Abstract: An implantable, body-driven shunt pump includes a pump body defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid chamber therebetween; an inlet valve arranged in the fluid inlet, the inlet valve being a one-way valve arranged such that it is operable to allow fluid flow into the fluid chamber and to prevent fluid flow out of the fluid chamber; and an outlet valve arranged in the fluid outlet, the outlet valve being a one-way valve arranged such that it is operable to allow fluid flow out of the fluid chamber and to prevent fluid flow into the fluid chamber. The pump body includes an expandable and contractible component in a portion of the pump body that defines the fluid chamber such that the fluid chamber changes volume in response to a change in pressure of fluid in the fluid chamber.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood cooling or heating circuit includes an intravenous catheter for withdrawing a patient's blood coupled to a combined pump/heat exchanger device. One or more sensors are provided upstream and/or downstream of the pump/heat exchanger device for measuring pressure, temperature, fluid flow, blood oxygenation, and other parameters. A controller is operatively coupled to the pump/heat exchanger device and the one or more sensors to control the speed of the pump inside the pump/heat exchanger device and regulate the blood temperature by controlling the operation of the heat exchanger. The combined pump/heat exchanger device includes a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a pump portion defining a blood circuit inside the housing, and a heat exchanger portion contained within the housing for selectively heating or cooling the blood.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an addition line for adding an infusion solution to a fluid, which flows in an extracorporeal blood circuit, wherein the addition line comprises a pressure release valve or a check valve. It further relates to an extracorporeal blood circuit, a blood treatment apparatus and a method using the addition line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods for therapeutically targeting circulating tumor cells during hemodialysis.

Abstract: A method for collecting plasma includes determining the weight, height, and hematocrit of a donor, and calculating a donor plasma volume and a target plasma collection volume. The target plasma collection volume is based on the donor plasma volume and a target percentage of plasma. The method then withdraws blood from the donor through a line connected to a blood component separation device, and introduces anticoagulant into the withdrawn blood. The blood component separation device separates the blood into a plasma component and a second blood component, and the plasma component is collected from the blood component separation device and into a plasma collection container. The method may then calculate the volume of pure plasma collected within the plasma collection container, and continue processing/collecting until the calculated volume of pure plasma equals the target plasma collection volume.

Abstract: A method for collecting plasma includes determining the weight and hematocrit of a donor, and inserting a venous-access device into the donor. The method then withdraws blood from the donor through a draw line connected to a blood component separation device, and introduces anticoagulant into the withdrawn blood. The blood component separation device separates the blood into a plasma component and a second blood component, and the plasma component is collected from the blood component separation device and into a plasma collection container. The method may then calculate (1) a percentage of anticoagulant in the collected plasma component, and (2) a volume of pure plasma collected within the plasma collection container. The volume of pure plasma may be based, at least in part, on the calculated percentage of anticoagulant. The method may continue until a target volume of pure plasma is collected within the plasma collection container.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for reducing pressure at an outflow of a duct, such as the thoracic duct or the lymphatic duct, for example, the right lymphatic duct. A catheter system can be configured to be at least partially implanted within a vein of a patient in the vicinity of an outflow port of a duct of the lymphatic system. The catheter system includes first and second selectively deployable restriction members each configured to be activated to at least partially occlude the vein within which the catheter is implanted and to thus restrict fluid within a portion of the vein. The catheter system includes an impeller configured to be driven by a motor to induce a low pressure zone between the restriction members by causing blood to be pumped through the catheter when the restriction members occlude the vein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of relieving intraocular pressure by inserting a drainage device into the sclera near the trabecular meshwork from a remote location. The path of insertion is made from a corneal incision and avoids contact with the conjunctiva and tenons tissue. The drainage device comprises a tube like structure and may contain a barb at one end to secure the drainage device. A delivery device may be used to insert the drainage device. The delivery device may be inserted through a corneal incision and directed to the desired area for insertion in to the sclera. The delivery device may then be activated to shoot the drainage device into the sclera to promote increased drainage of aqueous humor and reduce the build up of intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Access to a paranasal sinus is provided through implantation of an implant device with a conduit of the implant device disposed through a fistula surgically-formed between a location in the lacrimal apparatus and a paranasal sinus. As implanted, the implant device has a proximal end disposed in the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit, a distal end disposed in the paranasal sinus and an internal passage that provides fluid communication between the lacrimal apparatus in the orbit and the paranasal sinus.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus where neither an arterial puncture needle nor a venous puncture needle is stuck in the patient can be checked automatically when it is attempted to activate a blood pump in an unconnected step. A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit for circulating blood, a dialyzer for purifying the blood, a blood pump provided to an arterial blood circuit for delivering liquid when activated, and a control device that executes a connected step when blood pump is activated with an arterial puncture needle (a) and a venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient and an unconnected step in which the blood pump is activated with neither the arterial puncture needle (a) nor the venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus with an arterial puncture needle or a venous puncture needle is stuck in the patient can be easily notified at the activation of a blood pump in an unconnected step. A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit for circulating blood, a dialyzer capable of purifying the blood, a blood pump provided to an arterial blood circuit for delivering a liquid, and a control device that executes a connected step in which the blood pump is activated when an arterial puncture needle (a) and a venous puncture needle (b) are in the patient and an unconnected step in which the blood pump is activated with neither the arterial puncture needle (a) nor the venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient. The control device establishes, in the unconnected step, a restricted state where the behavior of the blood pump at the activation of the blood pump is restricted.

Abstract: A shunt device for directing fluid from a human head, and methods thereof are provided herein. The device can be mounted at a skull and include a first catheter that extends into a portion of the head such as a lateral ventricle. The first catheter can covey fluid through, and past a valve to a shunt body. The shunt body can include openings, allowing the fluid to reenter the head, for example at the subarachnoid space. The shunt body can also include other openings that can be associated with a second catheter. Fluid can thus also be conveyed out of the body or to a subgaleal pocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for a pressure-based detection of a clot in an extracorporeal blood circuit, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one cyclically operating pump for conveying the fluid located in the extracorporeal circuit and at least one pressure sensor which is arranged to determine the current pressure development over time in the fluid conveyed by the pump in a current conveying cycle of the pump, wherein the apparatus has at least one memory in which at least one reference pressure development is stored which is based on at least one pressure development over time which was determined in a conveying cycle of the pump preceding the current conveying cycle of the pump, and wherein the apparatus comprises at least one evaluation unit which is configured such that it compares the current pressure development with the reference pressure development over a corresponding time.

Abstract: The device allows the connection between a vessel closed off by a perforable stopper and a container. It comprises a base, which is configured to be mounted on the vessel and which comprises a hollow member for perforating the stopper, this hollow member delimiting at least one opening, and a needle holder, which is waiting to be connected with the container, and which includes a needle, one of the ends of which emerges in the inner volume of the hollow member. The device further comprises a collar attached to a needle holder, and a sheath, which is connected around the collar and which defines a central axis along which it is movable against a resilient force exerted by a spring.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage implant comprising a pressure relief valve via which aqueous humor can be drained. The pressure relief valve has a pressure relief flap which is movably connected with a base plate of the implant, which is to be embedded in a sclera, wherein the pressure relief flap has an actuation area by means of which the pressure relief flap can be mobilized non-invasively during a post-operative healing phase or thereafter. The actuation area is preferably designed as a thermomechanically active area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a permanent interpositional ophthalmological implant between the sclera and the uveal tis-sue. The implant comprises a thin uvea-compatible body (50) having a thickness (e) which is at least less than IO times the smallest of the two other dimensions of the body, the body of the implant comprising two opposing edges separated from one another along one of the two dimensions perpendicular to the thickness, and one of the edges, known as the front edge (52), being curved in a concave manner away from body in a plane perpendicular to the thickness.

Abstract: A percutaneous catheter is disclosed through which blood passes. The percutaneous catheter having a catheter tube including a first tube and a second tube, the second tube being in fluid communication with the first tube, the first tube having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the second tube, and wherein the first tube is more flexible than the second tube.

Abstract: A dialysis device implantable in a patient for dialysis includes a filtration unit. The filtration unit includes at least one dialysis chamber for containing and/or circulating dialysate; and at least one blood chamber for containing and/or circulating blood of the patient, disposed on at least one dialysis chamber and being in communication with the at least one dialysis chamber. Each of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber comprise at least one inlet for circulating fluid into and/or out of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber. The at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber are configured such that the blood in the at least one blood chamber and the dialysate in the at least one dialysis chamber operably interact with each other for dialysis.

Abstract: An assembly for adding a medication or like substance to a liquid solution in a flexible bag (10) is provided. The flexible bag (10) contains a liquid solution, such as dialysate. An adapter (14) extends from the flexible bag (10) and includes a skirt (20) having an array of resilient sections (22) for engaging and snapping onto a neck finish (106) of a separate vial (100) containing a medication or like substance. A locking device (16) is adapted to be secured about the skirt (20) in a locking position that prevents outward movement of the array of resilient sections (22) and thereby prevents disengagement of the vial (100) from the adapter (14). A method of transferring the liquid solution from the bag (10) to the vial (100), mixing the medication with the liquid solution, and returning the mixture to the bag (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid processing system for controlling fluid flow comprising a cassette comprising defined passageways within a first portion of the cassette and a filter receptacle within a second portion of the cassette, an inlet port in communication with one or more of the defined passageways and an inlet side of the filter receptacle, an outlet port in communication with an outlet side of the filter receptacle, and a filter medium disposed within the filter receptacle between the inlet port and outlet port.