Patents by Inventor Gregory R Collins
Gregory R Collins 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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Publication number: 20210402355Abstract: The present invention is directed to asymmetric membranes and methods for making such membranes, wherein the membranes have a void volume and nanoparticles located in the void volume. The membranes have a variety of applications, including blood purification, water purification, water decontamination and bioprocessing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventor: Gregory R. COLLINS
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Patent number: 8640882Abstract: A compact fluid purification device includes a housing having an inlet for receiving unfiltered liquid and an open end and a first valve disposed within the inlet and being configured to only permit unfiltered liquid to flow into a hollow interior of the housing. The device has a plunger that is movable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. Movement of the plunger toward the fully extended position causes unfiltered liquid to be drawn into the interior of the housing and the device includes a second valve disposed within the outlet and being configured to only permit filtered liquid to be discharged from the plunger housing. The unfiltered liquid is filtered when the plunger is moved toward the fully retracted position causing the unfiltered liquid in the interior to flow into the inside of the filter elements and then across the filter elements and into the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton
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Dual stage ultrafilter devices in the form of portable filter devices, shower devices, and hydration
Patent number: 8557115Abstract: The present invention is directed to an alternative compact portable filtration device that can be used in remote locations and includes a single filtration cartridge that provides redundant filtration of the fluid (water). In particular, the device is a dual stage ultrafilter cartridge (apparatus) that is constructed and designed to provide a portable device that can be used in the field, such as during camping or military assignment, and offers two filtration stages (redundant filtration) within a single housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Norman Barta -
Publication number: 20130056403Abstract: A compact fluid purification device includes a housing having an inlet for receiving unfiltered liquid and an open end and a first valve disposed within the inlet and being configured to only permit unfiltered liquid to flow into a hollow interior of the housing. The device has a plunger that is movable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. Movement of the plunger toward the fully extended position causes unfiltered liquid to be drawn into the interior of the housing and the device includes a second valve disposed within the outlet and being configured to only permit filtered liquid to be discharged from the plunger housing. The unfiltered liquid is filtered when the plunger is moved toward the fully retracted position causing the unfiltered liquid in the interior to flow into the inside of the filter elements and then across the filter elements and into the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton
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Patent number: 8343347Abstract: The present invention is directed to an alternative compact portable filtration device that can be used in remote locations and includes a single filtration cartridge that provides redundant filtration of the fluid (water). In particular, the device is a dual stage ultrafilter cartridge (apparatus) that is constructed and designed to provide a portable device that can be used in the field, such as during camping or military assignment, and offers two filtration stages (redundant filtration) within a single housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Norman Barta
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DUAL STAGE ULTRAFILTER DEVICES IN THE FORM OF PORTABLE FILTER DEVICES, SHOWER DEVICES, AND HYDRATION
Publication number: 20120261315Abstract: The present invention is directed to an alternative compact portable filtration device that can be used in remote locations and includes a single filtration cartridge that provides redundant filtration of the fluid (water). In particular, the device is a dual stage ultrafilter cartridge (apparatus) that is constructed and designed to provide a portable device that can be used in the field, such as during camping or military assignment, and offers two filtration stages (redundant filtration) within a single housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Norman Barta -
Patent number: 8281937Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a compact fluid purification device includes a housing having an inlet for receiving unfiltered liquid and an open end and a first valve disposed within the inlet and being configured to only permit unfiltered liquid to flow into a hollow interior of the housing. The device has a plunger received within the open end such that it slides within the interior of the housing. The plunger is movable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position, wherein the plunger has an elongated housing that includes a filter element, such as, a plurality of hollow filter elements that are open at a distal end of the plunger housing and are in communication with an outlet that is associated with the plunger.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton
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Publication number: 20090283460Abstract: The present invention is directed to an alternative compact portable filtration device that can be used in remote locations and includes a single filtration cartridge that provides redundant filtration of the fluid (water). In particular, the device is a dual stage ultrafilter cartridge (apparatus) that is constructed and designed to provide a portable device that can be used in the field, such as during camping or military assignment, and offers two filtration stages (redundant filtration) within a single housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Norman Barta
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Patent number: 7534349Abstract: The present invention is directed to an alternative compact portable filtration device that can be used in remote locations and includes a single filtration cartridge that provides redundant filtration of the fluid (water). In particular, the device is a dual stage ultrafilter cartridge (apparatus) that is constructed and designed to provide a portable device that can be used in the field, such as during camping or military assignment, and offers two filtration stages (redundant filtration) within a single housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Norman Barta
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Publication number: 20080197062Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a compact fluid purification device includes a housing having an inlet for receiving unfiltered liquid and an open end and a first valve disposed within the inlet and being configured to only permit unfiltered liquid to flow into a hollow interior of the housing. The device has a plunger received within the open end such that it slides within the interior of the housing. The plunger is movable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position, wherein the plunger has an elongated housing that includes a filter element, such as, a plurality of hollow filter elements that are open at a distal end of the plunger housing and are in communication with an outlet that is associated with the plunger.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton
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Patent number: 7306736Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for preventing retrograde flow of fluid, e.g., blood products, into a source of sterile substitution fluid (50). The apparatus of the present invention includes a controllable pinch valve member (110) that is placed on a section of a conduit (90) which carries sterile substitution fluid to an extracorporeal circuit (30). In one embodiment, control over the valve member (110) is based on a control unit (120) using fluid pressures that are sensed upstream and downstream of the valve member (110) by upstream sensor (121) and downstream pressure (122) respectively. The valve member (110) is preferably opened only when the upstream pressure is greater than the downstream pressure. This assures that the substitution fluid flows only in a single direction when the pinch valve member (110) completely occludes the conduit (90) when in a closed position. Therefor, blood will not contaminate the sterile fluid by being drawn into the conduit (90) due to pressure differences.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
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Patent number: 7285106Abstract: A hemodiafiltration/hemofiltration cartridge is preferably formed of a single cartridge providing multi-stage hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration defined by a first hemodiafiltration stage having first filtering elements and a second hemofiltration stage having second filtering elements. Both stages are contained in a single cartridge. The cartridge can be used in a mid-dilution scheme, a pre-dilution scheme or a post-dilution scheme.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
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Patent number: 7108790Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for generating sterile infusion fluid from non-sterile infusion fluid produced by a machine. In one embodiment, the sterile infusion fluid is produced by a sterile fluid generating device that is an ancillary device designed to operate in conjunction with the existing machine. For example, the sterile fluid generating device is used in conjunction with a dialysis machine according to one embodiment resulting in sterile infusion fluid being produced.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
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Patent number: 7074332Abstract: In a blood dialysis system including a source of substitution fluid (10) and a blood dialysis machine, a hemodiafiltration system having a first dialyzer (1) including a first blood compartment (4) having a first blood inlet which receives blood to be cleaned and a first blood outlet which discharges partially diafiltered blood and a first dialysate compartment (5) having a first dialysate inlet and a first dialysate outlet, means (8) for mixing the partially diafiltered blood with substitution fluid from the source to obtain a blood/substitution fluid mixture, and a second hemofilter (2) including a second blood compartment (11) having a second blood inlet which receives the blood/substitution fluid mixture and a second blood outlet which discharges filtered blood and a second permeate compartment (12) having a second permeate outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: James Summerton, Gregory R. Collins, Edward Spence
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Patent number: 7067060Abstract: A dual-stage system and methods for using the same include first and second filtration cartridges is provided and is particularly suited for hemodiafiltration and/or hemodialysis. As fluid enters the first filtration cartridge, the hydroxyl ion concentration and hence pH is increased by exposing it to either a strong base or a salt of a weak acid across a filter membrane. This stage allows for improved removal of certain toxins in the fluid, such as protein-bound substances that disassociate more readily from proteins at higher pH. As the filtered fluid enters the second filtration cartridge, the pH of the fluid is restored to normal levels prior to infusion to a patient.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
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Patent number: 6916424Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for a hemodiafiltration delivery module that is used in conjunction with a UF controlled dialysis machine to enable hemodiafiltration therapy to be performed. The advantage is that one can fully utilize a current functioning dialysis machine to perform a hemodiafiltration therapy as opposed to purchasing a completely new machine that offers this capability.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
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Patent number: 6821431Abstract: A dual-stage system and methods for using the same include first and second filtration cartridges is provided and is particularly suited for hemodiafiltration and/or hemodialysis. As fluid enters the first diafiltration cartridge, the hydrogenion concentration (pH) is reduced by exposing it to an acidic solution such as citric acid across a filter membrane. This stage allows for improved removal of certain toxins in the fluid, such as protein-bound substances that disassociate more readily from proteins at lower pH. As the filtered fluid enters the second filtration cartridge, the pH of the fluid is restored to normal levels prior to infusion to a patient.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
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Publication number: 20040127842Abstract: Abstract: A hemodiafiltration/hemofiltration cartridge (10) is provided and is preferably formed of a single cartridge providing multi-stage hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration defined by a first hemodiafiltration stage (13) having first filtering elements (16) and a second hemofiltration stage (14) having second filtering elements (15), both stages being provided in the single cartridge. The present cartridge can be employed in one of a mid-dilution scheme, a pre-dilution scheme and a post-dilution scheme.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2004Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
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Publication number: 20040089594Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for preventing retrograde flow of fluid, e.g., blood products, into a source of sterile substitution fluid (50). The apparatus of the present invention includes a controllable pinch valve member (110) that is placed on a section of a conduit (90) which carries sterile substitution fluid to an extracorporeal circuit (30). In one embodiment, control over the valve member (110) is based on a control unit (120) using fluid pressures that are sensed upstream and downstream of the valve member (110) by upstream sensor (121) and downstream pressure (122) respectively. The valve member (110) is preferably opened only when the upstream pressure is greater than the downstream pressure. This assures that the substitution fluid flows only in a single direction when the pinch valve member (110) completely occludes the conduit (90) when in a closed position. Therefor, blood will not contaminate the sterile fluid by being drawn into the conduit (90) due to pressure differences.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
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Patent number: 6719907Abstract: A dual-stage filtration cartridge is provided. The cartridge can be embodied as a mid-dilution hemodiafiltration cartridge or a redundant sterilization filtration cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing having a first end and an opposing second end. The housing has a primary fluid inlet and outlet at the first end of the cartridge. The housing also defines first and second filtration stages with the first filtration stage including first filtering elements disposed between the first and second ends of the housing. Each stage has a separate inter-lumen fiber space, but shares a common extra-lumen space. The primary fluid inlet communicates with the first filtering elements at the first end so that fluid flows through the first filtering elements toward the second end. The second filtration stage includes second filtering elements disposed between the first and second ends of the housing with the fluid outlet communicating with the second filtering elements at the first end.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Nephros, Inc.Inventors: Gregory R Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence