Patents by Inventor Benjamin E. Kusters

Benjamin E. Kusters has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250146926
    Abstract: An optical detection assembly for monitoring a biological fluid in a vessel includes two fluid-adjustment structures, which are spaced apart and configured to receive at least a portion of a biological fluid-containing vessel therebetween. A light source (which may be associated with one of the fluid-adjustment structures) is configured to emit light through a thickness of the biological fluid in the vessel, while a light detector (which may be associated with the other one of the fluid-adjustment structures) is configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the light source after it has passed through the biological fluid in the vessel. At least a portion of at least one of the fluid-adjustment structures is configured to move with respect to at least a portion of the other one so as to change the thickness of the biological fluid in the monitored portion of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Daniel R. Boggs, James Madsen, Jeannette Wu, Matthew Fang
  • Publication number: 20250147003
    Abstract: An optical detection assembly for monitoring a fluid includes a light source, a light detector array, and a controller. The controller receives signals from the light detector array that are indicative of the intensity of light received by the light detector array after the light has passed through the fluid. The controller generates a scattering profile based on the signals, with the scattering profile including rising and falling edges each having a slope. The controller calculates one or both slopes and determines the platelet mass index (for a platelet-containing fluid) and/or the concentration of a substance in the fluid based on said slope(s). The optical detection assembly may also be used to analyze a reference fluid having a known concentration of the substance, with signals received by the controller when analyzing the reference fluid being a factor when determining the concentration of the substance in the fluid of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2024
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, James G. Madsen, Kyle Betancourt
  • Patent number: 12247912
    Abstract: A fluid processing device includes a detection assembly having a light source, an adjustment system, and a light detector. The light source is associated with a component of the fluid processing device, provided in an initial position with respect to said component of the fluid processing device, and configured to emit a light. The adjustment system is associated with the light source and configured to adjust the position of the light source. The light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the light source and generate a signal indicative of the amount of light received by the light detector. The fluid processing device further includes a controller configured to receive the signal from the light detector and control the adjustment system to move the light source to a monitoring position based at least in part on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Ryan Murphey
  • Patent number: 12235208
    Abstract: An optical detection assembly for monitoring a biological fluid in a vessel includes two fluid-adjustment structures, which are spaced apart and configured to receive at least a portion of a biological fluid-containing vessel therebetween. A light source (which may be associated with one of the fluid-adjustment structures) is configured to emit light through a thickness of the biological fluid in the vessel, while a light detector (which may be associated with the other one of the fluid-adjustment structures) is configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the light source after it has passed through the biological fluid in the vessel. At least a portion of at least one of the fluid-adjustment structures is configured to move with respect to at least a portion of the other one so as to change the thickness of the biological fluid in the monitored portion of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Daniel R. Boggs, James Madsen, Jeannette Wu, Matthew Fang
  • Publication number: 20250058029
    Abstract: A fluid processing system includes a separation device, a mononuclear cell product processing device, a pump assembly, and a controller. The controller is programmed to actuate the pump assembly to convey blood from a blood source into the separation device, actuate the separation device to separate a mononuclear cell product from the blood, and actuate the pump assembly to convey at least a portion of the mononuclear cell product through the mononuclear cell product processing device to modify a genome of at least one of the cells of the mononuclear cell product and create a modified mononuclear cell product. The controller is programmed to selectively actuate the pump system to convey the mononuclear cell product through the mononuclear cell product processing device in either a first direction or in an opposite, second direction to modify the genome of at least one of the cells of the mononuclear cell product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20250049995
    Abstract: Automated blood processing systems and methods including a durable hardware component, a single use fluid flow circuit, and a controller configured to determine and add a custom amount of additive solution. More particularly, systems and methods for adding a custom amount of a red blood cell (RBC) additive solution to obtain a target RBC product with a target hematocrit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 12214366
    Abstract: A prismatic reflector is provided for incorporation into a centrifugal separation chamber. The prismatic reflector is formed of a light-transmissive material and includes inner and outer walls and first and second end walls. The inner wall is configured to receive light traveling along an initial path and transmit the light to the first end wall, with the first end wall receiving the light transmitted through the inner wall and directing the light toward the second end wall in a direction that is angled with respect to the initial path. The second end wall receives the light from the first end wall and transmits the light out of the prismatic reflector. The initial path of the light may be in a direction toward a rotational axis of the centrifugal separation chamber, with the prismatic reflector redirecting the light into a direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Mark J. Brierton
  • Publication number: 20250001057
    Abstract: A blood processing device includes a pump system, a valve system, a separator and a controller configured to execute a plasma collection stage of a blood processing procedure by actuating the pump system and the valve system to convey blood from a blood source into the separator, actuating the separator to separate the blood into at least plasma and red blood cells, in a transfusion plasma collection step actuating the pump system and the valve system to convey a first volume of separated plasma out of the separator along a first flow path for transfusion plasma collection, and in a fractionation plasma collection step of the plasma collection stage, actuating the pump system and valve system to convey a second volume of the separated plasma out of the separator along a second flow path for fractionation plasma collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min, James G. Madsen
  • Patent number: 12168087
    Abstract: Blood from a blood source is drawn into a fluid flow circuit. A mononuclear cell product is separated from the blood, followed by at least a portion of the mononuclear cell product being conveyed into an electroporation device without disconnecting the blood source from the fluid flow circuit. The electroporation device opens pores in a membrane of at least one of the cells of the mononuclear cell product to allow DNA material (which is added to the mononuclear cell product prior to electroporation) to enter and modify the genome of the cell. At least a portion of the modified mononuclear cell product is returned to the blood source. The mononuclear cell product may be washed prior to being conveyed into the electroporation device. The modified mononuclear cell product may be washed after exiting the electroporation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Patent number: 12138640
    Abstract: A fluid processing device includes a controller, a centrifuge configured to receive and rotate a continuous-flow centrifuge chamber, a pump system, an optical detection assembly, and a pressure sensor. The controller executes a priming procedure in which a priming fluid is conveyed into the centrifuge chamber while the chamber is being rotated by the centrifuge, which moves air out of the chamber via a low-g outlet conduit. Upon detecting priming fluid exiting the centrifuge chamber via the low-g outlet conduit, the chamber is rotated at a higher rate to attempt to move any remaining air out of the chamber via the low-g outlet conduit. The controller then determines, based on signals from the optical detection assembly and pressure sensor, whether there is any air remaining in the centrifuge chamber. If so, the rotational rate is alternately decreased and increased until all the air has been cleared from the centrifuge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20240347147
    Abstract: A biological fluid processing system and a method of executing a biological fluid processing procedure is disclosed. The biological fluid processing system includes a processing device, a scanner, and a data management system. The processing device includes a display screen and a controller which operates the processing device to implement a biological fluid processing procedure having a plurality of steps. The controller displays an image on the display screen. The scanner interacts with the device screen to retrieve data from the image and transmit the data to the data management system. The scanner and/or the data management system transmit a signal to the controller based on the data. The controller initiates at least one step of the biological fluid processing procedure upon receiving the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min, James G. Madsen
  • Publication number: 20240335598
    Abstract: A biological fluid processing device includes pump and valve systems, a centrifuge and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the pump and valve systems to convey buffy coat into the centrifuge, operate the centrifuge at a first rotation rate to separate the buffy coat into platelets and red blood cells, operate the pump and valve systems to convey a first portion of the separated platelets from the centrifuge for collection, and operate the pump and valve systems to convey the separated red blood cells from the centrifuge for collection. The controller is further configured to operate the centrifuge at one or more second rotation rates lower than the first rotation rate, operate the pump and valve systems to convey the collected red blood cells into the centrifuge, and operate the pump and valve systems to convey a second portion of the platelets from the centrifuge for collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20240245840
    Abstract: A packaging tray for use in a blood processing system including a blood processing device having device components arranged on a component surface and a removable fluid flow circuit having circuit components configured to interact with corresponding device components, wherein the packaging tray configured to be selectively arranged on and removable from the component surface. The packaging tray includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and spaced apart by a thickness, component sections arranged at positions corresponding to positions of respective device components, the component sections respectively formed, at least partially, as openings extending through the thickness, and a plurality of recessed pathways formed on the first surface, the recessed pathways extending between the component sections. A blood processing device may include the packaging tray, and a blood processing system may include a blood processing device and the packaging tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, James Gregory Madsen, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20240226396
