Patents by Inventor Brent G. Duchon
Brent G. Duchon 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: 6464649Abstract: Body fluid is sampled from a skin incision by placing a ring against the skin and repeatedly applying an elastic pressing force to the ring, whereby a stimulator surface of the ring depresses a ring of skin and body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision to force body fluid from the incision. The stimulator surface is inclined at an angle of 10 to 65 degrees; a width of the stimulator surface is from 5 mm to 20 mm, and an inner diameter of the stimulator surface is no less than 6.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Amira MedicalInventors: Brent G. Duchon, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Joel S. Douglas
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Patent number: 6445498Abstract: A telescope system facilitates easy upgrading from friction lock mounting to manual worm drive, and from manual worm drive to motor drive. Vibration isolation provides a steady field of view for enhanced observation and photography. A telescope mount facilitates enhanced below the horizon and zenith viewing. A tripod has detents which hold the legs thereof in a deployed position during handling of the tripod. A cam lock reliably maintains a desired length of telescoping tripod legs.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Meade Instruments CorporationInventors: Kenneth W. Baun, John E. Smith, Michael A. Wachala, Brian G. Tingey, Brent G. Duchon, Stanley H. Dewan
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Publication number: 20020052050Abstract: A method of making strip for testing for the presence of an analyte generally comprises providing a support member which includes a spreading layer and a reagent layer, and a capillary in communication with the support layer and spreading layer for transporting a sample of body fluid thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Joel S. Douglas, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon, John H. Priest, David A. Hasker, John M. Gleisner
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Patent number: 6352514Abstract: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a lancet for making an incision, a capillary tube for drawing-up body fluid from the incision, and a test strip affixed to an upper end of the capillary tube for receiving the fluid. An absorbent pad can be disposed between the test strip and capillary tube for spreading-out the fluid being transferred to the test strip. An on-site analyzer such as an optical analyzer and/or an electrochemical analyzer can be mounted in the device for analyzing the fluid. Alternatively, a test strip can be slid through a slot formed in the bottom end of the device so that by passing the device against the skin after an incision has been formed, the test strip will directly contact body fluid emanating from the incision.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Amira MedicalInventors: Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon
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Publication number: 20020002344Abstract: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a lancet for making an incision, a capillary tube for drawing-up body fluid from the incision, and a test strip affixed to an upper end of the capillary tube for receiving the fluid. An absorbent pad can be disposed between the test strip and capillary tube for spreading-out the fluid being transferred to the test strip. An on-site analyzer such as an optical analyzer and/or an electrochemical analyzer can be mounted in the device for analyzing the fluid. Alternatively, a test strip can be slid through a slot formed in the bottom end of the device so that by passing the device against the skin after an incision has been formed, the test strip will directly contact body fluid emanating from the incision.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Inventors: Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon
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Patent number: 6304376Abstract: A fully automated telescope system is able to be fully operable in both Alt-Az and polar configurations. In either configuration, the telescope aligns itself to be celestial coordinate system following a simplified initialization procedure during which the telescope tube is first pointed north and then pointed towards a user's horizon. A command processor, under application software program control orients the telescope system with respect to the celestial coordinate system given the initial directional inputs. The initial telescope orientation may be further refined by initially inputting a geographical location indicia, or by shooting one or two additional celestial objects. Once the telescope's orientation with respect to the celestial coordinate system is established, the telescope system will automatically move to and track any desired celestial object without further alignment invention by a user.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Meade Instruments CorporationInventors: Kenneth W. Baun, John E. Smith, John E. Hoot, Michael A. Wachala, Brian G. Tingey, Brent G. Duchon, Stanley H. Dewan
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Patent number: 6271045Abstract: A strip for testing for the presence of an analyte generally comprises a support member which contains a spreading layer and a reagent layer, and a capillary tube in communication with the support layer and spreading layer for transporting a sample of body fluid thereto. A method of testing a fluid for the presence or concentration of an analyte is also provided which generally includes providing a test strip with a support member, a spreading layer, and a reagent layer on the spreading layer. A capillary tube is provided on the support member whereby a fluid containing an analyte to be tested is introduced into the tube and flows through the tube to the spreading layer and contacts the reagent layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Amira MedicalInventors: Joel S. Douglas, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon, John H. Priest, David A. Hasker, John M. Gleisner
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Patent number: 6183489Abstract: A disposable lancing element is adapted for use in a lancing device for making an incision through a user's skin. The lancing element includes a body which defines a longitudinal axis, and has a skin-lancing member projecting from a front end thereof. A capillary tube is mounted in the body in laterally spaced relationship to the skin-lancing member and is slidable longitudinally relative to the body so as to be extended forwardly past the skin-lancing member. The body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting bosses formed thereon for guiding the disposable element installation in a carrier element. The skin-lancing member may comprise a plurality of needles or barbs arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship. In lieu of a skin-lancing member, the disposable element may possess a longitudinal through-hole for conducting a skin-piercing laser light beam or pressurized fluid. A capillary tube may have an outwardly flared lower (inlet) end.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Amira MedicalInventors: Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon, Michael J. Sanchez, Henry M. Grage
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Patent number: 6099484Abstract: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a lancet for making an incision, a capillary tube for drawing-up body fluid from the incision, and a test strip affixed to an upper end of the capillary tube for receiving the fluid. An absorbent pad can be disposed between the test strip and capillary tube for spreading-out the fluid being transferred to the test strip. An on-site analyzer such as an optical analyzer and/or an electrochemical analyzer can be mounted in the device for analyzing the fluid. Alternatively, a test strip can be slid through a slot formed in the bottom end of the device so that by passing the device against the skin after an incision has been formed, the test strip will directly contact body fluid emanating from the incision.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Amira MedicalInventors: Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon
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Patent number: 6066103Abstract: Body fluid is sampled from a skin incision by placing a ring against the skin and repeatedly applying an elastic pressing force to the ring, whereby a stimulator surface of the ring depresses a ring of skin and body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision to force body fluid from the incision. The stimulator surface is inclined at an angle of 10 to 65 degrees; a width of the stimulator surface is from 5 mm to 20 mm, and an inner diameter of the stimulator surface is no less than 6.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1999Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Amira MedicalInventors: Brent G. Duchon, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Joel S. Douglas
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Patent number: 6056701Abstract: A device for sampling body fluid includes a housing having a sleeve at a forward end thereof which is displaceable in response to being pressed against a user's skin to trigger the firing of a lancet. After the lancet is removed from the incision, the sleeve is repeatedly pressed against the skin to depress a ring of body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision to express body fluid outwardly through the incision. A pusher member is then actuated to push a capillary tube through a front end of the housing for drawing-in body fluid. The lancet is a disposable lancet which includes a body supporting a skin-lancing member and the capillary tube. The disposable lancet passes through an upper end of a lancet carrier when being installed or removed. The device cannot be armed until the disposable lancet is installed in the housing, because the capillary tube functions to push a safety device to a non-safety position.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Amira MedicalInventors: Brent G. Duchon, Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Andrew M. Drexler
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Patent number: 6048352Abstract: A disposable lancing element is adapted for use in a lancing device for making an incision through a user's skin. The lancing element includes a body which defines a longitudinal axis, and has a skin-lancing member projecting from a front end thereof. A capillary tube is mounted in the body in laterally spaced relationship to the skin-lancing member and is slidable longitudinally relative to the body so as to be extended forwardly past the skin-lancing member. The body includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting bosses formed thereon for guiding the disposable element installation in a carrier element. The skin-lancing member may comprise a plurality of needles or barbs arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship. In lieu of a skin-lancing member, the disposable element may possess a longitudinal through-hole for conducting a skin-piercing laser light beam or pressurized fluid. A capillary tube may have an outwardly flared lower (inlet) end.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon, Michael J. Sanchez, Henry M. Grage
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Patent number: 6015392Abstract: Body fluid is sampled by causing a syringe mounted in a housing to be displaced toward a skin surface. The syringe remains in the resulting incision while the surrounding body tissue is stimulated by a stimulator ring to urge body fluid toward the incision. Simultaneously, the syringe is moved relative to the incision to keep the incision open. Such movement of the syringe may comprise reciprocation in the longitudinal or lateral directions, or both. Alternatively, the movement of the syringe may comprise rotation about a longitudinal center line of the syringe, with the pointed end of the syringe being in the shape of one-half of a cone segment. After the body fluid has been pooled, suction is created in a collection tube disposed in communication with the syringe, to draw body fluid inwardly through the syringe.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon
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Patent number: 5964718Abstract: Body fluid is sampled from a skin incision by placing a ring against the skin and repeatedly applying an elastic pressing force to the ring, whereby a stimulator surface of the ring depresses a ring of skin and body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision to force body fluid from the incision. The stimulator surface is inclined at an angle of 10 to 65 degrees; a width of the stimulator surface is from 5 mm to 20 mm, and an inner diameter of the stimulator surface is no less than 6.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Brent G. Duchon, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Joel S. Douglas
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Patent number: 5951492Abstract: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a lancet for making an incision, a capillary tube for drawing-up body fluid from the incision, and a test strip affixed to an upper end of the capillary tube for receiving the fluid. An absorbent pad can be disposed between the test strip and capillary tube for spreading-out the fluid being transferred to the test strip. An on-site analyzer such as an optical analyzer and/or an electrochemical analyzer can be mounted in the device for analyzing the fluid. Alternatively, a test strip can be slid through a slot formed in the bottom end of the device so that by passing the device against the skin after an incision has been formed, the test strip will directly contact body fluid emanating from the incision.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon
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Patent number: 5948695Abstract: A strip for testing for the presence of an analyte generally comprises a support member which contains a spreading layer and a reagent layer, and a capillary tube in communication with the support layer and spreading layer for transporting a sample of body fluid thereto. A method of testing a fluid for the presence or concentration of an analyte is also provided which generally includes providing a test strip with a support member, a spreading layer, and a reagent layer on the spreading layer. A capillary tube is provided on the support member whereby a fluid containing an analyte to be tested is introduced into the tube and flows through the tube to the spreading layer and contacts the reagent layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Joel S. Douglas, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon, John H. Priest, David A. Hasker, John M. Gleisner
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Patent number: 5879311Abstract: A device for sampling body fluid includes a housing having a sleeve at a forward end thereof which is displaceable in response to being pressed against a user's skin to trigger the firing of a lancer. After the lancet is removed from the incision, the sleeve is repeatedly pressed against the skin to depress a ring of body tissue in surrounding relationship to the incision to express body fluid outwardly through the incision. A pusher member is then actuated to push a capillary tube through a front end of the housing for drawing-in body fluid. The lancet is a disposable lancet which includes a body supporting a skin-lancing member and the capillary tube. The disposable lancet passes through an upper end of a lancet carrier when being installed or removed. The device cannot be armed until the disposable lancet is installed in the housing, because the capillary tube functions to push a safety device to a non-safety position.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Brent G. Duchon, Joel S. Douglas, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ryszard Radwanski, Andrew M. Drexler
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Patent number: D403975Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Joel S. Douglas, Ryszard Radwanski, Brent G. Duchon, John H. Priest, David A. Hasker, John M. Gleisner
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Patent number: D411619Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventor: Brent G. Duchon
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Patent number: D418917Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Mercury Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Brent G. Duchon, Jeffrey N. Roe, Ray McKinnon, Shawn G. Hanna