Abstract: Disclosed is a novel therapy involving infusion of specially adapted electrolyte solution comprising essentially physiological concentrations of sodium and other cations and in general higher than physiological concentrations of bicarbonate. The therapy is related to treatment of altered renal function and prophylactic treatment of a patient to resist onset of altered renal function.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel procedure and apparatus for controlling opening and closing of venous and arterial lines in single lumen catheter fluid treatment procedures. Different types of apparatus useful for different types of fluid treatment procedures, in particular hemodialysis, hemofiltration, and plasmapheresis procedures, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel pharmaceutical preparation and methods of treatment associated therewith. More particularly, the invention is concerned with pharmaceutical preparations adapted to form or release resorbable bicarbonate ions only in the intestine of the subject. The oral dosage forms of the invention may comprise further active agents, and trace elements.The dosage forms are for example useful in treating patients suffering from abnormal distribution or retention of body fluids or retention products, i.e. products which should be or which should desirably be cleared by kidney function.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of treating a subject suffering from abnormal distribution and retention of body fluids such as may be the result of altered renal function, which comprises the step of administering to a subject in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable alkaline acting substance capable of increasing patient plasma bicarbonate level to a value in excess of that prior to treatment.Oral preparations, in particular an alkaline substance capable of releasing bicarbonate ions, for therapy of a large variety of ailments and diseases, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel catheter for placement in an artery, vein or fistula vessel of a patient, through which blood may be withdrawn or delivered to the patient, which comprises a catheter wall, the inside surface of which defines a lumen having a cross-sectional area in a proximal end region of the catheter which is larger than the cross-sectional area of the lumen defined in a distal end region of the catheter, at least one opening being provided in the wall of the catheter in the region of its distal end through which blood may be passed.Various catheter assemblies employing a catheter such as described above are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for extracorporeally dialyzing the blood of a patient with only a single venipuncture including withdrawing blood from the patient through the venipuncture and forcing the blood along an arterial path to a dialyzer. Blood emerging from the dialyzer is then conducted along a venous path again to the venipuncture. The pressure is monitored in the extracorporeal system to trigger occluding devices which alternately open and close the arterial and venous paths so that undialyzed blood is taken from the patient and dialyzed blood is injected into the patient. The apparatus includes clamps actuated by a pressure monitor to alternately obstruct the arterial and venous paths. A blood pump may be controlled to operate as one of the clamps. In an alternative embodiment, blood is circulated at a comparatively high flow rate throughout the system. A clamp is provided in one of the arterial or venous lines, said clamp being controlled by a pressure monitor.