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).

  • Patent number: 6716004
    Abstract: A blood processing system comprises a processing chamber to process blood and a fluid flow cassette that communicates with the processing chamber. The cassette comprises a body, a pump chamber formed in the body, and a flexible diaphragm on the pump chamber responsive to an applied fluid pressures for flexure toward and away from the pump chamber to pump fluid through the pump chamber. The cassette also includes a flow path formed, at least in part, in the body to couple the pump chamber in fluid flow communication with the processing chamber, to convey fluid pumped by the pump chamber into the processing chamber. The cassette also includes an in line cavity formed in the body and located in the flow path to trap air to prevent entry of air into the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R Vandlik, Tom Westberg
  • Patent number: 6706008
    Abstract: Automated systems and methods for withdrawing a selected compound from blood are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize a disposable fluid circuit mounted on a re-usable hardware component or module. The system withdraws blood from a donor or patient, separates the blood into two or more components and further combines the separated component with a solvent so as to remove a compound from the blood component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Vishnoi, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min, Tom Westberg
  • Publication number: 20030224505
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Tim Patno, Mark Fisher, George Kyaw Soe Maung, Tom Westberg
  • Publication number: 20030209884
    Abstract: An adaptable blood processing platform comprises a blood processing device and a ground engaging frame including a shelf to which the blood processing device is secured. The frame supports the shelf for movement between a lowered position and a raised position. The shelf can be supported, e.g., for swinging cantilevered movement about an axis between the lowered and raised positions. The shelf can be supported, e.g., by a scissors linkage assembly coupled to the shelf for lowering and lifting the shelf between a lowered and raised positions. In the lowered position, the center of gravity of the blood processing device is located a first distance above ground, which is conducive for stable storage and/or transport of the platform. In the raised position, the center of gravity of the blood processing device is located a second distance above ground greater than the first distance, which is conductive for set-up and operation of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Michel L. Joie, Tom Westberg, Michael Niemotka
  • Publication number: 20030203802
    Abstract: A blood separation chamber comprises a base that includes formed walls that define a hub. A separation channel extends about the hub. A flow passage extends between the hub and the separation channel. The hub enables attachment of external tubing to convey blood to and from the separation channel through the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Westberg, Kelly B. Smith, Sanjay V. Odak, Michel L.T. Joie, Georges E. Rondeau
  • Publication number: 20030203801
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Baxter International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Westberg, Kelly B. Smith, Michel L. F. Joie
  • Publication number: 20030138334
    Abstract: A blood processing system comprises a processing chamber to process blood and a fluid flow cassette that communicates with the processing chamber. The cassette comprises a body, a pump chamber formed in the body, and a flexible diaphragm on the pump chamber responsive to an applied fluid pressures for flexure toward and away from the pump chamber to pump fluid through the pump chamber. The cassette also includes a flow path formed, at least in part, in the body to couple the pump chamber in fluid flow communication with the processing chamber, to convey fluid pumped by the pump chamber into the processing chamber. The cassette also includes an in line cavity formed in the body and located in the flow path to trap air to prevent entry of air into the processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Vandlik, Tom Westberg
  • Publication number: 20030130609
    Abstract: Systems and related methods pump fluid through a pump. The pump comprises a pump chamber, which is responsive to applied pressures to convey fluid. The systems and methods place an electrode in electrical conductive contact with fluid in the pump chamber which, in use, is coupled to an electrical source. The electrode generates an electrical field in the pump chamber that varies according volume of fluid in the pump chamber. The systems and methods register variations in the electrical field as fluid is conveyed through the pump chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Abinash Nayak, James Jacobson, Tom Westberg, William E. Brach, Richard I. Brown
  • Patent number: 6582386
    Abstract: Automated systems and method for processing blood and other fluids are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize a disposable fluid circuit mounted on a re-usable hardware component or module. The system withdraws blood from a donor or patient, separates the blood into two or more components and further processes or treats the separated component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown, Rohit Vishnoi, Tom Westberg, Alan Armer
  • Patent number: 6524231
    Abstract: A blood separation chamber for rotation about an axis includes an interior channel, which includes a recess that extends outside the bounds of the walls establishing separation zone. The recessed interior channel permits the yields of individual blood components separated in the chamber to be. maximized without cross-contamination or contamination by other components present in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Westberg, Kelly B. Smith, Michel L. F. Joie
  • Patent number: 6481980
    Abstract: A cassette for directing fluid flow, comprising a body and a valve chamber formed in the body, provides a centralized, programmable, and integrated platform to carry out diverse and coordinated pumping and valving functions, e.g., such as required for blood processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R Vandlik, Tom Westberg
