Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a device that can be powered or charged via ultrasonic energy conducted from another device via a fluid connection. In particular, disclosed herein is a pressure sensor for use with an automatic peritoneal dialysis (APD) cycler wherein power is transferred from the APD cycler to the sensor via ultrasonic wave transmitted through a dialysate fluid. A piezoelectric transducer is used in the device to convert the kinetic energy of the ultrasonic waves in to electrical energy that can be used to power the device or charge a power storage element within the device.

Abstract: A detector assembly configured for use in a dialysis (e.g., a hemodialysis) system is disclosed herein. The detector assembly including a wetness detector configured to detect blood, fluid, a leak, etc. The detector assembly being operatively coupled to, and more preferably, including an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Thus arranged, the detector assembly is configured to measure, read, obtain, provide, etc. additional information or data during a dialysis treatment, which information or data can be transmitted and/or used to, for example, provide greater insight into the system and/or to make better decisions. In one embodiment, the detector assembly can be used to determine when and how a patient is moving and feed that information back to the dialysis machine. In use, the information or data can be used in combination with other information to make an improved determination as to the requirement for an alert and/or stoppage of the dialysis treatment.

Abstract: A leak may be detected in a heat exchanger of a hemodialysis device. A drain valve is opened by the controller, and then closed by the controller after a pre-selected time period. An initial pressure is determined in the spent dialysate circuit and stored in the memory. A system pressure is determined at periodic time intervals and compared to a pre-determined maximum pressure. The controller then determines whether the heat exchanger has a leak, in that in response to the system pressure exceeding a predetermined maximum pressure, a command is generated to execute an event including suspending a disinfectant operation with a disinfecting agent, and in response to the initial pressure subtracted from the system pressure being greater than a predetermined minimum pressure differential, a command is generated to execute an event including suspending the cleanse operation with the disinfecting agent.

Abstract: A networked dialysis system includes a dialysis machine, a user interface, and a device that is located remotely from the dialysis machine and that exchanges information with the dialysis machine via a networked communications link. A digital data processor, which is coupled to the dialysis machine and to the remote device, facilitates execution of services on one or more remote digital data processing systems. The digital data processor is coupled to the remote device via the networked communications link and is coupled to the dialysis machine via a second communications link.

Abstract: A networked dialysis system includes a dialysis machine, a user interface, and a device that is located remotely from the dialysis machine and that exchanges information with the dialysis machine via a networked communications link. A digital data processor, which is coupled to the dialysis machine and to the remote device, facilitates execution of services on one or more remote digital data processing systems. The digital data processor is coupled to the remote device via the networked communications link and is coupled to the dialysis machine via a second communications link.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A networked dialysis system includes a dialysis machine, a user interface, and a device that is located remotely from the dialysis machine and that exchanges information with the dialysis machine via a networked communications link. A digital data processor, which is coupled to the dialysis machine and to the remote device, facilitates execution of services on one or more remote digital data processing systems. The digital data processor is coupled to the remote device via the networked communications link and is coupled to the dialysis machine via a second communications link.

Abstract: The invention provides a health care delivery system comprising a plurality of health care delivery devices (e.g., via the Internet, etc.), which can disposed in treatment centers ranging from patient homes to commercial health care facilities such as hospitals, dialysis centers and so forth. Reporting functionality can, instead of or in addition to identifying (and reporting on) discrepancies in the raw and/or analyzed data from the delivery devices, infer (and report) on possible causes of those discrepancies and, in some aspects of the invention, remedy those causes, thereby, providing automated operations support for the treatment centers.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and neutralizing blood clots during dialysis (e.g., hemodialysis) is provided. A fiber-optic sensor is provided in a hemodialysis machine to detect vibration of blood cells, and the hemodialysis machine can be configured to prevent blood clotting by sounding an alarm, agitating the blood cells, infusing saline, raising temperature and/or infusing heparin.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and neutralizing blood clots during dialysis (e.g., hemodialysis) is provided. A fiber-optic sensor is provided in a hemodialysis machine to detect vibration of blood cells, and the hemodialysis machine can be configured to prevent blood clotting by sounding an alarm, agitating the blood cells, infusing saline, raising temperature and/or infusing heparin.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A leak may be detected in a heat exchanger of a hemodialysis device. A drain valve is opened by the controller, and then closed by the controller after a pre-selected time period. An initial pressure is determined in the spent dialysate circuit and stored in the memory. A system pressure is determined at periodic time intervals and compared to a pre-determined maximum pressure. The controller then determines whether the heat exchanger has a leak, in that in response to the system pressure exceeding a predetermined maximum pressure, a command is generated to execute an event including suspending a disinfectant operation with a disinfecting agent, and in response to the initial pressure subtracted from the system pressure being greater than a predetermined minimum pressure differential, a command is generated to execute an event including suspending the cleanse operation with the disinfecting agent.

Abstract: A leak may be detected in a heat exchanger of a hemodialysis device. A drain valve is opened by the controller, and then closed by the controller after a pre-selected time period. An initial pressure is determined in the spent dialysate circuit and stored in the memory. A system pressure is determined at periodic time intervals and compared to a pre-determined maximum pressure. The controller then determines whether the heat exchanger has a leak, in that in response to the system pressure exceeding a predetermined maximum pressure, a command is generated to execute an event including suspending a disinfectant operation with a disinfecting agent, and in response to the initial pressure subtracted from the system pressure being greater than a predetermined minimum pressure differential, a command is generated to execute an event including suspending the cleanse operation with the disinfecting agent.

Abstract: A networked dialysis system includes a dialysis machine, a user interface, and a device that is located remotely from the dialysis machine and that exchanges information with the dialysis machine via a networked communications link. A digital data processor, which is coupled to the dialysis machine and to the remote device, facilitates execution of services on one or more remote digital data processing systems. The digital data processor is coupled to the remote device via the networked communications link and is coupled to the dialysis machine via a second communications link.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, medical apparatus with software-based cursor control and graphical user interface hotspot selection. This can be used, by way of non-limiting example, as part of a graphical user interface by which doctors, nurses, patient care technicians, other health care providers, and/or patients can enter data into enter data and/or to control the apparatus and/or associated medical equipment.

Abstract: A leak may be detected in a heat exchanger of a hemodialysis device. A drain valve is opened by the controller, and then closed by the controller after a pre-selected time period. An initial pressure is determined in the spent dialysate circuit and stored in the memory. A system pressure is determined at periodic time intervals and compared to a pre-determined maximum pressure. The controller then determines whether the heat exchanger has a leak, in that in response to the system pressure exceeding a predetermined maximum pressure, a command is generated to execute an event including suspending a disinfectant operation with a disinfecting agent, and in response to the initial pressure subtracted from the system pressure being greater than a predetermined minimum pressure differential, a command is generated to execute an event including suspending the cleanse operation with the disinfecting agent.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A dialysis machine useful in hemodialysis can process or treat a reverse osmosis water flow received through the machine to prepare a dialysate. The machine can include an additive source to introduce an additive, such as bicarbonate, to the reverse osmosis water flow. The machine can include a sensor in fluid communication with the additive introduction point that can measure the conductivity or similar characteristic of the solution. During a first time period when additive is actively introduced to the reverse osmosis water flow, the sensor can measure a relatively high conductivity value. During a second time period when additive is not introduced to the reverse osmosis water flow, the sensor can measure a relatively low conductivity value. The dialysis machine can include a controller that processes these measurements to assist control and operation of the machine.