Abstract: A hemofiltration system and method is provided that allows for high flow rate, accurate determination of net fluid withdrawal from or addition to a patient, and simple and reliable home operation. A removable, disposable assembly includes a filter housing and pump member including one or more fluid conduits mounted against the pump member. When the disposable filter/pump member assembly is attached to the treatment system, a pump roller mechanism associated with the system actuates the conduits mounted against the pump member. A disposable waste receptacle and fluid replacement (infusate) reservoir can be provided as an integral part of the disposable filter/pump member assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for percutaneously accessing an implanted port using an access tube which is periodically introduced to the implanted port. The apparatus is preferably an implantable port having a pressure-responsive valve element. It has been found that repeated passage of the access tube through the same tissue tract to the implantable port reduces patient trauma, with minimized bleeding and reduction in sensitivity. The tract may be initially formed by percutaneously placing a penetrating element through intact skin to the port and leaving the element in place for a time sufficient to created the tract.

Abstract: Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, in a range from 1% to 99% by volume, and an additive in a range from 1% to 99% by volume, the additive comprising an anti-microbial, typically taurolidine or triclosan, or an anti-coagulant, typically riboflavin, sodium citrate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, or citric acid. The use of an alcohol and additive solution can effectively reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as eradicate existing infections and/or reduce the risk of potential infections. Existing infections and/or potential infections can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which permits an anti-microbial solution to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Abstract: Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, most preferably isopropanol, and an additive, the additive comprising an anti-microbial, typically taurolidine or triclosan, or an anti-coagulant, typically riboflavin, sodium citrate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, or citric acid. The use of an alcohol and additive solution can effectively reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as reduce the risk of infection. The risk of infection can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which is sufficiently porous to permit the anti-microbial solution of a lower alcohol and another anti-microbial or anti-coagulant compound to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Abstract: Systems and methods balance fluid in a fluid processing procedure during which an outgoing fluid is removed from an individual and an ingoing fluid is supplied to the individual. The systems and methods supply a volume of the outgoing fluid and a volume of the ingoing fluid into a volumetric chamber. The systems and methods discharge a volume of the outgoing fluid and a volume of the ingoing fluid from the volumetric chamber. The systems and methods synchronizes the supply and discharge of fluid to affect a concurrent discharge of the outgoing fluid and ingoing fluid from the volumetric chamber in volumetric balance with a concurrent supply of outgoing fluid and ingoing fluid into the volumetric chamber. The volumetric chamber can include at least one chamber including an interior wall dividing the chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment retains a volume of outgoing fluid. The second compartment retains a volume of ingoing fluid.

Abstract: Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, most preferably isopropanol. The use of an alcohol can both reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as reducing the risk of infection. The risk of infection can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which is sufficiently porous to permit the lower alcohol or other anti-microbial solution to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Abstract: Implantable ports and other devices are cleansed by the injection of a washing solution into a region in the device or in a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the washing solution is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket and flushing outwardly through a tissue tract leading to the device. In other embodiments, the washing solution is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the washing solution. Kits will include devices, syringes, access devices, and instructions for cleansing according to the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A catheter with valve for implantation in a vascular structure of a living being. The catheter is in the general shape of a “T” with the top of the “T” implanted within the lumen of a vascular structure, and the leg of the “T” extending out of the vascular structure through an incision in the vascular structure. The lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter completely occupies the lumen of the vascular structure, causing all blood flow through the vascular structure to be directed through the implanted portion of the catheter. A valve is placed in the wall of the implanted portion of the catheter which opens into the lumen of the leg of the “T” of the catheter upon application of sufficient differential pressure between the lumens of the two portions of the catheter.

Abstract: Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, most preferably isopropanol. The use of an alcohol can both reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as reducing the risk of infection. The risk of infection can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which is sufficiently porous to permit the lower alcohol or other anti-microbial solution to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Abstract: A catheter with valve for implantation in a vascular structure of a living being. The catheter is in the general shape of a “T” with the top of the “T” implanted within the lumen of a vascular structure, and the leg of the “T” extending out of the vascular structure through an incision in the vascular structure. The lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter completely occupies the lumen of the vascular structure, causing all blood flow through the vascular structure to be directed through the implanted portion of the catheter. A valve is placed in the wall of the implanted portion of the catheter which opens into the lumen of the leg of the “T” of the catheter upon application of sufficient differential pressure between the lumens of the two portions of the catheter.

Abstract: Implantable ports and other devices are cleansed by the injection of a washing solution into a region in the device or in a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the washing solution is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket and flushing outwardly through a tissue tract leading to the device. In other embodiments, the washing solution is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the washing solution. Kits will include devices, syringes, access devices, and instructions for cleansing according to the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Implanted catheters are locked with a solution comprising a lower alcohol, typically ethanol, propanol, or butanol, in a range from 1% to 99% by volume, and an additive in a range from 1% to 99% by volume, the additive comprising an anti-microbial, typically taurolidine or triclosan, or an anti-coagulant, typically riboflavin, sodium citrate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, or citric acid. The use of an alcohol and additive solution can effectively reduce fouling of the catheter, particularly clotting and thrombus in intravascular catheters, as well as eradicate existing infections and/or reduce the risk of potential infections. Existing infections and/or potential infections can be further reduced by employing a catheter body which permits an anti-microbial solution to penetrate into the catheter body and preferably through the catheter into tissue surrounding the implanted catheter.

Abstract: A hemofiltration system and method is provided that allows for high flow rate, accurate determination of net fluid withdrawal from or addition to a patient, and simple and reliable home operation. A removable, disposable assembly includes a filter housing and pump member including one or more fluid conduits mounted against the pump member, when the disposable filter/pump member assembly is attached to the treatment system, a pump roller mechanism associated with the system actuates the conduits mounted against the pump member. A disposable waste receptacle and fluid replacement (infusate) reservoir can be provided as an integral part of the disposable filter/pump member assembly.

Abstract: Implantable ports and other devices are disinfected by the injection of an anti-microbial agent into a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the anti-microbial agent is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket. In other embodiments, the anti-microbial agent is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the anti-microbial agent.

Abstract: Implantable ports and other devices are cleansed by the injection of a washing solution into a region in the device or in a tissue pocket surrounding the device. In a first embodiment, the washing solution is injected through an aperture in the device to flush internal regions of the device before infusing the tissue pocket and flushing outwardly through a tissue tract leading to the device. In other embodiments, the washing solution is injected directly to a target site on the exterior of the device. Implantable devices may include special, usually hardened, target regions for receiving the sharpened end of a needle used to inject the washing solution. Kits will include devices, syringes, access devices, and instructions for cleansing according to the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A hemofiltration system and method is provided that allows for high flow rate, accurate determination of net fluid withdrawal from or addition to a patient, and simple and reliable home operation. A removable, disposable assembly includes a filter housing and pump member including one or more fluid conduits mounted against the pump member. When the disposable filter/pump member assembly is attached to the treatment system, a pump roller mechanism associated with the system actuates the conduits mounted against the pump member. A disposable waste receptacle and fluid replacement (infusate) reservoir can be provided as an integral part of the disposable filter/pump member assembly.

Abstract: A body lumen access system comprises a distal access cannula and a proximal access cannula. The distal access cannula is attached to or within the body lumen and the proximal access cannula is attached to an implantable port or is transcutaneously positioned and attached to a luer or other external connector. The distal and proximal access cannulas are usually implanted separately, cut to length, and attached at a subcutaneous junction location. Preferably, the proximal access cannula has a larger lumen diameter than that of the distal access cannula in order to reduce flow resistance within the cannula system. In some cases the distal and proximal access cannulas may be formed integrally. Replacement of a proximal portion or distal end may be performed by accessing the cannula, removing either the proximal portion or distal end, and reattaching a replacement portion of the cannula.

Abstract: A body lumen access system comprises a distal access cannula and a proximal access cannula. The distal access cannula is attached to or within the body lumen and the proximal access cannula is attached to an implantable port or is transcutaneously positioned and attached to a luer or other external connector. The distal and proximal access cannulas are usually implanted separately, cut to length, and attached at a subcutaneous junction location. Preferably, the proximal access cannula has a larger lumen diameter than that of the distal access cannula in order to reduce flow resistance within the cannula system. In some cases the distal and proximal access cannulas may be formed integrally.

Abstract: An implantable device grafted directly to vascular structures for high volume blood and/or fluid infusion and/or removal for such purpose as hemodialysis, apheresis, exchange transfusion, or large volume fluid infusion. The device is also adaptable to intermittent access to the venous or arterial circulations for purpose of blood sampling or giving medications. The device is comprised of an implantable fluid chamber connected to a vascular shunt which is then grafted directly to the vascular structure (e.g. artery or vein). The vascular end of the device employs a value to prevent reflux of blood and subsequent washout of anticoagulant during periods when the device is not in use. The device is accessed percutaneously with a needle or needle-introduced catheter and is filled with anti-coagulant prior to needle withdrawal to prevent thrombosis.

Abstract: A catheter with valve for implantation in a vascular structure of a living being. The catheter is in the general shape of a "T" with the top of the "T" implanted within the lumen of a vascular structure, and the leg of the "T" extending out of the vascular structure through an incision in the vascular structure. The lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter completely occupies the lumen of the vascular structure, causing all blood flow through the vascular structure to be directed through the implanted portion of the catheter. A valve is placed in the wall of the implanted portion of the catheter which opens into the lumen of the leg of the "T" of the catheter upon application of sufficient differential pressure between the lumens of the two portions of the catheter.