This is a plain-language summary of a public patent. It is written for general readers and is not a substitute for the granted claims. For the authoritative, legally operative text, see the official record linked below.
01 What it covers
Co-invented by ion-exchange pioneer Irwin R. Higgins, this early-1990s patent set out the core idea Fluid Tech's technology still builds on: inorganic media with selectivity for particular ions, designed to be regenerated. The later isotope-specific separation, media-regeneration, and vitrification patents extend this foundation.
02 Why it matters
- Origin of the approach: establishes selective inorganic media that can be regenerated.
- Pedigree: co-invented with Irwin R. Higgins, a pioneer of continuous ion-exchange.
- Still current: the modern isotope-specific portfolio is a direct descendant.
03 Patent family
This invention was filed in multiple jurisdictions; related filings share the same disclosure.
| Jurisdiction | Number | Date |
|---|---|---|
| United States (granted) | US 5,082,570 | Jan 21, 1992 |
| United States (companion) | US 5,078,889 | Jan 7, 1992 |
04 Official record
Patents are public documents. For the full specification, drawings, and legally operative claims: