Abstract: A dissolution system employs a tapered vessel that has a wide, upper mouth and a narrow, lower neck. A liquid is introduced into the vessel through the lower neck and flows upwardly. A powder to be dissolved in the solution is introduced onto the liquid surface at the wide, upper mouth of the vessel and sinks downwardly into the liquid. Powder that does not quickly dissolve gravitates down towards the neck where dissolution is facilitated by the increased purity and the increased flow per unit area of the incoming liquid. Settling of the powder at the base of the vessel is prevented by the incoming fluid flow. The dissolved solution is withdrawn through an outlet port.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing dialysate solution directly from a dry chemical mix for continuous supply to a dialysis machine is disclosed. The preferred embodiment includes a drum for containing the dry chemical mix, a conveyor belt, a mixing vessel and monitoring equipment. The drum includes internal baffles that cause the dry chemical to be deposited onto the end of the conveyor belt as the drum rotates. The conveyor belt passes the chemical through a profile-determining gate and into the top of a funnel-shaped mixing vessel. The rate at which the conveyor belt delivers the chemical to the mixing vessel is governed by an electronic circuit that measures the conductivity of the dissolved solution and adjusts the belt speed as necessary to maintain the conductivity at a set value. The dissolved solution flows out the side of the mixing vessel and into a flow controller which regulates the rate at which dialysate can be withdrawn.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a hand-held syringe actuator and removable syringe. The syringe acutator includes a stationary part which removably receives a flange of the syringe barrel and a movable finger part which removably receives a flange at the end of the syringe plunger. The finger grip is movable upon application of finger pressure, but is spring biased to urge the plunger into the syringe barrel. A valve operating stem, carried by the actuator, slidably extends through the finger grip and through the plunger, extending into the syringe barrel and terminating in a valve element. The valve element is sized to seat in a valve seat provided in the syringe barrel at the closed end of the barrel. A spring urges the valve member to remain seated on the seat. The device is constructed so that it can be held and manipulated by the use of only one hand.In one form of device, a latch is provided and can be activated to releasably hold the valve element off of its seat.

Abstract: An artificial kidney dialysate system provides a predetermined rate of flow of dialysate solution into a dialyzer, and a predetermined rate of flow of dialysate solution from the outlet of the dialyzer. Through positive displacement pumping at the inlet and outlet of the dialyzer, the two rates can be adjusted so that an accurately predetermined quantity of excess fluid from the patient's blood stream can be withdrawn into the dialysate solution.

Abstract: A blood pump system, typically employed in dialysis, includes a blood pump for withdrawing blood via a single hypodermic needle and valve means operated in synchronism therewith for returning treated blood via the same hypodermic needle. The operation of the blood pump is cyclically interrupted and the valve means opened for the alternate withdrawal and return of blood.

Abstract: A blood pump system, typically employed in dialysis, includes a blood pump for withdrawing blood via a single hypodermic needle and valve means operated in synchronism therewith for returning treated blood via the same hypodermic needle. The operation of the blood pump is cyclically interrupted and the valve means opened for the alternate withdrawal and return of blood.