Patents by Inventor Lewis P. Woodson
Lewis P. Woodson 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: 6623955Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1995Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Publication number: 20030157588Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 1995Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: RICHARD R. MATNER, WILLIAM E. FOLTZ, LEWIS P. WOODSON
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Patent number: 6566090Abstract: A sterilization indicator is useful for testing the effectiveness of sterilization procedures that disinfect objects by contacting them with a liquid sterilization procedure. The indicator includes an outer container having an open end and a cover material associated with the open end that is impermeable to liquids and bacteria. An enzyme-gel matrix is coated on a surface within the outer container that comprises a biologically inert polymeric gel and a source of an active enzyme dispersed within the gel. The enzyme has an activity that is correlated with the survival of at least one test microorganism that is commonly used to monitor the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure. A breakable ampoule within the outer container contains a substrate that is capable of reacting with any active enzyme remaining after the indicator has been subjected to a sterilization procedure to provide a detectable indication that the sterilization procedure was ineffective.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, Lewis P. Woodson
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Publication number: 20030077688Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company to 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Publication number: 20020115131Abstract: A sterilization indicator is useful for testing the effectiveness of sterilization procedures that disinfect objects by contacting them with a liquid sterilization procedure. The indicator includes an outer container having an open end and a cover material associated with the open end that is impermeable to liquids and bacteria. An enzyme-gel matrix is coated on a surface within the outer container that comprises a biologically inert polymeric gel and a source of an active enzyme dispersed within the gel. The enzyme has an activity that is correlated with the survival of at least one test microorganism that is commonly used to monitor the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure. A breakable ampoule within the outer container contains a substrate that is capable of reacting with any active enzyme remaining after the indicator has been subjected to a sterilization procedure to provide a detectable indication that the sterilization procedure was ineffective.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 6352837Abstract: A sterilization indicator is useful for testing the effectiveness of sterilization procedures that disinfect objects by contacting them with a liquid sterilization procedure. The indicator includes an outer container having an open end and a cover material associated with the open end that is impermeable to liquids and bacteria. An enzyme-gel matrix is coated on a surface within the outer container that comprises a biologically inert polymeric gel and a source of an active enzyme dispersed within the gel. The enzyme has an activity that is correlated with the survival of at least one test microorganism that is commonly used to monitor the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure. A breakable ampoule within the outer container contains a substrate that is capable of reacting with any active enzyme remaining after the indicator has been subjected to a sterilization procedure to provide a detectable indication that the sterilization procedure was ineffective.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 6004438Abstract: A method of killing microorganisms which form a biofilm on surfaces, including the surfaces of medical articles or on tissue or implant surfaces in a living subject. Killing of biofilm microorganisms is accomplished by applying an electric field to an electrically conductive medium in which the biofilm is contained. The electrically conductive medium either includes a biocide or is capable of generating a biocide in situ upon application of an electric field. A means of utilizing the method in vivo and a sterilizer are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1991Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5866356Abstract: A protective housing for a biological indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a tube constructed of a liquid impermeable and gas-nonabsorptive polymer, a cap assembly having an aperture that allows sterilant to enter the housing during the sterilization procedure and contact the biological indicator, and an absorptive material in the cap assembly to prevent condensed sterilant from entering the housing and contacting the biological indicator. During a sterilization procedure the protective housing reduces premature inactivation of biological indicators, especially biological indicators that measure the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure by monitoring an enzyme whose activity can be correlated with the viability of at least one microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization efficacy.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Heidemarie Albert, William F. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5739004Abstract: A biological indicator which utilizes immobilization to increase the thermostability of the biomaterial (e.g., microorganism or enzyme) contained within the indicator. Due to the increased thermostability of the biomaterial, the indicator can be utilized to monitor sterilization with or without conventional test pack materials or devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5462644Abstract: A method of killing microorganisms which form a biofilm on surfaces, including the surfaces of medical articles or on tissue or implant surfaces in a living subject. Killing of biofilm microorganisms is accomplished by applying an electric field to an electrically conductive medium in which the biofilm is contained. The electrically conductive medium either includes a biocide or is capable of generating a biocide in situ upon application of an electric field. A means of utilizing the method in vivo and a sterilizer are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5418167Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1993Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5252484Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1991Date of Patent: October 12, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5223401Abstract: A unitary sterility indicator and a method for its use, the indicator comprising an outer container having liquid impermeable and gas non-absorptive walls, and having a gas-transmissive, bacteria impermeable opening therein; contained within the outer container, a detectable amount of a source of active enzyme and/or another microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization; a sealed, openable gas and liquid impermeable inner container containing an aqueous medium and/or a nutrient growth medium, disposed in the outer container; an enzyme substrate system capable of reacting with active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product and/or a detector material sensitive to microorganism growth, contained in one of the containers; and means contained within the outer container for restricting the area in which enzyme-modified product and/or growing microorganisms are contained, after the inner container is opened, to an area which is less than the volume of aqueous solution contained in the inner conType: GrantFiled: November 29, 1988Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: William E. Foltz, Richard R. Matner, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5089606Abstract: A water-insoluble polysaccharide hydrogel foam and a method and article of preparing a homogeneously foamed hydrogel from a two component aqueous system of water-soluble polysaccharides bearing pendant carboxylate groups. The hydrogel foam, when it incorporates an antimicrobial, has particular utility as a surgical preparation for vaginal or rectal surgery.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1990Date of Patent: February 18, 1992Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Susan M. Cole, James E. Garbe, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5073488Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1988Date of Patent: December 17, 1991Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson