Patents by Inventor Greg Sommer
Greg Sommer 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).
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Patent number: 11714034Abstract: A method and device performing the method for estimation of cell count, such as sperm cell count, is disclosed. The device may be a kit including a cartridge configured to hold fluid, such as seminal fluid, and an instrument configured to centrifuge the cartridge. The cartridge and instrument are configured such that, during operation or centrifugation, they are securely attached to each other. The cartridge has a component with a defined cross-sectional volume. The defined cross-sectional volume is used to mark the component with markings, allowing a user of the device to read the markings and estimate cell volume and, thus, concentration. Various embodiments of the device are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Laboratory Corporation of America HoldingsInventors: Ulrich Schaff, Greg Sommer, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch
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Publication number: 20220347699Abstract: A portable motorized centrifugal system is optimized for low cost manufacture and operation. Separation of inhomogeneous fluid biological samples, such as liquid plasma from whole blood, is a common step in medical diagnostic tests. This system may enable remote separation where access to plug-in power sources are limited. The system may facilitate at-home testing. Due to biohazard concerns, the entire centrifugal apparatus portable and disposable, or the system includes one or more disposable elements within the interior of the centrifuge. Alternatively, the system may contain a module of higher value components that are re-usable after disinfection. Devices and methods for implementing centrifugal separation may include disk-shaped fluidic cartridges and tubes with reduced drag cross-section.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Ulrich Schaff, Kyungjin Hong, Tifany Pan, Jason Ragar, Shelby Richmond, Greg Sommer, Sean Hong
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Patent number: 11471881Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Laboratory Corporation of America HoldingsInventors: Ulrich Schaff, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch, Jason Sauers, Greg Sommer
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Publication number: 20210156842Abstract: A centrifugal cartridge or disk used for extraction of light supernatant fractions from fluid samples is described, particularly for non-homogenous fluid biological samples such as whole blood. The device may be used to collect cell-free blood plasma or a fraction of whole blood containing target cells such as leukocytes. Single or multiple channels are described, including channels with passive valves, gaskets, receiving cavities, inlet holes, capillary wicking ridges, distal cavities for cell retention, separator gel, and density medium. Centrifugal action causes whole blood in a receiving cavity to pass into one or more channels where it separates into blood cells, plasma and optionally fractions of an intermediate density. After spin, the plasma returns to the receiving cavity by way of the one or more channels for extraction through the inlet hole or other inwardly located hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: Sandstone Diagnostics, IncInventors: Ulrich SCHAFF, Kyungjin HONG, Laura FREDRIKSEN, Gabriella IACOVETTI, Jon EPPERSON, Ali RAHIMIAN, Greg SOMMER, Sean HONG, Eric KENDALL
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Publication number: 20190308188Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Ulrich Schaff, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch, Jason Sauers, Greg Sommer
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Publication number: 20190285524Abstract: A method and device performing the method for estimation of cell count, such as sperm cell count, is disclosed. The device may be a kit including a cartridge configured to hold fluid, such as seminal fluid, and an instrument configured to centrifuge the cartridge. The cartridge and instrument are configured such that, during operation or centrifugation, they are securely attached to each other. The cartridge has a component with a defined cross-sectional volume. The defined cross-sectional volume is used to mark the component with markings, allowing a user of the device to read the markings and estimate cell volume and, thus, concentration. Various embodiments of the device are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Ulrich Schaff, Greg Sommer, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch
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Patent number: 10376877Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Sandstone Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Ulrich Schaff, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch, Jason Sauers, Greg Sommer
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Patent number: 10197480Abstract: A method and device performing the method for estimation of cell count, such as sperm cell count, is disclosed. The device may be a kit including a cartridge configured to hold fluid, such as seminal fluid, and an instrument configured to centrifuge the cartridge. The cartridge and instrument are configured such that, during operation or centrifugation, they are securely attached to each other. The cartridge has a component with a defined cross-sectional volume. The defined cross-sectional volume is used to mark the component with markings, allowing a user of the device to read the markings and estimate cell volume and, thus, concentration. Various embodiments of the device are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SANDSTONE DIAGNOSTICS, INC.Inventors: Ulrich Schaff, Greg Sommer, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch
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Publication number: 20160320276Abstract: A method and device performing the method for estimation of cell count, such as sperm cell count, is disclosed. The device may be a kit including a cartridge configured to hold fluid, such as seminal fluid, and an instrument configured to centrifuge the cartridge. The cartridge and instrument are configured such that, during operation or centrifugation, they are securely attached to each other. The cartridge has a component with a defined cross-sectional volume. The defined cross-sectional volume is used to mark the component with markings, allowing a user of the device to read the markings and estimate cell volume and, thus, concentration. Various embodiments of the device are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2013Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Ulrich Schaff, Greg Sommer, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch
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Publication number: 20160023204Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Ulrich Schaff, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch, Jason Sauers, Greg Sommer
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Publication number: 20150300932Abstract: A method and device performing the method for estimation of cell count, such as sperm cell count, is disclosed. The device may be a kit including a cartridge configured to hold fluid, such as seminal fluid, and an instrument configured to centrifuge the cartridge. The cartridge and instrument are configured such that, during operation or centrifugation, they are securely attached to each other. The cartridge has a component with a defined cross-sectional volume. The defined cross-sectional volume is used to mark the component with markings, allowing a user of the device to read the markings and estimate cell volume and, thus, concentration. Various embodiments of the device are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Ulrich Schaff, Greg Sommer, Christopher Tomkins-Tinch
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Patent number: D837998Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Sandstone Diagnostics, IncInventors: Ulrich Schaff, Laura Fredriksen, Jon Epperson, Kirk Harmon, Greg Sommer
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Patent number: D877354Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Vium, IncInventors: Ulrich Schaff, Greg Sommer