All Cylindrical Membranes Are Parallel Patents (Class 210/321.89)
  • Patent number: 11918956
    Abstract: A membrane assembly includes a tube container having an inlet conduit and a first outlet conduit both oriented in a radial direction, and a second outlet conduit oriented in an axial direction; and a hollow fiber membrane element disposed inside the tube container, the hollow first membrane element comprising a first adapter with an axial permeate fluid passage in a center thereof and an inlet gas passage in a peripheral portion thereof; and a second adapter with an axial permeate fluid passage in a center thereof and a non-permeate fluid passage in a peripheral portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: George E. Mahley, III
  • Patent number: 11912585
    Abstract: A portable water collection and filtering device is described. Such water may be collected from irrigation runoff (e.g., excess water from a sprinkler system for watering a lawn or other landscaping that may run along a street gutter), rainwater (e.g., water travelling along a roof gutter, through a downspout, etc.). The portable water collection and filtering device may be able to couple to a collection resource such as an empty bottle. In this way, small amounts of runoff may be captured, stored, and utilized (e.g., to water plants). Such captured water may be provided to various other devices and/or systems (e.g., a treatment system, a larger storage unit, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Laura Shannon Fiore
  • Patent number: 11912841
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the technical field of new foaming materials, in particular to a preparation method of a microporous foam material with oriented cells, which comprises the following steps: (1) melting and mixing raw materials for preparing a polymer composite material, and then carrying out hot stretching to obtain polymer composite fibers; the raw materials comprise a polymer matrix, a fiber-forming phase substance and a processing aid; (2) arranging the polymer composite fibers prepared in the step (1) in the same direction, and performing hot pressing to obtain a polymer composite board with oriented fibers; and (3) carrying out supercritical fluid foaming on the polymer composite board prepared in the step (2) to obtain the microporous foam material with oriented cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Zhengzhou University
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Wang, Yufan Jiang, Jing Jiang, Lian Yang, Yangyang Li, Qian Li
  • Patent number: 11913737
    Abstract: A heatsink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having successive elements or regions having varying size scales. According to one embodiment, an accumulation of dust or particles on a surface of the heatsink is reduced by a removal mechanism. The mechanism can be thermal pyrolysis, vibration, blowing, etc. In the case of vibration, adverse effects on the system to be cooled may be minimized by an active or passive vibration suppression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Fractal Heatsink Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I Poltorak
  • Patent number: 11904280
    Abstract: The invention relates to filtration system (20), comprising a tank (40) filled at least partly with water to be filtered, and at least one filtration module (30), the at least one filtration module (30) comprising at least one filter membrane (10) for filtering the water comprising a substrate (12) which is penetrated by at least one capillary (16), and at least one filtrate pipe (32) for drawing filtered water out of the tank (40), whereat the at least one filtration module (30) is arranged in the tank (40) such that the at least one filter membrane (10) is submerged at least partly in the water to be filtered. The at least one filtration module (30) is designed and arranged such that water to be filtered flows into the at least one capillary (16) and from the at least one capillary (16) through the substrate (12) into the filtrate pipe (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DUPONT SAFETY & CONSTRUCTION, INC.
    Inventor: Martin Heijnen
  • Patent number: 11883072
    Abstract: A medical device is provided that includes a fine needle aspiration device and an incision device, which are inserted into a body with an endoscope. The fine needle aspiration device includes an injection needle and an injection needle tube, which surrounds the injection needle. A first limiting unit limits the length of the needlepoint of the injection needle protruding from the injection needle tube. A syringe is connected to the injection needle for tissue collection and medicine injection. A second limiting unit limits the connection between the injection needle and the syringe. The incision device includes a knife and a knife tube that surrounds the knife. A third limiting unit limits the length of the cutting edge of the knife protruding from the knife tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: FINE MEDIX CO., LTD
    Inventor: Tae Gyung Lee
  • Patent number: 11865264
    Abstract: A moisture removal apparatus for a breathing circuit may include a breathing gas conduit configured to receive a flow of breathing gas having a first humidity level. The apparatus may include a dry gas conduit adjacent to at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit, the dry gas conduit configured to receive a flow of dry gas having a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. The apparatus may also include a feeding conduit extending through at least a portion of the dry gas conduit, the feeding conduit configured to introduce the dry gas into the dry gas conduit. The apparatus may further include a moisture transmission pathway configured to enable transfer of moisture from the breathing gas to the dry gas based on the humidity differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Medline Industries, LP
    Inventors: Daniel Patrick Dwyer, James Lorek
  • Patent number: 11839857
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a filtration membrane bundle (30) comprising a plurality of elongated filtration fibers (40) arranged in a spiraled coil (34); and one or more filaments (50) woven around the plurality of elongated filtration fibers (40) binding one or more adjacent elongated filtration fibers (40) at a predetermined and homogeneous spacing (44,48) from one another wherein each elongated filtration fiber (40) is bound to respective adjacent elongated filtration fibers (40) in a co-planar configuration, and wherein the co-planar configuration of filtration fibers (40) are rolled into a coil (34). Furthermore, a filtration membrane assembly comprising the filtration membrane bundle (30) and a housing and method of providing the filtration membrane bundle (30) are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: i2M LLC
    Inventor: Stuart Miller
  • Patent number: 11771810
    Abstract: An oxygenator includes a housing having a blood inlet and a blood outlet, the blood inlet extending into an interior of the housing. A heat exchanger is disposed within the housing, and is coupled, at an inlet end, to a heat-exchange fluid inlet. A gas exchanger also is disposed within the housing, and includes a bundle of gas-exchange fibers coupled, at a gas outlet end, to a gas-exchange fluid outlet. The oxygenator includes at least one insulator configured to thermally insulate at least the gas outlet end of the bundle of gas-exchange fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Claudio Silvestri, Clara Pandolfini, Barbara Lancini
  • Patent number: 11724007
    Abstract: A disposable coating applicator container for applying a coating of a therapeutic agent upon an object to be coated. The disposable coating applicator container includes a sealable container, the sealable container having a container bottom, the container bottom having upwardly extending walls, each upwardly extending wall terminating in an upper edge, and a closure for sealing a device compartment formed in part by the upwardly extending walls, the closure adjacent to the upper edges of the upwardly extending walls; and a therapeutic agent positioned in fluid communication with the device compartment, wherein the disposable coating applicator container comprises a flexible material and is in the form of a bag-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Richard Cichocki, Robert J. Tannhauser, Leo B. Kriksunov
  • Patent number: 11697095
    Abstract: The invention provides a cross-flow separation element comprising a single-piece rigid porous support (2) having within its volume at least one channel (41) for passing a flow of the fluid medium for treatment, which channel presents a flexuous flow volume (V1) defined by sweeping a generator section along a curvilinear path around a reference axis, and in that the reference axis does not intersect said generator section and is contained within the volume of the porous support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: TECHNOLOGIES AVANCEES ET MEMBRANES INDUSTRIELLES
    Inventors: Philippe Lescoche, Jérôme Anquetil
  • Patent number: 11666858
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method for determining process conditions to remove volatile organic compounds from a polymer product through blowing. According to the method of the present application, time and energy can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Je Seob Park, Won Chan Park, Jae Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11654401
