceeds an established threshold, an alert can be sent and/or changes made to operation of the device.

A process for removing Sr.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:
A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y. A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A process for removing Sr.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:
A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y. A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A blood treatment machine includes a patient comfort feedback mechanism configured to be adjusted by a patient to indicate comfort levels of the patient. The machine is configured to adjust one or more treatment parameters based on the patient feedback.

Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate source. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate source through a cartridge or cassette (e.g., a disposable cartridge or cassette) positionable within the dialysis machine. The cassette includes a fluid flow channel. The dialysis machine includes a heating chamber for in-line heating of the dialysate in the fluid flow channel. The fluid flow channel is arranged and configured to provide turbulent flow of the dialysate through the fluid flow channel to provide increased heat transfer from the heating chamber to the dialysate.

A peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter is disclosed. In various embodiments, the PD catheter includes an improved intraperitoneal drain array as well as an improved anchor for use in placement of the device.

A gravity fed peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) machine includes: a frame configured to be set on a supporting surface; at least one load cell; a scale platform supported by the frame via the at least one load cell positioned between the frame and the scale platform; a drain container support in mechanical communication with and extending downwardly from the scale platform, the machine configured such that when the frame is set on the supporting surface, at least one fresh PD fluid supply container is supportable by the scale platform above the at least one load cell and at least one used PD fluid drain container is supportable by the drain container support below the at least one load cell, so that a combined weight of fresh PD fluid and used PD fluid may be sensed by the at least one load cell.