Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient through the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. Preferably, the hemodialysis system includes a sorbent filter in the dialysate flow path. Furthermore, the hemodialysis machine includes a blood pump, and a pair of dialysate pumps. A processor controls the flow of blood through the blood flow path, and the processor controls the flow of dialysate through the dialysate flow path. In addition, the processor stores a patient treatment plan wherein the flow rate of the dialysate through the dialysate flow path reduces throughout the patient's treatment to maximize the amount of urea removed by the sorbent filter.

Abstract: A degassing module that may be used in conjunction with a sorbent regeneration cartridge is described. The degassing module may include an air inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a gas outlet port, first and second channels located in an interior chamber, a port connecting the first and second channels, and a hydrophobic membrane positioned above the second channel. The first channel may be in fluid communication with the air inlet port and the second channel may be in communication with the fluid outlet port. In some embodiments, each of the first and second channels may have a spiral configuration.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The weight, and therefore the level of dialysate, of each reservoir is measured by a preferred level sensor having a strain measuring device which includes a load cell and a tilt sensor. The load cell and tilt sensor are electrically connected to a processor for sending force and tilt measurements to the processor. The processor may analyze the tilt measurements to correct for any inaccurate measurements of the load cell caused by the tilt.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient through the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. Preferably, the hemodialysis system includes a sorbent filter in the dialysate flow path. Furthermore, the hemodialysis machine includes a blood pump, and a pair of dialysate pumps. A processor controls the flow of blood through the blood flow path, and the processor controls the flow of dialysate through the dialysate flow path. In addition, the processor stores a patient treatment plan wherein the flow rate of the dialysate through the dialysate flow path reduces throughout the patient's treatment to maximize the amount of urea removed by the sorbent filter.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The weight, and therefore the level of dialysate, of each reservoir is measured by a preferred level sensor having a lever arm, a load cell, and a tilt sensor. The load cell and tilt sensor are electrically connected to a processor for sending force and tilt measurements to the processor. The processor may analyze the tilt measurements to correct for any inaccurate measurements of the load cell caused by the tilt.

Abstract: A connector for use with a dialyzer to connect a conduit from a dialyzer with a conduit from a dialysate source. The connector includes a sleeve (female component) and a collet (male component). The sleeve has a generally cylindrical shape with an opening at one end having a circular shape with at least one slot positioned along the periphery of the circular shape. The sleeve also includes at least one flexible finger having a barb at a free end. The collet is configured to be housed within an interior chamber of the sleeve and has first and second gaps to house the barbs and first and second deflectable flanges to lock into recesses in a conduit.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The hemodialysis system may include a sorbent filter in the dialysate flow path which filters used dialysate. Alternatively, the filter may be positioned within a separate closed loop filter flow path which is isolated from the blood flow path and dialysate flow path. For this embodiment, the hemodialysis system includes additional controllable fluid valves which selectively connect the filter flow path to the reservoir which is not currently providing dialysis treatment to a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are example embodiments of a dialysis machine having a frame, a cartridge cassette, one or more alignment-locking features, and an actuation mechanism. The frame is fixedly coupled to the dialysis machine, and the cassette is slidably coupled to the frame. The cassette can have one or more track structures, with each of the one or more track structures having a rotor and one or more rollers. The one or more alignment-locking features extend from the frame and are configured to be inserted into one or more alignment features of a disposable cartridge that functions to secure or release the disposable cartridge. The actuation mechanism is made to slide the cassette with respect to the one or more track structures.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient, to the dialyzer, and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. The hemodialysis system includes a hemodialysis machine and dialysate generator which are physically connectable to, and disconnectable from, one another. To connect the hemodialysis machine and dialysate generator together, both the hemodialysis machine and dialysate generator possess connectable and disconnectable electrical connectors and fluid connectors which are positioned and constructed to allow both a fluid and electrical connection between the two machines. The hemodialysis machine includes a processor and a user interface, preferably in the form of a touchscreen, that is capable of controlling both the functions of the hemodialysis machine and the dialysate generator.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The weight, and therefore the level of dialysate, of each reservoir is measured by a preferred level sensor having a lever arm, a load cell, and a tilt sensor. The load cell and tilt sensor are electrically connected to a processor for sending force and tilt measurements to the processor. The processor may analyze the tilt measurements to correct for any inaccurate measurements of the load cell caused by the tilt.

Abstract: A syringe pump to deliver heparin to into the blood circuit of a hemodialysis system. The syringe pump is configured to receive a syringe having a plunger movable within a lumen of an elongate tubular member. The syringe pump may include a housing having a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the syringe, a drive mechanism for moving the plunger within the lumen, the drive mechanism comprising a motor and a lead screw; and a grabber mechanism. The grabber mechanism includes a control arm, back panel, and upper and lower control fingers, the control fingers each have first and second ends, and a curved portion therebetween having a width, an interior edge, and an exterior edge, wherein the first ends of the upper and lower control fingers are coupled to the control arm via first and second spring hinges.

Abstract: A connector for use with a dialyzer to connect a conduit from a dialyzer with a conduit from a dialysate source. The connector includes a sleeve (female component) and a collet (male component). The sleeve has a generally cylindrical shape with an opening at one end having a circular shape with at least one slot positioned along the periphery of the circular shape. The sleeve also includes at least one flexible finger having a barb at a free end. The collet is configured to be housed within an interior chamber of the sleeve and has first and second gaps to house the barbs and first and second deflectable flanges to lock into recesses in a conduit.

Abstract: The hemodialysis system includes a closed loop dialysate flow path which includes a dialyzer and a reservoir for storing dialysate, and a closed loop blood flow path which passes through the dialyzer in the opposite direction as the dialysate flow path. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes pumps for pumping dialysate and blood through their respective flow paths, a flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of dialysate in the dialysate flow path, and a level sensor for measuring the level of dialysate in the dialysate reservoir. A processor is connected to the flow sensor, reservoir level sensor and pumps to provide a first closed loop control system including the processor, flow sensor and a first dialysate pump, and a second closed loop control system including the processor, level sensor and a second dialysate pump which enable the processor to initiate, monitor and maintain ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a dialyzer, a closed loop blood flow path which transports blood from a patient to the dialyzer and back to the patient, and a closed loop dialysate flow path which transports dialysate through the dialyzer. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes two reservoirs which can be alternately placed in the dialysis flow path using various controllable fluid valves. The hemodialysis system may include a sorbent filter in the dialysate flow path which filters used dialysate. Alternatively, the filter may be positioned within a separate closed loop filter flow path which is isolated from the blood flow path and dialysate flow path. For this embodiment, the hemodialysis system includes additional controllable fluid valves which selectively connect the filter flow path to the reservoir which is not currently providing dialysis treatment to a patient.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a disposable cartridge and a reused dialysis machine. The disposable cartridge includes a dialyzer, and a dialysate flow path and a blood flow path which flow in opposing directions through the dialyzer. The disposable cartridge includes pressure and fluid flow sensors for measuring the pressure and fluid flow in the dialysate flow path and blood flow path. In addition, the disposable cartridge possesses pump actuators (but not pump motors) for pumping dialysate and blood through their respective flow paths. Preferably, the disposable cartridge includes a filter for removing waste products from dialysate.

Abstract: The hemodialysis system includes a closed loop dialysate flow path which includes a dialyzer and a reservoir for storing dialysate, and a closed loop blood flow path which passes through the dialyzer in the opposite direction as the dialysate flow path. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes pumps for pumping dialysate and blood through their respective flow paths, a flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of dialysate in the dialysate flow path, and a level sensor for measuring the level of dialysate in the dialysate reservoir. A processor is connected to the flow sensor, reservoir level sensor and pumps to provide a first closed loop control system including the processor, flow sensor and a first dialysate pump, and a second closed loop control system including the processor, level sensor and a second dialysate pump which enable the processor to initiate, monitor and maintain ultrafiltration.