Patents by Inventor Garland Christian Misener
Garland Christian Misener 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: 11879828Abstract: A flow cytometer of a blood analyzer including a transverse-electric (TE) laser diode, a flow cell, a quarter wave plate (QWP), a plurality of lenses, and a side scatter detector. The TE laser diode is configured to output a laser beam along an optical axis and has a fast axis full width at half maximum (FWHM) divergence of from about 16 degrees to about 25 degrees. The QWP is disposed along the optical axis between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to circularly polarize the laser beam. The plurality of lenses is disposed between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to focus the laser beam at the flow cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: IDEXX LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain
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Publication number: 20230305262Abstract: A flow cytometer, laser optics assembly thereof, and methods of assembling the same are provided. The flow cytometer is capable of yielding consistent and accurate results despite exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as, for example, temperature changes within a relatively wide temperature range and/or a relatively large amount of random-axis mechanical vibration. The flow cytometer of the present disclosure is additionally or alternatively relatively insensitive to real or apparent core stream shifts, employs a slowly converging beam along the axis perpendicular to core stream flow, and provides the ability to precisely measure time-of-flight.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain, Alan Papale
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Patent number: 11666909Abstract: A hematology test slide has the same or similar dimensions as a chemical reagent test slide and an immunoassay test slide so that it may be used with these other slides on a single clinical instrument. The hematology slide includes, in order from top to bottom, a slide housing having a top housing member, a top cover slip, a U-shaped, transfer tape spacer, a bottom cover slip, a base gasket and a base plate. The U-shaped spacer has a curved end portion which defines a sample deposit area, where a blood sample is pipetted thereon, and a pair of straight, parallel, spaced apart legs extending from the curved end portion. The legs define a read area. A blood sample deposited on the hematology slide at the sample deposit area will flow by capillary action to the read area, where optical measurements are made on the sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Richard Ellis Holt, Keith Nassif
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Patent number: 11662542Abstract: A flow cytometer, laser optics assembly thereof, and methods of assembling the same are provided. The flow cytometer is capable of yielding consistent and accurate results despite exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as, for example, temperature changes within a relatively wide temperature range and/or a relatively large amount of random-axis mechanical vibration. The flow cytometer of the present disclosure is additionally or alternatively relatively insensitive to real or apparent core stream shifts, employs a slowly converging beam along the axis perpendicular to core stream flow, and provides the ability to precisely measure time-of-flight.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain, Alan Papale
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Publication number: 20230124317Abstract: A flow cytometer of a blood analyzer including a transverse-electric (TE) laser diode, a flow cell, a quarter wave plate (QWP), a plurality of lenses, and a side scatter detector. The TE laser diode is configured to output a laser beam along an optical axis and has a fast axis full width at half maximum (FWHM) divergence of from about 16 degrees to about 25 degrees. The QWP is disposed along the optical axis between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to circularly polarize the laser beam. The plurality of lenses is disposed between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to focus the laser beam at the flow cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain
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Patent number: 11543342Abstract: A flow cytometer of a blood analyzer including a transverse-electric (TE) laser diode, a flow cell, a quarter wave plate (QWP), a plurality of lenses, and a side scatter detector. The TE laser diode is configured to output a laser beam along an optical axis and has a fast axis full width at half maximum (FWHM) divergence of from about 16 degrees to about 25 degrees. The QWP is disposed along the optical axis between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to circularly polarize the laser beam. The plurality of lenses is disposed between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to focus the laser beam at the flow cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain
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Publication number: 20220390731Abstract: An optical imaging system includes a light source, a light detector and an aperture plate. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting devices which emit light that is directed toward an object to be illuminated. The light detector is positioned to view the object illuminated by the light source. The aperture plate is positioned relative to the light source to block a first portion of the light emitted by the light source and to allow a second portion of the light emitted by the light source to pass therethrough to illuminate a pre-defined area of the object. The aperture plate includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures formed through the thickness thereof. Each aperture corresponds to a respective light emitting device. Each aperture of the aperture plate is defined by a first opening formed in the thickness of the aperture plate and a second opening formed in the thickness of the aperture plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventor: Garland Christian Misener
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Publication number: 20220390358Abstract: A method for calibrating sensitivity of a photometer includes measuring, by a double-beam spectrophotometer, an absorbance spectrum of a control solution, which has been diluted and includes a control substance. The method further includes linearly regressing the absorbance spectrum of the control solution over a predetermined range of wavelengths and determining whether a first slope of the linearly regressed absorbance spectrum of the control solution falls within a range of slopes of lines obtained from linearly regressing absorbance spectra of a plurality of reference solutions over the predetermined range of wavelengths. A concentration of chromophore in each reference solution is known and the absorbance spectra of the plurality of reference solutions have been obtained by the double-beam spectrophotometer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Bailey R. Auspland
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Publication number: 20210402400Abstract: A hematology test slide has the same or similar dimensions as a chemical reagent test slide and an immunoassay test slide so that it may be used with these other slides on a single clinical instrument. The hematology slide includes, in order from top to bottom, a slide housing having a top housing member, a top cover slip, a U-shaped, transfer tape spacer, a bottom cover slip, a base gasket and a base plate. The U-shaped spacer has a curved end portion which defines a sample deposit area, where a blood sample is pipetted thereon, and a pair of straight, parallel, spaced apart legs extending from the curved end portion. The legs define a read area. A blood sample deposited on the hematology slide at the sample deposit area will flow by capillary action to the read area, where optical measurements are made on the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Richard Ellis Holt, Keith Nassif
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Publication number: 20210396646Abstract: A flow cytometer of a blood analyzer including a transverse-electric (TE) laser diode, a flow cell, a quarter wave plate (QWP), a plurality of lenses, and a side scatter detector. The TE laser diode is configured to output a laser beam along an optical axis and has a fast axis full width at half maximum (FWHM) divergence of from about 16 degrees to about 25 degrees. The QWP is disposed along the optical axis between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to circularly polarize the laser beam. The plurality of lenses is disposed between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to focus the laser beam at the flow cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain
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Patent number: 11141725Abstract: A hematology test slide has the same or similar dimensions as a chemical reagent test slide and an immunoassay test slide so that it may be used with these other slides on a single clinical instrument. The hematology slide includes, in order from top to bottom, a slide housing having a top housing member, a top cover slip, a U-shaped, transfer tape spacer, a bottom cover slip, a base gasket and a base plate. The U-shaped spacer has a curved end portion which defines a sample deposit area, where a blood sample is pipetted thereon, and a pair of straight, parallel, spaced apart legs extending from the curved end portion. The legs define a read area. A blood sample deposited on the hematology slide at the sample deposit area will flow by capillary action to the read area, where optical measurements are made on the sample.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Richard Ellis Holt, Keith Nassif
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Publication number: 20210132322Abstract: A flow cytometer, laser optics assembly thereof, and methods of assembling the same are provided. The flow cytometer is capable of yielding consistent and accurate results despite exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as, for example, temperature changes within a relatively wide temperature range and/or a relatively large amount of random-axis mechanical vibration. The flow cytometer of the present disclosure is additionally or alternatively relatively insensitive to real or apparent core stream shifts, employs a slowly converging beam along the axis perpendicular to core stream flow, and provides the ability to precisely measure time-of-flight.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain, Alan Papale
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Patent number: 10914913Abstract: A flow cytometer, laser optics assembly thereof, and methods of assembling the same are provided. The flow cytometer is capable of yielding consistent and accurate results despite exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as, for example, temperature changes within a relatively wide temperature range and/or a relatively large amount of random-axis mechanical vibration. The flow cytometer of the present disclosure is additionally or alternatively relatively insensitive to real or apparent core stream shifts, employs a slowly converging beam along the axis perpendicular to core stream flow, and provides the ability to precisely measure time-of-flight.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain, Alan Papale
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Publication number: 20190302391Abstract: A flow cytometer, laser optics assembly thereof, and methods of assembling the same are provided. The flow cytometer is capable of yielding consistent and accurate results despite exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as, for example, temperature changes within a relatively wide temperature range and/or a relatively large amount of random-axis mechanical vibration. The flow cytometer of the present disclosure is additionally or alternatively relatively insensitive to real or apparent core stream shifts, employs a slowly converging beam along the axis perpendicular to core stream flow, and provides the ability to precisely measure time-of-flight.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Michael Ryan Moon, Spencer Franklin McElwain, Alan Papale
