Patents Examined by John Kim
  • Patent number: 11577014
    Abstract: A process for removing Sr2+ toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves contacting the bodily fluid with an ion exchanger to remove the metal toxins in the bodily fluid, including blood and gastrointestinal fluid. Alternatively, blood can be contacted with a dialysis solution which is then contacted with the ion exchanger. The ion exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula: AmZraTibSncMdSixOy. A composition comprising the above ion exchange compositions in combination with bodily fluids or dialysis solution is also disclosed. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory John Lewis, Paulina Jakubczak, Julio C. Marte, William Christopher Sheets
  • Patent number: 11568043
    Abstract: A processor of a medical device configured to communicate with a remote server can be programmed to protect the medical device from exposure to unauthorized or malicious software. A system or method to implement this form of protection can include, for example, at least one processor on the medical device, a control software module that controls the operation of the medical device and is executable on the processor, a data management module that manages data flow to and from the control software module from sources external to the medical device, and an agent module that has access to a limited number of designated memory locations in the medical device. In addition, a hemodialysis apparatus can be configured to operate in conjunction with an apparatus for providing purified water from a source such as a municipal water supply or a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Todd A. Ballantyne, Jon H. Cook, Benjamin E. Colburn, Andrew E. Harner, Corey Christous, Shane Whalen
  • Patent number: 11565028
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for determining an estimated cardiac output for a patient during dialysis treatment are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include a memory and logic coupled to the memory. The logic may be configured to determine an upper body oxygen consumption for a patient, determine, during a dialysis process: a hemoglobin concentration and a venous oxygen saturation measured via an optical blood monitor operably coupled to an extracorporeal circuit of a dialysis system performing the dialysis process; an arterial oxygen saturation measured via a pulse oximeter operably coupled to the extracorporeal circuit; an arterial-venous oxygen content difference based on the arterial oxygen saturation and the venous oxygen saturation; and an upper body blood flow (UBBF) as (upper body oxygen consumption)/(arterial-venous oxygen content difference), and determine a treatment recommendation based on the upper body blood flow. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Kotanko, Stephan Thijssen, Israel Campos, Hanje Zhang
  • Patent number: 11565030
    Abstract: A blood pressure prediction method and an electronic device using the same are provided. The method includes the following steps. A training data set is collected. A first blood pressure prediction model is established according to the training data set. Hemodialysis parameter data of a target patient is received, wherein the hemodialysis parameter data includes a first hemodialysis parameter at a previous time point and a second hemodialysis parameter at a current time point. A hemodialysis parameter variation amount between the first hemodialysis parameter and the second hemodialysis parameter is calculated. The hemodialysis parameter variation amount is provided to the first blood pressure prediction model to generate a prediction blood pressure variation associated with a next time point. An operation is performed according to the prediction blood pressure variation of the target patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Che-Wen Ku, Chih-Yi Chien
  • Patent number: 11541356
    Abstract: A disposable cell enrichment kit includes a crossflow filtration device configured to be disposed along a main loop pathway and to receive a process volume containing a biological sample and utilize crossflow filtration, via a micro-porous membrane, to retain a specific cell population in a retentate from the process volume and to remove a permeate including certain biological components from the process volume. The crossflow filtration device includes a laminated filtration unit that includes the micro-porous membrane, a first mating portion, a second mating portion, and a membrane support. The membrane support includes a first plurality of structural features that define a first plurality of openings, wherein the first plurality of structural features are coupled to the micro-porous membrane and provide support to the micro-porous membrane, and the first plurality of openings allow the permeate to flow through them after crossing the micro-porous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC
    Inventors: Chengkun Zhang, Kashan A. Shaikh, Weston B. Griffin, Reginald Donovan Smith
  • Patent number: 11534537
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing peritoneal dialysis. According to one aspect, the disclosure provides a sterile interface connection for connecting a water purification system to a disposable source of dialysate concentrates. The sterile interface connection can include a chamber comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the water purification system on a proximal end and a valve on a distal end. The sterile interface connection can also include spring-loaded needle disposed in the chamber. The spring-loaded needle can move between a retracted configuration in which the spring-loaded needle is fully retracted into the chamber and the valve is closed and sealed, and an extended configuration in which the spring-loaded needle extends through the valve into the disposable source of dialysate concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Outset Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ritson, Michael Edward Hogard, Gopi K. Lingam, Shih-Paul Chen, Dean Hu
