Patents by Inventor Daniel L. Kennedy
Daniel L. Kennedy 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: 8107060Abstract: An apparatus for candling eggs includes a waterproof housing having a free end, a light source configured to emit visible light from the housing free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the housing free end, and a photodetector that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the light source leaving the egg. The photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the light source. The light source and photodetector are disposed within the waterproof housing, and a replaceable bumper is removably secured to the housing free end. The bumper is configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, and to shield the photodetector from external light and from direct light from the light source. A processor processes output signals from the photodetector to identify cyclical variations in light intensity and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Embrex, Inc.Inventors: John H. Hebrank, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20090091742Abstract: An apparatus for candling eggs includes a waterproof housing having a free end, a light source configured to emit light from the housing free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the housing free end, and a photodetector that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the light source leaving the egg. The photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the light source. The light source and photodetector are disposed within the waterproof housing, and a replaceable bumper is removably secured to the housing free end. The bumper is configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, and to shield the photodetector from external light and from direct light from the light source. A processor processes output signals from the photodetector to identify cyclical variations in light intensity and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: John H. Hebrank, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20090091743Abstract: An apparatus for candling eggs includes a waterproof housing having a free end, a light source configured to emit visible light from the housing free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the housing free end, and a photodetector that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the light source leaving the egg. The photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the light source. The light source and photodetector are disposed within the waterproof housing, and a replaceable bumper is removably secured to the housing free end. The bumper is configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, and to shield the photodetector from external light and from direct light from the light source. A processor processes output signals from the photodetector to identify cyclical variations in light intensity and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: John H. Hebrank, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20090088783Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved legs with each having a pair of opposing side surfaces joined at their proximal ends by a flexible hinge section and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces. The first leg terminates at its distal end in a female locking member, and the second leg member terminates in a male locking member complimentary to the female locking member. The clip is provided with low profile boss-like elements on the legs thereof to reduce the risk of snagging a suture during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Daniel L. Kennedy, Donald F. Wilson, JR., Bryan D. Knodel
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Patent number: 7117721Abstract: In combination, an instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control, the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument comprises a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls. The radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls. A second source is provided for irradiating the surface. The first detector detects radiation from the second source reflected from the surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Gary T. Neel, James R. Parker, Rick L. Collins, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr., William J. Murphy, George R. Lennert, Morris J. Young, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20030136183Abstract: In combination, an instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control, the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument comprises a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls. The radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls. A second source is provided for irradiating the surface. The first detector detects radiation from the second source reflected from the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2003Publication date: July 24, 2003Inventors: Gary T. Neel, James R. Parker, Rick L. Collins, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, William J. Murphy, George R. Lennert, Morris J. Young, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 6575017Abstract: In combination, an instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control, the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument comprises a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls. The radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls. A second source is provided for irradiating the surface. The first detector detects radiation from the second source reflected from the surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Inc.Inventors: Gary T. Neel, James R. Parker, Rick L. Collins, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr., William J. Murphy, George R. Lennert, Morris J. Young, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 6189370Abstract: An instrument for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control includes a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. A cuvette for use with the instrument holds a sample of the biological fluid or control the characteristic of which is to be determined. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of said two opposed walls and the radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of said two opposed walls.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Roche Diagnostics CorporationInventors: Gary T. Neel, James R. Parker, Rick L. Collins, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr., William J. Murphy, George R. Lennert, Morris J. Young, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 5841023Abstract: An instrument monitors the coangulation of coagulable fluid blood, blood fraction or a control by combining the coagulable fluid with particles which are affected by a magnetic field so that the particles become suspended relatively freely in the fluid. A time-varying magnetic field causes the particles to be reoriented as the magnetic field varies. The reorientation changes as the fluid coagulates owing to the fluid's changing viscosity. An electromagnet creates the time-varying magnetic field. The electromagnet includes a core comprising a first leg an electrically conductive coil for creating a time-varying magnetic flux in the core, and a return for the time-varying magnetic flux. The first leg and the flux return together comprise a generally H-shaped core of ferromagnetic material. A bobbin is provided on the first leg and the electrically conductive coil is wound on the bobbin.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1993Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: James R. Parker, William J. Murphy, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr., Daniel L. Kennedy, Gary T. Neel, David E. Storvick
