A processor of a medical device configured to communicate with a remote server can be programmed to protect the medical device from exposure to unauthorized or malicious software. A system or method to implement this form of protection can include, for example, at least one processor on the medical device, a control software module that controls the operation of the medical device and is executable on the processor, a data management module that manages data flow to and from the control software module from sources external to the medical device, and an agent module that has access to a limited number of designated memory locations in the medical device. In addition, a hemodialysis apparatus can be configured to operate in conjunction with an apparatus for providing purified water from a source such as a municipal water supply or a well. A system for controlling delivery of purified water to the hemodialysis apparatus can comprise a therapy controller of the hemodialysis apparatus configured to communicate with a controller of a water purification device, and a user interface controller of the hemodialysis apparatus configured to communicate with the therapy controller, and to send data to and receive data from a user interface.

A cartridge to be used for adsorption dialysis. A container having flexible walls are arranged to provide an inner space enclosing adsorption powder, comprising activated carbon, a phosphate adsorbent and a potassium ion adsorbent and other adsorbents. A sufficient amount of activated carbon is provided for adsorption of urea by the activated carbon. The cartridge forms a vacuum-packed transportation cartridge by generating a sub-pressure in the inner space, whereby the powder particles are immobilized and the cartridge becomes stiff. Before use, the cartridge is primed by introducing a liquid into the inner space, which introduction takes place at a low pressure. During use, dialysis solution is circulated through the cartridge, which is still exposed to a sub-pressure, whereby the flexible walls are sucked against the powder material. A peritoneal dialysis circuit comprises a filter, in which a primary circuit is formed with the filter and the peritoneal cavity and a secondary circuit is formed with the filter and the adsorbent cartridge.

A method for regenerating an adsorber which has a porous body and does not have an enzyme includes a dialysis step, in which the adsorber is connected to a dialysate circulation unit to cause uremic substances within a dialysate to be adsorbed onto the adsorber, and a regenerating step, in which the uremic substances which are adsorbed on the adsorber are desorbed by regenerating water that flows in a regenerating water flow unit. A dialysis system is equipped with the dialysate circulation unit, the adsorber, which is connected to the dialysate circulation unit, and the regenerating water flow unit. The regenerating water flow unit is connectable to the adsorber.

A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The weight, and therefore the level of dialysate, of each reservoir is measured by a preferred level sensor having a strain measuring device which includes a load cell and a tilt sensor. The load cell and tilt sensor are electrically connected to a processor for sending force and tilt measurements to the processor. The processor may analyze the tilt measurements to correct for any inaccurate measurements of the load cell caused by the tilt.

A method for regenerating an adsorber which has a porous body and does not have an enzyme includes a dialysis step, in which the adsorber is connected to a dialysate circulation unit to cause uremic substances within a dialysate to be adsorbed onto the adsorber, and a regenerating step, in which the uremic substances which are adsorbed on the adsorber are desorbed by regenerating water that flows in a regenerating water flow unit. A dialysis system is equipped with the dialysate circulation unit, the adsorber, which is connected to the dialysate circulation unit, and the regenerating water flow unit. The regenerating water flow unit is connectable to the adsorber.

The invention relates to a dialysis device that provides recirculating flow dialysis in a wearable and portable format. It uses an exchangeable purification unit holding a volume of dialysate and/or a sorbent system for the in-situ regeneration of dialysate. The invented dialysis device comprises a carrier that is mounted on a replaceable cartridge. The carrier holds the electronics, user-interface, actuators and sensors. It actuates, controls and monitors the dialysis operation. The cartridge is a replaceable part that is connected to the patient via a flexible tubing. It consists of a reusable housing with a memory chip and holds a disposable inlay containing the purification unit with fluid lines, connectors, dialysate and/or sorbents in combination with a nanofilter. The cartridge is intended for use during the day, as a wearable system. The cartridge can be enlarged with an extension set to offer more capacity. The extended cartridge is intended to be used during the night as a bedside device.

Apparatus and method for photo-chemical oxidation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for treating a dialysis fluid includes: a nanostructured photo-electrochemical anode; a source of light configured to illuminate the photo-electrochemical anode; and a cathode that is permeable to oxygen provided to the dialysis fluid and non-permeable to a liquid of the dialysis fluid. The photo-electrochemical anode is configured to remove urea from the dialysis fluid by converting the urea in the dialysis fluid into oxidation products through a photo electrochemical reaction.

A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The hemodialysis system may include a sorbent filter in the dialysate flow path which filters used dialysate. Alternatively, the filter may be positioned within a separate closed loop filter flow path which is isolated from the blood flow path and dialysate flow path. For this embodiment, the hemodialysis system includes additional controllable fluid valves which selectively connect the filter flow path to the reservoir which is not currently providing dialysis treatment to a patient.

A processor of a medical device configured to communicate with a remote server can be programmed to protect the medical device from exposure to unauthorized or malicious software. A system or method to implement this form of protection can include, for example, at least one processor on the medical device, a control software module that controls the operation of the medical device and is executable on the processor, a data management module that manages data flow to and from the control software module from sources external to the medical device, and an agent module that has access to a limited number of designated memory locations in the medical device. In addition, a hemodialysis apparatus can be configured to operate in conjunction with an apparatus for providing purified water from a source such as a municipal water supply or a well. A system for controlling delivery of purified water to the hemodialysis apparatus can comprise a therapy controller of the hemodialysis apparatus configured to communicate with a controller of a water purification device, and a user interface controller of the hemodialysis apparatus configured to communicate with the therapy controller, and to send data to and receive data from a user interface.

Dialysis is enhanced by using nanoclay sorbents to better absorb body wastes in a flow-through system. The nanoclay sorbents, using montmorillonite, bentonite, and other clays, absorb significantly more ammonium, phosphate, and creatinine, and the like, than conventional sorbents. The montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays may be used in wearable systems, such as a wearable peritoneal dialysis system, in which a dialysis fluid is circulated through a filter with the nanoclay sorbents. Waste products are absorbed by the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays and the dialysis fluid is recycled to a patient's peritoneum. Using an ion-exchange capability of the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays, waste ions in the dialysis fluid are replaced with desirable ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. The nanoclay sorbents are also useful for refreshing a dialysis fluid used in hemodialysis and thus reducing a quantity of the dialysis fluid needed for the hemodialysis.