Abstract: A filter media is formed into a filter bag for fluid filter elements. A long tube of filter media is formed into a helix or a pleated structure with a corrugated cross-section to increase the surface area of filter media area that can fit into a given volume. A retaining structure can be used to maintain the shape of the filter media.

Abstract: A blood storage container along with an aqueous composition for the storage of packed red blood cells is described. In a preferred embodiment, the container is not made of DEHP plasticizer. In some embodiments, the container is made from a polymeric material and a non-DEHP plasticizer. In some embodiments, the aqueous composition is made of about 1 to about 3 mM adenine, about 20 to about 115 mM dextrose, about 15 to about 60 unmetabolizable membrane-protectant sugar, about 20 to about 30 mM sodium bicarbonate, and about 4 to about 20 mM disodium phosphate. In a most preferred embodiment, the DEHP-lacking container is made from a PVC polymeric material and a DINCH plasticizer and the aqueous composition is made of about 2 mM adenine, about 80 mM dextrose, 55 mM unmetabolizable membrane-protectant sugar, about 26 mM sodium bicarbonate, and about 12 mM disodium phosphate.

Abstract: A blood storage container along with an aqueous composition for the storage of packed red blood cells is described. In a preferred embodiment, the container is not made of DEHP plasticizer. In some embodiments, the container is made from a polymeric material and a non-DEHP plasticizer. In some embodiments, the aqueous composition is made of about 1 to about 3 mM adenine, about 20 to about 115 mM dextrose, about 15 to about 60 unmetabolizable membrane-protectant sugar, about 20 to about 30 mM sodium bicarbonate, and about 4 to about 20 mM disodium phosphate. In a most preferred embodiment, the DEHP-lacking container is made from a PVC polymeric material and a DINCH plasticizer and the aqueous composition is made of about 2 mM adenine, about 80 mM dextrose, 55 mM unmetabolizable membrane-protectant sugar, about 26 mM sodium bicarbonate, and about 12 mM disodium phosphate.

Abstract: A frusto-conical filter includes at least one layer of a filtering material, wherein one or more layers of the at least one layer of a filtering material comprises a plurality of pleats. Each of the pleats has a center axis which essentially maintains a constant distance from the center axis of its adjoining pleats. The media filter has a first end and a second end, the second end being spaced apart from the first end, and one of the first and second ends is larger than the other of the first and second ends. A method of making this media involves cutting out a frusto-conical section from a generically shaped media and aligning it in such a way as to maintain the constant distance of the pleats from the adjacent pleats.

Abstract: A sponge including one or more hemostatic agents and one or more binding agents. At least one of the hemostatic agents is a pregelatinized potato starch. The collective percentage by weight of the one or more hemostatic agents is within the range of approximately one eighth to approximately sixteen times as great as the collective percentage by weight of the one or more binding agents.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of treating a wound to clot blood. A sponge material is applied to the wound. The sponge comprises a starch having hemostatic properties and at least one binding agent. The sponge may further comprise a porous, flexible material.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of treating a wound to clot blood. A sponge material is applied to the wound. The sponge comprises a starch having hemostatic properties and at least one binding agent. The sponge may further comprise a porous, flexible material.

Abstract: A blood storage container along with an aqueous composition for the storage of packed red blood cells is described. In a preferred embodiment, the container is not made of DEHP plasticizer. In some embodiments, the container is made from a polymeric material and a non-DEHP plasticizer. In some embodiments, the aqueous composition is made of about 1 to about 3 mM adenine, about 20 to about 15 mM dextrose, about 15 to about 60 unmetabolizable membrane-protectant sugar, about 20 to about 30 mM sodium bicarbonate, and about 4 to about 20 mM disodium phosphate.

