Abstract: A method of removing unwanted molecules from blood includes (i) directing a flow of blood from a patient through a first hemofilter, (ii) removing a volume of fluid from the blood using the first hemofilter, (iii) combining a volume of first substitution fluid with an outflow from the first hemofilter, the volume of first substitution fluid being substantially equal to the volume of fluid removed from the blood using the first hemofilter, (iv) directing the combined first hemofilter outflow and the first substitution fluid volume from the first hemofilter through a second hemofilter, (v) combining a second substitution fluid with outflow from the second hemofilter, and (vi) returning the combined second hemofilter outflow and the second substitution fluid volume from the second hemofilter to the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extracorporeal blood treatment device for operation with a single patient connection, which is connected by an arterial and a venous blood line to an extracorporeal blood circuit. The invention further relates to a method for operating a blood treatment device with a single patient connection. The blood treatment device in accordance with the invention has two apparatuses 6, 7 for conveying blood in the arterial and venous blood lines 8, 9. The second apparatus 8 for conveying blood comprises means 11 for collecting blood and means 20 for establishing a pressure in the means for collecting blood 8, so that blood collected in the means for collecting blood flows to the patient connection.

Abstract: A machine (1) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a device (2) for ultrafiltration of a liquid through a semi-permeable membrane (3) of a blood treatment device (4), a first sensor (11) for ultrafiltration rate through the membrane, a second group of sensors (13) for measuring a trans-membrane pressure, an infusion line (16) with an infusion pump (17) and a programmed controller (14) for calculating a maximum infusion rate as a function of the transmembrane pressure. The machine is suitable for kidney failure treatments, such as hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration. In a relatively short time the machine enables a large quantity of corporeal blood to be removed from the patient.

Abstract: A gasket member is provided for use with a fluid processing cassette having a plurality of valve stations and a fluid processing system having a valve assembly with a plurality of valve actuators. The valve stations and valve actuators are positioned in discrete locations, with the location of each valve station corresponding to the location of an associated valve actuator. The gasket member includes a filter layer and a support layer, the support layer being made of a support material. The support layer includes discrete portions of support material corresponding generally to the discrete locations of the valve stations and the valve actuators.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing hemodialysis that include fluid handling systems that provide accurate control over the type and level of hemodialysis being performed. The system includes a first pump for pumping dialysate into a dialyzer and a second pump for pumping dialysate out of the dialyzer. The system also includes a third pump that provides improved control of a level of ultrafiltration, hemodiafiltration, or both.

Abstract: A method for capturing dislodged vegetative growth during a surgical procedure is provided. The method includes maneuvering, into a circulatory system, a first cannula having a distal end and an opposing proximal end, such that the first cannula is positioned to capture the vegetative growth en bloc. A second cannula is positioned in fluid communication with the first cannula, such that a distal end of the second cannula is situated in spaced relation to the distal end of the first cannula. A suction force is provided through the distal end of the first cannula so as to capture the vegetative growth. Fluid removed by the suction force is reinfused through the distal end of the second cannula. Subsequent to becoming dislodged, the vegetative growth is caputred by the first cannula. A method for capturing a vegetative growth during removal of a pacemaker lead is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an extracorporeal blood circuit control includes a base module having a control device and a patient module releasably connected to the base module and having blood-conducting components of the extracorporeal blood circuit. A pivot system is also provided at the base module and at the patient module to pivot the patient module relative to the base module about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing extracorporeal blood circulation and oxygenation control include multi-stage de-airing of blood to provide automated cardiopulmonary replacement to sustain patient life during a medical procedure such as cardiopulonary bypass graft surgery, keyhole cardiopulonary bypass graft surgery, percutaneous angioplasty, percutaneous stent placement, and percutaneous etherectomy.

Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.

Abstract: Hemodialysis dialysis systems are disclosed. Hemodialysis systems of the invention may include a dialysate flow path including a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. The circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuits may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the system. A gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer to, urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. The hemodialysis systems may include fluid handling devices actuated using a control fluid, optionally delivered using detachable pump. Fluid handling devices may be generally rigid and of a spheroid shape, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into compartments.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a patient's undesired hematocrit and/or hemoglobin concentration to a value within a desired range at a predetermined time with an erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) regimen includes obtaining patient parameters required for input into a model for predicting the patient's hematocrit and/or hemoglobin concentration at a predetermined time with a selected ESA administration regimen, the model including iron homeostasis, and employing the patient parameters and an initially selected ESA administration regimen in the model to predict the patient's hematocrit and/or hemoglobin concentration at the predetermined time with the initially selected ESA administration regimen. The method then includes administering ESA to the patient with an ESA administration regimen predicted to adjust the patient's hematocrit and/or hemoglobin concentration to the desired range at the predetermined time. The method can be implemented in a hemodialysis system.

Abstract: A method of checking and/or monitoring the correct operation of an adding device of a medical apparatus includes detecting a characteristic signal course being generated by the adding device. The medical apparatus includes an extracorporeal circuit with which the adding device is connected such that an agent can be introduced into the extracorporeal circuit via the adding device. The pressure loss in the extracorporeal circuit is measured and evaluated for checking and/or monitoring the correct operation of the adding device. The adding device for this purpose generates an oscillating pressure course.

Abstract: A monitoring device is arranged to receive a time-dependent measurement signal from a pressure sensor in a fluid containing system, which is associated with a first pulse generator and a second pulse generator. The pressure sensor is arranged in the fluid containing system to detect a first pulse originating from the first pulse generator and a second pulse originating from the second pulse generator. The monitoring device is configured to process the measurement signal to remove the first pulse. In this process, the monitoring device receives the measurement signal, obtains a first pulse profile which is a predicted temporal signal profile of the first pulse, and filters the measurement signal in the time-domain, using the first pulse profile, to essentially eliminate the first pulse while retaining the second pulse. The fluid containing system may include an extracorporeal blood flow circuit and a blood circuit of a human patient.

Abstract: A method is provided for the filling of a metering apparatus of a therapy device having an extracorporeal circuit with which the metering apparatus is in communication such that an agent can be infused into the extracorporeal circuit during the operation of the therapy device by means of the metering device. The method includes a step of diluting a concentrate located in the metering apparatus by taking up a diluting agent from the extracorporeal circuit.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood machine includes a blood circuit; an access device enabling the blood circuit to be connected to a patient; first and second coupling devices for connecting to first and second tubes of the circuit; first and second electrodes held by the first and second coupling devices to contact blood flowing through the blood circuit, the electrodes enabling an electrical signal to be injected into the circuit; first and second contact members contacting the first and second electrodes, wherein at least one of the coupling devices includes a stem portion enabling at least one of the first and second contact members to contact at least one of the first and second electrodes, respectively, on an outer portion of the at least one electrode without disturbing blood flowing through the coupling device; and electronics coupled operably to the first and second contact members for applying the electrical signal.

Abstract: A blood processing device includes a venous-access device, a blood component separation device, a return line, a draw line, a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a first pump. The first pressure sensor is located on the return line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a first pressure. The second pressure sensor is located on the draw line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a second pressure. The first pump is connected to at least one of the return line and the draw line and controls a flow rate within the connected line based on a subject access pressure determined based upon the first and second pressures.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for conveying an amount of red blood cells and an amount of plasma to a blood source. Blood is conveyed from a blood source into a separation device and the separation device is operated to separate the blood into a layer containing red blood cells and a layer containing plasma. Red blood cells and plasma are removed from the separation device and volumes of the red blood cells and plasma are conveyed to the blood source. The volumes of red blood cells and plasma are alternately conveyed to the blood source for said amounts of red blood cells and plasma.

Abstract: An oxygenator which helps avoid bubbles in the blood from being discharged through the blood outlet port of the oxygenator includes a housing, a hollow fiber membrane bundle in the housing and formed by a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes serving for gas exchange, gas-inlet and gas-outlet ports communicating with gas passages of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood-inlet and blood-outlet ports. A filter member is provided on a side closer to the blood outlet port of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and serves to catch bubbles in blood. The blood outlet port projects from the housing and a passage enlargement is provided in a vicinity of the end of the blood outlet port closer to the housing and having an increased passage cross-sectional area. The blood passed the filter member is allowed to reach the blood outlet port by being decelerated in the passage enlargement.

Abstract: A proposed blood treatment apparatus includes: a blood treatment unit, at least one fluid pump and at least one blood pump. 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. Additionally, at least one of the fluid pumps is configured to control the operation of at least one blood pump via the blood treatment fluid. Moreover, at least one of the blood pumps is integrated into a joint apparatus element, which includes the blood treatment unit. Thus, this blood pump and the unit may be mounted as well as be discarded jointly.

Abstract: In a hemodiafiltration apparatus, a control and command unit (11) halts a replacement fluid supply pump (8) and contemporaneously modifies the control mode of a blood pump (1) passing from a control based on the pump velocity to a control based on the blood pressure measured by a sensor (12) arranged downstream of a hemodiafilter (3). The aim is to prevent risks due to excessive hemoconcentration in the blood circuit between the ultrafiltration zone and the infusion zone.

Abstract: A blood processing device includes a venous-access device, a blood component separation device, a return line, a draw line, a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a first pump. The first pressure sensor is located on the return line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a first pressure. The second pressure sensor is located on the draw line between the blood component separation device and the venous-access device, and determines a second pressure. The first pump is connected to at least one of the return line and the draw line and controls a flow rate within the connected line based on a subject access pressure determined based upon the first and second pressures.

Abstract: A continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) device is provided that weighs between 2 and 10 pounds. The CRRT device can be portable, mobile or completely worn on the person of the patient. Blood and dialysate are each pumped in a pulsed or pulsatile manner through a dialyzer such that a significant portion of the peak pulse of the blood flow coincides with a significant portion of a low pulse portion of the dialysate flow. An differential pressure between a dialysate inlet of the dialyzer and the blood inlet of the dialyzer periodically changes from a high differential pressure of between 70 and 120 mmHg for a first time period and a low differential pressure of between ?10 and 10 mmHg for a first time period and a low differential pressure of between ?10 and 10 mmHg for a second time period. The frequency of the high and low differential pressure cycle is between about 0.5 and 4 Hz.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling a system for transporting blood, and a method for transporting blood in a blood line of an extracorporeal blood circuit of an extracorporeal blood treatment system. The present invention also relates to an extracorporeal blood treatment device comprising such a system for transporting blood. The method and device according to the present invention are based on the fact that a defined threshold value for the pressure in the blood line should not be exceeded. The system for transporting blood is controlled in such a way the blood in the blood line is transported in a pre-determined volume flow as long as the pressure in the blood line is below the pre-determined threshold value. When the pressure in the blood line reaches the pre-defined threshold value, however, the system for transporting blood is controlled such that a pressure value corresponding to the threshold value is set when the blood is transported in the blood line.

Abstract: A blood processing system for collecting and exchanging blood components includes a venous-access device for drawing whole blood from a subject and returning blood components to the subject. The system may also include three lines connecting the venous access device to a blood component separation device and an anticoagulant source. A blood draw line fluidly connects to the venous-access device to the blood component separation device. An anticoagulant line introduces anticoagulant into the drawn whole blood. A return line, fluidly connected to the venous-access device and the blood component separation device, and returns uncollected blood component to the subject. Each line may have a pump that controls flow through the line. The blood component separation device separates the drawn blood into a first blood component and a second blood component, and may be configured to send the first blood component to a first blood component bag.

Abstract: A method of providing a pumping system for assisting a human patient's heart and providing a blood pump to be disposed outside the patient's body is disclosed. The blood pump has an inlet and an outlet. An inlet cannula is provided for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the blood pump inlet to provide blood to the blood pump. An outlet perfusion cannula is provided for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the blood pump outlet to provide blood to the patient's vascular system. The blood pump includes a control system to control the blood pump. The control system includes at least two control units for redundant control of the blood pump, and each control unit includes a watchdog for monitoring the control unit.

Abstract: A method for removing an undesirable material is provided. The method includes maneuvering a first cannula within a vessel such that it is positioned for capturing the undesirable material. The method also includes positioning a second cannula within the vessel such that it is in a spaced relation to the first cannula. A suction force may be provided so as to capture the undesirable material through the first cannula. The undesirable material may be fragmenting as it is drawn along the first cannula, so as to enhance removal of the undesirable material through the first cannula. A system for removing an undesirable material is also provided.

