Patents by Inventor Tom Westberg
Tom Westberg 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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Patent number: 8152116Abstract: A stand for a medical fluid treatment, a system for supporting medical fluid bags, and a method for testing and sensing whether a bag or a seal in a chamber of a multi-chamber bag has been broken prior to providing therapy. A stand stores one or more medical fluid bags, each bag stored on a single shelf. Each shelf has a sensor for sensing the presence or absence of fluid in the bag, and reporting the status of the bag to a central location, such as a computer. The sensor can also detect and report on whether fluid has leaked from the bag, or in the case of bags with two or more chambers, if a leak in a frangible seal separating the chambers has developed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.Inventor: Tom Westberg
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Patent number: 7888107Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a nucleic acid. The apparatus includes a disposable self-contained processing module that contains the nucleic acid and substantially all of the fluids to effect a nanoparticle hybridization test, a pump coupled to the processing module, a valving system disposed between the pump and processing module and a control system coupled to the pump and valving system causing the processing fluids to interact with the nucleic acid to effect a sandwich hybridization test using nanoparticles.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.Inventors: Tim Patno, Tom Westberg, Mark Weber, Benjamin Rush, Christopher Khoury, David Morrow, Janusz Ruszel, Christian Kronshage, William Cork
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Publication number: 20110028703Abstract: A method includes applying ultrasound to a container having a plurality of magnetic particles contacted with a fluid sample having a biological material capable of binding to the magnetic particles, in an amount effective to suspend the magnetic particles in the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: Nanosphere, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer A. Hollenstein, Timothy Patno, Tom Westberg, Melissa Chambers, Steve Maltas
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Publication number: 20110008907Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a nucleic acid. The apparatus includes a disposable self-contained processing module that contains the nucleic acid and substantially all of the fluids to effect a nanoparticle hybridization test, a pump coupled to the processing module, a valving system disposed between the pump and processing module and a control system coupled to the pump and valving system causing the processing fluids to interact with the nucleic acid to effect a sandwich hybridization test using nanoparticles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2006Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Tim Patno, Tom Westberg, Mark Weber, Benjamin Rush, Christopher Khoury, David Morrow, Janusz Ruszel, Christian Kronshage, William Cork
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Patent number: 7789245Abstract: A blood separation chamber is provided for separating blood into its constituent parts by rotation about an axis. The chamber has a central hub coinciding with the axis and spaced apart high-G and low-G walls which define therebetween a separation channel. The chamber further includes a plurality of parallel radial walls extending outwardly from the central hub and defining a radial fluid flow passage between each adjacent pair of walls. Each fluid flow passage communicates between the central hub and the separation channel. One of the radial walls includes a radially outer end portion defining a barrier in the separation channel intermediate the low-G and high-G walls and having generally parallel upstream and downstream sides. The separation channel has a recessed portion located radially outward of the high-G wall and extending between the upstream and downstream sides of the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2009Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.Inventors: Tom Westberg, Kelly B Smith, Michel L. F. Joie
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Patent number: 7695952Abstract: A disposable sample processing module is provided for processing DNA or RNA samples. The module includes a hybridization chamber adapted to receive an oligonucleotide covalently bonded to an internal surface of the hybridization chamber. The module also include a sample well adapted to hold a DNA or RNA sample, said sample well being coupled to the hybridization chamber, a moveable valve plate disposed between the sample well and hybridization chamber, said moveable valve plate having a first position that allows transfer of the DNA or RNA sample from the sample well to the hybridization chamber and a second position that blocks transfer to the hybridization chamber and a manifold adapted to exchange fluids with the hybridization chamber to hybridize the DNA or RNA sample with the oligonucleotide, to wash the hybridized sample and to amplify the hybridized sample.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.Inventors: Tim Patno, Tom Westberg
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Publication number: 20100067523Abstract: An interconnect network for operation within communication node, wherein the interconnect network may have features including the ability to transfer a variety of communication protocols, scalable bandwidth and reduced down-time. According to one embodiment of the invention, the communication node includes a plurality of I/O channels for coupling information into and out of the node, and the interconnect network includes at least one local interconnect module having local transfer elements for transferring information between the plurality of I/O channels; and scaling elements for expanding the interconnect network to include additional local interconnect modules, such that information can be transferred between the local interconnect modules included in the interconnect network.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: JUNIPER NETWORKS, INC.Inventors: Frank KASTENHOLZ, Tom WESTBERG, Steven R. WILLIS
