The invention relates to a method to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy during an imaging procedure. The method includes steps of positioning balloon catheters in a patient's renal arteries and renal veins and inflating the balloons of each catheter to block the flow of contrast media into the patient's kidneys.

Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating composite liquids into components. Embodiments involve the use of a flexible membrane for separating a composite liquid into components. The composite liquid may include, in embodiments, a cellular containing liquid, such as whole blood or components of whole blood. In one specific embodiment, the composite liquid is a buffy coat.

A device for the processing and separation of biological fluids into components comprises a hollow centrifugal processing chamber (10) fitted with an inlet/outlet head (20) and preferably with an axially movable piston (18). The inlet/outlet head has two separate inlets/outlets, for instance an axial inlet (29) and a lateral outlet (40). The processing chamber (1) is fitted with an internal flow guide (30) enabling operation of the device in a continuous processing mode wherein biological fluid to be processed is continuously intaken by say the axial inlet (29) and at the same time processed components are continuously removed via say the lateral outlet (40). The continuous processing flow can be driven by an external peristaltic pump (59) and/or by axial displacement of a piston (18) in the chamber (10).

A plasmapheresis system and a method for operating a plasmapheresis system are provided by which the volume/weight of anticoagulated plasma that is collected is optimized. In one example, a nomogram is provided that utilizes the donor's hematocrit to calculate the volume/weight of raw plasma within a plasma product having the maximum volume permitted by the FDA nomogram. In a plasmapheresis procedure having multiple collection phases followed by a reinfusion cycle in which concentrated red blood cells are returned to the donor, the volume of plasma product to be collected is calculated prior to the start of each collection cycle to account for the donor's increasing hematocrit, thus resulting in a greater total volume of plasma product to be collected during the plasmapheresis procedure.

A method for processing an initial liquid medium including cells in an initial concentration to obtain a product liquid medium including cells in a product concentration includes supplying the initial medium to a separator via a first supply system, separating the initial medium into various constituents including the product medium, extracting the product medium from the separator via a first outlet system, measuring a physical parameter related to the concentration of the cells in the initial medium using a sensor, and controlling at least one process parameter as a function of the physical parameter. During the step of separating the initial medium, a solution is supplied to the separator at a flow rate via a second supply system. The flow rate of the solution is determined based on the at least one process parameter, and is reduced when the concentration of the cells measured in the initial medium increases.

A dialysis system includes at least one source of fluid for dialysis, a fluid line in fluid communication with the at least one source of fluid, at least one pump positioned and arranged to pump fluid from the at least one source of fluid through the fluid line, a first patient connector configured to be removably placed in fluid communication with the fluid line to allow a blood treatment to be performed using the at least one source of fluid, and a second patient connector configured to be removably placed in fluid communication with the fluid line to allow a peritoneal dialysis treatment to be performed using the at least one source of fluid.

A method for separating particles in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel. A system for microfluidic separation, capable of separating target particles from non-target particles in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel. A kit for microfluidic particle separation includes a microfluidic separation channel connected to an acoustic transducer, a source of an additive, and instructions for use.

A device for the processing and separation of biological fluids into components comprises a hollow centrifugal processing chamber (10) fitted with an inlet/outlet head (20) and preferably with an axially movable piston (18). The inlet/outlet head has two separate inlets/outlets, for instance an axial inlet (29) and a lateral outlet (40). The processing chamber (1) is fitted with an internal flow guide (30) enabling operation of the device in a continuous processing mode wherein biological fluid to be processed is continuously intaken by say the axial inlet (29) and at the same time processed components are continuously removed via say the lateral outlet (40). The continuous processing flow can be driven by an external peristaltic pump (59) and/or by axial displacement of a piston (18) in the chamber (10).

Methods of priming a plasma processing system are disclosed. The plasma processing system has a number of different fluid flow circuits that are defined by sources of fluid, fluid flow paths, waste containers, a mixer, a separator, valves and a pump. A first fluid circuit is flushed, where the first fluid circuit is defined by a source of a first fluid, a first valve positioned between the source of the first fluid and the first fluid flow path, a second valve positioned between the first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path, a first pump positioned between the second fluid flow path and the third fluid flow path, and a first waste container in fluid communication with the third fluid flow path. A second fluid circuit is then flushed by closing and opening certain valves.

A method for separating cells in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive comprising a cell activator, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel to accumulate target cells in a primary stream and non-target cells in a secondary stream. A system for microfluidic cell separation capable of separating target cells from non-target cells in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive comprising a cell activator, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel.