Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for recovering water from a salt solution. The method can include mixing the salt solution with a salting out solution that includes at least one enolizable ketone and at least one alcohol. The salting out solution can absorb the water from the salt solution and the water can be released using a regenerant solution. A base solution can also be added to fully regenerate the salting out solution so that it can be reused.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device capable of reducing the resistance and increasing the ion exchange rate in an electrodialysis, electro-deionization, or capacitive deionization apparatus and a method for producing said device. More specifically, the device is an electrodialysis spacer designed to have an ionically conductive surface of either cationic nature, anionic nature or a combination of both, which act as conductive pathways for ions as they move towards their respective electrode. The method of producing said spacer involves coating a substrate, such as a woven mesh, expanded netting, extruded netting or non-woven material, with perm-selective ionomer solutions and applying that substrate to an inert spacer material that has undergone chemical or mechanical etching.

Abstract: Provided are water treatment systems for reducing hardness in water. The water treatment systems include an electrodialysis device comprising a brine inlet stream, a feed stream, a brine outlet stream, and a product outlet stream, and a template assisted crystallization (TAC) filter comprising a brine inlet stream and a brine outlet stream. The brine inlet stream comprises the brine outlet stream of the electrodialysis device and the brine inlet stream of the electrodialysis device comprises the brine outlet stream of the TAC filter. The system pressure is reduced by 30-60% when the brine stream goes through a TAC filter than a system without the filter. An acid supply and an acid feed stream may also be included, wherein the brine inlet stream of the electrodialysis device comprises the brine outlet stream of the TAC filter and the acid feed stream.

Abstract: Provided are hybrid electrochemical and membrane-based systems for removing silica from water stream to achieve ultra-pure water. The silica concentration of a feed water stream may dictate the most effective and economical variation of disclosed hybrid processes to use. For example, for a feed water stream having a silica concentration of 1-30 ppm, a hybrid system for treating the feed water includes an electrodialysis reversal unit, the electrodialysis reversal unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream; a reverse osmosis unit, the reverse osmosis unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the reverse osmosis unit comprises the product outlet stream of the electrodialysis reversal unit; and an electrodeionization unit, the electrodeionization unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the electrodeionization unit comprises the product outlet stream of the reverse osmosis unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for recovering water from a salt solution. The method can include mixing the salt solution with a salting out solution that includes at least one enolizable ketone and at least one alcohol. The salting out solution can absorb the water from the salt solution and the water can be released using a regenerant solution. A base solution can also be added to fully regenerate the salting out solution so that it can be reused.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents novel methods, procedures associated steps, and apparatuses to accomplish SI joint fusion in a minimally invasive manner. The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates improved methods, procedures and apparatuses to facilitate a SI joint fusion providing a generally safer, more minimally invasive SI joint stabilization. In the method associated with the preferred embodiment of the invention, in one aspect, a path or a plurality of paths through an ilium to the sacrum is established, wherein a stabilizer device allows the securement of the sacrum to the ilium. In another aspect, a path or a plurality of paths to the SI joint is established, where bone fusion material allows fusion of the articular surface of the ilium and the articular surface of the sacrum of an SI joint.

Abstract: The invention now summarized here is directed toward a surgical device that enables utilization of the lateral approach to the spine with the ability to retract tissue in an anterior-to-posterior direction. The invention also incorporates a surgical method for utilization of the above-mentioned surgical device, embodiments of which incorporate steps for approaching the anterior portion of the disc space, retracting soft tissue in a generally posterior direction, removing disc material, placing a bone graft and removing the associated instrumentation.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents novel methods, procedures associated steps, and apparatuses to accomplish SI joint fusion in a minimally invasive manner. The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates improved methods, procedures and apparatuses to facilitate a SI joint fusion providing a generally safer, more minimally invasive SI joint stabilization. In the method associated with the preferred embodiment of the invention, in one aspect, a path or a plurality of paths through an ilium to the sacrum is established, wherein a stabilizer device allows the securement of the sacrum to the ilium. In another aspect, a path or a plurality of paths to the SI joint is established, where bone fusion material allows fusion of the articular surface of the ilium and the articular surface of the sacrum of an SI joint.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a minimally invasive bone graft harvesting system, apparatus, and method. Certain embodiments of include a sheath, a trocar, a trephine, and a plunger. A sheath and trocar can be locked together to function like a singular device, and is used to penetrate bone. A trephine is slideably placed through a sheath to bore through bone. A trephine further has interior surface features to help retain bone, and a longitudinal slit to facilitate ejecting bone. A plunger is placed through the trephine to eject bone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a system and method for facilitating the fusion of two vertebral bodies utilizing an oblique lateral surgical trajectory. Certain embodiments disclose a method for a surgical approach into one or more interbody spaces between two vertebral bodies on a trajectory through Kambin's Triangle. Certain embodiments of the invention include a method to open a pathway into a target area between two vertebral bodies of the spine using a series of one or more dilators. Certain embodiments of the invention comprise a system for placing an expandable interbody cage between two vertebral bodies. Certain embodiments of the invention incorporate a series of instruments to deliver an expandable interbody cage.