Abstract: A bio-active coating composition is described which is the reaction product of two different reactions. The first reaction includes reacting a bio-compatible polymer backbone having .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl functionality with a hydrophilic spacer having at least one reactive functional group at its first and second ends. In this reaction, one of the reactive functional groups of the spacer reacts with a .beta.-carbon of the carbonyl functionality to bond the spacer to the polymer backbone. The second reaction includes reacting a bio-active agent with a remaining unreacted reactive functional group of the spacer in the presence of an optional catalyst to covalently bind the bio-active agent to the spacer.

Abstract: Angiographic vascular occlusion agents comprising a biopolymer alone or in combination with platelet-rich plasma. A liquid biopolymer gels in situ in contact with divalent cations. Biopolymer agent achieves permanent occlusion, biopolymer combined with the platelet-rich plasma achieves temporary or semi-permanent occlusion. The plasma is obtained from the patient's own blood to avoid undesirable immunogenic reactions. The occlusion agents have strong occlusive properties when injected into a bleeding vessel.

Abstract: A coagulation timer device is used to monitor the bleeding time of a patient to determine the amount of time required to achieve clotting. The coagulation timer device includes a carrier member, a linearly oriented absorbing medium which is affixed to the carrier member and a bag member which overlays the carrier member and the medium. The medium, such as filter paper or the like, is used to blot blood from an incision which has been formed through the skin. The medium is affixed to the carrier member and includes a plurality of segments each of which are defined by a scalloped edge portion which extends beyond the edges of the carrier member. The segments are used one at a time at predetermined intervals to blot the blood by touching the scalloped edge to the blood.

Abstract: A coagulation timer device is used to monitor the bleeding time of a patient to determine the amount of time required to achieve clotting. The coagulation timer device includes a carrier member, a linearly oriented absorbing medium which is affixed to the carrier member and a bag member which overlays the carrier member and the medium. The medium, such as filter paper or the like, is used to blot blood from an incision which has been formed through the skin. The medium is affixed to the carrier member and includes a plurality of segments each of which are defined by a scalloped edge portion which extends beyond the edges of the carrier member. The segments are used one at a time at predetermined intervals to blot the blood by touching the scalloped edge to the blood.

Abstract: A method for quantitation of blood parameters comprises the steps: provision of a sample of plasma, serum or blood, entering the sample into a cuvette with an internal dimension less than 1 mm, illuminating the sample by a light source, measuring and recording the changes of light properties caused by the sample as a function of time, calculating parameters of the recorded light signal/time curve such as slopes, extreme values, and the time distance between such extreme values, and interpreting the parameters as blood parameters. For the measurements, an apparatus is used comprising a cuvette (16, 17) with an internal dimension less than 1 mm, a light source (7, 9), means (8, 10) for measuring currently a light signal from the sample, means for recording the measured light signal values, and means for calculating parameters of the thereby defined light signal versus time graph.

Abstract: A method for calculating a coagulation characteristic of a sample of blood, a blood fraction, or a control comprises generating an output signal indicative of coagulation of the sample, sampling the output signal at a sampling rate for a predetermined time to provide a plurality of sampled signal values, storing the sampled signal values, rectifying the stored sampled signal values to provide a plurality of envelope values, and storing the envelope values. The stored envelope values are examined in reverse time order to determine a slope of the envelope at each of the stored envelope values. All relative maxima in the stored envelope values are identified. A range of stored envelope values corresponding to each relative maximum is determined. The identified relative maxima are compared to locate an absolute maximum in the stored envelope values.

Abstract: Autologous platelet-rich plasma and a biocompatible polymer containing hemostatic adhesive agents. The agents have strong hemostatic properties when applied to a bleeding wound or vessel.

Abstract: With a blood measuring apparatus according to the invention, which uses capillary tubes (16, 17), these can be filled with blood from a drop of blood of about 1 microliter. This small amount of blood can be produced by the pricking of a finger. The blood sample can then be placed in an apparatus (1) with equipment for the determination of the blood by transillumination. The tubes (16, 17) are mounted in an independent plate piece (6), and the tubes are secured in V-form so that the inlet ends lie closely up against each other. This provides the possibility of filling two tubes at the same time, and herewith the possibility of simultaneous determination of one's own blood and a comparison with blood in, for example, a prepared tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the resistance of biomaterial to thrombosis and infection and for improving tissue ingrowth, by eliminating undissolved gasses therefrom and by incorporation of therapeutic agents therein via the application of hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A compression orb for use in combination with known bandage means to simulate manual digital pressure hemostasis following an arterial or venous puncture. The orb is formed from transparent plastic and is shaped as a hollow dome having a central, raised bulb or second, smaller dome which is integrally formed with and extends from the first domed portion. The flat, circular surface of the orb is releasably attached to the bandage means and the raised bulb portion of the orb is pressed upon the puncture site by means of the secured bandage. The bandage means includes a transparent window through which the orb and puncture site may be viewed without having to lift the bandage and orb from the wound to check for bleeding.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention use a beam of laser emitted optical energy to effect wound closure and reconstruction of biological tissue. In response to input as to tissue type and thickness, a computer determines the output power, exposure time and spot diameter of the emitted beam to control the application of optical energy to produce thermal heating of biological tissue to a degree suitable for denaturing the tissue proteins such that the collagenous elements of the tissue form a "biological glue" to seal immediately and/or to reconstruct the tissue being heated. In a given embodiment, the computer directly controls output power of the laser by regulating the laser's input current, and limits exposure time by deactivating a shutter mechanism when the determined time is reached. Beam diameter is manually set in response to a displayed value for a sliding scale that controls the working distance between the end of a fiber optic beam guide and the tissue site.

Abstract: Improved thrombin formulations, stable at room temperature using stabilizing quantities of a polyol and a buffer at specific pHs are described wherein crude thrombin is first purified by two-stage ion exchange chromatography.

Abstract: Thrombin solutions can be rendered storage stable using stabilizing quantities of an anti-autolytic buffer in combination with low levels of saline and glycerol to prevent denaturation.

Abstract: An antithrombogenic thermoplastic polyurethane product and process for preparing the same which comprises a substrate and at least one layer of a polyurethane alloy complex comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and completely dispersed therein a preformed complex of an antithrombogenic material ionically bonded with a quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: An antithrombogenic thermoplastic polyurethane product and process for preparing the same which comprises a substrate and at least one layer of a polyurethane alloy complex comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane and completely dispersed therein a preformed complex of an antithrombogenic material ionically bonded with a quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: A method of treating articles to improve their biocompatibility is disclosed. A substrate material is positioned within a reactor vessel and exposed to plasma gas discharge in the presence of an atmosphere of an inert gas and then in the presence of an organic gas, such as a halocarbon or halohydrocarbon gas, capable of forming a thin, biocompatible surface covalently bonded to the surface of the substrate. The method is particularly useful in the treatment of vascular graft materials to improve their biocompatibility.

Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polyvinyl chloride and 5 to 150 parts by weight of a high molecular weight, modified polyester which is prepared by reacting (A) a polyester having a carboxyl group at terminal thereof and containing an ester unit of total carbon atoms of 8 to 10 in the diol component and the dicarboxylic acid component with (B) a compound having epoxy groups at both terminals thereof, said polyvinyl chloride composition having excellent acticoagulant activity and hence being useful for various blood handling devices including blood transmitting tube, as well as other utilities such as packages for foodstuffs as in the conventional polyvinyl chloride composition.

Abstract: According to the invention, the oxysulfonic derivative of the copolymer of acrolein and acrylic acid is of the following formula: ##STR1## where n=190 to 600, m=190 to 500, and p=830 to 850. This biologically active compound can be used as a direct and prolonged action blood antiacoagulant to be administered in the form of 1- or 2-percent solutions. The preparation according to the invention features a long shelf and has a longer action than the well-known heparin.

Abstract: A composite material of de-N-acetylated chitin and fibrous collagen, which may be prepared by bringing the de-N-acetylated chitin and the fibrous collagen into mutual contact in an aqueous acidic medium followed by deacidifying the obtained product, the fibrous collagen being able to be partially replaced by gelatin and/or soluble collagen, and a shaped material derived from the composite material is excellent in mechanical strength, heat-resistance and biostability and advantageously employed in the field of medical materials, edibles such as edible casing and base materials for inmobilizing enzyme.

Abstract: The disclosure is of articles having reduced thrombogenicity and which are useful for purposes requiring their contact with whole blood. The articles comprise solid, polymeric resin substrates to which there is fixed a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl of 12 to 18 carbon atoms, inclusive, R.sub.1 is lower alkyl and A is the negative ion of a soluble salt of heparin. The articles advantageously exhibit low toxicity and excellent blood compatibility when used for purposes which bring them into contact with whole blood for prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of complex protein mixtures by lowering (desalting) or by raising (salting-out) their electrolytic (ionic) concentration by electrodialysis followed by chilling, pH adjustment, filtration, and/or centrifugation and optionally thereafter restoration of the lost electrolyte or removal of the gained electrolyte and water. This technique is especially adaptable for therapeutic plasma exchange performed in situ for immunepheresis i.e. removal of globulin or immunecomplexes implicated in autoimmune diseases. The techniques are also applicable for antihemophilic factor separation and purification, and separation of proteins from whey.

Abstract: A process is described for the fractionation of solutions of protein mixtures which includes the steps of subjecting such solutions to "salting-out", separation of the resulting turbidity, subsequent removal of the "salting-out" agent from the supernatant by dialysis and finally making up the original salt level of the liquid if required. Such a process may be used in therapeutic plasma exchange where removal of immunoglobulins or their complexes therefrom is desired so that the remaining albumin void of immunoglobulins can be administered back to the patient.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for treating one surface of a wall of articles to be used in contact with blood. A solution which is compatible with blood is brought into contact with the surface and a partial vacuum is applied to the wall for a predetermined time period. This partial vacuum causes gas nuclei trapped in irregularities in the surface to permeate through the wall. Consequently when blood displaces the solution there is less likelihood of blood platelets being trapped on the surface with eventual blood clotting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and defibrinating blood in a flexible container. The blood is collected in a flexible container of appropriate size into which is placed a sufficient quantity of glass beads or the like and a predetermined amount of gas. The flexible container is positioned within a vacuum chamber. The vacuum drawn in the chamber expands the gas within the flexible container to permit only about one half of the container to fill with blood. The flexible container is agitated causing the glass beads or the like to move rapidly through the blood and whip out the fibrin. An alternative embodiment substitutes a reticulated material in place of the glass beads positioned within the container.