Patents by Inventor Robert S. Ward

Robert S. Ward 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).

  • Patent number: 11954619
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods described include receiving data related to an availability for a shift, automatically triggering initiation of a communications session related to the shift, conducting the communications session, and receiving and storing a plurality of audio or audio and visual signals from the communications session. Machine learning (ML) sentiment analysis is performed on data of the communications session and based on the sentiment analysis, a reliability score is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TRUEBLUE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kapcar, Carlos A. Lara Maldonado, Robert Michael Ward, Jeffrey S Dirks
  • Publication number: 20240066470
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a filtration media comprising a combination of (i) a hollow fiber membrane and (ii) adsorption media. The disclosure further provides a device, the device comprising a filtration media, which filtration media includes a combination of (i) a hollow fiber membrane and (ii) adsorption media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea
  • Patent number: 11911551
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for the treatment of a subject suffering from drug intoxication by cleansing a contaminated sample from the subject with adsorption media. The adsorption media composition is selected for its antithrombogenic properties and for its ability to adhere to one or more drug targets to be reduced or eliminated. The media can further be held in a cartridge for use in extracorporeal treatments such as those of hemoperfusion. Contacting the contaminated sample from the subject with the absorption medium allows for the separation of a portion of the drug target from the sample, producing a cleansed sample that can be infused into the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea
  • Publication number: 20230002051
    Abstract: A payload suspension system is described herein. A payload suspension system may comprise a suspended payload container within an internal cavity defined by the payload suspension system. The suspended payload container may be suspended by one or more tensile members. The one or more tensile members may be coupled with respective tension adjustment mechanisms configured to adjust a tension of the tensile members. The tension may be adjusted based on a transition to and from a low- or micro-gravity state, in order to provide an increased or decreased movement/rotational ability for the payload container. The low- or micro-gravity state may be produced due to an aircraft performing a parabolic maneuver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Shubham Garg
  • Patent number: 11306346
    Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method for concentrating infectious pathogens found in a biological sample obtained from an individual who is suspected of being infected with the pathogens. Provided herein is also an in vitro method for reducing or eliminating blood cells from a sample obtained from an individual suspected to being infected with an infectious pathogen. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing malaria and a method for determining if an individual is infected with a pathogen. Provided herein is also a concentrator and a kit for use with the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea
  • Publication number: 20220072038
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for augmenting impaired glycocalyx barrier function in a subject in need thereof by contacting a sample (e.g., blood) obtained from the subject with a glycocalyx-mimetic adsorption media. The adsorption media includes glycosaminoglycan structures and, optionally, proteoglycan core proteins, which are conducive to enhancing and/or restoring the impaired glycocalyx barrier function in a sample. The contacted sample is subsequently separated from the adsorption media, producing a treated sample that can be infused into the subject. Methods and devices for treating a patient suffering from a disease associated with glycocalyx barrier dysfunction are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea, Lakhmir (Mink) Chawla
  • Patent number: 11123466
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for removing cytokines and/or pathogens from blood or blood serum (blood) by contacting the blood with a solid, essentially non microporous substrate which has been surface treated with heparin, heparan sulfate and/or other molecules or chemical groups (the adsorbent media or media) having a binding affinity for the cytokine or pathogen(s) to be removed (the adsorbates), and wherein the size of the interstitial channels within said media is balanced with the amount of media surface area and the surface concentration of binding sites on the media in order to provide adequate adsorptive capacity while also allowing relatively high flow rates of blood through the adsorbent media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea, Olle Larm, Lars Adolfsson
  • Publication number: 20210008269
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for the treatment of a subject suffering from drug intoxication by cleansing a contaminated sample from the subject with adsorption media. The adsorption media composition is selected for its antithrombogenic properties and for its ability to adhere to one or more drug targets to be reduced or eliminated. The media can further be held in a cartridge for use in extracorporeal treatments such as those of hemoperfusion. Contacting the contaminated sample from the subject with the absorption medium allows for the separation of a portion of the drug target from the sample, producing a cleansed sample that can be infused into the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. WARD, Keith R. McCREA
  • Patent number: 10857283
    Abstract: The present technology relates to methods and devices for the removal of toxins and pathogens from infected blood of patients. In particular, devices are designed to be portable, wearable, disposable and self-contained extracorporeal devices that can be easily assembled from a kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: EXTHERA MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert S Ward, Keith R McCrea
  • Publication number: 20200338256
    Abstract: The present technology relates to methods and devices for the removal of toxins and pathogens from infected blood of patients. In particular, devices are designed to be portable, wearable, disposable and self-contained extracorporeal devices that can be easily assembled from a kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea
  • Patent number: 10786615
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for the treatment of a subject suffering from drug intoxication by cleansing a contaminated sample from the subject with adsorption media. The adsorption media composition is selected for its antithrombogenic properties and for its ability to adhere to one or more drug targets to be reduced or eliminated. The media can further be held in a cartridge for use in extracorporeal treatments such as those of hemoperfusion. Contacting the contaminated sample from the subject with the absorption medium allows for the separation of a portion of the drug target from the sample, producing a cleansed sample that can be infused into the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: EXTHERA MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea
  • Publication number: 20200056221
    Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method for concentrating infectious pathogens found in a biological sample obtained from an individual who is suspected of being infected with the pathogens. Provided herein is also an in vitro method for reducing or eliminating blood cells from a sample obtained from an individual suspected to being infected with an infectious pathogen. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing malaria and a method for determining if an individual is infected with a pathogen. Provided herein is also a concentrator and a kit for use with the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Robert S. WARD, Keith R. McCREA
  • Patent number: 10537280
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated system and a method for utilizing the system to detect and remove blood-borne factors of interest, such as pathogens and/or toxins and/or cytokines, from blood or serum (blood) by contacting the blood with a solid, essentially nonporous substrate which has been surface treated with molecules or chemical groups (the adsorbent media or media) having a binding affinity for the pathogens and/or toxins to be removed (the adsorbents). The invention can be used to remove virulence factors, e.g. toxins, that are released from various pathogens. In one aspect, the invention is for the treatment of sepsis and infection, such as infections associated with battle field trauma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Keith McCrea, Robert S. Ward, George Pitarra, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10487350
    Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method for concentrating infectious pathogens found in a biological sample obtained from an individual who is suspected of being infected with the pathogens. Provided herein is also an in vitro method for reducing or eliminating blood cells from a sample obtained from an individual suspected to being infected with an infectious pathogen. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing malaria and a method for determining if an individual is infected with a pathogen. Provided herein is also a concentrator and a kit for use with the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea
  • Patent number: 10457974
    Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method for concentrating infectious pathogens found in a biological sample obtained from an individual who is suspected of being infected with the pathogens. Provided herein is also an in vitro method for reducing or eliminating blood cells from a sample obtained from an individual suspected to being infected with an infectious pathogen. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing malaria and a method for determining if an individual is infected with a pathogen. Provided herein is also a concentrator and a kit for use with the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Ward, Keith R. McCrea
  • Publication number: 20180361050
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for removing cytokines and/or pathogens from blood or blood serum (blood) by contacting the blood with a solid, essentially non micro-porous substrate which has been surface treated with heparin, heparan sulfate and/or other molecules or chemical groups (the adsorbent media or media) having a binding affinity for the cytokine or pathogen(s) to be removed (the adsorbates), and wherein the size of the interstitial channels within said media is balanced with the amount of media surface area and the surface concentration of binding sites on the media in order to provide adequate adsorptive capacity while also allowing relatively high flow rates of blood through the adsorbent media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: EXTHERA MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT S. WARD, Keith R. McCREA, Olle LARM, Lars ADOLFSSON
  • Patent number: 10086126
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for removing cytokines and/or pathogens from blood or blood serum (blood) by contacting the blood with a solid, essentially non microporous substrate which has been surface treated with heparin, heparan sulfate and/or other molecules or chemical groups (the adsorbent media or media) having a binding affinity for the cytokine or pathogen(s) to be removed (the adsorbates), and wherein the size of the interstitial channels within said media is balanced with the amount of media surface area and the surface concentration of binding sites on the media in order to provide adequate adsorptive capacity while also allowing relatively high flow rates of blood through the adsorbent media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ExThera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S Ward, Keith R McCrea, Olle Larm, Lars Adolfsson
  • Publication number: 20180015120
    Abstract: Polymers having the formula R(LE)x wherein R is a polymeric core having a number average molecular weight of from 5000 to 7,000,000 daltons and having x endgroups, E is an endgroup covalently linked to polymeric core R by linkage L, L is a divalent oligomeric chain, having at least 5 identical repeat units, capable of self-assembly with L chains on adjacent molecules of the polymer, and the moieties (LE)x in the polymer may be the same as or different from one another. Design of monomers, oligomers, or other reactive structures otherwise analogous to known Self Assembled Monolayers but with at least one reactive chemical group capable of binding them to the terminus of a polymer, so that the thiol-free SAM analogue becomes the self-assembling surface modifying endgroup of that polymer. Use of the polymer to fabricate a configured article from the surface-modified polymer or a coating or topical treatment on an article made from another material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Robert S. WARD, Keith R. McCREA, James Parakka, Shanger Wang, Yuan Tian
  • Publication number: 20170252502
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for the treatment of a subject suffering from drug intoxication by cleansing a contaminated sample from the subject with adsorption media. The adsorption media composition is selected for its antithrombogenic properties and for its ability to adhere to one or more drug targets to be reduced or eliminated. The media can further be held in a cartridge for use in extracorporeal treatments such as those of hemoperfusion. Contacting the contaminated sample from the subject with the absorption medium allows for the separation of a portion of the drug target from the sample, producing a cleansed sample that can be infused into the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT S. WARD, KEITH R. McCREA
  • Patent number: 9669150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for extracorporeal removal of harmful agents from blood or blood com-Components, comprising full length heparin immobilized on a solid substrate by covalent end point attachment. The present invention also relates to a method for extracorporeal removal of a harmful agent from mammalian blood or blood components. The present invention further relates to a process for covalent end point attachment of full length heparin to a solid substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: EXTHERA MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Olle Larm, Tomas Bergstrom, Jonas Axelsson, Lars Adolfsson, Robert S. Ward, Keith McCrae