OPTIMIZING PERITONEAL DIALYSIS USING A PATIENT HAND-HELD SCANNING DEVICE

Abstract

A handheld personal communication apparatus for dialysis includes a reader to read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container to acquire data concerning a dialysis fluid type. The apparatus also includes a processor that uses the dialysis fluid type to determine a dialysis dwell time for at least one cycle of a dialysis therapy, the dialysis dwell time being a time to achieve, over the at least one cycle, at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltrate level, (b) a urea removal level, or (c) a creatinine removal level. The apparatus further includes an output interface that provides an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

Claims

1. A handheld personal communication apparatus for a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (“CAPD”) treatment, the apparatus comprising: a reader configured to read markings displayed on at least two different dialysis fluid containers to acquire data concerning respective dialysis fluid types; a processor communicatively coupled to the reader and configured to determine from the markings that each of the dialysis fluid containers has a different dialysis fluid type, determine, as a selected dialysis fluid container, which of the at least two different dialysis fluid containers is to be used for a first cycle of a peritoneal dialysis therapy for a patient, provide a first container indication that specifies the selected dialysis fluid container should be used for the first cycle, use the dialysis fluid type from the marking of the selected dialysis fluid container to determine a first dialysis dwell time for a first dialysis dwell of the first cycle of the peritoneal dialysis therapy, begin a timer upon receiving an indication of a start of the first dialysis dwell, after the timer has reached the first dialysis dwell time, transmit a first output signal, determine, as a second selected dialysis fluid container, which of the at least two different dialysis fluid containers is to be used for a second cycle of the peritoneal dialysis therapy, provide a second container indication that specifies the second selected dialysis fluid container should be used for the second cycle, use the dialysis fluid type from the marking of the second selected dialysis fluid container to determine a second dialysis dwell time for a second dialysis dwell of the second cycle of the peritoneal dialysis therapy, begin the timer upon receiving an indication of a start of the second dialysis dwell, and after the timer has reached the second dialysis dwell time, transmit a second output signal; and an output interface configured to, in response to the first output signal, provide a first indication to the patient of a completion of the first dialysis dwell time, and in response to the second output signal, provide a second indication to the patient of a completion of the second dialysis dwell time.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second indications each includes at least one of (i) a display of a visual notification on a screen of the output interface, (ii) an audio notification via a speaker of the output interface, or (iii) a tactile actuation via an actuator of the output interface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output interface is further configured to provide the first container indication and the second container indication.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit the dialysis fluid types used for the first and second cycles to a remotely located computer to enable the computer to rack a therapy progress of the patient.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit the first dialysis dwell time and the second dialysis dwell time to a remotely located computer to enable the computer to rack a therapy progress of the patient.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a patient weight value before the first dialysis dwell; determine the first dialysis dwell time using the patient weight value in conjunction with the dialysis fluid type from the marking of the selected dialysis fluid container; and determine the second dialysis dwell time using the patient weight value in conjunction with the dialysis fluid type from the marking of the second selected dialysis fluid container.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a start dwell input device communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to receive a first input from the patient corresponding to the indication of the start of the first dialysis dwell and receive a second input from the patient corresponding to the indication of the start of the second dialysis dwell.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the start dwell input device is provided by the output interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second dialysis dwell times each corresponds to a time to achieve at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltration removal level for the cycle, (b) a urea removal level for the cycle, or (c) a creatinine removal level for the cycle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reader includes (i) a barcode scanner, the markings displayed on the dialysis fluid containers comprising barcodes, (ii) a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader, the markings displayed on the dialysis fluid containers comprising RFID tags, or (iii) a camera of a smartphone.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handheld personal communication apparatus includes a smartphone.

