Abstract: Systems and methods for the intravascular treatment of clot material within a blood vessel of a human patient are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, positioning a distal portion of a catheter proximate to the clot material within the blood vessel. The method can further include coupling a pressure source to the catheter via a tubing subsystem including a valve or other fluid control device and, while the valve is closed, activating the pressure source to charge a vacuum. The valve can then be opened to apply the vacuum to the catheter to thereby aspirate at least a portion of the clot material from the blood vessel and into the catheter.

Abstract: The hemodialysis system includes a closed loop dialysate flow path which includes a dialyzer and a reservoir for storing dialysate, and a closed loop blood flow path which passes through the dialyzer in the opposite direction as the dialysate flow path. In addition, the hemodialysis system includes pumps for pumping dialysate and blood through their respective flow paths, a flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of dialysate in the dialysate flow path, and a level sensor for measuring the level of dialysate in the dialysate reservoir. A processor is connected to the flow sensor, reservoir level sensor and pumps to provide a first closed loop control system including the processor, flow sensor and a first dialysate pump, and a second closed loop control system including the processor, level sensor and a second dialysate pump which enable the processor to initiate, monitor and maintain ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A medical syringe with at least three ports, in conjunction with a urinary catheter, can be used for closed manual irrigation of a bladder. The three syringe ports are located on a port body. Each of the three syringe ports can be manually selected by rotating a barrel that has a closed end located inside the cup-shaped port body. Rotation of the barrel inside the port body occurs about an axis that is aligned with the central axis of the hollow cylindrical barrel. The system is configured to selectively fill the syringe with an input fluid, irrigate the bladder by passing fluid into and out of the urinary catheter, and drain bladder contents into a drainage vessel without ever needing to remove the syringe from the catheter.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a disposable cartridge and a reused dialysis machine. The disposable cartridge includes a dialyzer, and a dialysate flow path and a blood flow path which flow in opposing directions through the dialyzer. The disposable cartridge includes pressure and fluid flow sensors for measuring the pressure and fluid flow in the dialysate flow path and blood flow path. In addition, the disposable cartridge possesses pump actuators (but not pump motors) for pumping dialysate and blood through their respective flow paths. Preferably, the disposable cartridge includes a filter for removing waste products from dialysate.

Abstract: A device for aspirating and transferring blood during a surgical operation has a first chamber and a second chamber for collecting and transferring the aspirated blood, and an electronically controlled valve unit for connecting the chambers to a vacuum source. The valve unit establishes this connection alternately between the first chamber and the vacuum source and the second chamber and the vacuum source, such that the first or second chamber connected to the vacuum source can be filled with aspirated blood, and the other, second or first chamber can be emptied at the same time. The valve unit is connected to the first and second chamber and permits a pressure increase in the first or second chamber to be emptied. This device allows blood to be efficiently collected and transferred during operations in a way that is gentle on the blood.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid flow to provide long-term access to the vascular system, and methods of making the same, are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention describe a wedge or other similarly shaped geometrical features for fixing an elastic component and controlling an internal stress of the elastic component.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a disposable cartridge and a reused dialysis machine. The disposable cartridge includes a dialyzer, and a dialysate flow path and a blood flow path which flow in opposing directions through the dialyzer. The disposable cartridge includes pressure and fluid flow sensors for measuring the pressure and fluid flow in the dialysate flow path and blood flow path. In addition, the disposable cartridge possesses pump actuators (but not pump motors) for pumping dialysate and blood through their respective flow paths. Preferably, the disposable cartridge includes a filter for removing waste products from dialysate.

Abstract: A portable hemodialysis system is provided including a disposable cartridge and a reused dialysis machine. The disposable cartridge includes a dialysate flow path and a blood flow path which flow in opposite directions through a dialyzer. The disposable cartridge further includes a filter for removing waste products from the dialysate as well as one or more flow sensors for measuring the flow of dialysate in the dialysate flow path. The preferred flow sensor includes a rotatable spoked wheel in the dialysate flow path which is rotated by the flow of dialysate. The spoked wheel includes one or more magnets which are rotated with the rotation of the spoked wheel. The flow sensor further includes a magnetic field sensor in the reused dialysis machine which is connected to a processor for monitoring the rotation of the spoked wheel to determine flow of fluid in the dialysate flow path.

Abstract: A regenerative peritoneal dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid loop; a filter located in the dialysis fluid loop, a first portion of the dialysis fluid sent to the filter rejected by the filter and returned upstream of the filter, a second portion of the dialysis fluid sent to the filter forming permeate, the permeate being rich in urea; and a urea removing apparatus located in the dialysis fluid loop downstream from the filter to receive the permeate and absorb urea from the permeate.

Abstract: A clamp is provided in a blood collecting device that includes a first tube having one end and another end connected to a blood collecting needle and a blood bag, respectively, a second tube branched from a halfway of the first tube through a branched portion, and a block-off member which is provided in the first tube at the blood-bag side beyond the branched portion and which allows the first tube in a blocked state to be opened when torn, in which the clamp is arranged at the branched portion, and is configured to change a state between a first state in which the second tube is opened and a tearing operation of the block-off member is disabled and a second state in which the second tube is closed and a tearing operation to the block-off member is enabled.

Abstract: A method of pneumatically operating a dialysis system includes (i) pumping air in a first valve state from a pneumatic pump to operate a component of the dialysis system, and (ii) recirculating air in a second valve state by pumping air from an outlet of the pneumatic pump to an inlet of the pneumatic pump to minimize at least one of a noise pitch or noise amplitude when switching from the second valve state to the first valve state.

Abstract: A dialysis fluid pressure manifold system includes a plurality of pump and valve chambers controlling a flow of dialysis fluid; a header including a plurality of pneumatic passageways, each passageway in pneumatic communication with one of the pump or valve chambers; a plurality of electrically actuated pneumatic valves; and a plate defining a plurality of pneumatic apertures, each pneumatic aperture in pneumatic communication with one of the plurality of electrically actuated pneumatic valves, the plate providing the apertures each with an o-ring seal for airtight connection with the pneumatic passageways of the header.

Abstract: A method for connecting medical tubing or any other type of fluidic circuit conduits (e.g., cannulae) to a ventricular assist device (“VAD”) or any other pumping device used for blood pumping during cardiac circulatory support for vascular surgery. The method prevent air bubbles from entering a cardiac circulatory support system when connecting cannulae to a VAD that may later enter the blood stream of a patient during cardiac surgery, and also provide for purging any air bubbles that may have entered the cardiac circulatory support system during a cannulae-VAD connection.

Abstract: A dialysis machine that includes a valve member having a deformable area configured to deform outwardly away when pressurized fluid is introduced into the valve member. The valve member is configured so that, when a dialysis fluid cassette is disposed in a cassette compartment of the dialysis machine and pressurized fluid is introduced into the valve member, the deformable area obstructs a fluid channel of the dialysis fluid cassette to control dialysis fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system includes an on-line dialysate generator; a dialysate pump actuator configured to pump dialysate generated by the generator to a dialyzer; a conductivity sensor located adjacent to a temperature sensor upstream of the dialyzer; a blood pump actuator; an air detector; and a disposable cassette configured to carry dialysate pumped by the dialysate pump actuator, the disposable cassette including a conductivity sensor portion and a temperature sensor portion located to operate with the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor, respectively, the disposable cassette further configured to carry blood pumped by the blood pump actuator and to provide an air detection portion located to operate with the air detector.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a valve including a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the housing defines a first and second nozzle, and the bottom portion of the housing defines an opening. A diaphragm has an open position and a closed position, and the diaphragm is disposed between the top portion of the housing and the bottom portion of the housing. A first fluid flow path between the first nozzle and the second nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the closed position. A second fluid flow path between the opening and the first nozzle is defined by the housing and the diaphragm, when the diaphragm is in the open position. Such a valve can be used for a number of purposes including hemodialysis procedures.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing extracorporeal blood circulation and oxygenation control include seven-stage de-airing of blood to provide automated cardiopulmonary replacement to sustain patient life during a medical procedure comprising repairing or replacing the heart valve in a patient.

Abstract: A dialysis system including a dialysis machine including a blood pump actuator, dialysate pump actuator, a blood valve actuator and a dialysate valve actuator; and a disposable cassette operable with the dialysis machine, the disposable cassette including: (i) a housing, (ii) a dialysate pump portion of the housing configured to operate with the dialysate pump actuator, (iii) a blood valve portion of the housing configured to operate with the blood valve actuator, (iv) a dialysate valve portion of the housing configured to operate with the dialysate valve actuator, (v) a dialyzer supported by the housing, the dialyzer including a dialysate inlet and a dialysate outlet, (vi) a first dialysate connection extending externally from the housing to the dialyzer inlet, and (vii) a second dialysate connection extending externally from the housing to the dialyzer outlet.

Abstract: A flexible valve for a connectors is described. In one example, a flexible valve for a connector includes a head having a top section and a column section defining an axial center of the head, wherein the top section includes a top planar surface that is non-perpendicular with respect to the axial center of the column section; a primary seal portion coupled to the head; and a lower portion coupled to the primary seal portion.

Abstract: A method for the re-anticoagulation of platelet rich plasma in a blood apheresis system includes priming the blood apheresis system with anticoagulant, such that a volume of anticoagulant is transferred to a PRP container. The method may then transfer the anticoagulant within the PRP container to a red blood cell container, and collect a volume of platelet rich plasma within the PRP container. The platelet rich plasma may be collected in a plurality of cycles. Between collection cycles, the method may transfer a portion of the volume of anticoagulant from the red blood cell container to the PRP container.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing extracorporeal blood circulation and oxygenation control include multi-stage de-airing of blood to provide automated cardiopulmonary replacement to preserve the viability or one or more organs in a clinically dead organ donor or harvested donor organ for subsequent transplantation to an organ receiver patient.

Abstract: An air purging method includes: (a) detecting a low fluid level in a blood circuit indicating a high amount of air in the blood circuit; (b) stopping a blood pump; (c) closing a venous patient line; (d) opening a blood circuit air vent valve and a drain valve; and (e) running the blood pump to meter air through the air vent valve and the drain valve to a drain.

Abstract: The system for removing blood containing contrast dye includes an inner catheter having a fixed proximal end and a distal free end, and an outer catheter coaxially disposed around a portion of the inner catheter, defining an inner lumen and an annular outer lumen. The fixed end of the inner catheter is coincident with the proximal end of the outer catheter, and the distal end of the inner catheter extends outward from the outer catheter. A valve manifold provides a single operator control over the operation of the catheters and balloon in order to drain the dye from the coronary sinus system.

Abstract: A device for reversing the blood flow for an extracorporeal blood treatment device, which has an extracorporeal blood circuit, includes an arterial blood line leading from a patient to a blood treatment unit and a venous blood line leading from the blood treatment unit to the patient. Furthermore, an extracorporeal blood treatment device includes a device for reversing the blood flow, and a method includes determining the reversal of the blood flow during an extracorporeal blood treatment. The device for reversing the blood flow for an extracorporeal blood treatment device includes two valve bodies which are rotated relative to one another for reversing the blood flow. The device for reversing the blood flow includes a communication device for receiving an electromagnetic high-frequency field from a read unit of the extracorporeal blood treatment device and for generating at least one identifier characterizing the position of the valve bodies which can be read by the read device.

Abstract: A gasket member is provided for use with a fluid processing cassette having a plurality of valve stations and a fluid processing system having a valve assembly with a plurality of valve actuators. The valve stations and valve actuators are positioned in discrete locations, with the location of each valve station corresponding to the location of an associated valve actuator. The gasket member includes a filter layer and a support layer, the support layer being made of a support material. The support layer includes discrete portions of support material corresponding generally to the discrete locations of the valve stations and the valve actuators.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing hemodialysis that include fluid handling systems that provide accurate control over the type and level of hemodialysis being performed. The system includes a first pump for pumping dialysate into a dialyzer and a second pump for pumping dialysate out of the dialyzer. The system also includes a third pump that provides improved control of a level of ultrafiltration, hemodiafiltration, or both.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: (a) a test tube for receiving a blood sample or a platelet-comprising fraction thereof and for obtaining therein, by a procedure that includes centrifugation, a platelet rich plasma (PRP) fraction; (b) an elongated filter device having a first and second end and a lumen extending there between, and having a filter fitted at the first end, the filter having a effective pore size such to permit passage of platelets and not permit passage of white blood cells (WBC) larger than a defined size into the lumen, the second end having an opening; the first end of the elongated filter device being adapted for tight fitting into said test tube such that when forced into the test tube to exert pressure on the PRP fraction, the PRP fraction with the platelets filters into said lumen and white blood cells of a size large than said defined size remain in the test tube to thereby obtain a WBC-selective PRP within said lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of a medical liquid comprising a liquid treatment machine and a cassette insertable therein substantially made of a rigid base body of the cassette with fitted chambers and passages and a foil covering them.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing extracorporeal blood circulation and oxygenation control include multi-stage de-airing of blood to provide automated cardiopulmonary replacement to sustain patient life during a medical procedure such as cardiopulonary bypass graft surgery, keyhole cardiopulonary bypass graft surgery, percutaneous angioplasty, percutaneous stent placement, and percutaneous etherectomy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling blood withdrawal and infusion flow rate with the use of a pressure controller. The pressure controller uses pressure targets based upon occlusion limits that are calculated as a function of flow. The controller has the ability to switch from controlling withdrawal pressure to controlling infusion pressure based upon the detection of an occlusion. The controller distinguishes between partial and total occlusions of the withdrawal vein providing blood access. Depending on the nature of occlusion, the controller limits or temporarily reverses blood flow and, thus, prevents withdrawal vessel collapse or reverses blood flow to quickly infuse blood into the vessel without participation from operator.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to blood flow reversal valves and related systems and methods. In certain aspects of the invention, a blood flow reversal valve includes a first member having a first passage and a second passage, and a second member having a first passage and a second passage. The first and second members are rotatably fixed relative to one another such that the first passage of the first member is aligned with the first passage of the second member and the second passage of the first member is aligned with the second passage of the second member. A flow directing element is disposed in the cavity and is moveable relative to the first and second members between a first position in which the first passage of the first member and the first passage of the second member are fluidly connected and a second position in which the first passage of the first member and the second passage of the second member are fluidly connected.

Abstract: A blood processing device includes a venous-access device, a blood component separation device, a return line, a draw line, a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a first pump. The first pressure sensor is located on the return line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a first pressure. The second pressure sensor is located on the draw line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a second pressure. The first pump is connected to at least one of the return line and the draw line and controls a flow rate within the connected line based on a subject access pressure determined based upon the first and second pressures.

Abstract: A dialysis valve includes a tube attached between an artery and a vein which, when elongated, simultaneously narrows in diameter at least one location. The narrowed portion of the tube decreases the volume and velocity between the arterial and venous side of the patient to prevent damage or intimal hyperplasia on the venous side between dialysis treatments. When the valve is opened for dialysis, an unrestricted blood flow exists between the arterial and venous side, permitting a controlled, open blood flow during dialysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring a fluid system of an extracorporeal blood treatment device. In the method according to the present invention and the device according to the present invention, the pressure in a ventilation line branching off the venous drip chamber in the venous blood line is measured, a hydrophobic filter being disposed in the ventilation line. A fault in the fluid system is determined in the absence of pressure variations in the segment of the ventilation line remote from the venous drip chamber. The pressure variations in the ventilation line can be generated downstream of the hydrophobic filter by alternately ventilating the ventilation line that is closed downstream of the hydrophobic filter during blood treatment.