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Publication number: 20180304257Abstract: A hematology test slide has the same or similar dimensions as a chemical reagent test slide and an immunoassay test slide so that it may be used with these other slides on a single clinical instrument. The hematology slide includes, in order from top to bottom, a slide housing having a top housing member, a top cover slip, a U-shaped, transfer tape spacer, a bottom cover slip, a base gasket and a base plate. The U-shaped spacer has a curved end portion which defines a sample deposit area, where a blood sample is pipetted thereon, and a pair of straight, parallel, spaced apart legs extending from the curved end portion. The legs define a read area. A blood sample deposited on the hematology slide at the sample deposit area will flow by capillary action to the read area, where optical measurements are made on the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Garland Christian Misener, Richard Ellis Holt, Keith Nassif
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Patent number: 9797916Abstract: A medical apparatus for analyzing fluid samples includes an outer casing, a slide loading mechanism disposed within the outer casing for loading fluid analysis slides, a slide ejecting mechanism disposed within the outer casing for ejecting fluid analysis slides, an evaporation cap opening mechanism disposed within the outer casing for opening an evaporation cap, an evaporation cap closing mechanism disposed within the outer casing for closing an evaporation cap, a drawer locking mechanism disposed within the outer casing for locking a drawer associated with the outer casing, a camera disposed within the outer casing, and a robot disposed within the outer casing. The robot is movable in three dimensions and has means for conducting three or more of the following operations: slide loading; slide ejecting; evaporation cap opening; evaporation cap closing; drawer locking; and camera manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: David Lance Connolly, Mark Raymond Dumont, Justin Jay Griffin, John Harvey McGibbon, Garland Christian Misener, Jeffrey Eric Phelps, Carl Russell Rich, Kenneth Eugene Smith, Dragan Vidacic
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Patent number: 9453796Abstract: A method of deriving correction for instrument-to-instrument variations in the illumination band centroid wavelengths and wavelength band shapes of the optical systems of clinical chemistry instruments includes the steps of determining the centroid wavelength and wavelength band shape of a light source used in the optical system of a clinical chemistry instrument to provide a determined wavelength band shape and centroid wavelength, comparing the determined wavelength band shape and centroid wavelength with a known reflection density or absorbance wavelength spectrum of a specific type of chemical reagent test to provide a correction value, and calculating the correction value, which is to be used to modify a reflection density or absorbance measurement taken by the instrument of a reagent test of the a specific type of chemical reagent test.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Garland Christian Misener
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Patent number: 9116129Abstract: A chemical analyzer includes a slide transport mechanism having a slide track adapted to hold a plurality of reagent test slides, a sample metering device, an incubator formed as a part of the slide transport mechanism to precisely maintain the temperature of the reagent test slides, a slide ejector mechanism to remove the slides from the slide transport mechanism, a sample preparation station, which includes a centrifuge, and associated electronics and software. The slide transport mechanism holds a plurality of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides about its circumference, which slides are loaded onto the transport mechanism by the slide inserter mechanism. The slide transport mechanism positions the reagent test slides under the sample metering device, which device deposits a predetermined volume of sample onto each slide. The slide transport mechanism also carries the slides above a reflectometer.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Carl Russell Rich, Garland Christian Misener, Mark R. Dumont, Justin Jay Griffin, Jonathan William Lawrence, Mark Christopher Garrepy, Stephan Hersey, Stanislaw Barski, Mark Weston Pierson, Alyssa J. Dassa
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Publication number: 20150226759Abstract: A medical apparatus for analyzing fluid samples includes an outer casing, a slide loading mechanism disposed within the outer casing for loading fluid analysis slides, a slide ejecting mechanism disposed within the outer casing for ejecting fluid analysis slides, an evaporation cap opening mechanism disposed within the outer casing for opening an evaporation cap, an evaporation cap closing mechanism disposed within the outer casing for closing an evaporation cap, a drawer locking mechanism disposed within the outer casing for locking a drawer associated with the outer casing, a camera disposed within the outer casing, and a robot disposed within the outer casing. The robot is movable in three dimensions and has means for conducting three or more of the following operations: slide loading; slide ejecting; evaporation cap opening; evaporation cap closing; drawer locking; and camera manipulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: David Lance Connolly, Mark Raymond Dumont, Justin Jay Griffin, John Harvey McGibbon, Garland Christian Misener, Jeffrey Eric Phelps, Carl Russell Rich, Kenneth Eugene Smith, Dragan Vidacic
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Publication number: 20150112630Abstract: A method of deriving correction for instrument-to-instrument variations in the illumination band centroid wavelengths and wavelength band shapes of the optical systems of clinical chemistry instruments includes the steps of determining the centroid wavelength and wavelength band shape of a light source used in the optical system of a clinical chemistry instrument to provide a determined wavelength band shape and centroid wavelength, comparing the determined wavelength band shape and centroid wavelength with a known reflection density or absorbance wavelength spectrum of a specific type of chemical reagent test to provide a correction value, and calculating the correction value, which is to be used to modify a reflection density or absorbance measurement taken by the instrument of a reagent test of the a specific type of chemical reagent test.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.Inventor: Garland Christian Misener