Turbidity Or Optically Sensing Patents (Class 210/745)
  • Patent number: 8568595
    Abstract: A method for determining or predicting the adequacy parameters that will be achieved at the end of a kidney substitution treatment during said kidney substitution treatment wherein the kidney substitution treatment is provided by a machine, which has an extracorporeal blood system pumping the patient blood through the blood chamber of a dialyzer, wherein the dialyzing fluid collects the waste products from the patient after flowing through the dialyzing fluid chamber of the dialyzer and wherein a device able to measure a adequacy parameter is coupled with the kidney substitution treatment machine and wherein the slope of a preferable linear guideline for the adequacy parameter is compared to the slope of the delivered adequacy parameter and if the slope of both are equal a linearization is performed to determine or predict the adequacy parameter at the end of the kidney substitution treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventor: Alex Castellarnau
  • Publication number: 20130233804
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and chemicals that can be used as fluorescent tracers in the treatment of raw water and/or industrial wastewater. The fluorescent tracers are certain chemicals discovered to have beneficial properties for such uses, particularly having little variance in fluorescence emission for conditions that are known to interfere with fluorescence emission. The fluorescent tracers comprise rhodamine dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Yanjiao Xie, Xuejun Wang, Mingli Wei
  • Publication number: 20130233796
    Abstract: A method for controlling treatment of an industrial water system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing an apparatus for controlling delivery of at least one treatment chemical, the apparatus comprising at least one sensor and an electronic input/output device carrying out a protocol; measuring a parameter of the industrial water system using the at least one sensor; relaying the measured parameter to the electronic device; adjusting the protocol based on the measured parameter; delivering a concentrated treatment chemical into a stream of the industrial water system according to the adjusted protocol, the concentrated treatment chemical comprising an active ingredient, the active ingredient traced as necessary, the active ingredient having a concentration; repeating the measuring, the adjusting, and the delivering; and optionally repeating the steps for n-number of parameters, n-number of active ingredients, and/or n-number of concentrated treatment chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Narasimha M. Rao, Steven R. Hatch, William A. Von Drasek
  • Patent number: 8518261
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water purification apparatus and method using a pressurized micro-filter preprocessed with a coagulation inclined-plate sedimentation reservoir and a pore-control fiber filter for improvement of a recovery rate, which removes the dissolved organic materials and the turbidity of raw water through a preprocess by a flash mixer, a two-stage coagulation reservoir and an inclined-plate sedimentation reservoir, thereby making it possible to reduce the use of coagulants, the generation of sludge by-products, the inflow load of membranes, and the facility size in comparison with the conventional standard water purification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Daewoo E&C Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eui-Sin Lee, Bum-Goo Lee, Hee-Kyong Oh, Jung-Yeol Eom
  • Publication number: 20130213895
    Abstract: A system for treating a wastewater stream produces an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. A PID controller is operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for adding a plurality of treatment chemicals to the wastewater stream in real time under supervision of the controller, and responsive to monitored turbidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Denny Allen CRISWELL
  • Patent number: 8506825
    Abstract: A method of washing blood mixed with undesirable elements not normally found in healthy whole blood to remove the undesirable elements, the method comprising: separating the blood into components according to relative densities of the components with a rotating centrifuge bowl; providing a port through which fluid exits the bowl, the exiting fluid having a concentration of undesirable elements; flowing washing solution into the centrifuge bowl at an initial flow rate; monitoring the fluid exiting the bowl with an optical sensor having an output signal indicative of the composition of the exiting fluid; and increasing and decreasing the flow rate of the wash solution as a function of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Matteo Fortini, Stefano Reggiani, Ivo Panzani
  • Patent number: 8501015
    Abstract: A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fletcher, William Sweat, Jeremy Kolenbrander, Aditya Dalvi, John R. Linder
  • Publication number: 20130146535
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and/or controlling the process flow of a waste water system having waste water in waste water lines, comprising the steps as follows: measuring volume flow of waste water at a location remote from a waste water cleaning plant; measuring at least one additional waste water relevant parameter at the location remote from the waste water cleaning plant; evaluating the measurement data and detecting system relevant events; and undertaking measures in the waste water cleaning plant and/or at the location remote from the waste water cleaning plant as a function of the system relevant event. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess-und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
