Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to catheters, methods of enhancing the patency of an intravascular catheter and compositions, methods, devices and kits relating to the infusion of a catheter lock solution into an indwelling catheter. Disclosed compositions, methods, devices and kits aid in diminishing the effects of microbial infection in catheters and occlusion of the catheters. A representative lock solution includes about 10% sodium citrate and about 1.5% benzyl alcohol. The solution has a density approximating the density of blood for retention of the solution in a catheter during the lock period.

Abstract: A method and devices for making needle insertion safer and easier (NISE). NISE or CISE device includes a small needle, cannula, and large needle in a nested assembly to provide less trauma to a target vessel during large needle insertion. The small needle is movable and within the cannula to a position exterior the cannula. The cannula is movable within the large needle. In a preferred assembly, the cannula is provided with a dulled tip having a beak and successive cutting edges along a tapered shape. The device can be provided in a stand-alone device or alternately integrated into existing off the shelf and currently available vascular devices.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and exemplary devices for making needle insertion safer and easier (NISE). This NISE device includes at small needle, cannula, and large needle in a nested assembly to provide less trauma to a target vessel during large needle insertion. The small needle is movable relative to a body of the device and within the cannula to a position exterior the cannula. The cannula is movable within the large needle to a position exterior to the large needle. In a preferred assembly, the cannula is provided with a dulled tip and successive cutting edges along a tapered shape from the narrow dulled tip to the cannula body, such that the cannula blunt tip prevents trauma during insertion while the successive cutting edges generally enlarge the opening for placement of the large needle. The device can be provided in a stand alone device or alternately integrated into existing off the shelf and currently available vascular devices.

Abstract: Methods and devices for powdered sorbent regeneration of biologic fluids are disclosed. The present invention includes three novel methods, which may be used singly or in any combination, for constraining or immobilizing powders so that they can be perfused with a biological fluid or dialysate: a porous carbon block filter, a filtration bed of very fine powder, and a cone-shaped reactor.

Abstract: Oral sorbent compositions that bind small and charged toxins and methods of use.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracorporeal processing of blood or other body fluid for the treatment of conditions, such as sepsis, autoimmune disease, or toxemia related to kidney failure, liver failure, or drug overdose are provided. In an extracorporeal treatment system, a fraction of a body fluid is passed into a treatment fluid, at least a portion of which is then passed through a sorbent suspension reactor for treatment by a sorbent suspension. The treatment fluid circuit can be maintained at a fixed volume, which enables accurate fluid balance between the patient and the extracorporeal circuit. Some or all of the treatment fluid, optionally also containing nutrients and/or therapeutic agents, is returned to the patient. In a peritoneal dialysis system, dialysate is passed into a patient's peritoneal cavity, recovered from the cavity, passed through a sorbent suspension reactor in accordance with the invention, and returned to the cavity.