Abstract: An extracorporeal blood set may be primed with physiological solution for use in a blood transporting process such as hemodialysis. The set comprises tubing having a patient connector on an end thereof, and a first branch tube in connection with a source of the solution. The branch tube connects with the set between the ends of the set. The branch tube also connects with further branch tubing, having a second connector which is capable of sealing connection with the patient connector. The method comprises the steps of connecting the patient connector and the second connector to form a closed loop of tubing. One then passes the solution from the source in flow through the first branch tube and further branch tubing to fill them and the set tubing with the solution. One then disconnects the patient connector for subsequent connection with the vascular system of a patient.

Abstract: A medical device has an interior for containment of fluids; an opening into the interior, an elastomeric wall comprising a fixedly placed, flexible barrier across the opening; and a retention wall positioned adjacent to a peripheral portion of the elastomeric wall. The retention wall defines a central opening and has a generally rigid retention zone surrounding the central opening, to engage and retain a connector tube which is advanced into the central opening to displace the elastomeric wall and to open a flow aperture through the elastomeric wall, for flow through the wall and connector tube. One of the retention zone and connector tube are made of a material of sufficient hardness that material of the other engaging member is deformed by engagement therewith, which increases the strength of retention between the retention wall and the connector tube.

Abstract: A crimp defines separate parallel bores extending therethrough to receive a wire or cable portion. The crimp has a pair of opposed ends which each define a pair of circumferentially-spaced, outwardly projecting flanges respectively positioned on opposite sides of the crimp. Thus, the flanges may rest against a bone while providing spacing for crimping jaws between a central portion of the crimp and the bone. A design of crimping pliers for use with the crimp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubular set portion for circulating blood between a patient and an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The set portion has: an arterial tube for conveying blood from a patient toward the blood treatment device; a venous tube for conveying blood from the blood treatment device back towards the patient; and a pair of spaced, transverse tubes that each connect between the arterial tube and the venous tube, each of the tubes being capable of clamp sealing. The arterial and venous tubes are clamp sealable between the spaced, transverse tubes. Flow reversal on the patient's side of this device is possible by appropriate clamping of two opposed tube sections of the rectangular array which may be formed by the joined tube sections, while flow remains unchanged on the side of the tubular set portion that is connected to the extracorporeal blood treatment device.

Abstract: Blood lines for hemodialysis and other blood handling procedures may be reused by placing connectors intermediately along the length of the blood lines so that the lines can be disconnected to separate out reusable portions thereof. Specifically, the bulk of the blood lines used may comprise branchless lengths of tubing which are easily reusable, and may be cleaned and stored along with a dialyzer or similar device by connection to a conventional reuse machine. Also, the connectors on the blood lines which are reused may have first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surfaces are used in the connections made to form the blood line in its normal form for use. Then, during cleaning and sterilization for reuse, the reusable connectors can connect first and second lengths of blood lines together making use of a second sealing surface, in which the first sealing surfaces are exposed to cleaning/storing solution to cause cleaning and antibacterial action on the first sealing surfaces.