Planar Membrane Patents (Class 210/321.84)
  • Patent number: 11938424
    Abstract: A filter module for a gravity-based water purification device is provided. A filter module for a gravity-based water purification device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a support frame including a loop-shaped edge member, which includes an empty space of which both sides are open, and a dividing member, which is coupled to the edge member so as to enable the empty space to be divided into a plurality of storage spaces; a pair of filtering members which are formed in a plate shape having a predetermined area, and which are coupled to the support frame so as to enable filtered water to be produced from raw water moving from the outside toward the plurality of storage spaces; and water-collecting ports for discharging, to the outside, the filtered water stored in the plurality of storage spaces, wherein the plurality of storage spaces communicate with each other through at least one communication passage formed at the dividing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: AMOGREENTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung Gu Han, Sung Bin Lee
  • Patent number: 11473047
    Abstract: A liquid filtration system comprising a syringe pump comprising a gas chamber and a movable plunger, wherein the gas chamber has an aperture at a first end and the plunger forms a seal within the internal walls of the chamber; a liquid chamber having two openings, the openings positioned at opposite ends of the chamber and the first opening connected to the aperture of the gas chamber; a bioreactor in fluidic communication with the second opening of the liquid chamber; a filter arranged to filter liquid passing between the bioreactor and the liquid chamber, the filter comprising a permeate outlet for removing filtered liquid; wherein, in use, the plunger may be moved in a reciprocating motion causing a corresponding movement of gas which drives liquid alternately between the liquid chamber and the bioreactor such that liquid passes through the filter and filtered liquid may be removed via the permeate outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventor: Paul Grant
  • Patent number: 11471833
    Abstract: A flat-plate filter for water treatment and a flat-plate filter module comprising the same are provided. The flat-plate filter for water treatment according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a piece-shaped filtration member comprising a first support and a membrane formed on both sides of the first support; and a support frame fitted in and coupled to the edge of the filtration member so as to support the filtration member, and having a flow path through which filtered water introduced from at least one surface of the filtration member flows, wherein a part of the filtration member is disposed in the flow path or at the edge of the flow path such that the first support is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Amogreentech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Gu Han, Jae Yun Kim
  • Patent number: 11291393
    Abstract: A biological fluid sampling device for collecting a blood sample from a separate vascular access device and for ejecting a portion of the collected sample to a point-of-care testing device for analysis is provided. The biological fluid sampling device includes a body enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir has an internal volume sufficient to contain enough blood for use in a diagnostic test. The sampling device further includes: an access lumen extending from a distal end of the body for establishing fluid communication between a separate vascular access device and the reservoir; an outflow lumen also in fluid communication with the reservoir; and a removable vented cap attached to the outflow lumen including a gas permeable vent in gaseous communication between the reservoir and ambient air. In addition, several sample and transfer devices are provided for obtaining a sample from a subject and transferring the sample to a point-of-care testing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Karl Burkholz, Bryan Garret Davis
  • Patent number: 11247208
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for sample collection and sample separation. In one embodiment, a device is provided for use with a formed component liquid sample, the device comprising at least one sample inlet for receiving said sample; at least a first outlet for outputting only a liquid portion of the formed component liquid sample; at least a second outlet for outputting the formed component liquid sample at least a first material mixed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Labrador Diagnostics LLC
    Inventors: Deborah Sloan, Channing Robertson
  • Patent number: 11235285
    Abstract: There is provided a film separation device 1 equipped with a treatment tank 2 receiving a liquid to be treated, a film unit 3 to be immersed in the liquid to be treated, and a guide mechanism 4. The guide mechanism 4 is composed of holding sections 14 and a guide section 15. The holding sections 14 are provided on a side section of a film cassette 5 constituting the film unit 3, and the guide section 15 is fixed to the treatment tank 2. The guide section 15 has a tank-wall fixed section 15a, an upper extension section 15b, a held section 15c, a lower extension section 15d, and a tank-bottom fixed section 15e. When fixing the film unit 3 to the treatment tank 2, the holding sections 14 are fitted to the held section 15c, thereby guiding the film unit 3 to a predetermined position in the treatment tank 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taichi Narita, Shigeo Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 11202975
    Abstract: A flat filter for water treatment is provided. The flat filter for water treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: filtration members formed in the shape of a plate having a predetermined area; support frames, which are coupled to the rim sides of the filtration members so as to support the filtration members, and have channels into/in which filtered water produced through the filtration members flows and moves; and gap adjustment members coupled to the support frames so as to adjust the gap between the filtration members adjacent to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: AMOGREENTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Gu Han
  • Patent number: 11096612
    Abstract: The present application provides a Capillary number-based method of isolating circulating rare cells from a blood sample from a subject using filtration parameters determined based on the measurement of hemorheological parameters of the sample. The present application also provides a method for determining filtration parameters in a microfluidic elasto-filtration process for isolating circulating rare cells from a blood sample from a subject. The present application further provides a device for isolating circulating rare cells from a blood sample from a subject and a non-transitory computer storage medium for performing methods described in the present application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yi-Kuen Lee, Cong Zhao, Kashif Riaz
  • Patent number: 11058795
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semipermeable membrane. The present disclosure aims to provide a semipermeable membrane having tolerance against a decrease over time in substance permeability. The present disclosure provides a semipermeable membrane containing a resin. The permeation rate of albumin in the semipermeable membrane is no lower than 30%. The albumin adsorption amount obtained when the semipermeable membrane measuring 1 cm on each side is immersed in a 0.1% albumin solution for 90 minutes is no greater than 10 ?g/cm2. The water permeation amount obtained when water is sucked through the semipermeable membrane at a negative pressure of 3±0.2 kPa is expressed by no smaller than 1,000 L/(m2 hour). The semipermeable membrane can isolate a cell from an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masako Kawagoe, Kiyofumi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 10955316
    Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. A single-use pipette tip includes fluid ports for aspirating the sample and connecting to a concentrating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: InnovaPrep, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, Zachary A. Packingham, David Scott Alburty, Alec D. Adolphson
  • Patent number: 10940440
    Abstract: There is provided a film separation device 1 equipped with a treatment tank 2 receiving a liquid to be treated, a film unit 3 to be immersed in the liquid to be treated, and a guide mechanism 4. The guide mechanism 4 is composed of holding sections 14 and a guide section 15. The holding sections 14 are provided on a side section of a film cassette 5 constituting the film unit 3, and the guide section 15 is fixed to the treatment tank 2. The guide section 15 has a tank-wall fixed section 15a, an upper extension section 15b, a held section 15c, a lower extension section 15d, and a tank-bottom fixed section 15e. When fixing the film unit 3 to the treatment tank 2, the holding sections 14 are fitted to the held section 15c, thereby guiding the film unit 3 to a predetermined position in the treatment tank 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taichi Narita, Shigeo Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 10942097
    Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: INNOVAPREP, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, Zachary A. Packingham, David Scott Alburty, Alec D. Adolphson
  • Patent number: 10908144
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved form of nanopore-based molecular sensor: a stack of coaligned nanopores in an equivalent number of directly stacked membranes. One or more of the membranes is moved laterally, altering the volumetric shape and thus the sensing characteristics of the passage. This allows at least three major improvements over existing nanopore sensors: 1) volumetrically tunable sensors allow sensing over a wider range of analyte sizes, 2) volumetric shape changes allow a a novel form of translocation control over transiting molecules, enabling more information to be derived from single molecules through interactions with the walls of the passage and controllable alterations in the local electrostratic and hydrodynamic environment, and 3) volumetric shape changes allow regeneration of an appropriate sensor geometry in the event of corrosion or clogging, greatly extending the useful lifetime of individual sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Stanley Kent Kemmish, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10780376
    Abstract: A disposable filter cup and stem assembly with a filter disc or membrane secured between the cup and the stem. A frangible filter cup disengagement strip is formed on the filter cup about an end adjacent the stem. The filter disc or membrane is secured in the assembly in close proximity to the disengagement strip. Force applied to the disengagement strip separates the filter cup from the stem to expose the top, upstream surface of the filter disc or membrane and to permit removal of the filter disc from the assembly in an intact, substantially horizontal position. A disposable filter capsule assembly formed with a frangible filter capsule disengagement strip encloses a filter disc or membrane and permits separation of the capsule into two sections so as to expose an upstream surface of the filter disc or membrane and to permit removal of the filter disc or membrane in an intact condition after fluid processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS
    Inventors: Kenneth D Adrian, ZhenWu Lin
  • Patent number: 10739341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining in a sample the presence or absence of one or more analyte members of a group of two or more analytes. The invention therefore relates to a multiplex assay for determining the presence or absence of each analyte in a group of multiple analytes. The assay uses aptamers and transmembrane pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Daniel John Turner, Daniel George Fordham, Roger Charles Gill, Clive Gavin Brown, Stuart Reid, James Anthony Clarke, James White
  • Patent number: 10731924
    Abstract: Disclosed are a vapor chamber sealing method and a structure using the method. An upper plate and a lower plate used for making a plate of a vapor chamber are prepared, and outer edges of the upper and lower plates are formed into mutually attached sealed edges, and then the sealed edges of the upper and lower plates are aligned and engaged with each other to form a chamber between the upper and lower plates, and a sealing structure is formed and combined with the sealed edges of the upper and lower plates by an injection molding method, and the sealing structure is formed around and combined with the sealed edges of the upper and lower plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KUNSHAN JUE-CHUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Po Huang
  • Patent number: 10705004
    Abstract: A diffusion cell is described that includes a receiver compartment and a tightening ring intended to be positioned above the receiver compartment in such a way that a membrane sample, such as a sample of a skin, can be arranged between the receiver compartment and the tightening ring. The cell further includes means for tightening by rotation of the tightening ring on the receiver compartment. Uses of such a diffusion cell, in particular for evaluating the penetration capacity of a compound of interest contained in an aerosol formulation, are also described. These uses can be applicable in an occlusive patch or semi-occlusive patch or in a formulation under occlusive or semi-occlusive conditions in the skin. The uses can also be implemented to evaluate the capacity of an aerosol formulation, an occlusive or semi-occlusive patch or a formulation under occlusive or semi-occlusive conditions to deliver a compound of interest through the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GALDERMA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Hanan Osman-Ponchet, Laurent Fredon, Christophe Jacques Louis Bianchi
  • Patent number: 10613011
    Abstract: A method of performing a diffusion test includes clamping a membrane to a body such that a first surface of the membrane is in fluid communication with an interior chamber of the body and a second surface of the membrane is exposed to ambient air, flowing a substance through the ambient air such that at least a portion of the substance lands on the second surface while the membrane is vertically oriented, and determining a concentration of the substance in the interior chamber after some of the substance has diffused through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Creighton University
    Inventors: Daniel Munt, Alekha Dash
  • Patent number: 10589195
    Abstract: A flat filter for water treatment is provided. The flat filter for water treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: filtration members formed in the shape of a plate having a predetermined area; support frames, which are coupled to the rim sides of the filtration members so as to support the filtration members, and have channels into/in which filtered water produced through the filtration members flows and moves; and gap adjustment members coupled to the support frames so as to adjust the gap between the filtration members adjacent to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: AMOGREENTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Gu Han
  • Patent number: 10463994
    Abstract: A diffusiophoretic water filtration device includes a diffusiophoretic flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the flow chamber for receiving the colloidal suspension at the inlet from the inlet manifold, and passing the colloidal suspension between the inlet and at least one outlet in a flow direction; the flow chamber having a removable and reassemblable cover defining a boundary of the diffusiophoretic flow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Split Rock Filter Systems LLC
    Inventor: William Christian Gehris
  • Patent number: 10427105
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device (10) serving to filter a liquid, in particular for treating water. The filter device comprises: at least two plate-shaped filter elements (12) and at least one holding element (20) for filter elements (12). According to the invention, the holding element (20) comprises a holding frame (22), a grout material (26), and an end unit (24), which is separate from the holding frame (22), wherein the grout material (26) is arranged between the filter elements (12) and the holding frame (22), such that the grout material seals the filter elements (12) against the holding frame (22), that the end unit (24) is fastened on the holding frame (22) in a liquid-tight manner, and that the holding frame (22) and the end unit (24) delimit a liquid collection chamber (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Nanostone Water Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Blanke, Bernd Koecher, Daniel Ahlers, Dagmar Wolff, Christopher James Kurth, Christian Goebbert
