Abstract: The disclosed packaging bags may include a flexible front sidewall and a flexible rear sidewall with at least a first closed edge, second closed edge, and third closed edge coupling the front sidewall to the rear sidewall. A perforation may be formed through the flexible front sidewall and the flexible rear sidewall along the first closed edge. The perforation may extend in a first segment from the first closed edge toward a central region of the packaging bag, in a second segment in a direction along the first closed edge, and in a third segment back to the first closed edge. The second segment may include at least one elongated ventilation slit. Various other related packaging bags and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A networked dialysis system includes a dialysis machine, a user interface, and a device that is located remotely from the dialysis machine and that exchanges information with the dialysis machine via a networked communications link. A digital data processor, which is coupled to the dialysis machine and to the remote device, facilitates execution of services on one or more remote digital data processing systems. The digital data processor is coupled to the remote device via the networked communications link and is coupled to the dialysis machine via a second communications link.

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 delivery robot is provided for the delivery of home dialysis supplies to a home dwelling of a home dialysis patient. The delivery robot can be an autonomous delivery robot. The delivery robot can have an outdoor set of wheels or other traction devices, and an indoor set of wheels or other traction devices. The delivery robot can be configured to switch between an outdoor configuration for traversing an outdoor surface, and an indoor configuration for traversing an inside surface, inside the home of the home dialysis patient. A network is also provided and can include a robot delivery vehicle, a warehouse, a remote computer within the patient's home, or a combination thereof. Methods of delivering home dialysis supplies are also provided that utilize the delivery robot and network.

Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a control unit configured to monitor an amount of fluid withdrawn from a heater bag line during a PD treatment. A processor in the control unit is configured to operate a first pump to draw fluid into a first pump chamber and measure a first fluid volume in the first pump chamber. The processor is further configured to operate the first pump and a second pump to transfer fluid from the first pump chamber to a second pump chamber, measure a second fluid volume in the second pump chamber, and determine a measured fluid volume for a single pump cycle based on the first fluid volume and the second fluid volume. The first fluid volume is correlated to the second fluid volume and, therefore, the multiple independent measurements increase an accuracy of the fluid volume measurement.

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: An extracorporeal blood processing system comprises a plastic molded compact manifold that supports a plurality of molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with a plurality of relevant sensors, valves and pumps. A disposable dialyzer is connected to the molded manifold to complete the blood circuit of the system. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine.

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: Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate source. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate source through a cassette (e.g., a disposable cassette) positionable within a port formed in the dialysis machine. The dialysis system may also include a cleaning cartridge insertable into the port. The cleaning cartridge may be arranged and configured to collect, remove, etc. any foreign material or debris from the port.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring edema, at home, is provided, along with a measuring pattern for use therewith. The system includes a computing system that has an imaging device, a processor, a memory, and a wireless transmitter. The computing system is configured to capture edema data of a patient and send the data to a remote doctor. The pattern can be incorporated into a flexible sheet substrate that can be placed over a portion of a patient's skin. By pressing the flexible sheet substrate into the patient, a depression is formed and the pattern is distorted. The imaging device captures an image of the depression and the distorted pattern. The computing system processes the image and determines a depth of the depression based on the distortion of the pattern.

Abstract: A container system includes at least one flexible wall defining a compartment containing a dissolvable solid or concentrate, a support adjacent a first end of the at least one flexible wall, and a nozzle assembly coupled to a second end of the at least one flexible wall. The second end of the wall is distal from the first end. The nozzle assembly comprises a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis. The hollow body further defines a plurality of orifices through a wall thereof. Each orifice is able to form a fluid connection between an interior volume within the hollow body and the compartment. Each orifice is configured to deliver liquid from the interior volume to the compartment in a direction having an angle of between 5° and 85° from a direction of the longitudinal axis. Related nozzles and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating an extracorporeal blood treatment system to infuse blood into a patient at an end of an extracorporeal blood treatment includes clamping an access line of an arterial line set. The method further includes, after clamping the access line, initiating an operation to generate negative pressure in the arterial line set. The method further includes, after generating the negative pressure in the arterial line set, unclamping the access line to draw fluid in the access line further into the arterial line set in a direction away from an end of the access line that is connectable to an arterial access of the patient. The method further includes initiating an operation of a fluid pump engaged with the arterial line set such that the fluid in the arterial line set is infused into the patient through a venous line set.

Abstract: A medical treatment machine, such as a dialysis machine (e.g., a home dialysis machine, such as a home hemodialysis machine or a home peritoneal dialysis machine) can receive a digital prescription file that defines parameters of a medical treatment to be administered to a patient. The digital prescription file can be prepared and delivered in such a way that the medical treatment machine can confirm that the issuer (e.g., provider) of the digital prescription file is an authorized issuer without having any a priori knowledge of the particular issuer. The digital prescription file can be delivered irrespective of the inherent security (or lack thereof) of the transmission medium in a tamper-evident format using minimal resources necessary to verify the validity of the digital prescription file and its issuer. The digital prescription file may be delivered to the dialysis machine using a network cloud-based connected health system.

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: 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: A light, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light, is used with a scanning test device in a scanning process of one or more of a user's hands to assess hand cleanliness according to a medical pre-treatment protocol for a medical treatment device, such as for a dialysis treatment using a home dialysis machine. If the scanning process results in a determination that the hands do not pass a cleanliness standard, the user is requested to perform a cleaning protocol and re-perform a scanning test. The scanning test device may be a smartphone, tablet device and/or other smart device running a software app that obtains and scans an image of the user's hand(s) illuminated by the UV light and makes an assessment of hand cleanliness according to an assessment algorithm. After passing the scanning test, the scanning test device signals to the treatment machine that the medical pre-treatment protocol may continue.

Abstract: A dialysis system comprising: a dialysis machine; a communication module configured to communicate using a short-range wireless technology protocol; data storage configured to store data corresponding to identities of one or more short-range wireless devices; and a processor configured to: identify presence of a short-range wireless device; and cause the dialysis machine to carry out an action when one or both of i) the presence of the short-range wireless device is identified, and ii) the presence of the short-range wireless device is no longer identified.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a kit for peritoneal dialysis that includes at least two bags. The kit also includes an overwrap for accommodating the at least two bags. At least one bag of the at least two bags forms at least a portion of the overwrap. According to the present disclosure, it is advantageously possible to reduce the material consumption of the overwrap, lower the cost of the kit, and reduce the amount of the disposable waste.