Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a drain container; a drain line in fluid communication with the drain container and a patient's peritoneal cavity; a solenoid configured to permit a pneumatic force through a vacuum line and open a drain valve of the drain line; the vacuum source configured to apply and adjust the pneumatic force; the vacuum line; a weight sensor configured to output a weight of used dialysis fluid delivered to the drain container from the patient's peritoneal cavity; and the controller configured to: (i) determine an actual flow rate of used dialysis fluid removed from the patient's peritoneal cavity based on the output from the weight sensor; (ii) compare the actual flow rate to a desired flow rate; and (iii) adjust the pneumatic force applied by the vacuum source via the solenoid to attempt to match the actual flow rate to the optimal flow rate.

Abstract: A blood treatment air purging system and method includes a level detector positioned and arranged to detect a low fluid level in a blood circuit indicating a high amount of air in the blood circuit; a blood pump operable with the blood circuit; a venous patient line of the blood circuit; and at least one blood circuit air vent valve, wherein the system and method are configured or programmed to (i) stop the blood pump, (ii) close the venous patient line, and (iii) open the at least one blood circuit air vent valve to atmosphere or a container when the low fluid level is detected, and (iv) run the blood pump to meter air through the at least one blood circuit air vent valve to atmosphere or the container.

Abstract: An example peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed. The example peritoneal dialysis system includes at least one pump and a memory device configured to store therapy prescriptions including a first ultrafiltration (“UF”) therapy prescription for removing ultrafiltrate from a patient, and a second UF therapy prescription for removing less ultrafiltrate from the patient compared to the first UF therapy prescription. The system further includes a logic implementer configured to receive UF removed data, use the UF removed data to form or update a moving average UF removed trend, and compare the moving average UF removed trend to an expected UF removal trend or an expected UF removal minimum value. When the moving average UF removed trend is below the expected UF removal trend or the expected UF removal minimum value, the logic implementer provides a recommendation that the first UF therapy prescription should be selected for a next peritoneal dialysis treatment.

Abstract: A sterilization container with a sensor module for monitoring the environmental characteristics internal to the container. The sensor module includes a normally closed end bore. A sensor is disposed in the closed end void space. Other sensors also part of the module monitor the pressure and temperature of the environment inside the container. Based on the measurements of the environment in the container and the environment within the closed end void space it is possible to determine the extent to which the container is filled with saturated steam.

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis apparatus includes at least one pump and a memory device configured to simultaneously store a first standard ultrafiltration (“UF”) therapy prescription with a longer duration and a lower dextrose concentration and a second standard UF therapy prescription with a shorter duration and a higher dextrose concentration. A logic implementer of the automated peritoneal dialysis apparatus is programmed to receive a patient weight value and determine a weight difference between the patient weight value and at least one prior patient weight value. When the weight difference is below a threshold, the logic implementer causes the first standard UF therapy prescription and the second standard UF therapy prescription to be displayed as possible options for selection and when the weight difference is above the threshold, the logic implementer prevents the second standard UF therapy prescription from being displayed as a possible option for selection.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system is disclosed. The hemodialysis system includes a dialyzer, a saline container including saline, and a disposable set comprising a blood pumping tube fluidly connected to a first end of the dialyzer, an arterial line fluidly connected to a first end of the blood pumping tube, a venous line fluidly connected to a second end of the dialyzer, a saline line fluidly connected to the blood pumping tube and the saline container, and a dialyzer line fluidly connected to a second end of the blood pumping tube and a second end of the dialyzer. The hemodialysis system also includes a dialysis instrument comprising an arterial line clamp, a venous line clamp, and a saline valve. The saline rinses blood out of the arterial line when the venous line clamp is closed, the arterial line clamp is opened, and the saline value is opened.

Abstract: A method for performing a peritoneal dialysis therapy includes performing a plurality of peritoneal dialysis cycles for a patient and tracking an amount of dialysis fluid provided by at least one dialysis fluid pump during the plurality of peritoneal dialysis cycles. The method also includes determining an amount of ultrafiltrate (“UF”) removed from the patient based on the amount of dialysis fluid provided by the at least one dialysis fluid pump. The method further includes updating a UF trend using previous amounts of UF removed from the patient and the amount of UF removed from the patient during the most recent dialysis treatment and generating an alert if the UF trend changes by more than a preset percentage.

