Abstract: It is disclosed and induction furnace (1) comprising: a box-like housing structure (2, 6), which defines an internal chamber (3) of the induction furnace (1); an infiltration crucible (7) housed in the internal chamber (3) and comprising a first (10) and second (11) essentially mutually parallel and spaced away radiation plates, made of susceptor material, and an infiltration chamber (13), which is interposed between the radiation plates (10, 11) in order to be heated by the plates, the infiltration chamber being provided for housing a semifinished workpiece (14), to be subjected to infiltration, and infiltration material (15); at least an induction coil (L1, L2) housed in the internal chamber (3) to be supplied with at least an electrical current (i1, i2) for induction heating of the radiation plates (10, 11).

Abstract: A duct for carrying blood for ventricular-assistance devices (VADs) has a tubular body and an end having associated thereto a valve for enabling the flow of blood unidirectionally in the duct. The valve has an annular reinforcement, and the end of the duct is provided with a slot for receiving the annular reinforcement of the valve with the reinforcement in a retracted position in said slot. The aforesaid end and the aforesaid tubular body of the duct are provided with a continuous coating of haemocompatible material, such as a polyurethane.

Abstract: A cardiac ventricular assist device or VAD includes a pumping unit with a variable-volume chamber capable of receiving a mass of blood, and a control unit to control the pumping unit to obtain contraction of the variable-volume chamber, with consequent expulsion of the blood collected in the chamber, and expansion of the variable-volume chamber consequent on the flow of blood into the chamber. A flow line is included, such as a transcutaneous line, for a gaseous flow caused by the contraction and expansion of the variable-volume chamber. A sensor sensitive to the gaseous flow in the flow line generates a flow-meter signal that is indicative of the expulsion and inflow of blood with regard to the variable-volume chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of preparing acellularized, biocompatible, implantation material starting from a biological material. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of preparing biological material for implantation comprising (a) fixation of the biological material with an aldehyde and (b) detoxification/anticalcification of the fixed biological material, wherein the detoxification/anticalcification step makes use of a novel class of substances of formula: NH2—(CH2)n—X ??(I) wherein X is COOH, SO3H, PO3H2 and n is an integer from 2 to 6.

Abstract: Described herein is a pulsator device that can be used for generating a pulsed flow starting from a substantially constant flow, for example in reactors for cell growth and other applications in which it is desired to have available pulsed irroration flows. The device comprises a deformable body that is able to define a duct for passage of a substantially constant flow of a fluid subjected to pumping. Associated to the deformable body is at least one actuation chamber that is selectively expandable between at least one contracted condition and at least one extended condition of pumping so as to produce a variation of the section for passage of said fluid through the duct. The variation of the section of passage through the duct is able to cause the generation of a pulsed flow of the fluid subjected to pumping.

Abstract: The device comprises a bag associated to which are actuator means which can be selectively activated so as to enable expansion of the bag, with consequent filling of the bag itself by a mass of blood which flows towards the bag, and to produce contraction of the bag with consequent expulsion from the bag itself of the mass of blood that has flowed into the bag. Associated to the bag is a containment casing to which a duct is connected for enabling inflow and outflow of aeriform with respect to the casing as a result of the movement of expansion and contraction of the bag. A pressure limiter is provided for determining selectively and maintaining in a precise way the value of pressure of said aeriform which determines outflow—and possibly inflow—of the aeriform with respect to the aforesaid casing.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an apertured structure is located in a chamber (11) which is taken to sub-atmospheric pressure. Once sub-atmospheric pressure has been reached, a liquid, optionally containing pharmacological agents, is introduced into the chamber. Drawn by the sub-atmospheric pressure, the liquid saturates the apertured structure of the prosthesis. In this way, the invention eliminates the risk of air being trapped in the apertured structure that could give rise to the formation of blood clots after implantation of the prosthesis. The liquid can contain drugs that penetrate the prosthesis, performing their therapeutic action locally and over time after implantation.

