Patents Examined by Katherine Zalasky
  • Patent number: 10881985
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically packing resin into and unpacking resin from a reusable separation column for sample analysis are described. A method embodiment includes, but is not limited to, introducing a slurry of resin to a reusable sample separation column to pack the reusable column with resin; introducing a sample solution to the reusable sample separation column; and unpacking the resin from the reusable sample separation column with a flow of liquid unpacking reagent and gaseous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: ELEMENTAL SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Paul Field
  • Patent number: 10871720
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present disclosure, a vibrator is used to generate a vibration wave with a variable frequency that can agitate and facilitate the circulation of the processing fluids, thereby enhancing the uniformity and efficiency of the resulting semiconductor device features, the vibrator may be a piezoelectric vibrator or other similar vibrators. In some embodiments, the vibration of the processing fluids can facilitate the processing fluids in circulating in and out of narrow channels or features, or the vibration of the processing fluids can facilitate the bubbling out of the microbubbles entrapped in the processing liquid or entrapped between the surface of the semiconductor wafer and the processing liquid. In another embodiment, the vibrations generated by the vibrator have vibration waves with a variable frequency to avoid resonance that may damage the semiconductor wafer and the features thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Astha Sharma, Chia-Hung Lai, Hsin-Kuo Chang, Jaw-Lih Shih, Hong-Hsing Chou
  • Patent number: 10870069
    Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus for extraction of constituents with extraction fluid present in a substance by means of an extraction fluid constituted by a water heated to high temperature known as super-heated water (SHW). According to this invention, in the heater the water is heated to a subcritical point and introduced to the extractor contacting takes place between the substance and the extraction fluid to dissolve the constituents in the fluid. The fluid leaving the extractor is then cooled in a cooler. The process is performed under constant counter pressure given by a Nitrogen tank. Separation of the volatile components is done in one or multistage countercurrent liquid-liquid system with any volatile solvent with proper solubility of the constituents or in a distillation column. distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Inventor: George Stantchev
  • Patent number: 10864460
    Abstract: A variety of inorganic-organic hybrid materials and various methods for preparing and using the same are described. The hybrid materials are graphene or graphitic materials populated with organic molecules and may have a variety of surface defects, pits or three-dimensional architecture, thereby increasing the surface area of the material. The hybrid materials may take the form of three dimensional graphene nanosheets (3D GNS). If the organic molecules are enantiospecific molecules, the hybrid materials can be used for chiral separation of racemic mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: UNM Rainforest Innovations
    Inventors: Alexey Serov, Plamen B Atanassov, Nikolai Kalugin, Liliya V Frolova
  • Patent number: 10859542
    Abstract: A system, module and method for continuous or batch single-pass countercurrent tangential chromatography are disclosed for bind/elute and negative chromatography applications. The system includes binding, washing, elution (for bind/elute), regeneration, and equilibration single-pass modules. The resin slurry flows in a continuous single pass at steady-state through each module, while corresponding buffers flow countercurrent to the slurry facilitating efficient product and impurity extraction. The module and system include retentate pumps for better process robustness and control. A resin tank configured to be reversibly isolated from the single-pass modules facilitates a closed and disposable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: CHROMATAN INC.
