Patents Examined by Timothy C Cleveland
  • Patent number: 10413902
    Abstract: A centrifuge device and method for use are presented. The centrifuge device includes a housing, a chamber, a channel, and a cover. The housing includes a first port and a vent opening and is designed to rotate about an axis passing through a center of the housing. The chamber is defined within the housing and is coupled to the first port. A first portion of the chamber has a width that tapers between a first width at a first position and a second width at a second position within the chamber, the first width being greater than the second width. The channel is coupled to the second position of the chamber and arranged such that a path exists for gas to travel from the channel to the vent opening. The cover provides a wall that seals the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: STAT-DIAGNOSTICA & INNOVATION, S.L.
    Inventors: Rafael Bru Gilbert, Mathias Kuphal, Jordi Carrera Fabra, Ricard Martin Blanco, Francisco Javier Ramírez
  • Patent number: 10406534
    Abstract: A separation rotor having an outer wall defining a separation chamber and an inner annular wall dividing the separation chamber into an inner annular space and an outer annular space. The separation rotor can be rotated to move heavier and/or denser components of the multi-component fluid into the outer annular space. The lighter and/or less dense components of the multi-component fluid can be retained within the inner annular space. The inner annular space and the outer annular space separation rotor can be selectively accessed to withdraw the components retained within the inner annular space and the outer annular spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Hanuman Medical
    Inventor: Randel E. Dorian
  • Patent number: 10400198
    Abstract: A method of sanitizing a surface is described that includes: (a) providing a pH control composition that includes at least one pH control agent (such as sodium bisulfate); (b) contacting a first feed aqueous stream with the pH control composition, thereby forming a first treated aqueous stream; (c) combining at least a portion of the first treated aqueous stream with a feed sanitizing aqueous stream that includes free available halogen, thereby forming a treated sanitizing aqueous stream that includes free available halogen (such as free available chlorine). The surface sanitizing method further includes, (d) elevating the temperature of the treated sanitizing aqueous stream, thereby forming a heated treated sanitizing aqueous stream having an elevated temperature that includes free available halogen. The heated treated sanitizing aqueous stream is applied to a surface to be sanitized (such as a poultry carcass surface).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: EAGLE US 2 LLC, SOUTHEASTERN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard H. Ferguson, Christopher M. Kareis, Walter Neal Stanford, Michael Eugene Allen
  • Patent number: 10391231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for separating blood using a centrifuge in order to obtain different blood fractions. A separation container may be filled with blood via a feed connection that can be aseptically connected to the container, the relevant blood fraction may be removed from the separation container via a removal connection that can be aseptically connected to the container and both the feed device and the removal device form a respective closed system during the sterile connection to the separation container. The separation container may have at least one feed connection that can be aseptically connected to the container and at least one removal connection that can be aseptically connected to the container, to which hermetically sealed feed and removal devices can be aseptically attached in a sterile manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventor: Walter Pobitschka
  • Patent number: 10391194
    Abstract: An active oxidation and purifying system is provided to increase or maximize the rate of photocatalytic oxidation and ambient air purification capacity by providing both direct ultraviolet (UV) light and reflected UV light directed to the surface and apertures of active cell panels coated with a photocatalytic material. In one example, the active cells also include a plurality of apertures disposed in a transverse manner from the first surface to the second surface of the active cell. Furthermore, a first set of the apertures could be disposed about 45 degrees relative to a median axis along the first and second surfaces, while a second set of apertures could be disposed about negative 45 degrees relative to the same median axis in order to increase the surface area impinged by the direct and reflected UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: DBG GROUP INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Eide
  • Patent number: 10383966
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of sterilizing an article by sequentially exposing the article under vacuum first to a gaseous conditioning agent for forming radicals and then to a sterilant. The preferred conditioning agent is hydrogen peroxide and the preferred sterilant is ozone. The chamber is initially evacuated to a first vacuum pressure and then sealed for the remainder of the sterilization process and during all sterilant injection cycles, without removal of any component of the sterilization atmosphere, which means without any measures to reduce the water vapor content. Keeping the chamber sealed and maintaining the conditioning agent and the radicals generated thereby in the chamber for the sterilization with sterilant results in a synergistic increase in the sterilization efficiency and allows for the use of much lower sterilant amounts and sterilization cycle times than would be expected from using the conditioning agent and the sterilant in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: TSO3 INC.
    Inventors: Sylvie Dufresne, Cynthia Martel, Helene Leblond, Nancy Dassie, Karine Martel
  • Patent number: 10358622
    Abstract: Methods employing detergent compositions comprising phosphinosuccinic acid oligomers (PSO) in combination with a sanitizing rinse aid are disclosed. The methods beneficially clean, sanitize and rinse a surface in an efficient two-step process. The detergent compositions employ phosphinosuccinic acid adducts, namely mono-, bis- and oligomeric phosphinosuccinic acid (PSO) derivatives, in combination with an alkalinity source and optionally polymers and/or surfactants. The sanitizing and rinsing compositions employ peroxycarboxylic acid compositions in combination with a nonionic defoaming and wetting surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Stokes, Carter M. Silvernail, Erik C. Olson, Steven J. Lange, Junzhong Li, Xin Sun, Allison Brewster, Richard Staub
  • Patent number: 10345016
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for treating air discharged to a passenger suite of an aircraft includes an enclosure that houses components for treating air passing through the enclosure and a detachable cover connected to the enclosure that provides access to the components. Air treatment components associated with air treatment flow paths within the enclosure include a blower with a fan that draws air through an air intake on the enclosure. An air duct is affixed to a discharge of the blower and directs the air discharged from the blower through an air treatment flow path that includes a scented cartridge with a scented medium that is absorbed into the air passing through the air duct. An air exhaust port is attached at a discharge end of the air duct that discharges the air conditioned by the scented cartridge through an air exhaust vent on the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Xavier L. Garing, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi
  • Patent number: 10335533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating blood into its components and a method for the same and use of such a device. The device comprises a magnetic drive device, which causes a container to rotate about its own axis, wherein the container has at least one open end and at least one inlet therein and is suspended in a magnetically floating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Heide
  • Patent number: 10335802
    Abstract: A centrifuge (70) is provided with a cup (80) configured to house a blood bag system (10a) and centrifugally separates blood in the blood bag system (10a) by rotating the cup (80). The cup (80) has a segment holding section (86) capable of holding a plurality of segment tubes (44a), aligned in a parallel state by being folded at a sealing portion (44b) of an outlet-side tube (44), along a direction in which a centrifugal force acts during centrifugal processing or a direction inclined with respect to the direction in which the centrifugal force acts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Imai
  • Patent number: 10328189
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing bacterial contamination of platelets are disclosed. The methods and systems disclosed herein provide for the processing of a pre-determined volume of whole blood so as to reduce the risk that platelets separated and collected from the whole blood have a reduced risk of bacterial contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventor: Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10322431
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and methods are presented for a new and improved ultrasonic aerosol generation apparatus and air/gas and deployed aerosol movement system, which is able to increase and improve the reliability and quality of coverage and treatment of the various targeted surfaces within an enclosed space, with the generated and deployed disinfecting aerosol, by providing an improved system to detect one or more of any layers and stratifications of gas(s) and deployed aerosols within the atmosphere of the treated area(s) at any time, and a means to remove and effectively disrupt, the said layers, so the deployed aerosol can effectively treat the targeted area(s), as well as additional enhancements to the systems used for processing the atmosphere in the targeted area(s) after the treatment cycle has completed deploying the aerosol, such as improving the cleaning of the dehumidification device, and the effective operation of the dehumidification and filter components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Ricciardi, Carl L. Ricciardi
  • Patent number: 10322811
    Abstract: A filter assembly including a plurality of filter modules, wherein each filter module in the plurality of filter modules includes a frame, a filtration element coupled within the frame, and at least one mating feature. The at least one mating feature of each filter module is configured for selective engagement with the at least one mating feature of another filter module such that the plurality of filter modules are coupled together in a serial arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas James Breigenzer, Fue Chue Vue
  • Patent number: 10307495
    Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus having both excellent safety and operability is provided. A sterilizing apparatus (1) according to an aspect for carrying out the present invention is a sterilizing apparatus (1) that radiates light including ultraviolet rays onto an affected area (6), wherein first wavelength light (L?1) having a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of 190 nm or more and 230 nm or less, and second wavelength light (L?2) having a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 780 nm or less are emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Mori, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10293098
    Abstract: A system for removing undesirable elements from blood. The system includes a centrifuge bowl to separate the blood into components according to relative densities of the components, a pump to provide wash solution that washes the blood in the centrifuge bowl, and a controller to wash the blood in the centrifuge bowl in a first wash and remove first undesirable elements and to wash the blood in the centrifuge bowl in a second wash and remove trapped undesirable elements. The controller to further mix the blood and the wash solution in the centrifuge bowl and provide diluted blood, separate the diluted blood into concentrated blood and the wash solution, fill the centrifuge bowl with previously concentrated blood to build a buffy coat, and empty the centrifuge bowl of the concentrated blood and the previously concentrated blood after the buffy coat is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Sorin Group Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Elisa Maculan, Laura Scholze
  • Patent number: 10286096
    Abstract: Device for discharging loose products includes a conveyor body attachable with its first end to a treatment machine for the loose products. The conveyor body, in correspondence to its second end, comprises a wall in which a collection aperture is made, selectively openable/closable by means of an opening/closing member to allow the discharge of said loose products. The discharge device for loose products further includes a pneumatic deliverer located in the conveyor body and configured to deliver a stream of gas at least toward the wall and determine the discharge, through the collection aperture, at least of the loose products that are deposited on the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ICOS PHARMA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Ottorino Casonato
  • Patent number: 10279068
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus that help reduce and prevent infection by controlling and/or reducing the level of contaminants, which include pathogens, allergens and/or odor-causing agents including VOCs. Photocatalytic oxidation is performed in a high humidity environment so that hydrogen peroxide molecules are readily produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DBG GROUP INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Eide, Joseph P. Urso
  • Patent number: 10272445
    Abstract: An apparatus and method may be used to separate a biological liquid sample and retrieve a separated liquid portion therefrom. The apparatus may have a tube, an insert, and a positioning mechanism. The tube may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber between the proximal and distal ends for receiving the biological liquid sample. The insert may be positioned in the chamber, and may have a first end, a second end, a well between the first and second ends, and a draw tube in fluid communication with the second end and the well. The positioning mechanism may be connected to the tube and the insert, and may be manually actuable to move the insert between the proximal end and distal end to allow a separated portion of the biological liquid sample to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ROYAL BIOLOGICS
    Inventor: Darin Ewer
  • Patent number: 10265705
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a sample includes a sample measurement apparatus (1404), which includes a light source (1406) configured to illuminate the sample; and a detector (1412) configured to receive light from the sample. The sample measurement apparatus is sized and dimensioned to fit within a centrifuge receptacle, the centrifuge receptacle (1416) coupled to a spindle configured to rotate the centrifuge receptacle to apply a force to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Wesley Philip Wong, Kenneth Anders Halvorsen
  • Patent number: 10258703
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating soil with electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a magnetron antenna (9) for generating microwave radiation with a relatively high frequency; a wave guide (16) connected to the output of the magnetron antenna (9); downward directed tubular members (18, 19) connected to the wave guide (16); a manifold (17) arranged between the two tubular members (18, 19) and the wave guide (16); a tuner unit (26) arranged on the wave guide (16); and cooling means (22, 22?, 22?) for cooling the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the soil. The invention also relates to a cable (24) provided with a single high-voltage cable and one or more low-voltage cables and/or a number of optical cables which are arranged in a shared cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Koppert Machine En Zonen B.V.
    Inventor: Arie Leendert Koppert