  • Patent number: 10399041
    Abstract: The antimicrobial agent includes at least one two-dimensional metal carbide layer. The two-dimensional metal carbide has the formula Tin+1CnTx, where T represents a terminal functional group and x represents the number of terminal functional groups. The two-dimensional metal carbide is preferably Ti3C2Tx. The terminating group may be oxygen, hydroxide (OH), fluorine or combinations thereof. The antimicrobial agent may be used as a two-dimensional metal carbide antimicrobial membrane (10) or filter for removal of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and B. subtilis. A stack of two-dimensional metal carbide layers (14) may be supported on a polymer filter substrate (12), such as a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) supporting substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
    Inventors: Kashif Rasool, Khaled Ahmed Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 10199469
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon semiconductor layer including at least one region doped with a first conductive type dopant, a metal material layer electrically connected to the doped region, and a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) between the doped region and the metal material layer, the SAM forming a molecular dipole on an interface of the silicon semiconductor layer in a direction of reducing a Schottky barrier height (SBH).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seunggeol Nam, Hyeonjin Shin, Yeonchoo Cho, Minhyun Lee, Changhyun Kim, Seongjun Park
  • Patent number: 10098682
    Abstract: A high pressure bone cement delivery device includes a delivery adapter having an input port, an output port and cavity having bone cement disposed therein. A pressure intensifier is coupled to the delivery adapter and includes a first chamber containing a gas, a second chamber containing a fluid. The pressure intensifier includes a piston having a first end movably disposed within the first chamber and a second end movably disposed in the second chamber. The pressure intensifier includes a second output port in communication with the second chamber and the input port. The first end of the piston includes a first end surface having a first surface area and the second end of the piston comprises a second end surface having a second surface area that is less than the first surface area. Methods of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Holding Company Sárl
    Inventors: Neil S. Sasaki, Michael A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10086317
    Abstract: A method comprises forming etching islands on a substrate and exposing the substrate with etching islands to a solution that reacts with the etching islands to form a filter passage of interconnected pores in the substrate. The filter passage has an inlet into the substrate and an outlet from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger A. McKay, Patrick W. Sadik
  • Patent number: 9962698
    Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a microfluidic device connected to a bubble trap device whereby fluid flowing to the microfluidic device passes through the bubble trap device to remove gas bubbles prior to entering the microfluidic device. The bubble trap can include a separation chamber and an exhaust chamber separated by a hydrophobic porous membrane and gas bubbles in the fluid entering the separation chamber pass through the hydrophobic porous membrane into the exhaust chamber while the fluid remains in the separation chamber. The bubble trap can be formed by bonding a first body portion to a first side of the hydrophobic porous membrane and bonding a second body portion to a second side of the hydrophobic porous membrane. The exhaust chamber can be connected to an elongated exhaust channel that limits the evaporation losses of the fluid through the hydrophobic porous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Donald E. Ingber, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Daniel Levner, Christopher Hinojosa, Daniel Patterson
  • Patent number: 9789235
    Abstract: Described are devices, methods, and kits for controlled incremental filtration (CIF), as well as methods of designing CIF devices. For example, a method for CIF may modulate a concentration of particles of a desired size in a fluid. The fluid including the particles may be flowed along a flow path through a central channel to contact a plurality of gaps that fluidically couple the central channel to at least one adjacent side channel network. Flow resistance may be decreased along at least a portion of the flow path effective to modulate the concentration of particles. The method may include selecting the plurality of gaps to be larger than the particles. The method may include causing a consistent flow fraction fgap in the central channel to traverse each gap in the plurality of gaps and flow through the at least one side channel network along the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND, HALCYON BIOMEDICAL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sean C. Gifford, Sergey S. Shevkoplyas
  • Patent number: 9738543
    Abstract: Described herein are devices for providing drinking fluid from feed sources comprising: a first reservoir, a filter for mechanically removing particles and a second reservoir for receipt of the processed feed fluid. A continually disinfecting element is disposed in either or both reservoirs to remove additional materials from the fluid. Drinking fluid is provided in a portable device. Optional light sources are provided to interact with the disinfecting elements and/or provide an indication of the contained suitability of such disinfecting elements. A method for creating drinking fluid from a feed source is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rajesh Mukherjee, Benjamin M. Weaver, Tao Gu, Jiadong Zhou, Bin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9731229
    Abstract: A filtering element for the filtration of a fluid medium comprises a rigid porous support of cylindrical shape having a longitudinal central axis (A) and a plurality of channels for the circulation of the fluid medium to be filtered and collection of filtrate on the periphery of the support. The channels are arranged in the support parallel to its central axis central (A) and define at least three filtering zones which are distributed concentrically and separated from each other by a continuous porous zone. The mean thickness of the porous zone (Z1) closest to the central axis (A) is smaller than the mean thickness of the porous zone (Zn-1) the closest to the periphery of the support (1) and, in the direction moving away from the central axis (A) of the support towards its periphery, the mean thickness of a porous zone is either identical to the next or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: TECHNOLOGIES AVANCEES ET MEMBRANES INDUSTRIELLES
    Inventor: Philippe Lescoche
  • Patent number: 9718714
    Abstract: A separation-membrane module 1 includes an element block 2 that is formed by arranging, in parallel, a plurality of separation-membrane elements 4 that are formed by arranging a pair of separation-membranes with their respective permeate surfaces in opposition to each other and sealing the edges of the pair of the membranes; and an aeration block 3 that includes an aeration pipe 31 and that is disposed under the element block 2. In the element block 2, at least one upper spacer 8 is disposed in the upper portion of each space between the adjacent separation-membrane elements 4, and a lower spacer 9 is disposed under the upper spacer 8 in each space between the adjacent separation-membrane elements 4. And the leftmost and the rightmost separation-membrane elements 4 of the plurality of the separation-membrane elements 4 are secured to a frame 12 at the lower spacers 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ando, Yoshifumi Odaka, Yasuharu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9709492
    Abstract: A filter press having a plurality of stackable filter plate assemblies comprises at least one turbidity sensing module [20, 220, 320, 420] coupled to a first filter plate assembly [1] within the plurality of stackable filter plate assemblies. The turbidity sensing module [20, 220, 320, 420] is generally positioned between a filtrate drain opening [8a-d] communicating with a filter chamber [14], and either a filtrate port [7, 13] or filtrate discharge tube [4g, 15], in order to determine a level of turbidity of filtrate [50] exiting said first filter plate assembly. Turbidity levels may be determined independently of turbidity levels of filtrate [50] exiting other filter plate assemblies [1] within the filter press. When turbidity levels reach a predetermined threshold, and alarm [80] is activated, which informs an operator of the need to replace a filter cloth associated with the affected filter plate assembly [1].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: FLSMIDTH A/S
    Inventors: Mike Phillips, Flemming Jørgensen, Robert Singer, Anders Fougner, Alexander Helm
  • Patent number: 9636635
    Abstract: An example separation system includes a stack of membrane plate assemblies. An example membrane plate assembly may include membranes bonded to opposite sides of a spacer plate. The spacer plate may include a first opening in fluid communication with a region between the membranes, and a second opening in fluid communication with a region between membrane plate assemblies. Adjacent membrane plate assemblies in the stack may have alternating orientations such that bonding areas for adjacent membranes in the stack may be staggered. Accordingly, two isolated flows may be provided which may be orthogonal from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Porifera, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Benton, Olgica Bakajin
  • Patent number: 9574977
    Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. A single-use pipette tip includes fluid ports for aspirating the sample and connecting to a concentrating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: INNOVA PREP
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, Zachary A. Packingham, David Scott Alburty, Alec D. Adolphson
  • Patent number: 9546991
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for assessing drug dissolution, absorption and permeation, the devices comprising a chamber, a permeability barrier, and a securing cap, each in fluid communication with each other. The chamber comprises a reservoir and an extension. The permeability barrier is configured to hold cells, tissues, or artificial membranes, and the securing cap is configured to reversibly attach to the permeability barrier or the extension of the chamber. Also provided are systems for assessing drug dissolution, absorption and permeation, the systems comprising at least one of the devices for assessing drug dissolution, absorption and permeation, a dissolution vessel configured to hold a dissolution medium, and a stirring apparatus within the dissolution vessel. Methods for concomitant measuring of dissolution, absorption and/or permeation of a drug are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Absorption Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jibin Li, Ismael J. Hidalgo
