Abstract: Methods and systems for performing ablation are disclosed. An example system for performing ablation on a tissue includes a catheter having at least one lumen in which a first optical fiber configured to carry a first light beam is disposed and a second optical fiber configured to carry a second light beam is disposed, and a processor being configured to measure a volume of blood within the target site of the tissue using a blood perfusion sensor, determine that the volume of blood within the target site is below a predetermined threshold based on one or more characteristics detected by the blood perfusion sensor, each characteristic being associated with at least one of the first light beam and the second light beam, and perform the ablation on the target site of the tissue when the volume of blood within the target site is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system for detecting/quantifying the conductance of a right-to-left cardiac shunt includes a mouthpiece assembly, a solenoid-driven vacuum/pressurization assembly; a controller for operating the solenoid-driven vacuum/pressurization assembly; and a monitor for displaying the instructions from the controller. A microbubble counting cell and digital image sensor are combined with software-based image analysis to determine a number of microbubbles contained in a microbubble counting zone. A monitor enables operator specification of total volume of contrast agent to be injected into the patient. One or more first Doppler ultrasound transducer arrays are positioned adjacent to targeted intracranial arteries at one side of the skull or a pair of first Doppler ultrasound transducer arrays positioned adjacent to targeted intracranial arteries at both sides of the skull.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing body information is provided. The apparatus includes: a light-emitting device configured to emit a light signal toward an object that is to be sensed; a light-receiving device configured to detect a reflected light signal reflected from the object; an image sensor configured to detect the reflected light signal reflected from the object; and a controller configured to selectively drive at least one of the light-receiving device and the image sensor according to a distance between the object and the light-emitting device and to sense volume information or blood flow information of the object by using the reflected light signal.

Abstract: A method of non-invasively monitoring hemoglobin concentration includes providing incident light to patient tissue at a first excitation wavelength. The method further includes monitoring a first emission response at a first emission wavelength, wherein the first emission wavelength is selected to correspond with a maximum of the emission response, and monitoring a second emission response at a second emission wavelength, wherein the second emission wavelength is selected to correspond with a minimum of the emission response. A hemoglobin concentration is calculated based on a ratio of the first emission response to the second emission response.

Abstract: An optical analyte sensor and diabetes management system is provided. The sensor preferably includes a hydrogel matrix for receiving a sample containing an analyte at unknown concentration, a light emitter for emitting light at a stimulation frequency, a light receiver for receiving a fluorescence signal at a first isosbestic frequency, and at a second frequency, for measuring an intensity of the fluorescence signal and the first and second frequencies. A processor determines a concentration of the analyte based on the respective intensities.

Abstract: As a result of acquiring visible absorption spectra of red blood cells and analyses of the spectra, inventors of the present disclosure have discovered the fact that echinocytes show a characteristic spectrum pattern having an absorption peak in a wavelength region of 450 to 490 nm between Soret and Q bands. Then, the present disclosure provides a blood analysis apparatus having an analysis section for detecting the absorption peak of a visible absorption spectrum acquired for blood. In accordance with this blood analysis apparatus, on the basis of the absorption peak, it is possible to detect echinocytes contained in blood.

Abstract: Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.

Abstract: A beam combining device for combining light from a first light source and light from a second light source of a light-source device for a medical apparatus includes a body made of a transparent material, a face which reflects in at least either a dichroic or polarization-dependent manner and is situated in or on the body, which face is transparent to light having a first spectrum or a first polarization and reflects light having a second spectrum or a second polarization, and a light-entrance face on the body, which light-entrance face is provided and arranged so that light enters the beam combining device through the light-entrance face. At least either the light-entrance face or the face reflecting in a dichroic or polarization-dependent manner is curved.

Abstract: A continuous glucose monitoring system may include a hand-held monitor, a transmitter, an insulin pump, and an orthogonally redundant glucose sensor, which may comprise an optical glucose sensor and a non-optical glucose sensor. The former may be a fiber optical sensor, including a competitive glucose binding affinity assay with a glucose analog and a fluorophore-labeled glucose receptor, which is interrogated by an optical interrogating system, e.g., a stacked planar integrated optical system. The non-optical sensor may be an electrochemical sensor having a plurality of electrodes distributed along the length thereof. Proximal portions of the optical and electrochemical sensors may be housed inside the transmitter and operationally coupled with instrumentation for, e.g., receiving signals from the sensors, converting to respective glucose values, and communicating the glucose values.

Abstract: A sensor is described for sensing a substance such as for example glucose. The sensor is implantable in the body of a living creature. The sensor comprises a photonic integrated circuit, e.g. silicon-photonics, based radiation processor for spectrally processing radiation interacting with the sample. A continuous monitoring system also is described using such a sensor.

Abstract: A reflectance optical perfusion sensor may include at least one light source and a plurality of detector elements arranged in a planar or nonplanar configuration, such as a three-dimensional array. The detector elements may sense light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected by a blood mass of a patient, such as blood within a blood vessel. In some examples, the detector elements may be arranged such that photodetection surfaces of at least two of the detector elements are nonparallel. In addition to or instead of the nonplanar arrangement of detector elements, an optical perfusion sensor may include a detector array including a plurality of detector elements at least partially surrounding a light source. Varying the location and orientations of detector elements may help increase a quantity of light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected toward the optical perfusion sensor by blood.

Abstract: An implantable product such as an article, device, or system can include analyte and non-analyte containers in parts that can be operated as optical cavities. The product can also include fluidic components such as filter assemblies that control transfer of objects that affect or shift spectrum features or characteristics such as by shifting transmission mode peaks or reflection mode valleys, shifting phase, reducing maxima or contrast, or increasing intermediate intensity width such as full width half maximum (FWHM). Analyte, e.g. glucose molecules, can be predominantly included in a set of objects that transfer more rapidly into the analyte container than other objects, and can have a negligible or zero rate of transfer into the non-analyte container; objects that transfer more rapidly into the non-analyte container can include objects smaller than the analyte or molecules of a set of selected types, including, e.g., sodium chloride.

Abstract: In one aspect, a display device comprising: a lower substrate, a light-emitting element formed on the lower substrate and comprising a plurality of pixels, an upper substrate disposed on the light-emitting element with a gap therebetween sealed with a sealant, a filler filling the gap between the light-emitting element and the upper substrate, and a light-absorbing material formed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and selectively absorbing light of a certain wavelength range is provided.

Abstract: A syringe-based whispering gallery mode sensor includes a syringe including an assembly provided its needle, the assembly including (1) an optical carrier having a reflective distal end, and (2) at least one resonator coupled with the optical carrier. This sensor may be provided in a system including a light source, a light detector, and a data analysis component. A method for determining the presence or concentration of a target substance in body fluid may be performed using such a system.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for determining whether a subject containing a stent immobilized in a blood vessel has asymptomatic stent thrombosis or is at risk of developing clinically symptomatic stent thrombosis. In one approach, the method involves imaging a region of the blood vessel that contains the stent using a probe that contains a fluorochrome, for example, a near-infrared fluorochrome, and a targeting moiety that binds a molecular marker indicative of the presence of asymptomatic stent thrombosis or the development of symptomatic stent thrombosis. To the extent that the subject displays one or more such markers, the probe binds to the markers and increases the local concentration of the probe in the vicinity of the stent. The imaging method identifies those patients that display a higher density of such markers in the vicinity of the stent. As a result, those patients can be monitored for, and/or treated to prevent, symptomatic stent thrombosis.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a flexible, elongated base body adapted to be applied to a vein central-venously and having a base distal end; a fiber-optic probe having a probe distal part; a fiber-optic lumen receiving the fiber-optic probe; and an attachment element configured to avoid a longitudinal displacement of the fiber-optic probe relative to the fiber-optic lumen and configured to detach so as to allow removal of the fiber-optic probe through the longitudinal displacement of the fiber-optic probe relative to the fiber-optic lumen. The attachment element has a connector piece firmly connected to the fiber-optic probe and a counter-piece firmly connected to the base body, wherein the connector piece is connectable to the counter-piece, the connector piece having a shaft piece adjustable lengthwise and disposed on the connector piece so as to vary a length of the connector piece.

