Abstract:
A non-PVC, non-DEHP material is provided for medical grade tubing (14). The material comprises a blend of polyurethane and polyester. The resultant tubing of the present invention has good low temperature characteristics, is autoclavable, and RF sealable. Accordingly, the resultant tubing (14) can be utilized for applications which heretofore have been filled in the marketplace by DEHP plasticized PVC tubing. In an embodiment, the material includes a citrate ester.
Abstract:
A system and method for treating a fluid carrying a biological contaminant to which a photoactive material has been bound include a treatment device (20) that defines a flow passage with a gap (26). The system and method operate to establish a flow of fluid from the inlet end (68) of the gap (26) to the outlet end (70) of the gap (26). The system and method expose the fluid, as it transits the gap (26) to a source of radiation (52) that activates the photoactive material bound to the contaminant. The system and method also mix the fluid as it flows within the gap (26).
Abstract:
A processing system (30) separates a cellular rich suspension (32) into a cellular first constituent (36) and cellular-free second constituent (38). The system (30) includes a separation zone (40) that receives the cellular rich suspension (32) and discharges the first (36) and second constituents (38). The system (30) coordinates the flow of cellular rich suspension (32) into the separation zone (40) with the flow of cellular-free second constituent (38) from the separation zone (40) to get a desired nominal separation efficiency. The system (30) also recirculates the cellular first constituent (36) back into the zone (40). By continuously recirculating the cellular first constituent (36) back into the separation zone (40), the system (30) can get and maintain a desired volume of the first constituent (36), despite the volume of cellular rich suspension (32) that is processed. By continuously recirculating the cellular first constituent (36) back into the separation zone (40), the system (30) also can provide operating conditions within the separation zone (40) that maximize separation efficiencies but that, without the benefits of recirculation, could otherwise damage or traumatize the cellular first constituent (36).
Abstract:
A catheter system (10) includes a guide wire (12), a working catheter (22) and a torque device (78) for removably coupling the working catheter (22) to the guide wire (12) while enabling rotation of the guide wire (12) relative to the working catheter (22). Advancement of the guide wire (12) in a vascular system is enabled by rotating the guide wire (12) while the working catheter (22) is coupled thereto. A procedure for use of the catheter system (10) includes the simultaneous insertion of the guide wire (12) and working catheter (22) into a vascular system and independent rotation of the guide wire for steering the guide wire (12), with working catheter (22) coupled thereto, through the vascular system.
Abstract:
An adjustable contamination shield (10) includes a distal fitting (12), a proximal fitting (14) and a collapsible shield (16), disposed between said distal (12) and proximal (14) fittings for enclosing an adjustable space therebetween and for preventing contact with a portion (20) of the catheter (22) disposed between the distal (12) and proximal (14) fittings. The shield (16) is supported in a collapsed configuration and controlled expansion thereof is provided when the distal (12) and proximal (14) fittings are moved apart from observation through an expanded portion of the collapsible shield (16) when the distal (12) and proximal (14) fittings are moved apart from one another.
Abstract:
A guidewire (10) having a centrally located core wire (12) about which is mounted a single outer helical coil spring (14). The core wire (12) is typically longer than the outer helical coil spring (14), with the helical coil spring and core wire having common distal ends (20, 22). The spring (14) is brazed at both its distal and proximal end to the core wire (12). The distal brazing of the core wire (12) and helical coil springs (14) is rounded. A second small radiopaque helical coil spring (42) is fitted in the distal end of the outer helical coil spring (14) and brazed to the core wire (12) and outer helical coil spring (14) at a location proximal the helical coil spring distal end.
Abstract:
A peristaltic pump comprising a housing (19), including a base (21), a resilient tube (27) and peristaltic pumping fingers (31) carried by the supporting structure. The tube (27) is positionable on the base (21) in a proper position and an improper position. In the proper position, the peristaltic pumping fingers (31) can properly progressively squeeze the tube to pump a fluid through the tube and in an improper position. A door (23) is mounted on the housing (19) for movement between an open position and a closed position. A latch (25) includes a pivotable latch member (51) on the door (23) and a fixed latch member (55) on the housing (19). The pivotable latch member (51) is movable between a latching position in which the door (23) is locked in the closed position and a releasing position in which the door (23) is not locked in the closed position. If the tube (27) is in the improper position, the pivotable latch member (51) is prevented from being placed in the latching position.
Abstract:
An adaptive filter concentrate flow control system and method includes a filter system (12), a pumping system (14) driving feed fluid, concentrate and filtrate flowing through the filter system (12) and a flow control system (18) controlling the pumping system (14) to maintain optimum filtrage flow rates or minimum feed flow rates along a control surface (102) in a three dimensional transmembrane pressure (feed fluid rate) filtrate flow rate space. Actual sensed operating point data is used to locate the control surface (102) so as to assure an optimized filtrate flow rate or minimized feed flow rate at which reversible blocking of the membrane has begun to occur without irreversible blocking or plugging. The system is advantageously employed to control and maximize the flow of plasma in a plasmapheresis system or to minimize the rate at which blood is withdrawn from a donor and introduced into the system while achieving a fixed rate of plasma flow.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus are provided for machine separation of blood into blood components, wherein a preselected fluid such as anticoagulant is added to at least two different locations (16, 112) through the fluid flow path of the set (10), in order to promote the different functional characteristics in different blood components. The method results in reduced incidence of citrate reaction in the blood donor and increased platelet yield in platelet rich plasma (60) collected during the procedure.