Abstract: A method and device for stabilizing and storing bicarbonate solutions is provided. In an embodiment, a device is provided having a container and carbon-dioxide generating substances that include a solid material which upon contact with water generates carbon-dioxide gas. The device may be packaged together with the bicarbonate or in a separate overpouch. The present invention also provides a method for the stabilization of bicarbonate solutions utilizing a means that generates high pressure carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A low-profile single-lumen perfusion and fluid delivery balloon catheter for dilatation angioplasty procedures includes a small diameter single-lumen catheter shaft carrying a dilatation balloon adjacent to the distal end thereof. A perfusion conduit is also carried by the catheter shaft and traverses the dilatation balloon to provide perfusion blood flow past the balloon when the latter is inflated. The catheter may be used in mono-rail configuration to facilitate retracing of a subsequent catheter or other therapeutic device along the mono-rail guide wire back to the vascular site under treatment.

Abstract: A stand-alone control module for use in closed-wound drainage systems is described. The control module transforms a variable high-vacuum source into a constant low-vacuum source. The control module also provides a one-way check valve to prevent return of air to a patient when draining such air from the pleural cavity of the patient. The control module is a water-based control module. It includes a first-suction control chamber for transforming a variable high-vacuum into a constant low-vacuum. The first chamber contains a first column of fluid at a first pre-determined level. The module also includes a second water seal chamber that contains a second column of fluid at a second pre-determined level. The height of the second column of fluid is less than the height of the first column of fluid. Tubes are placed in each chamber that have one end of each tube located below the columns of fluid.

Abstract: A blood bag comprises a plastic polyvinyl chloride formulation in which the polyvinyl chloride formulation contains from 5 to 30 percent by weight of a first plasticizer material which is essentially nonextractable by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C.; and from 10 to 25 percent by weight of a second plasticizer which is significantly extracted by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter (10) for removing obstructions from tubular anatomic structures such as blood vessels, said catheter comprising an elongate flexible catheter body (20) having an ultrasound transmission member or wire (24) extending longitudinally therethrough. A distal head (26) is formed on the distal end member of the ultrasound transmission member or wire (24) and is affixed to the catheter body (20). The ultrasound transmission member or wire may be formed of any material capable of transmitting ultrasonic energy including various superelastic metal alloys such as nickel titanium metal alloys. The distal portion of the ultrasound transmission member or wire (24) may be of reduced diameter to provide enhanced flexibility and/or amplification of the ultrasonic energy through the distal portion of the ultrasound transmission member or wire. A proximal end member connector (12) may be provided with a sonic connector to effectively couple the catheter (10) to the ultrasound transducer (14).

Abstract: An elongate ultrasound transmission member having regions of differing cross-sectional dimension or diameter. A sleeve, sheath or other damping member may be positioned around a portion of the ultrasound transmission member to dampen or limit transverse side-to-side movement of such portion of the member. The ultrasound transmission member may be incorporated into a flexible catheter body to form an ultrasound delivering medical catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a drug dispensing device which is portable, provides a high level of security, is flexible in accommodating a number of user selected drugs, is easily stockable, and reduces labor and time requirement for drug dispensing. The present invention provides an apparatus having a microprocessor means which controls the drug dispensing. The apparatus includes an interior medication storage area adapted to receive a plurality of different sized dispensers in user selectable combinations. A receiving drawer is provided below the interior medication storage area to receive and dispense the medications.A dispenser is provided which can be configured in a multiplicity of sizes and shapes to accommodate different sized medications. The dispenser is adapted to receive a cooperating cartridge which contains the medications. The dispenser includes an actuator which contacts and dispenses the medications from the cartridge.

Abstract: Preparing chemically cross-linked collagenous biological graft material by preparation processes which include the step of altering the locations and/or orientations of chemical cross-linkages formed during the collagen cross-linking process. Embodiments of the method include various processes whereby physical force, stress or movement is applied to alter the relative positioning of the collagen fibers within the graft materials during at least the initial period of exposure to the collagen cross-linking reagent.

Abstract: A blood sampling system including a sampling device located in line is provided. The sampling device provides an access port that allows undiluted blood to be sampled automatically by insertion of a luer. The sampling device can have a number of different structures, for example, a swing valve, a ball valve, or a breakable seal for normally closing the sample port until a nozzle of the luer blood collector is forcibly inserted into the sample port.

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: A slit disk having a hole at a specified portion of its flat surface and a plurality of slits at regular intervals at a peripheral portion thereof is mounted to a shaft of an infusion pump. A controller clears a live band determination counter based on a light detection signal from a sensor when the hole is detected, and increments the count value of a live band determination counter when an side edge of one of the plurality of slit is detected. When the count value of the live band determination counter falls within "10" to "24" or "0" to "2", it is determined that the infusion pump is in a live band, and the count value of the live band counter is incremented. Thus an operation amount of the infusion pump in the live band is detected to measure a fluid delivery rate taking a dead band into account.

Abstract: A catheter device insertable into a body lumen and incorporating combined ultrasound ablation and endoscopic visualization apparatus. The catheter device generally comprises an elongate catheter body including an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally therethrough having a proximal end connectable to an ultrasound transducer such that ultrasonic energy will pass through the ultrasound transmission member to the distal end thereof. Also extending longitudinally through the catheter body is a light transmission member having a proximal end connectable to a light source such that light will pass through the light transmission member to the distal end thereof, and an optical image transmission member having a proximal end connectable to an external image viewing apparatus such that an optical image will pass through the optical image transmission member from the distal end thereof to the external image viewing apparatus.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter device for transmitting ultrasound into a mammalian body comprising an elongate catheter body having at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Also extending longitudinally through the lumen are at least two ultrasound transmission members, each of which have a proximal end coupleable to an external ultrasound source and a distal end which terminates near the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A dynamic blood pump includes a rotating core member and rotating ring portion effective to pre-spin blood before the blood enteres helical pumping channels of the pump. The blood is pumped and further rotated as it moves axially along the helical channels toward a centrifugal section of the pump. At the centrifugal pumping section circumferential velocity differentials are also controlled to diminish damage to the blood. Outwardly of the centrifugal pumping section, a forced-vortex pumping section communicates the pumped blood to an exit port.

Abstract: A fully exchangeable integrated-wire dilation catheter for performing angioplasty is disclosed having a flexible small diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged diameter distal end portion and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual function fluid conducting lumen adapted to receive the guide wire extending therethrough. The distal end of the tubular shaft is connected to the proximal end of an expandable balloon provided with a coaxially aligned distal orifice having means for releasably engaging the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire in sealing relationship. In a preferred embodiment the sealing means is a flexible sleeve extending from the distal orifice of the expandable balloon and dimensioned to slidingly engage the correspondingly sized enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Associated procedures for utilizing the dilation catheter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A probe for use within a catheter is disclosed. The probe transducer portion is constructed of a crystal hollow cylinder with an inside lead attached to the inner surface of the crystal cylinder. One end of the outside lead is positioned close to the outer surface, in a plane tangential to the outer surface, and is coupled to the outer surface of the crystal cylinder by a thin sputtered layer of conductive material. The probe transducer also includes a layer of acoustically absorbing material on the proximal end of the crystal, and layer of acoustically coupling material on the distal end of the crystal cylinder. The transducer element simultaneously generates an axially oriented signal beam at one frequency and a radially oriented signal beam at 2 different frequency. The signal beams are analyzed to calculate the blood flow area and the blood flow velocity, the product of which is the blood flow rate.

Abstract: A drawer-mounted centrifuge provides easy access for loading and unloading disposable processing elements. The centrifuge also includes an umbilicus holder that moves between an operating position and an out-of-the-way position as the drawer opens and closes.

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: The present invention provides a method for inactivating pathogens in a body fluid, such as plasma, red cells, platelets, leukocytes, and bone marrow. The present invention minimizes adverse effects caused by the photosensitive agents while retaining the disinfecting activity of such agents and processes. Pursuant to the present invention, prior to irradiating a body fluid including a photoactive drug, the extracellular fluid, which in the case of blood components includes plasma proteins is at least substantially reduced. Additionally, after the irradiation process, the resultant body fluid is prevented from contacting additional extracellular fluid, e.g., plasma proteins, for a predefined period.

Abstract: A system for measuring fluid flow within a conduit, such as blood flow from the heart, includes a heating element that is driven so as to apply heat to the fluid at an upstream position as a series of periodic heat signals. A temperature sensor located downstream measures a local temperature of the fluid and generates an electrical fluid temperature signal corresponding to the local temperature. This signal is then applied to a dispersive filter, which outputs a pulse-like signal in the presence of each periodic heat signal. Fluid flow is then calculated by a processor as a function of the area under an estimated impulse response curve for the channel in which the fluid flows. Each periodic heat signal is preferably sinusoidal and has an instantaneous frequency that varies substantially continuously between a first frequency and a second frequency over a pre-determined active input signal period.