  • Patent number: 9234882
    Abstract: By driving molecules electrophoretically through a nanopore, single molecule detection can be achieved. To enhance translocational control, functionalized and non-functionalized electrodes are strategically placed around or above a nanopore. Changes in transmission spectra and input voltage detected by electrodes allow accurate identification of single molecules as they pass through a nanopore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Andres Jaramillo-Botero, William A. Goddard, III
  • Patent number: 9194771
    Abstract: A passive diffusion sampler and kit that includes a passive diffusion sample bag comprising a regenerated cellulose membrane to allow for sampling of a broad spectrum of contaminants and VOCs. The sample bag is disposed in a rigid housing which protects the bag from tearing and also allows the housing to be inverted to suspend the bag upside down and provide a user access to a fluid outlet means on the bag for withdrawing a sample from the bag without agitating the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Craig Intelisano
  • Patent number: 9180239
    Abstract: A device and method for oxygenating blood is disclosed herein. The device includes a plurality of passive mixing elements that causes a fluid to mix as it flows through the device. The passive mixing elements continually expose new red blood cells to the portion of the flow channel where oxygenation can occur. Accordingly, in some implementations, the device and method uses less blood to prime the device and allows for the oxygenation of blood with a substantial shorter flow channel when compared to conventional oxygenation methods and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Joseph L. Charest, James C. Hsiao, Tatiana Kniazeva, Ernest S. Kim, Alla Epshteyn, Vijaya Kolachalama
  • Patent number: 9022225
    Abstract: Provided is a filtration filer with which a stable opening size during filtration is obtained, and which can be easily regenerated when clogged and used repeatedly. The filtration filter (10) comprises: a substrate stack wherein substrates (11) that have a through hole that penetrates from front to back are stacked; stoppers (15) that define the spacing between the substrates (11); and pillars (16) with a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the stoppers (15). The spacing between the substrates (11) at normal temperature is defined at least by the stoppers (15), and the spacing when heated is defined by the thermally expanded pillars (16). The gaps between the substrates (11) form the filtration surface that traps contaminants contained in the liquid that is being treated A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriya, Asao Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20150041127
    Abstract: Provided is an oil/water separation method that is capable of decreasing the frequency of clogging. The method is for separating oil and water from each other that are generated by an in-situ recovery method for producing bitumen 82 from oil sand (1500). After oil-containing water (83, 84) obtained as a result of the bitumen 82 being removed from a bitumen-mixed fluid 81 recovered from under the ground is prepared, the step of membrane-distilling the oil-containing water 84 by use of a distillation membrane member 10 formed of a porous membrane 20 is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Nobuharu Kuki, Ryoichi Matsushima
  • Patent number: 8945385
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane filtration device comprising a plurality of planar membrane filter elements which are combined to form a membrane package and are disposed within the membrane package parallel to and spaced apart from one another. A wall encloses the membrane package on all sides, and within which at least one inlet chamber which is connected to at least one inlet, and at least one outlet chamber which is connected to at least one outlet. An oscillation unit is connected to the membrane package and the wall to induce oscillation in a direction parallel to the membrane filter elements. The oscillation unit is connected to a frame which encloses the membrane package and which is connected to the wall of the membrane package by means of least one spring, whose main direction of spring action extends parallel to the plane of the membrane filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Big Dutchman International GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Wesselmann, Amin Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8945386
    Abstract: A membrane filtration apparatus includes a frame, in which a plurality of membrane members, an aeration device, a cleaning device, and a jet device are provided. The cleaning device includes a rail mounted on the frame; an up frame engaging the rail to be moved in the rail, a plurality of cleaning wires respectively having an end connected to the up frame and respectively passing through a space between each two of the neighboring membrane members; and a low frame connected to opposite ends of the cleaning wires. A motor is provided to move the up frame so that the cleaning wires are reciprocating in the space to scratch the sludge off the membrane members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Yung-Chuan Lee Wang
  • Patent number: 8936724
