Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis system provides various features including prescription-driven dialysis fluid preparation, an integrated disposable fluid circuit, and sensor capabilities that allow accurate filing and draining control with high safety margins. Features include a peritoneal fluid circuit with a pressure sensor at either end and methods and devices for using the pressure signals. Other features and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis system provides various features including prescription-driven dialysis fluid preparation, an integrated disposable fluid circuit, and sensor capabilities that allow accurate filing and draining control with high safety margins. Features include a peritoneal fluid circuit with a pressure sensor at either end and methods and devices for using the pressure signals. Other features and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis device includes a disposable tubing set that includes a fill line with a patient access connector at one end and a dialysis fluid receiving end opposite the patient access connector end. The device also includes a fill-side pressure measuring sensor attached at the fill end and forming a disposable component of the tubing set and a patient-side pressure measuring sensor located at the fluid receiving end. The patient-side and fill-side pressure measuring sensors are adapted for measuring pressure in the fill line at the respective ends thereof. The device also includes a controller configured to regulate a rate of flow in the fill line responsively to a signal from the at least the patient-side pressure measuring sensor.

Abstract: A method of performing a dialysis treatment includes using a pump and a dialysate supply line to transport peritoneal dialysis fluid, the supply line having a proximal end into which peritoneal dialysis fluid is supplied and from which spend dialysate is withdrawn, and a distal end which is connected to a patient's peritoneal access. The method further includes generating proximal and distal pressure signals using pressure detectors located at both the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of said supply line. During a drain cycle in which spent dialysate is pumped from the patient, the method includes, responsively to the proximal and distal pressure signals, detecting a characteristic of a pressure difference between the distal and proximal ends whose magnitude is determined by a predicted change in dialysate properties, and responsively to the characteristic, generating a signal indicating the change in dialysate properties.

Abstract: A method of performing a peritoneal dialysis treatment includes connecting a disposable unit to a source of water. The disposable unit includes at least a first container holding a sterile concentrate containing an osmotic agent, a second container holding a sterile concentrate containing electrolytes, an empty sterile mixing container, and a tubing set with a pre-attached peritoneal fill/drain line. The method also includes receiving a prescription command by a controller, indicating at least the fill volume and desired final concentration of the osmotic agent to be used for a current fill cycle under said treatment, and pumping a quantity of the concentrated osmotic agent that is at least sufficient to achieve the desired final concentration into the mixing container. The contest of the mixing container are mixed, further diluted or concentrated, and then flowed to a patient.

Abstract: A disposable fluid circuit used in a medical device that performs peritoneal dialysis includes a peritoneal dialysis tubing set that has a connection tube with a connector for a peritoneal catheter at a distal end and a connector configured to connect to a peritoneal cycler at a proximal end. The circuit also includes a pressure pod at the distal end, the pressure pod being of the type that has a flow chamber for carrying a liquid and an air chamber separated from the flow chamber by a diaphragm and an air port in fluid communication with the air chamber. The flow chamber is connected in-line with a lumen of the connection tube and a length of tubing runs from the air-port along the length of the connection tube with a connector at the proximal end configured to connect to a pressure transducer.

Abstract: A method of performing a peritoneal dialysis treatment includes connecting a disposable unit to a source of water, the disposable unit including at least a first container holding a sterile concentrate containing an osmotic agent, a second container holding a sterile concentrate containing electrolytes, an empty sterile mixing container, and a tubing set with a pre-attached peritoneal fill/drain line. The method further includes receiving a prescription command by a controller, indicating at least the fill volume and desired final concentration of the osmotic agent to be used for a current fill cycle under said treatment, and using the controller, pumping a quantity of the concentrated osmotic agent that is at least sufficient to achieve the desired final concentration into the mixing container. The contents of the mixing container are mixed, further diluted or concentrated, and then flowed to a patient.

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis system provides various features including prescription-driven dialysis fluid preparation, an integrated disposable fluid circuit, and sensor capabilities that allow accurate filing and draining control with high safety margins. Features include a peritoneal fluid circuit with a pressure sensor at either end and methods and devices for using the pressure signals. Other features and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis system provides various features including prescription-driven dialysis fluid preparation, an integrated disposable fluid circuit, and sensor capabilities that allow accurate filing and draining control with high safety margins. Features include a peritoneal fluid circuit with a pressure sensor at either end and methods and devices for using the pressure signals. Other features and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis system provides various features including prescription-driven dialysis fluid preparation, an integrated disposable fluid circuit, and sensor capabilities that allow accurate filing and draining control with high safety margins. Features include a peritoneal fluid circuit with a pressure sensor at either end and methods and devices for using the pressure signals. Other features and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-mesh gear system, such as an epicyclic gear system, in which (a) optimal performance is not load-specific and (b) the same profile modifications can be applied on both flanks of the common gear. This is accomplished through a novel combination of a constant system contact ratio and gearing having mesh stiffness variation reducing, or MSVR, modifications. An MSVR modification, such as Differential Crowning, will minimize the self-excited component of dynamic load for gear meshes across different operating loads, resulting in an optimized gearset. The specification of a substantially constant contact ratio for the multi-mesh gear system allows the same MSVR modification to be used on both tooth flanks of the common gear, reducing the cost and complexity of manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-mesh gear system, such as an epicyclic gear system, in which (a) optimal performance is not load-specific and (b) the same profile modifications can be applied on both flanks of the common gear. This is accomplished through a novel combination of a constant system contact ratio and gearing having mesh stiffness variation reducing, or MSVR, modifications. An MSVR modification, such as Differential Crowning, will minimize the self-excited component of dynamic load for gear meshes across different operating loads, resulting in an optimized gearset. The specification of a substantially constant contact ratio for the multi-mesh gear system allows the same MSVR modification to be used on both tooth flanks of the common gear, reducing the cost and complexity of manufacture.