Abstract: A renal failure therapy method includes causing therapy fluid to flow to a renal failure therapy filter, directing at least twenty-five percent of the therapy fluid to the renal failure therapy filter to perform conductive clearance, and using the renal therapy failure filter to cause at least a substantial amount of the remaining therapy fluid to perform diffusive clearance.

Abstract: A system and a method of using dual-energy absoptiometry to estimate visceral fat metrics and display results, preferably as related to normative data. The process involves deriving x-ray measurements for respective pixel positions related to a two-dimensional projection image of a body slice containing visceral fat as well as subcutaneous fat; at least some of the measurements being dual-energy x-ray measurements, processing the measurements to derive estimates of metrics related to the visceral fat in the slice; and using the resulting estimates.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine having a pump actuator, a valve actuator and a sorbent device, and a disposable cassette including (i) a housing having a dialyzer inlet port, a dialyzer outlet port, a pump portion configured to operate with the pump actuator, a valve portion configured to operate with the valve actuator, a venous port, and an arterial port, (ii) at least one dialyzer in fluid communication with the housing, the at least one dialyzer including a dialysate inlet, and a dialysate outlet; (iii) an arterial line for connecting to a patient, the arterial line connected to and extending externally from the arterial port of the housing; (iv) a venous line for connecting to a patient, the venous line connected to and extending externally from the venous port of the housing; and (v) first and second dialysate fluid connections in fluid communication with the sorbent device.

Abstract: A renal therapy system includes: a filter; an arterial blood flowpath in fluid communication with the filter; a venous blood flowpath in fluid communication with the filter; a renal therapy fluid flowpath in fluid communication with the filter; first and second renal therapy fluid pumps; a plurality of valve actuators; and a dialysis fluid cassette including a plurality of valve portions configured to operate with the plurality of valve actuators so that (i) the first renal therapy fluid pump pumps renal therapy fluid through the renal therapy fluid flowpath for a number of first pump actuations, and (ii) the second renal therapy fluid pump pumps renal therapy fluid through the renal therapy fluid flowpath for a number of second pump actuations.

Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system including (i) a dialyzer; (ii) a blood circuit including a blood pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer; (iii) a dialysate circuit including a dialysate circulation pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer, at least a portion of the dialysate circuit incorporated into a disposable dialysate cassette; (iv) a sorbent cartridge for cleaning used dialysate flowing in the dialysate circuit; (v) a reservoir holding an initial supply of dialysate; (vi) a reservoir pump in fluid communication with the dialysate circuit and the reservoir; (vii) a supply of infusate; and (viii) an infusate pump in fluid communication with the dialysate circuit and the supply of infusate.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes an extracorporeal circuit including a dialyzer; a dialysis fluid circuit including a first balance chamber, a second balance chamber, a fresh dialysis fluid pump in fluid communication with first and second fresh compartments of the first and second balance chambers, respectively, the first and second fresh compartments in fluid communication with a fresh dialysate fluid inlet of the dialyzer, and a spent dialysis fluid pump in fluid communication with first and second spent compartments of the first and second balance chambers, respectively, the spent dialysis fluid pump also in fluid communication with a spent dialysis fluid outlet of the dialyzer; and wherein the system is configured to run a priming sequence that uses (i) at least one of the fresh and spent dialysis fluid pumps and the first and second balance chambers to pump dialysis fluid through the dialysis fluid circuit and (ii) at least one of the fresh and spent dialysis fluid pumps to pump dialysis fluid through the dia

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump; first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and arterial and venous lines in fluid communication with the dialyzer for patient connection, the arterial and venous lines each including a contact used for electrically detecting a patient access disconnection.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a fresh dialysis fluid pump, a used dialysis fluid pump, a fresh fluid flow path, a used fluid flow path, and a dialysis fluid cassette carrying a balance chamber, the balance chamber including a first rigid portion, a second rigid portion, and a flexible sheet located between the first and second rigid portions, the flexible sheet dividing the balance chamber into (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the fresh dialysis fluid pump via the fresh fluid flow path, wherein fresh dialysis fluid contacts the first rigid portion and a first side of the flexible sheet, and (ii) a used dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the used dialysis fluid pump via the used fluid flow path, wherein used dialysis fluid contacts the second rigid portion and a second side of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: A renal therapy system includes: a filter; an arterial blood flowpath in fluid communication with the filter; a venous blood flowpath in fluid communication with the filter; extracorporeal circuit including the filter, the arterial blood flowpath and the venous blood flowpath; a renal therapy fluid flowpath in fluid communication with the extracorporeal circuit; a plurality of renal therapy fluid valves; and first and second renal therapy fluid pumps, wherein the system is configured to operate the plurality of renal therapy fluid valves so that (i) the first renal therapy fluid pump pumps renal therapy fluid through the renal therapy fluid flowpath to the extracorporeal circuit for a number of first pump actuations and (ii) the second renal therapy fluid pump pumps renal therapy fluid through the renal therapy fluid flowpath for a number of second pump actuations.

