Abstract: A system and method, for use in an implantable cardiac stimulation device, monitors progression or regression in heart disease such as congestive heart failure. The system includes a sensing circuit that derives an electrogram signal indicative of the electrical activity of the patient's heart. A processor processes the electrogram signal to determine interchamber conduction delays which are then stored in memory. The stored interchamber conduction delays may be later retrieved by way of a telemetry circuit. Relative changes in the interchamber conduction delays, over time, are indicative of progression or regression in the heart disease. The relative changes in the interchamber conduction delays may be further used to automatically adjust pacing parameters of the implantable cardiac stimulation device.

Abstract: An implantable endocardial lead includes a first elongated tubular component of flexible resilient material with a first face and a first longitudinally extending channel forming a partial lumen in the first face, a similar second elongated tubular component with a second face opposite the first face and a second longitudinally extending channel forming a partial lumen in the second face, the first and second tubular components being integrated by contiguously uniting the first and second faces with the first and second partial lumina being in mutually overlying relationship forming a full lumen within the elongated lead body. Elastic or inelastic rings received in longitudinally spaced annular grooves provided in the outer peripheral surface of the elongated lead body bias together the first and second elongated tubular components. An elongated electrical conductor is received in the full lumen and an overlying sheath is in contiguous engagement with the peripheral outer surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating or preventing neurocardiogenic syncope is disclosed. Upon detection of bradycardia or a drop in blood pressure indicating the onset of syncope, electrostimulation pulses are delivered during the heart's refractory period. The pulses are non-excitatory but increase myocardial contractility and thereby increase cardiac output.

Abstract: An implantable heart stimulator has an electrode lead adapted to detect electrical heart signals and a cardiac activity sensor connected to the electrode lead for detecting heart signals above a sensitivity level. A heart signal classifier is also connected to the electrode lead, and classifies the incoming heart signals in a histogram with regard to their respective peak amplitude values. The heart signal classifier has a sensitivity level lower than the sensitivity level of the cardiac activity detector so that incoming heart signals are included in the histogram data which are below the level that would be detected by the cardiac activity detector. An analyzer in communication with the classifier and the activity detector analyzes the histogram data and adjusts the sensitivity level of the activity detector dependent on the histogram data.

Abstract: A flow diverting appliance has a flexible valve body to which a number of flow lines are connected. The valve body is deformed to create different flow paths within it. The valve body may be deformed, for example, by pinching it to define press-seals in an enclosed volume inside the valve body. The press seals divide the enclosed volume to form exclusive flow channels which allow communication between some flow lines and permit flow communication between other lines. The invention provides a way of making flow diverters part of a replaceable blood circuit which is fully hermetic and with no dead-end spaces which would allow blood to cagulate.

Abstract: The withdrawal spike comprises a piercing thorn (10) and a housing (12) having filter chambers for air and fluid. In a connecting piece (23) for connection of an external device a self-closing valve (31) is arranged. Said valve (31) is adapted to prevent fluid from unintentionally flowing out of the withdrawal spike.

Abstract: A flow cytometer containg a device for sampling cellular material within a body. The flow cytometer is adapted to mark cells within bodily fluid with a marker to produce marked cells, to analyze the marked cells, to sort the cells within the bodily fluid to produce sorted cells, to maintain the sorted cells cells in a viable state, and to remove the marker from the marked cells. Two marker removal devices are used in the flow cytomter.

Abstract: An apheresis machine is provided, which can efficiently produce concentrated platelets products without excessively collecting platelets. The apheresis machine 10 comprises a centrifuge 11 having an inlet port PT1 and an outlet port PT2 for separating whole blood into a lower density component, an intermediate density component and a higher density component, a first container 18 connected to receive the lower density component from the outlet port PT2 and return it through the inlet port PT1 to the centrifuge 11, a first pump P1 operated to collect whole blood from the inlet port PT1 to the centrifuge 11, a second pump P2 operated to supply the lower density component from the first container 18, and means for variable controlling the centrifuge 11 and/or the second pump P2 for increasing or decreasing a process volume of whole blood in the centrifuge in response to at least one characteristic associated with the whole blood.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed in which a two-tiered approach is taken to first grade a patient to identify the presence of any suspected stenosis, and then a second step is used to acquire more detailed information to grade the stenosis. The invention includes performing a screening study by acquiring a first MR image having a low resolution to scan a suspected stenosis region. After analyzing the first MR image to identify a suspected stenosis within the suspected stenosis region, a more detailed study is performed by acquiring a second MR image having a higher resolution than the first MR image to scan the identified suspected stenosis. If no lesions, or stenotic vessels, are identified after the first MR image, the second MR image need not be obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for conditioning mammalian blood for subsequent use in a medical procedure. The apparatus includes a cabinet having a secure environment and a door providing the only access to the environment. An input system is provided for transporting a blood charge from a source to the cabinet and a flask is removably contained in the secure environment and coupled to the charge input system to receive the charge. Stressors are coupled to the cabinet and positioned for operation to create a conditioned charge in the flask. An output system is coupled to the flask and includes a receiver for the conditioned charge. The apparatus includes an automated control system operable upon closing the door to lock the door and to then condition the charge, and to then cause the charge to move from the flask to the receiver.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device, such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiovertor and/or a multisite device, having an improved detection of late atrial extrasystoles. The device detects atrial events (EvtA); applies a first window forming a relative atrial refractory period (DARRP) for discriminating (filtering) atrial extrasystoles of an early or average prematurity, and reacts to a variation of the sinusal atrial rate by certain control algorithms. It also applies the detected atrial events to a second window (DLE), distinct from the first window and of longer duration, for the discrimination of the atrial extrasystoles having a low prematurity, called late extrasystoles. The duration of the second window is a variable duration, defined as a fraction of the current average atrial interval (AAI). Further, the second window is used to inhibit temporarily any reaction to a variation of the sinusal atrial rate, in the event of detection of an atrial event inside the second window.

Abstract: A ventricular apex connector for quick connection and disconnection of an inflow tube of a ventricular assist device, comprising a sewing ring, a cylindrical ring, gripping pins, a spring ring and a sealing O-ring is provided. The cylindrical ring defines two openings, diametrically opposed to each other, in its walls. Gripping pins, comprising rods with gripping pads, are placed in the openings in the cylindrical ring so that the gripping pads are at rest within the inner circumference of the cylindrical ring. The spring ring is placed around the cylindrical ring and the rods of the gripping pads, which extend out of the outer wall of the cylindrical ring, are welded to the spring ring. The gripping pins are thus biased towards each other by the force of the spring ring. When the spring ring is squeezed, at points away from the gripping pin connection points, the deformation of the spring ring causes the gripping pads to be pulled out towards the inner wall of the cylindrical ring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus particularly involving the separation of blood into blood components and the collection of such components are disclosed. In one aspect, an extracorporeal method for the collection of plasma and red blood cells is provided, wherein the collection of plasma and red blood cells may occur simultaneously or subsequently utilizing the same dual stage blood processing vessel. The flow of blood to the blood processing vessel and return of uncollected blood components may be provided via a single needle, wherein blood is removed from and returned to a donor/patient during alternating blood removal and blood return submodes. Platelet separation and collection options are also described. In either case, prior to red blood cell collection, a set-up phase may be carried out to set a predetermined hematocrit and AC ratio. Replacement fluid delivery may optionally also be provided either substantially continuously during any collection phase(s) and/or in a bolus mode.

Abstract: An eye implant for treating glaucoma includes a main conduit and a plurality of anchor members formed from a first resilient material. The anchor members are formed such that they are biased to a relaxed condition in a non-aligned position relative to the conduit. To facilitate insertion of the implant into the eye in a minimally invasive surgical procedure, the anchor members are secured together in an aligned condition relative to the conduit with a bonding material. A cutting surface or element is also applied to the anchor members to allow the implant to be inserted directly through the wall of the sclera. The cutting surface is formed of a second material different from the first material. The second material is adapted to dissolve or melt after the implant has been inserted into the eye.

Abstract: A hemofiltration system for a mammal is provided with a hemofilter and an adsorbent device. The hemofilter removes ultrafiltrate from a blood stream extracted from the mammal to create a filtered blood stream and an ultrafiltrate stream. The adsorbent device has one or more adsorbent materials and is used to adsorb inflammatory mediators from the ultrafiltrate stream received from the hemofilter removing inflammatory mediators that cause inflammatory mediator related disease, sepsis, and SIRS/MODS/MOSF to create a post adsorption ultrafiltrate stream. The post adsorption ultrafiltrate stream is selectively combined with the filtered blood stream and together with the filtered blood stream is returned to the mammal.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods convey blood drawn from a donor through a blood processing circuit to separate the blood into at least one targeted blood component for collection. The systems and methods derive an estimated effect of the procedure upon the donor. The estimated effect can be expressed in terms of a net blood fluid volume loss, or as a hematocrit of the donor after completion of the desired blood collection procedure. The systems and methods present the estimated effect to an operator for viewing, reading, or offloading.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for pumping and oxygenating blood are provided that include a gas removal system. An integrated blood processing unit is provided in which a gas removal/blood filter, pump and blood oxygenation element are mounted within a common housing. The gas removal system includes a sensor mounted on the housing to sense the presence of gas, and a valve is operably coupled to the sensor to evacuate gas from the system when the sensor detects an accumulation of gas.

Abstract: A cardiac lead has an end adapted for contact with cardiac tissue that has a number of dot-like electrodes which are separated from each other by electrically insulating material, and which are positioned at respective locations adapted for simultaneous contact with the cardiac tissue. The dot-like electrodes produce respective unipolar signals. At least one difference signal from the unipolar signals of a pair of the dot-like electrodes. The difference signal is edited in circuitry of a cardiac assist device and is compared to a threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, a signal indicating a cardiac rhythm abnormality, such as fibrillation, is generated for triggering electrical therapy delivered to the cardiac tissue by the cardiac assist device.

Abstract: An inflow cuff with trocar for apical cannulation of the heart. The inflow cuff has an omni-directional or unidirectional valve that prevents blood from flowing out of the heart, thus facilitating apical cannulation in beating-heart situations. The inflow cuff is particularly suited for use in ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation procedures, in which the trocar would be used to punch a hole in the apex, followed by immediate insertion of the inflow cuff. If used in a VAD implantation procedure, the valve of the inflow cuff prevents blood loss until an inflow conduit from the VAD is inserted.

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.