| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080208162 | Device and Method For Thermophoretic Fluid Delivery - A method and device for thermolphoretic fluid or drug delivery through the creation of a thermal gradient in the skin. The device includes a heat generating mechanism capable of transdermal delivery of a beneficial agent, an insulating portion coupled with the heat generating mechanism, a cold generating mechanism coupled with the insulating portion, and wherein the heat generating mechanism and the cold generating mechanism create a thermal potential across dermal regions. The method includes generating a hot dermal region and transdermally delivering a beneficial agent, insulating, generating a cold dermal region, and creating a thermal potential across the hot dermal region and the cold dermal region. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080264778 | Cleansing Agent Generator and Dispenser - Electrochemical apparatus and processes for the point-of-use production of cleansing, sanitizing, and antimicrobial agents, such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or hypochlorous acid (HOCl). The processes may be used to produce NaOCl from seawater, low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. HOCl may be produced from HCl solutions and water. NaOCl is produced using a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane, such as membranes based on NASICON-type materials, in an electrolytic cell. HOCl is produced using an anion conductive membrane in an electrolytic cell. The cleansing, sanitizing, and antimicrobial agent may be generated on demand and used in household, industrial, and water treatment applications. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20090056200 | Apparatus and Methods for Producing Biodiesel Using an Alkali Ion Donating Catalyst - Methods and apparatus for synthesizing biodiesel using an alkali ion donating material are disclosed. Generally, the methods include placing an alcohol and a triglyceride in a container having the alkali ion donating material. A biodiesel reaction driving force is applied to the contents of the container. This force may cause the ion donating material to release alkali ions that react with the alcohol to form an alkali alcoholate. In turn, the alkali alcoholate reacts with triglycerides to form biodiesel and an alkali salt of glycerine. When the driving force is removed and where the alkali ion donating material comprises a catalyst with a high affinity for alkali ions, the alkali ion in the alkali salt of glycerine returns to the alkali ion donating material. Accordingly, the apparatus and methods may produce substantially pure biodiesel and glycerine. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090057162 | Electrolytic Process to Separate Alkali Metal Ions from Alkali Salts of Glycerine - Methods and apparatus for separating alkali metal ions from alkali salts of glycerine to thereby form clean glycerine. These methods are enabled by the use of alkali ion conductive membranes in electrolytic cells that are chemically stable in low pH conditions. The alkali ion conductive membrane preferably includes a chemically stable ionic-selective polymer membrane. A layered composite of a chemically stable ionic-selective polymer and a cation-conductive ceramic membrane is disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090074735 | TOPICAL PRODUCT CONTAINING SACRIFICIAL MATERIAL FOR NEUTRALIZING FREE RADICALS - A topical product to protect the skin from free radicals is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a carrier medium for topical application to the skin. A sacrificial material that is compatible with the skin is interspersed with the carrier medium. This sacrificial material may be selected to react with free radicals within the skin. The sacrificial material may be further selected to react with water to produce hydrogen (a powerful antioxidant) and a reaction product that is also compatible with the skin. In this way, both the sacrificial material and the hydrogen will react with free radicals to provide protection against free radicals. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090090277 | Coal Fired Flue Gas Treatment and Process - A process for treating flue gas containing fly ash and carbon dioxide is disclosed. In the process, carbon dioxide and fly ash are contacted with an aqueous metal hydroxide solution to convert carbon dioxide into a metal carbonate, and wherein the metal carbonate and the metal hydroxide cause the fly ash to undergo a geopolymerization reaction and form a geopolymerized fly ash. The geopolymerized fly ash is recovered for disposal or for further use, such as a concrete additive. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090131888 | Electrochemical Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Device - A disposable wound-healing device is disclosed that incorporates a housing having a fluid-impermeable material having a cavity and a perimeter that can be sealed in an air-tight manner over a wound region of a patient. The device is capable of producing a negative pressure over the wound region by either removing oxygen from within the cavity, or absorbing fluid into the cavity and then removing the fluid from the cavity. The oxygen may be removed via chemical absorption, by an electrochemical cell or by a chemical reaction that cannibalizes oxygen from the cavity. The fluid may be removed through the use of osmotic or electro-osmotic cells, or through a one-way valve. The negative partial pressure over the wound region promotes healing. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090134040 | Process For Recovering Alkali Metals and Sulfur From Alkali Metal Sulfides and Polysulfides - Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali polysulfide and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte solution includes alkali metal ions and a catholyte solvent. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfur in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Sulfur is recovered by removing and cooling a portion of the anolyte solution to precipitate solid phase sulfur. Operating the cell at low temperature causes elemental alkali metal to plate onto the cathode. The cathode may be removed to recover the alkali metal in batch mode or configured as a flexible band to continuously loop outside the catholyte compartment to remove the alkali metal. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090134842 | Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery Using Alkali Ion Conducting Separator - A nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090189567 | Zinc Anode Battery Using Alkali Ion Conducting Separator - A zinc anode storage battery comprising a first electrode containing zinc or a zinc alloy, a second electrode containing an oxidizing material capable of electrochemical reduction by zinc, an alkaline electrolyte, and a substantially non-porous, alkali-ion conducting separator provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a solid alkali metal ion super ion conducting material, wherein the alkali metal is Na, K, or Li. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090196810 | Systems and Methods for On-Site Selective Catalytic Reduction - A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system includes an on-board ammonia generation system that produces nitrogen from air and hydrogen from a source of a hydrogen-containing compound, and generates an ammonia product from the nitrogen and hydrogen to provide the ammonia product into an exhaust from a NO | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090216204 | AUTO-REPLENISHING, WOUND-DRESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - Apparatus and methods to treat skin defects include a pump with reservoirs for a pressurization gas and a fluid, the fluid loaded at a factory and sealed or filled at point of use through a valve, septum, or the like. Upon activation, the pump generates a gas introduced into the gas reservoir, a movable wall of which displaces a movable wall of a fluid source, thus dispensing the fluid into the dressing to spread throughout irrespective of orientation of the dressing, maintaining a transport fluid (e.g. carrier) in the dressing and in contact with a skin defect being treated. Delivery may be periodic, constant, programmatically controlled, or manual. A dressing may maintain intimate contact, a transport fluid, and a controllable concentration of active ingredient against a skin defect. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090255451 | Apparatus and Method for Delivering Beneficial Agents to Subterranean Locations - An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent to a subterranean location is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber having a substantially open end. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent such as fertilizer, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled from the subterranean delivery channel. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259171 | Transdermal Oxygen-Delivery Apparatus and Method - An apparatus and method for facilitating transdermal oxygen delivery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a supply source coupled to a delivery device. The supply source may provide a supply of oxygen that may be delivered transdermally through the skin of a patient via the delivery device. In selected embodiments, the delivery device may include a barrier layer to substantially retain the oxygen over a localized area of skin, and a gas-permeable contact layer to deliver the oxygen to the localized area. Finally, a transport enhancement element may increase the oxygen permeability of the localized area. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090304775 | Drug-Exuding Orthopedic Implant - An apparatus in accordance with the present invention may include an orthopedic implant having one or more voids integrated into a surface thereof. A beneficial agent may be deposited into each void, and a regulator element may substantially cover an open end of thereof. In this manner, the regulator element may regulate delivery of the beneficial agent through the open end of the voids over a period of time. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090326447 | Transdermal Delivery Apparatus and Method - An apparatus and method for applying a beneficial agent to the skin is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including first and second chemical reactants, each being compatible with the skin. The first and second chemical reactants react with one another to generate a beneficial agent and enhance the permeability of the skin (e.g., by generating heat). The beneficial agent may then be applied to the skin while the permeability of the skin is enhanced. In selected embodiments, the first chemical reactant includes one or more metals, or alloys thereof, that are compatible (i.e., not harmful) with the skin. Similarly, in selected embodiments, the second chemical reactant may include water. In certain embodiments, the beneficial agent generated by the first and second chemical reactants includes an antioxidant such as hydrogen. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100022993 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING BENEFICIAL LIQUIDS AT STEADY RATE - An apparatus for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a water collection chamber. A water-transporting membrane is provided to communicate with the water collection chamber. An extraction chamber receives water through the water-transporting membrane, expanding the extraction chamber. A dispensing chamber, containing a beneficial agent, is configured to contract upon expanding the extraction chamber. This causes the dispensing chamber to expel the beneficial agent through a subterranean delivery channel, such as a rigid hollow spike. In certain embodiments, a rate adjustment mechanism may control the rate that water is received through the water-transporting membrane, thereby controlling the rate the beneficial agent is expelled. The water-transporting membrane has features that repel osmagent from passing through to the water collection chamber. The apparatus features steady rate performance without refreshing the water chamber and low temperature sensitivity. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100044241 | Methods for Producing Sodium Hypochlorite with a Three-Compartment Apparatus Containing a Basic Anolyte - An electrochemical method for the production of a chlorine-based oxidant product, such as sodium hypochlorite, is disclosed. The method may potentially be used to produce sodium hypochlorite from sea water or low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. The method utilizes alkali cation-conductive ceramic membranes, such as membranes based on NaSICON-type materials, and organic polymer membranes in electrochemical cells to produce sodium hypochlorite. Generally, the electrochemical cell includes three compartments and the first compartment contains an anolyte having a basic pH. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100044242 | Methods For Producing Sodium Hypochlorite With a Three-Compartment Apparatus Containing an Acidic Anolyte - An electrochemical method for the production of a chlorine-based oxidant product, such as sodium hypochlorite, is disclosed. The method may potentially be used to produce sodium hypochlorite from sea water or low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. The method utilizes alkali cation-conductive ceramic membranes, such as membranes based on NaSICON-type materials, and organic polymer membranes in electrochemical cells to produce sodium hypochlorite. Generally, the electrochemical cell includes three compartments and the first compartment contains an anolyte having an acidic pH. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100100063 | Device and method for wound therapy - A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100106075 | Method for iontophoretic fluid delivery - A method is provided for low cost, accurate, iontophoretic fluid delivery. The method includes providing an electronic circuit coupling a plurality of electrodes, charging a chargeable electromotive cell to a selected potential and/or charge in response to a selected quantity of beneficial agent to be delivered, the chargeable electromotive cell being electronically coupled with the electronic circuit, applying the selected quantity of beneficial agent to at least one electrode, placing the at least one electrode in contact with skin, and delivering the selected quantity of beneficial agent. The method may also include preparing the skin using a skin preparation device in order to enhance the delivery of the beneficial agent. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100108780 | LIQUID ATOMIZATION DEVICE AND METHOD - A device and method for atomizing a liquid for delivery to a target zone are presented. The liquid atomization device may include a liquid reservoir to contain a liquid, and a liquid pathway to receive at least a portion of the liquid from the liquid reservoir. The liquid pathway may include one end communicating with the liquid reservoir, and another end communicating with a target zone. Two electrodes may be placed in the liquid pathway to accommodate the liquid therebetween. An AC power source may be connected to each of the electrodes to generate an alternating current through the liquid, thereby atomizing at least a portion of the liquid for delivery to the target zone. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100119411 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO DELIVER A STERILE, FILLED SYRINGE TO A USER - A stand-alone apparatus to deliver a sterile, filled syringe to a user. The syringe dispenser includes a controller to accept input from the user and to convert the input into an electrical control signal. The syringe dispenser also includes an ozone generator coupled to the controller. The ozone generator generates ozone on demand according to the input from the user. The user may input a parameter for a concentration and/or a volume of ozone. Additionally, the syringe dispenser includes a syringe preparation station coupled to the ozone generator. The syringe preparation station sterilizes the syringe with a first amount of the ozone and fills the syringe with a second amount of the ozone. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100222770 | FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE WITH A DIFFUSION MEMBRANE FOR FAST RESPONSE TIME - A fluid delivery device can be used to deliver fluid within a living body. The fluid delivery device includes an electrochemical pump, a reservoir, a displaceable member, and a diffuse membrane. The electrochemical pump transports water and includes an electrochemical pump product chamber to retain water transported by the electrochemical pump. The reservoir contains a fluid to be delivered. The displaceable member is positioned between the electrochemical pump product chamber and the reservoir. The displaceable member is responsive to the electrochemical pump transporting water into the electrochemical pump product chamber. The diffuse membrane generates increased pressure within the electrochemical pump product chamber. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100307928 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADMINISTERING A THERAPEUTIC AGENT INTO TISSUE - An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger and having an ozone generator associated therewith. The generator is initiated and a therapeutic gas is accumulated within the barrel, at which point it can be delivered from the barrel into a target site via a needle, thereby delivering therapeutic effects to that target site. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100319535 | HIGH-TEMPERATURE, STEAM-SELECTIVE MEMBRANE - A high-temperature, steam-selective membrane for adding steam to or removing steam from various types of chemical reactions is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a membrane includes a polymer layer (a Nafion or sulfonated PEEK polymer layer, for example) exhibiting high selectivity to the transport of steam relative to other gas species. The polymer layer is sandwiched between substantially rigid porous layers that are steam permeable. The rigid porous layers substantially immobilize the polymer layer and reduce the tendency of the polymer layer to shrink and/or expand in response to changes in temperature or humidity. The rigid porous layers may also retain water to keep the polymer layer moist. The physical support and moisture retention provided by the rigid porous layers enable the polymer layer to operate in a temperature range of about 100° C. to 500° C. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110024288 | DECARBOXYLATION CELL FOR PRODUCTION OF COUPLED RADICAL PRODUCTS - A method that produces coupled radical products from biomass. The method involves obtaining a lipid or carboxylic acid material from the biomass. This material may be a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, a triglyceride of a carboxylic acid, or a metal salt of a carboxylic acid, or any other fatty acid derivative. This lipid material or carboxylic acid material is converted into an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt is then used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon. The produced hydrocarbon may be, for example, saturated, unsaturated, branched, or unbranched, depending upon the starting material. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110027848 | METHOD OF PRODUCING COUPLED RADICAL PRODUCTS FROM BIOMASS - A method that produces coupled radical products from biomass. The method involves obtaining a lipid or carboxylic acid material from the biomass. This material may be a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, a triglyceride of a carboxylic acid, or a metal salt of a carboxylic acid, or any other fatty acid derivative. This lipid material or carboxylic acid material is converted into an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt is then used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon. The produced hydrocarbon may be, for example, saturated, unsaturated, branched, or unbranched, depending upon the starting material. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110064823 | TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus and method for applying a beneficial agent to the skin is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including first and second chemical reactants, each being compatible with the skin. The first and second chemical reactants react with one another to generate a beneficial agent and enhance the permeability of the skin (e.g., by generating heat). The beneficial agent may then be applied to the skin while the permeability of the skin is enhanced. In selected embodiments, the first chemical reactant includes one or more metals, or alloys thereof, that are compatible (i.e., not harmful) with the skin. Similarly, in selected embodiments, the second chemical reactant may include water. In certain embodiments, the beneficial agent generated by the first and second chemical reactants includes an antioxidant such as hydrogen. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110085934 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STERILIZING AND DEODORIZING - An apparatus for sterilizing and/or deodorizing objects is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes an ozone source to provide ozone, and a hydrogen peroxide source to provide hydrogen peroxide. A mixing element intermixes the ozone and hydrogen peroxide to produce a mixture comprising oxidizing radicals. An applicator applies the mixture to an object before the oxidizing radicals decompose. The oxidizing radicals in the mixture work to oxidize organic substances, thereby interrupting the life cycle of living organisms and/or destroying or neutralizing odors. In selected embodiments, the applicator disperses the mixture into a closed environment, such as a substantially sealed room or enclosure, to sterilize and/or deodorize objects contained therein. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein. | 04-14-2011 |
