Patents by Inventor Sandra J. Rodgers

Sandra J. Rodgers 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).

  • Methods employing optical source and optical sensor for detecting living tissue within an animal nail
    Patent number: 7124669
    Abstract: An optical source illuminates a portion of an animal nail, and an optical sensor receives light from the illuminated portion. A processor generates a signal level, and differentiates between a “quick” signal level range (arising from illuminated living tissue in the nail) and a “nail” signal level range (arising from illuminating a nail portion with no living tissue). An indicator informs a user when the signal level is in the quick or nail range, determining the location of living tissue within the nail. Source(s) and sensor(s) may be mounted on an animal nail clipper, with illumination by the source and collection of light for receiving by the sensor occurring at a position relative to a blade so that when the signal level is within the nail range and the clipper is actuated to cut the nail, cutting of the living-tissue-containing portion of the animal nail is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Sandra J. Rodgers
  • Optical source and sensor for detecting living tissue within an animal nail
    Patent number: 7000321
    Abstract: An optical source illuminates a portion of an animal nail, and an optical sensor receives light from the illuminated portion. A processor generates a signal level, and differentiates between a “quick” signal level range (arising from illuminated living tissue in the nail) and a “nail” signal level range (arising from illuminating a nail portion with no living tissue). An indicator informs a user when the signal level is in the quick or nail range, determining the location of living tissue within the nail. Source(s) and sensor(s) may be mounted on an animal nail clipper, with illumination by the source and collection of light for receiving by the sensor occurring at a position relative to a blade so that when the signal level is within the nail range and the clipper is actuated to cut the nail, cutting of the living-tissue-containing portion of the animal nail is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Sandra J. Rodgers