Abstract: A thrombectomy treatment system and method are provided. The system includes a catheter for insertion into the vascular system of a patient so that a tip of the catheter is positioned in the vicinity of a blood clot to be removed from the patient. A suction source is provided to withdraw the blood clot from the patient through the catheter. A filtration device functions to remove the blood clot from the accompanying blood. The filtered blood is collected in a blood collection device. A blood reinfuser communicates with the blood collection device to reinfuse the filtered blood back into the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering electrical shock therapy in order to treat atrial tachyarrhythmias such as fibrillation is disclosed where pre-shock ventricular pacing is employed to modify the intrinsic ventricular rhythm during the tachyarrhythmic episode. By making the intrinsic ventricular rhythm slower and more predictable, an atrial defibrillation shock may be delivered with less risk of inducing ventricular fibrillation.

Abstract: A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left atrium of the heart with the inlet cannulated tube, accessing the aorta with the outlet cannulated tube, actuating the rotating pumping member to draw oxygenated blood from the left atrium of the heart through the lumen of the inlet cannulated tube and into the inlet port of the pump housing whereby the pumping member imparts mechanical energy to the oxygenated blood passing through the pump housing and directs the oxygenated blood through the outlet port and through the lumen of the outlet cannulated tube to be transfe

Abstract: A medical needle for withdrawal of blood from a patient or for insertion in medicinal containers in which the end of a needle extending from the body of a syringe is provided with one or more marks at its end region to indicate the depth of penetration of the needle below the skin surface of a patient in a given site so that the depth of penetration can be indicated as well as the degree of withdrawal of the needle in such instances as when the needle is required to be partially pulled out maneuvered below the skin to seek an artery for withdrawal of blood. In addition, the end of the needle is provided with coloring and a marking such that it is more visible than the bare stainless steel needles of conventional type thereby assisting in prevention of accidental needle sticks in either the technician or the patient.

Abstract: The electroporation system and method combine pulses having different characteristics for delivering molecules to cells in vivo. The pulses include a high-intensity pulse for inducing electroporation and a low-intensity pulse to induce electrophoretic molecule movement within an interstitial space, molecule adherence to a cell membrane, and electrophoretic movement of the molecule through the permeabilized membrane. The use of a high-intensity and a low-intensity pulse achieves improved delivery; reduction of intensity and/or duration of pulses for inducing electroporation; and decreased muscle stimulation, tissue damage, and patient discomfort.

Abstract: An electrotherapy delivery device includes an upper member having a handle portion and a pediatric electrode mounted to the bottom surface of the upper member. A base member having an adult electrode is selectively attached to the upper member with a coupling mechanism to conceal the pediatric electrode. The upper member attaches to the base member across diametrically opposed corners of the base member to provide the user with a more ergonomic hand position when accessing the paddles from the defibrillator. The device further include a plurality of switches operable to deliver a charge and to select the level of charge to be delivered to the patient. The paddle is provided with a processing circuit that receives an output from separate energy level increase and decrease switches, processes the output from the switches, and outputs a signal to the defibrillator corresponding to the level of energy selected by the switches.

Abstract: A connector system consists of a coupling system and a port system for coupling a flexible tubing system to a container containing medicinal fluids. The coupling system includes a spike to which the flexible tubing system can be connected and a sheath enveloping the spike over its entire length. The spike sheath consists of two parts that can be screwed together for telescopic elongation or shortening. For connection of the coupling system to the port system, the spike sheath is connected to the port system. Then the first part is screwed onto the second part completely, whereby the spike advances and pierces a diaphragm of the port system.

Abstract: The platelet gel manufacturer includes a platelet gel applicator, a controllable platelet receptacle, a controllable coagulant receptacle, and a controllable platelet gel receptacle. The controllable platelet receptacle is fluidly coupled to the closed corporeal system, the controllable coagulant receptacle is fluidly coupled to the controllable platelet gel receptacle, and the controllable platelet gel receptacle is fluidly coupled to the platelet gel applicator. The controllable platelet receptacle is operable to receive the platelet rich plasma obtained from the patient by the closed corporeal system, and controllably deliver the platelet rich plasma to the controllable platelet gel receptacle. The controllable coagulant receptacle is operable to store a coagulant used to produce platelet gel, and controllably deliver the coagulant to the controllable platelet gel receptacle.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the performance of a vessel, such as a hemodialysis access, which communicates blood between two locations of a patient. A conduit, such as an external dialysis circuit or an intravascular catheter, is provided in fluid communication with the vessel, and has a diversion point for diverting blood from the vessel into the conduit. The system further includes means for determining a flow rate of the diverted blood through the conduit. A first sensor in communication with the vessel generates at least one signal that is a function of a blood flow rate in the vessel downstream from the diversion point, wherein the downstream flow rate depends on the determined conduit flow rate and the performance of the vessel can be determined based on the signal. In addition, a processor can be provided in communication with the first sensor for determining a flow rate in the vessel upstream from the diversion point from the signal and the conduit flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering electrical shock therapy in order to treat atrial tachyarrhythmias such as fibrillation in which the energy stored in a capacitor used to deliver a shock pulse is monitored and adjusted. A charging circuit is used to charge the capacitor from a supply voltage upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia, and a controller monitors sensed ventricular depolarizations until R-wave synchrony requirements are met so that an atrial shock pulse can be safely delivered. The controller also attempts to maintain the voltage of the capacitor at a specified voltage before delivery of the shock pulse by operation of the charging circuit.

Abstract: A system for establishing differential perfusion without the use of an occlusion balloon or other flow separator devices. The flows through two lumens are controlled such that the blood flow issuing from one lumen terminating in the aortic arch supplies the entire demand of the cerebral subcirculation while the blood flow issuing from a second lumen terminating in the descending aorta supplies the entire demand of the corporeal subcirculation. When the two flows are properly balanced, an inversion layer forms therebetween and no intermixing of the two flows takes place.

Abstract: A glaucoma shunt including first and second porous regions laminated together, and a third region having edge areas fused to edge areas of the second region so as to form a hollow reservoir therebetween. Also included is a catheter having a first end sandwiched between the second and third regions and a second end to be implanted into an anterior region of an eye. A method of making and surgically implanting such a glaucoma shunt is also included.

Abstract: A blood processing system (2), includes a housing (4), to which a user control panel is mounted, having an access opening (47) therein. A cassette assembly (22), mounted to the housing for movement between a use position covering the access opening and a cassette-replacement position, includes a cassette holder and cassette (26) removably mounted to the holder. The cassette includes in part by tubing aligned with a through-hole (45) in the cassette. A door (34) is mounted to the housing for movement between a latched position, capturing the cassette between the panel and the door, and a released position. Independently-driven roller assemblies (46, 54, 72) pass part-way through the access opening to capture first tubing portions (44A, 52A, 68A) between the roller tracks (100, 102, 104) and the roller assemblies for peristaltic pumping of fluid. A number of movable pinch elements (48, 80, 90, 96) are extendable through the front panel to selectively pinch the tubing against the door and thus seal the tubing.

Abstract: A method and system for the extracorporeal treatment of blood to remove fluid from the fluid overloaded patient is disclosed that non-invasively measures osmotic pressure across a filter membrane of a blood filter. The filter is permeable to water and electrolytes, but not to blood protein. The osmotic pressure indicates the protein concentration in the blood. Osmotic pressure is used to detect when hypotension is about to occur in a patient, as a result of excessive blood volume reduction during treatment of the blood. Using the osmotic pressure measurement as a feedback signal, the rate of fluid extraction is automatically controlled to achieve the desired clinical outcome and avoid precipitating a hypotensive crisis in the patient.

Abstract: A plural-compartment medical container, wherein said container is a pouch formed of a synthetic resin and has an open member at least one end of upper and lower ends thereof for filling or withdrawing a drug solution, and the inner surface of said container is divided into plural compartments in a liquid-tight manner by a blocking seal portion, characterized in that when a melting temperature curve of a resin of said blocking seal portion is determined using differential scanning calorimeter, a height ratio (h2/h1) between a height (h1) of a peak at a temperature of main melting peak and a height (h2) of said temperature curve at a temperature of 115° C., is within a range of 0.05 to 0.4, the blocking seal portion thereof peeling well by pushing operation to the pouch, provides a plural-compartment medical container having excellent flexibility and transparency.

Abstract: Implantable, pressure adjustable diaphragm pump systems which are scalable and are characterized by a common type of actuating mechanism. The pumps may be inductively and transcutaneously powered via adjacent, mutually inductive electromagnetic coils. Alternatively the pumps may be effectively “self” powered using a synthetic muscle attached to a local bending or twisting force. The pumps may be used in a range of applications from mechanical applications to medical applications such as intraocular pressure control for glaucoma patients, bodily fluid drainage control, and drug delivery systems. These pump systems each include a pumping chamber having an anterior end attached to an implantable influent conduit. In the case of an ocular pressure control device, the influent conduit is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging gases in a liquid is provided. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a housing, a first inlet, a gas exchange medium, a separator, a first outlet, and a second inlet and outlet. The apparatus may further comprise a circumferential collection gap that collects liquid from the gas exchange medium and directs it toward the first outlet. Also, the apparatus may further comprise a compliant chamber positioned near the first inlet. The compliant chamber reduces the overall impedance of the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for use as an implantable, artificial lung. In this embodiment, the liquid comprises blood and the apparatus exchanges supplied oxygen for waste carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An improved vial for supplying fluids, such as volatile and toxic fluids, without risking contamination or escape of the fluid before use comprises a sealed glass body containing the fluid. One end of the vial has a weakened area therein of a predetermined thickness which is sufficiently thin that the weakened area can be pierced by a needle without damaging the needle. The vial is be placed in a standard autosampler jar so that the weakened area is adjacent the elastomeric closure. Samples are drawn by plunging a needle through an exposed portion of the closure and into the jar. When the needle is inserted into the jar, it also pierces the weakened area of the vial providing safe access to the fluid contained therein.

Abstract: An endocardial lead is disclosed including an elongated insulative lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, and having a lumen extending therethrough, an electrode assembly operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body and including a distal electrode having a central portion and structure extending radially therefrom to define the shocking surface of the electrode, a connector assembly operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body, and a conductor assembly extending through the lumen of the lead body to electrically join the electrode assembly and the connector assembly.

Abstract: A blood treatment machine to further increase the functional reliability of blood purifying machines having a blood treatment component, including a blood line for transport of blood between a patient and the blood treatment component, several control units for monitoring and controlling the blood transport and/or the blood treatment, and at least two control units each comprising an action computer and an auxiliary computer. The action computers are interconnected via an action bus, and the auxiliary computers are interconnected via an auxiliary bus. A table is stored wherein error cases occurring on the respective control unit and/or error messages received by the respective control unit are assigned to an error processing routine, and the action computer and/or the auxiliary computer of a control unit places an error message on the respective bus as soon as an error occurs on the respective control unit.