Abstract: Vascular access systems for performing hemodialysis are disclosed. The vascular access system contemplates a catheter section adapted for insertion into a vein and a graft section adapted for attachment to an artery. The catheter section may have metal or polymer wall reinforcements that allow the use of thin-walled, small outer diameter conduits for the vascular access system. One or more of the adhered, embedded or bonded conduit reinforcement structures may be removable without significant damage to the conduit sections to facilitate attachment of the sections, or to a connector between the sections. Various self-sealing materials are provided for use in the vascular access system, as well as temporary access sites and flow control/sensor systems.

Abstract: A host bus adapter (“HBA”) is provided with a programmable trace logic that can be enabled or disabled by firmware running on the HBA and if enabled can receive trace information from at least one processor, which is stored in a local memory buffer controlled by a local memory interface. A receive and transmit path processor data is traced and stored in the local memory buffer. The trace logic includes an arbitration module that receives trace data from plural sources and the trace data is stored in a first in first out based buffer before being sent to a direct memory access arbiter module and then to an external memory. Trace data as stored in the external memory includes a trace data source identity value, and a time stamp value indicating when data was collected.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for connecting implantable body fluid conduits, such as catheters and grafts for AV shunts. A connector with thin connector walls at the lumen openings provides a connecting lumen that is close to flush with the lumens of the attached conduits. A tapered, smooth walled connector lumen allows connection of conduits with different internal diameters while preserving laminar flow in the transition between different conduit diameters. Rounding of the connector edges at the lumen openings further reduce disturbances in flow.