12. A handheld personal communication apparatus for a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (“CAPD”) treatment, the apparatus comprising: a reader configured to read markings displayed on at least two different dialysis fluid containers to acquire data concerning respective dialysis fluid types; a processor communicatively coupled to the reader and configured to determine from the markings that each of the dialysis fluid containers has a different dialysis fluid type, determine, as a selected dialysis fluid container, which of the at least two different dialysis fluid containers is to be used for a first cycle of a peritoneal dialysis therapy for a patient, the first cycle including a first dialysis dwell time, provide a first container indication that specifies the selected dialysis fluid container should be used for the first cycle, after the first cycle, determine, as a second selected dialysis fluid container, which of the at least two different dialysis fluid containers is to be used for a second cycle of the peritoneal dialysis therapy, the second cycle including a second dialysis dwell time, and provide a second container indication that specifies the selected dialysis fluid container should be used for the second cycle; and an output interface configured to display the first container indication, display the second container indication, provide a first indication to the patient of a completion of the first dialysis dwell time, and provide a second indication to the patient of a completion of the second dialysis dwell time.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second indications each includes at least one of (i) a display of a visual notification on a screen of the output interface, (ii) an audio notification via a speaker of the output interface, or (iii) a tactile actuation via an actuator of the output interface.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the reader includes (i) a barcode scanner, the markings displayed on the dialysis fluid containers comprising barcodes, (ii) a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader, the markings displayed on the dialysis fluid containers comprising RFID tags, or (iii) a camera of a smartphone.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the handheld personal communication apparatus includes a smartphone.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit the dialysis fluid types used for the first and second cycles to a remotely located computer to enable the computer to rack a therapy progress of the patient.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit the first dialysis dwell time and the second dialysis dwell time to a remotely located computer to enable the computer to rack a therapy progress of the patient.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a patient weight value before the first dialysis dwell; determine the first dialysis dwell time using the patient weight value in conjunction with the dialysis fluid type from the marking of the selected dialysis fluid container; and determine the second dialysis dwell time using the patient weight value in conjunction with the dialysis fluid type from the marking of the second selected dialysis fluid container.

19. A handheld personal communication apparatus for a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (“CAPD”) treatment, the apparatus comprising: a reader configured to read markings displayed on at least two different dialysis fluid containers to acquire data concerning respective dialysis fluid types; a processor communicatively coupled to the reader and configured to determine from the markings that each of the dialysis fluid containers has a different dialysis fluid type, determine, as a selected dialysis fluid container, which of the at least two different dialysis fluid containers is to be used for a cycle of a peritoneal dialysis therapy for a patient, the cycle including a dialysis dwell time, use the dialysis fluid type from the marking of the selected dialysis fluid container to determine the dialysis dwell time for a dialysis dwell of the cycle of the peritoneal dialysis therapy, and provide a container indication that specifies the selected dialysis fluid container should be used for the cycle; and an output interface configured to display the container indication and provide an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the reader includes (i) a barcode scanner, the markings displayed on the dialysis fluid containers comprising barcodes, (ii) a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) reader, the markings displayed on the dialysis fluid containers comprising RFID tags, or (iii) a camera of a smartphone, and wherein the handheld personal communication apparatus includes a smartphone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a local therapy optimization system and method of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of an integrated therapy optimization system and method of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a local therapy optimization system and method of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a local therapy optimization system and method of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of a local therapy optimization system and method of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a therapy prescription downloading and ordering system and method of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a therapy prescription downloading and ordering system and method of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the therapy optimization system and method is illustrated by system 10a. System 10a involves the interaction between a patient 12 and a doctor, nurse or clinician 14 (referred to herein collectively as medical professional 14). In any of the systems discussed herein, the patient performs a peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) treatment, which can be an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) therapy or a manual PD therapy, which is sometimes called a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (“CAPD”). APD typically programs automated dwell times, such that the patient drains occur automatically, enabling the patient to sleep through the bulk of the PD therapy. Nevertheless, many APD treatments also involve midday exchanges that can take advantage of systems and associated methodology set forth herein. Even for the automated night exchanges, however, APD patients can use the information log features set forth herein. Certainly, the systems set forth herein are entirely applicable to CAPD.

[0040] Regardless of whether APD or CAPD is used, the PD treatment typically involves one or more bags or containers 16 of fresh dialysate. Bagged dialysate can be provided in different varieties. For example, the assignee of the present disclosure markets bagged dialysate under the trade names Dianeal™, Dianeal-N™, Physioneal™, Extraneal™, and Nutraneal™. The dialysates differ in chemical composition and in particular dextrose level. A higher dextrose level dialysate pulls more water or ultrafiltration (“UF”) off of the patient. The higher dextrose level dialysate, however, has a higher caloric content, such that a balance is typically struck for the patient between how much effluent water the patient needs to remove over the treatment versus how much weight gain the patient may incur due to the dextrose level.

[0041] Dialysate container 16 can also vary in volume, such as being provided in one, 1.5, two, and 2.5 liter bags. Dialysate container 16 can be completely premixed in a single chamber or be separated into components in a dual or multi-chamber bag separated by a seal that patient 12 breaks to mix the components prior to treatment. All of the above variables, including chemical composition, dextrose level and container volume affect how long the dialysate should optimally be allowed to dwell within the patient. That is, a higher dextrose level dialysate should be allowed to reside longer within the patients peritoneum to use its full osmotic potential. Also, a larger volume of fresh dialysate will also have more potential to remove solutes and excess water, and therefore should be allowed to remain in the patient's peritoneum longer.

[0042] Dialysate container or bag 16 can be provided accordingly with a marker or barcode 18, which designates at least one of dialysate composition, dextrose level and container solution volume. System 10a also includes a patient scale 20, which the patient uses to weigh himself or herself. The tracking of the patient's weight assists the physician in monitoring the patient's weight trends, which may result in a prescription change, for example if the patient appears to be gaining weight from the therapy. Scale 20 is included with electronics in and particular a wireless emitter 22 for emitting a signal indicative of the weight of patient 12. One suitable scale having a wireless output and system for addressing and accessing same is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/469,371 (“'371 Application”), now U.S. Pat. No. 8,282,829, entitled “System and Method for Automated Data Collection of 24 Hour Ultrafiltration and Other Patient Parameters Using Wired or Wireless Technology”, filed May 20, 2009, assigned it to the assignee of the present disclosure, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein and relied upon. Wireless emitter 22 may use a known wireless communication technology, such as Bluetooth™, ZigBee™, or other protocol, e.g., one based on IEEE 802.

[0043] System 10a further includes a portable reader 30a, which can be formed as a key ring 32 or worn on a necklace 34. Portable reader 30a includes a housing 36, which can be formed via plastic injection molding. Housing 36 houses an optical scanner 38, such as a laser scanner, which reads marking or barcode 18 placed on solution bag or container 16. In one embodiment, when patient 12 holds portable reader 30a close enough to marking 18, patient 12 presses an input device 40, which causes scanner 38 to read marking 18. Alternatively, scanner 38 reads marking 18 automatically when marking 18 is within range of portable reader 30a.

[0044] Portable reader 30a also includes a wireless receiver 42, which accepts a wireless weight signal from wireless emitter 22 of weight scale 20. One suitable protocol and addressing system for enabling wireless receiver 42 to accept a weight signal from wireless emitter 22 is discussed above in the '371 Application.

[0045] Housing 36 of portable reader 30a is further fitted with processing 44 and memory 46, which receive and store the marking information from scanner 38. Processing 44 and memory 46 are configured to in turn look-up and store solution data (e.g., chemical composition, dextrose level and volume) that is particular to a particular marking or barcode 18. Processing 44 and memory 46 are further configured to accept the weight data received at wireless receiver 42 and store such data in memory 46.

[0046] Processing 44 and memory 46 store an algorithm that uses the solution data and the patient specific data to determine an optimal dwell time for patient 12 using fresh dialysate from container 16. One suitable algorithm for determining the optimal dwell time is to generate a patient specific time to achieve maximum ultrafiltration, urea removal or creatinine removal. All fluid and toxin (urea and creatinine) vs. dwell time curves have a maximum value at a certain dwell time. The curves can be generated from kinetic modeling (e.g. using PD Adequest™ provided by the assignee of the present disclosure) by varying patients' transporter types, body surface area, type of solution, and fill volume. The maximum fluid and toxin removal values and related optimum dwell times can be recorded in look-up tables and are stored in memory 46 that cross references patient gender, weight (for calculating body surface area), fill volume, type of transporter and type of solution. Suitable algorithms for determining optimal dwell times is disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/431,458, U.S. Publication No. 2009/0275881, entitled, “Optimizing Therapy Outcomes For Peritoneal Dialysis”, filed Apr. 28, 2009, assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and relied upon.

