Patents by Inventor Brian Thomas Kelly
Brian Thomas Kelly 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).
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Patent number: 11318248Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit with an improved reservoir heating system. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a reservoir with an internal pan and external pan, separated by a space that holds a heating element. The heating element is electrically coupled to electrical contacts attached to the external surface of the external pan.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan
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Patent number: 11187572Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Joe Fazio, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan, Mark Smith
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Patent number: 11110214Abstract: The present specification provides a dialysate management system for generating, weighing, and heating a dialysate fluid during a dialysis treatment. The dialysate management system includes a container and base enclosure. A bottom surface of the container rests within the base enclosure, which is configured to weigh the fluid in the container and measure its conductivity. The fluid may be heated using a heater integrated into the base enclosure or positioned in-line with a fluid pathway. The base of the container is preferably sloped and positioned within the internal volume of the container is a disposable prescription bag having a predefined quantity of prescription compositions that dissolve when water is poured into the container.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Brian Thomas Kelly
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Patent number: 10857281Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The manifold includes diaphragms adapted to minimize the dead space between the dialysis machine pins and improve responsivity. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface and a heater in thermal communication with the container. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly
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Publication number: 20200191640Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Joe Fazio, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan, Mark Smith
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Publication number: 20200155756Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit with an improved reservoir heating system. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a reservoir with an internal pan and external pan, separated by a space that holds a heating element. The heating element is electrically coupled to electrical contacts attached to the external surface of the external pan.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan
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Publication number: 20200061280Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The manifold includes diaphragms adapted to minimize the dead space between the dialysis machine pins and improve responsivity. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface and a heater in thermal communication with the container. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly
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Patent number: 10539450Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Joe Fazio, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan, Mark Smith
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Patent number: 10383993Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit with an improved reservoir heating system. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a reservoir with an internal pan and external pan, separated by a space that holds a heating element. The heating element is electrically coupled to electrical contacts attached to the external surface of the external pan.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan
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Patent number: 10258731Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The manifold includes diaphragms adapted to minimize the dead space between the dialysis machine pins and improve responsivity. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface and a heater in thermal communication with the container. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly
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Publication number: 20180321077Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Joe Fazio, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan, Mark Smith
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Publication number: 20180289879Abstract: The present specification provides a dialysate management system for generating, weighing, and heating a dialysate fluid during a dialysis treatment. The dialysate management system includes a container and base enclosure. A bottom surface of the container rests within the base enclosure, which is configured to weigh the fluid in the container and measure its conductivity. The fluid may be heated using a heater integrated into the base enclosure or positioned in-line with a fluid pathway. The base of the container is preferably sloped and positioned within the internal volume of the container is a disposable prescription bag having a predefined quantity of prescription compositions that dissolve when water is poured into the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Brian Thomas Kelly
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Patent number: 9841310Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Joe Fazio, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan, Mark Smith
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Publication number: 20170021088Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The manifold includes diaphragms adapted to minimize the dead space between the dialysis machine pins and improve responsivity. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface and a heater in thermal communication with the container. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly
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Publication number: 20160317733Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit with an improved reservoir heating system. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a reservoir with an internal pan and external pan, separated by a space that holds a heating element. The heating element is electrically coupled to electrical contacts attached to the external surface of the external pan.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan
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Patent number: 9358331Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit with an improved reservoir heating system. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a reservoir with an internal pan and external pan, separated by a space that holds a heating element. The heating element is electrically coupled to electrical contacts attached to the external surface of the external pan.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2012Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan
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Patent number: 9308307Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel, where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The manifold includes diaphragms adapted to minimize the dead space between the dialysis machine pins and improve responsivity. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface and a heater in thermal communication with the container. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly
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Publication number: 20160069732Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Joe Fazio, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan, Mark Smith
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Patent number: 9157786Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Joe Fazio, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan, Mark Smith
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Publication number: 20140174835Abstract: A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Joe Fazio, Alec Huang, Brian Thomas Kelly, Tam Nolan, Mark Smith