Lantech, Inc.

Other

Perry L Lane

William D Wallace

Udipi R Shettigar

Improved methods and apparatus for the collection, purification and reinfusion of blood from a wound site. The present invention provides a source of anticoagulated washing fluid in proportion to the bleeding rate which can be directed to the suction tip in such a way that the wound or surgical site is washed. The present invention minimizes blood damage and maximizes blood recovery by (i) automatically regulating the suction in proportion to the bleeding rate, (ii) minimizing the air suction or blood frothing, (iii) washing the wound site with the anticoagulated washing fluid, and (iv) reducing the number of blood pumps, preferably to one. The present invention also provides a system to operate automatically by including automatic venting of entrapped air, continuous determination of irrigation fluid added into the wound site and its removal, continuous monitoring of hematocrit, continuous neutralization of anticoagulant, and reinfusion of purified blood to patient on realtime basis irrespective of bleeding rate.

Methods and apparatus for autologous blood recovery

The present invention is directed to improved methods and apparatus for the collection of blood, which are particularly useful for autotransfusion purposes. The apparatus includes a conventional blood transfer bag which is in turn placed in fluid communication with an air-blood separator to form a collection system. This system is particularly adaptable for use in the surgical setting in that it can operate at high vacuum while minimizing hemolysis. This is accomplished by early separation of air from the blood as the blood is collected. The air-blood separator and the interior of the blood bag are placed in communication with a vacuum source. As a result, there is a pressure equalizing feature inherent within the device. This allows the blood to continue to flow through the device into the blood bag without extending or opening the blood bag. As a result, there is minimal air-blood interface as the blood enters the blood bag.

Autologus blood methods and apparatus

The present invention is directed to improved methods and apparatus for the collection of blood, which are particularly useful for autotransfusion purposes. The apparatus includes an upper reservoir wherein the collected blood enters the device. A lower container is placed in fluid communication with the upper reservoir. Disposed within the interior of the container is a conventional blood bag which is in turn placed in fluid communication with the upper reservoir. The upper reservoir has two external connections. The first connection is for receiving blood from the patient. The second external connection places the upper reservoir in communication with a source of vacuum. In one embodiment of the present invention a filtering structure is disposed within the upper reservoir and is connected directly to the inlet connection from the patient. The filtering mechanism provides for early debubbling of the blood flowing into the device and also filters out any emboli or cell masses which may have developed in the collection process. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus described above is combined with an air-blood separator to form a collection system. This system is particularly adaptable for use in the surgical setting in that it can operate at high vacuum while minimizing hemolysis. This is accomplished by early separation of air from the blood as the blood is collected. The lower container and the interior of the blood bag are placed in communication with the vacuum source of the reservoir. As a result, there is a pressure equalizing feature inherent within the device. This allows the blood to continue to flow through the device into the blood bag without extending or opening the blood bag. As a result, there is minimal air-blood interface as the blood enters the blood bag.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Perry L Lane