Abstract: A hemodialysis machine comprising a dialysate flow path for delivering a flow of dialysate solution through a dialyser, the flow path including a flow balancer for achieving a balance in the dialysate solution flow volume observed between an inlet and an outlet of the dialyser over the course of a treatment, the flow balancer comprising a first flow balance pump having an inlet valve and an outlet valve and a second flow balance pump having an inlet valve and an outlet valve, wherein the flow path further includes a flow restrictor means downstream of the flow balance pumps to reduce the pressure difference across the valves in the dialysate flow path.

Abstract: A hemodialysis machine including a main body and a door, the door being capable of opening and closing relative to the main body so as to receive and retain a disposable cartridge therebetween, the machine further including a controller and a pneumatic pump, the cartridge having a chassis with a platen side covered by a first deformable membrane and a door side covered by a second deformable membrane, the chassis and membranes defining a dialysate flow path for delivering a flow of dialysate solution through a dialyzer, the main body having a platen for in use sealing against the platen side of the cartridge and the door having an interface plate for in use sealing against the door side of the cartridge, the pneumatic pump being fluidically connected to an interface plate cavity between the interface plate and the cartridge by a pneumatic supply line, the pump being controlled by the controller to selectively generate a vacuum in the platen cavity so as to affix the cartridge to the door prior to operation of

Abstract: A monitoring device (1) is provided for monitoring the presence of a skin piercing vascular access device, for example a needle (4), the monitoring device comprising: a mount having an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver therein; attachment means (3) for attaching the mount to a patient adjacent a vascular access point such that, in use, a vascular access device (4) entering the patient at the vascular access point, passes underneath a sensing section of the base; control electronics to monitor the signal received at the receiver, and wherein when the vascular access device is underneath said sensing section, ultrasound produced by said transmitter passes through the patient skin and is reflected by the patients body tissues and by the vascular access device (4), and when the vascular access device (4) is not underneath said sensing section, ultrasound produced by said transmitter passes through the patients skin and is reflected by the patients body tissue only, and wherein the control electron

Abstract: A vascular access monitoring device for monitoring characteristics of a skin piercing vascular access device comprising: an acoustic sensor operable to detect an acoustic emission created by flow through said vascular access device and produce an electrical signal indicative of said emission; electronics processing means for processing and monitoring said electrical signal, and to determine, by identifying a change of characteristic of said signal, the possibility that the vascular access device has become dislodged from its normal working position.

Abstract: A pump for a dialysis machine, the pump having a pump chamber and a deformable membrane actuable to pump a fluid from the pump chamber, the pump chamber being substantially conical such that the membrane is actuated to extend into the conical chamber in order to pump the fluid from the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood treatment device, in particular a device which can perform haemodialysis and haemodifiltration procedures. This is achieved using an interconnected pump and valve arrangement which can be controlled to direct fluid across a dialysis membrane or parallel to said membrane depending on the type of processing required. This allows dynamic variation between modes of operation and treatment.

Abstract: The invention covers a cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine, the cartridge comprising a dialysate flow path including a dialyser, the dialysate flow path for delivering a flow of dialysate through the dialyser; a mixing pump defining a chamber having volume variable between a maximum volume and a minimum volume for receiving a predetermined volume of a first dialysate solution base, second dialysate solution base, and a volume of water; a first dialysate solution base supply conduit having a first positive displacement pump having a first inlet valve and a first outlet valve associated therewith; a second dialysate solution base supply conduit having a second positive displacement pump having a second inlet valve and a second outlet valve associated therewith; a first and second fluid conduit associated joining respective first and second positive displacement pumps with the mixing pump; and a third fluid conduit for connecting the mixing pump outlet to a dialyser filter inlet.

Abstract: A blood pump 2 comprising: a cartridge 4 having a concave recess 8 therein having a surface, and a flexible membrane 0 covering said recess, the concave recess and flexible membrane forming a pump chamber 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16 wherein: said flexible membrane is movable between a first position, separated from said surface wherein in such position the pump chamber has a maximum volume, and a second position, substantially adjacent said surface such that in said second position the pump chamber has a minimum volume, a pump driver mechanism 18 arranged to interface with the cartridge, said driver operable to move the flexible membrane in a first direction into the recess to, in use, pump blood from the chamber and operable to move the flexible membrane in a second direction away from the recess to, in use, draw blood into said chamber; and wherein the pump driver controls the movement of the flexible membrane in the first direction such that the speed at which it is moving reduces as it approach

Abstract: A method of preparing a dialysate solution for hemodialysis, the method including the steps of providing a mixing pump comprising a pump chamber covered by an actuable membrane, the chamber having a first inlet for admitting water into the chamber, a second inlet for admitting dialysate base solution into the chamber, and an outlet from the chamber, the method including the further steps of providing pump means for dispensing a predetermined volume of dialysate solution base into the chamber at a first pressure, actuating the membrane to draw a volume of water or water mix into the mixing pump chamber at a second pressure, wherein the magnitude of the first pressure is higher than the magnitude of the second pressure so as to ensure the complete dispense of the dialysate solution base into the chamber.

Abstract: A blood pump 2 comprising: a cartridge 4 having a concave recess 8 therein having a surface, and a flexible membrane 0 covering said recess, the concave recess and flexible membrane forming a pump chamber 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16 wherein: said flexible membrane is movable between a first position, separated from said surface wherein in such position the pump chamber has a maximum volume, and a second position, substantially adjacent said surface such that in said second position the pump chamber has a minimum volume, a pump driver mechanism 18 arranged to interface with the cartridge, said driver operable to move the flexible membrane in a first direction into the recess to, in use, pump blood from the chamber and operable to move the flexible membrane in a second direction away from the recess to, in use, draw blood into said chamber; and wherein the pump driver controls the movement of the flexible membrane in the first direction such that the speed at which it is moving reduces as it approach

Abstract: A peristaltic pump rotor comprising a body, an arm pivotally mounted to the body at an arm-body pivot point, the arm being movable between a deployed condition in which the arm is arranged, in use, to contact tubing in a peristaltic pump so as to effect pumping, and a retracted condition in which the arm is withdrawn from the tubing so that pumping is not effected; an actuator for effecting movement of the arm between the deployed and retracted conditions, the actuator comprising a first link pivotally mounted to the body at one end thereof and to a second link at the other end thereof, the second link being pivotally mounted to the first link at one end thereof and to the arm at the other end thereof at a point on the arm spaced from the arm-body pivot point; the links and pivot points being arranged such that the arm is retained in the deployed condition by the first and second links being arranged over centre when the arm is in the deployed condition.

Abstract: A hemodialysis machine including a main body and a door, the door being capable of opening and closing relative to the main body so as to receive and retain a disposable cartridge therebetween, the machine further including a controller and a pneumatic pump, the cartridge having a chassis with a platen side covered by a first deformable membrane and a door side covered by a second deformable membrane, the chassis and membranes defining a dialysate flow path for delivering a flow of dialysate solution through a dialyser, the main body having a platen for in use sealing against the platen side of the cartridge and the door having an interface plate for in use sealing against the door side of the cartridge, the pneumatic pump being fluidically connected to an interface plate cavity between the interface plate and the cartridge by a pneumatic supply line, the pump being controlled by the controller to selectively generate a vacuum in the platen cavity so as to affix the cartridge to the door prior to operation of

Abstract: A hemodialysis machine including a cartridge which defines a fluid pathway for delivering a dialysate solution base to a mixing pump, a main body having a platen which, in use, abuts the cartridge, the cartridge having a chassis with a platen side covered by a deformable membrane which, in use, abuts the platen, the chassis and membrane defining the flow path, the flow path including a dialysate base solution pump chamber, the platen having a dialysate base solution pump cavity which, collectively with the dialysate base solution pump chamber, forms a dialysate base solution pump for pumping dialysate base solution to the mixing pump by actuation of the membrane, wherein the volume of the dialysate base solution pump cavity is variable so as to allow a variation in the volume of dialysate base solution pumped from the dialysate base solution pump chamber to the mixing pump chamber on each stroke of the solution pump.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine has a blood flow path for carrying a volume of blood to be treated in a dialyser and a dialysate flow path, isolated from the blood flow path, for delivering a flow of dialysate solution through the dialyser. The cartridge is received in an engine section of the machine. The engine section has first and second platens which close when the cartridge is inserted to retain the cartridge. Actuators and sensors arranged on the second platen control operation of the cartridge.

Abstract: A machine is provided with a slot to releasably receive and retain a cartridge in which dialysis is effected. The machine is configured for supplying to the cartridge, at a controlled temperature and rate, sterile water for use in haemodialysis and is operable to maintain, in a sterile condition, residual water contained therein after completion of a haemodialysis treatment.

Abstract: The invention covers a cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine, the cartridge comprising a dialysate flow path including a dialyzer, the dialysate flow path for delivering a flow of dialysate through the dialyzer; a mixing pump defining a chamber having volume variable between a maximum volume and a minimum volume for receiving a predetermined volume of a first dialysate solution base, second dialysate solution base, and a volume of water; a first dialysate solution base supply conduit having a first positive displacement pump having a first inlet valve and a first outlet valve associated therewith; a second dialysate solution base supply conduit having a second positive displacement pump having a second inlet valve and a second outlet valve associated therewith; a first and second fluid conduit associated joining respective first and second positive displacement pumps with the mixing pump; and a third fluid conduit for connecting the mixing pump outlet to a dialyzer filter inlet.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for a dialysis machine, the sensor having a body and a sensing surface, the sensor surface configured to detect the pressure of a fluid across an elastic membrane, the sensor in use generating a vacuum between the sensing surface and the membrane so as to draw the membrane into contact with the sensing surface, wherein the elastic membrane is further retained in use between a sealing surface on the dialysis machine and a membrane engaging surface on the body of the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hemodialysis machine comprising a removably mountable cartridge having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the cartridge defining a fluid pathway between said at least one inlet and said at least one outlet, a sanitisation device having an inlet and an outlet, a conduit connected between an outlet of the cartridge and the inlet of the sanitisation device and, a conduit connected between the outlet of the sanitisation device and an inlet of the cartridge.