Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical system includes a dialysis machine having at least one outer surface to be disinfected at a given location, at least one disinfection sensor connected to the dialysis machine at the given location, the disinfection sensor including two or more electrode in fluid contact with the outside surface of the dialysis machine, and a conductivity sensor component in electrical contact with the two or more electrodes, the conductivity sensor component configured to send an electrical signal indicating a conductivity of a liquid on an outside surface of the dialysis machine and in contact with the two or more electrodes, a processor configured to receive the electrical signal and thereby determine a disinfection status of the given location, and a user interface configured to indicate the disinfection status of the given location.

Abstract: A device for detecting potential health issues includes a retinal scanner configured to capture retinal data of the user, a blood pressure sensor configured to capture blood pressure data of the user, an alert module configured to alert the user of a potential health risk, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the retinal scanner, the blood pressure sensor, and the alert module.

Abstract: A thermal protection system configured for use with a dialysate container or bag in a dialysis system is disclosed. The thermal protection system being configured so that when the dialysate container is subjected to a temperature greater than a predetermined temperature such as, when the dialysate container is heated within a microwave oven, the thermal protection system is configured to (i) prevent the flow of dialysate from the bag, (ii) indicate that the dialysate container has been subjected to a temperature greater than the predetermined temperature, or (iii) a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the thermal protection system is a circular hollow ring positioned within an exit port of the bag, the ring melting upon reaching the predetermined temperature to block the flow of dialysate. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the thermal protection system may be a thermally sensitive dye configured to change color upon being subjected to the predetermined temperature.

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 dialysis system has a module with a dialyzer configured to remove one or more substances from a dialysis solution as it passes through a dialyzer. The module has a fluid line, a sorbent cartridge, and a sodium control system adapted to actively alter a sodium concentration of dialysis solution passing through the fluid line as the dialysis solution exits the sorbent cartridge. The sodium control system has a conductivity sensor that sends a signal indicating the conductivity of the dialysis solution as the dialysis solution exits the sorbent cartridge, the conductivity meter being in communication with the sodium control system, a processor configured to receive the signal from the conductivity sensor, compare the conductivity signal to a threshold value lower than a prescription value, and cause the sodium control system to stop actively altering the sodium concentration if the signal is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: In one aspect, a valve includes an interior channel for permitting a fluid to flow through the valve and an opening to the interior channel, the opening including a circular portion and a tapered portion adjacent the circular portion, the tapered portion having a maximum width that is less than a diameter of the circular portion, wherein the valve is rotatable about a central axis of the valve to adjust a position of a cross-sectional area of the opening with respect to a cross-sectional area of an inlet fluid line positioned to deliver the fluid to the rotary valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic abdomen for peritoneal dialysis training is provided. The prosthetic abdomen has an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material. The outer layer of material has an outer surface having a skin tone color. An opening is formed through the outer layer. A tube extends through the opening. A bag of liquid is in fluid communication with the tube extending through the opening.

Abstract: A social virtual dialysis clinic is provided that simulates social community aspects of a clinic group environment for patients undergoing a medical treatment away from a clinic. The described social virtual dialysis clinic system provides for integrated display devices for medical treatment information functionality, such as for dialysis treatment, with social interaction capabilities among multiple remotely-located patients while the patients are undergoing medical treatments at home or while traveling. Scheduling of the patients as participants in the social virtual dialysis clinic may be performed by a remote computer that receives transmitted information from each of the medical treatment machines performing medical treatments, respectively, on the patients.

Abstract: A dialysis machine comprising: a power supply for providing power to the dialysis machine, the power supply including a power supply cable that includes a first ground wire electrically connected to a first ground prong; and a hydraulics system for making dialysate, supplying the dialysate to a dialysate circuit, and draining spent dialysate from the dialysate circuit, the hydraulics system including a hydraulics grounding cable that includes a second ground wire electrically connected to a second ground prong.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for generating, performing, and evaluating virtual clinical trials that include clinic modules to represent real-world operational aspects of trial entities are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to generate a plurality of avatars configured to model a health condition associated with a population of patients, and to perform a virtual clinical trial to simulate a course of treatment for the plurality of avatars, the virtual clinical trial to include at least one clinic module associated with at least one event and a probability for the at least one event, the at least one event to model an operational aspect of an entity of the virtual clinical trial. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A mobile cart for a medical device is disclosed. The cart is designed to transport a medical device such as a dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine). The medical device can be connected to a power supply included in the cart, where the power supply includes one or more energy storage devices (e.g., batteries), a charging circuit, and (optionally) an inverter. The cart can also include a number of features such as automatic brakes, UV light sterilization, sensors such as object detection safety features, environmental sensors, and the like. The cart can include electronic components that enables certain functionality such as hosting a wireless local area network or communicating wirelessly with the medical device. A docking station is also disclosed that enables wireless charging of the power supply such that neither the medical device nor the cart needs to be plugged into an external power supply.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a medical device, and a system for acquiring user-specific customization data, i.e. user-specific language packages, are provided. The computer-implemented method comprises: determining a first set of user-specific customization data stored on the medical device; comparing the first set of user-specific customization data with a second set of user-specific customization data that is required by a user; and upon determining that the second set of user-specific customization data is different from the first set of user-specific customization data, acquiring, from a data storage external to the medical device, the second set of user-specific customization data or a delta between the first set and the second set of user-specific customization data.

