Plural Elements Controlled Patents (Class 210/134)
  • Patent number: 11492270
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus for distributed management of raw water and internal combustion engine (ICE) gas emissions generated during industrial operations. One aspect of the invention at least partially utilizes a hot gas air knife to increase or partially increase surface area between a raw water and a hot gas in order to vaporize a proportion of the aqueous phase of the raw water and concentrate contaminants within a residual raw water concentrate. The water vapor generated by the vaporization process may be demisted, discharged directly to the atmosphere or alternatively condensed and captured for use. Another aspect relates to how the liquids and gasses interact to continuously flush the surfaces of the system which may help mitigate scaling issues. The invention may help facilitate rapid transfer of ICE combustion gas particulate and ICE combustion gas chemicals onto and into the raw water as it concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: CLEANTEK INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Curlett, Hugues Wanlin
  • Patent number: 11351488
    Abstract: A quick change oil filter includes a filter canister and filter base that may be installed and removed manually from an engine adapter on an internal combustion engine. The filter canister and filter base may hold at least about one third of the required engine oil supply when removed from the engine adapter. The engine adapter includes an oil inlet passage, an oil outlet passage, and a filter base mounting cavity. A check valve is biased to close an oil outlet opening from the filter canister, trapping oil inside the filter canister when it is removed from the engine adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Robison, David W. Geiger, John L. Bocksnick
  • Patent number: 11285415
    Abstract: A water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a filtering unit for producing purified water by filtering influent water; a TDS measuring unit for measuring the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water flowing into the filtering unit; a purified water passage through which the purified water is discharged; a concentrated water passage through which concentrated water, filtered by the filtering unit, is discharged; a concentrated water flow control valve for controlling the flow rate of the concentrated water discharged through the concentrated water passage; and a control unit for adjusting the degree of opening and closing of the concentrated water control valve, on the basis of the TDS and the pressure of the water flowing into the filtering unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Kang, Byoung-Phil Lee, Hyoung-Min Moon, Sang-Hyeon Kang, Dong-Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 11260169
    Abstract: Some embodiments of an infusion pump system can provide an alarm and user instructions in response to an ambient air pressure change or ambient air temperature that exceeds an alarm limit parameter. In some circumstances, the infusion pump system can be configured to monitor the actual ambient air pressure and temperature around the infusion pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: BIGFOOT BIOMEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Mark C. Estes
  • Patent number: 11174174
    Abstract: A solution for irradiating a flowing fluid through a channel with ultraviolet radiation is provided. Ultraviolet radiation sources can be located within the channel in order to direct ultraviolet radiation towards the flowing fluid and/or the interior of the channel. A valve can be located adjacent to the channel to control the flow rate of the fluid. A control system can control and adjust the ultraviolet radiation based on the flow rate of the fluid and a user input component can receive a user input for the control system to adjust the ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet radiation sources, the control system, the user input component, and any other components that require electricity can receive power from a rechargeable power supply. An electrical generator located within the channel can convert energy from the fluid flowing through the channel into electricity for charging the rechargeable power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxim S. Shatalov, Alexander Dobrinsky
  • Patent number: 11170883
    Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes (i) a fill container, and (ii) an energizing unit that removably accepts the fill container, the energizing unit including a sterilization source so configured and arranged relative to the fill container when accepted by the energizing unit to place fluid within the fill container in a physiologically safe condition for delivery to the peritoneal cavity of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventor: Marc Steven Minkus
  • Patent number: 10973971
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for photo-chemical oxidation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a dialysis fluid regeneration system includes: a nanostructured anode; a source of light configured to illuminate the anode; and a cathode that is oxygen permeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Bruce Hinds, Guozheng Shao
  • Patent number: 10940253
    Abstract: A blood purification apparatus where neither an arterial puncture needle nor a venous puncture needle is stuck in the patient can be checked automatically when it is attempted to activate a blood pump in an unconnected step. A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit for circulating blood, a dialyzer for purifying the blood, a blood pump provided to an arterial blood circuit for delivering liquid when activated, and a control device that executes a connected step when blood pump is activated with an arterial puncture needle (a) and a venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient and an unconnected step in which the blood pump is activated with neither the arterial puncture needle (a) nor the venous puncture needle (b) being stuck in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Nikkiso Company Limited
    Inventors: Masahiro Toyoda, Akira Sugioka
  • Patent number: 10936699
    Abstract: An apparatus, a process and a system for monitoring a plurality of patients (P) affected by kidney failure over a time frame (T) are disclosed. The system includes blood treatment units, laboratory storage units, at least one hub module, and client units. The system collects values (VM) of a plurality of session parameters, set values (VS) of a plurality of prescription parameters, values (VL) of a plurality of laboratory parameters and the hub module stores values (KPVi) of selected parameters (KPi) which are a subclass of the collected values (VM, VS, VL) and which are transferred to the client units. Each client unit may define, for each of said patients, a number of indicators (IDk) based on the values (KPVi,k) taken by a respective subclass (KPi,k) of said selected parameters (KPi) and to operate the respective display according to various display modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Bernard Bene, Archille Fouilleul, Lionel Buttin
  • Patent number: 10809905
    Abstract: A method, device and system for displaying, via a user interface, an ambiance setting for a bathing system. The user interface is configured to display at least one display page on a display screen. The method comprises displaying on the display screen, a plurality of ambiance settings selectable by a user of the user interface, receiving, at a processor, an indication of a selected ambiance setting from the plurality of ambiance settings displayed on the display screen and in response to the selected ambiance setting, displaying on the display screen a first operational setting for at least one first type of bathing unit component and a second operational setting for at least one second type of bathing unit component. The first operational setting and the second operational setting are pre-programmed in association with the selected ambiance setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: GECKO ALLIANCE GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Benoit Laflamme, Christian Brochu
  • Patent number: 10787381
    Abstract: A drainless reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system provides relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, while recycling brine to a domestic hot water system. The drainless purification system includes a pre-filter catalyst cartridge for removing chlorine-based contaminants from a tap water supply upstream from an RO membrane. The catalyst is regularly refreshed by a high through-flow of water to a conventional cold water dispense faucet, thereby significantly prolonging the service life of the RO membrane. The RO membrane is incorporated into a multi-cartridge unit adapted for facilitated slide-out removal and replacement as needed. A control valve recycles brine from the RO membrane to the hot water system during pure water production, and recirculates tap water through the RO membrane when a pure water reservoir is substantially filled. The multi-cartridge unit may further include an air filtration system for providing a flow of filtered air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 10773011
    Abstract: A method comprising obtaining a bodily fluid from a subject; contacting the bodily fluid with an adsorbent material comprising a synthetic carbon particle (SCP) to produce a first filtrate having a level of disease mediators (y); contacting the first filtrate with an adsorbent material comprising the SCP and an anion exchange resin where the ratio of SCP to anion exchange resin is from about 0.1:100 to 100:0.1 to produce a second filtrate; contacting the second filtrate with an adsorbent material comprising the SCP and a cation exchange resin where the ratio of SCP to cation exchange resin is from about 1:100 to produce a third filtrate; and administering the third filtrate to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Immutrix Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol A. Rae, Jan Simoni, Grace Simoni, John F. Moeller
  • Patent number: 10717047
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system may include a water supply, a filter, and a mixing member. The water supply is connected to a first water tube and a second water tube. The first water tube is connected to the filter, and the filter is connected to a drain pipe which is connected to a wastewater tank. The wastewater generated from the filter under reverse osmosis process can be discharged into the wastewater tank. The mixing member has a water inlet end, a water outlet end, and a wastewater inlet tube, which are communicated with each other, and the water inlet end of the mixing member is connected to the second water tube. When water flows through the mixing member, the negative pressure is generated to pump wastewater in the wastewater tank through the wastewater inlet tube into the mixing member, thereby achieving the effect of water saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Hsiang-Shih Wang
  • Patent number: 10633261
    Abstract: A portable water filtration system that is configured to provide potable water from a contaminated water source. The portable water filtration system includes a pre-treatment module and a polishing module that are fluidly coupled and contained within a stackable housing configuration. The pre-treatment module has disposed therein a pump, two solenoid valves, a first filter and a pair of ultra-filters wherein the aforementioned elements are all fluidly coupled utilizing plastic tubing. Water is cycled through the elements of the pre-treatment module and is then directed to the polishing module. Disposed within the polishing module are four filters that have filtration material therein operable to filter material within a range of 0.0002 to 0.0009 microns. The portable water filtration system is operable in a filtration mode and a flush mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Nimon Bondurant
  • Patent number: 10449285
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a blood treatment apparatus, with the conveying of blood using a blood pump, with the patient venous tubing clamp closed, until a predetermined volume of fluid has passed out of the blood tubing set through the membrane and into the dialysis fluid chamber. It also relates to a control and regulating apparatus and a treatment apparatus. It further relates to a computer program, a computer program product and a digital storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Chamney, Pascal Kopperschmidt, Wolfgang Wehmeyer
  • Patent number: 10406489
    Abstract: A mixing unit for ready-to-use flushing solutions with a mixing chamber, with which conduits for ultrapure water and for concentrate communicate, in order to form a ready-to use flushing solution therein is characterized in that the concentrate is filled into a concentrate bag, which is provided with a concentrate bag connector, which is connectable to a connector on the mixing unit, that the connector on the mixing unit is covered by a pivotal concentrate valve in its closed state so that a sealed flushing space is defined around the connector and that a flushing liquid conduit communicates with the connector on the mixing unit so that flushing liquid is conveyable into the flushing space, which can completely clean the connector internally and externally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Manfred Volker
  • Patent number: 10398823
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood purification system with at least one extracorporeal blood purification apparatus, preferably dialysis machine, which is prepared to go through a centrally controlled disinfection process for a blood purification process, as well as with an internal fluid line system which is disinfected at least during the disinfection process by a disinfectant, including an internal or external disinfecting or cleaning case which is at least during the disinfection process via at least one case connection connected to the internal fluid conduit system to receive disinfectant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventor: Thore Heinemann
  • Patent number: 10280471
    Abstract: Methods for detecting micro-organisms and/or biological substances in a fluid are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Biotrack Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Gijsbert Johan Jansen
  • Patent number: 10265658
    Abstract: An energy-saving water purifying system has a tube, two pistons, a movable component, a pump, and a filter. The two pistons are mounted in the tube. The movable component is moveably mounted between two block portions of the tube. Two magnetic elements are mounted on the movable component and repulse magnetic elements of the two pistons. The movable component selectively blocks one of two wastewater entrances of the tube. An outlet of the pump is connected to two check valves of the two inlets in parallel. An inlet of the filter is connected to two check valves of the two outlets in parallel. A wastewater exit of the filter is connected to the two wastewater entrances of the tube in parallel. The water purifying system is switched by magnetic force so that the structure is simplified, energy is saved, and cost and fault rate are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: ETEN TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Hui-Tsu Chia
  • Patent number: 10214871
    Abstract: A screen intake has a central body with two screens attached on either end. Each of the screens has an interior that communicates with a hollow of the body via flow modifiers. These flow modifiers include one or more pipes disposed in the interior of the screens and through passages in ends of the body. A flow control support device disposed within the body supports the body's sidewall and divides the hollow into at least two portions—each communicating with flow from one of the flow modifiers. The device can include one or more plates disposed adjacent one another within the internal hollow with a peripheral edge attached to an inside of the body's sidewall. At least one of the one or more plates can be solid, or one or more of the plates can define openings therein allowing passage of at least some fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Ekholm
  • Patent number: 10155082
    Abstract: An access disconnection system includes an extracorporeal circuit; first and second contacts provided in the extracorporeal circuit; a current source communicating with the first contact and configured to generate a current within fluid flowing through the extracorporeal circuit; and an apparatus positioned to apply a signal at multiple points along a path from the extracorporeal circuit, the signals tending to prevent at least a portion of the current from traveling through a ground path in parallel to the extracorporeal circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Rodolfo G. Roger, Thomas P. Hartranft, Ramesh Wariar, Angel M. Lasso, George Lamberson
  • Patent number: 10125033
    Abstract: The present invention includes an anion exchange method that uses sulfate-containing acid mine drainage (AMD), or any sulfate containing water resource, to remove strontium, barium, and/or radium from contaminated water sources, such as but not limited to hydraulic fracturing waste water, flowback, and/or produced water, without requiring any external regenerant. The removal process may be adopted with any waste water or impaired water source containing sulfate anions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Lehigh University
    Inventors: Arup K. Sengupta, Michael German, Jinze Li
  • Patent number: 9975073
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for reducing a processing liquid consumed for removing bubbles from a new filter unit, and shortening a start-up time when the filter unit is attached in a processing liquid supply passage. The method includes: filling the processing liquid into a new filter unit, decompressing inside of the filter unit into a first pressure atmosphere in order to remove bubbles from the filter unit, boosting a pressure of the inside of the filter unit, flowing the processing liquid into the filter unit from a primary side of the filter unit, and supplying the processing liquid flowing from the filter unit to an object to be processed through a nozzle thereby performing a liquid processing and quickly removing the bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Yoshida, Ryouichirou Naitou, Toshinobu Furusho
  • Patent number: 9937468
    Abstract: A method of operating a membrane separation device in a continuous flow process includes in the membrane separation device, separating a supply liquid into a first partial stream and a second partial stream, wherein flow rate of the second partial stream and/or recovery rate of the second partial stream is influenced by at least one influencing variable that varies during operation, and varying the flow rate of the first partial stream to compensate for a change of the at least one influencing variable to control flow rate and/or recovery rate of the second partial stream to a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: BWT Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andrea Pavan, Jürgen Johann, Marc Fink
  • Patent number: 9913939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve arrangement for use in an extracorporeal blood circuit having at least one arterial blood line and at least one venous blood line, the valve arrangement having at least one first valve arranged in the arterial blood line, a second valve arranged in the venous blood line, a fourth valve arranged in a first arteriovenous connection line between the arterial blood line of the circuit and the venous blood line of the circuit, and a fifth valve arranged in a second arteriovenous connection line between the arterial blood line and the venous blood line; and/or a third valve arranged for establishing a fluid connection in a blood line between the arterial blood line and the venous blood line of the circuit; and/or a sixth valve arranged between a blood treatment device and an air venting device of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Angelika Bachmann, Michael Herrenbauer, Wolfgang Wehmeyer
  • Patent number: 9901669
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of blood are disclosed allowing for the determination of an internal convection in a blood purification device e.g. in the form of a dialyzer. The internal convection in the purification device can be determined on the basis of pressure differences in the purification device. The blood purification may be, for instance, a hemodialysis or a hemodiafiltration. Pressure sensors serve for measuring the pressures of the blood at the input and/or output of the purification device as well as optionally for detecting the pressure of a cleaning fluid or dialysis fluid at the input and/or output of the purification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: B. BRAUN AVITUM AG
    Inventors: Henrik Wolff, Christof Strohhoefer, Roland Napierala
  • Patent number: 9885194
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners that remove debris from water using a plurality of cyclonic flows, or that include a removable impeller subassembly, a check valve for a debris canister, a particle separator assembly having a handle that locks to the pool cleaner, a modular roller drive gear box, or a roller latch that secures a roller to the pool cleaner. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to the check valve and the roller latch themselves. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a filter medium for pool cleaners that includes embossments providing flow channels for water, and to roller assemblies for pool cleaners. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners including alternative pump motor engagements. Exemplary embodiments are directed to pool cleaners power supplies that include a potted and contoured power board assembly, and to kickstands therefor. Exemplary embodiments are directed to a pool cleaner caddy, and removable wheels therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham M. Hayes, Scott Teuscher
  • Patent number: 9867922
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure with respect to a subject. A data storage location of the system is pre-programmed with a plurality of subject data entries, each having subject-specific information associated with it. A user interface receives an identity input from a subject, which corresponds to the identity of the subject. A controller is associated with the database and the user interface, and is programmed to compare the identity input to the subject data entries. If the identity input corresponds to the subject-specific information of a subject data entry, the controller commands a treatment device to perform a medical procedure with respect to the subject. Otherwise, if the identity input does not correspond to the subject-specific information of any of the subject data entries, the controller generates an error signal which prevents the performance of the medical procedure with respect to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Lan T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9827363
    Abstract: A dialysis service box for centralized control and plumbing arrangement of a dialysis machine is disclosed. The dialysis service box includes a plumbing arrangement having a supply inlet for supplying a fluid to the dialysis machine, a backflow preventer for preventing retrograde flow through the plumbing arrangement, a trap primer for maintaining a trap seal designed to prevent waste gases from flowing into the dialysis service box and a waste connection for allowing waste from the dialysis machine to exit. The dialysis service box can be universally installed to operate, control and adjust any dialysis machine that requires supply connection, waste connection, backflow preventer and trap primer, or any combination of the foregoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: W.D. Manor Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Randall, Bryan DeWitt, Peter DeWitt, Rick Garcia, Don Gustafson
  • Patent number: 9810209
    Abstract: A rear housing includes a first passage extending from an accommodation chamber towards a communication hole of a valve-forming plate. A cylinder block includes a connection portion to be connected to an external device, an outlet space opening towards the connection portion, and a second passage extending from the outlet space towards the communication hole of the valve-forming plate. A discharge passage includes a discharge chamber, the accommodation chamber, the first passage, the communication hole, the second passage, and the outlet space. The flow passage area of the communication hole is larger than at least one of the flow passage area of the first passage and the flow passage area of the second passage. The discharge passage can be designed with high flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Hisaya Kondo, Ai Saeki, Yasushi Suzuki, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9782529
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment device is disclosed. The device includes a blood treatment unit connected to an extracorporeal blood circuit, a waste liquid discharge line for evacuating waste treatment liquid from the blood treatment unit, and a collecting container for collecting waste treatment liquid evacuated via the waste liquid discharge line. The collecting container is removably connected to the waste liquid discharge line via a one way valve. A collecting container for a device is also disclosed. The container includes a waste fluid input line, wherein a one way valve is arranged in the waste fluid input line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: B. BRAUN AVITUM AG
    Inventors: Joern Ahrens, Francesco Benatti, Peter Pózna
  • Patent number: 9779212
    Abstract: An apparatus, a process and a system for monitoring a plurality of patients (P) affected by kidney failure over a time frame (T) are disclosed. The system includes blood treatment units, laboratory storage units, at least one hub module, and client units. The system collects values (VM) of a plurality of session parameters, set values (VS) of a plurality of prescription parameters, values (VL) of a plurality of laboratory parameters and the hub module stores values (KPVi) of selected parameters (KPi) which are a subclass of the collected values (VM, VS, VL) and which are transferred to the client units. Each client unit may define, for each of said patients, a number of indicators (IDk) based on the values (KPVi,k) taken by a respective subclass (KPi,k) of said selected parameters (KPi) and to operate the respective display according to various display modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Bernard Bene, Achille Fouilleul, Lionel Buttin
  • Patent number: 9375716
    Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flow includes a housing base defining a lower cavity and comprising a pinch structure within the lower cavity, a gas inlet providing external access to the lower cavity, a base fluid inlet, and a base fluid outlet. A housing cover defines an upper cavity and comprises a cover fluid inlet and a cover fluid outlet. The cover fluid inlet is in fluidic communication with the base fluid outlet between the upper cavity and the lower cavity, and the cover fluid outlet provides external access from the upper cavity. A diaphragm is disposed between the housing base and the housing cover. A pinch plate is disposed in the lower cavity and comprises a pinch point disposed opposite the pinch structure. A pinch tube is in fluidic communication between the base fluid inlet and the base fluid outlet in the lower cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Schultz
  • Patent number: 9308475
    Abstract: A filter apparatus is described that has a torque limiting device, which may be a clutch mechanism, and which provides a protective function for a filter, so as to protect a filter from being over tightened and to thereby prevent damage to filter components. The clutch mechanism can also eliminate or reduce the need for torque measurement of certain filter components. The clutch mechanism can be located on one of the fluid filter, a filter head which engages the fluid filter, or a combination of both the fluid filter and the filter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. A. Badeau, Travis E. Goodlund, Bryan J. Benz, Bryan P. Steffen, Ismail C. Bagci, Aaron M. Wells, Rahul B. Kallurwar, James L. Eickhoff, Chirag D. Parikh, Gregory W. Hoverson, Kevin C. South, Scott G. Manke
  • Patent number: 9265872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for measuring a blood constituent in blood for an extracorporeal blood treatment device, comprising a dialyzer or a filter, and a hose line system comprising hose lines that are pervious to electromagnetic radiation. The kinetics of a liquid flowing at a measuring site in one of the hose lines of the hose line system is varied by varying the flow properties of the liquid in the hose line at the measuring site, particularly by stopping a blood pump arranged in the hose line and/or by closing a shut-off member in the hose line. The invention analyzes the intensity of the light entering the hose line at the measuring site and the light exiting the hose line at the measuring site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9199866
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process that uses reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) membranes and ion exchange (IX) water softening resins to maximize the production of drinking water, purified industrial service water or recycled purified municipal or industrial effluents. The membrane and ion exchange units are configured in a manner that enables operation of the system at high permeate recoveries in the range 90% to 99%, thus producing purified drinking water with a minimum volume of wastewater to drains and a very low membrane cleaning or membrane replacement frequency. The process mitigates membrane fouling and scale formation and minimizes the use of water treatment chemicals including acidic and alkali solutions and sodium chloride salt that is normally required to regenerate the IX resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Riad A. Al-Samadi
  • Patent number: 9049989
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed to reduce tissue trauma when a physician retracts a patient's tissues for surgery. In one part, methods and devices are disclosed for controlling retraction force and pace. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for oscillating force when opening. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for detecting trauma during retraction. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for balancing forces on multiple retraction elements. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for reducing forces in multiple dimensions. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for engaging ribs. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed to compensate for deformation of a retractor under load. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed that combine these methods and devices. In another part, methods and devices are disclosed for controlling pressure inside inflatable devices used for deforming biological tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: PHYSCIENT, INC.
    Inventors: Hugh Charles Crenshaw, Charles Anthony Pell
  • Publication number: 20150144542
    Abstract: A module for optionally recharging sorbent materials in-line, including zirconium phosphate, with an optional bypass and conduits for a sorbent cartridge. The sorbent cartridge can have one or more modules contained therein having connectors connecting each of the modules. One or more of the modules can be reusable and the sorbent materials therein recharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant J. PUDIL, Martin T. GERBER, David B. LURA, Thomas E. MEYER
  • Publication number: 20150083666
    Abstract: Described are water-on-water valves for use in reverse osmosis filtration systems. The water-on-water valves are regulated by the pressure in a product line, which contains fluid from a product line of the filter module and/or the product side of a water-on-water storage tank. Exemplary valves are shuttle valves that are regulated by the pressure downstream of the product side of a reverse osmosis filter module. The valves may comprise a piston within a housing, and an end of the piston may have an enlarged diameter relative to the maximum diameter of the remainder of the piston. The body of the piston may have sections of differing diameters, where the smaller diameter sections form flow channels, or the body may a diameter that is substantially the same along its length in conjunction with gratings and flow channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Laurence W. Bassett, Dian Zheng, David A. Carbo
  • Patent number: 8980102
    Abstract: A system for delivering a cooking medium of a cooking apparatus includes one or more cooking vessels. The system also includes a drain manifold in fluid communication with the cooking vessel, and a fill manifold having input valves, and output valves in fluid communication with a corresponding cooking vessel. A first flow path is connected to the fill manifold. A filter container selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold. A filter pump is positioned between the filter container and the fill manifold and conveys a recycled cooking medium. An overflow pump selectively is in fluid communication with the fill manifold via a second flow path and a portion of the first flow path. The overflow pump conveys a new cooking medium to the fill manifold. The first flow path conveys one of the recycled cooking medium and the new cooking medium to the fill manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Florkey, Joseph J. Tiszai
  • Patent number: 8974677
    Abstract: Fluid processing apparatuses and systems are disclosed. In some embodiments the fluid processing apparatuses include a movable enclosure, a plurality of filter housings disposed substantially within the movable enclosure, and a stand disposed within the enclosure. The filter housings are in fluid communication with one another. Each filter housing defines an elongate path and is configured to support a respective filter along the elongate flow path to filter a substantially continuous flow of fluid. The stand supports each filter housing such that the elongate flow path of each filter housing is substantially parallel to a vertical axis, wherein each filter housing is independently rotatable, relative to the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Saeed H. Mohseni, Deepak Mahulikar
  • Patent number: 8945376
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for resuspending and/or collecting blood and/or other types of cells in solution. In one embodiment, cells may be recovered from used surgical sponges and/or other types of surgical articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: All Cell Recovery LLC
    Inventor: Michael C. Cordisco
  • Patent number: 8914156
    Abstract: A method is provided for the control of valves for flow path control, in particular in a medical treatment machine, having a plurality of processes for the manufacture of flow paths by control of a group of valves, with each process claiming a group of valves suitable for its carrying out for itself so that other processes cannot change the switching state of these valves and with each process itself making a decision on the release of the valves claimed by it. In addition, a method is provided for monitoring the then current and/or scheduled state of a plurality of valves in the flow path control, determining the connections resulting from the switching state of the valves, and comparing the resulting connections with a predetermined number of non-permitted connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank L. Hedmann, Stephan Klatte
  • Patent number: 8906240
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to early detection of low bicarbonate level. In certain aspects, a method includes receiving a first signal from a conductivity detector connected to a line through which a solution of salt concentrate and fluid flows and determining a first conductivity of the solution based on the first signal. The method also includes receiving a second signal from the conductivity detector at a time after receiving the first signal, determining a second conductivity of the solution based on the second signal, and determining whether the second conductivity is less than the first conductivity by at least a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Aiyuan Wang, Fei Wang
  • Patent number: 8906229
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising: a base (2); a moveable or removable door (20), said device having a closed door position; and in the closed door position, a circuit (8) comprising a bag comprising two flexible films and conveying network connectors, and a press (9) comprising a first shell (16) disposed on said front face (5) of said base (2) and a second shell (17) disposed in said door (20); said bag being clamped between said first shell (16) and said second shell (17) in a state in which conduits of said network for conveying liquid are formed between said films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastien Cirou, Rene Reinbigler, Virginie Buisson, Jean-Louis Weissenbach
  • Publication number: 20140358061
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for extracorporeal blood treatment comprising an extracorporeal circuit (2), a first pump (13) operating at the removal line (3) of the blood, a second pump (14) operating at the return line (7) of the blood to the patient, a first blood reservoir (21) operating on the blood return line (7) upstream of the second blood pump (14) and a sensor (22) predisposed to detect at least a parameter, for example the pressure in the first reservoir; a control unit (100) connected to the first pump (13), to the second pump (14) and to the sensor (22) is configured such as to control the first pump (13) to promote removal of the blood along the removal line and the movement of the second pump (14) to promote the return of the blood to the patient along the return line, the control of the second pump being carried out on the basis of the signal emitted by the sensor acting on the first reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Rocco Cappella, Mirco Lancellotti
  • Publication number: 20140339156
    Abstract: A system and method for treatment of ammonia-containing raw water from low-temperature sources is designed to provide optimum treatment conditions, particularly temperature of the raw water in the bioreactor(s) containing nitrifying bacteria. The raw water supply is split into two streams, of which one stream is heated before remixing with the other stream. The split-stream heating is optionally supported by the provision of a retention tank on the heated-water stream. A three-way valve is provided to control compressed air supply to be mixed with the raw water in dependence on water level in the bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Milan ZVERINA
  • Patent number: 8864985
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating on skimmed oil/water picked up from a body of water to separate the oil from the water and discharge the oil-free water back into the body of water, first feeds the skimmed oil/water into a gravity settling tank wherein the oil tends to settle above the water, removing relatively oil-free water from the bottom of the tank and measuring its oil content with an oil concentration sensor, and either returning the oil/water flow to the settling tank for further processing if the measured concentration of oil exceeds predetermined limits or discharging the water back into the body of water if the oil concentration is measured to be less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: David Usher
  • Publication number: 20140305886
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering dry film solvent includes a hollow vessel having a side wall, an open top end and a second end that includes a main outlet that allows fluid to flow out of a hollow interior of the vessel. A removable cover closes off the open top end of the vessel. The apparatus also includes at least one fluid inlet port formed along the side wall of the vessel and defining an entrance into the hollow interior of the vessel and at least one fluid outlet port formed along the side wall of the vessel and defining an exit from the hollow interior of the vessel. A removable filter member is disposed within the hollow interior and is defined by a frame and filter media that extends across the frame such fluid flowing into the hollow interior through the main inlet must flow through the filter media to reach the main outlet. The filter media is disposed at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the frame of the filter member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Solid State Equipment LLC
    Inventors: John Taddei, Laura Mauer, John Clark, Lev Rapoport
  • Patent number: 8852140
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically adjusting the operational parameters of a blood separation procedure. A blood separation device has an inlet for passing fluid thereinto and an outlet for removing fluid therefrom. A pump system is provided for moving fluid into and out of the device. In use, blood is conveyed into the device, where platelets are separated from at least a portion of the blood. A controller determines the amount of platelets in the device. Based at least in part on the amount of platelets in the device, corrective action is taken to avoid platelet aggregation in the device. The corrective action may be conveying an elevated amount of anticoagulant into the blood and/or the device and may be initiated when the determined amount of platelets approaches, meets, or exceeds a threshold predicted likelihood of platelet aggregation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Barry, Jr., Brian C. Case, Lan T. Nguyen