Patents by Inventor Tim Francois

Tim Francois 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: 20230349867
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chromatography system (100) comprising: plural modules (1-25) including at least one pump and a column valve unit (8) connectable to plural chromatography columns; and a controller (600), the controller being operable to control the or each pump and the column valve to perform different chromatographic processes, including chromatography employing just one column, as well as chromatography employing just one column, as well as chromatography employing two or more columns by selective valve opening in said unit. The system includes a housing (110) into which the plural modules (1-25) are interchangeably mountable in apertures of one generally vertical face of housing, the modules are adapted for selective fluidic interconnection by tubing substantially at said one face such that in use the modules and tubing occupy a generally vertically extending volume to minimize the footprint of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Nils Stafstrom, Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tomas Yngve Agren, Yngve L. Hareland, Tim Francois, Anita Jonsson, Jeanne Cheng, Anna Andersson
  • Publication number: 20230304974
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve unit for a chromatography apparatus, the valve unit comprising a fluid inlet configured to receive an input fluid, a fluid outlet configured to provide an output fluid, a first pair of fluid ports configured to be coupled to a first column, a second pair of fluid ports configured to be coupled to a second column, a coupling valve assembly configured to direct fluid between a selection of the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet, the first pair of fluid ports and the second pair of fluid ports in response to one or more control signals, wherein the coupling valve assembly is configured to direct fluid using a selection of membrane valves coupled by fluid channels comprised in a body of the coupling valve assembly. The invention further relates to a chromatography apparatus comprising the valve unit and a membrane valve comprised in the valve unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tim Francois
  • Patent number: 11740210
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chromatography system (100) comprising: plural modules (1-25) including at least one pump and a column valve unit (8) connectable to plural chromatography columns; and a controller (600), the controller being operable to control the or each pump and the column valve to perform different chromatographic processes, including chromatography employing just one column, as well as chromatography employing two or more columns by selective valve opening in said unit. The system includes a housing (110) into which the plural modules (1-25) are interchangeably mountable in apertures of one generally vertical face of housing, the modules are adapted for selective fluidic interconnection by tubing substantially at said one face such that in use the modules and tubing occupy a generally vertically extending volume to minimize the footprint of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CYTIVA SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Nils Stafstrom, Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tomas Yngve Agren, Yngve L. Hareland, Tim Francois, Anita Jonsson, Jeanne Cheng, Anna Andersson
  • Patent number: 11703483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve unit (100) for a chromatography apparatus, the valve unit comprising a fluid inlet (110) configured to receive an input fluid, a fluid outlet (120) configured to provide an output fluid, a first pair of fluid ports (131,132) configured to be coupled to a first column, a second pair (141,142) of fluid ports configured to be coupled to a second column, a coupling valve assembly (200) configured to direct fluid between a selection of the fluid inlet (110), the fluid outlet (120), the first pair of fluid ports (131,132) and the second pair of fluid ports (141,142) in response to one or more control signals, wherein the coupling valve assembly is configured to direct fluid using a selection of membrane valves coupled by fluid channels comprised in a body of the coupling valve assembly. The invention further relates to a chromatography apparatus comprising the valve unit and a membrane valve comprised in the valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cytiva Sweden AB
    Inventors: Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tim Francois
  • Publication number: 20230102761
    Abstract: Disclosed are chromatography systems employing a releasable coupling 100 for holding a fluid tubing to a spigot, the coupling comprising: a cylindrical inner component 110 for accepting a fluid tubing 30, said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion 118 arranged to urge an outer surface of the tubing toward a spigot; and a cylindrical collar 130 having and internal through-aperture 132 for slideably accepting the inner component, the aperture and resilient portion having complementary surface formations which in a first position of the collar mounted to the inner component provide for said resilient deflection in use, and which in a second different position do not cause said deflection, the coupling being characterized in that the collar comprises a collar flange 134 extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar between the first and second positions. Chromatography systems employing said couplings is disclosed also.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois
  • Patent number: 11547956
    Abstract: Disclosed are chromatography systems employing a releasable coupling (100) for holding a fluid tubing to a spigot, the coupling comprising: a cylindrical inner component (110) for accepting a fluid tubing (30), said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion (118) arranged to urge an outer surface of the tubing toward a spigot; and a cylindrical collar (130) having and internal through-aperture (132) for slideably accepting the inner component, the aperture and resilient portion having complementary surface formations which in a first position of the collar mounted to the inner component provide for said resilient deflection in use, and which in a second different position do not cause said deflection, the coupling being characterized in that the collar comprises a collar flange (134) extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar between the first and second positions. Chromatography systems employing said couplings is disclosed also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cytiva Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois
  • Publication number: 20220033750
    Abstract: A flow distribution device for bioprocess systems, comprising: a flow distribution manifold (12; 112) comprising: at least four fluid connection conduits (14), wherein each fluid connection conduit (14) comprises a first end (18) for fluid connection and an opposite second end (20), and wherein at least three of the fluid connection conduits comprise a membrane (19a) and a valve seat (19b), which membrane (19a) can be put in at least two different positions in relation to the valve seat (19b) for allowing or preventing fluid flow between the first end (18) and the second end (20) of the fluid connection conduit (14); and a central common compartment (30) to which the second ends (20) of each of the fluid connection conduits (14) are connected, whereby the first ends (18) of each of the fluid connection conduits (14) can be in fluid communication with the central common compartment (30) and wherein the fluid connection conduits (14) are entering the central common compartment (30) from at least three different
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas Lundin, Bjorn Olovsson, Klaus Gebauer, Tim Francois, Kerstin Erickson
  • Publication number: 20220025313
    Abstract: A flow distribution device for bioprocess systems, comprising: ?—a flow distribution manifold (12; 112; 212; 312) comprising: ?o at least four fluid connection tubes (14), wherein each fluid connection tube (14) comprises a first end (18) for fluid connection and an opposite second end (20) ?o a central common compartment (30; 130; 230; 330) to which the second ends (20) of each of the fluid connection tubes (14) are connected, whereby the first ends (18) of each of the fluid connection tubes (14) can be in fluid communication with the central common compartment (30; 130; 230; 330) ?—at least three pinching members (41) which are provided in connection with one fluid connection tube (14) of the flow distribution manifold (12; 112; 212; 312) each, wherein each of said pinching members (41) can be controlled into at least a first and a second position, wherein in the first position for each of the pinching members (41) the pinching member pinches one of the fluid connection tubes (14) such that fluid flow is pr
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Bjorn Olovsson, Andreas Lundin, Klaus Gebauer, Tim Francois, Kerstin Erickson
  • Publication number: 20200284767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve unit (100) for a chromatography apparatus, the valve unit comprising a fluid inlet (110) configured to receive an input fluid, a fluid outlet (120) configured to provide an output fluid, a first pair of fluid ports (131,132) configured to be coupled to a first column, a second pair (141,142) of fluid ports configured to be coupled to a second column, a coupling valve assembly (200) configured to direct fluid between a selection of the fluid inlet (110), the fluid outlet (120), the first pair of fluid ports (131,132) and the second pair of fluid ports (141,142) in response to one or more control signals, wherein the coupling valve assembly is configured to direct fluid using a selection of membrane valves coupled by fluid channels comprised in a body of the coupling valve assembly. The invention further relates to a chromatography apparatus comprising the valve unit and a membrane valve comprised in the valve unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tim Francois
  • Publication number: 20200264140
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chromatography system (100) comprising: plural modules (1-25) including at least one pump and a column valve unit (8) connectable to plural chromatography columns; and a controller (600), the controller being operable to control the or each pump and the column valve to perform different chromatographic processes, including chromatography employing just one column, as well as chromatography employing two or more columns by selective valve opening in said unit. The system includes a housing (110) into which the plural modules (1-25) are interchangeably mountable in apertures of one generally vertical face of housing, the modules are adapted for selective fluidic interconnection by tubing substantially at said one face such that in use the modules and tubing occupy a generally vertically extending volume to minimize the footprint of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Nils Stafstrom, Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tomas Yngve Agren, Yngve L. Hareland, Tim Francois, Anita Jonsson, Jeanne Cheng, Anna Andersson
  • Publication number: 20200206653
    Abstract: Disclosed are chromatography systems employing a releasable coupling (100) for holding a fluid tubing to a spigot, the coupling comprising: a cylindrical inner component (110) for accepting a fluid tubing (30), said inner component including a resiliently deflectable portion (118) arranged to urge an outer surface of the tubing toward a spigot; and a cylindrical collar (130) having and internal through-aperture (132) for slideably accepting the inner component, the aperture and resilient portion having complementary surface formations which in a first position of the collar mounted to the inner component provide for said resilient deflection in use, and which in a second different position do not cause said deflection, the coupling being characterized in that the collar comprises a collar flange (134) extending outwardly away from the aperture of a size allowing manual manipulation of the collar between the first and second positions. Chromatography systems employing said couplings is disclosed also.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois
  • Patent number: D886994
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB
    Inventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois
  • Patent number: D886995
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB
    Inventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois