Patents by Inventor Richard I. Brown

Richard I. Brown 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).

  • Publication number: 20240139398
    Abstract: A blood processing device includes a pump system, a valve system, a centrifuge, and a controller configured and/or programmed to control the operation of the pump system, the valve system, and the centrifuge to execute a blood separation procedure. The blood separation procedure executed by the controller includes pumping blood into the centrifuge at an inflow rate, separating the blood in the centrifuge into red blood cells and plasma, with an interface between the red blood cells and plasma located at an interface position within the centrifuge, and pumping at least a portion of the red blood cells and at least a portion of the plasma out of the centrifuge. The controller is configured and/or programmed to employ an inflow rate and/or an interface position that is based at least in part on the temperature of the blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 11850604
    Abstract: A fluid separation device includes a centrifuge in which a fluid is separated into at least two components, with an interface therebetween. At least a portion of one of the separated fluid components is removed from the centrifuge and flows through a vessel. Light is reflected off of the separated fluid component in the vessel and received and analyzed to determine its main wavelength. If the main wavelength is higher than a maximum value, a target location of the interface is changed. If the main wavelength is less than the maximum value, then the location of the interface is compared to the target location. When the interface is sufficiently close to the target location, the optical density of the separated fluid component in the vessel is compared to a minimum value. If the optical density is less than the minimum value, the target location of the interface is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20230271198
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided with a central hub, with generally annular low-G and high-G walls extending about the hub to define therebetween a separation channel. A plurality of radial walls extend from the hub to the channel to define an inlet passage, two outlet passages, and a terminal wall separating an upstream end of the separation channel from a downstream end of the channel. The radius of the high-G wall is greater at the downstream end of the separation channel than at the upstream end, which may include the radius gradually increasing along a tapered section of the high-G wall. The tapered section may extend from the upstream end of the separation channel to the downstream end of the channel or along a smaller length of the channel. The radius of the low-G wall may similarly increase from the upstream end of the separation channel to the downstream end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20230181808
    Abstract: A fluid processing device includes a controller, a centrifuge, and a pump system. The controller controls the pump system to convey a fluid into a centrifuge chamber received by the centrifuge at first and second rates, with the controller also controlling the centrifuge to rotate the chamber at a first rotation rate when the fluid is being conveyed into the chamber at the first rate and controlling the centrifuge to rotate the chamber at a second rotation rate when the fluid is being conveyed into the chamber at the second rate. The first and second rotation rates are different, with each being based at least in part on a concentration of a fluid component within the fluid, the rate at which the pump system is conveying the fluid into the centrifuge chamber, and a target concentration of the fluid component in one of the first and second constituents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown
  • Publication number: 20230011431
    Abstract: A fluid separation device includes a centrifuge in which a fluid is separated into at least two components, with an interface therebetween. At least a portion of one of the separated fluid components is removed from the centrifuge and flows through a vessel. Light is reflected off of the separated fluid component in the vessel and received and analyzed to determine its main wavelength. If the main wavelength is higher than a maximum value, a target location of the interface is changed. If the main wavelength is less than the maximum value, then the location of the interface is compared to the target location. When the interface is sufficiently close to the target location, the optical density of the separated fluid component in the vessel is compared to a minimum value. If the optical density is less than the minimum value, the target location of the interface is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20220409799
    Abstract: A processing device includes a pump system, a valve system, a centrifuge, and a controller. A fluid flow circuit is mounted to the device to execute a procedure in which whole blood is processed into a red blood cell product, a plasma product, and a platelet concentrate product. The blood is first separated into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma using the centrifuge, with the red blood cells and plasma being removed from the centrifuge, while the buffy coat remains in the centrifuge. The fluid remaining in the centrifuge is circulated through the centrifuge to form a homogenous mixture. Once the mixture is formed, it is separated in the centrifuge into platelet concentrate and red blood cells. A platelet product is then collected by using whole blood or previously collected red blood cells to push the platelet concentrate from the centrifuge to a collection container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20220410178
    Abstract: A prismatic reflector is provided for incorporation into a centrifugal separation chamber. The prismatic reflector is formed of a light-transmissive material and includes inner and outer walls and first and second end walls. The inner wall is configured to receive light traveling along an initial path and transmit the light to the first end wall, with the first end wall receiving the light transmitted through the inner wall and directing the light toward the second end wall in a direction that is angled with respect to the initial path. The second end wall receives the light from the first end wall and transmits the light out of the prismatic reflector. The initial path of the light may be in a direction toward a rotational axis of the centrifugal separation chamber, with the prismatic reflector redirecting the light into a direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Mark J. Brierton
  • Patent number: 11484891
    Abstract: A fluid separation device includes a centrifuge in which a fluid is separated into at least two components, with an interface therebetween. At least a portion of one of the separated fluid components is removed from the centrifuge and flows through a vessel. Light is reflected off of the separated fluid component in the vessel and received and analyzed to determine its main wavelength. If the main wavelength is higher than a maximum value, a target location of the interface is changed. If the main wavelength is less than the maximum value, then the location of the interface is compared to the target location. When the interface is sufficiently close to the target location, the optical density of the separated fluid component in the vessel is compared to a minimum value. If the optical density is less than the minimum value, the target location of the interface is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 11465160
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separating blood into two or more components. A blood separation system includes a blood separation device and a fluid flow circuit configured to be mounted to the blood separation device. The blood separation device includes a centrifugal separator and a spinning membrane separator drive unit incorporated into a common case, which allows for fluid separation by two different methods. Depending on the separation procedure to be carried out, the fluid flow circuit paired with the blood separation device may include only one separation chamber configured to be mounted to the centrifugal separator or spinning membrane separator drive unit or two separation chambers, with one being mounted to the centrifugal separator and the other to the spinning membrane separator drive unit. The system may be used to separate and collect any combination of red blood cells, plasma, and platelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Mark J. Brierton
  • Publication number: 20220314237
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided with a central hub, with generally annular low- and high-G walls extending about the hub to define therebetween a separation channel. A plurality of radial walls extend from the hub to the channel to define an inlet passage and two outlet passages. The low-G wall may include an air drain taper and/or a decreased radius adjacent to an associated outlet passage. The radius of the low-G wall and (optionally) the high-G wall may gradually decrease from an upstream end of the channel to a downstream end for improved separation. A ramp may extend across the channel, with a bottom end positioned adjacent to the bottom end of the channel, where the outlet passages open into the channel. The outlet passage associated with the high-G wall may open into the channel at an upstream end of the ramp or at the upstream end of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 11291953
    Abstract: A system for separating a suspension of biological cells is disclosed comprising a single-use fluid circuit and a durable hardware component. The fluid circuit comprises a separator having a housing that includes an inlet for introducing the suspension of biological cells into the gap, a first outlet in communication with the gap for flowing a first type of cells from the separator, and a second outlet in communication with the second side of the filter membrane for flowing a second type of cells from the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20200368763
    Abstract: A fluid separation device includes a centrifuge in which a fluid is separated into at least two components, with an interface therebetween. At least a portion of one of the separated fluid components is removed from the centrifuge and flows through a vessel. Light is reflected off of the separated fluid component in the vessel and received and analyzed to determine its main wavelength. If the main wavelength is higher than a maximum value, a target location of the interface is changed. If the main wavelength is less than the maximum value, then the location of the interface is compared to the target location. When the interface is sufficiently close to the target location, the optical density of the separated fluid component in the vessel is compared to a minimum value. If the optical density is less than the minimum value, the target location of the interface is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10772916
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deriving a platelet product from a plurality of buffy coats. A plurality of buffy coats are separately collected, for example, using a conventional floor centrifuge. Plasma and/or a platelet additive solution may be added to the buffy coats. The buffy coats are pooled into a container and conveyed into a centrifuge or are sequentially conveyed into the centrifuge without being pooled, where they are continuously processed to separate platelets from the other cellular blood components. The separated platelets are conveyed out of the centrifuge as a platelet product, which may be passed through a leukocyte removal filter to reduce the white blood cell content of the platelet product. By continuously separating the buffy coats, fewer buffy coats are required to produce a single-dose platelet product, while also allowing for the derivation and collection of a plurality of single-dose platelet products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown
  • Publication number: 20200261851
    Abstract: A system for separating a suspension of biological cells is disclosed comprising a single-use fluid circuit and a durable hardware component. The fluid circuit comprises a separator having a housing that includes an inlet for introducing the suspension of biological cells into the gap, a first outlet in communication with the gap for flowing a first type of cells from the separator, and a second outlet in communication with the second side of the filter membrane for flowing a second type of cells from the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10682611
    Abstract: A system for separating a suspension of biological cells is disclosed comprising a single-use fluid circuit and a durable hardware component. The fluid circuit comprises a separator having a housing that includes an inlet for introducing the suspension of biological cells into the gap, a first outlet in communication with the gap for flowing a first type of cells from the separator, and a second outlet in communication with the second side of the filter membrane for flowing a second type of cells from the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20190201916
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for separating blood into two or more components. A blood separation system includes a blood separation device and a fluid flow circuit configured to be mounted to the blood separation device. The blood separation device includes a centrifugal separator and a spinning membrane separator drive unit incorporated into a common case, which allows for fluid separation by two different methods. Depending on the separation procedure to be carried out, the fluid flow circuit paired with the blood separation device may include only one separation chamber configured to be mounted to the centrifugal separator or spinning membrane separator drive unit or two separation chambers, with one being mounted to the centrifugal separator and the other to the spinning membrane separator drive unit. The system may be used to separate and collect any combination of red blood cells, plasma, and platelets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown, Mark J. Brierton
  • Patent number: 10058645
    Abstract: Systems are provided for anticoagulating blood. Whole blood is drawn from a donor into a system at a draw flow rate. Anticoagulant from an anticoagulant source is pumped into the system at an anticoagulant flow rate to mix with the blood. The anticoagulated blood may be subsequently processed in any of a number of known ways, including separating it and removing at least a portion of one of the components of the blood. Thereafter, at least a portion of the remaining blood may be returned to the donor. The anticoagulant flow rate is independent of the draw flow rate and can be based on a number of factors, including the weight of the donor and the rate at which the donor can metabolize the anticoagulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventor: Richard I. Brown
  • Publication number: 20180236405
    Abstract: A system for separating a suspension of biological cells is disclosed comprising a single-use fluid circuit and a durable hardware component. The fluid circuit comprises a separator having a housing that includes an inlet for introducing the suspension of biological cells into the gap, a first outlet in communication with the gap for flowing a first type of cells from the separator, and a second outlet in communication with the second side of the filter membrane for flowing a second type of cells from the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Benjamin E. Kusters, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9943638
    Abstract: Centrifugation systems and methods are provided for separating blood into its constituent parts. Inner and outer walls of a centrifuge each include a projection which extends toward the other wall. A separation chamber is received in the centrifuge between the walls, with the chamber including an inlet port for flowing blood into the chamber, a plasma outlet port for flowing plasma out of the chamber, and a red cell outlet port for flowing red blood cells out of the chamber. With the chamber received in the centrifuge between the walls, the first projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the plasma outlet port and prevents cellular blood components from flowing into the plasma outlet port. The second projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the red cell outlet port and prevents plasma from flowing into the red cell outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown, John T. Foley, Brian C. Case
  • Publication number: 20180078582
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deriving a platelet product from a plurality of buffy coats. A plurality of buffy coats are separately collected, for example, using a conventional floor centrifuge. Plasma and/or a platelet additive solution may be added to the buffy coats. The buffy coats are pooled into a container and conveyed into a centrifuge or are sequentially conveyed into the centrifuge without being pooled, where they are continuously processed to separate platelets from the other cellular blood components. The separated platelets are conveyed out of the centrifuge as a platelet product, which may be passed through a leukocyte removal filter to reduce the white blood cell content of the platelet product. By continuously separating the buffy coats, fewer buffy coats are required to produce a single-dose platelet product, while also allowing for the derivation and collection of a plurality of single-dose platelet products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Benjamin E. Kusters, Richard I. Brown