Abstract: A medical fluid system including: fluid containers and a tube extending from same, each tube including a cap; a pumping cassette including port spikes; a medical fluid machine including: occluders; a shuttle configured to receive the tubes, wherein each tube is associated with one of the occluders; a driving mechanism translating the shuttle; a cap removal device between the cassette and the shuttle; and a control unit programmed to cause: (i) the occluders to pinch their tubes, (ii) cause the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle towards the fluid pumping cassette, the cap removal device engaging the tube caps, (iii) the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle away from the fluid pumping cassette and cap removal device, pulling the tube caps off of the tubes, and (iv) the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle back towards the fluid pumping cassette for the port spikes to spike the occluded tubes.

Abstract: Transfer sets are disclosed in the present patent. The transfer set provides a connection between a source of peritoneal dialysis fluid and a patient for whom peritoneal dialysis has been prescribed. The transfer sets disclosed herein are smaller and provide a more compact and convenient device by which a dialysis patient controls the flow of dialysis fluid to and from the peritoneum of the patient. The devices are more compact and convenient because they include more convenient mechanisms for starting and stopping flow of the dialysis fluid. It is also easy to determine whether the mechanism is in a closed or open configuration by simply looking at the mechanism.

Abstract: A method of operating a disposable pumping unit includes enabling the disposable pumping unit to be loaded into a peritoneal dialysis hardware unit between a door and a housing of the hardware unit; structuring the disposable pumping unit to have a fluid pump receptacle, the fluid pump receptacle constructed and arranged to extend from both surfaces of the unit so as to fit within a first opening provided in the door and a second opening provided in the housing of the hardware unit; and enabling the disposable pumping unit to be guided into the hardware unit such that the fluid pump receptacle becomes aligned with the opposing first and second openings when the door is closed against the housing.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for producing a hemostatic composition comprising mixing a biocompatible polymer suitable for use in hemostasis and a genipin-type crosslinker, crosslinking said polymer by said genipin-type crosslinker to obtain a crosslinked biocompatible polymer, and finishing said crosslinks polymer to a pharmaceutically acceptable hemostatic composition, new hemostatic compositions and methods for using such compositions.

Abstract: A priming indicator for a fluid infusion system includes a luer cap or other component of the infusion system having an indicator surface covered by a membrane. The membrane exhibits a first visual characteristic, such as being opaque, when dry and exhibits a second characteristic, such as becoming less opaque, when wet. Once the membrane becomes wet, indicia on the surface, which may be provided on a rod at least partially covered by the membrane, becomes visible, thereby indicating an intravenous tube to which the luer cap is secured has been primed or is nearly primed. The indicator may alternately be employed at an upstream end of an infusion set, such as at the port of a medical bag providing a supply of fluid, to indicate a low level of fluid in the medical bag.

Abstract: A regenerative peritoneal dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid loop; a filter located in the dialysis fluid loop, a first portion of the dialysis fluid sent to the filter rejected by the filter and returned upstream of the filter, a second portion of the dialysis fluid sent to the filter forming permeate, the permeate being rich in urea; and a urea removing apparatus located in the dialysis fluid loop downstream from the filter to receive the permeate and absorb urea from the permeate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining an effective dose of monochromatic or polychromatic light from one or more light sources to inactivate microorganisms present in a biological fluid, preferably a non-transparent fluid. Moreover, there is provided a method for the inactivation of microorganism in a biological fluid in a flow-through-reactor. Moreover, the invention advantageously provides a flow-through-reactor with one or more thermostated light sources. The invention further provides a method of controlling the light sum dose of monochromatic or polychromatic light emitted from one or more light sources to effectively inactivate microorganisms present in a biological fluid in a batch reactor.

Abstract: A monitor for an extracorporeal therapy access site is disclosed. The monitor includes a bandage atop or adjacent the access site and a sensor for monitoring the bandage. The bandage includes a layer of polymer that expands when wetted with blood. The expansion causes a break in continuity of the sensor, or in an alternate embodiment, causes a sensor to cease detecting a target. When the break occurs, the control circuit monitoring the bandage sends a signal that a break has occurred, and a remote monitor then takes appropriate action, such as ceasing therapy, sending an alert, or sounding an alarm. In another embodiment, connecting wires in a continuity circuit are held apart by a polymer that dissolves when contacted by blood. If a leak occurs and a small portion of the polymer dissolves, the wires make contact, thus detecting a blood leak.

