Dwight D. Back, Ph.D., has worked in a high-level technical capacity across the spectrum of high tech industries from medical devices to NASA. He has worked with new Class I, Class II and Class III medical devices from gaining FDA approval through ongoing manufacturing support. This includes Class III implantable cardiology devices and combination devices.
Dr. Dwight Back has developed processes for coating drug-eluting stents. His experience in silicone implantable devices for plastic surgery is unmatched.
As a data expert, he solves R&D and manufacturing problems for small and large companies, and has worked closely with doctors, universities and the top research labs. Dr. Back has a BChE from the University of Dayton, and Master’s and PhD from the University of Notre Dame, all in Chemical Engineering.
Dr. Dwight Back (engineer and data expert) solves problems by efficiently engineering practical and technically sound solutions –-
“I do not believe in blindly following cookbook solutions of 'that’s what everyone else does.' It is very important to understand the uniqueness of every technical problem or product design and think outside-the-box. Sometimes you can get away with plug and play, but I have seen this approach fail later when it costs much more to fix.
I bridge the practical with the scientific fundamentals so that you will understand what makes your product tick, and how you can make it even better!”
Dr. Back is the inventor on over 25 US and international patents, and numerous proprietary invention disclosures for medical devices and processes, polymers, high tech materials/metals, and more. Having prepared nearly all of the patent applications for these inventions, Dr. Dwight Back has a clear understanding of what is likely to be patentable. He can also guide you to the most robust design or improvement for your device.
As author of over 200 technical proposals for the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program, Dr. Back has been successful in getting dozens of deserving projects funded. He may be able to find appropriate U.S. government funding for your project too.
As a data expert specializing in product and process concept-to-commercialization and existing process optimization, Dr. Dwight Back's current engineering focus areas include:
As Vice President, Technology at Ideal Implant Incorporated since October 2007, he has been responsible for process development, automation and validation of medical device manufacturing processes, product R&D for silicone breast implants, IDE and PMA technical submissions, and direct FDA communications for an FDA Class III medical device. He directed and analyzed mechanical, chemical, and biocompatibility/toxicological testing for FDA IDE and PMA, Health-Canada, and EU CE-Marking submissions.
Dr. Dwight Back worked for Mainstream Engineering Corporation at two different periods of his career (Nov. 2003 - Jan 2007 and June 1993 - November 2000) as Principal Investigator / Senior Chemical Engineer. He was responsible for:
Dr. Back's contributions for Mainstream Engineering spanned a variety of applied R&D areas:
As Principal Engineer at Cordis / Johnson & Johnson November 2000 - November 2003, Dr. Back directed “Coatings Center of Excellence,” created a cross-functional drug-device J&J team (leveraging pharmaceutical, medical device, and process expertise for drug-eluting stent manufacturing processes) and identified/developed/tested next generation polymer-drug coating processes.
While at J&J, Dr. Back's focus areas included:
As Senior Research Engineer at EG&G Mound Applied Technologies October 1988 - May 1993, Dr. Back provided applied R&D, materials development and characterization for the U.S. Department of Energy. He designed, fabricated and tested exotic metal alloy materials for advanced technology applications, and provided materials analysis using X-ray, Auger, XPS, SEM, EDX, ultrasonics and mechanical properties.
While at EG&G, Dr. Back's areas of expertise included:
Breast Implant with Low Coefficient of Friction Between Internal Shells in an Aqueous Fluid Environment
United States Patent 8,556,968 Issued October 15, 2013 A fluid-filled surgically-implantable prosthetic device encloses one or more non-enclosing fitted shells arranged adjacent to and in a graduated relation to each other. The invention relates specifically to implantable breast prostheses with a low coefficient of friction between two or more interacting elastomeric shells in an aqueous fluid environment, without the addition of a lubricating agent to the fluid.
Breast Implant with Low Coefficient of Friction Between Internal Shells in an Aqueous Fluid Environment
EU Patent Application WO/2013/070290A1, EP2775960, EP2775960 A fluid-filled surgically-implantable prosthetic device encloses one or more non-enclosing fitted shells arranged adjacent to and in a graduated relation to each other. The invention relates specifically to implantable breast prostheses with a low coefficient of friction between two or more interacting elastomeric shells in an aqueous fluid environment, without the addition of a lubricating agent to the fluid.
