Abstract: Catheters used for medical treatment, e.g., hemodialysis are filled with a locking solution, usually heparin between treatments. To prevent infections, antimicrobial or antibiotic substances have been used as locking solution alone or in combination with antithrombotic substances. It has been found that these locking solutions are rapidly washed out from the catheter tip. The invention describes a thixotropic gel that can be used as locking solution. Beneficial substances, e.g., antimicrobial or antibiotic substances can be added to the gel. A preferred antimicrobial substance is taurolidin alone or in combination with salicylic acid or one of its salts.

Abstract: A cartridge for treating medical or biological fluid includes a first cap having an inlet for the fluid, a container including a plurality of compartments and a second cap including an outlet for the fluid, wherein each compartment contains a plurality of particles, wherein the fluid is adapted to flow through the compartments and react with the plurality of particles.

Abstract: Novel substituted pyrrolidine-2,3,4-trione compounds of formula I and methods for preparing the compounds. Also disclosed are pharmarceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds for treating pain, anxiety and various other diseases or conditions.

Abstract: A VCSEL has an active layer, a photodetector in one of the DBR gratings and with a radiation-absorbing layer that is arranged in an antinode of a laser mode. The laser and the photodetector are electrically driven by a common contact on a thick, heavily doped spacer layer that ensures low laser impedance and little electrical crosstalk between the laser and the photodetector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrafiltration of blood operating by removing blood from a peripheral blood vessel at a rate of less than two percent of total cardiac output of a patient, extracting fluid at a rate of 0.1 liter to 1.0 liters per hour while retaining cells and proteins in the blood, and returning the concentrated blood to a secondary blood vessel is disclosed. Blood is removed and returned using small gage needles. As a pump circulates blood from the patient, a filter removes ultrafiltrate from the blood using duty cycle or pump control, and a transparent container collects the removed fluid.

Abstract: A method for measurement of mass and energy transfer parameters (clearance and dialysance) in hemodialysis. A sensor is provided in the dialysate flow path downstream of the dialyzer and means are provided to add concentrate upstream of the dialyzer. A pre-determined amount of a substance whose dialysance is to be measured is added upstream of the dialyzer. The amount of substance riot dialyzed in the dialyzer is measured downstream of the dialyzer by said sensor by integrating the concentration over time. Dialysance is calculated from the amount added upstream, the amount measured downstream and the dialysate flow. In case the substance is part of the dialysate the base concentration is subtracted during integration. The addition of the concentrate upstream of the dialyzer can be done manually or, alternatively by the mixing pump of the dialysis machine. Instead of an increase of the concentration with a concentrate dilution with water can be used as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser diode including a vertical resonator and to a method for producing the laser diode such that at least one active layer is configured between reflective layers. The invention is characterized by configuring at least one antioxidation layer between the reflective layers, thus preventing distortion caused by unintentional oxidation. The antioxidation layer consists of a III-V semiconductor material with a proportion of a molar aluminum of less than 0.7 and/or a III-V semiconductor material with an optical depth of at least two quarter waves.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates the addition of 0.5% to 4% taurolidine into solutions used peritoneal dialysis. The taurolidine is intended to prevent or reduce the incidence of infection within the abdomen and/or in the vicinity of an implanted dialysis port. The invention also includes methods using solutions of taurolidine in the flushing and locking of catheters and fluid lines used in peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: A substituted 1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one compound of formula I: and methods for preparing the compounds. Also disclosed are pharmarceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds for the treatment or prophylaxis of pain, inflammatory and allergic reactions, depressions, drug abuse and various other diseases or conditions.

Abstract: Stenosis in a blood access circuit (graft, fistula) or in an extracorporeal circuit are detected by monitoring pressure pulses in the extracorporeal circuit created either by the heart or by the peristaltic blood pump of the extracorporeal circuit. By monitoring pressure pulses created by the. peristaltic blood pump loss of occlusion of the blood pump can be detected. Measurement of the pressure pulses is done either with sensors already built into the blood treatment equipment or, according to the invention, with sensors mechanically coupled to the wall of the blood tubing. The deviation of a pressure pulse amplitude proportional signal from a predetermined value indicates stenosis or loss of occlusion, respectively.

Abstract: A laser device has a laser diode with an optical resonator. The resonator has an exit side for emitting light into an optical system. A monitor diode is provided and has a light-sensitive face for measuring optical quantities of the laser diode. The light-sensitive face of the monitor diode is optically coupled to a backside of the laser diode, on the other side from the light exit side of the resonator, the backside also emitting light. This configuration permits a space-saving SMD layout for the laser device.

Abstract: An improvement in an implantable port of the type including a housing that is implanted within a subcutaneous tissue pocket is disclosed, wherein the improvement comprises the presence of metallic silver, an inorganic silver compound, a silver salt of an organic acid, or other antimicrobial substances such as taurolidine on the surfaces of the port in contact with, or proximate to, the tissue of said pocket.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood circuit is disclosed for withdrawing, filtering and returning blood from peripheral blood vessels. The blood passage in the circuit extends through a withdrawal tube connected to a catheter in a peripheral vein, a filter, one or more pressure sensors and return tube also connected to a catheter in a peripheral vein (which may or may not be the same vein as used for the withdrawal tube). The blood passage is air free, and has smooth passage walls which promoted continuous and uniform flow of the blood through the circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of carrying out blood tests. The invention is based on the finding that clinico-chemical blood parameters can be determined using not only blood serum but also blood plasma. Therefore, freshly taken blood samples, which are mixed with at least one thrombin inhibitor, can be used for determining both clinico-chemical parameters and hematological parameters. The clinico-chemical parameters can thus be determined using blood plasma, a separation of coagulable components being not required any more.

Abstract: Novel substituted pyrrolidine-2,3,4-trione compounds of formula I 1

Abstract: A VCSEL has an active layer, a photodetector in one of the DBR gratings and with a radiation-absorbing layer that is arranged in an antinode of a laser mode. The laser and the photodetector are electrically driven by a common contact on a thick, heavily doped spacer layer that ensures low laser impedance and little electrical crosstalk between the laser and the photodetector.

Abstract: An improvement in an implantable port of the type including a housing that is implanted within a subcutaneous tissue pocket is disclosed, wherein the improvement comprises the presence of metallic silver, an inorganic silver compound, a silver salt of an organic acid, or other antimicrobial substances such as taurolidine on the surfaces of the port in contact with, or proximate to, the tissue of said pocket.

Abstract: A substituted 1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one compound of formula I 1

Abstract: An improvement in an implantable port of the type including a housing that is implanted within a subcutaneous tissue pocket is disclosed, wherein the improvement comprises the presence of metallic silver, an inorganic silver compound, a silver salt of an organic acid, or other antimicrobial substances such as taurolidine on the surfaces of the port in contact with, or proximate to, the tissue of said pocket.

Abstract: A method of treatment of physiological liquids of organism includes providing a housing with inlet and outlet for physiological liquid so that physiological liquid enters an interior of the housing through the inlet and exits the same through the outlet, arranging a body of treatment material accommodated in the interior of the housing so that the physiological liquid which passes through the housing from the inlet to the outlet is treated by the treatment material, uniformly distributing the physiological liquid by a body of particulate material located upstream the body of treatment material between the inlet and the body of treatment material so as to provide a uniform distribution of the physiological liquid after it enters the housing and before it enters the body of treatment material; and arranging a further body of particulate material located downstream of the body of treatment material between the body of treatment material and the outlet.