Abstract:
A system for intra-operative blood salvage autotransfusion is provided. The system comprises at least one inlet configured to receive whole blood of a patient; at least one curvilinear microchannel in fluid flow connection with the at least one inlet, the at least one curvilinear microchannel being adapted to isolate circulating tumor cells in the whole blood, based on cell size, along at least one portion of a cross-section of the at least one curvilinear microchannel; and at least two outlets in fluid flow connection with the at least one curvilinear microchannel, at least one outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow the circulating tumor cells isolated from the whole blood, and at least one other outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow at least a portion of a remainder of the whole blood, cleansed of the isolated circulating tumor cells, for return to the patient.
Abstract:
Extracorporeal systems and methods for treating blood-borne diseases in a subject or for developing drugs to treat blood-borne diseases include various environmental and treatment modules that can be tailored to a specific disease or infection. In certain embodiments of the systems and methods, a blood sample is treated with hydrostatic pressure, a pulsed electrical field, a pharmaceutical agent, microwave, centrifugation, sonification, radiation, or a combination thereof, under environmental conditions that are effective for the treatment.
Abstract:
A blood filtration device, system, and method that can and selectively remove or reduce an unwanted, in certain cases unknown, substance from a patient's blood stream. More specifically, a specific size or size range of unwanted substance is selectively removed. The unwanted substance includes one or more of a pathogen, a toxin, an activated cell, and an administered drug. The device and system employ a microfluidic separation device that minimizes thrombogenesis and can permit the use of anticoagulants to be avoided. The device or system can be portable and can include its own power supply. Sensors in the system may monitor for the presence and/or concentration of unwanted species including pathogens or drugs and invoke a blood cleansing process responsively to the sensor signals in closed loop control process. The control may combine the infusion of therapeutic agents into the blood of a patient as well.
Abstract:
Described herein are injection devices capable of automatically injecting substances into the soft tissue of a patient. The devices can inject low to high viscosity materials at predetermined, user selected injection rates, allowing the operator more control than a traditional syringe. The devices can allow mixing of more than one substance and/or reconstitution of a solid substance for injection. The injection devices described herein can allow the operator to easily inject one or more low to high viscosity liquid or gel soft-tissue augmentation fillers, one or more drugs, one or more other biocompatible materials, or combinations thereof.
Abstract:
A method for processing prions is disclosed, comprising contacting at least one porous medium with a pathogenic prion-containing fluid such that pathogenic prions are retained and/or captured by the porous medium; contacting the porous medium with another fluid such that pathogenic prions are released from the porous medium to provide a first released pathogenic prion-containing fluid; placing a fluid containing the released pathogenic prions in a first spin device including a separation medium; and, centrifuging the spin device to provide a first concentrated pathogenic prion-containing retentate.
Abstract:
A method of topically treating the respiratory tract of a mammal with nitric oxide exposure includes the steps of providing a source of nitric oxide containing gas and delivering the nitric oxide containing gas nasally to the upper respiratory tract of the mammal. Also provided are several designs for a nasal delivery device for the controlled nasal deliver the nitric oxide containing gas.
Abstract:
A method for capturing dislodged vegetative growth during a surgical procedure is provided. The method includes maneuvering, into a circulatory system, a first cannula having a distal end and an opposing proximal end, such that the first cannula is positioned to capture the vegetative growth en bloc. A second cannula is positioned in fluid communication with the first cannula, such that a distal end of the second cannula is situated in spaced relation to the distal end of the first cannula. A suction force is provided through the distal end of the first cannula so as to capture the vegetative growth. Fluid removed by the suction force is reinfused through the distal end of the second cannula. Subsequent to becoming dislodged, the vegetative growth is caputred by the first cannula. A method for capturing a vegetative growth during removal of a pacemaker lead is also provided.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for separating plasma from blood in a separation vessel (352), separating the separated plasma into desired plasma proteins in a plasma separator (205) fluidly connected to the separation vessel (352) to receive the separated plasma, and adding photosensitizer to the desired plasma proteins for viral inactivation treatment of such proteins.
Abstract:
Extracorporeal systems and methods for treating blood-borne diseases in a subject or for developing drugs to treat blood-borne diseases include various environmental and treatment modules that can be tailored to a specific disease or infection. In certain embodiments of the systems and methods, a blood sample is treated with cold plasma and optionally with hydrostatic pressure, a pulsed electrical field, a pharmaceutical agent, microwave, centrifugation, sonification, radiation, or a combination thereof, under environmental conditions that are effective for the treatment.
Abstract:
Extracorporeal systems and methods for treating blood-borne diseases in a subject or for developing drugs to treat blood-borne diseases include various environmental and treatment modules that can be tailored to a specific disease or infection. In certain embodiments of the systems and methods, a blood sample is treated with hydrostatic pressure, a pulsed electrical field, a pharmaceutical agent, microwave, centrifugation, sonification, radiation, or a combination thereof, under environmental conditions that are effective for the treatment.