Abstract: The present invention contemplates the addition of 0.5% to 4% taurolidine into solutions used peritoneal dialysis. The taurolidine is intended to prevent or reduce the incidence of infection within the abdomen and/or in the vicinity of an implanted dialysis port. The invention also includes methods using solutions of taurolidine in the flushing and locking of catheters and fluid lines used in peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for the dialysis of blood. The improved apparatus comprises a subcutaneous port and catheter assembly comprising a connector portion comprising a subcutaneous port element, and a catheter portion comprising a catheter element. The improved apparatus also comprises a novel percutaneous catheter assembly comprising a catheter portion comprising a catheter element, and a connector portion comprising an extracorporeal connector element.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for the dialysis of blood, a method for fabricating the same, and an improved method for the dialysis of blood.

Abstract: An improvement in an implantable port of the type including a housing that is implanted within a subcutaneous tissue pocket is disclosed, wherein the improvement comprises the presence of metallic silver, an inorganic silver compound, a silver salt of an organic acid, or other antimicrobial substances such as taurolidine on the surfaces of the port in contact with, or proximate to, the tissue of said pocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting or preventing infection and blood coagulation in or near a medical prosthetic device after the device has been inserted in a patient by administering to the device a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition having: (A) at least one taurinamide derivative, and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of biologically acceptable acids and biologically acceptable salts thereof, whereby there are no systemic anti-clotting and no systemic biocidal effects.

Abstract: A needle and obturator assembly for access to entrance lumens in an access device disposed subcutaneously in a body of a mammal, for transfer of fluid into and/or out of the mammal body, comprising a first needle and obturator unit for insertion through a skin portion of the mammal body and into a first of the lumens of the access device, a second needle and obturator unit for insertion through the skin portion of the mammal body and into a second of the lumens of the access device, and hub structure for supporting the first and second needle and obturator units in fixed, spaced-apart positions relative to each other after complete insertion of the first and second needle and obturator units in the respective lumens. The first and second obturators are withdrawable from their respective needles to open first and second passageways in the respective needles for the transfer of fluid into and/or out of the access device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting or preventing infection and blood coagulation in or near a medical prosthetic device after said device has been inserted in a patient comprising administering to the device a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising: (A) at least one taurinamide derivative, and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of biologically acceptable acids and biologically acceptable salts thereof, whereby there are no systemic anti-clotting and no systemic biocidal effects.

Abstract: An improvement in an implantable port of the type including a housing that is implanted within a subcutaneous tissue pocket is disclosed, wherein the improvement comprises the presence of metallic silver, an inorganic silver compound, a silver salt of an organic acid, or other antimicrobial substances such as taurolidine on the surfaces of the port in contact with, or proximate to, the tissue of said pocket.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for the dialysis of blood, a method for fabricating the same, and an improved method for the dialysis of blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting or preventing infection and blood coagulation in or near a medical prosthetic device after said device has been inserted in a patient comprising administering to the device a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting or preventing infection and blood coagulation in or near a medical prosthetic device after said device has been inserted in a patient comprising administering to the device a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising: (A) at least one taurinamide derivative, and (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of biologically acceptable acids and biologically acceptable salts thereof, whereby there are no systemic anti-clotting and no systemic biocidal effects.

Abstract: An implanted single- or dual-lumen device for repeated accessing of a vessel within a body, especially for hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapy treatments. The device is characterized by having: no septum for sealing but uses a resilient material to form a seal; a smooth streamlined flowpath; low flow resistance; substantially no stagnation points, such that the device is easily and completely flushed; and a positive locking mechanism that accepts and retains a matching needle apparatus. The device is joined to a catheter, in most cases, such that fluids can be extracted from or injected into the vessel to be accessed. The device is designed for the high flowrates, on the order of 400 milliliters per minute, associated with hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapies. A corresponding straight-needle apparatus is designed to mate and lock with the access device, where alignment and open flowpath is ensured.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal prosthetic device comprising: (a) device for providing a continuous flowpath, crossing a patient's skin, between an external-to-patient site and an internal-to-patient site; (b) means for blocking the flowpath; and (c) a biocidal lock including: (i) an anticoagulant; and (ii) a non-antibiotic biocide.

Abstract: An implanted single or dual lumen device for repeated accessing of a vessel within a body, especially for hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapy treatments. The device is characterized by having: no septum for sealing but having instead a resilient material to form a seal; a smooth, streamlined flowpath with low flow resistance and substantially no stagnation points, such that the device is easily and completely flushed; optionally a gradually changing direction of flow path without introducing flow resistance or stagnation points with a change in direction of up to 20 degrees with a minimum bend radius of twice the lumen diameter or up to 30 degrees with a minimum bend radius of four times the lumen diameter; and a positive locking mechanism that accepts and retains a matching needle apparatus. The device is joined to a catheter, in most cases, such that fluids can be extracted from or injected into the vessel or vessels to be accessed.

Abstract: Hemodialysis access and lock device (10) and system, the device comprising an improved lock (32) formed of a resilient plug (34) surrounding an inserted needle cannula (NC) and having radial blades (40) with a tapered outer edge (42) locking to a corresponding tapered surface (44) of a surrounding shell (12) and an internal passage sealed by a duck-bill valve and a strain relief at a catheter and the system comprising one or more of such devices and corresponding hub structures (100) connectable to external fluid conduits and providing control of the needle cannula and an internal obturator (OB) associated with it.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for the dialysis of blood. The improved apparatus comprises a subcutaneous port and catheter assembly comprising a connector portion comprising a subcutaneous port element, and a catheter portion comprising a catheter element. The improved apparatus also comprises a novel percutaneous catheter assembly comprising a catheter portion comprising a catheter element, and a connector portion comprising an extracorporeal connector element.

Abstract: An implanted single- or dual-lumen device for repeated accessing of a vessel within a body, especially for hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapy treatments. The device is characterized by having: no septum for sealing but uses a resilient material to form a seal; a smooth streamlined flowpath; low flow resistance; substantially no stagnation points, such that the device is easily and completely flushed; and a positive locking mechanism that accepts and retains a matching needle apparatus. The device is joined to a catheter, in most cases, such that fluids can be extracted from or injected into the vessel to be accessed. The device is designed for the high flowrates, on the order of 400 milliliters per minute, associated with hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other fluid exchange therapies. A corresponding straight-needle apparatus is designed to mate and lock with the access device, where alignment and open flowpath is ensured.

Abstract: A dual-lumen catheter is disclosed that allows access to the vascular system of humans or animals for the high volume fluid flow related to hemodialysis or therapeutic apheresis. One lumen is circular with a wall thickness and material such that the lumen remains open during the fluid exchange. The second lumen is relatively thin walled designed to collapse against the first lumen under the pressure associated with the vascular system. This collapsing provide a minimum cross section of the catheter as it enters the body and the vascular system. However, the second lumen opens under pressure as a high volume fluid flow is introduced into the vascular system through the second lumen. This high volume fluid flow into the body is most often a return of fluid removed from the body via the thicker walled lumen.