METHODS OF USING CELLULASE FOR REDUCING THE VISCOSITY OF FEEDSTOCK

The invention provides methods for treatment of feedstock to reduce the relative viscosity and promote release of fermentable sugars. 1. A method of decreasing the relative viscosity of feedstock comprising:incubating the feedstock with about 0.01 FPU to about 20 FPU cellulase/g dry weight of feedstock for about 10 minutes to about 10 hours at a pH of about 2 to about 6 at a temperature of about 40° C. to about 80° C.;thereby decreasing the relative viscosity of the feedstock.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feedstock is a bagasse claim 1 , corn fiber claim 1 , corn stover claim 1 , a plant waste material claim 1 , a processing or agricultural byproduct claim 1 , a sugar cane claim 1 , monoenergy cane claim 1 , sorghum sudan claim 1 , Miscanthus claim 1 , switchgrass claim 1 , wheat claim 1 , milo claim 1 , bulgher claim 1 , barley claim 1 , rice claim 1 , corn claim 1 , beet claim 1 , or tree.3. (canceled)4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feedstock is incubated with; about 0.05 FPU to about 20 FPU cellulase/g dry weight of feedstock; about 0.50 FPU to about 5 FPU cellulase/g dry weight of feedstock; or about 5 FPU to about 10 FPU cellulase/g dry weight of feedstock; or more.5. (canceled)6. (canceled)7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feedstock is incubated for; about 10 minutes to about 6 hours; or for about 15 minutes to about 2 hours.8. (canceled)9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the relative viscosity after treatment is: less than 8000 cP; less than 6000 cP; less than 3000 cP; or less than 1500 cP.1012-. (canceled)13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pH is: about 2 to 6; about 2 to 5; about 2 to 4; about 2 to 3; or about 3 to 6.1417-. (canceled)18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the feedstock is incubated for about 10 minutes to about 6 hours or for about 15 minutes to about 2 hours.19. (canceled)20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the relative viscosity after treatment is: less than 8000 cP; less than 6000 cP; less than 3000 cP; or less ...

AIR MANAGEMENT DEVICE FOR DIALYSIS MACHINES

A dialysis system may include a dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis machine or a hemodialysis machine) for transferring a liquid to a patient via tubing. The dialysis system may include an air management device for filtering out air content from the liquid prior to transferring to the patient. The air management device may be a connector cap for use in a peritoneal dialysis system during a priming process. Alternatively, the air management device may be a drip chamber for use in a hemodialysis system. The air management device may include a vent. In addition, the air management device may include a movable element for sealing the vent. In addition, and/or alternatively, the air management device may include a reservoir for receiving an overflow of liquid. 1. A dialysis system for conducting a dialysis treatment , comprising:a dialysis machine for transferring a liquid to a patient via tubing; anda connector cap removably coupled to an end of the tubing, the connector cap being arranged and configured to filter out air content prior to transferring the liquid to the patient.2. The dialysis system according to claim 1 , wherein the connector cap includes a first open end and a second end claim 1 , the second end including a vent.3. The dialysis system according to claim 2 , wherein the end of the tubing is insertable into the first open end of the connector cap claim 2 , the air content being filterable out of the vent of the second end of the connector cap.4. The dialysis system according to claim 2 , wherein the connector cap includes a hydrophobic filter disposed at the second end of the connector cap claim 2 , the air content being filterable out of the vent through the hydrophobic filter.5. The dialysis system according to claim 2 , wherein the connector cap includes a circumferential flange extending from an inner surface of the connector cap claim 2 , the flange including an aperture formed therein claim 2 , the aperture defining a fluid flow path for ...

AIR MANAGEMENT IN A CASSETTE OF A DIALYSIS MACHINE

Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate bag. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate bag through a disposable cartridge or cassette positionable within the dialysis machine. A filter may be included in, coupled to, etc., the dialysis machine. In use, the filter may be configured to filter out air content from the dialysate. In some embodiments, the filter may be incorporated into and/or operatively coupled to the disposable cartridge or cassette inserted into the dialysis machine. 1. A dialysis system for conducting a dialysis treatment , comprising:a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate bag, the dialysis machine including a cavity;a disposable cassette positionable within the cavity, the cassette being in fluid communication with the patient and the dialysate bag; andan air chamber including an air vent coupled to the disposable cassette, the air chamber and the air vent being arranged and configured to allow air content to move out of the air chamber through the air vent.2. The dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the disposable cassette is arranged and configured so that claim 1 , in use claim 1 , air content in the dialysate is directed into the air chamber and through the air vent.3. The dialysis system of claim 1 , wherein the air chamber is integrally formed with the disposable cassette.4. The dialysis system of claim 3 , wherein the air chamber is formed in a top portion of the disposable cassette.5. The dialysis system of claim 3 , wherein the disposable cassette includes one or more sensors and one or more valves claim 3 , the machine being arranged and configured so that an air content in the dialysate is detectable via the one or more sensors claim 3 , and when the air content in the dialysate exceeds a ...

