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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A process for separating bifunctional perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) having two terminations —CH2OH from their mixtures with monofunctional PFPEs with one termination —CH2OH, of general formula X1—O—Rf—Y ??(I) wherein Rf is a perfluoropolyoxyalkylene chain having a number average molecular weight of 500-10,000; X1 and Y are end groups selected from —CFXCH2OH (wherein X is F or CF3), —CF3, —CF2Cl, —CF2CF2Cl, —C3F6Cl, —CF2Br, —CF2CF3, wherein at least one of the two end groups is —CFXCH2OH, said process comprising the steps of: a) addition of the PFPE mixture to an adsorbing solid phase, under stirring; b) filtration of the mixture obtained in a): c) addition to the solid phase filtered in b), of a PFPE mixture having an average functionality higher than that of the PFPE mixture of the liquid filtered in b); c2) filtration of the mixture obtained in c); and subsequent treatment of the solid phase separated in c2) with a polar solvent obtaining a liquid containing the PFPE having high functionality.

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 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: Carboxylic acids comprising perfluoropolyether chains, of formula: T1—CFW1—O—Rf—CFW2—T2??(I) wherein T1, T2, equal to or different from each other, are selected from the group formed of —CH2—B—Y—(COOH)n, —CH(CF3) O—Y(COOH)n, —F, —CF3, —C2F5, —(C2F4)Cl, wherein B=—O— or —S—; Y=C1—C20 alkylene chain, n=1-4; with the proviso that at least one of the two end groups T1, T2 be —CH2—B—Y—(COOH)n, —CH(CF3)O—Y(COOH)n; W1, W2, equal to or different from each other, are —F or —CF3; Rf is a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain formed of one or more repeating units, statistically distributed along the chain, having a number average molecular weight in the range 500-10,000.

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 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: Hydrofluoroethers of formula: T-CFX?—O—Rf—CFX-T???(II) wherein: T=CH3; X, X?, equal to or different from each other, are selected between F, CF3; T?=F, Cl, H, C1—C3 perfluoroalkyl, CH3, CH20H, COC1, CHO, CO2H; Rf is a perfluoroalkylene or a perfluoropolyoxyalkylene and respective preparation process by reduction with hydrogen in the presence of a platinum catalyst supported on metal fluorides of the corresponding compounds with at least one —COCl end group.

Abstract: Hydrofluoroethers of formula: T-CFX?—O—Rf—CFX-T???(II) wherein: T=CH3; X, X?, equal to or different from each other, are selected between F, CF3; T00?=F, Cl, H, C1–C3 perfluoroalkyl, CH3, CH2OH, COCl, CHO, CO2H; Rf is a perfluoroalkylene or a perfluoropolyoxyalkylene and respective preparation process by reduction with hydrogen in the presence of a platinum catalyst supported on metal fluorides of the corresponding compounds with at least one —COCl end group.

Abstract: A process for preparing perfluoropolyethers having at least one —CH2OH or —CH(CF3)OH end group by reaction of the corresponding pefluoropolyethers having at least one carboxylic —COOH or ketonic —(CF3)C?O end group with gaseous hydrogen, between 80° C. and 140° C., in the presence of hydrogenation catalysts.

Abstract: (Per)fluoropolyethers having formula: HS—(Y-R?f-Y?—S—Y—Rf—Y?S)n—H??(1) wherein the Rf, R?f chains are perfluoropolyoxyalkylene chains, equal to or different from each other, formed of one or more repeating units, statistically distributed along the chain, said Rf, R?f having a number average molecular weight in the range 500-10,000, preferably 800-3,000; Y and Y? are equal or different, selected from —CF2CH2—, —CF(CF3)CH2—, —CFXCH2(OCH2CH2)z— wherein z ranges from 1 to 4 and X=F, CF3; —CF2CH2O(CH2)3—; —CF (CF3)CH2O(CH2)3—; n is a positive integer higher than or equal to 1 selected so as to have a number average molecular weight of the compound (1) in the range 3,000-50,000; and their use as lubricants in the presence of Lewis acids.

Abstract: Compounds usable as stabilizing additives of perfluoropolyether fluids working at high temperatures, higher than 200° C.

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;

Abstract: Cyclic phosphazene compounds of formula (I): wherein: Q is a cyclic compound of formula: A is an end group of the —OCF2X, —OC2F4X, —OC3F6X type, wherein X=F, Cl, H; Rf and R?f are (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chains having a number average molecular weight in the range 280-5,000.