    Inventor: Oleg Shinkazh
  • Patent number: 10843165
    Abstract: Methods, compositions, devices and kits having a novel chromatographic material are provided herein for separating and identifying organic molecules and compounds, for example molecules and compounds containing electron rich functional groups such as carbon-carbon double bonds. The methods, compositions, and kits include a metal-thiolate chromatographic medium (MTCM) with a sulfur-containing functional group or a metal-selenolate chromatographic medium (MSCM) comprising a selenium-containing functional group covalently attached to a support medium, such that the sulfur-containing functional group or selenium-containing functional group is bound to at least one metal atom. The MTCM and/or MSCM has affinity and specificity to compounds having one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and performs a highly efficient and rapid separation of samples yielding non-overlapping peaks of purified materials compared to traditional media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Brown University
    Inventors: Yongsong Huang, Jose C. Aponte, Rafael Tarozo, James Dillon
  • Patent number: 10836790
    Abstract: Compositions of the inventive concept provide a therapeutic protein with less than 2% contamination by the therapeutic protein in denatured form. Such compositions provide enhanced specific activity and improved stability on storage and/or in serum than corresponding therapeutic protein preparations resulting from conventional isolation methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Plasma Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Zurlo, Dennis Curtin, Peter Radtke, Kurt L. Brillhart
  • Patent number: 10828587
    Abstract: Filter media comprising nanofibers and related components, systems, and methods associated therewith are provided. In some embodiments, a filter media may comprise a first fiber web and a second fiber web designed to impart beneficial properties to the filter media. For instance, in some embodiments, the first fiber web may provide high particulate efficiency and the second fiber web may provide suitable capacity. In some embodiments, the first and second fiber webs may have certain properties (e.g., water contact angle, surface energy) that are similar or substantially the same. The similarities between the first and second fiber webs may serve to enhance the structural stability of the filter media under various conditions (e.g., high temperature, high pressure, steam sterilization) and/or permeability to certain fluids (e.g., water). Filter media, as described herein, may be particularly well-suited for applications that involve liquid filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Abdoulaye Doucouré, Randall B. Keisler
  • Patent number: 10824174
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to manipulating pressure-related hysteresis in a pressurized flow system by setting the pressure of the system to a predetermined location in the hysteresis band to advantageously minimize an effect of the pressure related hysteresis on the pressure of the system or to advantageously benefit from the effects of the hysteresis on the pressure of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua A. Shreve, Paul Keenan, Steven J. Ciavarini
  • Patent number: 10816518
    Abstract: A GC fitting for an inner tube of a heated transfer line of a gas chromatography interface probe, the fitting comprising a first section comprising a substantially cylindrical projection for fluid connection to a GC source in use, and a second section having a larger radius than the first section in at least one direction, the second section being provided with at least one flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Richard W. Jarrold, Gareth R. Jones
  • Patent number: 10815270
    Abstract: Methods for isolating proteins from solution by precipitation are provided. A nonvolatile precipitation agent is added to an aqueous protein solution at a low concentration. Water is then removed from the resulting solution until the precipitant and the protein content of the solution increase to a concentration that provides the desired segregation of proteins between supernatant and precipitate. Additional water can be removed from the supernatant to provide additional fractionation. Water can be removed by evaporation (e.g. under reduced pressure) and/or diafiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Plasma Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Zurlo, Dennis Curtin, Peter Radtke, Kurt L. Brillhart
  • Patent number: 10807069
    Abstract: A filtration media is disclosed comprising a hydrophobic monomer grafted onto a support, the hydrophobic monomer having the structure: CH2?CR4C(O)NHC(R1R1)(C(R1R1))nC(O)XR3 wherein n is an integer of 0 or 1; R1 is independently selected from at least one of: a hydrogen atom, alkyls, aryls, and alkylaryls, wherein the alkyls, aryls, and alkylaryls have a total of 10 carbon atoms or less; R3 is a hydrophobic group selected from at least one of: alkyls, aryls, alkylaryls and ethers, wherein the alkyls, aryls, alkylaryls and ethers have a total number of carbon atoms ranging from 4 to 30; R4 is H or CH3; X is O or NH. In some embodiments the hydrophobic monomer is derived from an amine or an alcohol (HXR3) that has a hydrophilicity index of 25 or less. Such media may be used in applications such as hydrophobic interaction chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jerald K. Rasmussen, Cary A. Kipke
  • Patent number: 10809247
    Abstract: A method of producing protein products including alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, gamma globulin, albumin, and other proteins from plasma includes steps of: (1) adding a salt to the blood product to produce a first intermediate, wherein the salt comprises between 11-13 wt % of the first intermediate; (2) separating the first intermediate to produce a first supernatant and a first paste; (3) adding a salt to the first intermediate to produce a second intermediate, wherein the salt comprises between 21-23 wt % of the second intermediate; (4) separating the second intermediate to produce a second supernatant and a second paste; (5) separating a third intermediate from the second supernatant by affinity chromatography; and (6) separating the third intermediate by ion exchange chromatography to produce an eluate containing the protein product. Advantageously, the inventive methods are simple and produce alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, gamma globulin, albumin, and other proteins in high yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Plasma Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Zurlo, Dennis Curtin