Abstract: A valve for controlling material flow through a catheter, comprises a first flexible member including a first moveable element, wherein, when the first moveable element is in the open position, material may flow past the first flexible member through a first lumen of the catheter and, when the first moveable element is in the closed position, flow through the first lumen is prevented and a first biasing member coupled to the first flexible member for biasing the first moveable member toward the closed position.

Abstract: The medical apparatus has lines that are connected to the vascular system of a patient. To ensure that an accidental escape of blood is identified, a camera is provided and is directed at the extracorporeal blood circuit of the patient. The image signals from the camera are processed in the sense that the color of blood and/or its arrangement in the image area in the camera image is determined, wherein the size of the recorded image area with the color of blood is also evaluated. In this way, an extracorporeal blood loss can be detected and signaled automatically.

Abstract: A liquid collection bag is used as a part of an extracorporeal circuit and is connected via a tube to a storage container containing a priming solution. The collection container collects the priming solution from the storage container by a pressure differential between the pressure inside the collection container and the pressure inside the storage container. The liquid collection container is a flexible bag body having a partition part dividing the inside of the bag body into a first space and a second space. In addition, a communication part communicates the first space with the second space.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for hemodialysis including a needle access port having a housing defining a septum, wherein the septum is configured for needle access. Generally, the needle access port will have three septa for communication with valves configured to be anastomosed to a large-diameter blood vessel. The valves are in fluid communication with a flow of blood through the large-diameter blood vessel. The device also includes an elongate tube having a first and a second elongate lumen, wherein a first end of the tube is coupled to the needle access port and a second end of the tube is coupled to the valve. The device can be cleaned by injecting a cleaning fluid into a first septum of the needle access port and extracting it though the second septum of the needle access port.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes at least one pneumatic valve, a pneumatic pump in fluid communication with the pneumatic valve, a pneumatic line communicating with an inlet and an outlet of the pneumatic pump, a flow restrictor placed in the pneumatic line, and a logic implementer. The logic implementer is programmed to operate the pneumatic valve to either (i) communicate the pneumatic outlet with the pneumatic inlet of the pneumatic pump through the flow restrictor and the pneumatic line, or (ii) communicate the outlet of the pneumatic pump with a component of the dialysis system.

Abstract: A trocar and cannula assembly with improved conical valve that incorporates a plurality of ribs to restrict and/or otherwise influence valve movement, and a plurality of improved convolutes and bumps to enhance performance characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve arrangement for use in an extracorporeal blood circuit having at least one arterial blood line and at least one venous blood line, the valve arrangement having at least one first valve arranged in the arterial blood line, a second valve arranged in the venous blood line, a fourth valve arranged in a first arteriovenous connection line between the arterial blood line of the circuit and the venous blood line of the circuit, and a fifth valve arranged in a second arteriovenous connection line between the arterial blood line and the venous blood line; and/or a third valve arranged for establishing a fluid connection in a blood line between the arterial blood line and the venous blood line of the circuit; and/or a sixth valve arranged between a blood treatment device and an air venting device of the circuit.

Abstract: A renal therapy blood cleaning system includes: a blood filtering device in communication with an extracorporeal circuit; a first pump configured to pump fluid to the blood filtering device; a second pump configured to pump fluid from the blood filtering device; a balance chamber in fluid communication with first and second lines, the first and second lines in fluid communication with the first and second pumps, respectively, the balance chamber configured to exchange like volumes of fresh and spent fluid; a plurality of valves; and a control scheme programmed to operate the plurality of valves to enable spent fluid taken from the balancing chamber through one of the first and second lines to be recirculated to the balance chamber through the other of the first and second lines to compensate for a volume of fresh fluid delivered to the blood filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an appliance for cannulation of a blood vessel with a cannula which, after introduction into the vessel, is in fluidic communication with the vessel. At least one means is also provided to permit a controlled division of the blood into a first subsidiary stream which leaves the vessel through the cannula, and a second subsidiary stream which continues to flow through the vessel.

