Abstract: A hemofiltration system or method removes unwanted molecules from a flow of blood using cascaded first and second hemofilters. Filtration of the blood in first hemofilter raises hemoconcentration of unwanted protein-bound molecules. Combination of a substitution fluid with outflow from the first hemofilter creates a concentration differential between bound and unbound molecules that frees unwanted molecules from protein bonds. Filtration of the combined fluids in a second hemofilter removes the unwanted free molecules. A second substitution fluid may be added to the twice filtered blood fluid for return to a patient. Removal of inflammatory mediators, apoptotic mediators, and certain electrolytes may be effected, and the removal may be optimized by controlling fluid flows and transmembrane pressures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for venting a gas from a liquid, which are applicable to a wide variety of medical liquid delivery systems. The apparatus includes level detectors, a clamp, and a control apparatus operably connected to the level detectors and the clamp. The method includes detecting whether liquid or gas is present at the level detectors, and opening and closing a clamp to vent gas. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and method for controlling pressure differential across a semipermeable membrane by using a pressure sensor, a gas source, a valve, and a membrane.

Abstract: The method according to the invention and the apparatus according to the invention are characterized in that the substitution rate QS is modified by a predefined amount upstream or downstream of the dialyzer or filter while the flow rate QFM of the liquid withdrawn through the dialyzer membrane is modified. The blood volume RBV(t) or a variable correlated with the blood volume, e.g. the hematocrit Hct(t), is determined before and after modifying the substitution rate or the flow rate of the liquid withdrawn through the dialyzer or filter membrane in order to calculate fistula recirculation RA. In addition, the total recirculation R is determined. The percentage of fistula recirculation (RA) and/or cardiopulmonary recirculation (RCP) relative to the total recirculation is calculated from the determined fistula recirculation (RA) and the sum R of fistula recirculation (RA) and cardiopulmonary recirculation (RCP).

Abstract: A hemofiltration system and method for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for priming an extracorporeal blood circuit, in which the patient end of an arterial line (79) is connected to a first discharge port (61), and the patient end of a venous line (87) is connected to a second discharge port (62). The two discharge ports are connected to a used dialysate line which connects a dialyser (33) to a drain. The arterial and venous lines are filled with a priming fluid, while the air contained in the arterial and venous lines is evacuated partly through the first discharge port and partly through the second discharge port. Two check valves (65, 66) prevent flow from the used dialysate line towards the two discharge ports. The invention reduces the risk of errors on the part of an operator readying the priming configuration, as well as the risk of contamination of the extracorporeal circuit during the priming phase.

Abstract: An extracorporeal reservoir device including a housing, a venous inlet sub-assembly, and a venous filter. The venous sub-assembly is mounted to the housing and includes a downtube and a luer port connector body. The connector body extends from the downtube and forms a passageway open to a lumen of the downtube. The connector body is arranged such that fluid flow from the passageway merges with a flow path of fluid along the primary lumen at an angle of less than 90°. Secondary blood flow through the port connector body is less likely to induce turbulent flow into venous blood flow within the downtube, and is thus less likely to break up any bubbles carried by the venous blood. For example, at port flow rates of less than 500 mL/minute, fluid flow from the port connector body does not induce turbulent flow into fluid flowing through the primary lumen.

Abstract: A method for priming a blood tubing set having a venous line and an arterial line whose connections at the patient side are in communication with two separate inlets of a chamber of, in particular, a bag and whose connections at the machine side are in communication with a dialyzer. The method includes the steps of parallel filling of both the venous and the arterial lines via a feed line so that priming liquid flows through both inlets into the chamber; and circulation of the priming liquid in the circuit of the lines, the dialyzer and the chamber via a pump so that one of the inlets of the chamber acts as an inlet and the other as an outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for de-aering, oxygenating and controlling a temperature of blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit. The apparatus includes a housing, a manifold body, a heat exchanger, and an oxygenator. A blood inlet tangentially directs blood into a first chamber of the housing. The manifold body is disposed in a second chamber, and includes a core and a plurality of vanes that define channels. The heat exchanger is arranged around the manifold body, and the oxygenator around the heat exchanger. The channels are open to the heat exchanger. An established blood flow path includes rotational flow within the first chamber to separate air from the blood, generally longitudinal flow from the first chamber and along the channels, and generally radial flow through the heat exchanger and the oxygenator. With this construction, gross air removal occurs prior to the blood passing through the heat exchanger and oxygenator.

Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system includes a sensor clip assembly and a blood chamber. The blood chamber has an internal flow cavity for extracorporeal blood flow and viewing lenses to enable the sensor clip assembly to monitor the blood when it is mounted on the blood chamber. The sensor clip assembly includes an annular shroud surrounding the LED emitters and another annular shroud surrounding the photodetectors, both for the purpose of blocking ambient light and limiting light piping. The blood chamber includes separate, distinct shroud mating surfaces to engage the shrouds on the sensor clip assembly.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine includes at least one pump, a logic implementer storing a plurality of therapy prescriptions by which to operate the at least one pump, each therapy prescription pre-approved for a particular patient, and an input device operating with the logic implementer to allow the patient to select one of the therapy prescriptions for a particular therapy. In another embodiment, the input device operating with the logic implementer allows a doctor/clinician to select or approve one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine. In a further embodiment, the logic implementer is programmed to select or suggest one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine.

Abstract: A system for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel is provided. The system includes a cannula designed for maneuvering within a blood vessel to a site of interest and applying a suction force, such that the undesirable material can be captured and removed along the cannula away from the site. The system also may include a catheter having a balloon at its distal end. The balloon may be designed to be positioned adjacent to the undesirable material such that the undesirable material is situated between the balloon and the cannula. The catheter may also be designed to subsequently impart a force onto the undesirable material for removal of the undesirable material. A method for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel is also provided.

Abstract: A renal therapy blood cleansing system is provided. The renal therapy blood cleansing system includes a blood filtering device in fluid communication with a blood circuit, a balance chamber configured to exchange like volumes of fresh and used therapy fluid with the blood filtering device, a first pump configured to pump fresh fluid to the balance chamber, a second pump positioned and arranged to receive used fluid from the blood filtering device, and a control scheme. The control scheme is programmed to isolate the blood filtering device from the second pump and deliver a volume of fresh fluid to the blood filtering device via the balance chamber while the second pump is isolated from the blood filtering device, so as to increase fluid volume within the blood circuit.

Abstract: A device for the extracorporal blood treatment in a single-needle operating mode includes means for delivering blood into, and means for delivering blood out of means for collecting blood, and a controller for setting the respective delivery rates of the means for the delivery of blood. The operating mode of the means for delivering blood is continually switched between an arterial and a venous phase by the controller, wherein during the arterial phase the delivery rate Qb of the means for delivering blood is greater than the delivery rate Qsn of the means for delivering blood such that blood may be withdrawn from the patient during the arterial phase, and during the venous phase the delivery rate Qb is smaller than the delivery rate Qsn such that blood may be administered to the patient during the venous phase.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood circuit, comprising an expansion chamber for air-blood separation, wherein a filter (38) retains the solid particles in the blood. The filter has a trunco-conical filtering wall with a vertical axis surmounted by a top head (43) provided with upper openings (44) conformed and arranged such as to define a fluid passage which is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical axis. The top head does not retain air bubbles internally thereof, thus preventing a situation in which the air bubbles are directed towards an outlet of the expansion chamber and thus towards the patient. The extracorporeal circuit is used in a dialysis apparatus.

Abstract: An integrated centrifugal blood pump-oxygenator (1) which has a housing (2) with a top (3) having a blood inlet (4), a blood outlet (5) and a gas inlet (6), and a bottom (7) having a rotational body (8) being rotatably arranged in a rotor-housing (9) of the bottom (7). The integrated centrifugal blood pump-oxygenator (1) further has an oxygenator membrane (10) provided in an interior (11) of the housing (2), wherein in the operation state oxygen (12) is transferred from the gas inlet (6) through the oxygenator membrane (10) to a gas outlet (13) and blood (14) is brought in direct contact with the oxygenator membrane (10) by pumping the blood (14) with the rotational body (8) from the blood inlet (4) to the blood outlet (5). The rotational body (8) is magnetically journalled in a contact-free manner with respect to the rotor-housing (9). There is an extracorporeal life support system (1000), and a method of de-bubbling and priming a extracorporeal life support system (1000).

