Abstract: Systems, methods, and/or apparatuses may be operative to perform a dialysis process that includes a displacer infusion process. 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 access dialysis information for a dialysis process performed by a dialysis machine, the dialysis information indicating a target substance to be displaced from a binding compound by a displacer, and determine an infusion profile for infusing the displacer into a patient during a displacer infusion process of the dialysis process, the infusion profile determined based on the dialysis information and an infusion constraint. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A technique for determining skin sodium content using bioimpedance spectroscopy includes applying a current at a predetermined frequency to skin of a subject, measuring a voltage across the skin of the subject produced by the current, determining a resistance across the skin of the subject at the predetermined frequency using the measured voltage, and determining skin sodium content using the measured voltage.

Abstract: The described technology may include processes to model renal pathophysiology in patients and/or patient populations. In one embodiment, a method may include a CKD/ESRD condition analysis, such as a vascular calcification analysis. The method may include, via a processor of a computing device: determining a vascular calcification model configured to model vascular calcification of a virtual patient to determine a causal relationship between at least one patient characteristic and a vascular calcification indicator, and generating a causal relationship structure configured to visualize a causal relationship between the at least one patient characteristic and the vascular calcification indicator. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and/or apparatuses may be operative to perform a dialysis process that includes a displacer infusion process. 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 access dialysis information for a dialysis process performed by a dialysis machine, the dialysis information indicating a target substance to be displaced from a binding compound by a displacer, and determine an infusion profile for infusing the displacer into a patient during a displacer infusion process of the dialysis process, the infusion profile determined based on the dialysis information and an infusion constraint. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: The described technology may include processes to model parathyroid gland (PTG) functionality and/or calcimimetic administration to patients with a health abnormality that affects PTG function. In one embodiment, a method may include providing a PTG functionality model configured to simulate functionality of a PTG of a patient with a health abnormality affecting PTG function, the model may receive a parameters configured to regulate activity of calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR), the parameters may include a calcium concentration, a vitamin D concentration, and a phosphorous concentration, simulate CaSR expression and vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression via a positive feedback loop between the CaSR expression and the VDR expression, and suppression of the CaSR expression and the VDR expression by P, initiate at least one PTG adaptation based on the parameters, and determine a model output comprising a parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration at one or more time intervals. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for determining an arteriovenous (AV) fistula maturation in a patient may include detecting a first series of oxygen saturation levels of the patient at a central venous catheter (CVC) associated with a first series of hemodialysis treatments prior to the AV fistula implantation are described. The AV fistula may then be implanted in the patient. A second series of oxygen saturation levels of the patient at the CVC associated with a second series of hemodialysis treatments may be detected. The second series of oxygen saturation levels may be compared to a stable threshold mature AV fistula oxygen saturation level. Among other determinations from the comparison, in response to one or more of the second series of oxygen saturation levels meeting or exceeding the stable threshold mature AV fistula oxygen saturation level, determining the AV fistula is mature. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for generating, performing, and evaluating virtual clinical trials that include clinic modules to represent real-world operational aspects of trial entities are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to generate a plurality of avatars configured to model a health condition associated with a population of patients, and to perform a virtual clinical trial to simulate a course of treatment for the plurality of avatars, the virtual clinical trial to include at least one clinic module associated with at least one event and a probability for the at least one event, the at least one event to model an operational aspect of an entity of the virtual clinical trial. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A system includes a device having a blood side, a solution side, and a semipermeable membrane structurally configured for diffusion of one or more solutes therethrough. The system also includes a first extracorporeal circuit having one or more first fluid connectors for connecting the blood side of the device to the vascular system of a first animal, a second extracorporeal circuit including one or more second fluid connectors for connecting the solution side of the device to the vascular system of a second animal, a first pump in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second extracorporeal circuits, and a driver mechanically coupled to the first pump, the driver configured to drive the first pump using energy from an energy source.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for determining patient dialysis profiles, for example, of peritoneal transport status or disease progression, are described. For example, in one embodiment, a method of determining a patient profile of a dialysis patient may include obtaining a volume of fluid associated with the dialysis patient, generating patient information via fluorescence analysis of the patient fluid, and determining the patient profile based on evaluating the patient information with a profile library, the patient profile comprising at least one of a peritoneal transport status classification or a disease progression. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A technique for determining skin sodium content using bioimpedance spectroscopy includes applying a current at a predetermined frequency to skin of a subject, measuring a voltage across the skin of the subject produced by the current, determining a resistance across the skin of the subject at the predetermined frequency using the measured voltage, and determining skin sodium content using the measured voltage.

