Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.

Abstract: A pump-valving assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes a pumping chamber, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The pump-valving assembly further includes an inlet ball check-valve assembly, first and second tapered tracts disposed between the inlet port and the pumping chamber, an outlet ball check-valve assembly, and third and fourth tapered tracts disposed between the pumping chamber and outlet port. The first tapered tract expands in cross sectional area from the inlet port to the inlet ball check valve assembly, and the second tapered tract decreases in cross sectional area from the inlet ball check valve assembly to the chamber. The third tapered tract expands in cross sectional area from the chamber to the outlet ball check valve assembly and the fourth tapered tract decreases in cross sectional area from the outlet ball check valve assembly to the outlet port.

Abstract: A pulsatile fluid pump apparatus includes an integral pump assembly employing a flexible diaphragm in a diaphragm assembly; a pulsatile fluid pump system including a control housing, for removably receiving the integral pump assembly, the control housing and the integral pump assembly being configured for operation, in a first mode, so that the pulsatile fluid pump system reciprocally actuates the diaphragm assembly to cause pumping automatically; and a manual driver assembly, wherein the integral pump assembly is configured, in a second mode, in the absence of actuation of the diaphragm assembly by the pulsatile fluid pump system, to removably receive the manual driver assembly to support manual actuation and operation of the diaphragm assembly.

Abstract: A pump-valving assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes a pumping chamber, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The pump-valving assembly further includes an inlet ball check-valve assembly, first and second tapered tracts disposed between the inlet port and the pumping chamber, an outlet ball check-valve assembly, and third and fourth tapered tracts disposed between the pumping chamber and outlet port. The first tapered tract expands in cross sectional area from the inlet port to the inlet ball check valve assembly, and the second tapered tract decreases in cross sectional area from the inlet ball check valve assembly to the chamber. The third tapered tract expands in cross sectional area from the chamber to the outlet ball check valve assembly and the fourth tapered tract decreases in cross sectional area from the outlet ball check valve assembly to the outlet port.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.

Abstract: A pulsatile fluid pump system includes a pump-valving assembly including a chamber and a diaphragm assembly coupled to the chamber and including a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm assembly and the pump-valving assembly are configured as an integral pump assembly. The system further includes a linear motor having a magnet and a coil, the magnet moving in relation to the coil, the coil having an electrical input. The system also includes a control housing rigidly coupled to the linear motor and a controller system having an electrical output coupled to the electrical input of the coil, the controller system defining an electrical waveform at the electrical output to cause desired operation of the diaphragm. The integral pump assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the control housing, and the diaphragm assembly of the integral pump assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the linear motor.

Abstract: A pulsatile fluid pump system for driving a fluid pump assembly includes a reciprocating linear motor having a magnet and a coil, the magnet moving in relation to the coil, the coil having an electrical input. The pulsatile fluid pump system further includes a controller system having an electrical output coupled to the electrical input of the coil, and the controller system is configured to execute a waveform program defining an electrical waveform at the electrical output. The waveform program is configured to control operation of the linear motor by modification of a feature, selected from the group consisting of amplitude, frequency, shape, and combinations thereof, of the electrical waveform at the electrical output. The waveform program is further configured to accept a set of user-specifiable parameters defining the performance of the linear motor and to modify the electrical waveform in response to such parameters.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.

Abstract: Temperature compensation is applied to correct for temperature mismatch between a reference chamber and a disposable chamber in a pneumatic pumping system for dialysis fluid for peritoneal dialysis. The mismatch creates an error in the calculation of pumping volume of dialysate fluid. Applying a correction for the temperature mismatch helps to more precisely control the volume of dialysate that is metered to the patient. Also disclosed are ways to keep temperatures constant and to use temperature sensors to accurately measure the temperatures of the chambers. In other aspects, the temperature of the dialysate fluid itself may be measured and used to apply a correction to the volume of fluid that is pumped to the patient.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system using flow rate changes to extract additional information from an in-line flow sensor. The system provides the ability to determine a position of a movable flow sensor element of a flow sensor by illuminating a photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a first set of pixel intensity values introducing an abrupt change to the fluid driving pressure, illuminating the photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a second set of pixel intensity values, and calculating the difference between the first and second sets of pixel intensity values as a function of pixel position.

