Abstract: A method includes flowing spent dialysate through a spent dialysate line of a dialysis system into a fluid receptacle fluidly coupled to the spent dialysate line, reacting the spent dialysate with a chemical reagent contained within the fluid receptacle to generate a reacted sample, emitting electromagnetic radiation through the reacted sample using an emitter; detecting a level of one or more waste products present in the spent dialysate using a spectroscopy sensor positioned proximate the fluid receptacle.

Abstract: The present teachings generally include devices, systems, methods, and kits featuring safeguards to prevent the accidental reuse of effluent-filled bags as a source of fresh dialysis solution in peritoneal dialysis systems. This may include, for example, bags with chemical sensors that react with effluent contents to trigger visual indicators that alert a user to the bag being unsuitable for (re) use as dialysis solution. The present teachings may also or instead include bags engaged with connectors that mechanically alter and/or permanently couple during a dialysis treatment to prevent recoupling of the bags to supply tubing in the system, and/or techniques to ensure proper use of dialysis bags throughout a treatment cycle. These features can be useful for enhancing patient safety, particularly for users with cognitive impairments or in settings with limited oversight, e.g., by providing clear visual cues and/or physical barriers preventing potentially harmful misuse of dialysis bags.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and method are provided for breaking-up, dislodging, removing, and preventing the build-up of biofilm in a dialysate pathway of an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The dialysate pathway can include a dialyzer discharge line, a drain line, a dialyzer feed line, and a bypass system. At least one ultrasonic device can be positioned and configured to generate ultrasonic waves in the dialysate pathway and to propagate the ultrasonic waves along at least a portion of the dialysate pathway. The ultrasonic waves can be used to break-up biofilm. An ionizing electrode pair can also, or instead, be implemented to break-up, dislodge, remove, and prevent a build-up of biofilm. The system and method can particularly be implemented and useful in non-disposable portions of a hydraulic system of an extracorporeal blood treatment device.

Abstract: A medical system for detecting bacteria in water includes: a water distribution or processing system; an inlet for receiving water into the water distribution or processing system; an outlet for expelling water from the water distribution or processing system; and at least one ultrasonic testing system. The at least one ultrasonic testing system: an ultrasonic emitter configured to emit ultrasonic waves into a testing volume containing water, and an ultrasonic sensor configured to detect a sonic response of bacteria in the testing volume based on ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic emitter. The at least one ultrasonic testing system is arranged at the inlet or the outlet.

Abstract: Liquid level detectors may include a pump for drawing liquid from a reservoir, a channel fluidically coupling the pump to the reservoir, and a J-tube connected to an end of the channel within the reservoir. The J-tube may include a first tube section and a second tube section extending along the first tube section. Perforations may extend between the first tube section and the second tube section. A pressure sensor may be positioned and configured to sense a pressure of liquid drawn from the reservoir through the J-tube and the channel and to sense pressure drops when a liquid level in the reservoir passes the respective perforations. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Medical devices and peripheral devices can be configured to wirelessly communicate with each other and other devices through a connection between the devices. Peripheral devices may include weight scales, blood pressure monitors and/or other medical components that may be used in connection with measuring patient information related to a medical treatment by a medical device, such as a dialysis treatment performed by a dialysis machine. A medical function/data transfer device according to the system described herein may include multi-function capabilities to provide for a medical monitoring or treatment function as well as a data transfer function for transferring data between interconnected medical devices.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for syringe-free blood return in a dialysis machine blood circuit. A three-way connector can include a first inlet configured to be connected to a patient arterial access line, a second inlet connected to a substitution fluid line, and an outlet connected to a machine arterial line. In this arrangement, the three-way connector is configured to selectively allow a flow of substitution fluid from the substitution line into the machine arterial line and/or into the patient arterial access line without changing the connections of tubing within the circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for blood return in a hemodialysis machine using an adjustable valve that includes a first portion having a first port configured to be connected to a machine arterial line and a second port configured to be connected to a machine venous line, and a second portion of the adjustable valve having an arterial inlet port configured to be connected to a patient arterial access line, a venous outlet port configured to be connected to a patient venous access line, and a substitution inlet port configured to be connected to a substitution fluid line. The first portion can be movable relative to the second portion to selectively connect the first port and the second port with a selected combination of two of the arterial inlet port, the venous outlet port, or the substitution inlet port to adjust a flow of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-heating dialysate in a dialysis treatment system are disclosed. The system may include a dialysis machine including a pump to move dialysate through the dialysis machine, a dialysate heater to heat the dialysate, a control circuit operatively associated with the dialysate heater to activate and deactivate the dialysate heater, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine whether a trigger event has occurred, wherein whether the trigger event has occurred is determined based on a status of a dialysis patient assigned to the dialysis machine or a status of a dialysis clinic at which the dialysis machine is located. In response to the trigger event occurring, the processing circuit is configured to send a control signal to the control circuit to activate the dialysate heater and begin heating dialysate to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments for a wearable or portable dialysis system. The wearable or portable dialysis system includes a dialysis machine including a pump to move dialysate through a filtering component thereof. The wearable or portable dialysis system further includes an electric circuit in communication with the dialysis machine for controlling electronic components of the dialysis machine. The filtering component includes an electricity generation and purification membrane (EPM) in a filtering path of the filtering component, and the EPM is coupled to the electric circuit. In response to dialysate moving through the filtering path of the filtering component, electricity is generated by the EPM and provided to the electric circuit to power the electronic components of the dialysis machine.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems for medical fluid pumps and related methods. In some implementations, a system includes a system for draining fluid from a peritoneal cavity of a patient comprising a microfluidic pump; a drain bag fluidly coupled to the microfluidic pump; and an inlet line coupled to the drain bag, wherein the microfluidic pump is configured to apply a negative pressure to an interior of the drain bag to draw effluent from a peritoneal cavity of the patient along the inlet line and into the drain bag. In some implementations, a system for performing peritoneal dialysis includes a microfluidic pump; a dual chamber bag fluidly coupled to the microfluidic pump, where the dual chamber bag includes an effluent chamber configured to be fluidly coupled to a peritoneal cavity of a patient; a dialysate chamber; and a flexible membrane separating the effluent chamber from the dialysate chamber.

Abstract: A method includes, after an extracorporeal blood treatment, connecting a fluid source to an access line that is connected to a patient, and delivering a fluid from the fluid source to the access line to infuse blood from the access line to the patient, wherein the fluid delivered to the access line has a temperature from about 30 degrees Celsius to about 38 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a dialysis machine that comprises a dialyzer, a fluid source, a first line connected to the fluid source, and a container containing bicarbonate. The container connects to the first line and the fluid flows from the fluid source, through the first line, to the container. The dialysis machine further includes a second line connected to the container, a flow rate sensor connected to at least one of the lines, a pressure sensor configured for detecting fluid pressure of the container, a display, and a data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus is configured to receive signals from the flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor. The data processing apparatus is configured to calculate a size of the container based on the received signals.

Abstract: The present teachings may generally include a first fluid connector that includes a first body having a first central cavity that defines a first fluid pathway and a first seal within the first central cavity. The first seal includes a pair of first interfacing elements positioned adjacent one another at a distal end of the first seal and a first opening configured to remain sealed closed when the first interfacing elements are adjacent, and the first opening opens when the first interfacing elements are separated. The first connector is configured to fluidly connect to a second connector by engaging the first interfacing elements and with a pair of second interfacing elements of the second connector, thereby causing both pairs of first and second interfacing elements to separate causing the opening of first opening and second opening.

Abstract: Methods and drain systems for fluid flow monitoring and remote draining are described. In one example, the present disclosure describes a medical device drain system for monitoring, measuring, or otherwise managing the drainage of medical waste fluids, for instance, spent dialysate exiting a patient during a dialysis treatment. In some embodiments, the dialysis system may be a peritoneal dialysis (PD) system, including a gravity-based dialysis system, an APD system and/or a CAPD dialysis system. The drain system may include sensors for determining properties of the fluid drained from a patient. The drain system may include a remote liquid pump system configured to allow for pump-based draining of fluid from a patient to a drain located remote from the patient. The remote liquid pump system may be configured to receive at least one wireless signal to operate at a remote distance from the medical device. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A connected health system includes a user feedback interface that captures feedback from medical patients, such as dialysis patients, when they are most apt to provide it. The system enables a patient to speak freely with comments or questions about their dialysis experience at the time that the comments or questions arise. The system further provides for recording audible sound from the medical device, such as alarms or mechanical sounds of the medical device, that may be transmitted along with the user feedback to a remotely located technician. The system described herein facilitates and invites the providing of user feedback by voice input, along with relevant machine sound information, in a secure way to improve user experience and to help in machine development. By providing a conduit for user feedback along with relevant machine sound information, the system described herein may improve patient experience and product development.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches methods and systems for determining membrane transport parameters of a peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient, and updating a (PD) prescription of the patient based on one or more of the membrane transport parameters. The methods include withdrawing a plurality of samples of PD effluent from the patient's peritoneal cavity periodically during one or more dwell phases of one or more PD treatment cycles. The method further includes obtaining sensor measurements of the samples of PD effluent, determining one or more peritoneal membrane transport parameters based on the sensor measurements, and updating the patient's PD prescription, to be used for a later peritoneal dialysis treatment, based on the one or more peritoneal membrane transport parameters.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and systems for peritoneal dialysis (PD) effluent sampling and measurement, which are compatible with all types of PD treatment, and would enable more frequent assessment so a patient's PD prescription can be updated routinely. The methods include withdrawing a plurality of samples of PD effluent from the patient's peritoneal cavity periodically during the dwell phase of a PD treatment cycle. The method further includes obtaining sensor measurements of the samples of PD effluent. The method may return each PD effluent sample to the patient's peritoneal cavity after the measurement. Alternatively, the PD effluent samples may be stored in a container without returning them to the patient's peritoneal cavity.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to remote control of dialysis machines. In certain aspects, a method includes receiving a request for a network connection from a dialysis machine and establishing the network connection with the dialysis machine. The method also includes receiving, from a client device, a request to access the dialysis machine, authorizing the client device to access the dialysis machine, receiving, from the dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the dialysis machine, and providing, to the client device, the received information.

Abstract: A dialysis machine comprising: a power supply for providing power to the dialysis machine, the power supply including a power supply cable that includes a first ground wire electrically connected to a first ground prong; and a hydraulics system for making dialysate, supplying the dialysate to a dialysate circuit, and draining spent dialysate from the dialysate circuit, the hydraulics system including a hydraulics grounding cable that includes a second ground wire electrically connected to a second ground prong.