Aksys Gmbh

John A Blasko

Tom L Brose

Rodney S Kenley

Douglas L Wilkerson

Richard J Faehnrich

Andrew Gebhardt

Joel DeJesus

A method for raising or lowering the fluid level in a chamber in an extracorporeal circuit of a dialysis machine, such as an air trap or compliance chamber, is provided which uses a touch screen. The user of the machine is prompted to indicate on the touch screen the current or actual level of fluid (e.g., blood) in the drip chamber. The user then touches the touch screen to indicate the level, such as by touching an illustration of the chamber at a level corresponding to the actual level. The control system for the machine determines from the level indicated on the touch screen whether the level in the chamber needs to be raised or lowered, and by how much, and responsively operates chamber level adjustment apparatus (such as pressure adjustment apparatus in air communication with the chamber) to raise or lower the level closer to the proper level.

Methods and apparatus for adjustment of blood drip chamber of dialysis

A method for detecting the presence of blood in a dialysate solution is disclosed. The method provides for certain measurement of light intensity passing through solutions both before and during the dialysis session. Before dialysis is commenced, measurements are made of the intensity of light passing through a chamber containing a control dialysate solution that is free of blood. The light source is a first condition. The light source's state is changed from a first condition to a second condition different from the first condition. Next, a second measurement of the intensity of light is made. The first and second measurements are stored. During dialysis, the method continues with the following steps: conducting a third measurement of the intensity of light of the light source that passes though the chamber, the chamber containing dialysate solution that may contain the patient's blood, with the light source in the first condition. Next, the state of the light source is changed from the first condition to the second condition. A fourth measurement of the intensity of light passing through the solution is made. A suitable processor calculates an attenuation coefficient indicative of the presence of blood in the dialysate solution during dialysis from the first, second, third and fourth measurements.

Method for detection of leakage of blood

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Gurnee, IL, United States of America

John A Blasko