Abstract: A Continuous Ambulatory Hemofilter includes an outer casing, multifunction pump, hemofilter, reverse osmosis filter, power source, drainage bag, blood lines and fluid lines, characterized in that the hemofiltrate from the hemofilter is moved to a reverse osmosis filter. The ultrafiltrate fluid from the reverse osmosis filter flows to the out-flow tube of the hemofilter vein line through a dedicated fluid line. The exit of the reverse osmosis filter is connected to a drainage bag. The multifunction pump moves blood from a permanent jugular catheter to the hemofilter, and fluids between the hemofilter, reverse osmosis filter, vein line and drainage bag. An electrode is placed at the in-flow tube of the hemofilter to measure incoming blood osmolality. The electrode is connected to a microprocessor that is further connected to a computer-controlled valve at the out-flow line of the reverse osmosis filter. The microprocessor is connected with a memory card.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to degassing devices for dialysate circuits. One embodiment has a first housing and a second housing positioned within the first housing in an annular relationship. A second embodiment comprises a dialysate regeneration system with urease, a dialyzer, and a housing with an external wall, where the external wall is exposed to atmosphere and comprises a material that passes gas but does not pass liquid and where the housing is positioned between the urease and dialyzer.

Abstract: Multi-lumen catheters with improved tip configurations, including a triple-lumen catheter which may be useful for apheresis. In one variation, the catheter has three lumens with distal openings angularly spaced apart and staggered axially with respect to one another. In another variation, the catheter has two lumens exiting distally and one centrally positioned lumen exiting proximally. A third variation is a catheter with a single distal opening and two proximal openings. The staggered lumen openings along the axial length of the catheter may decrease recirculation while maximizing flow rates.

Abstract: A method for emptying a blood tubing set of a blood treatment device that includes an extracorporeal blood circuit with a membrane filter includes supplying air or gas to the blood tubing set to displace liquid therein. The blood tubing set includes arterial and venous patient blood tubes in communication with a first chamber of the membrane filter. The device also includes a substituate line which opens into the arterial blood tube and/or into the venous blood tube, and a substituate pump. To empty the blood tubing set, the arterial blood tube and the venous blood tube are connected to one another to provide a circuit that includes the membrane filter, the arterial blood tube, and the venous blood tube. The substituate line is disconnected, and the air or gas is pumped into the blood tubing set so as to displace liquid into a second chamber of the membrane filter.

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 invention provides a system and a method for removal of contrast from blood. In one aspect, the invention provides a catheter for removal of contrast from the veins that drain the cerebral circulation. In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for removing contrast from blood by contacting the blood with a sorbent.

Abstract: An enclosure for containing a portable hemodialysis unit includes a housing suitable to support components for performing hemodialysis including a dialyzer, one or more pumps to circulate blood through the dialyzer, a source of dialysate, and one or more pumps to circulate the dialysate through the dialyzer. The housing may have a front panel at which blood circuit connections and dialysate fluidic connections are located, e.g., blood line connections for patient blood access, connections for a reagent supply, dialyzer connections for both blood flow and dialysate, etc. The enclosure may also include a pair of vertical, side-by-side doors hingedly mounted to the housing. With the doors in the closed position, access to the patient access and dialysate fluidic connections may be blocked, and the doors may allow for the retention of heat in the housing suitable for disinfection during a disinfection 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 oxygenator combines, in a single structure, a heat exchanger, a gas exchanger, an arterial filter, and a filter frame. Such an oxygenator permits fewer fluid connections and thus may simplify an extracorporeal blood circuit, including a heart-lung machine and a blood reservoir, in which it is used. In some embodiments, the oxygenator may be configured to include multiple purge ports for purging bubbles both before and after filtering the blood.

Abstract: The invention provides a way of producing a natural immunologically active state in a person by subjecting him to an apheresis procedure with bioincompatible biomaterials for about one hour. To safely control the immunological shock induced by this procedure, the person is put under general anesthesia for about six hours, including the apheresis time and at least an additional five hours thereafter. This immunological activation is useful for treating malignant tumors and diseases related to immunosuppression, such as AIDS. The invention also provides for the use of an apheresis column containing a blood perfusion filter with bioincompatible materials for treating malignant tumors and infectious diseases.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus, during priming, has one end of the fluid infusing line L3 connected at the same location as the connected location of the fluid infusing line L3 during the blood purification treatment process. Determining whether either a pre-fluid infusion, where replenishment fluid is supplied to an arterial air trap chamber 5, or a post-fluid infusion, where the replenishment fluid is supplied to a venous air trap chamber 6, will be performed in the blood purification treatment process. The end of an arterial blood circuit 2 and the end of a venous blood circuit 3 are connected together to communicate fluid. In addition, a blood pump 4 is driven in normal rotation or in reverse rotation direction while the replenishment fluid is supplied from the fluid infusing line L3. The replenishment fluid is discharged from an overflow line 6a.

