Patents Assigned to ALPHINITY, LLC
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Patent number: 10234044Abstract: An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates
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Patent number: 10215597Abstract: A fluid monitoring assembly includes a conduit having a wall defining a lumen for carrying fluid. A sensor mount is integrally formed with the wall of the conduit and extends generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an aperture defining an inner surface extending to the lumen. The assembly includes a sensor configured to be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof and configured to rest within the inner surface of the sensor mount. The assembly further includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another, the housing defining an interior portion configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates, Dean Richards, Scott Bendon
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Publication number: 20180274689Abstract: A valve assembly with a multidirectional flow path includes a valve body that includes respective hinged portions defining respective passageways extending through the valve body when in a closed state. A flexible conduit or tubing having a loop portion and a plurality of branches extending from the loop portion is at least partially positioned within the valve body. Portions of the loop that extend beyond the valve body are encapsulated by respective rigid jackets. Multiple valves are situated on the valve body and are used to selectively pinch the loop portion in different pinching configurations to direct fluid to or from the particular branches. The valve assembly may be integrated into a manufacturing or other production process with optional additional jackets used to encapsulate the flexible conduit branches.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2016Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates, Dean C. Richards, Scott Bendon
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Publication number: 20180252326Abstract: A system for managing flexible conduit or tubing used in pharmaceutical, bioprocess, or food/dairy applications includes a segment of flexible conduit or tubing and a plurality of conduit tracks, each conduit track including a conduit channel disposed on a first side thereof and extending along the length of each respective conduit track and dimensioned to receive the segment of flexible conduit or tubing therein, each conduit track further including a connector channel disposed on a second, opposing side and extending along the length of each respective conduit track and containing the one or more connectors that connect adjacent conduit tracks. The conduit tracks can be connected to each other or other process components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: September 6, 2018Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Dean C. Richards, Steven V. Cates, Scott Bendon
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Publication number: 20180136026Abstract: A fluid monitoring assembly for measuring the flow rate of a fluid includes a flexible conduit comprising a wall that defines a lumen through which the fluid passes. In one embodiment, a flow sensor is removably secured around the outside of the flexible conduit, the flow sensor having one or more transducer/receiver pairs. The assembly includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another at a hinge, the first and second housing portions each defining respective recessed interior portions that define a cavity that is configured to encapsulate and retain the flow sensor and flexible tubing contained therein. In an alternative embodiment, the flow sensor is directly embedded or integrated into the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Dean C. Richards, Steven V. Cates
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Publication number: 20180003305Abstract: Fluid management systems for handling pressurized fluid connect various subsystems or subunits without the need to use reinforced tubing. The system utilizes one or more segments of unreinforced conduit that are encapsulated at various points along a length of the segment with one or more rigid encapsulating members. The unreinforced conduit may be made a disposable element while the rigid encapsulating members may be re-used. In one aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part valve body that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. In another aspect, the encapsulating member may include a two-part jacket that surrounds and encapsulates a portion of the unreinforced conduit. The two-part valve bodies and two-part jackets may be joined at various points within the system as part of the overall flow system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Dean C. Richards, Steven V. Cates
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Publication number: 20170322100Abstract: A fluid monitoring assembly includes a segment of tubing having a wall defining a lumen through which the fluid passes and a sensor at least partially embedded within a wall of the tubing. The assembly includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another at a hinge, the housing defining an interior portion configured to hold the segment of tubing and the sensor. The housing may be opened and closed as needed using a fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates, Dean C. Richards
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Patent number: 9746391Abstract: A fluid monitoring assembly includes a segment of tubing having a wall defining a lumen through which the fluid passes and a sensor at least partially embedded within a wall of the tubing. The assembly includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another at a hinge, the housing defining an interior portion configured to hold the segment of tubing and the sensor. The housing may be opened and closed as needed using a fastener.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates, Dean C. Richards
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Publication number: 20160369902Abstract: An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates
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Publication number: 20160327416Abstract: A fluid monitoring assembly includes a conduit having a wall defining a lumen for carrying fluid. A sensor mount is integrally formed with the wall of the conduit and extends generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an aperture defining an inner surface extending to the lumen. The assembly includes a sensor configured to be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof and configured to rest within the inner surface of the sensor mount. The assembly further includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another, the housing defining an interior portion configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates, Dean Richards, Scott Bendon
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Patent number: 9447888Abstract: An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates
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Publication number: 20160245714Abstract: A fluid monitoring assembly includes a segment of tubing having a wall defining a lumen through which the fluid passes and a sensor at least partially embedded within a wall of the tubing. The assembly includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another at a hinge, the housing defining an interior portion configured to hold the segment of tubing and the sensor. The housing may be opened and closed as needed using a fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Steven V. Cates, Dean C. Richards
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Publication number: 20160200038Abstract: A fluid management assembly includes a connector having at least one inlet and at least one outlet and a lumen extending there between, wherein the connector comprises a plastic material. The assembly includes a first tubing portion connected to the at least one inlet at a first interface and a second tubing portion connected to the at least one outlet at a second interface. The assembly includes a polymer-based overmolding surrounding the connector, the first interface, and the second interface, wherein the polymer-based overmolding comprises a UV-curable material. In one embodiment, the polymer-based overmolding includes a UV-curable silicone or silicone-containing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: ALPHINITY, LLCInventors: Michael C. Gagne, Dean Richards, Steven V. Cates