Abstract: The present invention provides a peelable seal for a multi-chambered container including a first edge and a second edge. At least one of the first edge or second edge includes a stress bearing portion and a non-stress bearing portion.

Abstract: A monolayer film of a polymer blend of a first component selected from the group consisting of an ethylene containing polymer, the first component present in an amount by weight of the film from about 60% to about 1%, the first component having a first melting point temperature determined by DSC, a second component selected from the group consisting of propylene containing polymers and methyl pentene containing polymers, the second component being present in an amount by weight of the film from about 99% to about 40%, the second component having a second melting point temperature determined by DSC; and the film being capable of withstanding steam sterilization at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 130° C.

Abstract: A monolayer film of a polymer blend of a first component selected from the group consisting of an ethylene containing polymer, the first component present in an amount by weight of the film from about 60% to about 1%, the first component having a first melting point temperature determined by DSC, a second component selected from the group consisting of propylene containing polymers and methyl pentene containing polymers, the second component being present in an amount by weight of the film from about 99% to about 40%, the second component having a second melting point temperature determined by DSC; and the film being capable of withstanding steam sterilization at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 130° C.

Abstract: A fluid pumping mechanism in one embodiment includes a fluid reservoir, and a monolayer film extending over a portion of the fluid reservoir, wherein fluid is moved through the reservoir by movement of the film from a first position to a second position, the film including a first polyolefin. In another embodiment the fluid pumping mechanism includes a fluid reservoir; and a multiple layer film extending over a portion of the fluid reservoir, wherein fluid is moved through the reservoir by movement of the film from a first position to a second position, the film including an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer including an ethylene containing polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer blend having: a first component of a propylene containing polymer in an amount by weight of the blend from about 25% to about 35%; a second component selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyester elastomers, and polyurethanes, the second component present in an amount by weight of the blend of from about 35% to about 45%; and a third component of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer in an amount by weight of the blend from about 25% to about 35%.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes: (i) an enclosure; (ii) a stepper motor housed by the enclosure; (iii) a pump head in operable communication with the stepper motor; and (iv) a disposable unit including at least one flexible membrane attached to a rigid piece, the enclosure configured to receive the disposable unit such that the stepper motor can move the pump head towards and away from the flexible membrane to cause, (a) the flexible membrane to move outwardly with respect to the rigid piece as the pump head is moved away from the disposable unit, and (b) the flexible membrane to move inwardly with respect to the rigid piece as the pump head is moved away from the disposable unit.

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes: a hardware unit including at least one pump actuator, at least one valve actuator and a cassette interface, the cassette interface including: (i) a plate that abuts the cassette; (ii) at least one pump aperture defined by the plate; (iii) at least one pump head moveable out of and retractable into the at least one pump aperture to operate a pumping portion of the cassette; (iv) at least one valve aperture defined by the plate; (v) at least one valve apparatus moveable out of and retractable into the at least one valve aperture to operate a valve portion of the cassette; (vi) at least one sensor aperture defined by the plate; and (vii) at least one sensor located in the least one sensor aperture, the at least one sensor operable with a sensor portion of the cassette.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flowable materials container. The container has a first sidewall and a second sidewall sealed together along a peripheral seam to define a fluid chamber. At least one sidewall is a film having at least one layer of blend of a first component selected from the group of: (1) ethylene and ?-olefin copolymers having a density of less than about 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatuses for medical fluid delivery systems that employ a pumping cassette. In particular, the present invention provides systems, methods and apparatuses for cassette-based dialysis therapies including hemodialysis, hemofiltration, APD (including tidal modalities) and CFPD. The embodiments described include a combined pump/valve housing, a fail safe pump/valve arrangement, a cassette auto-alignment feature, a pumping membrane material, a multiplexing valve arrangement, an expert fluid pumping management system, an integral port vent and an in-line air separation chamber and combinations of each of these.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peelable seal for a multi-chambered container including a first edge and a second edge. At least one of the first edge or second edge includes a stress bearing portion and a non-stress bearing portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubing assembly having a sidewall having a first layer. The first layer is fabricated from a first polymer blend comprising a first component of a material not thermally responsive to laser beam and selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, ethylene and lower alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene and lower alkyl substituted alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polybutadienes, polyesters, polyamides, and styrene and hydrocarbon copolymers. A second component of the blend is a laser responsive material having low solubility in aqueous medium; and the blend being sufficiently thermally responsive to exposure to a laser beam having a wavelength within a range of wavelengths from about 700 nm to about 1500 nm to melt upon exposure to the laser beam for a short period of time. The assembly also has an end cap film covering the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A coupler includes a conductive polymer material that is so constructed and arranged to join tubing, wherein the conductive polymer material includes a conductive polymer component selected from the group consisting of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophenes, polyethylenedioxythiophene, poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis are provided. To this end, in part, a frame of a disposable unit for a medical fluid system is provided. The frame includes a body having a pair of opposing sides and defining a space between the sides, and a number of membranes sealed to the body along the opposing sides. The body and the membranes form at least one medical fluid pathway in the space between the opposing sides, and the opposing sides are bowed.

