Methods and apparatus for displaying flow rate graphs and alarms on a dialysis system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for displaying flow rate graphs and alarms on a dialysis system. The disclosed methods and apparatus allow a user to simultaneously view a normal flow rate graph, one or more abnormal flow rate graphs, an actual flow rate graph, and an alarm type. Preferably, the three graphs are at the same scale and time-aligned so the user can quickly diagnose issues associated with drain and catheter problems.

1 . A method of displaying flow rate graphs and alarms on a dialysis system, the method comprising:
 selecting a normal flow rate graph;   determining an abnormal flow rate graph associated with the selected normal flow rate graph; and   simultaneously displaying the normal flow rate graph, the abnormal flow rate graph, an actual flow rate graph, and an alarm type, wherein each of the normal flow rate graph, the abnormal flow rate graph, and the actual flow rate graph are time-aligned with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis system is a peritoneal dialysis system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dialysis system is a hemodialysis dialysis system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting the normal flow rate graph includes selecting a graph image. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein selecting the graph image includes selecting the graph image using a touch screen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting the normal flow rate graph includes selecting a graph name. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein selecting the graph name includes selecting the graph name using a touch screen. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the abnormal flow rate graph associated with the selected normal flow rate graph includes a database lookup. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing a user to scroll through a plurality of abnormal flow rate graphs while still displaying the normal flow rate graph. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing a user to scroll through a plurality of abnormal flow rate graphs while still displaying the actual flow rate graph. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for displaying flow rate graphs and alarms on a dialysis system, the system comprising:
 a processor;   an input device operatively coupled to the processor;   an output device operatively coupled to the processor; and   a memory device operatively coupled to the processor, the memory device storing a software program to cause the processor to:   receive a selection of a normal flow rate graph;   determine an abnormal flow rate graph associated with the selected normal flow rate graph; and   simultaneously display the normal flow rate graph, the abnormal flow rate graph, an actual flow rate graph, and an alarm type, wherein each of the normal flow rate graph, the abnormal flow rate graph, and the actual flow rate graph are time-aligned with each other.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the dialysis system is a peritoneal dialysis system. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the dialysis system is a hemodialysis dialysis system. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein receiving the normal flow rate graph selection includes receiving a graph image selection. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein receiving the graph image selection includes receiving the graph image selection via touch screen. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein receiving the normal flow rate graph selection includes receiving a graph name selection. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein receiving the graph name selection includes receiving the graph name selection via touch screen. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein determining the abnormal flow rate graph associated with the selected normal flow rate graph includes a database lookup. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the software program causes the processor to allow user scrolling through a plurality of abnormal flow rate graphs while still displaying the normal flow rate graph. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the software program causes the processor to allow user scrolling through a plurality of abnormal flow rate graphs while still displaying the actual flow rate graph. 
     
     
         21 . A memory device storing software instructions to cause a processor in a dialysis system to:
 receive a selection of a normal flow rate graph;   determine an abnormal flow rate graph associated with the selected normal flow rate graph; and   simultaneously display the normal flow rate graph, the abnormal flow rate graph, an actual flow rate graph, and an alarm type, wherein each of the normal flow rate graph, the abnormal flow rate graph, and the actual flow rate graph are time-aligned with each other.   
     
     
         22 . The memory device of  claim 21 , wherein the dialysis system is a peritoneal dialysis system. 
     
     
         23 . The memory device of  claim 21 , wherein the dialysis system is a hemodialysis dialysis system. 
     
     
         24 . The memory device of  claim 21 , wherein the dialysis system is a peritoneal dialysis system. 
     
     
         25 . The memory device of  claim 21 , wherein the dialysis system is a hemodialysis dialysis system. 
     
     
         26 . The memory device of  claim 21  wherein receiving the normal flow rate graph selection includes receiving a graph image selection. 
     
     
         27 . The memory device of  claim 26 , wherein receiving the graph image selection includes receiving the graph image selection via touch screen. 
     
     
         28 . The memory device of  claim 21  wherein receiving the normal flow rate graph selection includes receiving a graph name selection. 
     
     
         29 . The memory device of  claim 28 , wherein receiving the graph name selection includes receiving the graph name selection via touch screen. 
     
     
         30 . The memory device of  claim 21 , wherein determining the abnormal flow rate graph associated with the selected normal flow rate graph includes a database lookup. 
     
     
         31 . The memory device of  claim 21 , wherein the software instructions causes the processor to allow user scrolling through a plurality of abnormal flow rate graphs while still displaying the normal flow rate graph. 
     
     
         32 . The memory device of  claim 21 , wherein the software instructions causes the processor to allow user scrolling through a plurality of abnormal flow rate graphs while still displaying the actual flow rate graph.