A second generation portable life support system.

Recognizing the need to transport critically ill patients to a specialized facility, we have designed a profound life support system. PLSS addresses the demand for mobility by placing all support systems under a patient cart. It addresses the demand for reliable power supply by providing a redundancy in sources. Ease of operation and further reliability are attained by automation. This system incorporates existing life support technology. Improvement is gained by combining the merits of several systems as well as by providing for portability. A synergistic effect which is obtained by combining IABP and VABP makes this portable device a unique and powerful clinical tool.

In search of a 24 hours per day artificial kidney.

Wearable, 24 hrs per day, 7 days per week artificial kidneys are being developed. Patients will benefit from more even control of physiologic parameters than can be obtained with conventional intermittent dialysis. Improvement in economic and social circumstances will result. Both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis techniques are being miniaturized. Small REDY cartridges containing urease, zirconium phosphate, hydrouse zirconium oxide and activated carbon are being utilized to regenerate dialysate. Hemodialyzers will be worn on the forearm and include long, wide, low resistance series blood flow paths to reduce the potential for thrombosis. Peritoneal effluent is regenerated and filtered by the sorbent cartridge and automatically cycled back into the peritoneal cavity.