Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the manufacture cola medical implant, said process comprising: reacting a mixture of non functional, monofunctional, and bifunctional perfluoropolyethers comprising hydroxyl terminal groups, wherein the average functionality is of at least 1.97 [mixture (M)] with suitable reactants for producing a thermoplastic elastomer; moulding the so-obtained thermoplastic elastomer for yielding at least a part of the medical implant. It has been surprisingly found that by using a mixture of perfluoropolyethers having high functionality, it is advantageously possible to manufacture, by moulding thermoplastic elastomers therefrom, medical implants which exhibit improved biocompatibility and which are submitted to reduced chemicals extraction by biological fluids.

Abstract: A machine (1) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a device (2) for ultrafiltration of a liquid through a semi-permeable membrane (3) of a blood treatment device (4), a first sensor (11) for ultrafiltration rate through the membrane, a second group of sensors (13) for measuring a trans-membrane pressure, an infusion line (16) with an infusion pump (17) and a programmed controller (14) for calculating a maximum infusion rate as a function of the transmembrane pressure. The machine is suitable for kidney failure treatments, such as hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration. In a relatively short time the machine enables a large quantity of corporeal blood to be removed from the patient.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising: 1. reacting at least one triol having two protected hydroxyl functions and a free hydroxyl group with an activating agent, to yield an activated protected triol; 2. reacting the activated protected triol with a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative of formula: T2-O—Rf-T1, wherein: Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain which is a fluorocarbon segment comprising ether linkages in main chain; T1 and T2, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from non-functional groups of formula: —CF3, —CF2—CF3, —CF2Cl, —CF2CF2Cl, —CF2—COF, —COF: and functional hydroxyl groups comprising at least one hydroxyl group, with the provisio that at least one of T1 and T2 is a functional hydroxyl group as above detailed to yield a protected polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative; and 3. deprotecting the protected polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative to yield the polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a tetraol PFPE derivative [tetraol (T)] of formula (I): HO—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CF2—O—Rf—CF2—CH2O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH, wherein Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain (chain Rf), from a mixture (M) of hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives, said mixture comprising said tetraol (T) and at least one hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether [PFPE (OH)] comprising a chain Rf terminated with at least one end group of formula: —CF2CH2OH; —CF2CH2O—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH; said process comprising: step 1: reacting the mixture (M) with ketones and/or aldehydes so as to selectively protect couples of hydroxyl groups on vicinal carbon atoms by forming corresponding cyclic ketal/acetal derivatives, so as to yield a protected mixture (P); step 2: reacting residual hydroxyl groups of the mixture (P) with suitable functionalizing agents enabling substantial volatility modification, so as to obtain a functionalized protected mixture (Pf); step 3: fractional distillation of the mixture (Pf) so a

Abstract: Aromatic hydrogenated polymers comprising perfluoropolyether (PFPE) chains bonded to the aromatic rings to form sequences randomly distributed in the polymer structure, having the formula (I): (T1-CF2O—Rf—CF2)n-T3 in which: n is an integer from 1 to 10; T1 is an aromatic group of the backbone of the hydrogenated polymer, or alternatively condensed aromatic groups; T3 may be equal to T1, or alternatively a functional group —COOH or —COF; Rf is a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain, in which the starting hydrogenated aromatic polymers are obtained by polycondensation, stepwise polyaddition or polyaddition of cyclic monomers in which the ring is formed by at least 3 atoms.

Abstract: A machine (1) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a device (2) for ultrafiltration of a liquid through a semi-permeable membrane (3) of a blood treatment device (4), a first sensor (11) for ultrafiltration rate through the membrane, a second group of sensors (13) for measuring a trans-membrane pressure, an infusion line (16) with an infusion pump (17) and a programmed controller (14) for calculating a maximum infusion rate as a function of the transmembrane pressure. The machine is suitable for kidney failure treatments, such as hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration. In a relatively short time the machine enables a large quantity of corporeal blood to be removed from the patient.

Abstract: A machine (1) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a device (2) for ultrafiltration of a liquid through a semi-permeable membrane (3) of a blood treatment device (4), a first sensor (11) for ultrafiltration rate through the membrane, a second group of sensors (13) for measuring a trans-membrane pressure, and a programmed controller (14) for calculating a maximum ultrafiltration rate as a function of the transmembrane pressure. The machine is suitable for kidney failure treatments, such as hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration. In a relatively short time the machine enables a large quantity of corporeal blood to be removed from the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated blood treatment module (1) comprising a support element (4) and a fluid distribution circuitry associated thereto; the distribution circuitry comprises at least a blood line (44), a portion of which is secured to the support element and defines with the latter at least a U-shaped tube length (44a) designed to cooperate, when in use, with a respective pump (3a). There are then further fluid lines (45, 48, 50, 51) fastened to the support element and defining each at least a U-shaped tube length (45a, 48a, 50a, 51a) with respect to said element and each designed to cooperate, when in use, with a respective pump (3b, 3c, 3d, 3e). The support element has a first zone (274) in which the portion of the blood line is secured, and at least a second zone (275) opposite said first zone, to which all the corresponding further tube lengths are fastened.

Abstract: A description is given of a method of monitoring the operationality of a flow cut-off member for an extracorporeal fluid circuit. Also described is a system for arresting the flow of blood that implements this monitoring method. The system has a flow cut-off member active on a radially deformable length of tube forming part of the circuit, and a unit capable of causing a movement of a movable portion of the cut-off member towards a closed condition. The system detects when the movable portion passes through a first predetermined position and determines the value assumed by a dynamic parameter associated with the motion of the movable portion at the first predetermined position. The system further checks that this value is within a predetermined criterion of acceptability. Lastly, a blood treatment appliance is described that implements the described method and system.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a tetraol PFPE derivative [tetraol (T)] of formula (I): HO—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CF2—O—Rf—CF2—CH2O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH, wherein Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain (chain Rf), from a mixture (M) of hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives, said mixture comprising said tetraol (T) and at least one hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether [PFPE (OH)] comprising a chain Rf terminated with at least one end group of formula: —CF2CH2OH; —CF2CH2O—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH; said process comprising: step 1: reacting the mixture (M) with ketones and/or aldehydes so as to selectively protect couples of hydroxyl groups on vicinal carbon atoms by forming corresponding cyclic ketal/acetal derivatives, so as to yield a protected mixture (P); step 2: reacting residual hydroxyl groups of the mixture (P) with suitable functionalizing agents enabling substantial volatility modification, so as to obtain a functionalized protected mixture (Pf); step 3: fractional distillation of the mixture (Pf) so a

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative, comprising: 1. reacting at least one triol having two protected hydroxyl functions and a free hydroxyl group with an activating agent, to yield an activated protected triol; 2. reacting the activated protected triol with a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative of formula: T2-O—Rf-T1, wherein: Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain which is a fluorocarbon segment comprising ether linkages in main chain; T1 and T2, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from non-functional groups of formula: —CF3, —CF2—CF3, —CF2Cl, —CF2CF2Cl, —CF2—COF, —COF: and functional hydroxyl groups comprising at least one hydroxyl group, with the provisio that at least one of T1 and T2 is a functional hydroxyl group as above detailed to yield a protected polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative; and 3. deprotecting the protected polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative to yield the polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the manufacture cola medical implant, said process comprising: reacting a mixture of non functional, monofunctional, and bifunctional perfluoropolyethers comprising hydroxyl terminal groups, wherein the average functionality is of at least 1.97 [mixture (M)] with suitable reactants for producing a thermoplastic elastomer; moulding the so-obtained thermoplastic elastomer for yielding at least a part of the medical implant. It has been surprisingly found that by using a mixture of perfluoropolyethers having high functionality, it is advantageously possible to manufacture, by moulding thermoplastic elastomers therefrom, medical implants which exhibit improved biocompatibility and which are submitted to reduced chemicals extraction by biological fluids.

Abstract: Aromatic hydrogenated polymers comprising perfluoropolyether (PIPE) chains bonded to the aromatic rings to form sequences randomly distributed in the polymer structure, having the formula (I): (T1-CF2O—Rf—CF2)n-T3 in which: n is an integer from 1 to 10; T1 is an aromatic group of the backbone of the hydrogenated polymer, or alternatively condensed aromatic groups; T3 may be equal to T1, or alternatively a functional group —COOH or —COF; Rf is a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain, in which the starting hydrogenated aromatic polymers are obtained by polycondensation, stepwise polyaddition or polyaddition of cyclic monomers in which the ring is formed by at least 3 atoms.

Abstract: A process comprises the phases of: activating a pusher, which exerts a push force on a plunger of a syringe containing the infusion liquid; measuring the push force by means of a load cell; comparing the push force with a maximum threshold; halting the pusher when the maximum threshold is exceeded; after a predetermined pause, restarting the pusher and emitting a consent signal indicating correct loading of the syringe if, within a certain time from the restart, the push force again exceeds the maximum threshold. The infusion device serves to inject an anticoagulant into an extracorporeal blood circuit. The control process guarantees against loss of infusion due to an incorrect initial loading of the syringe.

Abstract: The invention relates to support element (4) comprising a main body (6) having a front wall (25) and a peripheral wall (32) projecting away from the front wall. The front wall and the peripheral wall define a housing compartment (33) designed to receive a fluid distribution circuitry cooperating with a treatment unit for defining an integrated blood treatment module.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extracorporeal blood treatment machine in which a blood circuit (3) is equipped with an inlet line leading to a filtration unit (2) and with an outlet line (3b) from the filtration unit; a fluid circuit comprises an inlet line (4a) leading to the filtration unit and an outlet line (4b) from the filtration unit so as to allow a fluid taken from a primary container (5) to circulate within the filtration unit, thus enabling the treatment of the patient's blood. There is further an infusion line (6) acting on the outlet line of the blood circuit, which is supplied by an auxiliary fluid container (7). The inlet line of the fluid circuit is equipped with at least an infusion branch (8) acting on the outlet line of the blood circuit so as to enable the intensive therapy machine to manage therapies with large exchange of fluids.

Abstract: Compounds having the following formula: wherein: A and A1, equal or different, are respectively H or an aromatic end group as defined below; optionally said aromatic group being substituted; n is an integer different from zero, such that the number average molecular weight of the compound of formula (I) is in the range 1,800-50,000, T is the bivalent group —Y—CH2—CFW1—O—Rf—CFW2—CH2—Y— wherein: Y=O, S; W1 and W2, equal or different, are F, CF3; Rf is a (per) fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain formed of one or more repeating units, statistically distributed along the chain; R1, R2, R3, equal to or different from each other, are selected from H; linear or branched C1-C8 perfluoroalkyl, linear or branched C1-C15 (per) fluorooxyalkyl; linear or branched C1-C8 alkyl; linear or branched C1-C8a oxyalkyl, optionally containing one or more oxygen atoms; NO2; CN.

Abstract: The invention relates to support element (4) comprising a main body (6) having a front wall (25) and a peripheral wall (32) projecting away from the front wall. The front wall and the peripheral wall define a housing compartment (33) designed to receive a fluid distribution circuitry cooperating with a treatment unit for defining an integrated blood treatment module.

Abstract: The support device for bags, applicable in machines for extracorporeal blood treatment or in machines for renal failure treatment, comprises a base body (2) and a support element (3) associated to the base body in such a way as to be displaceable with respect to the base body between at least one operative loading position and an operative work position. In particular the support element is telescopically engaged to the base body and is slidable along a predetermined movement direction (4). The special configuration of the support device enables an easy loading of the machine and a subsequent optimal control of the machine stability.

Abstract: An infusion device comprises a pusher for a plunger of a syringe containing a liquid to be infused. A load cell measures the push force. An encoder associated to a motor commanding the pusher measures the displacement of the pusher. A controller signals an alarm when the ratio between the variation of the push force and the displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold. The device, which serves for infusing an anticoagulant into an extracorporeal blood circuit in a dialysis apparatus, is able to signal an onset of an anomalous situation of lack of infusion in good time.