Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods of use for extracorporeally treating a patient whereby blood is withdrawn from the patient, separated into a leukocyte enriched portion which, in contact with a photoactivatable reagent, is irradiated and all blood portions being returned to the patient. The preferred apparatus is suitably modified with appropriate tubing sets, valves, pumps, centrifuge and controlling means to perform the patient treatment in three operational phases.

Abstract: Flexible container means for the warming or cooling of fluids. A preferred embodiment, useful for the warming of plasma following cryogellation techniques prior to its return to the patient, comprises container means formed by the heat sealing of polymeric materials thereby defining a winding passageway of tapered walls whereby the container becomes air self-evacuating.

Abstract: Methods are provided for ensuring the safety of a patient undergoing extracorporeal treatment by irradiation of a photoactivatable reagent in contact with the patient's blood including simultaneous digital and analog monitoring of temperature, voltage and current sensor signals. Also provided is a control system for controlling and regulating the various components of the photophoresis patient treatment system.

Abstract: Cassette drawer assembly for receiving an irradiation cassette wherein patient blood is irradiated to photoactivate a reagent in contact therewith, said irradiated blood being returned to the patient as part of the complete treatment.

Abstract: In a system for altering cells such as by irradiating said cells when in contact with a photoactivatable reagent useful for the extracorporeal treatment of a patient's blood, a three phase method for performing the operations in a safe and efficacious manner.

Abstract: Peristaltic pump including a housing having a backing plate and an upstanding arcuate wall, a pump shaft mounted in the backing plate, and a rotatable pump head mounted on the shaft and comprising at least one roller means for squeezing a segment of flexible tubing against the arcuate wall to achieve pumping of a liquid through the tubing. The pump head includes a pivotable handle having a recessed portion which cooperates with a ledge in the pump shaft to prevent the pump head from moving upwardly from the shaft when the pump is in operation. Also included are means comprising a roller bearing and clutch assembly for preventing rotation of the pump head in an incorrect or undesired direction during manual operation.

Abstract: Automated control methods and apparatus are provided for the separation and collection of desired blood portions for use in an extracorporeal photophoresis treatment system wherein a photoactivatable agent, in contact with leukocyte enriched blood from a patient is irradiated and then returned to said patient.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a high pressure pump and pump motor is enclosed in an unvented enclosure to reduce the amount of noise which would otherwise be transmitted into the surrounding environment. The pump motor is cooled by the flow of inlet water through heat-conducting tubing arranged as by wrapping to be in thermal contact with the pump motor. The absorption of thermal energy by the inlet water provides an additional benefit in that product water flow during reverse osmosis is a function of temperature, with the higher temperature water yielding an increased product water flow. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tubing coil is secured to the pump motor housing by a clamshell-like clamping assembly. The purity of the product water is monitored by a conductivity cell including first and second electrodes arranged to detect the conductivity of the water.

Abstract: Dialysis apparatus is arranged to enable convenient measuring of ultrafiltration rate from liquid, such as blood, that is to be dialyzed. Dialyzer can have, downstream of a dialysis chamber, a dialyzate passageway through which the ultrafiltration flow rate can be readily measured as by introducing a gas bubble into the dialyzate and timing its movement through the passageway. An air-injection attachment can be fitted to the dialyzer or to a dialyzate supply system, to inject the gas bubble for such measurement. Bubble injection can also be effected in a flow rate measuring passageway downstream of the dialyzer. Flow rates of dialyzate into and out of dialyzer can be compared to show ultrafiltration while dialyzing. Dialyzer can also have end caps with thickned closure walls for better ultrasonic welding to the dialyzer body, and the caps can have vents that simplify testing of the seals between the caps and the dialysis membrane body.

Abstract: A two-pump single needle hemodialysis system is provided in which a flexible blood accumulator bag is located between the dialyzer and the second, venous blood pump. The accumulator bag is filled as the first, arterial blood pump is operated. Blood is pumped through the dialyzer and into the bag until the bag is full and taut. At this time, a rise in pressure is detected and the venous blood pump is activated to withdraw blood from the accumulator bag. The use of the accumulator bag assures that low blood pressures are maintained in the system.

Abstract: A blood flow system for processing blood has two phases of operation, an arterial phase and a venous phase. During the arterial phase, the system is filled with blood through operation of an arterial blood pump. When a predetermined blood pressure level in the system has been attained, the arterial blood pump is inactivated and a venous blood pump removes blood from the system for a given number of pump turns.

Abstract: A bubble detector system is provided which dynamically responds to changes in energy transmission efficiency. The output of a detector is coupled to a dynamic reference level circuit, which develops a reference level that changes slowly in a time-varying manner with changes in the energy level received by the detector. The output of the detector is also coupled to a bubble detector circuit which produces a detection signal that changes rapidly when gas is present between an energy source and the detector. The detection and reference levels are compared to detect the presence of gas in the flow of fluid between the energy source and the detector.

Abstract: Peristaltic pump including a housing having a backing plate and an upstanding arcuate wall, a pump shaft mounted in the backing plate, and a rotatable pump head mounted on the shaft and comprising at least one roller means for squeezing a segment of flexible tubing against the arcuate wall to achieve pumping of a liquid through the tubing. The pump head includes a pivotable handle having a recessed portion which cooperates with a ledge in the pump shaft to prevent the pump head from moving upwardly from the shaft when the pump is in operation. Also included are means comprising a roller bearing and clutch assembly for preventing rotation of the pump head in an incorrect or undesired direction during manual operation.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system capable of operation in either a single needle mode or a double needle mode includes an arterial blood pump which is the sole blood pump in the system during the double needle mode. For single needle mode operation a venous blood pump is employed to return blood to the patient. A pump speed control adjusts the speed of the arterial pump in the double needle mode, and the speeds of both blood pumps in the single needle mode. A controller continuously operates the arterial pump in the double needle mode, and alternately activates the two pumps in the single needle mode. A module for modifying a commercially available double needle system for operation in either of the two modes is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating or cooling physiological fluids, such as whole blood and blood plasma, or liquids which are used in the treatment of such physiological fluids, wherein at least one thermoelectric device is used for the heating or cooling.

Abstract: Device, apparatus, and method for the irradiation of fluids, especially physiological fluids such as blood. The device comprises a hollow casing having two end walls, at least one element adapted to transmit radiant energy disposed within said casing with an end thereof being secured in one of the end walls, and an inlet and an outlet in said casing between the end walls. The outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the element secured in the end wall is contacted by a material whose refractive index is equal to or less than the refractive index of the element. Preferably, the device employs a plurality of radiant energy transmitting elements in the form of fibers. Apparatus includes the aforementioned device and means for directing radiant energy onto the element(s) for transmitting radiant energy.

Abstract: Blood flowrate in a hemodialysis system is controlled in accordance with the relative speeds of two periodically operated blood pumps. Information as to the speeds of the two pumps is converted to flowrate information, which is used to determine the mean flowrate of blood through the system. The mean blood flowrate may be altered by changing the speeds of the blood pumps in a control system which maintains a constant ratio of pump speeds.

Abstract: Device useful as a heat exchanger for blood or as an apparatus in which blood may be treated or reacted with selected reactants. Device comprises hollow tubing which has plastic monofilament placed in a generally spiral configuration around its outer surface, said monofilament being in the form of continuous or discontinuous projections or ridges. Strands of wire may be substituted for the plastic monofilament. Hollow tubing having such plastic monofilament or strands of wire is also included.