Abstract:
An dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The dry powder inhaler is designed so that a user's breath vacuums the dry powder from a well within the housing and directs the powder in a direct path to the user. This design prevents impaction and agglomeration of powder within the inhaler. A flow restrictor may be added within the inhaler to increase turbulence and thus increase dispersion of powder within the air inhaled by the user.
Abstract:
A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.
Abstract:
A blood detection system is used to detect blood in a patient undergoing an extracorporeal blood therapy, such as hemodialysis or apheresis. The blood detection system uses a digital video device, which may be a camera, such as a standard digital video camera, a low light camera, an infrared camera, or a night vision camera. The digital image is sent to a computer with image processing and pattern recognition software. The software is used to detect whether a pool of blood is forming at the access site. The system is able to detect a pool of blood atop the access site, such as when a leak or a dislodgement of a needle occurs. The system is also able to detect pooling of blood under the skin, as a result, for instance, infiltration of an arteriovenous fistula.
Abstract:
A dialysis fluid heating system includes a plurality of conductive tubes; first and second end caps located at first and second ends of the tubes, respectively, the first end cap including a dialysis fluid inlet and a dialysis fluid outlet, the end caps and the tubes configured such that dialysis fluid can flow from the fluid inlet of the first end cap, through at least one first tube to the second end cap, and through at least one second tube back to the first end cap; a conductive wire wound around an outside of the conductive tubes; and electronics configured to supply power to the conductive wire, the wire forming a primary coil of a transformer, the tubes forming a secondary coil of the transformer.
Abstract:
An applicator for mixing and applying multi-component compositions to a work surface, such as two-component surgical sealants, while avoiding clogs, preventing cross- contamination of the components until a point of intended mixing at a location within the apparatus immediately upstream of an application opening in a tip cap, decreasing pressure drop along the applicator to facilitate fluid delivery, and increasing efficiency of mixing of the components. A luer hub sub-assembly having a proximal hub and a distal hub, an elongate, four-lumened cannula, and a spray tip sub-assembly are provided, with interconnections between the sub-assemblies preserving isolation of the fluid components from one another. The tip cap sub-assembly includes registration structure to assure proper alignment between tip cap and tip insert. The end wall of the tip cap includes a spinner region with three feeder channels leading thereto, the fluid components remaining isolated from one another in two of the feeder channels, and initiating mixing with one another in a third of the feeder channels.
Abstract:
A blood detection system is used to detect blood in a patient undergoing an extracorporeal blood therapy, such as hemodialysis or apheresis. The blood detection system uses a digital video device, which may be a camera, such as a standard digital video camera, a low light camera, an infrared camera, or a night vision camera. The digital image is sent to a computer with image processing and pattern recognition software. The software is used to detect whether a pool of blood is forming at the access site. The system is able to detect a pool of blood atop the access site, such as when a leak or a dislodgement of a needle occurs. The system is also able to detect pooling of blood under the skin, as a result, for instance, infiltration of an arteriovenous fistula.
Abstract:
An optical access disconnect system (10) is useful for detecting the presence of blood. The optical access disconnect system includes one or more optical sensors (14) placed near an access site of a patient, the optical sensors suitable for detecting the presence of blood, especially by detecting a difference in light reflected or absorbed by blood. The optical access disconnect system may also be used as an interlock to assure compliance. A detector may be placed adjacent the access site to detect the access needle, or an object or mark on the access needle or fluid line. A therapy machine, such as a dialysis machine, may be programmed not to start or continue operation unless the needle or.fluid line is detected. The detector may be one of the optical sensors, calibrated or adjusted to detect a mark on the needle or access line, or may be another type of detector.
Abstract:
A system for mixing or reconstituting agents including engageable syringe barrels, one of which having a male engagement region and the other a female engagement region. Each of the male and female engagement regions is provided with a screen. The screens are closely spaced from one another when the first and second syringe barrels are engaged with one another. The screens may take the form of a mesh, a plurality of protuberances, or cantilevered wedges having tapering thicknesses.
Abstract:
A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining at least one valve chamber, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber, the air separation chamber when in an operating position including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a first fluid opening, a second fluid opening, and a separation wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, the separation wall having a free edge residing within the air separation chamber, the separation wall forcing the dialysis fluid to flow from one of the fluid openings around the free edge of the separation wall to the other of the openings.
Abstract:
A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.