Maintaining Critical Concentration(s) Patents (Class 210/647)
  • Patent number: 11246969
    Abstract: A device for extracorporeal blood treatment and a method for operating an extracorporeal blood treatment device provide for an ultrafiltrate pump of an ultrafiltration apparatus to be operated in a first and second operating mode. The ultrafiltrate pump is operated in the first operating mode in such a way that the pressure on the blood-side of the semipermeable membrane is higher than the pressure on the dialysate-side of the semipermeable membrane of a dialyser, so that during the first operating mode a predetermined amount of fluid is removed from an extracorporeal blood circuit via the semipermeable membrane of the dialyser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Wiktor, Arne Peters
  • Patent number: 11179507
    Abstract: A blood purification apparatus to which a blood circuit that allows a patient's blood to extracorporeally circulate and a blood purifier connected to the blood circuit and that purifies the blood in extracorporeal circulation are attachable, the blood purification apparatus including a dialysate introduction line through which dialysate is introduced into the blood purifier; a dialysate drain line through which waste dialysate resulting from blood purification performed by the blood purifier is drained from the blood purifier; and a concentration-detecting unit that detects a concentration of a predetermined substance in the waste dialysate resulting from the blood purification by the blood purifier and flowing through the dialysate drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nikkiso Company Limited
    Inventors: Satoru Kawarabayashi, Shinya Hasegawa, Tomoya Murakami, Kunihiko Akita, Masahiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 11020520
    Abstract: The present invention is a sterile peritoneal dialysis fluid, including an acidic first liquid containing only icodextrin and 0 to 2.34 g/L of sodium chloride, and an alkaline second liquid containing an alkaline pH regulator, in which the first liquid after sterilization has a pH of 5.0 to 5.5, the second liquid after sterilization has a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, and a mixture of the first liquid and the second liquid after sterilization has a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. The present invention can provide a peritoneal dialysis fluid containing icodextrin, in which the stability of icodextrin during the heat sterilization and the subsequent storage can be improved to the maximum, and the pH of the peritoneal dialysis fluid is close to the physiological range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishitani, Hirokazu Usami, Yoshihiko Koyama, Tsuyoshi Ariizumi
  • Patent number: 10967112
    Abstract: Methods for monitoring patient parameters and blood fluid removal system parameters include identifying those system parameters that result in improved patient parameters or in worsened patient parameters. By comparing the patient's past responses to system parameters or changes in system parameters, a blood fluid removal system may be able to avoid future use of parameters that may harm the patient and may be able to learn which parameters are likely to be most effective in treating the patient in a blood fluid removal session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Gerber, John Burnes, SuPing Lyu, VenKatesh R. Manda, Bryant Pudil
  • Patent number: 10940258
    Abstract: A dialysis device having an extracorporeal blood circuit which has an arterial line having a blood pump and an arterial needle for connection to a patient, a venous line having a venous needle for connection to a patient and a dialyzer arranged between the arterial line and the venous line and having a blood chamber and a dialysis fluid chamber is provided. The dialysis device furthermore has a control unit and an extracorporeal blood pressure sensor which is arranged at the suction side of the blood pump. The control unit is configured such that a signal output takes place which indicates the presence of recirculation when a change in the signal of the sensor following a trigger event exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Pascal Kopperschmidt, Alfred Gagel
  • Patent number: 10881778
    Abstract: A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include a control system that can adjust the volume of fluid infused into the peritoneal cavity to prevent the intraperitoneal fluid volume from exceeding a pre-determined amount. The control system can adjust by adding one or more therapy cycles, allowing for fill volumes during each cycle to be reduced. The control system may continue to allow the fluid to drain from the peritoneal cavity as completely as possible before starting the next therapy cycle. The control system may also adjust the dwell time of fluid within the peritoneal cavity during therapy cycles in order to complete a therapy within a scheduled time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jacob W. Scarpaci, Robert J. Bryant, Jr., Geoffrey P. Spencer, David J. Hibbard, James D. Dale, John M. Kerwin, Andrew S. Coll, David A. Beavers, David W. McGill, Simon C. Helmore
  • Patent number: 10828410
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus is provided comprising a filtration unit (2) connected to a blood circuit (17) and to a dialysate circuit (32); a control unit (12) is configured for calculating a sodium concentration value for the blood; the estimation of the sodium concentration includes the sub-step of calculating the sodium concentration value as an algebraic sum of a main contribution term based on the isoconductive sodium concentrate and of an offset contribution term based on a concentration of at least a substance in the dialysis fluid chosen in the group including bicarbonate, potassium, acetate, lactate, citrate, magnesium, calcium, sulphate and phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Anders Nilsson
  • Patent number: 10646632
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus is provided comprising a filtration unit (2) connected to a blood circuit (17) and to a dialysate circuit (32), a preparation device (9) for preparing and regulating the composition of the dialysis fluid, and a sensor (11) for measuring conductivity of the dialysate (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Paolo Rovatti, Alessandro Surace, Carlo Alberto Lodi, Anders Wallenborg, Anders Nilsson, Kristian Solem, Jan Sternby, Thomas Hertz
  • Patent number: 10398799
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a hydrogen peroxide-based lens care system for disinfecting contact lenses. Unlike hydrogen peroxide-based system known in the prior art, a lens care system of the present invention involves electrochemically neutralizing of hydrogen peroxide after any desired period of disinfection time for which contact lenses have been immersed in a hydrogen peroxide-based lens care solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Robert Carey Tucker
  • Patent number: 10349876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dialysis machine having the capability of determining a predialytic property in the blood of a dialysis patient which has an extracorporeal blood circuit, a dialyzate circuit, a dialyzer and a processing unit, wherein at least one sensor for determining a property of the dialyzate is arranged in the dialyzate circuit. The processing unit is configured such that temporal evaluation ranges are fixed during an initial phase of the dialysis treatment, in which temporal evaluation ranges all stability criteria from a predefined group are satisfied; and in that only measured values determined by the at least one sensor within these temporal evaluation ranges are used for determining a predialytic property of the patient's blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Maierhofer
  • Patent number: 10064890
    Abstract: Provided are methods for treating calcium malabsorption and conditions associated with calcium malabsorption, employing the administration of a composition containing stable amorphous calcium carbonate. Further provided are methods for increasing bone mineral density in a bone metabolism associated disorders, diseases or conditions, employing the administration of said composition in combination with a bone resorption inhibitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: AMORPHICAL LTD.
    Inventors: Amir Sagi, Assaf Shechter, Galit Shaltiel-Gold, Michal Daniely, Oren Meiron
  • Patent number: 9981079
    Abstract: A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include a control system that can adjust the volume of fluid infused into the peritoneal cavity to prevent the intraperitoneal fluid volume from exceeding a pre-determined amount. The control system can adjust by adding one or more therapy cycles, allowing for fill volumes during each cycle to be reduced. The control system may continue to allow the fluid to drain from the peritoneal cavity as completely as possible before starting the next therapy cycle. The control system may also adjust the dwell time of fluid within the peritoneal cavity during therapy cycles in order to complete a therapy within a scheduled time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jacob W. Scarpaci, Robert J. Bryant, Jr., Geoffrey P. Spencer, David J. Hibbard, James D. Dale, John M. Kerwin, Andrew S. Coll, David A. Beavers, David W. McGill, Simon C. Helmore
  • Patent number: 9974895
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hemodialysis membrane for the treatment of vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients, especially in chronic hemodialysis patients. The present disclosure further relates to methods of treating vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients, wherein the hemodialysis membrane is characterized in that it comprises at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer and in that it has a MWRO of between 15 and 20 kD and a MWCO of between 170-320 kD or that the hemodialysis membrane comprises at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer and has a MWRO of between 8.5 kD and 14.0 kD and a MWCO of between 55 kD and 130 kD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB, CHARITE UNIVERSITATSMEDIZIN BERLIN
    Inventors: Markus Storr, Bernd Krause, Ralf Schindler, Daniel Zickler, Bjoern Hegner
  • Patent number: 9750862
    Abstract: Methods for monitoring patient parameters and blood fluid removal system parameters include identifying those system parameters that result in improved patient parameters or in worsened patient parameters. By comparing the patient's past responses to system parameters or changes in system parameters, a blood fluid removal system may be able to avoid future use of parameters that may harm the patient and may be able to learn which parameters are likely to be most effective in treating the patient in a blood fluid removal session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Gerber, John Burnes, Suping Lyu, VenKatesh R. Manda, Bryant Pudil
  • Patent number: 9713666
    Abstract: A blood based solute monitoring system for measuring at least one blood solute species that has a first recirculation flow path in fluid communication with a dialyzer. The first recirculation flow path is configured to allow a fluid to recirculate through a dialyzer such that the concentration of at least one solute species in the fluid becomes equilibrated to the solute species concentration of the blood in a blood compartment of the dialyzer. The blood solute monitoring system has at least one sensor to measure a fluid characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Bryant J. Pudil, Thomas E. Meyer, David B. Lura, Martin T. Gerber
  • Patent number: 9572920
    Abstract: A disposable for use in blood treatment including a blood treatment unit and two membrane pumps connected in parallel on one side of the blood treatment unit. The disposable is operable in a single-needle mode, in which the pumps generate a pulsatile flow of blood through the blood treatment unit, and in a double-needle mode, in which the pumps generate an essentially continuous flow of blood through the blood treatment unit. The pumps connect to a supply of treatment fluid such that alternating flows of treatment fluid causes the pumps to generate the desired flows of blood in the single-needle and double-needle modes. The treatment fluid may be used as motive fluid for displacing the blood in the membrane pumps and/or as control fluid for controlling opening and/or closing of upstream and downstream commutation valves in the membrane pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Olof Jansson, Mattias Holmer, Eddie Nilsson, Lennart Jonsson
  • Patent number: 9429011
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of testing liquids at a test pressure. A first fluid is placed in a first chamber of a test system. The first fluid is brought to the test pressure. A volume is calculated of a second fluid to inject into the first chamber from a second chamber of the test system via a first portion connecting the first chamber and the second chamber. The first portion includes a fluid interface between the first fluid and the second fluid located in the first portion. The volume of the second fluid is injected into the first chamber, displacing an equivalent volume of fluid into a third chamber of the test system via a second portion connecting the first chamber and the third chamber in fluid communication with each other. The volume of the second fluid in the first chamber is mixed with a remaining volume of the first fluid in the first chamber to create a combination fluid. The combination fluid is tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sairam KS Pindiprolu, Bhargav Gajji, Ganesh Shriniwas Pangu
  • Publication number: 20150129499
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracorporeal treatment of blood (1) comprising a treatment unit (2), a blood withdrawal line (6), a blood return line (7), a preparation line (19) and a spent dialysate line (13). A control unit (10) is configured to calculate values of a parameter relating to treatment effectiveness based on measures of the conductivity in the spent dialysate line (13) subsequent to an alternating conductivity perturbation continuously imposed on the preparation line (19) of fresh dialysis fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Bernard Bene
  • Publication number: 20150096936
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher DiBiasio, Daniel I. Harjes, Joseph L. Charest, Jeffrey T. Borenstein
  • Patent number: 8999169
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of determining a dosage of phosphorus binder for a patient undergoing dialysis treatment to achieve a pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration within a desired concentration range while achieving a desired net accumulation of calcium. The method includes determining the dosage of phosphorus binder that will achieve pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration of the patient that is within the desired concentration range while accounting for the change in the amount of phosphorus removed by the dialysis treatment when the pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration of the patient is within the desired concentration range, determining a dialysate calcium concentration that will result in the desired net accumulation of calcium over a complete dialysis cycle, and dialyzing the patient with a dialysate containing a calcium concentration based upon that determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Gotch, Benjamin J. Lipps, Peter Kotanko, Nathan W. Levin, Amanda K. Stennett, Norma J. Ofsthun
  • Patent number: 8883008
    Abstract: A dialyzer composed of: first and second dialyzation chambers, and an intermediate chamber interposed between the first and second dialyzation chambers. Each dialyzation chamber has opposed first and second ends and contains a filter member that separates the chamber into a blood compartment and a dialysate compartment. Each of the compartments extends between first and second ends. Each of the chambers has a respective one of a blood inlet or outlet and a dialysate inlet or outlet arranged so that blood and dialysate flow in counter-current to one another in both chambers. The intermediate chamber is connected to form a dialysate-free blood flow passage between the blood compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mirimedical, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Mishkin
  • Publication number: 20140305869
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of blood are disclosed allowing for the determination of an internal convection in a blood purification device e.g. in the form of a dialyzer. The internal convection in the purification device can be determined on the basis of pressure differences in the purification device. The blood purification may be, for instance, a hemodialysis or a hemodiafiltration. Pressure sensors serve for measuring the pressures of the blood at the input and/or output of the purification device as well as optionally for detecting the pressure of a cleaning fluid or dialysis fluid at the input and/or output of the purification device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Henrik Wolff, Christof Strohhoefer, Roland Napierala
  • Publication number: 20140291244
