Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Flora

Bruce A. Flora 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).

  • Patent number: 8409505
    Abstract: A sensor-dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack contains sensors and performs a test using one of the sensors. The instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor. The sensor release activates a sensor release mechanism that has a sensor release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin. The sensor release aid arm contacts the sensor disposed in the sensor slot to assist removal of the sensor from the sensor slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Flora, John P. Creaven, Russell J. Micinski
  • Publication number: 20120104019
    Abstract: A sensor-dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack contains sensors and performs a test using one of the sensors. The instrument includes an outer housing and a mechanical mechanism for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor. The sensor release activates a sensor release mechanism that has a sensor release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin. The sensor release aid arm contacts the sensor disposed in the sensor slot to assist removal of the sensor from the sensor slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Flora, John P. Creaven, Russell J. Micinski
  • Patent number: 8101126
    Abstract: A sensor-dispensing instrument (10) adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor-dispensing instrument includes an outer housing (12) and a mechanical mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The sensor-dispensing instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release (66) that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor the sensor release additionally activating a sensor release mechanism that has a sensor release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin that connects the sensor release aid arm to the mounting block, wherein the sensor release aid arm is adapted to contact the sensor disposed in the sensor slot to assist removal of the sensor from the sensor slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Flora, John P. Creaven, Russell J. Micinski
  • Publication number: 20090209040
    Abstract: A sensor-dispensing instrument (10) adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors and to perform a test using one of the sensors. The sensor-dispensing instrument includes an outer housing (12) and a mechanical mechanism contained therein for rotating the sensor pack and ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor pack and through a sensor slot on the housing. The sensor-dispensing instrument also includes a sensor actuator to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, and a sensor release (66) that is movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and permit the discharge of the sensor the sensor release additionally activating a sensor release mechanism that has a sensor release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin that connects the sensor release aid arm to the mounting block, wherein the sensor release aid arm is adapted to contact the sensor disposed in the sensor slot to assist removal of the sensor from the sensor slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Bruce A. Flora, John P. Creaven, Russell J. Micinski
  • Publication number: 20080119884
    Abstract: A lancing mechanism fixture for puncturing skin with a lancet having a penetration end being moveable in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lancet, the penetration end being moveable from a first position to a second position during a forward stroke, the penetration end being movable from the second position back to the first position during a return stroke. The motion of the lancet is controlled by a cam mechanism including a slot cam and a cam follower connected to a lancet. A drive member applies a linear force to the slot cam whose linear motion and slot path shape forces the lancet to move from a first position to a second position and back to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce A. Flora, Donald R. Hesser, Allen J. Brenneman, George V. Siddons
  • Publication number: 20040248312
    Abstract: A fluid collection apparatus adapted to test a concentration of an analyte in a fluid, including a lid and a base. Further included is a spacer disposed between the lid and the base. The spacer forms a capillary channel, which has an opening and is designed to collect the fluid. The capillary channel includes a reagent that reacts with the fluid to produce a measurable reaction. The reaction will provide a measurable indication of the concentration of the analyte in the fluid. Coupled to the lid is a lance that is moveable to the base and is moveable to a position adjacent the opening of the capillary channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Bayer Healthcare, LLC
    Inventors: Mark S. Vreeke, Steven C. Charlton, Alan R. McCleary, Bruce A. Flora
  • Patent number: 6752817
    Abstract: A pressure ring for a lancing device for holding open a skin puncture while collecting a blood sample includes a collar that fits onto the end of a lancing device. A skirt is provided on the collar and a flared portion depends from the skirt. At least one axial slit is formed in the skirt. The pressure ring is made of a flexible material such as polypropylene such that when the lancing device with a pressure ring is placed on a person's skin and pressure is applied, the slits spread apart stretching the skin for a puncture by a lance in the lancing device. Once a puncture has been made, the pressure ring holds the puncture wound open to allow bleeding. Removing the lancing device from the puncture site releases the skin allowing the puncture wound to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Flora, Robert C. Whitson
  • Publication number: 20020138040
    Abstract: A pressure ring for a lancing device for holding open a skin puncture while collecting a blood sample includes a collar that fits onto the end of a lancing device. A skirt is provided on the collar and a flared portion depends from the skirt. At least one axial slit is formed in the skirt. The pressure ring is made of a flexible material such as polypropylene such that when the lancing device with a pressure ring is placed on a person's skin and pressure is applied, the slits spread apart stretching the skin for a puncture by a lance in the lancing device. Once a puncture has been made, the pressure ring holds the puncture wound open to allow bleeding. Removing the lancing device from the puncture site releases the skin allowing the puncture wound to close.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce A. Flora, Robert C. Whitson