Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Ludwig Wolf, Jr

T Michael Dennehey

Richard J Greff

John M Munsch

Michael O Pekkarinen

Richard P Goldhaber

Layton C Kinney

Walker P Woodworth

Walter L Carpenter

The present invention provides an accurate method and apparatus for monitoring the drop flow rate from a fluid source. The drops are indirectly sensed by piezoelectric means mounted on a drip chamber when the drops impinge on a fluid surface in the chamber. The chamber can include a second differential piezoelectric sensing element, which provides a noise reference signal which can be subtracted from the drop sensing signal. The volume of the fluid drops sensed can be determined. The sensing element can be incorporated in open and closed loop disposable chamber modules which can include both monitoring and occlusion valving functions integral therewith.

Indirect piezoelectric drop counter and method

Equipment for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in which a solution container is coupled via flexible tubing to a patient's tube that communicates with the patient's peritoneal cavity by means of a catheter, usually a surgically implanted catheter. The equipment includes a flexible, foldable plastic dialysis solution container having a transfer port. A flexible tube having a luer connector at its distal end extends from the transfer port, for connecting to a luer connector carried by the patient's tube. The flexible tube carries a frangible member which normally blocks fluid flow but permits fluid flow after the frangible member is broken. A particulate filter and a manually-operable clamp are in series with the flexible tube. Peritoneal dialysis is accomplished by connecting the luer connector from a fresh dialysis solution bag to the patient's tube luer connector, breaking the frangible member, and opening the clamp on the flexible tubing. After the dialysis solution is introduced into the patient's peritoneal cavity and remains there for a predetermined time, the solution is drained back into the flexible bag, the luer connectors are disconnected and the foregoing steps are repeated. If desired, once the dialysis solution has been introduced into the patient's peritoneal cavity, the luer connections may be disconnected and the patient's tube luer connector may be capped.

Tube connector

Solution container for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

A contamination protector for a medical device, principally for use in surrounding and protecting a connection between a plastic dialysis solution container (10) and tubing (22) carried by a patient practicing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The protector is generally cylindrical in shape, and opens and closes much like a 'clamshell.' The inner wall surface (34) of the protector is adapted to carry a material (36) which holds a sterilizing agent in contact with a medical connection when the protector is in the closed position.

Connection site protector

There is disclosed herein an improved needle assembly or fistula set which includes a hollow metal needle, a larger plastic fluid-carrying conduit, and plastic spacers between the needle and the conduit. The conduit and spacers are heat sealed to each other so as to provide a fluid-tight junction with the needle. A method for heat sealing the fistula set is also disclosed. In that method, the needle is used as one electrode and the other electrode includes jaw-like members which engage and surround the conduit at the junction where the heat seal is to be formed. During the heat sealing operation, the conduit and needle are maintained in substantial coaxial alignment so as to assure coaxial alignment thereafter. A fixture or tooling apparatus is also disclosed for effecting heat sealing and assuring substantial coaxial alignment.

Method for rebonding tubing elements used in needle assemblies

A sterile connection apparatus is provided for enabling the connection of a first tube to a transfer tube of a medical solution container. The apparatus includes a housing having a cover portion which is adapted for interfitting with a base portion to provide a substantially closed interior volume. The first tube and the transfer tube of the medical solution container are introduced within the interior volume and the housing carries means located therewithin and operable from the outside of the housing for enabling manipulation of one of the tubes. In this manner, the first tube may be disconnected from and/or connected to the transfer tube. Means are provided for sterilizing the tubes within the substantially closed interior volume.

Sterile connection apparatus

A blood reservoir comprises a rigid casing and a perforated tubular member positioned within the casing and extending between the edges thereof. An inlet aperture is at a position at the upper end of the reservoir in communication with the bore of the tubular member while an outlet aperture is positioned adjacent the bottom of the casing exterior to the tubular member. The bore of the tubular member contains first blood-defoaming means, and the tubular member carries a blood filter. In accordance with this invention, second blood defoaming means are positioned about the exterior of the tubular member to dissipate the fine bubbles without interference from the larger bubbles, which have been previously removed by passage through the first blood defoaming means.

Cardiotomy reservoir having two-stage defoaming means

A touch-contamination protected spike connector is provided for coupling a plastic fluid conduit to a port extending from a medical solution container. The spike defines a longitudinal bore and has an angled tip, and carries a flange which extends outwardly from the spike. A tube surrounds and is concentric with a major portion of the spike, with the tube having a dimension suited for coupling to the port with a snug pressure fit. A spacer is interposed between the spike and the tube. The flange and surrounding tube cooperate to enable the spike to be connected to the port with the chance of bacterial contamination caused by accidental touching of the spike being minimized.

Spike connector for solution bag

A diffusion system for blood including a membrane diffusion device comprising a plurality of blood flow paths positioned in interleaving diffusion exchange relation, with second fluid flow paths positioned on opposite sides of semi-permeable membrane means. The first and second flow paths each communicate with an inlet and an outlet. Heat exchange means having an inlet and an outlet is connected at the inlet thereof to the outlet of the first flow paths. A rigid reservoir, also having an inlet and an outlet is connected at its inlet to the outlet of the heat exchange means. A blood flow circuit is defined through the membrane diffusion device, heat exchange means, and reservoir. The flow circuit defines an essentially constant width, perpendicular to the directions of blood flow, from its beginning to end, to provide a system having good flow distribution in combination with a low pressure drop.

Growing community of inventors

Crystal Lake, IL, United States of America

Ludwig Wolf, Jr