Described are systems and methods for monitoring administration of nitric oxide (NO) to ex vivo fluids. Examples of such fluids include blood in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits or perfusion fluids used for preserving ex vivo organs prior to transplanting in a recipient. The systems and methods described herein provide for administering nitric oxide to the fluid, monitoring nitric oxide or a nitric oxide marker in the fluid, and adjusting the nitric oxide administration.

An extracorporeal system for lung assist includes a housing which includes a blood flow inlet in fluid connection with a pressurizing stator compartment, a fiber bundle compartment in fluid connection with the pressurizing stator compartment via a flow channel within the housing, and a blood flow outlet in fluid connection with the fiber bundle compartment. An impeller is rotatably positioned within the pressurizing compartment for pressurizing blood entering the pressurizing stator compartment from the blood flow inlet. The system further includes a fiber bundle positioned within the fiber bundle compartment. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers. The plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers is adapted to permit diffusion of gas between blood and an interior of the hollow gas permeable fibers. The plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers is positioned such that blood flows around the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers when flowing through the fiber bundle compartment. The plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers extend generally perpendicular to the direction of bulk flow of blood through the fiber bundle compartment from the flow channel to the blood flow outlet. The system further includes a gas inlet in fluid connection with the housing and in fluid connection with inlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers and a gas outlet in fluid connection with the housing and in fluid connection with outlets of the plurality of hollow gas permeable fibers.

An exhaust gas flow control system for an oxygenator of an extracorporeal ventilation system connected to an oxygenation gas supply line and to an exhaust line for removal of exhaust gas comprises a flow control path, a pressure control path, an exhaust flow regulator responsive to the controller, and an exhaust gas pressure regulator responsive to a controller configured to maintain a pre-determined pressure level in the exhaust line. This provides a better degree of control over the pressure across the oxygenator from oxygenation gas inlet to exhaust.

A clinical parameter calculation-simulation-monitoring system includes an interface configured to receive data input pertaining to one or more input parameters; a processor operably connected to receive data signals from the interface corresponding to the received data input pertaining to the one or more input parameters, wherein the processor calculates one or more output values based on the one or more input parameters, wherein the one or more output values pertain to clinically relevant outcome parameters; and a monitor display assembly operably connected to receive the one or more output values calculated by the processor, wherein the monitor display assembly includes a display configured for monitoring at least one of the one or more output values calculated by the processor.

A centrifugal pump (10) includes a housing (26), an impeller (28) that is rotatably disposed inside the housing (26), a shaft (62) that is provided at a center rotational axis of the impeller (28), and bearings (70) that pivotally support the shaft ends (66). At least one of the shaft ends (66) has surface roughness R.sub.a equal to or less than 0.21 m and/or surface roughness R.sub.y equal to or less than 1.49 m.

The present invention provides methods of administering nitric oxide (NO) to a patient, the method comprising delivering nitric oxide-containing gas directly into arterial or arterialized blood. The methods of the present invention may be used in the treatment or prevention of a variety of diseases and disorders responsive to nitric oxide, including those resulting from ischemia or hypoxia.

A device (1) for the extracorporeal oxygenation of the blood of a patient, comprising a containment casing (2) which has at least an inlet port (4) of the venous blood and at least an outlet port (5) of the arterial blood, at least an inlet channel (6) and at least an outlet channel (7) of a work gas intended to provide oxygen to blood and/or to remove CO2 from the same, at least a bundle of hollow fibers (8) arranged within the casing (2) and placed between the inlet channel (6) and the outlet channel (7), the hollow fibers being in communication with the inlet and outlet channels (6, 7) and being intended to be crossed by the relative work gas, at least a first and at least a second filtering elements (12, 13) arranged inside the bundle of hollow fibers (8) and spaced apart the one from the other, the filtering elements (12, 13) being able to trap any air bubbles present in the treated blood, where the first and second filtering elements (12, 13) define a relative open profile and where the hollow fibers (8) cross the first and second filtering elements (12, 13) uninterruptedly.

A percutaneous catheter is disclosed through which blood passes. The percutaneous catheter having a catheter tube including a first tube and a second tube, the second tube being in fluid communication with the first tube, the first tube having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the second tube, and wherein the first tube is more flexible than the second tube.

Devices and methods for enhancing the operations of fluid systems are provided. For example, this document provides variable-elevation drop tubes that are well suited for use with medical fluid reservoirs. While the variable-elevation drop tubes provided herein are described in the context of a medical fluid system, such as an extracorporeal blood flow circuit, it should be understood that the devices and methods provided herein are not limited to such contexts.

An intermediate element for a medical extracorporeal fluid line designed to conduct a fluid, such as blood, has a main part extending between two connection parts. A flow channel passes continuously through the main part and the connection parts. The connection parts hydraulically connect the main body to a fluid line. On the periphery of the main part a receiving area is arranged, which is designed to receive a measurement value transmitter. An opening to the flow channel is defined in the receiving area and is sealed in a fluid-tight manner towards the receiving area by an elastic element. The measurement value transmitter is a gas sensor of a sensor device for measuring at least one gas contained in the fluid. The elastic element is a diffusion element, which is permeable to at least one gas. The diffusion element is bonded to an edge of the opening.