Abstract:
A dialysis machine includes a dialysis instrument having a pump actuator and first and second valve actuators, and a disposable cassette operable with the dialysis instrument, the disposable cassette including a pump portion operable with the pump actuator, first and second valve chambers (282, 284) operable with the first and second valve actuators, the first and second valve chambers communicating fluidly with each other, at least the first valve chamber communicating fluidly with a compliance chamber (286), the compliance chamber negating a first backpressure due to a pneumatic closing pressure used to close the first valve chamber to help to ensure the pneumatic pressure applied to the first valve chamber will close the first valve chamber against a second backpressure from an existing closure of the second valve chamber.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for improving medical fluid delivery systems, such as hemofiltration ("HF") and hemodiafiltration ("HDF") are provided. In first embodiments, systems and methods for selectively performing pre-and postdilution HF and HDF clearance modes is provided. In other embodiments, systems and methods for providing prime bolus and rinseback fluid volumes before, during and/or after HF and HDF therapies are provided. In further embodiments, improved systems and methods for removing ultrafiltrate from the patient are provided. Still further, improved filtration configurations and methods are provided.
Abstract:
A kidney failure treatment system includes: (i) a dialysate supply; (ii) a weighing device; a control container coupled operably to the weighing device; (iii) a diffusion membrane; (iv) a drain; first and second pumps; (v) a first fluid conduit coupled fluidly to the dialysate supply and the diffusion membrane, the first fluid conduit coupled operably to the first pump; (vi) a second fluid conduit coupled fluidly to the control container and the drain, the second fluid conduit coupled operably to the first pump; and (vii) a third fluid conduit coupled fluidly to the diffusion membrane and the control conduit, the third fluid conduit coupled operably to the second pump.
Abstract:
A dialysis machine includes a dialysis instrument having a pump actuator and first and second valve actuators, and a disposable cassette operable with the dialysis instrument, the disposable cassette including a pump portion operable with the pump actuator, first and second valve chambers (282, 284) operable with the first and second valve actuators, the first and second valve chambers communicating fluidly with each other, at least the first valve chamber communicating fluidly with a compliance chamber (286), the compliance chamber negating a first backpressure due to a pneumatic closing pressure used to close the first valve chamber to help to ensure the pneumatic pressure applied to the first valve chamber will close the first valve chamber against a second backpressure from an existing closure of the second valve 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 kidney failure therapy system includes: (a) a dialysate supply; (b) at least one valve actuator; (c) at least one pump actuator; and (d) a disposable unit including first and second flexible sheets sealed together for form: (i) at least one flow path configured to be placed in fluid communication with the dialysate supply; and operable with the at least one valve actuator; and (ii) a least one pumping portion configured to operate with the at least one pump actuator.
Abstract:
A system, method and apparatus for performing a renal replacement therapy is provided. In one embodiment, two small high flux dialyzers (20, 30) are connected in series. A restriction (40) is placed between the two dialyzers in the dialysate flow path (962). The restriction is variable and adjustable in one preferred embodiment. The restriction builds a positive pressure in the venous dialyzer, causing a high degree of intentional backfiltration. That backfiltration causes a significant flow of dialysate through the high flux venous membrane directly into the patient's blood. That backfiltered solution is subsequently ultrafiltered from the patient from the arterial dialyzer. The diffusion of dialysate into the venous filter and removal of dialysate from the arterial dialyzer causes a convective transport of toxins from the patient. Additionally, the dialysate that does not diffuse directly into the patient but instead flows across the membranes of both dialyzers provides a diffusive clearance of waste products.
Abstract:
A renal therapy machine includes a blood filter including a plurality of porous fibers, a blood circuit in communication with the blood filter, a dialysate circuit in communication with the blood filter, and at least one pump or valve positioned and arranged to purge air from the blood filter into the dialysate circuit, as a physiologically compatible solution, other than dialysate, is moved across the porous fibers of the blood filter. The machine is configured to perform a priming sequence in which (i) the physiologically compatible solution primes the blood circuit and is flowed within the fibers and through pores in the fibers of the blood filter, and (ii) the at least one pump or valve purges air, via the dialysate circuit, from the blood filter into the dialysate circuit. flAl9fll S Sheet 28 of 48 co :9 a.e B
Abstract:
A hemodialysis system (10) includes blood tubing (44), a peristaltic blood pump contacting the blood tubing to pump blood through the blood tubing, a dialyzer (36) in fluid communication with the blood tubing, first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps (22), a dialysate heater (26), a plurality of pinch valves (48) aligned in a row, a strike plate (52), and a cassette (40) including a rigid structure, a heating portion (26), first and second dialysate pumping tubes, and a plurality of incoming tubes (38) entering the rigid structure along a same side of the cassette (40) and configured to align so as to match the row of pinch valves (48), the rigid structure when the cassette is mounted for operation orienting (i) the heating portion adjacent to the dialysate heater so that dialysate can be heated by the dialysate heater, (ii) the first and second dialysate pumping tubes adjacent to the first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps, and (iii) the plurality of incoming tubes adjacent to the plurality of pinch valves to enable the tubes to be individually closed by the pinch valves, and wherein the strike plate (52) is located across from the incoming tubes so that each of the pinch valves (48) is positioned to pinch one of the tubes against the strike plate (52). Sheet 4 of 48 FIG. 8 22f4 38 38b