Patents by Inventor Kulwinder S. Plahey
Kulwinder S. Plahey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11964088Abstract: A dialysis system may include a dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis machine) having a fluid system for delivering fluid (e.g., dialysate) to a patient. The dialysis machine may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, may cause the at least one processor to determine volume information for a fluid system of a dialysis machine, wherein the volume information may comprise a patient line volume and an accuracy adjustment volume, and to determine a priming volume to prime the fluid system with a fluid based on the volume information. Other embodiments are described.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignees: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc., Debiotech S.A.Inventors: Kulwinder S. Plahey, Pierre Thiebaud, John A. Biewer
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Publication number: 20230410999Abstract: Augmented reality-based training and troubleshooting is described for medical devices. An electronic mobile device can be equipped with an AR application that, when executed, causes the electronic mobile device to provide augmented reality-based training on how to set up, or perform maintenance on, one or more components of a medical device. The AR application, when executed, can also cause the electronic mobile device to provide augmented reality-based troubleshooting for one or more components of a medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Harvey Cohen, Matthew Buraczenski, John E. Tremblay, Kulwinder S. Plahey, Stephen A. Merchant, James Peterson
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Patent number: 11783940Abstract: Augmented reality-based training and troubleshooting is described for medical devices. An electronic mobile device can be equipped with an AR application that, when executed, causes the electronic mobile device to provide augmented reality-based training on how to set up, or perform maintenance on, one or more components of a medical device. The AR application, when executed, can also cause the electronic mobile device to provide augmented reality-based troubleshooting for one or more components of a medical device.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Harvey Cohen, Matthew Buraczenski, John E. Tremblay, Kulwinder S. Plahey, Stephen A. Merchant, James Peterson
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Publication number: 20230293792Abstract: A dialysis system (e.g., a hemodialysis (HD) system) can be designed to operate in alternative environments, such as disaster relief settings or underdeveloped regions. The dialysis system can include a solar panel for generating electricity to power the dialysis machine and an atmospheric water generator for extracting water from ambient air. The extracted water can be used to generate dialysate and saline on-site. One or more of the components of the dialysis machine can be discrete components that are configured to facilitate fast shipping and simple on-site assembly (e.g., at a remote location). In some implementations, the discrete components may be configured to be attached to an existing dialysis system (e.g., a dialysis system designed for operation in a traditional environment) to permit the dialysis system to operate in an alternative environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Roger Caluya, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Bert D. Egley, David Charles Griffith, Jr., Roland Levin, Houssein Nasseri, Kulwinder S. Plahey, David Yuds
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Patent number: 11738129Abstract: A method for operating a dialysis machine to conduct a dialysis treatment on a patient (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis machine) may include transferring dialysate from a first bag, and automatically determining the dialysate from the first bag has completely transferred. After determining the dialysate has completely transferred from the first bag, switching from the first bag to a second bag of dialysate. The method may further include transferring dialysate from the second bag in response to the detection of the completed transfer of the first bag, and automatically determining the dialysate from the second bag has completely transferred. The method may further include determining if the respective first or second bag has completely transferred by comparing a dialysate bag volume transferred to the patient to a detected volume of the respective first or second bag. Systems with dialysis machines for performing such a method are disclosed as well.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Kulwinder S. Plahey, John A. Biewer
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Patent number: 11701456Abstract: A dialysis system (e.g., a hemodialysis (HD) system) can be designed to operate in alternative environments, such as disaster relief settings or underdeveloped regions. The dialysis system can include a solar panel for generating electricity to power the dialysis machine and an atmospheric water generator for extracting water from ambient air. The extracted water can be used to generate dialysate and saline on-site. One or more of the components of the dialysis machine can be discrete components that are configured to facilitate fast shipping and simple on-site assembly (e.g., at a remote location). In some implementations, the discrete components may be configured to be attached to an existing dialysis system (e.g., a dialysis system designed for operation in a traditional environment) to permit the dialysis system to operate in an alternative environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Roger Caluya, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Bert D. Egley, David Charles Griffith, Jr., Roland Levin, Houssein Nasseri, Kulwinder S. Plahey, David Yuds
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Patent number: 11654220Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a patient line that provides dialysate solution to a patient and removes effluent dialysate from the patient through a catheter. During a drain phase of a PD treatment, an occlusion can occur at different locations in the patient line and/or catheter. A pressure sensor can detect a change in pressure of the fluid at the proximal end of the patient line to infer a potential occlusion in the patient line. Prior to setting an alarm to alert the patient of the blockage in the patient line, operating parameters of the PD machine can be changed to attempt to correct the issue. In an embodiment, the pump mechanism can be cycled at a reduced speed or a reduced rate in order to confirm the occlusion or attempt to alleviate the low fluid flow condition before the alarm is set.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Kulwinder S. Plahey, Jie Zhu
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Publication number: 20230019082Abstract: A dialysis system includes include a home dialysis machine and a home gateway device in communication with a cloud-based application via a connected health system. The gateway device has voice recognition capabilities. A user can provide spoken information to the gateway device, and the gateway device can cause one or more actions to be performed. The gateway device may cause a dialysis function to be performed by the dialysis machine, or data to be input into the dialysis machine. The gateway device can also communicate with one or more other systems (e.g., remote systems) via the cloud-based application. In some examples, the cloud-based application can communicate with an order management system to allow the user to order medical supplies (e.g., for use with the dialysis machine) via the gateway device. The gateway device can provide two-way conversational capability (e.g., back and forth communication) between the user and the gateway device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Matthew Buraczenski, Harvey Cohen, Kulwinder S. Plahey, John A. Biewer
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Patent number: 11491270Abstract: A dialysis system includes include a home dialysis machine and a home gateway device in communication with a cloud-based application via a connected health system. The gateway device has voice recognition capabilities. A user can provide spoken information to the gateway device, and the gateway device can cause one or more actions to be performed. The gateway device may cause a dialysis function to be performed by the dialysis machine, or data to be input into the dialysis machine. The gateway device can also communicate with one or more other systems (e.g., remote systems) via the cloud-based application. In some examples, the cloud-based application can communicate with an order management system to allow the user to order medical supplies (e.g., for use with the dialysis machine) via the gateway device. The gateway device can provide two-way conversational capability (e.g., back and forth communication) between the user and the gateway device.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Buraczenski, Harvey Cohen, Kulwinder S. Plahey, John A. Biewer
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Publication number: 20220347365Abstract: A dialysis system may include a dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis machine) having a fluid system for delivering fluid (e.g., dialysate) to a patient. The dialysis machine may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, may cause the at least one processor to determine volume information for a fluid system of a dialysis machine, wherein the volume information may comprise a patient line volume and an accuracy adjustment volume, and to determine a priming volume to prime the fluid system with a fluid based on the volume information. Other embodiments are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Kulwinder S. Plahey, Pierre Thiebaud, John A. Biewer
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Patent number: 11478578Abstract: This disclosure relates to medical fluid cassettes and related systems and methods. In certain aspects, a medical fluid cassette includes a base having a first region and a second region, a first membrane overlying the first region of the base, and a second membrane overlying the second region of the base. The second membrane is configured to rebound away from the base when a force used to press the second membrane toward the base is released.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Sean Farrell, Joseph Michael Fallon, Kulwinder S. Plahey, Michael James Beiriger
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Patent number: 11452801Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a control unit configured to monitor an amount of fluid withdrawn from a heater bag line during a PD treatment. A processor in the control unit is configured to operate a first pump to draw fluid into a first pump chamber and measure a first fluid volume in the first pump chamber. The processor is further configured to operate the first pump and a second pump to transfer fluid from the first pump chamber to a second pump chamber, measure a second fluid volume in the second pump chamber, and determine a measured fluid volume for a single pump cycle based on the first fluid volume and the second fluid volume. The first fluid volume is correlated to the second fluid volume and, therefore, the multiple independent measurements increase an accuracy of the fluid volume measurement.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Kulwinder S. Plahey
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Publication number: 20220268661Abstract: A method is provided for detecting leaks in a disposable medical fluid cassette that includes a base and a flexible membrane attached to the base in such a way that the base and the flexible membrane cooperate to at least partially form a fluid passageway. The method includes applying a first force to the flexible membrane, measuring a first physical property of a system that includes the medical fluid cassette a medical fluid pumping machine, removing the first force from the flexible membrane, applying a second force to the flexible membrane, measuring a second physical property of the system, and determining whether the medical fluid cassette leaks based on a comparison of the first physical property and the second physical property.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Kulwinder S. Plahey, Jie Zhu, Tri Ly, Robert Matthew Ohline, William Scott Crawford
