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.

Abstract: Methods to treat anemia are provided whereby an erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA) and an iron supplement are administered by a wearable device, based on patient parameters sensed by the wearable device. The method can involve monitoring patient parameters and dosing an ESA and an iron supplement in real-time, via the wearable device.

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 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 method for detecting occult hemorrhages is provided. The method includes obtaining a first hematocrit concentration prior to infusing a saline solution into a bloodstream of a patient. The method further includes infusing the saline solution into the bloodstream of the patient and obtaining a second hematocrit concentration after infusing the saline solution into the bloodstream. The method also includes determining a first absolute blood volume based on the first hematocrit concentration and the second hematocrit concentration. In addition, the method includes generating a notification indicating a potential occult hemorrhage based on the first absolute blood volume and a pre-defined absolute blood volume threshold, and providing the notification indicating the potential occult hemorrhage.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring fluid volumes during peritoneal analysis include: computing lower abdominal fluid volumes, continuously during a dwell time of a peritoneal dialysis treatment, based at least on bioimpedance data from electrodes positioned on a patient's upper thighs; and computing intraperitoneal volumes, continuously during the dwell time of the peritoneal dialysis treatment, based at least on bioimpedance data from the electrodes positioned on the patient's upper thighs and electrodes positioned on the patient's torso.

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 device that allows for patient identification comprising a housing, a biometric sensor, coupled to the housing. the biometric sensor is configured to detect a biometric feature of a patient. The device further comprises a signal transmitter configured to transmit data related to the detected biometric feature to a medical treatment machine for carrying out a medical treatment on the patient. The patient identification device is configured to be secured to the patient during the dialysis treatment.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to dialysis systems and methods. In some implementations, a dialysis system includes a dialysis machine with a fluid line and a drain line, a blood line set configured to be connected to the dialysis machine, and a drain apparatus coupled to the dialysis machine. The drain apparatus includes a chamber configured to receive an end of a patient line of the blood line set, an inlet line, an outlet line, and a valve. The inlet line has a first end configured to be coupled to the chamber and a second end configured to be coupled to the fluid line of the dialysis machine. The outlet line has a first end configured to be coupled to the chamber and a second end configured to be coupled to the drain line of the dialysis machine. The valve is configured to control flow of fluid through the outlet line.

Abstract: A detector assembly configured for use in a dialysis (e.g., a hemodialysis) system is disclosed herein. The detector assembly including a wetness detector configured to detect blood, fluid, a leak, etc. The detector assembly being operatively coupled to, and more preferably, including an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Thus arranged, the detector assembly is configured to measure, read, obtain, provide, etc. additional information or data during a dialysis treatment, which information or data can be transmitted and/or used to, for example, provide greater insight into the system and/or to make better decisions. In one embodiment, the detector assembly can be used to determine when and how a patient is moving and feed that information back to the dialysis machine. In use, the information or data can be used in combination with other information to make an improved determination as to the requirement for an alert and/or stoppage of the dialysis treatment.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring the conductivity of a medical fluid, the circuit comprising: a data collecting cell through which a medical fluid is configured to flow; an input voltage source that provides an input voltage to the data collecting cell; a voltage measurement unit configured to measure the input voltage and an output voltage of the data collecting cell; and a switch in communication with the voltage measurement unit, the switch configured to switch between a first state in which the voltage measurement unit is configured to measure the input voltage and a second state in which the voltage measurement unit is configured to measure the output voltage of the data collecting cell.

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 bag. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate bag through a disposable cartridge or cassette positionable within the dialysis machine. A filter may be included in, coupled to, etc., the dialysis machine. In use, the filter may be configured to filter out air content from the dialysate. In some embodiments, the filter may be incorporated into and/or operatively coupled to the disposable cartridge or cassette inserted into the dialysis machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of additives in processes to form polymeric fibers. These fibers can be formed into membranes with improved middle and/or higher molecular weight solute removal.