Patents Examined by Dirk Bass
  • Spiral wound filter assembly
    Patent number: 8940167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter assembly for membrane filtration—of liquids, and more in particular a spiral wound filter assembly with improved filtration performance. Provided is a spiral wound filter assembly comprising a permeate channel (5; 305, 325) for transporting permeate to the permeate outlet (12), said permeate channel being provided with at least one flow restriction (13; 113, 120; 213; 333) in form of check or control valves or ridges, for increasing the pressure in at least part of the permeate channel. The invention further relates to an apparatus comprising such a filter assembly, and to methods for using this apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Friesland Brands B.V.
    Inventors: Albert van der Padt, Tjeerd Jongsma
  • Collection tubes apparatus, systems and methods
    Patent number: 8936162
    Abstract: Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The tube and barrier maintain stability of one or more analyte levels, including potassium and glucose, within 10% of their initial values before centrifugation for at least four days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Jane Emerson
  • Filter vial
    Patent number: 8925734
    Abstract: A filter vial and piston are provided where the vial has a cylindrical wall with a closed bottom and open top and with the hollow, tubular piston therein. The piston has a distal end covered by a cup having a proximal cup seal extending outward to engage the walls of the vial to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. The distal end of the piston has a piston flange extending outwardly and located adjacent a recess in the piston so the cup forms a snap fit over the piston flange and extends into the recess. The piston flange causes the cup to bulge sufficiently outward to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. A filter is placed in the bottom of the cup and abuts an inwardly extending lip on the cup. The filter is held against the lip by a piston support at the distal end of the piston. A cup support at a distal end of the cup also helps support the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Scientific Plastic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel A. Ellis, Kishan G. Hingorani
  • Component preparation system
    Patent number: 8920659
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are centrifuge-free self-contained systems for aseptically separating components of whole blood comprising at least one cassette for receiving whole blood; at least one red blood cell exclusion filter; at least one leukocyte reduction filters; at least one platelet exclusion filter; a plurality of product cassettes; and optionally a plurality of pumps and valves; and wherein the filters, pumps, valves, and cassettes are fluidly connected by tubing and the system does not include a centrifuge. Also disclosed are methods for obtaining blood components using the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: New York Blood Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoper D. Hillyer, Beth H. Shaz
  • Removable inlet manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system, the manifold including a housing with a drip stop, the drip stop projecting out of the housing
    Patent number: 8915897
    Abstract: A removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a includes at least one fitting through which waste is drawn into the manifold. The fitting opens through an inlet port into a void space internal to the manifold. A backflow prevention valve is disposed in the manifold void space. The backflow prevention valve includes a static hub to which a driver for engaging a complementary valve internal to the receiver. The valve regulates flow between the receiver and the down line components of the waste collection system. The valve is normally closed. When the manifold is fitted to the receiver the driver engages the valve so as move the valve to the open position. This allows fluid flow from the manifold and receiver to the downstream components of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Sean A. Murray, David Hershberger, Brent S. Lalomia, Stephen Reasoner
  • Method of isolating target substance using membrane and apparatus therefor
    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
  • Instrument for cassette for sample preparation
    Patent number: 8900877
    Abstract: A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Jia Chang Yu, Jesus Ching, Phillip You Fai Lee, David Hsiang Hu
  • Method for removing leukocyte and filter for use therein
    Patent number: 8900462
    Abstract: A leukocyte-removing filter, characterized in that it comprises a filter material having a vertical permeation coefficient (kx) of 0.5×10?12 to 2.0×10?12 m2 and a ratio (ky/kx) of a horizontal permeation coefficient (ky) to kx of 0.5 to 1.5; and a method for removing leukocytes using said filter. The above leukocyte-removing filter has a higher leukocyte-removing performance per unit volume and also does not bring clogging nor increase of pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yukihiro Yamada, Yukihiko Uchi
  • Water filter device with control unit for setting a cutting ratio
    Patent number: 8894848
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-filter device. This is distinguished by the provision of an adjusting medium (5) of which the volume and/or the structure change/changes by way of a liquid (6) which is in contact with the adjusting mechanism (1) and/or has flowed through the adjusting mechanism (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aquis Wasser-Luft-Systeme GmbH, Lindau, Zweigniederlassung Rebstein
    Inventor: Roland Scholz
  • Electrochemical drilling system and process for improving electrical porosity of etched anode foil
    Patent number: 8888967
    Abstract: A process for creating porous anode foil for use in an electrolytic capacitor of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator is provided. The process includes electrochemical drilling a plurality of etched metal foils in sequence one after the other in a bath containing electrochemical drilling (ECD) solution initially having a pH of less than 5. Alternatively, an etched foil sheet may be passed through the bath in a substantially continuous manner such that a portion of said etched foil sheet is in contact with the ECD solution is electrochemically drilled to generate pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Hemphill, Thomas F. Strange
  • Apparatus and process for testing filters
    Patent number: 8881600
    Abstract: In a process for testing filters (4) and (13) of treatment fluid of a hemodiafiltration apparatus (1), each filter has a wet semipermeable membrane (5, 14) which separates a gas-filled first chamber (6 and 15) from a liquid-filled second chamber (7 and 16). The first chambers are pressurised by a pump (19) supplying air, while the second chambers are placed in depression by a drainage pump (17) of used dialysis fluid. A first closed system is formed which includes the first chambers and a second closed system is formed which includes the second chambers. Two pressure gauges (P1 and P2) monitor the pressure in the two closed systems for a predetermined time. The monitoring provides indications relating to the filter integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Anna Puppini, Renato Pedrazzi, Mauro Suffritti
