Patents by Inventor Ronald G. Lulich

Ronald G. Lulich 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: 7045343
    Abstract: Sterilization indicator test packs for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure are provided. Both non-challenge and challenge-type test packs are disclosed. The non-challenge test packs include generally comprise a tray for holding a sterilization indicator the tray containing an elevated rim surface defining the perimeter of the tray and a recessed trough for receiving a sterilization indicator. The rim surface includes a plurality of spaced-apart grooves along its length extending through the rim to the recessed trough; a sterilization indicator within the recessed trough of the tray; and a lid that forms a plurality of channels with the grooves in the tray such that sterilant can enter the tray through the channels and contact the sterilization indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, William E. Foltz, Sailaja Chandrapati, Thomas T. Rosenlund, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
  • Patent number: 6897059
    Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William E. Foltz, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
  • Publication number: 20040248235
    Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William E. Foltz, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
  • Publication number: 20030215923
    Abstract: Sterilization indicator test packs for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure are provided. Both non-challenge and challenge-type test packs are disclosed. The non-challenge test packs include generally comprise a tray for holding a sterilization indicator the tray containing an elevated rim surface defining the perimeter of the tray and a recessed trough for receiving a sterilization indicator. The rim surface includes a plurality of spaced-apart grooves along its length extending through the rim to the recessed trough; a sterilization indicator within the recessed trough of the tray; and a lid that forms a plurality of channels with the grooves in the tray such that sterilant can enter the tray through the channels and contact the sterilization indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, William E. Foltz, Sailaja Chandrapati, Thomas T. Rosenlund, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
  • Publication number: 20030162243
    Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William E. Foltz, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
  • Patent number: 6355448
    Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William E. Foltz, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich