Abstract: A gas-enriched fluid is provided by the combination of a first fluid, such as a patient's blood, with a second gas-supersaturated fluid, such as an oxygen supersaturated fluid. In this example, a catheter assembly includes a portion that receives the patient's blood from a pump and that receives the oxygen supersaturated fluid from an appropriate fluid source. The oxygen supersaturated fluid is advantageously combined with the blood in an area of laminar flow, and then this gas-enriched fluid is delivered to the patient through an appropriate lumen coupled to the portion of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: A hemofiltration machine at a local treatment site is linked to a remote main data base server by a local transmitting/receiving device. The machine acts as a satellite of the main data base server. The machine performs specified therapy tasks while monitoring basic safety functions and providing the person at the treatment location notice of safety alarm conditions for resolution. Otherwise, the machine transmits procedure data to the main data base server. The main data base server relieves the machine from major data processing tasks and related complexity. The main data base server, remote from the machine, controls the processing and distribution of the data, including the flow of information and data to the person undergoing therapy.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, kits, and apparatus are provided for delivering a macromolecular assembly such as a plasmid, virus vector, or other gene vector, to an extravascular tissue such as muscle tissue. The composition comprises the macromolecular assembly and a vascular permeability-enhancing agent. In another embodiment, the composition further comprises a vasodilating agent. The method of the invention comprises proving a vascular permeability-enhancing agent to a blood vessel and providing a macromolecular assembly to the vessel. An oxygenator useful for providing oxygen to a fluid extracorporeally prior to providing the fluid to a blood vessel of a mammal is included in the invention. Kits, apparatus, and methods for using the catheters described herein for isolating cardiac circulation, diverting caval blood flow from the right atrium, and for other purposes, are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat plasma by separating targeted blood cell species such as red blood cells and platelets from the plasma by filtration through hydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes.

Abstract: Method and device for determining in dialysis treatment the content of waste products in the outgoing dialysis liquid from the dialyzer. Measurement of the concentration of a certain substance or a combination of substances included in the waste products is effected spectrophotometrically directly on the outgoing dialysis liquid from the dialyzer. For that purpose there is provided after the dialyzer in or after the dialysing machine a measuring cell for spectrophotometric measurement. The measurement value obtained is multiplied by the flow of dialysis liquid for determining the content of said substance or said combination of substances in the outgoing dialysis liquid from the dialyzer.

Abstract: Axially activated vial access adapter allowing repeated withdrawal of a medical fluid contained in the container by the use of a needleless device such as a syringe barrel or IV set having a luer connector. The axially activated vial access adapter includes: an elastomeric stopper having a cavity extending from its distal end to its proximal end; a bottom insert positioned in the cavity of the elastomeric stopper; and a top insert of tube-like configuration slideably positioned in the bottom insert. The top insert contains a plug on its proximal end, and a male luer connector on its distal end for attachment to a syringe barrel or an IV set having a female luer connector. Moving the top insert distally or proximally, the plug on the proximal end of the top insert opens or closes the cavity in the elastomeric stopper thereby opening or closing fluid communication between the medical fluid contained in the container and the syringe barrel or IV set having a luer connector.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring vascular access is described. A field coil is placed at a location on an extracorporeal circulation loop connected to the vascular system of a patient, and an induction coil is placed at another different location. A voltage is supplied to the field coil, inducing an electric current in the blood. The current induces a voltage in the induction coil. Monitoring the voltage in the induction coil reveals if vascular access is defective.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing real-time support in interpreting a patient's ECG in order to assess the probability of perioperative cardiovascular risk associated with performing a non-cardiac surgery. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit for acquiring an ECG and a processor for determining whether the ECG has diagnostic statements of risk. From the diagnostic statements of risk, the processor determines the probability of cardiovascular risk associated with the non-cardiac surgery. The probability of cardiovascular risk is displayed on display in the form of an indicator of either major, intermediate, or minor cardiovascular risk. The method includes acquiring a patient's ECG, determining whether the ECG exhibits diagnostic statements of cardiovascular risk, and determining the probability of cardiovascular risk based on the diagnostic statements, and displaying the determined probability of cardiovascular risk.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter/defibrillator with the capability of storing body temperature measurements taken periodically and/or when triggered by particular events.

Abstract: A bag arrangement for intermixing two, separately stored substances. The bag arrangement includes a bag having a jacket defining an inner chamber for accommodating a first substance and a piercing device having a chamber in which the jacket is received. A single piercing member is provided on one side of the jacket and a hollow abutment is located opposite the piercing member on an opposite side of the jacket and forms a receptacle for accommodating a second substance. Upon actuation of the piercing device, the piercing member pierces the opposite sides of the jacket providing for intermixing of the first and second substances.

Abstract: An automatic system and method for the separation of blood into component parts includes a conically shaped collection and separation bag, component bags connected to the collection and separation bag, a sensor, valves to seal the connections between the component bags and the collection and separation bag, a centrifuge and a controller for controlling the process. Blood is placed in the collection and separation bag and is separated by centrifuging. The components are removed from the collection and separation bag either directly or indirectly by the centrifugal force into the component bags. Flow of the components is directed by automatic opening and closing of the valves in response to the position of the interface between the separated components determined by the sensor or elapsed time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing blood component products. In one embodiment, a plurality of a predetermined type of blood component is harvested from a source of whole blood. At least two on-line yield determination techniques are utilized to determine the yield for the harvested blood components. One is a predetermined yield prediction technique and the second is a predetermined yield monitoring technique, each of which are individually calibrated in relation to a predetermined off-line yield determination technique. The predetermined yield prediction and monitoring techniques each provide the yield for the harvested blood components and each is then utilized to provide a determined yield. Consequently, when the harvested blood components are packaged the determined yield my be associated therewith, thereby providing a blood component product.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for calculating a hemodialysis parameter, especially blood access flow rate, using multiple dialysance values. The dialysance values may be calculated based upon either sodium or urea concentrations. One dialysance value can be determined for conditions in which a patient's arterial line withdraws blood from an upstream location in a patient's fistula and treated blood is returned by a venous line to a downstream location in a patient's fistula. The second dialysance value can be determined when the lines have been reconfigured so that the arterial line withdraws blood from a downstream portion of a patient's fistula and the venous line returns treated blood to an upstream portion of a patient's fistula.

Abstract: A pacemaker or other implantable cardiac stimulation device is configured with both a rate hysteresis mode and a vasovagal syncope prevention mode. Within the rate hysteresis mode, the pacemaker detects when the intrinsic heart rate of the patient is below an escape rate, then paces the heart at a Base Rate until an intrinsic beat is detected. When programmed in the vasovagal syncope prevention mode, upon detecting the intrinsic rate falling below the Hysteresis Escape Rate, the pacemaker paces the heart at a Vasovagal Syncope Response Rate, which is considerably higher than the Base Rate. The pacemaker is preferably set to the syncope prevention mode for patients prone to recurrent vasovagal syncope. By pacing the heart at the higher Vasovagal Syncope Response Rate, the pacemaker thereby helps prevent a significant drop in blood pressure which might otherwise cause a loss of consciousness in the patient. System and method embodiments are described.

Abstract: A blood treatment device, in particular a dialysis machine, which permits both single-needle and dual-needle operation. The device has a blood treatment unit, in particular a dialyzer that has an inlet connected to a feed line and an outlet connected to a return line. The feed line has two parallel line branches with a positive displacement pump being connected into the first and second line branches. To produce a fluid connection between the outlet of the dialyzer and one of the two pumps, a connection line is provided. For dual-needle operation, the feed and return lines are connected to an arterial and a venous needle. For single-needle operation, the feed and return lines are brought together and connected to a common needle. The connection line permits single-needle operation without great changes to the structure of the blood treatment device.

Abstract: A system compact enough to be located entirely beside the donor's chair, and able to process the blood while the donor is still resting in the chair after having donated the blood. The separated blood components (plasma and red blood cells) may be stored in their individual optimum environments immediately after the whole blood is drawn, and the blood does not need to be transported back to a separation laboratory for processing. The system includes a needle (72) (or other cannula-like device) for insertion into a vein of the donor and drawing whole blood therethrough, a rotor (2a) for holding the blood after it is drawn, and a motor (50) for spinning the rotor so as to cause the blood to separate into components, for example, plasma and red blood cells.

Abstract: The efficiency of a hollow fiber wound oxygenator is improved by varying the packing density of the fiber bundle in a direction longitudinal and/or circumferential of the core.

Abstract: Systems and methods balance fluid in a fluid processing procedure during which an outgoing fluid is removed from an individual and an ingoing fluid is supplied to the individual. The systems and methods supply a volume of the outgoing fluid and a volume of the ingoing fluid into a volumetric chamber. The systems and methods discharge a volume of the outgoing fluid and a volume of the ingoing fluid from the volumetric chamber. The systems and methods synchronizes the supply and discharge of fluid to affect a concurrent discharge of the outgoing fluid and ingoing fluid from the volumetric chamber in volumetric balance with a concurrent supply of outgoing fluid and ingoing fluid into the volumetric chamber. The volumetric chamber can include at least one chamber including an interior wall dividing the chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment retains a volume of outgoing fluid. The second compartment retains a volume of ingoing fluid.

Abstract: Fluid replacement systems and methods for use in association with a hemofilter convey an individual's blood through an extracorporeal fluid circuit to the hemofilter to remove waste fluid. The systems and methods convey waste fluid from the hemofilter through a waste line. The systems and methods convey blood from the hemofilter through a blood return line after removal of waste fluid. The systems and methods balance the removal of waste fluid with replacement fluid. The systems and methods can selectively operate in a bolus mode, to increase the volume of replacement fluid supplied to the individual. The systems and methods can also selectively operate in a rinse back mode, during which a volume of replacement fluid circulated into the blood return line, to thereby flush the blood return line.

Abstract: A haemofiltration machine designed to work with a haemofilter comprises two compartments separated by a semipermeable membrane, one compartment having an inlet connected to a withdrawing tube for taking blood from the patient and an outlet connected to a blood return tube, the other having an outlet connected to a tube for removing used liquid.