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Abstract

A portable, gravity-type peritoneal dialysis cycler for controlling during each dialysis cycle the volumetric flows of an exchange fluid into and out of the peritoneal space of a patient, and the dwell time of the exchange fluid therein. The cycler comprises an easily assembled vertical stand supporting a load cell from which a pair of exchange fluid filled bags are suspended above the level of the patient's peritoneal space and a pair of drain bags are suspended therebelow. The single load cell is connected to an electronic scale circuit. A single tube is connected at one end to a surgically implanted catheter leading to the patient's peritoneal space, and at its other end to a 'Y' fitting connected to a tube assembly from the exchange fluid bags and to a tube assembly leading to the drain bags. The fluid exchange bag and the drain bag tube assemblies are easily inserted into and controlled by zero loading force, normally closed, solenoid control valves. A laptop microcomputer serves as a controller to convert differential weights into volumes, activate the control valves, time the fill, dwell and drain portions of each cycle, detect and alarm malfunctions, and record all patient information concerning each cycle. The controller permits customizing of the cycles to the patient, has both manual and automatic modes of operation, and provides options to the patient in restarting interrupted cycles.

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