Abstract: A valve integrity method for a medical fluid pump includes pumping fluid into the medical fluid pump while an outlet valve is closed and an inlet valve is open, closing the inlet valve while the outlet valve is closed, attempting to pump fluid out of the medical fluid pump while the inlet valve and the outlet valve are closed, and determining that at least one of the valves is leaking if a change in medical fluid volume within the medical fluid pump is detected.

Abstract: A method for priming a hemodialysis treatment includes (i) providing a sorbent cartridge for cleaning spent dialysate fluid returning from a dialyzer; (ii) preparing a batch of dialysate in a quantity commensurate with being recycled through the sorbent cartridge multiple times; (iii) priming a dialysate circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using the batch of dialysate; and (iv) reversing a blood pump at least one time to prime a blood circuit in fluid communication with the dialyzer using a biologically safe fluid other than dialysate.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump; first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and which is configured to receive a data transfer including a prescription entry for the system.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump: first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and arterial and venous lines in fluid communication with the dialyzer for patient connection, the arterial and venous lines each including a contact used for electrically detecting a patient access disconnection.

Abstract: A system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue includes an implant deployment device having at least one frame arm. At least one clip is connected to the at least one frame arm and configured to releasably retain a surgical implant to the frame arm. A lock bar including at least one spring member is disposed on the at least one frame arm and is configured to bias the clips towards a closed position.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump; a spent dialysis fluid membrane pump; a first balance chamber having a fresh dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump and a spent dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the spent dialysis fluid membrane pump; a second balance chamber having a fresh dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump and a spent dialysis fluid compartment connected fluidly to the spent dialysis fluid membrane pump; and a dialysis fluid cassette, wherein at least one of the fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump, the spent dialysis fluid membrane pump, the first balance chamber and the second balance chamber includes a fluid receiving portion provided in the dialysis fluid cassette.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialyzer, a sorbent cartridge configured to clean used dialysate from the dialyzer, a dialysate pump actuator configured to pump dialysate to the dialyzer, and a conductivity sensor located adjacent to a temperature sensor. The dialysis system also includes a disposable cassette configured to carry dialysate pumped by the dialysate pump actuator. The disposable cassette includes a combined conductivity and temperature sensor fluid chamber separate from the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor and located so as to operate with the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor, respectively, when mounted for operation.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis machine having a pump actuator, a valve actuator and a sorbent device, and a disposable cassette including (i) a housing having a dialyzer inlet port, a dialyzer outlet port, a pump portion configured to operate with the pump actuator, a valve portion configured to operate with the valve actuator, a venous port, and an arterial port, (ii) at least one dialyzer in fluid communication with the housing, the at least one dialyzer including a dialysate inlet, and a dialysate outlet; (iii) an arterial line for connecting to a patient, the arterial line connected to and extending externally from the arterial port of the housing; (iv) a venous line for connecting to a patient, the venous line connected to and extending externally from the venous port of the housing; and (v) first and second dialysate fluid connections in fluid communication with the sorbent device.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system includes an on-line dialysate generator; a dialysate pump actuator configured to pump dialysate generated by the generator to a dialyzer; a conductivity sensor located adjacent to a temperature sensor upstream of the dialyzer; a blood pump actuator; an air detector; and a disposable cassette configured to carry dialysate pumped by the dialysate pump actuator, the disposable cassette including a conductivity sensor portion and a temperature sensor portion located to operate with the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor, respectively, the disposable cassette further configured to carry blood pumped by the blood pump actuator and to provide an air detection portion located to operate with the air detector.

Abstract: A dialysis system including a dialysis machine including a blood pump actuator, dialysate pump actuator, a blood valve actuator and a dialysate valve actuator; and a disposable cassette operable with the dialysis machine, the disposable cassette including: (i) a housing, (ii) a dialysate pump portion of the housing configured to operate with the dialysate pump actuator, (iii) a blood valve portion of the housing configured to operate with the blood valve actuator, (iv) a dialysate valve portion of the housing configured to operate with the dialysate valve actuator, (v) a dialyzer supported by the housing, the dialyzer including a dialysate inlet and a dialysate outlet, (vi) a first dialysate connection extending externally from the housing to the dialyzer inlet, and (vii) a second dialysate connection extending externally from the housing to the dialyzer outlet.