Fresenius Ag

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Fresenius Hemocare Italia S.r.l.

Dr. Eduard Fresenius Chemisch-pharmazeutische Industrie Kg Apparatebau

Fresenius Hemocare Deutschland Gmbh

Bernd Mathieu

Wolfram Weber

Hans-Dietrich Polaschegg

Klaus Heilmann

Artur Meisberger

Wolfgang Biesel

Thomas Pusinelli

Hans-Jurgen Neumann

Hans-J&uuml;rgen Neumann

Michael Rink

Arthur Meisberger

Claudia Ludt

R&uuml;diger Witt

Ralf Wamsiedler

Wolfgang Schulz

Giorgio Mari

Houshang Lolachi

Michael Rinck

Stefano Veronesi

Gorik Brunner

Jurgen Schnur

Paolo Cavallini

Dieter Selzer

Hakvoort Koos

Bernd Mathiew

Hubert Biegel

A filter device for the depletion of the leukocyte content from blood products comprising: a porous element comprising at least one fibrous web having a pore size suitable for leukocyte removal (possibly the range for the pore size should be defined), said web comprising fibres of a hydrophobic polymer coated with a hydrophilic polymer suitable to enhance the CWST of said hydrophobic polymer, characterised in that said web further includes adsorbent particles having a mean diameter lower than 30 &#x3bc;m, said particles being bonded to said fibres by means of said hydrophilic polymer coating said fibres.

Filter for the removal of substances from blood products

A filter, in particular for the separation of leucocytes from further blood components, has an outer sheath, at least one intermediate layer which is a component of a frame or which forms a frame, an inlet chamber which is in communication with an inlet for the medium to be filtered, an outlet chamber which is in communication with an outlet for the filtrate, and a filter material which separates the inlet chamber from the outlet chamber. The filter is particularly low in dead space and can be centrifuged in a simple manner since the filter material is encompassed between the outer sheath and the intermediate layer.

Filter

A tube system comprising a blood inlet line with an arterial patient connection and a blood return line with a venous patient connection, where a rinsing liquid inlet line branches off from the blood inlet line downstream from the arterial patient connection, and a rinsing liquid return line branches off from the blood return line upstream from the venous patient connection is filled while maintaining sterility in that rinsing liquid is pumped from a rinsing liquid container through the rinsing liquid inlet line, the blood inlet line, the blood return line and the rinsing liquid return line, establishing a liquid connection between the rinsing liquid inlet line and return line. The venous patient connection is sealed liquid-tight with a venous safety cap, and the arterial patient connection is sealed liquid-tight with an arterial safety cap. The safety caps are removed from the patient connections for connecting the tube system to the patient.

Method of filling a tube system with a rinsing liquid and a tube system for use with this method

A method for testing filters arranged in the dialysis solution system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus is described, in which the filter membrane being tested is fully wetted with an aqueous solution, in which the branch of the dialysis solution system housing one of the two chambers of the filter being tested is closed off from the remaining branches, in which gas is conducted into the closed-off branch until a predetermined excess pressure has formed in the one chamber of the filter being tested. Simultaneously, the aqueous solution previously conducted into the chamber to fully wet the filter membrane is expelled. The excess pressure in the one chamber of the filter is monitored, in which the pressure drop per unit time is compared with a given reference value which is characteristic of a fully intact filter membrane. If the reference value is exceeded, this provides and indication of a leak in the filter membrane. Further, a dialysis solution system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus is described which comprises at least one filter (16, 35) and a means (21) for closing off a branch of the dialysis solution system housing one of the two chambers (18, 37) of the filter (16, 35) from the remaining branches of the dialysis solution system. The dialysis solution system also includes an air pump (42) for conducting air through at least one hydrophobic filter (43) in the closed-off branch of the dialysis solution system. Moreover, a monitoring device (56) is provided which compares the pressure drop value measured by a pressure sensor (54) and signals a leak in the filter membrane being tested if the given reference value is exceeded.

Method for testing a filter in a dialysis system

A method for removing aluminum from blood includes the step of adding to the blood an anticoagulant and a complexing agent for aluminum or one compound effective in both preventing coagulation of blood and capable of complexing aluminum. The complexing agent or compound capable of complexing aluminum is allowed to intermingle with the blood and complex with aluminum present in the blood. The complex of complexing agent and aluminum formed during the intermingle step is then separated using a semi-permeable membrane, and the blood is recovered. The method is particularly useful in treating patient's having aluminum intoxication.

Method for removing aluminum ions from blood

A flexible medical packaging unit designed as a bag (14) including a single connector (18) containing a powdered salt concentrate (16), i.e. bicarbonate, with a volume sufficient for one dialysis treatment. The bag (14) has such a capacity that the powdered salt concentrate (16) will only partially be dissolved even when completely filled with water.

Flexible medical hemodialysis packaging unit for the production of

A method for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension, more particularly whole blood, in order to obtain an erythrocyte concentrate which is returned to the patient by autotransfusion. In accordance with the invention there are three treatment stages, that is to say sedimentation of the cell suspension, the addition of washing solution to the cell concentrate and renewed sedimentation and separation of the washing solution.

Method for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension

A method and apparatus for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension, more particularly whole blood, in order to obtain an erythrocyte concentrate which is returned to the patient by autotransfusion. In accordance with the invention there are three treatment stages, that is to say sedimentation of the cell suspension, the addition of washing solution to the cell concentrate and renewed sedimentation and separation of the washing solution.

Method and apparatus for the continuous conditioning of a cell suspension

This invention relates to a method for sterilizing a medical unit having at least two connections for a fluid flow pathway where a sterilizing medium flows through the medical unit. Medical units of this type are e.g. medical filters, in particular dialyzers. A high degree of sterility is here required. This is accomplished through the steps of:

Method for sterilizing a medical unit

This invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out a method for sterilizing a medical unit comprising at least two connections for a fluid flow pathway where a sterilizing medium flows through the unit. Medical units of this type are e.g. medical filters, in particular dialyzers. A high degree of sterility is here required. This is accomplished through the steps of:

Apparatus for sterilizing a medical unit

A method and apparatus are provided for clearing toxic substances from biological fluids by using at least one microporous diaphragm whose pores are filled with a liquid, which is immiscible with the biological fluid, a washing fluid flows past one face of the diaphragm while the biological fluid flows past the opposite face of the diaphragm. The microporous diaphragm is made of a hydrophobic polymer and the immiscible liquid is a highly refined mineral oil, a highly hydrogenated plant oil, a highly hydrogenated animal oil or, a dimethylated silicone.

Method and apparatus for clearing toxic substances from biological fluids

The invention relates to a closure cap (1) for dialyzers which is suitable for a so-called in-line sterilization. For this purpose the closure cap (1) comprises two cap parts (2, 3) of which the first cap part (2) is adapted to be mounted on a dialyzer flange (4) while the second cap part (3) is arranged movably in a receiving compartment (5) of the first cap part (2) between an open position and a closure position. In an open position passage of a sterilization medium is possible so that all the parts, sealing and guide surfaces can be reliably sterilized. In the closure position the second cap part (3) is pushed into a sealing position within the first cap part (2) so that contamination of the dialyzer after removal from the sterilization apparatus can be prevented with certainty.

Closure cap for dialyzers

A two-bag system (2) for peritoneal dialysis comprises a female connector piece (4) which is connected via a tube (28) to a peritoneal catheter. The female connector piece (4) can be connected to a male connector piece (6) to permit introduction of fresh dialysis solution from a full bag (12) into the peritoneal cavity. For receiving used dialysis solution or for receiving flushing solution accumulating prior to the dialysis operation, an empty bag (38) is provided which is connected via a further tube (36) to the male connector piece (6). The female connector piece (4) comprises a shutoff member (32) which in a predetermined connection state of the connector is opened by a central tube section (16) of the male connector piece (6). By arranging a second connection (34) on the male connector piece (6) in cooperation with the closure member (32) and a radial opening (23) in the central tube section (16) a fluid connection is possible to the two bags ( 12, 38) and the peritoneal cavity.

Arrangement for peritoneal dialysis and connector therefore

A filter comprising a filter housing with an interior within which between two closure members filter membranes in the form of hollow fibers are disposed. Between the hollow fibers a free flow space remains to which are connected two connecting pieces disposed inclined on the housing. Through said connecting pieces blood is supplied to the interior so that a filtration from the outside to the inside into the hollow fibers is possible. This and the arrangement of the connecting pieces gives an extremely favourable flow approach to the hollow fibers so that the blood flow is hardly influenced in its velocity and flow behaviour because in addition to the cross-section of the free flow space is adapted to the cross section of the blood supply line. For making such a filter at least two filters are arranged parallel and spaced apart in a plane, the support surface for the filters being rotatably mounted and the axis of rotation not intersecting any of the two longitudinal axes of the filters. During the rotation and supplying of the casting or sealing compound for the closure members through end-face supply means into the interior inclined faces are formed which in their angle correspond to the angle (.alpha., .beta.) of the connecting pieces.

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Spiesen-Elversberg, Germany

Bernd Mathieu