Abstract: A process is described for testing a biomedical property of an internal tissue of a patient. Optical energy emitted by an external source is transferred through a nail of the patient to an instrument device implanted beneath the nail. A portion of the transferred optical energy is converted to electrical power for driving components of the implanted instrument. Using the electrical power, a characteristic of the internal tissue associated with the measurement of the biomedical property is sensed and an optical signal based on the sensed characteristic is transmitted through the nail to an external data reader.

Abstract: A method for using a medical device comprising an optical sensor to measure calibrated oxygen saturation in a body tissue uses a standard spectral response of blood established for multiple of oxygen saturations and a standard spectral response of a reference material. The standard responses are established using a spectrometer. The spectral power output of the optical sensor is measured using a spectrometer. The optical sensor output signal response to the reference material is obtained. A processor computes a device-specific calibration curve for the medical device using the measured spectral power output and the standard spectral response of blood and computes an optical gain using the standard spectral response of the reference material and the measured spectral power output of the optical sensor. The device-specific calibration curve and optical gain of the optical sensor are stored in a memory of the medical device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for probing an occluded body lumen, including a flexible conduit insertable into the body lumen, at least one delivery waveguide and at least one collection waveguide integrated with the flexible conduit and arranged to deliver and collect radiation about a distal end of said flexible conduit, at least one radiation source connected to a transmission input of the at least one delivery waveguide, at least one optical detector connected to a transmission output of at least one collection waveguide, a spectrometer connected with the at least one optical detector, and constructed and arranged to scan radiation and perform spectroscopy, and a controller programmed to process data from said spectrometer and provide information for directing said flexible conduit through obstacles within the occluded body lumen.

Abstract: In an implantable medical device for monitoring glucose concentration in the blood, a blood-glucose concentration analysis is performed using correlations of blood-glucose concentration with measures of metabolic oxygen consumption including oxymetric, and/or temperature. Analysis of electrocardiographic data is used in a parallel method to detect and/or confirm the onset and/or existence and/or extent of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. Blood-glucose concentration calculation is enhanced by using the combination of the oxygen metabolism analysis and electrocardiographic analysis.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for distinguishing between possible adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps using what :is referred to as “Early Increase in microvascular Blood Supply” (EIBS) that exists in tissues that are close to, but are not themselves, the abnormal tissue.

Abstract: Appropriate measurement and analysis parameters are set according to cerebral function to be measured. To measure gustatory function, a time period of absence of cerebral activity to be measured is set so as not to contain a period of 60 seconds after start of stimulation, an activity period for analysis for an oxyhemoglobin concentration change signal is set so as to contain a period between an instant after a lapse of 16 seconds, and an instant after a lapse of 25 seconds, after the start of the stimulation, and an activity period for analysis for a deoxyhemoglobin concentration change signal is set so as to contain a period between an instant after a lapse of 28 seconds and an instant after a lapse of 37 seconds after the start of the stimulation. Moreover, a time interval between stimulations is set to 80 seconds or more.

Abstract: In a fiber-optic probe for intravascular measurements, e.g. oxygen saturation measurements, the fiber-optical core has only two fibers. A single fiber core is also possible. A reinforcement fiber improves stiffness, kink resistance and overall strength of the probe. The reinforcement fiber is arranged essentially parallel to the core fibers. The reinforcement fiber may also be wound around the core in a helical manner thus improving the mechanical properties to an even higher degree. The outside of the sheath is coated with an antithrombogenic coating for reducing the danger of clots forming at the surface. The reinforcement fiber may be made of carbon, metal, ceramics or aramide.

Abstract: An implantable diagnostic device in accordance with the present disclosure includes a probe assembly that can be implemented in a variety of ways. A few example implementations include: a needle inside which is located a bio-sensor chip (the needle being insertable into a human being); a compact package containing the bio-sensor chip (the compact package configured for placement inside a catheter); or a silicon-based bio-sensor package configured for insertion into a vein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an interconnect for an implantable medical device. The interconnect includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer introduced over the first conductive layer, and a third conductive layer introduced over the second conductive layer. One of the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the third conductive layer comprises titanium-niobium (Ti—Nb).

