Abstract: Apparatus for treating blood. A device (10) for separating plasma from blood comprises a blood flow path (20) including formations (24) for agitating blood flow along the blood flow path and a separation membrane (28) with a first surface in fluid communication with the blood flow path. The device may be comprised in an extracorporeal blood circuit and used in a method for separating plasma from blood.

Abstract: A haemoconcentration device comprising membrane filter having both a screen filtration and a depth filtration function.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating blood. A device (10) for separating plasma from blood comprises a blood flow path (20) including formations (24) for agitating blood flow along the blood flow path and a separation membrane (28) with a first surface in fluid communication with the blood flow path. The device may be comprised in an extracorporeal blood circuit and used in a method for separating plasma from blood.

Abstract: A limb-stabilisation apparatus (100) comprises a limb-receiving container (110) arranged to receive a portion of the limb (5) and to collect blood exited from the limb; and a blood recirculation system (120) configured to recirculate blood from the limb-receiving container (110) to one or more regions of the limb. Advantageously, the limb-stabilisation apparatus (100) may further comprise or may be associated with a limb-compressing apparatus (210) configured to reduce, restrict or prevent blood flow in the region of the limb-compressing apparatus.

Abstract: A tourniquet apparatus (10) comprises at least two expandable members (21,22) configured for applying pressure on a limb of a subject; and actuating means (143,144) for actuating the at least two expandable members (21,22), wherein the actuating means (143,144) are configured to actuate each expandable member independently and/or selectively. There is also provided a limb-cooling apparatus (200) comprising an inner stretchable layer (210) configured to engage and/or contact a limb of a subject; an outer layer (220) at least partially attached to the inner layer (210); and a cooling system (240) configured to supply a cooling medium (250) between the inner layer (210) and the outer layer (220).

Abstract: Apparatus for blood processing comprising a blood collection reservoir (30), a blood collection conduit, a blood transfer conduit, and a manually operable pump unit (10) comprising first and second peristaltic pumps (10A, 10B). The first peristaltic pump is mounted about and acts upon the blood collection conduit. The second peristaltic pump is mounted about and acts upon the blood transfer conduit. The pump unit is provided with an actuator (112) adapted to switch the second peristaltic pump between an operative condition and an inoperative condition: in the operative condition the second peristaltic pump is engaged with the blood transfer conduit to convey blood from the blood collection reservoir while the first peristaltic pump is engaged with the blood collection conduit to convey blood from a wound site to the blood collection reservoir, and in the inoperative condition the second peristaltic pump is disengaged from the blood transfer conduit.

Abstract: A device for the concentration of a mixture of fatty material and aqueous fluid comprises a chamber for receiving a mixture of fatty material and aqueous fluid, and a body of absorbent material, the chamber being separated from the absorbent material by a barrier member having at least one opening, and a shutter element movable from a closed position, in which said opening is occluded, to an open position, in which said opening permits fluid flow from the chamber to the absorbent material. It has been found that the use of an absorbent material enables fatty material to be concentrated to the required degree in a passive, single vessel process without damage to the fatty tissue. There are also described methods for the use of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, apparatus, and method for separating components of a fluid, e.g. blood, which eliminates the need for expensive hardware and produces a stabilized waste product. The system comprises an apparatus or device (V) for separating components of a fluid (15?) comprising a container (5?) having at least one separation or filtration member (10?) capable of selectively separating or filtering at least one component from the fluid, and a superabsorbent material (20?) capable of absorbing the at least one component separated from the fluid, and thereby providing a processed fluid free or substantially free of said at least one component; and agitation means.

Abstract: A disposable blood transfer conduit is used in association with a pump drive unit, a blood collection vessel and a blood concentration device. The blood transfer conduit comprises a blood transfer tube (13) and a peristaltic pump element (12) having an enclosed housing mounted about the blood transfer tube (12). At least part of the blood transfer tube (13) is resiliently deformable and extends through the enclosed housing of the peristaltic pump element (12). The disposable blood transfer conduit may be used in the concentration of blood for autologous blood transfusion.

Abstract: Devices for concentrating fluids that comprise discrete or particulate material dispersed in a liquid medium, such as whole blood, by removal of a proportion of the liquid medium, and a method of producing blood cell concentrates from whole blood using reduced pressure. The devices comprise an outer bag formed of an impermeable material and an inner bag formed of a permeable material, the inner bag containing an absorbent material or being adapted for connection to a source of reduced pressure.

Abstract: A device for the concentration of a mixture of fatty material and aqueous fluid comprises a chamber for receiving a mixture of fatty material and aqueous fluid, and a body of absorbent material, the chamber being separated from the absorbent material by a barrier member having at least one opening, and a shutter element movable from a closed position, in which said opening is occluded, to an open position, in which said opening permits fluid flow from the chamber to the absorbent material. It has been found that the use of an absorbent material enables fatty material to be concentrated to the required degree in a passive, single vessel process without damage to the fatty tissue. There are also described methods for the use of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extracorporeal blood filtration involving the connection of a patient's cardiovascular circulation to an extracorporeal circulatory circuit, and filtration devices suitable for use in such apparatus and methods are disclosed. Such filtration devices include a filter medium comprising a layer of non-woven fabric (21) impregnated with porous beads (22) and carrying a porous screen (23) on at least one side. This invention enables the removal or particular molecular species such as pro-inflammatory cytokines from a patient's circulation, and is of particular utility in cardiopulmonary bypass and haemodialysis-like procedures.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extracorporeal blood filtration involving the connection of a patient's cardiovascular circulation to an extracorporeal circulatory circuit, and filtration devices suitable for use in such apparatus and methods are disclosed. Such filtration devices include a filter medium comprising a layer of non-woven fabric (21) impregnated with porous beads (22) and carrying a porous screen (23) on at least one side. This invention enables the removal or particular molecular species such as pro-inflammatory cytokines from a patient's circulation, and is of particular utility in cardiopulmonary bypass and haemodialysis-like procedures.