    Abstract: A configurable automated blood component manufacturing system includes a durable hardware component and a single use fluid flow circuit. The hardware component includes a pump station, a centrifuge, and a controller including a touchscreen. The hardware component further includes hangers for suspending containers, a weight scale associated with each hanger, a plurality of tubing clamps, and a cassette nesting module including a plurality of valves and pressure sensors. The fluid flow circuit includes a separation chamber received in the centrifuge, a fluid flow control cassette mounted in the cassette nesting module, and a plurality of containers in fluid communication with the fluid flow cassette. The controller is pre-programmed to automatically operate the system to perform one or more standard blood processing procedures selected by an operator by input to the touchscreen, and is configured to be further programmed by the operator to perform additional blood processing procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20240226916
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting a platelet product having a target concentration. First and second target concentrations are first selected. Blood is then separated into red blood cells and platelet-rich plasma, with the platelet-rich plasma then being separated into platelet-poor plasma and platelet concentrate. At least a portion of the platelet concentrate is collected in a container as a platelet product having an actual platelet concentration, attempting to collect platelet concentrate having the first target concentration. After separation of the blood has been completed, at least a portion of the platelet-poor plasma and/or an additive solution is pumped into the container to decrease the concentration of the platelet product from the actual platelet concentration to the second target concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20240216597
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to recover residual biological fluid from a soft sided fluid filter having an inlet and an outlet and which is used by a biological fluid processing system, including a reusable hardware unit comprising a fluid filter compression assembly. The fluid filter compression assembly further includes a housing having an outer wall that defines a housing space that receives the fluid filter, at least one bladder positioned within the housing space, at least one conduit, at least one pump, wherein the at least one conduit is in fluid communication with the at least one bladder and the at least one pump, and at least one clamp configured to selectively stop flow through the fluid filter inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20240157038
    Abstract: A blood processing device includes a pump system, a valve system, a centrifuge, and a controller configured and/or programmed to control the operation of the pump system, the valve system, and the centrifuge to execute a blood separation procedure. The blood separation procedure executed by the controller includes pumping blood into the centrifuge, separating the blood in the centrifuge into red blood cells and plasma, and collecting portions of the separated red blood cells and plasma. Subsequently, a portion of the collected red blood cells is pumped back into the centrifuge to collect an additional amount of the separated plasma. A buffy coat or white blood cell layer may be formed between the separated red blood cells and plasma in the centrifuge. If so, a portion of the collected plasma may be pumped back into the centrifuge to harvest the buffy coat or white blood cell layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20240139398
    Abstract: A blood processing device includes a pump system, a valve system, a centrifuge, and a controller configured and/or programmed to control the operation of the pump system, the valve system, and the centrifuge to execute a blood separation procedure. The blood separation procedure executed by the controller includes pumping blood into the centrifuge at an inflow rate, separating the blood in the centrifuge into red blood cells and plasma, with an interface between the red blood cells and plasma located at an interface position within the centrifuge, and pumping at least a portion of the red blood cells and at least a portion of the plasma out of the centrifuge. The controller is configured and/or programmed to employ an inflow rate and/or an interface position that is based at least in part on the temperature of the blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 11969536
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for therapeutic red blood cell exchange and/or therapeutic plasma exchange. A blood separation device includes a centrifugal separator, a spinning membrane separator drive unit, a pump system, and a controller. Blood is conveyed through a fluid flow circuit into either the centrifugal separator or the spinning membrane separator, which separates out the target blood component (red blood cells, in the case of therapeutic red blood cell exchange, or plasma, in the case of therapeutic plasma exchange). The target blood component is retained in the circuit as a waste product, while a replacement fluid is added to the remaining blood component(s), which is then conveyed to a recipient. In addition to allowing for execution of an exchange procedure using either a centrifugal separator or a spinning membrane separator drive unit, the blood separation device also allows for the use of differently sized spinning membrane separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20240131528
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting a platelet product having a target concentration. First and second target concentrations are first selected. Blood is then separated into red blood cells and platelet-rich plasma, with the platelet-rich plasma then being separated into platelet-poor plasma and platelet concentrate. At least a portion of the platelet concentrate is collected in a container as a platelet product having an actual platelet concentration, attempting to collect platelet concentrate having the first target concentration. After separation of the blood has been completed, at least a portion of the platelet-poor plasma and/or an additive solution is pumped into the container to decrease the concentration of the platelet product from the actual platelet concentration to the second target concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min