Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Headley
Thomas D. Headley 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: 7452322Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Haemonetics CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 7332125Abstract: A system for filtering and processing blood that is simple to implement and that reduces the need for human intervention. The system may be used to collect red blood cells (RBCs). For such a system, a disposable set may be provided with an inlet port, an RBC container, a centrifuge rotor having a variable total volume, and a filter, along with tubing connecting the port, the container, the rotor and the filter. The filter is located in tubing between the inlet port and the rotor. A control unit is also provided and includes a spinner in which the rotor may be held, a flow-control arrangement for controlling flow among the various components of the disposable set, and an electronic controller. The whole blood is directed by the flow-control arrangement from the inlet through the filter to the rotor. The rotor includes an elastic diaphragm, and the control unit's flow-control arrangement includes a pump or other device for applying a positive and negative pressure to the rotor's elastic diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Haemonetics CorporationInventors: James P. Cianci, Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 6824506Abstract: A shaped diaphragm as a part of a fluid processing disposable set acting as a centrifuge system rotor. The fluid processing disposable set has a variable-volume chamber and a fluid port. The shaped diaphragm defines a wall of the variable-volume chamber. The chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid port and is defined by a fixed wall and an elastic wall. The elastic wall is formed by the shaped diaphragm. The disposable set may also have a rotary seal coupled to the fluid port and fluidly coupled to the variable-volume chamber. The shaped diaphragm may be convoluted. The convolution may be a single fold and may have a plurality of folds located symmetrically about an axis. The shaped diaphragm may, alternatively, be essentially planar in an unstretched position while varying in thickness along a diaphragm dimension. Centrifuge rotors, systems, and methods for selective harvest of fluid constituents from a whole fluid are detailed.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Haemonetics CorporationInventors: David G. Lamphere, Thomas D. Headley
-
Publication number: 20040147865Abstract: A system for filtering and processing blood that is simple to implement and that reduces the need for human intervention. The system may be used to collect red blood cells (RBCs). For such a system, a disposable set may be provided with an inlet port, an RBC container, a centrifuge rotor having a variable total volume, and a filter, along with tubing connecting the port, the container, the rotor and the filter. The filter is located in tubing between the inlet port and the rotor. A control unit is also provided and includes a spinner in which the rotor may be held, a flow-control arrangement for controlling flow among the various components of the disposable set, and an electronic controller. The whole blood is directed by the flow-control arrangement from the inlet through the filter to the rotor. The rotor includes an elastic diaphragm, and the control unit's flow-control arrangement includes a pump or other device for applying a positive and negative pressure to the rotor's elastic diaphragm.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: James P. Cianci, Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 6641552Abstract: A system compact enough to be located entirely beside the donor's chair, and able to process the blood while the donor is still resting in the chair after having donated the blood. The separated blood components (plasma and red blood cells) may be stored in their individual optimum environments immediately after the whole blood is drawn, and the blood does not need to be transported back to a separation laboratory for processing. The system includes a needle (72) (or other cannula-like device) for insertion into a vein of the donor and drawing whole blood therethrough, a rotor (2a) for holding the blood after it is drawn, and a motor (50) for spinning the rotor so as to cause the blood to separate into components, for example, plasma and red blood cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Haemonetics CorporationInventors: Gordon F. Kingsley, Thomas D. Headley, Lise N. Halpern
-
Patent number: 6632191Abstract: A system for collecting red blood cells (RBCs) and other blood components that reduces the need for human intervention. A disposable set is provided having a port, an RBC container, a centrifuge rotor having a variable total volume, and a filter, along with tubing connecting the port, the container, the rotor and the filter. A control unit is also provided and includes a spinner in which the rotor may be held, a flow-control arrangement for controlling flow among the various components of the disposable set, and an electronic controller. The whole blood is directed by the flow-control arrangement from the port through the tubing to the rotor. The rotor includes an elastic diaphragm, and the control unit's flow-control arrangement includes a pump or other device for applying a positive and negative pressure to the rotor's elastic diaphragm. The spinner rotates the rotor so as to separate the whole blood into plasma and RBCs.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Haemonetics CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 6602179Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2000Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Haemonetics CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Publication number: 20030125182Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2003Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 6558307Abstract: A method for collecting, from whole blood, platelets suspended in plasma is described. By centrifuging the blood at a high enough rotational speed, the platelets are separated from the plasma and the red blood cells. In a preferred embodiment, some of the plasma is removed while the centrifuge is being spun to keep the platelets separated from the plasma. Then, the speed of rotation is altered so as to cause the platelets to mix with the remaining plasma. The platelets can then be collected with the remaining plasma.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Haemonetics CorporationInventor: Thomas D. Headley
-
Patent number: 6379322Abstract: A system for collecting and processing blood from a donor (70), wherein the system may be compact enough to be located entirely beside the donor's chair, and be able to process the blood while the donor is still resting in the chair after having donated the blood. Thus, the separated blood components (plasma and red blood cells) may be stored in their individual optimum environments immediately after the whole blood is drawn, and the blood does not need to be transported back to a separation laboratory for processing. The system includes a needle (72) (or other cannula-like device) for insertion into a vein of the donor and drawing whole blood therethrough, a variable-volume rotor (2a) for holding the blood after it is drawn, and a motor (50) for spinning the rotor so as to cause the blood to separate into components, for example, plasma and red blood cells. The system also provides for a container for collecting a separated component.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Transfusion Technologies CorporationInventors: Gordon F. Kingsley, Thomas D. Headley, Lise N. Halpern
-
Publication number: 20010051569Abstract: A method for collecting, from whole blood, platelets suspended in plasma. By centrifuging the blood at a high enough rotational speed, the platelets are separated from the plasma and the red blood cells. In a preferred embodiment, some of the plasma is removed while the centrifuge is being spun to keep the platelets separated from the plasma. Then, the speed of rotation is altered so as to cause the platelets to mix with the remaining plasma. The platelets can then be collected with the remaining plasma.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2001Publication date: December 13, 2001Inventor: Thomas D. Headley
-
Patent number: 6296602Abstract: A method for collecting, from whole blood, platelets suspended in plasma. By centrifuging the blood at a high enough rotational speed, the platelets are separated from the plasma and the red blood cells. In a preferred embodiment, some of the plasma is removed while the centrifuge is being spun to keep the platelets separated from the plasma. Then, the speed of rotation is altered so as to cause the platelets to mix with the remaining plasma. The platelets can then be collected with the remaining plasma.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Transfusion Technologies CorporationInventor: Thomas D. Headley
-
Patent number: 6251291Abstract: A reservoir-and filter system for receiving fluid and for removing impurities from fluid is provided in an embodiment of the invention. The system includes a housing with at least two cavities; a first cavity with at least one unfiltered-fluid inlet and a second cavity with at least one filtrate outlet. In this embodiment, a filter member is disposed so as to separate the cavities. In addition, a filtering trap is disposed so as to directly accept fluid as it enters the first cavity, filter it, and minimize clogging of the filter member. A coarse filter shroud providing a funnel shape at the opening of a cup-shaped trap is included in a preferred embodiment. In an embodiment, at least one gas outlet adaptable for connection to a vacuum source is associated with the second cavity. A method for removing impurities from blood within an extracorporeal circuit is also provided in a further embodiment.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Tranfusion Technologies CorporationInventors: David G. Lamphere, Thomas D. Headley, Clair L. Strohl, Clifford Martin
-
Patent number: 6102883Abstract: A system compact enough to be located entirely beside the donor's chair, and able to process the blood while the donor is still resting in the chair after having donated the blood. The separated blood components (plasma and red blood cells) may be stored in their individual optimum environments immediately after the whole blood is drawn, and the blood does not need to be transported back to a separation laboratory for processing. The system includes a needle (72) (or other cannula-like device) for insertion into a vein of the donor and drawing whole blood therethrough, a rotor (2a) for holding the blood after it is drawn, and a motor (50) for spinning the rotor so as to cause the blood to separate into components, for example, plasma and red blood cells. The system also provides for a container for collecting a separated component.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Transfusion Technologies CorporationInventors: Gordon F. Kingsley, Thomas D. Headley, Lise N. Halpern
-
Patent number: 6099491Abstract: A system for separating a fluid having heavier and lighter components. The system includes a rotor having a rigid mounting member and an elastic diaphragm attached to the mounting member, the diaphragm defining a chamber. The system also includes a chuck for holding the rigid mounting member of the rotor and for spinning the rotor around an axis. The pressure of a control fluid, preferably a control gas, disposed adjacent the rotor's diaphragm is varied in order to control the volume of the rotor. Pressurizing the control gas causes fluid to flow out of the rotor; applying a vacuum to the diaphragm draws fluid into the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1997Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Transfusion Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 6074335Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1997Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Transfusion Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 6039711Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Transfusion Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 6019742Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1997Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Transfusion Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
-
Patent number: 6007509Abstract: A system compact enough to be located entirely beside the donor's chair, and able to process the blood while the donor is still resting in the chair after having donated the blood. The separated blood components (plasma and red blood cells) may be stored in their individual optimum environments immediately after the whole blood is drawn, and the blood does not need to be transported back to a separation laboratory for processing. The system includes a needle (72) (or other cannula-like device) for insertion into a vein of the donor and drawing whole blood therethrough, a rotor (2a) for holding the blood after it is drawn, and a motor (50) for spinning the rotor so as to cause the blood to separate into components, for example, plasma and red blood cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Transfusion Technologies Corp.Inventors: Gordon F. Kingsley, Thomas D. Headley, Lise N. Halpern
-
Patent number: 5885239Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Transfusion Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers