With Membrane Patents (Class 210/96.2)
  • Patent number: 8142662
    Abstract: A dehydrating system is designed to maintain the availability of a plant having the dehydrating system using a water separation membrane by allowing a water separation membrane unit to be replaced while the plant is in operation. The dehydrating system comprises at least two water separation membrane units in use arranged parallel to the direction of flow of a fluid to be processed, is configured so that at least one spare water separation membrane unit can be installed parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid to be processed with respect to the at least two water separation membrane units, having monitoring devices for the product fluid to be taken out, and maintains the properties of the product fluid by operating the spare water separation membrane unit depending on the properties of the product fluid monitored by the monitoring devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Osora, Yoshio Seiki, Atsuhiro Yukumoto, Yukio Tanaka, Shinji Ogino, Haruaki Hirayama
  • Patent number: 8142660
    Abstract: A filtrate monitoring device and a filtrate monitoring system, which can monitor a membrane-type water filtrating/purifying system at all times and which can flexibly adjust themselves to the contents and sizes of impurities, are provided. The filtrate monitoring device monitors the filtrate having passed through the membrane-type water filtrating/purifying device. The filtrate monitoring device comprises: imaging/detecting means for shooting images in the filtrate having passed through the filtrating/purifying device, on the filtrate flowing in an observation bath of a filtrate observing cell disposed midway of the branched filtrate pipeline, thereby to specify the particles contained in the filtrate, and/or optical detecting means disposed midway of the filtrate pipeline before or after branching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Seigo Murakami, Takenori Hirakawa, Takafumi Iseri
  • Publication number: 20120067791
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a apparatus includes a controller configured to obtain values measured by a first sensor and a second sensor, receive pH target values at the entrance of a first reverse osmosis membrane and at the entrance of a second reverse osmosis membrane, and use a transfer function from the acid injection to pH at the entrance of the first reverse osmosis membrane, a transfer function from the alkaline injection to pH at the entrance of the first reverse osmosis membrane, a transfer function from the acid injection to pH at the entrance of the second reverse osmosis membrane, and a transfer function from the alkaline injection to pH at the entrance of the second reverse osmosis membrane, to control an injection rate of the acid injected from a first injection device and an injection rate of the alkali injected from a second injection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Katsuya YOKOKAWA, Takeshi Matsushiro, Ryo Namba, Hideaki Yamagata, Koichi Matsui, Futoshi Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8137539
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for purifying water containing soluble species capable of forming one or more sparingly soluble salts or minerals, said process comprising feeding a pressurized water stream into a treatment zone having one or more membranes disposed therein, passing said stream along said membrane(s) to recover a permeate and to withdraw a concentrate therefrom while periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said stream in said treatment zone, wherein the periodicity of the flow reversal is such that said one or more membranes are exposed to supersaturation conditions evolving in said water stream for a period of time which is less then the time required for said supersaturated water stream to precipitate one or more of said sparingly soluble salts and/or minerals therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Research and Development Authority
    Inventors: Jack Gilron, Eliyahu Korin
  • Publication number: 20120061299
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated process and system for water treatment, in particular, an integrated process and system for water treatment in the beverage manufacture cycle. The water treatment process is directed to treating an influent water solution, a low sugar concentration solution, and a high sugar concentration solution. The water treatment system is directed to a system for treating an influent water solution, a system for treating a low sugar concentration solution, and system for treating a high sugar concentration solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20120031838
    Abstract: The process includes operation as follows: putting ozone generated by an ozone generator into raw water, in a normal mode, to subject the raw water to ozone treatment; injecting a flocculant into the raw water before or after the ozone treatment; filtering the raw water by a separation membrane after the ozone treatment and the injection of the flocculant; and intermittently setting cleaning mode to put a larger quantity of cleaning ozone than that in the normal mode into the raw water so as to intermittently increase the concentration of dissolved ozone, thereby cleaning the filtration membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoharu NOGUCHI, Hideki KOZONO, Michiko AOKI
  • Publication number: 20120018379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for the determination and regulation of the concentration of at least one dissolved substance in a fluid circuit, wherein the fluid circuit comprises at least two partial circuits, and wherein the partial circuits are separated by filter in a semi-permeable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Malte Gross, Andreas Maierhofer
  • Publication number: 20110315611
    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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    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: 20110315631
    Abstract: Disclosed is a versatile multi-use high water recovery process that integrates the use of water purification membranes including reverse osmosis and nanofiltration with ion exchange water softening resins in a number of configurations that optimize operation and achieve maximum membrane permeate recoveries while eliminating the use of fresh water, sodium chloride and other chemicals needed to regenerate the IX resin. The invention provides process mobility and flexibility that enable selection of optimum process configurations and features to address variability in the Influent Water quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Riad A. Al-Samadi
  • Publication number: 20110303606
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes: a recycle line that brings a part of salt-enriched membrane separation concentrated water 26 back to the rear flow side of a pretreatment apparatus 12; a water discharge line that discharges the remained concentrated water into a sea area; and a control apparatus 31 that controls to adjust the ratio between the discharging amount of the discharging membrane separation concentrated water to be discharged into a sea area and the supplying amount of supplying seawater. A pH is set to be equal to or less than 7.3 by adding acid 21. The salt 18 is obtained from the dryer 19, and produced water (fresh water) 29 is obtained by combining evaporated water 28 supplied from the evaporator 16 with the permeated water 24 supplied from the reverse osmosis membrane apparatus 25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeuchi, Yoshiaki Ito, Hidemasa Kakigami, Hideo Iwahashi, Katsunori Matsui, Kenji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110303590
    Abstract: A hemodialysis system including (i) a dialyzer; (ii) a blood circuit including a blood pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer; (iii) a dialysate circuit including a dialysate circulation pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer, the dialysate circuit further including a sorbent cartridge for cleaning used dialysate; (iv) a container holding an initial supply of dialysate; (v) a container pump in fluid communication with the dialysate circuit and the container; (vi) a supply of concentrate; and (vii) an electronic weight balance positioned and arranged to weigh the supply of concentrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, David S. Brown, Ramesh Wariar, Sujatha Karoor, Shahid Din, Leo Martis, Cody Buchmann, Paul Soltys
  • Publication number: 20110288464
    Abstract: A system or method automates and optimizes citrate anticoagulant supplementation in a blood filtration circuit during CRRT. A processor-based control system interfaces with a blood filtration circuit to detect patient blood flow into the circuit, detect fluid loss through a hemofilter, and sense vital electrolyte concentrations in the blood flow, and in response, control the addition of citrate, substitution fluid, and electrolyte supplements to ensure stability of plasma concentrations in post-dilution flow returned to the patient. The controller executes the method embodied as process control algorithms for calculating an optimal citrate flow rate as a function of selected, detected, and calculated system parameters. Citrate may be added to the circuit separately, or as part of a substitution solution or a dialysate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Lannoy
  • Patent number: 8057681
    Abstract: A part washing apparatus includes a centrifugal filter and an ultra filter provided as a single base unit. A washing chamber is provided to enclose one or more industrial parts for cleaning with a washing solution, which is collected in a washer bath. The washing solution is then pumped through a centrifugal filter to remove contaminants from the washing solution and subsequently pumped through an ultra filter a filter configured to remove further contaminants from the washing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America
    Inventors: John F. Daly, Charles Harris
  • Patent number: 8021542
    Abstract: A water recovery method and apparatus which uses a desiccant, such as lithium chloride, to recover water vapor from the engine exhaust of a vehicle. The apparatus uses liquid-contactor to transfer water vapor from the vehicle exhaust to the liquid desiccant. The desiccant is then transferred to a reverse osmosis system which separates the liquid desiccant into potable water and a concentrated desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Richard Eugene Kirts
  • Publication number: 20110189048
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a plurality of modular components. The modular components can be coupled to one another in various configurations, wherein each configuration is optimized for use in a particular environment, such as in a home environment or a travel environment or a dialysis center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: James R. Curtis, Michael Baker, Dalibor Jan Smejtek
  • Patent number: 7988850
    Abstract: A medical apparatus comprises a control system allowing storage of a number of shaping profiles. Each shaping profile is stored as a plurality of pairs, including a shaping profile reference value and a time interval value. The reference value is represented as fraction, for instance a percentage, of the total weight loss the apparatus should achieve at the end of a treatment time. Each time interval value is represented either as fraction of the total treatment time or as a prefixed actual time interval. The control system calculates the actual weight loss rate versus time profile based on the desired total weight loss, on the desired total treatment time as well as on selected desired shaping profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Fabio Roncadi, Marco Salsa, Matteo Malagoli, Glenn Sanders, Gary Warns
  • Patent number: 7981280
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus includes a blood treatment unit, a treatment fluid circuit, and a blood circuit. The treatment fluid circuit has a treatment fluid pump for circulating treatment fluid around the treatment fluid circuit and through the blood treatment unit. The blood circuit has a dual chamber blood pump for circulating blood around the blood circuit and through the blood treatment unit. An arterial line withdraws blood from a patient and delivers the withdrawn blood to the blood treatment unit. A venous line returns the treated blood to the patient. The arterial and venous lines can be switched between a first condition in which they are connected to the patient and a second condition in which they are disconnected from the patient and connected to each other for recirculation of blood through the blood circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Renal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Carr, Stephen R. Ash
  • Publication number: 20110163016
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a reverse osmosis system including a feed water inlet, a reverse osmosis module coupled to the feed water inlet, and at least one blend valve. The blend valve can be coupled to a permeate outlet and the, feed water inlet and can be capable of blending the feed water and the permeate water to produce mixed water. The blend valve can be adjusted to achieve a desired TDS level in the mixed water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Saveliev, Kevin Carlson, Steven T. Jersey, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, David J. Averbeck, Tyler L. Adam, Kenneth A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20110147310
    Abstract: An object is to provide a fresh water generating method that is capable of efficiently producing purified water, such as fresh water, from unpurified water, such as sea water. Provided is a fresh water generating method for generating fresh water by way of reverse osmosis membrane filtration, which includes mixing sea water with low salt concentration water having a salt concentration lower than sea water to produce mixed water, and subjecting the mixed water prepared by the mixing to reverse osmosis membrane filtration, thereby generating fresh water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: KOBELCO ECO-SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ito, Masanobu Noshita, Kazutaka Takata, Mitsushige Shimada, Noboru Miyaoka, Kenji Takesaka
  • Publication number: 20110139712
    Abstract: An object is to provide a fresh water generating method that is capable of efficiently producing purified water, such as fresh water, from unpurified water, such as sea water. Provided is a fresh water generating method for generating fresh water by way of reverse osmosis membrane filtration, which includes mixing sea water with low salt concentration water having a salt concentration lower than sea water to produce mixed water, and subjecting the mixed water prepared by the mixing to reverse osmosis membrane filtration, thereby generating fresh water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: KOBELCO ECO-SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ito, Katsuhide Motojima, Kazuya Uematsu, Masanobu Noshita, Kazutaka Takata, Mitsushige Shimada, Megumi Manabe, Noboru Miyaoka, Kenji Takesaka
  • Patent number: 7947179
    Abstract: A dialysate fluid circulation apparatus includes a dialyzer, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains material capable of releasing sodium into dialysate fluid flowing through the first housing. The second housing contains material capable of binding sodium ions from dialysate fluid flowing through the second housing. Hydraulic conduit sections are configured to extend between the dialyzer, the first housing, and the second housing to connect the dialyzer with the housings in a primary flow path for dialysate fluid to flow from the dialyzer to the first housing, from the first housing to the second housing, and from the second housing back to the dialyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Renal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Rosenbaum, Stephen R. Ash, David J. Carr
  • Publication number: 20110084024
    Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the concentration sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of concentration values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read concentration values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: MILLIPORE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anthony DiLeo
  • Patent number: 7922899
    Abstract: A medical apparatus comprises a user interface for setting parameters and includes: a screen for visualizing values of said parameters, a main control unit connected to the interface, a first memory and a video memory both connected to the main control unit for storing data corresponding to images on screen; the main control unit allows setting of a new value for a parameter, displays the new value on a screen region, stores the new value in the first memory, captures from the video memory data representative of said screen region, verifies from said representative data if the displayed value corresponds to the value in the first memory. A method for setting up a medical apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Alessandro Vasta, Roberto Gazzotti, Giovanni Paolo Cavicchioli
  • Publication number: 20110081469
