Patents Represented by Attorney Barbara G. McClung
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Patent number: 6553244Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for augmenting an alarm signal generated by an analyte monitoring device, e.g., the GlucoWatch® (Cygnus, Inc., Redwood City, Calif.) biographer glucose monitoring device, for improving the alarm signal's effectiveness in alerting the user, and/or for communicating the signal to a person or person(s) other than the user, or to a trained assistance animal.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Lesho, Samuel A. Morley, Jr.
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Patent number: 6546269Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and then predicting a future or past concentration of an analyte using a series of such measurements. One important application of the invention involves predicting future or past blood glucose concentrations using a series of measured blood glucose values.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventor: Ronald T. Kurnik
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Patent number: 6438414Abstract: The invention relates generally to consumable components of a device used for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates to collection assemblies, laminate structures, and autosensor assemblies, which are used in connection with a transdermal sampling device. In one aspect, the invention includes autosensor assemblies which include laminate structures, electrode assemblies, and support trays. One important application of the invention involves an autosensor assembly for use in a blood glucose monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Conn, Russell Ford, Pravin L. Soni, Michael J. Tierney, Prema Vijayakumar
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Patent number: 6398562Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving the contact of a conductive material, for example, a hydrogel, with a sensor, for example an electrode, by means of using mechanical force to apply the conductive material to the sensor before use of the conductive material and sensor in a sampling device. The device and methods of the present invention improve the sensor response characteristics in transdermal sampling devices placed in operative contact with a skin or mucosal surface of a biological system to obtain a chemical signal associated with an analyte of interest.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Butler, Thomas E. Conn, David M. Liu, Norman A. Parris, Michael Reidy, Pravin L. Soni
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Patent number: 6391643Abstract: An automated system for continual transdermal extraction of analytes present in a biological system is described. The system optionally uses reverse iontophoresis to carry out the continual transdermal extraction of the analytes. The present invention describes quality control test kits, and methods of use thereof, for testing the ability of the system to provide reliable, effective, and accurate determination of analyte concentration.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Qiang Chen, David M. Liu, Brian S. Kersten, Christine M. Wu
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Patent number: 6393318Abstract: The invention relates generally to consumable components of a device used for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates to collection assemblies, laminate structures, and autosensor assemblies, which are used in connection with a transdermal sampling device. In one aspect, the invention includes autosensor assemblies which include laminate structures, electrode assemblies, and support trays. One important application of the invention involves an autosensor assembly for use in a blood glucose monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1999Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Conn, Russell Ford, Pravin L. Soni, Michael J. Tierney, Prema Vijayakumar
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Patent number: 6370410Abstract: A chemical signal-impermeable mask is positioned in the electrolyte flow such that the mask is between a source of chemical signal and a working electrode which senses the chemical signal transported from the source (e.g., by diffusion). The configuration of the mask is such that the mask prevents substantially all chemical signal transport from the chemical signal source having a radial vector component relative to a plane of the mask and the catalytic face of the working electrode, thus allowing primarily only chemical signal transport that is substantially perpendicular to the place of the mask and the catalytic surface of the working electrode. By reducing or eliminating chemical signal radial transport toward the working electrode, the mask thus significantly reduces or eliminates edge effects. By substantially reducing edge effects created by radial transport of chemical signal, it is possible to obtain a more accurate measurement of the amount (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Ronald T. Kurnik, Janet Tamada, Michael Tierney
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Patent number: 6356776Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. Device configuration and/or measurement techniques are employed in order to reduce the effect of interfering species on sensor sensitivity. One important application of the invention involves a method and device for monitoring blood glucose values.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Bret Berner, Chia-Ming Chiang, Michael D. Garrison, Janan Jona, Russell O. Potts, Janet A. Tamada, Michael J. Tierney
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Patent number: 6341232Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods of producing consumable components of a device used for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. More particularly, the invention relates methods of producing collection assemblies, laminate structures, and autosensor assemblies, which are used in connection with a transdermal sampling device. In one aspect, the invention includes methods of producing autosensor assemblies which include laminate structures, electrode assemblies, and support trays. One important application of the invention involves methods of producing an autosensor assembly for use in a blood glucose monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Conn, Russell Ford, Pravin L. Soni, Michael J. Tierney, Prema Vijayakumar
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Patent number: 6326160Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods, systems, and devices for measuring the concentration of target analytes present in a biological system using a series of measurements obtained from a monitoring system and a Mixtures of Experts (MOE) algorithm. In one embodiment, the present invention describes a method for measuring blood glucose in a subject.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Dunn, Yalia Jayalakshmi, Ronald T. Kurnik, Matthew J. Lesho, Jonathan James Oliver, Russell O. Potts, Janet A. Tamada, Steven Richard Waterhouse, Charles W. Wei
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Patent number: 6299578Abstract: A method for continual monitoring of a physiologic analyte in a subject includes steps of contacting the subject with a collection reservoir such that the analyte can move from the subject into the collection reservoir, the contents of the collection reservoir being in operative communication with a detector, collecting the analyte in the collection reservoir, using the detector to detect the analyte in the collection reservoir, and, once the analyte has been detected, rendering the analyte undetectable by the detector. Also, apparatus for continual monitoring of a physiologic analyte in a subject includes a collection reservoir for receiving the analyte from the subject, the contents of the collection reservoir being in operative relationship with a detector that detects the analyte in the reservoir, and means for rendering the analyte, once detected, undetectable by the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1997Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Ronald T. Kurnik, Janet Tamada, Michael Tierney, Russell Owen Potts
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Patent number: 6298254Abstract: A method for sampling of a substance from a subject is provided, which comprises placing one or more sampling chambers on a collection site on a tissue surface on the subject; conducting electric current through the tissue to extract a substance from the subject in a first direction in one or more sampling chambers that functions alternatively as both an anode and cathode during the course of the method; reversing the polarity to cause direct current to flow in second direction opposite the first direction; and analyzing the sampling chamber or chambers for the concentration of a substance or a substance metabolite. There is also provided a device for sampling of a substance from an organism on continuously or intermittently using alternating polarity method based on the application of low intensity electric fields of alternating polarity across the skin (iontophoresis) to enhance the transport of a substance (such as glucose, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, and the like) from body tissues to a sampling chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventor: Janet Tamada
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Patent number: 6284126Abstract: An electrode assembly for sensing an electrochemical signal diffused from a source to a working electrode which is comprised of a plurality of substantially separated working electrode surfaces is disclosed. The electrode of the invention is comprised of 1) a working electrode made up of a plurality of working electrode surfaces or components and 2) a electrically insulating gap defined by adjacent edges of 1) insulating the working electrode surfaces or components from each other. The working electrode components are configured to receive electrochemical signal from two or preferably three dimensions simultaneously. The working electrode components configured over the same surface as a single electrode provide (1) an improved signal to noise ratio as compared to a single electrode by reducing noise, and (2) provide an overall enhanced signal after sensing for a given period of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Ronald T. Kurnik, Janet Tamada, Michael Tierney
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Patent number: 6272364Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and then predicting a future or past concentration of an analyte using a series of such measurements. One important application of the invention involves predicting future or past blood glucose concentrations using a series of measured blood glucose values.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventor: Ronald T. Kurnik
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Patent number: 6233471Abstract: A method is provided for continually or continuously measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system, and processing analyte-specific signals to obtain a measurement value that is closely correlated with the concentration of the target chemical analyte in the biological system. One important application of the invention involves a method for signal processing in a system for monitoring blood glucose values.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Bret Berner, Timothy C. Dunn, Kathleen C. Farinas, Michael D. Garrison, Ronald T. Kurnik, Matthew J. Lesho, Russell O. Potts, Janet A. Tamada, Michael J. Tierney
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Patent number: 6201979Abstract: A chemical signal-impermeable mask is positioned in the electrolyte flow such that the mask is between a source of chemical signal and a working electrode which senses the chemical signal transported from the source (e.g., by diffusion). The configuration of the mask is such that the mask prevents substantially all chemical signal transport from the chemical signal source having a radial vector component relative to a plane of the mask and the catalytic face of the working electrode, thus allowing primarily only chemical signal transport that is substantially perpendicular to the place of the mask and the catalytic surface of the working electrode. By reducing or eliminating chemical signal radial transport toward the working electrode, the mask thus significantly reduces or eliminates edge effects. By substantially reducing edge effects created by radial transport of chemical signal, it is possible to obtain a more accurate measurement of the amount (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Ronald T. Kurnik, Janet Tamada, Michael Tierney
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Patent number: 6180416Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods, systems, and devices for measuring the concentration of target analytes present in a biological system using a series of measurements obtained from a monitoring system and a Mixtures of Experts (MOE) algorithm. In one embodiment, the present invention describes a method for measuring blood glucose in a subject.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventors: Ronald T. Kurnik, Jonathan James Oliver, Russell O. Potts, Steven Richard Waterhouse, Timothy C. Dunn, Yalia Jayalakshmi, Matthew J. Lesho, Janet A. Tamada, Charles W. Wei
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Patent number: 6023629Abstract: A method for sampling of a substance from a subject is provided, which comprises placing one or more sampling chambers on a collection site on a tissue surface on the subject; conducting electric current through the tissue to extract a substance from the subject in a first direction in one or more sampling chambers that functions alternatively as both an anode and cathode during the course of the method; reversing the polarity to cause direct current to flow in second direction opposite the first direction; and analyzing the sampling chamber or chambers for the concentration of a substance or a substance metabolite. There is also provided a device for sampling of a substance from an organism on continuously or intermittently using alternating polarity method based on the application of low intensity electric fields of alternating polarity across the skin (iontophoresis) to enhance the transport of a substance (such as glucose, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, and the like) from body tissues to a sampling chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventor: Janet Tamada
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Patent number: D437603Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventor: David M. Liu
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Patent number: D438807Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Cygnus, Inc.Inventor: David M. Liu