Patents by Inventor Francois Ahimou
Francois Ahimou 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).
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Publication number: 20230047207Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-contained biological indicators wherein a single type of indicator is capable of being used for various sterilization conditions, including sterilization with steam, hydrogen peroxide, and/or ethylene oxide. In some embodiments, a single type of biological indicator is capable of being used for different steam sterilization conditions having varied temperatures and sterilization cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2021Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: Francois Ahimou, Kelvin J. Witcher, Naiyong Jing, Tonya D. Bonilla, G. Marco Bommarito
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Patent number: 11421261Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes providing an article, the article including a nonwoven substrate having a copolymer grafted thereto, the copolymer including interpolymerized monomer units of a quaternary ammonium-containing ligand monomers; an amide monomer; an oxy monomer; and a coating on the nonwoven substrate, the coating including a plurality of test microorganisms, an enzyme or a second substrate; and contacting the article with a detection medium for a period of time.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, Francois Ahimou, Naiyong Jing, Tonya D. Bonilla, Joshua D. Erickson, Hsi-Chou Liu, Andrew W. Vail
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Publication number: 20210311002Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-contained biological indicators wherein a single type of indicator is capable of being used for various sterilization conditions, including sterilization with steam and/or ethylene oxide. In some embodiments, a single type of biological indicator is capable of being used for different steam sterilization conditions having varied temperatures and sterilization cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2019Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: FRANCOIS AHIMOU, KELVIN J. WITCHER, NAIYONG JING, TONYA D. BONILLA, G. MARCO BOMMARITO
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Patent number: 11065355Abstract: A device for monitoring the effectiveness of a decontamination process, the device including a bacteria cell as the indicator test organism and optionally a substrate, where the indicator test organism may include a Mycobacteria terrae cell, and methods of using the monitoring device to evaluate the efficacy of a decontamination process.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Francois Ahimou, Assumpta A. G. Bennaars-Eiden
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Patent number: 10947577Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator device is provided. The device comprises a body, a plurality of test microorganisms, and an oxygen-modulated first fluorescent sensor. The body comprises a first layer attached to a second layer, forming at least one isolatable microchamber and at least one primary passageway that provides fluidic communication between ambience and the at least one microchamber. The microchamber has an isolated volume of about 0.5 microliters to about 9.5 microliters. The plurality of test microorganisms and the oxygen-modulated first fluorescent sensor are disposed in the microchamber. A method of using the device to determine the effectiveness of a sterilization process is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Francois Ahimou, Sailaja Chandrapati, Kurt J. Halverson, Heather M. Webb, Michael G. Williams
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Publication number: 20210038753Abstract: A self-contained biological sterilization indicator is provided. The self-contained biological sterilization indicator includes an outer container having at least one liquid-impermeable wall and an interior volume; a sealed, openable, liquid-impermeable inner container enclosing a predetermined volume of an aqueous medium; a dry coating that comprises i) a plurality of viable test microorganisms useful to detect exposure to an oxidative sterilant and ii) an effective amount of a sterilant-resistance modulator; and a pathway that permits vapor communication between the interior volume and an atmosphere outside the outer container. The inner container and the dry coating are disposed in the interior volume. The modulator comprises an amino acid. The effective amount causes an increase in sensitivity of the test microorganisms to the oxidative sterilant relative to an otherwise-identical dry coating that lacks the effective amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: SWARNALATHA SWAMINATHAN, ASSUMPTA A. G. BENNAARS-EIDEN, FRANCOIS AHIMOU, WILLIAM E. FOLTZ
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Publication number: 20200385778Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes providing an article, the article including a nonwoven substrate having a copolymer grafted thereto, the copolymer including interpolymerized monomer units of a quaternary ammonium-containing ligand monomers; an amide monomer; an oxy monomer; and a coating on the nonwoven substrate, the coating including a plurality of test microorganisms, an enzyme or a second substrate; and contacting the article with a detection medium for a period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, Francois Ahimou, Naiyong Jing, Tonya D. Bonilla, Joshua D. Erickson, Hsi-Chou Liu, Andrew W. Vail
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Publication number: 20200385776Abstract: A composition, including: amine-modified silica nanoparticles, an indicator compound, and a liquid medium comprising water and no greater than 30 wt-% organic solvent, if present, based on the total weight of liquid medium. A method, including: providing the composition of current application; and contacting a plurality of cells or enzymes with the composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2018Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, Francois Ahimou, Naiyong Jing, Tonya D. Bonilla, Joshua D. Erickson, Hsi-Chou Liu
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Publication number: 20190192714Abstract: A device for monitoring the effectiveness of a decontamination process, the device including a bacteria cell as the indicator test organism and optionally a substrate, where the indicator test organism may include a Mycobacteria terrae cell, and methods of using the monitoring device to evaluate the efficacy of a decontamination process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: FRANCOIS AHIMOU, ASSUMPTA A.G. BENNAARS-EIDEN
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Patent number: 10287618Abstract: A composition for monitoring the efficacy of a decontamination process is provided, the composition comprising a cellulose polymer and a predetermined quantity of an adenine nucleotide. A monitoring device comprising a test element with the composition disposed thereon is also provided. The composition and/or monitoring device can be used in a method. The method includes exposing the monitoring device to a decontamination process and subsequently measuring the residual tracer analyte on the monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Francois Ahimou, RuthAnn R. Duda, G. Marco Bommarito, Timothy J. Nies, Kai Qiu
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Publication number: 20180015193Abstract: A self-contained biological sterilization indicator is provided. The self-contained biological sterilization indicator includes an outer container having at least one liquid-impermeable wall and an interior volume; a sealed, openable, liquid-impermeable inner container enclosing a predetermined volume of an aqueous medium; a dry coating that comprises i) a plurality of viable test microorganisms useful to detect exposure to an oxidative sterilant and ii) an effective amount of a sterilant-resistance modulator; and a pathway that permits vapor communication between the interior volume and an atmosphere outside the outer container. The inner container and the dry coating are disposed in the interior volume. The modulator comprises an amino acid. The effective amount causes an increase in sensitivity of the test microorganisms to the oxidative sterilant relative to an otherwise-identical dry coating that lacks the effective amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2015Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: SWARNALATHA SWAMINATHAN, ASSUMPTA A.G. BENNAARS-EIDEN, FRANCOIS AHIMOU, WILLIAM E. FOLTZ
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Publication number: 20170252475Abstract: An article and method are provided for assessing the efficacy of a sterilization process. The article comprises an outer container having an interior volume; a dry source of measurable biological activity disposed in the interior volume; and an effective amount of a dry agent for neutralizing a sterilant compound; wherein both the source of measurable biological activity and the agent are in vapor communication with an environment outside the outer container. The method comprises exposing the article to a first sterilant and, optionally, a second sterilant for a period of time and detecting the measurable biological activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Francois Ahimou, Assumpta Bennaars-Eiden, William E. Foltz, Swarnalatha Swaminathan
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Publication number: 20170175163Abstract: A composition for monitoring the efficacy of a decontamination process is provided, the composition comprising a cellulose polymer and a predetermined quantity of an adenine nucleotide. A monitoring device comprising a test element with the composition disposed thereon is also provided. The composition and/or monitoring device can be used in a method. The method includes exposing the monitoring device to a decontamination process and subsequently measuring the residual tracer analyte on the monitoring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: FRANCOIS AHIMOU, RuthAnn R. DUDA, G. MARCO BOMMARITO, TIMOTHY J. NIES, KAI QIU
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Patent number: 9675722Abstract: An article and method are provided for assessing the efficacy of a sterilization process. The article comprises an outer container having an interior volume; a dry source of measurable biological activity disposed in the interior volume; and an effective amount of a dry agent for neutralizing a sterilant compound; wherein both the source of measurable biological activity and the agent are in vapor communication with an environment outside the outer container. The method comprises exposing the article to a first sterilant and, optionally, a second sterilant for a period of time and detecting the measurable biological activity.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Francois Ahimou, Assumpta Bennaars-Eiden, William E. Foltz, Swarnalatha Swaminathan
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Publication number: 20160000954Abstract: An article and method are provided for assessing the efficacy of a sterilization process. The article comprises an outer container having an interior volume; a dry source of measurable biological activity disposed in the interior volume; and an effective amount of a dry agent for neutralizing a sterilant compound; wherein both the source of measurable biological activity and the agent are in vapor communication with an environment outside the outer container. The method comprises exposing the article to a first sterilant and, optionally, a second sterilant for a period of time and detecting the measurable biological activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: FRANCOIS AHIMOU, ASSUMPTA BENNAARS-EIDEN, WILLIAM E. FOLTZ, SWARNALATHA SWAMINATHAN
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Publication number: 20150337354Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator device is provided. The device comprises a body, a plurality of test microorganisms, and an oxygen-modulated first fluorescent sensor. The body comprises a first layer attached to a second layer, forming at least one isolatable microchamber and at least one primary passageway that provides fluidic communication between ambience and the at least one microchamber. The microchamber has an isolated volume of about 0.5 microliters to about 9.5 microliters. The plurality of test microorganisms and the oxygen-modulated first fluorescent sensor are disposed in the microchamber. A method of using the device to determine the effectiveness of a sterilization process is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2013Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: FRANCOIS AHIMOU, SAILAJA CHANDRAPATI, KURT J. HALVERSON, HEATHER M. WEBB, MICHAEL G. WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20150159192Abstract: Sterilization indicators that include a neutralizer, such indicators useful for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure by measuring the activity of an active enzyme whose activity is correlated with the survival of microorganisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: WILLIAM E. FOLTZ, FRANCOIS AHIMOU, G. MARCO BOMMARITO, ROBERT A. ASMUS, LOUIS C. HADDAD, TUSHAR A. KSHIRSAGAR
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Patent number: 8975067Abstract: Sterilization indicators that include a neutralizer, such indicators useful for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure by measuring the activity of an active enzyme whose activity is correlated with the survival of microorganisms.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William E. Foltz, Francois Ahimou, G. Marco Bommarito, Robert A. Asmus, Louis C. Haddad, Tushar A. Kshirsagar
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Publication number: 20130273593Abstract: Sterilization indicators that include a neutralizer, such indicators useful for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure by measuring the activity of an active enzyme whose activity is correlated with the survival of microorganisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William E. Foltz, Francois Ahimou, G. Marco Bommarito, Robert A. Asmus, Louis C. Haddad, Tushar A. Kshirsagar
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Publication number: 20130273594Abstract: Sterilization indicators that include a unique porous carrier, such indicators useful for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure by measuring the activity of an active enzyme whose activity is correlated with the survival of microorganisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: 3Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Francois Ahimou, G. Marco Bommarito, Tushar A. Kshirsagar