Patents by Inventor Chad M. Herrlein

Chad M. Herrlein 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).

  • Sterilization process challenge device
    Patent number: 9114186
    Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device comprising a solid body comprised of walls which define a space, wherein the space can fully contain a sterilization indicator and a volume of gas of at least 5 cubic centimeters and not more than 1000 cubic centimeters; a flow restrictor associated with the solid body such that any flow of the gas out of the space and any flow of a sterilant into the space is restricted; wherein the sterilization indicator indicates whether or not it has been contacted by the sterilant for a time and at a temperature sufficient to sterilize an article; and wherein the walls of the solid body are impervious to the sterilant and have a thickness of at least 0.3 centimeter, methods of using the device and a kit including the device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William E. Foltz, Steven S. Kirckof, Lawrence D. Fosler, Joshua M. Schmitz, Barry W. Robole, Chad M. Herrlein
  • PROCESS CHALLENGE DEVICE AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20110211991
    Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device comprising a first container comprising walls which define a first space within the first container; a process indicator within the first space; at least one sterilant access for a sterilant to enter the first space within the first container; wherein at least one of the walls which defines the first space is a flexible wall; and wherein the walls are impervious to the sterilant; a method of using the device; and a kit including the device are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: William E. Foltz, Chad M. Herrlein, Joshua M. Schmitz, Barry W. Robole, Kelvin J. Witcher, Paul N. Holt
  • STERILIZATION PROCESS CHALLENGE DEVICE AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20110064606
    Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device comprising a solid body comprised of walls which define a space, wherein the space can fully contain a sterilization indicator and a volume of gas of at least 5 cubic centimeters and not more than 1000 cubic centimeters; a flow restrictor associated with the solid body such that any flow of the gas out of the space and any flow of a sterilant into the space is restricted; wherein the sterilization indicator indicates whether or not it has been contacted by the sterilant for a time and at a temperature sufficient to sterilize an article; and wherein the walls of the solid body are impervious to the sterilant and have a thickness of at least 0.3 centimeter, methods of using the device and a kit including the device are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: William E. Foltz, Steven S. Kirckof, Lawrence D. Fosler, Joshua M. Schmitz, Barry W. Roboie, Chad M. Herrlein