Abstract: A dialysis fluid system includes an instrument including a pump actuator and a fluid heater, and a dialysis fluid cassette. The dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining a pumping section for operation with the pump actuator and a heating section for operation with the fluid heater. The heating section includes a dialysis fluid inlet, a dialysis fluid outlet, and a dialysis fluid heating area located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the heating section further includes an air separation chamber for collecting air separated from the dialysis fluid.

Abstract: A medical fluid air detection apparatus includes an emitter, a receiver, a housing configured to hold at least a portion of a medical fluid conduit between the emitter and the receiver, where the medical fluid conduit includes a narrowed inner diameter at the medical fluid conduit portion that forces flow of medical fluid through the narrowed diameter, and where the narrowed diameter is configured to enhance operation of the emitter and the receiver.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system includes a fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a medical fluid and an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid disposable. The air separation chamber includes at least one fluid baffle floating within the air separation chamber and configured to separate air from medical fluid traveling through the chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a dialysis fluid; an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid disposable; and a dialysis instrument operable to pump dialysis fluid through the dialysis fluid disposable, the instrument including a vibrator configured to vibrate the air separation chamber to separate air from the dialysis fluid traveling through the chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining at least one valve chamber, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber, the air separation chamber when in an operating position including an inner surface, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and configured to cause a dialysis fluid to spiral around the inner surface toward the fluid outlet, such that air is removed from the dialysis fluid.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid system includes an instrument including a pump actuator and a fluid heater, and a dialysis fluid cassette. The dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining a pumping section for operation with the pump actuator and a heating section for operation with the fluid heater. The heating section includes a dialysis fluid inlet, a dialysis fluid outlet, and a dialysis fluid heating area located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the heating section further includes an air separation chamber for collecting air separated from the dialysis fluid.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system includes a fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a medical fluid and an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid disposable. The air separation chamber includes at least one fluid baffle floating within the air separation chamber and configured to separate air from medical fluid traveling through the chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a dialysis fluid; an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid disposable; and a dialysis instrument operable to pump dialysis fluid through the dialysis fluid disposable, the instrument including a vibrator configured to vibrate the air separation chamber to separate air from the dialysis fluid traveling through the chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining at least one valve chamber, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber, the air separation chamber when in an operating position including an inner surface, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and configured to cause a dialysis fluid to spiral around the inner surface toward the fluid outlet, such that air is removed from the dialysis fluid.

Abstract: A system for mixing or reconstituting agents including engageable syringe barrels, one of which having a male engagement region and the other a female engagement region. Each of the male and female engagement regions is provided with a screen. The screens are closely spaced from one another when the first and second syringe barrels are engaged with one another. The screens may take the form of a mesh, a plurality of protuberances, or cantilevered wedges having tapering thicknesses.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining first and second valve chambers, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the first and second valve chambers, the air separation chamber including a baffle and structured such that when the cassette is placed in a dialysis instrument, (i) the baffle extends upwardly from a bottom of the air separation chamber and (ii) first and second openings to the air separation chamber, communicating fluidly and respectively with the first and second valve chambers, are located near the bottom of the air separation chamber, such that the dialysis fluid is forced up one side of the baffle and down the other side of the baffle when flowing through the air separation chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining at least one valve chamber, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber, the air separation chamber when in an operating position including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a first fluid opening, a second fluid opening, and a separation wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, the separation wall having a free edge residing within the air separation chamber, the separation wall forcing the dialysis fluid to flow from one of the fluid openings around the free edge of the separation wall to the other of the openings.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining at least one valve chamber, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber, the air separation chamber when in an operating position including an inner surface, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and configured to cause a dialysis fluid to spiral around the inner surface toward the fluid outlet, such that air is removed from the dialysis fluid.

Abstract: An applicator device for applying at least one agent to a target site, including: a rigid section configured for the passage of fluid therethrough, the rigid section having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion configured for communication with at least one fluid reservoir; a formable section attached to the distal end portion of the rigid section, the formable section configured to be shaped into a desired configuration, the formable section including at least a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen configured to receive fluid from the rigid section; and a malleable member positioned within the second lumen, wherein the malleable member is configured to assist in retaining the formable section in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining first and second valve chambers, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the first and second valve chambers, the air separation chamber including a baffle and structured such that when the cassette is placed in a dialysis instrument, (i) the baffle extends upwardly from a bottom of the air separation chamber and (ii) first and second openings to the air separation chamber, communicating fluidly and respectively with the first and second valve chambers, are located near the bottom of the air separation chamber, such that the dialysis fluid is forced up one side of the baffle and down the other side of the baffle when flowing through the air separation chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining at least one valve chamber, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber, the air separation chamber when in an operating position including an inner surface, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and configured to cause a dialysis fluid to spiral around the inner surface toward the fluid outlet, such that air is removed from the dialysis fluid.

Abstract: An dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The dry powder inhaler is designed so that a user's breath vacuums the dry powder from a well within the housing and directs the powder in a direct path to the user. This design prevents impaction and agglomeration of powder within the inhaler. A flow restrictor may be added within the inhaler to increase turbulence and thus increase dispersion of powder within the air inhaled by the user.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining at least one valve chamber, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber, the air separation chamber when in an operating position including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a first fluid opening, a second fluid opening, and a separation wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, the separation wall having a free edge residing within the air separation chamber, the separation wall forcing the dialysis fluid to flow from one of the fluid openings around the free edge of the separation wall to the other of the openings.

Abstract: A medical fluid air detection apparatus includes an emitter, a receiver, a housing configured to hold at least a portion of a medical fluid conduit between the emitter and the receiver, where the medical fluid conduit includes a narrowed inner diameter at the medical fluid conduit portion that forces flow of medical fluid through the narrowed diameter, and where the narrowed diameter is configured to enhance operation of the emitter and the receiver.