Abstract: An implant device having a passageway and an anchor means for establishing a biological anchor both formed from either pyrolitic carbon disposed or a graphite substrate or virneous carbon. The passageway having an inlet inclined with respect to the passageway outlet from between 45 and 75 degrees.

Abstract: An implant device having a passageway, an anchor for establishing a biological anchor and a grafting mesh annularly disposed about, and spaced apart from, the exterior of the implant device. The implant device passageway, anchor means, and grafting mesh are all formed from either pyrolytic carbon disposed on a graphite substrate or vitreous carbon.

Abstract: A body implantable connector to replace a portion of a patient's body fluid or solid carrying conduit and to connect this body conduit to a vascular implant device in order to provide access to the body conduit external from the body. The connector includes a tubular member expanded along its length in order to form a bulbous portion; a side port is provided for connection to the vascular implant device at the approximate midpoint of the tubular member bulbous portion.

Abstract: A yoke shaped collapsible blood reservoir having first and second yoke legs joined by a yoke midsection. A filter element is positioned in the yoke midsection and across the blood flow path between an inlet at the base of the first yoke leg and a blood outlet at the base of the second yoke leg. An angular blood inlet and a gradual increase in cross-sectional area from the blood inlet to the yoke midsection decreases turbulence and assists in bubble separation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blood filter assembly in which blood enters at the bottom end of the assembly, is directed in spirally upward path and then passes through a filter medium. After passing through the filter medium, the blood flows downwardly out of an outlet in the bottom end of the assembly. A gas vent is provided at the top end of the assembly. In its preferred embodiment, the outer shell of the assembly tapers from the bottom end to a narrower diameter top end, the filter medium is generally shaped in the form of a cylindrical tube and a core member is provided radially inwardly of said filter medium and spaced therefrom. This filter assembly is particularly useful for the removal of particulate matter, gas and other foreign materials from blood.

Abstract: A device including a valving mechanism which can be operated by one hand, the device includes a housing which surrounds a resilient block of material. The housing may be squeezed to depress and deform the resilient block. Passageways extend through the resilient block to conduct liquid therethrough. A first passage includes a solid valve positioned therein. Compression of the resilient block causes displacement of the valve and distortion of the block material to break the seal around the valve. Additional material is provided strategically in this first passage to insure against leaks from system overpressure. A second passage includes a capillary to allow continuous low volume flow not controlled by an operator.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator containing a means for combining oxygen-containing gas with liquid blood, the oxygenator having an outer shell portion rotatably joined to a cap portion. Preferably the cap portion includes at least one blood inlet together with an oxygen-containing gas inlet while the outer shell portion contains at least one oxygenated blood outlet and the rotatable joint between said outer shell portion and said cap portion is in venting communication with the exterior of the blood oxygenator.

Abstract: A system for draining pleural cavities. A container having a plurality of cavities is employed with a vacuum source and an inlet from the patient. In the first cavity, a port is defined to limit the liquid contained therein. This port opens into a second cavity for collection of drained fluids. A vacuum regulator mechanism is incorporated at one end of the container to prevent injury to the patient. Thus, a water seal is defined about the inlet tube. A separate cavity collects drained fluids and a third area provides vacuum control.

Abstract: A rigid blood oxygenator in which blood and oxygen-rich gas are admitted at the top of the device and caused to flow substantially concurrently downwardly through a tortuous path. During the course of this downward flow, oxygen-rich gas bubbles are formed in the blood and a gas transfer is accomplished according to which the oxygen content of the blood is enriched and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood, which gas transfer is enhanced by the secondary flow induced by the tortuous path. During the course of downward flow, the blood-gas-bubble mixture is also passed around a heat exchange device, which preferably is convoluted so as to form a tortuous path, to bring the blood to a desired temperature. The device is equipped with a defoaming means such that the blood bubbles are converted back into liquid blood, which is then returned to the patient. Vent means are provided for removal of carbon dioxide and other vent gases.

Abstract: A blood oxygenating device having an oxygenating chamber and a heat exchange chamber. The oxygenating chamber consists of a bubbler chamber and a mixing chamber. Oxygen is introduced into the bubbler chamber through a porous diffusion means situated near the inlet of the bubbler chamber. Bubbles pass from the bubbler chamber into a mixing chamber which is provided with a plurality of secondary flow-producing deflectors to promote secondary flow of blood bubbles passing therethrough. The secondary flow results in a highly efficient oxygen-carbon dioxide transfer. The blood bubbles are then passed through a heat exchange chamber and a defoaming means prior to exiting the oxygenating device.

Abstract: A blood oxygenating device comprising an oxygenating chamber and a heat exchange chamber, the oxygenating chamber comprising a bubbler chamber and a mixing chamber. Oxygen is introduced into the bubbler chamber through a porous diffusion means situated near the inlet of the bubbler chamber. Bubbles pass from the bubbler chamber into the mixing chamber which is provided with a plurality of secondary flow-producing deflectors to promote secondary flow and rotation of blood bubbles passing therethrough. The secondary flow results in a highly efficient oxygen-carbon dioxide transfer. The blood bubbles are then passed through a heat exchange chamber and a defoaming means prior to exiting the oxygenating device.In a preferred version, blood and oxygen-rich gas are admitted at the top of the device and caused to flow substantially downwardly through a tortuous path which causes at least a portion of the blood bubbles to rotate.

Abstract: A rigid blood oxygenator in which blood and oxygen-rich gas are admitted at the top of the device and caused to flow substantially concurrently downwardly through a tortuous path. During the course of this downward flow, oxygen-rich gas bubbles are formed in the blood and a gas transfer is accomplished according to which the oxygen content of the blood is enriched and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood, which gas transfer is enhanced by the secondary flow induced by the tortuous path. During the course of downward flow, the blood-gas-bubble mixture is also passed around a heat exchange device, which preferably is convoluted so as to form a tortuous path, to bring the blood to a desired temperature. The device is equipped with a defoaming means such that the blood bubbles are converted back into liquid blood, which is then returned to the patient. Vent means are provided for removal of carbon dioxide and other vent gases.

Abstract: There is disclosed a blood oxygenating device having an oxygenating chamber and a heat exchange chamber. The oxygenating chamber consists of a bubbler chamber and a mixing chamber. Oxygen is introduced into the bubbler chamber through a porous diffusion means situated near the inlet of the bubbler chamber. Bubbles pass from the bubbler chamber into a mixing chamber which is provided with a plurality of secondary flow-producing deflectors to promote secondary flow of blood bubbles passing therethrough. The secondary flow results in a highly efficient oxygen-carbon dioxide transfer. The blood bubbles are then passed through a heat exchange chamber and a defoaming means prior to exiting the oxygenating device.

Abstract: A method of receiving retrieved blood from the surgical field of a patient and treating the blood so that it is in condition for direct or indirect return to the patient. The method treats a relatively large volume of blood, which when received in a housing adapted to receive such blood volumes, removes air bubbles and other foreign matter. The received blood flows smoothly both to and from a fibrous membrane interposed in the path of blood flow thereby avoiding bubbling and damage of the blood. Significantly, means within the housing are provided to inhibit clotting of the blood within the housing.

Abstract: A blood oxygenating device of the type having an oxygenating chamber, a settling chamber, and a heat exchange chamber. A bubbler assembly within the oxygenating chamber including a housing with blood and oxygen inlet means, an outlet opening for blood bubbles which extends 360 degrees around the bubbler assembly housing, and a continuous closed passageway therebetween for effecting optimum oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. Blood bubbles pass from the outlet means through a defoamer unit for debubbling. A defoamer support member on the outside of the bubbler assembly housing supports the defoamer unit and affords an open passageway for blood bubbles to flow from the outlet means downwardly adjacent the outside of the bubbler assembly housing into the defoamer unit. The blood, after passing through the defoamer unit, flows first into the settling chamber and then along a divided annular path through the heat exchange chamber for the transfer of heat thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood dialysis. The device includes a plurality of semipermeable tubules for transporting blood therethrough. Distribution means are positioned adjacent the exterior of the tubules for admitting a dialysis solution which is passed along the outside of the tubules. The tubules are preferably arranged in a configuration such that the packing density of the tubules is between about 20% and about 50%, and preferably between about 25% and about 35%. This packing density insures adequate distribution of the dialysate solution as it is passed along the length of the tubules. The tubules may be wrapped and similarly curved; in a preferred embodiment they are spirally orientated. The configuration of the tubules allows for the movement of the tubule in a predetermined manner such that tubule masking is substantially prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid transfer across a membrane wherein transfer fluid is passed through the interior of a wrapped, permeable, flattened, tubular membrane and fluid to be processed is passed through passageways formed between the wrappings of the tubular membrane. The exhaustion of transfer fluid begins at the completion of a process fluid pumping stroke and ends at the initiation of the pumping stroke. In a preferred embodiment the method and apparatus are utilized to oxygenate blood.

Abstract: A chronic transcutaneous implant device for enterostomies is disclosed. The implant device is comprised of a barrel portion and flange portion. The barrel portion is provided with means to enable vascularization of the externalized vessel and the flange portion is provided with means to enable the formation of a vascularized biological anchor. The implant device is capable of being permanently positioned under the skin. The implant device is provided with a detachable bag member which functions to receive excrements exiting the externalized vessel.

Abstract: An atraumatic valving mechanism and its method of operation for use within the blood passageway of a blood access device, the blood passageway connecting a blood vessel within the body to the body exterior. The valving device includes a plugging means for effecting a seal within the blood passageway and for substantially expelling the blood from the device upon closing, and a reciprocal stem which is connected to the plugging means and may be pushed or pulled in order to close or open the blood access device valve as desired. The valving mechanism includes a disposable connectable valve chamber which is adapted to be secured about that portion of the blood access device blood passageway located at the body exterior.

Abstract: A device and method of operation for receiving retrieved blood from the surgical field of a patient and treating the blood so that it is in condition for direct or indirect return to the patient. The device is comprised of a housing adapted to receive a relatively large volume of blood, which when received is removed of air bubbles and other foreign matter. The received blood flows smoothly both to and from a fibrous membrane interposed in the path of blood flow thereby avoiding bubbling and damage to the blood. Significantly, means within the housing are provided to inhibit clotting of the blood within the housing.