Abstract: A tubular medical set as main blood flow tubing, a connected, flexible branch tube, a flow restriction device to suppress pressure pulses. The device is positioned to control flow through the branch tube. The flow restriction device permits substantially free, unhindered flow from the branch tube to the main blood flow tubing, while significantly restricting, but not completely blocking, flow from the main blood flow tubing to the branch tube.

Abstract: A medical device has an interior for containment of fluids; an opening into the interior, an elastomeric wall comprising a fixedly placed, flexible barrier across the opening; and a retention wall positioned adjacent to a peripheral portion of the elastomeric wall. The retention wall defines a central opening and has a generally rigid retention zone surrounding the central opening, to engage and retain a connector tube which is advanced into the central opening to displace the elastomeric wall and to open a flow aperture through the elastomeric wall, for flow through the wall and connector tube. One of the retention zone and connector tube are made of a material of sufficient hardness that material of the other engaging member is deformed by engagement therewith, which increases the strength of retention between the retention wall and the connector tube.

Abstract: Pressure is sensed in blood flow tubing by placing an aqueous, preferably isotonic, substantially cell-free solution into branch connection tubing (branch tube) that connects in branching relation with the blood flow tubing at one end. The branch connection tubing may also connect in use with a pressure transducer unit at its other end, or pressure may be mechanically indicated. An air volume is maintained, occupying a portion of the branch connection tubing which is adjacent to the other end. One flows positively or negatively pressurized blood through the blood flow tubing, with the result that the pressure of the blood is communicated through the aqueous solution and the air volume in the branch connection tubing to the pressure transducer unit, with the blood being spaced from the air volume. Preferably, substantially all of the branch connection tubing containing the aqueous solution and air volume has an inner diameter of substantially no more than 5 mm.

Abstract: A medical device has an interior for containment of fluids; an opening into the interior, an elastomeric wall comprising a fixedly placed, flexible barrier across the opening; and a retention wall positioned adjacent to a peripheral portion of the elastomeric wall. The retention wall defines a central opening and has a generally rigid retention zone surrounding the central opening, to engage and retain a connector tube which is advanced into the central opening to open a flow aperture through the elastomeric wall, for flow through the wall and connector tube. One of the retention zone and connector tube may be made of a material of sufficient hardness that material of the other engaging member is deformed by engagement therewith, which increases the strength of retention between the retention wall and the connector tube.

Abstract: A medical device has an interior for containment of fluids; an opening into the interior, an elastomeric wall comprising a fixedly placed, flexible barrier across the opening; and a retention wall positioned adjacent to a peripheral portion of the elastomeric wall. The retention wall defines a central opening and has a generally rigid retention zone surrounding the central opening, to engage and retain a connector tube which is advanced into the central opening to displace the elastomeric wall and to open a flow aperture through the elastomeric wall, for flow through the wall and connector tube. One of the retention zone and connector tube are made of a material of sufficient hardness that material of the other engaging member is deformed by engagement therewith, which increases the strength of retention between the retention wall and the connector tube.

Abstract: A tubular set portion for circulating blood between a patient and an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The set portion has: an arterial tube for conveying blood from a patient toward the blood treatment device; a venous tube for conveying blood from the blood treatment device back towards the patient; and a pair of spaced, transverse tubes that each connect between the arterial tube and the venous tube, each of the tubes being capable of clamp sealing. The arterial and venous tubes are clamp sealable between the spaced, transverse tubes. Flow reversal on the patient's side of this device is possible by appropriate clamping of two opposed tube sections of the rectangular array which may be formed by the joined tube sections, while flow remains unchanged on the side of the tubular set portion that is connected to the extracorporeal blood treatment device.

Abstract: A cannula and method for providing an external connection with an implanted artificial port for communicating with a body lumen of a patient. The artificial port has an entrance conduit with an inwardly tapering section. The tapered cannula is sized and proportioned to substantially match and seal with the inwardly tapering section of the entrance conduit. Thus the cannula can form a readily removable seal with the inwardly tapering section. A typical angle of taper is one to three degrees.

Abstract: A medical needle protector sheath comprises a tubular body for surrounding and shielding a needle, with the sheath defining an anchor member integrally attached to the front of the body for manual holding, plus a closure cap for the front end which is integrally attached to the body. Also, a manually removable wing member may be carried about the hub of the needle. A tunnel member typically of the inverted U cross section provides longitudinal securance to the needle and hub while penetrating the skin of the patient while at the same time permitting axial rotation of the needle.

Abstract: A tubular set portion for circulating blood between a patient and an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The set portion comprises: an arterial tube for conveying blood from a patient toward the blood treatment device; a venous tube for conveying blood from the blood treatment device back towards the patient; and a pair of spaced, transverse tubes that each connect between the arterial tube and the venous tube, each of the tubes being capable of clamp sealing. The arterial and venous tubes are clamp sealable between the spaced, transverse tubes. Flow reversal on the patient's side of this device is possible by appropriate clamping of two opposed tube sections of the rectangular array which may be formed by the joined tube sections, while flow remains unchanged on the side of the tubular set portion that is connected to the extracorporeal blood treatment device.

Abstract: A tubular set is provided for the extracorporeal treatment of blood, for example hemodialysis. The set has a patient arterial line and a patient venous line, each line having a patient connector at one end thereof. Each patient line connects at its other end to a reversing flow valve. The valve also connects to respective first ends of a blood processing unit arterial line and a blood processing unit venous line. Each of the unit lines carry a connector at ends opposed to the first ends for connection respectively to arterial and venous ports of a blood processing device, typically a dialyzer. The reversing flow valve has a first position that respectively connects the patient and unit arterial lines with the patient and unit venous lines. The reversing flow valve has a second position that connects the patient arterial line with the unit venous line, and the unit arterial line with the patient venous line.

