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).
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Publication number: 20240150697Abstract: The present invention relates to a reconfigurable bioprocessing system (80) operable to perform a predetermined set of bioprocessing operations therein. The reconfigurable bioprocessing system (80) comprises a base unit (60) comprising a plurality of valve actuators (102). At least one of the plurality of valve actuators (102) is operable to releasably engage with at least part of a pinch valve cassette (103, 203) to control fluid flow through the pinch valve cassette (103, 203). At least part of the pinch valve cassette (103, 203) is removably attachable to the base unit (60) and the pinch valve cassette (103, 203) is provided adjacent to said plurality of valve actuators (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2022Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Klaus Gebauer, Tim Francois, Andreas Lundin, Bjorn Markus Olovsson, Kerstin Erickson, Tomas Dalmo
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Publication number: 20230349867Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Nils Stafstrom, Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tomas Yngve Agren, Yngve L. Hareland, Tim Francois, Anita Jonsson, Jeanne Cheng, Anna Andersson
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Publication number: 20230304974Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tim Francois
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Patent number: 11740210Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: CYTIVA SWEDEN ABInventors: Nils Stafstrom, Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tomas Yngve Agren, Yngve L. Hareland, Tim Francois, Anita Jonsson, Jeanne Cheng, Anna Andersson
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Patent number: 11703483Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Cytiva Sweden ABInventors: Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tim Francois
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Publication number: 20230102761Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois
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Patent number: 11547956Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Cytiva Sweden ABInventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois
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Publication number: 20220033750Abstract: 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 differentType: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Andreas Lundin, Bjorn Olovsson, Klaus Gebauer, Tim Francois, Kerstin Erickson
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Publication number: 20220025313Abstract: 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 prType: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Bjorn Olovsson, Andreas Lundin, Klaus Gebauer, Tim Francois, Kerstin Erickson
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Publication number: 20200284767Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tim Francois
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Publication number: 20200264140Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Nils Stafstrom, Lars Olof Nils Rosengren, Kerstin Elisabet Erickson, Tomas Yngve Agren, Yngve L. Hareland, Tim Francois, Anita Jonsson, Jeanne Cheng, Anna Andersson
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Publication number: 20200206653Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2018Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois
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Patent number: D886994Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES ABInventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois
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Patent number: D886995Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES ABInventors: Mats Lundkvist, Bjorn A. Johansson, Tim Francois