Abstract: Liquid level detectors may include a pump for drawing liquid from a reservoir, a channel fluidically coupling the pump to the reservoir, and a J-tube connected to an end of the channel within the reservoir. The J-tube may include a first tube section and a second tube section extending along the first tube section. Perforations may extend between the first tube section and the second tube section. A pressure sensor may be positioned and configured to sense a pressure of liquid drawn from the reservoir through the J-tube and the channel and to sense pressure drops when a liquid level in the reservoir passes the respective perforations. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A simulated cannula for a self-cannulation training system is provided. The simulated cannula includes a coupler that houses an LED light source and includes an electrical conductor and an optical fiber extending therefrom. The coupler can couple to a off-the-shelf cannula that can be easily modified for such purpose. The training system also includes a cannulation pad, a control unit, and first and second indicators. The control unit can include a rechargeable battery. The first indicator is activated when the cannula needle electrically completes the cannulation electrical circuit. The second indicator is activated when the cannula needle infiltrates or bypasses the simulated access and completes the infiltration electrical circuit. Methods of training a patient for self-cannulation, using the simulated cannula and training systems, are also provided.

Abstract: A leak detector is provided that is incorporated into the wheels of a moveable medical device and/or cart or cabinet therefor. By incorporating a leak detector into the wheels themselves of the movable medical device, the leak detector, despite movement of the medical device, is suitably located to locate leaks with respect to the medical device at all times and requires no additional setup. The leak detector can further be tested by and interface with the moveable medical device to ensure the leak detector is in working condition and provide a convenient interface for a user. Additionally, by using this technology on each of the multiple wheels of a moveable medical device, the detectable area may be bigger than a leak detector at only one location.

Abstract: Described are a number of aptamers that are specific to bind with lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and associated methods.

Abstract: A dialysis system may include a dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis machine) having a fluid system for delivering fluid (e.g., dialysate) to a patient. 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 determine volume information for a fluid system of a dialysis machine, wherein the volume information may comprise a patient line volume and an accuracy adjustment volume, and to determine a priming volume to prime the fluid system with a fluid based on the volume information. 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: This disclosure relates to remote control of dialysis machines. In certain aspects, a method includes receiving a request for a network connection from a dialysis machine and establishing the network connection with the dialysis machine. The method also includes receiving, from a client device, a request to access the dialysis machine, authorizing the client device to access the dialysis machine, receiving, from the dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the dialysis machine, and providing, to the client device, the received information.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments may provide a software tool that enables a software designer to derive a color from a reference color. The software designer may specify changes in color characteristics that are to be applied to the reference color to derive the desired color. The user interface may be provided to allow the software designer to enter information regarding the reference color and the desired changes in color characteristics. The user interface may display the reference color and that resulting desired color so that the software designer may get a visual appreciation for the difference in the colors. The software tool of the exemplary embodiments may also include a color palette generator. The color palette generator may generate a palette of colors from a reference color.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment device and a method are provided for removing a secondary membrane formed on a semipermeable membrane of a dialyzer during an extracorporeal blood treatment. The extracorporeal blood treatment device operates in a first operating mode in which a dialysate outlet valve is open such that dialysate flows through a dialyzer feed line, through a dialysate chamber, and into and through a dialyzer discharge line. The extracorporeal blood treatment device operates in a second operating mode to remove the secondary membrane from the semipermeable membrane. During the second operating mode, the dialysate outlet valve is closed for a duration of time such that dialysate is prevented from flowing through the dialyzer discharge line. A backflush procedure results wherein a volume of dialysate passes from the dialysate chamber through the semipermeable membrane and into the blood chamber.

Abstract: A prosthetic abdomen for peritoneal dialysis training is provided. The prosthetic abdomen has an inner layer of material, an outer layer of material, and a pouch formed between the inner layer of material and the outer layer of material. The outer layer of material has an inner surface partially defining the pouch, and an outer surface having a skin tone color. The positioning of the belt and skin tone color can be selected to mimic the actual peritoneum of a patient. The pouch is expandable. A method of training a patient to carry out a peritoneal dialysis self-treatment, using the prosthetic abdomen, is also provided.

Abstract: Dialyzer systems can consolidate multiple technologies and functionalities of blood treatment systems in a significantly integrated fashion. For example, this disclosure describes dialyzer systems that include a magnetically driven and magnetically levitating pump rotor integrated into the dialyzer. Such a dialyzer can be used with treatment modules that include a magnetic field-generating pump drive unit. In some embodiments, the dialyzers include pressure sensor chambers with flexible membranes with which corresponding pressure transducers of the treatment modules can interface to detect arterial and/or venous pressures.

