Abstract:
Films containing microlayer structures are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides an autoclavable film containing a first microlayer of a heat resistant polymer and a second microlayer of a flexible polymer attached to the first microlayer. Each of the first microlayer and the second microlayer has a thickness ranging between about 0.01 microns and about 10 microns.
Abstract:
Patients suffering from acute renal failure must be diagnosed and treated quickly so that a physician can confidently prescribe either peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. In one way of quickly treating the patients, software is used to calculate a suitable peritoneal dialysis prescription without regard to how short or how long a dialysis cycle is used, and without regard to a total dialysate fluid volume for a therapy. For patients with suitable peritoneal membrane transport properties, the software program suggests that, at least over a short period of time, unexpectedly high ultrafiltrate volumes and high clearances may be achieved.
Abstract:
A biological suspension processing system is disclosed that may include a suspension treatment device for treating one or more components of a biological suspension, a first fluid flow path for introducing a suspension into the treatment device and a second fluid flow path for withdrawing a constituent of the suspension from the device. At least on microelectromechanical (MEM) sensor communicates with one of the fluid flow paths for sensing a selected characteristic of the fluid therewith. The MEM sensor may be located elsewhere, such as on a container or bag and communicate with the interior for sensing a characteristic of the fluid contained therein. A wide variety of characteristics may be sensed, such as flow rate, pH, cell type, cell antigenicity, DNA, viral or bacterial presence, cholesterol, hematocrit, cell concentration, cell count, partial pressure, pathogen presence, or viscosity.
Abstract:
A biological suspension processing system is disclosed that may include a suspension treatment device for treating one or more components of a biological suspension, a first fluid flow path for introducing a suspension into the treatment device and a second fluid flow path for withdrawing a constituent of the suspension from the device. At least one microelectromechanical (MEM) sensor communicates with one of the fluid flow paths for sensing a selected characteristic of the fluid therewith. The MEM sensor may be located elsewhere, such as on a container or bag and communicate with the interior for sensing a characteristic of the fluid contained therein. A wide variety of characteristics may be sensed, such as flow rate, pH, cell type, cell antigenicity, DNA, viral or bacterial presence, cholesterol, hematocrit, cell concentration, cell count, partial pressure, pathogen presence, or viscosity.
Abstract:
A steam sterilizable monolayer medical tubing comprising a blend of a melt strength enhancing agent of a homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene having free-end long chain branches of propylene units, a melt flow index of greater than 10 and in an amount of 1-10% by weight and a second component selected from the group of (i) a selectively hydrogenated block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene and (ii) a selectively hydrogenated block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene to which has been grafted, an alpha, beta-olenfically unsaturated monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acid reagent.
Abstract:
An improved system and method for providing sterile connections. To this end, a device is provided comprising a body, a chamber defined, at least in part, by a portion of the body, the chamber including an interior having a solid sterilizing agent that can sublimate at ambient conditions, and a member that defines., in part, the chamber and is so constructed and arranged to allow the solid sterilizing agent to release in a rate controlled manner through the member.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an improved coextruded medical grade port tubing. The medical grade port tubing provides characteristics that are desirable in the medical industry and therefore can be used as a medical port tubing in, for example, renal therapy or blood donor tubes. To this end, the present invention provides a non-PVC coextruded medical grade port tubing including: an outer layer comprising a blend of polypropylene copolymer and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer; a tie layer; and a core layer including a blend of polyamide and ethylene vinyl acetate.
Abstract:
In accordance with the instant invention, biaxially-oriented polymer sheet is produced by continuously forging polymer feedstock between pairs of converging opposed surfaces. After it is biaxially-oriented, the sheet product is either cooled or heated while being restrained and advanced. The sheet produced by the process and apparatus has substantially uniform strain distribution over the width and length thereof as well as through the thickness thereof.
Abstract:
A system and method for automatically adjusting a Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (“CCPD”) therapy to minimize the potential for excess intra-peritoneal volume. The adjustments are made at the end of the drain, just prior to the next fill. The adjustments short the next fill, if necessary, to limit the intra-peritoneal volume, add a cycle, if necessary, to use all of the available dialysis solution and will average the remaining dwell time to maximize the therapeutic benefit of the therapy in the allotted time. In another embodiment, a tidal therapy using trended patient UF data is provided.
Abstract:
A method of predicting serum phosphorus concentrations in a patient during hemodialysis includes measuring serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient over a hemodialysis treatment session time and an ultrafiltration rate calculated by a difference between pre- and post-dialytic body weight of the patient during an initial hemodialysis treatment session divided by a total treatment time of the treatment session and estimating a phosphorous mobilization clearance and a pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus for the patient. Serum phosphorus concentrations of the patient can then be predicted at any time during any hemodialysis treatment session with the estimated phosphorous mobilization clearance and pre-dialysis distribution volume of phosphorus of the patient.