Abstract: A preparation for blood dialysis comprising two composition, i.e. a first powdery composition comprising (a) solid electrolytes for dialysis and a liquid acid, (b) solid electrolytes for dialysis, glucose and a liquid acid, or (c) solid inorganic salts for dialysis, glucose, sodium acetate and acetic acid, and a second composition comprising (a) sodium hydrogen carbonate and glucose, (b) sodium carbonate, or (c) sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium acetate.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting water includes the steps of passing a flow of fluid containing water and/or water soluble substances and microbes therein in contact with a nonporous water and water soluble substance permeating membrane and imbibing water and/or water soluble substances through the membrane while preventing passage of microbes and water insoluble hydrocarbons and hologenated hydrocarbons through the membrane.

Abstract: A method for determining the clearance competency of dialyzers utilized in renal hemodialysis comprises measuring the conductivity of a dialysate solution of low initial conductivity while circulating a priming solution of greater conductivity on the blood side of the dialyzer, correlating the rate of dialysis of molecules contained in the printing solution to known clearance rates for urea or other targeted blood impurity for the types and compositions of the particular dialysis membranes being utilized, and calculating the precise length of treatment time or other treatment parameters required to cleanse the blood to be dialyzed of impurities and biotoxins to a predicted target value. Failsafe control means which prevents mistakes in connecting unsafe fluid sources to the dialyzer is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the in-vivo determination of hemodialysis parameters. To carry out hemodialysis with the greatest efficiency and safety, it is inter alia necessary to know the clearance of the dialyzer. To be able to determine the same in vivo, the invention provides a method in which the electrolyte transfer of the dialysis fluid is measured by means of a measuring device at two different predetermined dialysis fluid ion concentrations and the dialysance is determined on the basis thereof, which dialysance is numerically equal to the clearance.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis solution buffered with L-histidine to a pH of at least 6.5. An apparatus and method for utilizing the solution is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for predicting the respective concentrations and distributions of diffusible materials in solutions on opposing sides of a semi permeable membrane are provided. Unique compositions for hemodialysis using the mathematical relationships involved are provided. Also processes are provided for controlling the rate of change in concentration of a diffusible material in and fluid into another fluid on an opposing side of semi-permeable membrane are provided. Apparatus for practicing such processes are described.

Abstract: A sodium bicarbonate dialysate comprising an electrolyte granule A composed mainly of sodium chloride and containing no sodium bicarbonate and an electrolyte granule B containing sodium bicarbonate, wherein the granule B is granules of sodium bicarbonate primary particles having a particle size of at most 250 .mu.m, and the particle size of the secondary particles after granulation is from 0.1 to 10 mm.

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 control panel for regulating plural parameters is provided with plural displays, each associated with one parameter. A single manually moveable knob is provided for entering a manually variable signal. Individual actuators such as push buttons are disposed adjacent each of the display means. The control panel is arranged to interpret the variable signal provided by the maneuvering element or knob as a new value for a control constant associated with a particular parameter depending upon which push button is actuated. The operator may select a particular parameter for resetting by pressing the button adjacent the display for that particular parameter. The panel simplifies setting of plural parameters in complex control systems such as the control system for a hemodialysis apparatus. The control system may incorporate plural microprocessors.

Abstract: The device for controlling the amount of removed water by ultrafiltration can eliminate the scaling error completely by the use of the diaphragms in the scaling mechanism, and thus, the water elimination precision can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solution for dialyses based on bicarbonate ions and containing a peptide based on glycine, as well as to the use of this peptide for the preparation of such a solution.

Abstract: Method and device for the selective extraction of compounds, particularly biochemical compounds having a high added value, from a complex solution. The method makes use of a monoenzyme reactive membrane system (3, 4, 5, 6) in a liquid medium, at the interfaces of which an electrochemical potential gradient of one of the reagents creates asymmetrical conditions which force the reversible reaction catalyzed by the reactive membrane system to operate in opposite directions on either side of said system, the passage of the compound to be extracted from one side to the other being favored by the presence on both faces of said system of barriers (5) which confine a compound other than the compound to be extracted. Device for implementing such method. Application to the extraction of compounds which are interesting from a biochemical point of view by concentration and accumulation on one side of the membrane system.

