Permeated Liquid Quantity Measurement Or Control Patents (Class 210/321.65)
  • Patent number: 11793720
    Abstract: Provided is a medical bag hanger that hangs a plurality of bags of a blood sampling line set. The medical bag hanger includes a hanger main body that is hangable on a blood component separation device. The hanger main body includes a hook unit on which the plurality of bags is hooked, and a base plate on the surface of which the plurality of bags of the blood sampling line set are arranged side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ohashi, Tomonori Ijiri, Manami Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 11478754
    Abstract: A technique for separating components of a microfluid, comprises a self-intersecting micro or nano-fluidic channel defining a cyclic path for circulating the fluid over a receiving surface of a fluid component separating member; and equipment for applying coordinated pressure to the channel at a plurality of pressure control areas along the cyclic path to circulate the fluid over the receiving surface, applying a pressure to encourage a desired transmission through the separating member, and a circulating pressure to remove surface obstructions on the separating member. The equipment preferably defines a peristaltic pump. Turbulent microfluidic flow appears to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: National Research Council of Canada, The Royal Institution For The Advancement of Learning/McGill University
    Inventors: Kebin Li, Teodor Veres, Tohid Fatanat Didar, Maryam Tabrizian
  • Patent number: 11471583
    Abstract: A method for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution is provided. The method includes: deploying a urinary tract catheter into the patient such that flow of urine from the ureter and/or kidney is transported within a drainage lumen of the catheter; applying negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney through the drainage lumen of the catheter to extract urine from the patient; periodically measuring a hematocrit value of the patient; and if the measured hematocrit value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, ceasing the application of the negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney. A system for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution including a ureteral catheter and a pump is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black, David E. Orr
  • Patent number: 11384748
    Abstract: A blood treatment system includes (i) a blood pump including a first blood pump chamber operable with a first inlet valve and a first outlet valve, and a second blood pump chamber operable with a second inlet valve and a second outlet valve; (ii) an arterial blood line; (iii) a dialyzer placed in fluid communication with the arterial blood line, wherein the blood pump is provided along the arterial blood line upstream of the dialyzer; and (iv) a venous blood line extending downstream from the dialyzer. The system also includes a processor configured to sequence the first and second blood pump chambers so as to achieve a pulsatile pattern of filling the first and second blood pump chambers and an at least substantially constant pattern of discharging blood from the first and second blood pump chambers to the dialyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventor: Troy J. Orr
  • Patent number: 11383010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a high-frequency electromagnetic field in method of dialysis where a dialyser is used for the exchange of substances, wherein the blood to be cleaned is exposed to a high-frequency electromagnetic field prior to and/or during contact with the dialyser, and to a dialysis machine for carrying out the use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventors: Joachim Jankowski, Walter Zidek, Falko Brettschneider, Vera Jankowski
  • Patent number: 11285482
    Abstract: A molecular sensing device and method are described that include a microfluidics layer, a transduction layer fluidly connected to the microfluidics layer, and a transceiver layer electro-mechanically connected to the transduction layer. The microfluidics layer is configured to collect a sample from an environment, the transduction layer is configured to detect a presence of a specific analyte within the sample, and the transceiver layer is configured to generate an electrical signal in response to the specific analyte detected by the transduction layer and configured to transmit the electrical signal. At least a portion of the transduction layer and/or at least a portion of the microfluidics layer is configured to be replaceable without replacing a remaining portion of the transduction layer or the microfluidics layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Sanipa Koetsawasdi Arnold, Madiha Jamil Jafri, Paul L. Okun
  • Patent number: 10946130
    Abstract: An apparatus for ultrafiltration of a patient being overhydrated due to congestive heart failure. The apparatus comprises a dilution syringe for removal of a portion of peritoneal fluid from the peritoneal cavity. A glucose bag comprises glucose concentrate at a concentration of 30%. A small amount of glucose concentrate is mixed with the dilution fluid in the dilution syringe in order to dilute the glucose concentrate to below 3% concentration. Then, the mixture is filled into the peritoneal cavity from the dilution syringe in order to replenish the glucose in the peritoneal cavity for maintaining a substantially constant glucose concentration in the peritoneal cavity. In addition, peritoneal fluid is intermittently removed from the peritoneal cavity for counteracting increased intraperitoneal fluid volume and increased intraperitoneal pressure due to ultrafiltration. A UF bag is arranged for receiving such surplus peritoneal fluid. A glucose syringe may be arranged for metering the glucose concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TRIOMED AB
    Inventor: Hans Bengtsson
  • Patent number: 10933376
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a first pretreatment system and a fluid source located below a reservoir. A first membrane housing has a reverse osmosis membrane therein. A first turbocharger includes a first pump portion and a first turbine portion. The first pump portion receives feed fluid from the first pretreatment system, pressurizing the feed fluid and communicates the feed fluid to the feed fluid inlet. The first turbine portion receives brine fluid from the brine outlet. The system further includes a second and third turbocharger. A second turbine portion and the third turbine portion receive brine fluid from the first turbine portion. Second feed fluid is communicated through a booster pump, a second pretreatment system, and second pump portion to increase a pressure of the second feed fluid. The second feed fluid is communicated to the third pump portion which communicates the pressurized second feed fluid to the first pump portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: FLUID EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10857279
    Abstract: A device for extracorporeal blood treatment, in particular a dialysis machine, including an internal fluidic system to which a blood treatment unit, in particular a dialyzer, can be connected, the internal fluidic system comprising at least one balancing chamber on the fresh flow side for balancing fresh treatment fluid flowing to the blood treatment unit and at least one balancing chamber on the used flow side for balancing used treatment fluid flowing off the blood treatment unit, wherein the device has a measuring device for gravimetric detection of treatment fluid in the balancing chamber on the fresh flow side and/or a measuring device for gravimetric detection of treatment fluid in the balancing chamber on the used flow side. A method of balancing treatment fluid in such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: B. BRAUN AVITUM AG
    Inventors: Jennifer Steger, Markus Weiser
  • Patent number: 10722639
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing blood from an extracorporeal blood circuit following termination of a blood treatment session, wherein blood is concurrently removed both from an arterial conduit portion and from a venous conduit portion of the extracorporeal blood circuit. It further relates to a method for recognizing and/or eliminating air inclusions in or from an extracorporeal blood circuit and a treatment apparatus as well as a tube system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Goetz Guenther, Joachim Manke
  • Patent number: 10688234
    Abstract: A method of performing a peritoneal dialysis treatment includes connecting a disposable unit to a source of water. The disposable unit includes at least a first container holding a sterile concentrate containing an osmotic agent, a second container holding a sterile concentrate containing electrolytes, an empty sterile mixing container, and a tubing set with a pre-attached peritoneal fill/drain line. The method also includes receiving a prescription command by a controller, indicating at least the fill volume and desired final concentration of the osmotic agent to be used for a current fill cycle under said treatment, and pumping a quantity of the concentrated osmotic agent that is at least sufficient to achieve the desired final concentration into the mixing container. The contest of the mixing container are mixed, further diluted or concentrated, and then flowed to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Burbank, James M. Brugger, Dennis M. Treu, Mark T. Wyeth
  • Patent number: 10610630
    Abstract: A method of performing a peritoneal dialysis treatment includes connecting a disposable unit to a source of water, the disposable unit including at least a first container holding a sterile concentrate containing an osmotic agent, a second container holding a sterile concentrate containing electrolytes, an empty sterile mixing container, and a tubing set with a pre-attached peritoneal fill/drain line. The method further includes receiving a prescription command by a controller, indicating at least the fill volume and desired final concentration of the osmotic agent to be used for a current fill cycle under said treatment, and using the controller, pumping a quantity of the concentrated osmotic agent that is at least sufficient to achieve the desired final concentration into the mixing container. The contents of the mixing container are mixed, further diluted or concentrated, and then flowed to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Burbank, James M. Brugger, Dennis M. Treu, Mark T. Wyeth
  • Patent number: 10336630
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method includes a pump pressurizing a feed stream, a first and second membrane array that generates permeate and brine streams. A first energy recovery device uses first energy from the second brine stream to pressurize the first brine stream. A first and second auxiliary and bypass valves are associated with the first and second energy recovery device. A second energy recovery device uses second energy from the second brine stream to increase a second pressure of the feed stream. A first flowmeter generates a first flow signal for the first permeate stream. A second flowmeter generates a second flow signal for of the second permeate stream. A third flowmeter generates a third flow signal for the second brine stream. A motor drives the first energy recovery device. A controller controls the in response to the flow signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10325680
    Abstract: A user interface for a machine for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a touch screen and a controller programmed to display on a screen (16) a display in which two distinct areas are arranged, one of which (161) exhibits a series of touch keys (17). Activation of any one touch key (17) causes visualization of an image in a second area (162) of the screen. The images are displayed alternatively and are at least partly different one from another. Each touch key (17) is associated to an instruction, or to a group of instructions, all concerned with readying the machine for use. Each image is a pictograph of a configuration of the machine, correlated with an instruction associated to the touch key (17) selected. The operator is aided in making the machine ready for treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Lorenza Ferrarini, Danielle Pelletier, Massimo Zaccarelli, Jeffrey J. Letteri
  • Patent number: 10314965
    Abstract: A filtering device receives a signal from a pressure sensor in an extracorporeal fluid circuit connected to a subject and processes the signal to separate physiological pulses, e.g. from the subject's heart, from interference pulses, e.g. from a pump in the fluid circuit. The device repeatedly (iteratively) processes a signal segment by alternately subtracting (S3) a template signal from the signal segment, and applying a refinement processing (S6) to the resulting difference signal to generate a new template signal. By proper selection (S2) of the initial template signal, consecutive difference signals will alternately approximate the sequence of interference pulses in the signal segment and the sequence of physiological pulses in the signal segment. The refinement processing (S6) aims at alternately cleaning up unwanted residuals from interference pulses and physiological pulses, respectively, in the respective difference signal, so as to improve the accuracy of the template signal between the subtractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Mattias Holmer, Bo Olde, Kristian Solem, Leif Sornmo
  • Patent number: 10220133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of purging gas bubbles from a target zone of an extracorporeal blood circuit of a dialysis machine, wherein the target zone is flowed through by flushing liquid which enters into the target zone through an inflow and exits it again through an outflow, wherein the inflow differs from the arterial port and the outflow differs from the venous port of the extracorporeal blood circuit. The invention furthermore relates to a dialysis machine having an extracorporeal blood circuit and a control unit, with the extracorporeal blood circuit having an inflow and an outflow for flushing liquid, with the inflow differing from the arterial port and the outflow differing from the venous port of the extracorporeal blood circuit, and with the control unit being configured to carry out a method in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Wojke, Paul Wieneke
  • Patent number: 10201646
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the regulation of at least one filtration value in a machine for the treatment of a medical fluid, in particular in a blood treatment machine, having at least one centrifugal pumping means, to a hemodialysis machine and to a method and to a use therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Arne Peters, Alexander Heide, Christoph Wiktor
  • Patent number: 10195319
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a blood component separation device that can keep the concentration of anticoagulant in a predetermined blood component to a constant level to minimize aggregation of a predetermined blood component (for example, aggregation of platelets). One aspect of the present invention is a blood component separation device that separates the predetermined blood component from the blood drawn from a blood donor while supplying to the blood an anticoagulant for preventing coagulation of the blood, where an anticoagulant ratio, or a ratio of an amount of the anticoagulant supplied in relation to the blood, is set according to a hematocrit value of the blood donor so that a concentration of the anticoagulant in the predetermined blood component becomes a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 10039875
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher DiBiasio, Daniel I. Harjes, Joseph L. Charest, Jeffrey T. Borenstein
  • Patent number: 9993773
    Abstract: An energy recovery system in a seawater desalination plant uses a reverse-osmosis membrane method for removing salinity from seawater. The system is configured to supply high-pressure water produced by pressurizing raw water with a high-pressure pump to a reverse-osmosis membrane cartridge, and to supply concentrated water discharged from the cartridge to an isobaric energy recovery device to recover pressure energy of the concentrated water whereby part of the raw water supplied to the isobaric energy recovery device is pressurized, and then to allow the pressurized raw water to merge into the high-pressure water pressurized by the high-pressure pump. The system includes a booster pump for boosting a pressure of the concentrated water discharged from the cartridge, and an energy recovery turbine for recovering energy by using the pressure head difference between the pressurized raw water from the isobaric energy recovery device and the high-pressure water discharged from the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Goto, Shigeo Takita
  • Patent number: 9974491
    Abstract: A method of detecting an indication of a potential intradialytic morbid event (IME) by monitoring a patient's condition during excess fluid removal by ultrafiltration during a hemodialysis treatment includes determining the patient's relative blood volume (RBV), and removing a portion of the volume of excess fluid from blood of the patient at an initial ultrafiltration rate while periodically monitoring a second derivative over time of the relative blood volume (SDRBV). The method then includes continuing to remove excess fluid from blood of the patient at the same ultrafilration rate, or, optionally, incrementally increasing the ultrafiltration rate. The method further includes triggering an alarm for an IME for the patient if the SDRBV is in a range of between a low SDRBV alarm level and a high SDRBV alarm level, and, alternatively or additionally monitoring the patient's normalized blood pressure ratio, and taking a remedial action if the alarm is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Fansan Zhu, Peter Kotanko, Stephan Thijssen, Nathan W. Levin
  • Patent number: 9914100
    Abstract: A dialysis concentrate production system includes a container and a stationary production system. The container comprises a discharge port and a combined port. The stationary production system comprises a storage container comprising a mixing inlet and an outlet, a delivery pump arranged downstream of the outlet, a first water jet pump arranged downstream of the delivery pump, and a second water jet pump arranged downstream of the delivery pump and parallel to the first water jet pump. The first water jet pump comprises a driving inlet in fluid communication with the delivery pump, a suction port in fluid communication with the combined port, and an outlet. The second water jet pump comprises a driving inlet in fluid communication with the delivery pump, a suction port in fluid communication with the discharge port, and an outlet in fluid communication with the mixing inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERMEDT MEDIZIN & TECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Dumschat
  • Patent number: 9849228
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one parameter of an extracorporeal blood circuit includes the steps of filling an extracorporeal blood circuit, e.g., encompassing a medical functional device, a treatment device and/or a blood tube set, by introducing a fluid, and detecting a volume of the introduced fluid which is required for filling the extracorporeal blood circuit by a detection device. A control device, a treatment apparatus, a computer readable storage medium, a computer program product as well as a computer program are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Noack, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9636447
    Abstract: A device removes first pulses in a pressure signal of a pressure sensor which is arranged in a fluid containing system to detect the first pulses, which originate from a first pulse generator, and second pulses, which originate from a second pulse generator. The first pulse generator operates in a sequence of pulse cycles, each pulse cycle resulting in at least one first pulse. The device repetitively obtains a current data sample, calculates a corresponding reference value and subtracts the reference value from the current data sample. The reference value is calculated as a function of other data sample(s) in the same pressure signal. The fluid containing system may include an extracorporeal blood flow circuit, e.g. as part of a dialysis machine, and a cardiovascular system of a human patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Bo Olde, Kristian Solem, Mattias Holmer, Jan Sternby
  • Patent number: 9582164
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program for performing a plurality of operation steps of a dialysis process is disclosed. In one embodiment, a process controller controls the apparatus to perform the operation steps, monitor the dialysis process and monitor sensor inputs of sensors of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a user interface (“UI”), comprising a display, an input device and a UI controller, wherein the UI controller enables presentation of graphical data on the display, enables user interaction with the graphical data and exchanges information with the process controller. Each of the operation steps is classified as a sequential operation step or a non-sequential operation step. The UI controller, for each of the operation steps, dynamically controls enabling and disabling of interaction with displayed corresponding operation step items based on a state of the respective operation step (i.e., completed, non-completed, selectable, non-selectable).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Anita Stenquist
  • Patent number: 9550020
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump; first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and arterial and venous lines in fluid communication with the dialyzer for patient connection, the arterial and venous lines each including a contact used for electrically detecting a patient access disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventors: Thomas Kelly, Robert W. Childers, Don Busby, Rodolfo Roger, Waleed Mutasem El Sayyid, Shahid Din
  • Patent number: 9415150
    Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Michael E. Hogard, Donald D. Busby, Robert W. Childers, Yuanpang S. Ding, Katherine M. Holian, Mark E. Jablonski, Thomas D. Kelly, Ying-Cheng Lo, Shincy J. Maliekkal, Rodolfo G. Roger, Donald A. Smith, Atif M. Yardimci
  • Patent number: 9399857
    Abstract: A reader writer (communication device) executes at least one of reading identification information stored in an IC tag and writing the identification information to the IC tag. The reader writer includes: a wireless control circuit that generates output for communication; a temperature sensor (temperature detector) that detects a temperature in an environment in which an RFID chip, balun, filter circuit, power amplifier, and coupler (elements for forming the wireless control circuit) are used; a temperature judging unit that judges whether or not the environment in which the element is used falls within a usable temperature range of the element based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; and a wireless power supply controller that suppresses a supply of power to the wireless control circuit when the temperature judging unit judges that the element is not in the environment within the usable temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinpei Kawasaki, Motoi Ishidou, Yasushi Tsushimi
  • Patent number: 9240002
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for a graphical interface including a graphical representation of medical data. The graphical interface platform may receive medical data and provide medical safety reporting capabilities including reporting of history data and real-time visual monitoring data. The graphical interface platform may be configured to identify potential problems and corrections to medical devices in operation while a reporting cycle is underway through visual representation of performance metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hospira, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Hume, Robert M. Hume, Robert Mayer, Devy Amy Lee, Gabriele Ott, Candida Arvelo, Timothy L. Ruchti, Tamas Ban, Mohammad M. Khair, Nancy H. Hedlund
  • Patent number: 8951419
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of water and, more particularly, to the mineralization of water in order to improve pH, hardness, turbidity, and/or alkalinity is described. More particularly, a system is provided for the treatment of water that needs additional hardness, alkalinity, and/or pH adjustment while also meeting turbidity requirements. The use of sodium hydroxide and other methods for avoiding turbidity problems can be eliminated and/or minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Burnett Lime Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas H. Burnett, C. Hugh Burnett, Wade L. Burnett, Tom M. Burnett
  • Patent number: 8936720
    Abstract: The present system and method in one embodiment limit a maximum instantaneous peritoneal volume to a comfortable level, while allowing the dialysis machine to advance to fill a prescribed volume whenever the drain ends after a minimum drain percentage has been attained. If a low drain condition occurs, the nominal fill volume is lowered and a therapy cycle is added, so that a prescribed total amount of fresh therapy fluid is used during therapy, maximizing therapeutic benefit. An allowable residual volume at the end of an incomplete drain is increased, thereby lowering the probability of a subsequent low drain condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Ying-Cheng Lo, Peter Hopping
  • Patent number: 8900458
    Abstract: A separation apparatus using a membrane for diafiltration, which provides precise fractionation of a target substance by monitoring and regulating permeability of the target substance based on measurement values and analytical values indicating separation status, such as physical values and concentration of a permeate liquid, a circulating liquid and an internal circulating liquid in a membrane device. A diafiltration process including adding a cleaning liquid to an treating liquid which contains multiple target substances and extracting a target substance into the permeate liquid supplied from a membrane separation apparatus to fractionate the target substance from other target substances remaining in a residual liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tsukishima Kankyo Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Tateishi
  • Patent number: 8852433
    Abstract: Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Anders Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8834712
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a seawater desalination system includes a membrane filtering pump, a first to third flowmeter, a filtering membrane, a high-pressure pump, a pressure gauge, a reverse osmosis membrane, a discharge valve and a control module. The membrane filtering pump outputs seawater according to a first control signal. The first flowmeter measures flow rate Q1. The high-pressure pump outputs filtered water from the filtering membrane according to a second control signal. The first pressure gauge measures pressure P1. The reverse osmosis membrane desalinates the filtered water into fresh water. The second flowmeter measures flow rate Q2. The third flowmeter measures flow rate Q3. The discharge valve discharges a high-concentration salt water according to a third control signal. The control module performs first, second, and third flow rate control with reference to the flow rate Q1, Q2 and Q3 and the pressure P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kyosuke Katayama, Takeshi Matsushiro, Futoshi Kurokawa, Takanori Fukagawa, Kazuhiko Kimijima, Koichi Matsui
  • Patent number: 8808539
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for continuous monitoring of permeate from membrane elements in a water treatment plant, including a desalination plant. The apparatus includes a probe that includes multiple sensors such that at least one sensor is associated with each membrane element. Each sensor is coupled to a node, which is configured to communicate a signal associated with the permeate quality to a central node sink. The node may communicate wirelessly with the node sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Anastasios J. Karabelas, Ioannis Gragopoulos, Nicos P. Isaias
  • Patent number: 8784668
    Abstract: In a regenerative dialysis system, in a method for controlling a regenerative dialysis system, and in a controller for a regenerative dialysis system, an embodiment of the system comprises an input pump that pumps fresh dialysate fluid into a dialyzer at an input rate. An output pump pumps used dialysate fluid from the dialyzer at an output rate. An ultrafiltration rate of the system is related to the output rate relative to the input rate. A sorbent cartridge filters the used dialysate fluid to generate the fresh dialysate fluid. A controller controls the ultrafiltration rate of the system in response to a flow rate of the dialysate fluid through the sorbent cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J Beiriger
  • Publication number: 20140197105
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for increasing convective clearance of particles from a fluid is provided. A network of first channels can be separated from a network of second channels by a first membrane. The network of first channels can also be separated from a network of third channels by a second membrane. Fluid containing an analyte can be introduced in the network of first channels. Infusate can be introduced into the network of second channels, and waste-collecting fluid can be introduced into the network of third channels. A pressure gradient can be applied in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the network of first channels, such that the analyte is transported from the network of first channels into the network of third channels through the second membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventor: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
  • Patent number: 8771508
    Abstract: A dialyzer mount arranged to support a plurality of differently sized and/or shaped dialyzer units and to accommodate different distances between dialysate connections on the dialyzer units. The dialyzer mount, which may be located on a front panel of the dialysis unit, may include a pair of flange portions that are each arranged to engage with a respective dialysate quick-connect fitting connected to a dialysate port of the dialyzer. Each flange portion may be arranged to engage with a groove on the quick connect fitting that is located between a portion of the base of the quick connect fitting and a slide element of the quick connect fitting. One flange portion may include an adjustable support that is moveable, e.g., in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, Jason A. Demers, James D. Dale, Arun D. Chawan, David E. Collins
  • Patent number: 8764987
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the determination and regulation of the concentration of at least one dissolved substance in a fluid circuit, in which the fluid circuit includes at least two partial circuits separated by a filter in a semi-permeable manner, includes a detection unit for determining a concentration difference of at least one first dissolved substance, a determination unit for determining the influence of at least one second dissolved substance which is not identical to the at least one first dissolved substance, and a regulation unit for regulating the concentration of the at least one dissolved substance in the fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Malte Gross, Andreas Maierhofer
  • Patent number: 8691086
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method of operating the same includes a first pump receiving feed fluid at a first pressure and increasingly pressurizing the feed fluid to a second pressure higher than the first pressure. A membrane housing having an inlet, a membrane, a permeate outlet and a brine outlet. The inlet receiving feed fluid. A hydraulic energy management integration system (HEMI) having a turbine portion, a pump portion and a motor. The brine outlet fluid is in fluid communication with the turbine portion. The reverse osmosis system also includes a second pump and a controller controlling the motor to retard rotation of the HEMI while the first pump increasingly pressurizes the feed fluid to the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140091018
    Abstract: Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventor: Anders Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8617392
    Abstract: Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Anders Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8597516
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for using a very large pore hemofilter to treat IMRD, hepatic failure, exogenous intoxication and other conditions associated with toxins in a patient's blood. One treatment includes the use of a very large pore hemofilter to remove target complex molecules and/or target molecules from a patient's blood and to infuse a replacement fluid into the patient's blood to maintain a prescribed albumin concentration in the patient's blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Immunocept, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Radunsky, James R. Matson, Patrice A. Lee
  • Patent number: 8584535
    Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Innova Prep LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, Zachary A. Packingham, David Scott Alburty, Alec D. Adolphson
  • Patent number: 8580110
    Abstract: A proposed blood treatment apparatus includes: a blood treatment unit, a pair of fluid pumps and a pair blood pumps. The blood treatment unit is configured to receive untreated blood and fresh blood treatment fluid, and emit treated blood and used blood treatment fluid. The fluid pumps are configured to pass blood treatment fluid through the blood treatment unit. The blood pumps are configured to extract untreated blood from a blood source, pass extracted blood through the blood treatment unit and deliver treated blood to a target vessel. Additionally, the fluid pumps are configured to control the operation of the blood pumps via the blood treatment fluid. Moreover, a flow control device is configured to control a trans-membrane flow between the blood side and the a fluid side of the blood treatment unit. Hence, for instance ultrafiltration can be adjusted to a desired level in a very straightforward manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Lennart Jönsson, Olof Jansson, Mattias Holmer, Jan Sternby, Anders Nilsson, Per Hansson
  • Patent number: 8568595
    Abstract: A method for determining or predicting the adequacy parameters that will be achieved at the end of a kidney substitution treatment during said kidney substitution treatment wherein the kidney substitution treatment is provided by a machine, which has an extracorporeal blood system pumping the patient blood through the blood chamber of a dialyzer, wherein the dialyzing fluid collects the waste products from the patient after flowing through the dialyzing fluid chamber of the dialyzer and wherein a device able to measure a adequacy parameter is coupled with the kidney substitution treatment machine and wherein the slope of a preferable linear guideline for the adequacy parameter is compared to the slope of the delivered adequacy parameter and if the slope of both are equal a linearization is performed to determine or predict the adequacy parameter at the end of the kidney substitution treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventor: Alex Castellarnau
  • Patent number: 8557116
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation physics allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the filter media. The filtered fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant particulate matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the instantaneous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a concentrator for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Tervita, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Ford Johnson, Markley Dean Johnson, Rodney Grage
  • Patent number: 8551342
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method of operating a blood treatment apparatus for the extracorporeal blood treatment of a patient, a blood volume monitor for monitoring an extracorporeal blood treatment of the patient by means of a blood treatment apparatus, and a blood treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Moissl, Paul Chamney, Peter Wabel
  • Publication number: 20130240443
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for dosing a substituate produced by a blood treatment apparatus. Dosing for the present invention is via a hydraulic system of the blood treatment apparatus, the hydraulic system having at least one dialysis liquid supply line which leads into a dialyzer and at least one substituate line. Regulating or controlling the size of the share which passes through the second filtration stage is performed by affecting at least one conveying apparatus and/or at least one flow limitation device and/or a flow divider valve, which are each located or which each operate in the dialysis liquid supply line and/or the substituate line and/or in the branch line which connects the dialysis liquid supply line with the substituate line. The present invention further relates to a control device, a blood treatment apparatus, a medical functional apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium related to the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Soeren Gronau, Juergen Haecker, Ralf Mueller
  • Patent number: 8529761
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a plurality of feed pumps each having a feed pump input and a feed pump output, an input manifold in fluid communication with the feed pump inputs and a membrane feed manifold in fluid communication with the feed pump output. The system also includes a plurality of membrane chambers each in fluid communication with the membrane feed manifold and generating a permeate output and a brine output, each brine output in fluid communication with a brine manifold. The system further includes a plurality of booster devices each having a turbine portion with a turbine input in fluid communication with the brine manifold and a pump portion having a booster device pump input and a booster device pump output, each booster device pump output in fluid communication with the membrane feed manifold. The system includes a pump input manifold in fluid communication with the booster device pump input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.