Abstract: A method for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension, more particularly whole blood, in order to obtain an erythrocyte concentrate which is returned to the patient by autotransfusion. In accordance with the invention there are three treatment stages, that is to say sedimentation of the cell suspension, the addition of washing solution to the cell concentrate and renewed sedimentation and separation of the washing solution.

Abstract: An emulsion containing one or several polyunsaturated, long-chain omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acids or their pharmaceutically tolerable esters or salts, as well as usual adjuvants and additives, is used to produce an intravenously administered medicament for treating skin diseases, in particular inflammatory skin diseases, as well as diseases of the dermatitis or eczema group. Preferably, fatty acids containing 18-22 carbon atoms, as well as their pharmaceutically tolerable esters of salts, are used. These acids or their pharmaceutically tolerable esters or salts may be used in their pure form or as components of oils, such as fish oil, highly-purified fish oil concentrates, linseed oil, primrose oil, borage oil or soya oil. Specially preferred are the pharmaceutically tolerable esters or salts of said acids, in particular the pharmaceutically tolerable esters, especially those derived from eicosapentaenic acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the operability of components in a hemodialysis apparatus during dialysis treatment. The dialyzer is isolated from the dialyzing liquid circuit for a time interval during dialysis treatment. During the isolation time interval, the dialyzing liquid circuit pressure is measured and monitored to detect deviations from a mean dialyzate operating pressure. The isolation is repeated periodically, with the time period between isolation intervals dependent upon the ultrafiltration coefficient of the dialyzer. This method may be performed automatically by a microprocessor in the hemodialysis apparatus.

Abstract: A process for the immobilization of a linear polymer, in particular a polyionenes, which is soluble in an aqueous solvent, on a chemically inert carrier material and a matrix having an antimicrobial effect are provided, which are suitable for, in particularly intracorporeally applied, medical appliances and in the form of microporous membranes as filters for water purification or, in the form of beads, as a surface disinfectant. The process is characterized in that the two terminal reactive groups of the linear polymer are reacted with an excess of an alpha, omega-bifunctional compound, the reaction product obtained is dissolved in a hydrophilic solvent and applied at least once to the carrier material and then cross-linked with a cross-linking agent dissolved in a hydrophobic solvent which is chemically inert to the cross-linking agent and the carrier material.

Abstract: A latching apparatus is provided for a bearing assembly in which at least three bearing rollers, each of which is supported in a rotating fashion on a bearing journal, are arranged rotationally symmetrical and lying in one plane and guide and support a bearing race between them. The bearing journals are arranged on a carrier device that is in turn supported in a rotating fashion on a central axle aligned with the axis of rotation of the bearing race, so that the bearing race and the carrier device can rotate at different RPMs. Such a bearing assembly on a rotating carrier is especially well-suited for a centrifuge, in which a separation chamber with a centrally secured line is to be driven in such a way that the tube does not become twisted.

Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis device (10) with a balancing chamber (28), which is divided into two balancing chamber halves (32 and 34) by a membrane (30), with an introduction line arrangement (16, 20, 22, 24), a discharge arrangement (22, 24, 20, 62), a catheter line arrangement (36, 38, 42), a valve arrangement (46-52), a pump arrangement (60, 108, 110) and a control unit (82), which switches the balancing chamber halves (32 and 34) in the filling or emptying operation with the aid of the valve arrangement (46-52).The peritoneal dialysis device (10, 106) operates under pressure monitoring volumetrically in the filling phase and pressure-controlled in the emptying phase, and determines the volume of dialysis fluid introduced or discharged from the number of balancing chamber strokes and the ultrafiltration volume from the difference of these.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bag to accommodate solid or fluid concentrate which is used to prepare dialysis fluid using a dialysis machine. The bag consists of a bag body and at least one opening, whereby the opening is sealingly surrounded by a plug component (220). In the coupled state with a second plug component (210), the plug component (220) forms a flow connection with the interior of the bag. The plug component also has coupling means (276, 278) which are suitable to be connected with a second complementary plug component (210), which is disposed on the dialysis machine. By means of the plug connector, in the coupled state, a first flow path is formed from the dialysis machine to the interior of the bag and a second flow path is formed back from the interior of the bag to the dialysis machine.

Abstract: A connector system for the connection of liquid reservoirs or containers is configured in such a way that a predetermined connection sequence must be followed. For this purpose, the system has two connecting pieces (1, 2) each of which is provided with two connectors (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B), the first connectors (1A, 2A) serving to connect containers of liquid (BI, BII). The configuration of the connectors allows the two connecting pieces to be connected together by means of a specially configured intermediate piece (3), but on the other hand does not allow connection of one of the connecting pieces with a third container. The preferred area of application of the connector system is medical technology, for example the transfer of liquids during hemofiltration.

Abstract: Process and device for the treatment of lumpy products using process media, the treatment including a predetermined sequence of process steps. A chain of treatment units is moved in a stepwise manner. The product to be treated remains within the same treatment unit for the duration of the sequence of the process steps. A supply unit supplies and removes process media in a stopping-station specific manner so that the process steps can proceed simultaneously in the treatment units.

Abstract: In a dialysis apparatus having a dialyzer and a single balance chamber, the internal volume of the balance chamber is preferably at most 2/3 of the volume of the dialysis fluid chamber within the dialyzer. As a result, during the dialysis fluid recirculation cycle, at most 2/3 of the volume of fluid within the dialysis fluid chamber will be replaced by fresh dialysis fluid. Preferably, the duration of the recirculation cycle is approximately equal to the duration of the balance chamber filling cycle.

Abstract: A dosing device for volumetric dosing of a liquid additive which is added in a certain volume ratio to a fluid, in particular withdrawn blood, flowing in a first hose line, via a second hose line feeding directly or indirectly into the first hose line. The dosing device for the volumetric dosing of an anticoagulant fluid or a sedimentation accelerator is preferably provided in a system for the collection and retransfusion of autologous blood which has a hose or tube section which extends downstream from the junction, and also a drip chamber connecting downstream from the drip tube and a light barrier, the direction of action of which is arranged transversely to the fall path of the drops. In order to avoid incorrect dosing because of changing viscosities of the liquid flowing in the first hose line, and thus of changing drop sizes, two electrically-triggerable valve means, one of which is in each case inserted into one of the two hose lines, are provided.

Abstract: The use of a hydroxyethyl starch specification with a molecular weight M.sub.W of 110,000 to 150,000, a substitution level MS of 0.38 to 0.5, a substitution level DS of 0.32 to 0.45, and a C.sub.2 /C.sub.6 ratio from 8 to 20 for improvement of microcirculation in a peripheral arterial circulation disorder, in particular in already existing peripheral arterial occlusive disease in Stage II according to Fontaine. This hydroxyethyl starch specification can be used in suitable concentrations, e.g., as 6 wt.-% or 10 wt.-% solution, whereby these solutions optionally contain conventional adjuvants and additives.

Abstract: A material for the elimination of biomacromolecules, in particular LDL and endotoxins from a whole blood circuit, comprising an adsorbent, comprising a porous carrier material of a homo-, co-, or terpolymer of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid with a particle range of between 50 and 250 .mu.m, an exclusion level of at least 5.times.10.sup.5 daltons, as well as organic ligands which are covalently bound to the carrier material via a spacer, wherein the carrier material has a spherical shape and suitably, the spacer contains no double bonds.

Abstract: Main cannula arrangement (10) with a metal cannula (12) and a connecting piece (14), featuring a valve (46), which is closed in the disconnected state and open in the connected state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension, more particularly whole blood, in order to obtain an erythrocyte concentrate which is returned to the patient by autotransfusion. In accordance with the invention there are three treatment stages, that is to say sedimentation of the cell suspension, the addition of washing solution to the cell concentrate and renewed sedimentation and separation of the washing solution.

Abstract: A centrifuge for the separation of blood into its components, especially a single-needle centrifuge, in which, in a collecting cycle, erythrocytes and plasma are passed through a centrifuge separation chamber and temporarily stored in a storage container and, in a recirculation cycle, the blood components temporarily stored in the storage container are passed through the separation chamber again and then returned to the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge comprising a separation chamber, with which a duct is permanently connected, a main rotor, on which the separation chamber is able to be bearinged in a relatively rotatable manner with respect to it, by means of a bearing arrangement, and a guide means on the main rotor for guiding the duct from the middle lower part of the separation chamber into a part at a higher level than the centrifuge. In order to be able to introduce the separation chamber into the main rotor in a simple and controlled manner the bearing arrangement has, within the main rotor, a part which is open or is able to be opened in a radial direction for the introduction of the duct into the main rotor.

Abstract: Implantable infusion apparatus comprising a chamber sealed by a septum and having an outlet aperture leading therefrom, to which a catheter tube is connected. A wire anchored in the chamber base projects into the catheter lumen, forming a ring slot whose diameter is smaller than the average size of a punched out particle. The wire thus serves as a particle retention means.

Abstract: Device for the separation of blood with a cannula with the aid of separation in a centrifuge with a blood pump in an inlet line and a collection storage bag, which can be emptied with the aid of a pressure device into a return line. The flow resistance R.sub.o of the return line is designed so that it has preferably about half of the flow resistance of the remainder of the return system. In a return/recirculation phase, the blood pump is operated at a predetermined recirculation flow rate F.sub.R, whereby a predetermined cannula infusion flow rate F.sub.N is established as a function thereof.

Abstract: A hemodialysis device (10) which features an improved disinfection apparatus. Before disinfection begins, a container (30) of disinfectant (36) is interposed into the dialysis fluid circulation system in place of the dialyzer. The dialysis fluid circulation system is shunted, and the disinfecting solution which is present in this closed circulation system is flushed out of the container (30) and through the entire path of the dialysis fluid, in order to achieve a complete cleaning of the hemodialysis device (10). It is possible to use solid, soluble disinfectant (36) as well as liquid disinfectant.