Abstract: An infusion pump includes: a housing, a pump actuator supported by the housing, electronics configured to control the pump actuator, a pain controlled analgesic (“PCA”) input device, a cord having a remote end connected to the PCA input device and a local end connected to the housing, a remote integrated circuit; and a local integrated circuit in communication with the electronics and the remote integrated circuit so as to provide operational information concerning the PCA input device to the electronics.

Abstract: Recombinant truncated human furin was expressed in CHO cells and concentrated approximately 50-fold by ultrafiltration and diafiltration. The concentrate was purified by column chromatography on Capto-MMC™ resulting in a 30-50 fold purification factor and a yield of at least 60%. The at least 20% pure preparation obtained after Capto-MMC™ chromatography had already a purification degree allowing on-column maturation of pro-VWF. Then an additional Arginine Sepharose chromatography purification was carried out. This two column process for purification of truncated human furin resulted in an almost pure furin preparation with a specific activity of approximately 290,000 U furin/mg protein and a yield of about 50%.

Abstract: Cross-linked hydrogels comprise a variety of biologic and non-biologic polymers, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and synthetic polymers. Such hydrogels preferably have no free aqueous phase and may be applied to target sites in a patient's body by extruding the hydrogel through an orifice at the target site. Alternatively, the hydrogels may be mechanically disrupted and used in implantable articles, such as breast implants. When used in vivo, the compositions are useful for controlled release drug delivery, for inhibiting post-surgical spinal and other tissue adhesions, for filling tissue divots, tissue tracts, body cavities, surgical defects, and the like.

Abstract: The invention discloses a hemostatic composition comprising crosslinked gelatin in particulate form suitable for use in hemostasis, wherein the composition is present in paste form containing 15.0 to 19.5% (w/w), preferably 16.0 to 19.5% (w/w), 16.5 to 19.5% (w/w), 17.0 to 18.5% (w/w) or 17.5 to 18.5% (w/w), more preferred 16.5 to 19.0% (w/w) or 16.8 to 17.8% (w/w), especially preferred 16.5 to 17.5% (w/w), and wherein the composition comprises an extrusion enhancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and pharmaceutical formulations of Factor H derived from plasma. Also provided are methods for the manufacture of the Factor H compositions and formulations, as well as methods for the treatment of diseases associated with Factor H dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for the manufacturing of IVIG products. These methods offer various advantages such as reduced loss of IgG during purification and improved quality of final products. In other aspects, the present invention provides aqueous and pharmaceutical compositions suitable for intravenous, subcutaneous, and/or intramuscular administration. In yet other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating a disease or condition comprising administration of an IgG composition provided herein.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood system includes: an extracorporeal blood machine; an arterial line extending from the extracorporeal blood machine; a venous line extending from the extracorporeal blood machine; and an access disconnection circuit for detecting a disconnection of at least one of the arterial or venous lines from a patient, the access disconnection circuit including (i) a signal generation source having first and second signal generation source electrical lines each in electrical communication with blood traveling through one of the arterial or venous lines, (ii) a conductive pathway electrically communicating blood traveling through the arterial line with blood traveling through the venous line, and (iii) a signal processing unit positioned and arranged to process a signal generated by the source to detect the disconnection of the at least one of the arterial and venous lines.

Abstract: The invention discloses a hemostatic composition comprising: a) a biocompatible polymer in particulate form suitable for use in hemostasis, and b) one hydrophilic polymeric component comprising reactive groups.

Abstract: An access disconnection system includes: a material capable of absorbing blood from a patient, a light emitter positioned to emit light onto a first portion of the material, the first portion spaced at least a threshold distance from a second portion of the material, the second portion located so as to cover arterial line and venous line access points to the patient, the threshold distance including a distance from the access points to provide for an allowable amount of blood seepage from either access point due to a needle stick, a receiver positioned adjacent to the light emitter to receive light reflected off of the first portion of the material, and circuitry coupled to the light emitter and receiver and configured to provide an output (i) when light received by the receiver reaches a particular level or (ii) indicative of an amount of light received by the receiver.

Abstract: The invention discloses a hemostatic composition composing chitin or a water insoluble chitin derivative, especially water insoluble chitosan, in particulate form, wherein the composition is present in paste form.

Abstract: The invention discloses a hemostatic composition comprising: a) a biocompatible polymer in particulate form suitable for use in hemostasis, and b) one hydrophilic polymeric component comprising reactive groups.

Abstract: The invention discloses a hemostatic composition comprising: a) a biocompatible polymer in particulate form suitable for use in hemostasis, and b) one hydrophilic polymeric component comprising reactive groups.