Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Baxter International Inc.

Daniel B Granzow

David W Ammann

Garry L Carter

Arthur L Lueders

Marc C Bellotti

James R Hitchcock

David A Bates

Edward L Bayham

Larry C Taylor

Stanley J Pernic

Ralph L Davis

Ralph Kulin

Robert J Froehlich

Brant R Danielsen

Mark Nauman

Francis D Buckley

Apparatus for disconnecting, sterilizing and making new tubing connection. The apparatus includes electromechanical means for sensing the presence of a clamp to prevent fluid leaks during operation. The apparatus also includes means for forcing compliance with a predetermined sequence of operations. All electronic components are contained in the top of the apparatus to isolate same from any potential fluid leads which will naturally flow over and into the base of the apparatus.

Apparatus for exchanging and irradiating tubing connections

An automatic cycler for performing Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD) and Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis (IPD) is provided. The apparatus of the present invention is a safe and convenient cycler apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis in either home or clinical environment. The apparatus provides a stable base by storing dialysate at a relatively low position. Tubing administration set length is reduced to a minimum by the use of individual, separated valves and by the elimination of redundant, duplicate tube sections. Administration set complexity is reduced by the use of a conventional design dialysate container for heating and weighing of an infusing dialysate dosage. The apparatus allows for gravity feed to a patient with an optional capability of adjusting the pressure head for the gravity feed.

Peritoneal dialysis apparatus

Apparatus for automatically connecting and disconnecting a pair of connectors includes first and second relatively movable means to carry the connectors and to move them back and forth between connected and disconnected positions. Rack and gear means may be used having a variable mechanical advantage at different positions to facilitate connection and disconnection of the connectors. The apparatus may also have means for providing radiation for antibacterial effect on the connectors, typically ultraviolet radiation.

Device for providing antibacterial radiation

An improved connector member is provided for providing sealed and preferably sterile connection between a pair of conduits which each terminate in a hollow, transparent housing where some of the wall portion of each housing comprises an opaque wall portion sealed to the remainder of the housing. The opaque wall portions of each housing are positioned in facing contact with each other and are held in sealed, retentive relationship so that exposure to radiant energy causes them to fuse and open an aperture therethrough. In accordance with this invention, improved retention means are provided to permit the respective housings to be moved together in a path which is generally parallel to the opaque walls into sliding retaining relation. Also, the conduit communicating with the housings may be internally sealed, being openable from the exterior.

Connector member for sealed conduits

In a flexible tube, for example tubing for connecting blood bags, valve means are provided which comprises a tubular portion having a closed end, and an elongated, generally rigid member carried on the exterior of the closed end and positioned within the flexible tube. Frangible means are provided to permit the opening of the closed end by manual manipulation of the elongated member from outside of the flexible tube. The elongated, rigid member is adapted to fit in sealing relationship within the tubular portion after the opening of the closed end, to permit resealing of the valve.

Frangible, resealable closure for a flexible tube

An apparatus for warming blood and other parental fluids as they are infused through a disposable flow system includes a pair of heating elements which heat the blood as it passes through a warming bag provided in the flow system. The heating elements are recurringly switched on and off with a duty cycle dependent on both the temperature of the blood at the output of the warming bag, and the temperature differential between the output and input of the bag to maintain the blood at a predetermined temperature independent of flow rate. A duty cycle alarm circuit senses current supplied to the heating elements and trips the main circuit breaker of the apparatus to terminate operation in the event current is continuously applied over a predetermined interval of time, and temperature range and door alarm circuits sound an alarm if the output temperature of the blood falls outside of a predetermined range or if the operator attempts to remove the warming bag from the apparatus while the apparatus is in operation.

Blood warming apparatus

A connection may be formed between sealed conduits in which each conduit carries an opaque, thermoplastic wall portion preferably having a melting range above essentially 200.degree. C., preferably with the opaque thermoplastic wall portions being carried on the conduit about their periphery by transparent wall portions of the conduit. The opaque wall portions of the conduits are brought together into facing contact, and then exposed to sufficient radiant energy to cause the opaque wall portions to fuse together, and to open an aperture through the fused wall portions. This provides sealed communication between the interiors of the conduits.

Method of forming a connection between two sealed conduits using radiant

An apparatus for warming blood and other parental fluids as they are infused through a disposable flow system includes a pair of heating plates which heat the blood as it passes through a warming bag provided in the flow system. One of the heating plates comprises the inside surface of a door pivotally mounted to the apparatus housing, and the other heating plate comprises the underlying surface of the housing so as to form in conjunction with the first plate a user accessable heating chamber for receiving the warming bag. A wedge-shaped temperature-conductive thermometer block having a temperature insulating layer along one surface thereof fits between the heating plates and receives a thermometer to enable the temperature of each heating plate to be independently measured.

Method and apparatus for measuring the operating temperature of blood

A rotary distributor seal for a rotary centrifuge which comprises a tubular housing having sealed ends, a relatively rotatable fluid conveying apertured spindle coaxially mounted in the housing, and several resilient, spaced ring seals positioned about the spindle to seal the annular space between the spindle and the housing, and to subdivide it into several annular chambers. Ports communicate with the chambers to provide fluid flow from the ports through the separate chambers and through the spindle. In accordance with this invention, support members are positioned in alternate, spaced chambers between pairs of ring seals to prevent collapse of the ring seal pairs together.

Rotary seal distributor member for a centrifuge

A sealed fluid conduit, closed with a diaphragm, contains a spike having forward and rear ends and adapted for moving to rupture the diaphragm with the forward end. A transversely-enlarged, flexible, axially collapsible portion of the conduit is positioned adjacent to the spike and adapted to permit manual movement of the spike from outside of the conduit to rupture the diaphragm. In accordance with this invention, a longitudinal groove is defined in the spike extending from the front end and terminating at a point between the front and rear ends. The spike defines an annular, enlarged sealing portion of a transverse dimension which is proportioned to sealingly occlude the portion of the conduit immediately forward of the transversely enlarged collapsible portion, the sealing portion being positioned between the terminating point of the groove and the rear end of the spike. The spike is positioned so that the enlarged sealing portion normally resides within the transversely-enlarged collapsible portion.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington Heights, IL, United States of America

Daniel B Granzow