Abstract: A fluid sampling module is provided for utilization in on-line real time fluid monitoring systems. The fluid sampling module can be utilized as a urea input module in a hemodialysis treatment. The hemodialysis monitoring system quantitates the rate and amount of urea removed during the hemodialysis treatment by measuring the urea concentrations as a function of time in the spent dialysate effluent from a hemodialysis machine. The urea input module interfaces with the dialysate effluent waste line from the hemodialysis machine and periodically removes a quantity of the spent dialysate effluent for measurement. The urea input module detects low flow rates and eliminates low flow rate flutter. The urea input module includes a resealable make before break docking interface with the dialysate effluent line and preferably includes a filter between the urea input module and the urea sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coextruded medical port tubing. The medical port tubing provides characteristics that are desirable in the medical industry and therefore can be used as a medical port tubing in, for example, renal therapy or blood donor tubes. To this end, the present invention provides a coextruded medical grade port tubing comprising: an outer layer comprising a blend of polypropylene copolymer and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer; a tie layer; and a core layer comprising polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: Systems for performing peritoneal dialysis having an improved user interface functions and monitoring capabilities. In one respect, the systems discriminate between alarm conditions that require user intervention to correct and alarm conditions that reflect conditions that are anomalies but typically correct themselves with minimum or no user intervention. In another respect, the systems identify occluded liquid flow paths and discriminate whether the flow path is associated with a liquid source or a liquid destination.

Abstract: Pumping mechanisms for performing peritoneal dialysis and the like employ a pumping mechanism comprising a diaphragm that operate in response to applied fluid pressure. Flexible tubing is attached to the pumping mechanism for carrying liquid to and from the patient's peritoneal cavity. An actuating station for pumping mechanism receives the pumping mechanism and attached tubing. A pressure transfer element conveys fluid pressure to the diaphragm for moving liquid through the cassette. An occluder element contacts and crimps closed the tubing attached to the cassette. A first reservoir inflates with positive fluid pressure for contacting the pressure transfer element to hold it in operative contact against the diaphragm. A second reservoir inflates with positive fluid pressure for contacting the occluding element to hold it away from crimping contact with the tubing. At least one of the first and second reservoirs also transports fluid pressure to the pressure transfer element for conveyance to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A multiple chamber container for mixing and administering a plurality of products. The container has at least two chambers separated by a seal line. A frangible connector is situated between the two chambers for mixing the products contained within the chambers as desired. Each chamber has at least one port for filling of product into the chamber. The ports are located on the same exterior side of the container such that the chambers can be filled without folding the bag and by using existing filling equipment.

Abstract: A non-invasive technique and system is provided for measuring flow of liquid driven by a flexible diaphragm of a membrane pump (18). Flow, pressure and/or temperature of a gas, such as air, used to drive the pump (18) is continuously monitored. Instantaneous volume of liquid being pulled into or out of a chamber of the pump (18) can be calculated from measured values of the gas used to drive the pump (18). Sensors (10, 12 and/or 14) are used to measure values relating to the gas. The sensed parameters are concurrently monitored and continuously determine the amount of gas flowing to and from the diaphragm of the membrane pump (18) utilized to move liquid within a liquid pathway. The measurements may then be used to calculate the instantaneous flow rate of the liquid.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis systems and methods apply fluid pressure to move liquid. The systems and methods can emulate either a fixed head height condition or different head height conditions, independent of the actual head height differential between the patient's peritoneal cavity and the external liquid source or destination. The systems and methods can also switch between low-relative pressure flow mode when considerations of patient comfort and safety predominate and a high-relative pressure flow mode when considerations of processing speed predominate.

Abstract: A connector having an occluder which transposes between a first position and a second position is provided for maintaining a sterile environment during connection and disconnection of fluid communication between a container and a fluid line. The occluder is in the form of a spherical ball integrally formed with a length of tubing. The occluder has a diameter slightly larger than an end of the connector such that the occluder rolls into the end upon disconnecting from the system. An interface may be provided to receive a single connector or a pair of connectors to assist in fluid control between the container and the fluid line.

Abstract: A method and device for stabilizing and storing bicarbonate solutions is provided. In an embodiment, a device is provided having a container and carbon-dioxide generating substances that include a solid material which upon contact with water generates carbon-dioxide gas. The device may be packaged together with the bicarbonate or in a separate overpouch. The present invention also provides a method for the stabilization of bicarbonate solutions utilizing a means that generates high pressure carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coextruded medical grade port tubing. The medical grade port tubing provides characteristics that are desirable in the medical industry and therefore can be used as a medical port tubing in, for example, renal therapy or blood donor tubes. To this end, the present invention provides a non-PVC coextruded medical grade port tubing including: an outer layer comprising a blend of polypropylene copolymer and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer; a tie layer; and a core layer including a blend of polyamide and ethylene vinyl acetate.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis systems apply fluid pressure to move liquid. The systems can emulate either a fixed head height condition or different head height conditions, independent of the actual head height differential between the patient's peritoneal cavity and the external liquid source or destination. The systems can also switch between low-relative pressure flow mode when considerations of patient comfort and safety predominate and a high-relative pressure flow mode when considerations of processing speed predominate.

Abstract: An automatic means and method for preventing and/or treating hypotension in hemodialysis patients. To this end, a system is provided wherein the patient or healthcare practitioner can cause the hemodialysis machine to automatically deliver sodium to the patient through the dialysate so as to increase blood and extracellular osmolarity, increase blood volume from vascular refilling, and raise blood pressure. This would thereby alleviate any clinical symptoms caused by hypotension during hemodialysis.

Abstract: A system for processing a product with a solvent containing volatile constituents, the system including a pressure chamber for receiving the product, a vacuum pump for evacuating the chamber, a solvent recirculating system for admitting the solvent at a predetermined pressure into the chamber, the solvent recirculating system including a heater for maintaining the temperature of the chamber at the saturation temperature of the solvent, gas liquid separator for separating the gas and liquid components of the solvent discharged from the chamber, a first closed loop system connected to the separator to return the gas constituent to the chamber and a second closed loop system connected to the separator to return the liquid component to the chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum air lock assembly for transferring an article into an enclosure for treating the article with a solvent, the enclosure including a door for admitting the article into or out of the enclosure, the assembly including a chamber mounted on the enclosure and having an outer door, the chamber being sealed to the enclosure for transferring the article from the chamber through the enclosure door into the enclosure, a vacuum pump for drawing a vacuum in the chamber and discharging the air to atmosphere, the chamber being connected to the enclosure to break the vacuum in the chamber with solvent vapor from the enclosure, the article is transferred into the enclosure through the enclosure door for treatment and returned to the chamber after treatment, and the solvent vapor in the chamber is returned to the enclosure chamber through the vacuum pump and the vacuum in the chamber is broken to atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for proportioning solutions from at least first and second constituent solutions connected to separate inlet ports of the apparatus first detects which constituent solution is being supplied to which port and then properly proportions the finished solution from the constituent solutions irrespective of which constituent solution is connected to which inlet port.