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.

Abstract: A medical connector (18) has a visual signal (67) formed by a colored screen-applied band arranged on a bolt (63). In a correct engaged position of the bolt (63) with an external element, the signal is visible. In an incorrect engaged position, the part of the bolt (63) bearing the signal is lowered, so that the signal is hidden from view, providing an indication of a faulty situation. The medical connector serves to connect the end of a dialysate supply tube to an inlet port of a dialyser.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus has a dialyzer (1), an arterial blood circuit (2) with a blood pump (4), a venous blood circuit (3), a dialysis fluid introduction line (L1), a dialysis fluid discharge line (L2), a dialysate infusing line (L8), and a dialysate infusing pump (13). A closed circuit is formed in the flow route of the dialysis fluid on the dialysis fluid introduction line (L1) side including a predetermined part where a collection port (11) is formed. A testing process is performed to confirm the connection of the dialysate infusing line (L8) to the collection port (11) by measuring fluid pressure within the closed circuit while driving the dialysate infusing pump (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing blood from an extracorporeal blood circuit and/or a functional device, each connectable or connected with a blood treatment apparatus for the purpose of blood treatment of a patient. The blood treatment apparatus of the method comprises or is connected with at least one extracorporeal blood circuit with a line having interior portions, the extracorporeal blood circuit comprising at least one arterial line section and at least one venous line section, wherein a first section of the arterial line section is configured to be connected with a second section of the venous line section, and further comprises at least one blood pump for conveying blood within the line interior portions. The method includes the step of operating the blood pump in a second conveying direction which is opposite to a first customary conveying direction. It further relates to corresponding apparatuses.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and methods to consistently separate and concentrate selected blood components. The system includes, e.g., a computerized fluid handling system to transfer blood components between a centrifugal blood separation disc, containers and a concentrator.

Abstract: A blood treatment device has a blood purification element divided into two chambers by a semipermeable membrane. With the device, nonphysiological conditions of the patient, in particular critical potassium concentrations and withdrawal rates, can be better prevented during the blood treatment. The device's analyzer unit determines on the basis of at least one sensor the concentration of a substance in the blood in the blood inlet line, the instantaneous transfer rate of this substance through the membrane, and the total quantity of this substance withdrawn during the treatment. The determined concentration is compared with a first admissible value range, the transfer rate is compared with a second admissible value range, and the quantity of the substance withdrawn is compared with a third value range. The device's control unit can instruct the device such that the blood treatment device performs the blood treatment while maintaining all three admissible value ranges.

Abstract: A blood purification apparatus has a dialyzer (1), an arterial blood circuit (2) with a blood pump 4, a venous blood circuit 3, a dialysate introduction line L1, a dialysate discharge line L2, a substitution line L3, and a substitution pump 9 that supplies the dialysate flowing in the substitution line L3 to the arterial blood circuit 2. A control device (11) estimates or measures the concentration of blood in a dilution channel section A. The control device (11) controls the volume of dialysate supplied by the substitution pump 9 on the basis of the estimated or measured blood concentration.

Abstract: A fuel-cell powered medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine is disclosed. The machine is intended for remote or rural areas where standard household or utility power is not available or is subject to interruption. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen or other source of protons, or may instead be powered by methanol or ethanol, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cell may be operated directly, as in powering a portable, wearable dialysis device, or may be operated indirectly, to generate and store power in an electric power storage device of the medical fluid or dialysis device. The medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine may include circuitry allowing for use by household or utility power while also including a fuel cell for use when other power is not available. A catalytic heater may be used to warm the dialysis fluid.

