Enhanced systems and methods for performing Direct Sodium Removal (DSR) therapy are provided in which an implantable device includes a variable speed motor-driven pump that may be programmed to output different flow rates at different stages of a DSR therapy session, wherein the system monitors operational parameters of the pump and is configured to generate an alarm condition indicative of a fault that may be displayed on a patient's smartphone to permit corrective action, and in which a catheter set implanted with the implantable device enables a DSR solution may be instilled into the patient's peritoneal cavity using a peritoneal catheter that is subsequently used to remove the DSR solution and sodium-rich ultrafiltrate from the peritoneal cavity to the patient's bladder.

A disposable cell enrichment kit includes a crossflow filtration device configured to be disposed along a main loop pathway and to receive a process volume containing a biological sample and utilize crossflow filtration, via a micro-porous membrane, to retain a specific cell population in a retentate from the process volume and to remove a permeate including certain biological components from the process volume. The crossflow filtration device includes a laminated filtration unit that includes the micro-porous membrane, a first mating portion, a second mating portion, and a membrane support. The membrane support includes a first plurality of structural features that define a first plurality of openings, wherein the first plurality of structural features are coupled to the micro-porous membrane and provide support to the micro-porous membrane, and the first plurality of openings allow the permeate to flow through them after crossing the micro-porous membrane.

A disposable cell enrichment kit includes a crossflow filtration device configured to be disposed along a main loop pathway and to receive a process volume containing a biological sample and utilize crossflow filtration, via a micro-porous membrane, to retain a specific cell population in a retentate from the process volume and to remove a permeate including certain biological components from the process volume. The crossflow filtration device includes a laminated filtration unit that includes the micro-porous membrane, a first mating portion, a second mating portion, and a membrane support. The membrane support includes a first plurality of structural features that define a first plurality of openings, wherein the first plurality of structural features are coupled to the micro-porous membrane and provide support to the micro-porous membrane, and the first plurality of openings allow the permeate to flow through them after crossing the micro-porous membrane.

Compositions and methods are provided for metabolically degrading ADMA. In one embodiment a device is provided for reducing a patients ADMA levels in their blood wherein the device comprises a biologically active dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) polypeptide covalently linked to a solid support. In one embodiment a method for reducing ADMA levels in a patients blood comprises the step of contacting the patients blood or a blood fraction with an immobilized biologically active DDAH polypeptide, wherein contact of the patients blood with said DDAH polypeptide results in degradation of ADMA present in the patients blood.

A modified hemofiltration method for clearing peripheral α-synuclein aggregates in patients with neurodegenerative diseases is provided, which falls into the field of medicine. Specifically, a ratio S of synuclein dimers in blood is obtained; a blood flow velocity and an exchange membrane area for hemofiltration are determined through clinical trial data or historical literature data; hemofiltration is performed by the determined blood flow velocity and exchange membrane area, a calculation model of the ratio S of different synuclein dimers and an exchange membrane aperture D required for hemofiltration is constructed by linear regression; a clearance rate of synuclein dimers can be estimated by setting hemofiltration parameters with the calculation model. It is found that hemofiltration is beneficial to reducing the level of peripheral α-synuclein aggregates in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the calculation model is constructed, which provides scientific data and a new solution for clinically relieving α-synuclein-related toxicity symptoms.

A filter for purifying blood (1, 100), comprising a container body (2, 102) in which there are: —an intake port (3, 103) for an incoming blood stream (4, 104), —a first discharge port (5, 105) for an outgoing blood stream (6, 106), and —a second discharge port (7, 107) for a purified plasma stream (8, 108); the container body (2, 102) comprises first filtering means (9, 109) adapted to separate a stream of plasma to be purified (10, 100) from the incoming blood stream (4, 104), and second filtering means (11, 111) adapted to purify the stream of plasma to be purified (10, 110) to obtain the purified plasma stream (8, 108).

Dialysis systems comprising actuators that cooperate to perform dialysis functions and sensors that cooperate to monitor dialysis functions are disclosed. According to one aspect, such a hemodialysis system comprises a user interface model layer, a therapy layer, below the user interface model layer, and a machine layer below the therapy layer. The user interface model layer is configured to manage the state of a graphical user interface and receive inputs from a graphical user interface. The therapy layer is configured to run state machines that generate therapy commands based at least in part on the inputs from the graphical user interface. The machine layer is configured to provide commands for the actuators based on the therapy commands.

The present disclosure relates to a dialysis apparatus comprising a membrane having at least one protein from the lipocalin family bound thereon. The disclosure further relates to methods of removing non-polar, hydrophobic and/or protein bound uremic toxins from a target subject utilizing the dialysis apparatus described herein as well as methods of extracorporeal detoxification.

An implantable perfusion device (2) comprises a tubular transmission line (4) with an inlet end (6), an outlet end (8) and a flow restriction element (10) located therebetween, whereby an inlet section (12) of the transmission line is defined between the inlet end and the flow restriction element and whereby an outlet section (14) of the transmission line is defined between the flow restriction element and the outlet end. Moreover, the device comprises a perfusion chamber (16) containing a load of biologically active cells and is provided with a fluid entrance (18), a fluid exit (20) and a chamber volume (22) formed therebetween. The fluid entrance comprises at least one first microchannel platelet (24) and the fluid exit comprises at least one second microchannel platelet (26), each one of the microchannel platelets comprising at least one array of microchannels (28) defining a fluid passage between respective external and internal platelet faces, the microchannels having an opening of 0.2 to 10 μm. The fluid entrance (18) of the perfusion chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet section (12) of the transmission line; and the flow restriction element (10) is configured to establish a predetermined pressure excess in the inlet section (12) versus the outlet section (14).

A filtration device includes a first channel member, a second channel member, and a filter. The first channel member has a recess recessed inward from an outer wall surface. A groove is formed is the recess and has an opening in a recessed surface of the recess. First and second channels, each defined by a through-hole, are formed in the first channel member and are connected to the groove. A first connection part connects the groove with the first channel. The second channel member has a projection that detachably mates with the recess. The second channel member includes a discharge channel that has an opening in a projecting surface of the projection, the opening being located over the groove. The filter is disposed along the groove, and positioned at the opening of the discharge channel. When the first and second channel members are placed in a operative relationship, a third channel is formed by the projecting surface of the projection and the opening of the groove. The third channel is connected to the first channel via the first connection part. The third channel at which the filter is positioned has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first channel.