[0047] Housing 36 of portable reader 30a is further outfitted with an output device 48, such as an audio output, a light or flashing light (e.g., light emitting diode (“LED”)) or display, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”). Output device 48 communicates the optimal dwell time determined by processing 44 and memory 46 to the patient 12. Communication of the optimal dwell time can be via an alert or alarm when dwell has been completed. Alternatively, a display, e.g., LCD display, shows a countdown of remaining dwell time, such that patient 12 can gage how long the current dwell is from completion. It is contemplated for device 48 (for this and any of the embodiments discussed herein) to communicate information visually, audibly, tactilely and any combination thereof.

[0048] In one embodiment, processing 44 and memory 46 determine a dwell duration. It is therefore necessary to know when the beginning of dwell occurs, so that a clock or timer can begin to run. In one embodiment, housing 36 of portable reader 30a includes a start dwell input device 50, which communicates electrically with processing 44, and which patient 12 presses as soon as filling from dialysate container 16 to the patient's peritoneum has been completed. Pressing input device 50 signals to processing 44 and memory 46 that the dwell has begun. A timer or counter then begins to run, and output device 48 is activated to show a count down and/or is activated upon completion of the optimized dwell to inform the patient to begin draining the spent dialysis fluid form the patient's peritoneal cavity.

[0049] The PD therapy, and in particular a CAPD therapy, may involve the patient connecting to and disconnecting from multiple containers 16 of fresh dialysate manually. It is contemplated in one embodiment to have patient 12 read the appropriate marking 18 of each container 16 of dialysate just before that container is to be used. In this way, the optimal dwell time is determined and known for each container 16 just prior to its use. It is also contemplated, especially in instances in which the same dialysate type and volume is to be used multiple times in the same therapy, to enable patient 12 to scan each container 16 at the beginning of therapy, such that the patient does not have to scan a container 16 between each fill. It is quite likely than that the optimal dwell time will be the same for each container 16, such that patient 12 does not have to keep track of which container 16 has been scanned first, second, third, and so on. If containers 16 contain different types or volumes or fresh dialysate, portable reader 30a can determine same and inform the patient that a particular container 16 needs to be used in the order in which it has been scanned.

[0050] In one embodiment, patient 12 weights himself or herself on scale 20 prior to each fill and weighs the drain volume. From these data, UF trending can be done for both CAPD and APD patients. Using the UF trending, clinicians may check the patients compliance and potentially change solution to optimize the therapy such that the algorithm used in processing 44 and of memory 46 begins with a most current patient weight in determining the optimal dwell just prior to each patient fill.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment in which patient 12 is not able to scan multiple containers 16 at the beginning of therapy, the patient's weight loss after each patient drain can be estimated using another algorithm, such that a new weight can be entered for each optimized dwell calculation or determination. The algorithm can for example use a certain percentage of the fill volume as the estimated UF removed over that cycle. For example, the percentage can be eight percent of the fill volume. The percentage is in one embodiment determined on a patient specific basis.

[0052] Instead of a separate algorithm, processing 44 and memory 46 can further alternatively estimate or empirically determine the weight loss of the patient given the patient's beginning weight, total target weight loss, solution type and volume used over the previously optimized dwell time.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 1B, one embodiment for downloading logged information from portable reader 30a of system 10a to a medical professional 14 for long term therapy optimization is illustrated. In one implementation, wireless receiver 42 is a wireless transceiver, e.g., using Bluetooth™, ZigBee™, or other wireless protocol, e.g., based on IEEE 802, which not only receives wireless information but also transmits wireless information. In the illustrated embodiment, patient 12 brings portable reader 30a to the office of the medical professional 14. As soon as portable reader 30a is placed within wireless communication range of the medical professional's computer 52, portable reader 30a automatically downloads the information read from weight scale 20, solution container 16 and information determined at portable reader 30a for each container used over a period of time, such as a month or whatever the period exists between visits to medical professional 14.

[0054] In a further implementation, portable reader 30a includes a connector (not shown). In the operational position, the connector can be plugged into a port, such as a universal serial bus (“USB”) port, of the medical professional's computer 52. The above described information is then downloaded to the computer. Once on the computer, medical professional 14 can review the results and change the patient's therapy prescription if needed. FIGS. 1A and 1B for system 10a accordingly illustrate that system 10a optimizes therapy on a local or daily basis and over an integrated basis spanning a period of time. It should be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment, communication in system 10a takes place wirelessly over a local wireless network, both in the environment of patient 12 and medical professional 14 (which can alternatively be local wired communication).

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternative system 10b is illustrated. System 10b includes many of the features of system 10a, which are numbered the same accordingly, such as scale 20 having wireless emitter 22, solution container 16 having marking or barcode 18 and medical professional computer 52. An alternative portable reader 30b is provided, which can again be provided on a key ring 32, as a key fob and/or worn on a necklace 34 on patient 12.

[0056] Portable reader 30b includes scanner 38 that reads marking 18 either automatically or upon an activation of input 40, as described above. In one implementation, portable reader 30b includes processing 44 and memory 46, which again are housed in housing 36. In one implementation, local wireless receiver or transceiver 42 is replaced with a local wireless emitter 54, which can be the same or similar to emitter 22 located within scale 20. Emitter 22 sends a wireless weight signal to the patient's cellular phone or portable email device (referred to herein and collectively as a personal communication device (“PCD”)) 60. Likewise, wireless emitter 54 of portable reader 30b emits a wireless signal representing solution data, as described above, to PCD 60. PCD 60 can be configured to calculate the optimal dwell time using the above described algorithm or via an empirical method. PCD 60 includes a display device 62, multiple input devices 64 and a speaker 66. One or both of video screens 62 and speaker 66 can be used as an output device, which communicates the optimal dwell time to patient 12. For example, display 62 can show a countdown of the optimal dwell time to patient 12, so that the patient knows how much longer the optimized dwell will continue. Alternatively or additionally, PCD 60 calls patient 12 via speaker 66 when it is time for the patient to drain the spent dialysate at the end of the optimized dwell period. In an alternative implementation, wireless emitter 54 is a wireless transceiver, which can receive a wireless signal from PCD 60, telling portable reader 30b to provide an audible and/or visual output to patient 12.

[0057] In yet another alternative embodiment, portable reader 30a (shown and described in connection with FIG. 1A) is used with system 10b instead of portable reader 30b. All of the optimal dwell time computations are then performed on portable reader 30a, which then sends the optimal dwell time and any other desired information to PCD 60 for communication with the medical professional's computer 52.

[0058] System 10b, like system 10a also provides a long term therapy optimization feature, which involves communication between PCD 60 and medical professional's computer 52. In an embodiment, on a periodic basis, such as daily or otherwise according to an application stored on PCD 60, PCD 60 sends a text or satellite message to the medical professional's computer 52, downloading any of the pertinent data described above in connection with system 10a. The information allows medical professional 14 to evaluate the patient's therapy performance over time and make PD prescription changes if necessary. It is therefore contemplated that the portable reader 30b communicates with PCD 60 on a first periodic basis, e.g., after each reading taken by reader 30b, and that PCD 60 communicates with the medical professional's computer 52 on a second periodic basis, e.g., daily.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative system 10c is illustrated. System 10c includes many of the features of systems 10a and 10b, which are numbered the same accordingly, such as scale 20 having wireless emitter 22, solution container 16 having marking or barcode 18 and medical professional computer 52. Portable reader 30a is provided, which can again be provided on a key ring 32, as a key fob and/or worn on a necklace 34 on patient 12. As before, portable reader 30a includes scanner 38 that reads marking 18 either automatically or upon an activation of input 40, as described above. Portable reader 30a is shown here including processing 44 and memory 46, which again are housed in housing 36, however, processing 44 and memory 46 may not be needed because the dwell calculations are done at base station 70 discussed below. Portable reader 30a includes local wireless transceiver 42, to receive optimal dwell information from base station 70 for communication to patient via output device 48.

[0060] Base station 70 includes a wireless transceiver 72, which receives a wireless weight signal from transmitter 22 of weight scale 20 and any of the above-described solution data from transceiver 42 of portable reader 30a. Wireless transceiver 72 communicates dwell data to wireless transceiver 42 of portable reader 30a to provide an audible and/or visual output to patient 12.

[0061] Base station 70 includes processing 72 and memory 74 configured to calculate the optimal dwell time using the above described algorithm or via an empirical method. Base station 70 can include a display device 78, multiple input devices 80, and a speaker 82 if needed. One or both of video screens 78 and speaker 82 can be used, in addition to out device 48 of portable reader 30a, as an output device to communicate the optimal dwell time to patient 12. For example, device 48 and display 78 can show a countdown of the optimal dwell time to patient 12, so that the patient knows how much longer the optimized dwell will continue. Alternatively or additionally, speaker 82 and/or device 48 alerts patient 12 when it is time for the patient to drain the spent dialysate at the end of the optimized dwell period.

[0062] Base station 70 also includes a docking area 84 for holding portable reader 30a, charging portable reader 30a, and possibly downloading information from and importing information to portable reader 30a, such that transceiver 42 of portable reader 30a may be replaced with a USB or other type of connector that is received by a data communication port at docking area 84 of base station 70.

[0063] System 10c, like systems 10a and 10b also provides a long term therapy optimization feature, which involves communication between base station 70 and medical professional's computer 52. In an embodiment, on a periodic basis, such as daily or otherwise according to an application stored on base station 70, base station 70 sends a communication, e.g., via an internet connection, to the medical professional's computer 52, downloading any of the pertinent data described above in connection with system 10a. The information allows medical professional 14 to evaluate the patient's therapy performance over time and make PD prescription changes if necessary. It is therefore contemplated that the portable reader 30a communicates with base station 70 on a first periodic basis, e.g., after each reading taken by reader 30a, and that base station 70 communicates with the medical professional's computer 52 on a second periodic basis, e.g., daily.

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative system 10d is illustrated. System 10d includes many of the features of systems 10a, 10b and 10c, which are numbered the same accordingly, such as scale 20 having wireless emitter 22, solution container 16 having marking or barcode 18 and medical professional computer 52. personal communication device (“PCD”) 90 is provided, which can be worn on a necklace 34 on patient 12 but is most likely carried by the patient. Here, PCD 90 includes a camera 94 that takes a picture of marking 18 either automatically or upon an activation of an input 96. PCD 90 in one embodiment is a smart phone, such as a iphone™, Blackberry™ or other similar device which can have electronic mail and store various software applications. PCD includes a local wireless transceiver 92 to received a wireless weight signal from transmitter 22 of weight scale 20. PCD 90 includes processing 98 and memory 100 that are configured to run software that converts the barcode picture into digital data.

[0065] One suitable software is QuickMark, provided by SimpleAct, Inc., 6F., No. 24, Cingchen St., Songshan District, Taipei City, 105 Taiwan (R.O.C.), Telephone No. 886-2-87706690. The software uses the digital data in a look-up table to determine any of the solution information described above, such and type, volume, dextrose level, and chemical concentration. Processing 98 and memory 100 as further configured to calculate the optimal dwell time using the above described algorithm or via an empirical method using the patient weight and solution data.

[0066] PCD 90 includes a display device 102, multiple input devices 96, and a speaker 104 if needed. One or both of video screen 102 and speaker 104 can be used as an output device to communicate the optimal dwell time to patient 12. For example, display 102 can show a countdown of the optimal dwell time to patient 12, so that the patient knows how much longer the optimized dwell will continue. Alternatively or additionally, speaker 104 alerts patient 12 when it is time for the patient to drain the spent dialysate at the end of the optimized dwell period.

[0067] System 10d, like systems 10a to 10c also provides a long term therapy optimization feature, which involves communication between PCD 90 and medical professional's computer 52. In an embodiment, on a periodic basis, such as daily or otherwise according to an application stored on PCD 90, PCD 90 sends a communication, e.g., via a satellite text protocol, to the medical professional's computer 52 and/or supply reordering system, downloading any of the pertinent data described above in connection with system 10a. The information allows medical professional 14 to evaluate the patient's therapy performance over time and make PD prescription changes if necessary. System 10d is desirable in one respect because a separate portable reader is not needed. PCD 90, which patient 12 uses for other purposes, such as personal email, phone usage, media storage, is also used for the optimization of the patient's dialysis therapy.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 5, system 110a illustrates one suitable therapy prescription downloading and supply ordering system using PCD 60, PCD 90 or portable reader 30a, 30b or 30c discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment PCD 90 is shown, which includes all of the features and alternatives discussed above for PCD 90. In a first step of the method or facet of system 110a, medical professional 14 communicates with central server 120, e.g., via a web browser and computer. Server 120 can be a server maintained by the company that provides solution bags 16 or by a company contracted by the solution bag company. Medical professional 14 enters patient specific information, such as gender, height, weight, transport type, and fill volume, into the doctor's web browser located at computer 52, which can run a therapy prediction software, such as one described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/170,184, entitled, “Dialysis System Having Regimen Generation Methodology”, filed Jul. 9, 2008, assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The prediction software presents medical professional 14 with one or more recommendations for a therapy prescription. The software allows the medical professional 14 to accept or modify the prescription. Medical professional 14 issues a “program” command via the browser, which causes server 120 to automatically and remotely program PCD 90 with the desired therapy prescription. The communication from PCD 90 to server 120 can be a one time communication or communication that occurs periodically after medical professional 14 reevaluates patient 12.

[0069] In a second step of the method or facet of system 110a, server 120 communicates the medical professional's 14 prescription to a warehouse computer 116 located at a warehouse of the manufacturer of the solution and solution bags 16. The communication from server 120 to warehouse computer 116 can be transparent or done automatically whenever medical professional 14 changes the therapy prescription for patient 14. Warehouse computer 116 generates a supply order, e.g., a bill of lading.

[0070] In a third step of the method or facet of system 110a, warehouse computer 116 sends or prepares the bill of lading to/for delivery person 112, which is done on a periodic basis, such as once a month. In a fourth step of the method or facet of system 110a, delivery person 112 obtains the necessary supplies, e.g., solution bags 16, connectors, etc., and delivers the supplies to patient 12, which is also done on a periodic basis, such as once a month. It should be appreciated that steps one to four allow central server 120 to track the amount of supplies delivered from warehouse 116.

[0071] In a fifth step of the method or facet of system 110a, patient 12 uses PCD 90 to scan barcodes off of solution bags 16. PCD 90 receives patient data for patient 12, such as patient weight, blood pressure and blood glucose levels, as discussed above. At one or more, e.g., predetermined or patient selected time of the day, PCD 90 communicates the bag scan (or other supply usage data) and patient data to a central server 120. The communication from PCD 90 to server 120 is in one embodiment automatic and transparent to patient 12. It should be appreciated that step five allows server 120 to know how much of the supplies or solution bags 16 delivered to patient 12 have actually been used by the patient. Knowing how many supplies have been delivered from the warehouse housing computer 116 and how many supplies have been used by patient 12, system 110a at server 120 can determine when to deliver and how many supplies or solution bags 16 to deliver to patient 12. And as discussed, server 120 orders supplies or patient 12 based on the therapy prescription sent from medical professional 14.

[0072] Knowing how many supplies have been used by patient 12 also enables medical professional 14 to track the patient's compliance with the prescribed therapy. If patient 12 is supposed to use twenty solution bags 16 of dialysate per week, but PCD 90 consistently reports back that the patient is using less than twenty bags, medical professional 14 upon viewing this compliance data, e.g., at computer 52, can contact patient 12 to inquire as to why the patient's prescription is not being followed. Or, the compliance data can be discussed the next time patient 12 visits medical professional 14. To this end, it is contemplated for medical professional 14 to be able to access patient therapy compliance data from server 120 and/or for server 120 to periodically send patient therapy compliance data reports to computer 52 of medical professional 14. The report in one embodiment is copied to PCD 90 and patient 12, so that patient 12 knows that medical professional 14 is seeing the patient's compliance reports, good or bad.

[0073] Referring now to FIG. 6, system 110b illustrates another suitable therapy prescription downloading and supply ordering system using PCD 60, PCD 90 or portable reader 30a, 30b or 30c discussed above. System 110b includes all of the steps and alternatives discussed above for system 110a of FIG. 5. In an additional step or facet of system 110b, delivery person 112 is provided with a handheld device, such as PCD 60 or PCD 90, which enables delivery person 112 to report back to server 120 how many supplies, such as supply bags 16, have actually been delivered to patient 12. System 110b closes the loop between server 120, warehouse computer 116 and driver 112. Unlike system 110a, which assumes all supplies listed on the bill of lading are delivered to patient 12, system 110b allows server 120 to receive the amount of supplies actually delivered from delivery person 112 to patient 12. This information in combination with the amount of supplies used sent from patient PCD 90 enables server 120 to know when and how many supplies, such as solution bags 16 to order for the patient 12.

[0074] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.