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Patent number: 11413386Abstract: A dialysis system may include a dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis machine) having a fluid system for delivering fluid (e.g., dialysate) to a patient. The dialysis machine may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, may cause the at least one processor to determine volume information for a fluid system of a dialysis machine, wherein the volume information may comprise a patient line volume and an accuracy adjustment volume, and to determine a priming volume to prime the fluid system with a fluid based on the volume information. Other embodiments are described.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Kulwinder S. Plahey, Pierre Thiebaud, John A. Biewer
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Patent number: 11344657Abstract: Dialysis machines and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) may include delivering dialysate to a patient and detecting a temperature of a volume of the dialysate, an air content of the dialysate volume, or another condition, or combinations thereof, wherein the detected temperature of the dialysate volume is compared to a predetermined maximum temperature, the detected air content of the dialysate volume is compared to a predetermined maximum air content and the detected other condition generates a signal. The volume of dialysate may be diverted in response to the detected temperature exceeding the predetermined maximum temperature, the air content exceeding the predetermined maximum air content, or the other condition generated signal, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: John A. Biewer, Kulwinder S. Plahey
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Patent number: 11291753Abstract: A method that includes pumping medical fluid out of or drawing medical fluid into a chamber of a medical fluid cassette, calculating a theoretical volume of fluid pumped out of or drawn into the chamber, and multiplying the theoretical volume of fluid pumped out of or drawn into the chamber by a correction factor to determine a corrected volume of fluid pumped out of or drawn into the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Tri Ly, Jie Zhu, Kulwinder S. Plahey
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Patent number: 11273246Abstract: 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 dialysis machine includes a piston for pumping fluid (e.g., dialysate) from the cassette to the patient. In various embodiments, during use, the piston is arranged and configured to contact, compress, etc. a membrane defining one or more fluid chambers in the cassette. In one embodiment, the piston includes a sensor for detecting a leak at the interface between the piston and the membrane. The sensor may be a capacitive sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Fresenius Mesical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Kulwinder S. Plahey
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Patent number: 11262270Abstract: A method is provided for detecting leaks in a disposable medical fluid cassette that includes a base and a flexible membrane attached to the base in such a way that the base and the flexible membrane cooperate to at least partially form a fluid passageway. The method includes applying a first force to the flexible membrane, measuring a first physical property of a system that includes the medical fluid cassette a medical fluid pumping machine, removing the first force from the flexible membrane, applying a second force to the flexible membrane, measuring a second physical property of the system, and determining whether the medical fluid cassette leaks based on a comparison of the first physical property and the second physical property.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Kulwinder S. Plahey, Jie Zhu, Tri Ly, Robert Matthew Ohline, William Scott Crawford
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Patent number: 11141518Abstract: A sensor assembly measures characteristics of a fluid entering or exiting a patient via a catheter. The sensor assembly includes a flow tube that accepts the fluid at a first end thereof expels the fluid at a second end thereof, a plurality of sensors disposed about the flow tube, the sensors including at least one temperature sensor that measures temperature of the fluid and at least one pressure sensor that measures pressure of the fluid, and a connector that connects the sensor assembly to the catheter. The sensors may also include a clarity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a flow sensor, and/or an air detector. The sensor assembly may also include a wireless communication device that provides wireless communication. The sensor assembly may communicate with a dialysis machine via a network. The dialysis machine may be a peritoneal dialysis machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: John Aaron Biewer, Kulwinder S. Plahey
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Publication number: 20210249129Abstract: Augmented reality-based training and troubleshooting is described for medical devices. An electronic mobile device can be equipped with an AR application that, when executed, causes the electronic mobile device to provide augmented reality-based training on how to set up, or perform maintenance on, one or more components of a medical device. The AR application, when executed, can also cause the electronic mobile device to provide augmented reality-based troubleshooting for one or more components of a medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Kulwinder S. Plahey, Stephen A. Merchant, James Peterson, Harvey Cohen, Matthew Buraczenski, John E. Tremblay