Patents by Inventor Jude Kral
Jude Kral 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: 20150048083Abstract: Flexible tanks for storage of fluids are constructed of interconnected panels of flexible material made of flexible woven and coated materials and with specific geometric panel configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Jude A. KRAL, Frank E. BRADENBURG
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Patent number: 8435445Abstract: A mobile device for transporting, tracking and processing medical instruments. The device comprises a cart including at least one receptacle for receiving an instrument container having instruments stored therein. The cart also includes plumbing for circulating processing fluids through the instrument container and a communications system for communicating tracking data associated with the instrument container and the cart.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventor: Jude A. Kral
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Publication number: 20130008472Abstract: A mobile device for transporting, tracking and processing medical instruments. The device comprises a cart including at least one receptacle for receiving an instrument container having instruments stored therein. The cart also includes plumbing for circulating processing fluids through the instrument container and a communications system for communicating tracking data associated with the instrument container and the cart.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventor: Jude A. Kral
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Patent number: 8287816Abstract: A mobile device for transporting, tracking and processing medical instruments. The device comprises a cart including at least one receptacle for receiving an instrument container having instruments stored therein. The cart also includes plumbing for circulating processing fluids through the instrument container and a communications system for communicating tracking data associated with the instrument container and the cart.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventor: Jude A. Kral
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Patent number: 8012424Abstract: A container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor. The container is comprised of a generally cup shaped tray having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending to one side from the periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the side wall defining a cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated. A lid is attachable to the tray. The lid is dimensioned to cover the cavity. An inlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. An outlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. A barrier element is disposed within one of the ports. The barrier element controls flow through the one port. The barrier element is comprised of a material that is permeable to gas and water vapor but impermeable to liquid, bacteria and organisms.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Alan M. Solomon, Phillip Mallory, Jeffrey R. Horacek, Jude A. Kral
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Patent number: 8012425Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Donald A. Sargent, Alan M. Solomon, John J. Mayer, Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Jude A. Kral
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Publication number: 20100040521Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Donald A. Sargent, Alan M. Solomon, John J. Mayer, Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Jude A. Kral
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Patent number: 7625534Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Jeffrey R. Horacek, Donald A. Sargent, Alan M. Solomon, John J. Mayer, Christopher A. Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Jude A. Kral
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Publication number: 20090261549Abstract: A mobile device for transporting, tracking and processing medical instruments. The device comprises a cart including at least one receptacle for receiving an instrument container having instruments stored therein. The cart also includes plumbing for circulating processing fluids through the instrument container and a communications system for communicating tracking data associated with the instrument container and the cart.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventor: Jude A. Kral
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Patent number: 7569182Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a reprocessor that has a chamber for receiving items to be sterilized. The reprocessor is filled with water that has passed through a first and a second filter element that both comprise a filtration system. A liquid sterilant is generated by mixing the water with dry chemical reagents. The liquid sterilant is circulated through a fluid circulation system and the filtration system wherein a portion of the liquid sterilant is directed through a bypass conduit and another portion is directed through the first and second filter elements. After a predetermined exposure time, the reprocessor is drained. Then the reprocessor is filled with water for rinsing that has passed through the first and the second filter elements. The water for rinsing is heated prior to being introduced into the reprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Peter A. Burke, Karl F. Ludwig, Jude A. Kral, Francis J. Zelina
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Patent number: 7476368Abstract: A system for microbially deactivating items. The system includes a circulation system for circulating a microbial decontamination fluid through a deactivation chamber that forms a part of the circulation system. A container for holding items to be deactivated is provided. The container has a sealable cavity in which the items to be deactivated may be placed, and at least one valve element that is movable between an open and a closed position to regulate fluid flow into the cavity. An actuator in the deactivation chamber is operable to move the valve element to an open position when the container is disposed within the deactivation chamber, wherein the cavity within the container is in fluid communication with the circulation system when the valve element is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Donald A. Sargent, Christopher A. Jethrow, Jude A. Kral, Karl F. Ludwig, Victor Selig
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Patent number: 7459028Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing soil from an inner surface of a lumen wall of a medical instrument are disclosed. A carrier gas entrains particles capable of sublimation at room temperature and transports the particles into and through the lumen. As the particles collide with the soil attached to the inner surface of the lumen wall, and as the particles sublime, the soil is removed from the inner surface of the lumen wall and transported out an exit of the lumen.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Jude A. Kral, Michael A. Centanni
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Patent number: 7422729Abstract: A reprocessor for microbially deactivating items. The reprocessor has a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a deactivation chamber that forms part of the circulation system. A container is provided for insertion into the deactivation chamber for holding items to be microbially deactivated. The container includes a tray and a lid. The tray and lid have interlocking, integrally formed, rigid seal elements formed thereon to form a seal between the tray and the lid.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Victor Selig, Karl F. Ludwig, Jude A. Kral, Christopher A. Jethrow, Jeffrey Horacek, Donald A. Sargent
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Patent number: 7314966Abstract: A method of microbially deactivating items and storing the same, comprising the steps of: a) placing items within a cavity in a sealable container having fluid access ports therein, the fluid access ports having a normally closed position and being moveable to an open position; b) placing the container having items to be microbially deactivated in the cavity into a reprocessor having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid during a deactivation cycle, wherein the fluid access ports in the container are moved to the open position to be in fluid communication with the circulation systems by contact with the reprocessor; c) circulating the microbial deactivation fluid through the cavity of the container; and d) removing the container from the reprocessor following a deactivation cycle, wherein removal of the container from the reprocessor causes the fluid access ports to assume the normally closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Victor Selig, Karl F. Ludwig, Jude A. Kral, Christopher A. Jethrow, Jeffrey Horacek, Donald A. Sargent
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Publication number: 20070212278Abstract: A container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor. The container is comprised of a generally cup shaped tray having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending to one side from the periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the side wall defining a cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated. A lid is attachable to the tray. The lid is dimensioned to cover the cavity. An inlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. An outlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. A barrier element is disposed within one of the ports. The barrier element controls flow through the one port. The barrier element is comprised of a material that is permeable to gas and water vapor but impermeable to liquid, bacteria and organisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: Christopher Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Alan Solomon, Phillip Mallory, Jeffrey Horacek, Jude Kral
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Publication number: 20070212280Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: Jeffrey Horacek, Donald Sargent, Alan Solomon, John Mayer, Christopher Jethrow, Karl Ludwig, Jude Kral
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Publication number: 20070212284Abstract: A storage cabinet for storing a device container containing instruments and devices that have been microbially deactivated. The device container has an inlet port and an outlet port. The storage cabinet is comprised of a housing having a series of compartments defined therein. Each compartments is dimensioned to accept a device container. Connector ports are disposed within each of the compartments. The connector ports are dimensioned to matingly engage the inlet port and the outlet port of a device container. A circulation system within the housing communicates with the connector ports in each compartment. A means is provided to move air along the circulation system. A heating means is provided to heat the air flowing within the circulation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: Alan Solomon, Phillip Mallory, Jude Kral
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Publication number: 20070154343Abstract: The present invention provides a medical washer for deactivating surfaces of a medical instrument or device having a lumen. The medical washer includes a housing that defines a chamber dimensioned to contain a liquid and to receive a medical instrument having a lumen. A primary conduit is connected at both ends to the chamber to define a recirculating path for liquid in the chamber. A suction device having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a suction port is disposed within said primary conduit such that the inlet port and the outlet port are fluidly connected to the primary conduit. A suction conduit has a first end that is fluidly connectable to a lumen on a medical instrument and a second end that is fluidly connected to the suction port of the suction device. The suction device is dimensioned such that a flow of the liquid through the suction device creates a negative pressure at the suction port.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Jude Kral, Donald Sargent
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Publication number: 20070071832Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing soil from an inner surface of a lumen wall of a medical instrument are disclosed. A carrier gas entrains particles capable of sublimation at room temperature and transports the particles into and through the lumen. As the particles collide with the soil attached to the inner surface of the lumen wall, and as the particles sublime, the soil is removed from the inner surface of the lumen wall and transported out an exit of the lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2005Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventors: Jude Kral, Michael Centanni
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Patent number: 7169369Abstract: A reprocessor for microbially deactivating items. The reprocessor has a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid through a deactivation chamber that forms part of the circulation system. A container is provided for insertion into the deactivation chamber for holding items to be microbially deactivated. The container includes a tray and a lid. The tray and lid have interlocking, integrally formed, rigid seal elements formed thereon to form a seal between the tray and the lid.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Victor Selig, Karl F. Ludwig, Jude A. Kral, Christopher A. Jethrow, Jeffrey Horacek, Donald A. Sargent