Filter cartridge assemblies and methods for filtering fluids
First Claim
1. A filter cartridge assembly comprising:
- a tubular housing having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end, said inner wall including at least a first section, a second section, and a third section, said first section having a first length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a first average inner diameter, said second section having a second length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a second average inner diameter that is smaller than said first average inner diameter, said third section having a third length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a third average inner diameter that is smaller than said second average inner diameter, wherein the inner wall of said tubular housing includes a first shoulder at the intersection of said first section and said second section and a second shoulder at the intersection of said second section and said third section; and
a plurality of filter media sections, including a first filter media section, within the tubular housing and radially contained by said inner wall, each of said plurality of filter media sections having a different filter media composition, wherein said first filter media section has a length in a direction from said first end to said second end that includes at least portions of at least two of said lengths of the inner wall sections such that said first media section traverses at least one of said shoulders.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Filter cartridge assemblies and housings are provided and include a tubular housing having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end. The housings include inner walls with shoulders or other radially-inwardly extending flow directors at the intersections of adjacent sections of the tubular body. The assemblies include a plurality of filter media sections within the housing, and each of the plurality of filter media sections preferably has a different filter media composition. One or more of the filter media sections traverses one or more of the shoulders or other radially-inwardly extending flow directors such that the flow directors evenly direct the flow of fluid through the assembly. The assemblies find particular applicability in dialysis systems.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A filter cartridge assembly comprising:
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a tubular housing having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end, said inner wall including at least a first section, a second section, and a third section, said first section having a first length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a first average inner diameter, said second section having a second length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a second average inner diameter that is smaller than said first average inner diameter, said third section having a third length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a third average inner diameter that is smaller than said second average inner diameter, wherein the inner wall of said tubular housing includes a first shoulder at the intersection of said first section and said second section and a second shoulder at the intersection of said second section and said third section; and
a plurality of filter media sections, including a first filter media section, within the tubular housing and radially contained by said inner wall, each of said plurality of filter media sections having a different filter media composition, wherein said first filter media section has a length in a direction from said first end to said second end that includes at least portions of at least two of said lengths of the inner wall sections such that said first media section traverses at least one of said shoulders. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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11. A filter cartridge housing comprising:
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a tubular housing having a conical shape and including a straight inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end, said inner wall including at least a first section, a second section, and a third section, said first section having a first length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a first average inner diameter, said second section having a second length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a second average inner diameter that is smaller than said first average inner diameter, said third section having a third length in a direction from said first end to said second end and a third average inner diameter that is smaller than said second average inner diameter; and
a first annular flow director extending radially inwardly from the inner wall of said tubular housing at the intersection of said first section and said second section, and a second annular flow director extending radially inwardly from the inner wall at the intersection of said second section and said third section. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. The filter cartridge housing of claim 17, wherein the thickness of said inner wall is less than, or equal to, about 0.125 inch.
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22. A filter cartridge assembly comprising:
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a filter cartridge housing including a tubular housing having a cylindrical shape of constant inner diameter and including a straight inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end, said inner wall including at least a first section, a second section, and a third section, said first section having a first length in a direction from said first end to said second end, said second section having a second length in a direction from said first end to said second end, said third section having a third length in a direction from said first end to said second end;
a first annular flow director extending radially inwardly from the inner wall of said tubular housing at the intersection of said first section and said second section, and a second annular flow director extending radially inwardly from the inner wall at the intersection of said second section and said third section; and
a plurality of filter media sections, including a first filter media section, within the tubular housing and radially contained by said inner wall, each of said plurality of filter media sections having a different filter media composition, wherein said first filter media section has a length in a direction from said first end to said second end that includes at least portions of at least two of said lengths of the inner wall sections such that said first media section traverses at least one of said first and second annular flow director. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification