Dialysis system and methods

Abstract

Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysate solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy. For example, the dialysis systems include disposable cartridge and patient tubing sets that are easily installed on the dialysis system and automatically align the tubing set, sensors, venous drip chamber, and other features with the corresponding components on the dialysis system. Methods of use are also provided, including automated priming sequences, blood return sequences, and dynamic balancing methods for controlling a rate of fluid transfer during different types of dialysis, including hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and hemodiafiltration.

1 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A disposable cartridge adapted to be inserted into a dialysis system for use in dialysis therapy, comprising:
 an organizer having a plurality of aligning holes configured to mate with alignment pegs on the dialysis delivery system;   a tubing set disposed in the organizer, the tubing set comprising:
 an arterial line portion configured to draw blood from a patient; 
 a venous line portion configured to return blood to the patient; 
 a blood pump portion configured to interface with a blood pump of the dialysis delivery system; 
 a first dialyzer portion configured to carry blood to a dialyzer of the dialysis delivery system; 
 a second dialyzer portion configured to return blood from the dialyzer; 
 first and second saline lines configured to couple a saline source to the tubing set; 
   a venous drip chamber disposed in the organizer and configured to remove air from blood entering the venous drip chamber, the venous drip chamber comprising:
 first and second ports disposed on a lower portion of the venous drip chamber, the first port being coupled to the venous line portion of the tubing set, the second port being coupled to the arterial line portion of the tubing set. 
   
     
     
         41 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 40 , further comprising a heparin line configured to couple a heparin source to the tubing set. 
     
     
         42 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 41 , wherein the heparin line is coupled to a third port disposed on an upper portion of the venous drip chamber. 
     
     
         43 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 42 , wherein the heparin line is coupled to the venous drip chamber at a non-pulsatile location to prevent back streaming of blood into the heparin line during therapy. 
     
     
         44 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 43 , wherein the non-pulsatile location comprises an air gap in the venous drip chamber. 
     
     
         45 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 40 , wherein the first saline line is attached to the tubing set at a proximal end of the blood pump portion of the tubing set. 
     
     
         46 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 40 , wherein the second saline line is attached to the tubing set near a proximal end of the arterial line portion of the tubing set. 
     
     
         47 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 40 , further comprising of an arterial pressure pod disposed along the arterial line portion of the tubing set and configured to mate with an arterial pressure sensor of the dialysis delivery system. 
     
     
         48 . The disposable cartridge of  claim 40 , further comprising of a venous transducer connection coupled to the venous drip chamber and configured to mate with a venous pressure sensor of the dialysis delivery system. 
     
     
         49 . A dialysis system, comprising:
 a housing;   a water purification system disposed in the housing and configured to prepare water for use in dialysis therapy in real-time using an available water source;   a dialysis delivery system disposed in the housing configured to prepare dialysate for dialysis therapy;   a dialyzer disposed on or in the housing;   a front panel disposed on the housing; the front panel comprising:
 a plurality of alignment features; 
 a venous level sensor; 
 a blood pump; 
 a plurality of pinch valves; 
   an organizer configured to be mounted to the front panel, the organizer including a plurality of mounting features configured to mate with the plurality of alignment features, the organizer comprising:   a tubing set disposed in the organizer, the tubing set comprising:
 an arterial line portion configured to draw blood from a patient; 
 a venous line portion configured to return blood to the patient; 
 a blood pump portion configured to interface with the blood pump; 
 a first dialyzer portion configured to carry blood to the dialyzer; 
 a second dialyzer portion configured to return blood from the dialyzer; 
 first and second saline lines configured to couple a saline source to the tubing set; 
   a venous drip chamber disposed in the organizer and configured to remove air from blood entering the venous drip chamber, the venous drip chamber comprising:
 first and second ports disposed on a lower portion of the venous drip chamber, the first port being coupled to the venous line portion of the tubing set, the second port being coupled to the arterial line portion of the tubing set; 
 wherein mounting the organizer to the front panel automatically couples the blood pump portion of the tubing set to the blood pump and the venous drip chamber to the venous level sensor.