Patents by Inventor Robin Felder
Robin Felder 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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Publication number: 20080103376Abstract: A plug capable of providing information relating to a physical or chemical property of a body fluid, or the presence or amount of a molecular component therein in a living organism is disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment plug is capable of being inserted into a portion of a human eyelid in order to provide information relating to tear fluid is disclosed. This embodiment plug includes a body having a passage which allows for the natural flow of tear fluid therethrough. In addition, a sensing mechanism is provided which is capable of measuring, for example, glucose levels in the body of a patient through the analysis of the tear fluid. Such plug may further be designed so as to double as a punctal plug useful in preventing dry eye. Methods of utilizing and implanting such plugs are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventor: Robin A. Felder
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Patent number: 7261511Abstract: A pick up and delivery system for use with mobile robots which have a body with a horizontal upper surface and at least one vertical side. The robot has at least one shelf, each of which contains a stop bar containing a retaining device. The system further uses multiple stations, each of which contain at least one pallet retaining surface to contain at least two pallets. The pallet retaining surfaces are provided with a holding device at the pick up area and a holding device at the delivery area. Pallets are used to retain the items being transferred with each of the pallets having a securing device that interacts with the holding device and retaining device. The strength of the holding device at the pick up area is less than the holding device at the delivery area, with the robot's retaining device having a strength between the strength of the holding devices. The mobile robot picks up a pallet from a first station, and delivers the pallet to a second station.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Robin Felder, Randy Turner, William Holman, Chris Estey
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Publication number: 20060195050Abstract: The gait monitor system and method provides various basic gait parameters including step count, cadence, and step duration, in addition to its ability to distinguish between normal, limping and shuffling gait modes, as well as determine falls. Moreover, this gait monitor may be provided with additional sensors, e.g. beam break at the beginning and end of a corridor to estimate average walking velocity (with the distance between the beams known or determined); this enables the calculation of additional gait characteristics such as average step length and average stride length. These parameters can additionally be used to detect various gait anomalies and other diagnostic information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2004Publication date: August 31, 2006Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PATENT FOUNDATIONInventors: Majd Alwan, Robin Felder, Steven Kell, Siddharth Dalal
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Publication number: 20060173363Abstract: System and method that can monitor pulse rate and passively produce a blood pressure measurement and automatically log the data for the user. Additionally, coupling to the Internet or Information Systems expands the options for the early detection of diseases, based on sudden detected changes and trend analyses, and the successful treatment of these patients while reducing the high costs associated with invasive procedures and in-hospital care.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2004Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventors: Robin Felder, Majd Alwan, Steven Kell, David Mack
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Publication number: 20050234310Abstract: A method and related system to, among other things, automatically infer answers to all of the ADL questions and the first four questions of the IADL in the home. The inference methods detect the relevant activities unobtrusively, continuously, accurately, objectively, quantifiably and without relying on the patient's own memory (which may be fading due to aging or an existing health condition, such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)) or on a caregiver's subjective report. The methods rely on the judicious placement of a number of sensors in the subject's place of residence, including motion detection sensors in every room, the decomposition of each relevant activity into the sub-tasks involved, identification of additional sensors required to detect the relevant sub-tasks and spatial-temporal conditions between the signals of sensors to formulate the rules that will detect the occurrence of the specific activities of interest. The sensory data logged on a computing device (computer, data logger etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventors: Majd Alwan, Robin Felder, Steven Kell, Sarah Wood, Michael Cvetanovich, Beverly Turner, J. Holman
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Patent number: 6941762Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
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Publication number: 20050124864Abstract: A system and method for detecting, monitoring and analyzing physiological characteristics. Signals from a subject are acquired from a suite of sensors, such as temperature, carbon dioxide, humidity, light, movement, electromagnetic and vibration sensors, in a passive, non-invasive manner. The signals are processed, and physiological characteristics are isolated for analysis. The system and method are to analyze sleep patterns, as well as to prevent bed sores or detect conditions such as illness, restless leg syndrome, periodic leg movement, sleep walking, or sleep apnea. However, numerous other applications of the invention are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventors: David Mack, Steven Kell, Majd Alwan, Robin Felder, Beverly Turner, Sarah Wood
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Publication number: 20050089871Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying individuals predisposed to essential hypertension and related conditions such as salt sensitivity by detecting the presence of polymorphic or mutant forms of the GRK4 gene, or its expression product. Also disclosed are methods for identifying polymorphic or mutant GRK4s in individuals known to be suffering from such conditions, as well as methods and compositions for conducting drug discovery and therapeutic intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2003Publication date: April 28, 2005Applicant: Georgetown UniversityInventors: Robin Felder, Pedro Jose
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Publication number: 20050054101Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of cell culture, which is a laboratory process used primarily for the growth, propagation, and production of cells for analysis and the production and harvesting of cell products. The present invention comprises functionalized and/or engineered hydrogel microcarriers that exhibit any or all of the following properties: controllable buoyancy, ferro- or paramagnetism, molecular or fabricated reporting elements, and optical clarity. The microcarriers are used in a bioreactor that employs external forces to control said microcarrier kinetic energy and translational or positional orientation in order to facilitate cell growth and/or cellular analysis. The bioreactor can be part of an automated system that employs any or all of the following; a microcarrier manufacturing method, a monitoring method, a cell culture method, and an analytical method.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Robin Felder, John Gildea
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Publication number: 20040154322Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
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Patent number: 6688123Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
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Patent number: 6660474Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying individuals predisposed to essential hypertension and related conditions such as salt sensitivity by detecting the presence of polymorphic or mutant forms of the GRK4 gene, or its expression product. Also disclosed are methods for identifying polymorphic or mutant GRK4s in individuals known to be suffering from such conditions, as well as methods and compositions for conducting drug discovery and therapeutic intervention.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventors: Robin A. Felder, Pedro Jose
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Publication number: 20030196444Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
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Publication number: 20030165373Abstract: A pick up and delivery system for use with mobile robots which have a body with a horizontal upper surface and at least one vertical side. The robot has at least one shelf, each of which contains a stop bar containing a retaining device. The system further uses multiple stations, each of which contain at least one pallet retaining surface to contain at least two pallets. The pallet retaining surfaces are provided with a holding device at the pick up area and a holding device at the delivery area. Pallets are used to retain the items being transferred with each of the pallets having a securing device that interacts with the holding device and retaining device. The strength of the holding device at the pick up area is less than the holding device at the delivery area, with the robot's retaining device having a strength between the strength of the holding devices. The mobile robot picks up a pallet from a first station, and delivers the pallet to a second station.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Robin Felder, Randy Turner, William Holman, Chris Estey
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Patent number: 6581395Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
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Patent number: 6543983Abstract: A pick up and delivery system for use with mobile robots which have a body with a horizontal upper surface and at least one vertical side. The robot has at least one shelf, each of which contains a stop bar containing a retaining device. The system further uses multiple stations, each of which contain at least one pallet retaining surface to contain at least two pallets. The pallet retaining surfaces are provided with a holding device at the pick up area and a holding device at the delivery area. Pallets are used to retain the items being transferred with each of the pallets having a securing device that interacts with the holding device and retaining device. The strength of the holding device at the pick up area is less than the holding device at the delivery area, with the robot's retaining device having a strength between the strength of the holding devices. The mobile robot picks up a pallet from a first station, and delivers the pallet to a second station.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Robin Felder, Randy Turner, William Holman, Chris Estey
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Publication number: 20030037556Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
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Patent number: 6467285Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
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Publication number: 20020023444Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Inventors: Robin A. Felder, B. Sean Graves, James P. Gunderson
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Patent number: 6192320Abstract: An interactive multi-station medical specimen analysis system for simultaneously analyzing a medical specimen at remote locations and accessing, for evaluation, the results of each of the analyses at a central laboratory is disclosed. A central laboratory, interacts with remote computers, through a server to review, evaluate and accept or reject specimen analyses. The server communicates with the plurality of remote computers, laboratory computer and a centralized computer via a network. Analytical instruments which are not equipped to communicate with a computer are connected through computer interface software which interprets the instrument language into the computer program language and the computer program language into the instrument language. The interactive system requests analytical tests, transmits the test results to the server databases and receives and displays data from the server databases.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: The University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Keith S. Margrey, Robin A. Felder, James C. Boyd, J. William Holman, John Savory