Patents by Inventor Thomas S. McDonald

Thomas S. McDonald 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: 11378556
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems, apparatus, and kits for controlling fluid flow within a chromatography system. A makeup pump is configured to pump a makeup fluid into the chromatography system downstream of the column. A first restrictor is located upstream of a detector and downstream of both the makeup pump and the column. Decreasing an output volume of the makeup pump can direct an output from the column through the first restrictor to the detector. Increasing an output volume of the makeup pump can direct the output from the column to a second restrictor located downstream of the makeup pump and the column and in parallel with the first restrictor and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Thomas S. McDonald, Joshua A. Shreve
  • Publication number: 20220122699
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and workflows for processing and analyzing clinical samples (e.g., nasal swabs, throat swabs, plasma samples, urine, etc.) In general, the methods and workflows involve the detection of an infectious state and are improved over contemporary methods due to increased throughput with improved resolution of positive results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. McDonald, Kevin Wyndham, Johannes Vissers, Edouard S. P. Bouvier
  • Patent number: 11061003
    Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for diluting a chromatographic sample. The method includes repeating an alternating acquisition of sample fluidic plugs each having an incremental volume of sample and diluent fluidic plugs each having an incremental volume of diluent to obtain a stack of alternating sample and diluent fluidic plugs. The stack is inserted into a flow of a mobile phase in a chromatography system. Alternatively, the method includes repeating the steps of injecting an incremental volume of sample into a chromatographic system flow and providing an incremental volume of mobile phase into the chromatographic system flow. In either implementation, the dilution ratio of the sample equals the sum of the incremental volumes of the sample and the diluent or mobile phase divided by the sum of the incremental volumes of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Gilar, Keith Fadgen, Peyton C. Beals, Sylvain Gilles Cormier, Richard Wayne Andrews, Geoff C. Gerhardt, Jordan Kornfeld, Thomas S. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210199624
    Abstract: Sample preparation and separation can be performed using a sample cartridge (201). The cartridge includes a barrel (204) with a first and second end, a column segment (209) connected to the second end of the barrel, and a column (205) containing a sorbent material. The sorbent material includes particles that have antibodies attached to them to selectively retain analytes, proteins attached to them to retain certain classes of antibodies, or enzymes attached to them to perform specific modifications to certain classes of molecules. The column segment can be in thermal communication with a temperature control device in order to control the temperature of the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Gilar, Thomas S. McDonald, Joseph D. Michienzi, Jeffrey Musacchio, Rachel Mumma, Keith Fadgen, Geoff C. Gerhardt
  • Publication number: 20210199630
    Abstract: Methods and devices for the washing, extraction, and separation of a sample in a disposable chromatography cartridge (201) comprising a barrel (204) and a column (205), and especially including reinforcement to the column permitting high-pressure separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Gilar, Thomas S. McDonald, Joseph D. Michienzi, Jeffrey Musacchio, Rachel Mumma, Keith Fadgen, Geoff C. Gerhardt
  • Publication number: 20200041463
    Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for diluting a chromatographic sample. The method includes repeating an alternating acquisition of sample fluidic plugs each having an incremental volume of sample and diluent fluidic plugs each having an incremental volume of diluent to obtain a stack of alternating sample and diluent fluidic plugs. The stack is inserted into a flow of a mobile phase in a chromatography system. Alternatively, the method includes repeating the steps of injecting an incremental volume of sample into a chromatographic system flow and providing an incremental volume of mobile phase into the chromatographic system flow. In either implementation, the dilution ratio of the sample equals the sum of the incremental volumes of the sample and the diluent or mobile phase divided by the sum of the incremental volumes of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Gilar, Keith Fadgen, Peyton C. Beals, Sylvain Gilles Cormier, Richard Wayne Andrews, Geoff C. Gerhardt, Jordan Kornfeld, Thomas S. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20200025723
    Abstract: A liquid chromatography system including a solvent delivery pump for delivering a mobile phase through the liquid chromatography system, an injector for injecting a sample into the mobile phase, a column for effecting a separation of components of the sample, and a dispersive element positioned between the injector and the column, the dispersive element configured to dilute a sample solvent in the mobile phase prior to entering the column is provided. Further dispersive elements, systems, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Gilar, Fabrice Gritti, Thomas S. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20190369061
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems, apparatus, and kits for controlling fluid flow within a chromatography system. A makeup pump is configured to pump a makeup fluid into the chromatography system downstream of the column. A first restrictor is located upstream of a detector and downstream of both the makeup pump and the column. Decreasing an output volume of the makeup pump can direct an output from the column through the first restrictor to the detector. Increasing an output volume of the makeup pump can direct the output from the column to a second restrictor located downstream of the makeup pump and the column and in parallel with the first restrictor and the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Thomas S. McDonald, Joshua A. Shreve
  • Publication number: 20190302067
    Abstract: The technology relates to a recycling chromatography method. A sampled is injected into a mobile phase flow stream of a liquid chromatography system creating a combined flow stream. The liquid chromatography system includes at least two columns positioned in series, a valve in fluid communication with the at least two columns, and a detection cell positioned between the at least two columns. The combined flow stream is flowed through the at least two columns and chromatographic peaks of the sample are monitored by the detection cell. The detection cell is configured to measure resolution and width of the chromatographic peaks and automatically switch the valve from a first position to a second position when the measured resolution is less than a desired resolution, the measured width is less than a maximum combined peak width, and a switch count is less than a predetermined maximum number of switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Fabrice Gritti, Thomas S. McDonald, Mike Leal
  • Patent number: 10371673
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for controlling pressure in a CO2-based chromatography system. A first CO2 pump operates in constant flow mode and delivers CO2 to a chromatography column, and liquid modifier is introduced to the chromatography column according to a gradient. A second CO2 pump is disposed downstream of the column and operates in constant pressure mode to introduce CO2 into a flow stream at an output of the column. Liquid modifier is also introduced into the flow stream at the output of the column according to a reverse gradient compared to the gradient entering the chromatography column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joseph A. Jarrell, Joseph D. Michienzi, Thomas S. McDonald
  • Patent number: 10359403
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for controlling pressure in a CO2-based chromatography system. A first pressure control element is located downstream of a CO2-based chromatography system and is disposed to control pressure within the column. A split restrictor is located downstream of the primary pressure control element and is disposed to divert a portion of the mobile phase flow to a detector. A second pressure control element is located downstream of the split restrictor and is disposed to control pressure at the restrictor. While the first pressure control element executes a pressure-controlled gradient separation, the second pressure control element maintains a constant pressure at the restrictor. During a composition-programmed gradient separation, the second control element maintains a constant pressure at the split restrictor while the first pressure control element maintains a constant average density across the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joshua A. Shreve, Michael Eggertson, Thomas S. McDonald, Joseph D. Michienzi, Abhijit Tarafder
  • Publication number: 20180252684
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for controlling pressure in a CO2-based chromatography system. A first CO2 pump operates in constant flow mode and delivers CO2 to a chromatography column, and liquid modifier is introduced to the chromatography column according to a gradient. A second CO2 pump is disposed downstream of the column and operates in constant pressure mode to introduce CO2 into a flow stream at an output of the column. Liquid modifier is also introduced into the flow stream at the output of the column according to a reverse gradient compared to the gradient entering the chromatography column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joseph A. Jarrell, Joseph D. Michienzi, Thomas S. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20180252685
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for controlling pressure in a CO2-based chromatography system. A first pressure control element is located downstream of a CO2-based chromatography system and is disposed to control pressure within the column. A split restrictor is located downstream of the primary pressure control element and is disposed to divert a portion of the mobile phase flow to a detector. A second pressure control element is located downstream of the split restrictor and is disposed to control pressure at the restrictor. While the first pressure control element executes a pressure-controlled gradient separation, the second pressure control element maintains a constant pressure at the restrictor. During a composition-programmed gradient separation, the second control element maintains a constant pressure at the split restrictor while the first pressure control element maintains a constant average density across the column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joshua A. Shreve, Michael Eggertson, Thomas S. McDonald, Joseph D. Michienzi, Abhijit Tarafder