Cobe Laboratories, Inc.

Gambro, Inc.

Terumo Bct, Inc.

David R Shouldice

John J Kappus

Victor D Dolecek

Frank Corbin, Iii

Robert W Langley

Marlene Adele Bainbridge

Edward V Cruz

Jeffrey J Blakeslee

Mark J Brierton

Chad C Steele

Terry R Wahl

Coy Toavs

Russell Hempstead

Dennis M Treu

Daniel A Powell

Tom L Brose

Richard E Murray

Thomas L Menhennett

Coy Vann Toavs

Thomas Cernich

Denise C Garrison

David W Hoard

An extracorporeal blood processing system is disclosed which includes a variety of novel components and which may be operated in accordance with a variety of novel methodologies. For instance, the system includes a graphical operator interface which directs the operator through various aspects of the apheresis procedure. Moreover, the system also includes a variety of features relating to loading a blood processing vessel into a blood processing channel and removing the same after completion of the procedure. Furthermore, the system also includes a variety of features relating to utilizing a blood priming of at least portions of the apheresis system in preparation for the procedure. In addition, the system includes a variety of features enhancing the performance of the apheresis system, including the interrelationship between the blood processing vessel and the blood processing vessel and the utilization of high packing factors for the procedure.

Extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus

The present invention provides an improved gas/fluid detector for use in contained fluid systems, and is particularly apt for medical applications wherein fluids are transfused to a patient. The invention includes directing energy pulses into a fluid containment region of interest, detecting energy at the region of interest during each of a plurality of intervals associated with the energy pulse, generating a multi-component detection output utilizing the detected energy for each of the time intervals and separately employing each of the components of the multi-component detection output to determine whether a predetermined condition exists within the contained region of interest. Such predetermined condition may be one of the absence/presence of fluid/gas. Preferably, a multi-component detection signature is provided in the form of a digital serial output and compared with a reference signature that is provided in a corresponding digital serial output. The reference signature reflects the detection signature that should be generated for the predetermined condition of interest. The invention allows for the utilization of a single acoustic or ultrasonic transducer for pulse transmission and energy detection in a pulse/ echo implementation, thereby facilitating a single-sided mount arrangement with disposable fluid-containing structures commonly employed in medical applications.

Gas/fluid detector for contained fluid systems

Dialysate preparation apparatus including dialysate and blood flow lines connected to a dialyzer, fluid control mechanisms on the lines to control conditions of fluid in the lines, fluid condition sensors on the lines to sense the conditions of fluid in the lines, a digital control processor receiving signals from the sensors and controlling the mechanism to achieve desired fluid conditions, and the digital monitor processor receiving signals from the sensors and verifying that fluid conditions meet predetermined safety limits.

Fluid flow apparatus control and monitoring

Dialysate preparation apparatus having a main flow line having one end for connection to a source of water and another end for providing dialysate to a dialyzer, a concentrate flow line having one end connected to a junction on the main flow line and another end with a connector for alternatively connecting the concentrate line to a source of dialysate concentrate or a source of cleaning fluid, a source of dialysate connectable to the connector, a source of cleaning fluid having a cleaning fluid flow line with an end that is connectable to the connector, a flow sensing switch on the cleaning fluid flow line, and a controller connected to receive a signal from the switch to verify that the apparatus is in a cleaning mode when the switch indicates fluid flowing in the flow line. Also disclosed is a controller providing an initial backflush prior to pumping cleaning fluid into the apparatus in order to provide a water interface between the dialysate and the incoming cleaning fluid.

Control of cleaning of dialysate preparation apparatus

Dialysate preparation apparatus for mixing dialysate concentrate with water, the apparatus including a main flow line having one end for connection to a source of water and another end for providing dialysate to a dialyzer, a concentrate flow line having one end for connection to a source of dialysate concentrate and another end connected to a junction on the main flow line for adding concentrate to water in the main flow line, a volumetric pump having a fixed discharge volume per stroke on the concentrate line, a concentrate sensor on the main flow line downstream of the junction providing control signals to the pump to pump concentrate to achieve the desired concentration, and a controller including a comparator to compare the stroke rate with a limit indicating desired operating stroke rate range.

Dialysate preparation apparatus with improved control

Fluid flow apparatus comprising a housing defining a chamber and having an inlet and outlet for liquid flowing into and out of the chamber, an electrically-powered heater located in the chamber, a temperature sensor mounted to sense temperature of liquid prior to entering the chamber and providing inlet temperature signals indicating inlet temperature, and a controller electrically connected to receive the inlet temperature signals from the temperature sensor and to control a duty cycle of the heater in response to the inlet temperature signals.

Heater control for liquid flowing through a chamber

Fluid flow apparatus comprising a housing defining a chamber, a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet for the flow of liquid therethrough, a level sensor providing a control signal having a magnitude related to the level of liquid in the chamber, and a valve hydraulically connected to control flow into the inlet or out of the outlet, and controller operably connected to alternately open and close the valve in a duty cycle responsive to the magnitude of the signal.

Liquid level control

Growing community of inventors

Lakewood, CO, United States of America

David R Shouldice