Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system is provided that includes a hardware unit, a disposable unit received by the hardware unit, and a controller. The hardware unit includes a recessed area, a piston having a contact surface, a pneumatic source for supplying a negative pressure, and an actuator configured to move the contact surface of the piston into and out of at least a portion of the recessed area. The disposable unit includes an outer member fitted at least partially within the recessed area of the hardware unit and a moveable membrane positioned between the contact surface of the piston and the outer member when the disposable unit is received by the hardware unit. The controller is configured to cause the pneumatic source to apply the negative pressure to the moveable membrane so as to conform the moveable membrane to a shape of the contact surface of the piston and follow the contact surface when the piston is moved towards and away from the outer member fitted at least partially within the recessed area.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes: an enclosure including an actuation surface and a door; a stepper motor housed by the enclosure; a pump head and a solid pump piston structurally linking the pump head to the stepper motor; and a disposable unit accepted by the enclosure, the disposable unit including a flexible membrane attached to a rigid piece, the actuation surface of the enclosure and the disposable unit so configured and arranged that when the stepper motor turns and consequently translates the solid pump piston and the pump head towards the door, the pump head physically contacts and stretches the membrane from a relaxed position to a stretched position, and when the stepper motor turns and consequently translates the solid pump piston and the pump head away from the door, the membrane follows the pump head and transitions from the stretched position to the relaxed position.

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes: a source of dialysis solution; a pump configured to pump the dialysis solution; a heater configured to heat the dialysis solution; an electrical input receiving power from a remote power source; and a housing supporting the pump, the heater and the electrical input, the housing including an electrical insulation rated for 240 VAC such that the remote power source can be either 110 or 240 VAC.

Abstract: A system and method for pairing a dialysis machine with peripheral devices are disclosed. An example system includes first and second memory devices, a first dialysis machine including a first memory device port configured to be connectable to the first memory device, and a second dialysis machine including a second memory device port configured to be connectable to the second memory device. The system also includes an intermediate data transfer unit including a port configured to connect to the first and the second memory devices to enable data transfer with the respective dialysis machines. The intermediate data transfer unit is configured to receive data from a weight sensor, a blood pressure sensor, or a remote exchange device for a patient and store the data to the first or second memory device to communicate the data to the respective first or second dialysis machine.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting a Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (“CCPD”) therapy to minimize the potential for excess intra-peritoneal volume. The adjustments are made at the end of the drain, just prior to the next fill. The adjustments short the next fill, if necessary, to limit the intra-peritoneal volume, add a cycle, if necessary, to use all of the available dialysis solution and will average the remaining dwell time to maximize the therapeutic benefit of the therapy in the allotted time. In another embodiment, a tidal therapy using trended patient UF data is provided.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a dialysis machine; and at least one of a blood pressure sensor and a weight sensor in wireless communication with the dialysis machine, wherein the dialysis machine is so positioned and arranged relative to the at least one blood pressure sensor or weight sensor that the dialysis machine is discoverable by the at least one blood pressure sensor or weight sensor when the at least one blood pressure sensor or weight sensor, respectively, is powered, and such that the at least one blood pressure sensor or weight sensor becomes paired automatically with the dialysis machine for secure wireless communication.

Abstract: A system for performing a peritoneal dialysis therapy includes at least one dialysis fluid pump, and a control unit operable with the at least one dialysis fluid pump to perform a plurality of peritoneal dialysis cycles, the cycles including a fill phase, a dwell phase and a drain phase. The control unit configured to (i) store a previously entered continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (“CCPD”) therapy having a total prescribed fresh dialysate fill volume delivered over n cycles, the cycles performed over a total therapy duration, and (ii) automatically convert the CCPD therapy into a tidal peritoneal dialysis therapy having n+1 cycles, less a number of cycles already completed during the CCPD therapy, using the total prescribed fresh dialysis fill volume, and maintaining the total therapy duration.

Abstract: An embodiment of a peritoneal dialysis system includes an enclosure, a door hingedly attached to the enclosure, a stepper motor housed by the enclosure, a solid pump piston in operable communication with the stepper motor and including a solid pump shaft attached to or integrally formed with a solid pump head, and a disposable unit contacting the enclosure and the door. The disposable unit includes a moveable membrane operable with the solid pump head. The stepper motor is configured to move the solid pump head towards and away from the disposable unit. The system further includes a position detection apparatus operable with the stepper motor and located to provide an output indicative of a position of the solid pump head relative to a reference position.

Abstract: The present system and method in one embodiment limit a maximum instantaneous peritoneal volume to a comfortable level, while allowing the dialysis machine to advance to fill a prescribed volume whenever the drain ends after a minimum drain percentage has been attained. If a low drain condition occurs, the nominal fill volume is lowered and a therapy cycle is added, so that a prescribed total amount of fresh therapy fluid is used during therapy, maximizing therapeutic benefit. An allowable residual volume at the end of an incomplete drain is increased, thereby lowering the probability of a subsequent low drain condition.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis instrument and a disposable cassette. The dialysis instrument includes three pump actuators. The disposable cassette includes three dialysate pump chambers. The three dialysate pump chambers are positioned and arranged to operate with the three dialysate pump actuators of the dialysis instrument.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system is provided that includes a hardware unit, a disposable unit received by the hardware unit, and a controller. The hardware unit includes a recessed area, a piston having a contact surface, a pneumatic source for supplying a negative pressure, and an actuator configured to move the contact surface of the piston into and out of at least a portion of the recessed area. The disposable unit includes an outer member fitted at least partially within the recessed area of the hardware unit and a moveable membrane positioned between the contact surface of the piston and the outer member when the disposable unit is received by the hardware unit. The controller is configured to cause the pneumatic source to apply the negative pressure to the moveable membrane so as to conform the moveable membrane to a shape of the contact surface of the piston and follow the contact surface when the piston is moved towards and away from the outer member fitted at least partially within the recessed area.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis instrument; a disposable cassette operable with the dialysis instrument; a dual lumen patient line including dual lumens, the dual lumen patient line connected to the disposable cassette; and a priming sequence in which ends of the dual lumens are connected together, a first pump chamber of the disposable cassette pumps fluid through the dual lumens until fluid reaches a second pump chamber of the disposable cassette.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system is provided that includes a hardware unit, a disposable unit received by the hardware unit, and a controller. The hardware unit includes a recessed area, a piston having a contact surface, a pneumatic source for supplying a negative pressure, and an actuator configured to move the contact surface of the piston into and out of at least a portion of the recessed area. The disposable unit includes an outer member fitted at least partially within the recessed area of the hardware unit and a moveable membrane positioned between the contact surface of the piston and the outer member when the disposable unit is received by the hardware unit. The controller is configured to cause the pneumatic source to apply the negative pressure to the moveable membrane so as to conform the moveable membrane to a shape of the contact surface of the piston and follow the contact surface when the piston is moved towards and away from the outer member fitted at least partially within the recessed area.

Abstract: A dialysis system is disclosed including an autoconnection mechanism. The autoconnection mechanism in an embodiment is configured such that (i) a tip protector remover is translated in a first direction towards a plurality of supply line connectors, (ii) the tip protector remover is locked to each of a plurality of supply line tip protectors connected to the plurality of supply line connectors, (iii) the tip protector remover is translated in a second direction away from the plurality of supply line connectors to remove the plurality of supply line tip protectors from the supply line connectors, the tip protector remover is translated in a third direction different from the first and second directions, and (v) solution line connectors are translated towards the supply line connectors to connect each of the solution line connectors to one of the supply line connectors.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis machine including a membrane pump and a touch screen display that includes a mode-indicating portion and an operation-descriptive portion, the mode-indicating portion having a plurality of touch sensitive indicia each indicating one of a plurality of modes in which the machine can operate, the display being used to keep a patient continually informed of which one mode of at least three operating modes the machine is operating in, as the operation-descriptive portion changes to display details of a specific operation being carried out within the one mode, the indicia for each of the three operating modes always being visible to the patient while the machine is operating, the operating mode being selected by the patient touching one of the indicia on the screen.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes: an enclosure including an actuation surface and a door; a stepper motor housed by the enclosure; a pump head and a solid pump piston structurally linking the pump head to the stepper motor; and a disposable unit accepted by the enclosure, the disposable unit including a flexible membrane attached to a rigid piece, the actuation surface of the enclosure and the disposable unit so configured and arranged that when the stepper motor turns and consequently translates the solid pump piston and the pump head towards the door, the pump head physically contacts and stretches the membrane from a relaxed position to a stretched position, and when the stepper motor turns and consequently translates the solid pump piston and the pump head away from the door, the membrane follows the pump head and transitions from the stretched position to the relaxed position.

Abstract: A dialysis system is disclosed including an autoconnection mechanism. The autoconnection mechanism in an embodiment is configured such that (i) a tip protector remover is translated in a first direction towards a plurality of supply line connectors, (ii) the tip protector remover is locked to each of a plurality of supply line tip protectors connected to the plurality of supply line connectors, (iii) the tip protector remover is translated in a second direction away from the plurality of supply line connectors to remove the plurality of supply line tip protectors from the supply line connectors, the tip protector remover is translated in a third direction different from the first and second directions, and (v) solution line connectors are translated towards the supply line connectors to connect each of the solution line connectors to one of the supply line connectors.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis machine including a membrane pump and a touch screen display that includes a mode-indicating portion and an operation-descriptive portion, the mode-indicating portion having a plurality of touch sensitive indicia each indicating one of a plurality of modes in which the machine can operate, the display being used to keep a patient continually informed of which one mode of at least three operating modes the machine is operating in, as the operation-descriptive portion changes to display details of a specific operation being carried out within the one mode, the indicia for each of the three operating modes always being visible to the patient while the machine is operating, the operating mode being selected by the patient touching one of the indicia on the screen.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis machine including a membrane pump and a touch screen display that includes a mode-indicating portion and an operation-descriptive portion, the mode-indicating portion having a plurality of touch sensitive indicia each indicating one of a plurality of modes in which the machine can operate, the display being used to keep a patient continually informed of which one mode of at least three operating modes the machine is operating in, as the operation-descriptive portion changes to display details of a specific operation being carried out within the one mode, the indicia for each of the three operating modes always being visible to the patient while the machine is operating, the operating mode being selected by the patient touching one of the indicia on the screen.

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes: a source of dialysis solution; a pump configured to pump the dialysis solution; a heater configured to heat the dialysis solution; an electrical input receiving power from a remote power source; and a housing supporting the pump, the heater and the electrical input, the housing including an electrical insulation rated for 240 VAC such that the remote power source can be either 110 or 240 VAC.