Patents by Inventor Francis J. Zelina
Francis J. Zelina has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9072805Abstract: An apparatus for decontaminating a region within an enclosure. The apparatus comprises a conduit having a passageway therethrough that defines a path for a carrier gas. A plurality of tube sections, each of the tube sections having an opening extending therethrough, is selectively movable into and out of a gap in the conduit. A heating element is disposed in one of the tube sections and is operable to heat the carrier gas flowing therethrough. A destroyer is disposed in another of the tube sections and is operable to destroy sterilant in the carrier gas. A controller controls movement of the tube sections into and out of the gap.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANYInventors: Steven D. Leight, Cameron J. Pedersen, Francis J. Zelina
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Publication number: 20150182650Abstract: An apparatus for decontaminating a region within an enclosure. The apparatus comprises a conduit having a passageway therethrough that defines a path for a carrier gas. A plurality of tube sections, each of the tube sections having an opening extending therethrough, is selectively movable into and out of a gap in the conduit. A heating element is disposed in one of the tube sections and is operable to heat the carrier gas flowing therethrough. A destroyer is disposed in another of the tube sections and is operable to destroy sterilant in the carrier gas. A controller controls movement of the tube sections into and out of the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANYInventors: Steven D. LEIGHT, Cameron J. PEDERSEN, Francis J. ZELINA
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Patent number: 8815174Abstract: A sterilizer having a cassette for holding metal instruments or medical devices. The cassette includes a metallic container that defines a sterilization chamber. The container has at least one outer surface. A plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rails extend along the at least one outer surface of the container. Each of the rails includes a free, longitudinal edge wherein the edges of the rails lie in a first plane. An insulating shell encases the metallic container and the plurality of rails. An outer surface of the insulating shell lies in the first plane. A receiving unit includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface engages the edges of the rails and the outer surface of the insulating shell when the cassette is disposed within the inner housing. A plurality of spaced-apart elongated ribs extends along the outer surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Michael A Bacik, Peter J Buczynski, Francis J Zelina, Jeffrey C Robertson
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Publication number: 20140050634Abstract: A sterilizer having a cassette for holding metal instruments or medical devices. The cassette includes a metallic container that defines a sterilization chamber. The container has at least one outer surface. A plurality of spaced-apart, elongated rails extend along the at least one outer surface of the container. Each of the rails includes a free, longitudinal edge wherein the edges of the rails lie in a first plane. An insulating shell encases the metallic container and the plurality of rails. An outer surface of the insulating shell lies in the first plane. A receiving unit includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface engages the edges of the rails and the outer surface of the insulating shell when the cassette is disposed within the inner housing. A plurality of spaced-apart elongated ribs extends along the outer surface of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANYInventors: Michael A. Bacik, Peter J. Buczynski, Francis J. Zelina, Jeffrey C. Robertson
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Patent number: 8409501Abstract: A mobile deactivation apparatus for deactivating contaminants within a defined region that includes a source of a vaporous deactivating agent, a gas handling system, a support member, a drive means, a control system, and a power system is disclosed. The gas handling system dispenses the vaporous deactivating agent to the defined region. The support member is movable in the defined region and supports the source of the vaporous deactivating agent and the gas handling system. The support member can be propelled by the drive means. The control system is programmed to control the operation of the gas handling system and the drive means. A power system is provided to supply power to the mobile deactivation apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Gerald E. McDonnell, Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Francis J. Zelina, Michael A. Centanni
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Publication number: 20110058981Abstract: A mobile deactivation apparatus for deactivating contaminants within a defined region that includes a source of a vaporous deactivating agent, a gas handling system, a support member, a drive means, a control system, and a power system is disclosed. The gas handling system dispenses the vaporous deactivating agent to the defined region. The support member is movable in the defined region and supports the source of the vaporous deactivating agent and the gas handling system. The support member can be propelled by the drive means. The control system is programmed to control the operation of the gas handling system and the drive means. A power system is provided to supply power to the mobile deactivation apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Gerald E. McDonnell, Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Francis J. Zelina, Michael A. Centanni
