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US 6,495,366 B1Granted
Uninterrupted flow pump apparatus and method
AssigneeTherakos, Inc.
InventorDennis A. Briggs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention describes a method for pumping or delivering fluids utilizing a flexible vessel subject to controlled pressures within another pressure vessel. The pressure vessel can be sourced with positive and/or negative (e.g., vacuum) pressure.
Claims36
A method for providing substantially stable flow of a biological fluid, comrising:
- providing a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid disposed within an outer chamber, wherein said sealed flexible chamber comprises a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;
- providing means for continuously increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber;
- and
- changing the pressure with in said space around said sealed flexible chamber such that fluid is displaced into or out of said sealed flexible chamber in a uniform and controlled manner,
- wherein said method does not substantially damage said biological fluid.
2 more elements
A method for pumping or delivering biological fluids, comprising:
- moving said biological fluids using an apparatus for providing a substantially stable flow of said biological fluids, wherein said apparatus comprises;
- an outer chamber adapted to contain a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid, said sealed flexible chamber comprising a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;
- and
- means for increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber,
- wherein said method does not substantially damage said biological fluid.
2 more elements
A method for delivering fluids on conjunction with a pliotopheresis process comprising:
- moving said fluids using an apparatus for providing a uniform and controlled flow of said fluids, wherein said apparatus comprises:
- an outer chamber adapted to contain a sealed flexible chamber adapted to contain fluid, said sealed flexible chamber comprising a fluid path between said sealed flexible chamber and the exterior of said outer chamber and wherein said outer chamber is adapted to provide a space containing a pressure sensitive medium around said sealed flexible chamber;
- and
- means for increasing or decreasing the pressure in a uniform and controlled manner within said space around said sealed flexible chamber,
- wherein said photopheresis process comprises:
- collecting a buffy-coat fraction of said biological fluid;
- adding a photoactivatable drug to said buffy-coat fraction;
- exposing said buffy-coat fraction to light energy;
- and
- reinfusing said exposed buffy-coat fraction.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.