Abstract: The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump.

Abstract: A fluid connector assembly. The fluid connector assembly includes a tab portion including a slot; a plug portion slidably connected to the tab portion the plug portion comprising a fluid path and a disc, the disc configured to seat within the slot; a catch feature located on a first end of the tab portion and configured to interact with a reservoir; and a latching feature located on a second end of the tab portion, the latching feature configured to interact and lock onto the reservoir, wherein force applied to the plug portion may overcome a threshold force and unseat the disc from the slot wherein the plug portion moves with respect to the tab portion.

Abstract: An infusion pump system. The system includes a reusable housing assembly, a disposable housing assembly, a tab portion comprising a female latching feature, and an exit, the exit connected to a reservoir; and a fluid connector including a body portion including a slot, a plug portion slidably connected to the body portion, the plug portion including a fluid path and a disc, the disc configured to seat within the slot, a catch feature located on a first end of the body portion and configured to interact with the disposable housing assembly, a male latching feature located on a second end of the body portion, the male latching feature configured to interact and lock onto the female latching feature, wherein force applied to the plug portion may overcome a threshold force and unseat the disc from the slot wherein the plug portion moves with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: An infusion pump assembly is disclosed. The infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.

Abstract: A blood circuit assembly for a dialysis unit may include an organizing tray, a pair of pneumatic pumps mounted to the organizing tray for circulating blood received from a patient through a circuit including a dialyzer unit and returned to the patient, an air trap mounted to the organizing tray arranged to remove air from blood circulating in the circuit, a pair of dialyzer connections arranged to connect to the inlet and outlet of a dialyzer unit, and a pair of blood line connectors, one inlet blood line connector for receiving blood from the patient and providing blood to the pneumatic pumps and the other outlet blood line connector for returning blood to the patient.

Abstract: A pumping cassette including a housing having at least two inlet fluid lines and at least two outlet fluid lines. At least one balancing pod within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid paths. The balancing pod balances the flow of a first fluid and the flow of a second fluid such that the volume of the first fluid equals the volume of the second fluid. The balancing pod also includes a membrane that forms two balancing chambers. Also included in the cassette is at least two reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pumps. The pumps are within the housing and they pump the fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet line and pump the second fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus system for use in conjunction with a cassette, including a disposable or replaceable cassette. In some embodiments, the cassette includes a thermal well for permitting the sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. In other embodiments, the cassette includes sensor leads for sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well has an inner surface shaped so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion.

Abstract: An infusion pump assembly is disclosed. The infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfectants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence).

Abstract: A pumping cassette including a housing having at least two inlet fluid lines and at least two outlet fluid lines. At least one balancing pod within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid paths. The balancing pod balances the flow of a first fluid and the flow of a second fluid such that the volume of the first fluid equals the volume of the second fluid. The balancing pod also includes a membrane that forms two balancing chambers. Also included in the cassette is at least two reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pumps. The pumps are within the housing and they pump the fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet line and pump the second fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: An infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.

Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling to devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.

Abstract: Reciprocating positive-displacement membrane pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid are disclosed. The speed of a pump stroke can be adjusted by altering a frequency of pressure pulses delivered to the pump membrane during a fill stroke or a delivery stroke of the pump. A pumping algorithm may divide a pump stroke into an initial pumping period and a end-of-stroke pumping period, with the pressure pulse duration being longer during the initial pumping period. This arrangement may allow for a minimum pump flow rate while also providing a pressure ripple that can be used to detect the end of a pump stroke.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump.

Abstract: An infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.

Abstract: A system for priming an infusion pump is disclosed. The system includes a priming cap including a septum and configured to matably connect with a male part comprising a needle and attached to a length of tubing for fluid, wherein when matably connected with the male part, the priming cap occludes the tubing.

Abstract: An infusion pump system is disclosed. The system includes a syringe having a plunger within the syringe barrel, the syringe having an exit end, at least one temperature determination device adjacent to the syringe, at least one device to determine the distance the plunger has moved with respect to the syringe barrel, and a pump processor in communication with the at least one temperature determination device and the at least one optical sensor, wherein when the controller determines a change in temperature and a corresponding plunger movement, the controller increases or decreases a preprogrammed basal rate of the infusion pump by a predetermined amount for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A medium connector including a passage configured to allow for the flow of medium, and a multi-portion engagement surface positioned about the passage. The multi-portion engagement surface includes a first surface portion, and a second surface portion. The first surface portion is configured to provide an interference fit with a corresponding sealing surface of a mating connector. The second surface portion is configured to provide a clearance fit with the corresponding sealing surface of the mating connector. The ratio of the first surface portion and the second surface portion is selected to regulate an engagement force between the medium connector and the mating connector.

Abstract: An endoscope has a pannable camera at the distal end of its insertion shaft, the pannable camera assembly being pivotable to provide a range of a field of view that can be equal to or greater than 180 degrees. A terminal light emitting element may be mounted to the camera assembly in order to illuminate the immediate field of view of the camera sensor regardless of the rotational position of the camera assembly. A fluid-carrying conduit of the insertion section may also be used to house functional components, including the camera assembly, actuation cables, a communications cable connected to the camera sensor, and/or a fiberoptic cable providing light to the light emitting element. A distal section of the endoscope handle may be rotatable relative to a proximal hand-held section of the endoscope handle, a rotary encoder being provided to convert the rotational position of the insertion shaft relative to the handle into a signal for the purpose of image orientation correction by an electronic processor.