Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood treatment machine having a control, having a pump actuator for pumping blood through an extracorporeal blood circuit which comprises an arterial line and a venous line, and having a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the venous line, wherein the control has a detection function for detecting a venous needle disconnect which compares a value determined on the basis of the pressure in the venous line with a limit value to recognize a venous needle disconnect, wherein the limit value with which the detection function compares the value determined on the basis of the pressure in the venous line can be set variably and/or is set variably by the control.

Abstract: One or more medical devices may be provided that may be used, for example, in bariatric surgery including a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Occlusion devices can be integrated with a catheter or tube to occlude one or more proximal or distal landmarks of a stomach and a stapling guide may be used to occlude a lateral boundary of the stomach to define a cavity. A volume of the potential resultant sleeve may be determined by inserting fluid or gas into the catheter or tube, measuring pressure, and calculating the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for minimally-invasive, including non-invasive, prevention and/or treatment of hydrocephalus and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a housing is sized for superjacent contact with a skull having a fontanel. Within the housing, a compartment includes a pressure applicator, such as a fluid-filled bladder, under the control of a pressure regulator. The pressure applicator is configured to selectively apply an external pressure to the fontanel. The compartment includes a pressure sensor configured to measure intracranial pulse pressure of the fontanel. Further, in one embodiment, the apparatus can cause pulse pressure modulation by adjusting the intracranial pulse pressure via the pressure applicator. This enables a non-invasive measurement of the pulse pressure and modulation thereof in infants, for example.

Abstract: A bi-directional perfusion cannula comprising a flexible elongated tube 1 for insertion into an artery having a first aperture 3 at a distal end and a second aperture 4 formed rearward of the first aperture, the elongated tube can be bent in correspondence of the second aperture to orient it in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. The cannula is provided with a tape 5 having a first end portion shaped as a ring, fixed on an outer surface of the elongated tube, and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion either coupled to or being integral with a belt 7 defining a strap 11 with holes 12 and at least a prong 13 integral with the strap and configured to engage a respective hole, wherein the belt is configured to be tightened around an outer surface of the artery.

Abstract: An ocular implant configured for implantation into the eye of a subject comprising an elongate outer shell (54), an internal plug (210) including a hydrogel and a drug reservoir including a drug (62) wherein the drug is configured to pass through at least a portion of the internal plug to control elution of the drug through the outer shell. The implant is made of biodegradable materials.

Abstract: A transportable extracorporeal system includes a housing, a blood flow inlet, a blood flow outlet, a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers, a gas inlet in fluid connection with inlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers, a gas outlet in fluid connection with outlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers, a first moving element, a concentrated oxygen generating device, a second moving element, a hollow transport conduit having a proximal opening and a distal opening and a power source configured to provide power to the first and second moving elements. The plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers comprising a gas transfer membrane. The concentrated oxygen generating device is configured to recycle waste oxygen from the gas transfer membrane to increase throughput and remove, by an adsorption/desorption process, unwanted gasses.

Abstract: An all-in-one, sterile, waste- and mess-free device for cleaning two-sided bodily punctures is described. The device may be a hand-held device that encloses around both sides of a two-sided bodily puncture and provides targeted cleaning fluid soaking, fully or partially submerged, without the user ever needing to touch or disturb jewelry in the two-sided bodily puncture. Cleaning fluid soaking involves cleaning fluid, without elevated pressure, soakingly contacting a two-sided bodily puncture to: (1) kill microorganisms in the area surrounding the two-sided bodily puncture (e.g., skin surrounding openings of the two-sided bodily puncture); and/or (2) remove cellular debris and/or microorganisms from the area surrounding the two-sided bodily puncture.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments described herein are directed to arteriovenous (AV) access catheters with inline needles that are protectable by sliding displacement of the catheter, and to methods of performing hemodialysis using said AV catheters. Extension (sliding) of the catheter portion of an exemplary device relative to a needle portion, after the needle of the needle portion has been used to access a patient fistula/graft, allows the catheter to cover the needle tip, thereby minimizing or eliminating the possibility that the needle may damage the fistula/graft. Because the needle still remains largely within the catheter, there is no risk of catheter collapse, kinking, etc., which could compromise blood flow during a hemodialysis procedure.

Abstract: A porous wound dressing for use in negative-pressure therapy is proposed. The wound dressing has an outer edge which defines a substantially oval or rectangular outer shape of the wound dressing with a major axis and a minor axis. The wound dressing has one or more incisions or perforations which together form one or more arc-shaped lines and serve for cutting the wound dressing to size in order to adapt the wound dressing to the shape and/or size of a wound. The one or more arc-shaped lines each extend asymmetrically with respect to the major axis and/or to the minor axis and each enclose, together with a portion of the outer edge, a segment of the wound dressing that is designed for separation from the wound dressing.

Abstract: An asymmetric device for regulating blood volume distribution across a patient's atrial septum having a first expandable end region and a second expandable end region. The first expandable end region is transitionable from a contracted delivery state to an expanded deployed state in which the first expandable end region extends into the patient's left atrium and an inlet end of the first expandable end region is in a first plane. The second expandable end region is transitionable from a contracted delivery state to an expanded deployed state in which the second expandable end region extends into the patient's right atrium and an outlet end of the second expandable end region is in a second plane, such that the first plane intersects the second plane. The device further includes a neck region joining the first expandable end region to the second expandable end region, wherein the neck region is sized and shaped for placement in the patient's atrial septum.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus (1) and a method for checking the connection of a soft bag (30, 24; 33, 34) in the apparatus (1). The apparatus (1) comprises a blood treatment device (2), an extracorporeal blood circuit (3, 5) and a fluid circuit (8, 12, 15, 17, 18, 22; 41, 42, 44).

Abstract: The invention relates to an oxygenator with a housing wall, defining a housing chamber with a blood inlet and a blood outlet, a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and also with a heating element which is arranged in the oxygenator between the blood inlet and blood outlet in order to control the temperature of the blood flowing through the housing chamber. The oxygenator also comprises an electric connection and the heating element has an electric resistor which is designed as a wire. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the heat emission at the heating element of an oxygenator by measuring the flow of blood through the oxygenator and the power of a pump influencing the flow, with the heating power being adjusted in accordance therewith.

Abstract: A pump generates a vacuum at a wound site via first tubing. A negative pressure circuit is defined by a canister, the first tubing and the wound site. A controller of a therapy device operates the pump to apply a first negative pressure to the entirety of the negative pressure circuit, following which ambient air is allowed to flow into the negative pressure circuit. The controller also operates the pump to apply a second negative pressure to a selected portion of the negative pressure circuit exclusive of the wound site, following which ambient air is allowed to flow into the selected portion. A quantity of fluid to be delivered to the wound site via a second tubing is determined by comparing measured parameters related to the flow of air into the negative pressure circuit to parameters measured with respect to the flow of air into the selected portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical treatment and therapy of mammalian tissue. More specifically, it relates to coverings and/or dressings that provide negative pressure at mammalian tissue sites, such as at one or more sites of surgical, non-surgical, and/or traumatic wounds, to promote closure and healing of the wounds. A key embodiment of the disclosed invention entails the use of a dressing that comprises a sponge that is shaped so as to create a vector force inward bringing wound edges together to promote healing, especially upon application of negative pressure. Other key features of the disclosed invention are its simplicity, its low cost, and that it is completely mechanical and lacks the need for any electronic components. The disclosure also relates to devices, systems, kits and methods for providing said negative pressure at said mammalian tissue sites and promote healing.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for making foam materials and foam material products having a polyurethane foam matrix defining a plurality of pores, a hydrophilic agent retained within at least a portion of the pores for improving an absorption of the foam material, a salt retained within at least a portion of the pores in an amount sufficient to render the foam material isotonic, a surfactant retained within at least a portion of the pores in an amount sufficient to be released upon contact with a moist surface. Also provided herein are methods for making a multilayer foam by casting a second foam layer on a first foam layer substrate and compressing the second foam layer before the second layer is fully cured to form an interface layer in situ.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for detecting a condition indicative of a dislodged needle in a hemodialysis procedure. A venous return pressure for a patient undergoing dialysis is measured. The venous return pressure is analyzed via a controller, and an intravascular blood pressure in proximity to a location of needle insertion into the patient is derived. A lower limit is calculated as a function of the intravascular blood pressure via the controller. An average of the venous return pressure is calculated via the controller during a predetermined time window. The average is compared to the lower limit via the controller, and if the average is within a specified range of the lower limit, the controller determines that a condition indicative of a dislodged needle is present.

Abstract: A control system is provided to restrict the flow rate of blood in a venous line 12 of a perfusion system 1 comprising a reservoir 10 supplied by the venous line 12 and supplying an outgoing line 22. The control system comprises an outgoing flow sensor 32 configured to determine an outgoing flow value indicative of the outgoing flow rate in the outgoing line 22, and a controller configured to process the outgoing flow value and to determine if the outgoing flow value exceeds a pre-set pairing threshold.

Abstract: A device for transferring a toxic substance from a dispensing vessel to at least one receiving vessel comprising: (i) a receiving portion arranged to receive a dispensing vessel containing a toxic substance; and (ii) a transfer apparatus having a first infusion line adapted for fluid communication with the dispensing vessel to transfer a carrier fluid into said vessel and a second infusion line having one end adapted for fluid communication to withdraw and transfer the carrier fluid and the toxic substance from the dispensing vessel and the other end of the second infusion line arranged to connect with the at least one receiving vessel.

Abstract: A contoured urinal assembly for enhancing comfort for a user during urine collection includes a bottle that has an angled neck to facilitate a user to insert the user's penis into the angled neck for urine collection. A handle is coupled to the bottle for gripping. A ring extends around the bottle and the ring is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to enhance comfort for the user. A saddle is coupled to the ring. The penis is positioned on the saddle to inhibit the penis from being abraded. Additionally, the saddle extends into the bottle to direct the penis into the bottle for urine collection.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system may treat blood containing metformin outside the body of a patient. The system may include one or more pumps configured to pump blood in a fluid flow path at a collective rate over 4 liters per minute. The system may include one or more heat exchangers operable to heat at least a portion of the blood to a temperature of at least 42 degrees. The system may include one or more convection dialysis modules configured to perform convection dialysis on at least a portion of the blood at least after the one or more heat exchangers allow the blood to cool one or more degrees.