Patents by Inventor Lewis I. Schwartz
Lewis I. Schwartz 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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Patent number: 8129579Abstract: An oxidizing liquid (20), such as hydrogen peroxide, is vaporized (18) and the vapor is used to deactivate nerve gas, blistering gas, or other biologically active substances such as pathogens, biotoxins, and prions. A second chemical compound (42) in vapor, mist, or fog form is used in conjunction with the oxidizing vapor. In one embodiment, the second chemical preconditions the biologically active substances to be deactivated more efficiently by the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the second chemical boosts the reactivity of the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the other chemical reacts with the oxidizing vapor to form an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Steris IncInventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, Gerald E. McDonnell
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Patent number: 8025848Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the lip-,e. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignees: Steris Inc, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Army, APGInventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, George W. Wagner
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Patent number: 7901618Abstract: A large convoluted space, such as a multi-story concourse of an airport is isolated and a chemical or biological agent in the concourse is deactivated. A plurality of deactivation gas sources (100) introduce a deactivation gas at multiple points along the concourse. Fans (66, 106) circulate the deactivation gas, sensors (110) sense concentrations of the deactivation gas at numerous points around the concourse and exhaust fans (66) exhaust air, spent deactivation gas, and some deactivation gas. A control processor (84) controls the generators, the circulation fans, and the exhaust fans in accordance with the gas concentrations sensed by the sensors to increase and decrease deactivation gas concentration in selected subregions of the concourse by increasing or decreasing generation, increasing or decreasing exhausting, or altering flow patterns among subregions.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Steris LLCInventors: Iain F. McVey, Paul A. Wiget, Michael A. Centanni, Lewis I. Schwartz
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Patent number: 7670565Abstract: When microbial contamination is introduced into a room (20*) of an enclosure, such as a building, an HVAC system including supply ductwork (16) and a return ductwork (34) is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide vapor. A decontamination controller (46) operates controllable baffles (22) at outlet registers (20), temporary controllable baffles (44) at inlet registers (30), and a blower system (10) to circulate hydrogen peroxide vapor from hydrogen peroxide vapor generators (42) through the ductwork in both forward and reverse directions. Further, at least portions of the baffles are closed to create dwell times in which the hydrogen peroxide vapor resides in the ductwork with minimal or turbulent flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Steris IncInventors: Iain F. McVey, Victor M. Selig, Lewis I. Schwartz, Gerald E. McDonnell, Peter A. Burke
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Patent number: 7651667Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the like. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Steris Inc.Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, George W. Wagner
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Publication number: 20090311152Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the like. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2006Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicants: STERIS INC., a Delaware corporation, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY. SBCCOM,ECBC, APGInventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, George W. Wagner
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Patent number: 7629500Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the lip-,e. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignees: Steris Inc, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, George W. Wagner
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Publication number: 20090263501Abstract: An oxidizing liquid (20), such as hydrogen peroxide, is vaporized (18) and the vapor is used to deactivate nerve gas, blistering gas, or other biologically active substances such as pathogens, biotoxins, and prions. A second chemical compound (42) in vapor, mist, or fog form is used in conjunction with the oxidizing vapor. In one embodiment, the second chemical preconditions the biologically active substances to be deactivated more efficiently by the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the second chemical boosts the reactivity of the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the other chemical reacts with the oxidizing vapor to form an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Iain F. McVEY, Lewis I. SCHWARTZ, Michael A. CENTANNI, Gerald E. McDONNELL
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Patent number: 7592500Abstract: An oxidizing liquid (20), such as hydrogen peroxide, is vaporized (18) and the vapor is used to deactivate nerve gas, blistering gas, or other biologically active substances such as pathogens, biotoxins, and prions. A second chemical compound (42) in vapor, mist, or fog form is used in conjunction with the oxidizing vapor. In one embodiment, the second chemical preconditions the biologically active substances to be deactivated more efficiently by the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the second chemical boosts the reactivity of the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the other chemical reacts with the oxidizing vapor to form an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, Gerald E. McDonnell
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Publication number: 20080152544Abstract: When microbial contamination is introduced into a room (20*) of an enclosure, such as a building, an HVAC system including supply ductwork (16) and a return ductwork (34) is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide vapor. A decontamination controller (46) operates controllable baffles (22) at outlet registers (20), temporary controllable baffles (44) at inlet registers (30), and a blower system (10) to circulate hydrogen peroxide vapor from hydrogen peroxide vapor generators (42) through the ductwork in both forward and reverse directions. Further, at least portions of the baffles are closed to create dwell times in which the hydrogen peroxide vapor resides in the ductwork with minimal or turbulent flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: STERIS INC.Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Victor M. Selig, Lewis I. Schwartz, Gerald E. McDonnell, Peter A. Burke
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Patent number: 7361304Abstract: When microbial contamination is introduced into a room (20*) of an enclosure, such as a building, an HVAC system including supply ductwork (16) and a return ductwork (34) is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide vapor. A decontamination controller (46) operates controllable baffles (22) at outlet registers (20), temporary controllable baffles (44) at inlet registers (30), and a blower system (10) to circulate hydrogen peroxide vapor from hydrogen peroxide vapor generators (42) through the ductwork in both forward and reverse directions. Further, at least portions of the baffles are closed to create dwell times in which the hydrogen peroxide vapor resides in the ductwork with minimal or turbulent flow.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: Ian F. McVey, Victor M. Selig, Lewis I. Schwartz, Gerald E. McDonnell, Peter A. Burke
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Patent number: 7102052Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the like. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignees: Steris INC, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, George W. Wagner
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Publication number: 20040215046Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized (20) and mixed (30) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area (10) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the like. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, George W. Wagner
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Publication number: 20040184950Abstract: When microbial contamination is introduced into a room (20*) of an enclosure, such as a building, an HVAC system including supply ductwork (16) and a return ductwork (34) is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide vapor. A decontamination controller (46) operates controllable baffles (22) at outlet registers (20), temporary controllable baffles (44) at inlet registers (30), and a blower system (10) to circulate hydrogen peroxide vapor from hydrogen peroxide vapor generators (42) through the ductwork in both forward and reverse directions. Further, at least portions of the baffles are closed to create dwell times in which the hydrogen peroxide vapor resides in the ductwork with minimal or turbulent flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: STERIS INC.Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Victor M. Selig, Lewis I. Schwartz, Gerald E. McDonnell
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Publication number: 20040166216Abstract: Food products, such as precooked meats, raw meats, and poultry are treated with a decontaminant solution to remove surface microorganism contamination. The decontaminant solution contains peracetic acid at a concentration of from about 100 to 4000 ppm and has broad spectrum activity against a variety of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: STERIS INC. , a Delaware corporationInventors: James L. Marsden, Eric W. Krieger, Lewis I. Schwartz, Alan J. Greszler, Bill R. Sanford
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Patent number: 6767569Abstract: Cooked food products, such as cooked meats, and poultry, are treated with a decontaminant solution to remove surface microorganism contamination. The decontaminant solution contains peracetic acid at a concentration of from about 100 to 4000 ppm and has broad spectrum activity against a variety of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Steris Inc.Inventors: James L. Marsden, Eric W. Krieger, Lewis I. Schwartz, Alan J. Greszler, Bill R. Sanford
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Publication number: 20040057868Abstract: An oxidizing liquid (20), such as hydrogen peroxide, is vaporized (18) and the vapor is used to deactivate nerve gas, blistering gas, or other biologically active substances such as pathogens, biotoxins, and prions. A second chemical compound (42) in vapor, mist, or fog form is used in conjunction with the oxidizing vapor. In one embodiment, the second chemical preconditions the biologically active substances to be deactivated more efficiently by the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the second chemical boosts the reactivity of the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the other chemical reacts with the oxidizing vapor to form an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Lewis I. Schwartz, Michael A. Centanni, Gerald E. McDonnell
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Patent number: 6329207Abstract: A wet chemical indicator for peracetic acid solutions includes an indicator for peracetic acid and an inhibitor. The inhibitor is selected to inhibit a selected peracetic acid concentration in a reproducible sample of a solution containing peracetic acid. The indicator exhibits an observable change when the selected concentration of peracetic acid is exceeded. In this manner, a rapid indication of whether the peracetic acid solution is of a required minimum strength is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Steris CorporationInventors: Christopher M. Fricker, Brian C. Wojcieck, Paul D. Walkley, Jr., Robert F. Korb, Giridhar Shamsunder, Elijah L. Booker, Jr., Kathleen A. Hughes, Lewis I. Schwartz
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Patent number: 5662866Abstract: A lid (10) of a countertop decontamination unit (A) is opened to gain access to a tray (12) for receiving items to be sterilized and a well (16) for receiving a two compartment powdered anti-microbial agent carrying cup (C). The cup includes an outer cup portion (50) and an inner cup portion (70) that have peripheral walls (52, 72) affixed together at flanges (54, 74). The outer cup portion (50) is closed at one end by a first detachable base (58). The inner cup portion (70) is closed by a second detachable base (78). The outer and inner cups (50, 70) define a first powdered reagent receiving chamber (56) therebetween. The inner cup defines a second chamber therein. A permeable sheet (100) is affixed to the inner cup portion flange (74) for ventedly sealing both chambers.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Steris CorporationInventors: Norman L. Siegel, Lewis I. Schwartz, Raymond C. Kralovic, Joseph J. Switka, Craig M. Saunders, Nick E. Stanca, Gregory A. Dale, Jeffrey S. Plantz
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Patent number: 5601712Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing liquids from biological waste by the employment of centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the biological waste particulate and into a container separate from a biological waste container, permitting the dried biological waste and removed liquid to be separately and conveniently disposed of. Preferably, a rotatable drum can be rotatably supported within an outer liquid-tight drum, and a disposable porous container, such as a bag made of porous material, can be placed within the rotatable foraminous drum. Biological waste can be placed within the porous, disposable container within the rotatable drum, and the rotatable drum can be rotated at a rate of rotation sufficient to substantially transfer unabsorbed liquid from the biological waste through the disposable porous container and the openings in the foraminous inner drum to the outer liquid-tight collection drum.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Ecomed, Inc.Inventors: Mathew J. Adams, Kenneth R. Lamaster, David B. Mennel, Jeffrey C. Rapp, Lewis I. Schwartz, Norman L. Siegel, Joseph H. Wilson