Patents by Inventor Phillip P. Franciskovich
Phillip P. Franciskovich 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: 11041186Abstract: This invention relates to a capacitor comprising two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric, the dielectric comprising microorganisms. The dielectric may comprise a biological indicator. This invention relates to a process for determining whether the microorganisms are alive or dead. The number of microorganisms can be determined. This invention relates to a process for testing the efficacy of a sterilization process using the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Michael A. Centanni, Phillip P. Franciskovich, Kathleen A. Fix
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Publication number: 20210130869Abstract: A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a capacitive sensor, an electro-mechanical sensor, or a resistive sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Kathleen A. Fix, Michael A. Centanni
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Patent number: 10900062Abstract: A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a resistive sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Michael A. Centanni
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Patent number: 10889848Abstract: A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a capacitive sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Kathleen A. Fix, Michael A. Centanni
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Patent number: 10876144Abstract: A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising an electro-mechanical sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Michael A. Centanni, Phillip P. Franciskovich
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Patent number: 10307498Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a two-part liquid composition for cleaning and disinfecting a substrate, comprising: (A) a disinfectant medium comprising peracetic acid; and (B) a supplemental medium comprising a non-enzymatic cleaner, a corrosion inhibitor, and a chelator. The supplemental medium (B) may further comprise an enzymatic cleaner, a surfactant, a buffer, a pH modifier, or a mixture of two or more thereof. The substrate may be a medical device, for example, an endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Donald G. Rosenhamer, Kathleen A. Fix
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Patent number: 10301632Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Tricia A. Cregger, William A. Yirava, Peter A. Burke
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Patent number: 10301631Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Tricia A. Cregger, William A. Yirava, Peter A. Burke
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Patent number: 10183087Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a two-part liquid composition for cleaning and disinfecting a substrate, comprising: (A) a disinfectant medium comprising peracetic acid; and (B) a supplemental medium comprising a non-enzymatic cleaner, a corrosion inhibitor, and a chelator. The supplemental medium (B) may further comprise an enzymatic cleaner, a surfactant, a buffer, a pH modifier, or a mixture of two or more thereof. The substrate may be a medical device, for example, an endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Donald G. Rosenhamer, Kathleen A. Fix
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Publication number: 20190017093Abstract: A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a capacitive sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Kathleen A. Fix, Michael A. Centanni
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Publication number: 20190017091Abstract: A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising an electro-mechanical sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Michael A. Centanni, Phillip P. Franciskovich
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Publication number: 20190017092Abstract: A process for determining the viability of a biological indicator includes exposing the biological indicator to a viability detection medium, the biological indicator including test microorganisms, the exposing the biological indicator to the viability detection medium producing a gaseous reaction product when one or more of the test microorganisms are viable. The presence or absence of the gaseous reaction product produced by the biological indicator combined with the viability detection medium is detected with a sensing device, the sensing device comprising a resistive sensor, wherein the presence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the presence of viable test microorganisms and the absence of the gaseous reaction product indicates the absence of viable test microorganisms. A sterilization detection device includes a container configured to contain the biological indicator, a viability detection medium, and the sensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Michael A. Centanni
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Publication number: 20180355400Abstract: This invention relates to a capacitor comprising two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric, the dielectric comprising microorganisms. The dielectric may comprise a biological indicator. This invention relates to a process for determining whether the microorganisms are alive or dead. The number of microorganisms can be determined. This invention relates to a process for testing the efficacy of a sterilization process using the capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Michael A. Centanni, Phillip P. Franciskovich, Kathleen A. Fix
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Publication number: 20180305733Abstract: This invention relates to a capacitor comprising two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric, the dielectric comprising microorganisms. The dielectric may comprise a biological indicator. This invention relates to a process for determining whether the microorganisms are alive or dead. The number of microorganisms can be determined. This invention relates to a process for testing the efficacy of a sterilization process using the capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Michael A. Centanni, Phillip P. Franciskovich, Kathleen A. Fix
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Publication number: 20180273958Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Tricia A. Cregger, William A. Yirava, Peter A. Burke
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Publication number: 20180273957Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Tricia A. Cregger, William A. Yirava, Peter A. Burke
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Patent number: 10017772Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Tricia A. Cregger, William A. Yirava, Peter A. Burke
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Patent number: 10011844Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Tricia A. Cregger, William A. Yirava, Peter A. Burke
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Patent number: 10011843Abstract: This invention relates to a biological indicator derived from a composition comprising: a host organism comprising a spore forming bacteria; a reporter gene for producing an indicator enzyme; a regulatory gene; and a vehicle for inserting the reporter gene and the regulatory gene in the host organism; the host organism bearing a transposable genetic element in its genome for inserting an insertion sequence in the regulatory gene; the insertion sequence comprising a transposase, a pair of terminal inverted repeat sequences, and at least one open reading frame for expressing the transposase. The vehicle may be taken up by the host organism. The insertion sequence may be inserted in the regulatory gene. The host organism may undergo sporulation to form the biological indicator. A process and an apparatus for using the biological indicator are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: American Sterilizer CompanyInventors: Phillip P. Franciskovich, Tricia A. Cregger, William A. Yirava, Peter A. Burke
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Publication number: 20180103637Abstract: A sterilant composition is disclosed which contains peracetic acid and a non-aqueous solvent. The sterilant composition may include one or more of a buffer, an anticorrosive agent and a chelator. The sterilant composition may be free of added water. The sterilant composition may be used for sterilizing articles such as medical, dental, pharmaceutical, veterinary or mortuary instruments, devices, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Phillip P. FRANCISKOVICH, Kathleen A. FIX, Donald G. ROSENHAMER