  • Patent number: 6471855
    Abstract: A pneumatic pump manifold disposable system, configured as a cassette, is used for the purpose of red cell and plasma apheresis. The cassette integrates a separation device, manifold system, macro-aggregate filter, and five pumping chambers for the purpose of separating plasma and red cells from the whole blood. The cassette system, with the separation device directly attached without tubing, simplifies the loading of the disposable set into the hardware, and reduces the manufacturing complexity of the set. The system allows for plasma, plasma and red cells, or just red cells to be stored in long term storage containers after a procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay V. Odak, Mark R. Vandlik, Tom Westberg
  • Publication number: 20020128583
    Abstract: Automated systems and method for processing blood and other fluids are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize a disposable fluid circuit mounted on a re-usable hardware component or module. The system withdraws blood from a donor or patient, separates the blood into two or more components and further processes or treats the separated component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown, Rohit Vishnoi, Tom Westberg, Alan Armer
  • Publication number: 20020128581
    Abstract: Automated systems and methods for withdrawing a selected compound from blood are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize a disposable fluid circuit mounted on a re-usable hardware component or module. The system withdraws blood from a donor or patient, separates the blood into two or more components and further combines the separated component with a solvent so as to remove a compound from the blood component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Rohit Vishnoi, Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min, Tom Westberg
  • Publication number: 20020094927
    Abstract: A yoke rotates an umbilicus about a rotational axis, which, in turn, imparts rotation to a blood processing chamber coupled to the umbilicus. The yoke carries first and second umbilicus support surfaces that inhibit travel of the umbilicus in radial directions toward and away from the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Odak, Michael Kast, Vaughn E. Rice, Tom Westberg, Kelly B. Smith, Michel Joie, Mark R. Vandlik
  • Publication number: 20020091057
    Abstract: A blood separation chamber comprises a base that includes formed walls that define a hub. A separation channel extends about the hub. A flow passage extends between the hub and the separation channel. The hub enables attachment of external tubing to convey blood to and from the separation channel through the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Westberg, Kelly Smith, Sanjay V. Odak, Michel L. F Joie, Georges Rondeau
  • Publication number: 20020077241
    Abstract: A blood separation assembly comprises a blood processing chamber having a base including formed walls that define a separation channel. A centrifuge rotor is rotatable about a rotational axis. A latch assembly comprises a latch arm that is pivotally mounted on the centrifuge rotor. The latch arm can be moved between a chamber-retaining position engaging the blood processing chamber, to secure the blood processing chamber to the centrifuge rotor, and a chamber- releasing position free of engagement with the blood processing chamber, to enable removal of the blood processing chamber from the centrifuge rotor. The latch assembly also includes a pawl movable on the centrifuge rotor between a first position adjacent the latch arm and a second position spaced from the latch arm. The pawl includes a locking element that engages the latch arm when the latch arm is in the chamber-retaining position, to resist movement of the latch arm toward the chamber-releasing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay V. Odak, Michael J. Kast, Vaughn E. Rice, Tom Westberg, Kelly B. Smith, Michel Joie
  • Patent number: 6348156
    Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods employ two sensors, one to detect a condition of plasma exiting a separation device and another sensor to detect a condition of a cellular component exiting the separation device. The first sensor detects, e.g., contamination of the plasma due to presence of unwanted cellular components. The second sensor detects, e.g., dilution of the cellular component due to presence of plasma. Blood processing parameters are carried out based, at least in part, by conditions detected by one or both of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Vishnoi, Tom Westberg, Matthew R. Muller, Kelly B Smith, Michel L. F. Joie, Mark R Vandlik
  • Patent number: 6325775
    Abstract: A blood processing device is self-contained within a case, which sized to enable hand transport. Self-contained in the case is a blood separation device, which, for example, can comprise a centrifuge. A controller is also self-contained in the case. The controller includes a control program for carrying out one or more blood processing procedures. A fluid processing system employs a centralized cassette containing preformed, fluid pressure actuated pump stations, preformed fluid flow paths, and preformed, fluid pressure actuated valves in the fluid flow paths. A fluid pressure actuator in the case holds the cassette and selectively applies fluid pressure force to the valves and pump stations in response to the control program. The control program thereby operates the cassette to convey blood to and from the blood separation device through the fluid processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Thom, Tom Westberg, James W Kendall
  • Patent number: 6322488
    Abstract: A blood separation chamber comprises a base that includes formed walls that define a hub. A separation channel extends about the hub. A flow passage extends between the hub and the separation channel. The hub enables attachment of external tubing to convey blood to and from the separation channel through the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Westberg, Kelly B Smith, Sanjay V. Odak, Michel L. F. Joie, Georges E Rondeau