Abstract: A device comprises a bag with associated actuator means which can be selectively activated to permit the expansion of the bag and its consequent filing with a body of blood which flows towards the bag, and to produce the contraction of the bag with the consequent expulsion from the bag of a body of blood which has flowed into the bag. Means are provided for selectively varying the resistance offered by the said bag to filing with the said body of blood.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an apertured structure is located in a chamber (11) which is taken to sub-atmospheric pressure. Once sub-atmospheric pressure has been reached, a liquid, optionally containing pharmacological agents, is introduced into the chamber. Drawn by the sub-atmospheric pressure, the liquid saturates the apertured structure of the prosthesis. In this way, the invention eliminates the risk of air being trapped in the apertured structure that could give rise to the formation of blood clots after implantation of the prosthesis. The liquid can contain drugs that penetrate the prosthesis, performing their therapeutic action locally and over time after implantation.

Abstract: A prosthesis having an apertured structure is located in a chamber (11) which is taken to sub-atmospheric pressure. Once sub-atmospheric pressure has been reached, a liquid, optionally containing pharmacological agents, is introduced into the chamber. Drawn by the sub-atmospheric pressure, the liquid saturates the apertured structure of the prosthesis. In this way, the invention eliminates the risk of air being trapped in the apertured structure that could give rise to the formation of blood clots after implantation of the prosthesis. The liquid can contain drugs that penetrate the prosthesis, performing their therapeutic action locally and over time after implantation.

Abstract: The device comprises a bag with associated actuator means which can be selectively activated

Abstract: A method for reducing foam in a blood substance comprising contacting at least a portion of the blood substance with a contact-generating substrate which comprises an antifoaming agent, wherein the antifoaming agent comprises a triglyceride of one or more saturated or unsaturated C.sub.14 -C.sub.24 fatty acids or a mixture of triglycerides having one or more saturated or unsaturated C.sub.14 -C.sub.24 fatty acids, wherein the triglyceride or mixture of triglycerides has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of from 5 to 10.

Abstract: A method of preparing biological implantation material fixed by means of aldehydes, in which the excess aldehyde is bound by treatment with an aminocarboxylic acid and the acid is selected from compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## in which n is 1 or 2 and X is a sulpho- (--SO.sub.3 H) or phosphono- (--PO.sub.3 H) group, and mixtures of such compounds.

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.

Abstract: A device for the pulsed pumping of liquids, particularly blood, has a body in which are formed a pumping chamber in which a pulsed flow is imparted to the liquid, an inlet duct upstream of the pumping chamber and communicating therewith, and a delivery duct downstream of the pumping chamber and communicating therewith. Two valve members constituted by lip valves are provided for regulating the one-way flow of fluid in the body from the inlet duct to the pumping chamber and from the latter to the delivery duct. Low levels of hemolysis can be achieved, if the device is pumping blood. Moreover, the device has a low production cost and is quiet. The pumping device may be incorporated into a cardiopulmonary bypass device which includes a venous reservoir, a heat exchanger and an oxygenator.

Abstract: A stentless prosthesis is made completely from material, for example bovine pericardium, other than valve material. A projection of the valve sleeve allows reparatory operations on surrounding tissues.

Abstract: There are disclosed devices for conditioning a blood flow which include at least one element with portions which are exposed to the blood and are deformable cyclically at a frequency comparable to the frequency of the heartbeat, in which the cyclically deformable portions have a continuous coating of biocompatible carbonaceous material comprised of carbon crystals having a density of greater than 2.1 grams per cubic centimeter applied by sputtering directly on and completely covering at least those portions of the device which are exposed to the blood.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis has a suture ring with a core for form-coupling with the stent of the prosthesis so that the suture ring and the stent are held securely together axially, while the core can rotate relative to the stent. The suture ring has a covering which cooperates with the surface of the stent and is in contact therewith. The degree of contact determines the resistance to relative rotation of the ring and the stent.

Abstract: The thickness of the obturator (3) increases gradually from the central region (C.sub.9 C.sub.10) towards the ends (P.sub.9, P.sub.10) of the edge (6) nearest to the axis of articulation (5) to the prosthesis, and decreases gradually or is constant from that edge to the other end edge (7) which forms the outer edge of the obturator.