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: 9533135
    Abstract: System, apparatus and method for opening a heat-bonded connection formed between two hollow, flexible thermoplastic conduits. A pressure difference is created between the inside of at least one of the conduits and the ambient atmosphere sufficient to cause expansion of a wall of the tubing conduit in the vicinity of a frangible portion at least partially blocking the connection to disrupt the frangible portion and reduce the blocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20160361531
    Abstract: System, apparatus and method for opening a heat-bonded connection formed between two hollow, flexible thermoplastic conduits. A pressure difference is created between the inside of at least one of the conduits and the ambient atmosphere sufficient to cause expansion of a wall of the tubing conduit in the vicinity of a frangible portion at least partially blocking the connection to disrupt the frangible portion and reduce the blocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9440396
    Abstract: System, method and apparatus for making a plurality of sterile connections between a plurality of pairs of thermoplastic tubes. A first receiver receives a first tube, a second receiver receives second and third tubes, and a third receiver receives a fourth tube. The first and second receivers are movable to place clamped and heated ends of first and second tubes into contact and the second and third receivers are movable to place clamped and heated ends of third and fourth tubes into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9381291
    Abstract: A membrane separation device for use in blood processing procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the spinning membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib or ridge associated with the spinning membrane that decreases the gap between the spinning membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously collected whole blood into selected blood components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Boggs, Mark J. Brierton, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min, Christopher J. Wegener
  • Publication number: 20160144098
    Abstract: A method of separating blood into two or more components and subsequently washing a component, comprising providing a blood storage container containing an initial blood composition, and a blood separation circuit comprising a separator. The method also comprises separating and washing cellular material within the same blood separation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Katherine N. Radwanski, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20160051747
    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: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20150367120
    Abstract: System, apparatus and method for opening a heat-bonded connection formed between two hollow, flexible thermoplastic conduits. A pressure difference is created between the inside of at least one of the conduits and the ambient atmosphere sufficient to cause expansion of a wall of the tubing conduit in the vicinity of a frangible portion at least partially blocking the connection to disrupt the frangible portion and reduce the blocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20150367569
    Abstract: System, method and apparatus for making a plurality of sterile connections between a plurality of pairs of thermoplastic tubes. A first receiver receives a first tube, a second receiver receives second and third tubes, and a third receiver receives a fourth tube. The first and second receivers are movable to place clamped and heated ends of first and second tubes into contact and the second and third receivers are movable to place clamped and heated ends of third and fourth tubes into contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9011359
    Abstract: Certain examples describe systems and methods for increasing plasma extracted from donor blood. An example method includes receiving blood extracted from a donor connected to a blood collection machine. The example method includes filtering the blood using a filtration device to remove at least a portion of plasma included in the blood to separate the plasma removed from remaining blood. The example method includes routing the plasma removed for collection. The example method includes re-filtering the remaining blood using a or the filtration device to remove additional plasma from the remaining blood. The example method includes routing the additional plasma removed for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Prakash Mathew, Marc N. Weasler, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20150060363
    Abstract: A system and method are provided, including an integrated single-use kit, for processing whole blood to produce platelet rich plasma. A two stage spinning membrane separator, has a first stage for receiving whole blood and separating substantially all red blood cells from plasma and platelets, and a second stage for further separating platelet rich plasma from plasma. A first waste container is in fluid communication with the first stage of the separator for receiving separated red blood cells, while a second waste container is in fluid communication with the second stage of the separator for receiving separated plasma. An outlet line is in fluid communication with the second stage of the separator for receiving platelet rich plasma, and a reinfusion container is removably connected to the outlet line for receiving platelet rich plasma from the second stage of the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: FENWAL INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Christopher J. Wegener, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 8840790
    Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling fouling during a filtration procedure are described. A plasmapheresis method includes accepting a selection of a plasma flow rate and predicting an estimated procedure end time based at least partially on a plasma collection target volume. The method also includes flowing blood past a membrane and changing a plasma flow rate until the selected plasma flow rate through the membrane is achieved. The method also includes determining an acceptable rate of pressure change with time for respective times to the estimated procedure end time, the acceptable fouling rate limit being associated with a system pressure and adjusting the plasma flow rate based on the determined acceptable rate of pressure change with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Marc N. Weasler, Benjamin E. Kusters, Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20140010738
    Abstract: A membrane separation device for use in blood processing procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the spinning membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib or ridge associated with the spinning membrane that decreases the gap between the spinning membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously collected whole blood into selected blood components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FENWAL INC.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Boggs, Mark J. Brierton, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min, Christopher J. Wegener
  • Publication number: 20130341274
    Abstract: A membrane separation device is disclosed along with systems and methods employing the device in blood processing procedures. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib associated with the membrane that decreases the gap between the membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously collected whole blood into components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Christopher J. Wegener, Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20130345674
    Abstract: A membrane separation device is disclosed along with systems and methods employing the device in blood processing procedures. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib associated with the membrane that decreases the gap between the membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously collected whole blood into components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Christopher J. Wegener, Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, William H. Cork, Daryl R. Calhoun, Bryan Blickhan, Daniel Lynn
  • Publication number: 20130341275
    Abstract: A membrane separation device is disclosed along with systems and methods employing the device in blood processing procedures. In one embodiment, a spinning membrane separator is provided in which at least two zones or regions are created in the gap between the membrane and the shell, such that mixing of the fluid between the two regions is inhibited by a radial rib associated with the membrane that decreases the gap between the membrane and the shell to define two fluid regions, the ridge isolating the fluid in the two regions to minimize mixing between the two. Automated systems and methods are disclosed for separating a unit of previously collected whole blood into components, such as concentrated red cells and plasma, for collecting red cells and plasma directly from a donor in a single pass, and for cell washing. Data management systems and methods and priming methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Christopher J. Wegener, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20130284653
    Abstract: Certain examples describe systems and methods for increasing plasma extracted from donor blood. An example method includes receiving blood extracted from a donor connected to a blood collection machine. The example method includes filtering the blood using a filtration device to remove at least a portion of plasma included in the blood to separate the plasma removed from remaining blood. The example method includes routing the plasma removed for collection. The example method includes re-filtering the remaining blood using a or the filtration device to remove additional plasma from the remaining blood. The example method includes routing the additional plasma removed for collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Prakash Mathew, Marc N. Weasler, Benjamin E. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20120273416
    Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling fouling during a filtration procedure are described. A plasmapheresis method includes accepting a selection of a plasma flow rate and predicting an estimated procedure end time based at least partially on a plasma collection target volume. The method also includes flowing blood past a membrane and changing a plasma flow rate until the selected plasma flow rate through the membrane is achieved. The method also includes determining an acceptable rate of pressure change with time for respective times to the estimated procedure end time, the acceptable fouling rate limit being associated with a system pressure and adjusting the plasma flow rate based on the determined acceptable rate of pressure change with time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Marc N. Weasler, Benjamin E. Kusters, Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20120220915
    Abstract: Certain examples describe systems and methods for increasing plasma extracted from donor blood. An example method includes receiving blood extracted from a donor connected to a blood collection machine. The example method includes filtering the blood using a filtration device to remove at least a portion of plasma included in the blood to separate the plasma removed from remaining blood. The example method includes routing the plasma removed for collection. The example method includes re-filtering the remaining blood using a or the filtration device to remove additional plasma from the remaining blood. The example method includes routing the additional plasma removed for collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Prakash Mathew, Marc N. Weasler, Benjamin E. Kusters