Abstract: A thermal protection system configured for use with a dialysate container or bag in a dialysis system is disclosed. The thermal protection system being configured so that when the dialysate container is subjected to a temperature greater than a predetermined temperature such as, when the dialysate container is heated within a microwave oven, the thermal protection system is configured to (i) prevent the flow of dialysate from the bag, (ii) indicate that the dialysate container has been subjected to a temperature greater than the predetermined temperature, or (iii) a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the thermal protection system is a circular hollow ring positioned within an exit port of the bag, the ring melting upon reaching the predetermined temperature to block the flow of dialysate. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the thermal protection system may be a thermally sensitive dye configured to change color upon being subjected to the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A hemodiafiltration (HDF) system is provided for performing HDF treatment. The HDF system includes a mixing system for mixing nitric oxide (NO) with other chemicals to produce a dialysis fluid. The HDF system further includes an extracorporeal blood circuit that includes a filter for separating the dialysis fluid into a dialysate and NO spiked substitution fluid. The extracorporeal blood circuit also includes a dialyzer that receives the dialysate and a blood line connected to the dialyzer. The blood line includes admission points connected to the filter. The admission points are used to administer the NO spiked substitution fluid to the patient during the HDF treatment.

Abstract: A medical device configured to prevent bug infestation is disclosed. The medical device may be a dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis machine) for conducting dialysis treatments. The medical device (e.g., dialysis machine) including an ultrasonic generator and emitter arranged and configured to emit an ultrasonic high frequency sound to prevent bug infestation.

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 cartridge or cassette (e.g., a disposable cartridge or cassette) positionable within the dialysis machine. The dialysis machine includes a piston or pump for pumping fluid (e.g., dialysate) from the cassette to the patient. In various embodiments, the dialysis machine includes one or more sensors for monitoring a condition. For example, the dialysis machine may include sensor(s) for monitoring proper alignment of the cassette within the cassette compartment, or sensors mounted on the pump head for monitoring a leak during a dialysis operation, or sensors for monitoring improper operation of the pumps (e.g., pistons), or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring blood characteristics includes a controller, an emitter, a sensor, and a reference sensor. The emitter emits light at a plurality of wavelengths from a first side of a blood flow channel to a second side of the blood flow channel. The sensor is provided on the second side of the blood flow channel. The reference sensor is provided on the first side of the blood flow channel. The controller compensates measurements from the sensor based upon measurements from the reference sensor. The reference sensor may be disposed in a position to increase noise immunity of the measurement system. The measurement system may be connected to or part of a dialysis system.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system including one or more ultraviolet chambers is disclosed. The hemodialysis system including a dialyzer arranged and configured to filter a patient's blood, a hemodialysis machine arranged and configured to pump, move, or the like dialysate through the dialyzer, the hemodialysis machine including an outlet valve and an outlet fluid flow path to pump or move dialysate from the hemodialysis machine to the dialyzer, and an inlet valve and an inlet fluid flow path to pump or receive dialysate from the dialyzer, and one or more ultraviolet chambers arranged and configured to kill bacteria, viruses, or a combination thereof. Thus arranged, by incorporating one or more ultraviolet chambers in strategic areas of the system, the ultraviolet chambers may eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, the possibility of cross-contamination in, for example, the dialysate, and thus eliminate the need for disinfecting the system between treatments.

Abstract: A fluid conduit includes a first portion having a first porosity, a second portion disposed immediately adjacent to the first portion, the second portion having a second porosity that is greater than the first porosity, and a third portion of the fluid conduit disposed immediately adjacent to the second portion, the third portion having a third porosity that is less than the second porosity. Each of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion may be integrally formed as a single, continuous piece defining the fluid conduit.