Abstract: A bandage can be used to secure a needle to an access site so as to prevent unintended movement or withdrawal of the needle from the access site during administration of a treatment to a patient. After treatment, the needle can be removed by manipulating a portion of the bandage. Another portion of the bandage can be maintained in position over the access site during needle removal and can be used to promote clotting of the site after needle removal. The bandage may include a clotting agent, a hemostasis pad, and/or a clot-promoting structure. Additionally or alternatively, finger pressure can be applied to the access site through the bandage. For example, the bandage may include a viewing window without any adhesive to allow visual monitoring of the access site during treatment. Finger pressure may be applied to the viewing window and thereby to the access site during and after needle removal to encourage hemostasis.

Abstract: Devices can use various features to prevent the disconnection of connectors used in medical treatments. For example, a disconnection prevention member can have ends which hold luer connectors such that a male luer connector is prevented from separating from a female luer connector. The member can thus prevent disconnection of luer connectors that are incompletely mated.

Abstract: A blood processing system includes a flow reversing device with at least an air sensor in the venous line located near the patient. During treatment, blood flow is reversed to cause air to infiltrate the blood lines if any disconnections or breaks in the blood line are present. One means for placing the sensor close to the patient is to provide the flow switching device aid sensors in a small lightweight module that can be located close to the treatment machine. Another is to provide a module with just the sensors near the access.

Abstract: A blood processing system includes a flow reversing device with at least an air sensor in the venous line located near the patient. During treatment, blood flow is reversed to cause air to infiltrate the blood lines if any disconnections or breaks in the blood line are present. One means for placing the sensor close to the patient is to provide the flow switching device aid sensors in a small lightweight module that can be located close the treatment machine. Another is to provide a module with just the sensors near the access.

Abstract: A method and device for blood treatments that use fluids such as dialysate and replacement fluid for renal replacement therapy. In an embodiment, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through a microporous sterilization filter from a fluid source to a replacement fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment. As a result, the sterilization filter can have a small capacity. In another embodiment, a filter is placed immediately prior to the point at which the sterile fluid is consumed by the treatment process. The latter may be used in combination with the former embodiment as a last-chance guarantee of sterility and/or that the fluid is free of air bubbles. It may also be used as the primary means of sterile-filtration.

Abstract: A tubing set is disclosed that includes a first line having first and second ends, a bag spike at the first end configured for connection to a source of infusate, and a connector at the second end configured for connection to a blood line. The first line can have a pumping portion for engagement with an infusate pump. The tubing set can also include a second line having first and second ends, the second line first end being attached to the first line between the first line pumping portion and the first line second end and the second line second end being configured for connection to the first line between the first line first end and the first line pumping portion. The tubing set can further include a check valve located in the second line, the check valve having a predetermined cracking pressure of at least 200 mm Hg.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for dialysis treatment planning and optimization is disclosed. The system can include a processor programmed to perform operations including receiving a dialysis treatment parameter set and retrieving a predetermined list of dialyzers and corresponding cost and performance data for each dialyzer. The operations can also include iteratively calculating a cost impact of different treatment scenarios, the cost impact being determined based both on a clinical impact and on a cost value. Each scenario can be stored along with the dialysis treatment parameters and the calculated cost impact for each scenario. The operations can further include selecting the scenario having the most desirable cost impact; and outputting the selected scenario including the cost impact and the dialysis treatment parameters for the selected scenario.

Abstract: A configuration of a blood microtubular filter/dialyzer used in many kinds of renal replacement therapy systems can provide a highly effective mechanism for removing air from the blood circuit of such systems. Air is removed from an outlet header space of the filter avoiding the need for a bubble trap or settling chamber such as a drip chamber.

Abstract: A computer system and method for identifying and pairing devices. The system includes a plurality of remote user interface computers, each having a display device and a user input device and each connected to a first network via a first respective data communication link. The system also includes a plurality of medical devices each having a medical device user interface and a second data communication link adapted to exchange data with the remote user interface computers. The system also includes a database adapted to communicate with the remote user interface computers via a connection to the first network or via a direct connection to one of the remote user interface computers, the database being adapted to store patient medical information including a treatment prescription that includes use of one of the medical devices.

Abstract: The present application describes devices that use various features to prevent the disconnection of connectors used in medical treatments. For example embodiments prevent disconnection of luer connectors that are incompletely mated.

Abstract: Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.

Abstract: A blood processing machine has a compact configuration in which the first and second parts of the machine separate to open a gap between them. The actuators and sensors face into the gap such that when a cartridge with a fluid circuit is placed in the gap and the two parts are brought together closing the gap, the actuators and sensor engage the fluid circuit. One of the parts has an operator interface with a display that is preferably aligned with the gap in such a way that the frontal area of the machine is minimized.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and system that prevent clotting of blood during blood-processing procedures such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, and hemodiafiltration are described. A filter with a cap has a housing that is shaped to receive a blood filter. The housing has an inlet for blood and may have an outlet for waste and ultrafiltrate. The cap is attached to the housing. The cap has an outlet for blood and a port adjacent the outlet for receiving dilution fluid. Methods of use during blood-processing procedures to provide immediate hemodilution to blood exiting entering and/or exiting a filter are also described.

Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

Abstract: A medical treatment system isolates more risk-sensitive equipment from less risk-sensitive components of a treatment device to allow upgrades to be made to the latter more easily without an concomitant increase in risk to a patient caused by upgrades. For example, the latter may serve a pure monitoring function while the former encapsulates the treatment functions thereby preventing errors from the latter from propagating into the treatment-sensitive portions of the device.

Abstract: Devices having various features to prevent the disconnection of connectors used in medical treatments are disclosed. The devices can prevent disconnection of luer connectors that are incompletely mated.

Abstract: A method and device for blood treatments that use fluids such as dialysate and replacement fluid for renal replacement therapy. In an embodiment, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through a microporous sterilization filter from a fluid source to a replacement fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment. As a result, the sterilization filter can have a small capacity. In another embodiment, a filter is placed immediately prior to the point at which the sterile fluid is consumed by the treatment process. The latter may be used in combination with the former embodiment as a last-chance guarantee of sterility and/or that the fluid is free of air bubbles. It may also be used as the primary means of sterile-filtration.

Abstract: A modification in the configuration of the blood microtubular filter/dializer used in many kinds of renal replacement therapy systems can provide highly a effective mechanism for removing air from the blood circuit of such systems. In embodiments, for example, the invention takes advantage of the slow flow rate that usually occurs where blood exits the microtubules into a header area of the filter to provide a settling area and, preferably, a air relief mechanism.

Abstract: One or more waste balancing systems may be used in a fluid circulating system for medical use. The fluid circulating system may be part of a blood treatment system for a patient suffering renal failure. A waste balancing system may include a pressure element operable to maintain a constant fluid pressure created by the combined weight of waste removed from a patient and replacement fluid for providing to a patient. Multiple evaluation characteristics or control parameters may be evaluated or controlled for safety and accuracy. At least part of the waste balancing system may be incorporated into a disposable cartridge.

Abstract: One or more waste balancing systems may be used in a fluid circulating system for medical use. The fluid circulating system may be part of a blood treatment system for a patient suffering renal failure. A waste balancing system may include a pressure element operable to maintain a constant fluid pressure created by the combined weight of waste removed from a patient and replacement fluid for providing to a patient. Multiple evaluation characteristics or control parameters may be evaluated or controlled for safety and accuracy. At least part of the waste balancing system may be incorporated into a disposable cartridge.