Customizable personal dialysis device having ease of use and therapy enhancement features

1. A dialysis machine comprising:

an enclosure;

dialysate pump located within the enclosure;

a graphical user interface (“GUI”) integrated into the enclosure and configured to display a parameter associated with the dialysate pump; and

a projector integrated into the enclosure and configured to project a parameter onto a surface external from the enclosure so as to allow a patient to readily view the parameter,

wherein the GUI is configured to display the displayed parameter and the projector is configured to project the projected parameter simultaneously.

2. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of (i) total pump fill; (ii) total pump dwell time; (iii) total pump drain;

(iv) pump fill remaining; (v) pump dwell remaining; (vi) pump drain remaining; (vii) total number of fill/dwell/drain cycles; and (viii) current fill/dwell/drain cycle.

3. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , the graphical user interface and projector further operable to display at least one of: (i) the current time, (ii) ambient temperature, (iii) total ultrafiltration removed, and (iv) a time remaining for treatment.

4. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , which includes a switch configured so that the patient can selectively project the parameter onto the surface.

5. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , which includes a remote device configured to operate with the GUI, so as to navigate to and modify the displayed and projected parameter.

6. The dialysis machine of claim 5 , the GUI and projector further configured to display and project, respectively, the modified parameter.

7. The dialysis machine of claim 5 , the remote device communicating with the GUI via wired or wireless communication.

8. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , wherein the displayed parameter and the projected parameter are different parameters.

9. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , wherein the displayed parameter and the projected parameter are the same parameter.

10. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , wherein the projector is integrated into a top surface of the enclosure.

11. The dialysis machine of claim 10 , wherein the projected parameter is projected upwardly.

12. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , wherein the GUI is situated on a side surface of the enclosure and the projector is situated on a top surface of the enclosure.

13. The dialysis machine of claim 1 , which includes a remote device configured to operate with the GUI, so as to navigate to and modify at least one of the displayed and projected parameters.

14. The dialysis machine of claim 13 , the GUI and projector further configured to display and project, respectively, the modified parameter.

15. The dialysis machine of claim 13 , wherein the remote device communicates with the GUI via wired or wireless communication.

16. A dialysis machine comprising:

an enclosure;

dialysate pump located within the enclosure;

a graphical user interface (“GUI”) connected to the enclosure and configured to display a parameter associated with the dialysate pump;

a projector integrated into the enclosure and configured to project a parameter onto a surface external from the enclosure so as to allow a patient to readily view the parameter; and

a virtual keyboard projector separate from the enclosure, the virtual keyboard projector configured to project a virtual keyboard on another surface external from the enclosure, wherein:

the patient is enabled to interact with the projected virtual keyboard to input data, and

the virtual keyboard projector is configured to wirelessly communicate the inputted data to the dialysis machine and the GUI.

17. The dialysis machine of claim 16 , wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of: (i) total pump fill; (ii) total pump dwell time; (iii) total pump drain; (iv) pump fill remaining; (v) pump dwell remaining; (vi) pump drain remaining;

(vii) total number of fill/dwell/drain cycles; and (viii) current fill/dwell/drain cycle.

18. The dialysis machine of claim 16 , wherein the graphical user interface and the projector are further configured to display at least one of: (i) the current time, (ii) ambient temperature, (iii) total ultrafiltration removed, and (iv) a time remaining for treatment.

19. The dialysis machine of claim 16 , which includes a switch in operable communication with the projector so that the patient can selectively project the parameter onto the surface.