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Patent number: 7850931Abstract: A mobile deactivation apparatus for deactivating contaminants within a defined region that includes a source of a vaporous deactivating agent, a gas handling system, a support member, a drive means, a control system, and a power system is disclosed. The gas handling system dispenses the vaporous deactivating agent to the defined region. The support member is movable in the defined region and supports the source of the vaporous deactivating agent and the gas handling system. The support member can be propelled by the drive means. The control system is programmed to control the operation of the gas handling system and the drive means. A power system is provided to supply power to the mobile deactivation apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Gerald E. McDonnell, Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Francis J. Zelina, Michael A. Centanni
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Patent number: 7569182Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a reprocessor that has a chamber for receiving items to be sterilized. The reprocessor is filled with water that has passed through a first and a second filter element that both comprise a filtration system. A liquid sterilant is generated by mixing the water with dry chemical reagents. The liquid sterilant is circulated through a fluid circulation system and the filtration system wherein a portion of the liquid sterilant is directed through a bypass conduit and another portion is directed through the first and second filter elements. After a predetermined exposure time, the reprocessor is drained. Then the reprocessor is filled with water for rinsing that has passed through the first and the second filter elements. The water for rinsing is heated prior to being introduced into the reprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Peter A. Burke, Karl F. Ludwig, Jude A. Kral, Francis J. Zelina
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Patent number: 7186374Abstract: A flash vapor generator (10) provides a constant flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide for rapidly sterilizing a large decontamination tunnel (11) with a high container throughput. The vaporizer includes a heated block which defines an interior bore or bores. The conditions within the decontamination tunnel are carefully monitored to avoid condensation of the vapor while maintaining the vapor as close as possible to the saturation limit.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Francis J. Zelina, Gerald E. McDonnell, Aaron L. Hill, Thaddeus Mielnik, Iain F. McVey, Peter J. Buczynski
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Patent number: 7157046Abstract: A flash vaporizer (34) provides a constant flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide or other antimicrobial compounds for rapidly sterilizing large enclosures (10), such as rooms or buildings. The vaporizer includes a heated block (50) which defines an interior bore or bores (70, 72, 74). The flowpath created by the bore or bores increases in cross sectional area as the hydrogen peroxide passes through the block to accommodate the increase in volume during the conversion from liquid to gas. The vapor is injected into dry air in a duct that circulates it to the large enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2002Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Francis J. Zelina, Aaron L. Hill, Gerald E. McDonnell, Kevin O. Williams, Thaddeus Mielnik
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Patent number: 7135142Abstract: A reprocessor having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a chamber that forms a part of the circulation system. The reprocessor includes a water filtration system for filtering water used in the reprocessor. The water filtration system includes a fluid feed line connectable to a source of pressurized water. A first filter and second filter elements are disposed in the fluid feed line for filtering fluids flowing therethrough. The second filter element is downstream from the first filter element and has the capacity to filter particles smaller than the first filter element. The fluid feed line forms a fluid path for water entering the reprocessor, and defines a portion of a path for microbial deactivation fluid circulated through the circulation system.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Peter A. Burke, Karl F. Ludwig, Jude A. Kral, Francis J. Zelina
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Patent number: 6967315Abstract: A method of microbially decontaminating at least one of a defined area and an item within the defined area. The method includes the steps of (a) inductively heating a block comprising an electrically non-conductive material and an electromagnetically responsive material; (b) passing an atomized liquid into an interior passage defined by the block, wherein the inductively heated block vaporizes the atomized liquid that contacts walls of the passage to form an antimicrobial vapor; and (c) flowing the vapor out of the block to the defined area to microbially decontaminate at least one of the defined area and the item.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Centanni, Aaron L. Hill, Francis J. Zelina
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Patent number: 6906296Abstract: A vaporizer heating apparatus is comprised of electromagnetically responsive material and electrically non-conductive material. A antimicrobial fluid to be vaporized, such as water or hydrogen peroxide solution, is supplied to the heating apparatus where it is converted to a vapor. In one embodiment of the present invention, electromagnetically responsive material particulate is embedded into the electrically non-conductive material. In another embodiment of the present invention, a microwave generator is used to produce heat.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: STERIS Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Centanni, Aaron L. Hill, Francis J. Zelina
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Patent number: 6734405Abstract: An induction coil (36) generates a magnetic field which induces current in an induction vessel (28). The induction vessel is heated by the current and supplies the heat to a passage (34) within the vessel. A liquid to be vaporized, such as water or hydrogen peroxide solution, is supplied to the passage where it is converted to vapor. The vapor is supplied to a defined area, such as a chamber (14) of a steam or vapor hydrogen peroxide sterilizer (10), where items are microbially decontaminated by the vapor.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Centanni, Francis J. Zelina, Aaron L. Hill
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Publication number: 20030230567Abstract: An induction coil (36) generates a magnetic field which induces current in an induction vessel (28). The induction vessel is heated by the current and supplies the heat to a passage (34) within the vessel. A liquid to be vaporized, such as water or hydrogen peroxide solution, is supplied to the passage where it is converted to vapor. The vapor is supplied to a defined area, such as a chamber (14) of a steam or vapor hydrogen peroxide sterilizer (10), where items are microbially decontaminated by the vapor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: STERIS INC.Inventors: Michael A. Centanni, Francis J. Zelina, Aaron L. Hill
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Patent number: 6591239Abstract: A voice controlled surgical suite is provided for controlling a plurality of surgical apparatus by a single human. The system includes a voice recognition device adapted to recognize a plurality of predetermined speech commands from a single human and to generate a corresponding set of command output signals. A surgical table is operatively connected with the voice recognition device and is responsive to a first set of the command output signals to initiate selected surgical table movements. A surgical lighthead is similarly connected with the voice recognition system and is responsive to a second set of the command output signals to initiate selected surgical lighthead operations. In addition, surgical camera and task light devices are included in the system and are responsive to fourth and third sets of command output signals, respectively, generated by the voice recognition device to initiate selected surgical camera and surgical task light operations.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: David F. McCall, Leslie M. Logue, Francis J. Zelina, Matthew V. Sendak, Julie R. Hinson, Ward L. Sanders, Steve Belinski, Brian E. Holtz
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Publication number: 20020159915Abstract: A flash vapor generator (10) provides a constant flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide for rapidly sterilizing a large decontamination tunnel (11) with a high container throughput. The vaporizer includes a heated block which defines an interior bore or bores. The conditions within the decontamination tunnel are carefully monitored to avoid condensation of the vapor while maintaining the vapor as close as possible to the saturation limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Applicant: STERIS INC.Inventors: Francis J. Zelina, Gerald E. McDonnell, Aaron L. Hill, Thaddeus Mielnik, Iain F. McVey, Peter J. Buczynski
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Publication number: 20020114727Abstract: A flash vaporizer (34) provides a constant flow of vaporized hydrogen peroxide or other antimicrobial compounds for rapidly sterilizing large enclosures (10), such as rooms or buildings. The vaporizer includes a heated block (50) which defines an interior bore or bores (70, 72, 74). The flowpath created by the bore or bores increases in cross sectional area as the hydrogen peroxide passes through the block to accommodate the increase in volume during the conversion from liquid to gas. The vapor is injected into dry air in a duct that circulates it to the large enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Francis J. Zelina, Aaron L. Hill, Gerald E. McDonnell, Kevin O. Williams
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Patent number: 5880438Abstract: A steam sterilization apparatus (10) includes an electronic control system having a main control circuit (C) including a central processing unit (68), an input device (36), and output devices (24,28) provided on a single circuit board (22) which is attached to a front bezel (16) of the sterilizer (10). The sterilizer (10) includes a flash steam generator (56). The main control circuit (C) implements an over-temperature feedback circuit (160) that disconnects the heating elements (162) in the steam generator (56) from electrical power when an over-temperature condition is detected. Isolated feedback is provided to the central processing unit (68) confirming the heating element disconnection operation. The control system includes error switches (82, 86, 88) that detect various error conditions. Upon an error condition being detected, the steam supply to the steam sterilization chamber (12) and/or to the pressurized steam seal (42) of the apparatus (10) is halted.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Steris CorporationInventors: Mark J. Parrini, David F. McCall, Francis J. Zelina, Terrence L. Lukas
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Patent number: 5143208Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the horizontal level of a table or other surface and returning that table or other surface back to level. The apparatus includes a housing within which first and second mercury switches are positioned relative to each other in a manner which permits the electrical contacts of each switch to be positioned on opposite ends of the housing. Two spring clips are provided for securing the first and second mercury switches within the housing. A pivot rod is provided to permit each mercury switch and spring clip assembly to pivot about a transverse axis within the housing. An adjusting screw and stablizing spring pair are positioned adjacent to each of the two mercury switch and spring clip assemblies. The adjusting screws may be turned to set the position of the mercury switch about the axis of the pivot rod relative to the horizontal plane in order to set a dead band wherein neither of the two mercury switches is closed.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1991Date of Patent: September 1, 1992Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Edward M. Shostek, Francis J. Zelina