Abstract: The application relates to vascular catheters, in particular to vascular catheter systems (100) which are configured to mix blood. Aspects relate to a mixer sheath (110) for a vascular catheter, a method of manufacturing a mixer sheath, a catheter sheath, a catheter, a method of deploying a vascular catheter, a method of removing a vascular catheter, a method of deploying one or more blood mixing elements, a method of using a catheter system and a method of reversing the deployment of a blood mixing element. The mixer sheath comprises a tube having a wall patterned with a line of weakness (212) which is configured to cause buckling of a portion of the tube wall when a longitudinal compression force is applied to the tube to form a blood mixing element (111) which extends radially outwards with respect to a location of the portion of the tube wall prior to buckling.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing a solid, gel, powder, granular, liquid or viscous liquid test substance in an extraction fluid comprises: a) a flow cell for holding the test substance comprising an extraction chamber of uniform cross-sectional area, a grinding surface, an extraction fluid inlet and an extract outlet; b) a grinding head disposed within the extraction chamber and adapted to reciprocate therein; and c) a recirculating pump for driving extraction fluid: (i) into the flow cell via the extraction fluid inlet; (ii) through the extraction chamber; and (iii) back to the flow cell via the extract outlet.