Patents by Inventor William E. Foltz
William E. Foltz 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: 20110064606Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device comprising a solid body comprised of walls which define a space, wherein the space can fully contain a sterilization indicator and a volume of gas of at least 5 cubic centimeters and not more than 1000 cubic centimeters; a flow restrictor associated with the solid body such that any flow of the gas out of the space and any flow of a sterilant into the space is restricted; wherein the sterilization indicator indicates whether or not it has been contacted by the sterilant for a time and at a temperature sufficient to sterilize an article; and wherein the walls of the solid body are impervious to the sterilant and have a thickness of at least 0.3 centimeter, methods of using the device and a kit including the device are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: William E. Foltz, Steven S. Kirckof, Lawrence D. Fosler, Joshua M. Schmitz, Barry W. Roboie, Chad M. Herrlein
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Patent number: 7045343Abstract: Sterilization indicator test packs for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure are provided. Both non-challenge and challenge-type test packs are disclosed. The non-challenge test packs include generally comprise a tray for holding a sterilization indicator the tray containing an elevated rim surface defining the perimeter of the tray and a recessed trough for receiving a sterilization indicator. The rim surface includes a plurality of spaced-apart grooves along its length extending through the rim to the recessed trough; a sterilization indicator within the recessed trough of the tray; and a lid that forms a plurality of channels with the grooves in the tray such that sterilant can enter the tray through the channels and contact the sterilization indicator.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, William E. Foltz, Sailaja Chandrapati, Thomas T. Rosenlund, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
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Patent number: 6897059Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William E. Foltz, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
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Publication number: 20040248235Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William E. Foltz, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
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Publication number: 20030215923Abstract: Sterilization indicator test packs for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure are provided. Both non-challenge and challenge-type test packs are disclosed. The non-challenge test packs include generally comprise a tray for holding a sterilization indicator the tray containing an elevated rim surface defining the perimeter of the tray and a recessed trough for receiving a sterilization indicator. The rim surface includes a plurality of spaced-apart grooves along its length extending through the rim to the recessed trough; a sterilization indicator within the recessed trough of the tray; and a lid that forms a plurality of channels with the grooves in the tray such that sterilant can enter the tray through the channels and contact the sterilization indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kelvin J. Witcher, William E. Foltz, Sailaja Chandrapati, Thomas T. Rosenlund, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
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Patent number: 6623955Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1995Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Publication number: 20030162243Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2001Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William E. Foltz, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
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Publication number: 20030157588Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 1995Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: RICHARD R. MATNER, WILLIAM E. FOLTZ, LEWIS P. WOODSON
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Publication number: 20030077688Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company to 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 6355448Abstract: A sterilization indicator for testing the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure comprises a source of an enzyme, a sterilant-resistant chemical associated with the enzyme, and a substrate that reacts with the enzyme to form a detectable enzyme-modified product that provides an indication of the failure of the sterilization procedure. The sterilant-resistant chemical may be a polyglycerol alkyl ester, polyglycerol alkyl ether, an ethoxylated polyhydric alcohol ester, or a polyhydric alcohol ether. The indicator may be used to test the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization procedure and may be provided with a non-challenge test pack or a lumen-challenge test pack.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William E. Foltz, Robert A. Asmus, Ronald G. Lulich
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Patent number: 5418167Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1993Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5334841Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting fluorescence of an unknown target material. An energy source arranged to excite both the target material and the reference material at approximately the excitation wavelength. A reference detector and a target detector are optically arranged to be responsive to light emitted from the reference material and the target material, respectively, at approximately the fluorescing wavelength. A reference measurement means generates a reference output in response to the reference detector in order to determine the amount of fluorescence generated by the reference material. A target measurement means generates a target output in response to the target detector means in order to determine the amount of fluorescence generated by the target material. Reference calibration means varies the electrical voltage supplied to the energy source and calibrates the reference output. Target calibration means calibrates the target output in response to a known target material.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1993Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Josef A. Graessle, Werner R. Schwarz, William E. Foltz
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Patent number: 5252484Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1991Date of Patent: October 12, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5223401Abstract: A unitary sterility indicator and a method for its use, the indicator comprising an outer container having liquid impermeable and gas non-absorptive walls, and having a gas-transmissive, bacteria impermeable opening therein; contained within the outer container, a detectable amount of a source of active enzyme and/or another microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization; a sealed, openable gas and liquid impermeable inner container containing an aqueous medium and/or a nutrient growth medium, disposed in the outer container; an enzyme substrate system capable of reacting with active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product and/or a detector material sensitive to microorganism growth, contained in one of the containers; and means contained within the outer container for restricting the area in which enzyme-modified product and/or growing microorganisms are contained, after the inner container is opened, to an area which is less than the volume of aqueous solution contained in the inner conType: GrantFiled: November 29, 1988Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: William E. Foltz, Richard R. Matner, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 5073488Abstract: A rapid method of determining the efficacy of a sterilization cycle, and an indicator adapted to perform such method, comprising subjecting to the sterilization cycle a source of active enzyme having activity which correlates with the viability of a microorganism commonly used to monitor sterilization, and incubating the enzyme source, following the completion of the sterilization cycle, with an effective amount of a substrate system capable of reacting with any residual active enzyme to produce a detectable enzyme-modified product.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1988Date of Patent: December 17, 1991Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard R. Matner, William E. Foltz, Lewis P. Woodson
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Patent number: 4883641Abstract: A closure and container assembly biological sterility indicator having a container, a closure, test spores, growth and indicator media, and a frangible barrier for separating the growth medium from the test spores is shown. The closure is moveable in the container between open and closed positions. When in the open position, sterilant may flow into and out of the container via a tortuous pathway defined by the interior surface of the container or the exterior surface of the closure. The tortuous pathway may also include one or more openings in the wall of the closure. When the closure is in the closed position, the container is sealed. The sterility indicator may be assembled with the test spores impregnated on a spore strip which is placed in close proximity to the closure.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1988Date of Patent: November 28, 1989Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James H. Wicks, William E. Foltz