Patents by Inventor Charles P. Howard

Charles P. Howard 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: 10299701
    Abstract: A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MGC Diagnostics Corp.
    Inventors: David A. Blanton, Charles P. Howard
  • Patent number: 9999373
    Abstract: A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: MGC DIAGNOSTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Blanton, Charles P. Howard
  • Patent number: 9986935
    Abstract: A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MGC Diagnostics Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Blanton, Charles P. Howard, Joshua L. Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20160249828
    Abstract: A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Blanton, Charles P. Howard
  • Publication number: 20160249827
    Abstract: A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Blanton, Charles P. Howard
  • Publication number: 20150005639
    Abstract: A compact, on-airway, respiratory gas analyzer for performing pulmonary function tests incorporates an IR spectroscopy light guide having a curved, rather than linear, sample chamber that lies transverse to a direction of respiratory gas flow. Cooperating with the sample chamber is an impact plate that functions to steer respiratory and test gases impinging on the impact plate into the curved sample chamber. A source of IR energy is at one end of the sample chamber and an electro-optical sensor responsive to IR energy is disposed at an opposite end of the chamber. The respiratory gas analyzer also includes gas flow paths and valving for carrying out lung capacity and lung diffusion tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Blanton, Charles P. Howard, Joshua L. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5363857
    Abstract: A metabolic rate analyzer is provided comprising a CO.sub.2 detector, an O.sub.2 detector, a flow resistance, a differential pressure transducer, a solenoid-actuated metering valve for producing a volumetrically-proportional sample of respired gas, a vacuum regulator for receiving the sample, a pump for drawing the sample from the vacuum regulator, and a processor for periodically sampling the differential pressure signal to provide a flow signal, to modulate power applied to the solenoid-actuated flow proportioning valve, and to provide a measure of the total volume of respired gas. The processor correlates the total volume of respired gas, O.sub.2 content and CO.sub.2 content to provide a measure of metabolic rate. Flow is recycled between the pump and the regulator valve to provide a source of mixed respired gas for analysis and digital integration of the flow signal provides a measure of the total volume of respired gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: AeroSport, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles P. Howard
  • Patent number: 5117674
    Abstract: The metabolic rate analyzer comprises a flow proportioning valve for producing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied. A sample cylinder is provided for drawing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied from the flow proportioning valve. A test chamber is provided and an O.sub.2 sensor is provided. The test chamber is provided with a selectively-permeable membrane, the selectively-permeable membrane having a selective permeability for CO.sub.2, whereby CO.sub.2 is selectively vented from the test chamber. The sample cylinder is also used for charging the test chamber with the proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject. A pressure sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the sample and determining the rate of pressure decay in the test chamber due to the selective venting of CO.sub.2 through the permeable membrane. An analyzing means is provided for determining CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: AeroSport, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles P. Howard
  • Patent number: 5060656
    Abstract: The metabolic rate analyzer comprises a flow proportioning valve for producing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied. A sample cylinder is provided for drawing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied from the flow proportioning valve. A test chamber is provided and an O.sub.2 sensor is provided. The test chamber is provided with a selectively-permeable membrane, the selectively-permeable membrane having a selective permeability for CO.sub.2, whereby CO.sub.2 is selectively vented from the test chamber. The sample cylinder is also used for chrging the test chamber with the proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject. A pressure sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the sample and determining the rate of pressure decay in the test chamber due to the selective venting of CO.sub.2 through the permeable membrane. An analyzing means is provided fo determining CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: AeroSport, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles P. Howard
  • Patent number: 4822564
    Abstract: A gas analyzer for determining the concentration of the oxides of nitrogen in a sample gas is provided. The analyzer is particularly adapted for analyzing the exhaust from an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, the analyzer comprises a sample chamber and a reference chamber. An arrangement is provided for delivering sample gas containing the lower oxide of nitrogen (NO) to the sample chamber and a quantity of ozone (O.sub.3) for reacting with this oxide of nitrogen and producing a chemiluminescence. After the chemiluminescence is completed, the sample gas is discharged to the reference chamber. A sample photodiode is disposed adjacent to the sample chamber for receiving light emitted from the sample chamber and producing a sample signal representative of the total photoemissivity of the sample gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles P. Howard
  • Patent number: 4678488
    Abstract: A liquid separator for a gas analyzer is provided comprising a sample gas inlet; a sample gas outlet; and a separation chamber in fluid communication with the gas inlet and gas outlet. The separation chamber is provided with a smooth, planar upper wall and a smooth planar lower wall, the upper and lower walls being substantially parallel and having a small uniform clearance therebetween. A motor is provided for rotating the lower wall of the separation chamber about a central axis normal to the surfaces of the upper and lower walls. The gas outlet is disposed on the central axis of the rotating lower wall. The gas inlet is disposed off of the central axis. A vacuum is applied to the sample gas outlet to draw sample gas through the separation chamber. A collection chamber is provided which surrounds the separation chamber for receiving liquids and other debris separated from the sample gas flow by contact with the rotating lower wall and centrifugal acceleration imparted thereto by the lower wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Howard, Donald H. Stedman
  • Patent number: 4657744
    Abstract: A gas analyzer for determining the concentration of the oxides of nitrogen in a sample gas is provided. The analyzer is particularly adapted for analyzing the exhaust from an internal combustion engine. The analyzer comprises a sample chamber and a reference chamber. An arrangement is provided for delivering sample gas containing the lower oxide of nitrogen (NO) to the sample chamber and a quantity of ozone (O.sub.3) for reacting with this oxide of nitrogen and producing a chemiluminescence. After the chemiluminescence is completed, the sample gas is discharged to the reference chamber. A sample photodiode is disposed adjacent to the sample chamber for receiving light emitted from the sample chamber and producing a sample signal representative of the total photoemissivity of the sample gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles P. Howard