Patents Examined by Timothy Cleveland
  • Patent number: 8940245
    Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus (10, 80) includes an enclosure (18, 84) defining an interior chamber (20, 86) and a door (22) for accessing the interior chamber (20, 86). A fluid source (42, 88) communicates with the chamber (20, 86) to supply a working fluid thereto. A heater (64, 102) heats the fluid in the chamber (20, 86) and a pump (62, 82) moves the fluid in the chamber (20, 86) by the heater (64, 102). A valve (50, 150) communicates with the chamber (20, 86) and with the exterior of the chamber (20, 86) and is configured to vent the fluid in the chamber (20, 86) to the exterior at a pressure of approximately one atmosphere. Such provides superheating and concentrating of the working fluid in the chamber (20, 86). A method of sterilization includes introducing a working fluid into an interior chamber (20, 86) and circulating the fluid through at least one recirculation loop (54, 96) having a heater (64, 102) for heating the fluid to an operational temperature suitable for killing microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Micropyretics Heaters International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ganta S. Reddy, Ramgopal Vissa, Jaingesh A. Sekhar
  • Patent number: 8932542
    Abstract: A gripper unit for handling a vessel for receiving biological material is proposed, inter alia. The vessel has a lid which can assume an open position and a closed position. The gripper unit comprises a gripper for gripping and releasing the vessel, and a lid holder, for holding a lid in a defined position in relation to the vessel. The defined position is an open position of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Qiagen GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schaefer, Thomas Voit, Walter Tschopp, Adrian Geiger, Markus Zbinden, Harald Hibbing, Andreas Karl, Frank Eigemeier, Volker Behrmann, Dietmar Kopp, Andreas Schmiede
  • Patent number: 8926487
    Abstract: A syringe piston used in fat transplantation is structured such that free oil is easily separated from suctioned fat by a syringe piston having a filter and naturally discharged through the rear side thereof. The syringe piston without a shaft, used in fat transplantation, disposed in a syringe-shaped cylindrical vessel, includes a piston body without the shaft, a packing coupled with an outer surface of the piston body to seal between the piston body and the syringe-shaped cylindrical vessel, a free oil discharging hole communicated with the front side and the rear side of the piston body, an opening and closing device for opening and closing the free oil discharging hole, and a filtering device disposed in a passage through which free oil is discharged to filter fat and pass the free oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Hee Young Lee
  • Patent number: 8920742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger mixing system comprising at least one heat exchanger zone, at least one connection plate having one or more mixing units, at least four corners per connection plate, wherein each corner being either blind passage corner, a through-passage corner, a single passage corner, or a double passage corner, and the one or more mixing units are provided with static mixing elements. Present invention relates further to use of a heat exchanger mixing system, and a process for mixing fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Tommy Norén
  • Patent number: 8916093
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus (10) for decontaminating an enclosure that includes a passage having an inlet (18) to receive a carrier gas from the enclosure, an outlet (31) to discharge the carrier gas to the enclosure, a fan (21) for causing a low of carrier gas through the passage from the inlet to the outlet, and a vapour generator (19) where a decontaminant vapour is introduced into the flow of carrier gas to be discharged with the flow at the outlet to decontaminate the enclosed space. A further fan (33) delivers a separate flow of gas from the enclosure bypassing the passageway in which the decontaminant vapour is introduced to be delivered into the enclosure from outlet vents (32) adjacent the vapour outlets (31) to assist in dispersing the carrier gas containing decontaminant vapour throughout the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Bioquell UK Limited
    Inventor: Anthony M. Martin
  • Patent number: 8916107
    Abstract: Portable decontamination and deodorization systems configured to decontaminate a target environment for specified periods of time. A housing contains pressurized media. A spherical media diffuser can be connected to and controlled by a sphere retainer module and a funnel-like orifice can be located under a lower hemisphere of the spherical media diffuser to move the spherical media diffuser and over the funnel-like orifice creating a gap there-between to evenly distribute chemical in a fog or spray throughout a room. a valve controller can be coupled by tubing between media contained in said housing and the gap formed between the spherical media diffuser and funnel-like orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventors: Luis M. Ortiz, Anthony Michael Baca
  • Patent number: 8911677
    Abstract: A medical tool kit is provided for packaging, storing, and transporting medical instruments and tools of various types. The medical tool kit is capable of providing continuing sterilization to the medical instruments and tools kept inside the medical tool kit after the tool case is opened during its normal use in a medical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Gerstner Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Gerstner, R. Christopher Kidd
  • Patent number: 8906299
    Abstract: A container (22) includes a shell (24) made from a polymer, for example PET, and incorporating a catalyst, for example a palladium catalyst. A closure (40) incorporates a plug which includes a source of hydrogen, for example a hydride. In use, with container (22) including a beverage and closure (40) in position, the headspace in the container will be saturated with water vapor. This vapor contacts the hydride associated with plug (42) and as a result the hydride produces molecular hydrogen which migrates into the polymer matrix of shell (24) and combines with oxygen which may have entered the container through its permeable walls. A reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen takes place, catalyzed by the catalyst, and water is produced. Thus, oxygen which may ingress the container is scavenged and the contents of the container are protected from oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Colormatrix Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Rule, Ronald J. Valus, Steven Burgess Tattum
  • Patent number: 8900112
    Abstract: A method for controlling a centrifuge blood component separation system for separating components of a blood product, the separation system comprising a centrifuge and a separation bag and at least one transfer bag. The method comprises selecting a nominal hematocrit value such that an actual hematocrit value is expected to be less than said nominal hematocrit; centrifuging a separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid so as to cause the sedimentation of at least a first component and a second component; transferring some of the first component to a first transfer bag; detecting time of passage of a red blood cell interface at a pre-selected location in the separation bag; and adjusting a predicted processing time based on the time of passage of the red blood cell interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Holmes, Briden Ray Stanton, Geert Van Waeg, Mary Langley
  • Patent number: 8894273
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for manipulating petroleum, non-conventional oil and other viscous complex fluids made of hydrocarbons that comprise enforcement of fluid in a multi-stage flow-through hydrodynamic cavitational reactor, subjecting said fluids to a controlled cavitation and continuing the application of such cavitation for a period of time sufficient for obtaining desired changes in physical properties and/or chemical composition and generating the upgraded products. The method includes alteration of chemical bonds, induction of interactions of components, changes in composition, heterogeneity and rheological characteristics in order to facilitate handling, improve yields of distillate fuels and optimize other properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventors: Roman Gordon, Igor Gorodnitsky, Maxim Promtov, Varvara Grichko
  • Patent number: 8889068
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for disinfection and/or conservation and/or reduction and/or control of microbial contamination of aqueous dispersions and/or aqueous suspensions of mineral matter, providing satisfactory stability in terms of Brookfield™ viscosity for the said aqueous dispersions and/or suspensions of mineral matter. It also concerns the said aqueous dispersions and/or suspensions thus obtained, together with their uses in the mineral, paper and paint industries. Finally it concerns the end products obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Omya International AG
    Inventors: Matthias Buri, Patrick Schwarzentruber, Silvia Hub-Schmid
  • Patent number: 8876683
    Abstract: A blood processing centrifuge comprising: a rotor having an axis of rotation and being controllably spun around the axis, a mechanism for processing whole blood within the rotor while spinning, a computer controlling blood processing operations, the computer being mounted to the rotor and spinning therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Jacques Chammas
  • Patent number: 8876367
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in the biopharmaceutical and chemical industries to facilitate the temporary attachment of standard laboratory glassware to vibratory mixers and other types of aggressive shaking equipment. The container holder couples the entire flask or container to the mixing equipment in a secure fashion. The technology may be used with conventional glass flasks, or with plastic flasks that can be configured for either single-use or multiple-use. The invention allows for single handed, low force insertion of the flaskware as well as the incorporation of sensors into the container holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Harold W. Howe, Todd A. McAdams
  • Patent number: 8877127
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for disinfection and/or conservation and/or reduction and/or control of microbial contamination of aqueous dispersions and/or aqueous suspensions of mineral matter, providing satisfactory stability in terms of Brookfield™ viscosity for the said aqueous dispersions and/or suspensions of mineral matter. It also concerns the said aqueous dispersions and/or suspensions thus obtained, together with their uses in the mineral, paper and paint industries. Finally it concerns the end products obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Omya International AG
    Inventors: Matthias Buri, Patrick Schwarzentruber, Silvia Hub-Schmid
  • Patent number: 8870734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge (1) for accommodating blood bags (35), which is provided for the separation of blood components for the application in a centrifuge. The cartridge (1) has a partition wall (3) which separates a blood bag section (5) positioned radially inside from a product section (7) positioned radially outside, and a cover (9) disposed in a mounting position above the blood bag section (5). The cover (9) is connected to the partition wall (3) pivotally in a first point (11) and detachably in a second point (13), so that the blood bag section (5) is freely accessible by means of laterally pivoting the cover (9) out of the way. The cartridge is applicable in the rotor of a centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Terumo BCT, Inc., Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus-Günter Eberle, Roland Biset
  • Patent number: 8870733
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Douglas G. Evans
  • Patent number: 8851742
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for mixing at least two different solid materials (e.g., adsorbents) and loading the mixture into a vessel, such as an adsorption vessel or reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cem E. Celik, Mark William Ackley, Jeffert John Nowobilski, Salil Uday Rege
  • Patent number: 8840535
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for centrifugal blood component separation including temperature sensing in each of a plurality of separation cells. The temperature of unit of bloods over time is recorded. If the temperature of any of the units exceeds a pre-determined maximum, portions of the blood separation device may be cooled. A controller may determine which of the units to process first, generally proceeding from the warmest unit to the coolest. The order of unit processing may be changed during processing. The detected temperature may be used to calibrate a pressure sensor used to predict the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor D. Dolecek
  • Patent number: 8840835
    Abstract: A method for sterilization and pasteurization includes providing an apparatus including a shock generation section; a sterilization section; and a membrane provided there between; placing media contaminated with microorganisms into the sterilization section; introducing a detonable mixture into the shock generation section; causing formation of at least one of a shock wave and an acoustic wave by igniting the detonable mixture, so that the at least one of a shock wave and an acoustic wave impinges on the membrane and is transmitted thereby into the sterilization section, and so that the media is sterilized or pasteurized by the at least one of a shock wave and an acoustic wave that will kill at least some of the microorganisms; venting the shock generation section via a pressure relief valve; and repeating to achieve a pre-determined degree of sterilization or pasteurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Gabriel Eidelman
  • Patent number: RE45178
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interlock assembly for a spindle mixer where the interlock assembly includes a cup guide, an actuator pin, and an interlock mechanism. Placing a cup within the cup guide actuates the actuator pin that, in turn, engages the interlock mechanism. Engagement of the interlock mechanism selectively activates an electric motor. The pin moves through the body of the guide. The guide can be selectively removed from the mixer, and the pin, in one embodiment, is selectively removed from the guide. An optional bypass switch can be included to allow for the direct engagement of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry R. Olson, Benjamin H. Branson, III, Atle Larsen