The disclosure sets forth various exemplary embodiments of systems, methods, and/or medical apparatuses including but not limited to: a sheath; and a balloon disposed at a working distal end of the sheath. According to one example embodiment the medical device can include where the sheath can include woven wire reinforcing axial and longitudinal strength, side holes, a one direction distal valve, and can include an inflator. According to one example embodiment the medical device can include where the sheath can include a narrow cross-section of, e.g., 7-8 Fr and balloon of length of, e.g., 12 cm.

The present disclosure describes a novel therapeutic apheresis system and, more specifically, methods and an apparatus for performing therapeutic apheresis. The present disclosure provides highly efficient methods for therapeutic apheresis that modulate the immune system, thereby resulting in treatment of one or more underlying immunological disease processes. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods return at least a portion of blood from an extracorporeal circuit to a patient in pulsatile flow, where the portion of blood that is returned is augmented. In other embodiments, the disclosed methods and apparatus use the central arterial system to exchange volumes of plasma to immunomodulate disease processes. The disclosed methods combine concepts of intermittent flow and continuous flow therapeutic apheresis with established cardiovascular concepts. In addition, the disclosed methods reduce the amount of time spent by patients in therapeutic apheresis sessions and decrease patients' dependence on immunological drugs that may have detrimental adverse effects.

The present invention relates to a method of adding an anticoagulant to the blood of a patient, wherein the addition takes place in the form of a bolus, wherein the bolus application time B depends on the values TBV and CO, with TBV representing the blood volume of the patient and CO the cardiac output of the patient. The present invention furthermore relates to an apparatus for adding a coagulant to the blood of a patient.

The present disclosure describes a novel therapeutic apheresis system and, more specifically, methods and an apparatus for performing therapeutic apheresis. The present disclosure provides highly efficient methods for therapeutic apheresis that modulate the immune system, thereby resulting in treatment of one or more underlying immunological disease processes. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods return at least a portion of blood from an extracorporeal circuit to a patient in pulsatile flow, where the portion of blood that is returned is augmented. In other embodiments, the disclosed methods and apparatus use the central arterial system to exchange volumes of plasma to immunomodulate disease processes.

Flow capture device and method for removing cells from blood The current invention discloses a blood treating and/or purifying device for removing circulating pathogens, preferably pathogenic cells, more preferably circulating tumor cells from the blood of a patient, a method of producing such a device and method to treat cancer and other diseases caused by virus infection, bacterial infection and parasites infection as well as autoimmune disorders. The described method is an extracorporeal medical therapy, thus can be done also in a hemodialysis system. The current invention also describes a device and an in-situ production method of preparing the device to remove CTC and other pathogens i.e. virus, bacteria or parasites from the bloodstream.

Provided herein is a gas exchange composite membrane and methods of making the same. The gas exchange composite membrane may find use in a method of exchanging gas with blood in a subject in need of blood oxygenation support, which method is also disclosed. Also provided herein are systems and kits that find use in performing the methods of exchanging gas with blood.

A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device having a rotationally fixed plunger rod driven by a lead screw. The lead screw engages a free lock which is coupled to a release knob. A dose setting dial cooperates with an inner cylinder using a clutch to establish the axial movement of the plunger rod during dose setting and dispensing.

The invention relates to a method of flushing an extracorporeal blood circuit, preferably an extracorporeal blood circuit of a dialysis machine, with a flushing liquid, wherein the flushing liquid contains an anticoagulant agent, preferably heparin. The invention further relates to an extracorporeal blood treatment unit, preferably to a dialysis machine, having an extracorporeal blood circuit and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to carry out a flushing method in accordance with one of the preceding claims before the start of the treatment and/or intermittently during the treatment.

A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device having a rotationally fixed plunger rod driven by a lead screw. The lead screw engages a free lock which is coupled to a release knob. A dose setting dial cooperates with an inner cylinder using a clutch to establish the axial movement of the plunger rod during dose setting and dispensing.

A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device having a rotationally fixed plunger rod driven by a lead screw. The lead screw engages a free lock which is coupled to a release knob. A dose setting dial cooperates with an inner cylinder using a clutch to establish the axial movement of the plunger rod during dose setting and dispensing.