Patents by Inventor RuthAnn R. Duda

RuthAnn R. Duda 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: 11260140
    Abstract: A microbial indicator device for liquid disinfection comprises a first cavity, a source of biological activity fluidically coupled to the first cavity via a portion of a first fluidic path, a filter membrane positioned in a second fluidic path for a disinfectant, and a first coupling portion fluidically coupled to the source of biologically activity via the second fluidic path. The filter membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is in fluid communication with the first fluidic path. The filter membrane has a pore size sufficient to retain at least a portion of the source of biological activity on the first side. The device further comprises a frangible container contained in the first cavity, wherein a liquid in the container is in fluid communication with the first cavity when the container is fractured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: G. Marco Bommarito, Timothy J. Nies, Barry W. Robole, Assumpta A. G. Bennaars-Eiden, Jodi L. Connell, Tonya D. Bonilla, Timothy A. Kohman, Ruthann R. Duda
  • Publication number: 20220047752
    Abstract: A method of verifying the efficacy of a disinfection process is provided. The method includes flowing a liquid disinfectant into an indicator device that has a plurality of indicator microorganisms disposed therein, the indicator microorganisms comprising or capable of producing a detectable enzyme activity; contacting the indicator microorganisms with the liquid disinfectant for a predetermined minimum first period of time at a first temperature; after contacting the indicator microorganisms with the liquid disinfectant for the first period of time at the first temperature, contacting the indicator microorganisms for a second period of time with a detection medium comprising a detection reagent; and during or after the second period of time, detecting a quantity of the detectable enzyme activity that was not inactivated by the contact with the disinfectant. The indicator device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: ASSUMPTA A.G. BENNAARS-EIDEN, G. MARCO BOMMARITO, TONYA D. BONILLA, JODI L. CONNELL, RUTHANN R. DUDA, FEDERICA SGOLASTRA, ANDREW W. VAIL
  • Publication number: 20190255208
    Abstract: A microbial indicator device for liquid disinfection comprises a first cavity, a source of biological activity fluidically coupled to the first cavity via a portion of a first fluidic path, a filter membrane positioned in a second fluidic path for a disinfectant, and a first coupling portion fluidically coupled to the source of biologically activity via the second fluidic path. The filter membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is in fluid communication with the first fluidic path. The filter membrane has a pore size sufficient to retain at least a portion of the source of biological activity on the first side. The device further comprises a frangible container contained in the first cavity, wherein a liquid in the container is in fluid communication with the first cavity when the container is fractured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: G. MORCO BOMMARITO, TIMOTHY J. NIES, BARRY W. ROBOLE, ASSUMPTA A. G. BENNAARS-EIDEN, JODI L. CONNELL, TONYA D. BONILLA, TOMOTHY A. KOHMAN, RUTHANN R. DUDA
  • Patent number: 10287618
    Abstract: A composition for monitoring the efficacy of a decontamination process is provided, the composition comprising a cellulose polymer and a predetermined quantity of an adenine nucleotide. A monitoring device comprising a test element with the composition disposed thereon is also provided. The composition and/or monitoring device can be used in a method. The method includes exposing the monitoring device to a decontamination process and subsequently measuring the residual tracer analyte on the monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Francois Ahimou, RuthAnn R. Duda, G. Marco Bommarito, Timothy J. Nies, Kai Qiu
  • Patent number: 10047334
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI). The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a substrate positioned in the housing between the first chamber and the second chamber. The substrate can be positioned in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and the substrate can be further positioned such that the substrate is not in direct contact with the source of biological activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sailaja Chandrapati, Heather M. Webb, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Jeffrey D. Smith, RuthAnn R. Duda, Brian J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20170175163
    Abstract: A composition for monitoring the efficacy of a decontamination process is provided, the composition comprising a cellulose polymer and a predetermined quantity of an adenine nucleotide. A monitoring device comprising a test element with the composition disposed thereon is also provided. The composition and/or monitoring device can be used in a method. The method includes exposing the monitoring device to a decontamination process and subsequently measuring the residual tracer analyte on the monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: FRANCOIS AHIMOU, RuthAnn R. DUDA, G. MARCO BOMMARITO, TIMOTHY J. NIES, KAI QIU
  • Patent number: 9540677
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) and method of using same. The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a first fluid path positioned to fluidly couple the first chamber and the second chamber, and a second fluid path positioned to allow displaced gas to move out of the second chamber. The method can include moving displaced gas out of the second chamber via the second fluid path as a sterilant is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path and/or as the liquid is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Smith, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Sailaja Chandrapati, RuthAnn R. Duda
  • Publication number: 20160186120
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI). The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a substrate positioned in the housing between the first chamber and the second chamber. The substrate can be positioned in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and the substrate can be further positioned such that the substrate is not in direct contact with the source of biological activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Sailaja Chandrapati, Heather M. Webb, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Jeffrey D. Smith, RuthAnn R. Duda, Brian J. Engel
  • Patent number: 9322046
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI). The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a substrate positioned in the housing between the first chamber and the second chamber. The substrate can be positioned in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and the substrate can be further positioned such that the substrate is not in direct contact with the source of biological activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sailaja Chandrapati, Heather M. Webb, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Jeffrey D. Smith, RuthAnn R. Duda, Brian J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20150004682
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) and method of using same. The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a first fluid path positioned to fluidly couple the first chamber and the second chamber, and a second fluid path positioned to allow displaced gas to move out of the second chamber. The method can include moving displaced gas out of the second chamber via the second fluid path as a sterilant is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path and/or as the liquid is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Smith, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Sailaja Chandrapati, RuthAnn R. Duda
  • Patent number: 8840837
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) and method of using same. The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a first fluid path positioned to fluidly couple the first chamber and the second chamber, and a second fluid path positioned to allow displaced gas to move out of the second chamber. The method can include moving displaced gas out of the second chamber via the second fluid path as a sterilant is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path and/or as the liquid is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Smith, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Sailaja Chandrapati, RuthAnn R. Duda
  • Publication number: 20130302849
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) and method of using same. The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a first fluid path positioned to fluidly couple the first chamber and the second chamber, and a second fluid path positioned to allow displaced gas to move out of the second chamber. The method can include moving displaced gas out of the second chamber via the second fluid path as a sterilant is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path and/or as the liquid is moved into the second chamber via the first fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Smith, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Sailaja Chandrapati, RuthAnn R. Duda
  • Publication number: 20130224849
    Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI). The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a substrate positioned in the housing between the first chamber and the second chamber. The substrate can be positioned in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and the substrate can be further positioned such that the substrate is not in direct contact with the source of biological activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Sailaja Chandrapati, Heather M. Webb, Jeffrey C. Pederson, Jeffrey D. Smith, RuthAnn R. Duda, Brian J. Engel