Patents by Inventor Thomas Reid Fletcher
Thomas Reid Fletcher 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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Publication number: 20240181409Abstract: An automated bioprocess solution preparation apparatus includes a first mixing chamber containing at least one ingredient for a bioprocess solution, a first port and a second port for a fluid to enter the mixing chamber, and a third port for a liquid bioprocess solution to exit the mixing chamber. The apparatus further includes an array of tubing for fluid flow within the apparatus, a sensor arranged to measure a property of the liquid bioprocess solution exiting the mixing chamber, a first valve associated with the first port, and a second valve associated with the second port. When the property meets or exceeds a threshold value, the apparatus is operable to perform at least one of: closing the first valve to block the fluid from entering the mixing chamber through the first port, and opening the second valve for the fluid to enter the mixing chamber through the second port.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Applicant: FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Reid FLETCHER, David NEESE, Wayne MAURO
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Publication number: 20240182279Abstract: A lift device includes a first rail guide coupled vertically to a support wall, a rail coupled to the first rail guide, and a carrier plate coupled to the rail by at least one linear bearing rail block coupled to the carrier plate and the rail. The at least one linear bearing rail block is configured to move along a length of the rail. The lift device further includes a threaded drive shaft extending parallel to the first rail guide, through the carrier plate, and coupled to the carrier plate at a top edge and a bottom edge of the carrier plate, and a drive motor coupled with the drive shaft, wherein the drive motor drives movement of the carrier plate along the drive shaft. The lift device may further include a rotating mechanism configured to move the cylindrical cartridge from a first orientation to a second orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: June 6, 2024Applicant: FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Jose SAN ANDRES, Thomas Reid FLETCHER, James PEERENBOOM
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Patent number: 11925913Abstract: An automated apparatus for preparing a liquid bioprocess solution includes at least one mixing chamber having a lower port and an upper port for fluid to enter the at least one mixing chamber, an array of tubing for fluid flow within the system, a plurality of valves provided within the tubing, and a mixing controller configured to cause the automated apparatus to perform a series of sequential mixing steps causing the preparation of the liquid bioprocess solution from a dry ingredient. The series of sequential mixing steps include opening a first valve associated with the lower port to provide fluid to the at least one mixing chamber through the lower port, and after a predetermined amount of elapsed time, closing the first valve and opening a second valve associated with the upper port to provide fluid to the at least one mixing chamber through the upper port.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: FUJIFILM IRVINE SCIENTIFIC, INC.Inventors: Thomas Reid Fletcher, David Neese, Wayne Mauro
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Publication number: 20240033659Abstract: A filter unit for a mixing apparatus includes a hydrophilic filter and a hydrophobic vent filter. The hydrophilic filter is configured to receive a fluid including a liquid and gas. The hydrophilic filter is further configured to sterilize the liquid. The hydrophobic vent filter is configured to receive the gas from the hydrophilic filter. The hydrophobic vent filter further includes a vent and a membrane configured to separate an interior of the filter unit from an exterior of the filter unit, the gas being vented from the filter unit by flowing across the membrane and out of the vent. In some embodiments, the filter unit further includes a defoaming device configured to receive gas, foam comprised the liquid containing trapped gas, and some of the liquid from the hydrophilic filter and is further configured to release at least some of the gas from the foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Reid FLETCHER, Wayne MAURO, David NEESE
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Patent number: 11806642Abstract: A filter unit for a mixing apparatus includes a hydrophilic filter and a hydrophobic vent filter. The hydrophilic filter is configured to receive a fluid including a liquid and gas. The hydrophilic filter is further configured to sterilize the liquid. The hydrophobic vent filter is configured to receive the gas from the hydrophilic filter. The hydrophobic vent filter further includes a vent and a membrane configured to separate an interior of the filter unit from an exterior of the filter unit, the gas being vented from the filter unit by flowing across the membrane and out of the vent. In some embodiments, the filter unit further includes a defoaming device configured to receive gas, foam comprised the liquid containing trapped gas, and some of the liquid from the hydrophilic filter and is further configured to release at least some of the gas from the foam.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: FUJIFILM IRVINE SCIENTIFIC, INC.Inventors: Thomas Reid Fletcher, Wayne Mauro, David Neese
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Publication number: 20210362106Abstract: An automated apparatus for preparing a liquid bioprocess solution includes at least one mixing chamber having a lower port and an upper port for fluid to enter the at least one mixing chamber, an array of tubing for fluid flow within the system, a plurality of valves provided within the tubing, and a mixing controller configured to cause the automated apparatus to perform a series of sequential mixing steps causing the preparation of the liquid bioprocess solution from a dry ingredient. The series of sequential mixing steps include opening a first valve associated with the lower port to provide fluid to the at least one mixing chamber through the lower port, and after a predetermined amount of elapsed time, closing the first valve and opening a second valve associated with the upper port to provide fluid to the at least one mixing chamber through the upper port.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: Fujifilm Irvine Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Reid Fletcher, David Neese, Wayne Mauro
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Publication number: 20210322897Abstract: A filter unit for a mixing apparatus includes a hydrophilic filter and a hydrophobic vent filter. The hydrophilic filter is configured to receive a fluid including a liquid and gas. The hydrophilic filter is further configured to sterilize the liquid. The hydrophobic vent filter is configured to receive the gas from the hydrophilic filter. The hydrophobic vent filter further includes a vent and a membrane configured to separate an interior of the filter unit from an exterior of the filter unit, the gas being vented from the filter unit by flowing across the membrane and out of the vent. In some embodiments, the filter unit further includes a defoaming device configured to receive gas, foam comprised the liquid containing trapped gas, and some of the liquid from the hydrophilic filter and is further configured to release at least some of the gas from the foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Reid Fletcher, Wayne Mauro, David Neese
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Patent number: 11097237Abstract: An automated method includes providing a dry ingredient to be reconstituted into a liquid bioprocess solution and controlling, by a processing circuit, all automated system including at least one mixing chamber, an array of tubing for fluid flow within the system, and a plurality of valves provided within the tubing, to automatically prepare the liquid bioprocess solution from the dry ingredient. Controlling the auto system may include performing a series of sequential mixing steps, the series of sequential mixing steps causing the preparation of the liquid bioprocess solution. The method mixing include taking one or more measurements during the preparation of the liquid bioprocess solution, wherein each step is triggered by at least one of a measurement decreasing below, equaling, or exceeding a measurement threshold. Each step may also include opening or closing, by the processing circuit, at least one of the plurality of valves.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: FUJIFILM IRVINE SCIENTIFIC, INC.Inventors: Thomas Reid Fletcher, David Neese, Wayne Mauro
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Patent number: 10385301Abstract: A method of reconstituting a powdered cell culture media includes providing a mixing apparatus and providing a powdered cell culture media to the fluid chamber of the mixing apparatus, prior to introducing fluid to the chamber. The method further includes introducing fluid to the chamber through an influent port, wherein the influent port is tangentially oriented relative to an inner wall of the fluid chamber to thereby cause the fluid to follow the wall of the fluid chamber in a circular motion, creating a vortex flow in the fluid chamber by introducing fluid at a sufficient flow rate, and enhancing the vortex flow with a geometric fluid flow aid by further channeling the water around the wall of the fluid chamber, around the geometric flow aid. The method further includes continuing to introduce fluid to the chamber and collecting reconstituted fluid that exits the chamber through the effluent port.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Reid Fletcher
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Publication number: 20190106668Abstract: A method of reconstituting a powdered cell culture media includes providing a mixing apparatus and providing a powdered cell culture media to the fluid chamber of the mixing apparatus, prior to introducing fluid to the chamber. The method further includes introducing fluid to the chamber through an influent port, wherein the influent port is tangentially oriented relative to an inner wall of the fluid chamber to thereby cause the fluid to follow the wall of the fluid chamber in a circular motion, creating a vortex flow in the fluid chamber by introducing fluid at a sufficient flow rate, and enhancing the vortex flow with a geometric fluid flow aid by further channeling the water around the wall of the fluid chamber, around the geometric flow aid. The method further includes continuing to introduce fluid to the chamber and collecting reconstituted fluid that exits the chamber through the effluent port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: IRVINE SCIENTIFIC SALES COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Thomas Reid FLETCHER
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Publication number: 20190001290Abstract: An automated method includes providing a dry ingredient to be reconstituted into a liquid bioprocess solution and controlling, by a processing circuit, all automated system including at least one mixing chamber, an array of tubing for fluid flow within the system, and a plurality of valves provided within the tubing, to automatically prepare the liquid bioprocess solution from the dry ingredient. Controlling the auto system may include performing a series of sequential mixing steps, the series of sequential mixing steps causing the preparation of the liquid bioprocess solution. The method mixing include taking one or more measurements during the preparation of the liquid bioprocess solution, wherein each step is triggered by at least one of a measurement decreasing below, equaling, or exceeding a measurement threshold. Each step may also include opening or closing, by the processing circuit, at least one of the plurality of valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: Irvine Scientific Sales Company, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Reid Fletcher
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Patent number: 10150941Abstract: A mixing apparatus for reconstituting a powdered cell culture media. The apparatus includes at least one fluid chamber, an influent port at a lower portion of the fluid chamber. The apparatus further includes a geometric fluid flow aid positioned in the fluid chamber and an effluent port at the top of the fluid chamber. A powdered cell culture media is provided in the fluid to be mixed with a fluid provided by the influent port. The effluent port is configured to allow reconstituted media to exit the fluid chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Irvine Scientific Sales Company, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Reid Fletcher
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Publication number: 20170145368Abstract: A mixing apparatus for reconstituting a powdered cell culture media. The apparatus includes at least one fluid chamber, an influent port at a lower portion of the fluid chamber. The apparatus further includes a geometric fluid flow aid positioned in the fluid chamber and an effluent port at the top of the fluid chamber. A powdered cell culture media is provided in the fluid to be mixed with a fluid provided by the influent port. The effluent port is configured to allow reconstituted media to exit the fluid chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Irvine Scientific Sales Company, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Reid Fletcher
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Patent number: 6406909Abstract: The present invention relates to a serum-free medium for culturing animal cells which contains soybean protein hydrolysate and yeast extract; a method for culturing animal cells which comprises a step of culturing animal cells in the serum-free medium; and a method for producing a desired substance which comprises a step of culturing animal cells in the serum-free medium, causing the desired substance to be produced by and secreted out of the animal cells and a step of isolating the desired substance from the serum-free medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignees: Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha, Irvine Scientific Sales CompanyInventors: Kazushi Shibuya, Masaru Atsumi, Shigeyuki Tsunakawa, Kaneo Nogaki, Thomas Reid Fletcher, Katsuyuki Imada, Bjorn Kenneth Lydersen