Abstract:
Blood processing systems and methods create dynamic vortex flow conditions (130) within a processing chamber (40) by conveying blood into a separation path that extends circumferentially about the rotational axis along an entry path that extends generally parallel to the rotational axis. The vortex flow conditions perfuse blood into the separation path for separation into component parts. The systems and methods confine the vortex flow pattern along the entry path by reducing the radial width of the entry path.
Abstract:
A chamber for rotation about a rotational axis to separate blood components includes first and second spaced apart side walls forming a separation zone. Blood conveyed into the separation zone separates into a first region of cellular components (96), a second region of plasma (98), and an interface region (58) between the first and second regions. An outlet conveys the second region of plasma from the separation zone. An interior wall (84, 86) extends into the separation zone to permit passage of the second region plasma to the outlet while retarding passage of the interface region and first of cellular components to the outlet.
Abstract:
Systems and methods take into account that the spleen normally holds a number of platelets in reserve out of circulation. During blood procesing, the spleen releases these platelets into the donor's circulatory system, making them available for collection. The systems and methods estimate the number of platelets NSPLEEN held in reserve by the spleen in a human body. The systems and methods derive a splenic mobilization function Spleen, which can be expressed as a function of a precount of platelets PltPRE. The systems and methods estimate NSPLEEN where: N?SPLEEN? = Spleen-1 x Plt?PRE? x DonVol where DonVol is blood volume in the body. The systems and methods can also estimate the total number of platelets NPLT in a human body, taking the Spleen function into account, where: N?PLT? = Plt?PRE? x Spleen x DonVol.
Abstract:
An externally supported, tape-reinforced tubular prosthetic graft and method of manufacturing therefore. The graft comprises a tubular base graft formed of expanded, sintered fluoropolymer material, a strip of reinforcement tape helically wrapped about the outer surface of the tubular base graft and attached thereto, and, an external support member helically wrapped around the outer surface of the reinforcement tape and attached thereto. The helical pitch of the reinforcement tape is different from the helical pitch of the external support member. Preferably, the helical pitch of the reinforcement tape is in a direction which is opposite the direction of the external support member.
Abstract:
A female electrical connector (34) is carried on an electrical cable (26) including plural electrical conductors (28). The female connector includes an insulative housing defining a blind cavity (36) therewithin and an axial opening outwardly from the cavity. The housing carries a printed circuit board (166) carrying plural wire-like contacts (40) which individually connect with conductors of the electrical cable. The wire-like contacts (40) extend into the cavity of the connector for deflecting spring-like contact with electrical contacts carried by a male connector when the latter is inserted into the cavity of the female connector. A comb feature (50) of the female connector is formed by a strong end wall of the blind cavity and in a respective one of plural slots (52) of the comb feature movably receives a free end portion of each one of the plural wire-like contacts. The wire-like contacts (40) are free to move in the cavity in spaced apart parallel relationship between a first position against or adjacent to a shelf surface of the comb features and the second position spaced from the shelf feature as the matching male connector (20) is mated with the female connector. The end wall (138) of the female connector carries a stop member (190) preventing the male connector from being inserted into the female connector too forcefully and damaging either the wire-like contacts (40) or comb feature (50) of the female connector (34). Structural features of the female connector allow the insulative housing to be injection molded using dies which open only in the axial direction.
Abstract:
A double-sterile package for critical-use medical apparatus includes an inner first container including an outer boundary wall impervious to microorganisms and being closed except for defining a hole. A patch of gas-permeable micro-porous sheet material is secured to the outer boundary wall spanning and closing the hole. The gas-permeable sheet material is sufficient to exclude environmental microorganisms from entering the inner first container. The first container is received into and nested within a conformal second container also having a boundary wall impervious to microorganisms and being closed except for defining a hole. This hole of the second container is also closed by a patch of the gas-permeable micro-porous sheet material, and the holes of the first and second containers are in gas-flow communication with one another. The medical apparatus within the nested containers is sterilized by evacuation of air and introduction of a sterilizing gas via the gas-permeable patches. Removal of the sterilizing gas provides a packaged sterile medical apparatus which may be transported, stored, and handled with no further need to additionally protect the sterility of the apparatus, or for further sterilization after the package is opened immediately prior to use of the apparatus.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a method and apparatus (10) for automatically conducting peritoneal equilibration testing. The method involves removing a sample of overnight dwell fluid from a patient in an amount sufficient to determine the concentration of a metabolite in the drain fluid. The concentration of the metabolite in the sample is then detected and the overnight dwell fluid is drained and weighed. A known weight of dialysate fluid is instilled into a patient and thereafter there are periodically withdrawn samples of the dialysate fluid and the concentration of metabolite in each sample is determined. The ratio of metabolite concentration of each of the periodically drawn samples to metabolite concentration for the overnight dwell fluid is determined. The patient is then drained after a predetermined dwell time and the volume of drained dialysate is determined. The mass trasnfer area coefficient of the patient's peritoneal membrane is then obtained as a function of the measured variables. Means (10) are provided for conducting the method for each of the steps described.
Abstract:
Cross-linked hemoglobin infusion following subarachnoid hemorrhage dramatically reduces the tissue area of hypoperfusion and reduces the extent of neuronal damage in the area of hypoperfusion. A therapeutically effective dose ranges from about 1000-5500 mg of body weight and may be administered up to 72 hours after the onset of hemorrhage.
Abstract:
The self-supporting sheet-like material of cross-linked fibrin has a regular pore size. It is used as a bio-mechanical barrier for the treatment of internal traumatic lesions, in particular for the prevention of adhesion formation as post-operative complication. In the course of this it can be used either alone or in combination with a fibrin glue acting as a haemostatic agent. Since the material in terms of its composition and general structure is similar to endogenous products, it has, inter alia, an excellent bio-compatibility, bio-degradability and bio-resorbability.
Abstract:
The invention provides a flexible plastic formulation capable of being RF sealed, extruded, cast or blow-molded, gas, steam and radiation sterilized. The plastic formulation of the invention comprises: a) from about 40 to about 90 percent by weight of a polyolefin polypropylene based material; b) from about 3 to about 25 percent by weight of a functionalized block copolymer, the functionalized block copolymer consisting essentially of a central block copolymer molecule including generally equal proportions of ethylene and butylene units, and terminal blocks of polystyrene; and c) from about 3 to about 20 percent by weight a nylon. The plastic formulations of the invention are useful in the manufacture of blood bags, tubing and the like.