Abstract: An acoustic line tracing system for tracing a fluid transfer system tubing line includes an acoustic receiver operably connectable to the tubing line and configured to receive the vibratory signal. The acoustic receiver includes a vibration sensor disposed to contact the tubing line and configured for detecting vibration of the surface of the tubing line caused by the vibratory signal, and an indicator producing at least one of an audio and a visual cue when the vibration sensor detects the vibratory signal.

Abstract: Substrates having antimicrobial films or coatings adhered to a surface of the substrate and methods for replenishing the antimicrobial activity of films or coatings adhered to substrate surfaces are disclosed. The antimicrobial films and coatings comprise a strongly basic anion-exchange resin and an anion bound to the strongly basic anion-exchange resin, the anion being free of transition metals. The methods involve exposing a film or coating to an anion having antimicrobial activity, the anion being free of transition metals, and the film or coating comprising a strongly basic anion-exchange resin, thereby obtaining an antimicrobial film or coating comprising the anion bound to the strongly basic anion-exchange resin.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and kits are provided for sealing applications. Compositions are prepared by combining a first cross-linkable component with a second cross-linkable component to form a porous matrix having interstices, and combining the porous matrix with a hydrogel-forming component to fill at least some of the interstices. The compositions exhibit minimal swelling properties.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods for enhancing blood coagulation in a subject. In practicing methods according to certain embodiments, an amount of a non-anticoagulant sulfated polysaccharide (NASP) is administered to a subject to enhance blood coagulation in the subject. Also provided are methods for preparing a NASP composition having blood coagulation enhancing activity. Compositions and kits for practicing methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for the manufacturing of IVIG products. These methods offer various advantages such as reduced loss of IgG during purification and improved quality of final products. In other aspects, the present invention provides aqueous and pharmaceutical compositions suitable for intravenous, subcutaneous, and/or intramuscular administration. In yet other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating a disease or condition comprising administration of an IgG composition provided herein.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a vascular access device, is disclosed for providing access to a medical fluid flow path for the introduction or withdrawal of medical fluids to and from the flow path. The access device includes an indicator for providing a visual indication when the access device has been exposed to an antiseptic agent. The indicator includes a substrate and a microporous layer disposed on the substrate. The microporous layer is made from a polymer material having an index of refraction from about 1.25 to about 1.6 and is configured to change from a substantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state upon exposure to an antiseptic solution. The microporous layer resumes the substantially opaque state after a period of time.

Abstract: Among other aspects, the present invention provides methods for the manufacture of blood protein compositions from pooled plasma. In one embodiment, the invention provides an alcohol fractionation scheme that allows for significant increases in the yield of blood proteins purified from the starting plasma sample. In a specific embodiment, a method for fractionating pooled plasma is provided, the method comprising an initial low pH, high alcohol precipitation step. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of therapeutic blood proteins.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a micro-porous injectable, soft elastic, fully resorbable fibrin-based composition for use as a soft tissue lumen and void filler. The composition of the present application exhibits physical characteristics, such as mechanical properties, typically seen in elastomers and mechanical stability, which is superior to fibrin alone. A variety of properties of the composition of the present invention can be effectively fine-tuned and altered by adjusting type and content of the particles as well as of the plasticizer contained in the void filler composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-anticoagulant sulfated or sulfonated polysaccharides (NASPs), which accelerate the blood clotting process. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations comprising a NASP of the invention in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and, in various embodiments, these formulations are unit dosage formulations. The invention provides a NASP formulation, which is orally bioavailable. Also provided are methods for utilizing the compounds and formulations of the invention to promote blood clotting in vivo as therapeutic and prophylactic agents and in vitro as an aid to studies of the blood clotting process.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations including a non-anticoagulant, non-saccharide polymer that with at least one sulfate or sulfonate moiety. The pharmaceutical formulations of the invention are of use to improve blood clotting in a subject. Also provided are useful analytical methods utilizing these polymers to query the dynamics of blood clotting in vitro.

Abstract: An optical imaging system for use with an infusion tube having a drip chamber and an output tube. The drip chamber includes a first portion with a drip tube, a second portion with an exit port, and a third portion between the first and second portions. The optical imaging system includes: an illumination system with at least one light source for emitting light, an optical system, and a memory element storing computer executable instructions. The optical system receives the light transmitted by the output tube or the second portion and transmits data characterizing the received light. The system includes at least one processor configured to execute the computer executable instructions to: detect, using the data, an air bubble in the output tube or the second portion; and determine a volume of the detected air bubble.

Abstract: Cross-linked hydrogels comprise a variety of biologic and non-biologic polymers, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and synthetic polymers. Such hydrogels preferably have no free aqueous phase and may be applied to target sites in a patient's body by extruding the hydrogel through an orifice at the target site. Alternatively, the hydrogels may be mechanically disrupted and used in implantable articles, such as breast implants. When used in vivo, the compositions are useful for controlled release drug delivery, for inhibiting post-surgical spinal and other tissue adhesions, for filling tissue divots, tissue tracts, body cavities, surgical defects, and the like.

Abstract: A renal therapy blood cleansing system is provided. The renal therapy blood cleansing system includes a blood filtering device in fluid communication with a blood circuit, a balance chamber configured to exchange like volumes of fresh and used therapy fluid with the blood filtering device, a first pump configured to pump fresh fluid to the balance chamber, a second pump positioned and arranged to receive used fluid from the blood filtering device, and a control scheme. The control scheme is programmed to isolate the blood filtering device from the second pump and deliver a volume of fresh fluid to the blood filtering device via the balance chamber while the second pump is isolated from the blood filtering device, so as to increase fluid volume within the blood circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of manufacture of immunogenic glycoconjugates, in particular for use in pharmaceutical compositions for inducing a therapeutic immune response in a subject. The immunogenic glycoconjugates of the invention comprise one or more oligosaccharides or polysaccharides that are conjugated to one or more carrier proteins via an active aldehyde group. Accordingly, the invention provides methods of making (i) unsaturated microbial N-acyl derivative oligosaccharides or polysaccharides; (ii) novel conjugates of unsaturated N-acyl derivatives; and (iii) glycoconjugate compositions comprising conjugate molecules of fragments of microbial unsaturated N-acyl derivatives that serve as a covalent linker to one or more proteins. The invention further encompasses the use of the immunogenic glycoconjugates pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention or treatment of an infectious disease.

Abstract: A home medical device system includes a home therapy machine for performing a home therapy on a patient; a user interface operably connected to the home therapy machine, the user interface receiving operator inputs; a water treatment device in fluid communication with the home therapy machine; and a data connection between the home therapy machine and the water treatment device, wherein the home therapy machine transmits data via the connection to the water treatment device for control of the water treatment device, the data provided based on at least one of the operator inputs received via the user interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for reducing the serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content of a plasma-derived protein composition. Also provided are methods for manufacturing plasma-derived protein compositions having reduced serine protease and\or serine protease zymogen content. Among yet other aspects, the present invention provides aqueous and lyophilized compositions of plasma-derived proteins having reduced serine protease and/or serine protease zymogen content. Yet other aspects include methods for treating, managing, and/or preventing a disease comprising the administration of a plasma-derived protein composition having a reduced serine protease or serine protease zymogen content.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodialysis and electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source, an ED/EDI unit. The carbon source, urease source, and/or the ED/EDI unit can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proteinaceous construct (also designated as polymer-VWF-conjugate) comprising plasmatic and/or recombinant von Willebrand factor (VWF), said VWF being bound to at least one physiologically acceptable polymer molecule, as well as to a complex between said proteinaceous construct and at least one factor VIII (FVIII) protein. The physiologically acceptable polymer molecule can be, for instance, polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysialic acid (PSA). Further the present invention relates to methods for prolonging the in vivo-half-life of VWF or FVIII in the blood of a mammal having a bleeding disorder associated with functional defects of or deficiencies of at least one of FVIII or VWF.

Abstract: Describe herein is a novel CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif that functionally affects the activity of the Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) promoter in gene reporter assays. Four genotypes are described which comprise 5, 6, 7, or 8-CATT repeat units. Of these, the 5-CATT allele has the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promoter activity in vitro. The presence of the low expressing, 5-CATT repeat allele correlated with low disease severity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods, compositions and apparatus for detecting this CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position ?817 of the human Mif gene, and for using same for assessing predisposition to severe inflammatory disease, are also disclosed.