Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray dried plasma composition having one or more of the following characteristics: when reconstituted, largely amorphous and has no cholesterol crystals; when reconstituted, the number of large particulates is reduced; has low residual moisture; reconstitutes rapidly in under four minutes; highly stable when stored under refrigeration, at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and allows for storage for longer periods of time; when reconstituted, exhibits recovery of the most fragile of proteins, including von Willebrand's factor; when reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), reconstituted plasma is at a pH that is near normal plasma pH, and does so without treatment or storage in CO2 or other pH adjustment; and when reconstituted, has reduced complement activation (C5A, C3A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray dried plasma composition having one or more of the following characteristics: when reconstituted, largely amorphous and has no cholesterol crystals; when reconstituted, the number of large particulates is reduced; has low residual moisture; reconstitutes rapidly in under four minutes; highly stable when stored under refrigeration, at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and allows for storage for longer periods of time; when reconstituted, exhibits recovery of the most fragile of proteins, including von Willebrand's factor; when reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), reconstituted plasma is at a pH that is near normal plasma pH, and does so without treatment or storage in CO2 or other pH adjustment; and when reconstituted, has reduced complement activation (C5A, C3A).

Abstract: The present invention includes an ease-of-use system that allows the spray drying disposable device to fit (e.g., align) in both spray drying apparatus and the spray drying finishing apparatus to safely operate the system. The system includes locating arrangements between the spray drying disposable and the spray drying apparatus and/or spray drying finishing apparatus, a first retainer and second retainer, a shorter disposable device that allows for effective spray drying of plasma, a feedback indicators of correct installment, redundant indicators of correct installment, easily accessible operator controls and emergency shut offs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spray drying plasma methodology that includes pretreating a donated liquid plasma unit, drying the liquid plasma using a spray drying apparatus with the spray drying disposable device that results in a disposable having the dried plasma, finishing the disposable using the finishing apparatus that is designed to seal and separate the disposable, and transform the disposable into a dried plasma unit. The methods of the present invention include storing the dried plasma unit and, when ready for use, reconstituting the dried plasma unit with reconstitution solution to obtain a plasma unit ready for transfusion into a recipient.

Abstract: An alignment system that allows a spray drying disposable to align in both spray drying apparatus and finishing apparatus. The first instance is a locating arrangement wherein a locator is disposed on the spray drying apparatus and/or finishing apparatus and another locator is on the spray drying head of the disposable such that the locators allow for alignment of the disposable with the spray drying apparatus or finishing apparatus. A second instance of an alignment element includes a guide that is offset as positioned on the spray drying head of the disposable. Yet a third instance of the alignment arrangement relates to the gas exhaust port. In a fourth instance, the alignment system includes a positioning arrangement to reversibly attach the outer wall of the disposable to the finishing apparatus. In a fifth and sixth instance, a retaining device that retains the spray drying head in the spray drying apparatus and/or finishing apparatus.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a reservoir for cryogenic media and a fuel cell unit containing at least one fuel cell connected to receive fuel from the reservoir. At least a first heat exchanger is provided within a cooling circuit for the fuel cell unit, whereby heat from the first heat exchanger (3) is used, at least indirectly, to provide fuel from the reservoir. A heating circuit for the reservoir, designed to heat and/or vaporize the cryogenic medium via the first heat exchanger, is connected directly to the cooling circuit for the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a reservoir for cryogenic media and a fuel cell unit containing at least one fuel cell connected to receive fuel from the reservoir. At least a first heat exchanger is provided within a cooling circuit for the fuel cell unit, whereby heat from the first heat exchanger (3) is used, at least indirectly, to provide fuel from the reservoir. A heating circuit for the reservoir, designed to heat and/or vaporize the cryogenic medium via the first heat exchanger, is connected directly to the cooling circuit for the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell engine for a vehicle comprises at least one fuel cell stack for producing electric power from a fuel and an oxidant, a propulsion motor, for propelling the vehicle. The propulsion motor is connected to receive electric power from the at least one fuel cell stack and is operatively connected to mechanically drive a device for directing a fluid stream into the fuel cell stack. In preferred embodiments the propulsion motor is operatively connected to drive a device for directing at least one reactant fluid stream into the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell engine for a vehicle comprises at least one fuel cell stack for producing electric power from a fuel and an oxidant, a propulsion motor, for propelling the vehicle. The propulsion motor is connected to receive electric power from the at least one fuel cell stack and is operatively connected to mechanically drive a device for directing a fluid stream into the fuel cell stack. In preferred embodiments the propulsion motor is operatively connected to drive a device for directing at least one reactant fluid stream into the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An electric power generation system has a regulated vacuum ejector for recirculating the fluid fuel stream. The system includes a fuel cell stack, a pressurized fuel supply having a pressure control valve for regulating the pressure of the fuel supply, a vacuum ejector interposed between the fuel supply and the stack fuel stream inlet, a pressure transducer interposed between the ejector discharge outlet and the stack fuel stream inlet, and a pressurized oxidant supply with a pressure transducer. The ejector suction inlet is fluidly connected to the fuel stream outlet of the fuel cell stack. The fuel stream pressure transducer transmits a signal to the pressure control valve to adjust the pressure of the fuel supply when the detected pressure of the fuel stream deviates from a predetermined value. The oxidant stream pressure transducer transmits a signal to the pressure control valve to adjust the pressure of the fuel supply when the detected pressure of the oxidant stream changes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a substantially constant output voltage from a fuel cell, notwithstanding output current variations, is disclosed. The voltage and secondarily the current of the cell is determined at least periodically. The pressure of the reactant gas in the fuel cell is then regulated so substantially the nominal voltage is maintained. The temperature in the fuel cell may also be regulated to maintain the nominal output voltage. Also, a method and apparatus for minimizing the parasitic power drain in a electric power generation system is disclosed. The fuel cell is fed with an reactant gas by a compressor driven by parasitic power drawn from the fuel cell.

Abstract: An integrated fuel cell power generation system comprises a fuel cell stack having a humidification section and an electrochemically active section. The humidification section imparts water vapor to an inlet hydrogen containing fuel stream and an inlet oxygen containing oxidant stream. The electrochemically active section comprises fuel cells for promoting the electrocatalytic conversion of the humidified fuel and oxidant streams to electric current and product water. The electrochemically active section also includes a coolant water stream for absorbing heat generated in the active section. The system includes a heat exchanger for removing heat from the coolant water stream exiting the active section, a water separator for removing water from the oxidant stream exiting the fuel cell stack, and a coolant reservoir for receiving the removed water stream from the water separator and from the heat exchanger. The coolant water stream is drawn from the coolant reservoir.

Abstract: A piston-type multi-station rotary filling machine having improved reliability and consistency of operation. The filling machine includes a nozzle assembly for a filler with a product port which includes a nozzle body with a rectangular nozzle that intersects the product port. A plunger having a complementary rectangular cross-section and with a knife edge on the side adjacent to the port is reciprocably mounted within the nozzle. The knife edge cleanly cuts tough food products to facilitate accurate dispensing of the food products.

Abstract: A means for precisely depositing containers into a moving nest, with the means being relatively insensitive to the speed of the nest. Each container is positioned over a lug which is driven at the speed of the moving nest and the container is aligned with the nest. When the container and nest are aligned and at the same speed, the container is dropped into the nest.