Abstract: An implant device having a passageway, an anchor for establishing a biological anchor and a grafting mesh annularly disposed about, and spaced apart from, the exterior of the implant device. The implant device passageway, anchor means, and grafting mesh are all formed from either pyrolytic carbon disposed on a graphite substrate or vitreous carbon.

Abstract: An implant device having a passageway and an anchor means for establishing a biological anchor both formed from either pyrolitic carbon disposed or a graphite substrate or virneous carbon. The passageway having an inlet inclined with respect to the passageway outlet from between 45 and 75 degrees.

Abstract: A body implantable connector to replace a portion of a patient's body fluid or solid carrying conduit and to connect this body conduit to a vascular implant device in order to provide access to the body conduit external from the body. The connector includes a tubular member expanded along its length in order to form a bulbous portion; a side port is provided for connection to the vascular implant device at the approximate midpoint of the tubular member bulbous portion.

Abstract: A yoke shaped collapsible blood reservoir having first and second yoke legs joined by a yoke midsection. A filter element is positioned in the yoke midsection and across the blood flow path between an inlet at the base of the first yoke leg and a blood outlet at the base of the second yoke leg. An angular blood inlet and a gradual increase in cross-sectional area from the blood inlet to the yoke midsection decreases turbulence and assists in bubble separation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blood filter assembly in which blood enters at the bottom end of the assembly, is directed in spirally upward path and then passes through a filter medium. After passing through the filter medium, the blood flows downwardly out of an outlet in the bottom end of the assembly. A gas vent is provided at the top end of the assembly. In its preferred embodiment, the outer shell of the assembly tapers from the bottom end to a narrower diameter top end, the filter medium is generally shaped in the form of a cylindrical tube and a core member is provided radially inwardly of said filter medium and spaced therefrom. This filter assembly is particularly useful for the removal of particulate matter, gas and other foreign materials from blood.

Abstract: A valving mechanism for use within a blood passageway of a blood access device. The valving mechanism includes a plugging means and a valve chamber for receiving the plugging means when it is removed from its seat in the blood passageway. The valving mechanism also includes a retaining element adapted to slidably engage the valve chamber and an external rim of the blood access device for securing the valve chamber and blood access device. When the valve chamber is not in use, a retaining cap and retaining cap ring are used to secure the plugging means within the blood access device passageway.

Abstract: A device including a valving mechanism which can be operated by one hand, the device includes a housing which surrounds a resilient block of material. The housing may be squeezed to depress and deform the resilient block. Passageways extend through the resilient block to conduct liquid therethrough. A first passage includes a solid valve positioned therein. Compression of the resilient block causes displacement of the valve and distortion of the block material to break the seal around the valve. Additional material is provided strategically in this first passage to insure against leaks from system overpressure. A second passage includes a capillary to allow continuous low volume flow not controlled by an operator.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring blood characteristics and parameters, especially arterial, venous, or differential blood oxygen saturation levels uses one or two probes containing a unique configuration of light emitters of two different wavelengths, and sensors which alternately illuminate and read reflected light from blood passing through a specially-designed cuvette. Electronic comparison of reflected radiation received by the probes produces a voltage which is linearly related to blood oxygen saturation level. An opto-electronic feedback network compensates for differences in blood optical density.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring blood characteristics and parameters, especially arterial, venous, or differential blood oxygen saturation levels uses one or two probes containing a unique configuration of light emitters of two different wavelengths, and sensors which alternately illuminate and read reflected light from blood passing through a specially-designed cuvette. Electronic comparison of reflected radiation received by the probes produces a voltage which is linearly related to blood oxygen saturation level. An opto-electronic feedback network compensates for differences in blood optical density.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator containing a means for combining oxygen-containing gas with liquid blood, the oxygenator having an outer shell portion rotatably joined to a cap portion. Preferably the cap portion includes at least one blood inlet together with an oxygen-containing gas inlet while the outer shell portion contains at least one oxygenated blood outlet and the rotatable joint between said outer shell portion and said cap portion is in venting communication with the exterior of the blood oxygenator.

Abstract: A system for draining pleural cavities. A container having a plurality of cavities is employed with a vacuum source and an inlet from the patient. In the first cavity, a port is defined to limit the liquid contained therein. This port opens into a second cavity for collection of drained fluids. A vacuum regulator mechanism is incorporated at one end of the container to prevent injury to the patient. Thus, a water seal is defined about the inlet tube. A separate cavity collects drained fluids and a third area provides vacuum control.

Abstract: A rigid blood oxygenator in which blood and oxygen-rich gas are admitted at the top of the device and caused to flow substantially concurrently downwardly through a tortuous path. During the course of this downward flow, oxygen-rich gas bubbles are formed in the blood and a gas transfer is accomplished according to which the oxygen content of the blood is enriched and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood, which gas transfer is enhanced by the secondary flow induced by the tortuous path. During the course of downward flow, the blood-gas-bubble mixture is also passed around a heat exchange device, which preferably is convoluted so as to form a tortuous path, to bring the blood to a desired temperature. The device is equipped with a defoaming means such that the blood bubbles are converted back into liquid blood, which is then returned to the patient. Vent means are provided for removal of carbon dioxide and other vent gases.

