Patents by Inventor David E. Nivens

David E. Nivens 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).

  • Apparatus and method for nucleic acid isolation using supercritical fluids
    Patent number: 6110674
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in an environmental sample involves contacting the sample with a supercritical fluid to isolate nucleic acid from the microorganism, then detecting the presence of a particular sequence within the isolated nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may optionally be subjected to further purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignees: National Water Research Institute, Critical Point Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Nivens, Bruce M. Applegate
  • Method for nucleic acid isolation using supercritical fluids
    Patent number: 5922536
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in an environmental sample involves contacting the sample with a supercritical fluid to isolate nucleic acid from the microorganism, then detecting the presence of a particular sequence within the isolated nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may optionally be subjected to further purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: David E. Nivens, Bruce M. Applegate
  • Apparatus for and method of detecting/identifying microbial contamination in ultra-pure water systems
    Patent number: 5487981
    Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of on-line detecting and assessing, in situ, he amount and characterization of microbial trace contamination in an associated ultra-pure water system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, inter alia, a monitor/detector portion and an assessment/identification portion. The monitor/detector portion includes a contamination mass detector which nondestructively senses the presence of microbial biofilms in real time when grown upon the surface of a quartz crystal wafer portion of the contamination mass detector. The assessment/identification portion is configured to provide quantitative analysis of the microbial biofilms formations based on signature biomarker cellular components. A programmable controller is configured to integrate these and other portions into an automated apparatus, which is capable of providing real time chemical countermeasures to prevent the potential deleterious effect of the microbial trace contamination uncovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David E. Nivens, James Q. Chambers, David C. White