Abstract: A membraneless separation device can be applied to a variety of treatments, such as the ultrafiltration of blood for a patient with end stage renal disease. An ultrafiltration device can include a membraneless separation device, which separates an incoming blood flow into a substantially cytoplasmic body-free plasma flow and remaining fraction, and a dialysate-free second stage, which selectively removes excess fluid, toxins and other substances from the plasma flow and returns the processed plasma to the membraneless separation device. A treatment protocol can include ultrafiltering blood of a patient using the ultrafiltration device and performing a secondary treatment on the blood of the patient at a reduced frequency compared to the ultrafiltering. The membraneless separation device can also be applied to treatment, analysis, and/or exchange of plasma from blood, or combined with conventional dialyzers to perform dialysis on a cytoplasmic body-free plasma fraction.

Abstract: Methods and materials for making an apparatus which duplicates the functionality of a physiological system is provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device includes a resin bed including zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and urease.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed 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 embodiments 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.

Abstract: A blood treatment system including a computer with a program library containing data sets for the functional processes of blood treatment apparatus. The computer is used to generate data sets with the aid of a catalog of questions to be responded to interactively. In this manner, data sets can be generated corresponding to the individual requirements. The selecting of a data set can also be performed corresponding to the individual needs of the users and patients, respectively.

Abstract: A blood treatment apparatus includes: a blood treatment unit, a pair of fluid pumps and a pair of blood pumps. The blood treatment unit is configured to receive untreated blood and fresh blood treatment fluid, and emit treated blood and used blood treatment fluid. The fluid pumps are configured to pass blood treatment fluid through the blood treatment unit. The blood pumps are configured to extract untreated blood from a blood source, pass extracted blood through the blood treatment unit and deliver treated blood to a target vessel. Flow measurement device which determines at least one blood flow parameter reflecting an average flow in relation to the blood treatment unit during a well-defined period of operation of the apparatus, for example while completing one operation cycle.

Abstract: In a single needle extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, an ultrafiltration pump (10) performs a pure ultrafiltration of ultrafiltrate from an hemofilter (4). The blood may be continuously circulated through the hemofilter using a first pump (5), which alternates an higher flow rate during the arterial phase and a lower flow rate during the venous phase, and a second pump (6) which is maintained at a flow rate intermediate between said higher and lower flow rate. The apparatus may be used for treatment of Congestive Heart Failure.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprising a blood treatment device (2) having a semipermeable membrane (5) which separates a blood chamber (3) from a fluid chamber (4). A used fluid line (7) connects the fluid chamber to a used fluid discharge. A first pump (8) controls the ultrafiltration through the semipermeable membrane. A second pump (9) arranged in the used fluid line downstream of the first pump keeps pressure between the first and the second pump at a constant predetermined value. The invention provides a protection system against any possible pressure change in the used fluid discharge in a hemodialysis or hemo(dia)filtration apparatus.

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: 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. Current filters are inefficient at removing small bubbles 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. A motor driven impeller spins the blood within the shell and forces the gas toward the center by centripetal force, utilizing the buoyancy effects of the bubbles in blood, whereby the bubbles can be bled off at the center of the filter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to devices and methods for modulating renal function, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of modulating renal function in a patient including implanting an occlusive device in the patient, the occlusive device comprising a semi-permeable membrane and configured to expand or contract based on the passage of a fluid across the semi-permeable membrane. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

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.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing method using a blood circuit comprising a pair of blood passages attached to opposite flow ends of a blood treatment device and said blood circuit is mounted on a blood pump console, the method includes: withdrawing blood from a vascular system of a human patient and drawing the blood into the blood circuit; pumping the withdrawn blood through one of the pair of blood passages using a first blood pump of the console and into the blood treatment device; pumping the treated blood from the treatment device through the other of the pair of blood passages using a second blood pump of the console; infusing the treated blood from the other blood passage and into the vascular system of the patient, and periodically reversing a flow direction of blood through the pair of blood passages and blood treatment device.

Abstract: A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.

