Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to a method and an apparatus to detect the presence of a bacteria in a subject. More particularly, the method is directed toward the detection of a bacteria which is associated with catalyzing urea to carbon dioxide and ammonia when present in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject. The method comprises administering urea to a subject, obtaining a fluid sample from the subject after the administration of the urea and then determining the presence or amount of ammonia gas in the fluid sample. The apparatus facilitates ease of implementing the method and facilitates accuracy and speed of obtaining the test result.
Abstract:
A biosensor capable of monitoring a number of different constituents of a dialysate solution used during dialysis therapy is provided. The biosensor of the present invention includes an integrated array of reactive elements and sensing elements that can be hydraulically coupled to the dialysate solution. In this regard, the biosensor can be utilized to provide on-line monitoring of total solutes removed from a patient during dialysis therapy, infection levels, and/or other desirable parameters such that an overall assessment of dialysis therapy can be readily evaluated.
Abstract:
Una máquina de diálisis peritoneal incluye: (i) una bolsa de suministro (24a); (ii) un aparato (24)configurado para soportar la bolsa de suministro, la bolsa de suministro está ubicada por arriba de la cavidad peritoneal de un paciente; (iii) una fuente de vacío (70); (iv) una línea de paciente (56) configurada para ser conectada al paciente; (v) una línea de drenaje (58) configurada para ser conectada a un drenaje (60); y (vi) un implementador lógico (40) configurado para habilitar (a) dializado fresco para ser alimentado por gravedad desde la bolsa de suministro a través de la línea de paciente hacia la cavidad peritoneal durante un ciclo de llenado y (b) la fuente de vacío para hace que el dializado gastado sea extraído desde la cavidad peritoneal a través de la línea de drenaje hacia el drenaje durante un ciclo de drenaje.
Abstract:
A biosensor capable of monitoring a number of different constituents of a dialysate solution used during dialysis therapy is provided. The biosensor of the present invention includes an integrated array of reactive elements and sensing elements that can be hydraulically coupled to the dialysate solution. In this regard, the biosensor can be utilized to provide on-line monitoring of total solutes removed from a patient during dialysis therapy, infection levels and/or other desirable parameters such that an overall assessment of dialysis therapy can be readily evaluated.
Abstract:
A sensor which senses concentrations of a component of a fluid. In a dialysis system, the sensor can monitor the total ammonia and ammonium concentration in dialysate. The sensor has an optical indicator, such as an ammonia sensitive membrane, positioned in direct contact with the dialysate fluid when in use. The ammonia sensitive membrane has a variable optical indication, such as a variable color change, in relation to the concentration of ammonia in the dialysate. An optical reader reads the color change of the membrane to measure the total ammonia and ammonium concentration in the dialysate. The sensor can be used in the dialysis system to monitor the effectiveness of sorbants which remove ammonia/ammonium which is produced from an enzyme reaction with urea, the urea being removed from a patient during dialysis treatment.
Abstract:
A dialysis system and a method for automatically priming a dialyzer are provided. The priming of the dialyzer is accomplished in two steps; namely, the use of a blood pump to prime a dialyzer followed by the use of the blood pump and a dialysate pump to prime the dialyzer. The dialysis system filters a fluid through an extracorporeal circuit, a balanced flow loop and a dialysate loop which is connected to the dialyzer. The dialysis system and method may prevent air or air bubbles from entering the blood stream of a patient during dialysmis. Moreover, the dialysis system may be, for example, a hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis system.
Abstract:
A dialysis system and a method for automatically priming a dialyzer are provided. The priming of the dialyzer is accomplished in two steps; namely, the use of a blood pump to prime a dialyzer followed by the use of the blood pump and a dialysate pump to prime the dialyzer. The dialysis system filters a fluid through an extracorporeal circuit, a balanced flow loop and a dialysate loop which is connected to the dialyzer. The dialysis system and method may prevent air or air bubbles from entering the blood stream of a patient during dialysmis. Moreover, the dialysis system may be, for example, a hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis system.