Abstract: Systems and methods remove a contaminant from a fluid like blood, regardless of whether the contaminant is carried free within the fluid or entrained within cellular matter carried within the fluid. The systems and methods rely upon photodynamic processes to remove free contaminants from the fluid. The systems and methods rely upon separation processes to remove the cellular matter and, with it, the contaminants it entrains from the fluid.

Abstract: A blood processing assembly includes a centrifuge contained within a heated housing or chamber. A fail safe spill or splash detector is located within the inner wall of the housing. The detector includes a pair of parallel electrodes separated from each other from a small gap. The circuit detects a splash or droplet of liquid which conducts current between the electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating a suspension of plasma and platelets from whole blood rotate a chamber about an axis to create within the chamber a low-G zone radially close to the axis and a high-G zone spaced radially further from the axis than the low-G zone. The systems and methods introduce whole blood into an inlet region of the chamber to initiate separation of red blood cells toward the high-G zone of the inlet region. This creates a strong flow of plasma that moves radially toward the low-G zone of the inlet region and elutes platelets into suspension with it. The systems and methods direct the radial flow of plasma and eluted platelets within the inlet region to a port in the inlet region for transport out of the chamber. The systems and methods also drag the interface into this radial plasma flow, eluting even the largest of platelets into suspension for collection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing blood direct blood through the inlet of a separation device for removing undesired matter while directing the blood substantially free of undesired matter from the outlet of the separation device and into a collection container through the first port. The systems and methods expel residual air from the collection container through a second port different than the first port.

Abstract: A centrifuge provides simplify access to the processing chamber. In one arrangement, the processing chamber separates into a bowl and spool element to receive a disposable processing bag. In another arrangement, the processing chamber pivots between an operating position and an access position to provide improved access. The centrifuge also employs readily accessible holders for releasably retaining tubing that, in use, conveys fluid to and from the chamber. Though greatly accessible, the centrifuge operates without the need of complicated rotating seals and expensive disposable components.

Abstract: An umbilicus conveys fluid between a stationary body and a rotating body in a small, compact operating environment. The umbilicus comprises an elongated body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle region between the proximal and distal ends. A first support block is attached to the proximal end. A second support block is attached to the distal end. The first support block includes a strain relief sleeve. The umbilicus is otherwise free of any other strain relief sleeve. A thrust bearing member in the middle region spaced apart from the strain relief sleeve and the distal end. The umbilicus is otherwise free of any other thrust bearing member. The thrust bearing member has an inner annular body, an outer annular body about the inner annular body, and an array of ball bearings between the inner and outer annular bodies. The ball bearings support the inner annular body for rotation relative to the outer annular body.

Abstract: A blood processing method provides a red blood cell product that is free of microorganisms like Yersinia enterocolitica during storage periods over 24 hours. The red blood cell product is collected in a first container, where it is refrigerating to cool the blood product to a temperature of about 3 to 5 degrees C. The refrigerated product is transferred from the first container into a storage container through a prescribed filter medium that comprises a mass of synthetic fibers having an average fiber diameter of about 10 microns or less and a bulk density of about 0.7 gram per cubic centimeter or less. The filtered product is retained in the storage container at a temperature of about 3 to 5 degrees C. for a storage period over 24 hours after filtration. Using the filter medium, microorganisms like Yersinia enterocolitica present in the red blood cell product at the time of collection are depleted.

Abstract: A port is formed in a thermoplastic container wall by slitting the wall, inserting a thermoplastic tube through the slit, placing a mandrel in the tube, placing opposed dies defining a bore over the sheet and tube, and dielectrically heating the thermoplastic to fuse the tube and sheet. Preferably the bore defined by the dies is of a diameter slightly less than that of the tube, and has an enlarged central area which forms a thickened section of material over the slit.

Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a pump race for receiving a flexible tubing. A rotatable pump rotor carries at least one roller for contacting the tubing. A roller locating mechanism moves the pump roller between a retracted position free of contact with the tubing and an extended position making operative contact with the tubing. A controller operates the pump (i) in a pumping mode, during which the rotor is rotated with the roller located in its extended position, and (ii) in a valving mode, during which rotation of the rotor is terminated and the roller is selectively moved between its extended position to block fluid flow through the tubing and its retracted position to permit fluid flow through the tubing. The pump thus provides a peristaltic pump pumping function, as well as serving as a valve element.

