Patents by Inventor Cynthia S. Nickel

Cynthia S. Nickel 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).

  • Publication number: 20170067840
    Abstract: A diagnostic device evaluates microbial content of a sample. In some embodiments, the diagnostic device includes a plurality of sample cells in which the microbial content of a sample is evaluated. Electronic circuitry is used to apply electrical signals to electrodes that interact with the sample in the sample cells. The electronic circuitry also measures one or more characteristics of the sample. Using the measured characteristics, the diagnostic device performs one or more of: identifying microbes, counting microbes, and determining antimicrobial sensitivity of microbes within the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Wayne T. Kilian, James R. Biard, Jay B. Nickel, Gregory C. Roach, Keith T. Rommel, Cynthia S. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20140162308
    Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicants: Texas State University, Telemedicine Up Close, Inc. dba DxUpClose
    Inventors: Cynthia S. NICKEL, Clois E. POWELL, James R. BIARD, William A. STAPLETON, Gary M. ARON, Jeanette HILL, Ray G. COOK, Daniel M. JUSTISS, Frederick J. STRIETER, Andrei M. MANOLIU
  • Patent number: 8637233
    Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignees: Telemedicine Up Close, Inc., Texas State University
    Inventors: Cynthia S. Nickel, Clois E. Powell, James R. Biard, William A. Stapleton, Gary M. Aron, Jeanette Hill, Ray G. Cook, Daniel M. Justiss, Frederick J. Strieter, Wayne T. Kilian, Andrei M. Manoliu
  • Publication number: 20130183459
    Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Cynthia S. Nickel, Clois E. Powell
  • Publication number: 20130017534
    Abstract: A method of determining antimicrobial activity of an agent can include providing a well, wherein the well contains at least one antimicrobial agent, the well further including at least two electrodes. A sample of a microbe can be added into the well and a voltage pulsed between the electrodes. An electrical property can be sampled and recorded. In another aspect, a method of identifying at least one microbe includes taking a sample containing the at least one microbe, isolating the at least one microbe from the sample, dividing the at least one microbe into a at least one well, wherein each well contains at least one antimicrobial agent and at least two electrodes. A voltage is pulsed between the at least two electrodes, an electrical property is sampled during the pulsing and recorded. In another aspect, a diagnostic device for detecting at least one microbe is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicants: Texas State University, Telemedicine Up Close, Inc. dba DxUpClose
    Inventors: Cynthia S. Nickel, Clois E. Powell, James R. Biard, William A. Stapleton, Gary M. Aron, Jeanette Hill, Ray G. Cook, Daniel M. Justiss, Frederick J. Strieter, Wayne T. Kilian, Andrei M. Manoliu
  • Publication number: 20080165004
    Abstract: A packaged product comprises a physical product, an inductively powered transponder device having a memory containing digital content, and a packaging. The packaging is adapted to prevent sufficient signal from reaching an antenna of the inductively powered transponder device to enable the digital content to be read from the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: James Thomas Edward McDonnell, Cynthia S. Nickel, David Neil Slatter