Patents by Inventor Jeffrey R. Horacek

Jeffrey R. Horacek 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).

  • Patent number: 8012425
    Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Donald A. Sargent, Alan M. Solomon, John J. Mayer, Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Jude A. Kral
  • Patent number: 8012424
    Abstract: A container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor. The container is comprised of a generally cup shaped tray having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending to one side from the periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the side wall defining a cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated. A lid is attachable to the tray. The lid is dimensioned to cover the cavity. An inlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. An outlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. A barrier element is disposed within one of the ports. The barrier element controls flow through the one port. The barrier element is comprised of a material that is permeable to gas and water vapor but impermeable to liquid, bacteria and organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Alan M. Solomon, Phillip Mallory, Jeffrey R. Horacek, Jude A. Kral
  • Patent number: 7744832
    Abstract: A multi-chamber instrument container for microbially deactivating medical, dental, veterinary and mortuary instruments and articles. A pressure differential between chambers causes fluid flow therebetween, thus flowing fluid through internal passages of instrument extending between the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Christopher A. Jethrow
  • Publication number: 20100040521
    Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Donald A. Sargent, Alan M. Solomon, John J. Mayer, Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Jude A. Kral
  • Patent number: 7625534
    Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Donald A. Sargent, Alan M. Solomon, John J. Mayer, Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Jude A. Kral
  • Patent number: 7608228
    Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices. The apparatus has a housing structure and a drawer disposed in the housing structure. The drawer has a recess formed therein and a planar surface formed about the periphery of the recess. The recess is dimensioned to receive medical instruments and devices to be microbially deactivated. A circulation system is provided within the housing structure to circulate a microbial deactivation fluid through the recess. A drawer-sealing assembly is located in the housing structure. The drawer-sealing assembly is operable to engage the drawer assembly and fluidly seal the recess to create a decontamination chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Donald A. Sargent, Alan M. Solomon, John J. Mayer, Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20080187465
    Abstract: A multi-chamber instrument container for microbially deactivating medical, dental, veterinary and mortuary instruments and articles. A pressure differential between chambers causes fluid flow therebetween, thus flowing fluid through internal passages of instrument extending between the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Christopher A. Jethrow
  • Patent number: 7229599
    Abstract: A container for holding powdered reagents that interact with water to form an anti-microbial fluid for use in an apparatus for cleaning and microbially deactivating items. The container includes a fluid inlet connectable to a source of water on an apparatus for cleaning and microbially deactivating items and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with items to be microbially deactivated. A continuous fluid passage is defined through the container between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A plurality of spaced-apart barrier elements are disposed within the fluid passage to define a plurality of isolated compartments within the container. The barrier elements are impervious to powdered reagents, but permeable to the chemical reagents when dissolved in a liquid. A first dry, powdered reagent is disposed within one of the compartments for forming an anti-microbial solution when water flows through the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Christopher A. Jethrow
  • Patent number: D571478
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Horacek