Patents by Inventor Michel Thomas

Michel Thomas 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: 7056458
    Abstract: The invention concerns a non-thrombogenic semipermeable membrane comprising a support semipermeable membrane and an anticoagulant suitable for treating blood and plasma by extracorporeal circulation. The invention is characterized in that: the support membrane is made essentially of a polyacrylinitrile, bearing anionic groups or groups capable of being anionic; the surface of the support semipermeable membrane designed to be in contact with blood or plasma is coated successively with a cationic polymer and an anticoagulant. The invention also concern an exchanger for treating blood or plasma by extracorporeal circulation comprising two sections separated by a non-thrombogenic semipermeable, membrane and a method for making the exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Hospal Industrie
    Inventors: Thierry Crost, Jean-Louis Renaux, Michel Thomas
  • Publication number: 20050229784
    Abstract: The raw natural gas is deacidized and dehydrated in units DA and DH. The treated gas is then purified by adsorption of the mercaptans in first enclosure A1. Part of the purified gas is heated in E1, then fed into second enclosure A2 so as to discharge the water adsorbed by the adsorbent material contained in this second enclosure. A water-laden purge gas is fed into third enclosure A3 containing a mercaptan-laden adsorbent material. In A3, the mercaptans are desorbed and replaced by the water. The gas from the third enclosure is washed in unit L, then recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Michel Thomas, Eszter Toth, Fabrice Lecomte, Geraldine Laborie, Chantal Rigaill
  • Publication number: 20050109206
    Abstract: The raw natural gas is pretreated in treating unit 30. The treated gas is then purified by adsorption of the mercaptans in first enclosure 31. The various cuts that make up the purified gas are separated in fractionating unit 34. Part of the methane making up the purified gas is saturated with a C5+ hydrocarbon in contactor 33, then it is fed into second enclosure 32 so as to regenerate the adsorbent material contained in this second enclosure. The gas from the second enclosure is washed in unit 35, then recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Michel Thomas, Eszter Toth, Fabrice Lecomte, Geraldine Laborie, Chantal Rigaill
  • Publication number: 20050045554
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a unit element forming a membrane comprising a semi-permeable material able to separate in two compartments a filtration device for extracorporeal treatment of a fluid such as blood or plasma, said material being negatively charged, said element having a first internal face intended to be in direct contact with blood or plasma and a second external face intended to be in contact with filtrate, wherein said second face of said element is treated on the surface by one selected in the group comprising at least a cationic polymer, a mixture of polymers of which at least one polymer is cationic. The unit element can also have said first face treated on the surface by one selected in the group comprising: at least one cationic polymer, a mixture of polymers of which at least one polymer is cationic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Nicolas Moachon, Michel Thomas
  • Patent number: 6834580
    Abstract: The offset press comprises a frame, at least one plate cylinder, a press cylinder, and a blanket cylinder interposed between the plate cylinder and the press cylinder, together with bearing assemblies carried by the frame and receiving the longitudinal ends of the cylinders so that each cylinder is rotatable relative to the frame about a respective longitudinal central axis. Each of the longitudinal ends of at least a first cylinder are received in a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly, the second bearing assembly being spaced apart from the first bearing assembly along the longitudinal axis of the first cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Goss Systemes Graphiques Nantes
    Inventor: Michel Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030178341
    Abstract: Process for catalytic conversion in the presence of hydrogen with regeneration of the catalyst that comprises a stage for reduction of said catalyst by the hydrogen that is obtained from the catalytic conversion stage, whereby this hydrogen is purified in advance of impurities that it contains by running it over adsorbent masses, whereby said adsorbent masses are regenerated by an increase in temperature that is provided by the effluent from the reduction stage of the catalyst. Application to the processes for regenerative reforming or dehydrogenation of paraffins and naphthenes and most generally to any moving-bed process that operates in the presence of hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Beatrice Fischer, Frederic Hoffmann, Michel Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030102262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the extracorporeal treatment of blood or plasma, comprising two compartments, one compartment intended for circulating blood or plasma, and one compartment intended for circulating spent liquid, separated by a wet semi-permeable membrane, characterized in that the device has, before and after sterilization, the following technical characteristics:
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Michel Thomas