Two-piece ostomy appliance having flushable pouch and faceplate with protective collar

TWO-PIECE OSTOMY APPLIANCE HAVING FLUSHABLE POUCH AND FACEPLATE WITH PROTECTIVE COLLAR Abstract of the Disclosure A two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed having a faceplate component and a pouch component, the faceplate component including a flexible attachment ring having an annular outer flange portion and an inner collar portion for insertion into the side opening of the pouch component when the two are releasably joined together. The flushable pouch has a pair of side walls joined together along their outer margins with each wall comprising a primary layer of strong but water-soluble material and a protective inner layer of relatively weak but water-insoluble material. When the components are adhesively joined together, the protective collar of the faceplate attachment ring extends into the side opening of the pouch to shield the edge (or edges) of the water-soluble layer (or layers) from exposure to fluids and other matter discharged through the stoma-receiving opening of the faceplate into the pouch, thereby protecting the water-soluble layer(s) from premature disintegration.

Maximum pressure manometer

MAXIMUM PRESSURE MANOMETER ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A manometer for recording maximum pressures from a liquid supply comprising, a closed air chamber, an elongated channel communicating with the supply adjacent a lower end of the channel and communicating with the chamber through an open-ing adjacent an upper end of the channel, and an overflow cavity positioned to receive and collect liquid passing through the channel and opening such that the quantity of liquid collected in the cavity provides an indication of the maximum pressure achieved by the supply.

Endotracheal tube attachment device

An endotracheal tube attachment device for positively securing an endotracheal tube to a patient and allowing selective lateral positioning and locking of the tube without removing the device or tube from the patient is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated strip of flexible material adapted to be adhesively attached to an upper lip region of a patient and a tube holder which is slideably mounted upon the strip. The tube holder has an arm extending in a direction perpendicular to and away from the strip and a securement strap is provided for positively securing the tube along the length of the arm. Positioning and locking mechanisms are provided for allowing selective lateral positioning of the tube holder along the length of the strip and positively locking the tube holder and tube in a selected position. The tube holder also allows for efficient and easy longitudinal adjustment of the endotracheal tube in the patient's trachea which is often required soon after initial placement of the tube.

Two-piece ostomy device comprising a rinsable bag and a face plate with protective collar

Endotracheal tube attachment device

An endotracheal tube attachment device for positively securing an endotracheal tube to a patient and allowing selective lateral positioning and locking of the tube without removing the device or tube from the patient is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated strip of flexible material adapted to be adhesively attached to an upper lip region of a patient and a tube holder which is slideably mounted upon the strip. The tube holder has an arm extending in a direction perpendicular to and away from the strip and a securement strap is provided for positively securing the tube along the length of the arm. Positioning and locking mechanisms are provided for allowing selective lateral positioning of the tube holder along the length of the strip and positively locking the tube holder and tube in a selected position. The tube holder also allows for efficient and easy longitudinal adjustment of the endotracheal tube in the patient's trachea which is often required soon after initial placement of the tube.

Collection bag

A collection bag for receiving and collecting body fluids comprising, a receptacle having a pair of opposed walls defining a chamber, with one of the walls having an opening communicating with the chamber, and a connector having a cavity to receive the body fluids. The connector is attached to the one wall over the opening with the connector cavity communicating with the receptacle chamber to permit passage of fluids from the connector into the chamber for collection therein, and the connector may be ruptured from the one wall after use of the bag to permit access to the collected fluids through the opening.

Urine collection device

URINE COLLECTION DEVICE ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for collecting the mid-stream portion of a urine discharge comprising, a receptacle having a lower wall and a side wall defining a cavity, with the receptacle having an upper rim defining an opening communicating with the cavity. The device has a protective member comprising a retaining por-tion having an inner circumferential flange and an outer circum-ferential flange connected to the inner flange, with the inner and outer flanges being spaced from each other a distance approx-imately equal to the thickness of the receptacle rim such that the inner and outer flanges define an annular groove to snugly receive the container rim. The protective member has an out-wardly flared skirt depending from the outer flange and extend-ing around at least a substantial portion of the receptacle when the receptacle rim is received in the retaining groove. The pro-tective member also has an outwardly directed handle to facili-tate manipulation of the device.

Air management in a cassette of a dialysis machine

Dialysis systems and methods for operating dialysis machines (e.g., peritoneal dialysis machines) for conducting dialysis treatments are disclosed. The dialysis system may include a dialysis machine for transferring dialysate to a patient from a dialysate bag. The dialysate may flow from the dialysate bag through a disposable cartridge or cassette positionable within the dialysis machine. A filter may be included in, coupled to, etc., the dialysis machine. In use, the filter may be configured to filter out air content from the dialysate. In some embodiments, the filter may be incorporated into and/or operatively coupled to the disposable cartridge or cassette inserted into the dialysis machine.