Abstract: A dialysis apparatus has a dialysate infusing line. One end of the dialysate infusing line is connected to the dialysate introducing line or the dialysate discharging line. The other end is branched out at a branch point into two flow routes, respectively, a first branch end and a second branch end. The first branch end is connectable to the arterial blood circuit or the venous blood circuit. The second branch end is connectable to the tip end of the arterial blood circuit during the blood-returning process. A dialysate infusing pump is arranged on the dialysate infusing line at a connection-side of the dialysate infusing line relative to the dialysate introducing line or the dialysate discharging line from the branch point. The dialysate infusing pump supplies the dialysate of the dialysate introducing line or the dialysate discharging line to the first branch end and the second branch end.

Abstract: An extracorporeal filtration and detoxification system and method generally comprise separating ultrafiltrate from cellular components of blood, treating the ultrafiltrate independently of the cellular components in a recirculation circuit, recombining treated ultrafiltrate and the cellular components, and returning whole blood to the patient. A recirculation circuit generally comprises an active cartridge including active cells operative to effectuate a selected treatment; in some embodiments, the active cells are the C3A cell line.

Abstract: A fluid cassette for a blood processing system includes a cassette housing and a rigid structure. The cassette housing defines the structure of the cassette and has a fluid path at least partially extending through it. The fluid path is configured to allow a fluid to pass through the housing. The rigid structure defines a cavity that is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The rigid structure also has an interface for interfacing and/or connecting with a pressure monitoring device. The interface allows the pressure monitoring device to measure the pressure within the fluid path. The cavity has a volume of air located between the fluid path and the interface.

Abstract: A device for treating blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit, the device including a centrifugal pump provided with a transparent enclosure that is connected, by means of an inlet duct, to the outlet of a venous reservoir, the venous reservoir having an inlet that is connected to receive blood from a patient. The transparent enclosure of the pump is connected monolithically to the base of a structure that comprises a heat exchanger and an oxygenator. The structure also supports monolithically, at the peripheral region, an arterial filter that receives the blood in output from the oxygenator and is provided with a connector for coupling to an arterial line for return of the blood to the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the blood flow rate at which, in an extra-corporeal blood circuit of an extra-corporeal blood treatment apparatus, blood is pumped through the arterial blood line into the blood chamber of the dialyser and out of its blood chamber through the venous blood line is described. The method and apparatus provide for the determination of a plurality of parameters characteristic of the extra-corporeal blood treatment, with a given blood flow rate being determined in each case as a function of one of the characteristic parameters. A blood flow rate which is preset for the blood treatment is selected from the plurality of blood flow rates determined on the basis of the characteristic parameters. The blood flow rate to be preset is selected on the basis of a preset algorithm which may be implemented in software installed on a data processing unit or in hardware.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method of operating a blood treatment apparatus for the extracorporeal blood treatment of a patient, a blood volume monitor for monitoring an extracorporeal blood treatment of the patient by means of a blood treatment apparatus, and a blood treatment apparatus.

Abstract: Hemofiltration systems and methods to treat an Inflammatory Mediator Related Disease in a patients, including chronic and acute diseases, may include a hemofilter and an adsorptive device. The systems and methods may further include one or more therapeutic agents administered to the patient. The hemofilter removes ultrafiltrate from a blood stream extracted from the patient to create a filtered blood stream and an ultrafiltrate stream. The adsorptive device may include one or more adsorbent materials and may be used to adsorb inflammatory mediators from the ultrafiltrate stream received from the hemofilter to create a post adsorption ultrafiltrate stream. The post adsorption ultrafiltrate stream may be selectively combined with the filtered blood stream and together with the filtered blood stream may be returned to the mammal. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

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: 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: An apparatus for providing an extracorporeal blood circuit control includes a base module having a control device and a patient module releasably connected to the base module and having blood-conducting components of the extracorporeal blood circuit. A pivot system is also provided at the base module and at the patient module to pivot the patient module relative to the base module about a horizontal axis.

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: A liquid collection bag is used as a part of an extracorporeal circuit and is connected via a tube to a storage container containing a priming solution. The collection container collects the priming solution from the storage container by a pressure differential between the pressure inside the collection container and the pressure inside the storage container. The liquid collection container is a flexible bag body having a partition part dividing the inside of the bag body into a first space and a second space. In addition, a communication part communicates the first space with the second space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and to a method for determining the dialysis fluid flow rate for an extracorporeal blood treatment device. The dialysis fluid flow rate Qd is determined in accordance with the blood flow rate Qb or the blood flow rate Qb is determined in accordance with the dialysis fluid flow rate Qd, wherein by increasing about a specific value, the increase of a variable characterising the efficiency of the blood treatment, in particular clearance K, does not exceed the specific value. The present invention also relates to a blood treatment device comprising a device for determining the dialysis fluid flow rate or blood flow rate and to a method for operating an extracorporeal blood treatment device. As a result, an optimal dialysis fluid flow rate and/or blood flow rate calculates the requirement in accordance with a high efficiency of the dialysis treatment and in accordance with a reduced consumption of the dialysis liquid.

Abstract: A perfusion system that is easy to set-up, use and monitor during a bypass procedure includes at least some disposable components configured to communicate parameters to the perfusion system. An ultrasonic blood level sensor can be used to monitor a blood level or volume within a blood reservoir. The blood level sensor may be utilized in an integrated perfusion system in which the disposable components are configured, as noted above, to communicate with the perfusion system.

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 device is configured to detect a fault condition in a fluid connection system between a first (e.g. extracorporeal blood circuit) and second (e.g. vascular system of a patient) fluid containing systems. The first and second fluid containing systems comprise a first and second pulse generator, respectively. A pressure sensor is arranged in the first fluid containing system to detect pulses originating from the first and second pulse generator. The device operates according to a detection method, by generating a time-dependent monitoring signal based on measurement data obtained from said at least one pressure sensor, such that the monitoring signal at least comprises one or more first pulses; processing (42) the monitoring signal to calculate a parameter value which is indicative of the shape of at least part of a first pulse in the monitoring signal, and evaluating (44) the parameter value for detection of the fault condition.

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: The disclosure pertains to a perfusion system that is easy to set-up, use and monitor during a bypass procedure. In some embodiments, the disclosure pertains to a perfusion system in which at least some of the disposable components used with the perfusion system are configured to be able to communicate set-up and/or operational parameters to the perfusion system. In some embodiments, the disclosure pertains to a blood level sensor that can be used to monitor a blood level or volume within a blood reservoir. The blood level sensor may be utilized in an integrated perfusion system in which the disposable components are configured, as noted above, to communicate with the perfusion system. In some embodiments, the blood level sensor may be utilized with a perfusion system lacking communication with disposables.

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: 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 tubular medical fluid flow set comprises a pressure sensing chamber connected in flow-through relation to fluid flow tubing of the set. The pressure sensing chamber defines a movable, flexible, impermeable diaphragm dividing the chamber into two separate compartments. The fluid flow tubing communicates with one of the compartments and is isolated from the other of the compartments. A port is carried on the chamber, the port having a seal therein, and communicating with the other of the compartments. Thus, the other of the compartments is hermetically sealed until the port is opened for connection with a pressure measuring device, to keep the flexible diaphragm in a desired, initial position prior to opening of the seal.

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: 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: A control system (23) is arranged to control the operation of an apparatus (200) for extracorporeal blood treatment. The apparatus (200) comprises an extracorporeal blood circuit (20) and a connection system (C) for connecting the blood circuit (20) to the vascular system of a patient. The blood circuit (20) comprises a blood processing device (6), and at least one pumping device (3). The control system is operable to switch between a pre-treatment mode and a blood treatment mode. The blood treatment mode involves operating the blood circuit (20) to pump blood from the vascular system via the connection system (C) through the blood processing device (6) and back to the vascular system via the connection system (C). The control system (23) is operable to obtain measurement data from at least one energy transfer sensor (40) arranged to sense a transfer of energy between the patient and the connection system (C) or between the patient and the blood circuit (20).