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 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 for peritoneal dialysis treatment includes (i) predicting results of a plurality of patient therapy outcomes for a plurality of different mixed dextrose level dialysis solutions; (ii) selecting one of the mixed dextrose level solutions for a patient based on the results; and (iii) performing at least one therapy using different unmixed dextrose level solutions that combine to simulate a like cumulative concentration that would be achieved using the selected mixed dextrose level solution.

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: 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.