Patents by Inventor Edward E. Durrant

Edward E. Durrant 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: 11940358
    Abstract: Presented herein are methods of improving the consistency of staining with a counterstain. In some embodiments, the method makes use of an automated specimen processing apparatus or other staining device. In some embodiments, the staining methods are applied manually. In some embodiments, the counterstain includes eosin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Blehm, Evan T. Graves, Edward E. Durrant
  • Publication number: 20230097824
    Abstract: A racemic hematoxylin formulation is disclosed that includes one or both of a stabilizer compound and an antioxidant. The disclosed composition exhibits sufficient stability to be utilized in an automated staining process. Methods of using and making the stabilized composition also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Dieter Heindl, Florian Mauritius Erasumu Huber, Eric Klein, Jerome W. Kosmeder, II, Edgar Voss
  • Publication number: 20220090993
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides stabilized hematoxylin formulations having a pH of less than 2.4. The present disclosure also provides methods of using such stabilized hematoxylin formulations to stain biological samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Christopher A. Koerber
  • Publication number: 20210223146
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing precipitates or reducing the formation of precipitates generated in hematoxylin solutions. The methods and compositions feature cleaning solutions that feature chemical compounds that initiate processes including but not limited to acidification of the waste solution, chelation of metal ions in the waste solution, reduction reactions, oxidation reactions, and metal salt addition reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Henning Groll, Casey A. Kernag, Charles H. Weidner, Kenneth S. Weir
  • Patent number: 10976223
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing precipitates or reducing the formation of precipitates generated in hematoxylin solutions. The methods and compositions feature cleaning solutions that feature chemical compounds that initiate processes including but not limited to acidification of the waste solution, chelation of metal ions in the waste solution, reduction reactions, oxidation reactions, and metal salt addition reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Henning Groll, Casey A. Kernag, Charles H. Weidner, Kenneth S. Weir
  • Patent number: 10888209
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is disclosed for extracting a liquid from a surface. The apparatus includes at least one extraction head that has at least one aperture that is facing the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum pathway situated between the at least one extraction head and a riser that is connected to a vacuum motor. The internal surfaces of the vacuum pathway are smooth and the vacuum pathway has certain dimensions and orientations that optimize the extraction of a liquid from a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Harris Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Dale S. Jensen, Craig L. Donaldson, Roger C. Andersen, Monte G. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10830675
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to hematoxylin staining formulations and particularly to formulations for use in autostainers. The disclosed compositions were discovered to possess atypical stability under storage while having high stain quality and sufficiently fast staining performance. The disclosed hematoxylin staining compositions include a solvent system, hematoxylin, a chemical oxidant, and a mordant. Illustrative embodiments also have a Cl?/SO4? molar ratio of between about 2.5/1 and about 1/4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Edward E. Durrant, Eric L. Klein, Michael Lynch, Kevin H. Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20200340892
    Abstract: Presented herein are methods of improving the consistency of staining with a counterstain. In some embodiments, the method makes use of an automated specimen processing apparatus or other staining device. In some embodiments, the staining methods are applied manually. In some embodiments, the counterstain includes eosin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Blehm, Evan T. Graves, Edward E. Durrant
  • Patent number: 10646088
    Abstract: A cleaning system is disclosed that includes a vehicle that has a cooling system for circulating a coolant, a diverter coupled with the cooling system that is configured to divert the coolant through a heat exchanger, a pump configured to pump a cleaning solution through the heat exchanger so that the heat exchanger heats the cleaning solution without mixing the coolant and the cleaning solution, and a rotary head cleaner in fluid communication with the heat exchanger for receiving the cleaning solution and applying the cleaning solution to a floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Harris Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Monte G. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20200041390
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides stabilized hematoxylin formulations having a pH of less than 2.4. The present disclosure also provides methods of using such stabilized hematoxylin formulations to stain biological samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Christopher A. Koerber
  • Patent number: 10295443
    Abstract: A process for removing hematoxylin precipitate from a surface of an automated hematoxylin stainer, systems adapted for performing such processes. The process and systems use a hematein precipitate removal solution having a pH in the range of between about 8.9 and 10.5 and including a liquid oxidizing component and alkaline component. The hematein precipitate removal solution is placed in contact with a surface of the automated hematoxylin stainer, thereby dissolving any hematein precipitate deposited thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward E. Durrant
  • Publication number: 20180172563
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing precipitates or reducing the formation of precipitates generated in hematoxylin solutions. The methods and compositions feature cleaning solutions that feature chemical compounds that initiate processes including but not limited to acidification of the waste solution, chelation of metal ions in the waste solution, reduction reactions, oxidation reactions, and metal salt addition reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Henning Groll, Casey A. Kernag, Charles H. Weidner, Kenneth S. Weir
  • Publication number: 20170284908