Abstract: The introduction of Defibrotide, as a bolus or by infusion, upstream of the dialysis membrane of the extra body circuit of apparatus for the extra-body dialysis prevents coaguli from being formed in the blood stream.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for plasma separation which is designed so that during the process of separating blood into plasma and corpuscular components by means of plasma separation membranes, if the rate of plasma permeation through the membranes is decreased so that the trans-membrane pressure differential exceeds a predetermined value, the number of revolutions of a plasma pump is adjusted downward to permit restoration of a trans-membrane pressure differential lower than the predetermined value. The rate of plasma discharge is gradually decreased according to the varying permeability of the membranes to plasma, whereby a most effective performance of the membranes can be assured. The apparatus and method can be employed in practicing various blood treatment methods wherein blood is separated into plasma and corpuscular fractions to remove the plasma containing pathogenic factors or to remove the pathogenic factors from the plasma.

Abstract: This invention provides method and membrane for hemodialysis which has a total protein permeability of not more than 0.2%, and has a reduction rate of .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin of not less than 5%. The hemodialysis membrane of the present invention selectively removes .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin which was shown to cause some long-term complications such as carpal tunnel syndrome in the patients undergoing hemodialysis, while preventing the leakage of useful proteins.

Abstract: A method for determining the blood sodium level of a patient whose blood circulates through one compartment of an exchanger separated from a dialysis fluid by a semipermeable membrane, wherein the conductivity of the dialysis fluid of equilibrium with the plasma is determined by: changing in a selected manner the conductivity of the dialysis fluid at inflow the exchanger, measuring the conductivity of the dialysis fluid at outflow from the exchanger, determining a lag time t.sub.L of the change in conductivity of dialysis fluid between inflow to and outflow from the exchanger, and determining an equilibrium conductivity value of the dialysis fluid for which the conductivity at outflow from the exchanger at an instant t is equal to the conductivity at inflow at an instant t-t.sub.L. The invention also relates to an artificial kidney incorporating means for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A membrane pouch, for rehydrating sterile intravenous and other solutions for non-sterilized fresh water, has a double bag construction. An inner bag made of semipermeable membrane material holds the sterile solutes to be rehydrated. The membrane material is permeable by water but impermeable to contaminants and a large molecular weight solute contained in the bag. An outer waterproof bag encloses the membrane bag and serves as a container for fresh water. Each bag has a sealable valve for providing access to the interior thereof. A high molecular weight dye located in the outer bag provides a visible indication of the existence of any discontinuity in the membrane bag. A low molecular weight, water soluble, non-toxic substance having a high osmotic pressure can be placed inside the membrane bag to accelerate the osmotic transfer of sterile water from the outer bag into the inner membrane bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for hemodialysis comprising a mixing means which prepares dialysis solution for a dialyzer by mixing concentrate with prepared water. The apparatus comprises a protective system which is independent of the mixing system and which is based on monitoring the conductivity of the dialysis solution. For protection against confusion of the concentrate containers to be connected, in the concentrate intake conduits conductivity measuring cells are additionally provided and the output signals thereof are compared with the desired values of the conductivity of the concentrates of the concentrate containers to be connected. In advantageous manner said conductivity cells are integrated into the concentrate intake conduits in such a way that they serve simultaneously as level sensors for the concentrate in the containers.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis composition containing an osmotic agent comprising a glucose polymer mixture, said mixture including at least 15% by weight of glucose polymers having a D.P. (degree of polymerization) greater than 12. A method is provided for preparing the glucose polymers and a defined sterile aqueous solution of the same for use in peritoneal dialysis by introduction into the abdominal cavity. Also disclosed are methods of treating toxaemia caused by toxins arising from internal disorders of the body, such as hepatic encephalopathy, or which arise from external sources such as poisoning by overdoses of drugs or industrial and agricultural chemicals, e.g., paraquat.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing dialysate solution directly from a dry chemical mix for continuous supply to a dialysis machine is disclosed. The preferred embodiment includes a drum for containing the dry chemical mix, a conveyor belt, a mixing vessel and monitoring equipment. The drum includes internal baffles that cause the dry chemical to be deposited onto the end of the conveyor belt as the drum rotates. The conveyor belt passes the chemical through a profile-determining gate and into the top of a funnel-shaped mixing vessel. The rate at which the conveyor belt delivers the chemical to the mixing vessel is governed by an electronic circuit that measures the conductivity of the dissolved solution and adjusts the belt speed as necessary to maintain the conductivity at a set value. The dissolved solution flows out the side of the mixing vessel and into a flow controller which regulates the rate at which dialysate can be withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of reducing a bacterial endotoxin contaminant in a biologically useful macromolecule. AN aqueous medium containing an endotoxin-contaminated macromolecule is admixed with a dialyzable surfactant, and the admixture so formed is contacted with an endotoxin sorbant to form a solid-liquid phase admixture. The contacting is maintained until the endotoxin is bound to the sorbant. The surfactant is dialyzed out of the aqueous liquid phase at a time no earlier than the maintenance step. The liquid phase containing the macromolecule is separated and recovered.