    Abstract: A cartridge for non-cryogenically separating a gas into components includes a plurality of hollow polymeric fibers, the fibers being anchored by a pair of tubesheets, each tubesheet being adjacent to a head, the tubesheet and head being joined by a clamshell retainer. The cartridge does not have a core tube. The fibers are enclosed within a sleeve, the sleeve being sufficiently thin so as to be a non-structural element. The cartridge may be inserted within a larger pressure vessel. The cartridge of the present invention can accommodate more fibers than comparable cartridges of the prior art, and therefore has greater throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Generon IGS, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kociolek, Marc Straub, Frederick L. Coan, Luis Brizuela, John A. Jensvold, Kyle Jensvold, Karen Skala
  • Patent number: 11634350
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge includes a sediment filter, a carbon filter, and a core having a tubular body with openings that allow water to flow through the core. The core defines an open central area, and the core supports the sediment filter and the carbon filter. A nanofiltration unit is arranged within the open central area of the core. The nanofiltration unit includes a tubular filter element defining a central volume, and a plurality of filaments arranged within the central volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Giancarlo Fantappie, Steven T. Jersey
  • Patent number: 11613477
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus for a container, the apparatus includes a connection portion for securing the apparatus to the container; a housing; a hand pump attached to the housing, the hand pump comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a user-operated actuator, the hand pump is configured to pass filtered water through the inlet in a first direction towards the outlet of the hand pump during a first stroke of the user-operated actuator, and in both the first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction during a second stroke of the user-operated actuator; and a filter fluidly connected to the inlet of the hand pump, the housing is configured to house the filter and at least part of the hand pump, the housing is configured to pass water, the filter is configured to be a two-way valve for regulating water flow between the housing and the hand pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Faircap CIC
    Inventor: Mauricio Cordova
  • Patent number: 11547970
    Abstract: A membrane module comprising a hollow fiber membrane bundle with a longitudinal extent, a membrane bundle cross section and a first and a second bundle end, the bundle comprising a multitude of hollow fiber membranes extending between the first and the second bundle end, and also comprising, within the membrane bundle cross section, a proportion of threads which are arranged between the hollow fiber membranes and which keep the hollow fiber membranes apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Evonik Fibres GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Wiese
  • Patent number: 11491268
    Abstract: A mechanical kidney transplant designed may include a four modules designed to interconnect to clean blood. The first module may include a plurality of pump modules and a resin gel regeneration module, wherein the first module is operatively attached to a patient's iliac artery, iliac vein, and bladder. The second module may be operatively attached to the first module and may include storage and pump systems. The third module may be operatively attached to the first and fourth modules and may include a housing with ports for inflow/outflow of the blood and the physiologic resin gel between the first module and the fourth module. The fourth module may include at least one dialyzer fiber sized to accommodate a volume of blood flowing therethrough and an area surrounding the dialyzer fiber may be sized to accommodate a volume of a physiologic resin gel flowing counter current to the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Pascal Dabel
  • Patent number: 11298662
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microporous hollow fiber filter membrane having a large inner diameter and a thin wall. The fiber can be used for sterile filtration of liquids or removal of particles from liquids. The disclosure further relates to a method for producing the membrane and a filter device comprising the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Bernd Krause, Adriana Boschetti-De-Fierro, Manuel Voigt, Johannes Geckeler, Ferdinand Schweiger
  • Patent number: 11007486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a permeation property of hollow-fibre membranes wherein the permeation property of the hollow-fibre membrane is determined on a hollow-fibre membrane bundle which has been introduced into a housing and has terminally open hollow-fibre membranes at a first end of the hollow-fibre membrane bundle and terminally closed hollow-fibre membranes at a second end of the hollow-fibre membrane bundle. The invention more particularly relates to a method of determining the clearance, more particularly the diffusive clearance of hollow-fibre membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Elmar Grausam, Ingo Fehr
  • Patent number: 10946309
    Abstract: A fiber bundle contactor may include a vessel including a first inlet; a second inlet; a mixing zone arranged in the vessel to receive a first fluid from the first inlet and a including fluid from the second inlet, wherein the mixing zone comprises a perforated plate assembly comprising a plate, a plurality of openings in the plate, and a plurality of riser pipes that extend from the plate and arranged to allow fluid flow through additional openings in the plate; and an extraction zone including a fiber bundle arranged in the vessel to receive the first fluid and the second fluid from the mixing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Merichem Company
    Inventors: John Jagger, Chaitanya Sathaiah Vudutha, Raj Nagarajan
  • Patent number: 10744519
    Abstract: A discharge device for discharging a liquid content in a tube container in a droplet form, in which a tube main body; a tube head including an integrated discharge rod; a regulating unit provided in an assembly space of the tube head; and a valve unit are sequentially assembled, so that a uniform amount of the liquid content is discharged in the droplet form through a narrow passage and a wide passage, and then through the wide passage and a narrow passage when the liquid content is discharged in the droplet form in a process of discharging the liquid content through a discharge passage by a pressure applied by a user. Accordingly, an appropriate amount of the liquid content is smoothly used. Particularly, long-term use of the liquid content is ensured, and the uniform amount of the liquid content is accurately discharged in the droplet form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Jong Su Lim
  • Patent number: 10322223
    Abstract: An oxygenator comprising a hollow-fibre film bundle is surrounded at least in certain areas by a bubble-retaining filter. In order to ensure an optimal function of the hollow-fibre film bundle and the bubble-retaining filter, it is proposed that a gas-permeable retaining structure is arranged between hollow-fibre film bundle and bubble-retaining filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MEDOS Medizintechnik AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ochel, Andreas Maurer
  • Patent number: 10143650
    Abstract: A dispersion including a plurality of bodies dispersed in a continuous phase. Each dispersed body including an internal drop formed with an internal phase miscible with the continuous phase, the internal drop (16) receiving an active product. Each dispersed body including, around the internal drop, a membrane formed with an intermediate phase immiscible with the continuous phase and totally surrounding the internal drop. The ratio R1 of the average thickness (e) of the membrane over the average transverse dimension (Dc) of the active volume delimited by the internal drop and the membrane is greater than 0.05, and is advantageously less than 0.5. The ratio R2 of the partition coefficient of the active product between the intermediate phase forming the membrane and the internal phase forming the internal drop over the viscosity of the membrane is less than 1 s?1·Pa?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: CAPSUM
    Inventors: Jérôme Bibette, Thomas Delmas, Enric Santanach Carreras, Leslie Rolland
  • Patent number: 10137619
    Abstract: Hollow fiber membranes are potted by injecting a liquid material into a substantially closed cavity (44) containing the fibers. The cavity may be formed in part by the interaction of a mold a permeate pan (52) and a layer of an adhesive pre-applied to a bundle of the membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ZENON TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Robert Szabo, Gabor Bakos, Attila Palinkas, Steven Kristian Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10124105
    Abstract: A device (1) for the extracorporeal oxygenation of the blood of a patient, comprising a containment casing (2) which has at least an inlet port (4) of the venous blood and at least an outlet port (5) of the arterial blood, at least an inlet channel (6) and at least an outlet channel (7) of a work gas intended to provide oxygen to blood and/or to remove CO2 from the same, at least a bundle of hollow fibers (8) arranged within the casing (2) and placed between the inlet channel (6) and the outlet channel (7), the hollow fibers being in communication with the inlet and outlet channels (6, 7) and being intended to be crossed by the relative work gas, at least a first and at least a second filtering elements (12, 13) arranged inside the bundle of hollow fibers (8) and spaced apart the one from the other, the filtering elements (12, 13) being able to trap any air bubbles present in the treated blood, where the first and second filtering elements (12, 13) define a relative open profile and where the hollow fibers (8
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Eurosets S.r.l.
    Inventors: Antonio Petralia, Nicola Ghelli, Edgardo Costa, Roberto Balanzoni
  • Patent number: 10105642
    Abstract: A device for the separation of water, in particular water vapor, from a fluid flow containing water, in particular water vapor, may include at least a water-permeable membrane body that delimits at least one membrane body interior space, wherein at least one hydrophobic fluid is located in the membrane body interior space for receiving water, in particular water vapor, which exits the fluid flow and passes through the membrane body into the membrane body interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Alexander Tremel, Uwe Lenk, Markus Ziegmann
  • Patent number: 9839880
    Abstract: A water treatment device using a hollow fiber membrane module is provided, including: a water container filled with raw water; a hollow fiber membrane module installed in the water container and provided with hollow fiber membranes therein to perform water treatment by a water pressure difference; and a raw water supplying part positioned on the water container, and configured to supply the raw water into the water container through the hollow fiber membrane module, in which the hollow fiber membrane module causes the raw water supplied from the raw water supplying part collide with the hollow fiber membrane to move the hollow fiber membrane, so that it is possible to minimize contamination of the hollow fiber membrane, minimize use of energy using electricity, and wash the hollow fiber membrane by a physical method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION YONSEI UNIVERSITY WONJU CAMPUS