Abstract: A method of making a wound dressing comprises dissolving at least one hemostatic agent in at least one solvent to form a solution. The method continues by freeze drying the solution to form a sponge. The method further comprises compressing the sponge, wherein the sponge is subjected to a vapor above ambient temperature prior to or during the compression.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-the-go humidifying an insufflation gas through water vapor transfer from a liquid to the insufflation gas through a barrier separating the gas from the liquid to enable the gas in a normally trauma inducing state to be brought to a conditioned state. If the gas is at an improper insufflation temperature the temperature of the gas can be brought to the proper insufflation temperature at the same time the gas is humidified through heat transfer through the barrier.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of treating a wound to clot blood. A sponge material is applied to the wound. The sponge comprises a starch having hemostatic properties and at least one binding agent. The sponge may further comprise a porous, flexible material.

Abstract: An improved tubing device, preferably for use in the medical industry is provided. The tubing device provides a seamless transport path by using the tubing itself as the transport means without any other internally wetted parts, or connections, to provide a substantial reduction in the number of fluid contact components, and eliminate the need for cutting tubes into segments to be later bonded via tubing connectors. This can reduce the risk of contamination of the transported materials and can also reduce the use of chemicals such as adhesives and bonding agents.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of treating a wound to clot blood. A sponge material is applied to the wound. The sponge comprises a starch having hemostatic properties and at least one binding agent. The sponge may further comprise a porous, flexible material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-the-go humidifying an insufflation gas through water vapor transfer from a liquid to the insufflation gas through a barrier separating the gas from the liquid to enable the gas in a normally trauma inducing state to be brought to a conditioned state. If the gas is at an improper insufflation temperature the temperature of the gas can be brought to the proper insufflation temperature at the same time the gas is humidified through heat transfer through the barrier.

Abstract: A novel surface treatment is provided for portions of filter media coming in contact with the filter media holder, such as filter housing. In certain applications, the treatment is also applied to the filter media holder, depending on the application. Filter media having at least two distinct surface property modifications are provided in liquid filtration applications to enhance the performance of a filtration system, reduce the cost of the system, provided a visual means of detecting fluid bypass, and minimize fluid holdup volume within the filter media, all with substantially no loss of performance performances parameters, even in steam sterilization applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-the-go humidifying an insufflation gas through water vapor transfer from a liquid to the insufflation gas through a barrier separating the gas from the liquid to enable the gas in a normally trauma inducing state to be brought to a conditioned state. If the gas is at an improper insufflation temperature the temperature of the gas can be brought to the proper insufflation temperature at the same time the gas is humidified through heat transfer through the barrier.

Abstract: An improved biological fluid filtration system is shown having, seriatim, a blood container, a biological fluid filtration device downstream of the blood container, and a blood receiving container downstream of the biological fluid filtration device; a bypass line is provided to allow fluid communication between the blood container and the blood receiving container, the bypass line includes a loop, the loop of the bypass line being configured to be disposed above the blood container at a sufficient height to prevent the passage of fluid around the leukocyte depletion device; the loop of the bypass line being disposed in a tube support device, the tube support device being configured to support substantially the entire weight of the biological fluid filtration system without substantially crimping said bypass line.

Abstract: A fluid filtration apparatus is provided which includes at least a functional biomedical device having an inlet and an outlet, a first biological fluid container in fluid communication with the inlet of said functional biomedical device, a first biological fluid receiving container downstream of the functional biomedical device in fluid communication with the outlet of the functional biomedical device, and having an excess of fluid, such as air or gas, in the first biological fluid container or biological fluid receiving container (either placed therein during manufacture, or added later) sufficient to drain the system. A method of using the apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved tubing device, preferably for use in the medical industry is provided. The tubing device provides a seamless transport path by using the tubing itself as the transport means without any other internally wetted parts, or connections, to provide a substantial reduction in the number of fluid contact components, and eliminate the need for cutting tubes into segments to be later bonded via tubing connectors. This can reduce the risk of contamination of the transported materials and can also reduce the use of chemicals such as adhesives and bonding agents.

Abstract: A wound dressing and a method for enhancing the clotting comprising a plurality of hydrophilic microfibers bonded to each other to form a mat with the plurality of microfibers having a pore size sufficiently small to inhibit wicking platelets from a wound into the microfibers so that when applied to a wound the blood coagulates and the microfibers remain external to the wound.