Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Black Decker Inc.

Michael B Uffer

Herbert M Cullis

David A Lohr

James H DeVries

Eugene K Achter

Rodolfo R Rodriquez

Silvio G Bilanceri

Clarence Wang

Almond, Anthony L

Gary L Kanner

Rodolfo R Rodgriguez

Mirza A Kohja

A battery charger system suited for use in a sterilized environment such as an operating room includes a sterilizable battery-containing pack adapted for connection to a non-sterilized battery charger through a sterilizable tray-interface. The tray-interface includes connecting structure on an upper side for mechanical and electrical connection to at least one battery pack and additional connecting structure on a lower side for mechanical and electrical connection to the charger. The upper side and lower side electrical connections are inter-connected to effect electrical coupling between the sterilized battery and the non-sterilized charger so that the battery may be charged, discharged, or tested. A sterilizable drape is adapted to be constrained between the tray-interface and the charger to isolate the charger from the sterilized environment. Encodable switch-operating tabs are provided on the tray-interface to automatically effect the desired operating mode of the charger when the tray-interface is connected to the charger, and indicating apertures are provided through which the operating mode of the charger can be determined.

Battery charger system and method adapted for use in a sterilized

A controller is disclosed for controlling the operation of selected electro-mechanical devices without the use of a microprocessor or similar computing machines. The controller includes a memory programmed to output a data word each time the memory is advanced to its next successive memory address. Responsive to the data word, an electro-mechanical device, identified by the data word, is actuated to perform its function. As the function of an electro-mechanical device is completed, a sensor develops a control signal for altering the internal count of a counter. The counter, in turn, advances the memory to its next address for outputting its next data word. The cycle continues as the memory is advanced through its addresses and selected electro-mechanical devices are successively actuated to perform their assigned functions.

Programmable controller

The blood processing method, and the apparatus for performing the steps of the method are utilized in separating whole blood into its components and include the steps of, or component parts of the apparatus for carrying out these steps of: pumping whole blood from a donor; passing the whole blood through a first chamber in a centrifuge device: centrifuging the whole blood in the centrifuge device to cause sedimentation of red blood cells from the whole blood in, and separation of platelet rich plasma from the whole blood in, the first chamber; pumping the separated platelet rich plasma from the first chamber and out of the centrifuge device where it is monitored and then back into the centrifuge device and through a second chamber in the centrifuge device where the platelet rich plasma is centrifuged to cause sedimentation of the platelets therein while passing the remaining blood fluid though the first chamber and back to the donor; recombining the plasma passed through the second chamber with the blood fluid passed through the first chamber for return to the donor; monitoring the platelet rich plasma outisde of the centrifuge device and sensing the presence of red blood cells in the platelet rich plasma; stopping and then reversing movement of the platelet rich plasma mixed with red blood cells when a mixture is sensed to return the mixture of platelet rich plasma mixed with red blood cells to the first chamber for separation of the blood components; adjusting the difference in volumetric flow rates of the pump for the whole blood pump and the pump for platelet rich plasma in response to the sensing of red blood cells; repeating the above steps until a desired volume of whole blood has been processed, and stopping operation of the centrifuge device and removing the second chamber with platelets therein from the apparatus.

Method and apparatus for processing blood

The method, and the apparatus for carrying out the steps of the method, are utilized in the centrifugal liquid processing of whole blood wherein whole blood is withdrawn from a donor, passed through a fluid system and the blood is centrifuged to separate the same into at least three components. One component which is to be collected is withdrawn at a fixed rate of volumetric displacement while the other two components are withdrawn at variable rates of volumetric displacement. The other two components are recombined and returned to the donor. The withdrawal of the one component is optically monitored to determine whether or not either one of the other components is being mixed with the one component. When such a mixing is sensed, the rate of withdrawal of one of the other two components is increased while the rate of withdrawal of the other components is decreased thereby to ensure withdrawal of the desired one component, e.g., white blood cells with minimal contamination thereof with the other two components, e.g., red blood cells and plasma containing platelets. A given amount of the one component withdrawn is collected in a receptacle.

Method and apparatus for separating whole blood into its components and

The heater shutdown circuit is connected between an electric current source and a heating element in an electric heater and is operable to shut off the flow of current to the heating element when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature and to maintain the flow of current shut off after the heating element cools to a temperature below the predetermined temperature. The heater shutdown circuit will maintain the electric current shut off until the heater shutdown circuit is disconnected from the current source for a predetermined period of time after which the heater shutdown circuit can be re-energized. The heater shutdown circuit includes a control circuit connected to the current source, a switching circuit coupled between the control circuit and the heating element, and a current sensing circuit coupled between the heating element and the junction between the control circuit and the switching circuit. It is operative in response to a decrease in current caused by an increase in the resistance of the heating element due to the overheating thereof to turn off the switching circuit. The control circuit is operative to turn on the switching circuit upon the initial energization of the shutdown circuit. Thereafter the control circuit reaches a steady-state condition where it is no longer operative to maintain the switching circuit turned on. However, subsequent to the turning on of the switching circuit by the control circuit, the current sensing circuit latches the switching circuit in a turned on condition until there is a decrease in the current through the heating element below a predetermined value.

Heater shutdown circuit

Disclosed herein is an improved electronic control system for the autoclaving sequence of a kidney dialysis machine, during which water is circulated at high temperature and pressure to clean and sterilize the machine. The circuit ensures that the machine will be autoclaved for a minimum period of time, such as 20 minutes, measured only while the temperature is above a minimum, such as 120.degree. centigrade. The circuit will remember the time of autoclaving previous to a power interruption, and will continue to time the autoclaving function only when the temperature has again exceeded the set minimum. Once an autoclaving sequence is initiated, the circuit prevents normal use of the machine until the sequence is completed. During the autoclave timing sequence, the kidney by-pass solenoid is energized and de-energized on a 50% duty cycle to make sure all flow paths in the machine are cleaned and sterilized.

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Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Michael B Uffer