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: A flow regulation device is disclosed. The flow regulation device is fluidly located between a fluid source and a dialysis machine. In some embodiments, the flow regulation device includes an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid source to receive a fluid and an outlet in fluid communication with the dialysis machine to provide the fluid. The flow regulation device also includes a closed volume defined by walls that are configured to expand and contract to provide a variable internal volume. A cross-sectional width of the variable internal volume of the flow regulation device is larger than diameters of the inlet and the outlet to smooth changes in a draw rate of the fluid from the dialysis machine.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine including at least one pump positioned and arranged to pump a dialysis fluid; and a dialysis fluid source located separate from and in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid machine, the dialysis fluid source including a purified water line for carrying purified water, a source of a first concentrate, a source of a second concentrate, a first concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump first concentrate from the first concentrate source, and a second concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump second concentrate from the second concentrate source, wherein dialysis fluid is prepared for delivery from the dialysis fluid source to the dialysis machine by mixing the purified water with the first concentrate pumped by the first concentrate pump and the second concentrate pumped by the second concentrate pump.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine including at least one pump positioned and arranged to pump a dialysis fluid; and a dialysis fluid source located separate from and in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid machine, the dialysis fluid source including a purified water line for carrying purified water, a source of a first concentrate, a source of a second concentrate, a first concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump first concentrate from the first concentrate source, and a second concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump second concentrate from the second concentrate source, wherein dialysis fluid is prepared for delivery from the dialysis fluid source to the dialysis machine by mixing the purified water with the first concentrate pumped by the first concentrate pump and the second concentrate pumped by the second concentrate pump.

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: 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: 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: Dialysis systems that remove air from a blood circuit are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid circuit, a blood circuit including an arterial line, a venous line, and an enclosure in fluid communication with the venous line, the enclosure configured to release air through a hydrophobic vent for priming the blood circuit, a blood pump configured to pump fluid through at least the arterial line, a first valve operable with the arterial line and a second valve operable with the venous line, and a pumping and valving algorithm operated after priming to remove air from the blood circuit to control the first and second valves and the blood pump to replace priming fluid with blood from a patient.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system configured to purge air from a blood circuit comprises a dialyzer; a dialysis fluid circuit operable with the dialyzer via dialysis fluid inlet and outlet lines, the dialysis fluid circuit including a fresh dialysis fluid pump, and a used dialysis fluid pump; the blood circuit operable with the dialyzer and including an arterial line, a venous line, a blood pump operable with the arterial line upstream of the dialyzer, a physiologically acceptable fluid source in fluid communication with the arterial line upstream of the blood pump, a drip chamber located along the venous line, and a container for accepting air purged from the blood circuit; and an air purging scheme wherein, with the dialysis fluid inlet and outlet lines connected to the dialyzer, the blood pump pumps a fluid through the dialyzer and into the drip chamber, forcing air from the drip chamber into the container.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine including at least one pump positioned and arranged to pump a dialysis fluid; and a dialysis fluid source located separate from and in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid machine, the dialysis fluid source including a purified water line for carrying purified water, a source of a first concentrate, a source of a second concentrate, a first concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump first concentrate from the first concentrate source, and a second concentrate pump positioned and arranged to pump second concentrate from the second concentrate source, wherein dialysis fluid is prepared for delivery from the dialysis fluid source to the dialysis machine by mixing the purified water with the first concentrate pumped by the first concentrate pump and the second concentrate pumped by the second concentrate pump.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system configured to purge air from a blood circuit comprises a dialyzer; a dialysis fluid circuit operable with the dialyzer via dialysis fluid inlet and outlet lines, the dialysis fluid circuit including a fresh dialysis fluid pump, and a used dialysis fluid pump; the blood circuit operable with the dialyzer and including an arterial line, a venous line, a blood pump operable with the arterial line upstream of the dialyzer, a physiologically acceptable fluid source in fluid communication with the arterial line upstream of the blood pump, a drip chamber located along the venous line, and a container for accepting air purged from the blood circuit; and an air purging scheme wherein, with the dialysis fluid inlet and outlet lines connected to the dialyzer, the blood pump pumps a fluid through the dialyzer and into the drip chamber, forcing air from the drip chamber into the container.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine with a variable fluid demand including at least a lower demand and a higher demand. A fluid source is in fluid communication with the dialysis machine and provides fluid to the dialysis machine at a fluid flow rate. A flow regulation device includes a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid source and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the dialysis machine. The flow regulation device is operable to expand and contract to provide a variable internal volume. The flow regulation device expands when the dialysis machine has the lower demand and contracts when the dialysis machine has the higher demand.

Abstract: Dialysis systems that remove air from a blood circuit are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid circuit, a blood circuit including an arterial line, a venous line, and an enclosure in fluid communication with the venous line, the enclosure configured to release air through a hydrophobic vent for priming the blood circuit, a blood pump configured to pump fluid through at least the arterial line, a first valve operable with the arterial line and a second valve operable with the venous line, and a pumping and valving algorithm operated after priming to remove air from the blood circuit to control the first and second valves and the blood pump to replace priming fluid with blood from a patient.

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: An air purging method includes: (a) detecting a low fluid level in a blood circuit indicating a high amount of air in the blood circuit; (b) stopping a blood pump; (c) closing a venous patient line; (d) opening a blood circuit air vent valve and a drain valve; and (e) running the blood pump to meter air through the air vent valve and the drain valve to a drain.

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: 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: 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 air purging method includes: (a) detecting a low fluid level in a blood circuit indicating a high amount of air in the blood circuit; (b) stopping a blood pump; (c) closing a venous patient line; (d) opening a blood circuit air vent valve and a drain valve; and (e) running the blood pump to meter air through the air vent valve and the drain valve to a drain.

Abstract: An air purging method includes: (a) detecting a low fluid level in a blood circuit indicating a high amount of air in the blood circuit; (b) stopping a blood pump; (c) closing a venous patient line; (d) opening a blood circuit air vent valve and a drain valve; and (e) running the blood pump to meter air through the air vent valve and the drain valve to a drain.