Abstract: An antimicrobial device can include a common touch surface of a non-metallic material, and an antimicrobial metal layer applied to the common touch surface at an average thickness ranging from a single metal atom in thickness to 1 mm.

Abstract: A vascular sensor system includes a vascular sensor configured to monitor a blood vessel parameter and to output a signal representative of the measured parameter. A computing system is configured to receive the signal representative of the measured parameter. The computing system is programmed to process the received signal and evaluate a medical condition based on the processed signal.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a property of a physiological fluid suspension comprises measuring a value of the property of a liquid portion of the physiological fluid suspension via light scattering, and comparing the measured value with a reference value to evaluate the property of the liquid portion of the physiological fluid suspension.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a property of a physiological fluid suspension comprises measuring a value of the property of a liquid portion of the physiological fluid suspension via light scattering, and comparing the measured value with a reference value to evaluate the property of the liquid portion of the physiological fluid suspension.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a property of a physiological fluid suspension comprises measuring a value of the property of a liquid portion of the physiological fluid suspension via light scattering, and comparing the measured value with a reference value to evaluate the property of the liquid portion of the physiological fluid suspension.

Abstract: A device for separating platelets from a fluid suspension comprises a mixing chamber operable to receive and mix fluid suspensions and an aggregating agent to form platelet aggregates and residual fluid components. A filter can be configured to be in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and can be further configured to collect platelet aggregates and allow residual fluid components to pass therethrough. The mixing chamber and the filter are operable by a user without input from an external energy source.

Abstract: A fluid property measurement system for measuring free stream particulates includes a fluid movement device positioned within a fluid container which is configured to cause fluid flow within the fluid container along a fluid flow path when a fluid is present. A constricted region along the fluid flow path generates a region of concentrated streamlined flow within the constricted region and mixing of the fluid outside of the constricted region. A property measuring device is positioned with respect to the constricted region to measure fluid properties in the region of streamlined flow.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods of making concentrated fibrinogen- and platelet-containing compositions. The concentrated compositions can be produced by adding a sufficient amount of a fibrinogen precipitating agent, such as protamine or other similar acting agent(s), and a platelet aggregating agent, such as ADP or other similar acting agents(s), to a platelet/fibrinogen containing fluid to cause the fibrinogen to form a fibrinogen precipitate and the platelets to for platelet aggregations. The fibrinogen precipitate and the platelet aggregates are collected by a collection technique, such as filtration, settling, centrifugation, etc., and are solubilized and deaggregated, respectively, in a liquid vehicle to form a concentrated fibrinogen- and platelet-containing composition. The concentrated platelet and/or fibrinogen compositions can be incorporated into systems for making fibrin glues, hemostatic sealants, platelet rich wound healants, and other wound treating compositions.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a property of a physiological fluid suspension comprises measuring a value of the property of a liquid portion of the physiological fluid suspension via light scattering, and comparing the measured value with a reference value to evaluate the property of the liquid portion of the physiological fluid suspension.

Abstract: A fluid property measurement system for measuring free stream particulates comprises a fluid movement device positioned within a fluid container which is configured to cause fluid flow within the fluid container along a fluid flow path when a fluid is present. A constricted region along the fluid flow path generates a region of concentrated streamlined flow within the constricted region and mixing of the fluid outside of the constricted region. A property measuring device is positioned with respect to the constricted region to measure fluid properties in the region of streamlined flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a local drug delivery mechanism for use with a protection device. An infusing device is used to charge the drug into the catheter lumen toward a distal portion of the lumen having a plurality of drug delivery exit ports. The drug exits the ports into the patient's vascular system and is able to flow toward a filter maintaining the patency of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to concentrated fibrinogen compositions and associate methods and use thereof. The concentrated fibrinogen compositions can be produced by adding a sufficient amount of a cationic agent, such as protamine, to a fibrinogen containing fluid to cause the fibrinogen to form a fibrinogen precipitate; collecting the fibrinogen precipitate by a collection means, such as centrifugation; and suspending or solubilizing the fibrinogen precipitate in a liquid vehicle to form a concentrated fibrinogen composition. The concentrated fibrinogen compositions can be incorporated into systems for making fibrin glues and be used in treating wounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a local drug delivery mechanism for use with a protection device. An infusing device is used to charge the drug into the catheter lumen toward a distal portion of the lumen having a plurality of drug delivery exit ports. The drug exits the ports into the patient's vascular system and is able to flow toward a filter maintaining the patency of the filter.

