Abstract: A dialysis system includes a source of dialysis fluid; at least one pump for pumping dialysate to or from a patient or dialyzer; and a drain container configured to receive effluent dialysis fluid from the patient or dialyzer through a drain tube, the drain container including an at least semi-rigid body, the body including a handle, a drain tube receiving portion, a spout, and wherein at least a portion of the body is non-opaque such that effluent dialysis fluid inside the at least semi-rigid body can be viewed.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes at least one pump actuator, a disposable cassette operable with the at least one pump actuator, a plurality of disposable cassette supply connections, and plurality of dialysis solution lines. Each of the plurality of solution lines is connected to a dialysis solution container. The system further includes an autoconnection mechanism configured to connect the plurality of supply connections to the plurality of dialysis solution lines. The system additionally includes an autoidentification system configured to automatically identify information associated with the plurality of dialysis solution lines to determine at least one of (i) dialysis solution type (ii) dialysis solution volume, or (iii) a number of the plurality of dialysis solution supply containers.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a dialysis fluid cassette is disclosed. The cassette includes a plurality of walls defining at least one valve chamber, a dialysis fluid inlet, a dialysis fluid outlet and a dialysis fluid pathway. The cassette further includes a baffle extending from a first one of the walls to an opposing second one of the walls. The baffle includes an end fixed to a third one of the plurality of walls and a free end. The fixed end separates the dialysis fluid inlet from the dialysis fluid outlet and the baffle and the plurality of walls are constructed and arranged such that the flow of dialysis fluid along the pathway defined in part by the baffle slows as the flow approaches the free end of the baffle.

Abstract: A simplified peritoneal equilibration test (S-PET) is disclosed. Instead of a lengthy peritoneal equilibration test (PET), the simplified procedure requires no blood sample and may use data from as few as two or three samples to classify a peritoneal membrane of a user. Typically, a peritoneal membrane or peritoneum of a dialysis patient, or other person, is classed as a high transport membrane, high-average transport membrane, a low-average transport membrane or a low transporter membrane. The S-PET may be performed at home by a user without the need to submit a blood sample. Kits for analyzing the samples may be furnished for home use. The kits may use disposable strips, microfluidic analyzers or chemical reagents, or may alternatively include reusable analysis equipment, such as optical or conductivity analysis equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting together two sections of tubing using a laser. A pair of fixtures hold the two tubing sections in opposed, end-to-end relation so that axially facing surfaces of the tube sections at the ends are free from exposure to a surrounding environment. A photodiode laser emits an electromagnetic beam at a separate sheet of material positioned between the axial surfaces at the ends of the tubing sections. The sheet absorbs energy of the electromagnetic beam. The pair of fixtures move the two tubing sections to bring the respective axially facing surfaces of the two tubing sections into engagement with the sheet and after the axially facing surfaces of the two sections are brought into engagement with the sheet, the electromagnetic beam is directed onto the sheet for welding the two sections of tubing together.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel compounds, methods of manufacture and methods of use. The present invention is also directed to solid drug/active agent particles having one or more of the compounds of the present invention associated with the surface thereof. The compounds of the present invention are comprised of a non-polar polyether covalently linked to an anionic sulfonate group. The compounds have an amphipathic quality and preferably, are surface active. Such compounds are preferably useful as surface-active agents to coat and stabilize dispersions of particles in a continuous liquid medium. These surface-active agents may be applied in the stabilization of suspensions, emulsions, or liposome formulations intended for pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, or agricultural use. The particles that can be prepared by a variety of methods and will preferably comprise a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: Compositions of spherical insulin particles having improved pulmonary application potentials and methods of forming and using these compositions are disclosed in the present application. In one clinical trial with 30 healthy male human subjects, no coughing was observed upon a single pulmonary administration of the spherical insulin particles at an insulin dose of 6.5 mg, nor during the 10-hour post dosing period.

Abstract: Apparatus (10), systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container (206) of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber (40) where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources (60, 70) in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber (40). A light sensing system (650) senses the intensity of illumination of the light. A radiometer (460) may be inserted into fluid treatment chamber (40) to calibrate the light sensing system (650). An electronic control system (600) utilizes an interface circuit board (606) to interface a computer circuit board (602) to a display panel (37), a user interface panel (39, 39a), a relay circuit board (640), light sensors 404 and various other sensors (649). A detector (385) senses agitating movement of a tray (90) that contains biological fluids.

Abstract: A tip cap for a luer of a polymeric medical solution container. The tip cap has an integral body having an outer portion and a cavity extending to an inner portion. The cavity has a frustoconical inner surface and an annular ring extending from the inner surface radially toward a centerline of the tip cap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a syringe-type applicator having multiple material reservoirs are disclosed. The method and apparatus permits the individual component reservoirs to be simultaneously filled without risk of contamination or unintentional component mixing. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in the preparation and delivery of multiple component tissue sealants such a fibrinogen adhesive compositions.

Abstract: An automated peritoneal dialysis system and method are provided for monitoring and controlling automated peritoneal dialysis therapy based upon intraperitoneal pressure measured at a point near the end of the patient catheter during the fill, dwell and drain phases of automated peritoneal dialysis therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amiodarone parenteral solution suitable for intravenous administration without the necessity of dilution. The parenteral solution has an amiodarone concentration from 0.2 to 10 mg/ml and a buffer solution selected from the group consisting of lactate buffer, methanesulfonate buffer, or combinations thereof, the solution having a pH within the range from approximately 2.5-4.5.

Abstract: A system for creating a customized drug library for an electronically loadable drug infusion pump, the system including a drug library containing a plurality of drug entries, there being associated with each drug entry a set of associated drug delivery parameters and/or drug delivery protocols for configuring the drug infusion pump; a tool for selecting a set of drug entries from among the plurality of drug entries in said drug library; a tool for adding the selected drug entries along with the sets of drug delivery information associated therewith to a customized library; and a loading tool for causing the system to electronically load the customized library into the drug infusion pump.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood oxygenation system comprising an integrated blood pump/heat exchanger/membrane oxygenator assembly which is mountable upon, and engageable with, a separate motor/drive assembly. The blood pump of the system incorporates a novel axial/centrifugal impeller assembly. An optional blood reservoir may be incorporated into the system to receive and contain venous return and/or surgical site blood. Also, an optional arterial filter may be incorporated into the system for filtering the oxygenated blood before the blood is returned to the patient. The pump/heat exchanger/membrane oxygenator component is preferably constructed such that heat exchange fluid which is being infused into the heat exchanger will pass through and/or in contact with a portion of the membrane oxygenator so as to further maintain the temperature of blood as it passes through the membrane oxygenator.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to therapeutically increase perfusion in a mammal comprising administering stroma-free hemoglobin at a dose ranging from the least amount effective to increase perfusion, up to a dose of about 2500 mg per kilogram of body weight.

Abstract: Flexible prostheses of predetermined shapes are derived from bone. The process includes machining of a bone segment into the desired shape, demineralization to impart the desired degree of flexibility, and tanning to render the material non-antigenic, biocompatible, and stabilized.