Abstract: A cannulation system for perfusing a patient's circulatory system, includes an inflow cannula having a first end adapted to be connected to said circulatory system and a second end adapted to be connected to a blood pump, an outflow cannula having a first end adapted to be connected to the blood pump and a second end adapted to be connected to said circulatory system at a location downstream of the first end of the inflow cannula. The flow of blood from the pump is in series with the normal blood flow of the circulatory system of the patient and creates a localized region of hypertension.

Abstract: Dialysis systems comprising actuators that cooperate to perform dialysis functions and sensors that cooperate to monitor dialysis functions are disclosed. According to one aspect, such a hemodialysis system comprises a user interface model layer, a therapy layer, below the user interface model layer, and a machine layer below the therapy layer. The user interface model layer is configured to manage the state of a graphical user interface and receive inputs from a graphical user interface. The therapy layer is configured to run state machines that generate therapy commands based at least in part on the inputs from the graphical user interface. The machine layer is configured to provide commands for the actuators based on the therapy commands.

Abstract: An enclosure for containing a portable hemodialysis unit includes a housing suitable to support components for performing hemodialysis including a dialyzer, one or more pumps to circulate blood through the dialyzer, a source of dialysate, and one or more pumps to circulate the dialysate through the dialyzer. The housing may have a front panel at which blood circuit connections and dialysate fluidic connections are located, e.g., blood line connections for patient blood access, connections for a reagent supply, dialyzer connections for both blood flow and dialysate, etc. The enclosure may also include a pair of vertical, side-by-side doors hingedly mounted to the housing. With the doors in the closed position, access to the patient access and dialysate fluidic connections may be blocked, and the doors may allow for the retention of heat in the housing suitable for disinfection during a disinfection cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in dialyzing a patient comprising a hemodialysis catheter comprising an elongated body having a proximal and a distal end, wherein the distal end terminates in a substantially planar distal end surface; first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the lumens terminate on the distal end surface in first and second mouths, arranged in side-by-side configuration, and further wherein the lumens are separated by a septum; and first and second longitudinal slots formed in the distal end of the elongated body and communicating with the interiors of the lumens, the slots opening on the distal end surface; wherein the slots each have a length and a width, relative to the dimensions of the lumens and the rate of blood flow to be passed through the hemodialysis catheter, so as to minimize undesirable recirculation of dialyzed blood.

Abstract: A dialysis machine that includes a valve body defining a pressure passage and a sealing cap disposed at a first end of the valve body such that the sealing cap closes off the pressure passage at the first end of the valve body. The sealing cap has a deformable area configured to deform outwardly away from the valve body when pressurized fluid is introduced into the pressure passage of the valve body. The sealing cap is configured so that, when a dialysis fluid cassette is disposed in a cassette compartment of the dialysis machine and pressurized fluid is introduced into the pressure passage of the valve body, the deformable area obstructs a fluid channel of the dialysis fluid cassette to control dialysis fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable single-needle extracorporeal blood treatment circuit for such treatments of blood hemofiltration, plasma filtration, detoxification and alike includes a manually operated syringe attached to a proximal bifurcation and a patient's access port attached to a distal bifurcation. Both bifurcations are connected with each other by a withdrawal line and in parallel by a treatment loop including a blood treatment unit and an air removal element. In the first embodiment, one or two three-way valves (such as stop-cocks) are positioned at these bifurcations to allow directing the flow of blood from the patient to the syringe through the withdrawal line and redirecting the flow through the treatment loop when blood is being returned to the patient from the syringe. In a second embodiment, two check valves are positioned along said withdrawal line and said treatment loop to automatically direct the blood floe in the same manner.