Compositions and methods for detecting leaks in HVAC/R systems United States Patent 8,418,530 Issued April 16, 2013 Compositions and related methods for detecting leaks in HVAC/R components such as furnaces, portable gas heaters, swimming pool heaters, air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigerators, freezers, and other closed loop vapor compression systems, as well as heat exchangers. These compositions provide more sensitive detection of leaks in inaccessible areas of furnaces using low ODP and non-flammable compounds classified as hydrofluorochloro-ethers (HFCE's), hydrobromochlorofluoro-alkenes (HBCFA's) hydrofluoro-ethers (HFE's), and halogenated compounds which are either alkanes, alcohols, diones, acetates, ketones (e.g., butanones, pentanones), esters (e.g., propanoates), anhydrides, cycloalkanes (cycloparaffins), cycloalkenes (cycloolefins), heterocyclics (e.g., furans), and aromatics.
Apparatus and method for self-heating and self-hydrating foods and beverages
United States Patent 8,062,528 Issued November 22, 2011
A method and components for heating and hydrating foods and beverages using an exothermic and pressure generating chemical reaction are described. The exothermic reaction can be initiated by water, spark, electrical impulse, squib, friction, or shock to heat non-potable water and force the water through a membrane filter, thereby producing heated, potable water.
Replacement solvents having improved properties and methods of using the same
United States Patent 7,998,916 Issued August 16, 2011 CFC replacement solvent compositions, methods of using the same and methods of making the same. These compositions meet or exceed the solvency, flammability, and compatibility requirements for CFC's while providing similar or improved environmental and toxicological properties. These solvent compositions have applications including, but not limited to, oxygen handling, refrigeration or heat pumps, electronics, implantable prosthetic devices, and optical equipment.
Replacement solvents having improved properties and methods of using the same
United States Patent 7,960,331 Issued June 14, 2011 CFC replacement solvent compositions, methods of using the same and methods of making the same. These compositions meet or exceed the solvency, flammability, and compatibility requirements for CFC's while providing similar or improved environmental and toxicological properties. These solvent compositions have applications including, but not limited to, oxygen handling, refrigeration or heat pumps, electronics, implantable prosthetic devices, and optical equipment.
Apparatus and method for self-heating and self-hydrating foods and beverages
United States Patent 7,846,332 Issued December 7, 2010 A method and components for heating and hydrating foods and beverages using an exothermic and pressure generating chemical reaction are described. The exothermic reaction can be initiated by water, spark, electrical impulse, squib, friction, or shock to heat non-potable water and force the water through a membrane filter, thereby producing heated, potable water.
Replacement solvents having improved properties and methods of using the same
United States Patent 7,429,557 Issued September 30, 2008 CFC replacement solvent compositions, methods of using the same and methods of making the same. These compositions meet or exceed the solvency, flammability, and compatibility requirements for CFC's while providing similar or improved environmental and toxicological properties. These solvent compositions have application including, but not limited to, oxygen handling, refrigeration or heat pumps, electronics, implantable prosthetic devices, and optical equipment.
Formulation and method for treating wetted surface elements in climate control systems
United States Patent 6,638,431 Issued October 28, 2003 A formulation and method to treat and control microbial growth present in the water of climate control systems such as air conditioner air handlers, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers, which formulation can be entrained and dispersed into to living space air. Specifically, a formulation is provided in the form of a tablet or a spray for being applied onto a wetted surface element present in these systems which will effectively control the growth of microbes such as fungus, molds, bacteria, and virus present on the surface for an extended period of time. The formulations include at least two metals, at least two chelating agents, at least one surfactant, and at least one viscosity enhancing compound.
Removable test kit and method of use for vapor compression systems United States Patent 6,576,473 Issued June 10, 2003 A field-installable and removable moisture and/or acid test kit and method is used for a vapor compression system. A moisture and/or acid indicator is provided in the test kit which is installed at a single point location upstream or downstream of the system compressor in a region where the system working fluid is in a substantially vapor phase. The test kit can be connected to the system by a threaded connection or a quick disconnect fitting. The moisture/acid indicator in the test kit detects the presence of moisture and/or acid by a diffusion of moisture or acid to the indicator via diffusion. Some magnification is provided in the test kit because the lower transport rates from the vapor diffusion mechanism requires a smaller mass of indicator material than has been used in conventional flowing liquid systems.
Active topical skin protectants using polymer coated metal alloys
United States Patent 6,437,005 Issued August 20, 2002 A topical skin protectant formulation containing a barrier cream and an active moiety for protecting warfighters and civilians against all types of harmful chemicals, specifically chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The topical skin protectant offers a barrier property and an active moiety that serves to neutralize chemical warfare agents into less toxic agents.
Magnetic bearing system and method of controlling magnetic bearing system
United States Patent 6,429,561 Issued August 6, 2002 A method for controlling magnetic bearings is disclosed. More specifically, this method moves the rotor position setpoint away from the center point between two opposing bearings and closer to one of the bearings. Assuming the force on the rotor is unidirectional, the bearings will be more stable and will be able to exert more force on the rotor. The bearings require less current, thereby allowing for the reduction of the winding size, and the power consumption of the bearing is decreased. The movement of the shaft in one direction or the other necessitates adaptive control, or the alteration of the dynamic control algorithm to maintain optimal performance by accounting for different system stability requirements.
Method of introducing an in situant into a vapor compression system, especially useful for leak detection, as well as an apparatus for leak detection and a composition useful for leak detection
United States Patent 6,327,897 Issued December 11, 2001 Leaks are detected in a vapor compression system using fluorescent and daylight visible in situants which are introduced to a system by way of a carrier and dissolved into the systems oil or lubricant. This invention teaches the use of POE oil as a universal carrier fluid, alone or in combination with an alcohol, and combined with one or more "in situants". The in situants are compounds which are the same or substantially similar to compounds already present in oils or lubricants. An on-off UV light source, such as a xenon light, can the be used to visually detect the leak from the vapor compression system components.
Clothes washer and dryer system for recycling and reusing graywater United States Patent 6,327,731 Issued December 11, 2001 A compact, portable clothes washer and dryer system requires no direct water connection or drain line and includes a feed reservoir for holding hot or cold water; a basket for receiving clothes and said water from said feed reservoir; a filtration membrane unit that generates permeate for rinsing said clothes and retentate; a motor for operating said basket; a pump for circulating water from said feed reservoir through said membrane unit and to said basket; and a heating assembly for drying said clothes in said basket. The system reduces water usage and gray water generation for washing clothes. The system is particularly useful in dormitories, small apartments, or other remote dwellings where water is scarce or where there are no water feed lines or drains.
Noble gas storage and flow control system for ion propulsion
United States Patent 6,301,876 Issued October 16, 2001 This invention provides a noble gas storage and delivery system for ion propulsion using an adsorption bed coupled with a primary storage vessel containing compressed gas or two-phase fluid to control the flow and pressure to a thruster component. The adsorption bed component is lighter weight than conventional flow and pressure control devices, and the system can provide in situ gas cleanup and stable flow from two-phase storage. The use of the adsorption bed allows for independent and isolated operation of multiple thruster components such as refill from the primary storage vessel, throttling, and multiple setpoint flow rates. The pressure and flow is controlled using a flow restrictor and low wattage heat. Flow rates of about 2-50 sccm can be controlled to within about 1.2% or less, and the flow can be throttled by varying the pressure. This noble gas storage and delivery system can be used for earth orbit satellites, and lunar or planetary space missions.
Method for treating water over an extended time using tablets and packets
United States Patent 6,303,039 Issued October 16, 2001 A method to control microbial growth and other contaminants present in the water of climate control systems includes using tablets or packets to effectively control the growth of microbes such as fungus, molds, bacteria, and virus present in water for an extended period of time. The tablet or packet formulations include at least two metals and at least one chelating agent. Optionally, more soluble salts are also added to the formulations to induce an initial shock of the biologically active compounds in the water followed by a slower release of the less soluble chelating agents and metals.
Noble gas storage and delivery system for ion propulsion
United States Patent 6,286,304 Issued September 11, 2001 A method and system for storing and delivering a noble gas for an ion propulsion system where an adsorbent bearing a noble gas is heated within a storage vessel to desorb the noble gas which is then flowed through a pressure reduction device to a thruster assembly. The pressure and flow is controlled using a flow restrictor and low wattage heater which heats an adsorbent bed containing the noble gas propellant at low pressures. Flow rates of 5-60 sccm can be controlled to within about 0.5% or less and the required input power is generally less than 50 W. This noble gas storage and delivery system and method can be used for earth orbit satellites, and lunar or planetary space missions.
Clothes washer and dryer system for recycling and reusing gray water United States Patent 6,269,667 Issued August 7, 2001 A compact, portable clothes washer and dryer system requires no direct water connection or drain line and includes a feed reservoir for holding hot or cold water; a basket for receiving clothes and said water from said feed reservoir; a filtration membrane unit that generates permeate for rinsing said clothes and retentate; a motor for operating said basket; a pump for circulating water from said feed reservoir through said membrane unit and to said basket; and a heating assembly for drying said clothes in said basket. The system reduces water usage and gray water generation for washing clothes. The system is particularly useful in dormitories, small apartments, or other remote dwellings where water is scarce or where there are no water feed lines or drains.
Method of introducing an additive into a fluid system, especially useful for leak detection, as well as an apparatus for leak detection and a composition useful for leak detection
United States Patent 6,170,320 Issued January 9, 2001 An additive is introduced into a fluid system and dissolved in a carrier fluid which is immiscible or slightly miscible in the fluid system, wherein the carrier fluid is subsequently removed from the fluid system. This method can be used to detect leaks, wherein an on-off UV light source, such as xenon light, can be used to detect the leak visually.
Method for coating reactive metal alloy powders and their use in decomposing and immobilizing organic compounds
United States Patent 6,136,373 Issued October 24, 2000 Metal powders or granules, comprised of at least 2 alloyed metals selected from the group consisting of alkaline metals, alkali metals, transition metals, metalloids, and rare earth metals are coated with an organic monomer, oligomer, polymer, or other organic compound. The metal powders or granules are in hydride, oxide, or reduced form. The coated metal powders or granules are used to decompose and/or immobilize organic compounds containing at least one hetero atom.
Composition and method for de-icing and anti-icing surfaces
United States Patent 5,993,684 Issued November 30, 1999 Method and compositions for reducing or removing ice formation from surfaces where the compositions consist essentially of (i) one or more polyhydric alcohols and (ii) one or more non-potassium, low carbon percentage organic compounds, and optionally one or more non-potassium, non-halide inorganic compounds and/or monohydric alcohols, whereby the freezing point of the composition is depressed.
Method and system for the destruction of hetero-atom organics using transition-alkaline-rare earth metal alloys
United States Patent 5,922,926 Issued July 13, 1999 A method and system decomposes or immobilizes organic wastes using a metal alloy agent comprised of at least two metals selected from transition metals, alkaline metal and/or and rare earth metals. The method first uses hydrogen and oxygen, with and without mechanical agitation, to decrepitate and activate the metal alloy powders. The organic waste compounds are then introduced to the activated metal alloys. This method of decomposing organic materials effectively destroys organic compounds which contain halogens, sulfur, phosphorous, oxygen, and higher order bonds.
Process and system for recycling and reusing gray water
United States Patent 5,868,937 Issued February 9, 1999 A process and system recycles and reuses gray water generated by dishwashers, showers, carwashes, and clothes washers while maintaining the same cleaning performance as current systems. Hollowfiber membrane ultrafiltration is used to reduce fresh water supply demands and gray water generation where voluminous quantities of the latter are generated. For a clothes washer, the gray water reuse or recycle system consists of a closed-loop water recycle which can be redirected to a storage tank for other applications, or directly used in situ with a clothes washer for subsequent rinse cycles. The process uses, at a minimum, 50% less water than conventional residential and commercial washers, and also decreases detergent requirements by 30% because a portion of the rinse water can be re-used for subsequent wash cycles.
Water disinfection method using metal-ligand complexes
United States Patent 5,632,904 Issued May 27, 1997 Metal-ligand complexes produced by coordination chemistry for use as a biocide and a method for detoxifying water or effluent are disclosed. Metallic biocides are bound with acceptable complexing agents as a type of coordination compound to shield the metal ions from other reactants in the water supply being treated while keeping the metal ions available for biocidal action. In particular, pre-mixed solutions of metalligand complexes are added as a disinfectant to water containing ions such as calcium, iron, carbonates, chlorides, nitrates, phosphates, and sulfates.
Process and apparatus for oxidizing and neutralizing caustic waste to liquid fertilizer
United States Patent 5,607,653 Issued March 4, 1997 A process and apparatus for treating and detoxifying salts-hydroxides scrubber wastes containing nitrite salts or sulfite salts so that the final product has low nitrite or sulfite content, a neutral pH and is usable either as a base blend or as a stand-alone liquid product for agricultural applications. One approach is to have a continuous flow oxidation of the waste solution by ozone followed by a neutralization step with MKP. Another approach is to perform oxidation and neutralization in one step by the addition of hydrogen peroxide and MKP.
Nanotube composites and methods for producing
United States Patent Application US20060025515 A method for producing a carbon nanotube composite, in which carbon nanotubes are grown on a support substrate and metal catalyst. The carbon nanotubes, support substrate, and catalyst are combined in at least a partially unpurified form with a matrix material.
Nanotube/metal substrate composites and methods for producing such composites
United States Patent Application US20060233692 Carbon nanotubes are grown directly on metal substrates using chemical vapor deposition. Metal substrates are comprised of catalysts which facilitate or promote the growth of carbon nanotubes. The nanotube coated metal substrates have applications including, but not limited to, heat transfer and thermal control, hydrogen storage, fuel cell catalytic reformers, electronics and semiconductors, implantable medical devices or prostheses, and tribological wear and protective coatings.
Self cleaning electrostatic air cleaning system
United States Patent Application 20060174763 A self-cleaning air purifier for use with a central air conditioning device includes at least one ion generator made up of at least one ionizer bar and an electrically grounded water reservoir with an exposed surface, where the surface of the water is parallel and proximate to the at least one ionizer bar. Contaminants in the air flow path are charged and driven to the grounded water surface. This grounded water surface (ground plane) is comprised of a container with a submerged grounding plate or is comprised of a grounded electrically conducting container. The grounding plate may also be comprised of metals such as Cu, Zn, Sn, Ni, and Ag, or alloys containing these metals, which will also act as biocides in the water. Materials such as tablets or packets may also be added to the electrically grounded water reservoir so as to provide the biocide materials. The tablets or packets can be comprised of metal biocide salts with chelating agents to retain the dissolved biocide metals in solution.
Nanotube/metal substrate composites and methods for producing such composites
United States Patent Application US20050238810 Carbon nanotubes are grown directly on metal substrates using chemical vapor deposition. Metal substrates are comprised of catalysts which facilitate or promote the growth of carbon nanotubes. The nanotube coated metal substrates have applications including, but not limited to, heat transfer and thermal control, hydrogen storage, fuel cell catalytic reformers, electronics and semiconductors, implantable medical devices or prostheses, and tribological wear and protective coatings.
Fire Extinguishing Methods and Blends Utilizing Unsaturated Perfluorocarbons
EU Patent Application WO/1997/007857A1 Unsaturated C3 and C4 perfluorocarbons are used to extinguish fires. These compounds have been found to extinguish fires as effectively as Halons with similar volatility, residue levels, materials compatibility and safety but with enhanced environmental acceptability.
Fire Extinguishing Methods and Blends Utilizing Fluorinated Hydrocarbon Ethers
eu Patent Application WO/1997/020599A1 Fluorinated ethers are effective fire extinguishing agents, with flame extinguishing concentrations comparable to those of conventional Halons. Fluorinated ethers have similar volatility, residue levels, materials compatibility characteristics, and safety characteristics as conventional Halons, and they are also environmentally acceptable.
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