Patents by Inventor Gary W. Ferguson

Gary W. Ferguson 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: 7341669
    Abstract: The present invention is a filter apparatus with methods to capture a desired amount of material suspended in a liquid or gas for monolayer deposition, analysis or other uses. Novel filter devices are employed to capture material which may be used for the purification or enrichment of various sample constituents or captured material may be observed or analyzed. Alternatively, particulate material may be used as a transport mechanism for proteins or chemicals which in turn may be assessed or used. The filter device employs sensors to sense pressure and adjust, halt or otherwise control sample flow. The pressure sensor essentially monitors the flow rate of sample suspension through a filter, typically responding at a predetermined pressure associated with capture of a desired amount of material on the filter. A separate valve or valve integrated with pressure sensing provides a means to adjust sample flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: G6 Science Corp.
    Inventor: Gary W. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7274809
    Abstract: Computer programs, systems and the like related to processing, segmenting and feature normalizing digital images. The images are of cells and the methods are useful for the detection of malignancy-associated changes (MAC) in cells, which can be used for the detection of cancer. The programs and methods detect cancer in one tissue by detecting MAC in another tissue, such as associated tissues or non-associated tissues. Examples of associated tissues include nipple aspirates or ductal washings to detect breast cancer, and sputum or bronchial lavage to detect lung cancer. Examples of non-associated tissues include buccal mucosa to detect lung or breast cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Perceptronix Medical, Inc. and British Columbia Cancer Agency
    Inventors: Calum E. MacAulay, Alexei K. Doudkine, David M. Garner, Margareta Flezar, Mario Zganec, Jaka Lavrencak, Branko M. Palcic, Gary W. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6884341
    Abstract: A filter device is used to capture a desired amount of material suspended in a liquid or gas. The device includes a planar filter 530 mounted in a chamber defined by a body member having an upper body 510, a lower body 520, an inlet port 525, and an outlet port 515. The filter includes porous portions 540 and 545. Porous portion 545 is centrally arranged and is more restrictive to flow than portion 540. The filter is designed such that upon portion 540 capturing a desired amount of material, a predetermined pressure change exists across the filter. The predetermined pressure change causes the filter to deform and conform against an inner surface of the upper body resulting in all suspension flowing through the apparatus to flow through the more restrictive second portion 545.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: G6 Science Corp.
    Inventor: Gary W. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20040252290
    Abstract: The present invention is a device to measure wind velocity and/or direction. These measurements may be useful for various outdoor activities including hunting, golfing, sailing, fishing, photography, kite-flying, parachuting, fireworks displays or other activities that are influenced by wind conditions. In broader context, sensitive detection of pressure (force) is important in everything from aeronautics to the design of biological sensors. In general, the majority of existing devices to measure wind depend on wind's interaction with a relatively large mass, thus limiting sensitivity. Although various types of sensors including optical strain gauges with the desired sensitivity exist, they are too large, complex or expensive to be broadly exploited. The present invention provides a relatively simple, inexpensive and sensitive pressure sensor (optical strain gauge) for incorporation in a wind-measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Gary W. Ferguson, Gerald Philip Gillis, Branko Palcic
  • Publication number: 20040150267
    Abstract: A power supply with integrated DC supply for peripheral devices, comprises a power conditioner to convert AC electrical power to DC, and to regulate the DC power to produce a plurality of DC voltages, and receptacles for plugging in to receive said DC voltages. A step-down transformer and a receptacle for lowered-voltage AC power is described. Additionally, a universal cable is described, which carries a variety of DC or lowered voltage AC power and mates with the power supply; the cable can be daisy-chained to plug in several devices to the power supply to tap the variety of DC voltages and lowered-voltage AC power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Gary W. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20040042646
    Abstract: Computer programs, systems and the like related to processing, segmenting and feature normalizing digital images. The images are of cells and the methods are useful for the detection of malignancy-associated changes (MAC) in cells, which can be used for the detection of cancer. The programs and methods detect cancer in one tissue by detecting MAC in another tissue, such as associated tissues or non-associated tissues. Examples of associated tissues include nipple aspirates or ductal washings to detect breast cancer, and sputum or bronchial lavage to detect lung cancer. Examples of non-associated tissues include buccal mucosa to detect lung or breast cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Calum E. MacAulay, Alexei K. Doudkine, David M. Garner, Marija Us-Krasovec, Margareta Flezar, Mario Zganec, Jaka Lavrencak, Branko M. Palcic, Gary W. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20030156531
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disk data storage media including magnetic, magneto-optical and optical media such as CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-RAM, Mini-disks and other disk media. It provides for new disk media featuring a data storage surface on the edge of the disk. This novel edge track data surface may be marked, inscribed or recorded during manufacture or this new data surface may be created and utilized later. In addition, methods to manufacture, exploit and convert conventional disk media to that having an edge track data surface are taught herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: G6 Science Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5784193
    Abstract: A slide for depositing for observation material under a microscope comprising a mounting surface to receive material for observation and a removable layer on the mounting surface formed with at least one opening in the removable layer to define at least one exposed region on the mounting surface for retaining material to be observed when the removable layer is detached. The exposed region has definite boundaries and any material to be examined remaining on the slide is confined to the exposed region to facilitate examination of the slide by human visual identification or machine vision by making material easier to locate, by limiting material to regions appropriate for best observation (e.g. away from edges of the slide and coverglass), and by limiting the amount of material or area covered by material to permit quick and rigorous observation and analysis. A method for using slides according to the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Gary W. Ferguson