Automatic Control Patents (Class 210/143)
  • Publication number: 20130303962
    Abstract: A system and method utilizing non-invasive fluid volume or fluid weight monitoring to facilitate mixing of therapeutic fluid components during the preparation of therapeutic fluid for dialysis is described. A therapeutic fluid source is provided in cooperative engagement with a weight measuring device which monitors the fluid volume or fluid weight of the therapeutic fluid in the therapeutic fluid source. Peristaltic pumps are configured to pump therapeutic fluid between a conventional dialyzer and the therapeutic fluid source. The weight measuring device is engaged by a control scheme programmed to operate the pumps. The control scheme includes a feedback loop from the weight measuring device to the pumps to facilitate control of the transmembrane pressure at the dialyzer without measuring TMP. System and methods for priming, ultrafiltration and backflush are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Christian Bernard
  • Patent number: 8580110
    Abstract: A proposed blood treatment apparatus includes: a blood treatment unit, a pair of fluid pumps and a pair blood pumps. The blood treatment unit is configured to receive untreated blood and fresh blood treatment fluid, and emit treated blood and used blood treatment fluid. The fluid pumps are configured to pass blood treatment fluid through the blood treatment unit. The blood pumps are configured to extract untreated blood from a blood source, pass extracted blood through the blood treatment unit and deliver treated blood to a target vessel. Additionally, the fluid pumps are configured to control the operation of the blood pumps via the blood treatment fluid. Moreover, a flow control device is configured to control a trans-membrane flow between the blood side and the a fluid side of the blood treatment unit. Hence, for instance ultrafiltration can be adjusted to a desired level in a very straightforward manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Lennart Jönsson, Olof Jansson, Mattias Holmer, Jan Sternby, Anders Nilsson, Per Hansson
  • Patent number: 8568595
    Abstract: A method for determining or predicting the adequacy parameters that will be achieved at the end of a kidney substitution treatment during said kidney substitution treatment wherein the kidney substitution treatment is provided by a machine, which has an extracorporeal blood system pumping the patient blood through the blood chamber of a dialyzer, wherein the dialyzing fluid collects the waste products from the patient after flowing through the dialyzing fluid chamber of the dialyzer and wherein a device able to measure a adequacy parameter is coupled with the kidney substitution treatment machine and wherein the slope of a preferable linear guideline for the adequacy parameter is compared to the slope of the delivered adequacy parameter and if the slope of both are equal a linearization is performed to determine or predict the adequacy parameter at the end of the kidney substitution treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventor: Alex Castellarnau
  • Patent number: 8568585
    Abstract: A water distribution system including a water storage tank, a water treatment unit, a diverter valve, and interconnecting water conduits arranged so that the same water treatment unit can be used to treat water supplied from a fill port to the storage tank during a fill operation, as well as water leaving the storage tank for supply to one or more points of water use during a supply operation. A diverter valve is provided which is movable between a fill position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the fill port and not the point of water use device, and a supply position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the at least one point of water use device and not the fill port. When the diverter valve is in the fill position, water supplied to the fill port can thus flow through the diverter valve and to the water treatment unit for treatment then to the storage tank for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Water-Guard Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Daniel Nolan
  • Publication number: 20130270160
    Abstract: Provided is a dialysis treatment instrument monitoring system capable of communicating with an extrahospital terminal via the Internet without affecting an intrahospital network. In the hospital equipped with a dialysis treatment instrument monitoring system monitoring dialysis treatment instruments including a dialysate feeding device, a bulk powder dissolving device, and a RO device, while a staff is absent in the hospital, the dialysate feeding device and the bulk powder dissolving device perform a dialysis preparation processing of cleaning and sterilizing inside the devices, and stop if an error occurs during execution of the dialysis preparation processing. If an error occurs in any of the dialysis treatment instruments, a network camera takes an image of a display of the dialysis treatment instrument in which the error occurred, and transmits image data to the terminal on the Internet via a mobile router dedicated to the dialysis treatment instrument monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: I. T. I. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi ENJOUJI
  • Patent number: 8551329
    Abstract: Dosing chambers, for use with pressurized water filters of the type used with ponds, require isolation before accessing to prevent water egress. The invention comprises a chamber in which dosing substances may be placed, a water inlet and a water outlet, a lid for sealingly closing the chamber, a valve for closing the water inlet and an interlock means for operating the valve to close the water inlet as the lid is removed, so that when dosing substances are placed into the chamber pressurized water is prevented from issuing through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Paxton
  • Patent number: 8551342
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method of operating a blood treatment apparatus for the extracorporeal blood treatment of a patient, a blood volume monitor for monitoring an extracorporeal blood treatment of the patient by means of a blood treatment apparatus, and a blood treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Moissl, Paul Chamney, Peter Wabel
  • Patent number: 8551331
    Abstract: An automatic filtering system for filtering a cooking medium in a fryer, includes a frypot; a filter manifold having removable filter; a pump, that supplies cooking medium from the filter manifold to the frypot; a pressure sensor that senses a pressure of the cooking medium supplied by the pump; and a controlling mechanism that controls an operation of the pump in response to the sensed pressure data. The control mechanism halts the operation of the pump after sensing a drop in the pressure of the cooking medium pressure that is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure drop threshold. The systems and methods of the invention provide automatic filtering that may reduce or eliminate an incorrect refilling operation after the filtering of cooking medium, so that the filtering process may be performed correctly each time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Burkett, Thomas Lee Gort, Gary L. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20130256238
    Abstract: Process and apparatus is provided for making a solution of sodium carbonate (soda ash) and water by which the soda ash is delivered in dry, particulate form to a silo, while air is being exhausted from the silo, dehumidifying air from the silo and discontinuing the dehumidifying of air while soda ash is being delivered to the silo, delumping soda ash in the silo, and then delivering water to a mixing vessel and transferring particulate soda ash to the treating vessel, in which it is mixed and the resulting solution is then discharged. The solution can be delivered to a storage tank or vessel and then to either a single or multiple outlet dosing station and/or some of the solution can be returned to a storage silo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: RDP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Christy, Michael Quici
  • Publication number: 20130248444
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for scaling control in a membrane system operation. The method can be performed by a model in the control system of a plant. The method can include selecting one or more antiscalants corresponding to one or more components of the scale, based on one or more of feed water condition, membrane material, membrane fouling status and a kinetic study relating to a reaction between the antiscalants and the components of the scale. The composition of one or more selected antiscalants can be estimated based on an overall scaling rate constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Senthilmurugan SUBBIAH, Srinivas Mekapati, Mohan S. Kumar
  • Patent number: 8540872
    Abstract: A portable water treatment plant includes a membrane filter, a booster pump and a pressurized water tank. The membrane filter preferably receives water through a pump in a screen filter, but could receive water from other sources. The booster pump pumps water from an output of the membrane filter into the pressurized water tank. The water from the membrane filter is preferably pumped through at least one carbon filter for additional filtering. An air compressor is used to inject air into a backwash solution. An auxiliary inlet and an auxiliary outlet are created to receive a removable reverse osmosis filter. An electronic controller includes a touch screen monitor, which provides control of and displays various information concerning the portable water treatment plant. The electronic controller senses the insertion of the reverse osmosis filter into the portable water treatment plant. Chemicals in the cleaning solutions are neutralized before discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Watertronics, LLC, World Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ryan, Andrew J. Castro, Daniel W. Eellers, III, Neal A. Verdegan
  • Patent number: 8540875
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Levin, Wayne Raiford
  • Publication number: 20130240422
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting plasma reduced platelets potentially suspended in a synthetic solution from a donor. Whole blood is drawn from the donor and introduced into a separation chamber. Platelets are extracted from the separation chamber into a container, using, for example, surge (with anticoagulated plasma or a synthetic solution) or push methodologies. The remaining blood components in the separation chamber are returned back to the donor. The steps of drawing whole blood and introducing the whole blood into the separation chamber, extracting platelets from the separation chamber into the container, and returning the remaining components in the chamber back to the donor are repeated. The sequestered platelets in the container are reintroduced into the separation chamber, whereupon a plasma reduced platelet product is extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Haemonetics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Ohashi, Etienne Pagès, Dominique Uhlmann, Pascal Maillard, Michael Ragusa
  • Publication number: 20130240446
    Abstract: A method of operating a membrane separation device in a continuous flow process includes in the membrane separation device, separating a supply liquid into a first partial stream and a second partial stream, wherein flow rate of the second partial stream and/or recovery rate of the second partial stream is influenced by at least one influencing variable that varies during operation, and varying the flow rate of the first partial stream to compensate for a change of the at least one influencing variable to control flow rate and/or recovery rate of the second partial stream to a preset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BWT Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andrea Pavan, Jürgen Johann, Marc Fink
  • Patent number: 8535522
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dialysis system with a disconnection monitor for determining if a blood line connection to a patient has been disconnected. It includes a blood circuit in fluid communication with a patient and a dialysis circuit, a pressure transducer for generating a signal indicative of a pulse signal in the blood circuit, a cardiac reference signal generator for generating a signal indicative of the patient's pulse and a disconnection monitor. The disconnection monitor includes a pressure transducer data receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the pulse signal in the blood circuit, a cardiac reference signal receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the patient's pulse, and a processor for cross-correlating the signal indicative of the pulse signal in the blood circuit and the signal indicative of the patient's pulse to generate data indicative of a disconnection of the blood line connection to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, James R. Braig
  • Patent number: 8535521
    Abstract: A hemofiltration system or method removes unwanted molecules from a flow of blood using cascaded first and second hemofilters. Filtration of the blood in first hemofilter raises hemoconcentration of unwanted protein-bound molecules. Combination of a substitution fluid with outflow from the first hemofilter creates a concentration differential between bound and unbound molecules that frees unwanted molecules from protein bonds. Filtration of the combined fluids in a second hemofilter removes the unwanted free molecules. A second substitution fluid may be added to the twice filtered blood fluid for return to a patient. Removal of inflammatory mediators, apoptotic mediators, and certain electrolytes may be effected, and the removal may be optimized by controlling fluid flows and transmembrane pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Lannoy
  • Publication number: 20130236903
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic nucleic acid purification apparatus which can prevent pollution due to aerosol generated from a biological sample containing high concentration target nucleic acid when the biological sample containing the high concentration target nucleic acid is mixed with other biological sample containing low concentration target nucleic acid or not containing the target nucleic acid. Further, disclosed is an automatic nucleic acid purification apparatus which can be applied to all kinds of nucleic acid purification equipments for purifying a plurality of biological samples using a magnet rode or a multi-pipette block moving in two or three axial directions, and which can minimize pollution due to the aerosol generated from the biological sample containing high concentration target nucleic acid and also can obtain accurate results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: BIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Han Oh Park, Byung Rae Jeong, Kwon Sic Kim
  • Patent number: 8529770
    Abstract: A portable UV-C purification system is provided that includes a current reduction technique for an electric pump to reduce power demands on an associated generator to thereby produce a light weight and efficient system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Water of Life, LLC.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Yencho
  • Publication number: 20130231607
    Abstract: A kidney failure treatment system includes: (i) a dialysate supply; (ii) a weighing device; a control container coupled operably to the weighing device; (iii) a diffusion membrane; (iv) a drain; first and second pumps; (v) a first fluid conduit coupled fluidly to the dialysate supply and the diffusion membrane, the first fluid conduit coupled operably to the first pump; (vi) a second fluid conduit coupled fluidly to the control container and the drain, the second fluid conduit coupled operably to the first pump; and (vii) a third fluid conduit coupled fluidly to the diffusion membrane and the control conduit, the third fluid conduit coupled operably to the second pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicants: Baxter Healthcare S.A., Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolfo G. Roger, Michael E. Hogard, Thomas D. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8524086
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern systems and methods of preparing dialysate for use in a home dialysis system that is compact and light-weight relative to existing systems and consumes relatively low amounts of energy. The method includes coupling a household water stream to a dialysis system; filtering the water stream; heating the water stream to at least about 138 degrees Celsius in a non-batch process to produce a heated water stream; maintaining the heated water stream at or above at least about 138 degrees Celsius for at least about two seconds; cooling the heated water stream to produce a cooled water stream; ultrafiltering the cooled water stream; and mixing dialysate components into the cooled water stream in a non-batch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University, Home Dialysis Plus, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard B. Peterson, James R. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20130220922
    Abstract: The invention concerns an online method and system for monitoring properties of an aqueous stream of an industrial process. The method comprises providing an initial aqueous stream originating from said process, the aqueous stream containing solid matter exhibiting a first settling behavior; adding modifying agent to the initial aqueous stream at an addition rate sufficient to provide a modified aqueous stream containing solid matter exhibiting a second settling behavior different from the first settling behavior; conducting a sample of the initial aqueous stream or modified aqueous stream, any combination stream comprising the modified aqueous stream or any substream of the modified aqueous stream batchwise from a sampling point to a settling vessel having a volume; and measuring the settling behavior of the solid matter in the sample locally in the settling vessel as a function of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Iiris Joensuu, Marjatta Piironen, Eija Saari, Jukka-Pekka Sirviö, Seppo Tuomivaara
  • Publication number: 20130213865
    Abstract: A fresh water generator utilizing air (100) comprises a main body bracket (114), a water making system, a water purifying system and a water distributing device (126). Both sides and the rear side of the main body bracket (114) are provided with panels, on which ventilating grilles (116, 132, 134) are provided for sucking and exhausting air. The water making system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a condenser/evaporator unit (118), an exhaust fan (140) and a water collecting tank (120), wherein the water collecting tank (120) is arranged on the main body bracket (114) and positioned at the lower end of the condenser/evaporator unit (118), and the exhaust fan (140) is arranged between the condenser/evaporator unit (118) and the ventilating grates (116, 132, 134). The water purifying system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a pump (122) and a filtration device (192).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Henry Hsu, Chi Hung Jimmy Wan
  • Publication number: 20130213866
    Abstract: A sustainable method and system for treating and maintaining bodies of water at low cost for low density recreational use is disclosed. A system of the invention generally includes at least one containing means, at least one coordination means, at least one chemical application means, at least one non-intrusive mobile suction means, and at least one filtration means. The coordinating means can receive information regarding water quality parameters that are controlled, and can timely activate the processes necessary to adjust the water quality parameters within their respective limits. The disclosed methods and system filter only a small fraction of the total water volume, up to 200 times less per day than the flow filtered by conventional swimming pool filtration systems. The disclosed methods and system also use less chemicals, up to 100 times less than conventional swimming pool water treatment systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao)B.V.
    Inventor: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao)B.V.
  • Patent number: 8512554
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine includes at least one pump, a logic implementer storing a plurality of therapy prescriptions by which to operate the at least one pump, each therapy prescription pre-approved for a particular patient, and an input device operating with the logic implementer to allow the patient to select one of the therapy prescriptions for a particular therapy. In another embodiment, the input device operating with the logic implementer allows a doctor/clinician to select or approve one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine. In a further embodiment, the logic implementer is programmed to select or suggest one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Anping Yu, Robert W. Childers, Borut Cizman
  • Patent number: 8512571
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for treating iron-contaminated water (e.g., mine drainage) using an innovative treatment approach identified herein as the Activated Iron Solids (AIS) Process. The AIS process is capable of oxidizing and removing iron as iron oxides from iron-contaminated waters (such as, mining-related discharge, groundwater, surface water and industrial waste streams) producing a clean effluent. The AIS process is performed in a single or multiple tank system in which high concentrations of AIS are suspended through mechanical mixing to maintain a catalytic surface chemistry environment that increases iron removal thousands times faster than would naturally occur and hundreds times faster than existing arts (e.g., aerobic pond passive treatment). The AIS process can utilize inexpensive alkaline material (such as, pulverized limestone) where initial mine drainage alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3) to ferrous iron (mg/L) ratio is less than approximately 1.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Dietz
  • Patent number: 8512553
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes: (i) a dialysate pump; (ii) a patient line having a connector configured to be attached to a peritoneal patient part; (iii) an extracorporeal circuit; (iv) a blood pump in fluid communication with the extracorporeal circuit; (v) a blood filter in fluid communication with the extracorporeal circuit; and (vi) a control unit configured and arranged to selectively perform a therapy which (a) the blood pump is deactivated and the dialysate pump is caused to pump dialysate through the patient line or (b) the blood pump is activated to pump blood to the blood filter and the dialysate pump is caused to pump dialysate to the filter/extracorporeal circuit and/or remove fluid from the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Gino Cicchello, Christian Bernard, Robert W. Childers, Anthony Simiele
  • Publication number: 20130206656
    Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out chromatography, preferably liquid process chromatography, in particular for industrial applications, using in each case at least one positive displacement pump, provided with a drive, for feeding product and eluent (mobile phase) onto at least one separation column, wherein the drive of each positive displacement pump is a highly dynamic drive, which is equipped with an integrated transducer system for capturing the distance/time date, which are convertible into corresponding position-regulated travel commands using connected superordinate movement control/regulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: LEWA GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Johl, Gary G. Gaudet, Matthias Dörling
  • Publication number: 20130206696
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating and disposing of wastewater produced by a facility. This aspect of the present invention is particularly well suited to manage and dispose of wastewater produced by an agricultural processing facility. Treated wastewater is selectively blended with untreated wastewater of the facility and the blended mixture is provided to a disposal unit for disposal. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for maximizing the efficiency of an impurity removal unit designed to remove at least one impurity from a liquid. More specifically, this system is preferably designed to blend influent entering the impurity removal unit with another source of liquid to ensure that the liquid treated by the impurity removal unit has an impurity concentration approximately equal to the maximum impurity concentration that the impurity removal unit can satisfactorily process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Matthew Duross Roberts, Mark Robert Battaglia, Robert Stanley Chrobak, Donald John Mackay
  • Publication number: 20130206653
    Abstract: A cartridge for chromatography separations comprises a housing; at least a first and a second chromatography column at least partially passing through the housing, each chromatography column comprising a first and a second end fitting operable to connect the chromatography to external tubing of a chromatography system. Connection fittings protruding outside of the housing at each end of each column enable fluidic connection to a chromatograph plumbing system and/or mass spectrometer detector. The cartridge may comprise heaters and temperature sensors and optional sensors to monitor fluid flow rate or pH. A passive identification feature, e.g., a barcode or RFID module may identify the cartridge and its associated chromatography methods to external software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: John E. Brann
  • Patent number: 8506799
    Abstract: A system for characterizing suspended particles in a water treatment facility is disclosed. The system uses an imaging array to take multiple images of the particles in a sample volume. These images are then processed to determine geometrical properties of individual particles in the sample. These geometric properties can then be used to identify properties of the sample volume such as particle volume concentration, particle number concentration, computed particle diameter, gravitational settling velocity, mass concentration, and computed particle volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: ClearCorp
    Inventors: Roger M. Jorden, John W. English, Daniel J. Bodenstein
  • Publication number: 20130193041
    Abstract: A home medical device system includes a home therapy machine for performing a home therapy on a patient; a user interface operably connected to the home therapy machine, the user interface receiving operator inputs; a water treatment device in fluid communication with the home therapy machine; and a data connection between the home therapy machine and the water treatment device, wherein the home therapy machine transmits data via the connection to the water treatment device for control of the water treatment device, the data provided based on at least one of the operator inputs received via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
  • Publication number: 20130192638
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an integrated acid regeneration of ion exchange resins are disclosed for use in cleaning applications. Acid resins designed for use in a variety of cleaning application using a treated, softened, acidic water source are disclosed. Various methods of using the softened acidic water generated by acid regenerate-able ion exchange resins within a cleaning application, e.g. ware wash machine, are disclosed to beneficially reduce spotting, filming and scale buildup on treated surfaces, reduce and/or eliminate the need for polymers, threshold reagents and/or rinse aids, and using protons generated in the acidic water effluent for triggering events useful in various cleaning applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventor: Ecolab USA INC.
  • Publication number: 20130196375
    Abstract: A bio factory apparatus capable of Up-Stream production of biologic material products or biologics products in a liquid volume and processing of biologic or biologic material products Down-Stream, comprising at least one first Up-Stream producing capsule and at least one second Down-Stream processing capsule, said capsules capable of being stacked in any order and any number within a column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: STROBBE TECH A/S
    Inventor: Per Strobbe
  • Patent number: 8496824
    Abstract: A method and a device for supply of a dialyser in a dialysis unit with dialysis fluid is disclosed. At least one dialysis fluid concentrate is mixed with water to produce the dialysis fluid. The dialysis fluid concentrate is prepared in a reservoir unit in a given amount. A control and arithmetic unit calculates the dialysis fluid rate (Qd) such that, after a given treatment time (TB) has passed, a given residual amount of dialysis fluid concentrate or no residual amount remains in the reservoir unit. It is preferable to empty the reservoir unit by the end of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gerard Remkes, Gerhard Wiesen
  • Patent number: 8496808
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus (10) includes one or more treatment tanks (12, 14). Each treatment tank (12, 14) has an associated oxygenation treatment circuit (18) including a gas and liquid mixing chamber (20), a gas injector (22) upstream of the mixing chamber (20) and one of an oxygen generator (24) or an ozone generator (26) supplying gas to the gas injector (22), and a pump (28, 29) for pumping wastewater from the treatment tank (12, 14) through the mixing chamber (20) and back to the treatment tank (28, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Seair Inc
    Inventors: Harold Kinasewich, Chris Kinasewich
  • Publication number: 20130186834
    Abstract: Methods and systems for chromatography are disclosed that employ a flexible container configured to fit within a support structure and adapted to receive a filtration or absorptive medium, such as a chromatography resin. The flexible container can include at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and a separation barrier peripherally sealed within the container to separate the container into a resin containing portion and a drainage portion. The barrier can be configured to exclude the resin material from the drainage portion during use while allowing fluids to pass therethrough. The disposable chromatography system can further include one or more agitators disposed within the flexible container and adjustably configured to be raised or lowered in the flexible container. When the agitator is in the raised position, the resin packing material can operate in a settled, packed-bed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: XCellerex Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Vicalvi, Joseph Makowiecki, Joseph D. Crowell, Parrish M. Galliher
  • Patent number: 8486268
    Abstract: A method that identifies common peaks among unidentified peaks in the data from different LC-MS or LC-MS/MS runs is provided. The method employs an algorithm, herein referred to as “Precision Peak Matching (PPM).” The different runs can be from different laboratories, instruments, and biological samples that result in a significant variability in the data. PPM allows estimation and control of precision, defined as the fraction of truly identical peptide pairs among all pairs retrieved, in the matching process. PPM finds the maximal number of peptide pairs at a prescribed precision, thereby allowing quantitative control over the trade off between the number of true pairs missed, and false pairs found. PPM finds common peptides from a database of LC-MS runs of heterogeneous origins, and at the specified precision. PPM fills a much-needed role in proteomics by extracting useful information from disparate LC-MS databases in a statistically rigorous and interpretable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peicheng Du, Frank Suits
  • Patent number: 8475714
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a selective ultraviolet disinfection method is provided. The method includes selecting operating parameters for an ultraviolet disinfection process of flowing liquid carrying first and second types of entities to affect the first type of entities while the second type of entities remains intact, illuminating the liquid with ultraviolet light according to the operating parameters and continuously adjusting the operating parameters based on real-time measurements of ultraviolet transmission and flow rate of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Atlantium Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Limor Barak, Vladimir Glukhman, Iian Wilf
  • Publication number: 20130161244
    Abstract: Provided is a highly safe chromatography device that does not sacrifice user-friendliness during the addition and replacement of a sample holding container. The chromatography device has doors 10, 11, a door locking mechanism 15, and a sensor 13 for detecting whether the doors 10, 11 are open or closed. The doors 10, 11 are opened and closed to place a sample holding container 6 and a sample rack 1 in the chromatography device. The door locking mechanism 15 is operated to lock the doors 10, 11 when the sensor 13 indicates that the doors 10, 11 are closed and the analysis of a sample in the sample holding container 6 starts, and is operated to unlock the doors 10, 11 when a return operation and a washing operation terminate after a needle 2, a syringe 9, and other mechanical parts operate. Consequently, the sample holding container can be safely added or replaced without having to perform, for instance, a procedure for executing a pause function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kimihiko Ishii, Mitsuhiko Ueda, Shouji Tomida
  • Patent number: 8470173
    Abstract: Column packing apparatus are disclosed. Methods of making and using column packing apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Alltech Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen Maier-Rosenkranz, Jochen Saar, Oliver Genz
  • Patent number: 8465641
    Abstract: A dialysis liquid circuit with conduits for conducting dialysis liquid and elements for detecting air in the dialysis liquid. The elements includes at least one gas sensor traversed continuously by the dialysis liquid, which is configured such that it measures at least one property of the dialysis liquid which depends on the presence of air bubbles in the dialysis liquid, and which is arranged downstream of a region to be monitored of the dialysis liquid circuit. During operation of the dialysis liquid circuit a negative pressure exists with respect to atmospheric pressure, and the elements includes an evaluation unit which is connected with the gas sensor and which is configured such that the property measured by means of the gas sensor is evaluated with regard to the presence of air bubbles in the dialysis liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Maierhofer, Alfred Gagel, Malte Gross
  • Publication number: 20130146515
    Abstract: A filtration dehydration apparatus, comprises: a filter, having a filtration layer and an absorption layer while allowing a surface of the filtration layer opposite to the absorption layer to be a first side of the filter, and allowing a surface of the absorption layer opposite to the filtration layer to be a second side of the filter; a supporting structure, for supporting and fixedly secured the filter; a solid collector, for collecting any solid object left on the first side; and an extrusion unit, for pressing the absorption layer so as to squeeze liquid containing in the absorption layer out of the same; wherein the first side is provided for a solid-liquid mixture to be placed thereon for allowing the liquid containing therein to flow into the absorption layer through the filtration layer while enabling any solid object filtered out and thus left on the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ming-Der BAI, Kuo-Ti Chen, Te-Chang Lan, Yun-Huin Lin, Wen-Chang Lu, Hom-Ti Lee
  • Publication number: 20130146516
    Abstract: An automatic ozone water output device comprises a water supply system, a negative pressure mixing element, and an ozone generating assembly. The water supply system is connected to a water source. The negative pressure mixing element is installed on the water supply system and has at least one flow channel. The ozone generating assembly has a sound sensor and an ozone generator, wherein the sound sensor is in connection with an air source for detecting a sound level of airflow, one end of the ozone generator is in connection with the sound sensor, the other end of the ozone generator is in connection with the negative pressure mixing element. Specially, the negative pressure mixing element is configured in such a way that when water flows through the flow channel, negative pressure is generated to produce an absorbing force to mix ozone into water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: CASHIDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: CASHIDO CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8454839
    Abstract: Methods for modifying the physical, chemical and/or biological properties of a fluid by irradiation are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprising supplying a flow of a fluid to an irradiation chamber; focusing the flow of the fluid so as to create at least one fluid layer; and applying radiation to the fluid layer in a defined portion of the irradiation chamber thereby modifying at least one physical, chemical or biological property of the fluid layer is provided. Systems for the implementation of such methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Macopharma
    Inventor: Pierre-Eloi Bontinck
  • Patent number: 8454834
    Abstract: A method for packing a media bed in a column (3). According to the invention the method comprises the steps of: providing data to a control unit (15) connected to the column (3), said data comprising at least a measured slurry concentration, a target bed height, a target packing factor or compression factor and minimum and maximum acceptable values for at least one of target bed height and target packing or compression factor; forcing a movable adapter (9) along a longitudinal axis of the column (3) in order to pack the media; detecting when the media bed is consolidated; the control unit (15) processing the provided data and the information about the consolidated bed height in order to present to the user acceptable bed heights, if there are any, giving acceptable packing or compression factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventors: Per Karlberg, Erik Rurling, Joakim Svensson
  • Publication number: 20130134079
    Abstract: Described is a mobile phase solvent delivery module for liquid chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography systems. The module includes a pump disposed in a fluid path that conducts a mobile phase solvent. The pump provides the mobile phase solvent at an increased pressure. The module also includes a purification cartridge disposed in the fluid path either before or after the pump. The purification cartridge has an inlet to receive the mobile phase solvent and an outlet to provide a purified mobile phase solvent, and includes a packing material for removing an impurity from the mobile phase solvent. In various embodiments, the module also includes one or more additional components to allow various techniques for regeneration or replacement of spent purification cartridges. For example, the module may also include one or more of a temperature control module, a fluidic switch and one or more additional purification cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130126440
    Abstract: A method of managing a reservoir of water having a recirculating arrangement for recirculating water at frequent time intervals is disclosed. The method includes starting a productive recirculation of water within the reservoir by means of the recirculating pump, and sensing control parameter/s relating to the quality of water that are selected from: a level of disinfectant, a pH level, a water turbidity level, or a biological count level. The productive recirculation of water by the recirculating pump is continued until each sensed control parameter has reached its target level in the water. In a power saving management mode the productive recirculation of water by the recirculating arrangement is stopped when each sensed control parameter has reached its target level. Instead in a minimum run time mode the productive recirculation is only stopped when this minimum run time has been completed and each sensed control parameter has reached its target level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Chris Prause, David Venamore, Martin Bailey
  • Publication number: 20130118992
    Abstract: A unitary water treatment system for filtering and purifying untreated water is disclosed that has a filtration compartment, a transfer compartment, and a purification compartment. The untreated water flows into the filtration compartment, then into the transfer compartment, and then into the purification compartment. A fill valve is provided at the inlet of the water treatment system; a transfer valve is provided between the transfer and purification compartments; and a drain valve is provide at the exit of the purification compartment. A UV lamp is placed in the center of the purification compartment to expose water trapped in the purification compartment to light in a desired frequency range to kill bacteria and viruses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Yitzhak Isaac Henig
  • Publication number: 20130112601
    Abstract: The present invention provides reactor designs, component designs, and operating schemes for removing nitrates and chemical oxygen demand from any suitable wastewater stream. The invention also provides reactor designs, component designs, and operating schemes designed to modify and improve pH and water quality in wastewater streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew Silver, Justin Buck, Patrick Kiely, Juan J. Guzman, Zhen Huang
  • Publication number: 20130105405
    Abstract: A water purification device is provided in the form of a hydrogel matrix containing immobilized nanoparticles that are directly synthesized in-situ in the hydrogel matrix. A related method of decontaminating the water supply contaminated with a target pollutant is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Li Xiao