Abstract: An integrated CRRT method and apparatus incorporates steps and means for compensating for heat loss from blood in an extracorporeal circuit. A blood warmer is designed to engage and hold a disposable blood tube segment to transfer heat at a closely controlled temperature to blood flowing in the disposable blood tube segment. Another significant aspect of the present invention is a blood tube segment for engagement with the blood warmer is located in downstream of a dialyzer and upstream of a venous pressure monitor, an air bubble detector and a venous line clamp. The disposable blood tube segment may be selectively connected when heat loss compensation is required and left disconnected when heat loss compensation is not required.

Abstract: A centrifuge with an associated container system in the form of cassettes for separation and/or treatment of blood or blood components. The centrifuge comprises a rotor having a central compartment in the form of a tubular shaft cavity extending concentrically with the axis of rotation of the rotor and an annular separation compartment which is arranged around said cavity at the upper part thereof. A first container system arranged in the rotor for washing of blood cells comprises a round bag with two or more flexible secondary containers connected thereto, of which at least one contains a treatment liquid, and a tubular sleeve adapted to the shaft cavity of the rotor. The secondary containers stand in the sleeve resting against each other, and the round bag is mounted on a projecting flange at the upper part of the sleeve.

Abstract: A connector for use in a dialysis tubing set in which the venous and arterial tubing connector ends are integrally molded into a one break-apart connector, such that the connector ends may be easily broken apart to form two distinct connector ends. Prior to use in a dialysis procedure, the connector ends are separated into two distinct connector ends by a manual snap breakage of the coupled connector ends at a line of weakness or partially scored portion of the integrally molded break-apart connector. Once separated from each other through manual separation of the connector, each connector end is connected to respective ports on the same medical apparatus. In this invention, the connector ends themselves are preferably each made in the respective color that corresponds to the color of either of the respective ports on the medical device.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing blood component products. In one embodiment, a plurality of a predetermined type of blood component is harvested from a source of whole blood. At least two on-line yield determination techniques are utilized to determine the yield of the harvested blood components. One is a predetermined yield prediction technique and the second is a predetermined yield monitoring technique, each of which are individually calibrated in relation to a predetermined off-line yield determination technique. The predetermined yield prediction and monitoring techniques each provide the yield of the harvested blood components and each is then utilized to provide a determined yield. Consequently, when the harvested blood components are packaged the determined yield may be associated therewith, thereby providing a blood component product.

Abstract: A cell storage maintenance and monitoring system includes a blood product storage container, such as a flexible bag, and a microporous membrane which may be attached to an inner wall of the blood storage container to form a contained space between the inner wall and the membrane. The membrane includes a plurality of pores, preferably filled with an erodible substance responsive to a characteristic of the blood product, such as pH. When the pH value drops to a predetermined level, the substance begins to erode, causing the pores to enlarge, and allowing a portion of the blood product to pass through the pores into the contained space, where it can be visibly detected. The contained space may contain a chemical indicator or buffers and nutrients, which are released into the blood product when the pores begin to open. In another embodiment, the microporous membrane may be in the form of a pod or capsule which may be attached to the wall or allowed to free-float within the contents of the storage container.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system which includes a disposable assembly. The system includes a disposable assembly that has integral fluid passageways. A blood removal conduit and a blood return conduit are interconnected with the integral fluid passageways. A diaphragm is mounted in the disposable assembly and is removably attachable to a sensor via a number of alternative connection devices. In one embodiment, the sensor may include a transducer that is capable of measuring the force exerted on the diaphragm. The corresponding force may be correlated to a pressure of fluid in either the blood removal conduit and/or the blood return conduit.