| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080257412 | Fluid Delivery Device With Flow Rate Control - A device for delivering a fluid to a target site is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a pump, a flow modulator, a flow meter, and a controller. The pump may generate a fluid stream characterized by a flow rate. The flow modulator may smooth out irregularities in the flow rate, thereby generating a second fluid stream having a second flow rate that is substantially more uniform than the first flow rate. The flow meter may measure the flow rate of the second fluid stream. The controller may then compare the flow rate of the second fluid stream to a target flow rate, and adjust the pump speed to substantially align the second flow rate with the target flow rate. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080268327 | Advanced Metal-Air Battery Having a Ceramic Membrane Electrolyte Background of the Invention - A metal-air battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a cathode to reduce oxygen molecules and an alkali-metal-containing anode to oxidize the alkali metal (e.g., Li, Na, and K) contained therein to produce alkali-metal ions. An aqueous catholyte is placed in ionic communication with the cathode to store reaction products generated by reacting the alkali-metal ions with the oxygen containing anions. These reaction products are stored as solutes dissolved in the aqueous catholyte. An ion-selective membrane is interposed between the alkali-metal containing anode and the aqueous catholyte. The ion-selective membrane is designed to be conductive to the alkali-metal ions while being impermeable to the aqueous catholyte. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20090061288 | Lithium-sulfur battery with a substantially non-pourous membrane and enhanced cathode utilization - A lithium-sulfur battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an anode containing lithium and a cathode comprising elemental sulfur. The cathode may include at least one solvent selected to at least partially dissolve the elemental sulfur and Li2S | 03-05-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090136830 | Substantially Solid, Flexible Electrolyte For Alkili-Metal-Ion Batteries - An alkali-metal-ion battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an anode containing an alkali metal, a cathode, and an electrolyte separator for conducting alkali metal ions between the anode and the cathode. In selected embodiments, the electrolyte separator includes a first phase comprising poly(alkylene oxide) and an alkali-metal salt in a molar ratio of less than 10:1. The electrolyte separator may further include a second phase comprising ionically conductive particles that are conductive to the alkali metal ions. These ionically conductive particles may include ionically conductive ceramic particles, glass particles, glass-ceramic particles, or mixtures thereof. | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20100068629 | ALKALI METAL SEAWATER BATTERY - A galvanic cell is disclosed. Generally, the cell includes an alkali metal anode, which electrochemcially oxidizes to release alkali metal ions, and a cathode, which is configured to be exposed to an electrolyte solution. A water-impermeable, alkali-ion-conductive ceramic membrane separates the anode from the cathode. Moreover, an alkali-ion-permeable anode current collector is placed in electrical communication with the anode. In some cases, to keep the anode in contact with the current collector as the cell functions and as the anode is depleted, the cell includes a biasing member that urges the anode against the current collector. To produce electricity, the galvanic cell is exposed to an aqueous electrolyte solution, such as seawater, brine, saltwater, etc. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100089762 | Apparatus and Method For Reducing an Alkali Metal Electrochemically at a Temperature Below the Metal's Melting Temperature - A cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment is used to electrolyze an alkali metal polysulfide into an alkali metal. The cell includes an anode, wherein at least part of the anode is housed in the anode compartment. The cell also includes a quantity of anolyte housed within the anode compartment, the anolyte comprising an alkali metal polysulfide and a solvent. The cell includes a cathode, wherein at least part of the cathode is housed in the cathode compartment. A quantity of catholyte is housed within the cathode compartment. The cell operates at a temperature below the melting temperature of the alkali metal. | 04-15-2010 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20100239893 | SODIUM-SULFUR BATTERY WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY NON-POROUS MEMBRANE AND ENHANCED CATHODE UTILIZATION - A sodium-sulfur battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an anode containing sodium and a cathode comprising elemental sulfur. The cathode may include at least one solvent selected to at least partially dissolve the elemental sulfur and Na | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100297537 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL COMPRISING IONICALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBRANE AND POROUS MULTIPHASE ELECTRODE - An electrochemical cell in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first electrode containing a first phase intermixed with a second phase and a network of interconnected pores. The first phase contains a ceramic material and the second phase contains an electrically conductive material providing an electrically contiguous path through the first electrode. The electrochemical cell further includes a second electrode containing an alkali metal. A substantially non-porous alkali-metal-ion-selective ceramic membrane, such as a dense Nasicon, Lisicon, Li β″-alumina, or Na β″-alumina membrane, is interposed between the first and second electrodes. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100318120 | HEMOSTATIC MATERIAL AND DELIVERY DEVICE - A hemostatic material, production method, delivery method, and apparatus are disclosed. The hemostatic material includes a peptide that preferentially selects exposed endothelial cells for bonding. The peptide is conjugated with a hemostatic agent (e.g., chitosan) to produce a peptide conjugated hemostatic agent. The peptide conjugated hemostatic agent is suspended in a flowable delivery medium that delivers the material to the endothelial cells to stop or reduce bleeding. An apparatus for delivering the hemostatic material includes a conformable covering for sealing off and maintaining an internal pressure in an injury cavity, a delivery port for delivering hemostatic material into the cavity, and a check valve that opens when a predetermined pressure is reached. Methods for producing the hemostatic material and using the apparatus are also disclosed herein. | 12-16-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20110100874 | UPGRADING OF PETROLEUM OIL FEEDSTOCKS USING ALKALI METALS AND HYDROCARBONS - A method of upgrading an oil feedstock by removing heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals from the oil feedstock composition. This method reacts the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and an upgradant hydrocarbon. The alkali metal reacts with a portion of the heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals to form an inorganic phase separable from the organic oil feedstock material. The upgradant hydrocarbon bonds to the oil feedstock material and increases the number of carbon atoms in the product. This increase in the number of carbon atoms of the product increases the energy value of the resulting oil feedstock. | 05-05-2011 |
