Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system includes a cycler including an actuation surface having a peristaltic pump actuator; a manifold assembly including a rigid manifold having first and second chambers (110a, 110b), the rigid manifold configured and arranged to be abutted against the actuation surface for operation, a peristaltic pump tube (124gh) extending from the first chamber (110a) to the second chamber (110b) of the rigid manifold, a dialysis fluid container line (124b) extending from the first chamber (110a), and a branch line (124c) extending between the dialysis fluid container line (124b) and the second chamber (110b); and a control unit configured to cause the peristaltic pump actuator to actuate the peristaltic pump tube (124gh) to pump dialysis fluid from the branch line (124c) into the second chamber (110b) and from the second chamber (110b) into the first chamber (110a).

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system includes a cycler including an actuation surface having a peristaltic pump actuator; at least one pair of capacitive sensing plates; a manifold assembly including a rigid manifold having at least one chamber, the rigid manifold configured and arranged to be abutted against the actuation surface for operation, wherein the at least one pair of capacitive sensing plates is positioned to be operable with the at least one chamber; a peristaltic pump tube; and a control unit configured to actuate the peristaltic pump actuator to pump an amount of dialysis fluid to the at least one chamber, receive a signal from the pair of capacitive sensing plates, count a number of revolutions of the peristaltic pump actuator, determine a current volume per revolution for the peristaltic pump actuator, and use the current volume per revolution for a subsequent operation of the peristaltic pump actuator.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“RD”) system includes a cycler including an actuation surface having a peristaltic pump actuator; a manifold assembly including a rigid manifold having first and second chambers (110a, 110b), the rigid manifold configured and arranged to be abutted against the actuation surface for operation, a peristaltic pump tube (124gh) extending from the first chamber (110a) to the second chamber (110b) of the rigid manifold, a dialysis fluid container line (124b) extending from the first chamber (110a), and a branch line (124c) extending between the dialysis fluid container line (124b) and the second chamber (110b); and a control unit configured to cause the peristaltic pump actuator to actuate the peristaltic pump tube (124gh) to pump dialysis fluid from the branch line (124c) into the second chamber (100b) and from the second chamber (110b) into the first chamber (110a).

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline, are provided. In one embodiment, the assurance device includes a clamshell having two halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The assurance device includes a male luer portion that pressure seals to the male luer portion of the bloodline connector. The bloodline male luer portion of the device extends to a female luer portion, which is lined with a compressible material that conforms around any industrial catheter/fistula needle connector when the assurance device is closed about the mated connectors. Once the assurance device is closed, this prevents axial movement of the bloodline connector relative to the assurance device.

Abstract: A dialysis disposable sterilization apparatus includes a connector and a protective cap fitted to the connector. The apparatus also includes a sealing ring provided by one of the protective cap or the connector, the sealing ring forming a seal between the cap and the connector, the seal capable of holding pressure. The apparatus further includes a stabilization rib provided by the connector, the stabilization rib positioned and arranged to (i) tend to prevent the protective cap from vibrating about the sealing ring and (ii) enable a sterilizing gas to flow past the stabilization rib to contact the sealing ring.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline, are provided. A first embodiment of the assurance device is configured for use with a bloodline connector having locking clips which are biased slightly outwardly from the bloodline connector. The first embodiment of the assurance device includes clamshell halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The first embodiment of the assurance device includes an upper, threaded portion and a lower housing portion. The interior wall of the upper portion defines a plurality of barbs configured to engage with distal or moveable ends of the locking clips. Each locking clip is biased slightly outwardly to enable the distal or moveable end of the locking clip to fit between two respective barbs.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline, are provided. In one embodiment, the assurance device includes a clamshell having two halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The assurance device includes a male luer portion that pressure seals to the male luer portion of the bloodline connector. The bloodline male luer portion of the device extends to a female luer portion, which is lined with a compressible material that conforms around any industrial catheter/fistula needle connector when the assurance device is closed about the mated connectors. Once the assurance device is closed, this prevents axial movement of the bloodline connector relative to the assurance device.

Abstract: A dialysis disposable sterilization apparatus includes a connector and a protective cap fitted to the connector. The apparatus also includes a sealing ring provided by one of the protective cap or the connector, the sealing ring forming a seal between the cap and the connector, the seal capable of holding pressure. The apparatus further includes a stabilization rib provided by the connector, the stabilization rib positioned and arranged to (i) tend to prevent the protective cap from vibrating about the sealing ring and (ii) enable a sterilizing gas to flow past the stabilization rib to contact the sealing ring.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline, are provided. One embodiment includes internal and external clamshells. Internal clamshell halves pressure seal to the bloodline connector, and form outwardly extending barbs. The external clamshell opens rotatably about at least one hinge and includes inwardly facing threads that catch the outer barbs of the internal clamshell. After a user connects the catheter or fistula needle to the bloodline, the user closes the internal clamshell about the bloodline connector. Then, the user closes the external clamshell about the internal clamshell, causing the inwardly facing barbs of the external clamshell to engage the outwardly facing barbs of the internal clamshell. Such engagement prevents axial movement of the bloodline connector relative to the external clamshell.

