Abstract:
A variable pressure drive peritoneal dialysis system (10) has a pneumatic pressure system (16) for purging and controlling a flow of dialysate through a disposable dialysate cassette (23) of a disposable dialysate delivery set (21). The pneumatic pressure system (16) has a variable-opening flow proportional valve for supplying air at selected profiled pressure or vacuum to a pneumatic interface (18). The disposable dialysate cassette (23) has a diaphragm pump (P1, P2) actuable by the profiled air pressure or vacuum to move dialysate to and from a patient (28) via the disposable dialysate delivery set (21) at a desired profiled dialysate pressure.
Abstract:
An elongate electrical cable (18) and cable retaining clip (24), particularly adapted for use with medical devices, provides for the cable to be doubled on itself or coiled and to be clipped to itself for storage. When so stored, the cable is protected both from damage and from contamination of a connector (22) portion of the cable, both of which can adversely affect functionality of thecable (and medical device) with possible adverse patient safety considerations. The cable retaining clip provides for manual clipping of the cable to itself, and for release of the cable from its doubled or coiled storage position in response to a manual tug on the cable. Thus, the cable and medical device are ready for immediate use when necessary, and the cable is protected from damage and contamination.
Abstract:
A permeable structure (16) forms a chamber (12) to hold living cells (14). The structure includes a first permeable region (18) surrounding at least a portion of the chamber (12) having a confirmation that, when implanted is host tissue, substantially blocks penetration of host cells into the chamber (12) while permitting solute transport. The structure (16) also includes a second permeable region (20) overlaying the first permeable region (18) having a confirmation that, when implanted in host tissue, forms a permeable interface with host tissue that permits solute transport. A third permeable region (22) is located between the first (18) and second (20) permeable regions. The third region (22) comprises a solution of polymer material formed in place between the first (18) and second (20) permeable regions. The third permeable region (22) bonds the first (18) and second (20) permeable regions together. The third permeable region (22) also has a confirmation that, when implanted in host tissue, permits solute transport between the first (18) and second (20) permeable regions together, providing a robust, laminated structure that resists delamination during implantation caused by cellular infiltration into discontinuous spaces between the first (18) and second (20) regions. The third, formed-in-place region (22) can also have a confirmation providing an immunoisolation effect. Furthermore, the permeability of the third, formed-in-place membrane (22) is sufficient high that it does not adversely effect the permability value desired for the overall multiple layer structure (16).
Abstract:
The invention concerns a bioreactor for the cell-treatment of fluids. The bioreactor comprises a component defining a chamber in which are disposed fluid-treatment cells, a liquid-permeable membrane which separates the chamber from a first channel in which the fluid to be treated flows, and a gas-permeable membrane separating the chamber from a second channel in which an oxygenous gas flows. The chamber comprises two cell layers separated by a permeable layer.
Abstract:
A ring element (10) attaches to a length of tubing (12) to prevent contamination at a site (24) through which a portion of the length of tubing (12) extends. A resilient material having a first end (14) and a second end (16) is provided capable of mating to form a hollow, cylindrical shell (10). An electrically conductive material is provided on a surface of the resilient material. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive material includes silver. The ring element (10) may be placed on a tube (12) to prevent contamination at a site (24) through which a tube (12) is secured. The ring element (10) is connected to the tube (12) at the site (24) of injection of the tube (12) wherein the ring element (10) is capable of removal without removal of the tube (12) from the site (24). The ring element (10) is particularly adaptable for a transfer set connectable to a peritoneal cavity and insertable at a site (24) for, for example, peritoneal dialysis.
Abstract:
The present invention involves a process of making a powder-free rubber article using a multiple dip process. The process comprises the steps of: a) dipping a former of the desired shape of the article into a composition consisting essentially of an aqueous acrylic ester latex and water soluble salts capable of coagulating a rubber latex; b) dipping the former in step (a) into a rubber latex to produce a second layer; c) leaching the second layer in water; d) curing the first and second layers; and e) stripping the resultant article from the former. The acrylic ester latex is a water insoluble polymer emulsion in water. The polymer is composed predominantly of acrylic ester groups which make up at least 50 % by weight of the polymer.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a multiple-dip process for producing a powder-free glove having a polyurethane coating. The method of this invention involves dipping a former into a powder-free aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a polyurethane polymer or copolymer to form a first layer; dipping the first layer while still on the former into a powder-free coagulant; dipping the first layer into a latex compound to produce a second layer; leaching the second layer in water; curing the first and second layers; and stripping the resulting glove from the former. Gloves produced according to this process can be made in a continuous fashion without interruption and are more economical than conventional processes used to make powder free gloves. The method of this invention does not include a halogenation step but rather employs environmentally friendly materials which do not pose toxicity of environmental issues.
Abstract:
This invention is a protective shield (18) for a blood sampling unit that is movably engaged to an adapter (10) having a needle (12) attached. The shield attaches to a tube holder when the needle is covered by the shield. Longitudinal grooves (56) on the adapter (52) guide the shield between a first position, covering the needle, and a second position, exposing the needle. The shield can be locked in either the first position or the second position. The blood sampling unit is safely disassembled or re-assembled when the needle is covered by the shield. In an embodiment of the invention, a tip protector (42), removably attached to the adapter, extends through the length of the tube holder (44) to prevent needlesticks. The blood sampling unit and the tube holder can be assembled and disassembled when the tip protector is attached to the adapter, covering the needle. The tip protector is removed during a clinical procedure and then replaced after the clinical procedure is finished.
Abstract:
A tubing (10) having members (12, 14) located on the inside surface (16) of a tubing. The flow through the tubing (10) is easily and completely occluded when the tubing is clamped, due to the members (12, 14) filling channels (18, 20) around the clamped site. Reduced clamping pressure is required to fully occlude the flow through the tubing (10). The tubing (10) undergoes less deformation upon clamping and returns to its pre-clamped form easily upon recovery.
Abstract:
Polymer membrane structures are microfabricated from polyimide film by lithography or etching. The microfabricated structures have systematically varied dimensions and geometries conducive to implanting in host tissue and the promotion, when implanted, of new vascular structures.