Patents by Inventor William E. Coville
William E. Coville 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: 20090179445Abstract: A gripper assembly including a rotary motor and a linear motor disposed within the rotor housing is provided. The linear motor includes a longitudinally slideable push rod and a pair of oppositely moving fingers. Each of the fingers is pivotally attached adjacent an end of the longitudinally slideable push rod. The push rod is moveable upon actuation of the linear motor to cause the fingers to move symmetrically toward and away from each other. Upon actuation of the rotary motor, rotational movement of the longitudinally slideable push rod causes the fingers to synchronously rotate. These actions are monitored by the microprocessor through additional circuitry to monitor the electrical current, amperage, consumed for each pulse which indicated the mechanical resistance to the movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventor: William E. Coville
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Patent number: 7453555Abstract: An aggregometer has a radiation path along which radiation can pass, a sample receiving area located along the radiation path, a short-wavelength LED that transmits radiation along the radiation path through the sample receiving area, a detector positioned along the radiation path for detecting radiation transmitted from the short-wavelength LED, and a processor that controls intensity of radiation transmitted from the short-wavelength LED.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, Donald G. Ware
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Patent number: 7364350Abstract: Vertical electromagnetic stirring is used to produce low shear, stress, turbulent and chaotic mixing of a liquid material or suspension in a container regardless of the volume or container geometry. Movement of a magnetic stir bar is controlled by multiple magnetic fields. The magnetic fields are produced by a series of sequentially or non-sequentially activated inductor coils which produce asymmetrical stirring dynamics and random motions of the stir bar, causing the liquid material to be gently and effectively mixed throughout the container. Moving the stir bar in random and irregular patterns during the stirring operation creates turbulent and chaotic mixing dynamics. The stir bars used for supporting vertical magnetic stirring are specifically designed to optimize the effectivity of the mixing process by maximizing the length of the stir bar to quickly and gently mix the materials.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, Donald G. Ware
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Patent number: 7294311Abstract: A clot retainer for generally separating liquid from solid components in a specimen enclosed in a container having a closure. The clot retainer includes fingers that are adapted to displace solid components of the specimen. The clot retainer can be inserted through the closure of the container without removing the container. A method of separating liquid from solid components in a specimen is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventor: William E. Coville
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Patent number: 7288195Abstract: A process for filtering a fluid is provided. The process includes providing a filtration cell having a filter membrane, a base configured to receive filtrate passing through the membrane, and a flow channel open to the filter membrane. A flow of the fluid is provided through the flow channel substantially tangent to the filter membrane in a first direction and a second direction substantially opposing the first direction, whereby the fluid reciprocally flows across the filter membrane. Filtrate passing through the membrane is collected. A system for filtering a fluid is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, David M. St. Onge
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Patent number: 6988825Abstract: Vertical electromagnetic stirring is used to produce low shear, stress, turbulent and chaotic mixing of a liquid material or suspension in a container regardless of the volume or container geometry. Movement of a magnetic stir bar is controlled by multiple magnetic fields. The magnetic fields are produced by a series of sequentially or non-sequentially activated inductor coils which produce asymmetrical stirring dynamics and random motions of the stir bar, causing the liquid material to be gently and effectively mixed throughout the container. Moving the stir bar in random and irregular patterns during the stirring operation creates turbulent and chaotic mixing dynamics. The stir bars used for supporting vertical magnetic stirring are specifically designed to optimize the effectivity of the mixing process by maximizing the length of the stir bar to quickly and gently mix the materials.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventors: William E. Coville, Donald G. Ware
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Patent number: 6926834Abstract: Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, David M. St. Onge
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Publication number: 20040217059Abstract: Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, David M. St. Onge
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Patent number: 6740240Abstract: Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, David M. St. Onge
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Publication number: 20040022123Abstract: Vertical electromagnetic stirring is used to produce low shear, stress, turbulent and chaotic mixing of a liquid material or suspension in a container regardless of the volume or container geometry. Movement of a magnetic stir bar is controlled by multiple magnetic fields. The magnetic fields are produced by a series of sequentially or non-sequentially activated inductor coils which produce asymmetrical stirring dynamics and random motions of the stir bar, causing the liquid material to be gently and effectively mixed throughout the container. Moving the stir bar in random and irregular patterns during the stirring operation creates turbulent and chaotic mixing dynamics. The stir bars used for supporting vertical magnetic stirring are specifically designed to optimize the effectivity of the mixing process by maximizing the length of the stir bar to quickly and gently mix the materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, Donald G. Ware
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Publication number: 20020084215Abstract: Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2002Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, David M. St. Onge
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Patent number: 6398956Abstract: Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, David M. St. Onge
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Patent number: 5000923Abstract: An improvement to an apparatus for receiving a sample of biological fluid containing non-fluid components. Prior art sample cell for use in conjunction with prior art analytical apparatus comprises two slidably engaged members, first member comprising a reservoir for holding fluid sample to be tested, second member adapted to receive fluid from an external filter in one section and adapted to receive reagent and exhibit reaction in another section. The improvement comprises means for preventing smearing of fluid when members are moved relative to each other. A channel collects overflow from reservoir in first member, conducting overflow to a barrier placed in gap between first and second member. A wiper shears excess fluid from behind barrier, generally out of gap between first and second member, when the first and second members are moved relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1988Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, Hyman Grossman
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Patent number: 4818493Abstract: An apparatus for automatically performing analytical testing of individual distant samples of biological fluids wherein a test sample is reacted with test reagents and tested for a change in optical characteristics. A memory stores a plurality of different test protocols. An operator-actuated keyboard is used to select one of the test protocols from the memory. Individual distinct samples of biological fluid to be tested are received in a sample cell. The cell is heated to a preselected temperature. The apparatus transports an individual sample cell to a first location adapted to filter unwanted nonfluid material from the fluid to be tested and to remove excess fluid to be tested from the sample cell to cause a precise accurate volume of fluid to remain in the sample cell for testing.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1987Date of Patent: April 4, 1989Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, Hyman Grossman, Michael Sokol
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Patent number: 4695430Abstract: An apparatus for automatically performing analytical testing of individual distinct samples of biological fluids wherein a test sample is reacted with test reagents and tested for a change in optical characteristics. A memory stores a plurality of different test protocols. An operator-actuated keyboard is used to select one of the test protocols from the memory. Individual distinct samples of biological fluid to be tested are received in a sample cell. The cell is heated to a preselected temperature. The apparatus transports an individual sample cell to a first location adapted to filter unwanted nonfluid material from the fluid to be tested and to remove excess fluid to be tested from the sample cell to cause a precise accurate volume of fluid to remain in the sample cell for testing.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1985Date of Patent: September 22, 1987Assignee: Bio/Data CorporationInventors: William E. Coville, Hyman Grossman, Michael Sokol
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Patent number: 3960602Abstract: An intercell connector assembly including a connector with an opening on an upstanding collar at each end, a bushing with radial and cylindrical flanges and a battery post projecting through the bushing and extending above the cylindrical flange and the collar to provide, when melted down, the metal to fill the cavity between the post and the collar.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1974Date of Patent: June 1, 1976Assignee: Gould Inc.Inventors: Raymond L. Schenk, Jr., John A. Bruzas, William E. Coville