  • Patent number: 8454895
    Abstract: This invention refers to continuous flow devices for detecting and/or removal of contaminants from a liquid stream. The device comprises a cartridge with an inlet and outlet for the liquid stream, a radiation incident and emerging wall portion and optically transparent support material packed in the cartridge such that a liquid stream can pass between voids or spaces formed within the optically transparent material, as well as a radiation source and detector. The support material comprises molecules for capturing at least one contaminant on the surface of the support material and each of the capture molecules comprises at least one reporter group which emits a signal upon binding of the contaminant. Another form of the invention refers to a rotatable support within the liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Trevor R. Garrett
  • Publication number: 20130126440
    Abstract: A method of managing a reservoir of water having a recirculating arrangement for recirculating water at frequent time intervals is disclosed. The method includes starting a productive recirculation of water within the reservoir by means of the recirculating pump, and sensing control parameter/s relating to the quality of water that are selected from: a level of disinfectant, a pH level, a water turbidity level, or a biological count level. The productive recirculation of water by the recirculating pump is continued until each sensed control parameter has reached its target level in the water. In a power saving management mode the productive recirculation of water by the recirculating arrangement is stopped when each sensed control parameter has reached its target level. Instead in a minimum run time mode the productive recirculation is only stopped when this minimum run time has been completed and each sensed control parameter has reached its target level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Chris Prause, David Venamore, Martin Bailey
  • Publication number: 20130105405
    Abstract: A water purification device is provided in the form of a hydrogel matrix containing immobilized nanoparticles that are directly synthesized in-situ in the hydrogel matrix. A related method of decontaminating the water supply contaminated with a target pollutant is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Li Xiao
  • Patent number: 8398861
    Abstract: A separation method for extracting a target 1 from a separation subject (101) in which the target (1) to be extracted and a non-target (2) are mixed. The method includes the steps of distinguishing the target (1) from the non-target (2); obtaining positional information of the target (1) distinguished; attaching a liquid to the target (1) based on the positional information; and extracting the target (1) from the separation subject (101) by bringing a catch member (140) into contact with the separation subject (101) such that viscosity of the liquid causes the target (1) to adhere to the catch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Miyasaka, Tamao Kojima, Hiroyuki Naka
  • Publication number: 20130043194
    Abstract: A method and composition is described for controlling the growth of fouling materials, such as scale, in aqueous systems using a tagged (fluorescent) polymer. The tagged polymer can be a fluorescent polymer which has at least one fluorescent monomeric unit derived from a fluorophore which has at least one terminal end comprising an olefinic group. The method of controlling the growth of at least one fouling material in an aqueous system can include the steps of adding the tagged polymer to the aqueous system to be treated, fluorometrically monitoring the concentration of the tagged polymer, and adjusting, as needed, the concentration of the tagged polymer and proportionally used water treatment compound or compounds effective to control the growth of at least one fouling material. The adjustment of pH before determination of the fluorescence signal can be employed to increase sensitivity of the fluorophore and minimize background interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: BUCKMAN LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. McNeel, Marilyn S. Whittemore, Richard A. Clark, Jadwiga J. Grabowicz
  • Publication number: 20130015137
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a method of removing contaminants from a process stream or stabilizing a system parameter in the process stream. The method includes providing a filtration system in communication with a controller, wherein the controller is operable to automatically initiate a flow from the process stream into the filtration system when the system parameter of the process stream is within above an upper threshold value and/or below a lower threshold value; and activating the filtration system, wherein the flow comprises a flow rate through the filtration system and the controller is operable to adjust the flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Ana-Mariana Urmenyi, Amit Gupta, Chris D. Davies, Bert Simons
  • Patent number: 8333893
    Abstract: A filtration separation method for waste resin containing highly radioactive uranium powder and device thereof is mainly used for the waste resin after water treatment process in a nuclear facility. The uranium powder contained in the waste resin is highly radioactive. Thus, prior to the treatment of the waste resin, it is necessary to filter and separate the highly radioactive uranium powder to reduce the radioactivity. It is to put the uranium powder containing waste resin into an underwater holding tank and withdraw the waste resin by an underwater pump into a uranium powder filtration box. Then the uranium powder filtration box is lifted by a hoist to move to an underwater ultrasonic cleaner. High-pressure water flushing is applied and followed by underwater ultrasonic cleaning. Then the cleaning water (containing precipitated uranium powder) from the ultrasonic cleaner is drained to uranium powder collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Kuo-Yuan Chang, Ling-Huan Chiao, Chin-Teng Hsu, Chin-Chun Chu Ko, Bing-Rong Wu
  • Publication number: 20120261352
    Abstract: A grey water dividing and treatment system is provided. A drain system of the grey water dividing and treatment system receives grey water from a grey water producing source. A grey water dividing apparatus of the grey water dividing and treatment system divides the grey water received from the drain system into a number of cells, and determines a contamination level of each of the cells. Grey water treatment tanks of the grey water dividing and treatment system receive the grey water from the grey water dividing apparatus based on the determined contamination level of each of the cells and treat the grey water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Hideki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8287739
    Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis LeeGrande Barrett, David Wayne Peterson, Kristian Allen Sammann
  • Patent number: 8262914
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for treating a wastewater stream to produce an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. The invention comprises a controller operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for providing a plurality of additives to the wastewater stream. Furthermore, a method of sequentially testing the amount of each additive required to produce an effluent stream having an acceptable turbidity is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Reliance Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore K. Mitzlaff, Jesse C. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20120199539
    Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for controlling the interface between separated blood components. The system includes a blood separation chamber configured to separate blood into first and second blood components and an outlet line for removing at least a portion of the first blood component from the blood separation chamber. A primary optical sensor assembly is associated with the blood separation chamber to directly monitor the interior of the blood separation chamber. A secondary optical sensor assembly is associated with the outlet line to monitor the first blood component in the outlet line. The system also includes a controller programmed to select between the primary optical sensor assembly and the secondary optical sensor assembly for monitoring contamination of the first blood component. The system is particularly advantageous for preventing contamination of separated plasma which is lipemic or hemolytic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: John T. Foley, Lan T. Nguyen, Jonathan Prendergast, Jeffrey Maher, Christopher Mikkelson
  • Patent number: 8236184
    Abstract: A method related to using a squeezing or transfer fluid to transfer fluid or components between bags in a centrifuge wherein the squeezing fluid can be reversed to reduce squeezing and such fluid an also be used to build up a over-pressure for rapid movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Holmes, Peter Pihlstedt
  • Patent number: 8226822
    Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a wall, a first passage, a second passage, and an oil debris monitor. The wall defines a cyclone cavity. The first passage has a first passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a first passage outlet at an exterior of the cyclone separator. The second passage has a second passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a second passage outlet at the first passage. The oil debris monitor detects debris flowing through the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise
  • Patent number: 8196596
    Abstract: A method for tracking a pollution source in process water is presented. Firstly, variation curves of drain water drained from different rinsing tanks are respectively obtained, and a water quality concentration of the drain water drained to a buffer tank is detected, so as to output a water quality variation curve. Then, an analytical comparison is performed on each drain water amount variation curve and the water quality variation curve within a same time interval, so as to output an analytical result of each flow of drain water in a range exceeding a predetermined water quality standard. In this manner, the drain water that exceeds the predetermined water quality standard can be tracked in real-time according to the analytical result, thereby quickly improving the process for discharging the drain water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Chen, Ching-Yi Hsu, Chen-Hua Chu, Meng-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 8182692
    Abstract: Solutions, dialysates, and methods for measuring solutes in blood and/or for treating blood. In one aspect of the invention, a method of performing dialysis includes placing a solution in communication with blood of a subject, where a concentration of at least one electrically conductive solute in the solution, prior to being placed in communication with the blood of the subject, is substantially equal to a concentration of the at least one electrically conductive solute in the blood of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Gotch
  • Publication number: 20120074070
    Abstract: In a method and a system for reducing at least an amount of disinfection by-products in water, the system has a dosing pump (15) for adding a photocatalyst (36) into a stream (17) of the water to obtain a mixed stream (17?), and a photo reactor (20) adapted to receive the mixed stream (17?) and to irradiate the mixed stream (17?) with photons, the photocatalyst (36) in the mixed stream (17?) producing free radicals on being irradiated with the photons, wherein the dosing pump (15) is controllable responsive to an amount of absorption of the photons by the mixed stream (17?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Cosima Sichel
  • Patent number: 8137537
    Abstract: The present invention provides a filtered water monitoring device used for detecting damages in a filtration medium installed inside a membrane filtration water clarification device, thereby monitoring degradation of a performance thereof, in order to secure safety of filtered water flowing out from the membrane filtration water clarification device, comprising a branch filtered water pipeline system which is branched from a filtered water pipeline system connected to an outlet of the membrane filtration water clarification device, a filtered water observation plate which is installed in a certain position of the branch filtered water pipeline system, imaging means which takes an image of the filtered water in an observation tank of the filtered water observation plate and outputs image information thereon, and image analyzing means which receives the image information output from the imaging means, and compares the image information with a stored image pattern to identify impurities contained in the filtered
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: Hirata Corporation, Kumamoto Prefecture
    Inventors: Yuichiro Hirata, Seigo Murakami, Katsuya Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8091572
    Abstract: A method for tracking a pollution source in process water is presented. Firstly, variation curves of drain water drained from different rinsing tanks are respectively obtained, and a water quality concentration of the drain water drained to a buffer tank is detected, so as to output a water quality variation curve. Then, an analytical comparison is performed on each drain water amount variation curve and the water quality variation curve within a same time interval, so as to output an analytical result of each flow of drain water in a range exceeding a predetermined water quality standard. In this manner, the drain water that exceeds the predetermined water quality standard can be tracked in real-time according to the analytical result, thereby quickly improving the process for discharging the drain water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Chen, Ching-Yi Hsu, Chen-Hua Chu, Meng-Shun Huang
  • Publication number: 20120000859
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for treating a wastewater stream to produce an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. The invention comprises a controller operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for providing a plurality of additives to the wastewater stream. Furthermore, a method of sequentially testing the amount of each additive required to produce an effluent stream having an acceptable turbidity is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Theodore K. Mitzlaff, Jesse C. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 8070663
    Abstract: A density centrifuge blood processing system with automatic two-dimensional optical control of fluid separation by observing fluid characteristics in observation regions. The location of the regions is determined by monitoring an optical reference. Points representing edges of an optical reference are measured and lines are computed through the points. An error measurement is calculated for each line. If the error is too large, the image is abandoned. One of the lines is selected as a referent line. A new line is calculated orthogonal to the referent line. The error function is again computed for the dependant line. If the error exceeds a selected maximum, the frame is discarded. A transformation function translates data points from an (r, s) domain derived from measurements of the edges into an (x, y) domain used to identify pixels in the observation areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventor: William Sweat
  • Patent number: 8066888
    Abstract: A blood cell collection system having means for detecting when a cell separation chamber has filled with white blood cells, and flushing the cells out of the cell separation chamber into a collect bag. A red-green sensor senses the optical characteristics of fluid leaving the cell separation chamber. A baseline value is calculated. The device calculates a ratio of the intensities of red light and green light and a peak-to-peak ratio of intensities. If either ratio exceeds thresholds computed from the baseline, the device flushes the cells into the collect bag. A camera detects white cells passing into the cell separation chamber and the device calculates the number of cells being collected. If the calculated number of collected cells exceeds a certain limit, the cell separation chamber is flushed. If the device is unable to establish a baseline, the donation can proceed, relying solely on the calculated number of collected cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventors: William Sweat, Jeremy Kolenbrander, John R. Lindner, Jennifer Hinz
  • Patent number: 8062202
    Abstract: A density centrifuge blood processing system comprising a separation chamber rotating about a central rotation axis, the separation chamber being coupled to an elutriation chamber, a first detector for the separation chamber to detect light from an observation region, a computational apparatus distinguishing at least two regions in the observation region and distinguishing incipient spill over of cellular components out of the elutriation chamber as a function of light intensity received from the at least two regions in the separation chamber, and a controller regulating speed of at least one pump or of the separation chamber in response to signals from the computational apparatus to avoid spill over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventor: William Sweat
  • Publication number: 20110259832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of a municipal and/or industrial wastewater with a view to combating the endocrine disrupting effect and/or the toxic effect and/or the genotoxic effect thereof and to remove the pathogenic microorganisms therefrom, comprising a step of oxidation via ozone and a step of disinfection via UV radiation with a wavelength between 185 and 350 nm, characterized in that said ozone oxidation step is carried out in a static mixer at a low dose of ozone below the ozone demand of said water. The ozone oxidation step is immediately followed by said UV-radiation disinfection step. The process comprises a step of controlling the dose of ozone used in the water during the oxidation step and includes the measurement of at least one parameter that is representative of the quality of the water. This said measurement is carried out on the water to be treated and/or on the water that has undergone the ozone oxidation step and before its UV-radiation disinfection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Luis Castillo Rivera, Cedric Feliers, Florencio Martin
  • Publication number: 20110253638
    Abstract: One feature of the present invention provides a method for optimizing water filtration in a closed body of water. The method includes circulating the water through a closed loop filtration system to remove contaminates, where a pump forces the water from the closed body of water through plumbing to a filter; measuring a clarity of the water passing through the plumbing using one or more sensors connected to the plumbing; providing an output of the one or more sensors to a system controller operatively coupled to a motor of the pump, via a motor controller for comparing the measured water clarity to a desired water clarity to determine an optimal filter rate and time to achieve the desired water clarity; and providing power to the motor, via the motor controller, driving the motor to operate the pump at the optimal filter rate and time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: BREAKPOINT COMMERCIAL POOL SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Steven Richard Easland, Mark William Easland
  • Patent number: 8038881
    Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater by continuously flowing wastewater into a chemostat and continuously discharging clean water out of the chemostat. The system can include sensors and an electronic controller for on-line measuring ambient parameters in the chemostat and adjusting the chemostat's operating conditions accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Biological Petroleum Cleaning Ltd.
    Inventors: David Amir, Eugene Rosenberg, Gili Bittan-Banin
  • Patent number: 7959593
    Abstract: A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit, a blood purifying device, a driving device, an air bubble detection device, and a connection condition evaluation device. The blood circuit is provided with arterial and venous blood circuits, to which needles are attached at ends thereof. The blood purifying device is connected between the arterial and venous circuits. In a blood purifying treatment after a priming operation, the driving device drives the blood in the arterial blood circuit in a forward direction, and drives the blood in the venous blood circuit in a reverse direction. The air bubble detection device detects air bubbles in a liquid flowing in the arterial and venous blood circuits. The connection condition evaluation device evaluates connection conditions of the needles to the ends of the arterial and venous blood circuits based on the detection by the air bubble detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Ueda, Hiroshi Nimura
  • Publication number: 20110079559
    Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal is disclosed. The method provides a controlled delivery of biocide particles to the surface of water by entraining biocide particles in a gaseous stream and then scattering the biocide particles across the surface of the water by propelling the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of the water, whereat the biocide particles are released from the gaseous stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: John C. Miller, Deborah L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7906771
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components. In one aspect, the invention relates to optical methods for measuring two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both from a separation chamber of a density centrifuge. The method may include performing first and second measurements of an operating condition; analyzing the first and second measurements using a predictive data analysis algorithm; comparing the predicted operating condition to a desired operating condition; and adjusting at least one setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee F. Carter, Jeremy P. Kolenbrander, James R. Ladtkow, Joseph A. Scibona, Jeffrey A. Steward, Chris Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7897054
    Abstract: A flexible, disposable centrifuge bag for receiving and holding a fluid sample, comprising one or more tubes and upper and lower flexible sheets having doughnut shaped configurations. The upper and lower sheets are superimposed and completely sealed together at their outer perimeters to define an outer perimeter of the centrifuge bag. The inner perimeter of the bag defines a central core. The tubes are sandwiched between the upper and lower sheets and extend from the central core of the centrifuge bag. The upper and lower sheets are sealed together at their inner perimeters such that the tubes are sealed between said upper and lower sheets at the inner perimeter. The bag may be used to harvest platelet rich plasma from whole blood in either a batch method or while simultaneously infusing additional aliquots of whole blood into the bag during centrifugation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Arteriocyte Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor D. Dolecek, David Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20110024364
    Abstract: A filtration separation method for waste resin containing highly radioactive uranium powder and device thereof is mainly used for the waste resin after water treatment process in a nuclear facility. The uranium powder contained in the waste resin is highly radioactive. Thus, prior to the treatment of the waste resin, it is necessary to filter and separate the highly radioactive uranium powder to reduce the radioactivity. It is to put the uranium powder containing waste resin into an underwater holding tank and withdraw the waste resin by an underwater pump into a uranium powder filtration box. Then the uranium powder filtration box is lifted by a hoist to move to an underwater ultrasonic cleaner. High-pressure water flushing is applied and followed by underwater ultrasonic cleaning. Then the cleaning water (containing precipitated uranium powder) from the ultrasonic cleaner is drained to uranium powder collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Kuo-Yuan Chang, Ling-Huan Chiao, Chin-Teng Hsu, Chin-Chun Chu Ko, Bing-Rong Wu
  • Patent number: 7871525
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and program for effecting the decomposition of organic waste material comprises: providing a treatment tank for decomposition of organic waste material, the treatment tank containing an active biomass comprising at least one bacteria that decomposes organic material; providing at least two inlets to the treatment tank, a first inlet comprising an inlet for organic material and a second inlet comprising an inlet for an aqueous stream; a processor that receives and stores information on: the status of chemical oxygen demand of the active biomass; and the oxygen provision capability of a first organic material that can be fed into the treatment tank through the first inlet; a mass flow control system controlled by the processor which feeds the at least one organic material through the first inlet at a rate based at least in part upon the status of chemical oxygen demand in the treatment tank as recognized by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: NBE, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Clifford, III, John Mills, Greg Stadden, Michael S. Gratz
  • Patent number: 7828709
    Abstract: A density centrifuge blood processing system comprising a separation chamber rotating about a central rotation axis, the separation chamber being coupled to an elutriation chamber, a first detector for the separation chamber to detect light from an observation region, a computational apparatus distinguishing at least two regions in the observation region and distinguishing incipient spill over of cellular components out of the elutriation chamber as a function of light intensity received from the at least two regions in the separation chamber, and a controller regulating speed of at least one pump or of the separation chamber in response to signals from the computational apparatus to avoid spill over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventor: William Sweat
  • Publication number: 20100270242
    Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a wall, a first passage, a second passage, and an oil debris monitor. The wall defines a cyclone cavity. The first passage has a first passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a first passage outlet at an exterior of the cyclone separator. The second passage has a second passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a second passage outlet at the first passage. The oil debris monitor detects debris flowing through the second passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise
  • Publication number: 20100224569
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for treating a wastewater stream to produce an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. The invention comprises a controller operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for providing a plurality of additives to the wastewater stream. Furthermore, a method of sequentially testing the amount of each additive required to produce an effluent stream having an acceptable turbidity is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Theodore K. Mitzlaff, Jesse C. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20100206817
    Abstract: A settling tank for dewatering a thin slurry is provided in a lined portable container and with a disposable filtering means. A novel method of processing the slurry by settlement of the solid phase and removal of the liquid phase in cycles avoids the clogging of the filtering means. The settling tank can be easily transported and dumped without requiring the transferring of residue sludge or the cleaning of equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: David Douglas Dieziger
  • Patent number: 7762980
    Abstract: A treatment assembly is positioned along an AV-fistula and couples therapeutic energy to an adjacent area due to a material response to an applied energy field from a remotely located energy source. The treatment assembly may be delivered into the fistula through a hemodialysis needle, or may be secured to the fistula graft itself and implanted therewith in a patient. A cover provides a shield between an anastomosis area and blood flow. Another AV-fistula includes a valved reservoir that receives a fluid agent from a hemodialysis needle while moving the needle into or from the fistula; the agent leaks from the reservoir into the fistula lumen. Another valved fistula is adjustable between an open condition and closed conditions during and between hemodialysis treatments, respectively. Another AV-fistula has a bladder reservoir coupled to a second refillable fluid reservoir and is adapted to locally deliver a therapeutic agent into the fistula lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Gertner
  • Patent number: 7745167
    Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid media, such as a dynamic biological system, in a biological reactor containing developing culture fluid media. The method includes the step of directing light into the fluid media by way of one or more optical fibers to produce an illuminated fluid media and then measuring the intensity of light reflected from the illuminated fluid media by way of one or more optical fibers, the optical fibers being partitioned from the fluid media by a transparent window having inner and outer surfaces; the fibers having ends terminating adjacent to and confronting the inner surface of the window and extending in a direction away from the window, the corresponding ends of the fibers being radially and circumferentially spaced from one another, the corresponding ends of the fibers having converging and intersecting longitudinal projections therefrom, the intersecting longitudinal projections from the fibers being entirely within the window. Additionally, a fiber-optic probe is discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Harner, Timm R. Richardson, Keith L. Haney, Torben R. Bruck, Lawrence C. Chew
  • Publication number: 20100133200
    Abstract: This invention refers to continuous flow devices for detecting and/or removal of contaminants from a liquid stream. The device comprises a cartridge with an inlet and outlet for the liquid stream, a radiation incident and emerging wall portion and optically transparent support material packed in the cartridge such that a liquid stream can pass between voids or spaces formed within the optically transparent material, as well as a radiation source and detector. The support material comprises molecules for capturing at least one contaminant on the surface of the support material and each of the capture molecules comprises at least one reporter group which emits a signal upon binding of the contaminant. Another form of the invention refers to a rotatable support within the liquid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Trevor R. Garrett
  • Patent number: 7708889
    Abstract: A method used in connection with processing of blood components, wherein blood products are then filtered via a filter rotating along with a centrifuge rotor and the sensed pressure may be used in connection with controlling the pumping of the blood products and/or in connection with determining the location of an interface associated with the blood products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Niclas Högberg, Emanuel Hällgren, Peter Pihlstedt, Brian M. Holmes, Lars Persson, Lars Strandberg, Geert Van Waeg, Frank Corbin, III
  • Patent number: 7699992
    Abstract: During a dialysis treatment carried out by a dialysis apparatus, in which a dialysis liquid is circulated to a clean dialysate filter (43) arranged before a dialyser (3), the conductivity of the dialysis liquid is altered according to an altering function that is a function of a mathematical model of the filter (43), in a way that will make the conductivity after the filter change more quickly. A conductivity cell (47), which is arranged after the dialyser, measures the conductivity of the spent dialysis liquid changed in response to said alteration. A control and computer system (52) evaluates the dialysance from said measured response. The conductivity can be changed for a comparatively short time period that is sufficient to allow reliable results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Jan Peter Sternby
  • Patent number: 7696490
    Abstract: A device for the UV treatment of fluids flowing in a flow channel, including a plurality of cylindrical low-pressure mercury UV emitters arranged in groups in the flow channel. The longitudinal axes of the UV emitters are disposed substantially parallel to one another such that the emitters of a given group are disposed in a plane. At least one elongated sensor arrangement monitors the operating state of the emitters, and is spaced from and parallel to one of the groups of the emitters. The sensor arrangement extends essentially transverse to the longitudinal axes of the emitters of the adjacent group, and is provided with a separate UV sensor for each emitter. At least one unit connected with the sensor arrangement controls and/or regulates the emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Wedeco AG
    Inventors: Jan Boris Rudkowski, Ludwig Dinkloh, Dieter Neitemeier
  • Publication number: 20100084349
    Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include a system and a method for disinfection of a liquid including monitoring the disinfection process. The system may include a conduit to carry flowing liquid to be disinfected, wherein the conduit comprises an inlet to receive the liquid, an outlet to discharge the liquid and walls transparent to ultraviolet radiations; an illumination source located within a transparent sleeve, wherein the transparent sleeve is immersed in the flowing liquid and the illumination source is to disinfect the liquid when passing through the conduit, a first light detector located externally to the conduit to detect light emitted by the illumination source and a second light detector located externally to the conduit to detect light emitted by the illumination source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Uri LEVY