Abstract: A sterilization enclosure to be placed within a sterilizer, the sterilization enclosure defining an interior for accommodating at least one surgical instrument and maintaining sterility of the at least one surgical instrument after the sterilization enclosure is removed from the sterilizer. The enclosure comprising a light source and a transparent window. The light source to illuminate the interior and the transparent window positioned such that the interior and the at least one surgical instrument are visible through the transparent window. A process indicator that is either disposed within the interior or coupled to an external surface of the sterilization enclosure. The process indicator in fluid communication with the interior of the sterilization enclosure such that the process indicator is exposed to a sterilant agent disposed within the interior of the sterilization enclosure to measure a characteristic within the interior during a sterilization process.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes first and second concentrate sources in selective fluid communication with a medical fluid pumping cassette, the first and second concentrate sources holding first and second peritoneal dialysis concentrates, respectively; a pump actuator configured to cause the medical fluid pumping cassette to pump the first and second concentrates; and a processor and memory configured to (i) determine a cumulative volume of at least one of the first or second peritoneal dialysis concentrates pumped from the medical fluid pumping cassette by the pump actuator, (ii) compare the cumulative volume to a threshold, and (iii) if the cumulative volume is outside of the threshold, modify a subsequent stroke volume of at least one of the first or second pump chambers actuated by the pump actuator in an attempt to cause an updated cumulative volume for the at least one peritoneal dialysis concentrate to be within the threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: An example peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed. The example peritoneal dialysis system includes at least one pump and a memory device configured to store therapy prescriptions including a low ultrafiltration (“UF”) therapy prescription, a first standard UF therapy prescription with a longer duration and a lower dextrose concentration, and a second standard UF therapy prescription with a shorter duration and a higher dextrose concentration. The memory device also stores a schedule indicative as to which of the therapy prescriptions are to be performed on specified dates. The system further includes a logic implementer configured to determine or identify a current date, use the schedule stored in the memory device to select the therapy prescription based on the current date, and control the at least one pump based on the selected therapy prescription to perform a peritoneal dialysis therapy.

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis system and machine configured to perform dextrose mixing are disclosed. An example dialysis machine includes a pump, a first solution having a first formulation stored in a first container that is placed in fluid communication with the pump, and a second solution having a second formulation stored in a second container that is also placed in fluid communication with the pump. The first container has a first unique identifier indicative of the first formulation and the second container has a second unique identifier indicative of the second formulation. The dialysis machine also includes a logic implementer programmed to receive a therapy prescription and operate the pump if the first formulation indicated by the first unique identifier is specified by the therapy prescription, or the second formulation indicated by the second unique identifier is specified by the therapy prescription.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for the automated collection of dialysis and physiological data. An example system includes a dialysis machine configured to generate dialysis data and a wireless peripheral device configured to generate physiological data. The system also includes a personal digital device including an application configured to communicatively couple to the dialysis machine. The application is further configured to detect being within a wireless range of the wireless peripheral device, pair with the wireless peripheral device, receive the physiological data from the wireless peripheral device, and transmit the received physiological data to the dialysis machine. The dialysis machine is configured to store the received physiological data in conjunction with the dialysis data.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine comprising a motorized autoconnection mechanism, a fluid supply line connected to a source of dialysis fluid, and a cassette for use with the dialysis machine. The cassette includes a frame, a pump chamber within the frame, a first set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the fluid supply line to the pump chamber, and a second set of valves for routing the dialysis fluid from the pump chamber to a patient line. The cassette also includes a plurality of ports communicating with the first and second set of valves. Each port includes an integral spike. The motorized autoconnection mechanism is configured to move the fluid supply line and the patient line automatically so as to be spiked open respectively by the plurality of ports of the cassette.

