Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080202591 | Cassette System Integrated Apparatus - A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208103 | Pumping Cassette - A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes a housing having at least, one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. The cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps a fluid from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet line. A hollow spike is also included on the housing as well as at least one metering pump The metering pump is fluidly connected to the hollow spike on the housing and to a metering pump fluid line. The metering pump fluid line is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line. | 08-28-2008 |
20080216898 | Cassette System Integrated Apparatus - A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes. | 09-11-2008 |
20080253911 | Pumping Cassette - A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes housing. The housing includes at least one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. Also, the cassette includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps at least one fluid from the fluid inlet line to at least one of the fluid outlet line. Also, the cassette includes at least one mixing chamber within the housing. The mixing chamber is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line. | 10-16-2008 |
20080253912 | Pumping Cassette - A pumping cassette, the cassette includes a housing. The housing includes at least one fluid port and at least one air vent port. The air vent port vents a fluid source outside the housing. The pumping cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pump pumps fluid. | 10-16-2008 |
20080282816 | AUTOMATED SAMPLING SYSTEM - A sample carrier having a top wall, a base, and a support wall joining the top wall and the base. The top wall includes aligned, spaced-apart openings on at least one side of the support wall which are sized to receive sample tubes. Sleeves depending from the top wall and circumscribing each opening direct sample tubes into sample tube holding areas. The sample tube holding areas each include one or more retaining walls extending upward from the base opposite the support wall. Springs extending outward from the support wall bias sample tubes against the retaining walls. A drip shield comprising a cover plate, a pair of through-holes for accessing sample tubes in the sample carrier, and a depending fin which separates sample tubes on opposite sides of the support wall protects against cross-contamination between sample tubes held by the sample carrier. | 11-20-2008 |
20090004033 | Pumping Cassette - A pumping cassette including a housing having at least two inlet fluid lines and at least two outlet fluid lines. At least one balancing pod within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid paths. The balancing pod balances the flow of a first fluid and the flow of a second fluid such that the volume of the first fluid equals the volume of the second fluid. The balancing pod also includes a membrane that forms two balancing pods. Also included in the cassette is at least two reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pumps. The pumps are within the housing and they pump the fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet line and pump the second fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet. | 01-01-2009 |
20090008331 | Hemodialysis systems and methods - The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. In one set of embodiments, a hemodialysis system may include a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path, where the dialysate flow path includes one or more of a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. Preparation of dialysate by the preparation circuit, in some instances, may be decoupled from patient dialysis. In some cases, the circuits are defined, at least partially, within one or more cassettes, optionally interconnected with conduits, pumps, or the like. In one embodiment, the fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the hemodialysis system. In some cases, a gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate to pass through the dialyzer and urge blood in the blood flow path back to the patient. Such a system may be useful, for example, in certain emergency situations (e.g., a power failure) where it is desirable to return as much blood to the patient as possible. The hemodialysis system may also include, in another aspect of the invention, one or more fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, or the like, which can be actuated using a control fluid, such as air. In some cases, the control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using an external pump or other device, which may be detachable in certain instances. In one embodiment, one or more of the fluid handling devices may be generally rigid (e.g., having a spheroid shape), optionally with a diaphragm contained within the device, dividing it into first and second compartments. | 01-08-2009 |
