Patents by Inventor Susan K. Spencer

Susan K. Spencer 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).

  • Concentration of waterborn and foodborn microorganisms
    Patent number: 5961846
    Abstract: A method of concentrating microorganisms, particularly pathogenic microorganisms, from food and/or water potentially contaminated by dilute densities of the organisms is described. Potentially contaminated water or fluid food is directed along an elongated flow path which rests generally within a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation, and is subjected to centrifugal forces by rotating the flow path about the rotational axis. The method may be executed by use of a conventional continuous flow channel-type blood plasmapheresis centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Marshfield Medical Research and Education Foundation
    Inventors: Mark A. Borchardt, Susan K. Spencer
  • Concentration of waterborne pathogenic organisms
    Patent number: 5858251
    Abstract: A method of concentrating waterborne pathogenic organisms from water potentially contaminated by dilute densities of the organisms is described. Potentially contaminated water is directed along an elongated flow path which rests generally within a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation, and is subjected to centrifugal forces by rotating the flow path about the rotational axis. The method may be executed by use of a conventional continuous flow channel-type blood plasmapheresis centrifuge. The method has been tested for its capability for recovering pathogenic protozoan parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia from contaminated water, and recovery rates of up to 100% have been observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Marshfield Medical Research and Education Foundation, A Division of Marshfield Clinic
    Inventors: Mark A. Borchardt, Susan K. Spencer