Abstract:
A control system for a perfusion system (1), the control system being configured to control a plurality of blood flow rates in the perfusion system during a weaning phase. The perfusion system comprises: a first blood line (26) in which blood is permitted to flow at a first flow rate; a second blood line (34) in which blood is permitted to flow at a second flow rate; an arterial blood line (22) in which blood is permitted to flow at an arterial flow rate; and an arterial pump (20) configured to circulate blood at the arterial flow rate in the arterial blood line. The control system comprises a controller configured to determine the first flow rate and the second flow rate and to process the first and second flow rates to determine a desired arterial flow rate. The controller is configured to operate in a first mode in which the controller modulates operation of the arterial pump (20) to adjust the arterial flow rate so that the arterial flow rate matches the desired arterial flow rate.
Abstract:
A control system in a blood line (12) of a cardiopulmonary bypass perfusion system (1) comprises a flow sensor (26) to determine a flow value indicative of the flow rate, a controller configured to process the flow value, and an adjustable restriction (28) responsive to the controller, to reduce the flow rate in the venous blood line (12) to maintain a flow rate to the venous blood reservoir that does not exceed a restriction threshold. As the adjustable restriction (28) is responsive to the flow sensor (26), this provides a closed loop control mechanism that avoids restricting the blood line (12) of the perfusion system (1) more than intended.
Abstract:
Cardioplegic agent delivery system A cardioplegic agent delivery system comprises a syringe pump for providing cardioplegic agent into a carrier fluid of a perfusion system, a flow sensor for sensing a flow of the carrier fluid,andan interlock responsive to the flow sensor. The interlock preventsoperation of the syringe pump in the absence of carrier fluid flow sensed by the flow sensor. This provides increased safety in a cardioplegic agent delivery system.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a vascular access device (10) for implantation onto a vessel wall, the access device comprising an tubular structure (12) to provide an access passage into the vessel via a hole in a vessel wall, a connector arrangement (20; 21) for attaching the tubular structure at said hole in the vessel wall, and a membrane structure (16A; 16B) sufficiently flexible to be collapsed for insertion through said hole and to be expanded to lie at least partially against an inner vessel surface thereby to surround the hole. The membrane structure comprises a membrane aperture (18) to provide a passage from inside the vessel into the tubular structure. The vascular access device further comprises a closing mechanism capable of closing the membrane aperture while the membrane structure is expanded against said inner vessel surface.There is also provided a method of implanting a vascular access device.
Abstract:
A heater-cooler apparatus of an extracorporeal perfusion system comprises at least one fluid circuit (102, 104) providing a supply of a heat transfer fluid to the perfusion system, a cold storage unit (266), and a refrigeration unit (250) for charging the cold storage unit (266). The cold storage unit (266) comprises a chamber (312) containing a liquid that freezes at a temperature above that to which the heat transfer fluid is cooled by the refrigeration unit (250), and a passage through which the heat transfer fluid is conveyed, the passage extending through the chamber (312). This allows a more effective cold storage unit to be provided.
Abstract:
A clamp arrangement for retaining a flexible tube (18)during operation of a roller pump (10) for pumping fluid, the clamp arrangement comprising a pair of rotatable bobbins (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) mounted adjacent to each other. Each bobbin (24A, 24B, 26A,26B) has a tapered groove (30), formed partially around a cylindrical surface of the bobbin (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B),and counter rotation of the bobbins (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) clamps the tube 18 between the bobbins (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) in the tapered grooves (30). The clamp arrangement allows tubes of different shapes and diameters to be securely held without overly deforming the tube.
Abstract:
An oxygenation system for a ventilation system comprises an inlet for receiving oxygenation gas at an oxygenation gas flow rate into an oxygenator, and an exhaust gas remover to remove exhaust gas at an exhaust gas flow rate from the oxygenator, and one or more flow controllers for controlling the exhaust gas flow rate relative to the oxygenation gas flow rate. This allows the amount of total gas entering the oxygenator and the amount of total gas removed from the oxygenator to be controlled with greater accuracy.
Abstract:
A blood analysis apparatus is provided for use in a system in which blood from a patient is provided to an oxygenator (40) and in which blood from the oxygenator (40) is provided back to the patient. The apparatus comprises a first group of sensors (6, 7) for directly measuring a corresponding first group of properties of the blood provided to or from the oxygenator (40). The apparatus comprises a second group of sensors (1, 2, 3, 4) for directly measuring a corresponding second group of properties of a gas provided to or from the oxygenator (40). The apparatus comprises a processor (60) for determining a value for the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood and/or a value for the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood in dependence upon the first group of directly measured properties and the second group of directly measured properties.
Abstract:
A vascular access tube (2) for a fluid subject to a driving pressure comprises a wall (4) defining a main lumen. A portion of the wall comprises an access port (10) for an object (14) to be introduced through the wall. The access port comprises a biasing structure (12) which provides a self-closing behaviour that is sufficiently strong to remain fluid-tight when exposed to a driving pressure of up to 50 mmHg. The access port is therefore sufficiently fluid-tight to contain pressurised fluid flowing through the vascular access tube.
Abstract:
A blood gas management device comprises a blood passage having a gas-blood interface with a plurality of gas passages, and is arranged to direct a flow of supply gas from the gas inlets through the gas passages to the gas outlets, and to allow a flow of blood in a blood flow path through the blood passage to thereby permit an exchange of blood gas with the supply gas via the interface. The blood gas management device comprises a supply gas distribution arrangement allowing the supply gas to be provided from different directions relative to the blood flow path. This provides an improved gas- transfer gradient at different locations along the gas passage.