Endotronics, Inc.

Minntech Corporation

Renal Systems, Inc.

William H Harm

Louis C Cosentino

Larry E Fuller

Felix J Martinez

Raymond F Cracauer

Wayne I Nelson

Bruce P Amiot

John R Wilson

Ray F Cracauer

William R Martin

Darrell P Page

John J Peluso

Earnest R Caine

William A Gaines, Jr

F Jesus Martinez

Michael L Gruenberg

Mark D Hirschel

A method of culturing cells by providing a highly gassed media on a continuous basis to cells grown in a hollow fiber cartridge includes entraining the media with gas above the gas solubility level of the media. The media is then permitted to rest in a substantially quiescent state so that non-solubilized gas leaves the media. The media is then pressurized prior to delivery to the hollow fibers sufficiently so that the pressure drop and/or flow disturbance in the cell culturing device does not decrease the gas solubility level of the media below the media's gas saturation point.

Method of culturing cells using highly gas saturated media

Multi-port cap fitting for a flask

A system and process for preparation of dialysis solution from dry chemicals and water on a large scale batch basis. The required amount of water is metered into a dialysis solution tank. Water from the tank is pumped into a spray head which is positioned above a shipping drum containing predetermined amounts of chemicals. Water rains down on the chemicals dissolving and/or entraining the same and the resulting slurry is returned to the dialysate tank as a slurry by means of a pickup wand and suction source. The liquid and chemicals in the dialysis solution tank are continually cycled until all the chemicals in the drum have been removed. Typically, an additional drum containing other kinds of chemicals is then added to the dialysis solution tank in the same manner. Circulation of the solution is continued within the tank until a fully uniform solution results. Dialysis solution in the tank is then filtered and checked for conductivity prior to its direct use in hemodialysis or dilution in a conventional proportioning system.

Dialysis solution mixing system

An apparatus and method for culturing cells includes a waste removal and product concentrating loop in which waste is removed from the medium and product produced by the cells is concentrated for harvesting. The apparatus includes a reservoir for retaining a supply of medium. The reservoir is in fluid communication with a cell culturing loop wherein medium flows from the reservoir to the cells and back to the reservoir. The medium waste removal and concentrating loop removes waste components produced by the cells and is in fluid communication with the reservoir such that medium is transferred from the reservoir to the waste removal and concentrating loop and back to the reservoir. The waste removal and concentrating loop includes a device having a semipermeable membrane. The medium flows along one side of the membrane for selective transfer of the waste components through the membrane. A mechanism for selectively producing a back pressure in the medium is included downstream of the membrane and aids in transfer of waste components through the membrane to remove the waste components from the medium.

Apparatus and method for culturing cells, removing waste and

An apparatus for growing and maintaining microorganisms or cells within a culturing chamber simultaneously heats and gasses a nutrient solution being delivered through the culturing chamber. The apparatus includes a pump for pumping the nutrient solution from a nutrient source through gas-diffusable tubing to a heating and gassing block. From the heating and gassing block, the nutrient solution is transported through the tubing to the culturing chamber. A heating source preferably delivers water at a predetermined temperature to fluid passages of a retention well in which the culturing chamber is maintained, and through the heating and gassing block such that the retention well and the heating and gassing block are kept essentially at the same temperature. Gas from a gas source is presented to the tubing through the heating and gassing block for diffusion through the tubing into the nutrient solution.

Culturing apparatus

A dialyzer reuse machine comprising means for passing a series of liquid and gaseous fluids through the dialysate and blood compartments of the dialyzer at different flow rates according to a predetermined sequence for cleaning and disinfecting the dialyzer and means for accurately measuring the volume of the blood compartment upon completion of the dialyzer cleaning steps. Capacitive probe and load cell embodiments of the volume measuring means are disclosed. A specially designed jet pump permits a pressure leak test and dilution of stock chemicals to be performed using only tap water pressure as a source of motive force.

Dialyzer reuse machine

Growing community of inventors

Columbia Heights, MN, United States of America

William H Harm