Abstract: A fiber optic probe having one or more photodetectors bound thereto is provided. By directly integrating thin, flexible photodetectors with an optical fiber, the probes provide a compact structure that increases throughput and decreases cost, making it practical for a clinical use. In some embodiments, the fiber optic probes are small enough for insertion into the shaft of a needle, such as a biopsy needle.

Abstract: Provided is reagents and methods for non-invasive in vivo imaging wherein the reagents comprise targeted carrier molecules conjugated to a NIB reporter molecule. In one aspect the targeted carrier molecule is an antibody, or fragment thereof that has specificity for an antigen in a living body, animal or human. In one embodiment the antibodes are anti-cancer/tumor marker antibodies, organ specific antibodies, tissue specific antibodies, cell type specific antibodies, cell surface specific antibodies, anti-viral antibodies, anti-bacterial antibodies and anti-pathogenic antibodies. The NIP reporter molecules are any fluorescent reporter molecule compatible with in vivo imaging and generally having an excitation wavelength of at least 580 nm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for probing an occluded body lumen, including a flexible conduit insertable into the body lumen, at least one delivery waveguide and at least one collection waveguide integrated with the flexible conduit and arranged to deliver and collect radiation about a distal end of said flexible conduit, at least one radiation source connected to a transmission input of the at least one delivery waveguide, at least one optical detector connected to a transmission output of at least one collection waveguide, a spectrometer connected with the at least one optical detector, and constructed and arranged to scan radiation and perform spectroscopy, and a controller programmed to process data from said spectrometer and provide information for directing said flexible conduit through obstacles within the occluded body lumen.

Abstract: A miniaturized spectrometer is adapted for placement within a body near tissue to be characterized. The spectrometer includes a light source and a plurality of light detectors. The light source generates light to illuminate the tissue. The detectors detect optical signals from the illuminated tissue and convert these optical signals to electrical signals. The miniaturized spectrometer can be disposed at the distal end of an interventional device. Optical conduits, such as fiber optic cables or strands, extending the length of the interventional device are not required when the miniature spectrometer is employed.

Abstract: A non-invasive probe for measuring body components, and a non-invasive body component measurement system including the non-invasive probe is provided. The non-invasive probe includes an input light transferring unit for transferring an input light emitted from a light source; a light splitting unit for splitting the input light into a plurality of living body incident lights; a light condensing unit for condensing the plurality of living body incident lights, so that the plurality of living body incident lights can be irradiated onto a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point corresponding to one of the plurality of living body incident lights; and an output light transferring unit for transferring a plurality of output lights, which each correspond to the one of the plurality of measuring points and, which are obtained by irradiating the plurality of living body incident lights, to a spectrometer that classifies the output lights by wavelength.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions and kits pertaining to detecting and/or measuring biological analytes. In certain embodiments the disclosure relates to detection and measurement of lactate, pyruvate, oxygen and/or hydrogen peroxide. In some aspects and embodiments provided are biosensors that may be or include nanoparticles, microparticles and/or nano-in-micro matrices. The methods and compositions disclosed may have uses in purpose of diagnosis and treatment of diseases, fitness and health monitoring in sports, in space medicine, in food applications and the food industry, in pharmaceutical applications and the pharmaceutical industry, for fermentation monitoring, and in polymer manufacturing applications. In some embodiments and aspects, the disclosure relates to minimally invasive biosensors and/or biosensors that may be used for continuous monitoring.

