Sensing systems, connectors, and methods include a housing, including a sensor and a locking mechanism, a junction, and a membrane. The junction includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a receiving mechanism. The receiving mechanism is removably attachable to the locking mechanism. The membrane is disposed within the junction, and is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The sensor senses a property of a fluid across the membrane when the locking mechanism is attached to the receiving mechanism.

A pressure measurement pod for use in blood circuits includes a pressure sensing pod defining a chamber and having a rigid wall portion and an integral flexible wall portion forming a flexible, moveable, fluid-impermeable diaphragm with a first major side thereof facing an interior of the chamber and a second major side opposite the first major side. The second major side faces outwardly away from the chamber, and the pod has ports on sides of the chamber. The internal surfaces of the chamber and ports are shaped such that any contour following the internal surfaces to the outside of one of the ports traces only surfaces characterized by positive or neutral draft angles such that invasive mold portions may be withdrawn through the ports thereby permitting the pressure measurement pod to be molded in a single shot molding process.

A pressure measuring line with a connector can be used to connect the pressure measuring line to a blood treatment apparatus, and to a membrane. In some embodiments, the pressure measuring line comprises at least two consecutive lumen sections, namely the first lumen section and the second lumen section. The first lumen section can include a first lumen geometry and the second lumen section can include a second lumen geometry. The first lumen geometry and the second lumen geometry can differ from each other in at least their diameters. Further, a monitoring method and devices can be used in conjunction with the pressure measuring lines.

A method of manufacturing a medical device including a case having a first and a second case portion mated together. The case having a space inside and an elastic membrane attached to the case. A first housing space covered by the first case portion and a second housing space covered by the second case portion. Fixing parts at peripheries of the first and the second case portions and at which the first and the second case portions are mated. Holding surfaces at the peripheries of the first and the second case portions. A sealing part at the periphery of the first or the second ease portions with respect to the fixing parts and that seals an entirety of the peripheral edge of the elastic membrane. Forming an air gap between the sealing part and the fixing parts by depressurization or heating the fixing parts that connect the case portions.

A method for measuring pressure includes securing a flow channel to a chassis of a measurement device, the flow channel having a flexible wall with a first mechanical engagement feature presented from an external surface thereof. The method also includes engaging the mechanical engagement feature with a complementary engagement member connected to a force transducer, the securing being effective to immobilize the flow channel relative to the force transducer, and detecting at least one of the position and orientation of the of the flow channel relative to transducer and comparing to at least one of a predefined position and orientation. Further, the method includes generating a signal responsive to the detecting, flowing a fluid through the flow channel, and transmitting forces caused by displacement of the flexible wall through the complementary engagement member to the force transducer. Further, electrical signals are generated responsively to a state of the force transducer.

A pressure-measuring assembly for measuring the internal line pressure of a line system of an extracorporeal blood treatment machine. The assembly includes a pressure sensor that is connectable to a pressure receiver by a rigid, bending-resistant fluid line. The pressure receiver is connected or connectable to the line system. The pressure sensor converts a fluid pressure signal from the fluid line into an electrical signal. An electrical line connects the pressure sensor to electronics to process the electrical signal. A retainer directly or indirectly retains the pressure sensor and forms, at least in parts, an inner channel, in which the electrical line is led. Alternatively, the retainer is a substantially plastically curvable bar which has, at one axial end portion, a fastening device for mounting on a stationary base and, at the other axial end portion, an articulation site for the pressure sensor or the pressure receiver.

Extracorporeal blood treatment systems and methods to detect the connection of one or more components (e.g., of an extracorporeal blood set) thereto (e.g., to one or more pressure transducers contained in the system housing) by, for example, controlling an air pump apparatus to provide air to a connection port at which the component is to be connected and monitoring pressure resulting therefrom to detect whether the component is operatively connected (e.g., based on a detected change in the monitored pressure due to the increased resistance, based on a monitored rate of decay of pressure of injected air, etc.).

A system for controlling the position of a diaphragm in a diaphragm-containing pressure pod, is provided. The system can include a peristaltic pump, a pressure pod having a flow-through fluid side and a gas side that are separated by a diaphragm, and a pressure sensor operatively connected to the gas side. The pressure sensor is configured to sense pulses of pressure resulting from movement of the diaphragm and caused by the action of the peristaltic pump. A gas source and a valve can be in fluid communication with the gas side of the pressure pod and can be configured to provide gas to, or vent gas from, the gas side. A controller receives pressure signals from the pressure sensor and controls the valve in response, and in so doing, controls the position of the diaphragm. Methods for positioning the diaphragm are also included.

This invention relates to dialysis systems and methods. In some implementations, a method includes applying vacuum pressure to a device of a dialysis system, and then determining, based on a detected fluid level or measured pressure, whether the device is functioning properly.

An apparatus for measuring pressure within a fluid path includes a housing defining the structure of the apparatus. The housing includes a fluid path that extends through the housing and allows a fluid to pass through the housing. The apparatus also includes a first volume chamber that is in fluid communication with the fluid path and has a first volume chamber opening, and a second volume chamber with a second volume chamber opening that is less than the first volume chamber opening. A diaphragm separates the first volume chamber from the second volume chamber and fluidly disconnects the second volume chamber from the fluid path. The diaphragm deforms based upon the pressure within the fluid path. The apparatus also includes an interface that is connectable to a pressure sensor, and the second volume chamber is in fluid communication with the interface.