Patents by Inventor William E. Merritt

William E. Merritt 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: 20240123368
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray dried plasma composition having one or more of the following characteristics: when reconstituted, largely amorphous and has no cholesterol crystals; when reconstituted, the number of large particulates is reduced; has low residual moisture; reconstitutes rapidly in under four minutes; highly stable when stored under refrigeration, at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and allows for storage for longer periods of time; when reconstituted, exhibits recovery of the most fragile of proteins, including von Willebrand's factor; when reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), reconstituted plasma is at a pH that is near normal plasma pH, and does so without treatment or storage in CO2 or other pH adjustment; and when reconstituted, has reduced complement activation (C5A, C3A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl, Qiyong Peter Liu, Jihae Sohn
  • Publication number: 20240123367
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray dried plasma composition having one or more of the following characteristics: when reconstituted, largely amorphous and has no cholesterol crystals; when reconstituted, the number of large particulates is reduced; has low residual moisture; reconstitutes rapidly in under four minutes; highly stable when stored under refrigeration, at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and allows for storage for longer periods of time; when reconstituted, exhibits recovery of the most fragile of proteins, including von Willebrand's factor; when reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), reconstituted plasma is at a pH that is near normal plasma pH, and does so without treatment or storage in CO2 or other pH adjustment; and when reconstituted, has reduced complement activation (C5A, C3A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl
  • Publication number: 20240109000
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray dried plasma composition having one or more of the following characteristics: when reconstituted, largely amorphous and has no cholesterol crystals; when reconstituted, the number of large particulates is reduced; has low residual moisture; reconstitutes rapidly in under four minutes; highly stable when stored under refrigeration, at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and allows for storage for longer periods of time; when reconstituted, exhibits recovery of the most fragile of proteins, including von Willebrand's factor; when reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), reconstituted plasma is at a pH that is near normal plasma pH, and does so without treatment or storage in CO2 or other pH adjustment; and when reconstituted, has reduced complement activation (C5A, C3A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Qiyong Peter Liu, Herman E. Snyder, Kyle D. Erickson, Evan P. Ordway, William J. Merritt, Richard Meehan, Robert R. Andrews, Clair Strohl, Jihae Sohn
  • Publication number: 20240110748
    Abstract: The present invention includes a spray drying disposable device for use in a spray drying system. The disposable has a spray drying head and a plasma drying chamber. The head has a spray dry nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the plasma source and the pressurized aerosol gas source. The pressurized gas flows in a vortex pattern that atomizes plasma droplets in the chamber. The head also includes a plenum has uniform air pressure of the drying gas. A baffle plate forms the floor of the plenum having drying gas jets that supply drying gas to the chamber. The atomized plasma droplets evaporate in the presence of the drying gas emitted from the jets to obtain dried plasma particles and humid air. A capture filter captures the dried plasma particles and allows the humid air to pass. The humid air passes through the gas outlet and the exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl, Russell Barron
  • Publication number: 20240102730
    Abstract: The present invention includes a spray drying disposable device for use in a spray drying system. The disposable has a spray drying head and a plasma drying chamber. The head has a spray dry nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the plasma source and the pressurized aerosol gas source. The pressurized gas flows in a vortex pattern that atomizes plasma droplets in the chamber. The head also includes a plenum has uniform air pressure of the drying gas. A baffle plate forms the floor of the plenum having drying gas jets that supply drying gas to the chamber. The atomized plasma droplets evaporate in the presence of the drying gas emitted from the jets to obtain dried plasma particles and humid air. A capture filter captures the dried plasma particles and allows the humid air to pass. The humid air passes through the gas outlet and the exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl, Russell Barron
  • Publication number: 20240091156
    Abstract: The present invention relates to spray drying plasma methodology that includes pretreating a donated liquid plasma unit, drying the liquid plasma using a spray drying apparatus with the spray drying disposable device that results in a disposable having the dried plasma, finishing the disposable using the finishing apparatus that is designed to seal and separate the disposable, and transform the disposable into a dried plasma unit. The methods of the present invention include storing the dried plasma unit and, when ready for use, reconstituting the dried plasma unit with reconstitution solution to obtain a plasma unit ready for transfusion into a recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Kyle D. Erickson, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl, Russell Barron
  • Publication number: 20240091665
    Abstract: An alignment system that allows a spray drying disposable to align in both spray drying apparatus and finishing apparatus. The first instance is a locating arrangement wherein a locator is disposed on the spray drying apparatus and/or finishing apparatus and another locator is on the spray drying head of the disposable such that the locators allow for alignment of the disposable with the spray drying apparatus or finishing apparatus. A second instance of an alignment element includes a guide that is offset as positioned on the spray drying head of the disposable. Yet a third instance of the alignment arrangement relates to the gas exhaust port. In a fourth instance, the alignment system includes a positioning arrangement to reversibly attach the outer wall of the disposable to the finishing apparatus. In a fifth and sixth instance, a retaining device that retains the spray drying head in the spray drying apparatus and/or finishing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, Kyle D. Erickson, William J. Merritt, Clair Strohl, Evan P. Ordway, Russell Barron
  • Publication number: 20240091666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray dried plasma composition having one or more of the following characteristics: when reconstituted, largely amorphous and has no cholesterol crystals; when reconstituted, the number of large particulates is reduced; has low residual moisture; reconstitutes rapidly in under four minutes; highly stable when stored under refrigeration, at room temperature or at elevated temperatures and allows for storage for longer periods of time; when reconstituted, exhibits recovery of the most fragile of proteins, including von Willebrand's factor; when reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI), reconstituted plasma is at a pH that is near normal plasma pH, and does so without treatment or storage in CO2 or other pH adjustment; and when reconstituted, has reduced complement activation (C5A, C3A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Meehan, Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl, Qiyong Peter Liu, Jihae Sohn
  • Publication number: 20240091664
    Abstract: The present invention includes an ease-of-use system that allows the spray drying disposable device to fit (e.g., align) in both spray drying apparatus and the spray drying finishing apparatus to safely operate the system. The system includes locating arrangements between the spray drying disposable and the spray drying apparatus and/or spray drying finishing apparatus, a first retainer and second retainer, a shorter disposable device that allows for effective spray drying of plasma, a feedback indicators of correct installment, redundant indicators of correct installment, easily accessible operator controls and emergency shut offs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Kyle D. Erickson, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl, Russell Barron
  • Patent number: 11913723
    Abstract: The present invention includes a spray drying disposable device for use in a spray drying system. The disposable has a spray drying head and a plasma drying chamber. The head has a spray dry nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the plasma source and the pressurized aerosol gas source. The pressurized gas flows in a vortex pattern that atomizes plasma droplets in the chamber. The head also includes a plenum has uniform air pressure of the drying gas. A baffle plate forms the floor of the plenum having drying gas jets that supply drying gas to the chamber. The atomized plasma droplets evaporate in the presence of the drying gas emitted from the jets to obtain dried plasma particles and humid air. A capture filter captures the dried plasma particles and allows the humid air to pass. The humid air passes through the gas outlet and the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl, Russell Barron
  • Patent number: 11913722
    Abstract: The present invention includes a spray drying disposable device for use in a spray drying system. The disposable has a spray drying head and a plasma drying chamber. The head has a spray dry nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the plasma source and the pressurized aerosol gas source. The pressurized gas flows in a vortex pattern that atomizes plasma droplets in the chamber. The head also includes a plenum has uniform air pressure of the drying gas. A baffle plate forms the floor of the plenum having drying gas jets that supply drying gas to the chamber. The atomized plasma droplets evaporate in the presence of the drying gas emitted from the jets to obtain dried plasma particles and humid air. A capture filter captures the dried plasma particles and allows the humid air to pass. The humid air passes through the gas outlet and the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Andrews, Herman E. Snyder, William J. Merritt, Evan P. Ordway, Clair Strohl, Russell Barron
  • Patent number: 5252912
    Abstract: A detector for use on board an aircraft traveling along a path of movement to detect a power line comprises an antenna for sensing the electric field associated with the power line and producing an electric field signal, and a signal processor for receiving the electric field signal and generating a time-to-impact signal representative of the time for the aircraft to reach the power line if it continues on its path of movement. Sensors are used to determine the direction of the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: William E. Merritt
    Inventors: William E. Merritt, Joel Johnson