Constituent Removed From Blood And Remainder Returned To Body Patents (Class 604/5.01)
  • Patent number: 7959593
    Abstract: A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit, a blood purifying device, a driving device, an air bubble detection device, and a connection condition evaluation device. The blood circuit is provided with arterial and venous blood circuits, to which needles are attached at ends thereof. The blood purifying device is connected between the arterial and venous circuits. In a blood purifying treatment after a priming operation, the driving device drives the blood in the arterial blood circuit in a forward direction, and drives the blood in the venous blood circuit in a reverse direction. The air bubble detection device detects air bubbles in a liquid flowing in the arterial and venous blood circuits. The connection condition evaluation device evaluates connection conditions of the needles to the ends of the arterial and venous blood circuits based on the detection by the air bubble detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Ueda, Hiroshi Nimura
  • Patent number: 7959595
    Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided with a flexible tubular body having two lumens. A solid slidable member with a sharp distal end is disposed within one of the lumens. The slidable member is capable of sliding within the lumen of the tubular body between an exposed position in which the sharp distal end of the slidable member protrudes from the distal end of the tubular body and a shielded position in which the distal end of the slidable member is within the tubular body. One advantage is that the sharp distal end of the slidable member may be withdrawn into the tubular body in order to shield a patient from unintentional cutting or irritation from the sharp distal end of the slidable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jeffry S. Melsheimer, Arman H. Valaie
  • Publication number: 20110137224
    Abstract: A disposable single-needle extracorporeal blood treatment circuit for such treatments of blood hemofiltration, plasma filtration, detoxification and alike includes a manually operated syringe attached to a proximal bifurcation and a patient's access port attached to a distal bifurcation. Both bifurcations are connected with each other by a withdrawal line and in parallel by a treatment loop including a blood treatment unit and an air removal element. In the first embodiment, one or two three-way valves (such as stop-cocks) are positioned at these bifurcations to allow directing the flow of blood from the patient to the syringe through the withdrawal line and redirecting the flow through the treatment loop when blood is being returned to the patient from the syringe. In a second embodiment, two check valves are positioned along said withdrawal line and said treatment loop to automatically direct the blood floe in the same manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Araz Ibragimov
  • Patent number: 7955290
    Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device includes a resin bed including zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and urease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Sujatha Karoor, Brian Donovan, Ton That Hai, Mari Katada, Luis Lu, Leo Martis, Stavroula Morti, Salim Mujais, Paul J. Sanders, Paul J. Soltys, Rahul Tandon
  • Patent number: 7942842
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the treatment of the blood in a Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, using a machine which comprises: —connecting means from and to respective blood vessels of a patient; —blood processing means comprising a pump; —means for adding drugs or other therapeutic substances to the blood being treated; —means for feeding refill liquid into the blood; —blood filtration means, cascade-connected to one another by relative conduits, said conduits and said connecting means defining a blood path; wherein the blood to be treated passes through an oxygenating device which comprises an oxygenating membrane and is located upstream from said blood filtration means and downstream from said blood processing means, so that the blood is treated by said oxygenating membrane without the intake pressure along the portion upstream from the blood pump; and wherein the blood is pumped downstream from the connecting means to the oxygenating device at a flow rate of about 280-300 ml
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Freeview Ventures LLC
    Inventor: Florenziano Della Torre
  • Patent number: 7938816
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical bag which is intended for the infusion of a medicament by means of gravity. The inventive bag comprises: at least two compartments, namely a first compartment (1) containing a medicament in the form of a solution and a second compartment (2) containing a rinsing solution; and means for separating/communicating the compartments, which prevent the rinsing solution from automatically entering the medicament compartment except at the end of the infusion period. The rinsing solution ends the infusion, by rinsing the medicament bag and the infusion line, such as to prevent any risk of contamination or leakage of residual medicament from the bag or line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Laboratoire Aguettant
    Inventor: Pierre Frezza
  • Publication number: 20110105979
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for home or other remote delivery of health care that gather subjective and objective measures of patient health and treatment, analyzing them (e.g., correlating them with one another and/or with norms) and reporting them to aid in on-going patient diagnosis and treatment (both on acute and chronic bases), as well as to aid physicians, nurses and other caregivers in decision support, monitoring treatment compliance, facilitating regulatory compliance, billing, and so forth. Thus, for example, in some aspects a health care delivery device comprising a medical treatment apparatus, such as a home hemodialysis or home peritoneal dialysis unit, that is coupled to a processor. The processor generates patient queries in connection with treatments rendered by the dialysis equipment (or other treatment apparatus).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Schlaeper, Martin Crnkovich, Jeffrey J. Sands
  • Publication number: 20110105980
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a specific ligand for antibodies, preferably autoantibodies in the manufacture of a column for the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans. The invention pertains furthermore to the apharesis column with at least one anti-IgG antibody for the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Gert Baumann
  • Patent number: 7931610
    Abstract: A blood purification apparatus that can make the specific peak to be imparted to the blood more distinct, and therefore can detect blood recirculation reliably and precisely, is presented. It contains a blood circuit route, a blood pump, a dialyzer, dialysate introduction and discharge lines, a duplex pump, a pressurizing pump, a blood concentration means, and detection means that detect the specific peak imparted by the blood concentration means. The blood concentration means is configured to have an atmosphere release line, the tip of which is open to the atmosphere, that extends from between the pressurizing pump and the duplex pump in the dialysate discharge line, and to have an electromagnetic valve that can open or close the atmosphere release line. The electromagnetic valve opens the atmosphere release line to impart the specific peak by rapidly concentrating the blood flowing in the dialyzer for a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Murakami, Masahiro Toyoda, Akari Agata
  • Patent number: 7922687
    Abstract: A catheter assembly for use in the extracorporeal treatment of bodily fluids. The assembly comprises a catheter body having a withdrawal port, an infusion port, and a plurality of lumens therein. One of the lumens comprises a withdrawal lumen for transport of fluids withdrawn from a body vessel through the withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. Another lumen comprises an infusion lumen for return of treated fluids from the extracorporeal treatment unit into the body vessel through the infusion port. A wire extends from yet another lumen to an attachment point on the catheter assembly. The wire is capable of bowing radially outwardly from the catheter body, in order to space the infusion and withdrawal ports from the vessel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Gingles
  • Publication number: 20110077576
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an extracorporeal blood circuit control includes a base module having a control device and a patient module releasably connected to the base module and having blood-conducting components of the extracorporeal blood circuit. A pivot system is also provided at the base module and at the patient module to pivot the patient module relative to the base module about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Gerhard Brieske
  • Patent number: 7914681
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a hemodiafiltration apparatus capable of easily and efficiently removing medium to large molecule solutes at a low cost. Provided is a hemodialysis apparatus which uses a hemodialyzer accommodating a hollow yarn membrane in hemodiafiltration to cause a dialysis fluid to flow from a dialysis fluid circuit side to a blood circuit side by forceful back-filtration via the hemodialyzer, and to cause a fluid in the blood circuit to reflux to a dialysis fluid circuit side by filtration via the hemodialyzer, the hemodialysis apparatus being characterized in that a flux operation of the fluid from the dialysis fluid side to the blood circuit side by the back-filtration, and a reflux operation of the fluid from the blood circuit side to the dialysis fluid circuit side by the filtration are repeated intermittently and for at least a plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: JMS Co.
    Inventors: Sung-Teh Kim, Kunihiko Yamanaka, Naritomi Maeda, Katsunori Masaoka
  • Publication number: 20110054378
    Abstract: The present application discloses a portable dialysis system for conducting a dialysis treatment. The portable dialysis system has a controller unit that includes a display, a scale, a bar code reader, and a memory storing a plurality of programmatic instructions. Upon execution, the instructions generate a first graphical user interface, a second graphical user interface, and a third graphical user interface for presentation on the display. The first graphical user interface displays each additive required for use in the dialysis treatment. The second graphical user interface prompts a user to submit additives to scanning using the bar code scanner. The third graphical user interface prompts a user to submit additives to measurement using the scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Barry Neil Fulkerson
  • Patent number: 7896832
    Abstract: A system for assisting flow of blood by a patient's heart. The system includes a transseptal cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the jugular vein and extend through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium. The system includes a blood pump mechanism having a blood pump for pumping blood received from the transseptal cannula that has been oxygenated at specified flow rates over a range of physiological pressures. The blood pump is connected to the transseptal cannula. The system includes a perfusion cannula adapted to be inserted percutaneously in the axillary artery for returning oxygenated blood to the atrial system of the patient. The perfusion cannula is connected to the blood pump. A method for assisting blood flow by a patient's heart. The method includes the steps of inserting percutaneously in the jugular vein of the patient and extending through the atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium a transseptal cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: CardiacAssist, Inc.
    Inventors: Zafiris G. Zafirelis, John C. Marous, III, Yih-Choung Yu, Kirk A. Lehmann, Greg A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7896830
    Abstract: An ultrafiltration device adapted to be worn on a portion of the body of a patient includes a blood inlet tube leading from a first blood vessel, a blood pump, an anticoagulant reservoir for infusing anticoagulants into the blood, a blood filter including a substrate through which the blood is circulated and filtered, a fluid bag for storing the excess fluid and a blood outlet tube leading to a second blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Gura, Edmond Rambod
  • Publication number: 20110046534
    Abstract: The invention relates to the monitoring of an access to a patient at a puncture point, in particular the monitoring of the arterial and/or venous vascular access during an extracorporeal blood treatment. The device according to the invention is a magnetoelastic moisture sensor, which is embedded in an absorbent material and is laid on the puncture point. For the case in which infusion solution and/or blood exits from the puncture point, the incorrect seating of the puncture cannula can be recognized reliably using the device according to the invention. The absorbent material having the embedded magnetoelastic moisture sensor can be laid like conventional bandage material or a gauze bandage on the puncture point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Malte Gross
  • Patent number: 7892197
    Abstract: A system for priming an extracorporeal blood circuit is described. The system includes a fluid circuit with an air venting mechanism, a reversible pump, arterial and venous lines, a prime waste bag and a switchable coupler selectively connecting the arterial and venous lines to the waste bag or alternatively interconnecting the arterial and venous lines. A priming fluid is connected to the circuit and circulated in the circuit under different configurations of the arterial and venous line connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas I. Folden, Martin Joseph Crnkovich
  • Patent number: 7879241
    Abstract: A method of treating a bodily fluid withdrawn and then returned to a living body. The method involves withdrawing the bodily fluid from the living body and causing the bodily fluid to flow through a treatment system, altering at least the density of the bodily fluid through the action of a second fluid as the bodily fluid flows through the treatment system, sensing at least the density and flow rate of the bodily fluid before the density thereof is altered by the second fluid, sensing at least the density and flow rate of the bodily fluid after the density thereof is altered by the second fluid, sensing at least the density and flow rate of the second fluid, controlling the density and/or flow rate of the second fluid based on the sensed densities and flow rates, and returning the bodily fluid to the living body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Nader Najafi