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining a recirculation during a dialysis on the basis of the response of the dialysis system to an alteration of a system-related operating value are described. Recirculation may be determined by establishing, at the side of the dialysis liquid, a reference parameter that represents the concentration of uremic toxins from the extracorporeal circulation, and calculating a target parameter for a system-related target operational value from the reference parameter, presetting the system-related target operational value and establishing an actual parameter related to the system-related target operational value, determining an actual comparative value from the actual parameter and the reference parameter related to the system-related target operational value and comparing the actual comparative value with a system-specific target comparative value related to the system-related target operational value, and converting the comparison result into a recirculation degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: HENRIK WOLFF
  • Publication number: 20140263063
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to medical fluid sensors and related systems and methods. In certain aspects, a method includes using a medical fluid pump of a medical fluid pumping machine, such as a hemodialysis machine, to deliver medical fluid to a first portion of a cartridge that is positioned within a magnetic field, exciting atoms in the medical fluid in the first portion of the cartridge by applying radio frequency energy to the medical fluid in the first portion of the cartridge, receiving radio frequency energy generated by the excited atoms in the medical fluid in the first portion of the cartridge, and determining a concentration of a substance in the medical fluid based on the received radio frequency energy generated by the excited atoms in the medical fluid in the first portion of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Ross Peter Jones, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Fei Wang, Thomas Irvin Folden, Lynn Jensen, Shashikant Dattatraya Kalaskar
  • Publication number: 20140263064
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to medical fluid sensors and related systems and methods. In certain aspects, a method includes reading an indicia of a medical fluid cartridge to determine a volume of a fluid passageway of the medical fluid cartridge indicated by the indicia, receiving radio frequency energy generated by excited atoms in medical fluid in the fluid passageway of the medical fluid cartridge, and determining a concentration of a substance in the medical fluid based on the determined volume of the fluid passageway of the medical fluid cartridge indicated by the indicia and the received radio frequency energy generated by the excited atoms in the medical fluid in the fluid passageway of the medical fluid cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Ross Peter Jones, Pranav Chopra, Rupert Menzies, Mark David Tuckwell, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Lynn Jensen, Shashikant Dattatraya Kalaskar
  • Patent number: 8828232
    Abstract: The present invention constitutes dialysate formulations that are suitable for use in preparing dialysate solutions for use in batch and/or proportioning systems and for improving dialysis efficiency by reducing or preventing clotting of the dialysis flow paths. The dialysate chemical formulations for one batch of dialysate comprise an acid concentrate stored in a first vessel, and a citrate-containing bicarbonate concentrate stored in a second vessel. The contents of the first and second vessels are emptied into a dialysate preparation tank and mixed with water to form a batch quantity of dialysate solution. Alternately, a dry acid and/or a dry citrate-containing base concentrates are dissolved separately in measured quantities of water to form liquid concentrates which are then used in conjunction with a proportioning machine to generate on-line a final dialysis solution stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Dilip H. Shah, Todd Ing
  • Publication number: 20140246373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for monitoring the supply of substitution fluid upstream or downstream of a dialyser or filter arranged in an extracorporeal blood stream. One embodiment provides, for the detection of predilution or postdilution, for measuring the pressure in the blood stream downstream of the dialyser or filter, predilution or postdilution being recognized on the basis of the change in pressure following the shutting off and/or starting up of the substituate pump provided for conveying the substitution fluid. Another embodiment provides for recognizing predilution or postdilution on the basis of the comparison of the oscillating pressure signal attributable to the substituate pump to a characteristic reference signal. The characteristic reference signal to which the pressure signal of the substituate pump is compared is preferably the oscillating pressure signal of a blood pump arranged in the blood stream for conveying the blood upstream of the dialyser or filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: Pascal Kopperschmidt
  • Publication number: 20140221325
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing glomerulonephritis (GN) in a patient, as well as methods of monitoring the progression of GN and/or methods of monitoring a treatment protocol of a therapeutic agent or a therapeutic regimen. The invention also relates to assay methods used in connection with the diagnostic methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Meso Scale Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eli N. Glezer, John Kenten, Galina Nikolenko
  • Publication number: 20140217030
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using a sodium chloride source and a buffer source such as sodium bicarbonate in a controlled compliant flow path to generate from water a physiologically compatible fluid having a suitable level of a sodium ion and/or a buffer for use in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration. The system has a conditioning flow path that has at least a salination valve or salination pump, and at least one container has at least one solute in excess of the solubility of that solute. At least one of the solutes is a buffer source or sodium chloride. The conditioning flow path is in fluid communication with a controlled compliant flow path. The conditioning flow path can selectively meter fluid into and out of the controlled compliant flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Meyer, David B. Lura, Bryant J. Pudil, Martin T. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20140220699
    Abstract: A pH-buffer measurement system that has at least one source for modifying the pH of a fluid entering the system, the source selected from an acid source and a base source. The acid source adds an acid equivalent to provide an acid reacted fluid and the base source adds a base equivalent to provide a base reacted fluid. The source is in fluid communication with a flow path and a component for determining a fluid characteristic of the acid reacted fluid or the base reacted fluid. The fluid characteristic that is measured is any one of a gas phase pressure, an electrical conductivity, or thermal conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Bryant J. Pudil, Thomas E. Meyer, David B. Lura, Martin T. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20140217029
    Abstract: A flow loop for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration for the treatment of pathological conditions such as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) that has a controlled compliant flow path for preparing fluids required for a hemodialysis therapy session from water. The controlled compliant flow path modifies water into any one of a solution for priming a hemodialysis system, a physiologically compatible solution for contacting blood, a physiologically compatible solution for infusion to a subject, and a solution for blood rinse back to a subject. The controlled compliant flow path has a means for selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Meyer, David B. Lura, Bryant J. Pudil, Martin T. Gerber
  • Publication number: 20140209537
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for regulating an ultrafiltration in a dialysis treatment, in which the blood to be ultrafiltered in an extracorporeal blood circulation (109) flows through a blood chamber (110) of a dialyzer (113), which is subdivided by a semipermeable membrane (111) into a blood chamber (110) and a dialysis fluid chamber (108), and dialysis fluid in a dialysis fluid circulation (109) flows through the dialysis fluid chamber (108) of the dialyzer (113),.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander HEIDE, Dejan NIKOLIC, Arne PETERS, Christoph WIKTOR
  • Patent number: 8790288
    Abstract: An arteriovenous graft system is described. The arteriovenous graft system includes an arteriovenous graft that is well suited for use during hemodialysis. In order to minimize or prevent arterial steal, at least one valve device is positioned at the arterial end of the arteriovenous graft. In one embodiment, for instance, the arteriovenous graft system includes a first valve device positioned at the arterial end and a second valve device positioned at the venous end. In one embodiment, the valve devices may include an inflatable balloon that, when inflated, constricts and closes off the arteriovenous graft. If desired, a single actuator can be used to open and close both valve devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: David L. Cull
  • Publication number: 20140197106
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for dialysis wherein the decline of ionized calcium concentration in an acetate-free bicarbonate dialysate comprising no acetic acid and/or sodium acetate is controlled. The present invention further provides a dialysis agent A that comprises electrolytes, citric acid and/or citrate as pH adjuster, and/or glucose, for preparation of bicarbonate dialysate; the agent A characterized by being adjusted by citric acid and/or citrate so as to keep the electrolyte ionized calcium concentration not less than 1 mmol/L in a prepared bicarbonate dialysate. In a specific aspect of the present invention, sodium citrate is used as citrate, and the present invention provides a dialysate obtained from above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi IWASHINA, Kiyonobu Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8777892
    Abstract: A portable peritoneal dialysis system for a patient includes an inlet port for providing inflow to the patient's peritoneal cavity, an outlet port for providing outflow from the patient's peritoneal cavity, and a volume of dialysate for flow into and out of the patient's peritoneal cavity, thereby removing from the dialysate uremic waste metabolites that have diffused into the dialysate. The portable peritoneal dialysis system also includes a closed liquid flow loop, including a pump, for flowing the dialysate into and out of the patient's peritoneal cavity, and an organic- and phosphate-removing stage, including at least one replaceable cartridge in the closed liquid flow loop, the cartridge containing material for removing organic compounds and phosphate from dialysate removed from the patient's peritoneal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold F. Sandford, Norma J. Ofsthun, Amanda K. Stennett, Jiunn Yeong Teo, Cheryl Ford, Benjamin J. Lipps
  • Patent number: 8764987