Abstract: In order to produce a milk concentrate by membrane filtration of the milk produced at a milking plant the milk is during the milking continuously led to the concentrate space (2) of a member filter unit (1) possibly after heating to a temperature of 50.degree.-70.degree. C. The degree of concentration of the outgoing concentrate from the concentrate space is determined in that two positive pumps (13, 16) are arranged to work at a constant internal relation in capacity each arranged to control a flow chosen among arriving milk flow to the concentrate space (2), outgoing concentrate flow from the concentrate space (2) and outgoing permeate flow from the permeate space (3) of the membrane filter unit (1).

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis solution which comprises a water solution of physiological pH, and having physiological salts and metabolizable carbohydrate polymers in concentrations sufficient to safely effect the removal of solutes and water from a patient by peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: This invention is directed to dry, free-flowing, stable readily soluble, non-caking, particulate solid products which are readily soluble in water and which are useful for preparing solutions for use in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis and to the preparation of these granular products.

Abstract: Composition for use in a twophase or a multiphase system for extraction, purification, concentration and/or separation of biological substances. The composition is characterized in that it contains hydroxyalkyl starch with a degree of substitution in respect of hydroxyalkyl groups of more than 0.02 per glucose unit on an average and with an average molecular weight lower than 800000, preferably at most 400000 and most preferably at most 250000.

Abstract: A system and process for preparation of dialysis solution from dry chemicals and water on a large scale batch basis. The required amount of water is metered into a dialysis solution tank. Water from the tank is pumped into a spray head which is positioned above a shipping drum containing predetermined amounts of chemicals. Water rains down on the chemicals dissolving and/or entraining the same and the resulting slurry is returned to the dialysate tank as a slurry by means of a pickup wand and suction source. The liquid and chemicals in the dialysis solution tank are continually cycled until all the chemicals in the drum have been removed. Typically, an additional drum containing other kinds of chemicals is then added to the dialysis solution tank in the same manner. Circulation of the solution is continued within the tank until a fully uniform solution results.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a hemodialysis technique employing a dialyzer having a blood flow compartment separated from a dialysate flow compartment by a semi-permeable membrane. According to the invention, this technique is improved by providing for the osmolarity of the dialysate to be increased as a function of time during at least a portion of the total treatment time, whereby dialysis disequilibrium syndrome problems can be alleviated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing a mixed fluid of accurately portioned components for hemodialysis comprises the use of a closed receptacle of fixed volume. Two or more components for the fluid are introduced into a chamber in the closed receptacle to fill it and the resultant fluid of the portioned and mixed components is delivered from the chamber. One or more of the components is introduced into the chamber in predetermined amounts, the sum of which is insufficient to fill the whole volume of the chamber, before or during which the other component is introduced into the chamber and the other component is introduced into the chamber in an amount sufficient to fill the remaining volume of the chamber. The method and apparatus are suitable for preparing dialysate solutions for the use in hemodialysis.

Abstract: Techniques for predicting the respective concentrations and distributions of diffusible materials in solutions on opposing sides of a semi permeable membrane are provided. Unique compositions for hemodialysis using the mathematical relationships involved are provided. Also processes are provided for controlling the rate of change in concentration of a diffusible material in and fluid into another fluid on an opposing side of semi-permeable membrane are provided. Apparatus for practicing such processes are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the hemodialysis of the blood of kidney failure patients. The concentration of the dialysis solution is initially selected so that the solution osmolality approximates the osmolality of the patient's blood. The dialysis solution concentration is then reduced linearly as a function of time as the dialysis is carried out. The conductivity of the dialysis solution is measured and compared with high and low limit references. If the conductivity is outside the limits, an alarm is given and the concentration of the dialysis solution is held constant. A timer controls a proportional pumping means to reduce the concentration of the dialysis solution and concurrently reduces the conductivity reference limits for the alarm.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition suitable for extracorporeal treatment of whole blood comprises a dialyzable chemotherapeutic agent and a dialyzable fluorescable tracer means. The removal rate of the fluorescable tracer compound from treated blood during hemodialysis is a function of the removal rate of unreacted chemotherapeutic agent present. The residual chemotherapeutic agent concentration after hemodialysis is ascertained by measuring the concentration of the fluorescable tracer compound in a dialysate using fluorometric techniques.

