Patents by Inventor William J. Schnell
William J. Schnell 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: 20230293794Abstract: A conductivity measurement device includes first and second conductivity measurement flow channels positioned in a fluid circuit and fluidly linked for fluid flow between the first and second conductivity measurement flow channels. A controller having a current source connected to the first and second conductivity channels applies alternating voltages at frequencies that are different, each being respective to one of the first and second conductivity cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: Orlando SOTO, Joseph RAUSA, James M. BRUGGER, William J. SCHNELL, Goetz FRIEDERICHS, Jeffrey H. BURBANK, Joseph E. TURK, JR., Scott W. NEWELL, Amanda WOZNIAK
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Publication number: 20230241299Abstract: A medicament preparation system includes a disposable cartridge with a flow path. Various sensors may be placed on the cartridge to measure qualities of the fluid flowing through the flow path. The sensors are placed in precise locations using various approaches that make manufacturing of the cartridge efficient and repeatable. A drain line that is susceptible to fouling may be preattached and various approaches are used to remove or reduce the fouling. An elastomeric contact can also be present in the medical preparation system and used in a conductivity measurement subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Goetz Friederichs, Scott W. Newell, William J. Schnell, Orlando Soto
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Publication number: 20230191015Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: David DESOUZA, Daniel Joseph RUBERY, JR., Dennis M. TREU, Mark T. WYETH, Jerome JAMES, Garrett D. CASEY, James M. BRUGGER, William J. SCHNELL, Jeffrey H. BURBANK, Goetz FRIEDERICHS
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Patent number: 11654219Abstract: A medicament preparation system includes a disposable cartridge with a flow path. Various sensors may be placed on the cartridge to measure qualities of the fluid flowing through the flow path. The sensors are placed in precise locations using various approaches that make manufacturing of the cartridge efficient and repeatable. A drain line that is susceptible to fouling may be preattached and various approaches are used to remove or reduce the fouling. An elastomeric contact can also be present in the medical preparation system and used in a conductivity measurement subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Goetz Friederichs, Scott W. Newell, William J. Schnell, Orlando Soto
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Publication number: 20230149606Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. BURBANK, Dennis M. TREU, Daniel Joseph RUBERY, Jr., Scott W. NEWELL, James M. BRUGGER, William J. SCHNELL, William K. WEIGEL, Steven A. WHITE, Mark T. WYETH, Jerome JAMES, David DESOUZA, Joseph E. TURK, Jr., Garrett CASEY
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Publication number: 20230112605Abstract: A method for measuring pressure includes securing a flow channel to a chassis of a measurement device, the flow channel having a flexible wall with a first mechanical engagement feature presented from an external surface thereof. The method also includes engaging the mechanical engagement feature with a complementary engagement member connected to a force transducer, the securing being effective to immobilize the flow channel relative to the force transducer, and detecting at least one of the position and orientation of the of the flow channel relative to transducer and comparing to at least one of a predefined position and orientation. Further, the method includes generating a signal responsive to the detecting, flowing a fluid through the flow channel, and transmitting forces caused by displacement of the flexible wall through the complementary engagement member to the force transducer. Further, electrical signals are generated responsively to a state of the force transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. BRUGGER, Dennis M. TREU, Jeffrey H. BURBANK, Scott W. NEWELL, William J. SCHNELL, Kenneth E. BUCKLER
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Patent number: 11607482Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Desouza, Daniel Joseph Rubery, Jr., Dennis M. Treu, Mark T. Wyeth, Jerome James, Garrett D. Casey, James M. Brugger, William J. Schnell, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Goetz Friederichs
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Patent number: 11529448Abstract: A pressure measurement pod for use in blood circuits includes a pressure sensing pod defining a chamber and having a rigid wall portion and an integral flexible wall portion forming a flexible, moveable, fluid-impermeable diaphragm with a first major side thereof facing an interior of the chamber and a second major side opposite the first major side. The second major side faces outwardly away from the chamber, and the pod has ports on sides of the chamber. The internal surfaces of the chamber and ports are shaped such that any contour following the internal surfaces to the outside of one of the ports traces only surfaces characterized by positive or neutral draft angles such that invasive mold portions may be withdrawn through the ports thereby permitting the pressure measurement pod to be molded in a single shot molding process.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, Dennis M. Treu, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Scott W. Newell, William J. Schnell, Kenneth E. Buckler
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Publication number: 20220387687Abstract: A flow switch device includes a flow switch with four ports oriented at 90 degree intervals around a center of the flow switch. The flow switch is of a type that forms selectable flow passages between ports separated by 90 degrees and blocks flow between ports separated by 180 degrees in each of multiple selected positions. Two of the ports are connected to fixed flow passages and each of the fixed flow passages defines a flow path toward a remote port separated from each of the fixed flow passages by 180 degrees so that each of the fixed flow passages and a respective remote port are positioned in pairs on opposite sides of the flow switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. BRUGGER, William J. SCHNELL, Kenneth E. BUCKLER
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Patent number: 11518605Abstract: A packaging unit includes a carton having top and bottom surfaces and side walls extending between said top and bottom surfaces. The unit further includes molded pulp fiber bottom and top trays, with each tray defining a plurality of securement chambers. The unit further includes a self-adjustable, middle dunnage including a main body disposed between the molded fiber bottom and top trays. The main body includes a plurality of holes extending through the main body and a plurality of slots extending from a perimeter of each of the holes to define a plurality of self-adjustable tabs surrounding each of the holes. The middle dunnage further includes a first plurality of foldable flaps extending from the main body towards the bottom surface and a second plurality of foldable flaps extending the main body towards the top surface of the carton.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Moulded Fibre Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William J. Schnell, Thomas L. Stanhope, Andrew D. Beyer
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Publication number: 20220296792Abstract: A medicament preparation system includes a disposable cartridge with a flow path. Various sensors may be placed on the cartridge to measure qualities of the fluid flowing through the flow path. The sensors are placed in precise locations using various approaches that make manufacturing of the cartridge efficient and repeatable. A drain line that is susceptible to fouling may be preattached and various approaches are used to remove or reduce the fouling. An elastomeric contact can also be present in the medical preparation system and used in a conductivity measurement subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. BRUGGER, Jeffrey H. BURBANK, Goetz FRIEDERICHS, Scott W. NEWELL, William J. SCHNELL, Orlando SOTO
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Patent number: 11426504Abstract: An external support that routes the tubing of a reversing valve in such a manner that connection tubes extend from one end of the device and the treatment device tubes extend from the opposite end. The external support may provide guides that hold the tubing extending from the supported flat rotary switch type of valve so as to keep them from being pinch or kinked thereby ensuring free flow of blood.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, William J. Schnell, Kenneth E. Buckler
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Patent number: 11406744Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Burbank, Dennis M. Treu, Daniel Joseph Rubery, Jr., Scott W. Newell, James M. Brugger, William J. Schnell, William K. Weigel, Steven A. White, Mark T. Wyeth, Jerome James, David Desouza, Joseph E. Turk, Jr., Garrett Casey
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Patent number: 11400194Abstract: A medicament preparation system includes a disposable cartridge with a flow path. Various sensors may be placed on the cartridge to measure qualities of the fluid flowing through the flow path. The sensors are placed in precise locations using various approaches that make manufacturing of the cartridge efficient and repeatable. A drain line that is susceptible to fouling may be preattached and various approaches are used to remove or reduce the fouling. An elastomeric contact can also be present in the medical preparation system and used in a conductivity measurement subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, Jeffrey H. Burbank, Goetz Friederichs, Scott W. Newell, William J. Schnell, Orlando Soto
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Publication number: 20220176027Abstract: A disposable medical flow-regulating assembly includes flow-directing units, with multiple fluid-flow lines entering each of the flow-directing units. The flow-directing units are interconnected by a fluid-flow line that extends between them. Each of the flow-directing units includes a rotational insert member that regulates which of multiple flow passages through the flow-directing unit is open and which are closed, based on the angular position of the insert member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. BRUGGER, William J. SCHNELL
