Patents by Inventor Stephen B. Kessler
Stephen B. Kessler 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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Publication number: 20240131529Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Patent number: 11957998Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250, 370, 414) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174, 428). A stationary inlet feed tube (184, 430), a centrate discharge tube (212, 436) and a concentrate discharge tube (230,448) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208, 438) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216, 450) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. At least one concentrate channel (380, 454) and a concentrate centripetal pump chamber (376,452) have configurations in the structure that facilitate the flow of cell concentrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Patent number: 11878311Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Patent number: 11878312Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20220212207Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2021Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20220152632Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20220143627Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20210268519Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Patent number: 11065629Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Pneumatic Scale CorporationInventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20210205734Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250, 370, 414) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174, 428). A stationary inlet feed tube (184, 430), a centrate discharge tube (212, 436) and a concentrate discharge tube (230,448) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208, 438) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216, 450) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. At least one concentrate channel (380, 454) and a concentrate centripetal pump chamber (376,452) have configurations in the structure that facilitate the flow of cell concentrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Patent number: 11033911Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating cell suspension into centrate and concentrate includes a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (82). A single use rotatable core (88) is positioned in the bowl and bounds a cavity (90) which serves as a separation chamber. The bowl rotates about an axis (84). An inlet tube (92) and an outlet tube (102) extend along the axis in the bowl cavity. The centripetal pump (98) in the cavity is in connection with the outlet tube. The centrate discharge pump (120) is in connection with the outlet tube. A pressure damping reservoir (122) is fluidly connected between the outlet tube and the discharge pump. At least one control circuit (142) is operative to control the apparatus to maintain a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure within the cavity, so as to maintain the cell suspension away from at least one seal (106) that bounds the interior of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen B Kessler, T David Marro
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Publication number: 20190283045Abstract: An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20190283042Abstract: A method and apparatus for separation of cells from suspension using single use components that include a flexible membrane mounted on a rigid frame that is supported within a multiple use rigid centrifuge bowl. Such single use components include a rotatable core which is rotated at a sufficiently high angular velocity to separate cell concentrate and centrate. Cell centrate and/or cell concentrate is removed from the interior of the core by a centripetal pump having a pair of curved volute passages. The volute passages are curved toward the direction of rotation of the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2016Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20190283044Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating cell suspension into centrate and concentrate includes a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (82). A single use rotatable core (88) is positioned in the bowl and bounds a cavity (90) which serves as a separation chamber. The bowl rotates about an axis (84). An inlet tube (92) and an outlet tube (102) extend along the axis in the bowl cavity. The centripetal pump (98) in the cavity is in connection with the outlet tube. The centrate discharge pump (120) is in connection with the outlet tube. A pressure damping reservoir (122) is fluidly connected between the outlet tube and the discharge pump. At least one control circuit (142) is operative to control the apparatus to maintain a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure within the cavity, so as to maintain the cell suspension away from at least one seal (106) that bounds the interior of the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T David Marro
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Patent number: 10384216Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating cell suspension into centrate and concentrate includes a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (82). A single use rotatable core (88) is positioned in the bowl and bounds a cavity (90) which serves as a separation chamber. The bowl rotates about an axis (84). An inlet tube (92) and an outlet tube (102) extend along the axis in the bowl cavity. The centripetal pump (98) in the cavity is in connection with the outlet tube. The centrate discharge pump (120) is in connection with the outlet tube. A pressure damping reservoir (122) is fluidly connected between the outlet tube and the discharge pump. At least one control circuit (142) is operative to control the apparatus to maintain a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure within the cavity, so as to maintain the cell suspension away from at least one seal (106) that bounds the interior of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Pneumatic Scale CorporationInventors: Daniel S. Sutton, Stephen B Kessler, T David Marro
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Patent number: 9222067Abstract: A method and apparatus for cell harvest of production scale quantities of cell cultures using single use components comprising a flexible membrane mounted on a rigid frame and is supported within a multiple use rigid centrifuge bowl, such single use components including a core with an increased diameter and an internal truncated cone shape in order to permit the system to maintain a sufficiently high angular velocity to create a settling velocity suited to efficiently processing highly concentrated cell culture streams. Features which minimize feed turbidity, and others which permit the continuous or semi-continuous discharge of cell concentrate, increase the overall production rate over the rate which can be achieved using current intermittent processing methods for large cell culture volumes. Injection of a diluent during the cell concentrate removal process permits more complete removal of viscous cell concentrates.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen B Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20150284671Abstract: A method and apparatus for cell harvest of production scale quantities of cell cultures using single use components includes a flexible membrane mounted on a rigid frame and is supported within a multiple use rigid centrifuge bowl, such single use components including a core with an increased diameter and an internal truncated cone shape in order to permit the system to maintain a sufficiently high angular velocity to create a settling velocity suited to efficiently processing highly concentrated cell culture streams. Features which minimize feed turbidity, and others which permit the continuous or semi-continuous discharge of cell concentrate, increase the overall production rate over the rate which can be achieved using current intermittent processing methods for large cell culture volumes. Injection of a diluent during the cell concentrate removal process permits more complete removal of viscous cell concentrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, T. David Marro
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Publication number: 20100167388Abstract: An improved centrifuge system having a single means for both feeding and collecting liquid streams aseptically from rotating components is provided. Also methods and apparatus for centrifugal separation of cells from cell culture media of large cell culture batches by processing a large volume within a few hours, using pre-sterilized, single-use fluid path components. The apparatus uses a sealing approach that improves reliability while avoiding air contamination as well as shedding from mechanical seals. The risk of process liquid leaks is minimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATIONInventor: Stephen B. Kessler
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Patent number: 6616590Abstract: There is provided a centrifugal separator for solid-liquid separations. The centrifugal separator comprises (a) an accelerator rotatable at an angular velocity, &ohgr; about an axis, and having an inside surface with a point on the axis, and (b) a nozzle for introducing a feed stream at a volumetric flow rate (Q) into the accelerator via an orifice. The orifice is substantially centered about the point, and the orifice has an inner diameter (d) within the range of approximately 0<d≦4&dgr;, where &dgr;=1.414 [(4Q/&pgr;2&ohgr;)1/3].Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products, LPInventors: Stephen B. Kessler, Robert B. Carr, Gary W. Brown, Sr.
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Patent number: 6416454Abstract: Separation performance in sedimenting centrifuges, particularly generally cylindrical sedimenting centrifuges, and most particularly imperforate basket centrifuges, is controlled and enhanced by identifying a level of mixing that will produce improved separation performance and then varying the bowl-to-feed temperature differential and/or the centrifuge design to produce a desired level and type of mixing while reducing the tendency toward undesirable type of flow.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products, Inc.Inventors: Stephen B. Kessler, Ascher H. Shapiro, William M. Cox