Patents by Inventor Keegan Hernandez

Keegan Hernandez 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: 12078539
    Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed which includes a flow chamber configured to propagate a sample in a flow stream, one or more optical sources configured to irradiate the sample in the flow stream, one or more detector systems each configured to receive resultant light from the sample and, in response, generate a photon signal, the one or more detector systems each including one or more photon sensors each adapted to generate an electronic pulse in response to receiving a photon and a circuit operating in the giga hertz supporting the one or more photon sensors thus configured to count each individual photon in the resultant light from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: MIFTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson
  • Patent number: 12050130
    Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed which includes a vessel configured to suspend molecules of interest therein, optical sources configured to excite the molecules of interest by an excitation light activated and deactivated in a stepwise fashion, during the activation, the sources activated according to a pulse train, the molecules of interest emitting emission light in response to being excited by the excitation light, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive emission light from the molecules of interest and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal corresponding to photoelectron response of an incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and a detector configured to determine successive single molecular decay of the molecules of interest, generate an emission pulse associated with each incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and count the number of emission pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Miftek Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson, John Jaiber González Murillo
  • Publication number: 20240133740
    Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed which includes a vessel configured to suspend molecules of interest therein, optical sources configured to excite the molecules of interest by an excitation light activated and deactivated in a stepwise fashion, during the activation, the sources activated according to a pulse train, the molecules of interest emitting emission light in response to being excited by the excitation light, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive emission light from the molecules of interest and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal corresponding to photoelectron response of an incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and a detector configured to determine successive single molecular decay of the molecules of interest, generate an emission pulse associated with each incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and count the number of emission pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: MIFTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson, John Jaiber González Murillo
  • Publication number: 20240035951
    Abstract: A system is described wherein a plurality of lasers are used to irradiate particles in a flow cytometer's flow stream. In certain embodiments, a light source having a plurality of lasers configured for irradiation of a flow stream are disclosed where discrete intervals of irradiation by one or more discretely activated lasers are triggered by irradiation of one or more particles in the flow stream with one or more continuously on lasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: MIFTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, J. Paul Robinson, Keegan Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20240027270
    Abstract: A measurement system is disclosed which includes a flow chamber configured to propagate a sample in a flow stream, one or more optical sources configured to irradiate the sample in the flow stream, one or more detector systems each configured to receive resultant light from the sample and, in response, generate a photon signal, the one or more detector systems each including one or more photon sensors each adapted to generate an electronic pulse in response to receiving a photon and a circuit operating in the giga hertz supporting the one or more photon sensors thus configured to count each individual photon in the resultant light from the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: MIFTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson
  • Patent number: 11874171
    Abstract: An optical underwater communication system is disclosed which includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver, each including one or more optical sources configured to provide light activated and deactivated according to a first bit stream, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive light from the other transceiver and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, a detector configured to i) convert the output voltage signal and the output current signal to pulses associated with arrival of photons, and ii) count the number of pulses based on a predetermined timing sequence, an encoder configured to encode a message to be sent into a first bit stream, and a decoder configured to decode a message received into a second bit stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Miftek Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson, John Jaiber González Murillo
  • Patent number: 11852537
    Abstract: A flow cytometry measurement system is disclosed which includes a flow chamber configured to flow particles of interest in a flow stream, one or more optical sources configured to excite the particles of interest by an excitation light activated and deactivated according to a pulse train thus causing particles of interest emitting emission light, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive emission light from the particles of interest and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal corresponding to photoelectron response of an incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and a detector configured to determine successive single molecular decay of the particles of interest, generate an emission pulse associated with each incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and count the number of emission pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Miftek Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson, John Jaiber González Murillo
  • Patent number: 11788945
    Abstract: A system is described wherein multiple lasers are used to irradiate particles in a flow cytometer's flow stream. In certain embodiments, a light source having a first laser configured for continuous irradiation of a flow stream and one or more second lasers configured for irradiation of the flow stream in discrete intervals where each discrete interval of irradiation by the second laser is triggered by irradiation of one or more particles in the flow stream with the first laser. Methods for modulating the laser irradiation and measuring light intensity are also described. Also described is the computations and systems required to operate the one or more second lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Miftek Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, J. Paul Robinson, Keegan Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11781912
    Abstract: A measurement system includes an optical source (e.g., laser) to irradiate a sample (e.g., a cell); a solid-state photon detector (SSPD) to receive resultant light from the sample; and a photon counter to count photons received by the SSPD. The photon counter can include a differentiator to provide a differentiated photon signal and a crossing detector configured to count photons based on a number of times the differentiated photon signal crosses a predetermined threshold level. In some examples, a pulse detector can provide a pulse-width signal from the SSPD output photon signal, and a pulse counter can count based on both a number of pulses and widths of the pulses. The SSPD can include a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array or a solid-state photomultiplier. Some examples use the measurement system to measure samples in fluids, e.g., in flow cytometers or multi-well plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: MIFTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson
  • Publication number: 20230251133
    Abstract: A flow cytometry measurement system is disclosed which includes a flow chamber configured to flow particles of interest in a flow stream, one or more optical sources configured to excite the particles of interest by an excitation light activated and deactivated according to a pulse train thus causing particles of interest emitting emission light, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive emission light from the particles of interest and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal corresponding to photoelectron response of an incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and a detector configured to determine successive single molecular decay of the particles of interest, generate an emission pulse associated with each incident photon on the one or more sensor packages, and count the number of emission pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: MIFTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson, John Jaiber González Murillo
  • Publication number: 20230251134
    Abstract: An optical underwater communication system is disclosed which includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver, each including one or more optical sources configured to provide light activated and deactivated according to a first bit stream, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive light from the other transceiver and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, a detector configured to i) convert the output voltage signal and the output current signal to pulses associated with arrival of photons, and ii) count the number of pulses based on a predetermined timing sequence, an encoder configured to encode a message to be sent into a first bit stream, and a decoder configured to decode a message received into a second bit stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: MIFTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson, John Jaiber González Murillo
  • Publication number: 20220146401
    Abstract: A system is described wherein multiple lasers are used to irradiate particles in a flow cytometer's flow stream. In certain embodiments, a light source having a first laser configured for continuous irradiation of a flow stream and one or more second lasers configured for irradiation of the flow stream in discrete intervals where each discrete interval of irradiation by the second laser is triggered by irradiation of one or more particles in the flow stream with the first laser. Methods for modulating the laser irradiation and measuring light intensity are also described. Also described is the computations and systems required to operate the one or more second lasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: CAPTL LLC
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, J. Paul Robinson, Keegan Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20220082440
    Abstract: A measurement system includes an optical source (e.g., laser) to irradiate a sample (e.g., a cell); a solid-state photon detector (SSPD) to receive resultant light from the sample; and a photon counter to count photons received by the SSPD. The photon counter can include a differentiator to provide a differentiated photon signal and a crossing detector configured to count photons based on a number of times the differentiated photon signal crosses a predetermined threshold level. In some examples, a pulse detector can provide a pulse-width signal from the SSPD output photon signal, and a pulse counter can count based on both a number of pulses and widths of the pulses. The SSPD can include a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array or a solid-state photomultiplier. Some examples use the measurement system to measure samples in fluids, e.g., in flow cytometers or multi-well plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: CAPTL LLC
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220057317
    Abstract: An example system can include a support and two or more sensor elements mounted to the support. Each sensor element can be electrically connected to a common electrical node and may include: a respective quench resistor connected to a respective internal node; and a respective photodiode (PD) connected to the respective internal node; a differentiating element fed by at least one of the photodiodes; a first readout electrode fed by the common electrical node; and a second readout electrode fed by the differentiating element. The common electrical node may be connected to at least one of the quench resistors or at least one of the photodiodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: CAPTL LLC
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, J. Paul Robinson, Keegan Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11255771
    Abstract: A photon-accounting system for use with a flow cytometry system is disclosed which includes a signal shaping sub-system, including a differentiator configured to generate a differentiated output of photodiode signals into corresponding zero-crossings each associated with one of the received photons, a comparator configured to receive the differentiated signal and compare to a threshold to thereby generate a comparator output digital signal associated with the crossing of the differentiated signal about the threshold, a front-end synchronization system adapted to receive and synchronize the comparator generated digital signal to a clock, thereby generate synchronized photon data with the clock and associated with the asynchronized photodiode signal, and a timestamping system adapted to receive the synchronized data as a bit stream and generate a timestamp associated with each photon data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CAPTL LLC
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, J. Paul Robinson, Keegan Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11187584
    Abstract: A measurement system includes an optical source (e.g., laser) to irradiate a sample (e.g., a cell); a solid-state photon detector (SSPD) to receive resultant light from the sample; and a photon counter to count photons received by the SSPD. The photon counter can include a differentiator to provide a differentiated photon signal and a crossing detector configured to count photons based on a number of times the differentiated photon signal crosses a predetermined threshold level. In some examples, a pulse detector can provide a pulse-width signal from the SSPD output photon signal, and a pulse counter can count based on both a number of pulses and widths of the pulses. The SSPD can include a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array or a solid-state photomultiplier. Some examples use the measurement system to measure samples in fluids, e.g., in flow cytometers or multi-well plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: CAPTL LLC
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210025757
    Abstract: A measurement system includes an optical source (e.g., laser) to irradiate a sample (e.g., a cell); a solid-state photon detector (SSPD) to receive resultant light from the sample; and a photon counter to count photons received by the SSPD. The photon counter can include a differentiator to provide a differentiated photon signal and a crossing detector configured to count photons based on a number of times the differentiated photon signal crosses a predetermined threshold level. In some examples, a pulse detector can provide a pulse-width signal from the SSPD output photon signal, and a pulse counter can count based on both a number of pulses and widths of the pulses. The SSPD can include a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array or a solid-state photomultiplier. Some examples use the measurement system to measure samples in fluids, e.g., in flow cytometers or multi-well plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: CAPTL LLC
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Keegan Hernandez, J. Paul Robinson
  • Publication number: 20200400547
    Abstract: A photon-accounting system for use with a flow cytometry system is disclosed which includes a signal shaping sub-system, including a differentiator configured to generate a differentiated output of photodiode signals into corresponding zero-crossings each associated with one of the received photons, a comparator configured to receive the differentiated signal and compare to a threshold to thereby generate a comparator output digital signal associated with the crossing of the differentiated signal about the threshold, a front-end synchronization system adapted to receive and synchronize the comparator generated digital signal to a clock, thereby generate synchronized photon data with the clock and associated with the asynchronized photodiode signal, and a timestamping system adapted to receive the synchronized data as a bit stream and generate a timestamp associated with each photon data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: CAPTL LLC
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, J. Paul Robinson, Keegan Hernandez