Parabiotic dialysis systems and techniques

Abstract

The present teachings generally include parabiotic dialysis systems and techniques. For example, the present disclosure includes parabiotic liver dialysis, e.g., for use in settings with limited resources. To this end, a parabiotic liver dialysis system may include a device having a semipermeable membrane with an average pore size that allows for the passage of albumin therethrough. In such a system, a first extracorporeal circuit may connect the device to the vascular system of a first animal (e.g., a liver patient), and a second extracorporeal circuit may connect the device to the vascular system of a second animal (e.g., a human with normal liver function), where the exchange of albumin therebetween is facilitated through the device. The present disclosure also includes various safety measures for parabiotic dialysis systems and techniques, such as biometric verification systems and techniques.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A parabiotic dialysis system, the system comprising:
 a device having a first side and a second side, the device including a semipermeable membrane between the first side and the second side that is structurally configured for permitting passage of one or more molecules therethrough;   a first extracorporeal circuit including one or more first fluid connectors for connecting the first side of the device to the vascular system of a first animal;   a second extracorporeal circuit including one or more second fluid connectors for connecting the second side of the device to the vascular system of a second animal;   a first pump in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second extracorporeal circuits;   a driver mechanically coupled to the first pump, the driver configured to drive the first pump using energy from an energy source; and   a biometric verification system configured to identify one or more of the first animal and the second animal to determine a permission for use of the system.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a controller in communication with the biometric verification system and one or more other components of the system, the controller configured to prevent or stop operation of the one or more other components of the system upon receipt of a predetermined signal from the biometric verification system. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric verification system is configured to confirm a compatibility between the first animal and the second animal. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the biometric verification system is in communication with a database containing information regarding one or more of the first animal and the second animal. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric verification system includes one or more of a biometric identifier, a fingerprint scanner, a retinal scanner, and a voice identifier. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric verification system is structurally configured to concurrently identify the first animal and the second animal. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric verification system is configured to identify one or more of the first animal and the second animal at least once during operation of the system. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the semipermeable membrane has an average pore size allowing for passage of molecules having a molecular weight of between about 70 kilodaltons (kDa) and 140 kDa. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more molecules include at least one of albumin and a water-soluble toxin. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the first animal has one or more of a liver disorder and jaundice. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first animal is a kidney patient, and wherein the one or more molecules include at least one of uremic toxins, metabolic waste, and excess water. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a physiological sensor coupled to one or more of the first animal and the second animal; and   a controller in communication with the physiological sensor, the controller configured to control operation of the system at least in part based upon a signal from the physiological sensor, and to pause or stop operation of the system upon receipt of a predetermined signal from the physiological sensor.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a controller in communication with the first pump, the controller configured to control a flow rate of one or more of the first extracorporeal circuit and the second extracorporeal circuit. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises:
 a first chamber including at least part of the first extracorporeal circuit;   a second chamber including at least part of the second extracorporeal circuit; and   a third chamber disposed at least partially between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the third chamber contains the semipermeable membrane, and wherein each of the first chamber and the second chamber include different semipermeable membranes.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a second pump, wherein the first pump is in fluid communication with the first extracorporeal circuit and the second pump is in fluid communication with the second extracorporeal circuit. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein one or more of the first pump, the second pump, and the driver are configured to establish a predetermined pressure gradient between the first and second extracorporeal circuits, the predetermined pressure gradient selected to implement a predetermined molecule transfer between the first extracorporeal circuit and the second extracorporeal circuit. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a selector switch having at least a first setting and a second setting, the first setting establishing a zero-pressure gradient between the first and second extracorporeal circuits, and the second setting establishing a nonzero pressure gradient between the first and second extracorporeal circuits. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a resistive element in fluid communication with one or more of the first extracorporeal circuit and the second extracorporeal circuit, the resistive element configured to establish a predetermined pressure gradient between the first and second extracorporeal circuits. 
     
     
         39 . A method for parabiotic dialysis, the method comprising:
 using a biometric verification system to identify one or more of a first animal and a second animal to determine a permission for use of a parabiotic dialysis system;   upon receipt of permission from the biometric verification system, moving blood of the first animal through a first extracorporeal circuit including a first fluid connector that connects a first side of a device to the vascular system of the first animal, the device including a semipermeable membrane structurally configured for permitting passage of one or more molecules therethrough; and   upon receipt of permission from the biometric verification system, moving the one or more molecules through the device to a second extracorporeal circuit including a second fluid connector that connects a second side of the device to the vascular system of the second animal.   
     
     
         40 . A method for parabiotic dialysis, the method comprising:
 connecting a first side of a device to the vascular system of a first animal to form a first extracorporeal circuit, the device including a semipermeable membrane structurally configured for permitting passage of one or more molecules therethrough;   connecting a second side of the device to the vascular system of a second animal to form a second extracorporeal circuit;   using a biometric verification system to identify and determine a permission for use for each of the first animal and the second animal; and   when it is determined by the biometric verification system that there is permission for use for each of the first animal and the second animal, moving blood of the first animal through the first extracorporeal circuit thereby moving the one or more molecules from the blood of the first animal through the semipermeable membrane to the second extracorporeal circuit.