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.

Abstract: A system for imploding leukemia cells of a patient includes (a) a first vessel for containing a volume of blood received from the patient, and (b) drive circuitry cooperatively coupled with at least one transducer to produce ultrasound energy that spatially decoheres and disperses throughout the volume, to implode the leukemia cells throughout the volume via absorption of the ultrasound energy by the leukemia cells. The transducer may be an immersible transducer configured to be immersed in the blood. The system may include a second vessel for containing a liquid, within which the ultrasound energy is decohered and dispersed and from which at least a portion of the ultrasound energy is transmitted to the first vessel to implode the leukemia cells.

Abstract: A blood storage container for the anaerobic storage of blood, having enhanced sealing methods and materials for the preservation of stored blood is provided.

Abstract: Flow restrictors for use with a syringe or without a syringe are disclosed for dispensing a liquid medicine for an infant or child. The flow restrictors include a cover having a raised ring, a sleeve for insertion into a bottle, a self-sealing orifice for dispensing the medicine and including an annular cylinder having vertical supports or ribs which extend outward and engage the inside wall of the sleeve. The sleeve includes one or more external protrusions.

Abstract: An arteriovenous (AV) graft is disclosed than includes portions for inserting hemodialysis needles. The AV graft includes two spaced portions that are each adapted for receiving needles. These portions may have a different shape or rigidity than other portions of the AV graft. A care giver may be able to palpate the location of the two spaced portions, thus facilitating hemodialysis by providing the needles to locations on the AV graft adapted to accept the needles. Methods of providing hemodialysis using the AV graft are also described.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving patient assessment information concerning one or more subjective characteristics of a patient; determining a patient assessment score based on the received patient assessment information; and modifying operation of a medical fluid treatment machine based on the patient assessment score.

Abstract: Apparatus for relieving intraocular pressure in an eye of a subject that includes a plurality of stents, a delivery vehicle for inserting the stents together through a single incision in the cornea of the eye to a position in the anterior chamber adjacent to the trabecular meshwork and an actuator that can be activated from outside of the eye for pushing the stents out of the delivery vehicle and into a plurality of anatomical spaces in the eye from which aqueous from the anterior chamber can be drained. Also, methods for use of the apparatus for controlling the flow of aqueous from the anterior chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for the practice of apheresis employs modules in the system which can be selected for a particular patient to treat particular situations or combinations of difficulties. In one example, Gal-3 mediates a large number of body reactions, and is an effective protector of tumor microenvironments and the like, as well inflammation driver. Removal of Gal-3 may make antic-cancer treatments, like photopheresis and TNF administration more effective. Separate modules, such as one for photopheresis and one for TNF receptor removal, may be combined with a module for the reduction of Gal-3, to render the combination of treatments each more effective than if administered alone.

Abstract: A lacrimal duct tube includes: a pair of tubular members that each have at one end an opening communicating with a lumen; and a connection member that connects the other ends of the tubular members. A base end part including the other end of at least one of the tubular members is tapered down toward the connection member and the base end part has an inlet/outlet port communicating with the lumen of the tubular member. A portion of the base end part constituting peripheral edge of the inlet/outlet port and the connection member are connected together.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has a delivery instrument, with a non-linear axis, configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The delivery instrument carries an implant that has a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway. One method involves inserting a non-linear portion of a delivery device into the anterior chamber to position an implant within the eye. Another method involves using a delivery device with a curved distal portion to implant an implant at a location communicating with the physiologic outflow pathway. The delivery can be through a corneal incision and the implant can comprise a drug.

Abstract: An intermediate element for a medical extracorporeal fluid line designed to conduct a fluid, such as blood, has a main part extending between two connection parts. A flow channel passes continuously through the main part and the connection parts. The connection parts hydraulically connect the main body to a fluid line. On the periphery of the main part a receiving area is arranged, which is designed to receive a measurement value transmitter. An opening to the flow channel is defined in the receiving area and is sealed in a fluid-tight manner towards the receiving area by an elastic element. The measurement value transmitter is a gas sensor of a sensor device for measuring at least one gas contained in the fluid. The elastic element is a diffusion element, which is permeable to at least one gas. The diffusion element is bonded to an edge of the opening.

Abstract: A control system controlling the line pressure in a blood supply system (1) in which a pump (14) pumps blood from a reservoir (10) via a primary passage (18) toward a plurality of outlets (16, 26, 26a), wherein one or more outlets are openable to permit flow and closable to block flow, said control system comprises a monitoring arrangement to determine a line pressure in the primary passage, and a controller responsive to the monitoring arrangement and controlling the pump (14) to maintain the line pressure in the primary passage (18) above a pre-set level. The control system practically eliminates the risk of a momentary reduction in blood supply line pressure when an outlet is opened.

Abstract: A system for intra-operative blood salvage autotransfusion is provided. The system comprises at least one inlet configured to receive whole blood of a patient; at least one curvilinear microchannel in fluid flow connection with the at least one inlet, the at least one curvilinear microchannel being adapted to isolate circulating tumor cells in the whole blood, based on cell size, along at least one portion of a cross-section of the at least one curvilinear microchannel; and at least two outlets in fluid flow connection with the at least one curvilinear microchannel, at least one outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow the circulating tumor cells isolated from the whole blood, and at least one other outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow at least a portion of a remainder of the whole blood, cleansed of the isolated circulating tumor cells, for return to the patient.

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: The example systems, apparatus and methods use a local perfusion extracorporeal circuit (LPEC) for perfusing a local target region of a body, with a systemic perfusion extracorporeal circuit (SPEC) coupled to the core region of the vasculature using a peripheral placed loop to the body, and a control procedure to cause the local target region of the body to be at a specified pattern of temperature values that are different than the temperature of the core of the body.

Abstract: A intragastric device that contains a compressible free-floating structure and a sleeve attached thereto is provided. The device is considered to be anchorless as the sleeve is not physically attached to any portion of the GI tract. The device is configurable between a compressed pre-deployment configuration and an expanded post-deployment configuration. The free-floating device may be composed of a shape memory material such a nitinol. In some embodiments, the free-floating structure is space occupying and non-porous. The sleeve may be attached to the free-floating structure, such as with sutures and/or glue. In some embodiments, a stent may be inserted at the proximal end of the sleeve. A second free-floating structure may be connected to the free-floating structure such that there is an upper structure and a lower structure. In some embodiments, the gastrointestinal device is used to deliver prebiotic and/or probiotic therapy to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out an apheresis treatment, wherein the apparatus has an extracorporeal circuit in which a regenerable single adsorber is located for separating substances from blood or for separating substances from plasma acquired by means of a plasma separator, wherein a line is provided for conducting the blood or the plasma which extends to the adsorber and via which blood or plasma is applied to the adsorber, wherein a reservoir is provided for receiving blood or plasma and is arranged upstream of the adsorber in the line or is in communication with the line upstream of the adsorber; and in that a controller or switching means is provided which is configured such that the reservoir is filled with blood or plasma and the application of blood or plasma to the adsorber is suppressed when the regeneration of the adsorber is carried out.

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: A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal portion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

Abstract: Described is a catheter for being retained inside the body for extended periods, and a catheter mating device that can connect to the catheter to move the catheter inside of the body or remove it from the body. The catheter mating device has a stem with an apparatus at its distal end. The apparatus is moveable between a first position and a second position. When in its first position, the distal end is configured to fit in the proximal end of the catheter. When in its second position, the distal end engages the proximal end of the catheter and connects the catheter mating device to the catheter.