Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an extra corporeal membrane oxygenation circuit, wherein a pump communicates blood from a patient to an oxygenator and thence back to the patient, comprising: (a) a medium diameter venous line configured to accept blood from the patient and communicate the blood to the pump; (b) a medium diameter arterial line configured to accept blood from the oxygenator and communicate the blood to the patient; (c) one or more shunts connected in a series, where each shunt comprises a medium diameter input connected to a medium diameter output, where the medium diameter output is configured to connect to a medium diameter input of a successive shunt; a small diameter outlet between the medium diameter input and the medium diameter output; and a stopcock connected to the small diameter output such that flow out of the small diameter outlet can be controlled by the stopcock; wherein a first of such shunts is connected to accept blood from the venous line in parallel with the pump

Abstract: A connecting assembly for electrically connecting a ribbon cable in an aircraft. The assembly has a housing with a slot-shaped opening through which an end section of a ribbon cable can be inserted into a housing interior into a predetermined insertion position. The assembly has a first and a second engagement section which are arranged in the interior. The first engagement section is mounted such that it can be optionally moved between a first and a second position, such that by moving the first engagement section into its second position, the end section can be clamped tight optionally between the first second engagement sections and conductor tracks of the ribbon cable are then in contact with a corresponding number of electrical contacts provided on the first engagement section. In the second position, the first engagement section is releasably secured by a latching device.

Abstract: A device and method can be used for clinical virus inactivation treatment to automatically, continuously and cyclically treat plasma of a patient in a closed system. The disclosed plasma treatment device may be used for an anti-viral agent such as, for example, methylene blue photochemical plasma virus inactivation. The plasma treatment device can perform real-time treatment to the plasma in the closed system on the basis of the principle of plasma exchange and can realize real-time back-transfusion during treatment.

Abstract: An implantable blood pump including a housing having an inlet cannula, a rotor disposed within the housing, the rotor in fluid communication with the inlet cannula, a stator disposed within the housing, the stator configured to rotate the rotor when a current is applied to the stator, and at least one ultraviolet light emitter disposed within the housing.

Abstract: Methods and devices to eliminate, reduce, destroy and/or inhibit undesired body fluid species, such as pathogen microbes and deteriorated or malignant cells in complex environments like blood, serum and other body fluids are provided. In preferred embodiments, an antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment is given that effectively inactivates, reduces and/or destroys both Gram (?) and Gram (+) bacteria in complex body fluids. Methods to enhance antimicrobial PDT activity include administering a photosensitizer to bacteria-contaminated fluid, after a dwell time guiding bacteria-contaminated fluid with photosensitizer through a channel, emitting radiation preferably in an intermittent manner, and restoring treated body fluids to corresponding body regions. Electromagnetic radiation is preferably delivered intermittently with pulse width based on treatment parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing online extracorporeal photopheresis of mononuclear cells are disclosed. Whole blood is removed from a patient and introduced through a processing set into a separation chamber to separate the desired cell population from the blood. The separated cell population is processed through the set which is associated with a treatment chamber where the cells are treated. Once treated, the cells are returned to the patient. The processing set remains connected to the patient during the entire ECP treatment procedure and provides an online, sterile closed pathway between the separation chamber and the treatment chamber.

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.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a system for applying shear stress ex-situ to a fluid. In some embodiments, the system comprises a shear device; and at least one device configured for intravenous administration of the fluid to a patient, the devices defining a fluid passage configured to be sterilized and maintained sterile during use, the fluid comprising at least one therapeutic fluid, blood, or a combination thereof. The shear device of the system is in fluid communication with the at least one device configured for intravenous administration of the fluid to a patient. Herein also disclosed is a method of preparing a fluid for intravenous administration to a patient.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump: first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and arterial and venous lines in fluid communication with the dialyzer for patient connection, the arterial and venous lines each including a contact used for electrically detecting a patient access disconnection.

Abstract: Provided herein are an apparatus and methods to induce electromagnetic field in biologic tissue for thermal therapy. The apparatus comprises electromagnetic devices fitted to be releasably deployed inside a body, magnetic materials to be deployed in a body, and a magnetic centrifuge machine. An electromagnetic device includes a controllably flexible fiberoptic tubular device with a magnetic-flux-controlled electromagnetic assembly on its distal end. The electromagnetic device receives direct or alternating electric current. Implanted particulate magnetic materials in close proximity to said electromagnetic assembly form reversible magnetic vascular mold in target blood vessels by static magnetic field produced by direct electric current to said electromagnetic assembly. Implanted magnetic materials generate heat by alternating magnetic field induced by alternating electric current to said electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis having integrated electrodialysis and electrodeionization capabilities are provided. In an embodiment, the dialysis system includes a carbon source, a urease source, an ED/EDI unit. The carbon source, urease source, and/or the ED/EDI unit can be in the form of removable cartridges.

Abstract: A coupler includes a conductive polymer material that is so constructed and arranged to join tubing, wherein the conductive polymer material includes a conductive polymer component selected from the group consisting of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophenes, polyethylenedioxythiophene, poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for illuminating the viruses in a circulatory blood, comprising the following steps of: 1) Adding an anticoagulant into a whole blood source and establishing a circulation system for the whole blood source; 2) Withdrawing the whole blood with the anticoagulant into a plasma-separating device for a separation, when finished, directly pumping the red-blood cells back into the whole blood source and transporting the plasma into a mixing transport pump after the separation; 3) Meanwhile, pumping a photosensitizer methylene blue into the mixing transport pump so that the methylene blue is mixed with the plasma and pumped together into a plasma container; 4) Using an illumination device to illuminate the plasma in the plasma container for virus illumination, and pumping the virus-illuminated plasma into a removing device for removing off the photosensitizer; 5) The methylene blue being absorbed by the removing device and the plasma illuminated being transfused back into the

Abstract: An arteriovenous graft system is described. The arteriovenous graft system includes an arteriovenous graft that is well suited for use during hemodialysis. In order to minimize or prevent arterial steal, at least one valve device is positioned at the arterial end of the arteriovenous graft. In one embodiment, for instance, the arteriovenous graft system includes a first valve device positioned at the arterial end and a second valve device positioned at the venous end. In one embodiment, the valve devices may include an inflatable balloon that, when inflated, constricts and closes off the arteriovenous graft. If desired, a single actuator can be used to open and close both valve devices.

Abstract: An arteriovenous graft system is described. The arteriovenous graft system includes an arteriovenous graft that is well suited for use during hemodialysis. In order to minimize or prevent arterial steal, at least one valve device is positioned at the arterial end of the arteriovenous graft. In one embodiment, a subcutaneous arteriovenous graft system is described. The system includes an arteriovenous graft having an arterial end and an opposite venous end with a first valve device positioned at the arterial end of the arteriovenous graft and a second valve device positioned at the venous end of the arteriovenous graft. The system also includes an actuator having an accumulator. The actuator is in communication with both the first valve device and the second valve device and is configured to cause each valve device to open or close simultaneously. The accumulator assists in maintaining a generally constant pressure when the actuator causes each valve device to close.

Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system for blocking unwanted light from reaching sensors in a sensor clip assembly fastened to a blood chamber connected in an extracorporeal blood treatment system. The sensor clip assembly includes opposing heads with LED emitters and photodetectors. In one embodiment, lenses in the heads are surrounded by shrouds extending from the lenses so that when the sensor clip assembly is fastened to the blood chamber the shrouds block unwanted light from reaching the photodetectors. Either alternatively or as a complement to the shrouds, the blood chamber includes an opaque portion or a portion colored to attenuate particular wavelengths of light to further enhance the overall ability of the blood chamber and sensor clip assembly to block unwanted light from reaching the photodetectors.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively-controllable disinfecting implantable device configured to, for example, treat or prevent an infection in a biological subject.

Abstract: A cannula has a body with a proximal end and a distal end and a tip on the distal end. The tip has an outer wall defining a lumen opening at the end of the tip and extending to the proximal end of the cannula. The tip further comprises one or more ribs extending into the lumen to support the outer wall from kinking when the cannula is flexed. The outer wall has a inner surface defining the lumen and a plurality of non-circular apertures formed in the tip extending into the lumen. The apertures having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis aligned in relation to a circumference of the outer wall to prevent puckering or buckling when the tip is bent. This alignment is also designed to support the outer wall from kinking when the tip is bent.

Abstract: A dialysis system that includes a dialysis machine, a tube connected to the dialysis machine, and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a head having a slot configured to receive the tube and a plurality of sensors secured to the head adjacent the slot. At least one of the plurality of sensors includes a light emitting element configured to transmit light through the tube when the tube is disposed in the slot and a light receiving element configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitting element after the light passes trough the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for extracorporeal photo-isomerization of bodily fluid containing bilirubin. The bodily fluid derives from a patient suffering from an elevation of unconjugated bilirubin. The device includes a sterile tubing which accesses the patient's bodily fluids (especially blood), routes the fluid into an extracorporeal chamber within which irradiation of bodily fluids takes place, and returns bodily fluids to the patient. Bodily fluids are continuously circulated through a single length of sterile tubing using an adjustable pump to regulate the flow, and as the fluid passes into the extracorporeal chamber it is irradiated by blue light within the chamber with an emission wavelength range of approximately 450 to 530 nm. This irradiation induces a photochemical reaction in bilirubin that changes its structure and facilitates improved excretion of bilirubin once it is returned to the patient. The extracorporeal photo-isomerization turns the bilirubin into a more readily excreted form.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively-controllable disinfecting implantable device configured to, for example, treat or prevent an infection in a biological subject.

Abstract: A blood treatment device provides a photopheresis treatment using a microfluidic separation channel to separate blood components into layers The layering caused by laminar flow in the microfluidic separation channel allows light to be projected through plasma onto leukocytes without hindrance by erythrocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a means of dialysis for removing protein-bound substances from a biological fluid, especially blood or blood plasma, which contains at least one means for solubilizing protein-binding substances to be removed into the biological fluid and/or dialysis fluid, and to a process for removing protein-bound substances from a biological fluid.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively-controllable disinfecting implantable device configured to, for example, treat or prevent an infection in a biological subject.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are an apparatus and methods to induce electromagnetic field in biologic tissue for thermal therapy. The apparatus comprises electromagnetic devices fitted to be releasably deployed inside a body, magnetic materials to be deployed in a body, and a magnetic centrifuge machine. An electromagnetic device includes a controllably flexible fiberoptic tubular device with a magnetic-flux-controlled electromagnetic assembly on its distal end. The electromagnetic device receives direct or alternating electric current. Implanted particulate magnetic materials in close proximity to said electromagnetic assembly form reversible magnetic vascular mold in target blood vessels by static magnetic field produced by direct electric current to said electromagnetic assembly. Implanted magnetic materials generate heat by alternating magnetic field induced by alternating electric current to said electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.

Abstract: Shock waves are applied to clean and sterilize fluids in containers and conveyances. Shock waves destroy pathogens and pollutants in blood, water, food liquids and other fluids.

Abstract: A system and method of non-invasive or minimally invasive evaluating the cardiovascular system parameters to estimate the cardiac output and circulating blood volume of a patient undergoing hemodialysis. Intravascular indicators are stimulated, and emissions patterns detected for computation of cardiac output, cardiac index, blood volume and other indicators of cardiovascular health before and during hemodialysis.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood chamber for an optical blood monitoring system has a mixing area and viewing area that are offset from the axis of the blood flow path into and out of the blood chamber. A flow guide structure redirects an entirety of the flow of blood in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis and into the viewing area.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing system, including a depth calculating section that calculates a depth of an object from a surface of a body, the object existing inside the body; a light receiving section that receives light from the object; and a substance amount calculating section that calculates an amount of a substance, which generates the light received by the light receiving section, inside the object based on the depth of the object calculated by the depth calculating section and an amount of light received by the light receiving section.

Abstract: A cell sorting apparatus includes an extracorporeal circulation system 10 for sampling blood from a subject and circulating the blood outside a body; a cell measuring section 20 for supplying measurement light to cells contained in the blood to optically measure cell information on the physical quantity relating to the volume of the cell itself or a nucleus of the cell; and a cell separating section 30 for separating cells with reference to the cell information measured. The cell separating section 30 separates cells, based on the cell information measured by the cell measuring section 20 and a sorting condition set for sorting a specific type of cell such as a cancer cell, the cells satisfying the sorting condition, and returns the other cells into the body via the extracorporeal circulation system 10. Thus, a cell sorting apparatus can be realized which is capable of suitably sorting a target cell from the cells in blood.

Abstract: Methods are provided for suppressing the immune system response in recipients of transplanted organs, tissues or cells. An extracorporeal quantity of blood from the intended transplant recipient is treated to induce monocytes contained in the blood to differentiate and form dendritic cells. The maturation of the dendritic cells is truncated at a stage where the dendritic cells can inactivate T cell clones which would otherwise generate an undesired immune system response. The immature dendritic cells can be directly administered to the transplant recipient, or the dendritic cells can be co-incubated with the bone marrow or stem cell preparation, prior to transplantation, in order to suppress or eliminate anti-recipient donor T cells contaminating the bone marrow or stem cell preparation. The methods can be used to suppress graft versus host disease in recipients of transplanted bone marrow or stem cells, or to suppress rejection of transplanted organs or tissue.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and compositions are described for providing an actively controllable shunt configured to, for example, monitor, treat, or prevent an infection.

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.

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.

Abstract: Clamps and methods are disclosed for clamping portions of fluid containers and displacing fluid from portions of fluid containers. In one embodiment, a clamp has a first jaw having a photopermeable main body portion and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are operatively associated so that at least one jaw, or both jaws, may be moved between clamped and released positions. The clamp is sized to receive a portion of a fluid container and displace fluid in the fluid container from a clamped region of the fluid container when the first and/or second jaw(s) are in the clamped position. The photopermeable main body portion(s) of the first and/or second jaw(s) allow some light to reach the clamped region of the fluid container during photoradiation to inactivate pathogens in the fluid. Various clamp embodiments and assemblies having lock members and interlocks are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for maintaining clear passageways in an extracorporeal blood flow system. The method comprises intermittently providing one or more anti-clotting agents to a passageway of the extracorporeal blood flow system. Also disclosed is an extracorporeal blood flow system. The system comprises a passageway, and a device operatively connected to provide one or more anti-clotting agents to a least a portion of said passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for irradiation of fluid with electromagnetic radiation, and in particular to an apparatus and method for irradiation of blood or other body fluids with ultraviolet radiation is provided. The apparatus (1) comprises a housing (2) having disposed therein at least one mount (6) adapted for receiving an ultraviolet radiation source (7) and at least one holder (8) adapted for receiving a container of the fluid. The housing (2) is adapted for operability between a first position, wherein the container (9) may be placed in the holder (8) and a second position, wherein the housing (2) may form a capsule. The apparatus further comprises a control assembly for powering the ultraviolet radiation source (7). At least a portion of the inner surface of the housing (2) is capable of reflecting the ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to devices and methods for ex vivo or in vivo transfection of living cells using electroporation, in particular high throughput microfluidic electroporation, and to therapeutic uses of the transfected cells.

Abstract: Transimmunization methods incorporating skin immunologic challenges are described for either selectively suppressing the immune response of recipients of transplanted tissue or cells or monitoring induced anti-cancer immunity. In one embodiment, skin from the transplant donor is allografted to the transplant recipient to induce an immunological response to the transplanted skin. A quantity of blood is taken from the recipient and treated to render the T cells in the blood apoptotic and to induce differentiation of blood monocytes into dendritic cells. The treated blood is incubated and administered to the recipient to induce formation of suppressor T cell clones which reduce the number of T cells attacking the transplanted tissue or organ. This tolerogenic approach can be complemented by also feeding the immature dendritic cells apoptotic or necrotic cells from the organ donor.

Abstract: An extracorporeal therapy machine removes blood from a patient in order to treat the blood and then return the blood to the patient. If the removal needle or the return needle is dislodged and blood is not returned, the patient may suffer a great blood loss. A new technique for detecting dislodgement uses the normal, initial values of a plurality of parameters of the patient and the therapy machine to set criteria or limits for an alarm, and then adjusts those criteria based on the later values of those parameters as they change during one therapy or over several therapies experienced by the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photolytic artificial lung. The photolytic artificial lung converts water to oxygen for blood absorption, regulates pH, the removes carbon dioxide, and co-produces electrical power is disclosed. The photolytic artificial lung includes a photolytic cell where all of the chemical reactions occur. The photolytic cell disclosed herein can also be used to direct chemical reactions in organs other than the lung. Also disclosed herein is a gas sorption device for removing carbon dioxide from the system by chemical sorption.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing carbon dioxide from whole blood. Hydrogen ions are generated from water in the blood, resulting in the formation and release of carbon dioxide from the blood.

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.

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

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying viruses and bacteria in a closed loop system that irradiates the fluid multiple times through the same channel. The apparatus consists of a cuvette, an irradiation station, a peristaltic pump, and a bottle. A plurality of power control switches controls the operation of the apparatus. This includes an on/off power switch, an on/off pump control, and a ultraviolet light control switch. A timer is provided to regulate the time period the cuvette is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation within the irradiation station. A cover is provided to enable the cuvette to be used and exposed to ultraviolet radiation within an enclosed environment.