Abstract: Sensors located on a sensor carrier are placed adjacent one or more of a surgical patient's major thoracic blood-containing structures such as the aorta or pulmonary artery, and characteristics of blood in the blood-containing structures are determined noninvasively by measuring transmission or reflection of light or other types of energy by the blood. Emitters and receptors included in the sensors are connected electrically with suitable electronic signal generating and processing components in a package remote from the sensor carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for confirming the proper placement of a penetrating catheter into a venous region using principles of oximetry in which blood is subjected to light of a plurality of wavelengths and detected for absorption levels. The result is analyzed by a processor and the level oxygen saturation of the blood is indicated. The characteristic level of saturation informs the practitioner whether oxygenated arterial blood is present due to an inadvertent puncture. The catheter is introduced using an introduction needle and thereafter removed to allow blood to communicate with sensing elements that consist of a light-emitter and opposed photodetector. Light in the infrared and visible red wavelengths can be provided by separate LED units. Aspiration of blood through the catheter by an attached syringe allows the processor to compute the level of oxygen saturation or other blood constituent, based upon detected light absorption of passing blood.

Abstract: An intra-operative sensor device for detecting tissue or body parameters includes one or more light emitting sources and one or more photo-detectors. An optical isolator ring may be placed around either the one or more light emitting sources or around the one or more photo-detectors. The intra-operative sensor device may be a stand alone device or may be operatively coupled into a surgical instrument, such as a laparoscopic device.

Abstract: There is provided an inside observation apparatus of an endoscope and the like which can perform an inside observation for irradiating an illumination light to a minute area of a surface of an object (for example, a living tissue) having a light scattering property and detecting a back-scattered light of the illumination light, can increase a detected light amount by a simply and low cost configuration by making an area of a detection region larger than an illumination region, and can reduce a time necessary to detect an body (for example, a blood vessel) to be observed and detect a region deeper than a conventional region.

Abstract: An implantable device for monitoring physiological changes in an organism is disclosed. The device includes a matrix positioned proximate a biological material of the organism, an irradiation device associated with the matrix for exposing the biological material to radiation, and a sensor device associated with the matrix for detecting a response of the biological material to the irradiation. The response can be used to remotely detect a characteristic of the biological material.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe having one or more photodetectors bound thereto is provided. By directly integrating thin, flexible photodetectors with an optical fiber, the probes provide a compact structure that increases throughput and decreases cost, making it practical for a clinical use. In some embodiments, the fiber optic probes are small enough for insertion into the shaft of a needle, such as a biopsy needle.

Abstract: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte.

Abstract: A system includes multiple slave devices implanted in a human body, wherein each slave device includes a communication module operable to receive transmitted communications and is associated with a permanent device identifier. The system further includes a master device including a communications module operable to address a first communication to a selected slave device using the permanent device identifier associated with the selected slave device, wherein the first communication includes a local identifier assigned to the selected slave device, the assigned local identifier does not match any other local identifier assigned to any other slave device implanted in the human body, and subsequent communications are addressed to the selected slave device using the assigned local identifier.

Abstract: A measurement light detector detects light transmitted by a light source of an implantable system that is scattered back into an implantable housing, and produces a measurement signal indicative of the intensity of the light detected by the measurement light detector. A calibration light detector detects a portion of the transmitted light that has not exited the housing, and produces a calibration signal that is indicative of the intensity of the light detected by the calibration light detector, which is indicative of the intensity of the light transmitted by the light source. Changes in the intensity of the transmitted light are compensated for based on the calibration signal produced by the calibration light detector. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: An injection device for use with tissue of a mammalian body comprising a first tubular member and a second tubular member slidably disposed in the first tubular member. The first and second tubular members have respective proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity of the second tubular member is provided with a needle that is extendable from the distal extremity of the first tubular member. The proximal extremity of the second tubular member is lockable relative to the proximal extremity of the first tubular member. The second tubular member has a column strength when locked within the first tubular member for limiting retraction of the second tubular member relative to the first tubular member during puncture of the tissue by the needle.

Abstract: A method for the integrated facilitization of blood flow and monitoring of blood analyte concentration (for example, blood glucose concentration) includes implanting a stent configured to facilitate blood flow into a cardiovascular system of a user's body with the stent having attached thereto a continuous blood analyte determination module of a blood analyte monitoring system.

