Abstract:
A compact unitary heat exchanger and debubbler (1) for a liquid includes an elongated heat exchange element (3) having an inverted V-shape and a vertically-extending debubbling chamber (23) located between the legs (5, 7) of the inverted V. The heat exchange element is made up of an inner tube (9) surrounded by an outer tube (11), so that a heat exchange fluid such as water flowing within the inner tube exchanges heat with a treated liquid flowing within a space defined between the inner and outer tubes. After passing through the heat exchange element (3) the treated liquid passes through the debubbling chamber (23) and then through the device outlet (19). A bypass passageway (33) in the vicinity of the treated liquid inlet (17) to the device connects the debubbling chamber with the space between the inner and outer tubes of the heat exchange element. A valve (35) movable into open and closed positions is provided in this bypass passageway. With this valve in the open position the device can be primed through the treated liquid inlet prior to use with the risk of gas bubble formation and entrapment during priming essentially eliminated. This is a very important feature when the device is used to treat liquids being administered to the human circulatory system. The device may also include a filter in the debubbling chamber positioned in series with the treated liquid outlet.
Abstract:
A novel device for mass transfer across a membrane is disclosed, which is particularly suitable for use as a blood oxygenator. The novel device is of the type having a pleated, selectively permeable membrane defining first and second sets of alternating pockets for the flow of a fluid to be treated (e.g. blood) and a treating fluid (e.g. oxygen), and a discrete support screen disposed within each of the pockets of said first and second sets. Of considerable importance is the feature that the support screens are designed to be substantially interdigitated when the assembly of membrane and support screens is held as a compressed stack within the housing of the device. The novel mass transfer apparatus may be utilized as a compact blood oxygenator with excellent gas transfer rates, low pressure drops and negligible trauma to blood components.
Abstract:
A device for conveying high energy electromagnetic radiation from a laser source to an optical fiber which comprises a sleeve (1) having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to enclose a liquid (4) which is transparent to said radiation, the distal end of said sleeve being adapted to be attached to the input end of the optical fiber (3); and a focussing lens (2) attached to the proximal end of said sleeve said liquid having a refractive index which substantially matches the refractive index of the lens and of the optical fiber. A process for removing an obstruction by laser surgery using said device is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A novel unitary device (1) for the treatment and collection of blood from two different sources during a surgical procedure comprises a hollow housing (3) made of a rigid, preferably transparent, material, first and second blood inlets (15, 23) in the housing, a first blood treatment element (11) inside the housing (3) comprising a layer of porous defoaming material (87) and a layer of non-woven depth filter material (89), and a second blood treatment element (13) inside the housing (3) comprising a layer of porous defoaming material (99) and free of any depth filter material. The novel device also includes means for providing two blood flow paths therein, one through the first inlet (15), the first blood treatment element (11), a blood collection reservoir (25) defined within the device and a treated blood outlet (29) in the bottom wall of the housing (3), and the other through the second inlet (23), the second blood treatment element (13), said blood colectin reservoir (25) and said blood outlet (29). The latter blood flow path bypassed at least the depth filter material layer (89) of the first blood treatment element (11). In typical use in an extracorporeal flow circuit, cardiotomy blood is introduced to the first inlet (15), venous return blood is introduced to the second inlet (23) and the common blood outlet (29) is connected to an extracorporeal blood pump. As a result, passage of the relatively clean venous return blood through a depth filter material is avoided.
Abstract:
A porous tube (1) suitable for use as a vascular graft prosthesis is disclosed. It is reinforced by external ribs (4), integral with the tube wall (6). These ribs are generally transverse to the tube axis and less porous than the wall. Suitable tubing can be made from polymers exhibiting a significant degree of crystallinity, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene. Methods for making these ribbed, porous tubes are also disclosed.
Abstract:
@ A tracheostomy tube includes an outer cannula (12) and a removable, disposable inner cannula (14). The inner cannula is provided with a tapered portion located just behind its distal tip (38) which forms simultaneously an air tight seal with the outer cannula and a stop device for preventing the protrusion of the tip substantially beyond the end (16) of the outer cannula. The stop device furthermore compensates for variations in the length of the inner cannula by controlling the position of the tip (38) between a location flush with the end (16) of the outer cannula and one just slightly beyond. A coupling connector (28) is mounted on the proximal end of the inner cannula to provide easy, releasable attachment of the inner cannula to the outer cannula. The inner cannulae are inexpensively constructed from a soft, flexible polyvinyl chloride material and are dimensionally compatible with any particular outer cannula.
Abstract:
A liquid filter (1) of the "outside-in" type is disclosed, comprising a hollow tubular housing (3), a concentrically disposed perforated tubular core (11) surrounded by a cylindrical filter element (13) and communicating with a liquid outlet (29) in the bottom wall of the housing (3), and a filter element cap (15) covering the upper ends of the perforated core (11) and filter element (13). A gas vent (28) is located at the highest point in the top wall (5) of the housing (3), which is at the center of the top wall (5). The liquid inlet (31) and filter element cap (15) are designed to provide for establishment of a stable swirling flow outside the filter element (13) and above the filter element cap (15). A means of bonding upper (17) and lower (19) cup-like portions together to form a hollow tubular housing (3) with high resistance to rupture under pressure is also disclosed. The filter (1) is particularly suited for use in extracorporeal blood flow circuits, most particularly as an arterial blood filter located downstream from a blood oxygenator.
Abstract:
A unitary detection system for detecting and measuring electromagnetic signals from a plurality of input channels which system comprises a compartment having opaque walls, an input terminal adapted to receive two or more optical fibers located in a first wall, a holographic diffraction grating mounted within said compartment at a position which focuses input signals entering through said input terminal and a photodiode array mounted in a second wall at a position to receive diffracted signals from said grating, the total cross-sectional area of said input terminal being matched to the total area of said array so that every signal entering the system is detected by said array.