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Publication number: 20220178477Abstract: Fluid couplings prevent or discourage misconnection of fluid lines. In embodiments, a coupling device includes multiple male and female connectors that are joined to a common line. The coupling device is mated to a matching coupling device only when all the multiple male and female connectors are properly joined. If any of the connectors is not properly mated to a corresponding one, the coupling will leak, since the connectors on each side are joined to a furcating channel. In embodiments, the coupling devices are made unique by providing an arrangement of the connectors, number of connectors, shape of connectors or arrangement of interfering connector parts that ensure that any attempt to improperly couple two fluid lines will result in the incomplete mating and thereby cause leakage of the fluid, failure of the coupling to engage, or otherwise cause the attempt to connect to fail.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. BRUGGER, William J. SCHNELL
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Patent number: 11344658Abstract: According to embodiments, priming systems, methods, and devices are disclosed which allow medical treatment devices which pump fluid to be primed with minimal operator intervention and a high level of convenience. A blood circuit with a filter fitted with one or more air vents on a non-blood compartment is attached to a treatment system and priming fluid pumped slowly through the blood circuit in a loop. The source of fluid may be elevated, or the pumping may generate pressure, such that priming fluid is forced through the membrane of the filter and out the air vent(s). In embodiments, the vents are hydrophobic which prevent fluid from being ejected, so the priming system can run without intervention.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: James M. Brugger, William J. Schnell
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Publication number: 20220074511Abstract: Fluid channel sealing devices, frangible seals, fluid circuits, associated controllers and methods of using the same are provided for controlling fluid distribution using a reconfigurable blocking element having first and second portions to establish a first configuration free of any open channels such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the channel and a second configuration where the first and second portions are separated to establish an open channel and allow fluid to pass.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2019Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: Gregory YANTZ, Mark T. WYETH, James Ian JOHNSON, William J. SCHNELL
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Publication number: 20210308349Abstract: Peritoneal dialysis admixing and/or treatment devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. The systems, methods, and devices provide high-level guarantees of sterility and employs relatively inexpensive disposable components to provide pumping. Disclosed systems, methods, and devices and features thereof are adapted for point of use generation of medicament. In particular admixing systems that employ independently-replaceable long term concentrate are disclosed. Features are directed to assurance of sterility and accurate admixing of water and concentrate to generate ready-to-use medicaments and other benefits.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2018Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: NxStage Medical, Inc.Inventors: Mark T. WYETH, Gregory YANTZ, James Ian JOHNSON, James M. BRUGGER, Dennis M. TREU, Dritan KURSHUMI, Jeffrey H. BURBANK, William J. SCHNELL, Robert Paul MCCARTY
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Publication number: 20210186640Abstract: A system for containing and transporting a medical device may include a container including a bottom face and surrounding side faces as a closed first end and an open second end to form an inner portion for receiving and retaining the medical device. The liner may be extendable over the side faces to line the inner portion of the container to an outer surface of the bottom face of the container. The liner may act as a protective barrier to the container to minimize contamination when receiving and/or retaining a used medical device. First and second covers may be removably attachable to the container, over the liner, to enclose a medical device therebetween. A first cover may have a color or marking indicating the medical device is “clean”, while a second cover may have a color or marking indicating the medical device is “used”.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2020Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Michele E. Dalena, Lisa Spak, William J. Schnell, Jason D. Holt, Kyle P. Moore, Nathan T. Cummings, Jenny Dandin, Alyson Borzillo, Ryan LaFlamme, Joshua Talsky, Mark Collins