Abstract: A sensor component that may be used in conjunction with a filter module may include a plurality of sensor packages. The latter, in turn, may incorporate one or more micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors to measure various characteristics of fluid flow and filtration. A single sensor component may be adapted to measure the pressure, temperature, flow rate, differential pressure, conductivity, viscosity, pH level, etc. of the fluid at an upstream and a downstream location. Sensor measurements may be obtained continuously in order to monitor and indicate fluid conditions, including the use of a warning mechanism to indicate an out-of-range condition when the measurements fall outside of pre-set limits. Depending on the application and the fluid being filtered, data, including measurement data, may be transmitted through electrical connections or wirelessly. In wireless configurations, a sleep-mode may be included to maximize the life of local power supplies.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for blood purification by means of hemodialysis and/or hemofiltration, wherein to the blood in the extra-corporeal circuit of the hemodialysis and/or hemofiltration device a substitution solution is added upstream as well as downstream of the hemodialyser and/or hemofilter. A purification effect remaining constant with a high purification performance is achieved in that one or several of the operational and/or blood parameters are controlled and that the control is carried out using at least one of the infusion rates of the substitution solutions supplied upstream or downstream of the hemodialyser and/or hemofilter. The present invention also refers to a hemodialysis and/or hemofiltration apparatus for the performance of the inventive method.

Abstract: An extra-corporeal blood purification device includes a blood filter, and elements for measuring at least one parameter affected by filter resistance to liquid flow, elements for determining at least a threshold value of the parameter, elements for comparing the parameter with the threshold value, exchange control elements for calculating the distribution between the respective flow rates through connecting ducts, capable of reducing the difference between the value of the measured parameter and the threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood filtration method and a blood filtration apparatus.

Abstract: A device for the extracorporeal treatment of blood comprising at least one exchanger (1) comprising a semi-permeable membrane (6) dividing said exchanger into a first chamber (7) and a second chamber (8), at least one first inlet (2) for blood to be treated being in fluid communication with the first chamber (7) of the exchanger, a first fluid outlet (4) being in fluid communication with the first chamber (7) of the exchanger and a second fluid outlet (5) being in fluid communication with the second chamber (8) of the exchanger, an input line (10) for blood to be treated connected to the first inlet (2) of the exchanger (1), a blood output line (11) connected to the first outlet (4) of the exchanger (1), at least one treatment unit (21) comprising a semi-permeable membrane (26) dividing the treatment unit (21) into a first chamber (27) and a second chamber (28), at least one first fluid inlet (22) being in fluid communication with the second chamber (28) of the treatment unit (21) and at least one first fluid

Abstract: Many actual data 30, each consisting of a set of an actual water distribution amount obtained in advance from a water management system 10 and a variable needed for prediction, are loaded and retained as history data 52, an input space of a case base 54 is quantized according to a desired output allowance error, each history data 52 is set in the quantized input space, and a case representing at least one history data is prepared to generate a case base 52. Then a similar case corresponding to a newly input prediction condition 40 is retrieved from the case base 54, and a water distribution amount corresponding to the prediction condition 40 is estimated from the retrieved similar case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the washing step in a blood centrifugation cell in which washing solution is introduced into the blood centrifugation cell and the cell contains compacted red cells and supernatant at the beginning of the washing step. The apparatus can comprise various sensors and a computer. The sensors sense and transmit to the computer three inputs. The first input is indicative of the total volume of blood that enters the cell during the filling step and the total amount of washing solution that enters the cell during the washing step. The second input is indicative of the hematocrit value of the blood introduced during the filling step. The third input is indicative of the geometric characteristics of the cell. Based on the inputs, the computer executes an algorithm that produces a first output that is the concentration of the supernatant in the supernatant-washing solution mixture.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is provided which includes a first filter membrane element (40a), and a second bacterial filter membrane element. The first viral filter element (40a) is capable of treating water at a first second flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants which are larger than a first size, while the second bacterial filter element (40b) is capable of treating water at a second higher flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants which are larger than a second contaminant size. The first and second filter elements (40a), (40b) may be commonly housed within a sealed housing. An accumulating vessel (60) is placed in fluid communication with an outlet of the first filter element (40a) and an outlet of the second filter element (40b). The filter apparatus includes a duck bill type check valve (75) made of an antimicrobial material intermediate the second filter element (40b) and a dispensing faucet (70).

Abstract: A multipurpose hemofiltration system (10) and method are disclosed for the removal of fluid and/or soluble waste from the blood of a patient. The system (10) continuously monitors the flow rates of drained fluid, blood, and infusate. When necessary, the pumping rates of the infusate, drained fluid and blood are adjusted to remove a preselected amount of fluid from the blood in a preselected time period. A supervisory controller (160) can monitor patient parameters, such as heart rate (120) and blood pressure (130), and adjust the pumping rates accordingly. The supervisory controller (160) uses fuzzy logic to make expert decisions, based upon a set of supervisory rules, to control each pumping rate to achieve a desired flow rate and to respond to fault conditions. An adaptive controller (162) corrects temporal variations in the flow rate based upon an adaptive law and a control law.

Abstract: An infusion control device controls infusion of a liquid in an extracorporeal blood circuit having an arterial pipe connected to an inlet of a blood compartment of a filter and a venous pipe connected to an outlet of the blood compartment. The arterial pipe is also connected to a pre-dilution pipe of an infusion circuit, and the venous pipe is also connected to a post-dilution pipe of said infusion circuit. The infusion control device regulates and distributes an infusion flow rate in the arterial and venous pipes based on a monitoring of quantities that are directly correlated with the operating conditions of the filter.

Abstract: An automated system for upstream, chemical disinfection of wet and dry weather water flows. The system combines chemical disinfection with a sophisticated feed-back control model for efficient disinfection rates and optimized consumables usage without the generation of environmentally-damaging residues. The model is steered by inputs from an array of sensors measuring key physiochemical and biological parameters. The system is designed to optionally permit remote access via computer networks such as the Internet or telemetry.

Abstract: A system (11) for providing purified water comprises a plurality of individual modules, each of which includes a separable head (13) and a canister (17), which modules are joined one to another via these heads to create a composite manifold (15). The heads and canisters are respectively of substantially identical construction, and the hollow canisters include the following units: preheater, prefilter (25), pump (27), membrane purification (29), postfilter (31), and UV treatment. The overall system is monitored by a control unit (131) that is regularly interrogated by an off-site, headquarters computer, and both the control unit (131) and the headquarters computer are proactive in detecting potential difficulties that may be able to be readily remedied by promptly dispatching a serviceperson with a replacement for the canister containing the operating unit that requires replacement.

Abstract: A water filtration system incorporating a fluid flow meter has a modular turbine casing assembly in which a turbine is located between upstream and downstream casing elements of identical shape and formed to be stacked so as to trap the turbine in between. The turbine is magnetized and rotation of the turbine is monitored electronically with a reed switch having a lead wire which is positioned proximate to the turbine to sense fluctuations in a magnetic field created by the turbine on rotation of the turbine. The reed switch housing itself is disposed at a location remote from the turbine. The system further includes processing means for calculating an adjusted accumulated count data for low volumetric flow rates which are less than a predetermined threshold value. Advantageously, the invention can be used to reliably measure very low flow rates with very little power drawn.

Abstract: The apparatus for separating and measuring mixed fluids, specifically the separation of crude oil and water and the volumetric measurement of each of the mixed fluids using a mechanical portable device primarily involving a separation vessel, an adjustable float within the vessel which allows the fluid of less specific gravity to be released from the top of the separation vessel through an upper pipeline, the heavier specific gravity fluid to be released from the bottom of the separation vessel through a lower pipeline, with fluid volume meters on each of the pipelines to measure the liquid flowing through the respective pipelines, the apparatus presented as a portable unit transferable from one pumping device to another, allowing for an accurate measurement of the fluids being extracted by the pumping devices.

Abstract: A method and a device for continuous, noninvasive monitoring of an extracorporeal blood treatment, a patient's blood pressure or a quantity that correlates with the blood pressure is measured and compared with a predetermined limit value. If the measured blood pressure or its relative change drops below the predetermined limit value, an activation or deactivation signal is generated to initiate an intervention in the treatment sequence. The blood treatment machine therefore has a control unit. The continuous, noninvasive measurement of blood pressure is based on a determination of the propagation rate or transit time of the pulse waves produced by the patient's cardiac contractions and their propagation through the arterial system. To determine the pulse wave velocity or transit time, the blood treatment machine has an electrocardiograph and a device for detecting the pulse waves at a location on the patient remote from the heart.

Abstract: A water purification system and method based on reverse osmosis is provided. An inlet of supplied water to be purified is driven by a first flow propelling device which drives inlet supplied water flow to an upstream side of a membrane. An outlet of reject water from the upstream side of the membrane is driven by a second flow propelling device. The first and second flow propelling devices are powered by a common driving shaft or otherwise linked or controlled so that a ratio of inlet flow to outlet flow is maintained constant and a rate of permeate flow from a downstream side of the membrane is also kept constant.

Abstract: A sensor component that may be used in conjunction with a filter module may include a plurality of sensor packages. The latter, in turn, may incorporate one or more micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors to measure various characteristics of fluid flow and filtration. A single sensor component may be adapted to measure the pressure, temperature, flow rate, differential pressure, conductivity, viscosity, pH level, etc. of the fluid at an upstream and a downstream location. Sensor measurements may be obtained continuously in order to monitor and indicate fluid conditions, including the use of a warning mechanism to indicate an out-of-range condition when the measurements fall outside of pre-set limits. Depending on the application and the fluid being filtered, data, including measurement data, may be transmitted through electrical connections or wirelessly. In wireless configurations, a sleep-mode may be included to maximize the life of local power supplies.

Abstract: Many actual data 30, each consisting of a set of an actual water distribution amount obtained in advance from a water management system 10 and a variable needed for prediction, are loaded and retained as history data 52, an input space of a case base 54 is quantized according to a desired output allowance error, each history data 52 is set in the quantized input space, and a case representing at least one history data is prepared to generate a case base 52. Then a similar case corresponding to a newly input prediction condition 40 is retrieved from the case base 54, and a water distribution amount corresponding to the prediction condition 40 is estimated from the retrieved similar case.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus for purifying water from a municipal water supply prior to a point of use has multiple water purification units including a carbon filter, a particle filter and an ultraviolet light source connected in series. The carbon filter removes free residual chlorine, the particle filter removes particles including carbon particles from the carbon filter, and the ultraviolet filter kills bacteria. A bypass conduit connected in parallel with the water purification units and valves permit system maintenance during which the water from the supply can flow directly to the point of use.

Abstract: A photoresist discharge monitoring apparatus in which the photoresist discharge rate is monitored by a discharge pump, and based on this monitoring, the discharge pump is controlled, so that a constant photoresist discharge rate is ensured to prevent any occurrence of process defects due to the discharge pump. If the photoresist discharge rate is decreased due to the exhaustion of the life expectancy of the chemical filter, a filter replacement necessity is displayed. That is, a PR (photoresist) discharge rate sensor senses the photoresist discharge rate, the discharge rate being decided by the discharge pump. Further, a PR discharge rate controller monitors the output signals of the PR discharge rate sensor to automatically control the photoresist discharge rate of the discharge pump, and judges on a chemical filter replacement necessity upon the arrival of the operating limit in the step motor so as to output filter replacement signals.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the performance of a vessel, such as a hemodialysis access, which communicates blood between two locations of a patient. A conduit, such as an external dialysis circuit or an intravascular catheter, is provided in fluid communication with the vessel, and has a diversion point for diverting blood from the vessel into the conduit. The system further includes means for determining a flow rate of the diverted blood through the conduit. A first sensor in communication with the vessel generates at least one signal that is a function of a blood flow rate in the vessel downstream from the diversion point, wherein the downstream flow rate depends on the determined conduit flow rate and the performance of the vessel can be determined based on the signal. In addition, a processor can be provided in communication with the first sensor for determining a flow rate in the vessel upstream from the diversion point from the signal and the conduit flow rate.

Abstract: A water treatment system including an automatic shut-off control valve. The system preferably includes inflow and outflow sensors that monitor flow through the system and a pressure sensor that senses back pressure in a downstream plumbing system. If the sensors sense different flows, a leak in the system is assumed and the control valve is closed. In one embodiment, the flowing back pressure is monitored by the pressure sensor to detect leaks in the plumbing system. In another embodiment, the valve is closed after a specific volume of water flow is sensed and the pressure sensor measures static back pressure in the plumbing system to detect a leak. In yet another embodiment, incremental amounts of water are released by the valve and subsequent back pressures are tested to detect a leak. Optionally, the system includes a control to shut-off a water supply when a water treatment device enclosure is accessed.

Abstract: A treatment system is provided for liquefied livestock waste contained in a slurry pit of a livestock confinement building or lagoon. Waste slurry is pumped through a sonication chamber where it is treated with ultrasound and energy density. The configuration of sonicator probes, the duration of treatment, and the sonication chamber design subject the animal waster therein to maximum sonic cavitation. The treatment should be such that the particle size of the waste is sufficiently reduced to suspend or dissolve the particles permanently, which greatly enhances the speed of biodegradation. Where the pits are under confinement buildings, the waste slurry may be recycled after treatment back into the slurry pit. In other cases, the waste slurry may be treated and then passed to a transient storage tank for trapping methane, and then to a lagoon, or passed directly to a lagoon.

Abstract: A system for treating water includes an ozone injector combined with a monitoring apparatus 400 that includes a flow meter 402 and a pressure sensor 404. The monitoring apparatus includes a flow path 424 having inlets 420, 422 communicating with the inlet 304 and outlet 306 of the ozone injector main water pipe 302. The flow path inlets are spaced respectively upstream and downstream of the ozone injection point. In operation, water filtered in filter 108 is ozonized in venturi 316 and then sterilized by UV lamp 210. The lamp is also used to generate ozone that is delivered to the venturi via check valve 308. The pressure sensor positioned within the flow path produces signals to control the switch of the UV lamp. The flow meter is used to determine when the filter should be replaced. The pressure sensor may be in the form of a silicon chip.

Abstract: A control system for an upflow clarification tank comprises a regulator for controlling one or more characteristics of the flow within the tank (such as the power, pressure, velocity, momentum, or velocity head of the flow), a sensor for measuring one or more of the characteristics of the flow, and a linkage that automatically adjusts the regulator to a desired setting based on the sensor measurement. A processor may be used to determine the desired setting for the regulator. The control system may also include structure enabling the operator to manually select between multiple methods for determining the desired setting.

Abstract: A water purifier 40 includes a flow meter 42 for measuring the cumulative flow of water through a water purification cartridge 6. The flow meter has an indicator portion 44 that rotates in response to increasing cumulative flow and a graduated portion 46 rotating about the same axis as that of the indicator portion. The graduated portion includes an insertion groove 29 for manually rotating the graduated portion in order to reset the flow meter. Because the flow meter has few part, the body of the water purifier can be made compact and its cost reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting whole blood and then separating it into components for subsequent use or storage. A self-contained bag set is used to collect the sample, which may then be placed into container adapted to fit into a centrifuge for separation of components. Each component is then sequentially extracted according to density, with a sensor present in the container to control the operation of valves directing the collection of each component. Each component may then be separated into its own storage container.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a fluid system particularly suited for use with high pressure liquid chromatography systems. The apparatus monitors seal leakage as well as the general wellness of the apparatus and can thus be used to provide preventive maintenance feedback. The apparatus includes a liquid chamber, a wash chamber, a reservoir, a supply pump, a return line, and a detector. The liquid chamber includes a seal for sealing a fluid within the liquid chamber. The wash chamber is located adjacent the seal. The reservoir supplies a wash solution to the wash chamber. The supply pump supplies a unidirectional flow of wash solution from the reservoir to the wash chamber. The return line conveys a return flow from the wash chamber to the reservoir, in which the return flow includes any leakage of the fluid from the liquid chamber into the wash chamber and the portion of the wash solution that returns from the wash chamber to the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a fluid system particularly suited for use with high pressure liquid chromatography systems. The apparatus monitors seal leakage as well as the general wellness of the apparatus and can thus be used to provide preventive maintenance feedback. The apparatus includes a liquid chamber, a wash chamber, a reservoir, a supply pump, a return line, and a detector. The liquid chamber includes a seal for sealing a fluid within the liquid chamber. The wash chamber is located adjacent the seal. The reservoir supplies a wash solution to the wash chamber. The supply pump supplies a unidirectional flow of wash solution from the reservoir to the wash chamber. The return line conveys a return flow from the wash chamber to the reservoir, in which the return flow includes any leakage of the fluid from the liquid chamber into the wash chamber and the portion of the wash solution that returns from the wash chamber to the reservoir.

Abstract: A totalization meter system for a water treatment device, the device having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, and a channel for channeling water between the inlet and outlet apertures. A flow reactive device is positioned in the channel and is exposed to the flowing water, and a signal generating member is positioned on the flow reactive device. A switch is positioned proximately to the flow reactive device, and is sensitive to the proximity of the signal generating member. The switch is able to communicate electric signals indicative of the motion of the signal generating member. A resettable processor having a performance threshold programmed therein and an output device is included. The microcontroller is in electrical communication with the switch for receiving electrical signals from the switch. The switch is capable of sensing the characteristics of the flow reactive device and communicates electrical signals representative of the characteristics to the microcontroller.

Abstract: A unit 1 for producing pyrogen controlled water on a small to medium factory scale comprises a number of charged ultrafiltration units 10 arranged in parallel. Orifice plates 15 are used to restrict and control the flow of deionized water to each filter 10. The filter units 10 are mounted on a frame 2 with a wheeled chassis 3 which may be pushed or moved by a forklift truck to a site where pyrogen controlled water is required. The unit 1 has an inlet line 4 for connection to a supply of deionized water and an outlet line 6 for connection to a user of pyrogen controlled water. The unit 1 may be purged with nitrogen from a supply 18. Sampling ports 17 in a common supply inlet 4 and a common outlet 6 ensure that the filtration efficiency can be closely monitored. The flow of water is monitored by a flowmeter 19 and pressure sensors 16 upstream of each filter facilitate a high level of control.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes a fluid supply line leading from a fluid supply tank of an associated engine and a fluid pretreatment device communicating with the fluid supply line. The fluid pretreatment device includes a housing, a conical structure extending in the housing, a collection cup supported on the housing, and a draw tube. The housing includes a wall, and the wall cooperates with the conical structure to define a particle separation chamber in the housing for separating particles from a fluid flowing through the separation chamber to produce a pre-cleaned fluid. The collection cup receives and holds the particulate matter separated from the fluid in the particle separation chamber. The draw tube extends into the particle separation chamber for leading the pre-cleaned fluid back to the fluid supply line.

Abstract: A system is provided for proceeding with filtration of liquids in a manner having enhanced control characteristics. Yields are enhanced. The system and method can be used to maintain a substantially constant trans-membrane pressure. When desired, that constant trans-membrane pressure is especially well-suited to yield enhancement for the particular liquid being filtered, concentrated or collected, while minimizing a risk of damage to or loss of valuable components. Additionally, a constant feed rate or pump output can be maintained.

Abstract: Water purifier using membranes, ion exchange resins and electricity to remove ionic, organic and suspended impurities from water to produce high quality, pure water. Supply water is pre-treated by directing it first into a sediment pre-filter module, a softener module and a sediment removal and dechlorination module. The pre-treated water is supplied to a reverse osmosis module which separates the water into two streams (a purified water stream and a concentrate stream) by collecting fluids from both sides of pressurized membranes. The purified water is passed to an electrodeionization module which further purifies the water and directs the water to an ultraviolet sterilization module. The concentrate stream is divided into a recycle stream which is passed to the inlet of the reverse osmosis module and a waste concentrate stream which flows to an outlet of the machine. A control method for the water purifier is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drilling mud clarification or reclamation system is provided. High gravity and low gravity solids are removed from the drilling mud in respective centrifugal separator stages. A plurality of in-line mass flow sensors are provided to provide real-time indication of the effectiveness of the clarification of the drilling mud, and to provide control signals to a central control station. The heavier weight components are separated from the mud and returned to the system for further use. The lighter weight components are removed and are discarded to clean the mud. A cuttings dryer is provided to remove oil from cuttings which have been separated from a shale shaker stage. A de-sludging centrifuge is also provided to remove very fine cuttings which may have a harmful effect on the viscosity of the mud.

Abstract: A self-sustaining non-biodegradable waste breakdown system has a preprocessing assembly, a heating assembly, a reaction assembly and a filtering assembly. The reaction assembly has a filtering layer to retain long chain molecules of the melted waste for continuous breakdown so as to change the long chain molecules into short chain molecules. The filtering-adjusting mechanism of the filtering assembly recycles the medium with a special concentration, viscosity and heat resistance in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: It is an object to solve problems incidental to the passage piping of a hemodialyzer, and more specifically to provide a hemodialyzer which is small-sized and inexpensive and has a great safety. As means for solving the problems, there is provided a hemodialyzer comprising dialytic basic devices such as a dialyzer, and fluid control devices such as a valve to be provided in a dialysis circuit, wherein a fluid passage block provided with a port for connecting the various devices is included and a fluid connecting circuit is formed between the ports in the block.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing deionized water is provided. Water is supplied to a first conduit. A plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels are connected to the first conduit. A filtering experimental vessel is connected to the first conduit, the filtering experimental vessel is separated from the plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels. A second conduit is connected to the plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels and the filtering experimental vessel for outputting the deionized water. A third conduit is connected to the plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels and the filtering experimental vessel for outputting concentrated ion water. The plurality of reverse osmotic pressure vessels and the filtering experimental vessel concurrently or independently separates the supplying water into the deionized water and the concentrated ion water.

Abstract: A flow rate of unconnected first and second fluid flows is matched, such as, but not limited to, matching the flow rate of the replacement water stream with the waste water stream in kidney dialysis. The first and second flow paths are interconnected so substantially the same flow from a positive displacement pump in the first path encounters a flow-rate transducer in the second path. Transducer readings are taken for various values of the controllable pump speed of the pump. Then, the first and second flow paths are disconnected, a transducer reading is taken, and the flow rate of the fluid flow in the first flow path is controlled by controlling the pump speed using the value of the pump speed from the previous interconnected paths which corresponds to the value of the transducer reading from the previous interconnected paths which matches the transducer reading for the disconnected paths.

Abstract: A water purification system for purifying water flowing through a water flow path. The system includes a water purification device having an inlet and an outlet in the water flow path and at least one interior volume communicating with the inlet and outlet. A purification medium is disposed within the interior volume of the water purification device. A flow control system is provided controlling a volume of purified water dispensed from the outlet. The flow control system includes an input device configured to allow a user to input a desired volume of purified water to be dispensed from the outlet and a sensing device coupled with the electronic input device and operative to determine the volume of purified water being dispensed from the outlet. A flow regulation device is coupled with the flow control system and operative to stop the discharge of purified water at the outlet upon reaching the desired volume of purified water.

Abstract: The measurement of blood flow in a dialysis shunt is obtained by injection of an indicator material into a venous line leading from dialysis equipment to the shunt. The blood flow in an arterial line leading from the shunt at a location downstream of the venous line to the dialysis equipment is monitored by an arterial line sensor for the presence of the indicator material. A detector connected to the sensor provides a dilution curve in response to the presence of the indicator material and the blood flow in the shunt is calculated from the area under the dilution curve. The locations of the arterial and venous lines in the shunt can be reversed to obtain a measurement of blood recirculation from the venous line into the arterial line.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-process water treatment system including a manifold, a disinfectant source adapted to supply a substantially continuous flow of disinfectant to the manifold, a plurality of water treatment processes fluidly coupled to the manifold, a plurality of sensor means, each sensor means coupled to a water treatment process, the sensor means adapted to communicate data representative of the concentration of the disinfectant present in each water treatment process, a central controller means adapted to receive data from the plurality of sensor means, a disinfectant discharge conduit, and a three-way diverting valve disposed in fluid communication between each branch of the manifold and each water treatment process, the valve having a first position wherein disinfectant is delivered to the water treatment process and a second position wherein disinfectant is delivered to the disinfectant discharge conduit.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the performance of a vessel, such as a hemodialysis access, which communicates blood between two locations of a patient. A conduit, such as an external dialysis circuit or an intravascular catheter, is provided in fluid communication with the vessel, and has a diversion point for diverting blood from the vessel into the conduit. The system further includes means for determining a flow rate of the diverted blood through the conduit. A first sensor in communication with the vessel generates at least one signal that is a function of a blood flow rate in the vessel downstream from the diversion point, wherein the downstream flow rate depends on the determined conduit flow rate and the performance of the vessel can be determined based on the signal. In addition, a processor can be provided in communication with the first sensor for determining a flow rate in the vessel upstream from the diversion point from the signal and the conduit flow rate.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a centrifuge housing and a rotor. The housing defines an inner chamber, and the rotor is provided in the chamber. An indicator is provided on the housing. The indicator is constructed and arranged to indicate rotor movement. A rotor sensor is operatively coupled to the indicator, and the rotor sensor is constructed and arranged to sense rotor movement.

Abstract: A process for producing improved alkaline water includes filtering potable source water to remove selected particles and then purifying the filtered water. Selected alkaline minerals are added to the purified water, with the resulting mineralized water being then electrolyzed to produce streams of acidic water and alkaline water, the alkaline water having a pH within the range of 9-10, a TDS range of 22-240 ppm (parts per million) and alkalinity in the range of 12-216 ppm.

Abstract: A fully automatic deionizer comprising five sub-systems for removing ionic contaminants from various liquids at low energy consumption is devised. Based on the charging-discharging principle of capacitors, the deionizer conducts deionization through applying a low DC voltage to its electrodes for adsorbing ions, while more than 30% of the process energy is recovered and stored by discharging the electrodes. At the mean time of discharge, surface of the electrodes is regenerated on site and reset for performing many more cycles of deionization-regeneration till the desirable purification is attained. In one moment, both deionization and regeneration proceed simultaneously on different groups of electrode modules, and in the next moment the electrode modules quickly switch the two processes. Such swift reciprocating actions are engaged in synchronized coordination of sub-systems of electrode modules, energy management, fluid flow, and automatic control.

Abstract: A filtration device is provided in which wastewater, in the form of a colloidal solution containing microparticles, is guided to tank, circulated, and filtrated using a second filter. The device includes a gel film that is formed by suction on the surface of a first filter. The suction pressure in this process is made extremely weak to maintain the filtration capacity while extending intervals prior to clogging of second filter 2. Furthermore, a filtration device is realized with which the gel film of second filter that becomes adsorbed onto the surface of first filter can be separated readily by stopping the suction and filtration can be continued again thereafter.

Abstract: A self-sustaining non-biodegradable waste breakdown system has a preprocessing assembly, a heating assembly, a reaction assembly and a filtering assembly. The reaction assembly has a filtering layer to retain long chain molecules of the melted waste for continuous breakdown so as to change the long chain molecules into short chain molecules. The filtering-adjusting mechanism of the filtering assembly recycles the medium with a special concentration, viscosity and heat resistance in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A drinking water filter assembly has a filter cartridge which includes a filter element contained in a pressure vessel for unitary disposal, the cartridge received on a base containing attachment fittings for ease in installation and replacement with limited exposure to contaminants during a filter change. A flow powered flow meter is provided which measures the quantity of flow through the filter for alerting the user to replace the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A system for automatic control of dissolution rates of chemical tablets for water purification for constant flow rate systems. The system includes a treating unit which does not depend upon variable flow rates of water to obtain predetermined variable concentrations of purifying chemical solution. The system includes sensors and a computer for generating control signals to the treating unit for automatically varying the chemical dissolution rate.