Patents by Inventor Francis T. Ogawa

Francis T. Ogawa 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: 6912917
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining a fluid parameter in a vessel by altering a property of the fluid, sensing the difference in the property after the fluid is altered, particularly as related to the property in an unaltered portion of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Gambro, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20040017201
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining a fluid parameter in a vessel by altering a property of the fluid, sensing the difference in the property after the fluid is altered, particularly as related to the property in an unaltered portion of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6614212
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for quantitatively determining a degree of recirculalion flow in a vessel of a fluid by altering the electrical conductivity of the fluid, sensing the difference in electromagnetic field after the fluid is altered, and integrating the sensed difference over a period of time including any time of potential recirculation of any altered conductivity fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Gambro, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20030016002
    Abstract: A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tube is quantitatively determined by altering the electrical conductivity of the fluid by injection of a bolus of saline. The electrical conductivity of the altered conductivity is measured over the time it takes the altered conductivity fluid to pass a conductivity measuring location. The measured conductivity is integrated over the time it take to pass the conductivity measuring location. The integral is interpreted to determine the flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5900726
    Abstract: A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tube is quantitatively determined by altering the electrical conductivity of the fluid by injection of a bolus of saline. The electrical conductivity of the altered conductivity is measured over the time it takes the altered conductivity fluid to pass a conductivity measuring location. The measured conductivity is integrated over the time it takes to pass the conductivity measuring location. The integral is interpreted to determine the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5631552
    Abstract: The presence of air bubbles entrained in a liquid flowing through a tube is detected flowing the liquid through a conduit which comprises a conductivity cell with a continuous path configuration. An electrical current is induced in the liquid in the conductivity cell. The electrical current in the liquid in the conductivity cell is sensed and interpreted, a decrease in the electrical current being indicative of the presence of an air bubble in the liquid. The conductivity cell comprises an upstream connection, a downstream connection, and two branches connecting the upstream connection to the downstream connection with a continuous path configuration from the upstream connection to the downstream connection through one of the two branches and returning to the upstream connection through the other one of the two branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis T. Ogawa, James M. Brugger
  • Patent number: 5570026
    Abstract: A differential conductivity recirculation monitor quantitatively determines the degree of recirculation in a fistula by comparing the conductivity of blood entering the fistula to the conductivity of blood being withdrawn from the fistula. A discrete quantity of a high conductivity marker fluid is injected into the blood entering the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood entering the fistula. The altered conductivity blood enters the fistula and, if recirculation is present, co-mingles with blood in the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood in the fistula in proportion to the degree of recirculation. Blood withdrawn from the fistula has an altered conductivity related to the degree of recirculation. Quantitative values of the conductivity of the altered conductivity blood entering the fistula and the conductivity of the blood being withdrawn from the fistula are measured and a difference determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa, James M. Brugger
  • Patent number: 5510716
    Abstract: A differential conductivity recirculation monitor quantitatively determines the degree of recirculation in a fistula by comparing the conductivity of blood entering the fistula to the conductivity of blood being withdrawn from the fistula. A discrete quantity of a high conductivity marker fluid is injected into the blood entering the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood entering the fistula. The altered conductivity blood enters the fistula and, if recirculation is present, co-mingles with blood in the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood ion the fistula in proportion to the degree of recirculation. Blood withdrawn from the fistula has an altered conductivity related to the degree of recirculation. Quantitative values of the conductivity of the altered conductivity blood entering the fistula and the conductivity of the blood being withdrawn from the fistula are measured and a difference determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa, James M. Brugger
  • Patent number: 5510717
    Abstract: A differential conductivity recirculation monitor quantitatively determines the degree of recirculation in a fistula by comparing the conductivity of blood entering the fistula to the conductivity of blood being withdrawn from the fistula. A discrete quantity of a high conductivity marker fluid is injected into the blood entering the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood entering the fistula. The altered conductivity blood enters the fistula and, if recirculation is present, co-mingles with blood in the fistula, altering the conductivity of the blood ion the fistula in proportion to the degree of recirculation. Blood withdrawn from the fistula has an altered conductivity related to the degree of recirculation. Quantitative values of the conductivity of the altered conductivity blood entering the fistula and the conductivity of the blood being withdrawn from the fistula are measured and a difference determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Cobe Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Buffaloe, IV, Francis T. Ogawa, James M. Brugger
  • Patent number: 4825168
    Abstract: A liquid conductivity sensor which features simply and inexpensively driving the excitation transformer of a two-transformer/fluid-loop remote conductivity sensor with a square wave excitation signal provided by a digital timer and a flip-flop. Also disclosed is using an electrodeless conductivity sensor to sense conductivity of dialysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Cobe Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis T. Ogawa, George J. Eilers, Michael R. Manes, Donn D. Lobdell, Terry D. Boucher
