Abstract:
The patent discloses a method of verifying that a dialysis machine audio alarm has been sounded. The method senses a waveform of electric power, such as a waveform of the current or voltage that drives a speaker. When the speaker produces sound, power consumption changes the waveform in a manner that is detectable by electrical and electronic sensors. The amplitude envelope and frequency or period of waveform is specific to the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the speaker. The waveform may be detected by a current-sensing resistor in series with the speaker power source, by a non-contact current transformer or hall-effect sensor, or may be sampled by an ADC. A computer program then compares this resulting signal to an expected signal or waveform and verify the speaker is working. If the speaker is not working, the machine sends a visual alarm or places itself in safe state.
Abstract:
A medical fluid machine having a solenoid control system with temperature compensation includes an electromechanical solenoid 20 including an armature 24 and a coil 22, a voltage source, a switching device 18 configured to selectively apply power from the voltage source 12 to the solenoid coil, and a control element 30 connected electrically to the switching device and operable to receive at least one signal indicative of a resistance of the coil and using the signal to control the switching device to selectively apply power from the voltage source to the solenoid coil.
Abstract:
A medical fluid machine includes: an enclosure; at least one medical fluid delivery component located inside the enclosure, the component capable of being powered by an external power source or a back-up battery; a transistor in electrical communication with the battery; and a regulator configured to: (I) receive as feedback a supply voltage; and (ii) vary a gate voltage at the transistor to maintain the supply voltage at least substantially at a desired level.
Abstract:
A fuel-cell powered medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine is disclosed. The machine is intended for remote or rural areas where standard household or utility power is not available or is subject to interruption. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen or other source of protons, or may instead be powered by methanol or ethanol, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cell may be operated directly, as in powering a portable, wearable dialysis device, or may be operated indirectly, to generate and store power in an electric power storage device of the medical fluid or dialysis device. The medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine may include circuitry allowing for use by household or utility power while also including a fuel cell for use when other power is not available. A catalytic heater may be used to warm the dialysis fluid.
Abstract:
A dialysis machine includes a control unit (20) having a user interface; a heater (s) located separate from the control unit; a supervisory processor located within the control unit; a delegate control processor located with the heater (s), the delegate control processor in communication with the supervisory processor and configured to receive load cell, heater (s) plate and supply bag temperature sensor inputs; and a sub-delegate heater (s) processor in communication with the control processor and configured to control power to the heater (s). The machine can also include primary and secondary monitoring processors that perform a safety check to the control processing and monitor the load cell.
Abstract:
A fuel-cell powered medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine is disclosed. The machine is intended for remote or rural areas where standard household or utility power is not available or is subject to interruption. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen or other source of protons, or may instead be powered by methanol or ethanol, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cell may be operated directly, as in powering a portable, wearable dialysis device, or may be operated indirectly, to generate and store power in an electric power storage device of the medical fluid or dialysis device. The medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine may include circuitry allowing for use by household or utility power while also including a fuel cell for use when other power is not available. A catalytic heater may be used to warm the dialysis fluid.
Abstract:
A dialysis machine having a multiple line voltage heater includes first and second heater elements, first and second switching devices connected electrically to the first and second heating elements, first and second power lines, and a control element configured to provide a first switching device state in which power at a first voltage is supplied via the first and second power lines to both first and second heater elements via both first and second switching devices and a second switching device state in which power at a second voltage is supplied via the first and second power lines to the first heater element only via the first switching device.
Abstract:
A fuel-cell powered medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine is disclosed. The machine is intended for remote or rural areas where standard household or utility power is not available or is subject to interruption. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen or other source of protons, or may instead be powered by methanol or ethanol, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cell may be operated directly, as in powering a portable, wearable dialysis device, or may be operated indirectly, to generate and store power in an electric power storage device of the medical fluid or dialysis device. The medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine may include circuitry allowing for use by household or utility power while also including a fuel cell for use when other power is not available. A catalytic heater may be used to warm the dialysis fluid.
Abstract:
An electromechanical solenoid control system with reduced hold current includes an electromechanical solenoid 20 including an armature 24 and a coil 22; a voltage source 12; a resistor 14 placed in an electrical line between the voltage source and the solenoid coil; a switching device 18 configured to selectively apply power from the voltage source to the solenoid coil; and a control element 30 connected electrically to the switching device, the control element operable to receive a signal from the electrical line and use the signal to control the switching device to selectively apply power from the voltage source to the solenoid coil.
Abstract:
A medical fluid machine includes an enclosure; a disposable unit accepted by the enclosure, the disposable unit including a conduit through which a medical fluid can flow, the conduit including a viewing portion; a light source configured and arranged to emit light onto the viewing portion of the conduit; a camera focused on the viewing portion of the conduit; and a processor configured to determine a speed of a particle entrained in the medical fluid based on at least two images of the particle in the viewing area taken by the camera.