Abstract: Temperature compensation is applied to correct for temperature mismatch between a reference chamber and a disposable chamber in a pneumatic pumping system for dialysis fluid for peritoneal dialysis. The mismatch creates an error in the calculation of pumping volume of dialysate fluid. Applying a correction for the temperature mismatch helps to more precisely control the volume of dialysate that is metered to the patient. Also disclosed are ways to keep temperatures constant and to use temperature sensors to accurately measure the temperatures of the chambers. In other aspects, the temperature of the dialysate fluid itself may be measured and used to apply a correction to the volume of fluid that is pumped to the patient.

Abstract: Temperature compensation is applied to correct for temperature mismatch between a reference chamber and a disposable chamber in a pneumatic pumping system for dialysis fluid for peritoneal dialysis. The mismatch creates an error in the calculation of pumping volume of dialysate fluid. Applying a correction for the temperature mismatch helps to more precisely control the volume of dialysate that is metered to the patient. Also disclosed are ways to keep temperatures constant and to use temperature sensors to accurately measure the temperatures of the chambers. In other aspects, the temperature of the dialysate fluid itself may be measured and used to apply a correction to the volume of fluid that is pumped to the patient.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system using flow rate changes to extract additional information from an in-line flow sensor. The system provides the ability to determine a position of a movable flow sensor element of a flow sensor by illuminating a photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a first set of pixel intensity values, introducing an abrupt change to the fluid driving pressure, illuminating the photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a second set of pixel intensity values, and calculating the difference between the first and second sets of pixel intensity values as a function of pixel position.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system using flow rates to extract additional information from an in-line flow sensor. The system provides the ability to determine a position of a movable flow sensor element of a flow sensor by illuminating a photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a first set of pixel intensity values introducing an abrupt change to the fluid driving pressure, illuminating the photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a second set of pixel intensity values, and calculating the difference between the first and second sets of pixel intensity values as a function of pixel position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using flow rate changes to extract additional information from an in-line flow sensor.

Abstract: Temperature compensation is applied to correct for temperature mismatch between a reference chamber and a disposable chamber in a pneumatic pumping system for dialysis fluid for peritoneal dialysis. The mismatch creates an error in the calculation of pumping volume of dialysate fluid. Applying a correction for the temperature mismatch helps to more precisely control the volume of dialysate that is metered to the patient. Also disclosed are ways to keep temperatures constant and to use temperature sensors to accurately measure the temperatures of the chambers. In other aspects, the temperature of the dialysate fluid itself may be measured and used to apply a correction to the volume of fluid that is pumped to the patient.

Abstract: A process and an energy director are provided for thermoplastically welding a rigid thermoplastic, such as acrylic, and a flexible thermoplastic, such a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) doped with plasticizers. The rigid piece includes an energy director where the joint is to be located. The energy director includes first and second ridges running the length of the joint and a groove running between the first and second ridges. The energy director is placed against one side of the flexible piece, and an energy horn against the other side opposite the energy director. The two pieces are then welded together using standard thermoplastic welding technology. The shape of the energy director promotes the melting and flow of both pieces as they are being welded together.

Abstract: A probe is provided for adjustable use in the right or left hand of a user. It includes a valve barrel that can be rotated with respect to the probe's body so that the relative position of a valve port can be adjusted according to the preference of the user.

Abstract: A disposable cassette for use in peritoneal dialysis includes a pair of diaphragms, tube connectors, pump chambers, channel paths, and valves. A disposable dialysate delivery set for use in peritoneal dialysis includes a cassette, multiple liquid flow paths, multiple valves, tube connectors, and disposable flexible plastic tubes to convey dialysate to and from the patient and other locations within the system. A system for performing peritoneal dialysis includes disposable supply containers of fresh dialysate, a cassette including a pump, a disposable heater container, and conduits for carrying fresh dialysate and carrying heated dialysate.

Abstract: A process is provided for ultrasonically welding a rigid thermoplastic, such as acrylic, and a flexible thermoplastic, such a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) doped with plasticizers. The rigid piece includes an energy director where the joint is to be located. The energy director includes first and second ridges running the length of the joint and a groove running between the first and second ridges. The energy director is placed against one side of the flexible piece, and an ultrasonic horn against the other side opposite the energy director. The two pieces are then welded together using standard ultrasonic technology. The shape of the energy director promotes the melting and flow of both pieces as they are being welded together.