Peritoneal Dialysis Cyclers

PD cyclers are used for nightly automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). They perform dialysis exchanges automatically at night while the patient sleeps. At bedtime, you simply attach your catheter to the cycler using a special tubing set. The cycler will put in and drain out the dialysis solution, making the exchanges for you. When you wake up in the morning, you simply disconnect the cycler tubing and start your day. With only one hookup per day rather than 4 or 5 as in CAPD, there is much less likelihood of infection caused by improper handling of the dialysis bags and supplies.

Our “Easy Care” cycler is the latest in our series of volumetric cyclers and is a product born out of over thirty years of experience in producing progressive APD cyclers. It combines the best features of the revolutionary microprocessor technology with our in-depth clinical knowledge of peritoneal dialysis techniques. It is designed to provide prescription dialysis by allowing exchanges to take place either during the day or during the night or any combination of them to suit individual lifestyle.

Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters

Peritoneal dialysis catheters provide acute or chronic access to the peritoneal cavity for treating patients suffering from end stage renal failure or kidney disease. Their main function is to allow bi-directional flow of dialysis solution in and out of the peritoneal cavity. Not only is a well-functioning catheter essential for the long-term survival of the peritoneal dialysis technique, but the functional characteristics of the catheter can impact the efficiency of the dialysis exchange, and thus dialysis adequacy.

We carry a complete line of PD catheters for acute or chronic, for adult or pediatric, in single cuff or double cuff, in special neonatal sizes, and in many customized configurations. Our line of Reliant™ brand catheters is uniquely designed to keep the catheter low in pelvic gutter. The intra-abdominal segment of the catheter is reinforced with additional mass of implant grade silicone resulting in fewer dislodgements and less catheter tip migration. We also carry a very broad range of catheter insertion and connecting accessories.

Peritoneal Dialysis “Y” Sets

Peritoneal dialysis “Y” sets are manual tubing sets used for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). They are used to perform manual CAPD exchanges at home during the day. They are also used as intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD) sets in the hospital setting. Medionics carries a complete line of manual tubing sets for adults and pediatrics, and will customize sets to your specific requirements.

Hemodialysis Double Lumen Catheters

Vascular access is a vital link to regular hemodialysis and good health. The hemodialysis machine must be connected to a large blood vessel in order to accomplish dialysis efficiently and in a reasonably short period of time. Patients are not ordinarily equipped with large blood vessels easily reached by the dialysis nurse. Therefore, an access must be constructed by a surgeon. Although arterio-venous fistula is the most preferred form of permanent access as it is essentially free of infection, double lumen catheters continue to be a bridge to permanent access as the fistula matures.

The subclavian catheter is inserted into the subclavian vein near the neck, while the internal jugular catheter is placed in the veins by the side of the neck.

Arterio-Venous Shunts

Similar to double lumen catheters, the arterio-venous (AV) shunt provides another means of temporary access for hemodialysis treatment. They are used when neither subclavian nor femoral vein cannulation is feasible and need for hemodialysis is urgent.

An arterio-venous shunt is surgically created which consists of two pieces of silicone tubing or cannula, each with a tapered Teflon tip on one end. The Teflon tip (called vessel tip) of one piece of the shunt tubing is placed in an artery and the Teflon tip of the other piece of the shunt tubing is placed in an adjacent vein. The tubing is then brought out through two puncture wounds in the skin and connected.

The advantages of AV Shunt are that it can be used immediately after placement and requires no needle puncture avoiding bleeding. It is believed that the use of AV shunt helps to dilate the vessels allowing for easier conversion to a fistula within a few months.