Abstract: The present invention refers to a device (1) and a method of measuring a parameter of blood, preferably correlated to the presence or concentration of oxygen in blood. The invention provides to: excite a photosensitive element (18?) in contact with blood by excitation pulses, detect light responses of the photosensitive element corresponding to the excitation pulses, and analyze the plurality of luminescence decay curves at least two time windows (t1-tN). Moreover, the invention provides to: detect one or more light answer analog information regarding the luminescence curve decay at each time window, convert the analog information into digital data, process the digital data and the actual temperature value of blood by taking into account a plurality of data of previous measures of the parameter of blood performed during a previous training, and determine, as a result of the processing step, at least one value of said parameter of blood.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a device (1) and a method of measuring a parameter of blood, preferably correlated to the presence or concentration of oxygen in blood. The invention provides to: excite a photosensitive element (18?) in contact with blood by excitation pulses, detect light responses of the photosensitive element corresponding to the excitation pulses, and analyze the plurality of luminescence decay curves at least two time windows (t1-tN). Moreover, the invention provides to: detect one or more light answer analog information regarding the luminescence curve decay at each time window, convert the analog information into digital data, process the digital data and the actual temperature value of blood by taking into account a plurality of data of previous measures of the parameter of blood performed during a previous training, and determine, as a result of the processing step, at least one value of said parameter of blood.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the blood parameters in an extracorporeal circuit comprises: a seat (23) suitable for containing a duct (14) for the blood flow of said extracorporeal circuit; emitting means (16) and detecting means (18) of electromagnetic radiation that face the seat (23); a control unit (38) to which said emitting means (16) and detecting means (18) are connected. The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the emitting means (16) are suitable for producing electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths, and the detecting means (18) are suitable for detecting the electromagnetic radiation diffused in the blood at said wavelengths. Moreover, the apparatus is characterised in that the control unit (38) is suitable for calculating values of blood parameters through a correlation between reference values and ratios obtained from values of the light intensity of the radiation detected at at least two different wavelengths.

Abstract: A method for measuring the mean velocity (VH) of an extracorporeal blood fluid or infusion fluid, by means of retroinjection interferometry, comprises the step of emitting a first laser light beam (41), from the laser cavity (40) of a semiconductor laser source (60), reflection of a second laser beam (45) by the fluid (50) and consequent generation of interference with the first laser beam (41) inside the laser cavity (40), detection of the interference signal by a monitoring photodiode (46), and processing, by means of an electronic processing and control circuit (100), of the interference signal detected. The invention also comprises an apparatus (62) for implementing the method described and an extracorporeal circuit (58) comprising said apparatus. The invention also comprises a method for replacing a laser source in said apparatus.

Abstract: Physico-chemical parameters, such as pH, pO.sub.2, pCO.sub.2, % O.sub.2, sat, etc., are determined with the use of a sensitive medium, such as a chromophore, having at least one optical property the profile of the spectrum whereof over a predetermined wavelength spectrum of optical radiation varies as a function of the parameter to be determined. The profile of the spectrum is analysed, for example by means of polychromatic sensor means acting on the medium's spectrum, which is preferably substantially continuous, so as to enable the analysis to be carried out with the aid of a profile-recognition function by typical pattern-recognition operations. The determination is thus rendered largely independent of numerous perturbing factors such as those resulting from the use of partially disposable monitoring units, thus eliminating the need for calibration steps.

Abstract: The structure has a core which may be a strand or braid, as well as a sheath surrounding the core and defining the exchange surface. Preferred applications are for biomedical equipment such as blood oxygenators and blood purification equipment.