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the determination and regulation of the concentration of at least one dissolved substance in a fluid circuit, in which the fluid circuit includes at least two partial circuits separated by a filter in a semi-permeable manner, includes a detection unit for determining a concentration difference of at least one first dissolved substance, a determination unit for determining the influence of at least one second dissolved substance which is not identical to the at least one first dissolved substance, and a regulation unit for regulating the concentration of the at least one dissolved substance in the fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Malte Gross, Andreas Maierhofer
  • Publication number: 20140175012
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring fluid levels and electrolyte levels used in a dialysis machine. A receptacle, configured to receive a container, comprises a plurality of curved side panels and a base to form a cylindrical shaped cavity for receiving a container. Each panel includes a conductive material on its inner surface and, optionally, a shielding on its outer surface. An electronics component housed within, or near, the receptacle drives the capacitive process and interprets generated data to determine fluid levels and compositions. An alternate receptacle includes one or two coils wrapped about the container and uses induction to determine fluid level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Gregory Hayes Gengarelly, Tam Nolan
  • Patent number: 8758626
    Abstract: A cartridge having at least one layer containing sodium zirconium phosphate and at least one layer containing a combination of acid zirconium phosphate and alkaline hydrous zirconium oxide is described. Methods of using the cartridge for water purification are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Wong
  • Publication number: 20140166579
    Abstract: A device for monitoring an extracorporeal blood circuit of an extracorporeal blood treatment device for detection of air bubbles in blood that is conveyed in the extracorporeal circuit by a blood pump, and a method for monitoring an extracorporeal blood circuit for detection of air bubbles, together with a device for monitoring the extracorporeal blood circuit are described. The device and method are based on monitoring the negative pressure in the extracorporeal blood circuit upstream of the blood pump, to allow differentiation between the occurrence of microbubbles which are attributable to cavitation and an entry of air not due to cavitation. When the negative pressure is above a predetermined limit value and microbubbles are detected in the extracorporeal blood circuit, it is deduced that the microbubbles are produced by cavitation and the mechanisms for dissolving the microbubbles are insufficient to remove the microbubbles again before they could reach the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Alfred Gagel, Gerhard Wiesen
  • Publication number: 20140158623
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the sodium concentration of a dialysate fluid during hemodialysis therapy and adjusting sodium concentration using a sodium management system to generate a sodium-modified fluid. The systems and methods also provide a mechanism for controlled addition of sodium ions to the dialysate to generate a predetermined total sodium concentration in a dialysate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant J. PUDIL, Martin T. Gerber, David B. Lura, Thomas E. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20140110341
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a concentration of total chlorine in dialysis water are provided. The system comprises a main unit housing an iodide/water sample chamber and a reducing agent chamber. An electrode pair bridges the two chambers and generates tri-iodide proportional to the amount of total chlorine in the dialysis water. The electrode pair detects the amount of tri-iodide generated in proportion to the amount of active chloride in the dialysis water. The system is suitable for use in connection with, or for incorporation into, a water purification system for generating dialysis fluid, and may include a display that alerts the user to stop or prevent a hemodialysis treatment if the total chlorine level exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeff White, Ye Chen, Samuel Ding, Joel Titus, Justin Rohde, Shincy Maliekkal, Kevin Cooper
  • Patent number: 8702979
    Abstract: A method for determining online adequacy parameters for any hemodialysis, hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration treatment modality is provided. Blood equilibrated dialysate samples at the begin and/or at the end of the treatment; and a continuous measurements of waste compounds in the effluent dialysate by means of spectroscopic techniques, are required. With the data coming from the measurements and a simple mathematic approach Kt/V and reduction ratios for different compounds, which are important from the medical point of view, are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventor: Alex Castellarnau
  • Publication number: 20140102983
    Abstract: A method as well as an apparatus is disclosed for determining the efficiency of a currently performed kidney replacement therapy on the dialysis side making use of a dialysis machine which in a first step is operated in a hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration process and in a second step is sequentially changed over to a hemofiltration process or is changed over to a sequential mode in which merely a flow from the blood compartment via the semipermeable membrane to the dialysis fluid compartment of the dialyser is generated in which, according to a third step, a sensor for determining or measuring the concentration at least of uremic toxins in the saturated dialysate or ultra-filtrate which is connected downstream of a dialyser on the dialysis side outputs corresponding measuring signals that are representative of the current concentration at least of uremic toxins in the blood to a calculation or determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: JOERN MEIBAUM, CHRISTOF STROHHOEFER