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Patent number: 5789664Abstract: An instrument and a method for determining a characteristic of a biological fluid or control comprise providing a radiation-reflective surface, a source for irradiating the surface, a detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface, and a cuvette for holding a sample of the biological fluid or control. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The source and detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls and the radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent the other wall. The method comprises detecting radiation from the source reflected from the surface using the radiation detector to determine a characteristic of the biological fluid or control.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: Gary T. Neel, James R. Parker, Rick L. Collins, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr., William J. Murphy, George R. Lennert, Morris J. Young, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 5710622Abstract: A method of immunizing the operation of an instrument which determines a characteristic of a biological fluid or a control against noise. The instrument includes a surface upon which a user deposits a sample of biological fluid or control the characteristic of which is to be determined. The instrument irradiates the sample and detects radiation from the sample to determine the characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: Gary T. Neel, James R. Parker, Rick L. Collins, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr., William J. Murphy, George R. Lennert, Morris J. Young, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 5686659Abstract: A method of determining whether a sample or a control has been applied to an instrument for measuring coagulation of a fluid by optically detecting when the fluid that has been applied to the instrument has passed a first and a second points, determining the flow time for the fluid between the two points, establishing a time threshold, and the flow time to the threshold to determining if the fluid is a sample or a control.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: Gary T. Neel, James R. Parker, Rick L. Collins, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr., William J. Murphy, George R. Lennert, Morris J. Young, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 5522255Abstract: An instrument and a method for determining a coagulation characteristic of blood, a blood fraction or a control comprise a radiation-reflective surface, a first source for irradiating the surface, and a first detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface. A cuvette holds a sample of the blood, blood fraction or control the coagulation characteristic of which is to be determined. The cuvette has two opposed walls substantially transparent to the source radiation and reflected radiation. The first source and first detector are disposed adjacent a first one of the two opposed walls and the radiation reflective surface is disposed adjacent a second of the two opposed walls.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1993Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: Gary T. Neel, James R. Parker, Rick L. Collins, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr., William J. Murphy, George R. Lennert, Morris J. Young, Daniel L. Kennedy
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Patent number: 5246858Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for determining the remission of a chemistry (106) which reacts with a medically significant component of a body fluid. The remission of the chemistry (106) changes as it reacts. The method and apparatus (10) include irradiating the chemistry (106) with a radiation source (182), detecting remissions of radiation from the chemistry (106) with a radiation detector (300), providing a radiation pathway (164) between the source (182) and the chemistry (106), providing a remission pathway (164) between the chemistry (106) and the detector (300), and detecting the rate of change of remission of the chemistry (106) with respect to time.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1991Date of Patent: September 21, 1993Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: Steven R. Arbuckle, William R. Boyd, Michael E. Grant, Mark A. Gregory, Russell T. Gray, Friedrich Jost, Daniel L. Kennedy, Dino Perin, Richard Riedel, David E. Storvick, John W. Stoughton
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Patent number: 5232668Abstract: An instrument for analyzing test strips supporting chemistries which react with a medically significant component of a body fluid to indicate the concentration of the component in the body fluid. The instrument includes a pathway along which radiation is guided from a radiation source to a strip when the strip is inserted into the instrument and along which remission is guided from the strip to a radiation detector. A title provided on the instrument provides a first remission when no strip is inserted into the instrument. The tile is separated from the radiation source by the strip when the strip is inserted into the instrument. The first remission and the strip's remission, respectively, indicate the absence and the presence of the strip in the instrument. The strip also has a surface opposite the chemistry supporting surface characterized by a second strip remission different from the first strip remission.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1991Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: Michael E. Grant, Russell T. Gray, Mark A. Gregory, Daniel L. Kennedy, Dino Perin, Richard Riedel, Stephen D. Scopatz, David E. Storvick
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Patent number: D361129Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1993Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim CorporationInventors: Rick L. Collins, Martin T. Gerber, Daniel L. Kennedy, Brett S. Lewis, James D. Morrow, Peter L. Sebastian, David E. Storvick, Charles L. Thomeczek, Jr.