Abstract: A chuck (10) includes a jaw guide (64), interleaving jaws (66), and an inclined engagement surface (84). The jaw guide defines a longitudinal axis (24) and includes jaw channels (65) circumferentially distributed about the axis. The jaws are slidably disposed in the jaw channels Each jaw has a clamping surface (88) facing the axis and a driving surface (90) substantially opposite the clamping surface and a protrusion (92) on a first lateral side and a cavity (96) on a second lateral side. The protrusion of each jaw is disposed at least in part in the cavity of an adjacent jaw. The engagement surface is on one of an inner surface of the jaw guide and an engagement sleeve (80), and is substantially centered about the axis and substantially parallel to the driving surface. Displacement of the jaws relative to the engagement surface in a clamping direction displaces the clamping surfaces toward the axis.

Abstract: A dialysis system is disclosed that enables a patient to undergo both peritoneal dialysis and extracorporeal blood treatments. The system includes a base unit and a blood treatment unit configured to perform extracorporeal blood treatments on a patient. The blood treatment unit includes a user interface operable with a controller for displaying a calendar of days in which an extracorporeal blood treatment is scheduled to be performed. The base unit includes a base unit controller that is programmed to receive information indicative whether a peritoneal dialysis treatment or the extracorporeal blood treatment is to be performed. The base unit controller operates first software instructions when the base unit uses a first fluid stored in a fluid container when the peritoneal dialysis treatment is selected or operates second software instructions when the base unit uses a second, different fluid from an online source when the extracorporeal blood treatment is selected.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for the automated collection of dialysis data. An example method includes receiving and aggregating dialysis data comprising a fill volume amount and a drain volume amount for at least one continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (“CAPD”) cycle. The method also includes calculating an amount of ultrafiltration removed for each CAPD cycle by subtracting the fill volume amount from the drain volume amount for the respective CAPD cycle, and storing ultrafiltration data that is indicative of the amount of ultrafiltration removed as part of the aggregated dialysis data. The method further includes determining or receiving an indication that a dialysis machine is connected. After the dialysis machine is connected, the method includes transmitting the aggregated dialysis data to the dialysis machine to enable the aggregated dialysis data to be combined with additional dialysis data generated by the dialysis machine for determining total dialysis data.

Abstract: A dialysis system including a disposable fluid pumping cassette including at least one flexible membrane attached to a housing and at least one port extending from the housing, the at least one port including a spike; at least one dialysis fluid supply in fluid communication with at least one tubing and tubing connector; an autoconnection device including a shuttle for moving the at least one tubing and tubing connector towards the spike of the at least one port, the autoconnection device including at least one lead screw in mechanical communication with the shuttle, a motor and power transmission equipment to transmit power from the motor to the at least one lead screw; and a controller programmed to operate the motor to move the at least one tubing and tubing connector towards the spike of the at least one port of the disposable fluid pumping cassette.

Abstract: A wire driver for driving a wire or pin into living tissue includes a rotating drive shaft, a collet, and a wedge. The collet is held fast to the drive shaft and has a plurality of feet radially moveable relative for grasping the wire or pin. Each foot has an outwardly located curved ankle surface with a concave or convex profile. The wedge is disposed over the collet and is at least partly inside the bore of the drive shaft. The wedge rotates with the drive shaft and has a tapered inner surface in selective engagement with the curved ankle surfaces. The wedge is moveable longitudinally relative to the collet feet to bear against the feet and cause the feet to grasp the wire or pin. The wedge has a release position in which the wedge is spaced from the collet feet, releasing the wire or pin.

Abstract: A dialysis method to enable a patient to undergo both peritoneal dialysis and extracorporeal blood treatments is disclosed. The method includes determining, via a base unit controller, whether a peritoneal dialysis treatment or an extracorporeal blood treatment is to be performed. If the peritoneal dialysis treatment is to be performed, the method includes operating first software instructions that cause a base unit to use a first fluid stored in a fluid container. If the extracorporeal blood treatment is to be performed, the method includes operating second software instructions that cause the base unit to use a second, different fluid from an online source and selectively move the second, different fluid to a blood treatment unit for use in the extracorporeal blood treatment. The blood treatment unit is operable with the base unit to perform the extracorporeal blood treatment on a patient.