Abstract: A method for detecting occult hemorrhages is provided. The method comprises: obtaining, by a medical system comprising a blood monitoring system, a first hematocrit concentration prior to infusing a saline solution into a bloodstream of the patient; infusing, by the medical system, the saline solution into the bloodstream of the patient; obtaining, by the medical system, a second hematocrit concentration after infusing the saline solution into the bloodstream; determining, by the medical system, a first absolute blood volume based on the first hematocrit concentration and the second hematocrit concentration; generating, by the medical system, a notification indicating a potential occult hemorrhage based on the first absolute blood volume and a pre-defined absolute blood volume threshold; and providing, by the medical system, the notification indicating the potential occult hemorrhage.

Abstract: An apparatus used in analyzing spent dialysate includes: at least one surface configured to accommodate a dialysate drain bag or drain line in a predetermined position; a light source positioned to emit light through the dialysate drain bag or drain line; and a light sensor positioned to sense light emitted by the light source through the dialysate drain bag or drain line.

Abstract: A technique for determining skin sodium content using bioimpedance spectroscopy includes applying a current at a predetermined frequency to skin of a subject, measuring a voltage across the skin of the subject produced by the current, determining a resistance across the skin of the subject at the predetermined frequency using the measured voltage, and determining skin sodium content using the measured voltage.

Abstract: Described herein are computer systems and methods for generating, in silico, one or more virtual patients. The one or more virtual patients can be used, for example, to conduct a virtual clinical trial, such as to determine an efficacy of a therapy or medical device. The one or more virtual patients mathematically represent a physiological system in an actual patient for a health condition. Also, the one or more virtual patients can be used, for example, to determine an adverse effect from a therapy or any other deviation from a therapy, or compliance of a patient suffering from a health condition on a therapeutic protocol.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for generating, performing, and evaluating virtual clinical trials that include clinic modules to represent real-world operational aspects of trial entities are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to generate a plurality of avatars configured to model a health condition associated with a population of patients, and to perform a virtual clinical trial to simulate a course of treatment for the plurality of avatars, the virtual clinical trial to include at least one clinic module associated with at least one event and a probability for the at least one event, the at least one event to model an operational aspect of an entity of the virtual clinical trial. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A system includes a dialyzer having a blood side and a dialysate side, a first extracorporeal circuit including one or more first fluid connectors structurally configured to connect the blood side of the dialyzer to the vascular system of a kidney patient, and a second extracorporeal circuit including one or more second fluid connectors structurally configured to connect the dialysate side of the dialyzer to the vascular system of a healthy animal. The present teachings may thus include a system where hemodialysis is performed using a healthy animal (e.g., a person with normal kidney function) to help remove harmful solutes from, and provide helpful solutes to, a kidney patient. In this manner, the healthy animal is “virtually donating” its kidney function to the kidney patient.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for determining fluid volumes of a patient are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to receive baseline bioimpedance information for at least a portion of a human body at a baseline pressure, receive pressurized bioimpedance information of the portion of the human body at a pressurized pressure, the pressurized pressure greater than the baseline pressure and configured to substantially remove blood volume from the portion at the pressurized pressure, and determine at least one of interstitial fluid volume (VIT) or peripheral blood volume (BVP) based on the baseline bioimpedance information and the pressurized bioimpedance information. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for filtering dialysis fluids, such as dialysis effluent, are described. For example, a filter device may be configured to filter peritoneal dialysis (PD) effluent draining from a patient during a PD process. The filter devices may include filters configured to filter materials, such as human cells, microorganisms, and/or other components from PD effluent. For instance, a filter device may be configured to be installed in-line in a drain circuit of a PD system using conventional tubing. The captured materials may be analyzed or otherwise processed to determine health characteristics of a patient and/or to capture stem cells. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for determining an estimated cardiac output for a patient during dialysis treatment are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include a memory and logic coupled to the memory. The logic may be configured to determine an upper body oxygen consumption for a patient, determine, during a dialysis process: a hemoglobin concentration and a venous oxygen saturation measured via an optical blood monitor operably coupled to an extracorporeal circuit of a dialysis system performing the dialysis process,; an arterial oxygen saturation measured via a pulse oximeter operably coupled to the extracorporeal circuit; an arterial-venous oxygen content difference based on the arterial oxygen saturation and the venous oxygen saturation; and an upper body blood flow (UBBF) as (upper body oxygen consumption)/(arterial-venous oxygen content difference), and determine a treatment recommendation based on the upper body blood flow. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: The present teachings generally include devices, systems, kits, and methods for collecting, storing, and transporting specimens, e.g., in the context of pool testing. For example, the present teachings may include a compound swab featuring a first swab and a second swab, where the first swab can be detached for pool testing and the second swab can be preserved for testing based on results of the pool test. The present teachings may also or instead include a container having a separator structurally configured to separate swabs of a compound swab. Further, the present teachings may include a swab having a suction enhancer to promote the capture of a specimen on a collection tip thereof. The present teachings may also or instead include a receptacle that can house a plurality of swabs and sever at least a portion of the collections tips thereof, e.g., for pool testing.