Patents by Inventor Harry Bala

Harry Bala 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: 20230053793
    Abstract: A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a gas sterilization process includes an outer container, an inner container, a chemical indicator, and a cap. The outer container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the inner container containing the chemical indicator, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the outer container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Publication number: 20220111100
    Abstract: A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a sterilization process includes a container, an insert member, a sterilization indicator, and a cap. The container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the biological indicator and the insert member, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Patent number: 11248251
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of a sterilization process includes a cap containing a culture medium, a container containing a concentration of microorganism, and a breakable barrier attached to the cap to encapsulate the culture medium therein. The breakable barrier is formed from a multilayer structure including an aluminum layer and a sealing layer. The biological indicator is configured such that the breakable barrier may be broken at a selected time by engaging the cap and the container at an activated position to introduce the culture medium into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Richard Koszyk, Anthony Fiorello
  • Patent number: 11147897
    Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device configured to test the efficacy of a sterilization process includes a tubular body for containing at least one sterilization indicator and a filter assembly including at least one filter member. The only flow path into the interior of the tubular body containing at least one sterilization indicator is provided through the filter assembly to control and restrict flow of a gaseous sterilization medium from an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Patent number: 10953123
    Abstract: A sterilization process challenge pack including a base tray, a first cover, and a second cover is configured to provide a restrictive flow path for gaseous sterilization medium to test the efficacy of a sterilization process. The base tray includes at least one chamber containing a biological indicator and/or chemical indicator. The first cover including a notch is configured to cover the at least one chamber. The second cover is attached to peripheral surfaces of the base tray except at an unsealed portion. A flow path through the unsealed portion and the notch in the first cover provides the only fluid communication between an external environment and the at least one chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Patent number: 10704077
    Abstract: A steam sterilization indicator for indicating acceptability of a sterilization cycle includes a temperature indicator for indicating the temperature used in the sterilization cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Publication number: 20200165658
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of a sterilization process includes a cap containing a culture medium, a container containing a concentration of microorganism, and a breakable barrier attached to the cap to encapsulate the culture medium therein. The breakable barrier is formed from a multilayer structure including an aluminum layer and a sealing layer. The biological indicator is configured such that the breakable barrier may be broken at a selected time by engaging the cap and the container at an activated position to introduce the culture medium into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Richard Koszyk, Anthony Fiorello
  • Publication number: 20190307911
    Abstract: A sterilization process challenge pack including a base tray, a first cover, and a second cover is configured to provide a restrictive flow path for gaseous sterilization medium to test the efficacy of a sterilization process. The base tray includes at least one chamber containing a biological indicator and/or chemical indicator. The first cover including a notch is configured to cover the at least one chamber. The second cover is attached to peripheral surfaces of the base tray except at an unsealed portion. A flow path through the unsealed portion and the notch in the first cover provides the only fluid communication between an external environment and the at least one chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Publication number: 20190307910
    Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device configured to test the efficacy of a sterilization process includes a tubular body for containing at least one sterilization indicator and a filter assembly including at least one filter member. The only flow path into the interior of the tubular body containing at least one sterilization indicator is provided through the filter assembly to control and restrict flow of a gaseous sterilization medium from an external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Publication number: 20190024137
    Abstract: A steam sterilization indicator for indicating acceptability of a sterilization cycle includes a temperature indicator for indicating the temperature used in the sterilization cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Patent number: 10119946
    Abstract: A compact sterilization indicator includes a wicking element having at least two different wicking rates across the length of the wicking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Mark Bala
  • Publication number: 20170307573
    Abstract: A compact sterilization indicator includes a wicking element having at least two different wicking rates across the length of the wicking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Mark Bala
  • Patent number: 9623134
    Abstract: A sterilization test strip includes a temperature sensitive material, which liquefies and travels along a wicking element when exposed to steam at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period time to reach a marker to indicate that an acceptable level of sterilization has not occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Harry Bala
  • Patent number: 9360464
    Abstract: An indicator for a sterilization process is configured to function for two different sterilization conditions. The indicator includes two pass zones to indicate whether an acceptable sterilization has occurred after a sterilization process at a first condition of after a sterilization process at a second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Mark Bala
  • Patent number: 9354227
    Abstract: An indicator for a sterilization process is configured to function for two different sterilization conditions. The indicator includes two pass zones to indicate whether an acceptable sterilization has occurred after a sterilization process at a first condition or after a sterilization process at a second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Mark Bala
  • Patent number: 9265846
    Abstract: An air removal test system for verifying adequate air removal during a sterilization cycle of a pre-vacuum type sterilizer includes specimen holder and a test strip. The test strip includes a solid indicator chemical, which liquefies and travels along a wicking element during the sterilization cycle. The test strip is configured to verify adequate removal of air during the sterilization cycle by displaying a color change through a window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Mark Bala
  • Publication number: 20150252403
    Abstract: An indicator for a sterilization process is configured to function for two different sterilization conditions. The indicator includes two pass zones to indicate whether an acceptable sterilization has occurred after a sterilization process at a first condition of after a sterilization process at a second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: DANA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Mark Bala
  • Publication number: 20150253311
    Abstract: An indicator for a sterilization process is configured to function for two different sterilization conditions. The indicator includes two pass zones to indicate whether an acceptable sterilization has occurred after a sterilization process at a first condition or after a sterilization process at a second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: DANA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Mark Bala
  • Patent number: 9010269
    Abstract: A counting device includes a shaft, a handle affixed to a first end of the shaft, and a locking unit mounted in the handle spaced from the shaft. A locking plate has an opening for accommodating the shaft. The locking plate has a plurality of recesses facing the locking unit for cooperating with the locking unit. A position indicating assembly is coupled to the shaft to move as the handle is rotated. The recesses are arranged in a circular pattern on the locking plate such that the locking unit engages each recess as the handle is rotated around the shaft. The recesses are configured to permit one-way rotation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Dana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Bala, Mark Bala
  • Publication number: 20140273239
    Abstract: An air removal test system for verifying adequate air removal during a sterilization cycle of a pre-vacuum type sterilizer includes specimen holder and a test strip. The test strip includes a solid indicator chemical, which liquefies and travels along a wicking element during the sterilization cycle. The test strip is configured to verify adequate removal of air during the sterilization cycle by displaying a color change through a window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Dana Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Bala