  • Patent number: 11529444
    Abstract: Dialysis systems comprising actuators that cooperate to perform dialysis functions and sensors that cooperate to monitor dialysis functions are disclosed. According to one aspect, such a hemodialysis system comprises a user interface model layer, a therapy layer, below the user interface model layer, and a machine layer below the therapy layer. The user interface model layer is configured to manage the state of a graphical user interface and receive inputs from a graphical user interface. The therapy layer is configured to run state machines that generate therapy commands based at least in part on the inputs from the graphical user interface. The machine layer is configured to provide commands for the actuators based on the therapy commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilt, Todd A. Ballantyne, Jason A. Demers
  • Patent number: 11525798
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring fluid levels and electrolyte levels used in a dialysis machine. A receptacle, configured to receive a container, comprises a plurality of curved side panels and a base to form a cylindrical shaped cavity for receiving a container. Each panel includes a conductive material on its inner surface and, optionally, a shielding on its outer surface. An electronics component housed within, or near, the receptacle drives the capacitive process and interprets generated data to determine fluid levels and compositions. An alternate receptacle includes one or two coils wrapped about the container and uses induction to determine fluid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Gregory Hayes Gengarelly, Tam Nolan
  • Patent number: 11524102
    Abstract: A dialysis system is provided that includes a dialysis machine and a potassium sensing device that is configured to measure the concentration of potassium in the patient's blood, in spent dialysate resulting from treating the patient, or in both. The potassium sensing device can be configured to generate a sensed value of the concentration of potassium. A control and computing unit, including a processor and a memory, is configured to receive the sensed value, compare the value with one or more values stored in the memory, and generate a control signal based on the comparison. A potassium infusion circuit uses the control signal to infuse supplemental potassium solution into the treatment dialysate, a replacement fluid, or both. The memory can include stored patient-historical and population data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Merchant, Roland Levin, Chris Chau, Shakil Aslam
  • Patent number: 11511027
    Abstract: Hemofilters for in vivo filtration of blood are disclosed. The hemofilters disclosed herein provide an optimal flow of blood through the filtration channels while maintaining a pressure gradient across the filtration channel walls to enhance filtration and minimize turbulence and stagnation of blood in the hemofilter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Shuvo Roy, William Fissell, Nathan Wright, Mark Goodin, Steven G. Goebel, Amanda Buck, Joey Groszek
  • Patent number: 11504459
    Abstract: A diagnosis method for a conductivity sensor for a dialysis fluid preparation apparatus and personal dialysis apparatus, that mix water, an A fluid and a B fluid in predetermined proportions respectively to prepare a dialysis fluid and measures the concentration of the prepared dialysis fluid by concentration measurement means is described. The diagnosis method and the respective apparatus is based in measuring the A fluid without the B fluid being present in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FRESENTUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Alfred Gagel, Tilman Staeblein
  • Patent number: 11504458
    Abstract: A system for blood treatment can include a dialysis machine and an ultrasonic authentication device connected to the blood treatment machine, the ultrasonic authentication device configured to scan a label and send signals containing label information to the dialysis machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Joseph Crnkovich
  • Patent number: 11497839
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a contact protection apparatus for covering connection point(s) of a medical fluid-conducting cassette used for a medical treatment. The contact protection apparatus includes at least one covering section for covering the connection point before the use of the cassette, and at least one connection section for detachably connecting the contact protection apparatus or for holding the contact protection apparatus on the cassette. It further relates to a medical fluid-conducting cassette with a contact protection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Lauer
  • Patent number: 11491268
    Abstract: A mechanical kidney transplant designed may include a four modules designed to interconnect to clean blood. The first module may include a plurality of pump modules and a resin gel regeneration module, wherein the first module is operatively attached to a patient's iliac artery, iliac vein, and bladder. The second module may be operatively attached to the first module and may include storage and pump systems. The third module may be operatively attached to the first and fourth modules and may include a housing with ports for inflow/outflow of the blood and the physiologic resin gel between the first module and the fourth module. The fourth module may include at least one dialyzer fiber sized to accommodate a volume of blood flowing therethrough and an area surrounding the dialyzer fiber may be sized to accommodate a volume of a physiologic resin gel flowing counter current to the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Pascal Dabel
  • Patent number: 11491267
    Abstract: A method of dialysis is provided that includes sensing the concentration of potassium in a patient's blood serum, in used dialysate resulting from treating the patient, or in both. The method involves generating a sensed value of the concentration of potassium, comparing the sensed value with one or more values stored in a memory, and generating a control signal based on the comparison. Supplemental potassium solution is infused into the treatment dialysate, based on the control signal. The comparison can be made to patient-historical data, population data, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Merchant, Roland Levin, Chris Chau, Shakil Aslam
  • Patent number: 11471578
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and/or apparatuses may be operative to perform a dialysis process that includes a displacer infusion process. The dialysis machine may include at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, may cause the at least one processor to access dialysis information for a dialysis process performed by a dialysis machine, the dialysis information indicating a target substance to be displaced from a binding compound by a displacer, and determine an infusion profile for infusing the displacer into a patient during a displacer infusion process of the dialysis process, the infusion profile determined based on the dialysis information and an infusion constraint. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Vaibhav Maheshwari, Peter Kotanko
  • Patent number: 11471579
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses and systems for delivering a measureable absorbed-dose of a gaseous activating agent to a fluid including a biological liquid and/or cells. The apparatuses or systems include a gas-fluid contact device configured to controllably rotate or oscillate a control member having an interior surface in contact with the fluid and a control system configured to control rotation or oscillation of the contact member by the gas-fluid contact device. In some embodiments, the control system is further configured to control absorption of the gaseous activating agent by the fluid. The present disclosure also provides methods of treating a fluid including a biological liquid or cells with a gaseous activating agent to controllably activate the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ImmunoRes-Therapeutics, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Howard Lane, Barry Davignon, Peter Heath
  • Patent number: 11458235
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sorbent for removing metabolic waste products from a dialysis liquid, the sorbent comprising a soluble source of sodium ions. The sorbent comprises an ion exchange system which converts urea to ammonium ions and which is configured to exchange ammonium ions for predominantly hydrogen ions and to exchange Ca, Mg, and K for predominantly sodium ions. The soluble source of sodium ions overcomes an initial drop in sodium concentration in regenerated dialysate. When used in conjunction with an infusion system configured to utilise exchange of Ca, Mg and K for sodium during dialysate regeneration a desired sodium ion concentration can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC, AWAK TECHNOLOGIES PTE LTD
    Inventors: Christian Gert Bluchel, Peter Haywood
  • Patent number: 11452801
    Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a control unit configured to monitor an amount of fluid withdrawn from a heater bag line during a PD treatment. A processor in the control unit is configured to operate a first pump to draw fluid into a first pump chamber and measure a first fluid volume in the first pump chamber. The processor is further configured to operate the first pump and a second pump to transfer fluid from the first pump chamber to a second pump chamber, measure a second fluid volume in the second pump chamber, and determine a measured fluid volume for a single pump cycle based on the first fluid volume and the second fluid volume. The first fluid volume is correlated to the second fluid volume and, therefore, the multiple independent measurements increase an accuracy of the fluid volume measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Kulwinder S. Plahey
  • Patent number: 11433173
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprising a first inlet (1) for introducing a bloodstream to be treated into the system (100), three blood treatment apparatus (A, D, G), as well as an outlet (2) for discharging a treated bloodstream from the system (100), wherein the system comprises an adsorber apparatus (A) and/or a plasma separator apparatus, a dialysis apparatus (D) and a gas exchange apparatus (G), and wherein the three blood treatment apparatus (A, D, G) are sequentially connected in series in a functional state of system (100) application between the inlet (1) and the outlet (2) of the system relative to a direction of blood flow of a bloodstream to be treated and can be consecutively perfused extracorporeally by a bloodstream to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Jorg Rammo, Jurgen Klewinghaus