Abstract: A fluid preparation apparatus for a renal failure treatment is disclosed. In an example, the fluid preparation apparatus includes an inlet configured to receive water from a water source and a fluid line fluidly connected to the inlet. The apparatus also includes a pump fluidly connected to the fluid line. The pump is configured to pump concentrate from a concentrate container to mix with the water to form a fluid mixture. The apparatus further includes a sensor configured to measure a composition characteristic of the fluid mixture. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller operably coupled to the pump, the sensor, and a valve. The controller is configured to receive a composition characteristic value from the sensor, and cause the valve to route the fluid mixture for the renal failure treatment when the composition characteristic value indicates that the fluid mixture is suitable for the renal failure treatment.

Abstract: A system for monitoring water quality for dialysis, dialysis fluids, and body fluids treated by dialysis fluids, is disclosed. The system uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors for detecting impurities in input water or dialysis fluid, and in the prepared dialysate. These sensors may also be used to monitor and check the blood of the patient being treated. These sensors include ion-selective sensors, for ions such as ammonium or calcium, and also include amperometric array sensors, suitable for ions from chlorine or chloramines, e.g., chloride. These sensors assist in the monitoring of water supplies from a city water main or well. The sensors may be used in conjunction with systems for preparing dialysate solutions from water for use at home or elsewhere.

Abstract: A system for monitoring water quality for dialysis, dialysis fluids, and body fluids treated by dialysis fluids, is disclosed. The system uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors for detecting impurities in input water or dialysis fluid, and in the prepared dialysate. These sensors may also be used to monitor and check the blood of the patient being treated. These sensors include ion-selective sensors, for ions such as ammonium or calcium, and also include amperometric array sensors, suitable for ions from chlorine or chloramines, e.g., chloride. These sensors assist in the monitoring of water supplies from a city water main or well. The sensors may be used in conjunction with systems for preparing dialysate solutions from water for use at home or elsewhere.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preparing superporous hydrogels (SPH) that are very-pure and have desirable swelling properties necessary for commercial use, such as in food and pharmaceutical applications. Such methods include simultaneous use of low and high glass transition monomers to improve impurity and swelling profiles of the SPH, use of an integration means to prepare a very homogenous superporous hydrogel foam, washing the superporous hydrogel in a washing solution comprising different ratios of solvent to non-solvent (e.g., water/alcohol), use of a chemically-induced expansion/contraction process to enhance the efficiency of the multiple washing process and to fully structuralize the SPH, and employing one or more separation techniques, such as rubbing, filtration, centrifugation, compression and cutting to increase the efficiency of the purification process and to enhance the SPH swelling properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a composition useful for producing a homogeneous, semipermeable membrane, the composition comprising a polysulfone semipermeable membrane, the polysulfone semipermeable membrane comprising a mixture of: an ultra-high-molecular-weight hydrophilic polymer, a polysulfone compound and a solvent for the polysulfone compound, and the polysulfone semipermeable membrane having a homogeneous structure such that the polysulfone semipermeable membrane has a substantially uniform structure. Another aspect of this invention discloses methods for fabricating semipermeable membranes by homogeneously mixing the composition, melting the composition, and melt-spinning the molten composition. Another aspect of the present invention includes homogeneous, melt-spun, semipermeable membranes useful for liquid separation processes, such as, but not limited to, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, dialysis, and reverse osmosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a composition useful for producing a homogeneous, semipermeable membrane, the composition comprising a polysulfone semipermeable membrane, the polysulfone semipermeable membrane comprising a mixture of: an ultra-high-molecular-weight hydrophilic polymer, a polysulfone compound and a solvent for the polysulfone compound, and the polysulfone semipermeable membrane having a homogeneous structure such that the polysulfone semipermeable membrane has a substantially uniform structure. Another aspect of this invention discloses methods for fabricating semipermeable membranes by homogeneously mixing the composition, melting the composition, and melt-spinning the molten composition. Another aspect of the present invention includes homogeneous, melt-spun, semipermeable membranes useful for liquid separation processes, such as, but not limited to, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, dialysis, and reverse osmosis.