20090095679 | HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Hemodialysis dialysis systems are disclosed. Hemodialysis systems of the invention may include a dialysate flow path including a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. The circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuits may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the system. A gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. The hemodialysis systems may include fluid handling devices, actuated using a control fluid, optionally delivered using a detachable pump. Fluid handling devices may be generally rigid and of a spheroid shape, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into compartments. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099498 | Systems, Devices and Methods for Cardiopulmonary Treatment and Procedures - A cardiopulmonary bypass system utilizing membrane-based reciprocating positive displacement blood pumps (“pod pumps”). In one aspect, the pod pumps are constructed to provide reduced shear forces on the blood being pumped. In another aspect blood flow through the pod pumps can be controlled by a controller using information from pressure sensors in the control chamber of the pod pumps. In another aspect, the pod pumps are included on a disposable unit that can be received and held by a receptacle means on a base unit, the base unit also providing pressurized control fluid to the pod pumps on the disposable unit through the receptacle means. | 04-16-2009 |
20090105629 | BLOOD CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY FOR A HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEM - A blood circuit assembly for a dialysis unit may include an organizing tray, a pair of pneumatic pumps mounted to the organizing tray for circulating blood received from a patient through a circuit including a dialyzer unit and returned to the patient, an air trap mounted to the organizing tray arranged to remove air from blood circulating in the circuit, a pair of dialyzer connections arranged to connect to the inlet and outlet of a dialyzer unit, and a pair of blood line connectors, one inlet blood line connector for receiving blood from the patient and providing blood to the pneumatic pumps and the other outlet blood line connector for returning blood to the patient. | 04-23-2009 |
20090114582 | ENCLOSURE FOR A PORTABLE HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEM - An enclosure for containing a portable hemodialysis unit includes a housing suitable to support components for performing hemodialysis including a dialyzer, one or more pumps to circulate blood through the dialyzer, a source of dialysate, and one or more pumps to circulate the dialysate through the dialyzer. The housing may have a front panel at which blood circuit connections and dialysate fluidic connections are located, e.g., blood line connections for patient blood access, connections for a reagent supply, dialyzer connections for both blood flow and dialysate, etc. The enclosure may also include a pair of vertical, side-by-side doors hingedly mounted to the housing. With the doors in the closed position, access to the patient access and dialysate fluidic connections may be blocked, and the doors may allow for the retention of heat in the housing suitable for disinfection during a disinfection cycle. | 05-07-2009 |
20090115199 | Door Locking Mechanism - A system and method for locking a door. An assembly has a first engagement surface. A door is coupled to the assembly, the door including a latch member having a second engagement surface for engaging the first engagement surface. A movable member is capable of generating a force against at least one of the assembly and the door to press together and substantially prevent disengagement of the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface. | 05-07-2009 |
20090185920 | System and Method for Pumping Fluid Using a Pump Cassette - A system and method for pumping fluid using a pump cassette. The system includes a control assembly for operating the pump cassette. A force assembly having a movable member is capable of applying force to the pump cassette to press the pump cassette against the control assembly. The movable member may be an expandable member, such as a bladder. | 07-23-2009 |
20100051529 | DIALYZER CARTRIDGE MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEM - A dialyzer mount arranged to support a plurality of differently sized and/or shaped dialyzer units and to accommodate different distances between dialysate connections on the dialyzer units. The dialyzer mount, which may be located on a front panel of the dialysis unit, may include a pair of flange portions that are each arranged to engage with a respective dialysate quick-connect fitting connected to a dialysate port of the dialyzer. Each flange portion may be arranged to engage with a groove on the quick connect fitting that is located between a portion of the base of the quick connect fitting and a slide element of the quick connect fitting. One flange portion may include an adjustable support that is moveable, e.g., in a vertical direction. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056975 | BLOOD LINE CONNECTOR FOR A MEDICAL INFUSION DEVICE - A blood line connector for a blood circuit of a hemodialysis unit with an ability to make two different types of fluid tight connections, e.g., a screw-type connection with a luer connector at a patient access and a press-in type connection with a dialysate circuit. The blood line connector may include a tube connection end arranged to sealingly engage with a blood circuit tube, and a patient access connection end with a frustoconical member having an internally threaded portion arranged to engage with an externally threaded patient access, and a pair of locking arms extending rearwardly from the frustoconical member. The locking arms may each have a finger depression portion and a barbed portion, and may be arranged to engage with a mating connector on the dialysis unit at the barbed portions to lock the frustoconical member in sealing engagement with the mating connector when making a press-in type connection. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057016 | OCCLUDER FOR A MEDICAL INFUSION SYSTEM - The present invention generally relates to occluders and, in particular, to occluders for use in medical infusion systems. In one aspect, the occluder contains one or more tubes through which fluid can flow, and the occluder can be automatically controlled to allow or at least partially prevent fluid flow. In some cases, the occluder may be constructed and arranged to fail (e.g., due to loss of power) in a “closed” position, i.e., a position that at least partially prevents fluid flow. In addition, in one embodiment, the occluder may be manually overridden, even when in a failed state, by a user. For instance, in the event of a power failure, a user may be able to manually override the occluder to remove tubing from the occluder. Such occluders may find use, for example, in medical devices such as hemodialysis machines, medical infusion pumps, plasmapheresis devices, and the like. | 03-04-2010 |
20110017544 | ACOUSTIC DAMPENING ENCLOSURE FOR A MECHANICAL DEVICE - A two-component elastomeric enclosure surrounding a mechanical device can effectively attenuate the noise and vibration associated with the device. The outer shell of the enclosure comprises a castable polyurethane elastomer, while the inner shell of the enclosure comprises polymeric foam. The inner foam layer of the enclosure can contact both vertical and horizontal surfaces of the enclosed device in order to immobilize it within the enclosure, and to enhance the dampening effect of the enclosure on acoustic and mechanical vibrations. The enclosure can act as a vertical and horizontal supporting structure for the enclosed mechanical device. The enclosure may in turn be fastenable to a housing or frame member via relatively stiff elastomeric bushings, pads or mounts, in order to further reduce the transmission of vibrations originating from the mechanical device. The enclosure can be molded in a two-stage pour-molding process using a cavity mold and two forming dies—one for each layer of the enclosure. The second stage of the molding process allows the inner foam layer to bond to the outer shell of the enclosure during the curing process, and to have inner dimensions that can make close contact with pre-determined portions of the device for which the enclosure is being produced. Highly customized cavity molds and forming dies can be created using rapid manufacturing or prototyping techniques. | 01-27-2011 |
20110092893 | MEDICAL TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHODS USING A PLURALITY OF FLUID LINES - A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a cycler device ( | 04-21-2011 |
20110092894 | PUMP CASSETTE AND METHODS FOR USE IN MEDICAL TREATMENT SYSTEM USING A PLURALITY OF FLUID LINES - A fluid handling cassette ( | 04-21-2011 |
20110098635 | FLUID FLOW OCCLUDER AND METHODS OF USE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT SYSTEMS - An occluder ( | 04-28-2011 |
20110106002 | FLUID LINE AUTOCONNECT APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT SYSTEM - A medical infusion fluid handling system, such as an APD system, may be arranged to de-cap and connect one or more lines ( | 05-05-2011 |
20110125085 | DISPOSABLE COMPONENTS FOR FLUID LINE AUTOCONNECT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Components for a medical infusion fluid handling system, such as an APD system, in which one or more lines ( | 05-26-2011 |
20110218600 | HEAT EXCHANGE SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS - Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to heat-exchanger systems that can be used to heat or cool a fluid such as blood. Pod pumps that provide low shear and low turbulence may be used in such systems, particularly for systems that pump blood. A certain heat-exchanger system used to heat blood or other fluids may be used to provide whole-body hyperthermic treatments or regional hyperthermic chemotherapy treatments. A disposable unit may be used to separate the fluid path from the fluid control systems. The disposable unit typically includes a heat-exchanger component that is received by a corresponding heat exchanger in a base unit. Fluid pumped through the heat-exchanger component is heated by the heat exchanger. | 09-08-2011 |
20110299358 | CASSETTE SYSTEM INTEGRATED APPARATUS - A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes. | 12-08-2011 |
20120030933 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PUMPING FLUID USING A PUMP CASSETTE - A system and method for pumping fluid using a pump cassette. The system includes a control assembly for operating the pump cassette. A force assembly having a movable member is capable of applying force to the pump cassette to press the pump cassette against the control assembly. The movable member may be an expandable member, such as a bladder. | 02-09-2012 |
20120106289 | CASSETTE SYSTEM INTEGRATED APPARATUS - A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes. | 05-03-2012 |
20120130298 | Systems, Devices and Methods for Cardiopulmonary Treatment and Procedures - A cardiopulmonary bypass system utilizing membrane-based reciprocating positive displacement blood pumps (“pod pumps”). In one aspect, the pod pumps are constructed to provide reduced shear forces on the blood being pumped. In another aspect blood flow through the pod pumps can he controlled by a controller using information from pressure sensors in the control chamber of the pod pumps. In another aspect, the pod pumps are included on a disposable unit that can be received and held by a receptacle means on a base unit, the base unit also providing pressurized control fluid to the pod pumps on the disposable unit through the receptacle means. | 05-24-2012 |
20120207627 | PUMPING CASSETTE - A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes housing. The housing includes at least one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. Also, the cassette includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps at least one fluid from the fluid inlet line to at least one of the fluid outlet line. Also, the cassette includes at least one mixing chamber within the housing. The mixing chamber is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line. | 08-16-2012 |
20130022483 | CASSETTE SYSTEM INTEGRATED APPARATUS - A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes. | 01-24-2013 |
20130032536 | HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments. | 02-07-2013 |
20130037480 | HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments. | 02-14-2013 |
20130074959 | PUMPING CASSETTE - A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes a housing having at least, one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. The cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps a fluid from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet line. A hollow spike is also included on the housing as well as at least one metering pump The metering pump is fluidly connected to the hollow spike on the housing and to a metering pump fluid line. The metering pump fluid line is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line. | 03-28-2013 |
20130115105 | FLUID PUMPING SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS - Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfectants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence). | 05-09-2013 |
20130165847 | MEDICAL TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHODS USING A PLURALITY OF FLUID LINES - A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include a control system that can adjust the volume of fluid infused into the peritoneal cavity to prevent the intraperitoneal fluid volume from exceeding a pre-determined amount. The control system can adjust by adding one or more therapy cycles, allowing for fill volumes during each cycle to be reduced. The control system may continue to allow the fluid to drain from the peritoneal cavity as completely as possible before starting the next therapy cycle. The control system may also adjust the dwell time of fluid within the peritoneal cavity during therapy cycles in order to complete a therapy within a scheduled time period. The cycler may also be configured to have a heater control system that monitors both the temperature of a heating tray and the temperature of a bag of dialysis fluid in order to bring the temperature of the dialysis fluid rapidly to a specified temperature, with minimal temperature overshoot. | 06-27-2013 |
20130177457 | PUMPING CASSETTE - A pumping cassette including a housing having at least two inlet fluid lines and at least two outlet fluid lines. At least one balancing pod within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid paths. The balancing pod balances the flow of a first fluid and the flow of a second fluid such that the volume of the first fluid equals the volume of the second fluid. The balancing pod also includes a membrane that forms two balancing chambers. Also included in the cassette is at least two reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pumps. The pumps are within the housing and they pump the fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet line and pump the second fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet. | 07-11-2013 |
20130184638 | MEDICAL TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHODS USING A PLURALITY OF FLUID LINES - A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include a control system that can adjust the volume of fluid infused into the peritoneal cavity to prevent the intraperitoneal fluid volume from exceeding a pre-determined amount. The control system can adjust by adding one or more therapy cycles, allowing for fill volumes during each cycle to be reduced. The control system may continue to allow the fluid to drain from the peritoneal cavity as completely as possible before starting the next therapy cycle. The control system may also adjust the dwell time of fluid within the peritoneal cavity during therapy cycles in order to complete a therapy within a scheduled time period. The cycler may also be configured to have a heater control system that monitors both the temperature of a heating tray and the temperature of a bag of dialysis fluid in order to bring the temperature of the dialysis fluid rapidly to a specified temperature, with minimal temperature overshoot. | 07-18-2013 |
20130284648 | ENCLOSURE FOR A PORTABLE HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEM - An enclosure for containing a portable hemodialysis unit includes a housing suitable to support components for performing hemodialysis including a dialyzer, one or more pumps to circulate blood through the dialyzer, a source of dialysate, and one or more pumps to circulate the dialysate through the dialyzer. The housing may have a front panel at which blood circuit connections and dialysate fluidic connections are located, e.g., blood line connections for patient blood access, connections for a reagent supply, dialyzer connections for both blood flow and dialysate, etc. The enclosure may also include a pair of vertical, side-by-side doors hingedly mounted to the housing. With the doors in the closed position, access to the patient access and dialysate fluidic connections may be blocked, and the doors may allow for the retention of heat in the housing suitable for disinfection during a disinfection cycle. | 10-31-2013 |
