Having Membrane Patents (Class 210/257.2)
  • Patent number: 11608282
    Abstract: Provided are hybrid electrochemical and membrane-based systems for removing silica from water stream to achieve ultra-pure water. The silica concentration of a feed water stream may dictate the most effective and economical variation of disclosed hybrid processes to use. For example, for a feed water stream having a silica concentration of 1-30 ppm, a hybrid system for treating the feed water includes an electrodialysis reversal unit, the electrodialysis reversal unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream; a reverse osmosis unit, the reverse osmosis unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the reverse osmosis unit comprises the product outlet stream of the electrodialysis reversal unit; and an electrodeionization unit, the electrodeionization unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the electrodeionization unit comprises the product outlet stream of the reverse osmosis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Michael James Connor, Jr., Amanda Yoshino
  • Patent number: 11597669
    Abstract: An apparatus for the mineralization of drinking water has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a filter positioned in the housing, a container receptacle assembly affixed to or formed on the housing, a pump cooperative with the container receptacle assembly, and a manifold connected to an outlet of the pump and to an outlet of the filter. The filter is connected to the inlet of the housing and adapted to filter contaminants. The container receptacle assemblies adapted to connect with a bottle containing a mineral or supplement therein. The pump is adapted to pass the mineral or supplement in a measured amount from the bottle. The manifold is adapted to mix the mineral or supplement with the filtered water so as to discharge a mineralized drinking water through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Patrick Gwen
  • Patent number: 11555302
    Abstract: A heated and chilled water dispenser comprising: a housing; an input port fast with the housing for connection to a mains pressure water supply; at least one chilled water container arranged to receive water from the input port; a water chilling assembly arranged to cool said at least one chilled water container; at least one hot water tank including a heating element and a water receiving arrangement to receive water from the input port, the water receiving arrangement including an inlet valve responsive to water level; an inlet plenum associated with the inlet valve, the plenum being coupled with the input port to receive water, the plenum further comprising a fill pipe coupled to the hot water tank for supplying water to the hot water tank; a thermostat coupled to said at least one hot water tank for controlling the heating element and thus temperature of water within the hot water tank; a two way outlet tap configured for dispensing hot water from the hot water supply or chilled water from the chilled wat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: XPRS Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Trevor John Kop
  • Patent number: 11540661
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for preparing water for human consumption. Water from a public or other source is input to the system or apparatus and is filtered internal or external to the system/apparatus. A temperature adjustment may be applied, such as cooling or heating the water to a specific or approximate temperature. One or more water enhancements may be added to the water, in specified amounts or proportions. Enhancements potentially include flavoring agents, sweeteners, vitamins, nutrients, minerals, carbonation, and so on. A given combination of enhancements and corresponding amounts, and possibly other characteristics (e.g., the temperature, a quantity of water to prepare), may be saved as a recipe. The system, apparatus and method operate in association with an application or online service for creating, sharing, and preparing recipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Wendell D. Brown
  • Patent number: 11524262
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to tangential flow filters, membranes, and ultrafiltration membranes, for various applications, including bioprocessing and pharmaceutical applications, systems employing such filters, and methods of filtration using the same. In an aspect, an alternating tangential flow system for continuous processing may include a feed line containing a fluid. A retentate line may be in fluid communication with the feed line. A first diaphragm may be at an inlet of the retentate line configured to pump fluid toward an outlet of the retentate line. A second diaphragm may be at the outlet of the retentate line configured to pump fluid toward the inlet of the retentate line. A membrane may be in fluid communication with the retentate line between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. A retentate pump may be at the retentate outlet configured to pump the fluid out of the retentate line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: REPLIGEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark A. Perreault
  • Patent number: 11498852
    Abstract: An ultrapure water (UPW) generation and verification system can include a cleaning chemical station, a cleanup column, a conductivity verification station, and a holding reservoir, in fluid communication with one another. The cleaning chemical station can be configured to selectably permit a flow of water to pass therethrough to the cleanup column or to block the flow of water and instead deliver a cleaning chemical to the cleanup column. The conductivity verification station can be configured to selectably perform at least one of the following: permit water to flow from the cleanup column to the holding reservoir; direct fluid to waste; or test the conductivity of the water for a purity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Elemental Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Wiederin, Mason Spilinek, Tyler Yost, Michael Volkmar
  • Patent number: 11446418
    Abstract: A dialysate solution container includes a flexible first bag body. The dialysate solution container further includes a second bag body which has a mixing region for mixing a first powdered pharmaceutical agent and water at a lower end portion of a second interior. The second bag body further has a communication pipe that places the exterior of the second bag body and the second interior in communication, and a first filter which is in communication with a first interior of the first bag body. A first end of the communication pipe is capable of being connected to a dialysis circuit, and a second end thereof is disposed within the mixing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nimura, Masato Fujiwara, Takayoshi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11230479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and process for treating a feedwater wherein the system includes at least one RO or nanofiltration unit that receives a feed under high pressure and produces a concentrate that is directed to and held at low pressure in a concentrate accumulator. Generally the permeate or the inlet feedwater is maintained at a constant flow rate. Periodically the system is switched from a mode 1 or normal operating process to a mode 2 where the concentrate is drained from the concentrate accumulator. However, in mode 2, the feedwater is still directed into the system and through the RO or nanofiltration unit which produces the permeate and the concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Bernard Roy Mack, Dale L. Wynkoop
  • Patent number: 10875986
    Abstract: Graphene fibers made from a graphene film formed into an elongated fiber-like shape and composite materials made from the graphene fibers. The graphene film has amine groups formed on at least an outer surface of the graphene film and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene film. The amine groups are formed in a functionalized area on the outer surface of the graphene film that is within about 10 microns from the at least one edge of the graphene film, or the functionalized area may extend the entire width of the graphene film. The graphene film may also have holes formed through the graphene film. The elongated fiber-like shapes may be the graphene film in a rolled spiral orientation or the graphene film in a twisted formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Keith Daniel Humfeld, Kenneth H. Griess
  • Patent number: 10874786
    Abstract: A dialysis device implantable in a patient for dialysis includes a filtration unit. The filtration unit includes at least one dialysis chamber for containing and/or circulating dialysate; and at least one blood chamber for containing and/or circulating blood of the patient, disposed on at least one dialysis chamber and being in communication with the at least one dialysis chamber. Each of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber comprise at least one inlet for circulating fluid into and/or out of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber. The at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber are configured such that the blood in the at least one blood chamber and the dialysate in the at least one dialysis chamber operably interact with each other for dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NEPHRODITE LLC
    Inventors: Hiep Nguyen, Nikhil Shah, Julie Wilderman
  • Patent number: 10634591
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical-sample filtration device includes: a container including at least one wall forming an internal surface, a first aperture adjacent to a first end of the wall, and a second aperture adjacent to a second end of the wall; a movable insert positioned within the container and including an external surface of a size and shape to reversibly mate with the internal surface of the container; a positioning unit affixed to the internal surface close to the second aperture; a filter unit affixed to the second aperture; a sample conduit affixed to the filter unit; a valve unit attached to the sample conduit; and a connector operable to close the valve when the movable insert is in a predefined position relative to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: John Thomas Connelly, Stephen Paul Harston, Bernhard Hans Weigl, Ozgur Emek Yildirim
  • Patent number: 10549240
    Abstract: A water filtration system (100) includes a filter cartridge assembly (10), a water-inlet conduit (20), a purified-water conduit (30), a pure-water conduit (40) and a waste-discharge conduit (50). The filter cartridge assembly (10) has a water inlet (110), a purified-water outlet (120) and a purified-water outlet (140). The water-inlet conduit (20) is in communication with the water inlet (110). The pure-water conduit (40) is in communication with the pure-water outlet (140). The purified-water conduit (30) is in communication with the purified-water outlet (120) and has a first valve body (320) configured to control on and off of the purified-water conduit (30). The waste-discharge conduit (50) is in communication with the purified-water conduit (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA WATER DISPENSER MFG. CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lyu Yang
  • Patent number: 10449280
    Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilt, Jason A. Demers, Kevin L. Grant, Brian D. Tracey, James D. Dale
  • Patent number: 10322361
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a water purifying system, including: a raw water tank configured to store raw water; a filter unit configured to include a plurality of filtration modules for purifying the raw water and a plurality of valves for feeding or cutting off the raw water; a raw water pump configured to feed the raw water from the raw water tank to the filter unit; and a backwash module configured to feed backwash water to the filter unit, in which some of permeate water permeated by the filter unit is fed to the backwash module to be used as the backwash water and a feed pressure of the backwash water is fed by the raw water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Woo Nyoung Lee, Sung Won Park
  • Patent number: 10272238
    Abstract: An electrode sheet attachable to living tissues is provided. The electrode sheet includes a hydrogel, a non-metallic conductive filler dispersed in the hydrogel, and a pharmaceutical or cosmetic transdermal component dispersed in the hydrogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsumi Yamabe
  • Patent number: 10259724
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating water or liquids in general, including a reverse osmosis filtration device provided with at least one inlet associated with a line for supplying the liquid to be treated, at least one outlet of the permeate associated with a line for dispensing the treated liquid and at least one concentrate outlet associated with a line for discharging the waste. The particularity of the present invention resides in that it includes, downstream of the filtration device, at least one tank that forms inside it two adjacent chambers with a mutually variable volume, in which one chamber is connected to the delivery line while the other chamber is connected to the discharge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FEELFREE SRL
    Inventor: Franco Carlotto
  • Patent number: 10094096
    Abstract: A water storage tank built for a reverse osmosis water purifying system deploys multi water flow passages of purified water and drainage water, allocated a soft bladder unit receiving purified water encompassed by the waste water in the tank. When the water tank unit is fully filled with water, the water pressure activates the auto-shut-off valve or solenoid valve to stop operation of the reverse osmosis water purifying system. When the dispensing faucet is turned on, the drainage water swells to squeeze the soft bladder unit to deliver the purified water out from the soft bladder unit to the dispensing faucet, and the drainage water flushes the reverse osmosis membrane as well. The technique enables the tank to take the least water pressure resistance to hold water and drain water which results in energy saving and water saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Maxtec Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 9963369
    Abstract: A portable power generation and water filtration unit includes a first pump system, a second pump system, a power system, and an enclosure for housing and support. The first pump system consists of an inlet, outlet, and pump unit that is capable of connecting and pumping water from a source to a destination such as a plumbing fixture. The second pump system also includes a filter system, reverse osmosis treatment unit, and alkaline treatment unit. In addition to pumping water, the second pump is used to create sanitized water which is safe and healthful for human use and consumption. In order to supply the necessary electricity for the pump systems, a solar panels and convert sunlight to energy for storage in batteries. The batteries are then electrically connected to pumps and other electrical components, allowing the apparatus to be used off the electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Steven J. Meunier
  • Patent number: 9833748
    Abstract: A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Stetson, Jr., Jonathan Mercurio, Alan Rosenwinkel, Peter V. Bedworth, Shawn P. Fleming, Aaron L. Westman
  • Patent number: 9616388
    Abstract: A water filtering system including an inlet, an outlet and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, where feed water enters the inlet and passes through the filter, and filtered water exits the through the outlet. A measurement device is connected to at least one of the inlet and the outlet measures a concentration of Total Dissolved Solids in at least one of the inlet and the outlet. A bypass valve is connected between the inlet and the outlet, and moves between a closed position and an open position, where the filtered water moves from the outlet to the inlet. A controller communicates with the measurement device and the bypass valve and automatically moves the bypass valve to a position between the closed position and the open position based on the concentration of the Total Dissolved Solids in the filtered water measured by the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CULLIGAN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Christian Pimentel, Kerry Quinn, Doug Anderson, Zach Schroeck
  • Patent number: 9517438
    Abstract: Functionalized membranes for use in applications, such as electrodeionization, can be prepared simply and efficiently by associating a first element of a specific binding pair to a membrane surface and binding a second species comprising the second element of the specific binding pair and at least one functional group to form a complex on the membrane surface. Such membranes may be reversibly modified by disassociating the complex, thereby, providing a fresh surface which may be re-modified according to the preceding methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Seth Adrian Miller
  • Patent number: 9388448
    Abstract: A system and method for processing samples. The system can include a loading chamber, a detection chamber positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber, and a fluid path defined at least partially by the loading chamber and the detection chamber. The system can further include a filter positioned such that at least one of its inlet and its outlet is positioned in the fluid path. The method can include positioning a sample in the loading chamber, filtering the sample in the fluid path to form a concentrated sample and a filtrate, removing the filtrate from the fluid path at a location upstream of the detection chamber, moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the fluid path to the detection chamber, and analyzing at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the detection chamber for an analyte of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Kurt J. Halverson
  • Patent number: 9017551
    Abstract: A side access tank facility including an enclosure for containing water therein. The enclosure has an opening disposed in a side wall thereof. A cover covers the opening in a water sealing engagement with the enclosure. The side access tank facility further comprises an in-tank equipment holding structure for holding in-tank equipment at a predetermined position inside the enclosure. A moving mechanism is provided for moving the in-tank equipment holding structure between a position inside the enclosure and a position outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Newterra Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kennedy, Jeff J. Kempson, Paul C. Brake
  • Publication number: 20150108056
    Abstract: The invention provides microfluidic devices and methods of using such devices for filtering solutions, such as blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph I. Charest, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, M. Amin Arnaout
  • Publication number: 20150096937
    Abstract: A portable water purification system is disclosed. The system can have a water storage receptacle, a reverse osmosis filter, a pump, and a solar panels array group. The reverse osmosis filter can be configurable to convert source water into drinkable water, and the pump can be configurable to provide the source water from a water source to the reverse osmosis filter. The array group can have at least one bi-fold solar panel array, and the array group can be configurable to provide power for the pump. The water storage receptacle can be configurable to contain the drinkable water in one configuration and configurable to contain at least one component of the purification system for storage in another configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin E. Munro
  • Patent number: 8980087
    Abstract: A system and method for filtering is disclosed, which is capable of accomplishing a filtering operation at a high recovery rate of 96% or more, and realizing a compact and simplified system structure, the system comprising a water bath including an inlet and a discharging hole, wherein feed water to be treated is supplied to the inside of the water bath through the inlet, and concentrated water is discharged out through the discharging hole; and plural membrane cassettes including first and second membrane cassettes submerged into the feed water contained in the water bath, wherein the first membrane cassette is positioned nearest to the inlet, and the second membrane cassette is positioned nearest to the discharging hole, wherein the first membrane cassette treats the feed water with a first impurity concentration; the second membrane cassette treats the feed water with a second impurity concentration; and the first impurity concentration is smaller than the second impurity concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang-Jin Lee
  • Publication number: 20150041395
    Abstract: A micro flow filtration system comprises a fluid circuitry (3) and a first reservoir (1) outside the circuitry (3) suitable for containing a fluid. The fluid circuitry (3) comprises a tangential flow filtration module (10) capable of separating the fluid sample into a retentate stream and a permeate stream upon passage of the fluid sample into the tangential flow filtration module (10) through an inlet feed (18). The fluid circuitry (3) further comprises a second reservoir (2) integrated in the fluid circuitry (3), a pump (5) for creating and driving a fluid flow, optionally at least one pressure sensor (6, 7 or 8) for acquiring and detecting data about the fluid sample, optionally a pressure regulator (9) for regulating the flow in the fluid circuitry (3) and a plurality of conduits (22) forming the fluid circuitry (3) together with the second reservoir (2), the TFF-module (10), the pump (5), the pressure sensor (6, 7 or 8) (if present) and the pressure regulator (9) (if present).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Oranth, Nadine Losleben, Sascha Lutz, Adelbert Grossmann
  • Patent number: 8925738
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a water treatment membrane having high chlorine resistance and high permeability, the method including: forming an aqueous amine solution layer on a porous support, using an aqueous amine solution including a fluorine compound having an epoxy group in a terminal thereof and an amine compound; and forming a polyamide layer containing the fluorine compound by bringing an organic solution containing acyl halide into contact with the aqueous amine solution layer, and a water treatment membrane manufactured using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hong Kim, Young-Hoon Ko, Chong-Kyu Shin
  • Publication number: 20140360937
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis treatment device includes: a first pressure vessel for treating an untreated water to produce a primarily treated water and a first permeated water; a second pressure vessel for treating the primarily treated water to produce a secondarily treated water and a second permeated water; a first cleaning solution tank for storing a first cleaning solution for cleaning the first pressure vessel; and a second cleaning solution tank for storing a second cleaning solution for cleaning the second pressure vessel. Each of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel has therein a reverse osmosis membrane element having a reverse osmosis membrane. The first cleaning solution tank is connected to the first concentrate outlet pipe of the first pressure vessel, and the second cleaning solution tank is connected to the inlet pipe for the primarily treated water of the second pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Kotaro Kitamura, Shinichi Yoshikawa, Hiroki Miyakawa
  • Publication number: 20140342446
    Abstract: Described are filtration systems that can be referred to as Pneumatic Alternating Cell Separators (PACS), useful components thereof in the form of assemblies or kits of parts that can be used to build the system, and use of the system for filtering fluids, for instance, in cell culture perfusion systems comprising a filter-containing chamber, an expansion chamber and a gas flow controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Alain PRALONG, Hans Ulrich Dellenbach
  • Patent number: 8883006
    Abstract: A fluid treatment system for treating feed water includes a first tubular member having first and second ends, at least one second tubular member having first and second ends, a pump positioned within the first tubular member, a filtering membrane positioned within the second tubular member, a first end cap for receiving the first ends of the first and second tubular members, and a second end cap for receiving the second ends of the first and second tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kinetico Incorporated
    Inventors: Jerome Kovach, Stuart L. Park, Peter R. Halemba
  • Patent number: 8882997
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a produced water fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated produced water or contaminated aqueous fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the, filter media. The treated fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the nearly instantaneous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a separator for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tervita Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Ford Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140326666
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for removing solids from wastewater. The apparatus may include a dissolved solids removal system including a first membrane stack for removing a first portion of dissolved solids from wastewater, the first membrane stack having a first rejection rate and including at least one first membrane having a first operating pressure rating. A first solution unit may be included downstream of the at least one first membrane, the first solution unit being configured to maintain a differential pressure over the at least one first membrane below the first operating pressure rating. The dissolved solids removal system may also include a final membrane stack for removing a final portion of dissolved solids from the wastewater, the final membrane stack being located downstream of the first membrane stack and having a final rejection rate higher than the first rejection rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: HYSSOP BRANCH, LLC
    Inventors: Bob R. Drew, David Potter
  • Patent number: 8877064
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from fluid including a solid-laden fluid including a base fluid, a first separator configured to receive the solid-laden fluid and separate the fluid into a solids portion and an effluent, and a membrane separator configured to receive the effluent and separate the effluent into a permeate and a concentrate is disclosed. A method for separating solids from fluid including obtaining a solid-laden fluid, wherein the solid-laden fluid comprises a base fluid, feeding the solid-laden fluid through a centrifuge, removing at least a portion of high gravity solids from the solid-laden fluids, flowing the solid-laden fluid through a membrane separator, removing at least a portion of low gravity solids from the solid-laden fluid, and collecting a permeate from the membrane separator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rahul Dixit, Mukesh Kapila
  • Publication number: 20140305197
    Abstract: A blood separation device that is adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the blood separation device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the blood separation device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The blood separation device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The blood separation device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the blood separation device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Gary D. Fletcher, Daniel J. Marchiarullo, Jamieson W. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8852433
    Abstract: Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Anders Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8852439
    Abstract: A liquid filtration method and device, for example a drinking straw with a mouthpiece, and a bundle of hollow fibres. The open ends of the fibres are embedded in a base and provided in a compartment between the base and a liquid outlet. Water or other liquid flows into the inner volume of the hollow fibres and from there through their filtering membrane walls and into the compartment before the liquid flows out through the liquid outlet, for example the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: LifeStraw SA
    Inventors: Daniel Frauchiger, Roelie Bottema, Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen
  • Patent number: 8852438
    Abstract: A membrane filtration device has a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship; said first header and said second header having opposed ends of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming an integrated combination wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed and ends of individual fibers are potted in closely spaced-apart relationship in cured resin; with opposed faces at a fixed distance; each of said fibers having a length from 0.1% to less than 5% greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Zenon Technology Partnership
    Inventors: Mailvaganam Mahendran, Henry Behmann, Steven Kristian Pedersen, Carlos Fernando F. Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 8852432
    Abstract: An induced symbiotic osmosis pump (ISOP) (and method of using same) comprising: a closed loop comprising a riser pipe and a downpipe having substantially the same length fluidly communicating at a base with an induced osmosis semipermeable membrane and fluidly communicating at an opposed end with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a pressure exchanger fluidly communicating with a reverse osmosis membrane, the downpipe comprising a check valve; the induced osmosis semipermeable membrane of the closed loop fluidly communicating with an initial reverse osmosis module fluidly communicating with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a source of fluid having an initial salinity; the brine pump electronically communicating with an electrical source; and, the reverse osmosis membrane fluidly communicating with a storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Maher Isaac Kelada
  • Publication number: 20140295525
    Abstract: A method of producing cellulase includes steps (1) to (3): (1) subjecting an aqueous solution of cellulase derived from filamentaous fungi to filtration through an ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cut off of 100,000 to 200,000 to obtain a filtrate and concurrently obtain a concentrated enzyme liquid as a retentate; (2) further subjecting the filtrate obtained in step (1) to filtration through a second ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cut off of 5,000 to 50,000 to obtain a second concentrated enzyme liquid as a retentate; and (3) mixing the concentrated enzyme liquid obtained in steps (1) and (2) to obtain cellulase derived from filamentaous fungi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kurihara, Katsushige Yamada
  • Patent number: 8845902
    Abstract: Provided are filtration systems that can be referred to as Pneumatic Alternating Cell Separator (PACS), useful components thereof in the form of assemblies or kits of parts that can be used to build the system, and use of the system for filtering fluids, for instance, in cell culture perfusion systems comprising a filter-containing chamber, an expansion chamber and a gas flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Crucell Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Alain Pralong, Hans Ulrich Dellenbach
  • Publication number: 20140246368
    Abstract: A membrane separation device that treats water constructed such that at least two permeate streams of different electrical conductivity are generated therein, including at least two membrane modules arranged in a common pressure vessel such that they can be successively subjected to incoming flow of the water to be treated, wherein the pressure vessel is a tube in which the at least two membrane modules are arranged one behind the other in an axial direction and the at least two membrane modules are spirally wound modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: P & LS Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Neubrand, Juergen Johann, Swen Beusshausen
  • Patent number: 8821719
    Abstract: The arrangement for connection of a medical device, particularly a dialysis device, to a permeate line for the supply of permeate into the device is characterized by an adapter comprising a first supply line section with a terminal coupling member for connection to the water line, a pressure sensor and two successively arranged shut-off valves, and two second supply line sections that branch off from the first supply line member by means of a branching member. Both second supply line sections are connected to two different lines of the device in such a manner that disinfection fluid flows through both second supply line sections in a disinfection process of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Franz Ferdinand Becker
  • Publication number: 20140238940
    Abstract: A reservoir for use with a blood collection system includes a housing defining a cavity and a single stage filter. The housing has an inlet for receiving fluid from a source and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the cavity. The single stage filter includes a filter membrane configured to filter the fluid entering the housing from the inlet, and a frame defining the structure of the single stage filter. The frame also supports the filter membrane within the housing, and has a wiper edge that seals against an inner wall of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Haemonetics Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Schwarz, Steve Mastroyin, Seth Kasper
  • Patent number: 8815088
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a dialysis fluid pump comprises: a housing having an accommodating space formed therein; a dialysis fluid supply tube and a dialysis fluid recovery tube, at least a portion of each of which is accommodated in the accommodating space; a cam rotatably installed in the accommodating space; a motor for rotating the cam; and a first backflow pressure preventer and a second backflow pressure preventer adapted to be mobile in the accommodating space and be pushed by the cam. The dialysis fluid supply tube is made of a flexible material which can be contracted or relaxed, and one end thereof is connected to a dialysis fluid supply tank and the other end thereof is connected to a hemodialysis filter. The dialysis fluid recovery tube is made of a flexible material which can be contracted or relaxed, and one end thereof is connected to a dialysis fluid recovery tank and the other end thereof connected to the hemodialysis filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Ancbio Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nak-Myung Choi, Kyungsoo Lee, Cho Hay Mun, Sa Ram Lee, Dong Wook Lee, Byoung-Goo Min, Jong-Weon Choi
  • Patent number: 8815095
    Abstract: An artificial kidney that regenerates dialysate includes: a catheter having an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen for communication with a peritoneal cavity of a patient; a fluid circuit in fluid communication with the catheter for circulating dialysate into, through and out of the peritoneal cavity; a pump configured to circulate the dialysate; a cleaning cartridge coupled to the fluid circuit for removing solutes from the dialysate, including a therapeutically effective amount of urea from the dialysate as the dialysate circulates along the fluid circuit; and wherein the fluid circuit is configured to receive a volume of ultrafilterate removed from the patient, such that the pump can mix the ultrafiltrate volume with the dialysate to an increase an overall therapy fluid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Brian R. Micheli
  • Publication number: 20140217020
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning and disinfecting a medical therapy device that delivers any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration. The system has a base module that has at least one segment of a controlled compliant flow path and at least one pair of jumpered ports configured on the base module. One or more components have connections connectable to the jumpered ports of the base module to provide for fluid communication between the segment of the controlled compliant flow path in the base module and a flow path defined by the one or more components. The base module is connected to the one or more components that define a flow path configurable for carrying out in part at least one function performed during any one of hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration or hemofiltration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Meyer, David B. Lura, Bryant J. Pudil, Martin T. Gerber, Mark F. Daniels
  • Patent number: 8795517
    Abstract: A machine-readable medium with instructions for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Lannoy
  • Patent number: 8784668
    Abstract: In a regenerative dialysis system, in a method for controlling a regenerative dialysis system, and in a controller for a regenerative dialysis system, an embodiment of the system comprises an input pump that pumps fresh dialysate fluid into a dialyzer at an input rate. An output pump pumps used dialysate fluid from the dialyzer at an output rate. An ultrafiltration rate of the system is related to the output rate relative to the input rate. A sorbent cartridge filters the used dialysate fluid to generate the fresh dialysate fluid. A controller controls the ultrafiltration rate of the system in response to a flow rate of the dialysate fluid through the sorbent cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J Beiriger
  • Patent number: 8778617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the binding constant of a compound of interest to proteins comprising the following steps: a) adding the high affinity compound to a two-chamber system, wherein the two chambers are separated by a semipermeable membrane, which is permeable for the compound of interest, and determining the amount of the high affinity compound of interest in one of the chambers after the distribution equilibrium has been reached, b) adding a sink compound to one of the chambers whereby the sink compound can not permeate the membrane, and determining the distribution coefficient of the compound of interest to the sink compound after the distribution equilibrium has been reached, c) adding an unspecific protein to the other chamber, whereby the unspecific protein can not permeate the membrane, and determining the distribution coefficient of the compound of interest to the unspecific protein in presence of a sink compound after the distribution equilibrium has been reached, and d)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Frauke Assmus, Holger Fischer