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 wound closure apparatus and associated methods are provided which utilize blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of blood fluid within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. An apparatus for providing ways of inhibiting anticoagulating agents and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits are also disclosed. The invention provides a clotting cascade initiation apparatus including a substantially enclosed sterile containment chamber within which an aliquot of blood fluid, either autologous or from donor sources, can be received and retained. In preferred embodiments, the sterile containment chamber further includes a heparin binding agent which will bind heparin and remove it from the blood fluid. In further embodiments, the containment chamber will also include a procoagulating agent, wherein a clotting cascade can be initiated when the blood fluid is accepted into the sterile containment chamber.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for estimating a probability that a patient is bleeding or has sustained intravascular volume loss (e.g., due to hemodialysis or dehydration) and/or to estimate a patient's current hemodynamic reserve index, track the patient's hemodynamic reserve index over time, and/or predict a patient's hemodynamic reserve index in the future. Tools and techniques for estimating and/or predicting a patient's dehydration state. Tools and techniques for controlling a hemodialysis machine based on the patient's estimated and/or predicted hemodynamic reserve index.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood therapy control unit housing has a first and second manually mounted panels and spring loaded components configured for releasably engaging and tensioning the said panels against a side of said housing. The first and second panels have arch-shaped tubing segments mounted on the interior side of said respective panels. Each of the tubing segments are held in operational engagement with a different peristaltic pump rotor by the panel engaging and tensioning components.

Abstract: An oxygenator combines, in a single structure, a heat exchanger, a gas exchanger and an arterial filter. Such an oxygenator permits fewer fluid connections and thus may simplify an extracorporeal blood circuit, including a heart-lung machine and a blood reservoir, in which it is used. In some cases, the oxygenator may be configured to include multiple purge ports for purging bubbles both before and after filtering the blood.

Abstract: Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological site, e.g., a physiological efferent fluid collection site, are provided. Aspects of the invention include fluid removal (e.g., aspiration) devices having a fluid removal element and a flow modulator positioned at a distal end of the fluid removal element. The flow modulator is configured to converge intersecting fluid flow paths into the fluid removal element. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.

Abstract: A cardiotomy and venous blood reservoir, including a housing assembly, a venous inlet port, a venous sub-assembly, a cardiotomy inlet port, and a cardiotomy sub-assembly. The housing forms a chamber. The venous sub-assembly includes a downtube and a bowl. A diameter of the downtube lumen increases to a downstream end. The bowl forms a floor surface for receiving flow from the lumen. The cardiotomy sub-assembly includes a dish and an inner post. The dish defines an aperture. The inner post extends from the dish and forms a guide surface received within the central aperture and forming an undulating curvature increasing to a diameter greater than the diameter of the central aperture. Cardiotomy liquid drops from the dish fall on to the undulating, closely positioned guide surface with minimal splashing.

Abstract: A combination oxygenator and arterial filter device for treating blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit. The device includes a housing maintaining a core and a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is formed by a plurality of hollow fibers continuously helically wound about the core to form layers of level wound fibers. The layers combine to define an oxygenator region and a radially outward depth filter region. A minimum gap spacing between fibers of the oxygenator region layers is greater than a minimum gap spacing of the depth filter region layers. The fiber bundle can function as a blood oxygenator and exhibits a filtration efficiency of not less than 92% in filtering particles having a particle size of about 45 microns. An oxygenator with integrated arterial filtering capability is provided that minimally impacts the extracorporeal blood circuit prime volume.

Abstract: A method includes initiating a blood fluid removal session of a patient; monitoring an indicator of tissue fluid volume of the patient, or a portion thereof, during the blood fluid removal session; monitoring an indicator of blood fluid volume of the patient during the blood fluid removal session; determining whether a ratio of the indicator of tissue fluid volume to indicator of blood fluid volume is outside of a predetermined range; and altering the rate of fluid removal during the blood fluid removal session if the ratio is determined to be outside of the predetermined range. A blood fluid removal system may be configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A combination oxygenator and arterial filter device for treating blood in an extracorporeal circuit includes a housing, an oxygenator, and a depth filter. The oxygenator includes a hollow fiber bundle forming an oxygenator exterior face. The depth filter is disposed (e.g., wound) directly over the exterior face, and includes a plurality of filaments arranged to define filter layers of level wound filaments. A first layer directly abuts the oxygenator exterior face. The oxygenator bundle differs from the depth filter in terms of: fiber and filament materials, construction of the fibers and filaments, and/or minimum gap spacings between axially adjacent ones of the fibers and the filaments. An oxygenator with integrated arterial filtering capability is provided that minimally impacts the extracorporeal blood circuit prime volume.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring an indicator of fluid volume of a patient via a sensor device, and setting an initial fluid volume removal prescription for a blood fluid removal session based on the monitored indicator of fluid volume. The method may further include transmitting data regarding the indicator of fluid volume from the implantable sensor device to fluid removal device. In some embodiments, the fluid removal device sets or calculated the initial fluid volume removal prescription based on the data received from the implantable sensor. The indicator of fluid volume may be an indicator of tissue fluid volume or an indicator of blood fluid volume.

