Patents by Inventor James Brugger
James Brugger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20090012442Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2004Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: James Brugger, Jeffrey Burbank, Dennis Treu
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Patent number: 7473238Abstract: A disposable fluid circuit kit for extracorporeal blood treatment systems that supply replacement fluid to a patient is described. The circuit has a blood portion that carries blood and subjects it to some treatment, such as dialysis or hemofiltration. A portion carries filtrate or dialysate. A replacement fluid portion that carries fluid used to compensate for fluid loss is connectable to a supply of replacement fluid. a sterilizing filter in the replacement fluid portion sterilizes the replacement fluid before introduction into the patient acting as a guard against touch contamination of the connected replacement fluid container. Preferably, the filter has a pore size effective to eliminate pyrogens.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James Brugger, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Dennis Treu
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Patent number: 7470265Abstract: A port spike for medical fluid containers, such as infusate bags, for example, provides two ports to permit recirculation of fluids within the container. The recirculating flow allows bubbles to settle out which can't happen effectively if the flow is sucked out immediately after entering the container. The spike provides two openings inside the container which prevent such short-circuit flow by ensuring that fluid entering the container is not greatly affected by the suction zone of the flow leaving the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James Brugger, Kenneth E. Buckler
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Publication number: 20080306426Abstract: A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2004Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: James Brugger, Jeffrey Burbank, Dennis Treu
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Publication number: 20080053905Abstract: A method and device for blood treatments that use fluids such as dialysate and replacement fluid for renal replacement therapy. In an embodiment, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through a microporous sterilization filter from a fluid source to a replacement fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment. As a result, the sterilization filter can have a small capacity. In another embodiment, a filter is placed immediately prior to the point at which the sterile fluid is consumed by the treatment process. The latter may be used in combination with the former embodiment as a last-chance guarantee of sterility and/or that the fluid is free of air bubbles. It may also be used as the primary means of sterile-filtration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2005Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: James Brugger, Jeffrey Burbank, Brian Green
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Publication number: 20070260168Abstract: Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: James Brugger, Dennis Treu
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Publication number: 20070185430Abstract: A sterilized fluid management kit for use in renal replacement therapy isolates a replacement fluid container from touch contamination and provides for sterilization of replacement fluid by filtering using an installed filter that is hermetically connected to the replacement fluid container. A method is described where replacement fluid is automatically generated before treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: JAMES BRUGGER, Jeffrey Burbank, Dennis Treu
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Publication number: 20070102340Abstract: A configuration of a blood microtubular filter/dializer used in many kinds of renal replacement therapy systems is disclosed which may allow a straight thin-walled tube to be used for a majority of the structure of the housing and other benefits disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Martin Stillig, Jeffrey Burbank, Goetz Friederichs, James Brugger
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Publication number: 20070038191Abstract: One or more waste balancing systems may be used in a fluid circulating system for medical use. The fluid circulating system may be part of a blood treatment system for a patient suffering renal failure. A waste balancing system may include a pressure element operable to maintain a constant fluid pressure created by the combined weight of waste removed from a patient and replacement fluid for providing to a patient. Multiple evaluation characteristics or control parameters may be evaluated or controlled for safety and accuracy. At least part of the waste balancing system may be incorporated into a disposable cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2004Publication date: February 15, 2007Inventors: Jeffrey Burbank, James Brugger
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Publication number: 20070016162Abstract: Valved ports for accessing blood vessels and other body lumens include a lock mechanism which locks the valve fully open when a needle or other access tube is placed into the port. The lock mechanism includes a latch typically comprising one or more laterally deflectable elements, such as a pair of opposed balls. The deflected elements are pushed outwardly by the needle to engage a recess in the port which locks the valve open until the needle is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Applicant: VASCA, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Burbank, James Brugger
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Publication number: 20070007208Abstract: A method and device for blood treatments that use fluids such as dialysate and replacement fluid for renal replacement therapy. In an embodiment, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through a microporous sterilization filter from a fluid source to a replacement fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment. As a result, the sterilization filter can have a small capacity. In another embodiment, a filter is placed immediately prior to the point at which the sterile fluid is consumed by the treatment process. The latter may be used in combination with the former embodiment as a last-chance guarantee of sterility and/or that the fluid is free of air bubbles. It may also be used as the primary means of sterile-filtration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2005Publication date: January 11, 2007Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: James Brugger, Jeffrey Burbank, Brian Green
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Publication number: 20070000333Abstract: A pressure measurement device usable for monitoring pressure of fluids such as blood, waste, and replacement fluid in a blood treatment system provides a reliable signal and other benefits by virtue of a number of features of the various embodiments disclosed. The pressure of fluid carried by a vessel or tube is measured by measuring a change in shape of the vessel or tube via a sensor element contacting it. Materials, shape, and mechanical support cooperatively ensure that the little inelastic strain occurs and pressure measurements are repeatable. The embodiments are compatible with the use of disposable vessels and tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2005Publication date: January 4, 2007Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: James BRUGGER, Christopher MCDOWELL, Jefrey BURBANK, Dennis TREU
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Publication number: 20060173395Abstract: A combined arterial and venous blood tubing set is provided for transport of blood between a patient and a blood processing unit. The set comprises an arterial set component comprising arterial tubing having an arterial patient connector at one end and an arterial unit connector at the other. A venous set component has venous tubing with a venous patient connector at one end and a venous unit connector at the other end. The arterial and venous patient connectors, and the arterial and venous unit connectors, are respectively, substantially, and releasably directly connected to each other. As a result of this, the arterial, and venous set components cooperate to form a loop. Other features of improved sets are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2006Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventors: James Brugger, David Utterberg, William Schnell, G. Andrews
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Publication number: 20060091058Abstract: A configuration of a blood microtubular filter/dializer used in many kinds of renal replacement therapy systems can provide highly a effective mechanism for removing air from the blood circuit of such systems. In embodiments, for example, the invention takes advantage of the slow flow rate that usually occurs where blood exits the microtubules into a header area of the filter to provide a settling area and an auxiliary port with a multi-way valve allowing gas to be drawn out from the header and for medicaments to be injected into said header.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: James BRUGGER, Martin STILLIG
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Publication number: 20060091057Abstract: A configuration of a blood microtubular filter/dializer used in many kinds of renal replacement therapy systems can provide highly a effective mechanism for removing air from the blood circuit of such systems. In embodiments, for example, the invention takes advantage of the slow flow rate that usually occurs where blood exits the microtubules into a header area of the filter to provide a settling area and, preferably, a air release mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: James BRUGGER, Martin STILLIG
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Publication number: 20060091056Abstract: A configuration of a blood microtubular filter/dializer used in many kinds of renal replacement therapy systems can provide highly a effective mechanism for removing air from the blood circuit of such systems. In embodiments, for example, the invention takes advantage of the slow flow rate that usually occurs where blood exits the microtubules into a header area of the filter to provide a settling area.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: James BRUGGER
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Publication number: 20060084906Abstract: A flow management system comprising a first panel having a fluid pathway and a second panel having a fluid pathway for passing a second fluid. The fluid pathway of the first panel passes a first fluid. The first panel includes a first compartment to receive a volume of the first fluid. The second panel includes a second compartment to receive a volume of the second fluid. The first and second panels are aligned so that the first compartment overlays the second compartment. The flow management system may be placed within a gap defined by a first surface and a second surface. The first and second compartments are disposed within the gap so that the second compartment bears against the second surface as the second fluid fills the second compartment and forces the first fluid out from the first compartment as the first compartment bears against the first surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Applicant: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey BURBANK, James BRUGGER, Dennis TREU, C. FINCH, Barry FULKERSON, Steven WHITE
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Publication number: 20050277906Abstract: A port spike for medical fluid containers, such as infusate bags, for example, provides two ports to permit recirculation of fluids within the container. The recirculating flow allows bubbles to settle out which can't happen effectively if the flow is sucked out immediately after entering the container. The spike provides two openings inside the container which prevent such short-circuit flow by ensuring that fluid entering the container is not greatly affected by the suction zone of the flow leaving the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2003Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: James Brugger, Kenneth Buckler
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Publication number: 20050209573Abstract: Methods and apparatus for percutaneously accessing an implanted port using an access tube which is periodically introduced to the implanted port. The apparatus is preferably an implantable port having a pressure-responsive valve element. It has been found that repeated passage of the access tube through the same tissue tract to the implantable port reduces patient trauma, with minimized bleeding and reduction in sensitivity. The tract may be initially formed by percutaneously placing a penetrating element through intact skin to the port and leaving the element in place for a time sufficient to created the tract.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2005Publication date: September 22, 2005Applicant: VascA, Inc.Inventors: James Brugger, Jeffrey Burbank, Charles Finch, Hendrik Kuiper
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Publication number: 20050209547Abstract: Blood treatment system and method for high rate hemofiltration ensures against pyrogenic patient reaction by providing various mechanisms for filtering replacement fluid to remove endotoxins and other safety features including detecting incorrect fluid administration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: September 22, 2005Inventors: Jeffrey Burbank, James Brugger