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).

  • Patent number: 9863699
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatuses for lyophilizing, storing, and transfusing materials are described. In embodiments, the materials may include whole blood or a component of whole blood such as plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Corbin, III, Dennis J. Hlavinka, Rajesh Pareta, Mark E. Hillam
  • Publication number: 20170349869
    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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. FRANK, Brian J. NANKERVIS, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Thomas G. DILORENZO
  • Publication number: 20170349873
    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: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. FRANK, Brian J. NANKERVIS, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Thomas G. DILORENZO
  • Publication number: 20160045921
    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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: TERUMO BCT, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Michael TAGA, Anne Baker ORAM, Linda A. TAYLOR, Dennis J. HLAVINKA
  • Publication number: 20150354894
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatuses for lyophilizing, storing, and transfusing materials are described. In embodiments, the materials may include whole blood or a component of whole blood such as plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: TERUMO BCT, INC.
    Inventors: Frank CORBIN, III, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Rajesh PARETA, Mark E. HILLAM
  • Patent number: 9079194
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus which are particularly useful in blood component collection, and more specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for centrifugally separating buffy coat that reduce the surface available for separated buffy coat components to sediment on by varying the radius of the product collection bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, John R. Merkling
  • Patent number: 9044523
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for reduction of pathogens in fluids containing blood products. Preferred methods include the steps of adding an effective, non-toxic amount of a photosensitizer such as riboflavin to the blood product and exposing the fluid to light having a peak wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: TERUMO BCT, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, Raymond P. Goodrich, Heather Reddy
  • Patent number: 8940228
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to an apparatus and methods for preventing the recontamination of a pathogen-reduced fluid by pathogens trapped in one or more ports of an inactivation fluid container. Through the use of a slidable clamp positioned in an area of the container immediately adjacent to a port to be isolated, the port may be sealed to prevent any liquid product from entering the port and associated tubing when liquid product is added to the container. The slidable clamp includes a slot, in which the distal end of the slot has a larger width than the proximal end of the slot. The width of the slot at the narrowest, most proximal portion allows for a fluid-tight seal to be created when the slidable clamp is slid into the closed position with respect to the port to be isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, David Bihm, Keith Manica
  • Publication number: 20130264288
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating plasma from blood in a separation vessel, separating the separated plasma into desired plasma proteins in a plasma separator fluidly connected to the separation vessel to receive the separated plasma, and adding photosensitizer to the desired plasma proteins for viral inactivation treatment of such proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Thomas J. FELT, Gabriela MALDONADO-CODINA
  • Patent number: 8339592
    Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating blood or blood products, preferably with ultra violet or visible light, to reduce contaminants in the blood or blood products. A removable radiometer having light integrating chambers detects the light intensity, allowing the radiation characteristics of the apparatus to be calibrated. A control circuit uses the measurements to control the delivery of an effective dose of illumination to blood or blood products in a bag or container. One or more light integrating optical chambers in the radiometer allow a single light sensor to sense light across an entire field. Thermistors in the irradiating apparatus or the radiometer or both sense the temperature of photo sensors. The control circuit compensates for temperature-dependant variations in the output of the photo sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Terumo BCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, Terrence M. Cussen, Daniel T. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20120015795
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of extracorporeal blood processing methods and apparatus which are particularly useful in blood component collection, and more specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for centrifugally separating buffy coat that reduce the surface available for separated buffy coat components to sediment on by varying the radius of the product collection bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: CARIDIANBCT, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis J. HLAVINKA, John R. MERKLING
  • Patent number: 8048055
    Abstract: Clamps and methods are disclosed for clamping portions of fluid containers and displacing fluid from portions of fluid containers. In one embodiment, a clamp has a first jaw having a photopermeable main body portion and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are operatively associated so that at least one jaw, or both jaws, may be moved between clamped and released positions. The clamp is sized to receive a portion of a fluid container and displace fluid in the fluid container from a clamped region of the fluid container when the first and/or second jaw(s) are in the clamped position. The photopermeable main body portion(s) of the first and/or second jaw(s) allow some light to reach the clamped region of the fluid container during photoradiation to inactivate pathogens in the fluid. Various clamp embodiments and assemblies having lock members and interlocks are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: CaridianBCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, Terrence M. Cussen
  • Publication number: 20110220290
    Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic tubes, thermoplastic melting plates, thermoplastic tube connecting apparatus, and methods for using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CARIDIANBCT, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, Keith Manica, Frank Corbin, III, Terrence M. Cussen
  • Patent number: 8016736
    Abstract: A method for washing multiple units of blood product including providing a centrifuge having a wash cell for each unit of blood product, balancing the centrifuge to accommodate for differences in the wash cells, and transferring supernatant including any wash solution from each unit of blood product on the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: CaridianBCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, Raymond P. Goodrich, Eric T. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7964048
    Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic tubes, thermoplastic melting plates, thermoplastic tube connecting apparatus, and methods for using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: CaridianBCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, Keith Manica, Frank Corbin, III, Terrence M. Cussen
  • Publication number: 20110019182
    Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating blood or blood products, preferably with ultra violet or visible light, to reduce contaminants in the blood or blood products. A removable radiometer having light integrating chambers detects the light intensity, allowing the radiation characteristics of the apparatus to be calibrated. A control circuit uses the measurements to control the delivery of an effective dose of illumination to blood or blood products in a bag or container. One or more light integrating optical chambers in the radiometer allow a single light sensor to sense light across an entire field. Thermistors in the irradiating apparatus or the radiometer or both sense the temperature of photo sensors. The control circuit compensates for temperature-dependant variations in the output of the photo sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: CARIDIANBCT BIOTECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Terrence M. CUSSEN, Daniel T. MCGINNIS
  • Publication number: 20100282980
    Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating blood or blood products, preferably with ultra violet or visible light, to reduce contaminants in the blood or blood products. A removable radiometer having light integrating chambers detects the light intensity, allowing the radiation characteristics of the apparatus to be calibrated. The light chambers have an aluminum reflecting surface prepared by machining, grit blasting, polishing and plasma treatment including plasma cleaning and oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: CARIDIANBCT BIOTECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham BELKIND, Daniel Thomas MCGINNIS, Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Terrence M. CUSSEN
  • Patent number: 7829867
    Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating blood or blood products, preferably with ultra violet or visible light, to reduce contaminants in the blood or blood products. A removable radiometer having light integrating chambers detects the light intensity, allowing the radiation characteristics of the apparatus to be calibrated. A control circuit uses the measurements to control the delivery of an effective dose of illumination to blood or blood products in a bag or container. One or more light integrating optical chambers in the radiometer allow a single light sensor to sense light across an entire field. Thermistors in the irradiating apparatus or the radiometer or both sense the temperature of photo sensors. The control circuit compensates for temperature-dependant variations in the output of the photo sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: CaridianBCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, Terrence M. Cussen, Daniel T. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20100189597
    Abstract: The present invention is related to pre-connected disposable sets including a pre-connected bag containing a photosensitizer for use in a blood separation and pathogen inactivation procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: CaridianBCT Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis J. HLAVINKA
  • Publication number: 20090317296
    Abstract: Clamps and methods are disclosed for clamping portions of fluid containers and displacing fluid from portions of fluid containers. In one embodiment, a clamp has a first jaw having a photopermeable main body portion and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are operatively associated so that at least one jaw, or both jaws, may be moved between clamped and released positions. The clamp is sized to receive a portion of a fluid container and displace fluid in the fluid container from a clamped region of the fluid container when the first and/or second jaw(s) are in the clamped position. The photopermeable main body portion(s) of the first and/or second jaw(s) allow some light to reach the clamped region of the fluid container during photoradiation to inactivate pathogens in the fluid. Various clamp embodiments and assemblies having lock members and interlocks are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: CARIDIANBCT BIOTECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis J. HLAVINKA, Terrence M. CUSSEN