Abstract: In a medical lead having a sensor, an implantable device connectable to such a medical lead and a method for determining the concentration of a substance and/or molecule in blood or tissue of a patient, in particular for determining the concentration of substances and or molecules such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, molecules representative of a PH value, glucose, urea, ammonia, lactose, hormones and insulin, photoluminescent molecules embedded in a carrier, in which the substance and/or molecule to be analyzed diffuse, are excited to emit light by light emitted by a light source of the sensor. The determination of the concentration of the substance and/or molecule is based on the characteristics of the light emitted by the photoluminescent molecules.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for probing an occluded body lumen, including a flexible conduit insertable into the body lumen, at least one delivery waveguide and at least one collection waveguide integrated with the flexible conduit and arranged to deliver and collect radiation about a distal end of said flexible conduit, at least one radiation source connected to a transmission input of the at least one delivery waveguide, at least one optical detector connected to a transmission output of at least one collection waveguide, a spectrometer connected with the at least one optical detector, and constructed and arranged to scan radiation and perform spectroscopy, and a controller programmed to process data from said spectrometer and provide information for directing said flexible conduit through obstacles within the occluded body lumen.

Abstract: In a fiber-optic probe for intravascular measurements, e.g. oxygen saturation measurements, the fiber-optical core has only two fibers. A single fiber core is also possible. A reinforcement fiber improves stiffness, kink resistance and overall strength of the probe. The reinforcement fiber is arranged essentially parallel to the core fibers. The reinforcement fiber may also be wound around the core in a helical manner thus improving the mechanical properties to an even higher degree. The outside of the sheath is coated with an antithrombogenic coating for reducing the danger of clots forming at the surface. The reinforcement fiber may be made of carbon, metal, ceramics or aramide.

Abstract: Implantable multi-wavelength oximetry sensors, which can be used to monitor a patient's blood oxygen saturation level, are described. The sensor includes an implantable sensor housing within which are located a plurality of light sources that each transmits light of a different wavelength. Also within the sensor housing are one or more surfaces that are configured to combine the light from the plurality of light sources into a beam of light for transmission through a portion of the housing (e.g., a window) through which light can exit and enter the housing. Additionally, a light detector is located within the sensor housing, to detect light scattered by blood back into the housing. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an optical hemodynamic sensor comprising at least one optical emitter and at least one detector. In some examples, the at least one optical emitter may be optically coupled to at least one light transmission member that extends from a housing of the medical device. In addition, in some examples, the at least one detector may be optically coupled to at least one light transmission member that extends from the housing of the medical device. In other examples, an optical emitter and/or detector of a hemodynamic sensor may be carried by an elongated member that extends from a housing of the IMD. The elongated member may electrically couple the optical emitter and/or detector to a controller or other components within the IMD housing.

Abstract: An implantable product such as an article, device, or system can include analyte and non-analyte containers in parts that can be operated as optical cavities. The product can also include fluidic components such as filter assemblies that control transfer of objects that affect or shift spectrum features or characteristics such as by shifting transmission mode peaks or reflection mode valleys, shifting phase, reducing maxima or contrast, or increasing intermediate intensity width such as full width half maximum (FWHM). Analyte, e.g. glucose molecules, can be predominantly included in a set of objects that transfer more rapidly into the analyte container than other objects, and can have a negligible or zero rate of transfer into the non-analyte container; objects that transfer more rapidly into the non-analyte container can include objects smaller than the analyte or molecules of a set of selected types, including, e.g., sodium chloride.

Abstract: Catheter systems with blood measurement device and methods are disclosed. An exemplary catheter system for use in positioning a distal end of a catheter body at a desired location in a patient's body may include a needle provided at the distal end of the catheter body to withdraw blood from the patient's body. The needle is fluidically connected to a proximal end of the catheter body. The catheter system may also include a measurement device provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. The measurement device is configured to receive blood withdrawn by the needle for measuring a blood gas value of the blood for use in positioning the distal end of the catheter body at the desired location in the patient's body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrafiltration. In particular, the present invention provides nanoporous membranes having pores for generating in vitro and in vivo ultrafiltrate, devices and bioartificial organs utilizing such nanoporous membranes, and related methods (e.g., diagnostic methods, research methods, drug screening). The present invention further provides nanoporous membranes configured to avoid protein fouling with, for example, a polyethylene glycol surface coating.