IP Library Granted Patent US 7,761,188
Granted Patent B2
US 7,761,188 · App. 11/398,285 · Granted Jul 20, 2010

Fluid evacuation system with two-way communication filter

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,761,188
App. No.
11/398,285
Granted
Jul 20, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An evacuation system includes at least one fluid intake, at least one fluid outlet, at least one operational component, such as an evacuation motor, and a first read/write device for transmitting, receiving, or storing information. The evacuation system also includes a filter having a second read/write device for transmitting information to the first read/write device. A microcontroller, which is in functional communication with the first read/write device and the operational component, interprets the information received by said first read/write device and controls the operational component based on said interpreted information.

Claims (51)

1. A method for controlling a system for evacuating suspended particulates from a fluid having at least one fluid intake, at least one fluid outlet, a first read/write device, and a controller coupled to said first read/write device, said method comprising:

inserting a filter into said evacuation system, said filter including a RFID tag having filter life information stored thereon;

transmitting said filter life information from said RFID tag to said first read/write device;

measuring the flow into said filter;

determining remaining filter life information with said controller as a function of said flow; and

displaying said remaining filter life information on a display screen coupled to said controller;

wherein said filter life information is adjusted as a function of evacuation motor flow rate.

2. A system for evacuating suspended particulates from a fluid comprising:

at least one fluid intake;

at least one fluid outlet;

an evacuation motor having an evacuation motor speed;

a RFID tag reader/writer;

a filter having a RFID tag attached thereto for transmitting flow information to said RFID tag reader/writer, said flow information determined as a function of said evacuation motor speed;

a microcontroller in functional communication with said RFID tag reader/writer and said evacuation motor, wherein said microcontroller interprets said flow information received by said RFID tag reader/writer, and said microcontroller controls said evacuation motor based on said interpreted flow information.

3. The evacuation system of claim 2 further comprising a display screen coupled to said microcontroller for displaying said information.

4. A system for evacuating suspended particulates from a fluid generated in connection with a medical procedure, comprising:

at least one fluid intake;

at least one fluid outlet;

an evacuation motor for transferring fluid from said at least one fluid intake to said at least one fluid outlet;

a filter having a RFID tag;

a RFID tag reader/writer for transmitting, receiving and storing information regarding characteristics of said filter, said RFID tag reader/writer in functional communication with said RFID tag;

a display for displaying said information;

a microcontroller for determining said characteristics of said filter, said microcontroller in functional communication with said RFID reader/writer and said display, said microcontroller adapted to control at least one operational parameter of said evacuation motor as a function of one or more of said characteristics of said filter.

5. The evacuation system of claim 4 wherein said filter characteristic is filter life.

6. The evacuation system of claim 4 wherein said filter characteristic is remaining filter life.

7. The evacuation system of claim 4 wherein said filter characteristic is consumed filter life.

8. The evacuation system of claim 4 wherein said at least one operational parameter is evacuation motor speed.

9. The evacuation system of claim 4 wherein said at least one operational parameter is evacuation motor flow rate.

10. A system for evacuating suspended particulates from a fluid comprising:

an evacuation motor;

a first read/write device for transmitting, receiving and storing information;

a filter having a RFID tag attached thereto, said RFID tag adapted to transmit and receive filter type information to said first read/write device;

an authentication code designating a filter type, said authentication code written to said first read/write device;

a microcontroller in functional communication with said first read/write device and said evacuation motor, wherein said microcontroller compares said authentication code with said filter type information, and said microcontroller operates said evacuation motor if said authentication code and said filter type information are equivalent.

11. A method for controlling a system for evacuating suspended particulates from a fluid having at least one fluid intake, at least one fluid outlet, a first read/write device, and a controller coupled to said first read/write device, said method comprising:

inserting a filter into said evacuation system, said filter including a RFID tag having filter life information stored thereon;

transmitting said filter life information from said RFID tag to said first read/write device;

measuring the flow into said filter;

determining remaining filter life information with said controller as a function of said flow;

displaying said remaining filter life information on a display screen coupled to said controller; and

controlling an evacuation motor as a function of said filter life information.

12. A method for controlling a system for evacuating suspended particulates from a fluid having at least one fluid intake, at least one fluid outlet, a first read/write device, and a controller coupled to said first read/write device, said method comprising:

inserting a filter into said evacuation system, said filter including a RFID tag having filter life information stored thereon and having filter type information stored thereon;

transmitting said filter life information from said RFID tag to said first read/write device;

measuring the flow into said filter;

determining remaining filter life information with said controller as a function of said flow;

displaying said remaining filter life information on a display screen coupled to said controller;

determining filter type;

writing said filter type to said RFID tag;

displaying said filter type on said display screen; and

controlling an evacuation motor as a function of said filter type.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2025
From: CONMED CORPORATION; BIOREZ, INC.; BUFFALO FILTER LLC; IN2BONES USA, LLC; LINVATEC CORPORATION; SURGIQUEST, INC.; VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072097/0762 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 22, 2019
From: BUFFALO FILTER LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048413/0947 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2019
From: BANK OF MONTREAL
To: BUFFALO FILTER LLC
Reel/Frame 048287/0575 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2018
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AG INDUSTRIES LLC; BUFFALO FILTER LLC; CHEMCO MANUFACTURING CO., INC.; FILTRATION GROUP LLC; FILTRAN LLC; JONELL FILTRATION PRODUCTS, INC.; POREX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 045948/0379 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2016
From: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AG INDUSTRIES LLC; AIR SYSTEM PRODUCTS LLC; BUFFALO FILTER LLC; CHEMCO MANUFACTURING CO., INC.; FILTRATION GROUP LLC; FILTRAN LLC; JONELL FILTRATION PRODUCTS, INC.; KAYDON CUSTOM FILTRATION CORPORATION; PURAFIL, INC.; POREX CORP.
Reel/Frame 040543/0078 →
SECURITY INTEREST (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Nov 21, 2013
From: AG INDUSTRIES LLC; BUFFALO FILTER LLC; CHEMCO MANUFACTURING CO., INC.; FILTRATION GROUP LLC; FILTRAN LLC; JONELL FILTRATION PRODUCTS, INC.; POREX CORPORATION
To: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031694/0487 →
SECURITY INTEREST (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Nov 21, 2013
From: AG INDUSTRIES LLC; BUFFALO FILTER LLC; CHEMCO MANUFACTURING CO., INC.; FILTRATION GROUP LLC; FILTRAN LLC; JONELL FILTRATION PRODUCTS, INC.; POREX CORPORATION
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031693/0608 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 16, 2013
From: BUFFALO FILTER LLC
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 030813/0220 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 11, 2013
From: MEDTEK DEVICES, INC.
To: BUFFALO FILTER LLC
Reel/Frame 030782/0431 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2006
From: PALMERTON, CHRISTOPHER A.; PALMERTON, DANIEL; DEAN, ROBERT; KAJDAS, JAY T.; MOEHLAU, EARNEST
To: MEDTEK DEVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 017806/0154 →