Abstract: A handheld personal communication apparatus for dialysis includes a reader to read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container to acquire data concerning a dialysis fluid type. The apparatus also includes a processor that uses the dialysis fluid type to determine a dialysis dwell time for at least one cycle of a dialysis therapy, the dialysis dwell time being a time to achieve, over the at least one cycle, at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltrate level, (b) a urea removal level, or (c) a creatinine removal level. The apparatus further includes an output interface that provides an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

Abstract: A handheld personal communication apparatus for dialysis includes a reader to read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container to acquire data concerning at least one of a dialysis fluid type or a dialysis fluid volume from the marking; a processor using the at least one of the dialysis fluid type or the dialysis fluid volume to determine a dialysis dwell time for at least one cycle of a dialysis therapy, the dialysis dwell time being a time to achieve, over the at least one cycle, at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltrate level, (b) a urea removal level, or (c) a creatinine removal level; and an output interface providing an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

Abstract: A handheld personal communication apparatus for dialysis includes a reader to read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container to acquire data concerning at least one of a dialysis fluid type or a dialysis fluid volume from the marking; a processor using the at least one of the dialysis fluid type or the dialysis fluid volume to determine a dialysis dwell time for at least one cycle of a dialysis therapy, the dialysis dwell time being a time to achieve, over the at least one cycle, at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltrate level, (b) a urea removal level, or (c) a creatinine removal level; and an output interface providing an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

Abstract: A handheld personal communication apparatus for dialysis includes a reader to (i) read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container to acquire data concerning at least one of a dialysis fluid type or a dialysis fluid volume from the marking, and/or (ii) receive a patient weight signal from a weight scale; a processor using at least one of the dialysis fluid type, dialysis fluid volume, or patient weight to determine a dialysis dwell time for at least one cycle of a dialysis therapy, the dialysis dwell time being a time to achieve, over the at least one cycle, at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltrate level, (b) a urea removal level, or (c) a creatinine removal level; and an output interface providing an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

Abstract: A handheld personal communication apparatus for dialysis includes a reader to (i) read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container to acquire data concerning at least one of a dialysis fluid type or a dialysis fluid volume from the marking, and/or (ii) receive a patient weight signal from a weight scale; a processor using at least one of the dialysis fluid type, dialysis fluid volume, or patient weight to determine a dialysis dwell time for at least one cycle of a dialysis therapy, the dialysis dwell time being a time to achieve, over the at least one cycle, at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltrate level, (b) a urea removal level, or (c) a creatinine removal level; and an output interface providing an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

Abstract: A handheld personal communication apparatus for dialysis includes: a reader to (i) read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container to acquire data concerning at least one of a dialysis fluid type or a dialysis fluid volume from the marking, and/or (ii) receive a patient weight signal from a weight scale; a processor using at least one of the dialysis fluid type, dialysis fluid volume, or patient weight to determine a dialysis dwell time for at least one cycle of a dialysis therapy, the dialysis dwell time being a time to achieve, over the at least one cycle, at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltrate level, (b) a urea removal level, or (c) a creatinine removal level; and an output interface providing an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) connection apparatus includes a first connector for connecting to a PD fluid fill line; a second connector in fluid communication with the first connector, the second connector including a filter configured to allow air but not fluid to pass through the filter; and an air-tight cap manually removeable and resealable to the second connector so as to selectively expose the filter to allow air trapped in a patient's peritoneum to be vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A handheld personal communication apparatus for dialysis includes: a reader to (i) read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container to acquire data concerning at least one of a dialysis fluid type or a dialysis fluid volume from the marking, and/or (ii) receive a patient weight signal from a weight scale; a processor using at least one of the dialysis fluid type, dialysis fluid volume, or patient weight to determine a dialysis dwell time for at least one cycle of a dialysis therapy, the dialysis dwell time being a time to achieve, over the at least one cycle, at least one of (a) a specified ultrafiltrate level, (b) a urea removal level, or (c) a creatinine removal level; and an output interface providing an indication to the patient of a completion of the dialysis dwell time.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a portable device configured to be carried by a patient and to read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container, the device obtaining data concerning at least one of a dialysis fluid type and a dialysis fluid volume from the marking; the device defined dialysate dwell time, alert patients for the next exchange and further configured to transfer the data to a computer; and wherein the computer is configured to use the data to track therapy progress of the product.

Abstract: A stimulation probe comprises a lead having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the lead has a plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate tissue. A protective tubing element extends over a portion of the lead proximate the proximal end of the lead. An advanced lead can element includes a switch matrix. The advanced lead can element is coupled to the proximal end of the lead and configured to couple the lead to an implantable pulse generator.

Abstract: A stimulation probe comprises a lead having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the lead has a plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate tissue. A protective tubing element extends over a portion of the lead proximate the proximal end of the lead. An advanced lead can element includes a switch matrix. The advanced lead can element is coupled to the proximal end of the lead and configured to couple the lead to an implantable pulse generator.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) executes a rate accuracy enhancement algorithm to select measured atrial and ventricular intervals for classifying a detected tachycardia based on average atrial and ventricular rates calculated from the selected atrial and ventricular intervals. The detected tachycardia is classified as ventricular tachycardia (VT) if the average ventricular rate is substantially higher than the average atrial rate.

Abstract: A portable, flexible peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed. The system includes a flexible harness, such as canvas or cloth, to mount a stiff housing with a heater for holding and heating fresh dialysis fluid. The harness includes straps or other suspending devices for holding a second, flexible housing for a drain bag for holding sent dialysis fluid. The upper portion of the system includes a hook and a load cell for suspending the remaining portions. The load cell is used to measure the weight of the apparatus. By keeping track of the weight and the changes, the quantity of fluid removed from the patient, spent dialysate, is tracked, as is fresh dialysate infused into the patient. An electronics or control portion controls heating of the fresh dialysate, and operation of pumps and valves for moving the dialysate. This portion also includes alarms and communications equipment.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a portable device configured to be carried by a patient and to read a marking displayed on a dialysis fluid container, the device obtaining data concerning at least one of a dialysis fluid type and a dialysis fluid volume from the marking; the device defined dialysate dwell time, alert patients for the next exchange and further configured to transfer the data to a computer; and wherein the computer is configured to use the data to track therapy progress of the product.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) executes a rate accuracy enhancement algorithm to select measured atrial and ventricular intervals for classifying a detected tachycardia based on average atrial and ventricular rates calculated from the selected atrial and ventricular intervals. The detected tachycardia is classified as ventricular tachycardia (VT) if the average ventricular rate is substantially higher than the average atrial rate.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) executes a rate accuracy enhancement algorithm to select measured atrial and ventricular intervals for classifying a detected tachycardia based on average atrial and ventricular rates calculated from the selected atrial and ventricular intervals. The detected tachycardia is classified as ventricular tachycardia (VT) if the average ventricular rate is substantially higher than the average atrial rate.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) connection apparatus includes a first connector for connecting to a PD fluid fill line; a second connector in fluid communication with the first connector, the second connector including a filter configured to allow air but not fluid to pass through the filter; and an air-tight cap manually removeable and resealable to the second connector so as to selectively expose the filter to allow air trapped in a patient's peritoneum to be vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a patient connection system for peritoneal dialysis includes: a housing; a fill container occluder valve carried by the housing; a drain container occluder valve carried by the housing; a shunt connector positioned at the housing, so as to be removeably connected into a fill container line and a drain container line to allow fresh dialysis fluid to run from the fill container to prime the fill container line when the fill and drain container occluder valves are open; and a patient transfer set support provided by the housing, the patient transfer set support configured to allow a patient transfer set to be connected to the fill container line after the fill and drain container occluder valves have been closed and the shunt connector has been disconnected from the fill and drain container lines.

Abstract: A portable, flexible peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed. The system includes a flexible harness, such as canvas or cloth, to mount a stiff housing with a heater for holding and heating fresh dialysis fluid. The harness includes straps or other suspending devices for holding a second, flexible housing for a drain bag for holding sent dialysis fluid. The upper portion of the system includes a hook and a load cell for suspending the remaining portions. The load cell is used to measure the weight of the apparatus. By keeping track of the weight and the changes, the quantity of fluid removed from the patient, spent dialysate, is tracked, as is fresh dialysate infused into the patient. An electronics or control portion controls heating of the fresh dialysate, and operation of pumps and valves for moving the dialysate. This portion also includes alarms and communications equipment.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) executes a rate accuracy enhancement algorithm to select measured atrial and ventricular intervals for classifying a detected tachycardia based on average atrial and ventricular rates calculated from the selected atrial and ventricular intervals. The detected tachycardia is classified as ventricular tachycardia (VT) if the average ventricular rate is substantially higher than the average atrial rate.