Abstract: A fluid distribution module (1) for causing and monitoring the circulation of fluids from and to a patient through an extracorporeal blood treatment device, comprises a degassing device (11) connected to a connecting structure (10). The degassing device (11) comprises a first chamber (12) having a lower inlet (13) for a liquid and a second chamber (14) having an upper opening (79) closed by a hydrophobic membrane (78) and an outlet (15) for discharging the liquid. The connecting structure (10) has at least a first and a second conduits (20, 21) defined therein, wherein the first conduit (20) comprises a first end for connection to a discharge tube (7) from the treatment device and a second end connected to the inlet (13) of the first chamber (12) of the degassing device (11), and the second conduit (21) comprises a first end connected to the outlet (15) of the second chamber (14) of the degassing device (11) and a second end for connection to a blood return tube (6) to a patient.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a unit element forming a membrane comprising a semi-permeable material able to separate in two compartments a filtration device for extracorporeal treatment of a fluid such as blood or plasma, said material being negatively charged, said element having a first internal face intended to be in direct contact with blood or plasma and a second external face intended to be in contact with filtrate, wherein said second face of said element is treated on the surface by one selected in the group comprising at least a cationic polymer, a mixture of polymers of which at least one polymer is cationic. The unit element can also have said first face treated on the surface by one selected in the group comprising: at least one cationic polymer, a mixture of polymers of which at least one polymer is cationic.

Abstract: The present invention includes a co-polymer film which can be applied over a surface of an article to form a continuous surface that is more biocompatible and has a smoother surface morphology than an untreated article. In general the co-polymer film of the invention can be formed by providing a hydrophobic polymer block, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with functional —OH end groups and reacting the —OH ends with a conventional monomer or prepolymer of a film-forming polymer capable of reacting with —OH groups. Such reactions are exemplified, using as reactive PDMS a triblock copolymer of the polylactone-polysiloxane-polylactone (PL-PDMS-PL) type, or silicone polyesters. The —OH groups of the polylactone blocks can react with any of a variety of isocyanates in a suitable solvent to form a polymer having PDMS incorporated with its structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for peritoneal dialysis are described The method includes draining a spent fluid from a patient into a second bag in a pressure chamber including a first bag for containing a fresh fluid for supply to a patient and a second bag for containing a spent fluid drained from a patient, by applying a reduced pressure to the second bag while weighing the first and second bags so as to control the draining of the spent fluid and supplying the fresh fluid to the first bag at a predetermined replenishment flow rate during draining of the spent fluid from the patient into the second bag independently of the influence of the reduced pressure. Apparatus for conducting such a method is also included.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining the presence of a fluid conduit at a predetermined location and at least one characteristic of the fluid in the conduit are disclosed. The apparatus includes a light source for generating radiated light in a direction towards the predetermined location, such that when the fluid conduit is present at the predetermined location the radiated light passes in a direction through the fluid conduit, a first optical sensor for detecting the radiated light through the fluid conduit, and a second optical sensor for detecting the radiated light which is reflected by the fluid conduit.

Abstract: An arterial needle removes blood from the access to an extracorporeal circuit comprising a dialyzer and a venous needle returns the blood to the access site. Blood passes along one side of the membrane of the dialyzer and dialysis fluid along the other side. The concentration (Cd norm and Cd rev) of urea in the dialysate emitted from the dialyzer is measured with the needles in the normal position and in a reversed position. The access flow rate before the arterial needle is calculated according to the formula: Cd norm/Cd rev=1+Keff/Qa in which Keff is the effective clearance of the dialyzer and Qa is the access flow rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for reducing the degradation of heat sensitive components contained in a medical substance during heat sterilization of a heat sterilizable container including a first chamber including a first amount of a first medical substance and a second chamber including a second amount of a second medical substance, the first amount being greater than the second amount. The method includes heating the heat sterilizable container to a first predetermined temperature for sterilizing the first and second medical substances, thermally insulating the second chamber during at least a portion of the heating of the heat sterilizable container to the first predetermined temperature, holding the heat sterilizable container at the first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time period, and cooling the heat sterilizable container thereafter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for testing differential pressure sensors. The method includes applying a pressure of predetermined value to the reference side of the differential pressure sensors, measuring the output values from the measurement sides of the differential pressure sensors, and comparing the measured output values. The disclosed apparatus includes a pump for simultaneously applying a pressure of a predetermined value to the reference side of a number of differential pressure sensors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for testing differential pressure sensors. The method includes applying a pressure of predetermined value to the reference side of the differntial pressure sensors, measuring the output values from the measurement sides of the differential pressure sensors, and comparing the measured output values. The disclosed apparatus includes a pump for simultaneously applying a pressure of a predetermined value to the reference side of a number of differential pressure sensors.

Abstract: Methods of peritoneal dialysis are disclosed including draining spent peritoneal dialysis solution from a patient to a drain bag, passing the spent peritoneal dialysis solution from the drain bag through a filter so as to separate a protein rich fraction and a protein lean fraction therefrom, and supplying the protein enriched fraction to the fresh peritoneal dialysis solution for supply to the patient. Apparatus for peritoneal dialysis is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the concentration of decomposable substances, such as urea, are disclosed. The disclosed methods include adding a gaseous buffer, such as CO2, to the solution containing the decomposable compound, measuring the conductivity of the solution, decomposing the decomposable compound, measuring the conductivity of the thus-decomposed compound solution, and calculating the differential conductivities between the two measured solutions. The apparatus for carrying out these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for testing differential pressure sensors. The method includes applying a pressure of predetermined value to the reference side of the differential pressure sensors, measuring the output values from the measurement sides of the differential pressure sensors, and comparing the measured output values. The disclosed apparatus includes a pump for simultaneously applying a pressure of a predetermined value to the reference side of a number of differential pressure sensors.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for analysing the concentration of red blood cells in a flow of blood including flowing the blood through a cuvette, directing a light through the flow of blood, measuring light transmitted through the flow of blood to obtain a transmitted signal, measuring scattered light at a predetermined angle with respect to the direct transmission path through the flow of blood to obtain a scattered signal, and providing a ratio signal comprising the ratio between the scattered signal and the transmitted signal. Apparatus for analysing the concentration of red blood cells is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a co-polymer film which can be applied over a surface of an article to form a continuous surface that is more biocompatible and has a smoother surface morphology than an untreated article. In general the co-polymer film of the invention can be formed by providing a hydrophobic polymer block, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with functional —OH end groups and reacting the —OH ends with a conventional monomer or prepolymer of a film-forming polymer capable of reacting with —OH groups. Such reactions are exemplified, using as reactive PDMS a triblock copolymer of the polylactone-polysiloxane-polylactone (PL-PDMS-PL) type, or silicone polyesters. The —OH groups of the polylactone blocks can react with any of a variety of isocyanates in a suitable solvent to form a polymer having PDMS incorporated with its structure.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the flow of a fluid through a dosage pump in a dialyzer including an auxiliary pump disposed between a fluid source for the dosage pump and the dosage pump itself, a slave chamber between the auxiliary pump and the dosage pump, the slave chamber including a level detector for detecting a predetermined level of the fluid in the salve chamber and emitting a signal when the level of the fluid is below the predetermined level, and a controller for activating the auxiliary pump after the level indicator emits the signal such that the slave chamber is refilled with the fluid by the auxiliary pump after the suction stroke of the dosage pump has drawn the fluid into the dosage pump and caused the level indicator to emit the signal. Methods for monitoring the flow of a fluid through the dosage pump are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for the safety monitoring of a dialyzer including at least one holder for holding a container for a powdered substance in which the holder includes a supply end for supplying a liquid to the container and a delivery end for delivering liquid containing the powdered substance from the container to a concentrate pump. The apparatus includes a first supply conduit for supplying water to the supply end of the holder for delivery to the container, a first delivery conduit for delivering the water containing the powdered substance from the delivery end of the holder to the concentrate pump, and a second supply conduit which is connectable to either the delivery end of the holder or to the first delivery conduit. Methods for the safety monitoring of dialyzers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring electrical parameters of a test fluid are disclosed. The methods include maintaining the test fluid and a reference fluid at the same temperature and in thermal proximity to each other, equalizing the temperature of the test fluid and the reference fluid prior to the measuring step, measuring the electrical parameter of the test fluid and the reference fluid at substantially the same time, and standardizing the measurement to a predetermined temperature. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger for maintaining the flow of a primary heat exchange fluid in thermal proximity to the test fluid in the reference fluid, and a metal wall having one surface in contact with a measuring cell and another surface in contact with the flow of the primary heat exchange fluid whereby the measuring cell and the heat exchanger are separated thereby.

Abstract: Concentrates are disclosed for use in the preparation of infusion solutions preferably for use in dialysis including gluconic acid and glucose in amounts such that upon dilution with an aqueous solution in a ratio of at least about 1:150, the concentration of the gluconic acid is at least about 600 mmol/l and the concentration of the glucose is at least about 150 g/l.

Abstract: Methods for the central preparation and distribution of a concentrate to a plurality of medical treatment devices are disclosed comprising supplying a stream of substantially only water to a central container which includes a single salt composition at least partially in solid form, producing a substantially saturated solution of the salt composition in the central container, and distributing the salt solution to a distribution conduit which includes a plurality of concentrate connectors whereby the salt solution can be distributed to the plurality of medical treatment devices. Methods for disinfecting this apparatus, the apparatus itself, and containers for use in the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Use of a solution comprising glucose for peritoneal dialysis, in which the glucose portion is sterilised separately from the remaining components at a high glucose concentration above about 20% and mixed after sterilisation, substantially according to WO 93/09820. The solution has a reduced formation of advanced glycosylation end products and the use is indicated for diabetic uremic patients.