Abstract: A dialysis disposable sterilization method including: fitting a cap to a connector such that a cap/connector interface can hold a pressure; applying a sterilizing gas through an inside of the connector such that the gas flows through (i) the inside of the connector, (ii) around to the outside of the connector, (iii) past a stabilization rib, and (iv) into contact with one side of the cap/connector interface; and applying the sterilizing gas at an outside of the cap such that the sterilizing gas flows around a bottom of the cap and contacts an opposing side of the cap/connector interface.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline are provided. A first embodiment of the assurance device is configured to be compatible with any industrial catheter/fistula needle female luer connector and is specifically configured for use with a bloodline connector having locking clips which are biased slightly outwardly from the bloodline connector. The first embodiment of the assurance device is cylindrical and includes clamshell halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The first embodiment of the assurance device includes an upper, threaded portion and a lower housing portion. The interior wall of the upper portion defines a plurality of barbs configured to engage with distal or moveable ends of the locking clips.

Abstract: A medical fluid air detection apparatus includes an emitter, a receiver, a housing configured to hold at least a portion of a medical fluid conduit between the emitter and the receiver, where the medical fluid conduit includes a narrowed inner diameter at the medical fluid conduit portion that forces flow of medical fluid through the narrowed diameter, and where the narrowed diameter is configured to enhance operation of the emitter and the receiver.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system includes a fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a medical fluid and an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid disposable. The air separation chamber includes at least one fluid baffle floating within the air separation chamber and configured to separate air from medical fluid traveling through the chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a dialysis fluid; an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid disposable; and a dialysis instrument operable to pump dialysis fluid through the dialysis fluid disposable, the instrument including a vibrator configured to vibrate the air separation chamber to separate air from the dialysis fluid traveling through the chamber.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery system includes a fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a medical fluid and an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid disposable. The air separation chamber includes at least one fluid baffle floating within the air separation chamber and configured to separate air from medical fluid traveling through the chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a dialysis fluid; an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid disposable; and a dialysis instrument operable to pump dialysis fluid through the dialysis fluid disposable, the instrument including a vibrator configured to vibrate the air separation chamber to separate air from the dialysis fluid traveling through the chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis disposable sterilization method including: fitting a cap to a connector such that a cap/connector interface can hold a pressure; applying a sterilizing gas through an inside of the connector such that the gas flows through (i) the inside of the connector, (ii) around to the outside of the connector, (iii) past a stabilization rib, and (iv) into contact with one side of the cap/connector interface; and applying the sterilizing gas at an outside of the cap such that the sterilizing gas flows around a bottom of the cap and contacts an opposing side of the cap/connector interface.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining first and second valve chambers, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the first and second valve chambers, the air separation chamber including a baffle and structured such that when the cassette is placed in a dialysis instrument, (i) the baffle extends upwardly from a bottom of the air separation chamber and (ii) first and second openings to the air separation chamber, communicating fluidly and respectively with the first and second valve chambers, are located near the bottom of the air separation chamber, such that the dialysis fluid is forced up one side of the baffle and down the other side of the baffle when flowing through the air separation chamber.

Abstract: In general, multiple embodiments of a catheter/fistula needle to bloodline connection assurance device, which secures and strengthens a connection between an extension tube end of a catheter or fistula needle and a bloodline are provided. A first embodiment of the assurance device is configured to be compatible with any industrial catheter/fistula needle female luer connector and is specifically configured for use with a bloodline connector having locking clips which are biased slightly outwardly from the bloodline connector. The first embodiment of the assurance device is cylindrical and includes clamshell halves that open rotatably about at least one hinge. The first embodiment of the assurance device includes an upper, threaded portion and a lower housing portion. The interior wall of the upper portion defines a plurality of barbs configured to engage with distal or moveable ends of the locking clips.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining first and second valve chambers, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the first and second valve chambers, the air separation chamber including a baffle and structured such that when the cassette is placed in a dialysis instrument, (i) the baffle extends upwardly from a bottom of the air separation chamber and (ii) first and second openings to the air separation chamber, communicating fluidly and respectively with the first and second valve chambers, are located near the bottom of the air separation chamber, such that the dialysis fluid is forced up one side of the baffle and down the other side of the baffle when flowing through the air separation chamber.