Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Dean

Stephen D. Dean 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: 6962674
    Abstract: A dissolution test apparatus comprises a spindle head assembly interconnected between first and second lateral support members. The lateral support members are translatable along a first axis, and the spindle head assembly is translatable along a second axis, such that the spindle head assembly is movable from a front, operative position at which test procedures are effected, to a rear position at which access to the dissolution test apparatus is enhanced. The spindle head assembly includes a dosage delivery mechanism including an actuatable dosage unit-retaining member. A front portion of the dissolution test apparatus has a tapered width to accommodate a triangular or trapezoidal array of test vessels, resulting in high visibility of the vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Dean, James E. Swon, C. J. Anthony Fernando, Paul Shoytush
  • Patent number: 6673319
    Abstract: A vessel centering system comprises a vessel, an annular spacer member, a fastening element, and a first magnetic element. The vessel includes an outer surface and a vessel groove formed on a circumference of the vessel outer surface. The spacer member is fitted in the vessel groove and extends outwardly with respect to the vessel. The first and second lateral end surfaces define a spacing therebetween. The spacer member includes a tangential bore extending along a line generally tangential to a curvature of the spacer member. The fastening element, which could be a screw, is disposed in the tangential bore in engagement with the ring member and extends across the ring spacing. The first magnetic element is supported by or enclosed within the spacer member. A vessel plate with a vessel mounting aperture is structured to accommodate the mounting or installation of the vessel. A second magnetic element is supported by the vessel plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Dean, James E. Swon, C. J. Anthony Fernando
  • Patent number: 6562301
    Abstract: A vessel centering system comprises a vessel, an annular, spacer member, a fastening element, and an elastometric component. The vessel includes an outer surface and a vessel groove formed on a circumference of the vessel outer surface. The spacer member is fitted in the vessel groove and extends outwardly with respect to the vessel. The first and second lateral end surfaces define a spacing therebetween. The spacer member includes a tangential bore and an annular groove. The tangential bore extends along a line generally tangential to a curvature of the spacer member. The fastening element, which could be a screw, is disposed in the tangential bore in engagement with the ring member and extends across the ring spacing. The elastometric component, which could be a gasket or O-ring, is disposed in the annular groove. A plurality of biased bearings can be provided instead of the elastometric component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Dean, C. J. Anthony Fernando, James E. Swon
  • Publication number: 20020119076
    Abstract: A dissolution test apparatus comprises a spindle head assembly interconnected between first and second lateral support members. The lateral support members are translatable along a first axis, and the spindle head assembly is translatable along a second axis, such that the spindle head assembly is movable from a front, operative position at which test procedures are effected, to a rear position at which access to the dissolution test apparatus is enhanced. The spindle head assembly includes a dosage delivery mechanism including an actuatable dosage unit-retaining member. A front portion of the dissolution test apparatus has a tapered width to accommodate a triangular or trapezoidal array of test vessels, resulting in high visibility of the vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen D. Dean, James E. Swon, C.J. Anthony Fernando, Paul Shoytush
  • Publication number: 20020051734
    Abstract: A vessel centering system comprises a vessel, an annular spacer member, a fastening element, and a first magnetic element. The vessel includes an outer surface and a vessel groove formed on a circumference of the vessel outer surface. The spacer member is fitted in the vessel groove and extends outwardly with respect to the vessel. The first and second lateral end surfaces define a spacing therebetween. The spacer member includes a tangential bore extending along a line generally tangential to a curvature of the spacer member. The fastening element, which could be a screw, is disposed in the tangential bore in engagement with the ring member and extends across the ring spacing. The first magnetic element is supported by or enclosed within the spacer member. A vessel plate with a vessel mounting aperture is structured to accommodate the mounting or installation of the vessel. A second magnetic element is supported by the vessel plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen D. Dean, James E. Swon, C.J. Anthony Fernando