Abstract: A device generates a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and combines it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The device may take the form of a disposable cartridge. The cartridge may include a fluid supply chamber for delivering physiologic fluid under pressure to an atomizer. The atomizer delivers fluid droplets into a gas-pressurized atomization chamber to enrich the physiologic fluid with the gas. The gas-enriched physiologic fluid is delivered to a mixing chamber in the cartridge where the gas-enriched physiologic fluid is mixed with a bodily fluid, such as blood, to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood analyte measurement system for the procurement of blood samples for measurement of blood properties such as analyte concentration or analyte presence. A blood access system can be coupled with a measurement system such as an electrochemical sensor, and can also be used with other measurement modalities. Embodiments of the present invention can facilitate accurate measurement of blood glucose by the clinician in a sterile manner. Embodiments of the present invention can also enable the calibration of the sensor at one or more calibration points. One desired analyte of measurement is glucose for the effective implementation of glycemic control protocols. Embodiments of the present invention can also be used for the measurement of other analytes such as arterial blood gases, lactate, hemoglobin, potassium and urea.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses that can provide measurement of analytes such as glucose with a variety of sensors in connection with hemodynamic monitoring. Some embodiments of the present invention enable the use of a single arterial access site for automated blood glucose measurement as well as hemodynamic monitoring. Some embodiments of the present invention can reduce or eliminate nuisance hemodynamic alarms. Some embodiments of the present invention can provide hemodynamic monitoring during an automated analyte measurement process. An example apparatus according to the present invention comprises a blood access system, adapted to remove blood from a body and infuse at least a portion of the blood back into the body. Such an apparatus also comprises an analyte sensor, mounted with or integrated into the blood access system such that the analyte sensor measures the analyte in the blood that has been removed from the body by the blood access system.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, one or more implants in a body may be connected with optical fibers for transmitting data and/or power to or from the implants. Aspects of the invention related to various embodiments of the actual implant as well as to various embodiments for connecting optical fibers to the implants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation are provided. The apparatus includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive a fluid, e.g., physiologic saline; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply; and an outlet coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which the gas diffuses to create a gas-supersaturated fluid, which is removed via the outlet. The removed gas-supersaturated fluid mixes with blood within a liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly to form oxygenated blood for delivery to a patient. Alternately, the blood may be provided by a pump to a high pressure hollow fiber or other type membrane oxygenator within which oxygen diffuses across the membrane(s) and into the blood to form oxygenated blood, again for delivery to a patient or other site.

Abstract: A bubble detector utilizes an ultrasonic transducer to sample bubbles as they pass the transducer. The envelope of the return signal is analyzed to determine the volume of each sampled bubble. If the total volume of bubbles sampled within a certain period of time exceeds a desired maximum volume, the bubble detector may initiate a system shut down. A bubble detector can be evaluated or calibrated by introducing bubbles into a conduit, detecting the bubbles introduced into the conduit using visual inspection or a bubble detector of known resolution and comparing the results with the examination of a bubble detector under evaluation.

Abstract: A system utilizes an oxygenation device to generate a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and to combine it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The oxygenation device may take the form of a disposable cartridge, which is placed within an enclosure. An electronic controller manages various aspects of the system, such as the production of gas-enriched fluids, flow rates, bubble detection, and automatic operation and shut down.

Abstract: A method for forming a gas-enriched fluid is provided. The method includes a step of providing a mixing chamber having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. A first fluid is delivered into the mixing chamber via the first inlet and flows vertically. A second fluid having a liquid phase supersaturated with a gas is delivered to the mixing chamber via the second inlet to mix with the first fluid and from the gas-enriched fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation are provided. The apparatus advantageously comprises a liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly. The liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly includes a pressurizable chamber having inlets for a first gas-supersaturated fluid and a second fluid, such as blood. The inlets are advantageously positioned on the mixing chamber in such a way that the first fluid and the second fluid enter the mixing chamber normally to each other to promote mixing and liquid-to-liquid gas transfer. The mixed fluid exits the chamber via an outlet for delivery to a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blood oxygenation are provided. The apparatus includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive a gas-supersaturating fluid, e.g., physiologic saline; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply; and an outlet coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which the gas diffuses to create the gas-supersaturated fluid, which is removed via the outlet. The removed gas-supersaturated fluid mixes with blood within a liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly to form oxygenated blood for delivery to a patient. Alternately, the blood may be provided by the pump to a high pressure hollow fiber or other type membrane oxygenator within which oxygen diffuses across the membranes(s) and into the blood to form oxygenated blood, again for delivery to a patient or other site.

Abstract: A bubble detector utilizes an ultrasonic transducer to sample bubbles as they pass the transducer. The envelope of the return signal is analyzed to determine the volume of each sampled bubble. If the total volume of bubbles sampled within a certain period of time exceeds a desired maximum volume, the bubble detector may initiate a system shut down. A bubble detector can be evaluated or calibrated by introducing bubbles into a conduit, detecting the bubbles introduced into the conduit using visual inspection or a bubble detector of known resolution and comparing the results with the examination of a bubble detector under evaluation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for sterilizing embolic compositions under conditions wherein the viscosity of the composition is minimally transformed after sterilization as compared to the composition prior to sterilization.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for blood oxygenation are provided. The apparatus includes a chamber having a first inlet to receive a fluid, e.g., physiologic saline; a second inlet to receive a gas, e.g., oxygen, from a gas supply; and an outlet coupled to a capillary assembly. An atomizer nozzle coupled to the first inlet creates within the chamber fine droplets of fluid into which the gas diffuses to create a gas-supersaturated fluid, which is removed via the outlet. The removed gas-supersaturated fluid mixes with blood within a liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly to form oxygenated blood for delivery to a patient. Alternately, the blood may be provided by a pump to a high pressure hollow fiber or other type membrane oxygenator within which oxygen diffuses across the membrane(s) and into the blood to form oxygenated blood, again for delivery to a patient or other site.

Abstract: A bubble detector utilizes an ultrasonic transducer to sample bubbles as they pass the transducer. The envelope of the return signal is analyzed to determine the volume of each sampled bubble. If the total volume of bubbles sampled within a certain period of time exceeds a desired maximum volume, the bubble detector may initiate a system shut down. A bubble detector can be evaluated or calibrated by introducing bubbles into a conduit, detecting the bubbles introduced into the conduit using visual inspection or a bubble detector of known resolution and comparing the results with the examination of a bubble detector under evaluation.

Abstract: An apparatus for blood oxygenation and delivery is provided. The apparatus advantageously comprises a liquid-to-liquid oxygenation assembly with a pressurizable chamber having inlets for a first gas-supersaturated fluid and a second fluid, such as blood. The inlets are advantageously positioned on the mixing chamber in such a way that the first fluid and the second fluid enter the mixing chamber normally to each other to promote mixing and liquid-to-liquid gas transfer. The apparatus also includes a delivery system coupled to the blood oxygenation assembly. The delivery system includes a generally tubular elongated member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a transition portion located between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The transitional portion is relatively flexible compared to the proximal end portion and is relatively stiff compared to the distal end portion.

Abstract: A bubble detector utilizes an ultrasonic transducer to sample bubbles as they pass the transducer. The envelope of the return signal is analyzed to determine the volume of each sampled bubble. If the total volume of bubbles sampled within a certain period of time exceeds a desired maximum volume, the bubble detector may initiate a system shut down. A bubble detector can be evaluated or calibrated by introducing bubbles into a conduit, detecting the bubbles introduced into the conduit using visual inspection or a bubble detector of known resolution and comparing the results with the examination of a bubble detector under evaluation.

Abstract: A system utilizes an oxygenation device to generate a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and to combine it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The oxygenation device may take the form of a disposable cartridge, which is placed within an enclosure. An electronic controller manages various aspects of the system, such as the production of gas-enriched fluids, flow rates, bubble detection, and automatic operation and shut down.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, one or more implants in a body may be connected with optical fibers for transmitting data and/or power to or from the implants. Aspects of the invention related to various embodiments of the actual implant as well as to various embodiments for connecting optical fibers to the implants.

Abstract: A device generates a gas-enriched physiologic fluid and combines it with a bodily fluid to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid. The device may take the form of a disposable cartridge. The cartridge may include a fluid supply chamber for delivering physiologic fluid under pressure to an atomizer. The atomizer delivers fluid droplets into a gas-pressurized atomization chamber to enrich the physiologic fluid with the gas. The gas-enriched physiologic fluid is delivered to a mixing chamber in the cartridge where the gas-enriched physiologic fluid is mixed with a bodily fluid, such as blood, to create a gas-enriched bodily fluid.