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.

Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a pressure sensor mounted at a proximal end of a patient line made of a distensible material that provides PD solution to a patient through a catheter. During treatment, an occlusion can occur at different locations in the patient line and/or the catheter. When an incremental volume of additional solution is provided to the patient line while the occlusion is present, a change in pressure results. The change in pressure depends on dimensions and a distensibility of a non-occluded portion of the patient line. If the change in pressure, the incremental volume, properties related to the distensibility of the patient line, and some of the dimensions of the patient line are known, a location of the occlusion can be inferred. An occlusion type can be inferred based on the inferred location.

Abstract: A method of performing closed-loop dialysis treatment during hemodialysis is provided. The method involves determining an initial ultrafiltration rate and setting an ultrafiltration pump of a dialysis system to the determined ultrafiltration rate. A series of measurements and calculations are made to ensure that a rate of change of blood volume during treatment follows a specified profile. A threshold may be used to keep the rate of change of blood volume tracking the profile. Patient fluid dynamics may be measured in real-time and used to determine the ultrafiltration pump rate.

Abstract: A method for mitigating the spread of infectious diseases among dialysis patients is provided. The method comprises: receiving, by a prediction system and from a medical facility, individual treatment data indicating dialysis treatment information associated with a patient undergoing dialysis treatment; receiving, by the prediction system and from a blood testing laboratory, individual lab data indicating blood analysis information associated with the patient; determining, by the prediction system, disease analysis results for the patient based on inputting the individual treatment data and the individual lab data into a disease prediction machine learning (ML) model, wherein the disease analysis results indicate a likelihood of the patient being infected with a contagious disease; and providing, by the prediction system and to the medical facility, instructions indicating one or more responsive actions based on the disease analysis results.

Abstract: Techniques for vascular access identification and validation are disclosed. The techniques include: directly or indirectly acquiring an acquired value for a parameter that is a function of oxygen saturation (SO2) of a sample of blood in or obtained from a vascular access device (VAD) disposed in a subject; performing an evaluation of the acquired value at least by comparing the acquired value with one or more reference values; and responsive to the evaluation of the acquired value, assigning an identity classification to the VAD, wherein the identity classification is one of a central venous catheter (CVC), an arteriovenous access device (AVA), or another class of VAD.

Abstract: An apparatus used in analyzing spent dialysate includes at least a first surface configured to accommodate a dialysate drain bag in a first predetermined position, and at least a second surface configured to accommodate a dialysate analysis device in a second predetermined position, such that when the dialysate drain bag is in the first predetermined position and the dialysate analysis device is in the second predetermined position, a light sensor of the dialysate analysis device is positioned to sense light passing through the dialysate drain bag.

Abstract: The described technology may include processes to model acid-base homeostasis in normal patients and under acid-base disorder conditions. In one embodiment, a method may include an acid-base homeostasis analysis. The method may include, via a processor of a computing device: providing a physiological acid-base model configured to model acid-base homeostasis of a virtual patient, the physiological acid-base model to: determine a plurality of operating parameters for an HCO3/CO2 buffering system having renal and pulmonary regulatory mechanisms, determine acid-base information comprising a bicarbonate concentration, a carbon dioxide concentration, and a free hydrogen ions concentration via simulating the HCO3/CO2 buffering system, and determine predicted patient information based on the acid-base information. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Augmented reality-based training and troubleshooting is described for medical devices. An electronic mobile device can be equipped with an AR application that, when executed, causes the electronic mobile device to provide augmented reality-based training on how to set up, or perform maintenance on, one or more components of a medical device. The AR application, when executed, can also cause the electronic mobile device to provide augmented reality-based troubleshooting for one or more components of a medical device.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches the generation of multiple recipes for patients with chronic kidney disease. The recipes are generated by application of a large language model to patient data, including both medical and preference data. The recipes are verified by a dietician and may be used to generate shopping lists and instructions for an automated food preparation device.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and method are provided for breaking-up, dislodging, removing, and preventing the build-up of biofilm in a dialysate pathway of an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The dialysate pathway can include a dialyzer discharge line, a drain line, a dialyzer feed line, and a bypass system. At least one ultrasonic device can be positioned and configured to generate ultrasonic waves in the dialysate pathway and to propagate the ultrasonic waves along at least a portion of the dialysate pathway. The ultrasonic waves can be used to break-up biofilm. An ionizing electrode pair can also, or instead, be implemented to break-up, dislodge, remove, and prevent a build-up of biofilm. The system and method can particularly be implemented and useful in non-disposable portions of a hydraulic system of an extracorporeal blood treatment device.

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: 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 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.