  • Patent number: 4740755
    Abstract: A cell for remotely sensing conductivity of a fluid passing through it, the cell having an inlet and an outlet and two fluid paths between the two, thereby defining a fluid loop, an excitation transformer comprising a first toroidal core having a hole through it and wire turns around it, the core encompassing a portion of the fluid loop therein, and a sensing transformer comprising a second toroidal core having a hole through it and wire turns around it, the core encompassing a portion of the fluid loop, the cores being coplanar to thereby reduce leakage between the transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Cobe Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4333718
    Abstract: An external light integrating circuitry connectable over two-wires to a flash control circuitry, for causing automatic disabling of an internal light integrating circuitry connected within the control circuitry. The external integrating circuitry receives power over the two wires and transmits light integrating information back to flash termination circuitry within the control circuitry. Camera shutter contacts are connectable with the external integrating circuitry for transmitting a flash initiating signal via the two wires for initiating the photographic flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Rollei of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Adams, Jr., Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4333007
    Abstract: A system for determining the range to an object utilizing a plurality of radiation responsive detectors arranged in groupings wherein a first grouping of detectors receives radiation from the object in a first pattern and the second grouping of detectors receives radiation from the object in a second pattern. The patterns move with respect to one another as the distance between the object and the system changes. The range is determined from a determination of the relative position of the patterns by computing where the patterns will coincide if the focusing lens of the system is moved. The output is a signal having a characteristic indicative of the desired direction of motion of the lens and a characteristic indicative of the amount of such motion necessary to produce a proper focus condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Langlais, Francis T. Ogawa, Dennis J. Wilwerding
  • Patent number: 4249109
    Abstract: Circuitry for digitizing received light into a digital pulsating signal, including a photodiode operable in response to light intensity for passing current to a capacitor for developing a voltage level thereacross. A voltage comparator with a hysteresis responds to the magnitude of the capacitor voltage level for tripping the comparator's output between a HIGH and LOW state which directs capacitor discharge to cycle the comparator output in a pulsating manner.In a preferred embodiment, the circuitry is powered by a flash storage capacitor along a pair of conductors which serve both to power the circuitry and to receive pulsating current levels indicating voltage comparator switching. The current levels are sensed and counted for producing a binary count output of received light energy. In another embodiment, the conductors also serve to carry a trigger signal for directing flash initiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Rollei of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4196426
    Abstract: A self-monitoring ion chamber type combustion products detection apparatus operable to generate perceptibly different output signals indicative of, respectively: the apparatus is being tested; the condition of the apparatus is normal; an alarm condition is detected; an apparatus malfunction is detected; and, a low power supply voltage is detected. The impedance of the ion chamber of the apparatus varies as a function of the degree of combustion products in the atmosphere being monitored and this change in impedance produces a variation in the output voltage of the ion chamber which is used by the apparatus to produce an alarm signal. In generating different output signals, the apparatus employs test, alarm, fault and low power supply reference voltages. An oscillator circuit is selectively driven by one or more substantially constant current sources to produce output pulses having predetermined frequencies which are utilized in producing at least some of the perceptibly different output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
    Inventor: Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4163226
    Abstract: Alarm condition detecting apparatus in the form of a combustion products detection system for monitoring a zone to detect the occurrence of fire therein. The apparatus has a plurality of detecting units adapted to be interconnected as parallel loads with a control unit. Each detecting unit receives operating power which may be from the control unit and functions to monitor a selected portion of the zone, generating, as appropriate, condition signals indicative of condition normal, impending alarm, alarm or unit malfunction. The impending alarm and unit malfunction signals are preferably pulsed signals of distinctly different frequencies and a light emitting diode (LED) arrangement is included in the detecting units to generate visual ouputs corresponding to the impending alarm, alarm and unit malfunction signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1979
    Assignee: Statitrol Division Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4081795
    Abstract: An alarm condition detection apparatus and method is embodied in the form of a combustion products detector for detecting fire. The detector generates a difference voltage signal proportional to the degree of combustion products in the atmosphere being monitored. The difference signal is employed to generate an alarm signal to indicate when the condition reaches an alarm state. The detector is adjustable to control the level of a reference voltage which in turn controls the difference signal voltage change needed to cause generation of an alarm signal. Thereby, detector sensitivity is set. The detector includes circuitry operable to generate in response to the difference signal a series of perceptible pulses having a pulse rate proportional to the magnitude of the difference signal. Thereby, with the condition normal, the pulse rate provides a perceptible indication of detector sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Statitrol Corporation
    Inventor: Francis T. Ogawa
  • Patent number: RE29599
    Abstract: An automatic photographic camera, which features automatic focusing, automatic exposure control, automatic flash operation and automatic film advance and shutter cocking, includes an electronic control circuit. The electronic control circuit includes a binary logic circuit which is responsive to a number of parametric signals to effect a control of the timing and actuation of the several automatic functions of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Francis T. Ogawa