Abstract: A renal failure blood therapy system includes a memory device storing a therapy target for a patient. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the therapy target for the patient, receive a desired solute concentration for the patient, and apply the therapy target and the desired solute concentration as inputs to an optimization routine. The processor is also configured to execute the optimization routine to determine at least one dialysis therapy prescription specifying at least a dialysis therapy duration, a dialysis therapy frequency, and at least one of a dialysis therapy blood flow rate or a dialysis therapy dialysate flow rate. The processor is further configured to display the at least one dialysis therapy prescription for confirmation or selection by a clinician and transmit the selected or confirmed dialysis therapy prescription to a dialysis machine for a subsequent dialysis treatment for the patient.

Abstract: A renal failure blood therapy system includes a renal failure blood therapy machine, concentration levels for each of a plurality of solutes removed from a patient's blood at each of the multiple times, a display device configured to display for selection at least one removed blood solute from the plurality of removed blood solutes, and a device programmed to (i) estimate at least one renal failure blood therapy patient parameter using the determined concentration levels for the at least one selected removed blood solute, (ii) determine a plurality of acceptable renal failure blood therapy treatments that meet a predetermined removed blood solute clearance for the at least one selected removed blood solute using the at least one renal failure blood therapy patient parameter, and (iii) enable selection of at least one of the plurality of acceptable renal failure blood therapy treatments for operation at the renal failure blood therapy machine.

Abstract: A renal failure blood therapy system includes a renal failure blood therapy machine, concentration levels for each of a plurality of solutes removed from a patient's blood at each of the multiple times, a display device configured to display for selection at least one removed blood solute from the plurality of removed blood solutes, and a device programmed to (i) estimate at least one renal failure blood therapy patient parameter using the determined concentration levels for the at least one selected removed blood solute, (ii) determine a plurality of acceptable renal failure blood therapy treatments that meet a predetermined removed blood solute clearance for the at least one selected removed blood solute using the at least one renal failure blood therapy patient parameter, and (iii) enable selection of at least one of the plurality of acceptable renal failure blood therapy treatments for operation at the renal failure blood therapy machine.

Abstract: A renal failure blood therapy system includes a renal failure blood therapy machine, concentration levels for each of a plurality of solutes removed from a patient's blood at each of the multiple times, a display device configured to display for selection at least one removed blood solute from the plurality of removed blood solutes, and a device programmed to (i) estimate at least one renal failure blood therapy patient parameter using the determined concentration levels for the at least one selected removed blood solute, (ii) determine a plurality of acceptable renal failure blood therapy treatments that meet a predetermined removed blood solute clearance for the at least one selected removed blood solute using the at least one renal failure blood therapy patient parameter, and (iii) enable selection of at least one of the plurality of acceptable renal failure blood therapy treatments for operation at the renal failure blood therapy machine.

Abstract: A renal failure blood therapy system includes a renal failure blood therapy machine, concentration levels for each of a plurality of solutes removed from a patient's blood at each of the multiple times, a display device configured to display for selection at least one removed blood solute from the plurality of removed blood solutes, and a device programmed to (i) estimate at least one renal failure blood therapy patient parameter using the determined concentration levels for the at least one selected removed blood solute, (ii) determine a plurality of acceptable renal failure blood therapy treatments that meet a predetermined removed blood solute clearance for the at least one selected removed blood solute using the at least one renal failure blood therapy patient parameter, and (iii) enable selection of at least one of the plurality of acceptable renal failure blood therapy treatments for operation at the renal failure blood therapy machine.

Abstract: A renal failure blood therapy system includes a renal failure blood therapy machine, a test including multiple blood samples taken at multiple times during a test therapy to determine concentration levels for each of a first solute and a second solute at each of the multiple times, and a device programmed to (i) estimate at least one first patient parameter using the determined concentration levels for the first solute, (ii) estimate at least one second patient parameter using the determined concentration levels for the second solute, (iii) determine a first plurality of acceptable treatments using the at least one first patient parameter, (iv) determine a second plurality of acceptable treatments using the at least one second patient parameter, and (v) merge the first plurality of acceptable treatments with the second plurality of acceptable treatments to determine a plurality of clinically acceptable treatments for both the first solute and the second solute.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis therapy outcomes have been calculated for a variety of dwell times of peritoneal dialysis fluids in the peritoneal cavities of dialysis patients using kinetic modeling. The length of dwell time should not be the same for every patient, but should vary according to the patient condition and needs. Some patients have a potential for expressing greater ultrafiltrate into the dialysis fluid, and these patients can benefit from a longer dwell time, whereas other patients with less potential will not benefit from a longer dwell time. An optimal or peak time is observed for each peritoneal dialysis therapy outcome, such as ultrafiltrate volume rate, urea clearance (Kt/V), and creatinine clearance, while minimizing hydrocarbon absorption. These values and input parameters can be used to tailor the peritoneal dialysis dwell time for each patient, estimating the peak dwell time that will yield the best therapy outcome for each patient.

Abstract: A method of predicting serum potassium concentrations in a patient during hemodialysis includes measuring serum potassium concentrations of the patient over a hemodialysis treatment session time and an ultrafiltration rate calculated by a difference between pre- and post-dialytic body weight of the patient during an initial hemodialysis treatment session divided by a total treatment time of the treatment session and estimating a potassium mobilization clearance and a pre-dialysis distribution volume of potassium for the patient. Serum potassium concentrations of the patient can then be predicted at any time during any hemodialysis treatment session with the estimated potassium mobilization clearance and pre-dialysis distribution volume of potassium of the patient.

Abstract: A renal failure blood therapy system includes a renal failure blood therapy machine, a test including multiple blood samples taken at multiple times during a test therapy to determine concentration levels for each of a first solute and a second solute at each of the multiple times, and a device programmed to (i) estimate at least one first patient parameter using the determined concentration levels for the first solute, (ii) estimate at least one second patient parameter using the determined concentration levels for the second solute, (iii) determine a first plurality of acceptable treatments using the at least one first patient parameter, (iv) determine a second plurality of acceptable treatments using the at least one second patient parameter, and (v) merge the first plurality of acceptable treatments with the second plurality of acceptable treatments to determine a plurality of clinically acceptable treatments for both the first solute and the second solute.

Abstract: Patients suffering from acute renal failure must be diagnosed and treated quickly so that a physician can confidently prescribe either peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. In one way of quickly treating the patients, software is used to calculate a suitable peritoneal dialysis prescription without regard to how short or how long a dialysis cycle is used, and without regard to a total dialysate fluid volume for a therapy. For patients with suitable peritoneal membrane transport properties, the software program suggests that, at least over a short period of time, unexpectedly high ultrafiltrate volumes and high clearances may be achieved.

Abstract: A method of predicting serum phosphorus concentrations in a patient during hemodialysis includes measuring serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient over a hemodialysis treatment session time and an ultrafiltration rate calculated by a difference between pre- and post-dialytic body weight of the patient during an initial hemodialysis treatment session divided by a total treatment time of the treatment session and estimating a phosphorous mobilization clearance and a pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus for the patient. Serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient can then be predicted at any time during any hemodialysis treatment session with the estimated phosphorous mobilization clearance and pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus of the patient.

Abstract: A method of predicting serum phosphorus concentrations in a patient during hemodialysis includes measuring serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient over a hemodialysis treatment session time and an ultrafiltration rate calculated by a difference between pre- and post-dialytic body weight of the patient during an initial hemodialysis treatment session divided by a total treatment time of the treatment session and estimating a phosphorous mobilization clearance and a pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus for the patient. Serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient can then be predicted at any time during any hemodialysis treatment session with the estimated phosphorous mobilization clearance and pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus of the patient.

Abstract: A method of predicting serum potassium concentrations in a patient during hemodialysis includes measuring serum potassium concentrations of the patient over a hemodialysis treatment session time and an ultrafiltration rate calculated by a difference between pre- and post-dialytic body weight of the patient during an initial hemodialysis treatment session divided by a total treatment time of the treatment session and estimating a potassium mobilization clearance and a pre-dialysis distribution volume of potassium for the patient. Serum potassium concentrations of the patient can then be predicted at any time during any hemodialysis treatment session with the estimated potassium mobilization clearance and pre-dialysis distribution volume of potassium of the patient.

Abstract: A method of modeling a patient's peritoneal dialysis drain phase includes (a) modeling a first segment of a drain phase curve as having a constant flowrate, (b) modeling a second segment of the drain phase curve as having a decaying exponential flowrate, and (c) ensuring that a drain flowrate does not fall below a certain level during therapy by incorporating a switching component so that (i) at a first time the first segment is active while the second segment is inactive and (ii) at a second time the first segment is inactive while the second segment is active.

Abstract: A method of modeling a patient's peritoneal dialysis drain phase includes (i) modeling a first segment of a drain phase curve as having a constant flowrate; (ii) modeling a second segment of a drain phase curve as having a decaying exponential flowrate; and (iii) incorporating a switching component into the first and second components so that (a) at a first time the first segment is active and while the second segment is inactive and (b) at a second time the first segment is inactive and while the second segment is active.

Abstract: A flow monitoring infusion system that includes an infusion circuit having a fluid with a pulsatile fluid flow flowing therethrough. The infusion circuit includes a dampening element having a dampening chamber that absorbs the pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to transform the pulsatile fluid flow to a more smooth fluid flow. A fluid flow sensor that measures the flowrate of the more smooth fluid flow is disposed along the infusion circuit downstream of the dampening element.

Abstract: A simplified peritoneal equilibration test (S-PET) is disclosed. Instead of a lengthy peritoneal equilibration test (PET), the simplified procedure requires no blood sample and may use data from as few as two or three samples to classify a peritoneal membrane of a user. Typically, a peritoneal membrane or peritoneum of a dialysis patient, or other person, is classed as a high transport membrane, high-average transport membrane, a low-average transport membrane or a low transporter membrane. The S-PET may be performed at home by a user without the need to submit a blood sample. Kits for analyzing the samples may be furnished for home use. The kits may use disposable strips, microfluidic analyzers or chemical reagents, or may alternatively include reusable analysis equipment, such as optical or conductivity analysis equipment.

Abstract: A method of predicting serum phosphorus concentrations in a patient during hemodialysis includes measuring serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient over a hemodialysis treatment session time and an ultrafiltration rate calculated by a difference between pre- and post-dialytic body weight of the patient during an initial hemodialysis treatment session divided by a total treatment time of the treatment session and estimating a phosphorous mobilization clearance and a pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus for the patient. Serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient can then be predicted at any time during any hemodialysis treatment session with the estimated phosphorous mobilization clearance and pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus of the patient.

Abstract: A method of predicting serum phosphorus concentrations in a patient during hemodialysis includes measuring serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient over a hemodialysis treatment session time and an ultrafiltration rate calculated by a difference between pre- and post-dialytic body weight of the patient during an initial hemodialysis treatment session divided by a total treatment time of the treatment session and estimating a phosphorous mobilization clearance and a pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus for the patient. Serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient can then be predicted at any time during any hemodialysis treatment session with the estimated phosphorous mobilization clearance and pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus of the patient.

Abstract: A separation apparatus and method are employed using a separation channel for rotation about an axis. Such channel includes radially spaced apart inner and outer side wall portions and an end wall portion. An inlet conveys fluid into the channel. A barrier is located in the channel intermediate of the inner and outer side wall portions. A first flow path communicates between upstream and downstream sides of the barrier. A collection region may be located downstream of the barrier for communication with the first flow path. An outer side wall section of the channel may be positioned radially outward of an upstream section thereof. The barrier may join the outer side wall portion along a substantial portion of an axial length of the channel. First and second exit flow paths may allow communication with the channel either upstream or downstream of the barrier or both.