Abstract: A hemodialysis enhancement apparatus involves a bladder having elastically deformable surface that forms a variable volume therewithin. The elastically deformable surface has a smooth interior surface such that blood cannot collect to form a blood clot. The hemodialysis enhancement apparatus further includes a rigid housing having a wall surrounding the bladder and defining a housing volume such that a) when the variable volume chamber has a volume equal to the first volume, most of the elastically deformable surface will be spaced apart from the wall, and b) when the variable volume chamber has a volume equal to the second volume, a substantial portion of the elastically deformable surface will abut the wall. A method performed within a hemodialysis system involves, during an initial phase, withdrawing a volume of a patient's blood into a hemodialysis enhancer, and during a subsequent phase, translocating the patient's blood back into the patient's circulation.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting hypotensive symptoms in a patient undergoing treatment or a procedure involves elastically constraining the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient while applying non-pulsating, compressive pressure to the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient. The method may also involve one or more of infusing fluid, applying the compressive pressure using compression device, or applying the compressive pressure based upon bio-indicator measurement parameters.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting hypotensive symptoms in a patient undergoing treatment or a procedure involves elastically constraining the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient while applying non-pulsating, compressive pressure to the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient. The method may also involve one or more of infusing fluid, applying the compressive pressure using compression device, or applying the compressive pressure based upon bio-indicator measurement parameters.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting hypotensive symptoms in a patient undergoing treatment or a procedure involves elastically constraining the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient while applying non-pulsating, compressive pressure to the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient. The method may also involve one or more of infusing fluid, applying the compressive pressure using compression device, or applying the compressive pressure based upon bio-indicator measurement parameters.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting hypotensive symptoms in a patient undergoing treatment or a procedure involves elastically constraining the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient while applying non-pulsating, compressive pressure to the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient. The method may also involve one or more of infusing fluid, applying the compressive pressure using compression device, or applying the compressive pressure based upon bio-indicator measurement parameters.

Abstract: An anti-pooling vest to be worn by a patient undergoing a hemodialysis procedure is disclosed for inhibiting intradialytic hypotensive symptoms in the patient during the course of hemodialysis treatment. The anti-pooling vest includes an inflatable bladder for applying a compressive pressure on the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient during the hemodialysis procedure to reduce the pooling of blood within the patient's internal organs. A pump, such as, for example, a manually compressible bulb or an electrically powered pump, in fluid communication with the bladder is operable to inflate the bladder to a predetermined pressure and a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the bladder is operable to decrease the pressure within the bladder to the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to assess the compressibility, density, and hematocrit of blood including an optical ultrasound probe clipped onto tubing in which blood is flowing. The probe includes a combination of ultrasound transducers, a light emitting diode, and photodiodes. An indicator medium is injected into the bloodstream of the subject over one or more time points. Ultrasound waves are emitted by a transducer and received by another transducer, and a novel signal-processing unit and a computer with a novel computation scheme process the ultrasound signals to assess the phase shift of ultrasound as it transmitted across the blood stream.

Abstract: An anti-pooling vest to be worn by a patient undergoing a hemodialysis procedure is disclosed for inhibiting intradialytic hypotensive symptoms in the patient during the course of hemodialysis treatment. The anti-pooling vest includes an inflatable bladder for applying a compressive pressure on the internal organs within the abdomen of the patient during the hemodialysis procedure to reduce the pooling of blood within the patient's internal organs. A pump, such as, for example, a manually compressible bulb or an electrically powered pump, in fluid communication with the bladder is operable to inflate the bladder to a predetermined pressure and a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the bladder is operable to decrease the pressure within the bladder to the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A mechanical ventilation system includes a first channel, a bifurcation region, a second channel, and a third channel. The bifurcation region is connected to the first channel. The second channel and the third channel are connected to the bifurcation region, wherein at least one first disc is rotatably disposed within the second channel and at least one second disc is rotatably disposed within the third channel.

Abstract: A density/solute monitor having at least one ultrasound probe, a signal processing unit, and a computing mechanism, and process for using the same, to measure phase shift between emitting and receiving ultrasound, sound velocity, compressibility, density, and solute concentration of fluid flowing through a fluid processing system. The ultrasound probe emits and receives ultrasound waves through the fluid and the signal-processing unit and computing mechanism process the ultrasound waves to determine phase and time shift. The computing mechanism converts phase shift to density, compressibility, and solute concentration measurements of the fluid. Calibrating fluids calibrate the detected phase shift in terms of sound velocity in the factory. Measurements provide information about passage of solutes and flow to achieve better solute collection efficiency, solution purity, and control of fluid processing systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to assess the compressibility, density, and hematocrit of blood including an optical ultrasound probe clipped onto tubing in which blood is flowing. The probe includes a combination of ultrasound transducers, a light emitting diode, and photodiodes. An indicator medium is injected into the bloodstream of the subject over one or more time points. Ultrasound waves are emitted by a transducer and received by another transducer, and a novel signal-processing unit and a computer with a novel computation scheme process the ultrasound signals to assess the phase shift of ultrasound as it transmitted across the blood stream. Based on the linear relationship between compressibility and density, changes in blood density are calculated from changes in phase shift. The optical part of the probe assesses the hematocrit of blood. Two fluid media are used to calibrate the probe on the relationship between phase shift and density in the factory.

Abstract: A density/solute monitor having at least one ultrasound probe, a signal processing unit, and a computing mechanism, and process for using the same, to measure phase shift between emitting and receiving ultrasound, sound velocity, compressibility, density, and solute concentration of fluid flowing through a fluid processing system. The ultrasound probe emits and receives ultrasound waves through the fluid and the signal-processing unit and computing mechanism process the ultrasound waves to determine phase and time shift. The computing mechanism converts phase shift to density, compressibility, and solute concentration measurements of the fluid. Calibrating fluids calibrate the detected phase shift in terms of sound velocity in the factory. Measurements provide information about passage of solutes and flow to achieve better solute collection efficiency, solution purity, and control of fluid processing systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to assess the compressibility of blood includes a combination of ultrasound transducers attached to tubing in which blood is flowing. An indicator medium is injected into the bloodstream of the subject over one or more time points and ultrasound waves are transmitted and monitored using transducers and phase lock amplifier to assess transmission time. Using a linear relationship between compressibility and density, changes in blood density are calculated from changes in transmission time to predict blood density changes and then the blood volume and microvascular pooling. This information allows prediction of complications that can occur during hemodialysis or because of post-traumatic fluid replacement and development of therapy to alleviate the complications.