  • Patent number: 8632683
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for therapeutic administration of pyrophosphate for phosphate repletion may be in either liquid or solid form and may be usable as or usable for preparing a hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis solution containing a pyrophosphate compound present in an amount that provides a concentration in the dialysis solution equivalent to an inorganic phosphorus concentration of at least 0.5 mg per deciliter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Ajay Gupta
  • Patent number: 8617393
    Abstract: A method and a device for supply of a dialyser in a dialysis unit with dialysis fluid is disclosed. At least one dialysis fluid concentrate is mixed with water to produce the dialysis fluid. The dialysis fluid concentrate is prepared in a reservoir unit in a given amount. A control and arithmetic unit calculates the dialysis fluid rate (Qd) such that, after a given treatment time (TB) has passed, a given residual amount of dialysis fluid concentrate or no residual amount remains in the reservoir unit. It is preferable to empty the reservoir unit by the end of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gerard Remkes, Gerhard Wiesen
  • Patent number: 8529767
    Abstract: The method according to the invention and the apparatus according to the invention are characterized in that the substitution rate QS is modified by a predefined amount upstream or downstream of the dialyzer or filter while the flow rate QFM of the liquid withdrawn through the dialyzer membrane is modified. The blood volume RBV(t) or a variable correlated with the blood volume, e.g. the hematocrit Hct(t), is determined before and after modifying the substitution rate or the flow rate of the liquid withdrawn through the dialyzer or filter membrane in order to calculate fistula recirculation RA. In addition, the total recirculation R is determined. The percentage of fistula recirculation (RA) and/or cardiopulmonary recirculation (RCP) relative to the total recirculation is calculated from the determined fistula recirculation (RA) and the sum R of fistula recirculation (RA) and cardiopulmonary recirculation (RCP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8518260
    Abstract: A method of controlling diffusive sodium transport from the dialysate solution to the blood of a patient undergoing hemodialysis treatment or from the blood to the dialysate solution includes calculating SNa+average, an average of the patient's historic serum sodium concentrations, and estimating SNa+estimated, the patient's pre-dialysis serum sodium concentration, based on the average of the patient's measured historic pre-dialysis serum sodium concentrations, SNa+measured. The method enables adjusting DNa+, the sodium concentration of the dialysate solution, based on the average of the patient's historic serum sodium concentrations, SNa+average, if needed, and performing the dialysis treatment of the patient using a dialysate solution containing a sodium concentration DNa+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jochen G. Raimann, Erik Lars Penne, Stephan Thijssen, Peter Kotanko, Nathan W. Levin
  • Patent number: 8512271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and to a method for determining the dialysis fluid flow rate for an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The dialysis fluid flow rate Qd is determined in accordance with the blood flow rate Qb or the blood flow rate Qb is determined in accordance with the dialysis fluid flow rate Qd, wherein by increasing about a specific value, the increase of a variable characterising the efficiency of the blood treatment, in particular clearance K, does not exceed the specific value. The present invention also relates to a blood treatment device comprising a device for determining the dialysis fluid flow rate or blood flow rate and to a method for operating an extracorporeal blood treatment device. As a result, an optimal dialysis fluid flow rate and/or blood flow rate calculates the requirement in accordance with a high efficiency of the dialysis treatment and in accordance with a reduced consumption of the dialysis liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Moissl, Andreas Wüpper
  • Patent number: 8496824
    Abstract: A method and a device for supply of a dialyser in a dialysis unit with dialysis fluid is disclosed. At least one dialysis fluid concentrate is mixed with water to produce the dialysis fluid. The dialysis fluid concentrate is prepared in a reservoir unit in a given amount. A control and arithmetic unit calculates the dialysis fluid rate (Qd) such that, after a given treatment time (TB) has passed, a given residual amount of dialysis fluid concentrate or no residual amount remains in the reservoir unit. It is preferable to empty the reservoir unit by the end of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gerard Remkes, Gerhard Wiesen
  • Patent number: 8491793
    Abstract: A method of recording and monitoring the operation and status of devices operating to purify water employed in the operation of a dialysis clinic, by providing a software program that monitors water purification devices that include a water softener, brine tank and reverse osmosis machine. This computer program is a data logging system that enables the user to monitor and record the status and performance of water purification equipment that is housed and used in a dialysis clinic. The software program will be used by technicians that work in three shifts on a daily basis to ensure that the water being purified for dialysis treatment is within an acceptable range of purity. This software replaces a paper logging system and is more versatile in security, accuracy, function and reporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Pradip Teredesai