Patents by Inventor Rick T. Smethers
Rick T. Smethers 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: 9562818Abstract: A manipulation and force measuring device includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, and at least one force sensor extending outwardly from the elongate body. A protective material surrounds the at least one force sensor. A first loop extends from the first end of the body and a second loop extends from the second end of the body. A processor is attached to the body, proximate to the first loop and is electronically connected to the at least one force sensor. A method of using the device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Perfect Touch Technologies, LLCInventors: Julie Adamski, Dennis Adamski, Eric Sugalski, Ryan Meers, Dan Massam, Rick T. Smethers, Trevor Krill
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Publication number: 20120164649Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described herein that are configured for use in the monitoring and detecting of chemical reactions, such as, for example, the monitoring and detection of Polymerase chain reactions (PCR). For example, the systems and devices described herein can be used for accelerated real-time PCR. A fully integrated PCR system is provided that includes a touch screen user interface, eliminating the need for additional computers, keyboards, and related devices. The PCR systems described herein can be network enabled to provide communications between one or more PCR monitoring and detection devices and a central monitoring station. A disposable sample holding device can be placed in the PCR device for testing in an upright vertical orientation, providing improved optical scanning capabilities and rapid heating and cooling capabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: INSTANTLABS MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS CORPORATIONInventors: Rick T. SMETHERS, Justin Dale Brubaker, Thomas Vincent Connors, Michael Jay Fischer, Jeffery J. Guterman, Vincent A. Juliana, Hans C. Kastensmith, James F. Koller, David J. Lyons, Daniel Arthur Miller
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Patent number: 6102907Abstract: A device for the ablation of tissue for use with the human hand and a radio frequency power supply and controller providing a source of radio frequency energy and a control for controlling the application of radio frequency energy to the device. The device includes a handle sized so that is adapted to be grasped by the human hand and has proximal and distal extremities. A needle formed of a conducting material has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the needle is mounted on the distal extremity of the handle so that it is insulated from the handle. Conductors are carried by the handle and are connected to the needle and extend from the handle and are coupled to the radio frequency power supply and controller for supplying radio frequency energy to the needle.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Rick T. Smethers, James A. Filice, Kirti P. Kamdar, Peter H. Muller
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Patent number: 6045549Abstract: A tissue ablation apparatus for minimally invasive treatment for disorders of the upper airway by the treatment of soft tissues in the upper airway comprising a hand-held device adapted to be held by the human hand. Radio frequency energy is delivered to the hand-held device. The hand-held device comprises a housing having a handle portion adapted to be grasped by the human hand and a probe portion. At least one guide tube is mounted in the probe portion and has a bore extending therethrough. A carrier block is slidably mounted in the housing relative to the guide tube. At least one needle assembly is mounted in the carrier block assembly and is movable with the carrier block assembly. The at least one needle assembly extends distally of the carrier block and is slidably disposed in the at least one guide tube. A slider is mounted on the housing exterior of the housing for slidable movement longitudinally of the housing and is adapted to be grasped by the thumb of the hand holding the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Rick T. Smethers, Benjamin T. Nordell, II
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Patent number: 5816095Abstract: A bending tool for use with a human hand for bending the distal extremity of a guide tube of a medical device having a needle assembly slidably mounted in the guide tube. The distal extremity of the guide tube has a tip. The bending tool is comprised of a shaft sized so that it is adapted to be grasped by the human hand to serve as a handle. The shaft has proximal and distal extremities and a longitudinal axis. A bending construction is mounted on the distal extremity of the shaft and provides a curved bending surface having width and a length and having a proximal and a distal extremity and extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The bending construction also has an abutment surface at the distal extremity of the curved surface and extending generally perpendicular to the curved surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Nordell, II, Rick T. Smethers
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Patent number: 5716583Abstract: A luminometer is described comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and means for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a means for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a means for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1995Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Inventors: Rick T. Smethers, Brian D. Warner, Victor P. Burolla
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Patent number: 5643535Abstract: A luminometer is described comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and means for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a means for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a means for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Chiron CorporationInventors: Rick T. Smethers, Brian D. Warner, Victor P. Burolla
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Patent number: 5620853Abstract: The invention describes an assay device and assembly for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample. Each assay device in the assembly includes structure defining a well, a ligand-coated particle, and a flexible particle retaining structure for holding the particle in a captured position within the well.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1994Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Chiron CorporationInventors: Rick T. Smethers, Brian D. Warner
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Patent number: 5401465Abstract: A luminometer comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and device for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a device for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a device for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1992Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Chiron CorporationInventors: Rick T. Smethers, Brian D. Warner, Victor P. Burolla
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Patent number: 5382512Abstract: The invention describes an assay device and assembly for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample. Each assay device in the assembly includes structure defining a well, a ligand-coated particle, and a flexible particle retaining structure for holding the particle in a captured position within the well.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1993Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Chiron CorporationInventors: Rick T. Smethers, Brian D. Warner
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Patent number: 5310523Abstract: A self-contained assembly for assaying an analyte in a liquid sample. The pair of disc-like rotatable plates forming the assembly are relatively rotatable to align reagent reservoirs in one plate with a reaction well in the other plate, for sequential addition of multiple reagents, either in liquid or solid form, to the reaction well. In one embodiment, the reaction well includes solid-phase particles which can be transferred from the reaction well to spaced wells in the assembly by a combination of relative movement of the plate, and rotation of the entire assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1991Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: Chiron CorporationInventors: Rick T. Smethers, Lev J. Leytes, Brian D. Warner, Robert R. Shadel, Michael S. Urdea
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Patent number: D398995Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Somus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter H. Muller, Rick T. Smethers, David Rapp
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Patent number: D401336Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter H. Muller, Rick T. Smethers, David Rapp
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Patent number: D406338Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter H. Muller, Rick T. Smethers, David Rapp
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Patent number: D411004Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter H. Muller, David Rapp, Rick T. Smethers
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Patent number: D415665Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Nordell, II, Rick T. Smethers