    Inventors: Soo Hong Noh, Jong Hun Lee, Danhong Kim, Jong chan Yi
  • Patent number: 9498753
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of sealing the free end of a hollow fiber membrane for use in a single header filtration module by dipping the end of the membrane into a low-viscosity light-curable adhesive and curing the adhesive. The invention further encompasses the resulting sealed hollow fiber membrane with a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the unsealed membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David Colby
  • Patent number: 9409130
    Abstract: A submerged-type hollow fiber membrane module and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed, which is capable of realizing a great sealing strength between a module case and a bundle of hollow fiber membranes without an additional centrifugal molding apparatus. The method includes forming a bundle of hollow fiber membranes held together and fixed by a first potting material, wherein one end of each of the hollow fiber membranes is open; putting the bundle of hollow fiber membranes in a module case and fixing the bundle of hollow fiber membranes in the module case by forming a second potting material on the first potting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Moo-Seok Lee, Sung-Hak Choi
  • Patent number: 9283524
    Abstract: A gas separation membrane module is formed from a woven fabric of weft membrane hollow fibers and warp yarns. The membrane module includes an active hollow fiber region spanning the inner edges of the two tubesheets. The membrane module also includes two tubesheets formed by encapsulating membrane fiber on one or both ends. The tubesheet on the end includes a first sub-region adjacent the active fiber and a second sub-region extending from first sub-region to the outer face of the tubesheet. The spacing of the warp threads is relatively denser in the first sub-region than in the active region or the second sub-region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Tao Li, Edgar S. Sanders, Jr., Michael D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9142851
    Abstract: A composite membrane suitable for use in an electrochemical cell, comprises layers of a hydrophilic material and of a second material having relatively high conductivity and which is also relatively susceptible to dehydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ITM POWER (RESEARCH) LTD.
    Inventor: Donald James Highgate
  • Patent number: 9052063
    Abstract: A container for storing compressed gas includes a plurality of aligned glass capillaries extending into a tubesheet. Each of the capillaries has an open end flush with a front face of the tubesheet. An end cap having a gas outlet connectable to a compressed gas valve or conduit is fitted to the tubesheet in gas-tight fashion to form a high pressure space defined by inner surfaces of the capillaries, the front face of the tubesheet, and inner surfaces of the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude, Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude C.En Ltd.
    Inventors: Pascal Tessier, Tao Li, Edgar S. Sanders, Jr., David P. Edwards, Francoise Barbier
  • Publication number: 20150136697
    Abstract: An oily water separator for removing oil from oil-containing water, including a vessel, a filtration membrane unit and a discharge mechanism; the filtration membrane unit containing a filtration membrane module and a returning mechanism, the filtration membrane module for performing filtration in the state of allowing the module to be immersed into the oil-containing water; the filtration membrane module having an elongated filtration membrane with an opening portion, the opening portion of the filtration membrane being fixed to one end of the filtration membrane module, the opening portion of the filtration membrane being communicatively connected to the returning mechanism; the returning mechanism being extended along the filtration membrane toward an end on a side opposite to an end portion having the opening portion thereof, the returning mechanism being communicatively connected with the discharge mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Masaaki SAKURAI, Kenji SAKAI, Hidekiyo HARA, Kanako ABE, Takashi NOMURA
  • Patent number: 9017277
    Abstract: An implantable dialysis device with a related medical system for intracorporeal dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood, and methods of use are described. The medical system includes an extracorporeal module, a cutaneous module, and an implantable module. Features of the implantable module facilitate delivery and flow of blood and dialysate through the medical system. A filter pack within the implantable module performs dialysis and ultrafiltration of blood. System cleansing is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: SuPing Lyu, Thomas Edward Meyer, Mark Fredrick Daniels, Bryant J. Pudil
  • Patent number: 9018158
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of overcoming resistance to at least one antibiotic in a multidrug resistant bacterium, said method comprising contacting said bacterium with an alginate oligomer together with the antibiotic. The multidrug resistant bacterium may be on an animate or inanimate surface and both medical and non-medical uses and methods are provided. In one aspect the invention provides an alginate oligomer for use together with at least one antibiotic in treating a subject infected, suspected to be infected, or at risk of infection, with a multidrug resistant bacterium to overcome resistance to the antibiotic in said multidrug resistant bacterium. In another aspect the method can be used to combat contamination of a site with multidrug resistant bacteria, e.g. for disinfection and cleaning purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Algipharma AS
    Inventors: Edvar Onsoyen, Rolf Myrvold, Arne Dessen, David Thomas, Timothy Rutland Walsh
  • Patent number: 8974668
    Abstract: A membrane element consisting of a hollow fiber stack (HF stack) comprising a plurality of substantially equally spaced hollow fibers (HFs) comprising multiple alternate rows of HFs comprising first ends extending through and between contact structures comprising solid thermoset material, each HF consisting of a hydrophilic semipermeable membrane defining an elongated lumen, each HF comprising a portion that extends from one contact structure to an opposed contact structure, wherein the HFs in alternate rows are aligned with the spaces in adjacent rows, forming a hexagonal pattern comprising repeating adjacent and/overlapping hexagons, wherein each hexagon comprises a central hollow fiber (central HF) surrounded by six immediately adjacent HFs defining a hexagonal perimeter comprising six sides, the six immediately adjacent HFs being substantially equally spaced from one another and substantially equally spaced from the central hollow fiber, wherein the spacing is adapted to maintain a Reynolds' number of abo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Maher Isaac Kelada
  • Publication number: 20150053602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bulk liquid container (1) for the storage and distribution of water to a community as drinking water. The container comprises a container housing for holding water, the housing having a substantially capsular form; an output valve (2) arranged to release water from the container; a water filter (101) arranged to filter water passing from the internal volume of the container out of the container through the output valve, the filter comprising one or more membranes and comprising a plurality of sub-groups of hollow fibres (61) which are effective to pass water in preference to air under the influence of a pressure differential; and a pump for raising the internal pressure of the container. The invention further provides a filter (101) for use in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: PRITCHARD IP LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael William Pritchard
  • Patent number: 8961790
    Abstract: A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least one permeate exhaust conduit and at least one concentrate exhaust conduit. Each exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least one permeate carrier layer, and at least one membrane layer. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip Paul Beauchamp, Michael Kent Cueman, Daniel Jason Erno, Todd Alan Anderson, Dean David Marschke
  • Publication number: 20150048019
    Abstract: A vertical pressurized immersion membrane filtration system includes at least one pressure vessel/tank and at least one layer of membrane modules sealed therein. Every layer has at least two parallel membrane modules, with space left between the membrane module and the pressure vessel/tank. The upper and lower ends of every membrane module have plates and the upper and lower membrane modules are hermetically connected. The plates separate the space in the pressure vessel/tank into two sealed end compartments and a middle compartment. The membrane module includes interior membrane fibers and an outer perforated supporting cylinder surrounding the membrane fibers. The pressure vessel/tank has end and middle water inlets/outlets. The pressure vessel/tanks are parallel. The multiple membrane modules work simultaneously, effectively increasing filtration efficiency. The filtration system can work in multiple operation modes, improving applicability thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Huichun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8956538
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for desalination of salt water based on an engineered acoustic field that causes constructive and destructive interference at pre-computed spatial positions. The engineered acoustic field can cause high-pressure and low-pressure regions where desalination membranes are located. The induced pressure from the acoustic field can force pure water through the membranes leaving ionic and dissolved molecular species behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Rietman, Bart Lipkens
  • Publication number: 20150034546
    Abstract: A cartridge type hollow fiber membrane module includes: a cartridge type hollow fiber membrane element including a hollow fiber membrane bundle, a distribution cylinder, and an adhesive resin portion; a module case including a module case main body portion which has at least one port corresponding to a supply outlet of filtrate or an undiluted solution on a side surface, and a header which has a port corresponding to a supply outlet of filtrate or an undiluted solution, and accommodating the cartridge type hollow fiber membrane element; a first sealing member disposed to come into contact with the distribution cylinder and the header on an external side of a boundary surface between the supporting portion and the adhesive resin portion; and a second sealing member disposed to come into contact with an outer circumference portion of the distribution cylinder and the module case main body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC
    Inventors: Hayato Inuzuka, Kohei Fujii, Norihiro Takeuchi, Atsushi Kobayashi, Takashi Minitsuka
  • Patent number: 8945387