Abstract: A method for measuring properties of a fluid including placing a quantity of fluid in a container; inducing flow in the fluid wherein the flow is substantially streamlined in at least a measuring region of the container by constricting flow, and wherein the fluid is recirculated through the measuring region. A mixing region can be created separate from the measuring region sufficient to substantially mix the fluid. Free stream particulates in the fluid can be measured in the streamlined region. The invention is of particular interest in the assessment of blood platelet function. The method provides specific localized regions of thorough mixing that enable reproducible platelet aggregation, and also provides specific localized regions of streamlined flow that enable certain modalities of assessing aggregation. Both of these regions of flow are induced such that damage to platelet aggregates and other blood components as well as undesirable agglomeration on device surfaces is minimized.

Abstract: A method for measuring properties of a fluid including placing a quantity of fluid in a container; inducing flow in the fluid wherein the flow is substantially streamlined in at least a measuring region of the container, and wherein the fluid is recirculated through the measuring region; creating a mixing region separate from the measuring region sufficient to substantially mix the fluid; and measuring a property of the fluid in the streamlined region. The invention is of particular interest in the assessment of blood platelet function. The method provides specific localized regions of thorough mixing that enable reproducible platelet aggregation, and also provides specific localized regions of streamlined flow that enable certain modalities of assessing aggregation. Both of these regions of flow are induced such that damage to platelet aggregates and other blood components is minimized.

Abstract: A method for measuring properties of a fluid including placing a quantity of fluid in a container; inducing flow in the fluid wherein the flow is substantially streamlined in at least a measuring region of the container by constricting flow, and wherein the fluid is recirculated through the measuring region. A mixing region can be created separate from the measuring region sufficient to substantially mix the fluid. Free stream particulates in the fluid can be measured in the streamlined region. The invention is of particular interest in the assessment of blood platelet function. The method provides specific localized regions of thorough mixing that enable reproducible platelet aggregation, and also provides specific localized regions of streamlined flow that enable certain modalities of assessing aggregation. Both of these regions of flow are induced such that damage to platelet aggregates and other blood components as well as undesirable agglomeration on device surfaces is minimized.

Abstract: A device for separating platelets from a fluid suspension comprises a mixing chamber operable to receive and mix fluid suspensions and an aggregating agent to form platelet aggregates and residual fluid components. A filter can be configured to be in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and can be further configured to collect platelet aggregates and allow residual fluid components to pass therethrough. The mixing chamber and the filter are operable by a user without input from an external energy source.

Abstract: A method is described for separating, retrieving and concentrating platelets from whole blood relying on aggregation of the platelets followed by filtration. This method eliminates the need of a centrifuge for separating said cells from blood. To obtain cellular concentrates of platelets, blood is mixed with compatible agents that will aggregate cells while retaining contained growth factors. The resulting aggregates can then be separated from blood by filtration. If desired, the filter-captured aggregates are subject to a brief washing cycle where they are washed clean of residual aggregating agent, plasma, and red cells. Aggregates can then be partly or wholly deaggregated and the cells retrieved. The result is a suspension of cells and small aggregates with therapeutic levels of concentrated blood cells with included growth factors that are available for delivery to a wound site. A device that accomplishes the aforementioned process is also described.

Abstract: A method is described for separating, retrieving and concentrating platelets from whole blood relying on aggregation of the platelets followed by filtration. This method eliminates the need of a centrifuge for separating said cells from blood. To obtain cellular concentrates of platelets, blood is mixed with compatible agents that will aggregate cells while retaining contained growth factors. The resulting aggregates can then be separated from blood by filtration. If desired, the filter-captured aggregates are subject to a brief washing cycle where they are washed clean of residual aggregating agent, plasma, and red cells. Aggregates can then be partly or wholly deaggregated and the cells retrieved. The result is a suspension of cells and small aggregates with therapeutic levels of concentrated blood cells with included growth factors that are available for delivery to a wound site. A device that accomplishes the aforementioned process is also described.

Abstract: A method for measuring properties of a fluid including placing a quantity of fluid in a container; inducing flow in the fluid wherein the flow is substantially streamlined in at least a measuring region of the container, and wherein the fluid is recirculated through the measuring region; creating a mixing region separate from the measuring region sufficient to substantially mix the fluid; and measuring a property of the fluid in the streamlined region. The invention is of particular interest in the assessment of blood platelet function. The method provides specific localized regions of thorough mixing that enable reproducible platelet aggregation, and also provides specific localized regions of streamlined flow that enable certain modalities of assessing aggregation. Both of these regions of flow are induced such that damage to platelet aggregates and other blood components is minimized.