Fluid Pressure Responsive Patents (Class 210/90)
  • Patent number: 8709240
    Abstract: An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the portions of the outer enclosure. Oil passes through the pressure actuated valve only when an oil pressure differential between the peripheral and central portions exceeds a threshold pressure. A secondary filter has a second porosity greater than the first porosity, and is fixed between the pressure-actuated valve and the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: 37Degree Filters, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20140110349
    Abstract: An assembly and a method for filtration are disclosured, which are suitable in particular for the filtration of cells, for example tumor cells, from a sample, for example a blood sample. In the method, a pressure differential between the pressure upstream and the pressure downstream of a filter is determined; and the pressure differential between upstream and downstream of the filter is adjusted such that the pressure differential does not exceed a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Joachim Bangert, Katja Friedrich, Walter Gumbrecht, Karsten Hiltawsky, Peter Paulicka, Manfred Stanzel
  • Patent number: 8702977
    Abstract: A water distribution system configured for control by a remote control system is disclosed comprising of a water filtration unit for filtering water and a water storage unit for storing the filtered water and including a water dispenser. A control unit is provided that is configured to control the operation of the water filtration unit and includes a sensor system to measure the quality and the quantity of the water filtered, and to monitor the functioning of one or more components of the water filtration unit. A point of sale device is also provided comprising of a service management device mounted on the water dispenser and is configured to control the operation of the water dispenser and a user interface to receive user inputs and is configured to process user payments for the dispensing of water at the remote control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Piramal Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: Anand Shah, Naman Shah, Sameer Kalwani
  • Patent number: 8696894
    Abstract: The invention concerns a filter element (1), in particular of a fuel filter for motor vehicles. The filter element (1) is received in a filter housing (2) and comprises a filter body (3) with a filter material (5) that is arranged in folds (4). Between two folds (4) a heating element (6) for the fuel is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: André Roesgen, Guenter Jokschas
  • Patent number: 8696915
    Abstract: A method of treating water in order to minimize scaling and biomass buildup in water conduits or containers in which the treated water is used includes pressurizing and optionally filtering ambient air, processing the pressurized ambient air in a chamber including at least one ultraviolet light source operated to generate an output flow mixture of pressurized air and reactive oxygen species (ROS) gas, mixing the pressurized ROS/gas output mixture to realize a flow of water/pressurized ROS gas/air mixture and outputting the flow of water/pressurized ROS gas/air mixture as the treated water process product. The process includes generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) gas in the pressurized ROS/gas output mixture including at least one of Super Oxide (O2?), Peroxide (—O2—), Hydro peroxide (HO2?), Hydroxyl Radicals (OH.), Ozone (O3?) and Molecular Oxygen (O2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cascade Water Services
    Inventors: Eugene Klochkoff, Clive Ling, Steven Lerman
  • Patent number: 8691095
    Abstract: A high efficiency water purification system is provided incorporating recovery of a portion concentrate wastewater associated with the reverse osmosis unit. This reduces the overall volume of concentrate wastewater requiring discharge/disposal by reusing the purified concentrate of a concentrate recovery units as RO feed water. Initial feedwater is pressurized and passed through an RO membrane, and separated into a permeate flow and a concentrate flow. A portion of the higher pressure concentrate is then directed to an additional set of thin film composite membranes (concentrate recovery membranes). The concentrate recovery membranes are arranged in an array such that the concentrate pressure is adequate to provide the force required to drive the concentrate through the recovery system membranes. The permeate produced by the concentrate recovery system is directed back to the feed of the primary RO unit; thereby, reducing the volume of raw feed water required for system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Water Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Hooley, William E. Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20140091019
    Abstract: A normal flow filtration system having a housing with one or more filters contained within a bowl and attached to the outlet of the system. Liquid enters the bowl, contacts the surfaces of the one or more filters. Impurities are trapped in the filter and the filtered liquid flows through to the outlet. Parameter(s) such as flow rate, transmembrane pressure drop and/or time are measured and when met, filtration ceases. A backflushing occurs through the filter(s) so as to remove the impurities from the filter. This backwashed material is directed to an outlet of the bowl that is connected to a drain. Additionally a port formed in the side of the housing adjacent an outer surface of the filter(s) can be used to provide a lateral washing of the filter(s). The system is then recirculated in a downstream manner to reestablish equilibrium and filtration is then restarted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Felipe Merino, Luis Penacho, Miquel Iribarren, Antonio Vicente, Angel Cabria, Juan Carlos Pineiro
  • Publication number: 20140091020
    Abstract: An autonomous filter device and a method for improving the filter life and performance is disclosed. The filter element is equipped with one or more sensors, adapted to measure one or more characteristics. In response to the measured characteristic, the control logic within the filter element is able to determine an appropriate response. For example, the control logic may determine that a sudden, but temporary, blockage has occurred in the filter membrane. In response, the control logic may initiate a specific response designed to alleviate the blockage. The control logic will then determine the success of the response, based monitoring any change in the fluid characteristics. Based thereon, the control logic may alert the operator that the filter element must be replaced. Alternatively, if the response was successful in correcting the blockage, the control logic need not notify the operator, as the filter element is back to normal operating operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Burke, Anthony DiLeo, Timothy O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20140083943
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting recirculation for an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus and an apparatus with a device for detecting recirculation are based on targeted haemodilution by administration of a substituate bolus, causing a pressure change in venous and arterial branches of the extracorporeal circuit due to a viscosity change of flowing fluid. Recirculation is detected based on detection of the pressure change. The device includes a control unit cooperating with a device for conveying blood and a device for supplying substituate. The control unit provides an operating mode for detecting recirculation, in which blood flow rate is reduced during administration of a substituate bolus. With simultaneous substituate bolus administration and reduction of blood flow rate, the composition of fluid flow is optimised for detection of recirculation, so that fairly large pressure changes result in venous and arterial branches, thereby improving sensitivity and reliability of the measurement method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Nuernberger
  • Patent number: 8673139
    Abstract: A dialysis machine, in particular a peritoneal dialysis machine, to which a fluid system having a multi-chamber container with at least two chambers with individual solutions separated by a partition arrangement to be opened mechanically can be coupled includes a controller and at least one sensor for the determination of a measured variable in the fluid system. The controller has an apparatus for the automatic checking of the proper opening of the partition arrangement with reference to the measured variable determined by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Hedmann, Sven Sebesta
  • Publication number: 20140061128
    Abstract: A mobile phase delivery device for use with high pressure liquid chromatography includes a manifold having a plurality of inlets, wherein each inlet is fluidly coupled with a solvent source. The manifold further has a mobile phase outlet that outputs a mobile phase, composed of solvent or solvent mixture, onto an analytical line. The device further includes at least one pump for delivering solvent to the manifold, and a fluid branch in the manifold that is located at a point downstream of the plurality of inlets, and is fluidly coupled with at least one of a pressure sensor and a purge valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BRUKER MICHROM
    Inventors: Kerry NUGENT, David KENNEDY
  • Publication number: 20140048460
    Abstract: A method to determine a type of blood circuit attached to an extracorporeal blood treatment console including: pumping a liquid through a blood passage of the blood circuit, sensing a first pressure in: the blood passage while the passage is closed and pumping stopped, pumping an additional amount of the liquid into the blood passage while the blood passage is and remains closed and thereafter sensing a second pressure, and determine a dimensional characteristic of a fluid passage in the blood passage based on the additional amount of the liquid and the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Francesco Paolini, Paolo Rovatti
  • Patent number: 8652322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-component part transducer assembly for determining the pressure of a fluid of interest. One part of the assembly comprises a reusable transducer, another part a disposable component comprising a flexible membrane which is in pressure connection with the fluid of interest, and another part comprises a locking component for securing the reusable and disposable parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventors: Javier Jurio, Roger Lundqvist
  • Publication number: 20140027359
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and a filter arrangement in fluid communication with the pump. The pumping system can also include means for determining a load value indicative of an unclogged filter that permits movement of water through the filter arrangement, means for determining a load value indicative of a clogged filter that inhibits movement of water through the filter arrangement, and means for determining a performance value of the pumping system. The pumping system also includes means for determining a relative loading value of the filter arrangement, means for displaying the relative loading value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the relative loading value. In one example, the load values and performance value can include flow pressure values. A method of moving water of a swimming pool is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: Danfoss Low Power Drives, Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Gert Kjaer, Einar Kjartan Runarsson
