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US 2003/0194692 A1Published application
Methods and apparatus for decontaminating fluids
AssigneeThrowleigh Technologies, L.L.C.
InventorHoward E. Purdum
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fluids, such as protein-containing biological fluids, particularly plasma, may be effectively decontaminated by treatment with ultrasonic energy alone or in conjunction with either ozone or UV radiation. Suitable apparatus for decontaminating protein-containing biological fluids with such methods are disclosed.
Claims30
A method for decontaminating plasma, comprising:
- (a) treating plasma with ultrasonic energy.
A method for decontaminating plasma, comprising:
- (a′) a step for the treatment of plasma with ultrasonic energy.
A method for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (a) treating a fluid with ultrasonic energy, while contacting the fluid with a vacuum.
A method for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (a′) a step for the treatment of a fluid with ultrasonic energy, while contacting said fluid with a vacuum.
An apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (1) a chamber for containing a fluid;
- (2) a vacuum source coupled to the chamber;
- and
- (3) a source of ultrasonic energy coupled to the chamber,
- wherein said chamber comprises (i) a flat panel, (ii) an inlet, and (iii) an outlet;
- and wherein said flat panel of said chamber and said inlet are dimensioned such that a fluid flowing through said inlet and across said flat panel to said outlet will form a thin film and travel in plug flow at least during some portion of its flow across said flat panel.
3 more elements
An apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (1′) a means for containing a fluid;
- (2′) means for contacting a fluid with a vacuum;
- and
- (3′) a means for introducing ultrasonic energy into said means for containing a fluid,
- wherein said means for containing a fluid comprises (i) a means for the introduction of a fluid into said means for containing, (ii) a means for a fluid to flow through said means for containing, and (iii) a means for the removal of a fluid from said means for containing;
- and wherein said means for containing is dimensioned such that a fluid flowing through said means for containing will form a thin film and travel in plug flow at least during some portion of its flow through said means for containing.
3 more elements
An apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (1) a chamber for containing a fluid;
- (2) a vacuum source coupled to the chamber;
- (3) a source of ultrasonic energy coupled to such chamber;
- and
- (4) a source of UV, gamma, or x-ray radiation.
2 more elements
An apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (1′) a means for containing a fluid;
- (2′) a means for contacting a fluid with a vacuum;
- (3′) a means for introducing ultrasonic energy into said means for containing a fluid;
- and
- (4′) a means for the treatment of a fluid with UV, gamma, or x-ray radiation.
2 more elements
An apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (1) a chamber for containing a fluid;
- (2) a vacuum source coupled to the chamber;
- (3) a source of ultrasonic energy coupled to such chamber;
- and
- (4) a source of ozone,
- wherein said chamber comprises:
- (i) an inlet for introducing ozone from the source of ozone;
- (ii) an inlet for introducing a fluid;
- and (iii) a device for mixing ozone from the source of ozone with a fluid.
6 more elements
An apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (1′) a means for containing a fluid;
- (2′) a means for contacting a fluid with a vacuum;
- (3′) a means for introducing ultrasonic energy into said means for containing a fluid;
- and
- (4′) a means for generating ozone,
- wherein said means for containing a fluid comprises:
- (i) a means for the introduction of ozone from said means for generating ozone into said means for containing;
- (ii) a means for the introduction of a fluid into said means for containing;
- and (iii) a means for mixing ozone from said means for generating ozone with a fluid in said means for containing.
6 more elements
An apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (1) a chamber for containing a fluid;
- (2) a vacuum source coupled to the chamber;
- (3) a source of UV, gamma, or x-ray radiation;
- (4) a source of ultrasonic energy coupled to such chamber;
- and
- (5) a source of ozone,
- wherein said chamber comprises:
- (i) an inlet for introducing ozone from said source of ozone;
- (ii) an inlet for introducing a fluid;
- and (iii) a device for mixing ozone from said source of ozone with a fluid.
7 more elements
An apparatus for decontaminating a fluid, comprising:
- (1′) a means for containing a fluid;
- (2′) a means for contacting a fluid with a vacuum;
- (3′) a means for the treatment of a fluid with UV, gamma, or x-ray radiation.
- (4′) a means for introducing ultrasonic energy into said means for containing a fluid;
- and
- (5′) a means for generating ozone,
- wherein said means for containing a fluid comprises:
- (i) a means for the introduction of ozone from said means for generating ozone into said means for containing;
- (ii) a means for the introduction of a fluid into said means for containing;
- and (iii) a means for mixing ozone from said means for generating ozone with a fluid in said containing means.
7 more elements
An apparatus for contacting ozone with a liquid, which comprises:
- (1) a substrate which has a lower surface and an upper surface and which has a plurality of passage-ways connecting said lower surface with said upper surface;
- (2) a source of ultrasonic energy coupled to said substrate, such that said ultrasonic energy is introduced into a by the vibration of said substrate;
- (3) a source of ozone connected to said lower surface of said substrate.
An apparatus for contacting a gas, e.g., ozone, with a fluid, said apparatus comprising:
- (1) a rotatable chamber;
- (2) a source of a gas connected to said chamber;
- and
- (3) a source of ultrasonic energy coupled to said chamber,
- wherein said chamber comprises an a fluid inlet;
- wherein said chamber comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall and said first and second sidewalls are positioned opposite to each other;
- wherein said chamber further comprises a plurality of partitions, and said partitions are attached to said first and second sidewalls in an alternating arrangement, and each partition attached to said first sidewall projects toward said second sidewall, and each partition attached to said second sidewall projects toward said first sidewall, such that said plurality of partitions forms a plurality of shelves;
- wherein said inlet is positioned in said chamber such that a fluid entering said chamber through said inlet occupies a first shelf;
- wherein said chamber is capable of rotating such that on rotation of 90 to −90° of said chamber fluid which occupies said first shelf will flow to a second shelf;
- wherein said source of gas is connected to said chamber to permit mixing of a gas with a fluid in said chamber;
- and
- wherein said source of ultrasonic energy is coupled to at least one of said partition, to permit application of ultrasonic energy to fluid which occupies a shelf formed by said at least one partition.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.