Abstract: A graphical user interface for a medical instruments for a Renal Replacement Therapy is disclosed that includes a pictogram representation of the fluid path of an extracorporeal blood circuit that represents fluid lines, pumps and sensors. To assist the user in responding to alarms and rectifying faults in the system the source of a potential trouble is animated. The location of a trouble spot is easily identified by flashing of the corresponding element of the pictogram, change of color or thickness of a corresponding line.

Abstract: An extracorpeal blood circuit for removal of contrast from human blood using a filter and withdrawal filter pump and a by-pass pump. The withdrawal filter blood pump operates when a contrast bolus has been detected. Otherwise the bypass blood pump maintains physiological blood flow from the coronary sinus preventing the need for deflation and re-inflation of the balloon catheter. When contrast is detected blood the bypass blood pump is stopped to prevent contrast from leaking back into the patients circulatory system via the bypass pump and CS blood flow is maintained at its physiological blood flow resulting in the heart being oblivious to the transition by the prefilter blood pump.

Abstract: A method and system for the extracorporeal treatment of blood to remove fluid from the fluid overloaded patient is disclosed that non-invasively measures osmotic pressure across a filter membrane of a blood filter. The filter is permeable to water and electrolytes, but not to blood protein. The osmotic pressure indicates the protein concentration in the blood. Osmotic pressure is used to detect when hypotension is about to occur in a patient, as a result of excessive blood volume reduction during treatment of the blood. Using the osmotic pressure measurement as a feedback signal, the rate of fluid extraction is automatically controlled to achieve the desired clinical outcome and avoid precipitating a hypotensive crisis in the patient.

Abstract: An integrated disposable set for dialysis or ultrafiltration treatment of blood is disclosed that includes a memory “key” chip. The key contains information relating to the set, including calibration for sensors, model and date of manufacture and a proprietary secret code to prevent unauthorized duplication of a circuit. The key is activated when treatment of a patient begins to prevent reuse of the set and a delay in use of the set that is too long. Patient data and operational information can be stored in the key during treatment. The key can be returned to the manufacturer or entered into hospital database for analysis. The key is preferably an EEPROM chip that can be embedded in an integral circuit sensor or a separate plug in device, such as a code card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling blood withdrawal and infusion flow rate with the use of a pressure controller. The pressure controller uses pressure targets based upon occlusion limits that are calculated as a function of flow. The controller has the ability to switch from controlling withdrawal pressure to controlling infusion pressure based upon the detection of an occlusion. The controller distinguishes between partial and total occlusions of the withdrawal vein providing blood access. Depending on the nature of occlusion, the controller limits or temporarily reverses blood flow and, thus, prevents withdrawal vessel collapse or reverses blood flow to quickly infuse blood into the vessel without participation from operator.

Abstract: A method and system for the extracorporeal treatment of blood to remove fluid from the fluid overloaded patient is disclosed that non-invasively measures osmotic pressure across a filter membrane of a blood filter. The filter is permeable to water and electrolytes, but not to blood protein. The osmotic pressure indicates the protein concentration in the blood. Osmotic pressure is used to detect when hypotension is about to occur in a patient, as a result of excessive blood volume reduction during treatment of the blood. Using the osmotic pressure measurement as a feedback signal, the rate of fluid extraction is automatically controlled to achieve the desired clinical outcome and avoid precipitating a hypotensive crisis in the patient.

Abstract: An extracorpeal blood circuit for removal of contrast from human blood using a filter and withdrawal filter pump and a by-pass pump. The withdrawal filter blood pump operates when a contrast bolus has been detected. Otherwise the bypass blood pump maintains physiological blood flow from the coronary sinus preventing the need for deflation and re-inflation of the balloon catheter. When contrast is detected blood the bypass blood pump is stopped to prevent contrast from leaking back into the patients circulatory system via the bypass pump and CS blood flow is maintained at its physiological blood flow resulting in the heart being oblivious to the transition by the prefilter blood pump.

Abstract: A blood leak detector is disclosed having a light source projecting a beam along an optical path, wherein the beam has a wavelength in a range of about 800 nm to 930 nm; a light detector receiving the beam; a housing with a slot to receive a transparent tube between the light source and light detector and aligned with the optical path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling blood flow through an extracorporeal blood circuit having a controller comprising the steps of: withdrawing the blood from a withdrawal blood vessel in a patient into the extracorporeal circuit, treating the blood in the circuit and infusing the treated blood into the patient; detecting an occlusion which at least partially blocks the withdrawal or infusion of the blood; reducing the blood flow rate and the rate of filtration in response to the occlusion, and further prompting the patient to move his arm in an effort to alleviate the occlusion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling blood withdrawal and infusion flow rate with the use of a pressure controller. The pressure controller uses pressure targets based upon occlusion limits that are calculated as a function of flow. The controller has the ability to switch from controlling withdrawal pressure to controlling infusion pressure based upon the detection of an occlusion. The controller distinguishes between partial and total occlusions of the withdrawal vein providing blood access. Depending on the nature of occlusion, the controller limits or temporarily reverses blood flow and, thus, prevents withdrawal vessel collapse or reverses blood flow to quickly infuse blood into the vessel without participation from operator.

Abstract: An integrated disposable set for dialysis or ultrafiltration treatment of blood is disclosed that includes a memory “key” chip. The key contains information relating to the set, including calibration for sensors, model and date of manufacture and a proprietary secret code to prevent unauthorized duplication of a circuit. The key is activated when treatment of a patient begins to prevent reuse of the set and a delay in use of the set that is too long. Patient data and operational information can be stored in the key during treatment. The key can be returned to the manufacturer or entered into hospital database for analysis. The key is preferably an EEPROM chip that can be embedded in an integral circuit sensor or a separate plug in device, such as a code card.

Abstract: An integrated disposable set for dialysis or ultrafiltration treatment of blood is disclosed that includes a memory “key” chip. The key contains information relating to the set, including calibration for sensors, model and date of manufacture and a proprietary secret code to prevent unauthorized duplication of a circuit. The key is activated when treatment of a patient begins to prevent reuse of the set and a delay in use of the set that is too long. Patient data and operational information can be stored in the key during treatment. The key can be returned to the manufacturer or entered into hospital database for analysis. The key is preferably an EEPROM chip that can be embedded in an integral circuit sensor or a separate plug in device, such as a code card.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a medical instruments for a Renal Replacement Therapy is disclosed that includes a pictogram representation of the fluid path of an extracorporeal blood circuit that represents fluid lines, pumps and sensors. To assist the user in responding to alarms and rectifying faults in the system the source of a potential trouble is animated. The location of a trouble spot is easily identified by flashing of the corresponding element of the pictogram, change of color or thickness of a corresponding line.

Abstract: The lung ventilator safety valve circuit includes a normally open, pulse width modulated solenoid safety valve connected to a patient airway of a ventilator system. A pressure sensor monitors pressure in the patient airway, and a control unit maintains the safety valve closed when the pressure is not excessive. The safety valve is opened when the sensed pressure equals or exceeds a maximum airway pressure threshold that can be set by an operator, or in the event of a power failure.

Abstract: Patient airway baseline pressure levels are controlled in a ventilator having a pneumatically controlled exhalation valve without an external supply of pilot pressure, by supplying an internal source of controllable pilot pressure for operating the exhalation valve. The pressure of pressurized air supplied by an internal pump can be electrically controlled by pulse width modulation of a variable pulse duration signal. A second source of pressurized air for pilot pressure is provided, and in one embodiment is a reservoir provided for receiving pressurized air from the pump and from the exhalation circuit. A valve is connected to the pump means and the reservoir for receiving pressurized air from the pump in a first position, and for receiving pressurized air from the reservoir in a second position. When the valve means is in the second position, pressurized air is delivered at a pressure which is the greater of the pressurized air supplied by the pump means or the gas flow from the exhalation circuit.

Abstract: The lung ventilator safety valve circuit includes a normally open, pulse width modulated solenoid safety valve connected to a patient airway of a ventilator system. A pressure sensor monitors pressure in the patient airway, and a control unit maintains the safety valve closed when the pressure is not excessive. The safety valve is opened when the sensed pressure equals or exceeds a maximum airway pressure threshold that can be set by an operator, or in the event of a power failure.

Abstract: The piston ventilators include a double acting reciprocating piston, in which the piston motion delivering breathing gas to a patient receiving assistance from the ventilator simultaneously draws in breathing gas from a source of breathing gas, and a single acting piston ventilator, in which only the delivery end of the cylinder is provided with inlet and exhaust valves. In the double acting piston ventilator, breathing gas is supplied to both ends of the piston cylinder through two intake valves, and exhausting breathing gas through two exhaust valves. Both intake valves of the cylinder are ducted to the breathing gas supply, and the two exhaust valves of the cylinder are ducted to a gas delivery limb of the ventilator connected to the patient's airway.