987 results about "Fluid handling" patented technology

A first flow path is defined within a first panel that forms a part of an extracorporeal fluid circuit. A second flow path is defined within a second panel that also forms a part of the extracorporeal fluid circuit. The first and second panels are oriented in a fluid processing cartridge for mounting as an integrated unit on a fluid processing machine and for removal as an integrated unit from the fluid processing machine.

A fluid treatment system is provided, the system including a fluid treatment cartridge for treating fluid passing therethrough. The cartridge has an inlet through which untreated fluid enters the cartridge and an outlet from which treated fluid exits the cartridge. The cartridge also has a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for storing data. The fluid treatment system also includes a connection manifold configured to detachably support the fluid treatment cartridge. The connection manifold has an inlet flow path for directing untreated fluid to the inlet of the cartridge and an outlet flow path for directing treated fluid from the outlet of the cartridge, and a data sensor for reading data stored on the RFID tag. The fluid treatment system further includes means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor, as well as means for deterring fluid treatment system use based upon the evaluation of the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor.

A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.

Hemodialysis dialysis systems are disclosed. Hemodialysis systems of the invention may include a dialysate flow path including a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and / or a directing circuit. The circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuits may be at least partially isolated, spatially and / or thermally, from electrical components of the system. A gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and / or the dialyzer to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. The hemodialysis systems may include fluid handling devices, actuated using a control fluid, optionally delivered using a detachable pump. Fluid handling devices may be generally rigid and of a spheroid shape, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into compartments.

A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.

An integrated radiopharmaceutical patient treatment system is disclosed including a patient support platform with an associated patient stimulus apparatus, an imager proximate the patient support platform, a radiopharmaceutical fluid delivery system for infusing a radiopharmaceutical fluid into a patient, a patient monitor to be associated with a patient, and an integrated system controller operably associated with the patient stimulus apparatus, imager, radiopharmaceutical fluid delivery system, and patient monitor to control and coordinate their operations. Within the patient treatment system the radiopharmaceutical fluid delivery system may be included comprising a radionuclide supply module, a radiopharmaceutical processing module, a quality control module, a patient injection module, and a controller. A hazardous fluid handling system including a docking station and a hazardous fluid transport device adapted to detachably dock with the docking station is further disclosed.

Microfluidic devices with multiple fluid process regions for subjecting similar samples to different process conditions in parallel are provided. One or more common fluid inputs may be provided to minimize the number of external fluid supply components. Solid materials such as chromatographic separation media or catalyst media is preferably provided in each fluid process region. Solid materials may be supplied to the devices in the form of slurry, with particles retained by porous elements or frits. Different fluid process regions may having different effective lengths, different solid material types or amounts, or may receive different ratios of common fluids supplied to the device. The flow resistances of dissimilar fluid process regions may be balanced passively with the addition of impedance elements in series with each fluid process region.

The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and / or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. In one set of embodiments, a hemodialysis system may include a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path, where the dialysate flow path includes one or more of a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and / or a directing circuit. Preparation of dialysate by the preparation circuit, in some instances, may be decoupled from patient dialysis. In some cases, the circuits are defined, at least partially, within one or more cassettes, optionally interconnected with conduits, pumps, or the like. In one embodiment, the fluid circuit and / or the various fluid flow paths may be at least partially isolated, spatially and / or thermally, from electrical components of the hemodialysis system. In some cases, a gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and / or the dialyzer that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate to pass through the dialyzer and urge blood in the blood flow path back to the patient. Such a system may be useful, for example, in certain emergency situations (e.g., a power failure) where it is desirable to return as much blood to the patient as possible. The hemodialysis system may also include, in another aspect of the invention, one or more fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, or the like, which can be actuated using a control fluid, such as air. In some cases, the control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using an external pump or other device, which may be detachable in certain instances. In one embodiment, one or more of the fluid handling devices may be generally rigid (e.g., having a spheroid shape), optionally with a diaphragm contained within the device, dividing it into first and second compartments.

A microfluidic device comprises a matrix of rotary flow reactors. The microfluidic matrix device offers a solution to the “world-to-chip” interface problem by accomplishing two important goals simultaneously: an economy of scale in reagent consumption is achieved, while simultaneously minimizing pipetting steps. N2 independent assays can be performed with only 2N+1 pipetting steps, using a single aliquot of enzyme amortized over all reactors. The chip reduces labor relative to conventional fluid handling techniques by using an order of magnitude less pipetting steps, and reduces cost by consuming two to three orders of magnitude less reagents per reaction. A PCR format has immediate applications in medical diagnosis and gene testing. Beyond PCR, the microfluidic matrix chip provides a universal and flexible platform for biological and chemical assays requiring parsimonious use of precious reagents and highly automated processing.