20130317454 | FLEXIBLE TUBING OCCLUSION ASSEMBLY - Occlusion assemblies facilitating occlusion of flexible tubing are disclosed. Occlusion assemblies may be associated with or form part of a medical infusion device and may facilitate fluid handling by such devices. Occlusion assemblies may position and immobilize tubing. Occlusion assemblies comprise a tubing occluder constructed and positioned to apply a force to tube(s) to occlude the tubes. Occlusion assemblies may be configured to include a single tube in certain cases, and in other cases to occlude multiple tubes, whether an odd number of tubes or an even number of tubes. Occlusion assemblies may include automatic actuators and in certain cases also include a manual actuator to provide an override function. Occlusion assemblies may include safety features, for example, to prevent a release of occlusion force on the tubing and/or convenience features, for example a retainer mechanism to hold the tube occluder in a non-occluding position. | 11-28-2013 |
20140010691 | System and Method for Pumping Fluid Using a Pump Cassette - A system and method for pumping fluid using a pump cassette. The system includes a control assembly for operating the pump cassette. A force assembly having a movable member is capable of applying force to the pump cassette to press the pump cassette against the control assembly. The movable member may be an expandable member, such as a bladder. | 01-09-2014 |
20140102970 | HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments. | 04-17-2014 |
20140112828 | HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEM - A drain cassette for a dialysis unit has a fluid channel between venous and arterial connection ports, and a valve may controllably open and close fluid communication between a drain outlet port and the venous connection port or the arterial connection port. A blood circuit assembly and drain cassette may be removable from the dialysis unit, e.g., by hand and without the use of tools. A blood circuit assembly may include a single, unitary member that defines portions of a pair of blood pumps, control valves, channels to accurately position flexible tubing for an occluder, an air trap support, and/or other portions of the assembly. A blood circuit assembly engagement device may assist with retaining a blood circuit assembly on the dialysis unit, and/or with removal of the assembly. An actuator may operate a retainer element and an ejector element that interact with the assembly. | 04-24-2014 |
20140153356 | CASSETTE SYSTEM INTEGRATED APPARATUS - A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes. | 06-05-2014 |
20140199193 | BLOOD TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump. | 07-17-2014 |
20140299544 | BLOOD TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump. In another aspect, a system for monitoring the adequacy of blood flow in a blood line of the hemodialysis apparatus allows a controller to suspend dialysate pumping operations if the adequacy of blood flow in the blood line is sub-optimal, and to present information on a display on the quality of blood flow in the blood line. | 10-09-2014 |
20140319041 | HEMODIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling to devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments. | 10-30-2014 |
20140364800 | DISPOSABLE COMPONENTS FOR FLUID LINE AUTOCONNECT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Components for a medical infusion fluid handling system, such as an APD system, in which one or more lines (such as solution lines), spikes or other connection ports may be automatically capped and/or de-capped. This feature may provide advantages, such as a reduced likelihood of contamination since no human interaction is required to de-cap and connect the lines, spikes or other connection ports. For example, a fluid handling cassette may include one or more caps that cover a corresponding spike and include a raised and/or recessed feature to assist in removal of the one or more caps from the cassette. A solution line cap may include a hole and recess, groove or other feature to engage with a spike cap and enable removal of the spike cap. | 12-11-2014 |
20150050166 | FLUID PUMPING SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS - Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfectants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence). | 02-19-2015 |
20150057603 | FLUID FLOW OCCLUDER AND METHODS OF USE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT SYSTEMS - An occluder, and methods for occlusion, that employs first and second opposed occluding members associated with each other, a tube contacting member connected to, or comprising at least a portion of, at least one of the first and second occluding members, and a force actuator constructed and positioned to apply a force to at least one of the first and second occluding members. Application of the force by the force actuator may cause the tube contacting member to move between a tube occluding and an open position. A release member may be configured and positioned to enable an operator to manually move the tube contacting member from the tube occluding position to the open position even with no force applied to the occluding member by the force actuator. In one embodiment, the force actuator may apply a force sufficient to bend both the first and second occluding members, so that upon application of the force by the force actuator (such as an air bladder), the first and second occluding members (e.g., spring plates pivotally connected at opposite ends) bend and the tube contacting member may move between a tube occluding and an open position. | 02-26-2015 |