A hemodialysis apparatus, comprising:</claim-text> (a) a dialysate-delivery system for supplying dialysate to a hemodialyzer, the dialysate-delivery system comprising at least one unit selected from the group consisting of (i) a dialysate-preparation (ii) a dialysate-circulation unit, (iii) an ultrafiltrate-removal unit, and (iv) a dialysate-monitoring unit; and (b) a user/machine interface operably connected to the dialysate-delivery system, the user/machine interface comprising a touch screen that displays information corresponding to a setting of a parameter pertinent to operation of the hemodialysis apparatus, the touch screen being operable to display an indicium permitting the user to perform, using the touch screen, at least one step of a procedure for changing the setting of the parameter, and to display a time-variable profile of the operational parameter, the profile being representable as a plot of coordinates, the plot being with respect to an ordinate of values of the operational parameter and a time-based abscissa. view more

The hemodialysis apparatus of claim <HIL><BOLD>1</BOLD></HIL> wherein the indicium is an icon that a user can press to indicate that the user wishes to change the setting of said parameter.

The hemodialysis apparatus of claim <HIL><BOLD>1</BOLD></HIL> wherein the user/machine interface is operable, after the user touches the indicium, to display further indicia on the touch screen that permits the user to perform, using the touch of a procedure for changing the setting of the parameter. view more

The hemodialysis apparatus of claim <HIL><BOLD>1</BOLD></HIL> wherein the touch screen is operable to display a plurality of indicia, each corresponding to a different hemodialysis parameter.

The hemodialysis apparatus of claim <HIL><BOLD>1</BOLD></HIL> wherein the touch screen is operable to display a plurality of indicia, each corresponding to a different time-variable hemodialysis parameter.

The hemodialysis apparatus of claim <HIL><BOLD>1</BOLD></HIL> wherein the touch screen is operable to display values for said hemodialysis parameter.

The hemodialysis apparatus of claim <HIL><BOLD>1</BOLD></HIL> wherein the user/machine interface is operable to require the user to verify a parameter after a value of the parameter is selected.

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A kidney dialysis machine, comprising: (a) a dialysate pump for circulating dialysate at a dialysate conductivity through a dialysate circuit including a dialysate compartment for a dialyzer; and (b) a controller operable to receive non-conductivity data concerning a particular selection of dialysate to be circulated and to calculate from the data an expected conductivity reading of the dialysate. view more

The kidney dialysis machine of claim 10, wherein the data input device comprises a touch screen.

The kidney dialysis machine of claim 7, further comprising a proportioning pump for diluting a dialysate concentrate at a proportioning ratio with water to make the dialysate.

The kidney dialysis machine of claim 14, wherein the proportioning ratio is variable.

The kidney dialysis machine of claim 15, wherein the controller recalculates the expected dialysate conductivity and sets new conductivity alarm limits around the recalculated expected dialysate conductivity whenever the proportioning ratio is changed. view more

A method of providing operational instructions to a dialysate-producing machine having a memory and a capability of ultrafiltrating fluid from a patient according to a time-variable ultrafiltration profile, so as to enable the machine to produce dialysate having particular ultrafiltration characteristics at various times during use of the machine for a dialysis procedure, the method comprising: (a) providing a user/machine interface configured as a touch screen operably connected to the dialysate-producing machine; (b) programming into the memory a first ultrafiltration profile; (c) providing on the touch screen an indicium enabling a user of the machine to recall the first ultrafiltration profile from the memory; (d) using the touch screen, displaying on the touch screen first and second intersecting axes defining a ultrafiltration profile region, the first axis corresponding to ultrafiltration rate, and the second axis corresponding to time; and (e) touching the indicium provided in step (c) to cause the touch screen to display within the ultrafiltration profile region a second ultrafiltration profile substantially conforming to the first ultrafiltration profile. view more

In an apparatus for performing hemodialysis comprising means for circulating dialysate through a dialysate compartment of a hemodialyzer and means for effecting extracorporeal circulating of blood through a blood compartment of the hemodialyzer, an improvement comprising: (a) programmable memory means; (b) means for entering a time period into said memory means; (c) means for entering into said memory means a target cumulative value of a time-varying parameter to be achieved while operating the apparatus during the time period; (d) means for entering into said programmable memory means a proposed time-varying profile of the operational parameter to be executed by the apparatus during the time period, the proposed profile being representable as a plot of coordinates in a region defined by an ordinate of values of the parameter and a time-based abscissa, the plot defining a profile cumulative value of the parameter; (e) means, responsive to the entered time period and entered proposed profile, for comparing the profile cumulative value with the target cumulative value; (f) means, responsive to said means defined in (e), for changing the proposed profile along the ordinate so that the profile cumulative value is made equal to the target cumulative value; (g) means for entering the changed profile into said memory means in place of the proposed profile; and (h) means, responsive to said means defined in (g), for causing the apparatus to operate according to the changed shifted profile so as to enable the apparatus to achieve, while operating, the entered target cumulative value within the time period. view more

A hemodialysis machine comprising: (a) means for controlling a dialysate parameter selected from a group consisting of dialysate temperature and dialysate concentration, and means for delivering the dialysate to a dialysate compartment of a hemodialyzer; and (b) a user/machine interface operably coupled to said dialysate-delivery means, the user/machine interface comprising a touch screen adapted to display an indicium corresponding to a parameter pertinent to operation of the hemodialysis machine for performing hemodialysis and to permit the user, by touching the indicium, to cause a change in the parameter. view more

The hemodialysis machine according to claim 26 wherein the touch screen further provides an indicium soliciting, from the user, programmed settings of a time-varying machine-operating parameter.

The hemodialysis machine according to claim 26 further comprising means for delivering blood at a prescribed flow rate from a patient, through a blood compartment of a hemodialyzer, and back to the patient, wherein the touch screen further provides a visual display of a parameter associated with said means for delivering blood. view more

The hemodialysis machine according to claim 28 wherein the parameter associated with said means for delivering blood is selected from a group consisting of blood flow rate, arterial blood pressure, and venous blood pressure.

The hemodialysis machine according to claim 26 further comprising means for delivering an anticoagulant to a patient. wherein the touch screen further provides an indicium soliciting input from the user corresponding to a rate of anticoagulant delivery. view more

The hemodialysis machine according to claim 26 wherein the touch screen further provides an indicium soliciting, from the user, a programmed setting of an alarm limit about the machine-operating parameter.

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