Patents Assigned to Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11389810
    Abstract: A rotor core is provided that includes a rotor length defined along an axis of rotation and a plurality of separation channels. The plurality of separation channels having a channel length extending along the axis of rotation a distance that is less than the rotor length. A rotor assembly is also provided that includes such a rotor core removably disposed in an outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sandra Patricia Meriño, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20200338573
    Abstract: A rotor core is provided that includes a rotor length defined along an axis of rotation and a plurality of separation channels. The plurality of separation channels having a channel length extending along the axis of rotation a distance that is less than the rotor length. A rotor assembly is also provided that includes such a rotor core removably disposed in an outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sandra Patricia Meriño, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Patent number: 10773263
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a controller in a control cabinet, a touch screen having a plurality of control icons, a controlled device, and a single safety sensor. The controlled device is a continuous flow centrifugation system. The controller prevents operation of the controlled device without simultaneous contact by a user of both the single safety sensor and a respective one of the plurality of control icons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sorin Weissman, Bill Lepse, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Patent number: 10751733
    Abstract: A rotor core is provided that includes a rotor length defined along an axis of rotation and a plurality of separation channels. The plurality of separation channels having a channel length extending along the axis of rotation a distance that is less than the rotor length. A rotor assembly is also provided that includes such a rotor core removably disposed in an outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sandra Patricia Meriño, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Patent number: 10668484
    Abstract: A fluid handling system is provided that includes a controller, a plurality of valves, a pump, and an interface in communication with the controller. The valves can be operatively connected with a conduit to along a flow path. Each of the valves is controlled by the controller for selective movement between a first position and a second position. The first position closes the flow path, while the second position opens the flow path. The pump can be operatively connected with the conduit and the is controlled by the controller for selective pumping of fluid through the flow path. The interface allows selective definition of the flow path through the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Blaine J Marsh, Christopher A DeBlasis, Fernando J Garcia, Ian Eric Lynes, Raymond A Hathaway
  • Patent number: 10016767
    Abstract: Centrifugation systems are provided that have a non-contact seal assemblies including an upper guard and a skirted pivot, as well as a pressure source that provides a gas flow between the upper guard and a surface of the skirted pivot. In some embodiments, the non-contact seal assembly further includes a lower guard having one or more capillary channels defined on an upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Michael Spiegel, Eric Bernard Weiland
  • Publication number: 20180066237
    Abstract: A method of purifying a viral vector is provided. The method includes loading a nonionic density gradient into a continuous flow centrifuge rotor; loading a material including the viral vector and a predictable contaminant into the continuous flow centrifuge rotor; rotating the continuous flow centrifuge rotor in a manner sufficient to separate the viral vector from the predictable contaminant and the material in the nonionic density gradient; and unloading the separated viral vector from the continuous flow centrifuge rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicants: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC., Virovek, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Patricia MERIÑO, Haifeng CHEN
  • Publication number: 20180021791
    Abstract: A fluid handling system is provided that includes a controller, a plurality of valves, a pump, and an interface in communication with the controller. The valves can be operatively connected with a conduit to along a flow path. Each of the valves is controlled by the controller for selective movement between a first position and a second position. The first position closes the flow path, while the second position opens the flow path. The pump can be operatively connected with the conduit and the is controlled by the controller for selective pumping of fluid through the flow path. The interface allows selective definition of the flow path through the valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Blaine J. Marsh, Christopher A. DeBlasis, Fernando J. Garcia, Ian Eric Lynes, Raymond A. Hathaway
  • Patent number: 9862936
    Abstract: A method of purifying a viral vector is provided. The method includes loading a nonionic density gradient into a continuous flow centrifuge rotor; loading a material including the viral vector into the continuous flow centrifuge rotor; rotating the continuous flow centrifuge rotor in a manner sufficient to separate the viral vector and a predictable contaminate from the material in the nonionic density gradient; and unloading the separated viral vector and the predicable contaminant from the continuous flow centrifuge rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC., VIROVEK, INC.
    Inventors: Sandra Patricia Meriño, Haifeng Chen
  • Publication number: 20170333917
    Abstract: A rotor core is provided that includes a rotor length defined along an axis of rotation and a plurality of separation channels. The plurality of separation channels having a channel length extending along the axis of rotation a distance that is less than the rotor length. A rotor assembly is also provided that includes such a rotor core removably disposed in an outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sandra Patricia Meriño, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Patent number: 9664597
    Abstract: A liquid collection device is provided. The device includes an input conduit, an output conduit, a plurality of product collection containers, and a valve block. The input and output conduits are connectable to a liquid processing line. The valve block has a valve block input in fluid communication with the input conduit, a valve block output in fluid communication with the output conduit, and a plurality of valves. The valves correspond in number to product collection containers and each valve places the input conduit in liquid communication with a different one of the product collection containers. An automated liquid collection workstation for use with the liquid collection device and a method of automatically collecting liquid from a processing line or vessel are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventor: Jan Hofman
  • Publication number: 20160339450
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a controller, a touch screen having a plurality of control icons, a controlled device, and a single safety sensor. The controller prevents operation of the controlled device without contact by a user of both the single safety sensor and a respective one of the plurality of control icons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sorin Weissman, Bill Lepse, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Patent number: 9405836
    Abstract: A continuous flow centrifuge system is provided. The system includes a rotor, a stator, a stator housing, upper and lower bearing plates, upper and lower bearings, first and second snap rings, and lip seal. The upper bearing rotatably secures a shaft of the rotor in the upper bearing plate. The first snap ring secures the upper bearing to the rotor shaft. The lip seal is over the upper bearing and forms a rotatable seal with the upper bearing plate. The second snap ring secures the lip seal to an inner diameter of the upper bearing plate. The upper and lower bearing plates are secured to the stator housing so that the rotor is operatively aligned with the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sorin Weissman, Bill Lepse, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20160201086
    Abstract: A method of purifying a viral vector is provided. The method includes loading a nonionic density gradient into a continuous flow centrifuge rotor; loading a material including the viral vector into the continuous flow centrifuge rotor; rotating the continuous flow centrifuge rotor in a manner sufficient to separate the viral vector and a predictable contaminate from the material in the nonionic density gradient; and unloading the separated viral vector and the predicable contaminant from the continuous flow centrifuge rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventors: Sandra Patricia MERIÑO, Haifeng CHEN
  • Patent number: 9381523
    Abstract: A system for separating a sample and collecting the separated sample. The system includes an ultracentrifuge having a cylindrical rotor. The system includes a gradient delivery assembly for delivering a gradient solution to the ultracentrifuge rotor, and a sample delivery assembly for delivering the solution containing the sample to the ultracentrifuge rotor. The system includes a fraction collection assembly for collecting discrete volumes of the separated sample. The system includes a processor for controlling operation of the ultracentrifuge, as well as the gradient delivery assembly, the sample delivery assembly, and/or the fraction collection assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventor: Blaine J. Marsh
  • Patent number: 9050609
    Abstract: A centrifuge apparatus is provided that operates at certain predetermined parameters depending upon a product to be separated and is useable with a plurality of rotor assemblies. For example, a first rotor assembly of said plurality of rotor assemblies includes a first core having a first core configuration which is contained within a rotor housing of the first rotor assembly to define a first volume capacity such that the product passing through the first rotor assembly having the first volume capacity during rotation of the first rotor assembly in the centrifuge apparatus achieves a first particle separation of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Patricia Merino, Steven J. Dalessio, Robin Roy Louis Rudy Otten
  • Patent number: 8815179
    Abstract: An automated liquid collection workstation is provided. The workstation includes a processor, a peristaltic pump, a valve actuator, and an algorithm. The peristaltic pump and the valve actuator are in electrical communication with the processor. The valve actuator can move a plurality of valves, when disposed therein, among an off position, a flush position, and a collection position. The algorithm is resident on the processor and is configured to: move all of the valves to the off position and place the pump in an off state when no sampling or flushing is required, move all of the valves to the flush position and place the pump in an on state for a predetermined flush time period when flushing is required, and move a respective one of the valves to the collection position, move any of the valves upstream of the respective valve to the flush position, and place the pump to the on state for a predetermined collection time period when collection is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Hofman, Cleem Diemers
  • Publication number: 20140060214
    Abstract: A method of taking a fluid samples from a processing line is provided that includes: placing an input conduit in fluid communication with the processing line; operatively coupling the input conduit to a peristaltic pump and a valve block; operatively coupling the valve block to a valve actuator so that the valves are movable among an off position, a flush position, and a sample position; controlling the valve actuator to move the valves to the flush position and turning on the peristaltic pump so that fluid from the processing line is pumped to a waste bag; and controlling the valve actuator to move a particular valve to the sample position and to move any valve upstream of the particular valve to the flush position while the peristaltic pump remains on so that fluid from the processing line is pumped to the sample bag associated with the particular valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Hofman
  • Publication number: 20140060215
    Abstract: A sample collection device is provided. The collection device includes an input conduit, a plurality of automated sample collection bags, a waste collection bag, and a valve block. The input conduit is connectable to a fluid processing line. The automated sample collection bags each have a sample volume and the waste collection bag has a waste volume. The valve block a plurality of three-way valves and an output, where the plurality of three-way valves correspond in number to the plurality of automated sample collection bags, each of the three-way valves placing the input conduit in fluid communication with a different one of the plurality of sample collection bags. The output is in fluid communication with the waste collection bag. The collection device has a ratio of the waste volume to the sample volume of not more than 15:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Hofman
  • Patent number: D698821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Spiegel