In embodiments of the present invention, a system and method of cytometry may include presenting a single sperm cell to at least one laser source configured to deliver light to the sperm cell in order to induce bond vibrations in the sperm cell DNA, and detecting the signature of the bond vibrations. The bond vibration signature is used to calculate a DNA content carried by the sperm cell which is used to identify the sperm cell as carrying an X-chromosome or Y-chromosome. Another system and method may include flowing cells past at least one QCL source one-by-one using a fluid handling system, delivering QCL light to a single cell to induce resonant mid-IR absorption by one or more analytes of the cell, and detecting, using a mid-infrared detection facility, the transmitted mid-infrared wavelength light, wherein the transmitted mid-infrared wavelength light is used to identify a cell characteristic.

A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run-m in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition A sliding sleeve in a tubular has a driver selected to be acted upon by an inner bore conveyed actuating device, the driver drives the generation of a ball stop on the sleeve.

A tubing string assembly for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes substantially pressure holding closures spaced along the tubing string, which each close at least one port through the tubing string wall. The closures are openable by a sleeve drivable through the tubing string inner bore.

A method for maintaining clear passageways in an extracorporeal blood flow system. The method comprises intermittently providing one or more anti-clotting agents to a passageway of the extracorporeal blood flow system. Also disclosed is an extracorporeal blood flow system. The system comprises a passageway, and a device operatively connected to provide one or more anti-clotting agents to a least a portion of said passageway.

Fluid-handling methods and devices for ultrasonic manipulation of fluid-borne particles comprise a fluid-handling manifold and an ultrasonic particle manipulator defining an ultrasonic cavity within the manifold. Fluid-borne particles introduced into the manifold are manipulated by controlling ultrasonic standing waves at the ultrasonic cavity. Cavities having non-uniform configurations, asymmetric standing waves and / or multiple ultrasonic cavities within the manifold are operative to control the movement of the fluid-borne particles, optionally including collecting and holding such particles, transferring particles through an intersection from one channel to another, etc. Solid phase extraction (SPE) particles, biological particles and other fluid-borne particles can be manipulated within the fluid-handling manifold.

A method and apparatus for orchestrating multiple fractures at multiple well locations in a region by flowing well treatment fluid from a centralized well treatment fluid center is disclosed that includes the steps of configuring a well treatment fluid center for fracturing multiple wells, inducing a fracture at a first well location, measuring effects of stress fields from the first fracture, determining a time delay based in part upon the measured stress effects, inducing a second fracture after the time delay at a second location based upon the measured effects, and measuring the stress effects of stress fields from the second fracture. Sensors disposed about the region are adapted to output effects of the stress fields. Location and orientation of subsequent fractures is based on the combined stress effects of the stress fields as a result of the prior fractures which provides for optimal region development.

Devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid are provided. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and / or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and / or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid, may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and / or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm, dividing the device into first and second compartments.

Novel methods and apparatus are disclosed for cell culture and cell recovery. The methods and apparatus simplify the process of cell separation from media, minimize potential damage to gas permeable devices during fluid handling, and allow closed system automated cell culture and cell recovery from gas permeable devices.

Systems and methods are disclosed for performing hemodialysis that include fluid handling systems that provide accurate control over the type and level of hemodialysis being performed. The system includes a first pump for pumping dialysate into a dialyzer and a second pump for pumping dialysate out of the dialyzer. The system also includes a third pump that provides improved control of a level of ultrafiltration, hemodiafiltration, or both.

An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises a first fluid handling zone having a first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance and a second fluid handling zone having a second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. The first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least about 50% greater than said second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance, which results in an absorbent article that is better able to handle bodily fluids and reduce the risk of accidental leakage of bodily fluids onto a consumer's undergarments.

Fluid-handling methods and devices for ultrasonic manipulation of fluid-borne particles comprise a fluid-handling manifold and an ultrasonic particle manipulator defining an ultrasonic cavity within the manifold. Fluid-borne particles introduced into the manifold are manipulated by controlling ultrasonic standing waves at the ultrasonic cavity. Cavities having non-uniform configurations, asymmetric standing waves and / or multiple ultrasonic cavities within the manifold are operative to control the movement of the fluid-borne particles, optionally including collecting and holding such particles, transferring particles through an intersection from one channel to another, etc. Solid phase extraction (SPE) particles, biological particles and other fluid-borne particles can be manipulated within the fluid-handling manifold.

Flexible pouch and flexible cartridge devices for fluid sample processing, related methods of making and using, related manufacturing systems and related instrumentation systems are described. Flexible pouches provide broad advantage in a wide variety of fields by overcoming the need for complex instrumentation, dedicated devices, and relatively high cost in conventional fluid sample devices. Flexible cartridge devices are particularly advantageous in control of fluid handling, rapid adaptation to a number of configurations by the end user, multiple uses for a single configuration, and in cost and ease of manufacture.

A fluid control and processing system for controlling fluid flow among a plurality of chambers comprises a body including a fluid processing region continuously coupled fluidicly with a fluid displacement region. The fluid displacement region is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement region and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement region. The body includes at least one external port. The fluid processing region is fluidicly coupled with the at least one external port. The fluid displacement region is fluidicly coupled with at least one external port of the body. The body is adjustable with respect to the plurality of chambers to place the at least one external port selectively in fluidic communication with the plurality of chambers. One or more of the chambers may be a processing chamber which includes two ports configured to selectively engage the at least one external port of the body, and a fluid processing material such as an enrichment material or a depletion material. In some embodiments, one or more chambers may include a separation channel, and an electric field may be applied across the separation channel.

A fluid handling cassette (24), such as that useable with an APD cycler device or other infusion apparatus, may include a generally planar body having at least one pump chamber (181) formed as a depression in a first side of the body and a plurality of flowpaths for fluid that includes a channel. A patient line port may be arranged for connection to a patient line (34) and be in fluid communication with the at least one pump chamber via at least one flowpath, and an optional membrane (15) may be attached to the first side of the body over the at least one pump chamber. In one embodiment, the membrane may have a pump chamber portion (151) with an unstressed shape that generally conforms to the pump chamber depression in the body and is arranged to be movable for movement of fluid in the useable space of the pump chamber. One or more spacers (50) may be provided in the pump chamber to prevent a pump membrane from contacting an inner wall of the pump chamber. Patient, drain (28) and / or heater bag lines (26) may be positioned to be separately occludable in relation to one or more solution lines (30) that are connectable to the cassette.

A sanitary napkin adapted to provide enhanced fluid handling characteristics and minimize side leakage, the sanitary napkin including a first embossing pattern including first and second spaced portions and a second embossing pattern including first and second spaced portions.

Methods of manufacturing and methods of marketing gender-specific absorbent articles having liquid-handling properties tailored to each gender are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the properties of one or more fluid handling components used in disposable absorbent articles adapted for use by males is different than the properties of the corresponding component or components used in disposable absorbent articles adapted for use by females. Examples of the properties that can differ include permeability, capacity, void volume, basis weight, density, and the like. Examples of fluid handling components whose properties differ include surge materials, superabsorbent materials, absorbent cores, absorbent composites, and the like.

An apertured fibrous nonwoven web with an array of apertures is made that allows for increased functionality and improved aesthetic appearance. The material is particularly well-suited for use as a topsheet or bodyside liner material for personal care absorbent articles including, but not limited to feminine hygiene products, diapers, diaper pants, training pants, adult incontinence devices, bandages and the like. The fibrous nonwoven web includes first, second and third arrays of apertures with varying characteristics that provide improved fluid handling properties for various body exudates.

A fluid handling structure includes: an actuation area (03, 08) to control fluid flow within the structure; and a plurality of actuation components (09, 11, 12, 13) within the actuation area (03, 08); wherein the actuation area (63, 68) is constructed and arranged to activate or control each of the plurality of actuation components (09, 11, 12, 13). A fluid handling structure comprising: a fluid channel (204); and a deformable material (202); wherein the fluid channel is bounded, at least in part, by the deformable material (202). A fluidic device comprising: at least one channel (403) defining a path for the travel of an electromagnetic wave. A method of performing a function with an instrument, the method comprising: associating an insert with the instrument, the insert comprising one or more of program code, data, or commands, which enable performance of the function.

A fluid sampling and analysis system. The system comprises a fluid handling network including a patient end configured to maintain fluid communication with a bodily fluid of a patient; a sample analysis chamber accessible by the fluid handling network; and a pump unit in operative engagement with the fluid handling network. The pump unit has an infusion mode in which the pump unit is operable to deliver infusion fluid to the patient through the patient end; a sample draw mode in which the pump unit is operable to draw a sample of bodily fluid from the patient through the patient end, and provide a portion of the sample to the sample analysis chamber; and an optical calibration mode in which the pump unit is operable to supply calibration fluid to the sample analysis chamber. The system further comprises a spectroscopic analyzer configured to obtain spectra of the contents of the sample analysis chamber; a processor in communication with or incorporated into the spectroscopic analyzer; and stored program instructions executable by the processor to obtain a measurement of one or more analytes in the portion of the sample from the spectra.