Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for controlling the quality of a product produced by an injection molding production process. The invention includes performing a multivariate analysis on injection molding process data collected real-time and determining whether the real-time data is within a predetermined production control limit. When the real-time production data exceeds the control limit, the process is considered out of control and product produced during the out of control condition is removed real-time from the injection molding production process.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device includes a resin bed including zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and urease.

Abstract: A dialyzer is provided comprising a casing defining an interior and including a dialysate inlet and a dialysate outlet. A plurality of fibers are located in the interior of the casing and define a fiber bundle. A dialysate inlet fluid channel is provided in fluid communication with the dialysate inlet and includes a plurality of flutes that extend into a portion of the fiber bundles, the flutes define an opening for allowing dialysate to flow from the inlet fluid channel into the interior of the casing. Methods of providing dialysis are also provided.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis systems, methods, and catheters are provided for performing peritoneal dialysis therapies. Multiple fluid pathways are provided to a patient's peritoneal cavity for conveying dialysis fluid to and from the patient.

Abstract: A device, method and system are provided which simplify the self-administered peritoneal dialysis solution exchange procedure performed by a patient receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The device, method and system reduce the training time required for each patient provided by medical personnel in the operation of the device and performance of the exchange procedure which reduces healthcare costs. A method of instructing a patient regarding the exchange procedure is also provided which can be utilized by any patient, including those visually impaired.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible plastic formulation capable of being extruded, blow-molded, ethylene oxide and radiation sterilized. The plastic formulation of the invention comprises: a) from about 60 to about 94 percent by weight of a copolymer consisting essentially of ethylene and vinyl acetate units; b) from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of a block copolymer, the block copolymer consisting essentially of a central block copolymer molecule including generally equal proportions of ethylene and butylene units, and terminal blocks of polystyrene; and c) from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight of an ultra-low density polyethylene material. The plastic formulations of the invention are useful in the manufacture of blood bags, tubing and the like.

Abstract: A bone marrow collection kit is provided comprising a collection container for receiving a bone marrow containing fluid having a body that defines an interior and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and including a prefilter that extends from the outlet opening into the interior of the collection container so that fluid must flow through the prefilter to exit the collection container through the outlet opening. A first inline filter member is coupled to the outlet opening of the collection container, the first inline filter member having a flexible plastic body that defines an interior, and an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the interior including a filter so constructed and arranged that fluid that enters the inlet opening must flow through the filter to exit the first inline filter member through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A dual-filled twin bag, a packaging including the twin bag, and a method for forming the packaged twin bags are provided. Each of two bags, a solution bag (10)and a drain bag (12) for a system used for a peritoneal dialysis procedure, are filled, at least partially, with a solution (14). A tubing set (16) connects the two filled bags (10,12) and may also be filled with solution (14) which is added to the bags (10,12) and the tubing set (16) during the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the tubing set (16) may be filled with air. The tubing set (16) is sandwiched between the solution bag (10) and the drain bag (12) and subsequently packaged in an overpouch (24). The method for forming the package including the bags filled with solution is simplified and the overall package size is reduced due to the sandwiched tubing set (16) between the solution bags (10,12) and the provision of solution in both bags (10,12).

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis system and method are provided for monitoring and controlling automated peritoneal dialysis therapy based upon intraperitoneal pressure measured at a point near the end of the patient catheter during the fill, dwell and drain phases of automated peritoneal dialysis therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for stabilizing bicarbonate-based solutions for peritoneal dialysis or hemofiltration. The bicarbonate-based solutions of the present invention are formulated and stored in at least two parts—an alkaline bicarbonate concentrate and an acidic concentrate. The alkaline bicarbonate concentrate is adjusted to have a pH of about 8.6 to 10.0. The acidic concentrate is adjusted to have a stable, acidic pH ranging from about 1.0 to 3.0. Upon mixing, although some variation in the pH of the mixed bicarbonate solution exists, the inventors have discovered that with the appropriate selection of the parameters of the concentrates, the pH of the mixed solution is always within an acceptable physiological range.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved dialysis solution. The improved dialysis solution provides for the use of specific polypeptides as an osmotic agent with an additional osmotic agent such as dextrose. To this end, the present invention provides, in an embodiment, a peritoneal dialysis solution comprising as osmotic agents approximately 0.25 to about 4.0% (w/v) polypeptides and approximately 0.5% to about 4.0% (w/v) dextrose. The polypeptides have well defined characteristics.

Abstract: A method for priming a hemodialyzer is disclosed. Hemodialyzer comprises a dialysate compartment, a blood compartment, and a dialysis membrane separating the dialysate and blood compartments. The method comprises the steps of delivering a liquid to a dialysate inlet of the dialysate compartment at a first volumetric delivery rate, passing the liquid through the dialysate compartment from the dialysate inlet to a dialysate outlet of the hemodialyzer and delivering the liquid from the dialysate outlet at a second volumetric delivery rate that is less than the first volumetric delivery rate so as to cause a net flow of the liquid from the dialysate compartment to the blood compartment through the dialysis membrane.

Abstract: A method for treating a body fluid to at least substantially inactivate viral contaminants that may be present therein is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a body fluid; adding to the body fluid a viral inactivating agent to create a resultant product; and passing the resultant product through a column including material having an affinity for the viral inactivating agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for stabilizing bicarbonate-based solutions for peritoneal dialysis or hemofiltration. The bicarbonate-based solutions of the present invention are formulated and stored in at least two parts—an alkaline bicarbonate concentrate and an acidic concentrate. The alkaline bicarbonate concentrate is adjusted to have a pH of about 8.6 to 10.0. The acidic concentrate is adjusted to have a stable, acidic pH ranging from about 1.0 to 3.0. Upon mixing, although some variation in the pH of the mixed bicarbonate solution exists, the inventors have discovered that with the appropriate selection of the parameters of the concentrates, the pH of the mixed solution is always within an acceptable physiological range.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis solution comprising as osmotic agents approximately 2.0 to about 6.0% (w/v) maltodextrins and approximately 0.25 to about 2.0% (w/v) amino acids. The peritoneal dialysis solution will also include other components such as sodium, chloride, lactate, bicarbonate, calcium, and magnesium.

Abstract: A sterile disposable hemodiafiltration set to be connected to a dialysis machine includes a dialyzer with an extracorporeal blood path and a dialysis liquid supply line which can be connected to the dialyzer. The hemodiafiltration set includes a sterilized unit consisting of a hose connection with a sterile filter therein wherein the hose connection is arranged for connection at one end thereof to the extracorporeal path via a separate pump and provided with a three-way joint at the other end thereof for connection of the latter end between the dialysis liquid supply line and the dialyzer.

Abstract: A number of improvements relating to methods and apparatuses for kidney dialysis are disclosed.

Abstract: A new citrate-based anticoagulant for donor whole blood provides good platelet yield and cell morphology at a significantly reduced risk of donor paresthesia during apheresis procedures. The primary citrate anticoagulant compositions include a citric acid to total citrate ratio greater than about 30%. The anticoagulants are mixed with whole blood to provide an anticoagulated blood mixture which contains a citric acid concentration of greater than about 5.0 mM, a total citrate concentration of less than about 20 mM, and an initial blood pH of less than about 6.75. The platelet rich products including PRP and PC prepared from blood collected in accordance with the invention exhibit better platelet yields and better platelet morphology on storage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, inter alia, a composition useful for producing a homogeneous, semipermeable membrane, the composition comprising (1) a polysulfone compound, (2) a solvent, such as sulfolane, antypyrine, &dgr;-valerolactam, diethyl phthalate, and mixtures thereof, and (3) a non-solvent, such as poly(ethylene glycol), di(ethylene glycol), tri(ethylene glycol), glycerol, and mixtures thereof. Another aspect of this invention discloses methods for fabricating semipermeable membranes by homogeneously mixing the composition of the polysulfone compound, solvent, and non-solvent, melting the composition, and melt-spinning the molten composition. Another aspect of the present invention includes homogeneous, melt-spun, semipermeable membranes useful for liquid separation processes, such as, but not limited to, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, dialysis, and reverse osmosis.

Abstract: A steam sterilizable unit for inactivating pathogens in a body fluid is provided including a plastic structure for housing a therapeutically effective amount of a methylene blue solution. The plastic structure preferably includes at least an inner layer constructed from a non-PVC plastic. Preferably, the methylene blue solution has a pH of less than 7.0 and preferably less than or equal to approximately 6.3.