    Abstract: A self-regulating FO system is disclosed comprising a container containing a source water supply, a forward osmosis membrane element located within the container comprising an area of osmotic membranes, an osmotic agent inlet and a drink outlet, an osmotic pump element also located within the container comprising an area of osmotic membranes, an osmotic agent inlet and a drink outlet, and an osmotic agent tank located above the container. The osmotic agent tank comprises a feed tube connected to an outlet located on the bottom of the osmotic agent tank. The feed tube communicates with the osmotic agent inlet of the forward osmosis membrane unit and the osmotic agent inlet of the osmotic pump element. A return tube communicates with the drink outlet of the osmotic pump element and a port near the top of the osmotic agent tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Hydration Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Herron, Edward Beaudry
  • Patent number: 7918993
    Abstract: The portable dialysis machine may include an enclosure having a removable base. There may be a front panel having associated therewith multiple external connectors, smart function keys, a touch panel element and a voice activated sensor. The front panel may be in communication with an electronic circuit element having a controller in communication therewith. There may be a blood flow element and a hydraulic flow element. A water reservoir and power supply may be included. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: James Harraway
  • Patent number: 7910004
    Abstract: A monitoring system and a method for monitoring a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in an RO unit is capable of detecting the formation of mineral salt crystals on the surface of the RO membrane. The monitoring system includes a reverse osmosis monitoring cell coupled to the RO unit so as to receive a sample stream taken from either the feed stream to, or the concentrate stream from, the RO unit. The cell has a visually observable RO membrane that is visible to an imaging system that creates and collects images of the visually-observable RO membrane, and that conveys an image data signal to a data processing system that is operable to translate the image data signal into visual images for display, and to correlate the data in the image data signal with a scaling condition on the RO membrane in the RO unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Yoram Cohen, Michal Uchymiak
  • Publication number: 20110042306
    Abstract: An object is to provide a sea water desalinating method that is capable of efficiently producing purified water, such as fresh water, from unpurified water, such as sea water. Provided is a fresh water generating method for generating fresh water by way of reverse osmosis membrane filtration, which includes mixing sea water with low salt concentration water having a salt concentration lower than sea water to produce mixed water, and subjecting the mixed water prepared by the mixing to reverse osmosis membrane filtration, thereby generating fresh water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: KOBELCO ECO-SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ito, Katsuhide Motojima, Kazuya Uematsu, Masanobu Noshita, Kazutaka Takata, Mitsushige Shimada, Megumi Manabe, Noboru Miyaoka, Kenji Takesaka
  • Publication number: 20110036788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating an aqueous phase from an oil phase of an oil-water mixture (6), which has a pressurized dewatering system (14) having multiphase separation profiles (15). According to the invention, it is essential that the pressurized dewatering system (14) operates in a plurality of stages. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus (8) for carrying out the process of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ralph Michael, Eberhard Runge
  • Publication number: 20110017665
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to dialysis systems and related methods. In one aspect of the invention, a dialysis system includes a device configured so that a medical fluid can pass therethrough, and the device is adapted to remove one or more substances from the medical fluid as the medical fluid passes through the device. The dialysis system can also include a sodium control system adapted to alter a sodium concentration of the medical fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Palmer David Updyke, Harold Frederick Sandford, Benjamin Joseph Lipps, Douglas Mark Zatezalo, Michael James Beiriger, James Matthew Mullner
  • Publication number: 20110017664
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a biological reactor having a separation subsystem, a suspension system and a membrane operating system. The separation subsystem is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in the biological reactor with a mixed liquor. The suspension system is positioned in the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to maintain adsorbent material in suspension with mixed liquor. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the biological reactor and is constructed and arranged to receive treated mixed liquor from the biological reactor and discharge a membrane permeate. In addition, a wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a first biological reaction zone, a second biological reaction zone and a membrane operating system. The first biological reaction zone is constructed and arranged to receive and treat the wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: William G. CONNER, Mohammed A. AL-HAJRI, Thomas E. SCHULTZ, Michael HOWDESHELL, Chad L. FELCH, Matthew PATTERSON, Samuel SHAFARIK, Curt COOLEY
  • Publication number: 20110000832
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump: first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and arterial and venous lines in fluid communication with the dialyzer for patient connection, the arterial and venous lines each including a contact used for electrically detecting a patient access disconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicants: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A.
    Inventors: Thomas Kelly, Robert W. Childers, Don Busby, Rodolfo Roger, Waleed Mutasem El Sayyid, Shahid Din
  • Publication number: 20110000831
    Abstract: Membrane separation processes and systems are disclosed that pass a portion of the feed (102) to the permeate side of the membrane (104) to reduce membrane surface area and thus provide economically attractive processes and systems for treating large volume refinery and chemical process streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Lynn H. Rice
  • Publication number: 20110000849
    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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: DAEWOO E&C CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eui-Sin LEE, Bum-Goo LEE, Hee-Kyong OH, Jung-Yeol EOM
  • Patent number: 7837866
    Abstract: A drainless reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system provides relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, while recycling brine to a domestic hot water system. The drainless purification system includes a pre-filter catalyst cartridge for removing chlorine-based contaminants from a tap water supply upstream from an RO membrane. The catalyst is regularly refreshed by a high through-flow of water to a conventional cold water dispense faucet, thereby significantly prolonging the service life of the RO membrane. The RO membrane is incorporated into a multi-cartridge unit adapted for facilitated slide-out removal and replacement as needed. A control valve recycles brine from the RO membrane to the hot water system during pure water production, and recirculates tap water through the RO membrane when a pure water reservoir is substantially filled. The multi-cartridge unit may further include an air filtration system for providing a flow of filtered air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Publication number: 20100282679
    Abstract: Advanced control method for a membrane filtration unit, applied to the treatment of an effluent, employing microcoagulation on a membrane, which consists in injecting, upstream of the membrane, a dose of coagulation reactant(s) 30 to 80 times below the dose (X) making the zeta potential of the effluent zero, in which method: quantities defining the quality of the effluent to be treated and quantities defining the state of membrane clogging are measured as input variables; the operating point of the microcoagulation process is located on the basis of the results of the above measurements; thresholds for the input variables are determined, the microcoagulation having to be initiated when said thresholds are violated; and the coagulation reactant(s) is(are) injected depending on the results of the measurements and on the comparison of the input variables with the respective thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Degremont
    Inventor: Chrystelle Langlais
  • Publication number: 20100276367
    Abstract: The method according to the invention and the apparatus according to the invention are characterized in that the substitution rate Qs is modified by a predefined amount upstream or downstream of the dialyzer or filter while the flow rate QFM of the liquid withdrawn through the dialyzer membrane is modified. The blood volume RBV(t) or a variable correlated with the blood volume, e.g. the hematocrit Hct(t), is determined before and after modifying the substitution rate or the flow rate of the liquid withdrawn through the dialyzer or filter membrane in order to calculate fistula recirculation RA. In addition, the total recirculation R is determined. The percentage of fistula recirculation (RA) and/or cardiopulmonary recirculation (RCP) relative to the total recirculation is calculated from the determined fistula recirculation (RA) and the sum R of fistula recirculation (RA) and cardiopulmonary recirculation (RCP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100264086
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for monitoring the supply of replacement fluid during an extracorporeal treatment of blood is disclosed. Detection of the supply of replacement fluid upstream or downstream of the dialyser or filter is based on a measurement of the optical or physical density of the blood or of a constituent of blood in the extracorporeal circulation. To detect pre- or post-dilution, the blood flow rate and/or the replacement rate and/or the flow rate of the fluid removed from the blood through the dialyser membrane is altered, and the density of the blood or of the constituent of blood is measured upstream and/or downstream of the dialyser. Additionally, an apparatus for treating blood with an apparatus for monitoring the supply of replacement fluid is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Joachim Noack, Joerg Dreyhsig
  • Patent number: 7815809
    Abstract: A method for conductivity calculation in a treatment fluid downstream a filtration unit in a blood treatment apparatus is provided. The conductivity calculation is then used for clearance and fistula flow determination. A flow of treatment fluid is created in the filtration unit; a change in the conductivity of the treatment fluid at the inlet of the filtration unit is imposed to cause an induced conductivity change in the fluid at the outlet of the filtration unit; a predetermined number of conductivity values Cdo downstream from the filtration unit are measured. The measured conductivity values define a curve the pattern of which is estimated by means of one interpolating mathematical function in an interval of time after the occurrence of the induced conductivity change; a characteristic measuring time tcalcclr is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Olof Jansson, Roland Persson, Jan Peter Sternby