  • Patent number: 8632686
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to remove water content in organic solvents characterized in that it comprises treatment tank 10 to which organic solvent is introduced, solvent inlet section 1 that introduces the organic solvent, solvent outlet section 2 from which the treated organic solvent is discharged, inert gas inlet section 3 from which inert gas is introduced, treatment gas outlet section 4 from which gas is discharged, cooling treatment tank 20 in which the treatment gas is cooled and the gas and liquid are separated, treatment gas inlet section 5 from which the treatment gas is introduced, recovered liquid outlet section 6 from which the separated liquid organic solvent is discharged, and waste gas outlet section 7 from which the separated gas is discharged, and that the water content in the organic solvent is removed by having the inert gas flow over the entire liquid surface of the organic solvent inside treatment tank 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Terumasa Koura, Takashi Kameoka
  • Patent number: 8628670
    Abstract: A method of treating water in order to minimize scaling and biomass buildup in water conduits or containers in which the treated water is used includes processing ambient air in a chamber including at least one ultraviolet light source to generate an output flow mixture of air and reactive oxygen species (ROS) gasses, controlling the at least one ultraviolet light source, a flow rate of the output flow mixture and an ROS gas ratio in the output flow mixture, mixing a water flow with the output flow mixture to realize a flow of water/ROS gas mixture and outputting the flow of water/ROS gas mixture as the treated water. Preferably, the processing includes generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) gasses in the output flow mixture including at least one of Super Oxide (O2?) Peroxide (—O2—), Hydroperoxide (HO2?), Hydroxyl Radicals (OH.), Ozone (O3?) and Molecular Oxygen (O2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cascade Water Services
    Inventors: Eugene Klochkoff, Clive Ling, Steven Lerman
  • Patent number: 8623218
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for improved operation of a fluid purification apparatus. The fluid purification apparatus includes a pressure sensor to energize and de-energize one or more components of the fluid purification apparatus based on the pressure entering or in the fluid purification apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Next Generation Filtration Systems, LP
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Geiger
  • Publication number: 20140001106
    Abstract: A treatment device for stormwater is provided that comprises a container which in use contains a growing medium and a hydrodynamic separator located within the container. The hydrodynamic separator comprises a separation chamber, an inlet duct extending from the outside of the container to the separation chamber, a solids outlet; and a liquid outlet that opens into the container. In use, liquid flow containing solids enters the separation chamber through the inlet duct and is caused to swirl within the separation chamber, thereby causing solids to exit the separation chamber through the solids outlet and liquid to exit the separation chamber through the liquid outlet and to flow into the growing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Hydro International plc
    Inventors: Jeremy FINK, Andrew Pearson Nancollis, Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh, Keith Garry Hutchings
  • Patent number: 8617404
    Abstract: Particular aspects of the inventive technology may, in embodiments, relate to a fluid filter apparatus that includes a filtered fluid conduit that has a length that is at least three times a characteristic diameter; and a plurality of holes, wherein at least one of said holes has a first shape and engages an end cap during fluid filter operation, and wherein at least one other of said holes has said first shape and passes filtered fluid from outside of said filtered fluid conduit to a conduit interior during fluid filter operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Harvard Corporation
    Inventors: Otto Knottnerus, Larry Langmeier, Mark Berger
  • Publication number: 20130319916
    Abstract: The present invention is an air evacuation apparatus that prevents the accumulation of air inside a swimming pool or spa filter by allowing any air to be removed from inside the filter every time the swimming pool pump is turned on. By allowing air to be removed from the filter, the present invention prevents the build-up of dangerous levels of potential energy caused by compressed air inside the filter that can lead to the violent separation of the filter. More important, the air evacuation apparatus of the present invention allows air to be safely and automatically removed from inside of the filter without interfering with the functionality of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Vaccare, LLC
    Inventors: Hassan Hamza, Garrett James Burkitt, III
  • Patent number: 8597505
    Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface, a heater in thermal communication with the planar surface, and a sodium sensor in electromagnetic communication with the planar surface. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Russell Thomas Joseph, James Roswell Braig, Victor Gura, David J. Mishelevich, Thomas Robinson, Charles Clemens, Milan Trcka, Clark Berg Foster, Daniele Ghidoli, Martin Hering, Frank Isackson, Jan Brian Zwierstra, Mark Forrest Smith
  • Publication number: 20130313203
    Abstract: A filter unit comprising an inlet (12) and an outlet (13) for a flow medium to be filtered, a first filter cartridge (14) having a first filter element, a second filter cartridge (15) having a second filter element, and a switching device (16) which allows alternating filter operation of the first or the second filter cartridge (14, 15). It is proposed that the first filter cartridge be a main cartridge (14) with a fine first filter element and the second filter cartridge be an auxiliary cartridge (15) with a coarse second filter element. The pressure loss in the auxiliary cartridge (15) is set to the same threshold value as a contaminated main cartridge (14), at which the differential pressure switch triggers an alarm such that during changing of the main filter, the alarm continuously sounds and is only switched off after changing the filtering back to a fine filtering operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Joachim Sagawe
  • Patent number: 8591448
    Abstract: A fluid cassette for a blood processing system includes a cassette housing and a rigid structure. The cassette housing defines the structure of the cassette and has a fluid path at least partially extending through it. The fluid path is configured to allow a fluid to pass through the housing. The rigid structure defines a cavity that is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The rigid structure also has an interface for interfacing and/or connecting with a pressure monitoring device. The interface allows the pressure monitoring device to measure the pressure within the fluid path. The cavity has a volume of air located between the fluid path and the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Haemonetics Corporation
    Inventors: Edward T. Powers, Matthew J. Murphy, Michael Ragusa
  • Patent number: 8580110
    Abstract: A proposed blood treatment apparatus includes: a blood treatment unit, a pair of fluid pumps and a pair blood pumps. The blood treatment unit is configured to receive untreated blood and fresh blood treatment fluid, and emit treated blood and used blood treatment fluid. The fluid pumps are configured to pass blood treatment fluid through the blood treatment unit. The blood pumps are configured to extract untreated blood from a blood source, pass extracted blood through the blood treatment unit and deliver treated blood to a target vessel. Additionally, the fluid pumps are configured to control the operation of the blood pumps via the blood treatment fluid. Moreover, a flow control device is configured to control a trans-membrane flow between the blood side and the a fluid side of the blood treatment unit. Hence, for instance ultrafiltration can be adjusted to a desired level in a very straightforward manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Lennart Jönsson, Olof Jansson, Mattias Holmer, Jan Sternby, Anders Nilsson, Per Hansson
  • Patent number: 8574430
    Abstract: A fluid filter for assembly includes an upright housing having a base portion and a cover to allow viewing of a fluid level. The base portion has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A filter element has a filter media for filtering the fluid, a bottom end cap connected to the fluid outlet, and a top end cap positioned above the bottom end cap. A mounting member is formed on the top end cap, and a vent passage extends through the mounting member for fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the filter element. An interface structure is connected to cover the upright housing and is removably engageable with the mounting member of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Davco Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Zdzislaw Chajec
  • Patent number: 8568596
    Abstract: Provided are a membrane filtering device managing system by which the membrane filtering device can be managed with a better precision and membrane filtering device for use therein, as well as to a membrane filtering device managing method. At least two sensors of an electric conductivity sensor 11, a flow rate sensor 13, and a pressure sensor 15 are provided in at least two membrane elements 10 provided in a membrane filtering device 50. A managing device 200 obtains data from the at least two sensor, and compares the data with comparison data that represents a correlative relationship between a position along the axial line direction in the membrane filtering device 50 and a standard value obtained from the at least two sensor. Accordingly, it is possible to specify the cause of change occurring in the membrane filtering device 50 more definitely, and to carried out a suitable maintenance in accordance with the cause, so that the membrane filtering device 50 can be managed with a higher precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takahisa Konishi, Norio Ikeyama, Kouji Maruyama, Yukio Fujiwara, Akira Ootani, Toshiki Kouno
  • Publication number: 20130277285
    Abstract: The current application is to multi-canister water-filtration systems with two or more canister-type water filters as well as pressure-monitoring components to allow for the pressure drop across at least one of the canister-type water filters to be monitored and filtration-efficiency degradation detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: AQUA IP
    Inventors: Scott Borough, Larry Meek, Laren Meek
  • Patent number: 8562835
    Abstract: A fluid filter, particularly suitable for high pressure and high volume use, comprises a cylindrical housing (201) having an attachment plate (209) at an inlet end (202) to which is attached a plurality of bundles (303) of fibers (211), with the fibers being left unsecured at their distal end adjacent an outlet (203) of the housing. Between the bundles is provided a balloon (212) which can be distended in order to crush the fibers around the periphery of the housing. In use, a fluid to be filtered is introduced into the inlet end, adjacent to where the fibers are secured. In order to flush the filter the pressure within the balloon is released, and a flushing fluid is passed through the housing in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Water Maiden Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Ernest Frye, Søren Ingemann Jensen, Philip McIntyre
  • Patent number: 8551342
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method of operating a blood treatment apparatus for the extracorporeal blood treatment of a patient, a blood volume monitor for monitoring an extracorporeal blood treatment of the patient by means of a blood treatment apparatus, and a blood treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Moissl, Paul Chamney, Peter Wabel
  • Patent number: 8551331
    Abstract: An automatic filtering system for filtering a cooking medium in a fryer, includes a frypot; a filter manifold having removable filter; a pump, that supplies cooking medium from the filter manifold to the frypot; a pressure sensor that senses a pressure of the cooking medium supplied by the pump; and a controlling mechanism that controls an operation of the pump in response to the sensed pressure data. The control mechanism halts the operation of the pump after sensing a drop in the pressure of the cooking medium pressure that is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure drop threshold. The systems and methods of the invention provide automatic filtering that may reduce or eliminate an incorrect refilling operation after the filtering of cooking medium, so that the filtering process may be performed correctly each time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Burkett, Thomas Lee Gort, Gary L. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8540875
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Levin, Wayne Raiford
  • Patent number: 8535519
    Abstract: The invention concerns a filter element (1), in particular of a fuel filter for motor vehicles. The filter element (1) is provided for exchangeable use in a filter housing (2) and comprises a filter body (3) with a filter material (5) that is arranged in folds (4). Between two folds (4) a heating element (6) for the fuel is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Andre Roesgen, Guenter Jokschas
  • Patent number: 8535522
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dialysis system with a disconnection monitor for determining if a blood line connection to a patient has been disconnected. It includes a blood circuit in fluid communication with a patient and a dialysis circuit, a pressure transducer for generating a signal indicative of a pulse signal in the blood circuit, a cardiac reference signal generator for generating a signal indicative of the patient's pulse and a disconnection monitor. The disconnection monitor includes a pressure transducer data receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the pulse signal in the blood circuit, a cardiac reference signal receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the patient's pulse, and a processor for cross-correlating the signal indicative of the pulse signal in the blood circuit and the signal indicative of the patient's pulse to generate data indicative of a disconnection of the blood line connection to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, James R. Braig
  • Publication number: 20130233777
    Abstract: Tangential flow filtration device is provided wherein liners are provided between the filtration element and the top and bottom holders or manifolds. The liners incorporate the flow channels and inlet and outlet ports, as well as a sensor mount. The liners are made of an inexpensive material and therefore are disposable after a single use, making it more cost effective to dispose of them than to clean the conventional manifolds. The sensor mount accommodates a removable sensor, and isolates it from the fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Morrissey, Dennis Wong
  • Patent number: 8529761
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a plurality of feed pumps each having a feed pump input and a feed pump output, an input manifold in fluid communication with the feed pump inputs and a membrane feed manifold in fluid communication with the feed pump output. The system also includes a plurality of membrane chambers each in fluid communication with the membrane feed manifold and generating a permeate output and a brine output, each brine output in fluid communication with a brine manifold. The system further includes a plurality of booster devices each having a turbine portion with a turbine input in fluid communication with the brine manifold and a pump portion having a booster device pump input and a booster device pump output, each booster device pump output in fluid communication with the membrane feed manifold. The system includes a pump input manifold in fluid communication with the booster device pump input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8506798
    Abstract: Installation for treating a biological liquid, including a circulation pump (5), a filter element (9), a container for collecting treated liquid, a first circuit section connecting a source of said biological liquid to an inlet orifice of said filter element (9), including a circuit element adapted to cooperate with said circulation pump (5); a second circuit section, connecting an outlet orifice of said filter element (9) to said treated liquid collecting container; characterized in that said treated liquid collecting container, said first circuit section and said second circuit section are disposable and said installation further includes a first cart (1) carrying said pump (5) and a second cart (2) including a housing (14) for said collecting container, separable from the first cart (1) and adapted to be at least partly nested in said first cart (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Beulay, Virginie Buisson, Sebastien Cirou, Cecile Delbos, Marc Hlavacek, Frans Mels, Rene Reinbigler, Jean-Louis Weissenbach
  • Patent number: 8501004
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ballast water treatment device. The device includes a filtering unit filtering ballast water introduced into a ship using a filter, a vortex generating unit generating an artificial vortex in the ballast water filtered by the filtering unit, and an ultraviolet treatment unit having an ultraviolet lamp which sterilizes the ballast water discharged from the vortex generating unit using ultraviolet rays, thus preventing secondary contamination resulting from by-products, preventing a ballast tank from becoming contaminated, affording effective maintenance, and making it convenient to control. Further, an artificial vortex is formed in the ballast water when it is mixed, thus allowing a large quantity of ultraviolet rays to be radiated onto the ballast water passing through the ultraviolet treatment unit, therefore improving a sterilization effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Panasia Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Tae Lee, Tae-Sung Pyo, Sang-Gyu Cheon, Hyun-O Kim, Su-Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8480884
    Abstract: For diesel internal combustion engines, an improved filter unit comprising a casing the interior of which is separated by a filtering baffle into two separate chambers to which a fuel inlet conduit and a fuel outlet conduit are connected respectively, with said unit there being associated a device for determining the degree of clogging of the filtering baffle; said device is located inside said casing and is positioned to be sensitive to the difference between the fuel pressure in said chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: UFI Filters S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Girondi
  • Patent number: 8469916
    Abstract: Certain examples describe systems and methods for increasing plasma extracted from donor blood. An example method includes receiving blood extracted from a donor connected to a blood collection machine. The example method includes filtering the blood using a filtration device to remove at least a portion of plasma included in the blood to separate the plasma removed from remaining blood. The example method includes routing the plasma removed for collection. The example method includes re-filtering the remaining blood using a or the filtration device to remove additional plasma from the remaining blood. The example method includes routing the additional plasma removed for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wegener, Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Prakash Mathew, Marc N. Weasler, Benjamin E. E. Kusters
  • Patent number: 8465641
    Abstract: A dialysis liquid circuit with conduits for conducting dialysis liquid and elements for detecting air in the dialysis liquid. The elements includes at least one gas sensor traversed continuously by the dialysis liquid, which is configured such that it measures at least one property of the dialysis liquid which depends on the presence of air bubbles in the dialysis liquid, and which is arranged downstream of a region to be monitored of the dialysis liquid circuit. During operation of the dialysis liquid circuit a negative pressure exists with respect to atmospheric pressure, and the elements includes an evaluation unit which is connected with the gas sensor and which is configured such that the property measured by means of the gas sensor is evaluated with regard to the presence of air bubbles in the dialysis liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Maierhofer, Alfred Gagel, Malte Gross
  • Patent number: 8460552
    Abstract: A method and device that identify impairments of the blood flow in an extra-corporeal blood circuit during extracorporeal treatment of the blood using an extracorporeal haemodialysis device, where the phase angle of at least one harmonic oscillation of an oscillating pressure signal that propagates in the extracorporeal blood circuit is determined. Impairments of the blood flow are detected in the extracorporeal blood circuit based on a characteristic modification of the phase angle of at least one harmonic oscillation of the pressure signal. A temporal modification of the phase angle may be compared with a predefined threshold value and an impairment is detected if the value of the modification of the phase angle is greater than the predefined threshold value. The method and device permit an early identification of a coagulation of the blood that flows through the haemodialysis unit, so that countermeasures can be initiated promptly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Kopperschmidt, Malte Gross
  • Patent number: 8454822
    Abstract: Tangential flow filtration device is provided wherein liners are provided between the filtration element and the top and bottom holders or manifolds. The liners incorporate the flow channels and inlet and outlet ports, as well as a sensor mount. The liners are made of an inexpensive material and therefore are disposable after a single use, making it more cost effective to dispose of them than to clean the conventional manifolds. The sensor mount accommodates a removable sensor, and isolates it from the fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Morrissey, Dennis Wong
  • Patent number: 8454833
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for filtering a protein in a liquid mixture in a manner that does not substantially damage or otherwise limit the recovery of the protein in the filtration filtrate. The method generally includes passing a liquid mixture containing a protein (e.g., an aqueous vWF mixture) through a filter while applying a counter pressure to the liquid mixture filtrate to accurately reduce and control the pressure differential across the filter. The disclosed method has the advantage that relatively high filtration flow rates can be achieved at relatively low pressure differentials, in contrast to high pressure differentials, which actually reduce the filtration flow rate of protein liquid mixtures. Further, the method can recover substantially all of the protein that is initially present in the liquid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventors: Nebojsa Nikolic, Michaela Frey, Wolfgang Grabmayer, Thomas Jancik, Matthias Fried, Klaus Tschetschkowitsch, Kurt Schnecker, Barbara Riegler, Alma Kasapovic
