Peritoneal dialysis fluid testing system
The invention relates to a testing system and related methods for detecting peritonitis or infection in peritoneal dialysate removed from a patient. The testing system can include a fluid sensor apparatus in a fluid line of a peritoneal dialysis cycler through which spent peritoneal dialysate can be pumped. The fluid sensor apparatus can detect one or more markers associated with peritonitis or infection.
1. A method, comprising the steps of:
pumping a peritoneal dialysate from a peritoneal cavity of a patient through a catheter to a fluid sensor apparatus; and
detecting at least one fluid characteristic of the peritoneal dialysate correlated with peritonitis and/or infection with the fluid sensor apparatus;
wherein the fluid sensor apparatus comprises at least one fluid inlet fluidly connected to the catheter and at least two fluid outlets fluidly connected to a second fluid line; wherein fluid is pumped through the fluid sensor apparatus from the at least one fluid inlet to the at least two fluid outlets;
a receiving slot for a sensor card; the receiving slot in fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet and at least two fluid outlets;
a light source directing light onto a first side of the sensor card; and
a camera or photodetector detecting light on a second side of the sensor card opposite to the first side of the sensor card;
wherein the step of detecting at least one fluid characteristic of the peritoneal dialysate comprises the steps of directing light from the light source onto a first side of the sensor card and detecting the light on a second side of the sensor card.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein peritoneal dialysate is pumped from the peritoneal cavity of the patient through the fluid sensor apparatus during a dwell period.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein peritoneal dialysate is pumped from the peritoneal cavity of the patient through the fluid sensor apparatus during a drain portion of a peritoneal dialysis cycle.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid characteristic is one or more markers correlated with peritonitis and/or infection.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of diagnosing the patient with peritonitis and/or infection based on the at least one fluid characteristic.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of diagnosing the patient with peritonitis and/or infection is performed by a processor in communication with the fluid sensor apparatus.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more markers associated with peritonitis and/or infection are selected from a group consisting of MMP8, IL-6, HNE, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1, TIMP2, NGAL, A1AT, desmosine, fibrinogen, IL-8, calprotectin, fMLP, IL1 b, cystatin C, HSA, RBP4, SPD, MPO, sICAM and TNFa.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid characteristic of the peritoneal dialysate comprises at least one of a color and a clarity of the fluid.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor card comprises at least two sensor regions; wherein a first sensor region undergoes a detectable change in response to a first marker correlated with peritonitis and/or infection; and wherein a second sensor region undergoes a detectable change in response to a second marker correlated with peritonitis and/or infection.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor card comprises at least one passive background reference sensing region.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining a pH of the peritoneal dialysate using the fluid sensor apparatus.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of detecting at least one fluid characteristic comprises detecting any one of a wavelength of light, a mean intensity of light, and/or variation in intensity of light transmitted through a sensor region of the sensor card.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of detecting at least one fluid characteristic comprises detecting any one of a wavelength of light, a mean intensity of light, and/or variation in intensity of light reflected from a sensor region of the sensor card.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of detecting at least one fluid characteristic comprises detecting a fluorescent light intensity or wavelength emitted from a sensor region of the sensor card.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining a concentration of at least one solute in the peritoneal dialysate using the sensor apparatus.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the solute is a marker associated with peritonitis and/or infection.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid inlet comprises at least two fluid inlets, wherein each of the at least two fluid outlets fluidly connect the receiving slot to the catheter.