Patents by Inventor Eric Gratz
Eric Gratz 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: 11955613Abstract: Cathode material from exhausted lithium ion batteries are dissolved in a solution for extracting the useful elements Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (manganese) to produce active cathode materials for new batteries. The solution includes compounds of desirable materials such as cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese dissolved as compounds from the exhausted cathode material of spent cells. Depending on a desired proportion, or ratio, of the desired materials, raw materials are added to the solution to achieve the desired ratio of the commingled compounds for the recycled cathode material for new cells. The desired materials precipitate out of solution without extensive heating or separation of the desired materials into individual compounds or elements. The resulting active cathode material has the predetermined ratio for use in new cells, and avoids high heat typically required to separate the useful elements because the desired materials remain commingled in solution.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Yan Wang, Eric Gratz, Qina Sa, Zhangfeng Zheng, Joseph Heelan, Kee-Chan Kim
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Publication number: 20240113350Abstract: A battery recycling process recovers lithium from nickel-rich cathode material in a recycling stream of end-of-life batteries. A dilute acid leach of a high nickel content cathode material contains a mixture of sulfuric acid based on a molar quantity of lithium in the cathode material. The highly selective leach generates a lithium rich solution with a small amount of nickel removable by nanofiltration to achieve a highly efficient recovery of the lithium contained in the recycling stream. A quantity of the leach acid based on the lithium content and a quantity of water based on a total black mass of the recycling stream results in a highly selective, near pure lithium leach when the recycling stream results from high nickel NMC batteries such as 811.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2022Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Kee-Chan Kim, Eric Gratz
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Patent number: 11827998Abstract: A recycling and synthesis of charge material for secondary batteries generates single-crystal charge materials for producing batteries with greater charge cycle longevity. Charge material particles undergo a heating for fusing or enhancing grain boundaries between polycrystalline particles. The resulting, more well-defined grain boundaries are easily etched by a relatively weak mineral acid solution. The acid solution removes material at the grain boundaries to separate secondary particles into primary particles along the grain boundaries. The resulting single crystal (monocrystalline) charge material particles are washed and filtered, and typically re-sintered to accommodate any needed lithium (lithium carbonate), and result in a charge material with larger surface area, higher lithium diffusivity and lower cation ordering.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Yan Wang, Xiaotu Ma, Eric Gratz, Jinzhao Fu, Panawan Vanaphuti
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Publication number: 20230233842Abstract: A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: ABIOMED, Inc.Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T.V. Kung, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
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Publication number: 20230147371Abstract: Lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling is considered as an important component to industry sustainability. A massive number of LIBs in portable electronics, electric vehicles and grid storage will eventually end up in wastes, leading to serious economic and environmental problems. Hence, tremendous effort has been made to improve hydrometallurgical recycling process since it is the most promising option for handling end-of-life LIBs owing to its wide applicability, low cost and high productivity. Despite these advantages, some extra elements (Al, Fe, C, F, etc.) remain as impurities in the removal process and remain in the solution, presenting a challenge to obtaining high-quality cathode material. This approach demonstrates the improved electrochemical performance by adding potential impurities in the leaching solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Yan Wang, Eric Gratz, Yadong Zheng
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Publication number: 20230126785Abstract: A guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Raymond Yue-Sing Tang, Brian Raze, Mark Griffin, Eric Gratz, Cortney Young, Eric E. Bielefeld
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Patent number: 11577068Abstract: A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T. V. Kung, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
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Publication number: 20230038978Abstract: The inventions described herein provide methods and systems for recycling lithium iron phosphate batteries, including: adding an oxidizing agent to a recycling stream of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries to form a leach solution; filtering the leach solution to remove a residue and obtain a lithium rich solution; modifying pH of the lithium rich solution for filtering impurities and obtaining a purified Li solution; and adding a precipitant to the purified Li solution thereby precipitating a lithium compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Eric Gratz, Kee-Chan Kim
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Publication number: 20220416325Abstract: A method for recycling All solid state batteries (ASSBs), the method including: receiving a recycling stream of ASSBs comprising an electrolyte comingled with at least one charge material; introducing a passivating substance for neutralizing an undesired reaction or discharge of the charge materials from the batteries defining the recycling stream; agitating the batteries in the recycling stream in the presence of the passivating substance for liberating the charge materials and electrolyte stored therein; and recovering the charge material and the electrolyte from the agitated batteries, and such that the passivating substance combines with the agitated batteries for generating a beneficial product thereby recycling ASSBs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Eric Gratz, Yan Wang
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Patent number: 11534078Abstract: A guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.Inventors: Raymond Yue-Sing Tang, Brian Raze, Mark Griffin, Eric Gratz, Cortney Young, Eric E. Bielefeld
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Publication number: 20220311068Abstract: Cathode material from exhausted lithium ion batteries are dissolved in a solution for extracting the useful elements Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (manganese) to produce active cathode materials for new batteries. The solution includes compounds of desirable materials such as cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese dissolved as compounds from the exhausted cathode material of spent cells. Depending on a desired proportion, or ratio, of the desired materials, raw materials are added to the solution to achieve the desired ratio of the commingled compounds for the recycled cathode material for new cells. The desired materials precipitate out of solution without extensive heating or separation of the desired materials into individual compounds or elements. The resulting active cathode material has the predetermined ratio for use in new cells, and avoids high heat typically required to separate the useful elements because the desired materials remain commingled in solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Yan Wang, Eric Gratz, Qina Sa, Zhangfeng Zheng, Joseph Heelan, Kee-Chan Kim
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Publication number: 20220202600Abstract: The present disclosure provides medical devices, systems and methods and in particular to devices and methods useful for anchoring graft materials to bodily structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: ABIOMED, Inc.Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T.V. Kung, Caitlyn Hastie, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
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Patent number: 11213412Abstract: The present disclosure provides medical devices, systems and methods and in particular to devices and methods useful for anchoring graft materials to bodily structures.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T. V. Kung, Caitlyn Hastie, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
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Publication number: 20210391606Abstract: Cathode material from exhausted lithium ion batteries are dissolved in a solution for extracting the useful elements Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (manganese) to produce active cathode materials for new batteries. The solution includes compounds of desirable materials such as cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese dissolved as compounds from the exhausted cathode material of spent cells. Depending on a desired proportion, or ratio, of the desired materials, raw materials are added to the solution to achieve the desired ratio of the commingled compounds for the recycled cathode material for new cells. The desired materials precipitate out of solution without extensive heating or separation of the desired materials into individual compounds or elements. The resulting active cathode material has the predetermined ratio for use in new cells, and avoids high heat typically required to separate the useful elements because the desired materials remain commingled in solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Yan Wang, Eric Gratz, Qina Sa, Zhangfeng Zheng, Joseph Heelan, Kee-Chan Kim
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Publication number: 20210384563Abstract: A method for recycling anode materials from a comingled recycling stream derived from exhausted Li ion batteries includes receiving a precipitate quantity remaining from a cathode recycling stream. This precipitate is almost exclusively graphite used for the anode material in the recycled batteries. The precipitate results from an acid leach of charge material from the lithium battery recycling stream. A strong acid is added to the precipitate for removal of residual cathode and separator materials and the mixture heated. The strong acid removes residual aluminum oxide from the separator by transformation to aluminum sulfate. Washing the acid treated precipitate removes water soluble contaminants, such as the aluminum sulfate reacted from the aluminum oxide and sulfuric acid, to generate substantially pure graphite. Any residual material remaining from the cathode recycling phase is also removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Eric Gratz, Zhangfeng Zheng
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Publication number: 20210372001Abstract: A recycling and synthesis of charge material for secondary batteries generates single-crystal charge materials for producing batteries with greater charge cycle longevity. Charge material particles undergo a heating for fusing or enhancing grain boundaries between polycrystalline particles. The resulting, more well-defined grain boundaries are easily etched by a relatively weak mineral acid solution. The acid solution removes material at the grain boundaries to separate secondary particles into primary particles along the grain boundaries. The resulting single crystal (monocrystalline) charge material particles are washed and filtered, and typically re-sintered to accommodate any needed lithium (lithium carbonate), and result in a charge material with larger surface area, higher lithium diffusivity and lower cation ordering.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Yan Wang, Xiaotu MA, Eric Gratz, Jinzhao Fu, Panawan Vanaphuti
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Patent number: 11127992Abstract: Cathode material from exhausted lithium ion batteries are dissolved in a solution for extracting the useful elements Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (manganese) to produce active cathode materials for new batteries. The solution includes compounds of desirable materials such as cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese dissolved as compounds from the exhausted cathode material of spent cells. Depending on a desired proportion, or ratio, of the desired materials, raw materials are added to the solution to achieve the desired ratio of the commingled compounds for the recycled cathode material for new cells. The desired materials precipitate out of solution without extensive heating or separation of the desired materials into individual compounds or elements. The resulting active cathode material has the predetermined ratio for use in new cells, and avoids high heat typically required to separate the useful elements because the desired materials remain commingled in solution.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Yan Wang, Eric Gratz, Qina Sa, Zhangfeng Zheng, Joseph Heelan
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Publication number: 20200253756Abstract: The present disclosure provides medical devices, systems and methods and in particular to devices and methods useful for anchoring graft materials to bodily structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T.V. Kung, Caitlyn Hastie, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
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Publication number: 20200215247Abstract: A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T.V. Kung, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier
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Patent number: 10549020Abstract: A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.Inventors: Paul Spence, Rob Dowling, Robert T. V. Kung, Thorsten Siess, Eric Gratz, Gerd Spanier