  • Publication number: 20130134110
    Abstract: Described herein are filter assemblies for removing high molecular weight organic components from liquefied petroleum gas, as well as methods for removing high molecular weight components from liquefied petroleum gases. The filter assemblies include an upstream carbon-containing filter media pack and a downstream filter media pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Karthik Viswanathan, Philip Edward Johnson, Dustin Zastera, James Doyle, Gregory L. LaVallee
  • Patent number: 8425767
    Abstract: A connecting device comprises a buffer chamber (2), a first connecting line (3) between a liquid source (4) and an inlet (5) of the buffer chamber, a second connecting line (9) between an outlet (10) of the buffer chamber and the medical treatment apparatus (11), two valves (7, 8) arranged in series on the first connecting line, a pump (12) on the second connecting line, two liquid level sensors (15, 16) operating in the buffer chamber, a vent valve (18) connected to the buffer chamber. The liquid source is a centralized distribution plant of dialysate, while the medical treatment apparatus is a dialysis apparatus. The invention prevents back-contamination of the centralized plant with disinfectant sourced from the dialysis apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Massimo Fava, Salvatore Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 8425779
    Abstract: In a method for converting fluctuating energy into a stable energy supply, the fluctuating energy is derived from the group of solar energy, wind power, waves or water currents, this energy being delivered to a first pump being integrated in a pressure circuit for delivering stable energy and the pressure circuit comprising a pressure amplifier with a double-cone device being driven by the liquid flow circulated by the first pump. This allows the stabilization of fluctuating energy to be used e.g. in desalination plants without supplemental storage energy and without reverting to electric current conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: DCT Double-Cone Technology AG
    Inventor: John Stark
  • Publication number: 20130092630
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the washing and processsing of biological fluid/biological cells are disclosed. The systems and methods prevent inadvertent target cell loss by monitoring pressure and providing for the dilution of the cell feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventor: FENWAL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130087508
    Abstract: An apparatus and process of continuous, filtration of cooking oil during food processing to reduce and control free-fatty-acids and undesirable coloration in the cooking oil, including the movement of oil from a vessel to a flat-bed pressure chamber, where the oil is filtered through a stainless steel mesh screen under pressure. Differential pressure in the chamber causes the system to run the oil to a sister filter chamber which takes over the filter function while the first chamber cleans its filter. The filters are cleaned by inducing a high pressure inert gas into the filter chamber that dries the sediment, and then a mechanical sweep removes the sediment to a waste container. The resulting alternating process of filtering and filter cleaning between two chambers is fully automated and provides filtering that considerably extends oil life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Haddock
  • Publication number: 20130081983
    Abstract: A filtration device is disclosed. The device includes a filter inlet, a filter outlet, and a filter flow path from the filter inlet to the filter outlet. A filter in the filter flow path filters contaminants from lubricant flowing from a lubricant supply to a lubricant destination. A bypass flow path bypasses the filter in the event the filter becomes clogged. The bypass flow path has a bypass inlet in fluid communication with the filter flow path at a location upstream from the filter and a bypass outlet separate from the filter outlet and not in fluid communication with the filter outlet. The bypass outlet is normally closed to permit flow along the filter flow path and opens if the filter becomes clogged so that lubricant is directed along the bypass flow path and through the bypass outlet for disposal without going to the lubricant destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: LINCOLN INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul G. Conley, Canlong He, Craig J. Fraser
  • Patent number: 8394046
    Abstract: A method provides for checking the correct coupling of an adding device to a therapeutic appliance that includes an extracorporeal circuit with which the adding device is connected such that a drug can be introduced into the extracorporeal circuit by the adding device during operation of the therapeutic appliance. The adding device is coupled to the extracorporeal circuit on the suction side of a pump disposed in the extracorporeal circuit, with a portion in the region of negative pressure of the extracorporeal circuit being in connection with a portion of the adding device that is closed with respect to the other parts of the extracorporeal circuit, and with the pressure in the closed portion being varied and measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nuernberger, Marco Blasek, Peter Kloeffel