Abstract: A hemodialysis patient data acquisition and management system resides on a host computer which receives information from one or more non-invasive, optical blood monitors associated with a hemodialysis system. When a patient is undergoing hemodialysis treatment, a sensor assembly monitors the patient's blood flowing through the hemodialysis system and a controller for the blood monitor generates data which includes at least an identification code for the patient undergoing the treatment on the respective system, and non-invasively determined blood data taken at the onset of the scheduled treatment, such as initial Hgb, HCT, and SAT values. A host computer communicates with the one or more optical blood monitors, preferably via a wireless network, and the patient's session commencement data is downloaded to the host computer.

Abstract: A cuff for measuring volume and change in volume of a body appendage includes a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface; and a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume. Two stiffener ribs placed on the inner surface of the bladder, parallel to each other and to the lengthwise axis of the tube at diametrically opposite positions. A plurality of emitters and detectors arranged in a linear array are embedded in one of the ribs, so as to emit and detect light through the bladder.

Abstract: Based on previous evidence suggesting positive effects of fever on in vivo hematopoiesis, the effect of hyperthermia on the expansion and differentiation of megakaryocytes (MKs) in ex vivo cultures of CB CD34-enriched cells has now been tested. Cells were cultured at 37° C. or 39° C. for 14 days in cytokine conditions optimized for MK development, and analyzed periodically by microscopy, flow cytometry and colony assays. Compared to 37° C., cultures maintained at 39° C. produced much more total cells (5×), MK progenitors (9×) and total MKs (7×), and showed accelerated (3-4 days) and enhanced MK maturation with increased yields of proplatelets and platelets (11.7×). The increased number of CD34+ cells and myeloid progenitors in the 39° C. cultures also suggested a general stimulatory effect of hyperthermia on the expansion of more primitive stem/progenitor cells and of cells of other lineages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood is provided. The extracorporeal system includes an antimicrobial device to inactivate at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator/filtration unit to remove approximately 50-75% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms, as well as by the patient's cells. These molecules include endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and bradykinin.

Abstract: A cuff for measuring volume and change in volume of a body appendage includes a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface; and a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume. Two stiffener ribs placed on the inner surface of the bladder, parallel to each other and to the lengthwise axis of the tube at diametrically opposite positions. A plurality of emitters and detectors arranged in a linear array are embedded in one of the ribs, so as to emit and detect light through the bladder.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (?) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (?o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.

Abstract: Based on previous evidence suggesting positive effects of fever on in vivo hematopoiesis, the effect of hyperthermia on the expansion and differentiation of megakaryocytes (MKs) in ex vivo cultures of CB CD34-enriched cells has now been tested. Cells were cultured at 37° C. or 39° C. for 14 days in cytokine conditions optimized for MK development, and analyzed periodically by microscopy, flow cytometry and colony assays. Compared to 37°?C., cultures maintained at 39° C. produced much more total cells (5X), MK progenitors (9X) and total MKs (7X), and showed accelerated (3-4 days) and enhanced MK maturation with increased yields of proplatelets and platelets (11.7X). The increased number of CD34+ cells and myeloid progenitors in the 39° C. cultures also suggested a general stimulatory effect of hyperthermia on the expansion of more primitive stem/progenitor cells and of cells of other lineages.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (?) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (?o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-idiotypic antibody having specific reactivity with an idiotope common to more than one type of anti-HIV-1 antibody, and having no specific reactivity with non-HIV-1 antibodies. The present invention provides methods of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of HIV-related diseases through the use of this antibody or related compounds.

Abstract: A system for determining a biologic constituent including hematocrit transcutaneously, noninvasively and continuously. A finger clip assembly includes including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least one predetermined wavelength of light is passed onto or through body tissues such as a finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and attenuation of light at that wavelength is detected. Likewise, the change in blood flow is determined by various techniques including optical, pressure, piezo and strain gage methods. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If an additional wavelength of light is used which attenuates light substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit may be determined.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a sensing pair of complementary emitter and detector elements for measuring the bulk absorptivity (&agr;) of an area parallel to and including a hemodialysis access site, and a normalizing pair of complementary emitter and detector elements for measuring the absorptivity (&agr;o) of the tissue itself perpendicular to the access site. The pairs of emitter and detector elements define two lines at right angles to each other, and one of the pairs lies to one side of the line defined by the other of the pairs, such that the two pairs of emitter and detector elements form a “T” shape. Indicator dilution techniques are used to measure vascular access flow rates during routine hemodialysis, using the sensor.

Abstract: Indicator dilution techniques are used to measure vascular access flow rates during routine hemodialysis. A bolus injection port is used to infuse a specific volume (Vi) of an indicator diluent, such as saline or dye, into the patient cardiovascular circuit by one of the following: 1. Needle injection of a known volume (bolus) of indicator diluent directly into the access site in the presence or absence of the hemodialysis circuit. 2. Infusion of an indicator diluent into the arterial, venous line upstream of the venous needle. 3. Turning the ultrafiltration of the dialysis delivery system from OFF to ON and OFF again over a predetermined time period. 4. In a hemodialysis circuit, turning on the hemodialysis pump and using the priming saline volume as a single saline bolus. A transdermal sensor is used to measure the percent change in a blood parameter.

Abstract: A cuvette having a pedestal for transmitting light through a relatively thin layer of blood. While the pedestal enables the use of a small path length it also permits the use of a high volume and/or high flow rate conduit. The pedestal further enables methods of determining various blood parameters in which the path length, d, is fixed; i.e., there are little or no pulsatile variations. Hence, the flow-through cuvette accommodates a large range of blood flow rates without any reduction in accuracy of the hematocrit measurement. The pedestal, because of its elliptical shape, does not damage or hemolyze the individual red blood cells as they pass through. A quantitative method for determining changes in blood volume in view of the path length is provided along with a method for measuring a patient's cardiac output and oxygen consumption rate. Cardiac output is obtained by injecting a saline arterial bolus and a saline venous bolus into a patient and measuring the change in hematocrit caused by each bolus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to purify autoantibodies from therapeutic intravenous immunoglobulin preparations (IVIg); autoantibodies; IVIg free of autoantibodies, phamarmaceutical compositions, therapeutical uses and method of treatments thereof.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (&agr;) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (&agr;o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for noninvasively measuring the levels of urea, blood osmolarity (or Na+), plasma free hemoglobin and tissue water content in a patient's blood or tissue. Light of selected wavelengths is passed through blood or body tissue and the transmitted or reflected light is detected and the detected signals can be electronically compared and manipulated to provide the non-invasive, continuous and quantitative display of a patient's blood urea, blood osmolarity (or Na+), plasma free hemoglobin and tissue water content.

Abstract: A system determines heamtocrit transcutaneously and noninvasively. Disclosed are a finger clip assembly and an earlobe clip assembly, each including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least two, and preferably three, predetermined wavelengths of light are assed onto or through body tissues such as the finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and the extinction of each wavelength is detected. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If a fourth wavelength of light is used which is extinguished substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin and which is not substantially extinguished by plasmas, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit, maybe determined. It is also disclosed how to detect and analyze multiple wavelengths using a logarithmic DC analysis technique.

Abstract: A system for determining a biologic constituent including hematocrit transcutaneously, noninvasively and continuously. A finger clip assembly includes including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least one predetermined wavelength of light is passed onto or through body tissues such as a finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and attenuation of light at that wavelength is detected. Likewise, the change in blood flow is determined by various techniques including optical, pressure, piezo and strain gage methods. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If an additional wavelength of light is used which attenuates light substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit may be determined.

Abstract: A safety-type viewing window assembly for protective housings and protective doors of material-processing machines, such as grinding or metal-cutting machines. The assembly includes a fixed, transparent glass pane coupled along its periphery to a fixed, transparent, puncture-proof or unbreakable protective pane made, for instance of polycarbonate. The glass pane is on the side of the assembly toward the machine and the protective pane is on the side toward the user. The glass pane has a circular opening which is covered by a circular, transparent, rotatable window made of transparent glass which is coupled, on its side facing toward the protective pane, to a rotary drive mechanism. The diameter of the rotatable window is slightly less than the diameter of the opening in the glass pane. The rotatable window is disposed inside the opening in the glass pane, and the gap between the periphery of the rotatable window and the opening in the glass pane is sealed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for producing human natural interferon-&agr; using ex vivo expanded cord blood hematopoietic cells infected with sendaivirus, on a large scale.