Abstract: The present teachings include techniques for securing a connection to a dialyzer or the like—e.g., securing the junction between a dialyzer port and a connector (e.g., a DIN connector) that couples the port to tubing of an extracorporeal circuit of a hemodialysis system. To this end, a locking device may engage both a DIN connector and a portion of the dialyzer, such as the cap or an adapter engaged therewith. The locking device may include an interior void sized and shaped to accommodate winged portions (or other portions) of the DIN connector to mitigate rotation thereof relative to the port to which it is engaged. Further, the locking device may be used to ensure that coupling between the DIN connector and the port is proper and secure. In this manner, a locking device can mitigate leaks, which can be catastrophic during a hemodialysis treatment or the like.

Abstract: The present teachings include techniques for securing a connection to a dialyzer or the like—e.g., securing the junction between a dialyzer port and a connector (e.g., a DIN connector) that couples the port to tubing of an extracorporeal circuit of a hemodialysis system. To this end, a locking device may engage both a DIN connector and a portion of the dialyzer, such as the cap or an adapter engaged therewith. The locking device may include an interior void sized and shaped to accommodate winged portions (or other portions) of the DIN connector to mitigate rotation thereof relative to the port to which it is engaged. Further, the locking device may be used to ensure that coupling between the DIN connector and the port is proper and secure. In this manner, a locking device can mitigate leaks, which can be catastrophic during a hemodialysis treatment or the like.

Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a safety feature that enables the dialysis machine to automatically identify the connections made by a user in preparation for treatment. A smart connector is disclosed that uses a split RFID device that is operational when a first portion of the connector is mated to a second portion of the connector, and is not operational when the first portion is disconnected from the second portion. In an embodiment, the split RFID device incorporates an RFID chip in the first portion of the connector and an antenna in the second portion of the connector. In an embodiment, the RFID chip can store a tag that encodes information that indicates a formulation or a volume of a dialysis bag connected to the ports of a disposable cassette such that the dialysis machine can automatically discover the configuration of the dialysis setup.

Abstract: The present teachings include techniques for securing a connection to a dialyzer or the like—e.g., securing the junction between a dialyzer port and a connector (e.g., a DIN connector) that couples the port to tubing of an extracorporeal circuit of a hemodialysis system. To this end, a locking device may engage both a DIN connector and a portion of the dialyzer, such as the cap or an adapter engaged therewith. The locking device may include an interior void sized and shaped to accommodate winged portions (or other portions) of the DIN connector to mitigate rotation thereof relative to the port to which it is engaged. Further, the locking device may be used to ensure that coupling between the DIN connector and the port is proper and secure. In this manner, a locking device can mitigate leaks, which can be catastrophic during a hemodialysis treatment or the like.

Abstract: A mechanical lift includes a housing defining a series of vertical adjustment notches, an adjustment block disposed within the housing, a hook extending from the adjustment block and configured to support a hanging load, a stopper supported by the adjustment block and movable between retracted and extended positions, and a spring disposed within the housing and exerting an upward force against the adjustment block to mechanically lift the adjustment block and the hook extending therefrom from a first vertical position at a first notch of the series of vertical adjustment notches to a second notch of the series of vertical adjustment notches when the stopper is in the retracted position. In the retracted position, the stopper is disengaged from the housing. In the extended position, the stopper is engaged with a selected notch to lock a vertical position of the adjustment block and the hook extending therefrom.

Abstract: The present teachings may generally include a sealing device disposed within a connector (e.g., a patient connector) at an end of catheter tubing, where the sealing device is structurally configured to form a releasable seal for the catheter tubing. That is, when unengaged with a contact portion of another connector or device, the sealing device may be disposed in a first position establishing the seal. Specifically, a channel disposed through a body of the sealing device may be obstructed when in the first position. However, through predetermined engagement with the contact portion of another connector or device, the sealing device may be moved (e.g., rotated) to a second position to establish a fluid pathway through the channel. And, when the predetermined engagement is removed, the sealing device may be structurally configured to automatically move back into the first position to reestablish the seal for the catheter tubing.

Abstract: A mechanical lift includes a housing defining a series of vertical adjustment notches, an adjustment block disposed within the housing, a hook extending from the adjustment block and configured to support a hanging load, a stopper supported by the adjustment block and movable between retracted and extended positions, and a spring disposed within the housing and exerting an upward force against the adjustment block to mechanically lift the adjustment block and the hook extending therefrom from a first vertical position at a first notch of the series of vertical adjustment notches to a second notch of the series of vertical adjustment notches when the stopper is in the retracted position. In the retracted position, the stopper is disengaged from the housing. In the extended position, the stopper is engaged with a selected notch to lock a vertical position of the adjustment block and the hook extending therefrom.

Abstract: The disclosed arterial chambers for hemodialysis may include a cap with a blood inlet port for conveying an intended patient's blood into the arterial chamber, an auxiliary port configured to provide fluid access to the arterial chamber, and a needleless access port configured to couple to a needleless syringe. The needleless access port may be configured for administering a substance to an interior of the arterial chamber from the needleless syringe and/or for withdrawing blood from the interior of the arterial chamber into the needleless syringe. Various tubing sets, hemodialysis systems, and other components, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed packaging containers may include a body including a sidewall and at least one top flap for at least partially covering an opening of the body when assembled and perforations in the sidewall of the body. The perforations may include a lower perforation having a first end portion and a second end portion; a first side perforation extending upward toward the top flap from the first end portion of the lower perforation; and a second side perforation extending upward from the second end portion of the lower perforation, wherein the first side perforation and the second side perforation converge toward each other as they extend upward from the lower perforation. Various other packaging containers, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a safety feature that enables the dialysis machine to automatically identify the connections made by a user in preparation for treatment. A smart connector is disclosed that uses a split RFID device that is operational when a first portion of the connector is mated to a second portion of the connector, and is not operational when the first portion is disconnected from the second portion. In an embodiment, the split RFID device incorporates an RFID chip in the first portion of the connector and an antenna in the second portion of the connector. In an embodiment, the RFID chip can store a tag that encodes information that indicates a formulation or a volume of a dialysis bag connected to the ports of a disposable cassette such that the dialysis machine can automatically discover the configuration of the dialysis setup.

Abstract: The present teachings may generally include a sealing device disposed within a connector (e.g., a patient connector) at the end of catheter tubing, where the sealing device is structurally configured to form a releasable seal for the catheter tubing. That is, when unengaged with a contact portion of another connector or device, the sealing device may be disposed in a first position establishing a seal. Specifically, a channel disposed through the body of the sealing device may be obstructed when in this first position. However, through predetermined engagement with a contact portion of another connector or device, the sealing device may be moved (e.g., rotated) to a second position to establish a fluid pathway through the channel. And, when this predetermined engagement is removed, the sealing device may be structurally configured to automatically move back into the first position to reestablish the seal for the catheter tubing.

Abstract: The disclosed arterial chambers for hemodialysis may include a cap with a blood inlet port for conveying an intended patient's blood into the arterial chamber, an auxiliary port configured to provide fluid access to the arterial chamber, and a needleless access port configured to couple to a needleless syringe. The needleless access port may be configured for administering a substance to an interior of the arterial chamber from the needleless syringe and/or for withdrawing blood from the interior of the arterial chamber into the needleless syringe. Various tubing sets, hemodialysis systems, and other components, systems, and methods are also disclosed.