  • Patent number: 7875168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for calculating blood flow and to an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment provided with the device. The device includes a memory for receiving and storing either a first datum relating to a blood flow removed from the patient Qb, or a second datum relating to a flow of liquid Qt crossing a tract of the extracorporeal circuit, and a third datum relating to a flow of infusion liquid Qinf flowing through the infusion line. The device also comprises a control unit able to calculate the first datum or the second datum as a function of the third datum relating to the flow of infusion liquid Qinf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Jean Louis Fressinet, Massimo Zaccarelli, Gianluca Artioli, Jeffrey J. Letteri
  • Patent number: 7867214
    Abstract: In a peritoneal dialysis embodiment of the present invention, spent dialysate from the patient's peritoneal cavity passes, along a patient loop, through a dialyzer having a membrane that separates waste components from the spent dialysate, wherein the patient loop returns fresh dialysate to the patient's peritoneal cavity. The waste components are carried away in a second regeneration loop to a regeneration unit or sorbent cartridge, which absorbs the waste components. The regeneration unit removes undesirable components in the dialysate that were removed from the patient loop by the dialyzer, for example, excess water (ultrafiltrate or UF), toxins and metabolic wastes. Desirable components can be added to the dialysate by the system, such as glucose and electrolytes. The additives assist in maintaining the proper osmotic gradients in the patient to perform dialysis and provide the necessary compounds to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, David S. Brown, Ramesh Wariar, Sujatha Karoor, Shahid Din, Leo Martis, Cody Buchmann, Paul Soltys
  • Publication number: 20110004141
    Abstract: A method for determining the recirculation in a fistula and/or the cardiopulmonary recirculation part during an extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed, where the blood to be treated flows in an extracorporeal blood circuit through a blood chamber of a dialyzer split by a semi-permeable membrane into the blood chamber and a liquid chamber, and dialysis liquid flows in a dialysis liquid path through the dialysis liquid chamber of the dialyzer. A device for determining the recirculation in a fistula and/or the cardio-pulmonary recirculation part, and a blood treatment device including such a device are also disclosed. The method and device are based on the fact that the sum of the fistula recirculation and the cardiopulmonary recirculation part, i.e. the total recirculation, is determined for two blood flow rates which differ from each other. The fistula recirculation and/or the cardiopulmonary recirculation part are then determined from the recirculation for the two blood flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Elke Schulte, Christoph Bardorz
  • Patent number: 7862530
    Abstract: The dose of dialysis in terms of urea clearance is marginal in many hemodialysis patients, and metabolic acidosis as determined by the pre-dialysis serum HCO3 level is common. A dialysate that included citric acid rather than acetic acid as acidifying agent provides superior performance properties. Citrate-containing dialysate was used exclusively in 22 hemodialysis patients. Initially, only 8 of the 22 patients had a pre-dialysis serum HCO3>23 mEq/L (lower limit of normal), however, after 12 weeks of dialysis using the citrate-containing dialysate, the serum HCO3 normalized in 15 patients (p=0.0001, Chi-square). Dialysis variables were kept constant in 19 of the patients, who also used and reused the same dialyzer model throughout. In these patients, the initial average urea reduction ratio (URR) was 68.5±5.9%, and after treatment with the citrate dialysate disclosed herein, this ratio had increased to 73±5.3% (p<0.03). SpKt/V, calculated using the Daugirdas II formula, also increased from 1.23±0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Renal Technologies
    Inventors: Robin Callan, James J. Cole
  • Patent number: 7854717
    Abstract: A method to treat cancer uses ultrapheresis, refined to remove compounds of less than 120,000 daltons molecular weight, followed by administration of replacement fluid, to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack solid tumors. In the preferred embodiment, the patient is ultrapheresed using a capillary tube ultrafilter having a pore size of 0.02 to 0.05 microns, with a molecular weight cutoff of 120,000 daltons, sufficient to filter one blood volume. The preferred replacement fluid is ultrapheresed normal plasma. The patient is preferably treated daily for three weeks, diagnostic tests conducted to verify that there has been shrinkage of the tumors, then the treatment regime is repeated. The treatment is preferably combined with an alternative therapy, for example, treatment with an anti-angiogenic compound, one or more cytokines such as TNF, gamma interferon, or IL-2, or a procoagulant compound. The treatment increases endogenous, local levels of cytokines, such as TNF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Biopheresis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Rigdon Lentz
  • Patent number: 7854718
    Abstract: A dual channel pulsatile pump for use with a completely wearable renal replacement device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Gura, Edmond Rambod
  • Patent number: 7850633
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices, systems and methods for removing undesirable materials from a sample fluid by contact with a second fluid. The sample fluid flows as a thin layer adjacent to, or between, concurrently flowing layers of the second fluid, without an intervening membrane. In various embodiments, a secondary separator is used to restrict the removal of desirable substances and effect the removal of undesirable substances from blood. The invention is useful in a variety of situations where a sample fluid is to be purified via a diffusion mechanism against an extractor fluid. Moreover, the invention may be used for the removal of components from a sample fluid that vary in size. When blood is the sample fluid, for example, this may include the removal of ‘small’ molecules, ‘middle’ molecules, macromolecules, macromolecular aggregates, and cells, from the blood sample to the extractor fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Edward F. Leonard, Alan C. West, Nina C. Shapley, Zhongliang Tang
  • Patent number: 7850635
    Abstract: A cartridge for treating medical or biological fluid includes a first cap having an inlet for the fluid, a container including a plurality of compartments and a second cap including an outlet for the fluid, wherein each compartment contains a plurality of particles, wherein the fluid is adapted to flow through the compartments and react with the plurality of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Dietrich Polaschegg, Victor Gura
  • Patent number: 7850856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the supply of substitution liquid during an extracorporeal blood treatment and to an extracorporeal blood treatment unit equipped with a device for monitoring the supply of substitution liquid. The monitoring of the supply of substitution liquid is based on the measurement of pressure waves, which are generated by the substitution liquid pump, in the extracorporeal blood circulation system. A disturbance in the supply of substitution liquid is inferred when the amplitude of the pressure waves exceeds a predetermined limit value. The amplitude of the pressure waves is preferably monitored in the venous blood line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Ralf Wamsiedler
  • Publication number: 20100312161
    Abstract: In a hemodiafiltration apparatus, a membrane device (2) comprises a blood chamber (3) and a fluid chamber (4) separated by a semipermeable membrane (5). A grounding device (17) is connected to the discharge line by means of a tubular connector (16) made of an electrically-conductive plastic material. The grounding device can disconnect the grounding connection if the leakage current measured on a patient (1) connected to the apparatus exceeds a predetermined value. The apparatus can be classified as Cardiac Floating and, at the same time, causes no disturbances to an electrocardiograph connected to the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Lars Jonsson, Riccardo Pellegrini, Andrea Ligabue
  • Patent number: 7846650
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods reduce levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in blood by selective adsorption. The devices, systems, and methods are useful in situations where abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators occur, or during events that do induce or have the potential for inducing abnormal production of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators. The devices, systems, and methods serve to prevent, control, reduce, or alleviate the severity of the inflammatory response and disease states that are associated with abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Cytosorbents, Inc.
    Inventors: James A Brady, James F Winchester, Vadim Davankov, Maria Tsyurupa, Ludmila Pavlova, Frank M Norris, Peter J Quartararo, Jr., Jamie A Salsberg
  • Patent number: 7846121
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the extracorporeal irradiation of a patient's (P) bodily fluid containing bilirubin, comprising a first (10) and a second (12) line which can be connected to the patient (P), an impermeable irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) connected therewith and located between the first (10) and the second (12) lines, and at least one adjustable feed unit for bodily fluids (16) located in the first (10) and/or the second (12) line, wherein by means of at least one feed unit for bodily fluids (16) an adjustable flow of bodily fluid through the lines (10, 12) and the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) is achievable, in which the first line (10) is designed to continually circulate the bodily fluid drawn from the patient (P) and route it to the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14), and the second line (12) is designed to continually circulate the irradiated bodily fluid to the patient (P), and in which the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) contains an radiation source fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Fresenious Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Wuepper
  • Publication number: 20100298752
    Abstract: An improved method for separating whole blood into components and collecting a desired blood component. The method allows a desired blood component to be subjected to centrifugal forces within a separator for prolonged periods of time, yielding a cleaner cut and higher yield of the desired blood component. Whole blood is drawn from a source and pumped into a separator, the undesired blood components are removed from the separator at rates so as to build up the desired blood component in the separator. The desired blood component is only removed after a predetermined amount of the desired blood component has built up in the separator. It is preferred that the desired blood component be buffy coat and that the method be used to perform photopheresis treatments. In another aspect, the invention is a method of performing a full photopheresis treatment to treat diseases in a reduced time, preferably less than about 70 minutes, and more preferably less than about 45 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis Briggs
  • Patent number: 7837878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for using a hemofilter to treat IMRD, hepatic failure, exogenous intoxication and other conditions associated with toxins in a patient's blood. One treatment includes the use of a very large pore hemofilter to remove target complex molecules and/or target molecules from a patient's blood and to infuse a replacement fluid into the patient's blood to maintain a prescribed albumin concentration in the patient's blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Immunocept, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Radunsky, James R. Matson, Patrice A. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100292627
    Abstract: An air separator (1) comprises a first chamber (2) where blood or other fluid can be received, an inlet and an outlet port associated to the bottom wall (4) and in fluid communication with the first chamber. A first channel (14) extending along the lateral wall of the separator and has a first and a second portion (16 and 18). The channel second portion (18) terminally forms an orifice (15) facing the chamber and extending in an area closer to a top wall (5) of the chamber (2) than to the bottom wall of the same chamber. The orifice faces the top of the separator and has a flow passage cross section greater than that of a first portion (16) of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Luca Caleffi, Francesco Ribolzi, Ranko Sakota
  • Patent number: 7833321
    Abstract: There is provided a protective filter 1 for an extracorporeal circulation circuit pressure monitor, having a dialysis device side housing 2, an extracorporeal circulation circuit side housing 3, and a hydrophobic filter 4 held between both the housings, which allows passage of a gas but does not allow passage of a liquid, characterized in that a plurality of ribs 27 and 38 capable of supporting the hydrophobic filter 4 are respectively provided in both housings, and a protective member 5 for preventing direct contact between the ribs 38 and the hydrophobic filter 4 is interposed between the ribs 38 provided in the extracorporeal circulation circuit side housing 3 and the hydrophobic filter 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nipro Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Kawai, Akinobu Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100285044
    Abstract: A method to treat cancer uses ultrapheresis, refined to remove compounds of less than 120,000 daltons molecular weight, followed by administration of replacement fluid, to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack solid tumors. In the preferred embodiment, the patient is ultrapheresed using a capillary tube ultrafilter having a pore size of 0.02 to 0.05 microns, with a molecular weight cutoff of 120,000 daltons, sufficient to filter one blood volume. The preferred replacement fluid is ultrapheresed normal plasma. The patient is preferably treated daily for three weeks, diagnostic tests conducted to verify that there has been shrinkage of the tumors, then the treatment regime is repeated. The treatment is preferably combined with an alternative therapy, for example, treatment with an anti-angiogenic compound, one or more cytokines such as TNF, gamma interferon, or IL-2, or a procoagulant compound. The treatment increases endogenous, local levels of cytokines, such as TNF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: M. Rigdon Lentz
  • Publication number: 20100280430
    Abstract: In an infusion apparatus, an infusion line (4) connects a container (2) of an infusion fluid to an extracorporeal blood circuit (23). A first valve (6) closes the infusion line downstream of an infusion pump (5). An expansion chamber (9), provided with a pressure sensor (10), is arranged between the infusion pump and the first valve. A second valve (8) closes a vent line (7) of the expansion chamber. The processor closes the first valve when the container is emptied. After replacement with a new and full container, the processor restarts the pump and selectively opens the first valve or the second valve according to the increase in pressure measured in the expansion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Luca Caleffi, Ranko Sakota, Giuseppe Franzoni
  • Patent number: 7824355
    Abstract: Methods, devices and device components are presented for blood processing. Particularly, methods, devices and device components are presented for separating blood into blood components and collecting one or more separated blood components, which reduce the incidence of blood vessel infiltration and enhance donor comfort. In one aspect, the invention provides blood processing methods having a return flow rate which decreases systematically during a return time. In another aspect, the invention provides blood processing methods having a removal flow rate, return flow rate or both which are derived from a subject's total blood volume. In another aspect, the present invention provides blood processing methods wherein the fraction by volume of removed blood corresponding to collected components is selected to optimize blood processing efficiency and enhance the purities of collected blood components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Langley, Thomas J. Felt, Geert Van Waeg, Marlene Adele Bainbridge
  • Patent number: 7824356
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for removing gas bubbles from blood during circulatory assist procedures. Such bubbles are generated, along with particulate matter, in an extracorporeal circulatory bypass system by the pump, oxygenator and other components. Filters are used in the line to remove particulates and bubbles from the blood before they are pumped back to the patient but current filters are inefficient at removing small bubbles and debris that can cause neurological defects and renal and other organ failures in the patient. An active filter apparatus and method is disclosed that forces the bubbles to the center of the system where they are removed from the blood before the blood exits the filter. The filter comprises an axially elongate cylindrical shell with a blood inlet, a blood outlet and a gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Indian Wells Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Wieting, Jay A. Lenker
  • Patent number: 7824354
    Abstract: Equipment for controlling blood flow in an extracorporeal blood circuit, comprising at least a first sensor, designed to measure an arterial pressure upstream of a peristaltic pump, at least a second sensor, designed to measure an angular velocity of a peristaltic pump, a memory designed to store at least one set value of the desired blood flow through the access branch, a calibration function, and a control unit. The calibration function has at least variables (v1), related to the angular velocity of the pump, (v2), related to the arterial pressure in a portion of the access branch upstream of the peristaltic pump, (v3), related to an actual flow of blood through the access branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Luca Vinci, Francesco Fontanazzi
  • Publication number: 20100274173
    Abstract: A method for treating an occlusion in a coronary artery of a patient includes percutaneously advancing an occlusion treatment tool (such as an angioplasty balloon or stent delivery device) through the vasculature of the patient and into a coronary artery to a site of the occlusion. Following the treatment of the occlusion, a therapeutic agent is admitted into the first coronary artery. The therapeutic agent is selected to treat microvasculature obstructions at a target cardiac tissue site distal to the site of the occlusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Osprey Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James Edward Shapland, Tuan Minh Doan, David Martin Kaye, Adam Lucas Bilney, Melissa Jane Byrne
  • Patent number: 7815852
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and software program for measuring a parameter relating to the heart-lung system of a mammal are described. The method, software and apparatus can be implemented in a dialysis or other blood treatment apparatus comprising an extracorporeal blood circuit connected to a mammal; the circuit comprises a dialyzer, or other treatment unit, having a blood inlet, a blood outlet, a treatment fluid inlet and a treatment fluid outlet. The method comprises the steps of providing a pulse of a detectable substance in the blood circuit, measuring an integrated concentration of the detectable substance on the dialysis fluid outlet, determining the parameter based on the measurements on the dialysis fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Jan Peter Sternby
  • Patent number: 7815588
    Abstract: A device and method for selectively controlling the direction of blood flow to and from the patient during hemodialysis is provided. Specifically, the device and method reverse flow between four fluid lines without changing connections between a patient and a hemodialysis machine. Advantageously, the blood is subjected to minimal stresses as it passes through the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Sakiewicz
