A blood or blood component collection and processing system, apparatus and method are disclosed. One embodiment includes a vascular access device and a blood collection container having a blood inlet and first and second blood component outlets. The outlets are located at opposite ends of the container, and a blood flow conduit extends between the vascular access device and collection container. The collection container is free of attachment to other blood collection containers when in an initial collection configuration at the time of collection.

A surgical fluid management system delivers fluid for distending a uterine cavity to allow cutting and extraction of uterine fibroid tissue, polyps and other abnormal uterine tissue. The system comprises a fluid source, fluid deliver lines, one or more pumps, and a filter for re-circulating the distension fluid between the source and the uterine cavity. A controller can monitor fluid retention by the patient.

Dialysis is enhanced by using nanoclay sorbents to better absorb body wastes in a flow-through system. The nanoclay sorbents, using montmorillonite, bentonite, and other clays, absorb significantly more ammonium, phosphate, and creatinine, and the like, than conventional sorbents. The montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays may be used in wearable systems, in which a dialysis fluid is circulated through a filter with the nanoclay sorbents. Waste products are absorbed by the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays and the dialysis fluid is recycled to a patient's peritoneum. Using an ion-exchange capability of the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays, waste ions in the dialysis fluid are replaced with desirable ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. The nanoclay sorbents are also useful for refreshing a dialysis fluid used in hemodialysis and thus reducing a quantity of the dialysis fluid needed for the hemodialysis.

Systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure assist with management of tubes and hoses during surgical procedures. The systems, devices, and methods provide for the proper opening and closing of tubes to facilitate performance of steps in a surgical procedure. Systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure control fluid delivery to and from a medical device, including devices for tissue processing and cleaning.

A surgical fluid management system delivers fluid for distending a uterine cavity to allow cutting and extraction of uterine fibroid tissue, polyps and other abnormal uterine tissue. The system comprises a fluid source, fluid deliver lines, one or more pumps, and a filter for re-circulating the distension fluid between the source and the uterine cavity. A controller can monitor fluid retention by the patient.

An intravenous (IV) medication filter device can include a housing having a medication inlet, a medication outlet, and a gas vent. The filter device can include a hydrophobic gas filter inside the housing between the inlet and the gas vent and between the gas vent and the outlet. The hydrophobic gas filter can prevent medication received into the housing via the inlet from existing the housing via the gas vent. The hydrophobic gas filter can permit gas in the housing to exit the housing through the hydrophobic gas filter via the gas vent. The vent hole can have a shape that prevents sterilizing radiation directed at the gas vent from reaching the hydrophobic gas filter. Optionally, a porous plug may be inserted into the gas vent and/or a radiation shroud may be positioned over the gas vent to protect the gas vent from being damaged by the sterilizing radiation.

Circulating cell clusters found in subjects with cancer, autoimmune conditions, infections, or other diseases, can be trapped or disrupted by filtering them with an intra- or extracorporeal device and, in some cases, exposing them to a substance, such as enzyme, that reduces intercellular adhesion.

The invention provides a personal filtration apparatus with a multi-stage filter. In some embodiments each section can be individually replaced for reduced cost

Dialysis is enhanced by using nanoclay sorbents to better absorb body wastes in a flow-through system. The nanoclay sorbents, using montmorillonite, bentonite, and other clays, absorb significantly more ammonium, phosphate, and creatinine, and the like, than conventional sorbents. The montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays may be used in wearable systems, in which a dialysis fluid is circulated through a filter with the nanoclay sorbents. Waste products are absorbed by the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays and the dialysis fluid is recycled to a patient's peritoneum. Using an ion-exchange capability of the montmorillonite, the bentonite, and the other clays, waste ions in the dialysis fluid are replaced with desirable ions, such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. The nanoclay sorbents are also useful for refreshing a dialysis fluid used in hemodialysis and thus reducing a quantity of the dialysis fluid needed for the hemodialysis.

A method for treating sickle cell disease comprises removing blood from a patient with sickle cell disease, treating the removed blood to decrease the fraction of sickle-prone cells in the removed blood, and reintroducing the treated blood back into the patient. The treated blood that is reintroduced back into the patient has a reduced number of sickle-prone red blood cells when compared to the blood removed from the patient. In one version, the treatment of the blood includes inducing sickling of the red blood cells prone to sickle and then separating those sickled red blood cells from the blood before reintroducing the blood back into the patient.