The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for improved efficacy of radiotherapy treatment of hypoxic tumors. For example, the disclosed devices, systems and methods may statically or continuously oxygenate hypoxic tumors immediately prior to or simultaneous with irradiation.

An implantable or wearable kidney enclosure that is cylindrical, ovoid, or otherwise non-angular e.g., not rectangular or cuboid), having a circular or oval hemofilter that provides a blood flow pattern from an internal, central artery source radially outwards. Due to the efficient flow of the circular filter design, the enclosure can be made in a cylindrical low profile shape, resulting in a compact enclosure highly suitable for implantable and wearable dialysis applications.

A fluid conduit includes a first portion having a first porosity, a second portion disposed immediately adjacent to the first portion, the second portion having a second porosity that is greater than the first porosity, and a third portion of the fluid conduit disposed immediately adjacent to the second portion, the third portion having a third porosity that is less than the second porosity. Each of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion may be integrally formed as a single, continuous piece defining the fluid conduit.

The present invention provides a system for enriching a flowing liquid with a dissolved gas inside a conduit. The system comprises two or more capillaries, each capillary delivering a stream of a gas-enriched liquid to the flowing liquid. The first ends of the capillaries are positioned to form an intersecting angle with respect to the effluent streams such that these streams of gas-enriched liquid collide with each other upon exit from the first ends of the capillaries, effecting localized convective mixing within the larger liquid conduit before these gas-enriched streams are able to come into close contact with the boundary surfaces of the conduit, whereby the gas-enriched liquid mixes with the flowing liquid to form a gas-enriched flowing liquid. In the preferred embodiment, no observable bubbles are formed in the gas-enriched flowing liquid. Methods of making and using such system are also provided.

A dialysis device implantable in a patient for dialysis includes a filtration unit. The filtration unit includes at least one dialysis chamber for containing and/or circulating dialysate; and at least one blood chamber for containing and/or circulating blood of the patient, disposed on at least one dialysis chamber and being in communication with the at least one dialysis chamber. Each of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber comprise at least one inlet for circulating fluid into and/or out of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber. The at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber are configured such that the blood in the at least one blood chamber and the dialysate in the at least one dialysis chamber operably interact with each other for dialysis.

A device and method are described for the treatment of blood, which device may be used in conjunction with or in place of a failed Kidney. The device includes an ultrafiltration unit to remove proteins, red and white blood cells and other high molecular weight components, a nanofiltration unit to remove glucose, at least one electrodeionization unit to transport ions from the blood stream, and a reverse osmosis unit to modulate the flow of water, to both the blood and urine streams. In one embodiment, a specialized electrodeionization unit is provided having multiple chambers defining multiple dilute fluid channels, each channel filled with an ion specific resin wafer, and electrodes at the extremity of the device and proximate each of the resin filled dilute channels. By selective application of voltages to these electrodes, the ion transport functionality of a given dilute channel can be turned on or off.

A catheter for intravascular use has a blood inlet and a blood outlet, and includes a membrane arranged in the catheter in such a way that at least one part of the blood flowing into the catheter via the blood inlet during operation comes into contact with the membrane. The membrane allows an exchange of at least one substance between a carrier medium and the blood. The carrier medium is a carrier fluid in which the substance to be exchanged can be dissolved, and the catheter includes a delivery device that is designed to at least partially compensate for a pressure difference between the blood inlet and the blood outlet during operation. A method for removing at least one substance from venous blood for diagnostic purposes uses a device of this type.

A process for removing Sr.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sub.mZr.sub.aTi.sub.bSn.sub.cM.sub.dSi.sub.xO.sub.y.

A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

A process for removing Hg.sup.2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with a titanium metallate ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The titanium metallate ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula:

A.sub.mTiNb.sub.aSi.sub.xO.sub.y.

A composition is provided with the combination of the titanium metallate ion exchanger and bodily fluids or dialysis solutions. Also, provided is an apparatus comprising a matrix and the titanium metallate ion exchanger.

A dialysis device implantable in a patient for dialysis includes a filtration unit. The filtration unit includes at least one dialysis chamber for containing and/or circulating dialysate; and at least one blood chamber for containing and/or circulating blood of the patient, disposed on at least one dialysis chamber and being in communication with the at least one dialysis chamber. Each of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber comprise at least one inlet for circulating fluid into and/or out of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber. The at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber are configured such that the blood in the at least one blood chamber and the dialysate in the at least one dialysis chamber operably interact with each other for dialysis.