  • Patent number: 6565358
    Abstract: A recorded technique for teaching a target language to a student having a home language in which each expression in the home language is presented and, under control of the student, time is provided for the student's oral translation thereof. Subsequent to the student's oral translation, a first example student translation of the expressions to the target language is provided and subsequently a second example student's translation of the target language is provided. One ID of the example students is preferably male and the other is preferably female. Then a teacher's translation of the expression into the target language is provided. The sequence is repeated for a series of expressions. To facilitate student comfort and reduce anxiety, the student can provide pauses wherever convenient and in particular the system gives the student time to translate the expression provided from the student's home language into the target language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Michel Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030024420
    Abstract: The offset press comprises a frame, at least one plate cylinder, a press cylinder, and a blanket cylinder interposed between the plate cylinder and the press cylinder, together with bearing assemblies carried by the frame and receiving the longitudinal ends of the cylinders so that each cylinder is rotatable relative to the frame about a respective longitudinal central axis. Each of the longitudinal ends of at least a first cylinder are received in a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly, the second bearing assembly being spaced apart from the first bearing assembly along the longitudinal axis of the first cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Michel Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030021826
    Abstract: The invention concerns a non-thrombogenic semipermeable membrane comprising a support semipermeable membrane and an anticoagulant suitable for treating blood and plasma by extracorpreal circulation. The invention is characterized in that: the support membrane is made essentially of a polyacrylinitrile, bearing anionic groups or groups capable of being anionic, the surface of the support semipermeable membrane designed to be in contact with blood or plasma is coated successively with a cationic polymer and an anticoagulant. The invention also concern an exchanger for treating blood or plasma by extracorporeal circulation comprising two sections separated by a non-thrombogenic semipermeable, membrane and a method for making the exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Thierry Crost, Jean-Louis Renaux, Michel Thomas
  • Patent number: 6454998
    Abstract: A coupling is connectable to an access of a blood compartment. The compartment has at least one inner surface intended to be coated with at least one molecular layer of a substance soluble in an aqueous solution and capable of increasing biocompatibility. A determined quantity of the substance is deposited inside the coupling in a form such that the substance is capable of undergoing, substantially without deterioration, an irradiation capable of sterilizing the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hospal Industrie
    Inventors: Michel Thomas, Pierre Valette
  • Patent number: 6423232
    Abstract: A method for preventing activation of the contact phase of blood or plasma which comes into contact with a semi-permeable membrane based on polyacrylonitrile bearing fixed negative charges, which is fitted in apparatus for the treatment of blood or plasma, by extra-corporal circulation, said method comprising contacting blood or plasma with said semi-permeable membrane, wherein: a neutral or cationic polymer is combined with said semi-permeable membrane before or after formation of the membrane, and before sterilization of the membrane; the overall ionic capacity of the semi-permeable membrane, based on polyacrylonitrile bearing fixed negative charges and containing a neutral or cationic polymer, is negative; the overall ionic capacity of the semi-permeable membrane, based on polyacrylonitrile bearing fixed negative charges and containing a neutral or cationic polymer, is, as an absolute value, not more than 10% less than the overall ionic capacity of the same semi-permeable membrane without a neutral or cati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Hospal Industrie
    Inventors: Michel Thomas, Pierre Valette
  • Patent number: 6290751
    Abstract: A method and plant to process a fluid comprising one or more compounds G2 having a kinetic diameter less than or equal to that of nitrogen and one or more compounds G1 having a kinetic diameter greater than or equal to that of methane. The method and plant use in combination, several adsorption and desorption stages during which a first stream F1 mainly comprising compounds G1, a second stream F2 enriched in compounds G2, a third stream F3 mainly comprising compounds G2 and a fourth stream F4 mainly comprising compounds G1 are produced. At least a fraction of stream F3 is used to flush adsorption section A1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Karine Ragil, Michel Thomas, Sophie Jullian
  • Patent number: 6260715
    Abstract: A module for extracorporeal purification of a biological fluid includes at least one support or wall defining a compartment which is delimited by an ionic functionalized support or wall, the surface of which is bonded by ionic bonds to a first molecule or macromolecule which exhibits free amine groups to which are covalently bonded a second molecule or macromolecule which exhibits free carboxylic groups which can directly or indirectly form amide, ester or thioester bonds. The invention also includes methods of producing such module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Hospal Industrie
    Inventors: Laurent Simard, Michel Thomas, GĂ©rard Quash, Nicolas Moachon
  • Patent number: 6251165
    Abstract: Process for recovering a solvent from a gas coming from a treating process using the solvent, the gas having a low temperature Ta and a high temperature Td, the difference Td-Ta being sufficient to carry out an adsorption step and a desorption step. The process is characterized in that/ a) a first solvent-containing gas stream is sent to an adsorption step, this gas being at a temperature Ta, at the end of this step the gas is practically solvent-free and the solvent is collected in a first adsorber, b) a second gas stream at a temperature Td, this gas being solvent-free, is sent to carry out desorption of a second adsorption means loaded with solvent during a previous step a), and c) the solvent is sent at least partly to a step of the treating process using the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Sophie Jullian, Etienne Lebas, Michel Thomas
  • Patent number: 6248238
    Abstract: A medical apparatus for the extracorporeal treatment of blood or plasma comprises a semi-permeable membrane consisting of at least one electronegative polymer, such that the surface of the semi-permeable membrane has negative electric charges. Before the sterilization of the apparatus, and before or after the formation of the membrane, at least one cationic and anti-protease agent is incorporated in at least one part of the membrane, this agent undergoing bulk adsorption or semi-bulk adsorption in the membrane and/or being bound by an ionic interaction with the electronegative sites of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Hospal Industrie
    Inventors: Jacques Burtin, Michel Thomas, Pierre Valette
  • Patent number: 6177013
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a neutral or cationic polymer for preventing activation of the contact phase of blood or plasma which comes into contact with a semi-permeable membrane based on polyacrylonitrile bearing fixed negative charges, which is fitted in apparatus for the treatment of blood or plasma by extra-corporal circulation, by combination of the neutral or cationic polymer, before or after formation of the membrane and before its sterilization, so as to modify the electrical properties of the membrane, the Zeta potential “Z” and the electrical resistivity “R” in order to obtain: either an electrokinetic index “I” of less than or equal to 0.8, “I” corresponding to Log10 (|Z|/R), or a positive Zeta potential “Z” of between 0 and 15 mV (limits not included).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Hospal Industrie
    Inventors: Michel Thomas, Pierre Valette
  • Patent number: 6010475
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of blood or plasma by extracorporeal circulation includes a compartment for the circulation of blood. The compartment is provided with two accesses and has at least one inner surface intended to be coated, after sterilization, with at least one molecular layer of a substance soluble in an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is capable of increasing the bicompatibility of the inner surface of the compartment. A determined quantity of the substance is deposited inside the blood compartment, at one of the accesses, in a form such that the substance is capable of undergoing, substantially without deterioration, an irradiation capable of sterilizing the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hospal Industrie
    Inventors: Michel Thomas, Pierre Valette
  • Patent number: 5877361
    Abstract: A process for transporting a fluid in a pipe under conditions where hydrates may form. In the process, the pipe fluid contains at least one of a gaseous hydrocarbon or liquid hydrocarbon and water and the water content is less than the liquid hydrocarbon content. The process includes the steps of 1) adding a dispersive additive in a hydrocarbon solution to the fluid to be transported, so as to form an emulsion, 2) transporting the liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in the presence of water and the hydrates, 3) separating the gas phase, the hydrocarbon liquid in excess and a liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising the hydrates and the dispersing additive, and 4) separating the liquid hydrocarbon phase comprising the hydrates and the dispersing additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Institute Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Alexandre Rojey, Michel Thomas, Anne-Sophie Delion, Jean-Pierre Durand
  • Patent number: 5816280
    Abstract: Process for transporting gas hydrates formed from a natural gas or from a condensate gas, consisting in using a dispersing additive, possibly coupled with a film-forming additive, in solution in a liquid hydrocarbon fraction, this liquid hydrocarbon fraction participating in the formation of an emulsion and/or of a suspension with the condensation water produced and the hydrates. The dispersing additive is recycled after the transportation of the hydrates in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Alexandre Rojey, Michel Thomas, Anne-Sophie Delion, Jean-Pierre Durand