Abstract: The present invention provides automated peritoneal dialysis systems, methods of operating the systems and devices for performing same. A typical therapy performed by the present invention begins by draining dialysis solution that is already in the patient's peritoneal cavity. The system pumps fresh dialysate from one of a plurality of supply bags, through an in-line heater to the patient's peritoneal cavity. After a dwell period, the spent dialysate in the cavity is pumped out of the patient to a drain or other disposal means. The system then pumps fresh dialysate from the supply bags to the patient and the procedure is repeated as defined in the therapy protocol. The system can pump a last bag of dialysate to the peritoneal cavity for an extended dwell, such as a daytime dwell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer blend for fabricating monolayer films or a layer within a multilayer film. The blend has a first component and a second component. The first component is selected from the group of: (1) an ethylene and ?-olefin copolymer having a density of less than about 0.915 g/cc, (2) lower alkyl acrylates, (3) lower alkyl substituted alkyl acrylates and (4) ionomers. The first component should be present in an amount from about 99% to about 55% by weight of the blend. The second component in an amount by weight of the blend from 45% to about 1% and consists of one or more polymers of the group: (1) propylene containing polymers, (2) polybutene polymers, (3) polymethylpentene polymers, (4) cyclic olefin containing polymers and (5) bridged polycyclic hydrocarbon containing polymers.

Abstract: Improved cassette-based medical fluid therapy systems, apparatuses and methods are provided. In one aspect, various peristaltic pump tubing materials are provided. Cassette and membrane materials, configurations and manufacturing improvements are provided. Various aspects of the invention include: a head height sensing and compensating method and apparatus; an admixing method and apparatus; a pH measuring method and apparatus; an air detecting and removal methods and apparatuses; an active priming apparatus and method; and a volumetric accuracy improvement apparatus and method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peelable seal for a multi-chambered container including a first edge and a second edge. At least one of the first edge or second edge includes a stress bearing portion and a non-stress bearing portion.

Abstract: A monolayer film of a polymer blend of a first component selected from the group consisting of an ethylene containing polymer, the first component present in an amount by weight of the film from about 60% to about 1%, the first component having a first melting point temperature determined by DSC, a second component selected from the group consisting of propylene containing polymers and methyl pentene containing polymers, the second component being present in an amount by weight of the film from about 99% to about 40%, the second component having a second melting point temperature determined by DSC; and the film being capable of withstanding steam sterilization at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 130° C.

Abstract: Conductive materials and devices, apparatuses, systems and methods that employ same. The conductive material can include a conductive polymer material that can be utilized to monitor one or a combination of conditions during patient therapy, such as patient access, solution compounding and the like. This can facilitate the safe and effective administration of patient therapy, such as dialysis therapy.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis are provided. To this end, in part, a film is provided. The film includes a layer of a polymer blend having from about 90% to about 99% by weight of a first component containing a styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer and from about 10% to about 1% of a high melt strength polypropylene.