Abstract: Dialyzer systems can consolidate multiple technologies and functionalities of blood treatment systems in a significantly integrated fashion. For example, this disclosure describes dialyzer systems that include a magnetically driven and magnetically levitating pump rotor integrated into the dialyzer. Such a dialyzer can be used with treatment modules that include a magnetic field-generating pump drive unit. In some embodiments, the dialyzers include pressure sensor chambers with flexible membranes with which corresponding pressure transducers of the treatment modules can interface to detect arterial and/or venous pressures.

Abstract: A medical treatment machine, such as a home dialysis machine, can receive prescription parameters that define parameters of a medical treatment to be administered to a patient. A medical prescription is entered by a clinician into a clinical information system (CIS) that calls a system to evaluate the compatibility of the entered prescription by transmitting the prescription parameters to a server that has access to a database of medical devices and their operational parameters. The server compares the treatment parameters of the medical prescription to the operational parameters of the medical device and generates a prescription compatibility response indicting if the treatment parameters of the medical prescription can be executed by the medical device. The server returns to the CIS the prescription compatibility response to allow the prescription, e.g. in a digital or program form, to be securely transmitted or delivered via a connected health system to the medical device.

Abstract: Treatment controllers and methods are provided that can be integrated with treatment systems, such as peritoneal dialysis systems, hemodialysis systems, and nocturnal treatment systems, to manage execution of treatment operations or a course of treatment based on timing information and/or patient sleep state.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a microporous membrane that incorporates an additive having low water solubility at the membrane's active surface from a precipitation fluid. The incorporated additive at the membrane's active surface can improve one or more of the membrane's hydrophilicity, wettability, anti-fouling behavior, blood compatibility, and stability over long periods of use or repetitive use. The microporous membrane with this modified active surface can be a hollow fiber, flat sheet, or other self-supporting shape. The microporous membranes can be used for membrane filtering or a solute and/or solvent exchange process, which involve contacting aqueous-based fluid or blood with the microporous membrane, such processes for dialysis, blood oxygenation, or blood separation filtering, or other processes.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving measurements of a blood-related parameter corresponding to a patient undergoing hemodialysis; estimating a value of one or more hemodialysis treatment-related parameters by applying a vascular refill model based on the received measurements of the blood-related parameter, wherein the one or more hemodialysis treatment-related parameters are indicative of an effect of vascular refill on the patient caused by the hemodialysis; determining, based on the one or more estimated values of the one or more hemodialysis treatment-related parameters, a hemodialysis treatment-related operation; and facilitating performance of the treatment-related operation. The vascular refill model is a two-compartment model based on a first compartment corresponding to blood plasma in the patient's body, a second compartment based on interstitial fluid in the patient's body, and a semi-permeable membrane separating the first compartment and the second compartment.

Abstract: A device for measuring conductivity of a fluid. The device including a chamber and at least two electrodes. The chamber includes an inlet, an outlet, an upper surface, and a lower surface that runs separate from the upper surface. The fluid enters the chamber through the inlet and flows out of the chamber through the outlet. Moving along a length of the chamber from the inlet to the outlet or from the outlet to the inlet, a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface changes in at least one dimension of the chamber. The two electrodes are configured to measure electrical voltage in the fluid that enters the chamber through the inlet and flows out of the chamber through the outlet.

Abstract: A method comprising: establishing a wireless connection between a first medical device and a second medical device, comprising: receiving, by the first medical device, via a short-range wireless technology protocol, connection information related to the second medical device; and establishing, by the first medical device, a wireless connection with the second medical device based on the connection information.

Abstract: Enterprise organizations may use observational data to gather information about user experiences with their products and tools. For instance, patients with kidney failure may undergo dialysis treatment in order to remove toxins and excess fluids from their blood. The dialysis treatment may be performed at a hospital or clinic, or in a user's home, and the enterprise organization may use gathered information to gain understanding of user experiences with their dialysis machines and services. A user experience computing system gathers and processes user experience information from across the enterprise organization. Using stored observation data (e.g., surveys, studies etc.) in its smallest common form, the computing system may use this data as building blocks for creating more complex data objects (e.g. journey matrices and/or empathy gardens) using inputs from multiple different sources, and to facilitate presenting this information in an effective and empathetic way to product developers.

Abstract: The present teachings include techniques for securing a connection to a dialyzer or the like—e.g., securing the junction between a dialyzer port and a connector (e.g., a DIN connector) that couples the port to tubing of an extracorporeal circuit of a hemodialysis system. To this end, a locking device may engage both a DIN connector and a portion of the dialyzer, such as the cap or an adapter engaged therewith. The locking device may include an interior void sized and shaped to accommodate winged portions (or other portions) of the DIN connector to mitigate rotation thereof relative to the port to which it is engaged. Further, the locking device may be used to ensure that coupling between the DIN connector and the port is proper and secure. In this manner, a locking device can mitigate leaks, which can be catastrophic during a hemodialysis treatment or the like.