  • Patent number: 10786615
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for the treatment of a subject suffering from drug intoxication by cleansing a contaminated sample from the subject with adsorption media. The adsorption media composition is selected for its antithrombogenic properties and for its ability to adhere to one or more drug targets to be reduced or eliminated. The media can further be held in a cartridge for use in extracorporeal treatments such as those of hemoperfusion. Contacting the contaminated sample from the subject with the absorption medium allows for the separation of a portion of the drug target from the sample, producing a cleansed sample that can be infused into the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: EXTHERA MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea
  • Patent number: 10766666
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a base (2) and a door (20), said device having a closed door position in which a circuit (8) of the device comprises a bag comprising two flexible films and connectors of the conveying network, and a press (9) comprising a first shell (16) disposed on a front face (5) of said base (2) and a second shell (17) disposed in said door (20); and a hinge system hinging said door (20) relative to said base (2), and disposed only on one side of said door (20) so as to form lateral clearances between said door (20) and said base (2) over the rest of a perimeter of said door (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastien Cirou, Rene Reinbigler, Virginie Buisson, Jean-Louis Weissenbach
  • Patent number: 10758890
    Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate for purifying a biological liquid comprising a solid phase onto which molecules of at least one oligosaccharide that is capable of binding to one or more antibodies are grafted by covalent bonding, said solid phase carrying free aldehyde functions —CHO, a method of producing such a substrate, the use of such a substrate to stabilize the antibody/oligosaccharide bond, as well as a method of purifying a biological liquid in which the biological liquid is brought into contact with at least one substrate of the invention, in a manner such as to obtain the capture of antibodies present in said biological liquid by binding with at least certain of the molecules of oligosaccharide(s) grafted onto the solid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ELICITYL
    Inventors: Ludovic Bastide, Silvère Bonnet, Benoit Darblade, Stéphane Havet, Bernard Mandrand, Mialy Randriantsoa
  • Patent number: 10758840
    Abstract: A method of forming a frame around a membrane stack for a laterally-fed membrane chromatography device is provided. The method includes placing a membrane stack having one or more membrane layers on a bottom surface of body of a master mold, the body having opposed side walls and opposed end walls, the opposed side walls spaced apart by a distance greater than a length of the membrane stack, the opposed end walls spaced apart by a distance greater than a width of the membrane stack; placing a cap on the body of the master mold to enclose the membrane stack in the master mold, the cap having at least one opening for injecting a material into a space defined by the end walls of the master mold, the side walls of the master mold, end walls of the membrane stack side walls of the membrane stack, the bottom surface of the body and an inner surface of the cap; injecting the material into the space around the membrane stack; and curing the material to form a frame around the membrane stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Raja Ghosh, Pedram Madadkar
  • Patent number: 10759829
    Abstract: A chromatography device for removing a solute from a fluid is provided. The device has a first plate having an inlet and a first channel. The first channel directs the fluid from the inlet towards chromatographic media housed in a chamber coupled to the first plate. The chamber has a leading edge for receiving the fluid from the first channel and a trailing edge for delivering the fluid to a second channel. The chromatographic media is configured to remove the solute from the fluid as the fluid passes through the chamber. The device also has a second plate coupled to the chamber having the second channel and an outlet. The second channel directs the fluid from the chamber to the outlet. The direction of flow of fluid through the first channel and the second channel is transverse to a direction of flow of the fluid through the chromatographic media. A method of removing a solute from a fluid is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Raja Ghosh
  • Patent number: 10758841
    Abstract: A laterally-fed membrane chromatography device for removing a solute from a fluid is provided. The device has a top plate, a middle plate and a bottom plate. The top plate has an inlet and a top channel for directing the fluid from the inlet towards a membrane stack. The middle plate houses the membrane stack. The membrane stack has a leading edge for receiving the fluid from the top channel, a trailing edge for distributing the fluid to the bottom channel, and is configured to remove the solute from the fluid as the fluid passes through the membrane stack. The bottom plate has a bottom channel and an outlet. The bottom channel is for directing the fluid from the membrane stack to the outlet. The top channel directs the fluid form the inlet over the leading edge in a direction that is transverse to the direction of flow of the fluid through the membrane stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Raja Ghosh, Pedram Madadkar
  • Patent number: 10751687
    Abstract: A method is described for preparing a sorbent precursor comprising the steps of: (i) forming agglomerates comprising a particulate support material, (ii) coating the agglomerates with a coating mixture powder comprising a particulate sulphidable copper compound and a particulate calcined, rehydratable alumina to form a coated agglomerate, and (iii) drying the coated agglomerate to form a dried sorbent precursor. The sorbent precursor may be sulphided and used to remove heavy metals such as mercury from fluid streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Matthew James Evans, Paul Thomas Foran, Matthew David Gwydion Lunn