Abstract: A flow management system for extracorporeal blood treatment application helps to ensure proper balance of incoming and outgoing fluids by precise balancing of relatively small balance chambers. The invention employs combinations of features that help to ensure accuracy including underfilling of the waste flow side of a fixed volume chamber and mechanical connections to synchronize valves and pumps.

Abstract: Hemofiltration systems and methods circulate blood from an individual through a hemofilter to remove waste and to return blood and replacement fluid to the individual after removal of waste. The systems and methods maintain sterile extracorporeal processing conditions during and between therapy sessions. For example, the systems and methods include a waste discharge path in the extracorporeal circuit to convey waste fluid to a waste receiving unit. The waste discharge path includes an air break. The air break prevents back flow of waste contaminants into the extracorporeal circuit from the waste receiving unit. As another example, the systems and methods include a replacement fluid path in the extracorporeal circuit to convey replacement fluid from a source to the extracorporeal circuit. The replacement fluid path includes a sterilizing filter to avoid contamination of the extracorporeal circuit.

Abstract: A hemofiltration system is provided in which ultrafiltrate is purified by reverse osmosis for reinfusion. Non-sterile infusate concentrate is dialyzed into the purified ultrafiltrate and combined with cleared blood which is returned to the patient. In another system, a hemofilter is used to sterilize essentially pure, non-sterile water for dilution of sterile infusate concentrate, then the hemofilter is used to filter blood, the infusate concentrate being combined with cleared blood for return to the patient.

Abstract: A flow management system comprising a first panel having a fluid pathway and a second panel having a fluid pathway for passing a second fluid. The fluid pathway of the first panel passes a first fluid. The first panel includes a first compartment to receive a volume of the first fluid. The second panel includes a second compartment to receive a volume of the second fluid. The first and second panels are aligned so that the first compartment overlays the second compartment. The flow management system may be placed within a gap defined by a first surface and a second surface. The first and second compartments are disposed within the gap so that the second compartment bears against the second surface as the second fluid fills the second compartment and forces the first fluid out from the first compartment as the first compartment bears against the first surface.

Abstract: A hemofiltration system is provided in which ultrafiltrate is purified by reverse osmosis for reinfusion. Non-sterile infusate concentrate is dialyzed into the purified ultrafiltrate and combined with cleared blood which is returned to the patient. In another system, a hemofilter is used to sterilize essentially pure, non-sterile water for dilution of sterile infusate concentrate, then the hemofilter is used to filter blood, the infusate concentrate being combined with cleared blood for return to the patient.

Abstract: An access port comprises a base and a flexible conduit. The port is subcutaneously implanted and the conduit is attached directly or indirectly to a blood vessel or other body lumen or cavity. An actuator mechanism is provided with a linkage which opens a valve in the port in response to percutaneous insertion of a needle into the access port. In particular, insertion of the needle opens the clamping mechanism to permit flow through the conduit between the blood vessel and the needle.

Abstract: An access catheter for percutaneously connecting to a subcutaneously implanted port comprises a catheter body having a distal end and a proximal end. A needle or other access tube is connected to the distal end of the catheter body through a fitting, optionally at a right angle relative to the catheter body. A compressible element impregnated with an antiseptic, antibiotic, anesthetic, or other active agent, is provided adjacent the distal end of the catheter body and surrounding the needle. When the needle is percutaneously introduced to the port, the compressible element will be compressed to express the agent onto the skin surface surrounding the penetration site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for percutaneously accessing an implanted port use a large bore coring needle. The coring needle is periodically introduced to an aperture on the implanted port so that the needle passes through the same tissue tract. It has been found that repeated passage of the needle through the same tissue tract reduces patient trauma, with minimized bleeding, reduction in sensitivity, in contrast to the use of non-coring needles.