Abstract: A blood oxygenating device having an oxygenating chamber and a heat exchange chamber. The oxygenating chamber consists of a bubbler chamber and a mixing chamber. Oxygen is introduced into the bubbler chamber through a porous diffusion means situated near the inlet of the bubbler chamber. Bubbles pass from the bubbler chamber into a mixing chamber which is provided with a plurality of secondary flow-producing deflectors to promote secondary flow of blood bubbles passing therethrough. The secondary flow results in a highly efficient oxygen-carbon dioxide transfer. The blood bubbles are then passed through a heat exchange chamber and a defoaming means prior to exiting the oxygenating device.

Abstract: A valving mechanism and method for use of such mechanism within a blood passageway of a blood access device. The valving mechanism includes a reciprocal plugging means which seals the blood passageway when the plugging means is in the closed position and which provides a blood channel for transfering blood therethrough only when said plugging means is reciprocated into its open valving mechanism position and means for reciprocating said plugging means between the closed and open valving mechanism positions.

Abstract: A valving mechanism for use within a blood passageway of a blood access device. The valving mechanism includes a plugging means and a valve chamber for receiving the plugging means when it is removed from its seat in the blood passageway. The valving mechanism also includes a retaining element adapted to slidably engage the valve chamber and an external rim of the blood access device for securing the valve chamber and blood access device. When the valve chamber is not in use, a retaining cap and retaining cap ring are used to secure the plugging means within the blood access device passageway.

Abstract: A blood oxygenating device comprising an oxygenating chamber and a heat exchange chamber, the oxygenating chamber comprising a bubbler chamber and a mixing chamber. Oxygen is introduced into the bubbler chamber through a porous diffusion means situated near the inlet of the bubbler chamber. Bubbles pass from the bubbler chamber into the mixing chamber which is provided with a plurality of secondary flow-producing deflectors to promote secondary flow and rotation of blood bubbles passing therethrough. The secondary flow results in a highly efficient oxygen-carbon dioxide transfer. The blood bubbles are then passed through a heat exchange chamber and a defoaming means prior to exiting the oxygenating device.In a preferred version, blood and oxygen-rich gas are admitted at the top of the device and caused to flow substantially downwardly through a tortuous path which causes at least a portion of the blood bubbles to rotate.

Abstract: A rigid blood oxygenator in which blood and oxygen-rich gas are admitted at the top of the device and caused to flow substantially concurrently downwardly through a tortuous path. During the course of this downward flow, oxygen-rich gas bubbles are formed in the blood and a gas transfer is accomplished according to which the oxygen content of the blood is enriched and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood, which gas transfer is enhanced by the secondary flow induced by the tortuous path. During the course of downward flow, the blood-gas-bubble mixture is also passed around a heat exchange device, which preferably is convoluted so as to form a tortuous path, to bring the blood to a desired temperature. The device is equipped with a defoaming means such that the blood bubbles are converted back into liquid blood, which is then returned to the patient. Vent means are provided for removal of carbon dioxide and other vent gases.

Abstract: There is disclosed a blood oxygenating device having an oxygenating chamber and a heat exchange chamber. The oxygenating chamber consists of a bubbler chamber and a mixing chamber. Oxygen is introduced into the bubbler chamber through a porous diffusion means situated near the inlet of the bubbler chamber. Bubbles pass from the bubbler chamber into a mixing chamber which is provided with a plurality of secondary flow-producing deflectors to promote secondary flow of blood bubbles passing therethrough. The secondary flow results in a highly efficient oxygen-carbon dioxide transfer. The blood bubbles are then passed through a heat exchange chamber and a defoaming means prior to exiting the oxygenating device.

Abstract: A method of receiving retrieved blood from the surgical field of a patient and treating the blood so that it is in condition for direct or indirect return to the patient. The method treats a relatively large volume of blood, which when received in a housing adapted to receive such blood volumes, removes air bubbles and other foreign matter. The received blood flows smoothly both to and from a fibrous membrane interposed in the path of blood flow thereby avoiding bubbling and damage of the blood. Significantly, means within the housing are provided to inhibit clotting of the blood within the housing.

Abstract: A blood oxygenating device of the type having an oxygenating chamber, a settling chamber, and a heat exchange chamber. A bubbler assembly within the oxygenating chamber including a housing with blood and oxygen inlet means, an outlet opening for blood bubbles which extends 360 degrees around the bubbler assembly housing, and a continuous closed passageway therebetween for effecting optimum oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange. Blood bubbles pass from the outlet means through a defoamer unit for debubbling. A defoamer support member on the outside of the bubbler assembly housing supports the defoamer unit and affords an open passageway for blood bubbles to flow from the outlet means downwardly adjacent the outside of the bubbler assembly housing into the defoamer unit. The blood, after passing through the defoamer unit, flows first into the settling chamber and then along a divided annular path through the heat exchange chamber for the transfer of heat thereto.