Abstract: The apparatus for hemodialysis and hemofiltration comprises an extracorporeal blood circuit comprising a dialyzer and/or filter arrangement. For determining the fluid withdrawal per unit time and the total amount of fluid withdrawn flow sensors in conjunction with an evaluating unit are inserted into the blood circuit upstream and downstream of the dialyzer or filter arrangement. The flow measurement is by the ultrasonic Doppler principle and for obtaining high accuracy the sensors comprise measuring inserts belonging to the blood tubing system and having special means for defined coupling-in and coupling-out and precise conduction of the ultrasonic waves. Apart from the measurement, means are provided for regulating the net fluid withdrawal.

Abstract: A filter having a filter housing with an interior within which, between two closure members, filter membranes in the form of hollow fibers are disposed. Between the hollow fibers a free flow space remains to which are connected two connected pieces disposed inclined on the housing.Through the connecting pieces, blood is supplied to enable filtration from the outside to the inside of the fibers. The connecting pieces are angled so as to provide the lowest possible flow resistance.

Abstract: The tapped voltage representing the displacement and duration of a potentiometer in a joystick-type actuating element is applied to an analog to digital converter and the converted digital value is fed to preset inputs of a presettable digital counter which is set at its counting inputs by a clock generator. The overflow output of the presettable counter is connected to a load input of the presettable counter and to an up/down counter which controls a display or the like via decoding and driver circuits. A subtracting circuit is provided to subtract a preselected value from the converted digital value in order to provide a dead zone for a preselected range of the potentiometer.

Abstract: An asymmetric microporous hollow fiber for hemodialysis is made up of 90 to 99% by weight of a first hydrophobic polymer and 10 to 1% by weight of a second hydrophilic polymer. The fiber has a water adsorbing capacity of 3 to 10% and is produced by extruding a solution containing 12 to 20% by weight of the first polymer and 2 to 10% by weight of the second polymer, the rest being a solvent to give a continuous hollow structure with a wall, causing a precipitation liquor to act on said structure in an outward direction through the wall thereof with the full precipitation thereof and the concurrent dissolution and washing out of a part of said first polymer from said extruded structure and then washing out the dissolved out part of the pore-forming substance and the other organic components. Thereafter the fiber so produced is fixed in a washing bath.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for hemodialysis comprising a mixing means which prepares dialysis solution for a dialyzer by mixing concentrate with prepared water. The apparatus comprises a protective system which is independent of the mixing system and which is based on monitoring the conductivity of the dialysis solution. For protection against confusion of the concentrate containers to be connected, in the concentrate intake conduits conductivity measuring cells are additionally provided and the output signals thereof are compared with the desired values of the conductivity of the concentrates of the concentrate containers to be connected. In advantageous manner said conductivity cells are integrated into the concentrate intake conduits in such a way that they serve simultaneously as level sensors for the concentrate in the containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating blood in an extracorporeal circuit for hemodialysis of hemofiltration and a method for withdrawing heat from blood in an extracorporeal circuit wherein blood is brought into contact along a membrane with a treatment solution which has been heated to a temperature in a source making the treatment of fluid available such that the energy balance of the patient is maintained, the temperature of the source being controlled in that the temperature of the blood emerging from the patient is measured, the temperature value obtained is compared with a predetermined temperature value and on determination of a difference between the two values the source temperature is changed.

Abstract: A two-bag system (2) for peritoneal dialysis comprises a female connector piece (4) which is connected via a tube (28) to a peritoneal catheter. The female connector piece (4) can be connected to a male connector piece (6) to permit introduction of fresh dialysis solution from a full bag (12) into the peritoneal cavity. For receiving used dialysis solution or for receiving flushing solution accumulating prior to the dialysis operation, an empty bag (38) is provided which is connected via a further tube (36) to the male connector piece (6). The female connector piece (4) comprises a shutoff member (32) which in a predetermined connection state of the connector is opened by a central tube section (16) of the male connector piece (6). By arranging a second connection (34) on the male connector piece (6) in cooperation with the closure member (32) and a radial opening (23) in the central tube section (16) a fluid connection is possible to the two bags ( 12, 38) and the peritoneal cavity.

Abstract: An aqueous solution for use in intraperitoneal dialysis made up of least one substance for regulation of the electrolyte balance in the body of the patient has a saccharide with at least one glycosidic bond, such as more specially, disaccharides (for example saccharose, maltose and/or lactose) at a level of 0.08 to 0.24 m/l.

Abstract: Multi-lumen tube arrangement for use in a sliding-seal-free centrifuge comprising a plurality of equilength individual tubes (12, 14, 36, 38, 40, 42) which after a twisting about the longitudinal axis of the tube arrangement (10) are each held fixed free of tension at their ends (16-18).

Abstract: The use of tryptophan containing oligopeptides for the treatment of cerebral disturbances in particular sleeplessness and depression is disclosed. The use of glycyl tryptophan, if desired, in combination with tryptophan itself, is especially preferred.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for determining the partial pressures of gases in blood, in which a membrane filter is used to separate plasma which passes to a blood gas analyzer.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for the determination of hematocrit levels in which both the conductivity of whole blood and the conductivity of blood plasma are determined together. While a conductivity cell (18) is being used for the determination of the conductivity of whole blood, the conductivity of plasma is calculated in a computer (30) with the aid of ion selective electrodes (14, 16) from the sodium or potassium concentrations.

Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus includes a sterile filter whose outlet, which is usually closed, is connected to a line leading to a discharge outlet in wherein a bypass valve is employed which can be opened at predetermined intervals both during treatment and during flushing operations. The sterile filter has a primary chamber and a secondary chamber. When the bypass valve is opened during treatment, dialysis solution flows out of the primary chamber of the sterile filter and flushes the pyrogens and particles disposed on the membranes of the filter into the discharge. No sterilizating filtration of the dialysis solution takes place through the pores of the membrane because the flow resistance present in the adjoining dialyzer, in conjunction with a degree of clogging of the pores, prevents such a flow. A ventilation means may be provided whereby the bypass circuit of the sterile filter can be ventilated. The bypass circuit may also be employed for a pressure retaining test.

Abstract: A spray pump for metered delivery of a liquid from a spray cylinder by means of a spray piston having a motor-driven screwed-shaft gear unit located in a housing, the movably supported drive element of which can be brought into engagement with the movable spray part outside the housing. To ensure that the smooth-running characteristics of the spray pump are not impaired by dirt on a threaded shaft of the screwed-shaft gear unit, the threaded shaft is arranged and supported inside the housing. Moreover, for this purpose the drive element is passed through the wall of the housing and is supported movably around its longitudinal axis in the housing for actuation of the coupling.

Abstract: Measuring device for determination of the activity or of the concentration of ions in solutions, which has an electrode block having several electrodes and with a flow channel, the flow channel being in connection at its one end with a sample vessel and is connected at its other end to a line, in which a pump is interposed, with calibrating solution containers.Between the pump and the outlet of the electrode block branches off a discharge line, in which a further pump is interposed. Preferably, both pumps are combined into a peristaltic pump, the lines being laid in the segments of the pump.According to a second embodiment, the electrode block is again in connection with the calibrating solution containers. The delivery of the sample is performed however on the same side through a septum. Advantageously, the other side of the electrode block opens out into a pressure equalization vessel, into which a withdrawal line opens in which in turn the above mentioned peristaltic pump is interposed.

Abstract: Apparatus for infusion and removal of samples of blood and other body fluids comprising a blood connection which is connected via a first line to a sample taking means, a pump connected to the first line, a container connected to the first line via a second line and containing an aqueous fluid, a first shut-off means connected into the second line and a control means for activating the first shut-off means and the pump, the control means switching the shut-off means and the blood pump alternately into fluid supply mode and blood removal mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge arrangement having a centrifuge rotor comprising a drive disc (18) connected to a drive source. Furthermore, the centrifuge rotor comprises at least one separation container (1, 32) which comprises a separation passage (6) and a separation chamber (9) whose outlet and inlet passages lead to the center of the drive disc (18). Advantageously, the separation container (1, 32) is made as self-supporting part of rigid or semi-rigid but flexible material and this makes it possible to insert said container easily into the drive disc (18) and in addition provides advantages in the production of the centrifuge arrangement according to the invention.

Abstract: A filter comprising a filter housing with an interior within which between two closure members filter membranes in the form of hollow fibers are disposed. Between the hollow fibers a free flow space remains to which are connected two connecting pieces disposed inclined on the housing. Through said connecting pieces blood is supplied to the interior so that a filtration from the outside to the inside into the hollow fibers is possible. This and the arrangement of the connecting pieces gives an extremely favourable flow approach to the hollow fibers so that the blood flow is hardly influenced in its velocity and flow behaviour because in addition to the cross-section of the free flow space is adapted to the cross section of the blood supply line. For making such a filter at least two filters are arranged parallel and spaced apart in a plane, the support surface for the filters being rotatably mounted and the axis of rotation not intersecting any of the two longitudinal axes of the filters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding system (1) for enteral feeding comprising a container (2) preferably constructed as a disposable article for receiving the food. Said container (2) is disposed in a suspension means (3) which is constructed such that the container (2) in the suspended state points with its opening (5) upwardly and assumes a position inclined to the horizontal. As a result when the tubing system (4) is introduced into the container for suppyling the nutrient solution to the patient no leaks can occur because the opening (5) points upwardly so that along the periphery of a piercing tube (17) introduced into the container (12) no solution can drip out. Nevertheless, due to the inclined position of the container (2) and the arrangement of the end of the inserted piercing tube (17) at the lowermost point (6) of the container (2) all the solution can be extracted; for this purpose for the extraction preferably a drip chamber (21) is provided in connection with a tube clamp ( 26).

Abstract: Capillary filter arrangement for the sterilization of liquid media comprising two semipermeable capillary fibre bundles (4, 5) which are in flow connection and which are arranged adjacent each other in a single housing (1). The opposite openings of the housing (1) are each sealed by an end cap (2; 2a) which comprises at least one connecting opening (3; 3a) for introduction or removal of the medium respectively. The housing (1) comprises at its ends a cast layer (6; 7) in which the ends of the capillary fibre bundles (4; 5) are received, a distributing space (8; 9) being formed between the end cap (2; 2a) and cast layer (6; 7) and a primary filtrate chamber (10) being formed between the cast layer (6; 7).