Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Merchant

Stephen A. Merchant 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: 10603421
    Abstract: Cartridges useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis methods using the sorbent cartridges of the present invention are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20200030515
    Abstract: A method of dialysis is provided that includes sensing the concentration of potassium in a patient's blood serum, in used dialysate resulting from treating the patient, or in both. The method involves generating a sensed value of the concentration of potassium, comparing the sensed value with one or more values stored in a memory, and generating a control signal based on the comparison. Supplemental potassium solution is infused into the treatment dialysate, based on the control signal. The comparison can be made to patient-historical data, population data, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Merchant, Roland Levin, Chris Chau, Shakil Aslam
  • Publication number: 20200030514
    Abstract: A dialysis system is provided that includes a dialysis machine and a potassium sensing device that is configured to measure the concentration of potassium in the patient's blood, in spent dialysate resulting from treating the patient, or in both. The potassium sensing device can be configured to generate a sensed value of the concentration of potassium. A control and computing unit, including a processor and a memory, is configured to receive the sensed value, compare the value with one or more values stored in the memory, and generate a control signal based on the comparison. A potassium infusion circuit uses the control signal to infuse supplemental potassium solution into the treatment dialysate, a replacement fluid, or both. The memory can include stored patient-historical and population data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Merchant, Roland Levin, Chris Chau, Shakil Aslam
  • Publication number: 20190070351
    Abstract: A method for treating dialysate solutions used in dialysis wherein dialysate is treated in an early part of a dialysis treatment session by external infusion of bicarbonate solution into the dialysate circuit to eliminate the need for bicarbonate requirements in concentrates used for preparation of precursor dialysate (priming) solutions and/or for a solid bicarbonate layer in a sorbent cartridge. Dialysate is treated in a latter part of a dialysis treatment session by introduction of sterile dilution water to reduce sodium concentration in the dialysate. The method provides a more efficient and reduced use of dialysate fluids, electrolytes, sorbent cartridge materials, equipment scale, or any combinations of these, while maintaining purity standards and applicable physiological ranges for bicarbonate, sodium, and other dialysate solution components over the course of a dialysis treatment session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Merchant
  • Publication number: 20190001039
    Abstract: The application refers to a medical treatment device a medical treatment system and a method for operating the medical treatment device and medical treatment system for treatment of a patient, comprising a sensor interface for receiving sensor data from a plurality of different external and internal peripheral sensors, a controller for processing the received sensor data in order to calculate control data and for providing the calculated control data for controlling medical treatment-related devices or for controlling a configuration of medical treatment-related apparatuses and an output interface for providing the control data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander Heide, Karsten Fischer, Stephen Merchant
  • Patent number: 10155076
    Abstract: A method for treating dialysate solutions used in dialysis wherein dialysate is treated in an early part of a dialysis treatment session by external infusion of bicarbonate solution into the dialysate circuit to eliminate the need for bicarbonate requirements in concentrates used for preparation of precursor dialysate (priming) solutions and/or for a solid bicarbonate layer in a sorbent cartridge. Dialysate is treated in a latter part of a dialysis treatment session by introduction of sterile dilution water to reduce sodium concentration in the dialysate. The method provides a more efficient and reduced use of dialysate fluids, electrolytes, sorbent cartridge materials, equipment scale, or any combinations of these, while maintaining purity standards and applicable physiological ranges for bicarbonate, sodium, and other dialysate solution components over the course of a dialysis treatment session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Merchant
  • Publication number: 20180177933
    Abstract: Cartridges useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis methods using the sorbent cartridges of the present invention are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 9867918
    Abstract: Cartridges useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis methods using the sorbent cartridges of the present invention are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Merchant, Kerissa Adams
  • Publication number: 20170260560
    Abstract: An amperometric biosensor is provided for determination of creatinine in a sample fluid. The biosensor can be an enzyme-polymer composition having at least one redox polymer and a plurality of enzymes immobilized on an electrode surface. Methods of preparing the amperometric biosensor are included. In addition, methods and systems using the amperometric biosensor in measuring creatinine concentrations of a patient and treatments of a patient with monitoring of the progress of dialysis performed on the patient are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 9707329
    Abstract: A method is provided for regenerating spent zirconium phosphate for reuse in sorbent dialysis treatments or other re-uses as a sorbent material. The method includes contacting spent zirconium phosphate with an aqueous disinfectant solution having at least one antimicrobial agent, and treating the resulting disinfected zirconium phosphate with an acidic solution to provide a treated zirconium phosphate that can be re-used as a sorbent material. Sorbent cartridge products containing the regenerated spent zirconium phosphate are also provided. Methods and systems for sorbent dialysis which re-use the regenerated zirconium phosphate such as part of sorbent cartridges, additionally are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Merchant, Kerissa Adams
  • Publication number: 20150343126
    Abstract: A method for treating dialysate solutions used in dialysis wherein dialysate is treated in an early part of a dialysis treatment session by external infusion of bicarbonate solution into the dialysate circuit to eliminate the need for bicarbonate requirements in concentrates used for preparation of precursor dialysate (priming) solutions and/or for a solid bicarbonate layer in a sorbent cartridge. Dialysate is treated in a latter part of a dialysis treatment session by introduction of sterile dilution water to reduce sodium concentration in the dialysate. The method provides a more efficient and reduced use of dialysate fluids, electrolytes, sorbent cartridge materials, equipment scale, or any combinations of these, while maintaining purity standards and applicable physiological ranges for bicarbonate, sodium, and other dialysate solution components over the course of a dialysis treatment session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Merchant
  • Patent number: 9187744
    Abstract: A composition of enzyme, polymer, and crosslinker forms a network of covalently bound macromolecules. The covalently immobilized enzyme preparation has enzymatic activity, and retains stable activity when dried and stored at ambient conditions. Methods for preparing an immobilized enzyme and methods for using the enzyme are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20150258266
    Abstract: Cartridges useful in regenerating or purifying dialysis solutions are described as well as methods to regenerate or purify spent dialysis solutions. Dialysis methods using the sorbent cartridges of the present invention are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Merchant, Kerissa Adams
  • Publication number: 20150108069
    Abstract: A method is provided for regenerating spent zirconium phosphate for reuse in sorbent dialysis treatments or other re-uses as a sorbent material. The method includes contacting spent zirconium phosphate with an aqueous disinfectant solution having at least one antimicrobial agent, and treating the resulting disinfected zirconium phosphate with an acidic solution to provide a treated zirconium phosphate that can be re-used as a sorbent material. Sorbent cartridge products containing the regenerated spent zirconium phosphate are also provided. Methods and systems for sorbent dialysis which re-use the regenerated zirconium phosphate such as part of sorbent cartridges, additionally are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Merchant, Kerissa Adams
  • Publication number: 20130230896
    Abstract: A composition of enzyme, polymer, and crosslinker forms a network of covalently bound macromolecules. The covalently immobilized enzyme preparation has enzymatic activity, and retains stable activity when dried and stored at ambient conditions. Methods for preparing an immobilized enzyme and methods for using the enzyme are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 8497107
    Abstract: A composition of enzyme, polymer, and crosslinker forms a network of covalently bound macromolecules. The covalently immobilized enzyme preparation has enzymatic activity, and retains stable activity when dried and stored at ambient conditions. Methods for preparing an immobilized enzyme and methods for using the enzyme are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20120181189
    Abstract: An amperometric biosensor is provided for determination of creatinine in a sample fluid. The biosensor can be an enzyme-polymer composition having at least one redox polymer and a plurality of enzymes immobilized on an electrode surface. Methods of preparing the amperometric biosensor are included. In addition, methods and systems using the amperometric biosensor in measuring creatinine concentrations of a patient and treatments of a patient with monitoring of the progress of dialysis performed on the patient are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20100078381
    Abstract: A composition of enzyme, polymer, and crosslinker forms a network of covalently bound macromolecules. The covalently immobilized enzyme preparation has enzymatic activity, and retains stable activity when dried and stored at ambient conditions. Methods for preparing an immobilized enzyme and methods for using the enzyme are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Merchant