John C Bowen

US Patent:

7018592, Mar 28, 2006

Filed:

Jun 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/180845

Inventors:

John G. Bowen - San Dimas CA, US

International Classification:

A61L 2/06

US Classification:

422295, 422298, 422300, 422 26

Abstract:

A self-contained, single manual step unit for thermally sterilizing dental and medical instruments is disclosed. The unit, which requires only activation of a single manual switch and which controls an autoclaving cycle by monitoring temperature of matter which changes states between solid and liquid at a predetermined temperature, provides an effective autoclaving instrument. In disclosed embodiments, each unit comprises a protective housing with a pressure containing releasible lid, a heated vessel and a cooling assembly. Thermal regulation and autoclaving timing is determined by mass and thermal characteristics of the matter and by an electrical control circuit comprised primarily of electric heaters and thermally controlled switches. Steam for autoclaving is provided by capsules or other water containers disposed within a well of the vessel at the beginning of an autoclaving cycle. Also disclosed are parts containers or transporters or which may be displaced into the well along with contents to be sterilized.

US Patent:

20050019239, Jan 27, 2005

Filed:

Jul 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/626373

Inventors:

John Bowen - Santa Fe Springs CA, US

International Classification:

A01N001/00

US Classification:

422307000, 422001000, 422038000

Abstract:

A flow through aqueous liquid sterilization apparatus for controllably providing predetermined values of SAL aqueous liquids being processed through the apparatus.

US Patent:

20060018785, Jan 26, 2006

Filed:

Aug 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/210217

Inventors:

John Bowen - San Dimas CA, US

International Classification:

A61L 2/04

US Classification:

422001000, 422307000

Abstract:

A flow through aqueous liquid sterilization apparatus for controllably providing predetermined values of SAL aqueous liquids being processed through the apparatus.

US Patent:

55208924, May 28, 1996

Filed:

Apr 11, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/225806

Inventors:

John G. Bowen - Santa Ana CA

International Classification:

A61L 206
A61L 220

US Classification:

422295

Abstract:

A sterilization unit for dental handpieces and other instruments, and which finds utility in the sterilization of any surgical instrument, or the like, which breaks the skin or comes into contact with body fluids, and which are too delicate or have sharp edges which could become damaged in conventional present day autoclaves. The sterilization unit of the present invention combines heat, steam pressure and time in a precisely controlled manner so that the handpieces, or other surgical instruments are not damaged during the sterilization procedure. This is achieved by providing a total cycle time including cooling to a patient-ready condition of less than 20 minutes. A unique control system places the sterilizing chamber at a temperature which creates steam and pressure in a time frame that sterilizes the handpiece without damage to the turbine. Mineral-free water is flushed through the piping and turbine to clear out debris and insure sterilization and de-scaling of the inside as well as outside of each handpiece.

US Patent:

39679349, Jul 6, 1976

Filed:

Jun 25, 1971

Appl. No.:

5/156740

Inventors:

Lamont J. Seitz - Huntington Beach CA
John G. Bowen - South Pasadena CA

Assignee:

Baxter Laboratories, Inc. - Deerfield IL

International Classification:

G01N 1110
G01N 3316

US Classification:

23253R

Abstract:

A system and method is provided which has the general capabilities of measuring the speed of coagulation, congealing or solidification of a fluid sample, and which has particular utility in the measurement of the time required by a sample under test to increase viscosity to a particular level. The system and method to be described is predicated on a viscosity principle, and it includes a movable magnetic member suspended in the fluid sample and which changes position when the sample achieves a predetermined degree of viscosity. The change in position of the aforesaid member is photoelectrically or electromagnetically detected, and the time at which the change occurs, is used in the determination of the time required, for example, for the sample to form a fibrin clot, in a blood or plasma sample or to effect a particular reaction causing solidification or congealing of the sample.

US Patent:

45785660, Mar 25, 1986

Filed:

May 28, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/738279

Inventors:

John G. Bowen - Manhattan Beach CA

International Classification:

H05B 306
A61L 204

US Classification:

219521

Abstract:

An electrically energized soft contact lens disinfecting unit formed of a surfactant resistant plastic material to render the unit immune from attack by detergents used to clean the lenses prior to placing the lenses in the unit.

US Patent:

44035896, Sep 13, 1983

Filed:

Jul 6, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/280224

Inventors:

John G. Bowen - Santa Ana CA
Eugene N. Kovalenko - Long Beach CA

International Classification:

F02M 2102

US Classification:

123525

Abstract:

A spare tank system for a motor vehicle is provided which may conveniently be coupled into the normal fuel line of the vehicle, and which comprises a conduit in which a valve and a fitting are mounted. During normal operation of the motor vehicle, the valve is in a first operating position, and the fuel from the normal fuel system flows through the fuel line and through the conduit to the engine without being impeded in any way. One or more closed cylinders, or other pressurized containers of fuel, such as gasoline, are also provided which may normally be carried in the trunk of the vehicle. Should the vehicle run out of gas, the valve is set to a second operating position, and the nozzle of the container is inserted into the fitting, so that fuel from the container may now flow through the conduit to the engine, with the normal fuel system being shut off.

US Patent:

43760961, Mar 8, 1983

Filed:

Nov 2, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/317520

Inventors:

John G. Bowen - Santa Ana CA

Assignee:

Rincon Industries, Inc. - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

A61L 204

US Classification:

422116

Abstract:

An electrically energized heater is provided which has particular application as a dry disinfecting and sterilizing device for items such as soft lenses, dental handpieces, baby bottles, or the like, which cannot be placed in sterilizing solutions, and which cannot be subjected to excessive temperatures. The unit includes a housing, and a heat conductive substance such as wax, oil, or both, contained in the housing and used as a uniform heat transfer medium between electrical heating elements in the housing and the surface of a well which also is supported in the housing. The heater is generally applicable, and may be used to advantage, when it is desired to raise the temperature of an object or material to a particular disinfecting or sterilizing temperature for a given time period, and then to allow the temperature to cool down and return to ambient temperature condition, all without exceeding a critical temperature level, and without unnecessarily restricting the time period at which the particular disinfecting or sterilizing temperature is maintained. This is achieved in the heater of the invention by providing a manually resettable thermostatic switch immersed in the heat conductive substance which snaps off at the end of the given time period, and by also providing an automatic thermostatic switch immersed in the heat conductive substance and connected in series with the manual switch. The automatic thermostatic switch switches on and off during the given time period to hold the temperature below the critical level.