Patents by Inventor Ronald P. Haff

Ronald P. Haff 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: 11805769
    Abstract: Packages of insects are attached to a carrier cylinder and the cylinder is rotated in a radiation field so that the packaged insects are sterilized. The radiation field is created by a plurality of x-ray tubes mounted above the carrier cylinder. The tubes (and their respective radiation sources) are positioned so that a consistent radiation dosage is delivered at the surface of the cylinder—thereby imparting both a precise and uniform dose of radiation to the insect packages affixed to the surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Ronald P. Haff, Eric S. Jackson, Robert M. Hnasko
  • Patent number: 11415578
    Abstract: The bio sensor platform is a rapid point-of-care (POC) device wherein detection of a target analyte from a liquid or solid substrate is performed in a single step using a fully integrated disposable test system that includes a test strip immunoassay. In operation, a user initiates the test by rupturing the bottom of a liquid-filled analyte capsule seated in a capsule sleeve. A small volume of liquid flows by capillary action from the capsule sleeve and through a restrictor port to a test strip chamber where contact with the absorptive sample pad of the test strip (among other things) moves liquid by capillary action upwardly through the test strip. The detection of the target analyte is resolved by the test strip reagents and the test results are obtained at a test result window where a portion of the test strip is exposed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Robert M. Hnasko, Eric S. Jackson, Ronald P. Haff, Susan Uramoto
  • Publication number: 20210368767
    Abstract: Packages of insects are attached to a carrier cylinder and the cylinder is rotated in a radiation field so that the packaged insects are sterilized. The radiation field is created by a plurality of x-ray tubes mounted above the carrier cylinder. The tubes (and their respective radiation sources) are positioned so that a consistent radiation dosage is delivered at the surface of the cylinder—thereby imparting both a precise and uniform dose of radiation to the insect packages affixed to the surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ronald P. Haff, Eric S. Jackson, Robert M. Hnasko
  • Publication number: 20210276006
    Abstract: The biosensor platform is a rapid point-of-care (POC) device wherein detection of a target substance is performed in a single step using a fully integrated disposable biosensor test system. In one embodiment, the system comprises a horizontally oriented multi-strip test cassette. A user initiates the test by depositing an analyte onto an immunochromatographic test strip sandwiched between a (top) cassette lid and a (bottom) slotted cassette tray. The test strip is held in place by at least one horizontally extending self-adjusting flex plate. The system is structured so that as the analyte flows through the test strip, the analyte reacts with a reagent in the test strip to indicate a presence or absence of the targeted substance as the test strip is held in place by the self-adjusting flex plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Robert M. Hnasko, RONALD P. HAFF, ERIC S. JACKSON
  • Publication number: 20200400661
    Abstract: The bio sensor platform is a rapid point-of-care (POC) device wherein detection of a target analyte from a liquid or solid substrate is performed in a single step using a fully integrated disposable test system that includes a test strip immunoassay. In operation, a user initiates the test by rupturing the bottom of a liquid-filled analyte capsule seated in a capsule sleeve. A small volume of liquid flows by capillary action from the capsule sleeve and through a restrictor port to a test strip chamber where contact with the absorptive sample pad of the test strip (among other things) moves liquid by capillary action upwardly through the test strip. The detection of the target analyte is resolved by the test strip reagents and the test results are obtained at a test result window where a portion of the test strip is exposed to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Robert M. Hnasko, ERIC S. JACKSON, RONALD P. HAFF, SUSAN URAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8919280
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sterile insect technique comprising a plurality of x-ray sources surrounding a container containing insects targeted for reproductive sterilization, wherein the container is at an optimized distance from the x-ray sources, moves at a fixed rate along a direction perpendicular to a plane intersecting the x-ray sources, and rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said x-ray sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Ronald P. Haff, Eric S. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8284895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an x-ray detector configured to generate one-dimensional x-ray density profiles. In exemplary embodiments the x-ray detector is used for the purpose of detecting inclusions in agricultural commodities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Ronald P. Haff
  • Patent number: 7858893
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for automated sorting of objects comprising a population, and for methods of sorting using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Ronald P. Haff, Eric S. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7860214
    Abstract: A technique to correct deficiencies in x-ray images of cylindrical or spherical objects that are a consequence of the geometry of the sample is disclosed, for both normal imaging of stationary objects with film or digital detectors and linescan imaging of moving objects. The methods described involve the use of attenuators specifically shaped to equalize the x-ray absorption across the sample, thus correcting the variation in pixel intensity caused by the varying thickness of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Ronald P Haff
  • Patent number: 7024942
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the non-destructive detection of pits and pit fragments found in dried fruit has been developed. It utilizes a force transducer and a signal processor to determine whether or not pit or pit fragments are present in a fruit specimen, and is able to automatically separate specimens testing positive from the product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Eric S. Jackson, Ronald P. Haff, Thomas C. Pearson