Patents by Inventor Chris Thomas Zimmerle

Chris Thomas Zimmerle 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: 20210302321
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an imager of a reagent analyzer, comprises positioning a dry reagent pad at a first read position in a field of view of the imager, the first read position illuminated by an illumination source with a first intensity, detecting a reference optical signal by the imager, indicative of a first reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the first read position, positioning the dry reagent pad at a second read position, the second read position illuminated with a second intensity different from the first intensity, detecting a first optical signal by the imager, indicative of a second reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the second read position, and calculating, by a processor, a calibration factor for the dry reagent pad at the second read position based on a difference between the reference optical signal and the first optical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Thomas Zimmerle, Amy Zercher, Jennifer Ann Goldsburg
  • Patent number: 11035799
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an imager of a reagent analyzer, comprises positioning a dry reagent pad at a first read position in a field of view of the imager, the first read position illuminated by an illumination source with a first intensity, detecting a reference optical signal by the imager, indicative of a first reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the first read position, positioning the dry reagent pad at a second read position, the second read position illuminated with a second intensity different from the first intensity, detecting a first optical signal by the imager, indicative of a second reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the second read position, and calculating, by a processor, a calibration factor for the dry reagent pad at the second read position based on a difference between the reference optical signal and the first optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Thomas Zimmerle, Amy Zercher, Jennifer Ann Goldsburg
  • Patent number: 9658152
    Abstract: The inventive concepts disclosed herein are generally directed to the use of a hand-held mobile computing device, such a smartphone or tablet, to interpret the results of a medical assay device. By controlling conditions like image placement and illumination and correcting for imperfect illumination, accurate results can be obtained with hand-held mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Thomas Zimmerle, Gary W. Rheinheimer, James Arthur Profitt
  • Patent number: 9612249
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including a reagent analyzer, comprising a test analyzing mechanism, such as an optical imaging system, configured to read a first sample of a specimen combined with a reagent configured to react with the sample in a presence of an analyte of interest and a second sample of the specimen that is not combined with a reagent, and to output one or more first signals indicative of the test analyzing mechanism reading the first and second samples; and a processor receiving the one or more first signals and executing logic to analyze the second sample responsive to the processor determining that the analyte of interest is present in the first sample. The processor may execute logic to analyze the second specimen utilizing one or more ratio algorithm and comparing the results of the algorithm against predetermined values indicative of expected color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Thomas Zimmerle, Gary W. Rheinheimer
  • Publication number: 20160041152
    Abstract: The inventive concepts disclosed herein are generally directed to the use of a hand-held mobile computing device, such a smartphone or tablet, to interpret the results of a medical assay device. By controlling conditions like image placement and illumination and correcting for imperfect illumination, accurate results can be obtained with hand-held mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Thomas Zimmerle, Gary W. Rheinheimer, James Arthur Profitt
  • Publication number: 20150369827
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed including a reagent analyzer, comprising a test analyzing mechanism, such as an optical imaging system, configured to read a first sample of a specimen combined with a reagent configured to react with the sample in a presence of an analyte of interest and a second sample of the specimen that is not combined with a reagent, and to output one or more first signals indicative of the test analyzing mechanism reading the first and second samples; and a processor receiving the one or more first signals and executing logic to analyze the second sample responsive to the processor determining that the analyte of interest is present in the first sample. The processor may execute logic to analyze the second specimen utilizing one or more ratio algorithm and comparing the results of the algorithm against predetermined values indicative of expected color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventors: Chris Thomas Zimmerle, Gary W. Rheinheimer
  • Publication number: 20150031135
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an imager of a reagent analyzer, comprises positioning a dry reagent pad at a first read position in a field of view of the imager, the first read position illuminated by an illumination source with a first intensity, detecting a reference optical signal by the imager, indicative of a first reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the first read position, positioning the dry reagent pad at a second read position, the second read position illuminated with a second intensity different from the first intensity, detecting a first optical signal by the imager, indicative of a second reflectance value of the dry reagent pad at the second read position, and calculating, by a processor, a calibration factor for the dry reagent pad at the second read position based on a difference between the reference optical signal and the first optical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventors: Chris Thomas Zimmerle, Amy Zercher, Jennifer Ann Goldsburg