Abstract: A peristaltic pump for use with tubing. The pump includes a raceway and a rotatably mounted rotor that form a passageway therebetween for the tubing. A plurality of roller assemblies is pivotably and eccentrically mounted to the rotor. Each roller assembly has a length, and includes a roller having an outer surface disposed to selectively roll along said tubing when received in the passageway. At least one compliance mechanism is coupled to and contained substantially within the length of each roller assembly. The compliance mechanism has first and second ends coupled to the rotor and the roller assembly, respectively. The compliance mechanism is adapted and disposed to bias the associated roller assembly outward relative to the rotor, such that a force applied to the roller assembly pivoting the roller assembly inward against the force of the compliance mechanism.

Abstract: In a regenerative dialysis system, in a method for controlling a regenerative dialysis system, and in a controller for a regenerative dialysis system, an embodiment of the system comprises an input pump that pumps fresh dialysate fluid into a dialyzer at an input rate. An output pump pumps used dialysate fluid from the dialyzer at an output rate. An ultrafiltration rate of the system is related to the output rate relative to the input rate. A sorbent cartridge filters the used dialysate fluid to generate the fresh dialysate fluid. A controller controls the ultrafiltration rate of the system in response to a flow rate of the dialysate fluid through the sorbent cartridge.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump for use with tubing. The pump includes a raceway and a rotatably mounted rotor that form a passageway therebetween for the tubing. A plurality of roller assemblies is pivotably and eccentrically mounted to the rotor. Each roller assembly has a length, and includes a roller having an outer surface disposed to selectively roll along said tubing when received in the passageway. At least one compliance mechanism is coupled to and contained substantially within the length of each roller assembly. The compliance mechanism has first and second ends coupled to the rotor and the roller assembly, respectively. The compliance mechanism is adapted and disposed to bias the associated roller assembly outward relative to the rotor, such that a force applied to the roller assembly pivoting the roller assembly inward against the force of the compliance mechanism.

Abstract: In a regenerative dialysis system, in a method for controlling a regenerative dialysis system, and in a controller for a regenerative dialysis system, an embodiment of the system comprises an input pump that pumps fresh dialysate fluid into a dialyzer at an input rate. An output pump pumps used dialysate fluid from the dialyzer at an output rate. An ultrafiltration rate of the system is related to the output rate relative to the input rate. A sorbent cartridge filters the used dialysate fluid to generate the fresh dialysate fluid. A controller controls the ultrafiltration rate of the system in response to a flow rate of the dialysate fluid through the sorbent cartridge.

Abstract: A valving arrangement for use with or for a blower-based ventilator system, such as a pressure support ventilator, and a pressure support ventilator having such a valving arrangement, in which blower output can be controlled in such a manner that desired levels of pressure are able to be provided without excessive waste of blower output flow. In one preferred embodiment, a first valve is provided that serves to restrict blower flow, without venting the same from the system, along with a second valve for relieving pressure as needed. Also contemplated herein are methods for controlling such a valving arrangement.