Minntech Corporation

Renal Systems, Inc.

Larry E Fuller

Felix J Martinez

Louis C Cosentino

Raymond F Cracauer

William H Harm

Bruce P Amiot

Richard J Irmiter

Elias Klein

Richard A Ward

Ronald L Wathen

Wayne I Nelson

Earnest R Caine

F Jesus Martinez

A venous reservoir for use in cardiotomy bypasses comprising a flexible, variable capacity bag having a vertical seal positioned between the outlets and inlets along the lower seal line. The vertical seal line is positioned off-center such that the velocity of blood decreases as it passes the top of said seal line and towards the lower outlet to increase the removal of bubbles from the blood. All ports serving the reservoir are constructed without internal projections into the reservoir to decrease the possibility of thrombosis. The upper and lower edges of the reservoir are looped to receive horizontal rods slidably attached to a vertical support. Adjustment of the distance between the rods varies the volume possible within the reservoir.

Venous reservoir

An implant device for introduction of insulin into the peritoneal cavity which permits a flexible catheter to be removed and replaced without invasive surgery. The catheter is passed through a substantially rigid percutaneous body and a distally extending catheter conduit which together form a continuous conduit from the body exterior through the peritoneal wall. A polytetrafluoroethylene polymer sleeve allows tissue ingrowth to secure the body to the epidermis. A polyethylene terephthalate portion of the sleeve provides tissue ingrowth to stabilize the implant and prevent extrusion from the dermis. The catheter is associated with the percutaneous tubular body so as to be removable and replaceable through the conduit thereformed after implantation. The catheter preferably terminates within the interior cavity of the percutaneous body and is sealed from the environment by means of a septum closure within the device cavity. A sponge saturated with antiseptic is fitted in the body recess above the septum and is closed off from the environment by a penetrable cap member. The saturated sponge prevents the introduction of bacteria into the peritoneum.

Insulin dispenser for peritoneal cavity

Improvements and accessories for a septum closed T-shaped blood access device adapted for implantation into a patient. The implantable device has a stem portion extending above the skin of the patient and defining a septum closed opening into the device. The improvements include an improved septum having a groove in the side thereof encircling the septum and an elastomeric ring carried within the side groove, an improved needle assembly which provides access to the circulatory system through the septum, and a flexible cap for sealing the stem of the implantable device from the outside atmosphere which may be fitted in place or removed without the necessity of specialized tools.

Blood access systems

A system and process for preparation of dialysis solution from dry chemicals and water on a large scale batch basis. The required amount of water is metered into a dialysis solution tank. Water from the tank is pumped into a spray head which is positioned above a shipping drum containing predetermined amounts of chemicals. Water rains down on the chemicals dissolving and/or entraining the same and the resulting slurry is returned to the dialysate tank as a slurry by means of a pickup wand and suction source. The liquid and chemicals in the dialysis solution tank are continually cycled until all the chemicals in the drum have been removed. Typically, an additional drum containing other kinds of chemicals is then added to the dialysis solution tank in the same manner. Circulation of the solution is continued within the tank until a fully uniform solution results. Dialysis solution in the tank is then filtered and checked for conductivity prior to its direct use in hemodialysis or dilution in a conventional proportioning system.

Dialysis solution mixing system

A hollow fiber type blood oxygenator having an integrated and improved heat exchanger having a generally conical housing and core member between which a helically wrapped conduit is situated. The conduit has a plurality of parallel flutes. A housing and core member are formed with helical recessed regions which conform to the conical helix defined by the tubing or conduit. The tubing is formed with flattened opposing surfaces which mate with the corresponding recesses in the housing and core member. The mating on the flats on the tube or conduit to the corresponding flats in the recessed regions of the housing and core member allows a substantially tighter and more uniform fit which minimizes the dynamic blood priming volume.

Oxygenator having an improved heat exchanger

A dialyzer reuse machine comprising means for passing a series of liquid and gaseous fluids through the dialysate and blood compartments of the dialyzer at different flow rates according to a predetermined sequence for cleaning and disinfecting the dialyzer and means for accurately measuring the volume of the blood compartment upon completion of the dialyzer cleaning steps. Capacitive probe and load cell embodiments of the volume measuring means are disclosed. A specially designed jet pump permits a pressure leak test and dilution of stock chemicals to be performed using only tap water pressure as a source of motive force.

Dialyzer reuse machine

An implant device for peritoneal dialysis which permits a flexible catheter to be removed and replaced without invasive surgery. The catheter is passed through a substantially rigid tubular percutaneous device and a flexible sleeve member which together form a continuous conduit from the body exterior through the peritoneal wall. The catheter is associated with a percutaneous tubular device so as to be removable and replaceable through the sleeve member after implantation. The catheter preferably has a relatively weak memory which gives it a tendency to maintain a compact coiled configuration near the peritoneal wall. The catheter may extend through the percutaneous device or, more preferably, terminates within the interior cavity of the percutaneous device and is sealed from the environment by means of a septum closure within the device cavity.

Percutaneous implant for peritoneal dialysis

Septum retaining means for an implantable tubular percutaneous device. The retaining means is a tubular stem insert having an integral pressure plate across an intermediate portion thereof. A modified septum fits into the insert below the pressure plate. Tabs extending outwardly from the upper edge of the insert cooperate with a grooved portion of a body exterior cavity in the T-stem to provide means for holding the insert in the T-stem cavity. Notches in the walls of the insert on either side of the tabs allow the wall portions containing the tabs to be flexed inwardly so as to permit the insert to be passed into and out of the T-stem. The insert is designed to permit a forceps or other crimping tool to obtain access to the tab containing insert wall portions for removal of the insert and septum.

Growing community of inventors

Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

Larry E Fuller