Method and System of Monitoring Electrolyte Levels and Composition Using Capacitance or Induction

A method of monitoring a fluid having a fluid level and electrolytes in a dialysis system, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a receptacle configured to receive a container, wherein said receptacle comprises a base, a first panel attached to said base, a second panel attached to said base, and circuitry in electrical communication with said first panel and said second panel, wherein each of said first and second panels comprises a curved inner surface facing said container, wherein each of said first and second panels includes a conductive material on its inner surface, and wherein each panel is electrically isolated from each other panel;
• b. filling the container with water and electrolytes;
• c. operatively connecting a fluid flow path from a dialysate circuit in the dialysis system to said container;
• d. performing a dialysis treatment on a patient using said dialysate circuit;
• and,
• e. operating said circuit to generate an electrical excitation of the conductive material on the inner surface of the first panel;
• f. measuring a capacitance arising from the electrical excitation of the conductive material on the inner surface of the first panel in the second panel;
• g. determine the fluid level and composition of the electrolytes based on said measured capacitance.

A dialysis system that monitors a level of a fluid and a composition of electrolytes in said fluid, comprising:

• a. a dialysis machine for performing a dialysis treatment on a patient;
• b. a receptacle configured to receive a cylindrical container, wherein said receptacle comprises a base from which extends a pair of intertwined, mutually shielded conductive coils that substantially encircle said container;
• and
• c. a circuit housed within the base of the receptacle, wherein the circuit drives an inductive process to generate data indicative of a composition of said electrolytes in the fluid, generates data indicating the level of the fluid, and transmits said data indicative of the composition of said electrolytes and data indicating the level of the fluid level to the dialysis machine.

A dialysis system that monitors a level of a fluid and a composition of electrolytes in said fluid, comprising:

• a. a dialysis machine for performing a dialysis treatment on a patient;
• b. a receptacle configured to receive a cylindrical container, wherein said receptacle comprises a base from which extends a single shielded conductive coil that substantially encircles said container;
• and
• c. a circuit housed within the base of the receptacle, wherein the circuit drives an inductive process to generate data indicative of a composition of said electrolytes in the fluid, generates data indicating the level of the fluid, and transmits said data indicative of the composition of said electrolytes and data indicating the level of the fluid level to the dialysis machine.