Abstract: A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set is provided for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit. The set comprises an arterial set component comprising arterial tubing having an arterial patient connector at one end and an arterial unit connector at the other. A venous set component has venous tubing with a venous patient connector at one end and a venous unit connector at the other end. The arterial and venous patient connectors, and the arterial and venous unit connectors, are respectively, substantially, and releasably directly connected to each other. As a result of this, the arterial, and venous set components cooperate to form a loop. Other features of improved sets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical needle protector sheath comprises a tubular body for surrounding and shielding a needle with the sheath defining an anchor member integrally attached to the front of the body for manual holding, plus a closure cap for the front end which is integrally attached to the body. Also, a manually removable wing member may be carried about the hub of the needle. A tunnel member typically of the inverted U-cross section provides longitudinal securance to the needle and hub while penetrating the skin of the patient while at the same time permitting axial rotation of the needle.

Abstract: Pressure is sensed in blood flow tubing by placing an aqueous, preferably isotonic, substantially cell-free solution into branch connection tubing that connects in branching relation with the blood flow tubing at one end. The branch connection tubing also connects in use with a pressure transducer unit at its other end. An air volume is maintained, occupying a portion of the branch connection tubing which is adjacent to the other end. One flows positively or negatively pressurized blood through the blood flow tubing, with the result that the pressure of the blood is communicated through the aqueous solution and the air volume in the branch connection tubing to the pressure transducer unit, with the blood being spaced from the air volume. Preferably, substantially all of the branch connection tubing containing the aqueous solution and air volume has an inner diameter of substantially no more than 5 mm.

Abstract: A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set is provided for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit. The set comprises an arterial set component comprising arterial tubing having an arterial patient connector at one end and an arterial unit connector at the other. A venous set component has venous tubing with a venous patient connector at one end and a venous unit connector at the other end. The arterial and venous patient connectors, and the arterial and venous unit connectors, are respectively, substantially, and releasably directly connected to each other. As a result of this, the arterial, and venous set components cooperate to form a loop. Other features of improved sets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubular medical set as main blood flow tubing, a connected, flexible branch tube, a flow restriction device to suppress pressure pulses. The device is positioned to control flow through the branch tube. The flow restriction device permits substantially free, unhindered flow from the branch tube to the main blood flow tubing, while significantly restricting, but not completely blocking, flow from the main blood flow tubing to the branch tube.

Abstract: Pressure is sensed in blood flow tubing by placing an aqueous, preferably isotonic, substantially cell-free solution into branch connection tubing that connects in branching relation with the blood flow tubing at one end. The branch connection tubing also connects in use with a pressure transducer unit at its other end. An air volume is maintained, occupying a portion of the branch connection tubing which is adjacent to the other end. One flows positively or negatively pressurized blood through the blood flow tubing, with the result that the pressure of the blood is communicated through the aqueous solution and the air volume in the branch connection tubing to the pressure transducer unit, with the blood being spaced from the air volume. Preferably, substantially all of the branch connection tubing containing the aqueous solution and air volume has an inner diameter of substantially no more than 5 mm.

Abstract: A cannula and method for providing an external connection with an implanted artificial port for communicating with a body lumen of a patient. The artificial port has an entrance conduit with an inwardly tapering section. The tapered cannula is sized and proportioned to substantially match and seal with the inwardly tapering section of the entrance conduit. Thus the cannula can form a readily removable seal with the inwardly tapering section. A typical angle of taper is one to three degrees.

Abstract: Access pressure for the vascular system is measured through a first tube, which is connected to the vascular system of a patient. The method comprises the following steps: connecting one end of pressure tubing to an outer end of the first tube with a member blocking the flow of blood through at least part of the pressure tubing, while permitting the passage of air therethrough, to attenuate pressure pulses through the tubing. One connects the other end of the tubing to a pressure gauge. Thus, pressure sensed from the vascular system is read by the gauge. Preferably, the internal volume of the pressure tubing is less than the internal volume of the first tube. Thus, pressurized blood entering the first tube as the pressure is read does not advance completely through the first tube.

Abstract: Pressure is sensed in blood flow tubing by placing an aqueous, preferably isotonic, substantially cell-free solution into branch connection tubing (branch tube) that connects in branching relation with the blood flow tubing at one end. The branch connection tubing may also connect in use with a pressure transducer unit at its other end, or pressure may be mechanically indicated. An air volume is maintained, occupying a portion of the branch connection tubing which is adjacent to the other end. One flows positively or negatively pressurized blood through the blood flow tubing, with the result that the pressure of the blood is communicated through the aqueous solution and the air volume in the branch connection tubing to the pressure transducer unit, with the blood being spaced from the air volume. Preferably, substantially all of the branch connection tubing containing the aqueous solution and air volume has an inner diameter of substantially no more than 5 mm.

Abstract: A tubular set is provided for use with extracorporeal treatment of blood. The set comprises: a flow reversing valve having a patient arterial line and a patient venous line each separately connected to one side of the valve. A unit arterial line and a unit venous line are each separately connected to the other side of the valve. The patient arterial line connects with the unit arterial line in a first position of a valve, and the patient venous line connects with the unit venous line in the same first valve position. The patient arterial line connects with the patient venous line in a second position of a valve, while the patient venous line connects with the unit arterial line in the same second valve position. The flow reversing valve is movable between the first and second positions by relative rotation of part of the valve and adjacent portions of the respective lines.