Erica Lynn Phillips

US Patent:

8180421, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Dec 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/954848

Inventors:

Erica M. Phillips - Woodstock GA, US
Richard Hantke - Chicago IL, US
Daniel Baird - Woodstock GA, US
Mike Rainone - Palestine TX, US
Thomas Edward Plowman - Cary NC, US
Talbot Presley - Palestine TX, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61B 5/1455
G01N 21/00

US Classification:

600310, 600317, 600342, 422 8211

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of hospital acquired infections. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site or for periodic in vitro monitoring of tissue or fluid from a patient and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods utilize fluorophore pairs that optically interact with one another according to Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) or bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) mechanism. One member of the pair or a cofactor that interacts with an enzyme to form a member of the pair may be tethered to a device by a substrate that is specific for an enzyme expressed by a targeted pathogen. Upon interaction of the enzyme with the substrate, an optically detectable signal may be altered or initiated, detection of which may then provide information as to the existence of the pathogen at the site.

US Patent:

8247220, Aug 21, 2012

Filed:

Dec 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/332843

Inventors:

Stephanie M. Martin - Woodstock GA, US
John G. MacDonald - Decatur GA, US
Erica M. Phillips - Woodstock GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

C12M 3/00

US Classification:

4352877, 4352865, 4352871, 4352887, 435 732, 436519

Abstract:

A clinical testing assay device that can differentiate bacterial from viral infections is described. The assay device has a sample contact zone with an absorbent pad on which a test sample is deposited and a detection zone with a colorant indicator that is sensitive to bacteria cells. The colorant indicator changes color when exposed to a bacteria sample. The color change signal can manifest relatively quickly, usually within a few minutes, and with an intensity correlative to the concentration of bacteria in a test sample. A method of use is also provided.

US Patent:

20070134743, Jun 14, 2007

Filed:

Dec 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/302975

Inventors:

Erica Phillips - Woodstock GA, US
Enrico DiGiammarino - Woodstock GA, US
Kevin McGrath - Alpharetta GA, US

International Classification:

G01N 33/574
G01N 33/569
C12M 3/00

US Classification:

435007230, 435007310, 435007920, 435287200

Abstract:

Methods and devices for the detection of proteins secreted by the hyphal growth form of species are disclosed. The disclosed devices may constitute a method for the diagnosis of acute or chronic infections, including candidiasis, caused by microorganisms of the species , such as , for example. The devices of the present invention incorporate antibodies specific to secreted aspartyl protease proteins whose expression is upregulated upon the conversion of the species from the commensal to the pathogenic form. The antibodies may be used in assays to allow the diagnosis of candidal infections and disease conditions. Either monoclonal antibodies or polyclonal antibodies may be used, and in the case of the monoclonals, the specific epitopes of the SAP protein may be detected as well as the SAP protein itself.

US Patent:

20090142275, Jun 4, 2009

Filed:

Nov 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/947296

Inventors:

Erica M. Phillips - Woodstock GA, US
J. Gavin MacDonald - Decatur GA, US
Stephanie M. Martin - Woodstock GA, US

Assignee:

KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61L 17/04
A61B 5/00
A61K 49/00

US Classification:

424 98, 424 91, 606139

Abstract:

A wound suture containing a solvatochromatic indicator that undergoes a color change in the presence of bacteria often associated with surgical site infection is provided. Such a color change provides a “real time” indication of the onset of infection, which may alert medical staff to apply an appropriate antimicrobial treatment (e.g., antibiotic) to the patient (e.g., human or animal) before a more serious infection occurs. The patient may also be able to accurately monitor the condition of a wound after discharge from the hospital. Further, the lack of a color change may provide the medical staff or patient with the assurance that the area is generally free of infection and clean.

US Patent:

20090155770, Jun 18, 2009

Filed:

Dec 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/954881

Inventors:

Tameka Brown - Lilburn GA, US
Akosua Atta-Mensah - Bethesda MD, US
Daniel Baird - Woodstock GA, US
Richard Hantke - Chicago IL, US
Tod Hoover Shultz - Killingworth CT, US
Erica M. Phillips - Woodstock GA, US
Shawn R. Feaster - Duluth GA, US
Mike Rainone - Palestine TX, US
Thomas Edward Plowman - Cary NC, US
Talbot Presley - Palestine TX, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

C12Q 1/70

US Classification:

435 5

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods and devices for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site. Disclosed devices may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of a hospital acquired infection, thereby providing for earlier intervention and improved recovery rates from bacterial infection. Disclosed methods utilize implantable devices for location at an in vivo site. The implantable device is held in conjunction with an optical fiber that detects and transmits an optically detectable signal generated in the presence of a pathogen. Upon generation of the emission, the optically detectable emission signal may be transmitted to a portable detection/analysis device. Analysis of the characteristics of the emission signal produced may be used to determine the presence or concentration of pathogens at the site of inquiry, following which real time information may be transmitted to medical personnel, for instance via a wireless transmission system.

US Patent:

20120143027, Jun 7, 2012

Filed:

Dec 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/959823

Inventors:

Erica M. Phillips - Woodstock GA, US
Richard Hantke - Chicago IL, US
Daniel Baird - Woodstock GA, US
Mike Rainone - Palestine TX, US
Thomas Edward Plowman - Cary NC, US
Talbot Presley - Palestine TX, US

Assignee:

KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61B 5/1473

US Classification:

600345

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of hospital acquired infections. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to changes in the local environment due to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods utilize ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) to detect changes in ionic concentration at the site due to the presence of a pathogen, for instance at a surgical site. When a pathogen is present, the local ionic concentration, and hence the electrical characteristics of an ISFET may change, causing a detectable signal from the ISFET. An ISFET may be associated with a biological material such as an enzyme or a specific binding partner for an expression product of a pathogen to improve detection. Upon interaction of the expression product with the enzyme or the probe, the electrical characteristics of the ISFET may change, detection of which may then provide information as to the existence a pathogen at the site.