Abstract:
A vacuum demand valve (10) is capable of delivering a flowable material. The valve (10) has a housing (11) having a proximal end (14), a distal end (16), an intermediate segment (18) therebetween defining a passageway (24) wherein the flowable substance can flow from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16). The housing (11) can be tubing. A valve member (20) is located along the intermediate segment (18). The valve member (20) has a closed condition wherein the flowable material from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16) is stopped and an open condition wherein the flow of the flowable material from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16) is unstopped. The valve member (20) is biased in the closed condition and is responsive to a partial vacuum provided by the user through the passageway (24) for placing the valve member (20) in the open condition.
Abstract:
A dialysate testing method in one embodiment includes placing electrical contacts in a dialysate flow path, measuring an electrical property of the dialysate as it flows through the flow path and past the contacts, and determining whether the dialysate has been mixed properly from the detected electrical property. A dialysate testing method in another embodiment includes flowing dialysate past a pair of electrical contacts, calculating a conductivity of the dialysate using an algorithm that takes into account a geometry of the contacts, and using the calculated conductivity to determine if the dialysate has been removed properly.
Abstract:
A dialysis system instrument includes a dialysis instrument (10), a disposable pumping and valving cassette apparatus (30) operable with pumping and valving actuators of the dialysis instrument, the disposable cassette (50) including an electronic cell (100c) and electronics associated with the electronic cell, the electronics configured to determine an electrical property of a solution flowing through the electronic cell of the disposable apparatus.
Abstract:
A port assembly (106) includes a housing (108) with an opening (110) and a bore (112) therethrough, a slit septum (114) disposed in the bore to control access through the opening, a base (116) joined to the housing and having a membrane (118) attached thereto, a perforator (120) having a first end (122) abutting the slit septum and a second end (124) aligned with the membrane, and a resilient member (126) disposed between the perforator and the base. The port assembly may be used in a fluid container (100) that includes a receptacle (102) for retaining a fluid, and at least one conduit (104) in communication with the receptacle. The at least one conduit may be defined, at least in part, by the port assembly.
Abstract:
A dialysate testing method in one embodiment includes placing electrical contacts in a dialysate flow path, measuring an electrical property of the dialysate as it flows through the flow path and past the contacts, and determining whether the dialysate has been mixed properly from the detected electrical property. A dialysate testing method in another embodiment includes flowing dialysate past a pair of electrical contacts, calculating a conductivity of the dialysate using an algorithm that takes into account a geometry of the contacts, and using the calculated conductivity to determine if the dialysate has been removed properly.
Abstract:
A dialysis system instrument includes a dialysis instrument (10), a disposable pumping and valving cassette apparatus (30) operable with pumping and valving actuators of the dialysis instrument, the disposable cassette (50) including an electronic cell (100c) and electronics associated with the electronic cell, the electronics configured to determine an electrical property of a solution flowing through the electronic cell of the disposable apparatus.
Abstract:
A port assembly (106) includes a housing (108) with an opening (110) and a bore (112) therethrough, a slit septum (114) disposed in the bore to control access through the opening, a base (116) joined to the housing and having a membrane (118) attached thereto, a perforator (120) having a first end (122) abutting the slit septum and a second end (124) aligned with the membrane, and a resilient member (126) disposed between the perforator and the base. The port assembly may be used in a fluid container (100) that includes a receptacle (102) for retaining a fluid, and at least one conduit (104) in communication with the receptacle. The at least one conduit may be defined, at least in part, by the port assembly.
Abstract:
A vacuum demand valve (10) is capable of delivering a flowable material. The valve (10) has a housing (11) having a proximal end (14), a distal end (16), an intermediate segment (18) therebetween defining a passageway (24) wherein the flowable substance can flow from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16). The housing (11) can be tubing. A valve member (20) is located along t he intermediate segment (18). The valve member (20) has a closed condition wherein the flowable material from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16) is stopped and an open condition wherein the flow of the flowable material from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16) is unstopped. The valve member (20) is biased in the closed condition and is responsive to a partial vacuum provided by the user through the passageway (24) for placing the valve member (20) in the open condition.
Abstract:
A vacuum demand valve for delivering a flowable material is disclosed. The valve has a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, an intermediate segment therebetween defining a passageway wherein the flowable substance can flow from the proximal end to the distal end. The housing can be a tubing. A valve member is located along the intermediate segment. The valve member has a closed condition wherein the flow of the flowable material from the proximal end to the distal end is stopped and an open condition wherein the flow of the flowable material from the proximal end to the distal end is unstopped. The valve member is biased in the closed condition and is responsive to a partial vacuum provided by the user through the passageway for placing the valve member in the open condition.