  • Blood circuit, blood purification control apparatus, and priming method
    Patent number: 8877063
    Abstract: A blood circuit capable of automatically performing priming for safe treatments. The blood circuit includes: a hemofilter (56) purifying blood; a blood removal line that has an end connected to an inlet of the hemofilter (56) and that includes a first blood removal line (84), a second blood removal line (88), and a third blood removal line (89); a blood return line that has an end connected to an outlet of the hemofilter (56) and that includes the first blood return line (92) and the second blood return line (94); and an anticoagulant (bypass) line (90) reducing a difference between (a) a pressure of a priming fluid flowing in the blood removal line and (b) a pressure of the priming fluid flowing in the blood return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Kawarabata, Noriaki Nakagawa, Junya Fujii, Shogo Kamito
  • Treatment of gas well production wastewaters
    Patent number: 8877690
    Abstract: A method of treating a wastewater is provided and can be used, for example, to treat a gas well production wastewater to form a wastewater brine. The method can involve crystallizing sodium chloride by evaporation of the wastewater brine with concurrent production of a liquor comprising calcium chloride solution. Bromine and lithium can also be recovered from the liquor in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Various metal sulfates, such as barium sulfate, can be removed from the wastewater in the production of the wastewater brine. Sources of wastewater can include gas well production wastewater and hydrofracture flowback wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: ProChemTech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Edward Keister
  • Methods for removing pathogens from a platelet preparation
    Patent number: 8877060
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method for removing pathogens from a transfusion grade platelet composition. The method comprises the steps of passing a platelet preparation through a first tangential flow filtration (TFF) device having a TFF filter, and collecting a retentate from the TFF device, wherein the retentate comprises filtered platelets to be used for transfusion. The platelet preparation comprises a platelet activation inhibitor and an anti-coagulant. During the TFF process, a diafiltration solution is added to the retentate to maintain the volume of the platelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Biovec Transfusion, LLC
    Inventor: Lakshman R. Sehgal
  • Fluid filter comprising a protected liquid sensor
    Patent number: 8871084
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid filter (1) comprising a collecting chamber (10) for a liquid which is separated from the fluid, in addition to a filter insert (4) which comprises a filter medium which is permeable to the fluid. The collecting chamber is arranged below the filter medium (5), and a liquid sensor (19) is arranged above the deepest point of the collecting chamber (10) and the liquid sensor (19) is protected from the liquid, at least sectionally, by means of a protective wall (18, 20). Said protective wall (18, 20) extends laterally and/or below the liquid sensor (19) and a liquid permeable connection is provided from the collecting chamber (10) to the fluid sensor (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Richard Eberle, Burkhard Kubsch
  • Sample container and filtration apparatus and method of filtration using same
    Patent number: 8863594
    Abstract: A sample container and filtration apparatus includes a sample container portion with an interior volume and a fluid path passing through a bottom wall. The sample container may also include a valve casing connected to and moveable relative to the sample collection portion between a first and second position. A valve secured to and moveable with the valve casing may close the fluid path of the sample collection portion when in a first position and open the fluid path when in a second position. The apparatus may also include a vacuum base coupling portion that is distal to the valve casing, and includes a filter membrane support surface for supporting a filter membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Foxx Life Sciences
    Inventors: Thomas Taylor, Jeffrey Kane, George W. Jordan
  • Proportional regeneration for water treatment systems
    Patent number: 8865001
    Abstract: A method for fluid treatment that provides variable or alternative regeneration cycles within the same fluid treatment device. The duration of all stages of the regeneration cycle can be adjusted depending upon the amount of fluid treated so that regenerant resources such as water are not underutilized and waste is not discharged unnecessarily into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Water-Right, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Gruett, Guy Gruett, Gregory C. Gruett
  • Dialysis system having non-invasive fluid velocity sensing
    Patent number: 8858787
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialyzer; a blood pump coupled operably to a dialyzer; a dialysate inlet pump couple operably to a dialysate inlet of the dialyzer; a dialysate outlet pump coupled operably to a dialysate outlet of the dialyzer; a first non-invasive fluid velocity sensor positioned to sensor of inlet flowrate of dialysate pumped to the dialysate inlet by the dialysate inlet pump; and a second non-invasive fluid velocity sensor positioned to sense an outlet flowrate of dialysate pumped from the dialysate outlet by the dialysate outlet pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Matthew Muller, Donald Busby, Justin Rohde, Mark Jablonski
  • Platelet extraction from blood
    Patent number: 8852446
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used to concentrate and extract platelets from blood, where an aggregation arrangement is configured to aggregate red blood cells in the blood. The aggregated red blood cells are provided to a separation arrangement which is configured to separate the aggregated red blood cells from platelets in the blood plasma. Finally a concentration arrangement is configured to concentrate the platelets for extraction and further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Huangpin B. Hsieh
  • Filter device
    Patent number: 8851295
    Abstract: A filter device for filtering fluid, in particular an oil filter, is provided. The filter device includes a first filter medium and a second filter medium, the first filter medium having a greater filter action than the second filter medium, and the filter media being folded in pleated form and having a plurality of folds, the first filter medium and the second filter medium being connected to one another in the longitudinal direction of the folds. An easily producible and highly effective filter device is thus achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: IBS Filtran Kunstsoff-/Metallerzeugnisse GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Stausberg