Patents by Inventor Steven R. Katz

Steven R. Katz 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).

  • Publication number: 20250144642
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2024
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, JR., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20240424502
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, JR., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 12076731
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Brian C. Case, Steven R Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 11865242
    Abstract: A medical system includes a reusable apparatus and a disposable fluid circuit, the disposable fluid circuit being coupled to the reusable apparatus and the reusable apparatus being configured to move a fluid through the disposable fluid circuit to perform a procedure. The medical system also includes a controller coupled to the reusable apparatus and configured to control the reusable apparatus to move the fluid through the disposable circuit according to the procedure, to store a procedure record in a memory, to await a procedure termination input, and if the procedure termination input is received, to request at least one input corresponding to a procedure termination reason and to add the procedure termination reason corresponding to the input to the procedure record if received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Katz, Dale H. Meixelsperger, Roberto Vilardi
  • Publication number: 20230055028
    Abstract: A fluid processing system includes a fluid processing device and a fluid flow circuit. The device includes a pump configured to convey a priming fluid through the circuit. The pressure in a conduit of the circuit is measured while the pump is operated at a particular rate. When the magnitude of the pressure is less than the magnitude of a predetermined pressure at the end of a time interval, the pump is operated at an increased rate. When the magnitude of the pressure is greater than the magnitude of the predetermined pressure at the end of the time interval, the pump is instead operated at a decreased rate. The magnitude of the pressure in the conduit is again compared to the magnitude of the predetermined pressure after the pump has operated at the increased or decreased rate for the time interval to determine how to next adjust the operational rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Maher, Jonathan W. Prendergast, Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Robert Crampton, Ryan DeLacey
  • Publication number: 20210291200
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, JR., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 11052408
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Publication number: 20200384182
    Abstract: A medical system includes a reusable apparatus and a disposable fluid circuit, the disposable fluid circuit being coupled to the reusable apparatus and the reusable apparatus being configured to move a fluid through the disposable fluid circuit to perform a procedure. The medical system also includes a controller coupled to the reusable apparatus and configured to control the reusable apparatus to move the fluid through the disposable circuit according to the procedure, to store a procedure record in a memory, to await a procedure termination input, and if the procedure termination input is received, to request at least one input corresponding to a procedure termination reason and to add the procedure termination reason corresponding to the input to the procedure record if received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Steven R. Katz, Dale H. Meixelsperger, Roberto Vilardi
  • Patent number: 10768107
    Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for controlling the interface between separated blood components. The system includes a centrifuge assembly having a light-transmissive portion, a light reflector, and a fluid processing region therebetween. An optical sensor system emits a scanning light beam along a path toward the light-transmissive portion, which transmits at least a portion of the scanning light beam to the fluid processing region and the light reflector. The light reflector reflects at least a portion of the scanning light beam toward the optical sensor system along a path substantially coaxial to the path of the scanning light beam from the optical sensor system toward the light-transmissive portion of the centrifuge assembly. The scanning light beam may be a white light beam or narrow spectrum beam. The reflected beam may be directed through the optical sensor system via optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter David Koudelka, Ryan Eliot Eckman, Eric Karl Lindmark, Lubomir Koudelka, James Joseph Ulmes, Steven R. Katz, William H. Cork
  • Publication number: 20200188937
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, JR., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10596579
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10561784
    Abstract: A blood processing system includes a centrifuge and an optical monitoring system mounted at a stationary radial position with respect to the centrifuge. A flow circuit may be mounted within the centrifuge, with an umbilicus of the flow circuit extending outside of the centrifuge. A midsection of the umbilicus is orbited around a rotational axis of the centrifuge at a uniform first speed, which causes the centrifuge to rotate at a non-uniform second speed that is approximately double the first speed. The monitoring system is configured to view the flow circuit through a radial window of the centrifuge to determine a characteristic of the flow circuit. The yoke and/or umbilicus may occasionally move into position between the monitoring system and the window, so a controller of the monitoring system is configured to determine when unobstructed light reflected through the window by the centrifuge is received by the monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Katz, Jeffrey Maher, Eric Linner, Ryan DeLacey, Robert Crampton, Richard L. West, Brian C. Case
  • Publication number: 20190120761
    Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for controlling the interface between separated blood components. The system includes a centrifuge assembly having a light-transmissive portion, a light reflector, and a fluid processing region therebetween. An optical sensor system emits a scanning light beam along a path toward the light-transmissive portion, which transmits at least a portion of the scanning light beam to the fluid processing region and the light reflector. The light reflector reflects at least a portion of the scanning light beam toward the optical sensor system along a path substantially coaxial to the path of the scanning light beam from the optical sensor system toward the light-transmissive portion of the centrifuge assembly. The scanning light beam may be a white light beam or narrow spectrum beam. The reflected beam may be directed through the optical sensor system via optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Peter David Koudelka, Ryan Eliot Eckman, Eric Karl Lindmark, Lubomir Koudelka, James Joseph Ulmes, Steven R. Katz, William H. Cork
  • Patent number: 10258998
    Abstract: An optical monitoring system is provided for use with a blood processing system. The system includes a light source configured to illuminate a disposable flow circuit received in a centrifuge and a light detector configured to receive an image of the disposable flow circuit. A controller combines two or more of the images received by the light detector to generate a two-dimensional output. The output is used to control the separation of blood within the disposable flow circuit. The monitoring system may also be used to verify that the disposable flow circuit is suitable for use with the centrifuge or that the disposable flow circuit is properly aligned within the centrifuge. The monitoring system may be positioned outside of the centrifuge bucket which receives the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, William H. Cork, Jonathan Prendergast
  • Patent number: 10209185
    Abstract: Blood separation systems and methods are provided for controlling the interface between separated blood components. The system includes a centrifuge assembly having a light-transmissive portion, a light reflector, and a fluid processing region therebetween. An optical sensor system emits a scanning light beam along a path toward the light-transmissive portion, which transmits at least a portion of the scanning light beam to the fluid processing region and the light reflector. The light reflector reflects at least a portion of the scanning light beam toward the optical sensor system along a path substantially coaxial to the path of the scanning light beam from the optical sensor system toward the light-transmissive portion of the centrifuge assembly. The scanning light beam may be a white light beam or narrow spectrum beam. The reflected beam may be directed through the optical sensor system via optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter David Koudelka, Ryan Eliot Eckman, Eric Karl Lindmark, Lubomir Koudelka, James Joseph Ulmes, Steven R. Katz, William H. Cork
  • Patent number: 10188784
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a pressure sensor apparatus, including a housing with a flexible member and an aperture configured to receive a fluid. The pressure sensor apparatus further includes a first member disposed on the flexible member, a second member removably coupled to the first member configured to move in response to a pressure of the fluid and a sensor configured to detect the movement of the second member. The pressure sensor apparatus generates a pressure signal for the fluid based on the displacement of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. Katz, Salvatore Manzella, Terry Chung, Greg Pieper, Natalie Osterweil
  • Patent number: 10172996
    Abstract: A system of authenticating a medical solution used in a blood processing procedure, comprising a blood processing system having a user interface and access to a database of medical solutions identifiable by identifiers, wherein the blood processing system guides a user through steps of the procedure and the user interface prompts the user to execute an action as part of a step; a fluid circuit having an inlet for a medical solution, wherein the fluid circuit is coupled to the fluid processing system; wherein a step of the blood processing procedure comprises drawing a solution into the circuit, wherein the interface receives a user input of an identifier of the solution prior to the fluid processing system executing the step; wherein the fluid processing system is configured to compare the received identifier to medical solution identifiers within the database and, based on a result of the comparison, executing the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventors: Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz
  • Publication number: 20180344920
    Abstract: A blood processing system includes a centrifuge and an optical monitoring system mounted at a stationary radial position with respect to the centrifuge. A flow circuit may be mounted within the centrifuge, with an umbilicus of the flow circuit extending outside of the centrifuge. A midsection of the umbilicus is orbited around a rotational axis of the centrifuge at a uniform first speed, which causes the centrifuge to rotate at a non-uniform second speed that is approximately double the first speed. The monitoring system is configured to view the flow circuit through a radial window of the centrifuge to determine a characteristic of the flow circuit. The yoke and/or umbilicus may occasionally move into position between the monitoring system and the window, so a controller of the monitoring system is configured to determine when unobstructed light reflected through the window by the centrifuge is received by the monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Katz, Jeffrey Maher, Eric Linner, Ryan DeLacey, Robert Crampton, Richard L. West, Brian C. Case
  • Publication number: 20180221891
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, JR., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 9968946
    Abstract: Centrifuges are provided for rotating fluid separation chambers about an axis in a fluid processing system. The centrifuge may be provided with high- and low-G walls, with a gap defined between the high- and low-G walls. A first section of the gap may have a substantially uniform radius about the axis, while a second section of the gap may have a non-uniform radius about the axis. The radius of the second section of the gap about the axis at all locations is no larger than the radius of the first section of the gap about the axis. The high-G wall may comprise an inner surface of an outer bowl, while the low-G wall may comprise an outer surface of an inner spool. At least a portion of the second section of the gap may have a varying radius along the axis and/or be configured as a spiral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min