Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

Abstract: A disposable fluid circuit kit for extracorporeal blood treatment systems that supply replacement fluid to a patient is described. The circuit has a blood portion that carries blood and subjects it to some treatment, such as dialysis or hemofiltration. A portion carries filtrate or dialysate. A replacement fluid portion that carries fluid used to compensate for fluid loss is connectable to a supply of replacement fluid. a sterilizing filter in the replacement fluid portion sterilizes the replacement fluid before introduction into the patient acting as a guard against touch contamination of the connected replacement fluid container. Preferably, the filter has a pore size effective to eliminate pyrogens.

Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

Abstract: Devices and methods that prevent clotting of blood during blood-processing procedures such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and peritoneal dialysis are described. The device comprises a cap and a housing that is shaped to receive a blood filter. The housing has an inlet for blood and may have an outlet for waste and ultrafiltrate. The cap is attached to the housing. The cap has an outlet for blood and a port adjacent the outlet for receiving dilution fluid. Methods of use during blood-processing procedures to provide immediate hemodilution to blood exiting a filter are also described.

Abstract: A leak safe access needle and blood circuit are combined in a fluid circuit with the access needle configured as a double lumen access needle whose venous line is permanently attached to the fluid circuit. The arterial line has an air detection device. In this configuration, the only way the venous line can be disconnected is for the access needle to be withdrawn from the patient, which will necessarily result in disconnection of the arterial line, which in turn will be detected by air infiltration into the arterial line. This combination ensures that venous disconnects are revealed by the air detection. Other embodiments allow non-permanent connection of the venous line.

Abstract: Systems and methods balance fluid in a fluid processing procedure during which an outgoing fluid is removed from an individual and an ingoing fluid is supplied to the individual. The systems and methods supply a volume of the outgoing fluid and a volume of the ingoing fluid into a volumetric chamber. The systems and methods discharge a volume of the outgoing fluid and a volume of the ingoing fluid from the volumetric chamber. The systems and methods synchronizes the supply and discharge of fluid to affect a concurrent discharge of the outgoing fluid and ingoing fluid from the volumetric chamber in volumetric balance with a concurrent supply of outgoing fluid and ingoing fluid into the volumetric chamber. The volumetric chamber can include at least one chamber including an interior wall dividing the chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment retains a volume of outgoing fluid. The second compartment retains a volume of ingoing fluid.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits are provided for performing peritoneal dialysis. In a first aspect, subcutaneous and transcutaneous systems are described for performing continuously cycling peritoneal dialysis. In a second aspect, fully implanted systems are described for performing flow-through peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: A body lumen access system comprises a distal access cannula and a proximal access cannula. The distal access cannula is attached to or within the body lumen and the proximal access cannula is attached to an implantable port or is transcutaneously positioned and attached to a luer or other external connector. The distal and proximal access cannulas are usually implanted separately, cut to length, and attached at a subcutaneous junction location. Preferably, the proximal access cannula has a larger lumen diameter than that of the distal access cannula in order to reduce flow resistance within the cannula system. In some cases the distal and proximal access cannulas may be formed integrally.

Abstract: A connector for use in a dialysis tubing set in which the venous and arterial tubing connector ends are integrally molded into a one break-apart connector, such that the connector ends may be easily broken apart to form two distinct connector ends. Prior to use in a dialysis procedure, the connector ends are separated into two distinct connector ends by a manual snap breakage of the coupled connector ends at a line of weakness or partially scored portion of the integrally molded break-apart connector. Once separated from each other through manual separation of the connector, each connector end is connected to respective ports on the same medical apparatus. In this invention, the connector ends themselves are preferably each made in the respective color that corresponds to the color of either of the respective ports on the medical device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits are provided for performing peritoneal dialysis. In a first aspect, subcutaneous and transcutaneous systems are described for performing continuously cycling peritoneal dialysis. In a second aspect, fully implanted systems are described for performing flow-through peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which the blood flow in a fistula is determined by comparing the property of blood entering the fistula to the property of blood being withdrawn from the fistula as the blood in the fistula flows in the direction which is the reverse of the predominant flow. A property marker fluid is injected into the blood entering the fistula in order to alter the property of the blood. Aseptic conditions are maintained during the reversal of the blood flow by maintaining a closed blood loop exterior to the patient. The blood loop closure is maintained by reversing the action of the pump which induces blood flow in the closed blood loop.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a blood tubing set on a dialysis machine after the blood tubing set has been used in a dialysis treatment. One end of the blood tubing set is connected to a disinfection port on the dialysis machine and an opposite end of the blood tubing set is connected to a waste drain. The dialysis machine provides a supply of a disinfectant solution to the disinfection port. A blood pump on the dialysis machine pumps the disinfectant solution from the disinfection port to the waste drain through the blood tubing set to expel contaminants from the blood tubing set. The blood tubing set is preferably connected to a dialyzer which is disinfected when the disinfectant solution is pumped through the blood tubing set. A supply of cleaning solution or water may be pumped through the blood tubing set and dialyzer to expel the disinfectant solution. A supply of air may be pumped through the blood tubing set and dialyzer to expel substantially all fluid from the blood tubing set and dialyzer.

Abstract: A pivotable cover secures a pump header or tubing to a peristaltic pump of a dialysis machine. The cover includes an integral raceway for engaging the pump header as a rotor of the peristaltic pump rotates along the integral raceway. The cover is pivoted away from the dialysis machine to separate the raceway from the rotor and provide substantial access for loading the pump header about the rotor. The cover is then closed to secure the pump header in place and properly position the integral raceway in relation to the pump rotor. If the pump header is connected to a blood tubing set, the cover also secures the blood tubing set in position against the dialysis machine. A detachable hinge connects the cover to the dialysis machine to allow the cover to be completely detached from the dialysis machine. The detachable cover provides complete access for cleaning the area surrounding the peristaltic pump rotor and the location where the blood tubing set is located.

Abstract: A technique for automatically priming and recirculating sterile fluid through an extracorporeal circuit of a dialysis machine having a blood pump, a dialyzer, and a blood tubing set including an arterial line for drawing blood from a patient and a venous line for returning the blood to the patient. The dialysis machine selectively opens and closes clamps on the arterial and venous lines and further operates a waste valve for selectively opening and closing a waste line leading to a waste drain. A connector attaches both the arterial and venous lines to the waste line downstream of the arterial and venous clamps and upstream of the waste valve. The dialysis machine automatically operating the blood pump, the clamps and the waste valve to flush the dialyzer and the blood tubing set with the sterile fluid and direct the used fluid down the waste drain.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a blood tubing set on a dialysis machine after the blood tubing set has been used in a dialysis treatment. One end of the blood tubing set is connected to a disinfection port on the dialysis machine and an opposite end of the blood tubing set is connected to a waste drain. The dialysis machine provides a supply of a disinfectant solution to the disinfection port. A blood pump on the dialysis machine pumps the disinfectant solution from the disinfection port to the waste drain through the blood tubing set to expel contaminants from the blood tubing set. The blood tubing set is preferably connected to a dialyzer which is disinfected when the disinfectant solution is pumped through the blood tubing set. A supply of cleaning solution or water may be pumped through the blood tubing set and dialyzer to expel the disinfectant solution. A supply of air may be pumped through the blood tubing set and dialyzer to expel substantially all fluid from the blood tubing set and dialyzer.

Abstract: A technique for automatically priming and recirculating sterile fluid through an extracorporeal circuit of a dialysis machine having a blood pump, a dialyzer, and a blood tubing set including an arterial line for drawing blood from a patient and a venous line for returning the blood to the patient. The dialysis machine selectively opens and closes clamps on the arterial and venous lines and further operates a waste valve for selectively opening and closing a waste line leading to a waste drain. A connector attaches both the arterial and venous lines to the waste line downstream of the arterial and venous clamps and upstream of the waste valve. The dialysis machine automatically operating the blood pump, the clamps and the waste valve to flush the dialyzer and the blood tubing set with the sterile fluid and direct the used fluid down the waste drain.