Abstract: A medical needle protector sheath comprises a tubular body for surrounding and shielding a needle with the sheath defining an anchor member integrally attached to the front of the body for manual holding, plus a closure cap for the front end which is integrally attached to the body. Also, a manually removable wing member may be carried about the hub of the needle. A tunnel member typically of the inverted U-cross section provides longitudinal securance to the needle and hub while penetrating the skin of the patient while at the same time permitting axial rotation of the needle.

Abstract: Pressure is sensed in blood flow tubing by placing an aqueous, preferably isotonic, substantially cell-free solution into branch connection tubing that connects in branching relation with the blood flow tubing at one end. The branch connection tubing also connects in use with a pressure transducer unit at its other end. An air volume is maintained, occupying a portion of the branch connection tubing which is adjacent to the other end. One flows positively or negatively pressurized blood through the blood flow tubing, with the result that the pressure of the blood is communicated through the aqueous solution and the air volume in the branch connection tubing to the pressure transducer unit, with the blood being spaced from the air volume. Preferably, substantially all of the branch connection tubing containing the aqueous solution and air volume has an inner diameter of substantially no more than 5 mm.

Abstract: A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set is provided for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit. The set comprises an arterial set component comprising arterial tubing having an arterial patient connector at one end and an arterial unit connector at the other. A venous set component has venous tubing with a venous patient connector at one end and a venous unit connector at the other end. The arterial and venous patient connectors, and the arterial and venous unit connectors, are respectively, substantially, and releasably directly connected to each other. As a result of this, the arterial, and venous set components cooperate to form a loop. Other features of improved sets are also disclosed.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood set may be primed with physiological solution for use in a blood transporting process such as hemodialysis. The set comprises tubing having a patient connector on an end thereof, and a first branch tube in connection with a source of the solution. The branch tube connects with the set between the ends of the set. The branch tube also connects with further branch tubing, having a second connector which is capable of sealing connection with the patient connector. The method comprises the steps of connecting the patient connector and the second connector to form a closed loop of tubing. One then passes the solution from the source in flow through the first branch tube and further branch tubing to fill them and the set tubing with the solution. One then disconnects the patient connector for subsequent connection with the vascular system of a patient.

Abstract: A blood processing system (e.g. a dialysis system) is primed by the following steps: (a) in a system having arterial and venous sets 10, 14 connected together without the blood processing unit, passing priming solution through the sets in a flow direction 44 retrograde to the normal blood flow direction while removing air through a port 62; (b) passing priming solution through the sets in the normal blood flow direction 42 to remove substantially all air from the sets; and then (c) connecting the arterial and venous sets to the blood processing unit and flushing the sets and processing unit with priming solution in the normal blood flow direction.

Abstract: A set for conveying blood between a patient and blood treatment apparatus such as a dialyzer. The set comprises a blood flow conduit, a connector for a patient's vascular system, and a connector for the dialyzer. A portion of the conduit comprises an enlarged-diameter, tubular pump segment connected at each pump segment end with a connector. The connectors also are each connected in substantially straight-line relation to other portions of the blood flow conduit. Typically, both connectors also each connect to a branch line in a relation substantially parallel to the connection of the other blood flow conduit portion and the connected tubular pump segment. Thus, the set is more capable of being rolled up and packaged in an automated manner, since it can be free of branching connections which connect at a substantial angle to the overall axis of the set.

Abstract: A tubular medical set as main blood flow tubing, a connected, flexible branch tube, a flow restriction device to suppress pressure pulses. The device is positioned to control flow through the branch tube. The flow restriction device permits substantially free, unhindered flow from the branch tube to the main blood flow tubing, while significantly restricting, but not completely blocking, flow from the main blood flow tubing to the branch tube.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood set may be primed with physiological solution for use in a blood transporting process such as hemodialysis. The set comprises tubing having a patient connector on an end thereof, and a first branch tube in connection with a source of the solution. The branch tube connects with the set between the ends of the set. The branch tube also connects with further branch tubing, having a second connector which is capable of sealing connection with the patient connector. The method comprises the steps of connecting the patient connector and the second connector to form a closed loop of tubing. One then passes the solution from the source in flow through the first branch tube and further branch tubing to fill them and the set tubing with the solution. One then disconnects the patient connector for subsequent connection with the vascular system of a patient.

Abstract: Pressure is sensed in blood flow tubing by placing an aqueous, preferably isotonic, substantially cell-free solution into branch connection tubing that connects in branching relation with the blood flow tubing at one end. The branch connection tubing also connects in use with a pressure transducer unit at its other end. An air volume is maintained, occupying a portion of the branch connection tubing which is adjacent to the other end. One flows positively or negatively pressurized blood through the blood flow tubing, with the result that the pressure of the blood is communicated through the aqueous solution and the air volume in the branch connection tubing to the pressure transducer unit, with the blood being spaced from the air volume. Preferably, substantially all of the branch connection tubing containing the aqueous solution and air volume has an inner diameter of substantially no more than 5 mm.

Abstract: A cannula and method for providing an external connection with an implanted artificial port for communicating with a body lumen of a patient. The artificial port has an entrance conduit with an inwardly tapering section. The tapered cannula is sized and proportioned to substantially match and seal with the inwardly tapering section of the entrance conduit. Thus the cannula can form a readily removable seal with the inwardly tapering section. A typical angle of taper is one to three degrees.

Abstract: A blood processing system such as a dialysis system may be primed by passing priming solution in a first direction of flow through at least one of the sets, to cause the priming solution to enter an in-line chamber carried by the one set in a flow direction that is retrograde to the normal direction of blood flow through the chamber. Preferably, the in-line chamber carries a filter. Simultaneously, one removes air from the one set through a port. In another, preferably simultaneous step of the process, one passes priming solution in the second, reverse direction of flow to the first direction, through the connected sets for continuing to remove air from the system through the port, to complete priming of the system.

Abstract: Access pressure for the vascular system is measured through a first tube, which is connected to the vascular system of a patient. The method comprises the following steps: connecting one end of pressure tubing to an outer end of the first tube with a member blocking the flow of blood through at least part of the pressure tubing, while permitting the passage of air therethrough, to attenuate pressure pulses through the tubing. One connects the other end of the tubing to a pressure gauge. Thus, pressure sensed from the vascular system is read by the gauge. Preferably, the internal volume of the pressure tubing is less than the internal volume of the first tube. Thus, pressurized blood entering the first tube as the pressure is read does not advance completely through the first tube.

Abstract: A blood processing system for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit includes (i) an arterial set 10 having a patient connector 15 at one end and a dialyzer connector 32 at the other end, and (ii) a venous set 14 having a patient connector 17 at one end and a dialyzer connector 33 at the other end. The dialyzer connectors and the patient connectors are adapted to be connected via interconnectors 19, 19d to form a loop so that the blood processing system can be primed without the dialyzer therein.

Abstract: Pressure is sensed in blood flow tubing by placing an aqueous, preferably isotonic, substantially cell-free solution into branch connection tubing (branch tube) that connects in branching relation with the blood flow tubing at one end. The branch connection tubing may also connect in use with a pressure transducer unit at its other end, or pressure may be mechanically indicated. An air volume is maintained, occupying a portion of the branch connection tubing which is adjacent to the other end. One flows positively or negatively pressurized blood through the blood flow tubing, with the result that the pressure of the blood is communicated through the aqueous solution and the air volume in the branch connection tubing to the pressure transducer unit, with the blood being spaced from the air volume. Preferably, substantially all of the branch connection tubing containing the aqueous solution and air volume has an inner diameter of substantially no more than 5 mm.

Abstract: A tubular set is provided for use with extracorporeal treatment of blood. The set comprises: a flow reversing valve having a patient arterial line and a patient venous line each separately connected to one side of the valve. A unit arterial line and a unit venous line are each separately connected to the other side of the valve. The patient arterial line connects with the unit arterial line in a first position of a valve, and the patient venous line connects with the unit venous line in the same first valve position. The patient arterial line connects with the patient venous line in a second position of a valve, while the patient venous line connects with the unit arterial line in the same second valve position. The flow reversing valve is movable between the first and second positions by relative rotation of part of the valve and adjacent portions of the respective lines.

Abstract: A tubular set is provided for use with extracorporeal treatment of blood. The set comprises: a flow reversing valve having a patient arterial line and a patient venous line each separately connected to one side of the valve. A unit arterial line and a unit venous line are each separately connected to the other side of the valve. The patient arterial line connects with the unit arterial line in a first position of a valve, and the patient venous line connects with the unit venous line in the same first valve position. The patient arterial line connects with the patient venous line in a second position of a valve, while the patient venous line connects with the unit arterial line in the same second valve position. The flow reversing valve is movable between the first and second positions by relative rotation of part of the valve and adjacent portions of the respective lines.

Abstract: A flow-through blood treatment device such as a hemodialyzer comprises a housing, a blood inlet, a blood outlet, and at least one membrane in the housing defining a blood flow path between the blood inlet and outlet on one side of the membrane, plus a second flow path defined on the other side of the membrane. At least one of the blood inlet and outlet is connected to blood flow tubing, which blood flow tubing carries a connector spaced from the housing for access to the vascular system of a patient. The blood flow tubing also defines at least one connection site along its length permitting repeated, temporary connection and subsequent disconnection with branch conduits, for connection with sources of additive solutions or measuring devices. Typically, the blood flow tubing is free of permanently attached, flexible branch tubings a method of use in disclose.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood set may be primed with physiological solution for use in a blood transporting process such as hemodialysis. The set comprises tubing having a patient connector on an end thereof, and a first branch tube in connection with a source of the solution. The branch tube connects with the set between the ends of the set. The branch tube also connects with further branch tubing, having a second connector which is capable of sealing connection with the patient connector. The method comprises the steps of connecting the patient connector and the second connector to form a closed loop of tubing. One then passes the solution from the source in flow through the first branch tube and further branch tubing to fill them and the set tubing with the solution. One then disconnects the patient connector for subsequent connection with the vascular system of a patient.

Abstract: A cannula or needle set for fluid flow connection with the vascular system of a patient. In one embodiment, the set comprises a hollow, hypodermic needle having a longitudinal axis and a sharp end for skin penetration and connection with the vascular system. A hollow hub carries the needle at a needle opposite to the sharp end. A fluid flow port is defined in the hub at a position laterally spaced from the axis of the needle. An injection site aperture is defined in the hub at a position centrally intersected by the needle axis, the injection site aperture being closed by a recloseable, needle-penetrable wall.

Abstract: A cannula for providing an external connection with an implanted artificial port for communicating with the body lumen of a patient. The artificial port has an entrance conduit with an inwardly tapering section. The tapered cannula is sized and proportioned to substantially match and seal with the inwardly tapering section of the entrance conduit. Thus the cannula can form a readily removable seal with the inwardly tapering section. A typical angle of taper is one to two degrees.