Disclosed are apparatus and methods for blood and other biological fluid purification using a membrane with cell containing vascular channel systems and filtration channel systems. Also disclosed are methods of making the apparatus as well as methods of making membranes.

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.

The present invention relates to a portable lung assist device. In one embodiment, the portable lung assist device comprises an integrated oxygenator, blood pump, and cannula. In one embodiment, the portable lung assist device of the present invention does not require an oxygen tank, but instead can provide oxygen to a subject's blood from ambient air. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the portable lung assist device, for example the cannula can be implantable. In one embodiment, the cannula of the device of the present invention can be inserted in to the subject's pulmonary artery. A method for providing portable lung assistance is also described.

The present disclosure relates to a dialysis device (1), more particularly a microdialysis device for the sampling of substances from the surface of a body organ. The device is particularly useful in the context of the monitoring of a moving organ, such as a beating heart, as the device comprises attachment means (2) allowing for a flexible and reliable attachment thereto. Furthermore, the microdialysis device provides for an efficient exchange of substances, such as metabolic substances, between the organ and the dialysis fluid through a semi-permeable material forming part of the device. There is also provided a method encompassing the device of the disclosure.

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.

Hemofilters for in vivo filtration of blood are disclosed. The hemofilters disclosed herein provide an optimal flow of blood through the filtration channels while maintaining a pressure gradient across the filtration channel walls to enhance filtration and minimize turbulence and stagnation of blood in the hemofilter.

An endovascular apparatus including a stabilizing element and a rod that may be detachably coupled to the stabilizing element. The rod may be elongated along a longitudinal axis. The rod may have at least one therapeutic agent thereon. The therapeutic agent may be an enzyme, an antibody, a biomarker, or a bioreceptor for neutralizing components of a bodily fluid of a patient. The rod may be inserted into the patient's body to place the therapeutic agent into fluid communication with the patient's bodily fluid. The rod may be formed from silicone and an outer surface of the rod may be etched prior to coating the rod with the therapeutic agent.

According to an aspect there is provided a method for automatic maintenance of a dialysis system. The dialysis system includes a plurality of filter sections where each filter section includes a blood flow channel, a dialysate flow channel, and a membrane separating the blood flow channel from the dialysate flow channel and having a plurality of pores through which substances are exchanged between a blood flow in the blood flow channel and a dialysate flow in the dialysate flow channel. The method includes determining, for each filter section of the plurality of filter sections, whether a maintenance criterion is fulfilled. The method also includes triggering a maintenance event for a filter section of the plurality of filter sections for which the maintenance criterion is fulfilled. The method also includes executing the maintenance event and optionally administering a thrombolytic agent to the blood flow channel of the filter section.

A mechanical kidney transplant designed may include a four modules designed to interconnect to clean blood. The first module may include a plurality of pump modules and a resin gel regeneration module, wherein the first module is operatively attached to a patient's iliac artery, iliac vein, and bladder. The second module may be operatively attached to the first module and may include storage and pump systems. The third module may be operatively attached to the first and fourth modules and may include a housing with ports for inflow/outflow of the blood and the physiologic resin gel between the first module and the fourth module. The fourth module may include at least one dialyzer fiber sized to accommodate a volume of blood flowing therethrough and an area surrounding the dialyzer fiber may be sized to accommodate a volume of a physiologic resin gel flowing counter current to the blood.

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.