Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a cannula, and a needle. The cannula is flexible and extends distally from the body. The needle is slidably disposed in the cannula. The needle includes a sharp distal tip and a curved portion. The needle is configured to translate relative to the cannula between a proximal position and a distal position. The distal tip is configured to be positioned inside the cannula when the needle is in the proximal position. The distal tip is configured to be positioned outside the cannula when the needle is in the distal position. The needle is resiliently biased to extend along a curve through the curved portion.

Abstract: A detachable module for optionally recharging sorbent materials, including zirconium phosphate, with an optional bypass and conduits for a sorbent cartridge. The sorbent cartridge can have one or more modules contained therein having connectors connecting each of the modules. One or more of the modules can be reusable and the sorbent materials therein recharged.

Abstract: The invention relates to an infusate frame for use in dialysis. The infusate frame includes one or more openings cut-out of a rigid support frame. The one or more openings are sized and shaped complementary to one or more infusate containers, ensuring that only a single infusate container can occupy a specific opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to an infusate holder for use in dialysis. The infusate holder can include one or more interior compartments for holding infusate containers or infusates. The interior compartments are aligned to cooperate with fluid connectors of a dialysis system, ensuring that the proper infusates are added to the dialysis system at a proper location.

Abstract: A blood based solute monitoring system for measuring at least one blood solute species that has a first recirculation flow path in fluid communication with a dialyzer. The first recirculation flow path is configured to allow a fluid to recirculate through a dialyzer such that the concentration of at least one solute species in the fluid becomes equilibrated to the solute species concentration of the blood in a blood compartment of the dialyzer. The blood solute monitoring system has at least one sensor to measure a fluid characteristic.

Abstract: The degassing system can include a degassing vessel and can utilize a vacuum pump and a fluid pump located downstream of the degassing vessel to control the pressure within the degassing vessel in order to control the concentration of gases in fluid exiting the degassing system. The degassing system can further comprise sensors in communication with the pumps to control the rate of flow and pressure through the degassing system. The degassing system may be placed in a dialysate flow path to remove dissolved gases including carbon dioxide from the dialysate.

Abstract: A sorbent based monitoring system for measuring the solute concentration of at least one component of a fluid. The system has a sorbent regeneration system for regeneration of the fluid and has a sorbent cartridge that has at least one material layer. The fluid is conveyed through the sorbent cartridge and contacts at least one sensor after having contacted at least one material layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fluid movement and volumes of fluid between a subject and a controlled compliant flow path. The controlled compliant flow path has a means for selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the controlled compliant flow path. An extracorporeal flow path is in fluid communication with the controlled compliant flow path across a semi-permeable membrane where the extracorporeal flow path has a first terminal end and a second terminal end.

Abstract: A blood based solute monitoring system for measuring at least one blood solute species that has a first recirculation flow path in fluid communication with a dialyzer. The first recirculation flow path is configured to allow a fluid to recirculate through a dialyzer such that the concentration of at least one solute species in the fluid becomes equilibrated to the solute species concentration of the blood in a blood compartment of the dialyzer. The blood solute monitoring system has at least one sensor to measure a fluid characteristic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fluid movement and volumes of fluid between a subject and a controlled compliant flow path. The controlled compliant flow path has a means for selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the controlled compliant flow path. An extracorporeal flow path is in fluid communication with the controlled compliant flow path across a semi-permeable membrane where the extracorporeal flow path has a first terminal end and a second terminal end.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for priming, disinfecting, and preparing dialysate and related fluids for use in dialysis. The dialysate and related fluids can be prepared from solutes obtained from infusate containers seated in an infusate caddy. The infusate caddy can be removably positioned in a receiving compartment of a dialysis machine. Similarly, the infusate containers containing the necessary solutes for preparing the dialysate and related fluids can also be removably positioned in the infusate caddy.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluid flow paths and fluid connectors for use with detachable containers that can be seated in an infusate caddy for use in a dialysis machine. The detachable containers can contain infusates or other solutes or materials such as disinfectants or cleaners, and can be conveniently seated in the infusate caddy. The detachable containers can be removed from the infusate caddy for restocking, cleaning, or resupply, as needed. The infusate caddy can be positioned or seated in a receiving compartment of a dialysis machine, and can also be removed, as needed. The fluid path and fluid connectors of the present invention provide the required fluid fittings, valve arrangements, pumps, and paddle assemblies for using the infusate caddy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a sodium chloride source and a buffer source such as sodium bicarbonate in a controlled compliant flow path to generate from water a physiologically compatible fluid having a suitable level of a sodium ion and/or a buffer for use in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration. The system has a conditioning flow path that has at least a salination valve or salination pump, and at least one container has at least one solute in excess of the solubility of that solute. At least one of the solutes is a buffer source or sodium chloride. The conditioning flow path is in fluid communication with a controlled compliant flow path. The conditioning flow path can selectively meter fluid into and out of the controlled compliant flow path.

Abstract: The degasser can have a degassing membrane that can be constructed from non-porous silica. The degassing membrane can be highly permeable to carbon dioxide but less permeable oxygen or nitrogen gases. Pressure in the dialysate and the degasser can be controlled in order to control the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in dialysate leaving the degasser. The degassing membrane may be placed in a degassing module in a dialysate flow path to remove dissolved carbon dioxide from the dialysate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the potassium concentration of a dialysate fluid during hemodialysis therapy using cation exchange materials that do not release sodium ions.

Abstract: The degassing system can include a degassing vessel and can utilize a vacuum pump and a fluid pump located downstream of the degassing vessel to control the pressure within the degassing vessel in order to control the concentration of gases in fluid exiting the degassing system. The degassing system can further comprise sensors in communication with the pumps to control the rate of flow and pressure through the degassing system. The degassing system may be placed in a dialysate flow path to remove dissolved gases including carbon dioxide from the dialysate.

Abstract: The degasser can have a degassing membrane that can be constructed from non-porous silica. The degassing membrane can be highly permeable to carbon dioxide but less permeable oxygen or nitrogen gases. Pressure in the dialysate and the degasser can be controlled in order to control the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in dialysate leaving the degasser. The degassing membrane may be placed in a degassing module in a dialysate flow path to remove dissolved carbon dioxide from the dialysate.

Abstract: A water management system for use in dialysis. The water management system includes apparatuses to generate purified water, and a reservoir for storing the purified water. The reservoir can be connected to a dialysate flow loop and the purified water can be generated, stored, and used for later cleaning and disinfection of the dialysis flow loop and the components thereon.

Abstract: A sensing and storage system for fluid balance during dialysis is provided. The sensing and storage system has flow sensors on either side of a dialyzer in a controlled volume dialysate flow path. The sensors are positioned so that no fluid can be added to or removed from the dialysate flow path between the sensors except for that which is added or removed by action of a control pump. The sensing and storage system can have a fluid removal line for the removal of fluid from the dialysate flow loop.

Abstract: A dialysis device for operation in multiple modes and for maintaining a known gradient of potassium ion or other electrolyte between the blood of a patient and a dialysate fluid is described. The dialysis device is capable of being used for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, and the dialysis device is capable of operation with a dialysate purification unit outside of a clinical setting or with a supply of water that can be supplied in a clinical setting. The dialysis device has a composition sensor containing a potassium-sensitive electrode for measuring a potassium ion concentration in one or more of the patient's blood and the dialysate fluid and an infusate pump operated to adjust a potassium ion concentration in the dialysate fluid based at least in part on data from the composition sensor.