William E Coville

US Patent:

6398956, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/580987

Inventors:

William E. Coville - Levittown PA
David M. St. Onge - North Wales PA

Assignee:

Bio/Data Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

B01D 6308

US Classification:

21032175, 422 99, 422101, 422102, 422104, 222 82, 604411

Abstract:

Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument. Side wells for collecting samples from the bottom up from the filtration cell outlet are also provided as are a process incorporating automated equipment for transferring the container having fluid to be filtered to the piercing point for entry into the filtration cell.

US Patent:

6740240, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Feb 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/068331

Inventors:

William E. Coville - Levittown PA
David M. St. Onge - North Wales PA

Assignee:

Bio/Data Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

B01D 6100

US Classification:

210645, 210651, 210650, 21032175, 422101, 422102, 422104

Abstract:

Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument. Side wells for collecting samples from the bottom up from the filtration cell outlet are also provided as are a process incorporating automated equipment for transferring the container having fluid to be filtered to the piercing point for entry into the filtration cell.

US Patent:

6926834, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

May 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/853382

Inventors:

William E. Coville - Levittown PA, US
David M. St. Onge - North Wales PA, US

Assignee:

Bio/Data Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

B01D061/00
B01D063/00

US Classification:

210650, 210651, 2103216, 21032175

Abstract:

Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument. Side wells for collecting samples from the bottom up from the filtration cell outlet are also provided as are a process incorporating automated equipment for transferring the container having fluid to be filtered to the piercing point for entry into the filtration cell.

US Patent:

6988825, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Jul 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/612161

Inventors:

William E. Coville - Levittown PA, US
Donald G. Ware - Lansdale PA, US

International Classification:

B01F 13/08

US Classification:

366273, 366343

Abstract:

Vertical electromagnetic stirring is used to produce low shear, stress, turbulent and chaotic mixing of a liquid material or suspension in a container regardless of the volume or container geometry. Movement of a magnetic stir bar is controlled by multiple magnetic fields. The magnetic fields are produced by a series of sequentially or non-sequentially activated inductor coils which produce asymmetrical stirring dynamics and random motions of the stir bar, causing the liquid material to be gently and effectively mixed throughout the container. Moving the stir bar in random and irregular patterns during the stirring operation creates turbulent and chaotic mixing dynamics. The stir bars used for supporting vertical magnetic stirring are specifically designed to optimize the effectivity of the mixing process by maximizing the length of the stir bar to quickly and gently mix the materials.

US Patent:

7288195, Oct 30, 2007

Filed:

Aug 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/200509

Inventors:

William E. Coville - Levittown PA, US
David M. St. Onge - North Wales PA, US

Assignee:

Bio/Data Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

B01D 63/00
B01D 35/00
B01D 35/14

US Classification:

21032175, 210 90, 210 85, 422101, 422102, 422 681

Abstract:

A process for filtering a fluid is provided. The process includes providing a filtration cell having a filter membrane, a base configured to receive filtrate passing through the membrane, and a flow channel open to the filter membrane. A flow of the fluid is provided through the flow channel substantially tangent to the filter membrane in a first direction and a second direction substantially opposing the first direction, whereby the fluid reciprocally flows across the filter membrane. Filtrate passing through the membrane is collected. A system for filtering a fluid is also provided.

US Patent:

7294311, Nov 13, 2007

Filed:

Apr 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/099350

Inventors:

William E. Coville - Levittown PA, US

Assignee:

Bio/Data Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

B01L 11/00
G01N 1/18

US Classification:

422101, 422 73, 422 99, 422102, 436 63, 436 69, 436177, 210645, 210780

Abstract:

A clot retainer for generally separating liquid from solid components in a specimen enclosed in a container having a closure. The clot retainer includes fingers that are adapted to displace solid components of the specimen. The clot retainer can be inserted through the closure of the container without removing the container. A method of separating liquid from solid components in a specimen is also disclosed.

US Patent:

7364350, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

Jan 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/338561

Inventors:

William E. Coville - Levittown PA, US
Donald G. Ware - Lansdale PA, US

Assignee:

Bio/Data Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

B01F 13/08

US Classification:

366273

Abstract:

Vertical electromagnetic stirring is used to produce low shear, stress, turbulent and chaotic mixing of a liquid material or suspension in a container regardless of the volume or container geometry. Movement of a magnetic stir bar is controlled by multiple magnetic fields. The magnetic fields are produced by a series of sequentially or non-sequentially activated inductor coils which produce asymmetrical stirring dynamics and random motions of the stir bar, causing the liquid material to be gently and effectively mixed throughout the container. Moving the stir bar in random and irregular patterns during the stirring operation creates turbulent and chaotic mixing dynamics. The stir bars used for supporting vertical magnetic stirring are specifically designed to optimize the effectivity of the mixing process by maximizing the length of the stir bar to quickly and gently mix the materials.

US Patent:

7453555, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

May 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/438722

Inventors:

William E. Coville - Levittown PA, US
Donald G. Ware - Lansdale PA, US

Assignee:

Bio/Data Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

G01N 33/48

US Classification:

356 39, 356 40

Abstract:

An aggregometer has a radiation path along which radiation can pass, a sample receiving area located along the radiation path, a short-wavelength LED that transmits radiation along the radiation path through the sample receiving area, a detector positioned along the radiation path for detecting radiation transmitted from the short-wavelength LED, and a processor that controls intensity of radiation transmitted from the short-wavelength LED.