Abstract: A method and system for use in the course of extracorporeal blood flow, e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass, dialysis, and angioplasty procedures, in order to reduce or minimize inflammation, excessive bleeding, and other undesirable side effects. The system can include one or more automated blood parameter sensor modules and one or more blood parameter regulating modules. The system is particularly well suited to monitor and/or regulate blood parameters that include blood analytes (e.g., biomolecules, drugs or metabolites) as well as blood functions (e.g., clotting time, fibrinolytic activity, immune response). The system is particularly well suited for use in the management of clotting (e.g., heparing/protamine) and bleeding (e.g., aprotinin).

Abstract: A gas inflation/evacuation system and sealing system for use with occlusive devices such as occlusive balloons in vascular procedures. The gas inflation/evacuation system is removably connectible to a proximal portion of a guidewire assembly and includes an evacuation system to evacuate the guidewire assembly and an inflation system for introducing a biocompatible gas under pressure into the guidewire assembly to inflate an occlusive device a plurality of times. A sealing system is also removably connectible to the proximal portion of the guidewire assembly and selectively seals an extended sealable section at the proximal portion of the guidewire assembly at one of a plurality of separate locations to form an airtight seal of the guidewire assembly.

Abstract: A guidewire occlusion system for use in vascular procedures includes a repeatably inflatable gas-filled occlusive device proximate a distal end of a tubular guidewire assembly having an extended sealable section proximate a proximal end. A gas inflation/evacuation system is removably connectable to the proximal end of the guidewire assembly and includes an evacuation system to evacuate air from the guidewire and an inflation system for introducing a gas under pressure into the guidewire to inflate the occlusive balloon a plurality of times. A sealing system is also removably connectable to the proximal end of the guidewire assembly and selectively seals the extended sealable section at one of a plurality of separate locations along the extended sealable section to form an airtight seal of the tubular guidewire.

Abstract: A packaging system or storage arrangement that includes provision to indicate the presence of oxygen. An oxygen-sensitive material is placed inside a sealable container. Air is evacuated from the sealable container and the sealable container is sealed to isolate the oxygen-sensitive material from oxygen. The sealable container is then irradiated with an effective amount of radiation to activate the oxygen-sensitive material such that the oxygen-sensitive material will undergo a visual change in the presence of oxygen after the oxygen-sensitive material has been irradiated. The visual change provides an indication of the presence of oxygen inside the sealable container.

Abstract: A method and system for use in the course of extracorporeal blood flow, e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass, dialysis, and angioplasty procedures, in order to reduce or minimize inflammation, excessive bleeding, and other undesirable side effects. The system can include one or more automated blood parameter sensor modules and one or more blood parameter regulating modules. The system is particularly well suited to monitor and/or regulate blood parameters that include blood analytes (e.g., biomolecules, drugs or metabolites) as well as blood functions (e.g., clotting time, fibrinolytic activity, immune response). The system is particularly well suited for use in the management of clotting (e.g., heparing/protamine) and bleeding (e.g., aprotinin).

Abstract: A method and system for use in the course of extracorporeal blood flow, e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass, dialysis, and angioplasty procedures, in order to reduce or minimize inflammation, excessive bleeding, and other undesirable side effects. The system can include one or more automated blood parameter sensor modules and one or more blood parameter regulating modules. The system is particularly well suited to monitor and/or regulate blood parameters that include blood analytes (e.g., biomolecules, drugs or metabolites) as well as blood functions (e.g., clotting time, fibrinolytic activity, immune response). The system is particularly well suited for use in the management of clotting (e.g., heparing/protamine) and bleeding (e.g., aprotinin).

Abstract: A guidewire occlusion system for use in vascular procedures includes a repeatably inflatable gas-filled occlusive device proximate a distal end of a tubular guidewire assembly having an extended sealable section proximate a proximal end. A gas inflation/evacuation system is removably connectable to the proximal end of the guidewire assembly and includes an evacuation system to evacuate air from the guidewire and an inflation system for introducing a gas under pressure into the guidewire to inflate the occlusive balloon a plurality of times. A sealing system is also removably connectable to the proximal end of the guidewire assembly and selectively seals the extended sealable section at one of a plurality of separate locations along the extended sealable section to form an airtight seal of the tubular guidewire.

Abstract: A gas inflation/evacuation system for use with occlusive devices in vascular procedures. The gas inflation/evacuation system is removably connectable to a proximal portion of a guidewire assembly and includes a first syringe system to evacuate air from the guidewire and a second syringe system for introducing a biocompatible gas under pressure into the guidewire to inflate an occlusive balloon a plurality of times. A sealing system is also removably connectable to the proximal portion of the guidewire assembly and selectively seals the proximal portion at one of a plurality of separate locations to form an airtight seal of the guidewire. Each time a deflation of the occlusive device is desired to reestablish blood flow to the vessel downstream of the occlusive device, the proximal portion of the guidewire preferably is cut distal to the location of the last seal to quickly deflate the occlusive device.

Abstract: A tubular guidewire assembly having an occlusive device and an extended crimpable section proximate a proximal end that is adapted to connect to a gas inflation/evacuation system. The extended crimpable section can be selectively sealed at one of a plurality of separate locations to form an airtight seal of the tubular guidewire assembly. Each time a deflation of the occlusive device is desired to reestablish blood flow to a vessel downstream of the occlusive device, the extended crimpable section preferably is cut distal to the location of the last seal to quickly deflate the occlusive device.

Abstract: An arterial line blood filter for use in extracorporeal blood circuits during heart bypass surgery. The blood filter includes a housing having a cap portion, a base portion and a generally cylindrical wall portion. A filter element is disposed within the housing and divides the housing into an inlet chamber in flow communication with a blood inlet and an outlet chamber in flow communication with a blood outlet. The filter element may include a plurality of concentric annular pleats, the length of which may be substantially equal to the length of the wall portion, the pleats being supported by a support element. In another embodiment the inner surface of the cap defines an inwardly spiral blood flow path which slopes upward and provides an effective means of distributing blood over the filter element.

Abstract: An improved blood reservoir formed by opposed, flexible sheets has a screen sandwiched between the sheets defining an input chamber, an output chamber, and vent chamber. A vent is in fluid communication with the vent chamber. An outlet is in fluid communication with the output chamber. One or more inlets direct blood into the input chamber through apertures that direct blood upward and along the screen, allowing gas bubbles entrained in the blood to escape through the vent. Support springs around the inlets allow them to be flexed without kinking. The reservoir can be coupled to an improved mounting board for use.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided for use in extracorporeal blood oxygenation systems. The heat exchanger includes a housing, a core disposed within the housing, and a baffle disposed within the core. A blood passage chamber is defined by the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the housing. Blood flows from the blood inlet, through the blood passage chamber, to the blood outlet. Heat exchange fluids flow from a fluid inlet, into an inlet chamber, around the baffle, into an outlet chamber, and to a fluid outlet.

Abstract: A reservoir for use in an extracorporeal blood circuit including a rigid shell forming an enclosed reservoir. A filter unit divides the reservoir into an inlet chamber and outlet chamber. Cardiotomy blood filtering and defoaming means and venous blood filtering and defoaming means are located within the inlet chamber.