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Patent number: 7625746Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a DNA or RNA sample within a sample processing module. The method includes the steps of providing a sample well within the sample processing module that contains the DNA or RNA sample, coupling ultrasonic energy from an external source into the sampling well and denaturing and fragmenting the DNA or RNA sample using the ultrasonic energy.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.Inventors: Tim Patno, Tom Westberg, Michael F. Halblander, Emily R. Beeson, Benjamin L. Rush
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Publication number: 20090291819Abstract: A method for centrifugally separating whole blood into red blood cells and a plasma constituent rotates about a rotational axis a separation zone having radially spaced apart walls with a high-G side and a low-G side located closer to the rotational axis than the high-G side. Whole blood enters the rotating separation zone in an entry region to begin separation. Separation is halted by a terminal wall that is circumferentially spaced from the entry region. The whole blood separates into red blood cells toward the high-G side and plasma constituent toward the low-G side. The method directs red blood cells separated in the separation zone in a circumferential flow direction toward the terminal wall. The method directs separated red blood cells from the rotating separation zone through a second path that extends, at least in part, radially beyond the high-G wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: Fenwal, Inc.Inventors: Tom Westberg, Kelly B. Smith, Michel L. F. Joie
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Patent number: 7613173Abstract: An interconnect network for operation within communication node, wherein the interconnect network may have features including the ability to transfer a variety of communication protocols, scalable bandwidth and reduced down-time. According to one embodiment of the invention, the communication node includes a plurality of I/O channels for coupling information into and out of the node, and the interconnect network includes at least one local interconnect module having local transfer elements for transferring information between the plurality of I/O channels; and scaling elements for expanding the interconnect network to include additional local interconnect modules, such that information can be transferred between the local interconnect modules included in the interconnect network.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.Inventors: Frank Kastenholz, Tom Westberg, Steven R. Willis
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Publication number: 20090212178Abstract: A stand for a medical fluid treatment, a system for supporting medical fluid bags, and a method for testing and sensing whether a bag or a seal in a chamber of a multi-chamber bag has been broken prior to providing therapy. A stand stores one or more medical fluid bags, each bag stored on a single shelf. Each shelf has a sensor for sensing the presence or absence of fluid in the bag, and reporting the status of the bag to a central location, such as a computer. The sensor can also detect and report on whether fluid has leaked from the bag, or in the case of bags with two or more chambers, if a leak in a frangible seal separating the chambers has developed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicants: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.Inventor: Tom Westberg
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Publication number: 20090194489Abstract: Systems and methods separate pump the blood cells through an in-line leukofilter to a blood cell storage container. The leukofilter has a filtration medium enclosed within a flexile housing. The systems and methods can employ a fixture to restrain expansion of the flexible filter housing during operation of the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Baxter International Inc.Inventors: Mark R. Vandlik, Michael J Kast, Kelly B. Smith, Tom Westberg, Rohit Vishnoi
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Patent number: 7517333Abstract: Systems and methods separate pump the blood cells through an in-line leukofilter to a blood cell storage container. The leukofilter has a filtration medium enclosed within a flexile housing. The systems and methods can employ a fixture to restrain expansion of the flexible filter housing during operation of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Baxter International Inc.Inventors: Mark R Vandlik, Michael J Kast, Kelly B Smith, Tom Westberg, Rohit Vishnoi
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Publication number: 20080268458Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a test sample for detecting a predetermined target nucleic acid. The method includes the steps of providing a test probe comprising an oligonucleotide attached to a nanoparticle and providing a hybridization unit containing the test sample and the test probe, wherein said hybridization unit further includes a target sample substrate and a distribution manifold coupled to a first side of the substrate. The method further includes the steps of clamping a processing fluids manifold to the distribution manifold of the hybridization unit, denaturing the test sample and preparing the test sample for detecting the predetermined target nucleic acid by pumping a plurality of processing fluids between the processing fluids source manifold and distribution manifold to hybridize the test probe and predetermined target nucleic acid to the target sample substrate, to wash the hybridized sample and to amplify a detectable parameter of the hybridized sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: Nanosphere, Inc.Inventors: Tim Patno, Jennifer Hollenstein, Christian Kronshage, Christopher Khoury, Mark Weber, Tom Westberg, William Cork
