Patents by Inventor Bradford G. Clay
Bradford G. Clay 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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Patent number: 10247740Abstract: A detector arrangement is disclosed for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: bioMerieux, Inc.Inventor: Bradford G. Clay
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Patent number: 9856503Abstract: A detection instrument determines whether a specimen container (e.g., blood culture bottle) is positive for presence of microbial agent growth therein. When the container is deemed positive it is made available (e.g, transferred or exposed to) to an automated instrument performing identification and/or characterization of the microbial agent. The identification and/or characterization instrument removes a portion of the sample from the specimen container and places it into a disposable separation and concentration device. The microbial agent is concentrated via optional selective lysis of non-microbial agent cellular material which may be present and centrifugation. A reading module reads the concentrated microbial agent using spectroscopic methods, e.g., measurements of intrinsic fluorescence. Such interrogation may occur while the microbial agent remains concentrated in the disposable device.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: bioMerieux, Inc.Inventors: Ronnie J. Robinson, Mark S. Wilson, Christopher S. Ronsick, John D. Walsh, Jones M. Hyman, Thurman C. Thorpe, Bradford G. Clay
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Patent number: 9739788Abstract: A detector arrangement for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: BioMerieux, Inc.Inventor: Bradford G. Clay
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Publication number: 20160356797Abstract: A detector arrangement is disclosed for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventor: Bradford G. Clay
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Patent number: 9447372Abstract: A detector arrangement is disclosed for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: bioMerieux, Inc.Inventor: Bradford G. Clay
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Publication number: 20150031074Abstract: A detection instrument determines whether a specimen container (e.g., blood culture bottle) is positive for presence of microbial agent growth therein. When the container is deemed positive it is made available (e.g, transferred or exposed to) to an automated instrument performing identification and/or characterization of the microbial agent. The identification and/or characterization instrument removes a portion of the sample from the specimen container and places it into a disposable separation and concentration device. The microbial agent is concentrated via optional selective lysis of non-microbial agent cellular material which may be present and centrifugation. A reading module reads the concentrated microbial agent using spectroscopic methods, e.g., measurements of intrinsic fluorescence. Such interrogation may occur while the microbial agent remains concentrated in the disposable device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Ronnie J. Robinson, Mark S. Wilson, Christopher S. Ronsick, John D. Walsh, Jones M. Hyman, Thurman C. Thorpe, Bradford G. Clay
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Patent number: 8911987Abstract: An automated instrument for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample. The instrument includes (a) a sample removal apparatus operative to remove a test sample from a specimen container and add the test sample to a disposable separation device; (b) a separation and concentration apparatus operative on the separation device to separate the microbial agent from other components which may be present in the test sample and concentrate the microbial agent within the separation device; and (c) a identification and/or characterization module interrogating the concentrated microbial agent to identify and/or characterize the microbial agent.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Biomerieux, IncInventors: Ronnie J. Robinson, Mark S. Wilson, Christopher S. Ronsick, John D. Walsh, Jones M. Hyman, Bradford G. Clay
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Patent number: 8841118Abstract: A detection instrument determines whether a specimen container (e.g., blood culture bottle) is positive for presence of microbial agent growth therein. When the container is deemed positive it is made available (e.g, transferred or exposed to) to an automated instrument performing identification and/or characterization of the microbial agent. The identification and/or characterization instrument removes a portion of the sample from the specimen container and places it into a disposable separation and concentration device. The microbial agent is concentrated via optional selective lysis of non-microbial agent cellular material which may be present and centrifugation. A reading module reads the concentrated microbial agent using spectroscopic methods, e.g., measurements of intrinsic fluorescence. Such interrogation may occur while the microbial agent remains concentrated in the disposable device.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Biomerieux, IncInventors: Ronnie J. Robinson, Mark S. Wilson, Christopher S. Ronsick, John D. Walsh, Jones M. Hyman, Thurman C. Thorpe, Bradford G. Clay
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Patent number: 8512975Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting, and characterizing a microorganism present in a blood culture medium whereby the method may be accomplished utilizing a time-dependent spectroscopic technique to obtain at least two measurements directly of a blood culture medium and correlating said measurements for the detection and characterization of a microorganism, that may be present in the blood culture.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: bioMerieux, Inc.Inventors: John D. Walsh, Jones M. Hyman, Bradford G. Clay, Thurman C. Thorpe
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Publication number: 20120115183Abstract: A detector arrangement is disclosed for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: bioMerieux, Inc.Inventor: Bradford G. Clay
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Publication number: 20120021455Abstract: A detector arrangement for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: BIOMERIEUX, INC.Inventor: Bradford G. Clay
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Publication number: 20100291619Abstract: A detection instrument determines whether a specimen container (e.g., blood culture bottle) is positive for presence of microbial agent growth therein. When the container is deemed positive it is made available (e.g, transferred or exposed to) to an automated instrument performing identification and/or characterization of the microbial agent. The identification and/or characterization instrument removes a portion of the sample from the specimen container and places it into a disposable separation and concentration device. The microbial agent is concentrated via optional selective lysis of non-microbial agent cellular material which may be present and centrifugation. A reading module reads the concentrated microbial agent using spectroscopic methods, e.g., measurements of intrinsic fluorescence. Such interrogation may occur while the microbial agent remains concentrated in the disposable device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: BioMerieux, Inc.Inventors: Ronnie J. Robinson, Mark S. Wilson, Christopher S. Ronsick, John D. Walsh, Jones M. Hyman, Thurman Thorpe, Bradford G. Clay
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Publication number: 20100291669Abstract: An automated instrument for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample. The instrument includes (a) a sample removal apparatus operative to remove a test sample from a specimen container and add the test sample to a disposable separation device; (b) a separation and concentration apparatus operative on the separation device to separate the microbial agent from other components which may be present in the test sample and concentrate the microbial agent within the separation device; and (c) a identification and/or characterization module interrogating the concentrated microbial agent to identify and/or characterize the microbial agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: bioMerieux, Inc.Inventors: Ronnie J. Robinson, Mark S. Wilson, Christopher S. Ronsick, John D. Walsh, Jones M. Hyman, Bradford G. Clay
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Publication number: 20100068755Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for monitoring, detecting, and/or characterizing a biological particle that may be present in a sample whereby the method may be accomplished non-invasively by utilizing a time-dependent spectroscopic technique to obtain at least two measurements of a growth composition comprising a sample and correlating said measurements for the detection and/or characterization of a biological particle, that may be present in the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: bioMerieux, Inc.Inventors: John D. Walsh, Jones M. Hyman, Bradford G. Clay, Thurman C. Thorpe
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Patent number: 6863658Abstract: A system comprising a microprocessor-controlled transfer device and a separate catheter for intraluminal treatment of a selected site in a body of a patient by at least one treating element advanced from a removable treating element cartridge received in the transfer device into a lumen of the separate catheter by means of pressurized fluid controlled by a fluid control switch moveable between send and return positions, and a safety interlock for use with the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Novoste CorporationInventors: James David Hughett, Bradford G. Clay, Bryan Dale Knodel
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Publication number: 20040044305Abstract: A system comprising a microprocessor-controlled transfer device and a separate catheter for intraluminal treatment of a selected site in a body of a patient by at least one treating element advanced from a removable treating element cartridge received in the transfer device into a lumen of the separate catheter by means of pressurized fluid controlled by a fluid control switch moveable between send and return positions. A safety interlock is provided for preventing both (1) the disassembly of the system unless the treating element resides in the treating element cartridge and (2) the actuation of the fluid control switch unless the system is assembled. The safety interlock comprises a first lock moveable from a first position to a second position only if both the catheter and the treating element cartridge are secured to the transfer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: Novoste CorporationInventors: James David Hughett, Bradford G. Clay, Bryan Dale Knodel
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Patent number: 6585684Abstract: A system comprising a microprocessor-controlled transfer device and a separate catheter for intraluminal treatment of a selected site in a body of a patient by at least one treating element advanced from a removable treating element cartridge received in the transfer device into a lumen of the separate catheter by means of pressurized fluid controlled by a fluid control switch moveable between send and return positions. A safety interlock is provided for preventing both (1) the disassembly of the system unless the treating element resides in the treating element cartridge and (2) the actuation of the fluid control switch unless the system is assembled. The safety interlock comprises a first lock moveable from a first position to a second position only if both the catheter and the treating element cartridge are secured to the transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Novoste CorporationInventors: James David Hughett, Bradford G. Clay, Bryan Dale Knodel
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Patent number: 6179785Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ambient temperature recalibration subsystem for a recalibration system that recalibrates a tympanic thermometer. In particular, the present invention relates to a computer-related invention comprising a computer that is in communication with a tympanic thermometer which includes an ambient sensing subsystem for sensing the surrounding ambient temperature experienced by the tympanic thermometer. The ambient temperature recalibration subsystem makes several threshold determinations before recalibration of the tympanic thermometer is allowed to proceed. The computer first instructs the thermometer to take a plurality of ambient temperature readings for determining whether the current ambient temperature experienced by the thermometer is stable.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Sherwood Services, AGInventors: Joseph W. Martinosky, Bradford G. Clay, Frederick F. Schweitzer, Jr.
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Patent number: 5991700Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic device for sensing and indicating the presence of electromagnetic interference in the vicinity of a electronic thermometer and preventing the display of a core body temperature reading when the electromagnetic interference exceeds a predetermined threshold. Disclosed is a tympanic thermometer comprising circuitry and a microprocessor that takes a a plurality of voltage readings from the null input of an operational amplifier in the circuitry. After taking into account ambient temperature conditions into the temperature calculations, the microprocessor compares the average value of the voltage readings taken from the null input against a predetermined threshold in the memory of the microprocessor. If the value exceeds the predetermined threshold, then the microprocessor prevents the display of the core body temperature and directs a display to write an error message.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Sherwood Services, A.G.Inventors: Bradford G. Clay, John J. Korff