Patents by Inventor Dennis J. Hlavinka

Dennis J. Hlavinka 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).

  • Publication number: 20240139399
    Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas J. FELT, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Brian M. HOLMES
  • Patent number: 11938261
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for treating a fluid, e.g., a biological fluid. The embodiments may include systems, apparatuses, and methods. Embodiments may provide for a flow cell, with a plurality of manipulation elements, through which a fluid is flowed. The fluid may be treated (e.g., exposed to energy) as it moves through the flow cell. In embodiments, the flow cell may be used to inactivate pathogens in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Terumo BCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jon A. Dodd, Daniel R. Clement, Dennis J. Hlavinka, Jeremy T. Parsons, Haralambos P. Apostolopoulos
  • Patent number: 11925743
    Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Felt, Dennis J. Hlavinka, Brian M. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20240060030
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally provide for expanding cells in a cell expansion system. The cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. In further embodiments, the cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Dalip SETHI, James ARTHUR, David Alan HANNA, Daniel CLEMENT, Brian J. NANKERVIS, Jerome HEINTZ, Nathan D. FRANK, Brett BAEVERSTAD, Dennis J. HLAVINKA
  • Publication number: 20240042118
    Abstract: Methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids are provided. A method for collecting a blood component includes drawing whole blood into a centrifuge, spinning the centrifuge to cause centrifugal force to act on the whole blood to separate the whole blood into a least a first blood component and a second blood component that is different from the first blood component, extracting the first blood component from the centrifuge, detecting when the second blood component is about to be extracted from the centrifuge, and after the second blood component is detected and while the centrifuge continues to spin, flowing the separated first blood component back towards the centrifuge to move at least the second blood component from the centrifuge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Thomas J. FELT
  • Publication number: 20230405204
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for treating a fluid, e.g., a biological fluid. The embodiments may include systems, apparatuses, and methods. Embodiments may provide for a flow cell, with a plurality of manipulation elements, through which a fluid is flowed. The fluid may be treated (e.g., exposed to energy) as it moves through the flow cell. In embodiments, the flow cell may be used to inactivate pathogens in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jon A. DODD, Daniel CLEMENT, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Jeremy T. PARSONS, Haralambos P. APOSTOLOPOULOS
  • Publication number: 20230372598
    Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. FELT, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Brian M. HOLMES
  • Patent number: 11813553
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, chambers, and methods for processing particles by washing, concentrating, and/or treating the particles. Some embodiments provide for the processing of cells that may be in a liquid medium (e.g., a liquid in which the cells were grown) and are processed by being washed and concentrated for later use in research or other therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Taga, Anne Baker Oram, Linda A. Taylor, Dennis J. Hlavinka
  • Patent number: 11815311
    Abstract: Provided is a gas fill fixture for use in lyophilization, a related system and method. The gas fill fixture includes a chassis, fill indicator and a lid, such that the chassis and lid together form a cavity for receiving a flexible lyophilization container. The system includes a lyophilization container, a lyophilizer and a gas fill fixture incorporating a chassis, a fill indicator and a lid. The method includes process steps for using the system to lyophilize a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Terumo BCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel T. Johnson, Rylan A. Summit, Dennis A. Bridges, Dennis J. Hlavinka, Kestas P. Parakininkas, Kirk L. Weimer, Michael Lawrence Glover, Alexander Du Nguyen, Margaret V. Kwiat
  • Publication number: 20230357699
    Abstract: A cell culturing system includes a processing unit that cultures cells, a reactor installation device in which the processing unit is installable, a connection circuit connected to the processing unit, a circuit control device to and from which the connection circuit is attachable and detachable, and a tank device including a culture medium accommodation unit for accommodating the culture medium. The processing unit includes a plurality of bioreactors. The culture medium in the culture medium accommodation unit is supplied to the processing unit via the connection circuit. The culture medium accommodation unit is capable of accommodating the culture medium of an amount required for culturing the cells in the processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Masatsugu IGARASHI, Hirotaka OHASHI, Thomas J. FELT, Dennis J. HLAVINKA
  • Publication number: 20230358471
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-part lyophilization container for lyophilizing a fluid, storing the lyophilizate, reconstituting the lyophilizate, and infusing the reconstituted lyophilizate into a patient, including a method of using same. The container includes a front surface, a back surface, a non-breathable section including a port region, a breathable section including a breathable membrane, and a peelable region including a peelable seal encompassing a boundary between the non-breathable section and the breathable section. The method includes inputting a fluid into a non-breathable section of the container, freezing the fluid, applying, in a lyophilization chamber, vacuum pressure, opening the peelable seal using a pressure differential, applying heat energy, sublimating the fluid and creating a temporary occlusion in a peelable region of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Kestas P. PARAKININKAS, Eric T. HANSEN, Kirk L. WEIMER, Nathaniel T. JOHNSON, Dennis J. HLAVINKA
  • Patent number: 11771814
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for treating a fluid, e.g., a biological fluid. The embodiments may include systems, apparatuses, and methods. Embodiments may provide for a flow cell, with a plurality of manipulation elements, through which a fluid is flowed. The fluid may be treated (e.g., exposed to energy) as it moves through the flow cell. In embodiments, the flow cell may be used to inactivate pathogens in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Terumo BCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jon A. Dodd, Daniel R. Clement, Dennis J. Hlavinka, Jeremy T. Parsons, Haralambos P. Apostolopoulos
  • Patent number: 11747082
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-part lyophilization container for lyophilizing a fluid, storing the lyophilizate, reconstituting the lyophilizate, and infusing the reconstituted lyophilizate into a patient, including a method of using same. The container includes a front surface, a back surface, a non-breathable section including a port region, a breathable section including a breathable membrane, and a peelable region including a peelable seal encompassing a boundary between the non-breathable section and the breathable section. The method includes inputting a fluid into a non-breathable section of the container, freezing the fluid, applying, in a lyophilization chamber, vacuum pressure, opening the peelable seal using a pressure differential, applying heat energy, sublimating the fluid and creating a temporary occlusion in a peelable region of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Terumo BCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kestas P. Parakininkas, Eric T. Hansen, Kirk L. Weimer, Nathaniel T. Johnson, Dennis J. Hlavinka
  • Patent number: 11685883
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally provide for the expansion of cells in a cell expansion system using an active promotion of a coating agent(s) to a cell growth surface. A coating agent may be applied to a surface, such as the cell growth surface of a hollow fiber, by controlling the movement of a fluid in which a coating agent is suspended. Using ultrafiltration, the fluid may be pushed through the pores of a hollow fiber from a first side, e.g., an intracapillary (IC) side, of the hollow fiber to a second side, e.g., an extracapillary (EC) side, while the coating agent is actively promoted to the surface of the hollow fiber. In so doing, the coating agent may be hydrostatically deposited onto a wall, e.g., inner wall, of the hollow fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Frank, Brian J. Nankervis, Dennis J. Hlavinka, Thomas G. DiLorenzo
  • Publication number: 20230193180
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally provide for the expansion of cells in a cell expansion system using an active promotion of a coating agent(s) to a cell growth surface in some embodiments. A coating agent may be applied to a surface, such as the cell growth surface of a hollow fiber in a bioreactor, by controlling the movement of a fluid in which a coating agent is suspended, by changing flow rates, by changing flow directions, by rotation of the bioreactor, and/or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Nathan D. FRANK, Brian J. NANKERVIS, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Thomas G. DILORENZO
  • Publication number: 20230173159
    Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. FELT, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Brian M. HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20230173158
    Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. FELT, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Brian M. HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20230166022
    Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. FELT, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Brian M. HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20230166021
    Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. FELT, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Brian M. HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20230129832
    Abstract: A method and system is provided that measures plasma protein levels of whole blood while a plasma donor is connected to an apheresis machine. A refractometer associated with the apheresis machine is capable of receiving a portion of a disposable tubing set including an integrated cuvette and prism. The integrated cuvette of the disposable tubing set can be inserted into a receiving space of the refractometer associated with the apheresis machine such that the light source and the sensor are oriented relative to the prism and a sensing surface of the integrated cuvette in a precise alignment. Calibration of the refractometer is made using anticoagulant pumped through the disposable tubing set including the integrated cuvette and prism. Based on a light intensity associated with this calibration, whole blood is then measured to determine plasma protein levels and donor eligibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Thomas J. FELT