| FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120136582 | MEASURING HEMATOCRIT AND ESTIMATING HEMOGLOBIN VALUES WITH A NON-INVASIVE, OPTICAL BLOOD MONITORING SYSTEM - An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120095392 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (PD) SOLUTIONS WITH INTEGRATED INTER-CHAMBER DIFFUSER - The invention provides, in some aspects, a container system for medical solutions such as peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. The invention particularly features a system which includes a first compartment that contains a first medical solution, e.g., a PD osmotic agent, and a second compartment that contains a second medical solution, e.g., a PD buffer agent. The compartments maintain their respective contents separately from one another for purposes of transport, storage and/or sterilization. However, the compartments are fluidly couplable, so that their respective contents can be combined with one another, e.g., following sterilization of the agents and prior to their introduction into the patient's abdomen. To that end, a container system can include a diffuser that is disposed in a fluid pathway between the first and second compartments, e.g., to facilitate homogeneous mixing of the first and second PD agents. That diffuser is disposed within and moves relative to a structure, such as a port that defines the fluid pathway between those compartment. Thus, for example, the diffuser can comprise a body that “floats” within that pathway-defining structure and that moves from one end to the other (and/or to from points there between), depending on a direction of solution flow through the structure. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120091053 | Dialysis Systems and Related Components - A cassette is described for holding circuit components used with a hemodialysis machine. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120085707 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPENSATION OF COMPLIANT BEHAVIOR IN REGENERATIVE DIALYSIS SYSTEMS - In a regenerative dialysis system, in a method for controlling a regenerative dialysis system, and in a controller for a regenerative dialysis system, an embodiment of the system comprises an input pump that pumps fresh dialysate fluid into a dialyzer at an input rate. An output pump pumps used dialysate fluid from the dialyzer at an output rate. An ultrafiltration rate of the system is related to the output rate relative to the input rate. A sorbent cartridge filters the used dialysate fluid to generate the fresh dialysate fluid. A controller controls the ultrafiltration rate of the system in response to a flow rate of the dialysate fluid through the sorbent cartridge. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120068723 | Conductivity Detector For Fluids - A conductivity detector detects the electrical conductivity of a fluid under analysis for determining chemical or physical properties of the fluid that are related its electrical properties. Such conductivity detectors may find use in, for example, hemodialysis systems for analyzing the effectiveness of the hemodialysis treatment. In an aspect, to improve accuracy of the conductivity measurements, the detector utilizes four-wire resistance measurement methods. In another aspect, to avoid fouling or contamination of the electrodes, the detector utilizes capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) methods so that the electrodes are physically unconnected to the fluid contained in a fluid chamber. In a possible further aspect, the fluid chamber may be a disposable component removable from the electrodes. The conductivity detector can include other features such as calibration circuits and features for electrically isolating the fluid under detection from the fluid in the rest of the system. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120031825 | CARBON DIOXIDE GAS REMOVAL FROM A FLUID CIRCUIT OF A DIALYSIS DEVICE - The present invention is directed to degassing devices for dialysate circuits. One embodiment has a first housing and a second housing positioned within the first housing in an annular relationship. A second embodiment comprises a dialysate regeneration system with urease, a dialyzer, and a housing with an external wall, where the external wall is exposed to atmosphere and comprises a material that passes gas but does not pass liquid and where the housing is positioned between the urease and dialyzer. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20110259371 | METHODS FOR CLEANING A DRAIN LINE OF A DIALYSIS MACHINE - A method for cleaning a drain line of a dialysis machine downstream of a filtration unit. The method includes closing inlet and outlet valves of the filtration unit, and closing a bypass valve along a bypass line that connects a source line to a drain line. The method also includes configuring the balancing chamber such that flow is permitted only via the drain line, flowing an amount of a cleaning agent into the drain line through a cleaning agent valve, and rinsing the cleaning agent from the drain line with a rinse fluid. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110237996 | Methods of Regional Citrate Anticoagulation Dialysis - A method of performing regional citrate anticoagulant dialysis of a patient's blood includes flowing blood from and back to the patient through an extracorporeal circuit including a dialyzer having semi-permeable dialysis membranes and a dialysate chamber surrounding the membranes. The method further includes flowing a dialysate containing calcium and citrate through the dialysate chamber of the dialyzer and introducing citrate into the patient's blood upstream of the dialyzer, whereby the patient's blood is dialyzed. The method can further include predicting the concentration of systemic ionized calcium in the blood of the patient at any point in the dialysis treatment or post-dialysis, such as by a mathematical model. The method can further include statistically correcting the preliminary predicted post-dialysis concentration of systemic ionized calcium in the patient's blood to provide a final predicted post-dialysis systemic ionized calcium concentration. The method can further include statistically correcting the preliminary predicted systemic ionized calcium concentration for any time point during the dialysis treatment to provide a final predicted systemic ionized calcium concentration for that time point. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110220562 | Dialysis System Venting Devices and Related Systems and Methods - This disclosure relates to dialysis venting devices and related methods. In some aspects, a dialysis system includes a fluid inlet line, a venting device in fluid communication with the fluid inlet line, and a fluid outlet line in fluid communication with the venting device. The venting device can include a housing defining a fluid chamber, a valve member disposed above the fluid chamber between a lower seat and an upper seat, and a pump that is operable to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the fluid inlet line and to force fluid out of the fluid chamber into the fluid outlet line. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110210054 | SAFETY VENT STRUCTURE FOR EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCUIT - In general, this disclosure relates to extracorporeal fluid circuits. In some aspects, an air-release device for allowing air to be released from a liquid in extracorporeal circuitry includes an elongate chamber having a bottom region and a top region and a fluid entry port and fluid exit port at or near the bottom region. The air release device also includes a vent structure at or near the top region of the elongate chamber that includes a porous material capable of swelling when moistened such that the vent structure can inhibit liquid from escaping the air-release device during use. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110196289 | CASSETTE SYSTEM FOR PERITONEAL DIALYSIS MACHINE - A peritoneal dialysis (PD) system that includes a disposable PD cassette including a base having a substantially planar portion and a dome-shaped protrusion extending from the substantially planar portion and a flexible membrane attached to the base and covering a recessed region of the dome-shaped protrusion to form a pumping chamber between the flexible membrane and the recessed region of the dome-shaped protrusion. The system also includes a PD machine including a deck and a door hinged from one side to the deck. The door and the deck can cooperate to form a cassette compartment, and the door has a cylindrical recess positioned to receive the dome-shaped protrusion of the base of the disposable PD cassette when the disposable PD cassette is disposed in the cassette compartment and the door is closed. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110163030 | Dialysis Systems and Methods - This invention relates to dialysis systems and methods. In some implementations, a method includes applying vacuum pressure to a device of a dialysis system, and then determining, based on a detected fluid level or measured pressure, whether the device is functioning properly. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110142700 | DUAL-VENTRICLE PUMP CARTRIDGE, PUMP, AND METHOD OF USE IN A WEARABLE CONTINUOUS RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY DEVICE - A dual channel pulsatile pump for use with a completely wearable renal replacement device is provided. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110137136 | METHOD OF IDENTIFYING WHEN A PATIENT UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS IS AT INCREASED RISK OF DEATH - The invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient undergoing periodic hemodialysis treatments at increased risk for death that includes determining at least one of the patient's clinical or biochemical parameters, including systolic blood pressure, serum albumin concentration level, body weight, body temperature, serum bicarbonate concentration level, serum potassium concentration level, serum calcium concentration level, hemoglobin concentration level, serum phosphorus concentration level, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, equilibrated normalized protein catabolic rate (enPCR), equilibrated fractional clearance of total body water by dialysis and residual kidney function (eKdrt/V), EPO resistance index, transferrin saturation index, serum ferritin concentration level, serum creatinine concentration level, platelet count, Aspartat-Aminotransferase level, and Alanin-Aminotransferase level at periodic hemodialysis treatments, and identifying a patient as having an increased risk for death if the patient has a significant change in the rate of change of at least one of the patient's clinical or biochemical parameters. The invention is also directed to a method of identifying an increased mortality risk factor for a patient undergoing periodic hemodialysis treatment. The method includes analyzing data of deceased patients that were previously undergoing periodic hemodialysis treatments by performing a longitudinal analysis backwards in time of changes in a clinical or biochemical parameter the patients, and identifying a significant change in the rate of decline or the rate of increase in a clinical or biochemical parameter before death of the patients. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110120946 | METHOD FOR REMOVING GASES FROM A CONTAINER HAVING A POWDERED CONCENTRATE FOR USE IN HEMODIALYSIS - An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110120302 | METHOD FOR REMOVING GASES FROM A CONTAINER HAVING A POWDERED CONCENTRATE FOR USE IN HEMODIALYSIS - An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110108474 | EXTRACORPOREAL FLUID CIRCUIT - A dialysis fluid cassette that includes a rigid body and a flexible backing covering a recessed portion of the rigid body to at least partially form a gas release chamber. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110105979 | PATIENT TREATMENT AND MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The invention provides apparatus and methods for home or other remote delivery of health care that gather subjective and objective measures of patient health and treatment, analyzing them (e.g., correlating them with one another and/or with norms) and reporting them to aid in on-going patient diagnosis and treatment (both on acute and chronic bases), as well as to aid physicians, nurses and other caregivers in decision support, monitoring treatment compliance, facilitating regulatory compliance, billing, and so forth. Thus, for example, in some aspects a health care delivery device comprising a medical treatment apparatus, such as a home hemodialysis or home peritoneal dialysis unit, that is coupled to a processor. The processor generates patient queries in connection with treatments rendered by the dialysis equipment (or other treatment apparatus). The queries are directed, at least in part, to subjective topics, such as the state of the patient's mental health and well being, quality of life, degrees of pain, views on success of therapy, and so forth. They are presented on an LCD screen or other output device coupled to the processor to elicit responses on a keyboard or other input device, also coupled to the processor. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110079558 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING DIFFUSIVE SODIUM TRANSPORT IN DIALYSIS - A method of controlling diffusive sodium transport from the dialysate solution to the blood of a patient undergoing hemodialysis treatment or from the blood to the dialysate solution includes calculating SNa | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110060273 | PERITONEAL DIALYSIS SYSTEM - A dialysate regeneration system for removing contaminants from spent dialysate according to this invention includes a dialysate circulation flow path including a pump that pumps spent dialysate through the dialysate circulation flow path, a first cartridge adapted to remove contaminants from the spent dialysate, including a first cleaning solution inlet and a first cleaning solution outlet, a second cartridge adapted to remove urea from the spent dialysate, the second cartridge including semi-permeable hollow fibers adapted for transport of urea across the walls of the semi-permeable hollow fibers and adapted to retain at least calcium, magnesium, and sodium ions in the spent dialysate, and including a second cleaning solution inlet and a second cleaning solution outlet. Ancillary to the two cartridges, the dialysate regeneration system further includes a first dialysate cleaning flow path including a pump that pumps first cleaning solution from the first cleaning solution outlet of the first cartridge through a first cleaning stage to the first cleaning solution inlet of the first cartridge, and a second dialysate cleaning flow path including a pump that pumps second cleaning solution from the second cleaning solution outlet of the second cartridge through a second cleaning stage to the second cleaning solution inlet of the second cartridge. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110017665 | Dialysis Systems and Methods - This disclosure generally relates to dialysis systems and related methods. In one aspect of the invention, a dialysis system includes a device configured so that a medical fluid can pass therethrough, and the device is adapted to remove one or more substances from the medical fluid as the medical fluid passes through the device. The dialysis system can also include a sodium control system adapted to alter a sodium concentration of the medical fluid. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110015610 | MEDICAL FLUID CASSETTES AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A medical fluid delivery cassette configured for use with a medical fluid pumping system and related systems and methods. The medical fluid delivery cassette includes a base and a membrane that together define a fluid pump chamber. The medical fluid delivery cassette further includes a member configured to apply an outward force to an inner surface of the membrane. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20100324466 | Multi-port fluid access device and method - The invention provides a multi-port fluid access device for medical use, such as in a blood-flow circuit during dialysis. The device has a main tubular body and a needle access port and a needleless access port located at positions axially offset from each other. Each port has a tubular body with a septum sealing the passageway to the main fluid channel of the main tubular body. Alongside the main tubular body are members providing finger-gripping surfaces at or near the axial position of the needle access port. There is also a needle shield located between the finger gripping surfaces and the needle access port. Use of the device permits either or both of needle access and needleless access to a patient's blood during dialysis. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100241062 | MEDICAL FLUID PUMP SYSTEMS AND RELATED COMPONENTS AND METHODS - A medical fluid delivery cassette configured for use with a medical fluid pumping system. The cassette includes a base, a membrane attached to the base, and an adhesive disposed on a portion of the membrane overlying a fluid pump chamber of the cassette. The portion of the membrane overlying the fluid pump chamber is moveable such that the volume of the fluid pump chamber can be changed. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100222735 | PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR PERITONEAL DIALYSIS THERAPY - A portable peritoneal dialysis apparatus having (1) a hinged door for enclosing a disposable cassette that seals tightly shut using air pressure; (2) accurate pressure sensing of pressures applied to the patient through an enclosure in the disposable cassette; (3) two pumps that can operate separately or in tandem actuated by two separate stepper motors; and (4) a touch screen user interface where indicia of the operating mode is always visible along with indicia for the other possible operating modes and the mode can be changed by touching one of these indicia. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100168652 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (PD) SOLUTION WITH A PERISTALTIC PUMP - In one aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus for delivering peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution (or other fluids), from a supply to a patient. A first pump, in fluid coupling with the supply, delivers PD solution from the supply to a “mesne” (or intermediate) measuring element, and generates signals indicative of a volume of that delivered PD solution. The mesne measuring element, in fluid coupling with the first pump, generates signals indicative of a volume of PD solution received from that pump. A second pump, fluidly coupled to the mesne measuring element, routes PD solution from the mesne measuring element for delivery to the patient. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100137693 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PATIENT CARE - Methods and apparatus for patient care detect a current medical condition of a patient receiving medical treatment, e.g., by sensing blood pressure, heart rate, weight, glucose level, hemoglobin level, and/or blood potassium level (all by way of example) and transmit information regarding that medical condition to a digital data processing system disposed remotely from the medical treatment apparatus. The medical treatment apparatus can be, for example, one for peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, and the medical condition can be sensed by sensors coupled to or otherwise utilized in connection with such apparatus. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100100026 | Wetness sensor utilizing passive resonant circuits - An example embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for detecting a liquid leak that includes a sensor with a passive resonant circuit having a resonant frequency, an interrogation unit to transmit a radio frequency (RF) wave corresponding to the resonant circuit's resonant frequency, and a receiver to measure the resonant circuit's response. A determination unit is configured to determine the presence of liquid based on the measured response. In the absence of liquid, the resonant circuit radiates a signal corresponding to its resonant frequency; however, in the presence of liquid, the resonant circuit's electrical characteristics change such that the resonant circuit does not resonate at its resonant frequency. The resonant circuit may include inductive and capacitive elements formed on a substrate using electrically conductive materials. Thus, the system may quickly, safely and accurately detect potentially life-threatening blood leaks that may occur during, for example, hemodialysis. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100099958 | Method of identifying when a patient undergoing hemodialysis is at increased risk of death - The invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient undergoing periodic hemodialysis treatments at increased risk for death that includes determining at least one of the patient's systolic blood pressure, serum albumin level, body weight, and body temperature at periodic hemodialysis treatments, and identifying a patient as having an increased risk for death if the patient has a substantial change in the rate of decline of at least one of the patient's systolic blood pressure, serum albumin level, body weight, and body temperature. The invention is also directed to a method of identifying an increased mortality risk factor for a patient undergoing periodic hemodialysis treatment. The method includes analyzing data in deceased patients that were previously undergoing periodic hemodialysis treatments by performing a longitudinal analysis backwards in time of changes in a clinical or biochemical parameter the patients, and identifying a substantial change in the rate of decline or the rate of increase in a clinical or biochemical parameter before death of the patients. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100096330 | Method of Determining A Phosphorus Binder Dosage for a Dialysis Patient - The invention is directed to a method of determining a dosage of phosphorus binder for a patient undergoing dialysis treatment to achieve a pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration within a desired concentration range while achieving a desired net accumulation of calcium. The method includes determining the dosage of phosphorus binder that will achieve pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration of the patient that is within the desired concentration range while accounting for the change in the amount of phosphorus removed by the dialysis treatment when the pre-dialysis serum phosphorus concentration of the patient is within the desired concentration range, determining a dialysate calcium concentration that will result in the desired net accumulation of calcium over a complete dialysis cycle, and dialyzing the patient with a dialysate containing a calcium concentration based upon that determination. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100096329 | Method of Removing Protein-Bound Deleterious Substances During Extracorporeal Renal Replacement Treatment - The invention is directed to a method of removing a deleterious substance bound to a protein in blood of a patient by introducing a displacer substance into the blood under conditions in which the displacer substance replaces deleterious substance bound to the protein, thereby resulting in additional unbound deleterious substance in the blood, and removing unbound deleterious substance from the blood by extracorporeal renal replacement treatment. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100084330 | Zirconium Phosphate Particles Having Improved Adsorption Capacity and Method Of Synthesizing The Same - Zirconium phosphate particles are synthesized by providing a solution of zirconium oxychloride in an aqueous solvent, adding at least one low molecular weight, oxygen containing, monofunctional, organic additive to the solution, and combining this solution with heated phosphoric acid or a phosphoric acid salt to obtain zirconium phosphate particles by sol gel precipitation. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100078387 | Acid Zirconium Phosphate and Alkaline Hydrous Zirconium Oxide Materials For Sorbent Dialysis - A combination of acid zirconium phosphate and alkaline hydrous zirconium oxide are utilized as ion-exchange materials, for example, in sorbent dialysis. The combination provides for dialysate regeneration while maintaining constant and controlled levels of Na | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100078381 | Covalently Immobilized Enzyme and Method To Make The Same - A composition of enzyme, polymer, and crosslinker forms a network of covalently bound macromolecules. The covalently immobilized enzyme preparation has enzymatic activity, and retains stable activity when dried and stored at ambient conditions. Methods for preparing an immobilized enzyme and methods for using the enzyme are disclosed. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20090309835 | User Interface Processing Device - This patent application relates generally to processing devices in the medical device area. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090264854 | Systems and Methods for Delivery of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Solutions - The invention provides container systems, kits and methods for peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Such a system, for example, includes a first compartment that contains a PD osmotic agent and a second compartment that contains a PD buffer agent. The compartments maintain their respective contents separately from one another for purposes of transport, storage and/or sterilization. However, the compartments are fluidly couplable, so that their respective contents can be combined with one another, e.g., following sterilization of the agents and prior to their introduction into the patient's abdomen. The invention provides, in other aspects, such systems, kits and methods that provide protective structure which inhibits breaking of a seal prior between the second compartment and an outlet of the system, prior to breaking of a seal between the first and second compartments. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090234266 | Device for removing fluid from blood in a patient - An ultrafiltration device and method for the removal of excess fluid in hypervolemic patients and/or removal of toxins in the blood including for patients suffering from either renal or cardiovascular disease is disclosed. An embodiment of the device includes a housing containing multiple large bore hollow fiber membranes which are connected to the patient's vascular system via a connecting element comprising bifurcated fluid pathway elements to physiologically channel the blood flow either to or from each hollow fiber membrane of the device, a channel to direct the fluid removed by the device to a suitable collection container or the patient's bladder, and controls that control excessive removal of the water from the patient. Devices can be either worn extracorporeally or surgically implanted in order to allow for continuous fluid removal with ambulatory freedom. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090222119 | MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM FOR DIALYSIS MACHINE - This patent application relates generally to dialysis machines. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090076856 | PATIENT-SPECIFIC CONTENT DELIVERY METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for delivery of digital data in connection with medical treatment and patient care include detecting a current medical condition of a patient receiving medical treatment and delivering electronic informational data to the patient over a network. The informational data can be selected for delivery based on the current medical condition of the patient. The informational data can includes a plurality of informational data content options, and the patient can choose one or more of the informational data content options for delivery to the patient over the network. The chosen content can be displayed to the patient on a digital data display device, such as a touch screen monitor. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20080296226 | Solutions, Dialysates, and Related Methods - Solutions, dialysates, and methods for measuring solutes in blood and/or for treating blood. In one aspect of the invention, a method of performing dialysis includes placing a solution in communication with blood of a subject, where a concentration of at least one electrically conductive solute in the solution, prior to being placed in communication with the blood of the subject, is substantially equal to a concentration of the at least one electrically conductive solute in the blood of the subject. | 12-04-2008 |
