Abstract: The present application discloses novel systems for conducting the filtration of blood using manifolds. The manifolds integrate various sensors and have fluid pathways formed therein to direct fluids from various sources through the requisite blood filtration or ultrafiltration system steps.

Abstract: A drip chamber is provided that includes a hollow body and a nucleation column extending into the interior of the hollow body or formed on the inner surface of a drip chamber sidewall. The nucleation column can be formed with, or treated by a treatment to include, microfeatures or other surface properties that provide nucleation sites for the nucleation and amalgamation of microbubbles. The drip chamber can include a bubble catcher in the bottom of the hollow body and the nucleation column can extend from the bubble catcher into the interior of the hollow body. Methods of making such drip chambers are also provided.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a manifold configured to couple to a medical fluid cassette and a multi-lumen tube comprising a plurality of lumens within an outer wall of the multi-lumen tube. The manifold has a plurality of fluid connection ports and can be connected to the multi-lumen tube (e.g., via an adapter).

Abstract: An article configured to warm and monitor a patient during a dialysis treatment, the article includes one or more heating elements. The article also includes one or more sensors configured to monitor a condition of the patient during the dialysis treatment. The article also includes a fabric portion configured to receive the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors and position the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors on the patient during treatment. The article also includes a transmitter configured to transmit information from the one or more sensors to a dialysis machine and an electrical connector configured to provide power to at least one of the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.

Abstract: Tubing protectors, systems including tubing protection, and methods for protecting tubing, are disclosed, such as for protecting tubing connected between a patient and a dialysis machine (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machine) during a dialysis treatment. A tubing protector may include a tubing sheath attachable to a patient. The sheath may include a first portion for receiving and protecting a length of tubing extendible in the sheath, such as to minimize collapse, kinking, blockage, or combinations thereof, along the length of the tubing. A second portion may comprise a flexible material and enclose the first portion. The first portion may comprise a resilient material, which allows for movement in the sheath and has a strength to allow for reorientation of the tubing, while withstanding deformation of the tubing along the length. The first portion may be a coil, a plurality of rings, a woven mesh, or a solid tube, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A home dialysis machine network is provided that includes a home dialysis machine and one or more walk-up service centers. The walk-up service center can be equipped with a diagnostic tool, parts, or supplies for the home dialysis machine. Methods of maintaining a home dialysis machine are also provided as are service centers equipped with a transportation service or office, a diagnostics department, an education and training department, a consultation department, an exercise and spa department, an entertainment department, a sales department, a repair shop, a new technologies department, a pharmacy, and a doctor's office.

Abstract: A spectroscopic detection system includes a sensor configured to reflect light of a first wavelength associated with a presence of a reference substance on the sensor and configured to reflect light of a second wavelength associated with a presence of a monitored substance on the sensor, wherein the monitored substance flows to the sensor from a circulating fluid. The spectroscopic detection system further includes a detector that has first and second channels for respectively receiving the light of the first and second wavelengths reflected from the sensor and one or more processors in electrical communication with the detector and configured to identify an excess condition of the monitored substance with respect to the circulating fluid based on a ratio of a second amount of the light of the second wavelength received at the detector to a first amount of the light of the first wavelength received at the detector.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a dialysis system having a reservoir module with a reservoir housing defining an internal space, a surface located within the internal space for supporting a container that contains dialysate, and a conductivity sensor located within the internal space, where the conductivity sensor has a coil, a capacitor in electrical communication with the coil, and an energy source in electrical communication with the circuit.

Abstract: A drip chamber is provided that includes a hollow body and a nucleation column extending into the interior of the hollow body. The nucleation column can be formed with, or treated by a treatment to include, microfeatures or other surface properties that provide nucleation sites for the nucleation and amalgamation of microbubbles. The drip chamber can include a bubble catcher in the bottom of the hollow body and the nucleation column can extend from the bubble catcher into the interior of the hollow body. Methods of making such drip chambers are also provided.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a vascular access is provided. The system includes a wearable vascular access monitor which can be a sleeve or other protective covering fitted with two or more sensors for obtaining physiological measurements at different locations from the vascular access. The sleeve or other protective covering is also fitted with an ultra-low power processor for relaying the physiological measurements to a patient's mobile phone. The patient's phone can evaluate the physiological measurements to determine a state of the vascular access, and if the physiological measurements fall out of nominal ranges, the patient's phone can alert a clinic, nurse, or physician. The system can be used to monitor fistulas or grafts used for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for access recirculation of a patient during dialysis treatment 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 determine a first hemoglobin concentration for a dialysis system, determine a change in an ultrafiltration rate, determine a second hemoglobin concentration modified due to the change in the ultrafiltration rate based on a dialysis system model of the dialysis system, and determine an access recirculation value for the dialysis system. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for evaluating dialyzers used in different medical applications (e.g., hemodialysis). Red blood cell volume lost in a dialyzer is monitored by obtaining blood flowrate measurements and hematocrit measurements at input ports and output ports of the dialyzer. The flowrate and hematocrit measurements are used to determine an accumulation of red cell blood volume in the dialyzer. The measurements may be obtained in a lab environment with an in-vitro blood source or may be obtained in a clinical setting with an in-vivo blood source from a patient.

Abstract: A sensor assembly measures characteristics of a fluid entering or exiting a patient via a catheter. The sensor assembly includes a flow tube that accepts the fluid at a first end thereof expels the fluid at a second end thereof, a plurality of sensors disposed about the flow tube, the sensors including at least one temperature sensor that measures temperature of the fluid and at least one pressure sensor that measures pressure of the fluid, and a connector that connects the sensor assembly to the catheter. The sensors may also include a clarity sensor, a conductivity sensor, a flow sensor, and/or an air detector. The sensor assembly may also include a wireless communication device that provides wireless communication. The sensor assembly may communicate with a dialysis machine via a network. The dialysis machine may be a peritoneal dialysis machine.

Abstract: A dialysate mixing machine may be configured to make dialysate on demand using, among other things, a plurality of concentrates in solid tablet form. For example, a prescription may be received by the dialysate mixing machine indicating the particular chemical constituents and amounts of each chemical constituent to be included in the dialysate. Based on the prescription, the dialysate mixing machine can determine the number of tablets required for each chemical constituent (and, e.g., the required amounts of other chemical constituents that are not in tablet form). The tablets are automatically dispensed and mixed with purified water, bicarbonate, and sodium chloride in a mixing chamber to produce the dialysate according to the prescription. The dialysate mixing machine may be used with and/or coupled to a dialysis machine (e.g., a hemodialysis (HD) machine designed for home use) to provide the dialysate on demand for a dialysis treatment.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method of charging a medical device includes receiving radiofrequency signals from a remote machine remote from the medical device via a receiver of the medical device. The method includes converting the radiofrequency signals into electrical energy via a generator of the medical device. The method includes storing the electrical energy in an energy cell of the medical device. The method also includes powering a power consumption component of the medical device by transmitting the energy from the energy cell to the power consumption component.

Abstract: Computer code embedded in an electronic component (e.g., a processor, a sensor, etc.) of a medical device, such as a dialysis machine, can be authenticated by comparing a metadata signature derived from the computer code of the electronic component to a key derived from a pre-authenticated code associated with the electronic component. The metadata signature can be derived by running an error-check/error-correct algorithm (e.g., SHA256) on the computer code of the electronic component. A use of the metadata signature enables detection of any unauthorized changes to the computer code as compared to the pre-authenticated code.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dialysis machine that comprises a dialyzer, a fluid source, a first line connected to the fluid source, and a container containing bicarbonate. The container connects to the first line and the fluid flows from the fluid source, through the first line, to the container. The dialysis machine further includes a second line connected to the container, a flow rate sensor connected to at least one of the lines, a pressure sensor configured for detecting fluid pressure of the container, a display, and a data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus is configured to receive signals from the flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor. The data processing apparatus is configured to calculate a size of the container based on the received signals.

Abstract: The present specification provides a dialysate management system for generating, weighing, and heating a dialysate fluid during a dialysis treatment. The dialysate management system includes a container and base enclosure. A bottom surface of the container rests within the base enclosure, which is configured to weigh the fluid in the container and measure its conductivity. The fluid may be heated using a heater integrated into the base enclosure or positioned in-line with a fluid pathway. The base of the container is preferably sloped and positioned within the internal volume of the container is a disposable prescription bag having a predefined quantity of prescription compositions that dissolve when water is poured into the container.

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.