A blood purification apparatus that is capable of, with no preparatory operations, performing substitution by supplying dialysate in a dialysate introduction line to a blood circuit during ultrafiltration treatment, or performing blood return by immediately supplying the dialysate in the dialysate introduction line to the blood circuit after the ultrafiltration treatment. A blood purification apparatus includes a dialyzer, a dialysate introduction line, a dialysate drain line L2 through which drain liquid from the dialyzer is drained, and an ultrafiltration pump capable of removing water from the blood in the blood circuit. The blood purification apparatus is capable of performing substitution or blood return by supplying the dialysate in the dialysate introduction line L1 to the blood circuit. In an ultrafiltration treatment in which the ultrafiltration pump is activated while the introduction of the dialysate into the dialyzer is stopped, dialysate delivery is performed while the introduction of the dialysate into the dialyzer is prevented.

A blood pump is described that includes an impeller having proximal and distal bushings, at least one helical elongate element, a spring that is disposed inside of the helical elongate element and along an axis around which the helical elongate element winds, and a film of material supported between the helical elongate element and the spring. A frame is disposed around the impeller. A flexible elongate element extends radially from the spring to the helical elongate element, and maintains the helical elongate element within a given distance from the spring, to thereby maintain a gap between an outer edge of a blade of the impeller and an inner surface of the frame, during rotation of the impeller. Other applications are also described.

The present invention relates to a device for measuring, recording, and acting in response to changes in air pressures encountered through the lumen of a connected needle. The device signals when it has been powered and signals when the device recognizes both pressures and pressure change rates indicative of synovial cavity joint penetration, such as knee joint penetration. Synovial cavity pressures detected and acted upon may either be supra- (positive) or sub-atmospheric (negative). Internal light emitting diodes and a laptop connected display are demonstrated as signaling and communication mechanisms. Methods for delivering medicaments into human and animal intra-articular cavities or joints such as synovial cavities are provided. Furthermore, methods for facilitating the diagnoses of joint effusion also are provided.

The volume of a hyperinflated lung compartment is reduced by sealing a distal end of the catheter in an airway feeding the lung compartment. Air passes out of the lung compartment through a passage in the catheter while the patient exhales. A one-way flow element associated with the catheter prevents air from re-entering the lung compartment as the patient inhales. Over time, the pressure of regions surrounding the lung compartment cause it to collapse as the volume of air diminishes. Residual volume reduction effectively results in functional lung volume expansion. Optionally, the lung compartment may be sealed in order to permanently prevent air from re-entering the lung compartment.

In a method of ventilating excised lungs, a ventilation gas is supplied to an airway of a lung and a vacuum is formed around the lung. A quality of the vacuum is varied between a lower level and a higher level to cause the lung to breathe, while the pressure of the ventilation gas supplied to the airway is regulated to maintain a positive airway pressure in the airway of the lung. The vacuum may be cyclically varied between the two vacuum levels. The levels may be maintained substantially constant over a period of time, or one or both of the lower and higher levels may be adjusted during ventilation. The lung may be placed in a sealed chamber, and a vacuum is formed in the chamber around the lung.

A system includes a bypass valve, a first conduit, and a second conduit. The bypass valve includes at least a first channel and a second channel and is configured to permit insufflation fluid to flow along a first flow path when the second channel is closed and permit the insufflation fluid to flow along a second flow path when the first channel is closed. The first conduit is coupled to the bypass valve and is configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from an insufflator to the bypass valve. The second conduit is coupled to the first channel of the bypass valve and configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from the bypass valve to the patient cavity via a first medical appliance.

A breast pump device (1) comprises i) a fluid pressure arrangement (2, 3) configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to realize a pressure cycle at a position where the fluid pressure arrangement (2, 3) is to face the breast, ii) a controller configured to execute an operation software program for controlling operation of the breast pump device (1), the operation software program including instructions to cause the fluid pressure arrangement (2, 3) to realize the pressure cycle, and iii) a monitoring arrangement configured to monitor functioning of the operation software program and to cause release of underpressure in case malfunctioning of the operation software program is detected. As a result, malfunctioning of the operation software program cannot last and any vacuum that may have built up in such a situation is automatically released.

An automated peritoneal dialysis system provides various features including prescription-driven dialysis fluid preparation, an integrated disposable fluid circuit, and sensor capabilities that allow accurate filing and draining control with high safety margins. Features include a peritoneal fluid circuit with a pressure sensor at either end and methods and devices for using the pressure signals. Other features and embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the present technology comprise a positioning and stabilising structure to hold a seal-forming structure in a therapeutically effective position on a head of a patient. The seal-forming structure may be constructed and arranged to form a seal with a region of the patients face surrounding an entrance to the patients airways for sealed delivery of a flow of air at a therapeutic pressure of at least 4 cmH2O with respect to ambient air pressure throughout the patients respiratory cycle in use. The positioning and stabilising structure may comprise a front hoop arranged to contact, in use, at least a region of the patients head superior to an otobasion superior of the patients head and a rear strap. The positioning and stabilising structure may comprise an adjustment mechanism for adjustment of the front hoop and the rear strap relative to the patients head, the adjustment mechanism being arranged in a single operation to adjust both the front hoop and rear strap to enable the positioning and stabilising structure to fit different size heads.

An apparatus and method use a catheter for specific and discriminate treatment of central nervous system disease. With the catheter, selective hypothermia to the brain and/or the spinal cord for injury protection can be achieved without the need for systemic cooling. The catheter is also capable of draining excess cerebrospinal fluid.