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 syringe pump includes a lead screw, a motor, and a sliding block assembly. The lead screw has threads and the motor is coupled to the lead screw to rotate it. The half-nut housing has a half nut and a barrel cam. The half nut is disposed within the half-nut housing. The half nut has half-nut threads at an end adjacent to the lead screw void. The half nut engages or disengages with the threads of the lead screw. The half nut includes a half-nut cam-follower surface and a half nut slot. The barrel cam is disposed within the half-nut housing and engages with the half-nut cam-follower surface. The barrel cam includes a pin to fit within the half nut slot such that the barrel cam rotates between a first position and a second position to actuate the half nut between the engagement position and the disengagement position, respectively.

Abstract: A method for discharging fluid from a syringe and for mitigating occlusion conditions includes actuating the plunger of a syringe into a barrel. The method monitors fluid pressure within the barrel of the syringe and determines that an occlusion exists when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method actuates the plunger out of the barrel by a predetermined amount in response to the detected occlusion and actuates the plunger of the syringe into the barrel until a measured fluid pressure within the barrel of the syringe exceeds another predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.

Abstract: A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.

Abstract: A pump for administering an agent to a patient includes a housing, a syringe seat, and a bumper. The syringe seat is coupled to the housing. The bumper is coupled to the housing adjacent to the syringe seat.

Abstract: A mobility device that can accommodate speed sensitive steering, adaptive speed control, a wide weight range of users, an abrupt change in weight, traction control, active stabilization that can affect the acceleration range of the mobility device and minimize back falls, and enhanced redundancy that can affect the reliability and safety of the mobility device.

Abstract: A prosthetic limb including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic limb with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus. The prosthetic limb includes a controller and at least one antenna in connection with the controller for transmitting and receiving signals, the at least one antenna including a housing of a segment of the prosthetic limb as a radiating element. The prosthetic limb further including a user interface incorporated therein and one or more communication systems for communicating with external devices. The user interface is integrally formed in the housing and includes a status indicator for displaying information. A flexible protective cover is disposed around a portion of the housing and covers the user interface, the flexible protective cover includes a translucent portion over the status indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. An apparatus for infusing fluid into a patient includes a housing, a tube-contact member, a rotating arm, and a tube-retention cover. The housing has an opening on a front side of the housing. The opening is sized to receive a drip chamber having an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The tube-contact member contacts one of the inlet tube and the output tube of the drip chamber when inserted into the opening. The rotating arm is coupled to the tube-contact member and is configured to rotate along an axis. The tube-retention cover is configured to close when the drip chamber is initially loaded into the opening.

Abstract: Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid, may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.

Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.

Abstract: A system for powering a prosthetic arm is disclosed. The system includes at least one internal battery located in the prosthetic arm, at least one external battery connected to the prosthetic arm, and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the prosthetic arm.

Abstract: Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.

Abstract: A fluid pumping and bioreactor system including at least two cassettes, at least one storage reservoir, at least one bioreactor, at least one manifold including valve modules, and tubing to connect the cassettes to the storage reservoir and the bioreactor. The cassettes can include pumps, valves, and fluid conduits and can be communicatively connected to the at least one manifold. The bioreactor can include an adapter and fluid conduits extending through the adapter from the exterior of the bioreactor to the interior of the bioreactor. System and method for generating a tissue for transplant by decellularizing and recellularizing a supplied tissue.

Abstract: A surgical system which may be configured to be a minimally invasive and/or computer assisted surgical system. Operation of the system may be controlled by transmission of a force from a first section to a second section of the system. The first section and the second section may be separated by a partition or a barrier. The first section may be a non-sterile section and the second section may be a sterile section of the surgical system.

Abstract: Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysis systems may include a safety system utilizing a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that monitors at least conductivity and temperature of dialysate in the flow circuit upstream of a dialyzer and enters a fail-safe state if the measured conductivity is outside of a range of values. The FPGA may be verified to be operating properly by exposing sensors in fluid paths to temperatures or conductivities that are outside pre-determined permissible ranges of values, and confirming that the FPGA safety system enters a fail-safe state in response to the temperatures or conductivities. The FPGA may be configured to monitor an amount of ultrafiltration fluid withdrawn from a patient during dialysis treatment and to enter a fail-safe state if a maximum amount is exceeded.

Abstract: A valved manifold module is disclosed, constructed and arranged to be readily connected in a chain with similar modules to form a manifold assembly. The modular nature of the apparatus allows for convenient expansion or modification of the manifold assembly to suit any application that comprises a group of pneumatically or hydraulically driven pumps, valves or combinations thereof in a liquid flow control apparatus. The valved manifold module in an example can be configured to accept a group of four substantially identical valve assemblies, and can be controlled by a local controller mounted to the manifold module, thus forming an independently programmable valved manifold module. The resulting modular system is readily expandable to allow for coordinated operations of a liquid flow control system, using substantially independent controller functions originating at the manifold assembly level.

Abstract: A system for powering a prosthetic arm is disclosed. The system includes at least one internal battery located in the prosthetic arm, at least one external battery connected to the prosthetic arm, and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the prosthetic arm.

Abstract: A pump for administering an agent to a patient includes a housing, a motor, a gearbox, a sensor, and a controller. The motor may be coupled to housing. The gearbox is operatively connected to said motor. The sensor senses a rotation of said motor. The controller acts to control operation of said motor and monitor the quantity of said agent delivered to said patient. The pump also includes a pump assembly such that the pump is configured such that the pump assembly may be interchangeable from a syringe pump assembly and a peristaltic pump assembly.

Abstract: A pump for administering an agent to a patient includes a housing, a motor, a gearbox, a sensor, and a controller. The motor may be coupled to housing. The gearbox is operatively connected to said motor. The sensor senses a rotation of said motor. The controller acts to control operation of said motor and monitor the quantity of said agent delivered to said patient. The pump also includes a pump assembly such that the pump is configured such that the pump assembly may be interchangeable from a syringe pump assembly and a peristaltic pump assembly.