Patents by Inventor Robert S. Hillman

Robert S. Hillman 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).

  • Patent number: 5004923
    Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutination particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastic devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the basic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Biotrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Hillman, Michael E. Cobb, Jimmy D. Allen, Ian Gibbons, Vladimir E. Ostoich, Laura J. Winfrey
  • Patent number: 4963498
    Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutination particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastic devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Biotrack
    Inventors: Robert S. Hillman, Michael E. Cobb, Jimmy D. Allen, Ian Gibbons, Vladimir E. Ostoich, Laura J. Winfrey
  • Patent number: 4948961
    Abstract: Novel methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutiniation particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastic devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the basic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Biotrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Hillman, Michael E. Cobb, Jimmy D. Allen, Ian Gibbons, Vladimir E. Ostoich, Laura J. Winfrey
  • Patent number: 4946795
    Abstract: An apparatus for diluting a sample with a diluent, comprising a fixed volume measuring chamber, a fixed volume receiving chamber and fluid receiving relationship to the measuring chamber, a gas vent in the receiving chamber, a stop flow junction between the measuring chamber and the receiving chamber, a sample application site in fluid donating relationship to the measuring chamber, wherein the vertical height difference between the sample application site and the stop flow junction is insufficient to provide a hydrostatic pressure capable of overcoming backpressure at the stop flow junction when sample is applied to the sample application site, and the diluent application site and fluid donating relationship to the measuring chamber. Sample and diluent are added sequentially to the apparatus of the invention without requiring any intervening operations. Various means are provided for restarting flow, which causes diluent to wash the sample into the receiving chamber, where the two can be mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Biotrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Gibbons, Robert S. Hillman, Channing R. Robertson, Jimmy D. Allen
  • Patent number: 4868129
    Abstract: An apparatus for diluting a sample with a diluent, comprising a fixed volume measuring chamber, a fixed volume receiving chamber and fluid receiving relationship to the measuring chamber, a gas vent in the receiving chamber, a stop flow junction between the measuring chamber and the receiving chamber, a sample application site in fluid donating relationship to the measuring chamber, wherein the vertical height difference between the sample application site and the stop flow junction is insufficient to provide a hydrostatic pressure capable of overcoming backpressure at the stop flow junction when sample is applied to the sample application site, and the diluent application site and fluid donating relationship to the measuring chamber. Sample and diluent are added sequentially to the apparatus of the invention without requiring any intervening operations. Various means are provided for restarting flow, which causes diluent to wash the sample into the receiving chamber, where the two can be mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Biotrack Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Gibbons, Robert S. Hillman, Channing R. Robertson
  • Patent number: 4797283
    Abstract: An automatic drug tape dispensing and metering device and a roll of drug tape housed in a small portable dispenser unit. The dispenser contains a measurement device for carefully measuring the length of tape as it is dispensed from the dispenser. A counter monitors the remaining doses of drug tape remaining within the dispenser. A timer device may be provided to alert the patient that it is time for the medicament to be dispensed. As the lid of the dispenser unit is opened, the measured length of drug tape is severed from the roll by a cutter blade incorporated into the lid. The device permits a physician to accurately customize the dosage and administration of the medicament to be given a patient by adjusting the tape length released for each single dose and selecting the time intervals between dosages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Biotrack, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jimmy D. Allen, Michael E. Cobb, Robert S. Hillman, Dennis R. Mungall, Vladimir E. Ostoich, Gary H. Stroy
  • Patent number: 4756884
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided involving at least one chamber, at least one capillary, and at least one reagent involved in a system providing for a detectable signal. As appropriate, the devices provide for measuring a sample, mixing the sample with reagents, defining a flow path, and reading the result. Of particular interest is the use of combinations of specific binding pair members which result in agglutination information, where the resulting agglutination particles may provide for changes in flow rate, light patterns of a flowing medium, or light absorption or scattering. A fabrication technique particularly suited for forming internal chambers in plastic devices is also described along with various control devices for use with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Biotrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Hillman, Michael E. Cobb, Jim Allen, Ian Gibbons, Vladimir Ostoich, Laura J. Winfrey
  • Patent number: 4753776
    Abstract: A method for separating plasma from red blood cells and a device utilizing the method in which a low-pressure filter is interposed in a pathway between an inlet port and a reaction area. The sole driving force for the movement of plasma from the filter to the reaction area is capillary force provided by a tubular capillary. The filter is selected from glass microfiber filters of specified characteristics, which can operate in the absence of agglutinins, and filters capable of separating agglutinated red cells from a plasma, which require the use of an agglutinin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Biotrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Hillman, Ian Gibbons
  • Patent number: 4712460
    Abstract: An automatic drug tape dispensing and metering device and a roll of drug tape housed in a small portable dispenser unit. The dispenser contains a measurement device for carefully measuring the length of tape as it is dispensed from the dispenser. A counter monitors the remaining doses of drug tape remaining within the dispenser. A timer device may be provided to alert the patient that it is time for the medicament to be dispensed. As the lid of the dispenser unit is opened, the measured length of drug tape is severed from the roll by a cutter blade incorporated into the lid. The device permits a physician to accurately customize the dosage and administration of the medicament to be givne a patient by adjusting the tape length released for each single dose and selecting the time intervals between dosages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Biotrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy D. Allen, Michael E. Cobb, Robert S. Hillman, Dennis R. Mungall, Vladimir E. Ostoich, Gary H. Stroy
  • Patent number: D302294
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Biotrack, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Hillman