Patents Examined by Regina Yoo
  • Patent number: 7976791
    Abstract: A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Christopher Doona, Maria Curtin, Florence Feeherry, Satish Kandlikar, David Baer, Kenneth Kustin, Irwin A. Taub, Barbara Taub, legal representative, Albert T. McManus
  • Patent number: 7959859
    Abstract: A device for sanitizing a space includes a tank having an interior space for holding an aqueous sanitizing liquid, the tank having a bottom sector, a front sector having a rear wall, and a rear sector having a front wall, the rear sector front wall and the front sector rear wall forming a substantially ā€œVā€-shaped air pathway within the interior space. A reactor vessel is positioned within the bottom sector of the tank, a top edge of the reactor vessel in spaced relation from a notch in the ā€œVā€-shaped air pathway. A vibratable ultrasonic head array is positionable within and beneath a top edge of the reactor vessel and is submergable within the reactor vessel for vibrating the disc to form an atomized fog of particles from the liquid. Air can be drawn into the air inlet, and the formed atomized fog can be exhausted from the exhaust outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Sparks, Roy Beckett
  • Patent number: 7951342
    Abstract: A sterilizer (20) is provided having a steam filled sterilizer chamber (24) for sterilizer articles placed within the chamber (24). An electronic air valve (186) is provided to control the venting rate of the steam is vented back to a water reservoir (140) after the articles have been sterilized. The electronic air valve (186) also vents the chamber (24) in a controlled manner during the heat up portion of the sterilization cycle to obtain an optimum saturated steam environment with the chamber (24) for the sterilizing process. The sterilizer (20) has pre-programmed and programmable sterilization cycles. And the drying times of each of these cycles is programmable by a user. The programmable sterilization cycles also provide a programmable vent rate which may be selected by the user to minimize damage to the sterilized articles. A steam condensing coil (200) is associated with the water reservoir (140) to minimize pressure build up within the water reservoir (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Benning, Michael J. Coyle, Ronald A. Gatchell, Richard L. Jones, Philip Marc Stewart
  • Patent number: 7951343
    Abstract: A toothbrush holder includes an outer body with a bottom section coupled thereto. A seal is intercalated therebetween and extends along the circumference of the outer body. An inner body is seated within the outer body and includes a plurality of chambers equidistantly aligned with a center thereof. The inner body has a diameter less than a diameter of the outer body and has a vertically oriented central shaft formed with the chambers. A top plate is attached to the chambers and is provided with a plurality of apertures counter-sunk therein and vertically aligned above the chambers. A dome-shaped lid is connected to an outer perimeter of the outer body, and disposed adjacent to the top plate. The apparatus includes a mechanism for automatically locking the lid to the outer body after the lid is adapted to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Annie Davis
  • Patent number: 7947228
    Abstract: An ultraviolet wastewater or water treatment system is described and comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps where each lamp includes a protective cladding and where the ultraviolet lamps are disposed in vertical modules that form a bank of ultraviolet lamps. A series of beams are disposed over the ultraviolet lamps with each beam supporting a carriage thereon. Each carriage supports a scraper that extends downwardly therefrom for engaging and cleaning a module of ultraviolet lamps. A common drive source is operatively connected to the respective carriages for driving the carriages back and forth on the respective beams such that as the common drive source drives the carriages back and forth, the respective scrapers move back and forth cleaning the protective cladding extending around the respective ultraviolet lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: OTV SA
    Inventors: Pierre Girodet, Christian Vanpeene
  • Patent number: 7939016
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles, and more specifically to a system and method of efficiently disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles such as pieces of mail that may have been exposed to diverse biological and/or chemical contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: BioDefense Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Lu
  • Patent number: 7939015
    Abstract: A method for removing the human scent and any other scent that is not advantageous to the environment you are in from clothing and equipment used by sportsmen by the use of gaseous ozone or hydroxyl and hydroperoxide ions. The gas is applied directly or indirectly to the clothing, equipment and body while the hunter is in the field and/or prior to or after the hunt. The method can also be used by fishermen to eliminate fish odor. The method of delivering a gas in compressed/generated form from a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Parah, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Elrod
  • Patent number: 7919059
    Abstract: A decontamination system for decontaminating a region with a vaporized decontaminant, such as vaporized hydrogen peroxide. The concentration of the vaporized decontaminant within the region is modified in response to operating conditions. The decontamination system adjusts the concentration of the vaporized decontaminant in response to the monitored saturation concentration of the decontaminant, thereby preventing condensation of the vaporized decontaminant during a decontamination cycle. The decontamination system also adjusts the concentration of the vaporized decontaminant in order to minimize the time required to complete a successful decontamination operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Aaron L. Hill
  • Patent number: 7914751
    Abstract: To improve a sterile container, in particular, for receiving and storing surgical instruments or surgical material under sterile conditions, comprising a receiving space formed by a container bottom and container walls, a lid for closing the receiving space, a sterile barrier permanently defining a sterile flow path for establishing a fluid connection between the receiving space and an environment outside of the sterile container, and an overpressure flow path defining a fluid connection between the receiving space and the environment outside of the sterile container, wherein the overpressure flow path is closed when the sterile container is in a sterile position in which an exchange of gas between the receiving space and the environment outside of the sterile container is only possible through the sterile flow path, and wherein the overpressure flow path is at least partially open when the sterile container is in an overpressure position in which a pressure difference between pressures prevailing in the rece
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventor: Friedrich-Wilhelm Oertmann
  • Patent number: 7914733
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are deodorizer systems and methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, a deodorizer system comprises: a mesh, nanoparticle titania coating on the mesh, and a frame disposed around a periphery of the mesh such that the mesh is configured to be in optical communication with sunlight and for receiving contaminated gas to be deodorized. The mesh has an open area of greater than or equal to about 35%, and has greater than or equal to 6,400 openings/in2. In another embodiment, a deodorizer system comprises: a mesh disposed in a housing and for receiving contaminated gas to be deodorized, nanoparticle titania coating on the mesh, and a UV light source disposed to be in optical communication with the mesh. The mesh has an open area of greater than or equal to about 35%, and has greater than or equal to 6,400 openings/in2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Northrock Distribution, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Carey
  • Patent number: 7906070
    Abstract: There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of at least a first panel of sterilization material and includes an additional panel of material. The first panel is multi-layered and includes at least one pathogen filtration layer. The first panel is rectangular and has an outer periphery and a central portion. The outer periphery includes first, second, third and fourth edges. The additional panel of material is bonded to the first panel, approximately at a forty-five degree angle to the first panel, with a substantial portion of the additional panel being adjacent to the central portion of the first panel. The perimeter of the additional panel is smaller than the perimeter of the first panel. Portions of the additional panel are bonded to the first panel along the first, second, third and fourth edges of the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Allegiance Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Stecklein, Michael Duski, James F. Whitaker, Debra Schotz, Barbara Anne Blankenship, Alejandro Puentes
  • Patent number: 7896198
    Abstract: A dispenser (200) dispenses an amount of concentrate using a diluent to form a use solution. The dispenser (200) includes a housing (201) having a cavity. A product holder (210) is positioned to support the concentrate in the cavity of the housing (201). A load cell housing (207) is operatively supported by the housing. More than one load cell (240) is positioned in the load cell housing (207). The product holder (210) is supported on the more than one load cell (240), wherein weight of the concentrate is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Mehus, Thomas J. Batcher, Henry J. McCarrick
  • Patent number: 7892483
    Abstract: Process for the sterilization of a steroid, in which the steroid is heat treated in the form of a wet mass comprising the steroid, water and an excipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: CIPLA Limited
    Inventors: Lulla Amar, Geena Malhotra
  • Patent number: 7883664
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological composition which is storable above cryogenic temperature which is comprised of a vitrification solution in a glassy state. The vitrification solution is comprised of a biological material and a vitrification agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Gloria Elliott, Nilay Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 7871582
    Abstract: The system contains a molded plastic reticulated tray composed of a continuous rib that forms a tray rim and a plurality of intersecting ribs defining relatively large openings therebetween. The intersecting ribs are dished and having opposite ends connected to the continuous rib at spaced apart locations therealong. The plurality of intersecting ribs have rounded surfaces so that a fluid sterilant directed at the plurality of intersecting ribs from the outside, upon flowing through said openings, will follow and intimately contact said rounded surfaces to the tray interior so that those surfaces are cleaned thoroughly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Symmetry Medical USA
    Inventors: Edward D. Riley, Gary T. Dane
  • Patent number: 7850931
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. McDonnell, Thaddeus J. Mielnik, Francis J. Zelina, Michael A. Centanni
  • Patent number: 7850906
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a sealable enclosure includes a circuit for flow of a sterilizing gas or gasses. The circuit is connected to the enclosure to be sterilized to form a closed circuit and pumps to circulate gas through the circuit and enclosure. The circuit has parallel branches one of which contains apparatus to deactivate a sterilant to be added to the carrier gas flowing through the circuit and apparatus to dehumidify the gas. The other branch contains apparatus to heat the gas and apparatus to supply a sterilant vapor or vapors to the gas. Control apparatus determines which of the parallel branches the gas flows through. The control apparatus maintains flow through one branch passage until the relative humidity falls below a predetermined level. The flow through that branch is then terminated and flow through the other branch initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Bioquell UK Limited
    Inventors: David Watling, Anthony Michael Martin
  • Patent number: 7824609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decellularising allogenic and xenogenic foreign material for the subsequent production of bioprostheses, coated with endogenous body cells, whereby the foreign material is firstly treated in a solution of bile acid and then alcohol, each with an intermediate or subsequent rinsing step, in combination with a mechanical action on the tissue and the cells by the force generated from a flowing treatment medium, at least in the final rinsing step. After said treatment the tissue is completely rid of foreign cell material and viruses and represents an excellent starting material for the coating with cells of the bioprosthesis recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Auto Tissue GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Konertz, Pascal Dohmen
  • Patent number: 7820101
    Abstract: A method for sanitizing a vehicle and/or structures to proactively combat Sick Car and Sick Building Syndrome, in addition to bacteria, fungal microorganisms, viruses, mildew and mold, and any variety of organisms including Escherichia coli, urine, feces, HIV-1, blood, and many pathogenic and environmental microbial organisms from vehicles and/or structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Rafael E. Esquivel, II
  • Patent number: 7807118
    Abstract: A decontamination system suitable for decontaminating items of medical equipment such as endoscopes, the system comprising: (I) a plurality of pre-clean wipes comprising moist fabric members for wiping an item to be decontaminated; (II) a two-part sterilant system comprising: (a) a first part comprising a first reagent in a carrier medium; and (b) a second part which is miscible with the first part and which comprises a second reagent in a carrier medium; wherein the first reagent and the second reagent will react when mixed to provide a sterilising composition; the first part being contained in a dispenser (2) whereby it may be dispensed as a fluid, and the second part being absorbed or impregnated in a plurality of sterilising wipes (18) each of which comprises a fabric member in a sealed container (20); and (III) a plurality of rinse wipes, each rinse wipe comprising a moist, sterile, fabric member in its own sealed container (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Tristel PLC
    Inventors: Bruce Philip Green, Paul Swinney