Patents by Inventor Frank J. Landherr
Frank J. Landherr 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: 8801652Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, automated medical methods and apparatus that test PD effluent in a flow path (e.g., with an APD system or CAPD setup) to detect, for example, the onset of peritonitis, based on optical characteristics of the effluent resolved at cellular scales of distance. For example, according to one aspect of the invention, an APD machine includes, in an effluent flow path, apparatus for early stage peritonitis detection comprising an illumination source and a detector. The source is arranged to illuminate peritoneal effluent in a chamber that forms part of the flow path, and the detector is arranged to detect illuminant scattered by the effluent. The detector detects that reflected or scattered illuminant at a cellular scale of resolution, e.g., on a scale such that separate cellular-sized biological (or other) components in the effluent can be distinguished from one another based on scattering events detected by the detector.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holding, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, Lynn E. Jensen, Jay M. Lan
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Patent number: 8777891Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, automated medical methods and apparatus that test PD effluent in a flow path (e.g., with an APD system or CAPD setup) to detect, for example, the onset of peritonitis, based on optical characteristics of the effluent resolved at cellular scales of distance. For example, according to one aspect of the invention, an APD machine includes, in an effluent flow path, apparatus for early stage peritonitis detection comprising an illumination source and a detector. The source is arranged to illuminate peritoneal effluent in a chamber that forms part of the flow path, and the detector is arranged to detect illuminant scattered by the effluent. The detector detects that reflected or scattered illuminant at a cellular scale of resolution, e.g., on a scale such that separate cellular-sized biological (or other) components in the effluent can be distinguished from one another based on scattering events detected by the detector.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, Jay M. Lan
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Apparatus and methods for early stage peritonitis detection including self-cleaning effluent chamber
Patent number: 8728023Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, automated medical methods and apparatus that test PD effluent in a flow path (e.g., with an APD system or CAPD setup) to detect, for example, the onset of peritonitis, based on optical characteristics of the effluent resolved at cellular scales of distance. For example, according to one aspect of the invention, an APD machine includes, in an effluent flow path, apparatus for early stage peritonitis detection comprising an illumination source and a detector. The source is arranged to illuminate peritoneal effluent in a chamber that forms part of the flow path, and the detector is arranged to detect illuminant scattered by the effluent. The detector detects that reflected or scattered illuminant at a cellular scale of resolution, e.g., on a scale such that separate cellular-sized biological (or other) components in the effluent can be distinguished from one another based on scattering events detected by the detector.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, Jay M. Lan -
Patent number: 8267885Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus for delivering peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution (or other fluids), from a supply to a patient. A first pump, in fluid coupling with the supply, delivers PD solution from the supply to a “mesne” (or intermediate) measuring element, and generates signals indicative of a volume of that delivered PD solution. The mesne measuring element, in fluid coupling with the first pump, generates signals indicative of a volume of PD solution received from that pump. A second pump, fluidly coupled to the mesne measuring element, routes PD solution from the mesne measuring element for delivery to the patient.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, Jay M. Lan
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Patent number: 8146642Abstract: A laser strikes and aseptically heats or sterilizes the end of two flexible tube ends for connection. Tube holders are pushed toward each other to bring the tube ends into contact. A weld detector checks the characteristics of the weld. A laser optics assembly may be used to chance the direction of the lacer and focus the laser at the tube ends. In addition, a crimping device is used to compress a single flexible tube for disconnection. The laser strikes the compressed area. The crimping device continues to pinch the area and forms a seal in the tube. The tube is separated into two tube segments, each segment has a sealed end.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, John A. Biewer, Shahid Din, David Do, Rick Gilbert, James J. Alberti, David W. Pennington, Joe Romack
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Publication number: 20100168652Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods and apparatus for delivering peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution (or other fluids), from a supply to a patient. A first pump, in fluid coupling with the supply, delivers PD solution from the supply to a “mesne” (or intermediate) measuring element, and generates signals indicative of a volume of that delivered PD solution. The mesne measuring element, in fluid coupling with the first pump, generates signals indicative of a volume of PD solution received from that pump. A second pump, fluidly coupled to the mesne measuring element, routes PD solution from the mesne measuring element for delivery to the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, Jay M. Lan
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Publication number: 20090054873Abstract: A laser strikes and aseptically heats or sterilizes the end of two flexible tube ends for connection. Tube holders are pushed toward each other to bring the tube ends into contact. A weld detector checks the characteristics of the weld. A laser optics assembly may be used to chance the direction of the lacer and focus the laser at the tube ends. In addition, a crimping device is used to compress a single flexible tube for disconnection. The laser strikes the compressed area. The crimping device continues to pinch the area and forms a seal in the tube. The tube is separated into two tube segments, each segment has a sealed end.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicants: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, John A. Biewer, Shahid Din, David Do, Rick Gilbert, James J. Alberti, David W. Pennington, Joe Romack
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Patent number: 7459054Abstract: A laser strikes and aseptically heats or sterilizes the end of two flexible tube ends for connection. Tube holders are pushed toward each other to bring the tube ends into contact. A weld detector checks the characteristics of the weld. A laser optics assembly may be used to change the direction of the laser and focus the laser at the tube ends. In addition, a crimping device is used to compress a single flexible tube for disconnection. The laser strikes the compressed area. The crimping device continues to pinch the area and forms a seal in the tube. The tube is separated into two tube segments, each segment has a sealed end.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, John A. Biewer, Shahid Din, David Do, Rick Gilbert, James J. Alberti, David W. Pennington, Joe Romack
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APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR EARLY STAGE PERITONITIS DETECTION INCLUDING SELF-CLEANING EFFLUENT CHAMBER
Publication number: 20080183127Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, automated medical methods and apparatus that test PD effluent in a flow path (e.g., with an APD system or CAPD setup) to detect, for example, the onset of peritonitis, based on optical characteristics of the effluent resolved at cellular scales of distance. For example, according to one aspect of the invention, an APD machine includes, in an effluent flow path, apparatus for early stage peritonitis detection comprising an illumination source and a detector. The source is arranged to illuminate peritoneal effluent in a chamber that forms part of the flow path, and the detector is arranged to detect illuminant scattered by the effluent. The detector detects that reflected or scattered illuminant at a cellular scale of resolution, e.g., on a scale such that separate cellular-sized biological (or other) components in the effluent can be distinguished from one another based on scattering events detected by the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, Jay M. Lan -
Publication number: 20080183126Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, automated medical methods and apparatus that test PD effluent in a flow path (e.g., with an APD system or CAPD setup) to detect, for example, the onset of peritonitis, based on optical characteristics of the effluent resolved at cellular scales of distance. For example, according to one aspect of the invention, an APD machine includes, in an effluent flow path, apparatus for early stage peritonitis detection comprising an illumination source and a detector. The source is arranged to illuminate peritoneal effluent in a chamber that forms part of the flow path, and the detector is arranged to detect illuminant scattered by the effluent. The detector detects that reflected or scattered illuminant at a cellular scale of resolution, e.g., on a scale such that separate cellular-sized biological (or other) components in the effluent can be distinguished from one another based on scattering events detected by the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, Jay M. Lan
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Patent number: 6913056Abstract: A laser strikes and aseptically heats or sterilizes the end of two flexible tube ends for connection. Tube holders are pushed toward each other to bring the tube ends into contact. A weld detector checks the characteristics of the weld. A laser optics assembly may be used to change the direction of the laser and focus the laser at the tube ends. In addition, a crimping device is used to compress a single flexible tube for disconnection. The laser strikes the compressed area. The crimping device continues to pinch the area and forms a seal in the tube. The tube is separated into two tube segments, each segment has a sealed end.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, John A. Biewer, Shahid Din, David Do, Rick Gilbert, James J. Alberti, David W. Pennington, Joe Romack
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Publication number: 20030141009Abstract: A laser strikes and aseptically heats or sterilizes the end of two flexible tube ends for connection. Tube holders are pushed toward each other to bring the tube ends into contact. A weld detector checks the characteristics of the weld. A laser optics assembly may be used to change the direction of the laser and focus the laser at the tube ends. In addition, a crimping device is used to compress a single flexible tube for disconnection. The laser strikes the compressed area. The crimping device continues to pinch the area and forms a seal in the tube. The tube is separated into two tube segments, each segment has a sealed end.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Frank J. Landherr, John A. Biewer, Shahid Din, David Do, Rick Gilbert, James J. Alberti, David W. Pennington, Joe Romack