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Patent number: 7396677Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for preparing a test sample for detecting a predetermined target nucleic acid. The method includes the steps of providing a test probe comprising an oligonucleotide attached to a nanoparticle and providing a hybridization unit containing the test sample and the test probe, wherein said hybridization unit further includes a target sample substrate and a distribution manifold coupled to a first side of the substrate. The method further includes the steps of clamping a processing fluids manifold to the distribution manifold of the hybridization unit, denaturing the test sample and preparing the test sample for detecting the predetermined target nucleic acid by pumping a plurality of processing fluids between the processing fluids source manifold and distribution manifold to hybridize the test probe and predetermined target nucleic acid to the target sample substrate, to wash the hybridized sample and to amplify a detectable parameter of the hybridized sample.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.Inventors: Tim Patno, Jennifer Hollenstein, Christian Kronshage, Christopher Khoury, Mark Weber, Tom Westberg, William Cork
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Publication number: 20080020380Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a DNA or RNA sample within a sample processing module. The method includes the steps of providing a sample well within the sample processing module that contains the DNA or RNA sample, coupling ultrasonic energy from an external source into the sampling well and denaturing and fragmenting the DNA or RNA sample using the ultrasonic energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Tim Patno, Tom Westberg, Michael F. Halblander, Emily R. Beeson, Benjamin L. Rush
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Publication number: 20070134785Abstract: An apparatus and method for DNA hybridization is provided. The apparatus and method work in conjunction with a substrate comprising an upper surface having probes. The apparatus may comprise a material which abuts the substrate, with at least a portion of the material being pliable. The material and the substrate form a plurality of chambers, each chamber having a bottom including at least a portion of the upper surface, at least one sidewall, and an opening. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism for closing the openings of the chambers, thereby sealing the chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2007Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicant: Nanosphere, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Patno, Mark Fisher, George Kyaw Soe Maung Aye, Tom Westberg
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Patent number: 7195607Abstract: Programmable, fluid pressure actuated blood processing systems and methods are used in association a blood separation device. The systems and methods employ a cassette, which contains several preformed, pneumatically actuated pump stations, several preformed fluid flow paths, and several preformed, pneumatically actuated valves in the fluid flow paths. The systems and methods also employ a programmable pneumatic actuator to hold the cassette and selectively apply pneumatic force to the valves and pump stations.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Baxter International Inc.Inventors: Tom Westberg, Rohit Vishnoi
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Patent number: 7166231Abstract: A method for centrifugally separating whole blood into red blood cells and a plasma constituent rotates about a rotational axis a separation zone having radially spaced apart walls with a high-G side and a low-G side located closer to the rotational axis than the high-G side. Whole blood enters the rotating separation zone in an entry region to begin separation. Separation is halted by a terminal wall that is circumferentially spaced from the entry region. The whole blood separates into red blood cells toward the high-G side and plasma constituent toward the low-G side. The method directs red blood cells separated in the separation zone in a circumferential flow direction toward the terminal wall. The method directs separated red blood cells from the rotating separation zone through a second path that extends, at least in part, radially beyond the high-G wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Baxter International Inc.Inventors: Tom Westberg, Kelly B Smith, Michel L. F. Joie
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Patent number: 7163823Abstract: An apparatus and method for DNA hybridization is provided. The apparatus and method work in conjunction with a substrate comprising an upper surface having probes. The apparatus may comprise a material which abuts the substrate, with at least a portion of the material being pliable. The material and the substrate form a plurality of chambers, each chamber having a bottom including at least a portion of the upper surface, at least one sidewall, and an opening. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism for closing the openings of the chambers, thereby sealing the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Patno, Mark Fisher, George Kyaw Soe Maung, Tom Westberg