    Abstract: A filtration cartridge is provided comprising one or a stack of filtration units sealed to each other at their outer periphery and to end caps thereby eliminating the need for a housing surrounding the stack. Fluid pathways are provided so that filtration of all incoming feed is assured prior to passing from the cartridge as filtrate. Two permeate pathways are provided to direct permeate to an outlet from the filtration cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen G. Hunt
  • Patent number: 8919385
    Abstract: A manifold plate and a filtration arrangement including a manifold plate which comprises a body having a mounting region on the exterior of the body and first and second fluid channels extending within the body. The mounting region has at least one first opening and at least one second opening. At least one first fluid passageway fluidly couples the first opening to the first fluid channel and at least one second passageway fluidly couples the second opening to the second fluid channel. One or more filtration units may be mounted to the mounting region in fluid communication with the first and second openings of the manifold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Cheryl A. Sayer, Cristopher J. Petersen
  • Patent number: 8911624
    Abstract: A filtration cartridge (20) is provided comprising one or a stack of filtration units (26) sealed to each other at their inner periphery and to end caps (22, 24) eliminating the need for a housing surrounding the stack. Fluid pathways are provided so that filtration of all incoming feed is assured prior to passing from the cartridge as filtrate. The filtration cartridge can be provided with a single outlet (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Rautio
  • Patent number: 8905960
    Abstract: A device for the filtration of a complex fluid composition such as blood, includes a base (12) with a bottom (18), a top (14) with a bottom (30), and a membrane (16) that is arranged between the base and the top so as to define a low chamber C1 and a high chamber C2, with an input tap (26) of the complex composition that is to be filtered emptying into the low chamber C1, an output tap (28) of the retentate with elements for adjusting the flow rate emptying into this same low chamber C1, and an output tap (36, 36-1) of the high chamber C2, whereby this output tap (36, 36-1) of the permeate is subjected to negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Direction et Priorites
    Inventors: Francis Gadrat, Bertrand Chastenet
  • Patent number: 8889071
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating plasma by which plasma can be separated from a small amount of whole blood cell sample without centrifugation is disclosed. This apparatus includes a blood channel through which blood flows; and a plasma channel through which plasma separated from said blood flows. The plasma channel is arranged at least partially in parallel with said blood channel and the blood channel and the plasma channel are at least partially in contact with each other along the longitudinal direction of the channels. Blood is made to flow at a flow rate at which blood cell components in the blood flowing through the blood channel axially accumulate and at which hemolysis does not occur. The plasma moves to the plasma channel after being separated into a blood cell layer and a plasma layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Institute of Microchemical Technology Co., Ltd., The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Arata Aota, Takehiko Kitamori
  • Publication number: 20140251893
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration means (10) for the filtration of liquid media having a housing (12) and at least one filter element (16) arranged in said housing (12), wherein at least one of said filter element (16) at at least one axial end has a laterally outwardly extending flange (24), which is connected to said housing (12) forming a seal. Said flange (24) has a conical surface (25) projecting outwardly which interacts with a complementary conical surface (27) of a gasket (26) which is arranged between said flange (24) and said housing (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: KSM WATER GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Goebbert, Manfred Volz
  • Patent number: 8821726
    Abstract: A submerged membrane separator 31 includes: a casing 33 opened at the top; a plurality of flat membrane cartridges 34 arrayed at intervals in the casing 33; and an air diffuser 36 provided below the membrane cartridges 34. The membrane cartridges 34 are movably held in the up-down direction in the casing 33 while having a space ? in the up-down direction. Lifting suppressing members 63a and 63b for restricting a lifting amount of the membrane cartridges 34 during filtration operation to be smaller than the space ? in the up-down direction are provided in the casing 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Tatsuya Uejima, Tomohiko Sasaki, Kimihiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8815092
    Abstract: A microfiltration apparatus and method for separating cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from a sample using a microfiltration device having a top porous membrane and a bottom porous membrane. The porous membranes are formed from parylene and assembled using microfabrication techniques. The porous membranes are arranged so that the pores in the top membrane are offset from the pores in the bottom membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Siyang Zheng, Richard Cote, Henry Lin, Bo Lu, Yu-Chong Tai
  • Publication number: 20140231331
    Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SPF INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Gaston de los Reyes, Leon Mir