  • Publication number: 20100252490
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a dialysis system having a reservoir module with a reservoir housing defining an internal space, a surface located within the internal space for supporting a container that contains dialysate, and a conductivity sensor located within the internal space, where the conductivity sensor has a coil, a capacitor in electrical communication with the coil, and an energy source in electrical communication with the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Barry N. Fulkerson, Mark F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100219128
    Abstract: A dehydration system has improved membrane performance. The dehydration system includes a dehydrating apparatus 1 comprising, in a dehydrating apparatus body, a water separation membrane module in which a water separation membrane having at least one flow path extending in the up and down direction to cause a liquid 50 to pass through is provided with a liquid inlet at the bottom thereof and a liquid outlet at the top thereof; and a shell 11 defined by the outer surface of the water separation membrane module and the inner wall of the dehydrating apparatus body, wherein water in the liquid permeates the water separation membrane while the liquid rises in the water separation membrane, and moves in the shell, whereby the liquid is dehydrated; a pressure reducing device 13 for reducing the pressure of the shell 11; a pressure device for pressurizing the liquid before the liquid is fed to the water separation membrane module; and a heating device for heating the pressurized liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Seiki, Atsuhiro Yukumoto, Hiroyuki Osora, Haruaki Hirayama
  • Publication number: 20100219129
    Abstract: A controller for blood treatment equipment comprising a treatment unit including a semipermeable membrane separating the treatment unit into a first compartment for the circulation of blood and a second compartment for the circulation of a treatment liquid is enclosed. The controller is adapted to receive one or more entries of information measured during the course of a treatment procedure, to calculate from said measured information a value of a significant parameter indicative of the progress of an extracorporeal blood treatment carried out by the equipment. The controller is also adapted to compare the calculated significant parameter to a prescribed reference value for the same parameter and to generate at least one output control signal responsive to said comparison for automatically controlling one or more operations performed by the equipment. Equipment comprising the controller and a control method the controller can be programmed to carry out are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Bernard Bene, Georges Vantard, Carl W. Reitz
  • Patent number: 7785463
    Abstract: A system, program product and method continuously optimize an ultrafiltration rate during an extracorporeal renal replacement process by modeling physiological and actual rate data. The system maps the sensed, physiological data to a mathematical model to assess the data in terms of the ultrafiltration rate. The model provides parameters used to predict where the treatment is headed based on current conditions. The system processes the parameters in terms of preset criteria to generate the optimized ultrafiltration rate. Where the system is networked, communication of the data may be accomplished using remote and online communication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Children's Hospital Medical Center
    Inventors: John J. Bissler, Nat Hemasilpin, Marios M. Polycarpou
  • Publication number: 20100206789
    Abstract: Provided is a dehydrator that requires no excessively large apparatus structure and achieves cost-saving while maintaining suction efficiency at a desired level by use of suction means. A dehydrator 100 for separating water from a target liquid 13 includes at least two water separation membrane units 1a and 1b which are provided in series in a flow direction of the target liquid 13. The water separation membrane unit 1a on an upstream side out of the water separation membrane units 1a and 1b is connected to suction means 7 for sucking a gas phase containing water through one condenser 4, and the one condenser 4 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water. The gas phase sucked by the suction means 7 from the one condenser 4 is transferred to at least one downstream condenser 8 provided downstream of the one condenser 4, and the downstream condenser 8 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Yukumoto, Hiroyuki Osora, Yoshio Seiki, Haruaki Hirayama, Yukio Tanaka, Hideo Kashiwagi, Katsufumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7776210
    Abstract: A dialysate fluid circulation apparatus includes a dialyzer, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains material capable of releasing sodium into dialysate fluid flowing through the first housing. The second housing contains material capable of binding sodium ions from dialysate fluid flowing through the second housing. Hydraulic conduit sections are configured to extend between the dialyzer, the first housing, and the second housing to connect the dialyzer with the housings in a primary flow path for dialysate fluid to flow from the dialyzer to the first housing, from the first housing to the second housing, and from the second housing back to the dialyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Renal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin P Rosenbaum, Stephen R. Ash, David J. Carr
  • Publication number: 20100190965
    Abstract: A method of accurately separating immunoglobulin monomers by subjecting an immunoglobulin solution containing at least immunoglobulin monomers and immunoglobulin aggregates to cross-flow filtration using an ultrafiltration membrane, an ultrafiltration membrane module, and a cross-flow filtration apparatus. The method can separate immunoglobulin monomers by subjecting an immunoglobulin solution containing at least immunoglobulin monomers and immunoglobulin aggregates and having an immunoglobulin concentration of 1 to 150 g/L to cross-flow filtration using an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 100,000 or more and less than 500,000 so that immunoglobulin monomers passes through the ultrafiltration membrane with a permeability of 80% or more while achieving a fractionation performance in which the permeability ratio of immunoglobulin dimers to immunoglobulin monomers that pass through the ultrafiltration membrane is 0.20 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumihiko Yamaguchi, Hitoshi Mizomoto, Shinya Hamasaki, Takena Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20100187176
    Abstract: Device for haemodiafiltration, which comprises a first circuit for a dialysis solution and a second circuit for blood, so that the toxic substances from the blood flow pass into the dialysis liquid within a haemofilter (11), a liquid pump (20) located upstream of the haemofilter (11) in the first dialysis liquid circuit, is adapted for injecting replacement liquid into the dialysis solution flow after a blood pump (15) finishes pumping blood to the interior of the haemofilter (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Juan Francisco Del Cañizo López
  • Publication number: 20100170848
    Abstract: A system for removing cryoprotectant from a cryoprotectant-containing liquid stored a container comprises a cryoprotectant removal device that receives the cryoprotectant-containing liquid and a cryoprotectant-free dialysate liquid and that is operable to transfer cryoprotectant to the dialysate liquid. A differential conductivity device is arranged to continuously measure the difference in conductivity between dialysate liquid entering the device and dialysate liquid that has received cryoprotectant transferred by the dialyzer discharged from the device. A controller is operable to control the flow of the liquids through the device in response to the measured difference in conductivity, and particularly to stop the flow of the cryoprotectant-containing liquid when the measured differential conductivity indicates that the cryoprotectant has been substantially removed from the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Alan Robert Brunsman
  • Patent number: 7743788
    Abstract: A faucet assembly including a base defining a water delivery passageway, a valve member received in the base and movable between a closed position wherein flow through the water delivery passageway is blocked and an opened position wherein flow through the water delivery passageway is permitted, a magnet secured to the valve member such that, when the valve member is rotated to the opened position, the magnet is aligned with a sensor bore of the base, and when the valve member is rotated to the closed position, the magnet is unaligned with the sensor bore, a metal rod positioned in the sensor bore, and a Hall effect sensor positioned below the base in alignment with the sensor bore and adapted to switch on when the magnet is aligned with the sensor bore and switch off when the magnet is unaligned with the sensor bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Craig A. Schmitt, Mark Henss, Shannon Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100126935
    Abstract: A method of membrane separation and membrane separation apparatus, with which not only a supply liquid can be evaluated but also the problems, such as scale, occurring on reverse osmosis membrane can be monitored in a highly straightforward fashion. There is provided a membrane separation apparatus equipped with reverse osmosis membrane module (3) so as to be adapted for feeding of a supply liquid and obtaining of a permeated liquid and a concentrated liquid, characterized by comprising a feeding-side membrane separation means (10) which includes a separation membrane (11) of which the membrane face (11a) can be monitored and guides the supply liquid so as to separate the membrane, and a concentrating-side membrane separation means (20) which includes a separation membrane (21) of which the membrane face (21a) can be monitored and guides the concentrated liquid so as to separate the membrane separation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Masashi Echizen, Takuji Shintani, Naoki Kurata, Kouji Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7710283
    Abstract: A fluid-level sensing device that uses the interaction of a first magnet attached to the distal end of an external micro switch arm and a second magnet positioned within the distal end of a pivoting float body to close a circuit within the micro switch and create a shut-off signal to stop fluid production. A single housing holds the micro switch and float body, wherein magnetic forces acting through the housing wall between them and other magnet-positioning materials that separate the two magnets cause signal production. After float body deployment, manual reset of the float body is accomplished via its lever-like distal end. The main body of the micro switch, which it is snap-fit into a fixed position within the upper housing chamber for use, is entirely encapsulated in waterproof material to protect it from corrosion. Alternative ways for quick mounting of the housing to a fluid-collecting pan are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino