Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for delivering iron to an iron-deficient patient, more particularly, to methods whereby an iron complex comprising divalent or trivalent ionic iron complexed with one or more low molecular weight anions is administered to a patient by transfer from dialysate. A complex selected according to the invention is non-polymeric; soluble in an aqueous medium; chemically stable, thereby preventing the dissociation of iron ions from the anions under conditions according to the invention; and can be well absorbed into blood and the living body. Also provided are dialysate compositions including therein an iron complex selected according to the invention, and dialysate concentrates which may be diluted to yield an inventive dialysate composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are preferred devices and methods which provide extracorporeal treatment of blood or other fluids for effective plasmafiltration or hemofiltration alone or in combination with dialysis.

Abstract: A method for extracorporeal blood heating to effect whole body hyperthermia, which utilizes a hemodialyzer with a sorbent suspension in the dialysate, a blood pump and a heat exchanger--in addition to various probes and catheters and heated anterior and posterior blankets for the patient--to effect extracorporeal treatment without adverse effect on blood physiology and without the need for general anesthesia. Blood returning to the body is heated to at least about 46.degree. C. Incorporation of hemodialysis into the blood heating treatment solves at once several problems which plagued prior art hyperthermia techniques: it rectifies any imbalances of sodium, potassium, magnesium, bicarbonate or phosphate, and may remove toxins incident to necrosis of tumors and virally infected cells. Hyperthermia protocols with sorbent--based dialysis of blood thus avoid the various serious side effects which complicated--even to the point of death--the hyperthermia treatments known from the past.

Abstract: A foldable peritoneal catheter is provided with a flexible central plenum chamber and flexible fluted wands or rods that extend outwardly from the plenum chamber and serve as liquid transport means for a dialysate fluid or the like. This type of peritoneal catheter is well suited for chronic peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are preferred devices and methods which provide extracorporeal treatment of blood to effectively and consistently remove toxins therefrom and from patients over extended periods of time.

Abstract: An implantable filtration and collection device for collecting a filtrate containing a physiological constituent of the body present in an interstitial body space. The device is operable with a negative pressure generating source to withdraw the filtrate from the interstitial body space. The device includes a porous filter made of a material compatible for long-term patency inside the body and adapted to be implanted inside the body in fluid communication with the interstitial space. The pores in the filter are sized not to exceed a predetermined dimension corresponding to the size of the physiological constituent being filtered. A collector in the form of an elongate tube is connected to the filter and and serves to communicate the filtrate externally of the body where it may be withdrawn from the collector by a negative pressure generating source.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the flow rate of blood passing between a patient and an extracorporeal therapy instrument. The flow measurement apparatus includes a delivery unit for producing a saline bolus interface at a first position of a measurement channel having a predetermined volume between the first and second position. A sensor unit included in the apparatus detects the saline bolus interface as it passes the second position in the channel. An output signal from the sensor unit along with an indication of the production of the saline bolus interface is utilized by a control unit to determine the blood flow rate. The control unit of the apparatus utilizes instantaneous and average blood flow algorithms to calculate instantaneous and average blood flow rates based on the time interval associated with the production of the saline bolus interface and its progression to a predetermined position in the measurement channel.

Abstract: A dietary control eating utensil is disclosed for indicating when food can be eaten therewith. The handle of the utensil includes a gravity-powered timing device. The device includes an elongated transparent material chamber for containing immiscible fluids having different densities such as air and mineral oil. The lighter density fluid forms a visible signal within the chamber that is moveable between the distal and proximal ends. The period associated with the movement of the visible signal depends on the different elevations of the chamber ends. The shape of the chamber along with the density of the two fluids also contributes to the time period the visible signal takes to move between the two ends of the chamber. When the air bubble moves to a predetermined position within the chamber, this indicates when the utensil may be used for consuming food.

Abstract: A method and device for long term monitoring of the blood level of various blood constituents. The monitoring is accomplished by capillary filtration and collection of an ultrafiltrate of blood. Filtration of the ultrafiltrate occurs through a filter composed of hollow fibers which are implanted within an interstitial body space in fluid communication with blood capillaries. The ultrafiltrate is drawn through the filter and into an ultrafiltrate collector which extends externally of the body. The collector provides a vacuum for withdrawing the ultrafiltrate and holds discrete liquid samples of the ultrafiltrate. The method and device is particularly suited for long term monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients or other blood chemical constituents in other patients.

Abstract: A method and device for long term monitoring of the blood level of various blood constituents. The monitoring is accomplished by capillary filtration and collection of an ultrafiltrate of blood. Filtration of the ultrafiltrate occurs through a filter composed of hollow fibers which are implanted within an interstitial body space in fluid communication with blood capillaries. The ultrafiltrate is drawn through the filter and into an ultrafiltrate collector which extends externally of the body. The collector provides a vacuum for withdrawing the ultrafiltrate and holds discrete liquid samples of the ultrafiltrate. The method and device is particularly suited for long term monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients or other blood chemical constituents in other patients.

Abstract: A dialysis instrument having a pump located on the dialysate side of a dialyzer for moving body fluids. A disposable cartridge mounted to a main frame includes containers of calcium chloride, priming solution, water, sorbent column, dialysate reservoir bag and potassium/hydrogen citrate reinfusate reservoir. A plurality of monitors detect the status of the flow of fluids and process of dialysis and provide data for the operation of a plurality of pumps and clamps to control the direction of flow of various fluids. The entire instrument is mounted on a scale to detect weight change due to the difference between inflow and outflow of body fluids.

Abstract: Compositions for removing uremic substances during hemodialysis comprising an aqueous slurry containing charcoal, a highly calcium-loaded zeolite cation exchanger, purified urease (which may be bound to a portion of the zeolite, a suspending agent, and optionally an aliphatic carboxylic acid resin in the H.sup.+ form, and a hemodialysis method employing such compositions.

Abstract: A transcutaneous access device for permanent placement in blood vessels includes a unitarily constructed, substantially U-shaped tubular member that includes a first leg having means for connecting the transcutaneous access device to external equipment, a mid-portion having at least one aperture, and a second leg terminating in a needle barb. The angular orientation of the device is such that the planes that include the first leg and the second leg that are orthogonal to the mid-portion are substantially parallel, and the second leg is at an acute angle with respect to the plane that includes the mid-portion and said first leg.

Abstract: A slotted catheter emplacement guide of one piece construction which simplifies emplacement of a peritoneal catheter and also permits insertion through a very small abdominal opening.

Abstract: A machine for infusion and withdrawal of fluid from the peritoneal cavity of a person. A plurality of bags of fluid each rests atop spaced apart trays arranged in a stack and supported by a vertical secondary frame slidably mounted in a main frame. Moveable pins mounted to the main frame sequentially support the secondary frame and an adjacent tray until the entire secondary frame and stack of trays move downwardly pass the pins. The trays include clamping mechanisms engaged with the tubular ports of each bag to control fluid flow through the port of a particular bag supported by a tray. Pins are fixedly mounted to bars slideably mounted to the main frame and moved either manually or by means of a solenoid to control movement of the trays and secondary frame and thus fluid flow.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for demand-based administration of insulin which utilizes a change in a physical property of a patient's body fluid as an indicator that a change in the body fluid glucose level has occurred and that an appropriate amount of insulin should be supplied to the patient. Body fluid osmolality or one of its colligative properties are particularly suitable for this purpose. A second sensor for measuring such properties as electrical conductivity may be added to detect changes in osmolality caused by such factors as dehydration. Insulin can be delivered to the patient from an extracorporeal source by means of a dual lumen catheter. One lumen of the catheter provides a passageway for the insulin dose and the other lumen provides a passageway through which a replaceable sensors can be introduced into or removed from the patient's body. In the alternative, the entire insulin administration system can be implanted into the patient.

Abstract: A body cavity access device for supplying a hormone to a patient including an implantable housing placed in the body and having an impermeable extracorporeal segment and a semipermeable subcutaneous segment. A hormone source such as live, hormone-producing cells, e.g., pancreatic islet cells is then removably positioned in the housing to provide a hormone supply to the patient. A sensor can be located within the subcutaneous segment and operably associated with a dispenser to release medication into the housing and to the patient.

Abstract: Caloric counting method and apparatus comprises a base support structure, a plate support structure pivotally mounted on the base support structure, and scale means connected to said plate support structure at a point remote from the pivot line thereof. A plate carrying a combination of food components constituting an entire meal is positioned on the plate support structure to determine the total caloric content of the entire meal. The plate is provided with indicia defining different zones on the plate for foods having different calories per gram, these zones being arranged so that the zone corresponding to foods having the least calories per gram is positioned nearest the pivotal mounting of the plate support structure when the plate is positioned thereon. The patient places the food components constituting an entire meal in the correct zones on the plate and the total caloric content of the entire meal is determined in a single operation by reading the scale which is calibrated in calories.

Abstract: An implantable catheter is disclosed that is particularly useful as a peritoneal access device. The catheter includes an elongated, flexible tube, one portion of which is adapted to extend into the body of a user with a second portion external to the body of the user. The end of the one portion of the tube within the body has connected thereto a flexible terminating member comprised of a pair of spaced apart sheets extending outwardly of the periphery of the tube in a direction substantially normal to the axis of the end portion of the tube with the spaced sheets forming a passage therebetween communicating with the interior of the tube through a central opening in one of the sheets so that access to the tube is through the passage formed by the spaced sheets.