Abstract: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining a calibration coefficient of a blood property sensor located in a blood system, wherein the blood system can include a vascular portion and an extracorporeal portion. The blood property sensor can be located in the extracorporeal portion to measure the change in a blood property corresponding to the passing of an indicator. The indicator can include a known amount of an introduced dilution indicator. The controller is provided for determining the calibration coefficient of the blood property sensor corresponding to the introduced dilution indicator in the measured change in the blood property.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.

Abstract: The measurement of blood flow in a dialysis shunt is obtained by injection of an indicator material into a venous line leading from dialysis equipment to the shunt. The blood flow in an arterial line leading from the shunt at a location downstream of the venous line to the dialysis equipment is monitored by an arterial line sensor for the presence of the indicator material. A detector connected to the sensor provides a dilution curve in response to the presence of the indicator material and the blood flow in the shunt is calculated from the area under the dilution curve. The locations of the arterial and venous lines in the shunt can be reversed to obtain a measurement of blood recirculation from the venous line into the arterial line.

Abstract: The measurement of blood flow in a dialysis shunt is obtained by injection of an indicator material into a venous line leading from dialysis equipment to the shunt. The blood flow in an arterial line leading from the shunt at a location downstream of the venous line to the dialysis equipment is monitored by an arterial line sensor for the presence of the indicator material. A detector connected to the sensor provides a dilution curve in response to the presence of the indicator material and the blood flow in the shunt is calculated from the area under the dilution curve. The locations of the arterial and venous lines in the shunt can be reversed to obtain a measurement of blood recirculation from the venous line into the arterial line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an initial flow rate in a conduit is disclosed. A known change is made to the flow to be measured, resulting changes (or values corresponding to these changes), or relative changes in the flow to be measured are monitored and the initial flow in the conduit is calculated from the value of the known change and monitored changes. Devices to practice the method include catheters having one or two sensors and one or two sites for introducing the volume change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining cardiac output in conjunction with flow through an extracorporeal circuit, wherein flow through an arterial line of the extracorporeal circuit is temporarily reversed and an indicator is passed through the cardiopulmonary circuit. A dilution curve is measured in the arterial line of the extracorporeal circuit during the reversed flow, and cardiac output is determined corresponding to the measured dilution curve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an initial flow rate in a conduit is disclosed. A known change is made to the flow to be measured, resulting changes (or values corresponding to these changes), or relative changes in the flow to be measured are monitored and the initial flow in the conduit is calculated from the value of the known change and monitored changes. Devices to practice the method include catheters having one or two sensors and one or two sites for introducing the volume change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an initial flow rate in a conduit is disclosed. A known change is made to the flow to be measured, resulting changes (or values corresponding to these changes), or relative changes in the flow to be measured are monitored and the initial flow in the conduit is calculated from the value of the known change and monitored changes. Devices to practice the method include catheters having one or two sensors and one or two sites for introducing the volume change.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an angioplasty induced blood flow changes, wherein the apparatus includes the catheter having a port for introducing a blood property change in a downstream sensor. The downstream sensor and the catheter are configured to space the sensor from an adjacent vessel wall so as to minimize effects of the vessel wall during sensing of the blood property change.

Abstract: The measurement of blood flow in a dialysis shunt is obtained by injection of an indicator material into a venous line leading from dialysis equipment to the shunt. The blood flow in an arterial line leading from the shunt at a location downstream of the venous line to the dialysis equipment is monitored by an arterial line sensor for the presence of the indicator material. A detector connected to the sensor provides a dilution curve in response to the presence of the indicator material and the blood flow in the shunt is calculated from the area under the dilution curve. The locations of the arterial and venous lines in the shunt can be reversed to obtain a measurement of blood recirculation from the venous line into the arterial line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an initial flow rate in a conduit is disclosed. A known change is made to the flow to be measured, resulting changes (or values corresponding to these changes), or relative changes in the flow to be measured are monitored and the initial flow in the conduit is calculated from the value of the known change and monitored changes. Devices to practice the method include catheters having one or two sensors and one or two sites for introducing the volume change.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining a calibration coefficient of a blood property sensor located in a blood system, wherein the blood system can include a vascular portion and an extracorporeal portion. The blood property sensor can be located in the extracorporeal portion to measure the change in a blood property corresponding to the passing of an indicator. The indicator can include a known amount of an introduced dilution indicator. The controller is provided for determining the calibration coefficient of the blood property sensor corresponding to the introduced dilution indicator in the measured change in the blood property.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the blood flow rate within an A-V shunt via indicator dilution techniques. Unknown flow resistance within the A-V shunt are addressed by adjusting a measured flow rate to provide a flow rate within a predetermined margin of error. The calculated flow rate can be rejected based upon flow conditions of the introduced indicator. Different indicator introduction rates can be used to enhance accuracy of the measured flow. The indicator flow path can include a flow restrictor to limit the flow rate of the indicator to below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and device for the continuous real-time monitoring of relative blood volume change, based on registration of blood hemoglobin concentration, during long periods of time, such as dialysis session. A method and device for cardiac output measurement during dialysis, surgeries, intensive care procedure is provided. Calibration of a sensor in response to a change in a measureable blood property is determined from a coefficient corresponding to a change in the measured blood property.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.

Abstract: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into the blood flow.