Abstract: Compositions comprising: (1) an acid-containing highly concentrated calcium salt solution which optionally can also contain magnesium ions and minor amounts of other physiologically acceptable metal ions; and (2) a particulate admixture comprising sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and, optionally, potassium chloride, dextrose and other physiologically acceptable materials which, in aqueous solution, are unreactive to sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing biological fluids by adding or removing preservatives or simply removing water comprises providing a bag of semi-permeable membrane which contains the biological fluid and bathing the bag with dialysate having controlled osmolality. The preservative or water can thus be removed or added to the bag directly through the semi-permeable membrane by controlling the osmolality of the dialysate without exposing the biological fluid to contaminants. In the case of whole or components of blood, the blood or blood components can be collected in the bag, processed for preservation, and prepared for use then administered, all in the same bag.

Abstract: A proportioning system for compounding a bicarbonate-containing dialysate suitable for hemodialysis of human blood is disclosed. An aqueous alkali metal carbonate solution and an aqueous hydrochloric acid-containing solution are combined at a predetermined volumetric rate, and the conductivity as well as the hydrogen ion activity of the resulting bicarbonate-containing dialysate is monitored.

Abstract: A system for supplying fluid for a fluid flow transfer device and achieving target ultrafiltration fluid losses by automatically, periodically monitoring the ultrafiltration rate and transmembrane pressure, computing the transmembrane pressure necessary to achieve the target fluid loss by the end of a session, and adjusting the transmembrane pressure to the computed value.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated single pass dialysate supply apparatus and a method for conducting hemodialysis treatments when the apparatus is used. The apparatus is of the closed circuit type and provides a pair of cylinders, each equipped with a hydraulically driven diaphragm, which supply fresh dialysate to and remove spent dialysate from an artificial kidney on an alternating time basis; the improvement resides in the means which sense the difference in time of arrival of the end of stroke of each diaphragm and automatically counteract these differences to either maintain or restore synchronization of the instant of end of stroke of each diaphragm in each half cycle of operation.The hemodialysis treatment method permits operator presetting of the desired ultrafiltrate removal rate and insures maintenance of that preset rate throughout the hemodialysis treatment period.

Abstract: Dialysis fluid is produced and transported to a blood dialysis chamber automatically and continuously. A dialysis fluid concentrate and water are mixed and controllably pumped to a buffer storage container from which the mixture is drawn off through the dialysis chamber by a second controllable pump. The second pump is controlled as a function of the quantity of mixture in the buffer container.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition suitable for extracorporeal treatment of whole blood comprises a dialyzable chemotherapeutic agent and a dialyzable fluorescable tracer means. The removal rate of the fluorescable tracer compound from treated blood during hemodialysis is a function of the removal rate of unreacted chemotherapeutic agent present. The residual chemotherapeutic agent concentration after hemodialysis is ascertained by measuring the concentration of the fluorescable tracer compound in a dialysate using fluorometric techniques.

Abstract: A process is described for the fractionation of solutions of protein mixtures which includes the steps of subjecting such solutions to "salting-out", separation of the resulting turbidity, subsequent removal of the "salting-out" agent from the supernatant by dialysis and finally making up the original salt level of the liquid if required. Such a process may be used in therapeutic plasma exchange where removal of immunoglobulins or their complexes therefrom is desired so that the remaining albumin void of immunoglobulins can be administered back to the patient.

Abstract: This invention is a method for separating blood from other fluids added to the blood in connection with operative procedures. It is particularly exemplified by bypassing a portion of the blood during surgery through an artificial kidney apparatus or the like in conjunction with the oxygenation, simultaneously, of all blood, including that bypassed through the artificial kidney, wherein the excess fluids other than blood are removed for all practical purposes by completion of the operative procedure.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided concerning stable supersaturated aqueous solutions of sparingly soluble inorganic salts. The method involves exceeding the solubility level of a sparingly soluable inorganic salt in water at ambient temperatures in the presence of polyanionic polyelectrolyte having a molecular weight of at least about 900 daltons and an ionic equivalent weight of not greater than about 65 and at least five ionizable groups per molecule. The solubility level may be exceeded by cooling a saturated solution of the sparingly soluble salt, preparing the sparingly soluble salt in situ, or adding a soluble salt having a common ion with the sparingly soluble salt to a concentrated or saturated solution of the sparingly soluble salt.