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to hematoxylin staining formulations and particularly to formulations for use in autostainers. The disclosed compositions were discovered to possess atypical stability under storage while having high stain quality and sufficiently fast staining performance. The disclosed hematoxylin staining compositions include a solvent system, hematoxylin, a chemical oxidant, and a mordant. Illustrative embodiments also have a Cl?/SO4? molar ratio of between about 2.5/1 and about 1/4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Edward E. Durrant, Eric L. Klein, Michael Lynch, Kevin H. Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20170045429
    Abstract: A process for removing hematoxylin precipitate from a surface of an automated hematoxylin stainer, systems adapted for performing such processes. The process and systems use a hematein precipitate removal solution having a pH in the range of between about 8.9 and 10.5 and including a liquid oxidizing component and alkaline component. The hematein precipitate removal solution is placed in contact with a surface of the automated hematoxylin stainer, thereby dissolving any hematein precipitate deposited thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: Edward E. Durrant
  • Patent number: 9267227
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an odor removal treatment system that includes a liquid oxidizing agent that includes a peroxide and water, a liquid buffering agent that includes a carbonate salt and water, and a cleaning device, wherein the liquid oxidizing agent is stored separately from the liquid buffering agent in a pre-application mode, and combinable with the liquid buffering agent to form a solution in an application mode just prior to applying the solution to a textile. The cleaning device may be a portable vacuum cleaning mechanism onboard a vehicle. The peroxide may be hydrogen peroxide and the solution may have a hydrogen peroxide weight percent of about 1.5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Harris Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward E. Durrant
  • Patent number: 9259671
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a defoaming substance for defoaming an aqueous solution. The defoaming substance includes a defoaming agent and a carrier material intermixed with the defoaming agent to form a solid mass, the carrier material being at least minimally soluble in the aqueous solution. In one embodiment, the carrier material includes at least one type of organic acid. The defoaming agent may include at least one type of silicon-based defoamer. The present disclosure also relates to a method for making a defoaming substance. The method may include selecting a defoaming agent capable of hindering foam formation and reducing foam build-up in an aqueous solution, selecting a carrier material that is at least minimally soluble in the aqueous solution, combining the defoaming agent with the carrier material, and forming the combined defoaming agent and carrier material into a solid defoaming substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Harris Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Dale S. Jensen, Roger C. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20130327991
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an anti-corrosion substance that includes an anti-corrosion agent and a carrier material. The carrier material is at least minimally soluble in aqueous solutions. An anti-corrosion apparatus is also disclosed, the apparatus including an anti-corrosion agent and a carrier configured to controllably exude the contained anti-corrosion agent. Also disclosed is a method for producing a block of anti-corrosion substance, which includes selecting an anti-corrosion agent, selecting a carrier material, combining the anti-corrosion agent with the carrier material, and forming the anti-corrosion substance from the combination of the anti-corrosion agent and the carrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Dale S. Jensen, Roger C. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20130067683
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is disclosed for extracting a liquid from a surface. The apparatus includes at least one extraction head that has at least one aperture that is facing the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum pathway situated between the at least one extraction head and a riser that is connected to a vacuum motor. The internal surfaces of the vacuum pathway are smooth and the vacuum pathway has certain dimensions and orientations that optimize the extraction of a liquid from a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: HARRIS RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Dale S. Jensen, Craig L. Donaldson, Roger C. Andersen, Monte G. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120023698
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for a rotary head cleaner. The apparatus includes a plurality of liquid extraction devices positioned radially on a floor-facing surface of a rotary head, a driveshaft disposed between a rotary motor configured to rotate the rotary head, and a housing disposed between the rotary motor and the rotary head for supporting a wheel, and a handle. The apparatus also includes an evacuation tank having a capacity sensor in communication with an evacuation pump, the capacity sensor configured to detect when a maximum desired capacity of evacuated liquids is reached, a vacuum motor connected with the housing and configured to provide a suction force to the liquid extraction devices to extract liquid from a floor to the evacuation tank, and wherein a weight of the rotary motor, housing, handle, retractable wheel, and vacuum motor is supported by the liquid extraction devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: HARRIS RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Dale S. Jensen, Craig L. Donaldson, Monte G. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8097575
    Abstract: A method and new use of an aqueous composition including a surfactant and a buffering agent, wherein the new use and method include the steps of applying the composition to a surface with an acidic finish, etching the surface, and removing the aqueous composition. The removal may be by evaporation. A new finish may be applied to the surface. Methods are disclosed for the cleaning and neutralizing of an existing finish to allow for the application of a new finish. Also disclosed are compositions for the cleaning and neutralizing of an existing finish without complete removal of the existing finish. The compositions include a buffering agent configured to neutralize the existing finish, and a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Harris Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward E. Durrant