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).

  • Patent number: 11311823
    Abstract: Blood in a separation chamber is separated into a red blood cell layer, a plasma constituent, and a mononuclear cell-containing layer. A portion of the plasma constituent exits the chamber via a plasma outlet, while a first portion of the red blood cell layer exits via a red blood cell outlet. A second portion of the red blood cell layer exits the chamber via the red blood cell outlet and is collected. At least a portion of the collected red blood cell layer may then be conveyed to the chamber via the red blood cell outlet to convey at least a portion of the mononuclear cell-containing layer out of the chamber via the plasma outlet for collection. A second portion of the plasma constituent may be conveyed out of the chamber via the plasma outlet to more fully collect the mononuclear cell-containing layer without the use of collected plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 11291953
    Abstract: A system for separating a suspension of biological cells is disclosed comprising a single-use fluid circuit and a durable hardware component. The fluid circuit comprises a separator having a housing that includes an inlet for introducing the suspension of biological cells into the gap, a first outlet in communication with the gap for flowing a first type of cells from the separator, and a second outlet in communication with the second side of the filter membrane for flowing a second type of cells from the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20220099562
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Ryan Murphey
  • Patent number: 11137344
    Abstract: A fluid to be optically monitored may be optically mixed to modify the apparent color perceived by a colorimetric optical sensor device. The fluid is positioned within a fluid compartment of a vessel also including a contrast compartment adjacent to the fluid compartment. The contrast compartment is configured to have a contrast color with a known main wavelength that is different from the main wavelength of the fluid color. Light from a broadband light source of the colorimetric optical sensor device is reflected off of the vessel, with the received light being received by an optical spectrometer. The optical spectrometer analyzes the received light to determine a main wavelength of the received light, followed by a controller determining a characteristic of the fluid, which is based on the main wavelengths of the received light and the contrast color and the percentage of the vessel occupied by the fluid compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20210178051
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20210138739
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mechanically opening a heat-bonded connection site between two hollow, flexible, thermoplastic segments of a medical fluid flow path, the heat-bonded connection site having an axis. The connection site is compressed between two facing surfaces, and the facing surfaces are relatively moved to rotate the connection site about the connection site axis and to apply force to the connection site substantially perpendicular to the connection site axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20210106747
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the separation of blood into blood products and, more particularly, to systems and methods that permit automated recovery of white blood cells after producing a leukocyte-reduced blood product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Patent number: 10918780
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling fluid flow rates during a biological fluid procedure, comprising providing a membrane separator configured to separate a biological fluid into filtrate and retentate, wherein concentration of retentate exiting the membrane separator is controllable by altering a flow rate of the retentate exiting the membrane separator. The computer-implemented method also comprises detecting a change of attenuated retentate particles within the filtrate, comparing the change of attenuated retentate particles within the filtrate with a threshold level, and providing a response action comprising altering the concentration of retentate exiting the membrane separator if the change of attenuated retentate particles within the filtrate exceeds the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Patent number: 10919235
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mechanically opening a heat-bonded connection site between two hollow, flexible, thermoplastic segments of a medical fluid flow path, the heat-bonded connection site having an axis. The connection site is compressed between two facing surfaces, and the facing surfaces are relatively moved to rotate the connection site about the connection site axis and to apply force to the connection site substantially perpendicular to the connection site axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10905819
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the separation of blood into blood products and, more particularly, to systems and methods that permit automated recovery of white blood cells after producing a leukocyte-reduced blood product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Patent number: 10893829
    Abstract: A colorimetric optical sensor device includes a broadband light source configured to emit a light that is exposed to a fluid in a vessel. At least a portion of the light is reflected off of the fluid and received by an optical spectrometer. The optical spectrometer analyzes at least a portion of the received light to determine a main wavelength of the light. A controller correlates the main wavelength to a corresponding hematocrit or free hemoglobin concentration and generates an output indicative of the hematocrit or the free hemoglobin concentration of the fluid. The hematocrit or free hemoglobin concentration information may be used by a separation assembly in which the colorimetric optical sensor device may be incorporated to modify a separation procedure in which the monitored fluid is to be separated or is a component or constituent of a previously separated biological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10890524
    Abstract: An optical sensor device includes a light source configured to emit a light including a wavelength in a range of 650 to 900 nm that is exposed to a biological fluid at first and second times. At least a portion of the light is reflected off of the fluid and received by a light detector. The light detector analyzes at least a portion of the received light to determine a first intensity of the light at the wavelength at the first time and a second intensity of the light at the wavelength at the second time. A controller compares the first and second intensities and generates an output indicative of the presence of red blood cells or free hemoglobin in the biological fluid depending on which intensity is greater and whether there is more redness in the biological fluid at the first time or at the second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20200384482
    Abstract: A blood separation system is provided that includes a blood separation device that includes a centrifugal separator and a spinning membrane separator drive unit incorporated into a common case and a fluid flow circuit having both a separation chamber configured to be mounted in the centrifugal separator of the blood separation device and a spinning membrane separator configured to be received in the spinning membrane separator drive unit. In an exemplary procedure, the system is used to collect concentrated platelets and/or concentrated platelets and plasma, and to further permit harvesting of the mononuclear cells from the centrifugal separator at the conclusion of platelet collection, and transfer of the mononuclear cells to the spinning membrane separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20200368412
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separating blood into two or more components for collection of red blood cells, plasma, or both red blood cells and plasma. A blood separation system includes a blood separation device and a fluid flow circuit configured to be mounted to the blood separation device. The blood separation device includes a centrifugal separator and a spinning membrane separator drive unit, with the blood being separated into its constituents by the centrifugal separator. Separated plasma may be collected following separation by the centrifugal separator or may first be conveyed from the centrifugal separator into the spinning membrane separator drive unit to separate cellular blood components from the plasma prior to collection of the filtered plasma. The cellular blood components filtered from the plasma may be retained in the circuit as a waste product or may be flushed out of the circuit to a recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20200368763
    Abstract: A fluid separation device includes a centrifuge in which a fluid is separated into at least two components, with an interface therebetween. At least a portion of one of the separated fluid components is removed from the centrifuge and flows through a vessel. Light is reflected off of the separated fluid component in the vessel and received and analyzed to determine its main wavelength. If the main wavelength is higher than a maximum value, a target location of the interface is changed. If the main wavelength is less than the maximum value, then the location of the interface is compared to the target location. When the interface is sufficiently close to the target location, the optical density of the separated fluid component in the vessel is compared to a minimum value. If the optical density is less than the minimum value, the target location of the interface is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10772916
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deriving a platelet product from a plurality of buffy coats. A plurality of buffy coats are separately collected, for example, using a conventional floor centrifuge. Plasma and/or a platelet additive solution may be added to the buffy coats. The buffy coats are pooled into a container and conveyed into a centrifuge or are sequentially conveyed into the centrifuge without being pooled, where they are continuously processed to separate platelets from the other cellular blood components. The separated platelets are conveyed out of the centrifuge as a platelet product, which may be passed through a leukocyte removal filter to reduce the white blood cell content of the platelet product. By continuously separating the buffy coats, fewer buffy coats are required to produce a single-dose platelet product, while also allowing for the derivation and collection of a plurality of single-dose platelet products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown
  • Publication number: 20200282116
    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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20200282340
    Abstract: Blood in a separation chamber is separated into a red blood cell layer, a plasma constituent, and a mononuclear cell-containing layer. A portion of the plasma constituent exits the chamber via a plasma outlet, while a first portion of the red blood cell layer exits via a red blood cell outlet. A second portion of the red blood cell layer exits the chamber via the red blood cell outlet and is collected. At least a portion of the collected red blood cell layer may then be conveyed to the chamber via the red blood cell outlet to convey at least a portion of the mononuclear cell-containing layer out of the chamber via the plasma outlet for collection. A second portion of the plasma constituent may be conveyed out of the chamber via the plasma outlet to more fully collect the mononuclear cell-containing layer without the use of collected plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20200261851
    Abstract: A system for separating a suspension of biological cells is disclosed comprising a single-use fluid circuit and a durable hardware component. The fluid circuit comprises a separator having a housing that includes an inlet for introducing the suspension of biological cells into the gap, a first outlet in communication with the gap for flowing a first type of cells from the separator, and a second outlet in communication with the second side of the filter membrane for flowing a second type of cells from the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10682611
    Abstract: A system for separating a suspension of biological cells is disclosed comprising a single-use fluid circuit and a durable hardware component. The fluid circuit comprises a separator having a housing that includes an inlet for introducing the suspension of biological cells into the gap, a first outlet in communication with the gap for flowing a first type of cells from the separator, and a second outlet in communication with the second side of the filter membrane for flowing a second type of cells from the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min