Abstract:
A device for monitoring the access to the cardiovascular system of a patient undergoing an extracorporeal treatment of blood in a machine (1) comprising a treatment device (4) and an extracorporeal circuit (2), comprises: a voltage generator (16) for generating a potential difference between a part of the machine (1) and a first point (B) of a venous branch (8) of the extracorporeal circuit (2), connecting the patient to the treatment device (4); a detector (17) for detecting the value (dV) of a quantity that correlates with the electric current along at least one section (10a; 10b; 10c) of the venous branch (10) between the first point (B) and a venous needle (13) fitted at the end of the venous branch (8) and inserted in the vascular system of the patient (P); calculating means (15) for comparing the detected value (dV) with a reference range (T).
Abstract:
The measurement of blood flow in a dialysis shunt is obtained by injection of an indicator material into a venous line leading from dialysis equipment to the shunt. The blood flow in an arterial line leading from the shunt at a location downstream of the venous line to the dialysis equipment is monitored by an arterial line sensor for the presence of the indicator material. A detector connected to the sensor provides a dilution curve in response to the presence of the indicator material and the blood flow in the shunt is calculated from the area under the dilution curve. The locations of the arterial and venous lines in the shunt can be reversed to obtain a measurement of blood recirculation from the venous line into the arterial line.
Abstract:
A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tube is quantitatively determined by altering the electrical conductivity of the fluid by injection of a bolus of saline. The electrical conductivity of the altered conductivity is measured over the time it takes the altered conductivity fluid to pass a conductivity measuring location. The measured conductivity is integrated over the time it take to pass the conductivity measuring location. The integral is interpreted to determine the flow rate.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for salvaging a patient's own blood during intraoperative surgical procedures and reinfusing the blood, washed and filtered, to the patient substantially continuously, on-line and in real-time. The apparatus comprises suction means, admixing means for admixing aspirated blood with a washing fluid, filtering means for filtering the admixture through an emboli filter, monitoring means for measuring the amount of cellular component volume in the aspirated, filtered blood, filtration means for removing excess fluid and impurities from the blood, and reinfusion means for introducing the washed and filtered blood to the patient free of emboli. The apparatus is structured to introduce washing fluid to the aspirated blood in proportion to the measured hematocrit level of the blood that is aspirated. Methods are disclosed for priming of the system, cleaning and flushing the apparatus of blood clots and debris by means of reverse filtration and filtration of blood for reinfusion. Methods for automated control of the blood salvaging system and operation are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A hematocrit measuring instrument of the type which determines hematocrit of blood from the electrical resistivity of the blood is provided with a blood resistivity measurement device, an ultrafilter for filtering a part of the plasma from the blood, a filtrate resistivity measurement device for measuring the resistivity of the filtrate from the ultrafilter and an arithmetic circuit for calculating the hematocrit of the blood from the resistivities of the blood and the filtrate. The hematocrit measuring instrument is connected into a circulatory path for the blood outside of the patient's body and continuously measures the hematocrit of the blood from the resistivity of the blood and the resistivity of the filtrate from the ultrafilter.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to magnetic sensors and related systems and methods. In some aspects of the invention, a magnetic sensor assembly includes a housing configured to releasably hold a medical fluid tube and a sensor secured to the housing, the sensor configured to detect a change in a strength of a magnetic field when a medical fluid passes through the medical fluid tube.
Abstract:
A medical device system including a physiological sensor and ultrafiltration unit senses a physiological signal in a patient and computes a fluid status measurement of the patient using the physiological signal. Ultrafiltration therapy is delivered to the patient according to a therapy delivery control parameter established in response to the fluid status measurement.
Abstract:
A coupler includes a conductive polymer material that is so constructed and arranged to join tubing, wherein the conductive polymer material includes a conductive polymer component selected from the group consisting of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophenes, polyethylenedioxythiophene, poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and mixtures thereof.
Abstract:
A medical device system including a physiological sensor and ultrafiltration unit senses a physiological signal in a patient and computes a fluid status measurement of the patient using the physiological signal. Ultrafiltration therapy is delivered to the patient according to a therapy delivery control parameter established in response to the fluid status measurement.
Abstract:
Disposable, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated conductivity sensors are provided. These sensors are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the sensor. The sensors are calibrated using 0.100 molar potassium chloride (KCl) solutions at 25 degrees Celsius. These sensors may be utilize with in-line systems, closed fluid circuits, bioprocessing systems, or systems which require an aseptic environment while avoiding or reducing cleaning procedures and quality assurance variances.