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane element may be used in a pressure vessel similar to those used with spiral wound elements, optionally as a replacement for a spiral wound element. A connecting sleeve is used to connect the insides of adjacent elements to each other or to one or more fittings in communication with the outside of the pressure vessel. The element has hollow fiber membranes suspended between two potting heads spaced apart by a cross flow tube that is open at the outside faces of both potting heads. The potting heads are each adapted to slide into an end of a connecting sleeve. A module has one or more hollow fiber elements located inside of a pressure vessel. At least one port is provided in communication between the outsides of the one or more elements and the outside of the vessel. An aerator may be provided on the bottom of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nicholas William H. Adams
  • Patent number: 8877062
    Abstract: The invention relates to extracorporeal blood circuits, and components thereof (e.g., hollow fiber membranes, potted bundles, and blood tubing), including 0.005% to 10% (w/w) surface modifying macromolecule. The extracorporeal blood circuits have an antithrombogenic surface and can be used in hemofiltration, hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, hemoconcentration, blood oxygenation, and related uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Interface Biologics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjoy Mullick, Weilun Chang, Hanje Chen, Mark Steedman, Roseita Esfand
  • Publication number: 20140319045
    Abstract: Hollow fiber cartridges and components and methods of their construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: REFINE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry SHEVITZ
  • Patent number: 8858796
    Abstract: A membrane filtration assembly (10) including having a filtrate carrier (9) for minimizing backwash. The membrane filtration assembly includes a membrane module (5) having one or more permeable hollow membranes (6) supported therein by an upper header (7) and a lower header (8). The filtrate carrier (9) extends between the upper (7) and lower (8) headers to allow filtrate to be collected from either or both ends of membranes (6). A filtrate collection chamber (18) is associated with the upper (7) and lower headers (9) and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes (6) for collecting filtrate withdrawn through said membrane lumens. A filtration chamber (11) is provided for receiving feed liquid to be applied to the surface of membranes (6) within the module (5). The filtration chamber (11) includes an open end for receiving the feed liquid. The open end is located beyond the height of the module (5) to enable gravity feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David John Cox, Warren Thomas Johnson
  • 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: 8840788
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane where the membrane strength and pressure resistance to pressurization from the dialysate side is ensured, the retaining rate of water permeability after the repeated pressure load from outside is high, the resistance to the pressure from outside is excellent and the assembling property into module (low leakage rate at the adhered part) is satisfactory at the same time. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the same, and a blood purification module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Ohno, Isamu Yamamoto, Takahito Sagara, Kimihiro Mabuchi, Tohru Uenishi, Shinya Koyama
  • Publication number: 20140263061
    Abstract: New, improved, or modified membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, and/or methods of manufacture, use, and/or the like. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, particular possibly preferred membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, and/or to particular possibly preferred membrane contactors, modules, systems, and/or methods for membrane distillation and/or ammonia removal, involving membrane contactors adapted for membrane distillation, for ammonia removal, or for both membrane distillation and for ammonia removal, as well as for other membrane contactor systems, methods or processes such as degassing, gasifying, separation, filtration, and/or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Amitava Sengupta
  • Patent number: 8808540
    Abstract: An aeration/backwash device (16) for use with a porous membrane filtration module (5) including one or more membranes (6) extending longitudinally between vertically spaced upper (7) and lower headers (8) into which the ends of the membranes are potted. The membranes (6) having a permeable wall which, in use, is subjected to a filtration operation wherein feed containing contaminant matter is applied to one side of the membrane wall and filtrate is withdrawn from the other side of the membrane wall. The aeration/backwash device (16) adapted to at least partially surround a portion of said membrane module (5) and including a communication chamber (17) having spaced through-openings (18, 19) in fluid communication with the chamber (17) and the membrane module (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Warren Thomas Johnson
  • Patent number: 8795526
    Abstract: A membrane filtration apparatus is provided in which a hollow fiber membrane element 1 including a water collecting cap 20 having a water collecting port and a groove and being engaged liquid-tightly with a bundle of a hollow fiber membrane is engaged with a frame 60 having supporting beams 65 to be fitted in the grooves. The engagement and the rotation of the hollow fiber membrane element 1 is possible merely by inserting the supporting beams 65 into the grooves formed in the water collecting cap 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsumoto, Masaki Iwanaga