The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.

Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, and/or blood loss from fluid collected during a surgical procedure. Methods of detecting blood in a sample, such as a fluid sample, and kits for performing the methods, are also provided. Methods for approximating a volume of blood in a fluid using a computer are also provided. The method may be performed using a computer device having a graphical user interface (GUI), a processor configured to receive information input by a user at the user interface (type of canister, red blood cell packing ratio of the canister, subject specific identifying information, blood hematocrit (Hct), etc.), and a means for the computing device to transmit to the user interface via an electronic network, a value of a volume of blood in a fluid and/or an approximate volume measure of blood loss. The processor determines a volume of blood in a fluid, and transmits the determined volume measure of blood to the user.

The invention relates to a system for dialysis, comprising a housing comprising a flow path along which dialysate passes between a subject and a dialysate reservoir; a pump arranged to drive dialysate along the flow path; a sensing system arranged in the housing configured to sense one or more characteristics of the dialysate to produce an output; and a processor configured to observe said output to determine whether to switch on or off the pump such as based on pressure of the dialysate is above a predetermined value or a flow rate of the dialysate determined by the sensing system is zero. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more characteristics comprise at least one of turbidity, pressure and colour of the dialysate and the sensing system includes an optical sensor, a turbidity sensor and a pressure sensor.

Various systems and methods for detecting air in a chamber of an infusion system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a determination is made that air is contained in the chamber on the basis of a change in the average force exerted against the plunger utilizing a derivative spike for event detection and a systematic reduction in the average force to confirm the nature of the change. In another embodiment, a determination is made that the chamber contains air when a difference between the current force profile and a baseline force profile crosses a threshold. In an additional embodiment, a force profile is classified as being an air force profile or a liquid force profile based on extracted features of the force profile.

In some embodiments, an external bladder management system that is configured to reside within a urine collection receptacle (e.g., a toilet) includes a body that houses a fluid testing chamber. The fluid testing chamber is fluidically coupled to a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The system further includes a fluid capturing funnel fluidically coupled to and extending from the body and configured to couple the body to the urine collection receptacle. The system further includes an optical sensor disposed within the body and including (1) an emitter configured to convey light across the fluid testing chamber, and (2) an optical detector capable of measuring an intensity of the light as the light exits the fluid testing chamber. The fluid inlet, fluid testing chamber, and fluid outlet are collectively configured to encourage a laminar flow profile of the fluid as it flows through the fluid testing chamber.

A body fluid analysis device that irradiates a body fluid in a tube having translucency with light and analyzes the body fluid on the basis of light having passed through the tube is adapted to include: a base; an attachment that is attached to the base 1 so that the tube is pinched in its radial direction between the attachment and the base; a light emitting element that is provided to the base or the attachment; and a light receiving element that is provided to the base or the attachment, in which in a state where the attachment is attached to the base, between the base and the attachment, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged so as to pinch the tube in the radial direction, or both of the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged in the base or the attachment.

A fluid separation device includes a centrifuge in which a fluid is separated into at least two components, with an interface therebetween. At least a portion of one of the separated fluid components is removed from the centrifuge and flows through a vessel. Light is reflected off of the separated fluid component in the vessel and received and analyzed to determine its main wavelength. If the main wavelength is higher than a maximum value, a target location of the interface is changed. If the main wavelength is less than the maximum value, then the location of the interface is compared to the target location. When the interface is sufficiently close to the target location, the optical density of the separated fluid component in the vessel is compared to a minimum value. If the optical density is less than the minimum value, the target location of the interface is changed.

A device for monitoring and/or modifying a peritoneal dialysis treatment, including a memory which stores at least one treatment protocol; a control circuitry connected to the memory, wherein said control circuitry generates a report and/or modifies the treatment if an outcome of the treatment is not a desired outcome of the treatment protocol.

A blood purification apparatus where neither an arterial puncture needle nor a venous puncture needle is stuck in the patient can be checked automatically when it is attempted to activate a blood pump in an unconnected step. A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit for circulating blood, a dialyzer for purifying the blood, a blood pump provided to an arterial blood circuit for delivering liquid when activated, and a control device that executes a connected step when blood pump is activated with an arterial puncture needle (a) and a venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient and an unconnected step in which the blood pump is activated with neither the arterial puncture needle (a) nor the venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient.

A blood purification apparatus with an arterial puncture needle or a venous puncture needle is stuck in the patient can be easily notified at the activation of a blood pump in an unconnected step. A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit for circulating blood, a dialyzer capable of purifying the blood, a blood pump provided to an arterial blood circuit for delivering a liquid, and a control device that executes a connected step in which the blood pump is activated when an arterial puncture needle (a) and a venous puncture needle (b) are in the patient and an unconnected step in which the blood pump is activated with neither the arterial puncture needle (a) nor the venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient. The control device establishes, in the unconnected step, a restricted state where the behavior of the blood pump at the activation of the blood pump is restricted.