Abstract: The system for removing blood containing contrast dye includes an inner catheter having a fixed proximal end and a distal free end, and an outer catheter coaxially disposed around a portion of the inner catheter, defining an inner channel and an annular outer channel. The fixed end of the inner catheter is coincident with the proximal end of the outer catheter, and the distal end of the inner catheter extends outward from the outer catheter. An annular suction orifice is defined between the distal end of the outer catheter and the inner catheter. First and second balloons are mounted adjacent the distal ends of the outer and inner catheters. The distal free end of the inner catheter extends beyond the second balloon. In use, the first and second balloons are inflated in the coronary sinus and blood containing contrast dye is then removed from between the first and second balloons.

Abstract: A hemodialysis system includes a body fluid volume calculating unit, a dialysis condition input unit with which blood flow velocity and dialysis fluid flow velocity in hemodialysis treatment performed after specific hemodialysis treatment can be input and input values of the blood flow velocity and the dialysis fluid flow velocity can be adjusted, a dialysis dose calculating unit configured to calculate, when the blood flow velocity and the dialysis fluid flow velocity are input to the dialysis condition input unit, by analyzing a mathematical model concerning urea kinetics, a dialysis dose of the hemodialysis treatment from the input blood flow velocity and the input dialysis fluid flow velocity, a body fluid volume calculated by the body fluid volume calculating unit, and the like, and a dialysis dose display unit configured to display the hemodialysis dose calculated by the dialysis dose calculating unit.

Abstract: Drug delivery devices having non-luer connections and adapters and adaption connectors for providing non-luer connections to drug delivery devices are provided. An exemplary drug delivery device for use with a catheter connection includes a blunt needle component with a non-luer connection and a filter component with a non-luer connection, wherein the non-luer connections of the blunt needle component and filter component are incompatible with standard luer fitting and intravenous route-accessing devices. In one or more embodiments, an adapter having a non-luer connection at one end and a luer connector is provided for use with blunt needle components and filter components wherein one of the blunt needle component and the filter component includes a luer connection and the other of the blunt needle component and the filter component includes a non-luer connection. Methods of delivering liquid medication to a catheter are also provided.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus has a blood circuit, a blood pump and a blood purification instrument. A dialysate is introduced into and exits the blood purifying instrument. The blood purification apparatus has a pressure varying mechanism to vary pressure in a closed circuit under a condition where the blood circuit is formed as a closed circuit in a sealed condition connecting the tip end of the arterial blood circuit and the tip end of the venous blood circuit. A liquid leakage detecting mechanism detects liquid leakage in the blood circuit in accordance with pressure variation generated by the pressure varying mechanism.

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: This disclosure describes dialysis treatment monitoring systems and methods for operating dialysis treatment monitoring systems. The disclosure describes novel systems and methods for collecting and processing dialysis treatment information from a patient.

Abstract: A device for degassing gas bubbles out of a liquid comprises a housing having a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet and a gas bubble outlet. The housing includes a spiral wall defining a spiral flow path for the liquid and a hydrophobic membrane above the spiral wall and between the spiral wall and the gas bubble outlet. The spiral wall forces inward liquid entering the housing through the inlet into a spiral flow along the spiral flow path, and causes an upward flow of the gas bubbles toward the hydrophobic membrane. A method for degassing gas bubbles out of a liquid, e.g., blood, e.g., during hemodialysis, hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration, and use of such a degassing device in an extracorporeal circuit for degassing gas bubbles out of liquid, e.g., blood, e.g., during hemodialysis, hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration, are disclosed.

Abstract: An arterial line blood filter for use in extracorporeal blood circuits during heart bypass surgery has, among other components, a housing with a cap portion, a base portion, and a generally cylindrical wall portion. The blood filter has a filter element disposed within the housing. An inlet is positioned at an upward angle with respect to the housing and includes an opening in the generally cylindrical wall portion in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. In some embodiments the position of the inlet limits the pressure drop and prime volume of the filter. According to one embodiment, the cap portion has an upwardly sloping inner surface and there is a vent in the cap portion. The inner surface of the cap portion can have a projection proximate the vent configured to limit immobilization of gaseous microemboli within the inlet chamber.

Abstract: A cardiac-activity based prediction of a rapid drop in a patient's blood pressure during extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed. A proposed alarm apparatus includes a primary beat morphology analysis unit bank of secondary analysis units and an alarm generating unit. The primary beat morphology analysis unit discriminates heart beats in a received basic electrocardiogram signal, classifies each beat into one out of at least two different beat categories, and associates each segment of the signal with relevant event-type data. The event-type data and the basic electrocardiogram signal together form an enhanced electrocardiogram signal, based upon which the primary beat morphology analysis unit determines whether one or more secondary signal analyses should be performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.

Abstract: A renal therapy blood cleaning system includes: a blood filtering device in communication with an extracorporeal circuit; a first pump configured to pump fluid to the blood filtering device; a second pump configured to pump fluid from the blood filtering device; a balance chamber in fluid communication with first and second lines, the first and second lines in fluid communication with the first and second pumps, respectively, the balance chamber configured to exchange like volumes of fresh and spent fluid; a plurality of valves; and a control scheme programmed to operate the plurality of valves to enable spent fluid taken from the balancing chamber through one of the first and second lines to be recirculated to the balance chamber through the other of the first and second lines to compensate for a volume of fresh fluid delivered to the blood filtering device.

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: A blood filtration device, system, and method that can and selectively remove or reduce an unwanted, in certain cases unknown, substance from a patient's blood stream. More specifically, a specific size or size range of unwanted substance is selectively removed. The unwanted substance includes one or more of a pathogen, a toxin, an activated cell, and an administered drug. The device and system employ a microfluidic separation device that minimizes thrombogenesis and can permit the use of anticoagulants to be avoided. The device or system can be portable and can include its own power supply. Sensors in the system may monitor for the presence and/or concentration of unwanted species including pathogens or drugs and invoke a blood cleansing process responsively to the sensor signals in closed loop control process. The control may combine the infusion of therapeutic agents into the blood of a patient as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.

Abstract: A method for concentrating and isolating nucleated cells, such as a maternal and fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBC's), in a maternal whole blood sample. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for preparing to analyze and analyzing the sample for identification of fetal genetic material as part of prenatal genetic testing. The invention also pertains to methods and apparatus for discriminating fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal nucleated red blood cells obtained from a blood sample taken from a pregnant woman.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to dialysis venting devices and related methods. In some aspects, a dialysis system includes a fluid inlet line, a venting device in fluid communication with the fluid inlet line, and a fluid outlet line in fluid communication with the venting device. The venting device can include a housing defining a fluid chamber, a valve member disposed above the fluid chamber between a lower seat and an upper seat, and a pump that is operable to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the fluid inlet line and to force fluid out of the fluid chamber into the fluid outlet line.

Abstract: A filter member used in an oxygenator is constructed to provide improved contact with a hollow fiber membrane bundle and to capture bubbles contained in blood. The filter member possesses elasticity at least in the circumferential direction to allow the inner circumference of the filter member to be increased from a natural non-expanded state prior to placement on the hollow fiber membrane bundle to an expanded state in which the inner circumference of the filter member is increased when placed on the hollow fiber membrane bundle. The filter member is constructed to satisfy the condition 0.5?L2/L1<1, wherein L1 represents the outer circumference of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and L2 represents the inner circumference of the filter member in the natural non-expanded state.

Abstract: An access disconnection system includes: a material capable of absorbing blood from a patient, a light emitter positioned to emit light onto a first portion of the material, the first portion spaced at least a threshold distance from a second portion of the material, the second portion located so as to cover arterial line and venous line access points to the patient, the threshold distance including a distance from the access points to provide for an allowable amount of blood seepage from either access point due to a needle stick, a receiver positioned adjacent to the light emitter to receive light reflected off of the first portion of the material, and circuitry coupled to the light emitter and receiver and configured to provide an output (i) when light received by the receiver reaches a particular level or (ii) indicative of an amount of light received by the receiver.

Abstract: A monitoring arrangement 100 is configured to predict a rapid syruptomatic drop in a subject's blood pressure, e.g. during a medical treatment or when operating aircraft. To this aim, a pulse shape parameter (pps) with respect to a peripheral body part (105) of the subject (P) is repeatedly registered by means of a pulse oximetry instrument (110) adapted to detect light response variations in blood vessels. A respective pulse magnitude measure is calculated based on each of a number of received pulse shape parameters (pps), and a statistical dispersion measure is calculated based on the thus-calculated pulse magnitude measure. It is investigated whether or not the statistical dispersion measure fulfils a decision criterion relative to a reference measure. An output signal (?) is generated if the decision criterion is found to be fulfilled.