Abstract: A cardioplegia system for delivering cardioplegic solution to the heart during open heart surgery in cooperation with an extracorporeal blood circuit employing a heart/lung machine, includes a conduit diverting a portion of the blood flow from the heart/lung machine to a cardioplegia delivery line. A heat exchanger assembly including a heat exchanger for controlling fluid temperature is provided in the cardioplegia delivery line. In addition to a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger assembly includes an integral bubble trap, filtration means and means to enable the measurement of certain physical characteristics of the circulating cardioplegia fluid and/or certain events occurring within the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston assembly for use in a fluid delivery system. The piston assembly is comprised of two elements: a splined-piston having generally a convex shape and a ribbed-base, that receives the piston, which has a complementary concave shape. The interposition of the splines and ribs and the complementary shaping of the two elements permit: a constant supporting surface area to be realized throughout a pumping cycle; the establishment of a constant supporting surface that readily and fully supports a thin, flexible material such that the material cannot not likely become stretched, unsupported or bound within the pumping mechanism throughout the pumping cycle; and the establishment of a relationship between the piston and its associated pumping chamber that enables a precise volumetric quantity to be delivered consistently and accurately.

Abstract: A display panel for use with a blood mixture fluid delivery system, which system has mechanisms for infusing blood mixture fluid to a patient and for controlling characteristics of the fluid delivery system. The display panel includes a visible schematic representation of a blood mixture fluid flow path through the fluid delivery system and visible displays of two or more of the controllable characteristics of the fluid delivery system, which visible displays are positioned along the schematic representation of the blood mixture fluid flow path.

Abstract: A cardioplegia system for delivering cardioplegic solution to the heart during open heart surgery in cooperation with an extracorporeal blood circuit employing a heart/lung machine, includes a conduit diverting a portion of the blood flow from the heart/lung machine to a cardioplegia delivery line. A heat exchanger for controlling fluid temperature is provided in the cardioplegia delivery line. A first pump combines the blood from the conduit with a second fluid and delivers the combined flow into the delivery line leading to the heat exchanger. A control panel is operatively connected for adjusting the ratio of blood and second fluid delivered by the first pump and for adjusting the total volumetric rate of flow from the first pump.

Abstract: Three embodiments of a metering unit (10, 140, 200) are provided for metering fluid from a container (14) for infusion into a patient. The first embodiment of the metering unit (10) includes a cassette (26) formed of halves (28, 30). The halves (28, 30) each have a concave reservoir portion (36) formed on the inner face (32) thereon. Entry and exit channels (38, 42) extend from the reservoir portions adjacent entry and exit orifices (40, 44). Entry and exit port portions (46, 50) are formed in each half (28, 30). Flexible entry and exit valves (58, 64, 86 and 88) are movable between an open position, permitting fluid to flow through the orifices, to a closed position, preventing fluid from flowing through the orifices. The halves are separated by a flexible diaphragm (70) which divides a reservoir (76) into first and second compartments (78, 80).

Abstract: A cardioplegia system for delivering cardioplegic solution to the heart during open heart surgery in cooperation with an extracorporeal blood circuit employing a heart/lung machine, includes a conduit diverting a portion of the blood flow from the heart/lung machine to a cardioplegia delivery line. A heat exchanger for controlling fluid temperature is provided in the cardioplegia delivery line. A flat pump combines the blood from the conduit with a second fluid and delivery the combined flow into the delivery line leading to the heat exchanger. A control panel is operatively connected for adjusting the ratio of blood and second fluid delivered by the first pump and for adjusting the total volumetric rate of flow from the first pump.