Abstract: A disposable sanitary towel (1) comprising an upper layer (5) which is permeable to liquids, a lower impermeable layer (7) and an absorbent member (6) is provided with an intermediate layer (10) located between the upper layer (5) containing the absorbent member (6) and extending around the longitudinal side edges and end edges of the absorbent member (6) so as to distribute the liquid received and to prevent the loss of liquid from the edges of the absorbent member (6).

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, incontinent pad, sanitary napkin and the like that has as a component of the absorbent core a fluff cellulosic material. The absorbent core is especially effective and efficient for absorbing body fluids contacting the surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent core comprises a first absorbent layer having a fluff cellulosic material and a second absorbent layer of a resilient cellulosic material. The first absorbent layer can have an acquisition orifice so the second absorbent layer can quickly acquire any discharged body fluids. The absorbent article exhibits excellent wet crush recovery substantially without the use of polymeric or polyolefinic materials in either of the absorbent layers. The absorbent core when laterally crushed to approximately 40% of its initial dimension will recover to at least about 70% of its initial, precrushed dimension.

Abstract: An artificial gut (100) comprises a first hollow fiber (203) having an inner surface (215) that is lined with at least a portion of a layer of one or more of a plurality of biological components (205) that typically line a mammalian gut. Further, a second hollow fiber (201) is adjacent the first hollow fiber. The layer of one or more of the plurality of biological components can consist essentially of enterocytes. The enterocyte-lined inner surface is perfused with a feeding solution containing nutrients, and the enterocytes absorb, process, and transport the nutrients across the wall of the first hollow fiber. The nutrients eventually diffuse into the second hollow fiber. A perfusate selected from the group consisting of culture medium, blood, and plasma, can perfuse an inner surface of the second hollow fiber, whereby the perfusate is nourished by the nutrients.

Abstract: A method of treating infections of mononuclear blood cells, other than retroviral infections, is disclosed. A method of modulating the function of monocytes is also disclosed. The method involves the treatment of a patient's blood with a photoactivatable compound followed by ultra violet light-activation of the photoactivatable compound. The blood treated as such is returned to the patient in a process known as extracorporeal photopheresis. Monocyte function is modulated by this treatment.

Abstract: An absorbent product comprising a liquid permeable surface sheet, a liquid nonpermeable back sheet and an absorbent layer located therebetween, wherein the absorbent layer comprises a water nonswellable synthetic fiber (a) and optionally cellulose fiber (b), and a water-absorbent resin (c), with the weight ratio of (a):(b) being (100 to 20):(0 to 80) and the percentage content of (c) based on the weight sum of (a), (b) and (c) is 25 to 75 weight %. The absorbent layer is treated with polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone surface active agent (d1) and/or a nonsilicone surface active agent having HLB of 8 to 14 (d2). Absorbent products of the present invention exhibit excellent shape retention in the moist state and good permeability and diffusibility for the absorbed liquid. Accordingly, they provide excellent surface dryness, reduced leakage and thus can be comfortably used for a long time and effectively applied to disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and incontinence pads.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient for adult-onset dementia of the Alzheimer's type by removing a portion of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, preferably (although not necessarily) by transporting the fluid to another portion of the patient's body. The invention also provides an apparatus for removing cerebrospinal fluid including (1) a conduit with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening of the conduit being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a space within a patient's arachnoid membrane, the second opening being adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with another portion of the patient's body; and (2) a flow rate control device attached to the conduit.

Abstract: In a pump-oxygenator, artificial lungs are located in a blood delivery line for adding oxygen to a blood stream flowing through the blood delivery line and removing carbonic acid gas therefrom. A plurality of sub-reservoirs are located upstream of a main reservoir to store blood therein. A plurality of sub-suction lines for blood are respectively connected to the plurality of sub-reservoirs. The pump is driven to supply a negative pressure with the main reservoir, a magnitude of which is smaller than a negative pressure induced in the sub-reservoirs so as to draw the blood from the sub-reservoirs and the blood-drawing line to the main reservoir. A controller has control sections each supplied with a negative pressure by a negative pressure source, and connected to the corresponding sub-reservoirs and the main reservoir by way of negative pressure lines so as to control the negative pressure in each of the sub-reservoirs and the main reservoir at a preset value.

Abstract: A pouch or sachet for packaging biologic liquid substances is made of two thermoplastics material films welded together. The weld delimits a pocket. A filler passage is connected to the top of the pocket. One of the thermoplastics material films has a peelable area at the top. The peelable area contains wax. After filling, the pouch is sealed in a sealing area inside the peelable area, near the top of the passage and transversely to its axis. The pouch can be opened easily, in the required area, without using any cutting tools, by manually separating the two thermoplastics material films. Positive guidance is then assured on insertion of a probe into the passage of the pouch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of its use to prevent accidental transfusion of mismatched blood types from a blood bag containing pre-typed blood to a patient. The system includes two major independent but mating components: 1) a cannula spike attached to a cannula adapted for intravenous infusion of a fluid from the bag into a patient and 2) a plurality of different individual receptacle ports of graduated size, of which at least one is selectively attached to the outside of pilot tube at the time of blood typing. The cannula spike is a connected series of decreasingly sized individual cannula spike units, each unit being configured to be matingly received by and uniquely coded to its matching female receptacle port. Each of the units is individually removable from the cannula spike and the last unit may be affixed permanently to the cannula. Each unit may also be color coded, bar coded, and affixed with linear indicia to assist the user in avoiding an accidental mismatch between blood types.

Abstract: An integrated, vacuum-driven shed blood processing system that collects, dilutes, filters and washes postoperatively shed blood and concentrates red blood cells for reinfusion to the patient. The location of the centrifuge bowl between the surgical site and the vacuum source used to clean the site allows the immediate collection of shed blood in the bowl without an intermediate reservoir or an additional pump. In conjunction with a modified centrifuge bowl having a sealed aperture in its floor that permits reinfusion directly from the bowl without an additional reinfusion bag or reverse pump, this configuration processes blood for reinfusion using fewer steps and components yet without loss of functionality. Dilution of the blood upon its introduction into the system reduces the tendency to coagulate and allows the use of lower bowl rotation speeds. Slower rotation reduces red blood cell damage and lowers power requirements, which improves portability.

Abstract: A gas exchange apparatus for use as a artificial lung incorporates a hollow fiber module for bundling a plurality of thin-walled hollow silicone fibers. The fibers are wound in the form of a twilled pattern so as to form an internal perfusion passage and an external perfusion passage. A housing encloses the hollow fiber module. The housing incorporates a first inlet and outlet formed on the housing for communication of gas or liquid with the internal perfusion passage, and a second inlet and outlet formed for communication of gas or liquid with the external perfusion passage.

Abstract: The present invention is a blood separation system that is fully mechanized to collect blood from a patient, separate waste portions of the blood, wash the blood, and redirect the usable portions to a device for reinjecting the usable portions into the patient. The present invention prevents accidental activation of an improper operation that could cause harm to a patient or a shut down of the system by requiring confirmation of each step by an operator. The invention provides screen displays with detailed setup instructions, eliminating the need for secondary documentation that might not be allowed in a surgical environment. The invention also instructs the operator at the appropriate times to do certain manual steps such as opening and closing clamps. Since the opening and closing of clamps is a highly critical operation, confirmation of these steps is also required.

Abstract: An endovascular system for arresting a patient's heart and maintaining the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. A venous cannula, venting catheter and an aortic occlusion device are all coupled together so that the blood drawn into each of these catheters may be fed to a pump. A manifold has valves which control flows through the venous cannula, venting catheter and aortic occlusion device. A blood storage element is also provided so that the amount of blood in the perfusion circuit may be varied if necessary. The blood storage element is preferably positioned in parallel with the pump so that the pump may be used to add and remove blood to and from the blood storage element.

Abstract: Patient blood in an extracorporeal flow circuit (such as a cardiopulmonary bypass machine) is contacted with one or more nitric oxide feeds at least one of which is upstream of the circuit pump, to provide a concentration of nitric oxide in the blood effective to inhibit activation of blood platelets and reduce whole body inflammation of the patient as a result of a procedure using the extracorporeal circulation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for medical applications is disclosed. The heat exchanger is characterized in that it is configured to provide a high heat transfer efficiency while minimizing the possibility of formation gaseous emboli and maximizing the ability to entrap and remove any such emboli which form or are introduced into the device. The heat exchanger has a corrugated tubular core which is configured to minimize the chances of entrapping air during the potting process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in coronary bypass surgery procedures wherein the heart remains beating rather than completely stopping the heart, where a blockage is located in the blood vessel for the heart and an incision is made in the vessel adjacent the blockage for the grafting of a vein from another location in the patient's body, and an intraluminal shunt is inserted into the blood vessel to retain the vessel open and allow blood flow through the vessel but prevent blood flow on the exterior of the shunt. The intraluminal shunt comprises a primary perfusion tube having an enlarged bulb or occluder adjacent each end of the tube to cooperate with the interior surface of the vessel, and a secondary perfusion tube intersecting the primary tube at a point either intermediate between the ends of the primary tube or at a location providing a one-third/two-thirds ratio along the primary tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically transferring a predetermined quantity of a sterile liquid to a vial containing a dry medicament for hydrating the medicament and then transferring the hydrated medicament to a container. To hydrate the medicament, a needle is positioned through a vial septum of the vial and an artificial sensor senses when the needle has been positioned through the vial septum and actuates a pump to transfer a predetermined quantity of sterile liquid into the vial. The needle is then removed from the vial septum and the vial is shaken to mix the liquid and medicament. To transfer the hydrated medicament to a container, another needle is positioned through the vial septum. An artificial sensor senses when the needle has been positioned through the vial septum and actuates the pump to transfer the hydrated medicament to the container.

Abstract: The flow of a biological fluid to an organ is computer-controlled so that the natural variation of such flow is simulated. Specifically described are control of a blood pump flow output during CPB to mimic normal pulsatile blood flow from the heart and control of a ventilator output to mimic normal breathing of healthy lungs. A pattern of variation over time of instantaneous flow of a biological fluid to an organ of a mammalian species is established, a variable control parameter for regulation of flow of the biological fluid to the organ is generated in accordance with the pattern, and the flow of biological fluid to the organ is controlled in accordance with the variable control parameter.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system is disclosed which includes a variety of novel components and which may be operated in accordance with a variety of novel methodologies. For instance, the system includes a graphical operator interface which directs the operator through various aspects of the apheresis procedure. Moreover, the system also includes a variety of features relating to loading a blood processing vessel into a blood processing channel and removing the same after completion of the procedure. Furthermore, the system also includes a variety of features relating to utilizing a blood priming of at least portions of the apheresis system in preparation for the procedure. In addition, the system includes a variety of features enhancing the performance of the apheresis system, including the interrelationship between the blood processing vessel and the blood processing vessel and the utilization of high packing factors for the procedure.

Abstract: An external slot valve for controlling blood flow through the outlet of a shunt of a cardiopulmonary bypass pump wherein a valve seat having a knife edge is fixedly connected to the fixed plate of the bypass pump, and a valve head having a knife edge is pivotally connected to the fixed plate. The valve head is spring biased to the closed position against the valve seat to pinch the shunt extending therethrough. When in the open position, the knife edges provide a slot forming a large orifice for the blood to flow through the outlet of the shunt to diminish the work of the pump and reduce trauma to the blood.