Abstract: A method for controlling an apparatus for treating blood outside the human body, with a view to improving the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus including a semi-permeable membrane carrying out an exchange of solutes, referred to as dialysis, and of liquid, referred to as ultrafiltration, with the blood, the method including at least one iteration of the following steps: determination of a so-called instantaneous value, of an ultrafiltration coefficient corresponding to the ratio of an ultrafiltration flow rate to a difference in pressure, the so-called transmembrane pressure, on either side of the semi-permeable membrane, comparison of the instantaneous value with at least one previously determined characteristic value; and control of the treatment apparatus to reach a maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient, the control including a variation of the ultrafiltration flow rate up to a value corresponding to the maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out selected fluid management and/or renal replacement patient therapy is characterized by an interactive operator control system having operator inputs for selectively changing a panel kit, replacing a filter cartridge, and/or changing to a different patient therapy during a currently running patient therapy, and providing operator instructions for carrying out tasks for completing same. In one embodiment, the interactive operator control system is also characterized by automatically serially identifying different setup steps to be carried out during system setup, displaying the successive steps substantially throughout the system setup as well as displaying on the operator interface screen sequential tasks to be carried out for each of the different setup steps.

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 ultrafiltration device and method for the removal of excess fluid in hypervolemic patients and/or removal of toxins in the blood including for patients suffering from either renal or cardiovascular disease is disclosed. An embodiment of the device includes a housing containing multiple large bore hollow fiber membranes which are connected to the patient's vascular system via a connecting element comprising bifurcated fluid pathway elements to physiologically channel the blood flow either to or from each hollow fiber membrane of the device, a channel to direct the fluid removed by the device to a suitable collection container or the patient's bladder, and controls that control excessive removal of the water from the patient. Devices can be either worn extracorporeally or surgically implanted in order to allow for continuous fluid removal with ambulatory freedom.

Abstract: A dialysis system instrument includes a dialysis instrument, a disposable pumping and valving cassette apparatus operable with pumping and valving actuators of the dialysis instrument, the disposable cassette including an electronic cell and electronics associated with the electronic cell, the electronics configured to determine an electrical property of a solution flowing through the electronic cell of the disposable apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a venous blood reservoir that has a separate blood chamber to filter vent blood and a separate chamber to filter sucker blood. The two blood chambers are separated by a common wall and are in fluid communication along their top assuring that vacuum applied to the top of either is equally applied to the other. A mean to form communication across the wall allows the user to either accumulate sucker blood in its chamber while letting vent blood to flow freely to the venous blood chamber. Alternately, user can let the blood in the sucker chamber to combine with the venous blood freely too.

Abstract: Artificial kidney for gradual, and at least semi-continuous, blood treatment, wherein a blood stream is fed from a body of a living human or animal being into the artificial kidney, where anticoagulation is first effected, blood cells and molecules of large and medium molecular weight, such as proteins, are then primarily separated from plasma and fed back to the blood stream, regulating a water and salt balance by diverting excess plasma water and further removing from the blood stream, plasma or plasma water accumulated and toxic substances, by removal of specific electrolytes and waste products and wherein purified or partially purified plasma and plasma water is being carried back to the blood tract of the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling blood withdrawal and infusion flow rate with the use of a pressure controller. The pressure controller uses pressure targets based upon occlusion limits that are calculated as a function of flow. The controller has the ability to switch from controlling withdrawal pressure to controlling infusion pressure based upon the detection of an occlusion. The controller distinguishes between partial and total occlusions of the withdrawal vein providing blood access. Depending on the nature of occlusion, the controller limits or temporarily reverses blood flow and, thus, prevents withdrawal vessel collapse or reverses blood flow to quickly infuse blood into the vessel without participation from operator.

Abstract: The instant invention encompasses a catheter, comprising: a first expandable occlusion device and a second expandable occlusion device, expandable beyond a wall of the catheter, the first occlusion device and the second occlusion device spaced along the catheter for generating an occluded segment of the blood vessel between the first occlusion device and the second occlusion device when the first occlusion device and the second occlusion device are expanded, a lumen or catheter for removing uncontaminated blood from a location up-stream of a first expandable occlusion device; a lumen or catheter for reintroducing the uncontaminated blood into a subject downstream from the second expandable occlusion device; apparati encompassing the above technology; and methods of use incorporating same.

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: 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: The present invention relates to an apparatus for making extracorporeal blood circulation available, in particular a heart-lung machine, comprising a venous connection and an arterial connection, between which a blood reservoir, a blood pump and a bubble detector for the detection of air bubbles are provided, with, downstream of the bubble detector, an arterial line leading to the arterial connection via an arterial clamp and a bypass leading via a bypass clamp back into the blood reservoir which is connected to a pump extracting air from the blood reservoir. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of operating such an apparatus.

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: 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 system or method controls total fluid loss (TFL) in a patient undergoing hemofiltration therapy administered through an extracorporeal circuit by frequently calculating and storing a retrievable value representing TFL. At session start or restart, the value is read to determine whether TFL is out of tolerance, and if so, fluid balance is restored before administering a prescribed therapy. The TFL value is calculated during therapy by measuring fluid added to the circuit and fluid removed from the circuit, and the result is stored as an updated value. If TFL drifts out of tolerance fluid flow rates may be temporarily changed until a desired fluid balance is restored. The system may include a microprocessor based advanced controller receiving the fluid measurements as feedback for regulating substitution fluid and filtrate flow rates, and updating the TFL, value in non-volatile memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calculation and control system for determining whether a patient intended to follow several sessions of hemodialysis treatment falls or not within one group among several groups of hypertension-affected patients, the system comprising: a) means for determining the value of at least one parameter representing the mass interdialytic evolution of the patient, for at least two sessions, b) means for determining the value of at least one parameter representing the plasmatic conductivity of the patient for at least two sessions, c) means for determining the value of a parameter representing the ionic mass transfer of the treatment for at least two sessions, d) programmed means for determining whether the patient falls or not within a group of hypertension-affected patients as a function of the interdialytic mass evolution of the patient, and/or of the plasmatic conductivity and/or of the ionic mass transfer.

Abstract: A cardiorenal patient monitoring system comprising, either implanted or non-implanted device(s), remote peripheral device(s), computer network(s), host, and communication means between the device(s), computer network(s), and host. The preferred embodiment shows an advanced patient monitoring system for using an implanted cardiac device and a dialysis machine in renal therapy. In addition, the method of advanced patient monitoring is in conjunction with the advanced patient monitoring system is disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrafiltration device and method for the removal of excess fluid in hypervolemic patients and/or removal of toxins in the blood including for patients suffering from either renal or cardiovascular disease is disclosed. An embodiment of the device includes a housing containing multiple large bore hollow fiber membranes which are connected to the patient's vascular system via a connecting element comprising bifurcated fluid pathway elements to physiologically channel the blood flow either to or from each hollow fiber membrane of the device, a channel to direct the fluid removed by the device to a suitable collection container or the patient's bladder, and controls that control excessive removal of the water from the patient. Devices can be either worn extracorporeally or surgically implanted in order to allow for continuous fluid removal with ambulatory freedom.

Abstract: A biologic ventricular assist device that also has the capability to capture, grow, and administer stem cells to regenerate and restore damaged myocardium in the heart. The device works in conjunction with a traditional ventricular assist device and possesses an additional external path or tube that is in-line with the path of the ventricular assist device. The external path allows for the administration of stem cells, genes, genetically modified cells or other therapeutic biologic or pharmacologic agents, as well as leading to a stem cell collecting accessory (14) that captures circulating stem cells. The stem cell collecting accessory is also associated with a chamber (39) for culturing the captured stem cells.

Abstract: One or more waste balancing systems may be used in a fluid circulating system for medical use. The fluid circulating system may be part of a blood treatment system for a patient suffering renal failure. A waste balancing system may include a pressure element operable to maintain a constant fluid pressure created by the combined weight of waste removed from a patient and replacement fluid for providing to a patient. Multiple evaluation characteristics or control parameters may be evaluated or controlled for safety and accuracy. At least part of the waste balancing system may be incorporated into a disposable cartridge.