  • Patent number: 7789847
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for red blood collection and filtration is provided wherein a red blood cell collection assembly provides for leukoreduction filtration concurrent with or soon after the red blood cell separation and collection procedure. Such procedures involve filtering the separated red blood cells in a diluted state after and/or prior to flushing the filter with storage solution. Storage solution may thus be passed through the leukoreduction filter before, with and/or after the RBCs have been filtered therethrough. The red blood cell collection, filtration and storage assembly is preferably preconnected to a blood component separation disposable assembly, including, for example, a centrifuge vessel and a blood removal/return assembly for removing blood from a donor, passing the blood to the centrifuge vessel for separation of the blood into components for collection and providing for filtration of the separated red blood cell component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce W. Gibbs, Jon Herskovits
  • Patent number: 7790043
    Abstract: Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, Dennis M. Treu
  • Patent number: 7788038
    Abstract: The invention comprises a patient information server device which automatically accumulates together with time information: biological information detected by a bedside monitoring device of a patient or a biological-measuring device; biological information and device information detected by a blood purification device which treats a blood sample taken from the patient; and blood information detected by a circulating blood volume measuring device that detects blood information about a circulating blood sample taken from the patient. A client device simultaneously and chronologically displays or records the patient information stored in the patient information server device. Through this arrangement, it is possible to obtain on a real time basis the biological information of a human body such as a patient's body, and the device information, for example, of a blood treating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Shuzo Oshita, Yasuhiro Kuroda, Toshiya Okahisa, Yoshiaki Ohnishi, Noriko Okumura
  • Publication number: 20100217173
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for controlling an inflammatory response in a subject. Extracorporeal devices, systems, and methods are provided that alter the functional structure of one or more inflammatory mediators in the peripheral blood of the subject. The device or system is useful in a method for treating an inflammatory disease or condition in the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100217172
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for controlling an inflammatory response in a subject. Devices, systems, and methods are provided that alter the functional structure of one or more inflammatory mediators in the peripheral blood of the subject. The device or system is useful in a method for treating an inflammatory disease or condition in the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Patent number: 7780619
    Abstract: A blood processing machine has a compact configuration in which the first and second parts of the machine separate to open a gap between them. The actuators and sensors face into the gap such that when a cartridge with a fluid circuit is placed in the gap and the two parts are brought together closing the gap, the actuators and sensor engage the fluid circuit. One of the parts has an operator interface with a display that is preferably aligned with the gap in such a way that the frontal area of the machine is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Dennis M Treu
  • Patent number: 7780848
    Abstract: A single needle hemodiafiltration apparatus is provided. The single needle hemodiafiltration apparatus includes circuits for blood supply from a patient and blood return to a patient, a dialysis fluid supply system for supplying a dialysis fluid, and a system for controlling the blood flow and dialysis fluid flow in a separation device which is equipped to perform filtration and back-filtration operations. A controller is provided that controls, in a series of coordinated operations, the flow of blood from the patient into the separation device, the flow of filtration fluid and back filtration fluid, and the return of blood to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: JMS Co.
    Inventors: Sung-Teh Kim, Kunihiko Yamanaka, Naritomi Maeda, Katsunori Masaoka, Kayoko Segawa, Chieko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7780620
    Abstract: A method for determining the hematocrit and/or blood volume during an extracorporeal blood treatment with an extracorporeal blood circuit, in which blood is taken with a blood pump via an arterial cannula and an arterial flexible-tube line and blood is fed back via a venous flexible-tube line and a venous cannula. Pressure is measured in the extracorporeal blood circuit and a change in the hematocrit is determined from a change in the pressure. The respective relationship between hematocrit HKT or blood volume RBV and pressure P in the extracorporeal circuit is stored for various cannula diameters and various blood-flow values. The respective relationship for a given cannula diameter and blood flow is selected. The hematocrit and/or blood volume is determined taking account of the selected relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Helge Brauer, Reiner Spickermann, Carsten Müller