Abstract: A peristaltic pumping apparatus includes a peristaltic pump rotor and pump race. A pump tube cassette includes a body for supporting a flexible tubing loop in an erect, outwardly bowed position for placement within the pump race and for removal from the pump race. A surface juxtaposed the peristaltic pump rotor and race carries a gripping jaw assembly. The gripping jaw assembly opens to receive the pump tube cassette body as the body is moved toward the pump rotor to place the tubing loop within the pump race. The gripping jaw assembly closes to secure the pump tube holder body on the surface in an orientation in which the tubing loop lies within the pump race for engagement with the peristaltic pump rotor.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump has a pump rotor rotatable about an axis. The pump rotor carries a pump roller. An actuating rod extends along the axis of rotation. The rod has a distal end and a proximal end. An actuator mechanism is coupled to the proximal rod end for advancing the rod along the axis of rotation in a forward direction toward the pump rotor and in a rearward direction away from the pump rotor. A linkage mechanism is coupled to the distal rod end for converting advancement of the actuating rod along the axis of rotation in response to the actuator mechanism into movement of the pump roller radially of the axis of rotation between a retracted position free of contact with pump tubing and an extended position making operative contact with pump tubing.

Abstract: A cassette serves in association with one or more peristaltic pumps to centralize pumping, valving, and pressure sensing functions. The cassette includes a housing having first and second pump ports. A flexible tubing loop extends between the first and second pump ports outside the housing for engagement with an external peristaltic pump element. A liquid port on the housing attaches to a length of tubing that also extends outside the housing. Liquid passages within the housing that establish communication among the liquid port, the first pump port, and the second pump port. Valve stations formed within the housing are responsive to the application of external force for controlling liquid flow through the liquid passages. A sensing chamber is formed within the housing along at least one liquid passage. The sensing chamber transmits information regarding liquid pressure present within the one liquid passage to an external sensing element.

Abstract: A disposable set for a blood processing device comprises an array of flexible tubing and a frame that holds the flexible tubing array with at least two linear segments of the flexible tubing array presented for alignment with at least two axially aligned peristaltic pump rotors.

Abstract: Improved Implant assemblies and methodologies provide immuno-protection for implanted allografts, xenografts, and isografts. The assemblies and methodologies establish an improved boundary between the host and the implanted cells. The boundary structure is laminated, combining elements having different characteristics beneficial to the survival of the implanted cells. Filaments of adhesive material lay in between the elements. The filaments of adhesive material have been melted in place by the application of heat and solidified in place by cooling to secure the elements together into a composite laminated structure.

Abstract: A self-loading peristaltic pumping apparatus includes a pump race for receiving a tubing loop, a pump rotor carrying a roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating the rotor within the pump race. The apparatus also includes a roller locating mechanism that moves the pump roller between a retracted position, free of contact with the received tubing loop, and an extended position, at least partially within the pump race for operative contact with the received tubing loop. The apparatus includes at least one tubing guide element carried by the rotor. The guide element extends from the rotor at least partially into the pump race. The guide element serves during rotation of the rotor with the roller in its retracted position, for contacting the received tubing loop to orient the tubing loop within the pump race.

Abstract: A compact pump assembly includes a plurality of axially aligned peristaltic pumps for activating the flow of liquids through the conduits. A housing containing the pumps, is provided with a removable cover for retaining the pumps in the housing when the cover is closed and for permitting removal of the pumps when the cover is opened. A reversible motor is mounted outside of the housing for driving each of the pumps. The pumps may be independently inactivated by an individual release mechanisms provided on the common closure cover.

Abstract: Systems for performing peritoneal dialysis having an improved user interface functions and monitoring capabilities. In one respect, the systems discriminate between alarm conditions that require user intervention to correct and alarm conditions that reflect conditions that are anomalies but typically correct themselves with minimum or no user intervention. In another respect, the systems identify occluded liquid flow paths and discriminate whether the flow path is associated with a liquid source or a liquid destination.

Abstract: Pumping mechanisms for performing peritoneal dialysis and the like employ a pumping mechanism comprising a diaphragm that operate in response to applied fluid pressure. Flexible tubing is attached to the pumping mechanism for carrying liquid to and from the patient's peritoneal cavity. An actuating station for pumping mechanism receives the pumping mechanism and attached tubing. A pressure transfer element conveys fluid pressure to the diaphragm for moving liquid through the cassette. An occluder element contacts and crimps closed the tubing attached to the cassette. A first reservoir inflates with positive fluid pressure for contacting the pressure transfer element to hold it in operative contact against the diaphragm. A second reservoir inflates with positive fluid pressure for contacting the occluding element to hold it away from crimping contact with the tubing. At least one of the first and second reservoirs also transports fluid pressure to the pressure transfer element for conveyance to the diaphragm.