Patents by Inventor Kirk Schroeder
Kirk Schroeder 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: 11790527Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically imaging and analyzing cell samples in an incubator. An actuated microscope operates to generate images of samples within wells of a sample container across days, weeks, or months. A plurality of images is generated for each scan of a particular well, and the images within such a scan are used to image and analysis metabolically active cells in the well. Tins analysis includes generating a “range image” by subtracting the minimum intensity value, across the scan, for each pixel from the maximum intensity value. This range image thus emphasizes cells or portions of cells that exhibit changes in activity over a scan period (e.g., neurons, myocytes, cardiomyocytes) while de-emphasizing regions that exhibit consistently high intensities when images (e.g., regions exhibiting a great deal of autofluorescence unrelated to cell activity).Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Sartorius BioAnalytical Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Appledorn, Eric Endsley, Nevine Holtz, Brad Neagle, David Rock, Kirk Schroeder
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Publication number: 20230005143Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically imaging and analyzing cell samples in an incubator. An actuated microscope operates to generate images of samples within wells of a sample container across days, weeks, or months. A plurality of images is generated for each scan of a particular well, and the images within such a scan are used to image and analysis metabolically active cells in the well. Tins analysis includes generating a “range image” by subtracting the minimum intensity value, across the scan, for each pixel from the maximum intensity value. This range image thus emphasizes cells or portions of cells that exhibit changes in activity over a scan period (e.g., neurons, myocytes, cardiomyocytes) while de-emphasizing regions that exhibit consistently high intensities when images (e.g., regions exhibiting a great deal of autofluorescence unrelated to cell activity).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Daniel APPLEDORN, Eric ENDSLEY, Nevine HOLTZ, Brad NEAGLE, David ROCK, Kirk SCHROEDER
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Patent number: 11481895Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically imaging and analyzing cell samples in an incubator. An actuated microscope operates to generate images of samples within wells of a sample container across days, weeks, or months. A plurality of images is generated for each scan of a particular well, and the images within such a scan are used to image and analysis metabolically active cells in the well. Tins analysis includes generating a “range image” by subtracting the minimum intensity value, across the scan, for each pixel from the maximum intensity value. This range image thus emphasizes cells or portions of cells that exhibit changes in activity over a scan period (e.g., neurons, myocytes, cardiomyocytes) while de-emphasizing regions that exhibit consistently high intensities when images (e.g., regions exhibiting a great deal of autofluorescence unrelated to cell activity).Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Sartorius BioAnalytical Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Appledorn, Eric Endsley, Nevine Holtz, Brad Neagle, David Rock, Kirk Schroeder
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Publication number: 20210065362Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically imaging and analyzing cell samples in an incubator. An actuated microscope operates to generate images of samples within wells of a sample container across days, weeks, or months. A plurality of images is generated for each scan of a particular well, and the images within such a scan are used to image and analysis metabolically active cells in the well. Tins analysis includes generating a “range image” by subtracting the minimum intensity value, across the scan, for each pixel from the maximum intensity value. This range image thus emphasizes cells or portions of cells that exhibit changes in activity over a scan period (e.g., neurons, myocytes, cardiomyocytes) while de-emphasizing regions that exhibit consistently high intensities when images (e.g., regions exhibiting a great deal of autofluorescence unrelated to cell activity).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Daniel APPLEDORN, Eric ENDSLEY, Nevine HOLTZ, Brad NEAGLE, David ROCK, Kirk SCHROEDER
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Publication number: 20200400670Abstract: Disclosed herein are ATP biosensor fusion proteins and their use for assaying ATP levels in cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Daniel APPLEDORN, Cicely SCHRAMM, Grigory FILONOV, Kirk SCHROEDER
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Publication number: 20140134666Abstract: Apparatus and methods to improve the Boyden chamber used in cellular biological measurements, allowing quantitative optical microscopy of biological cells in situ without using fluorescent probes or optical staining. A thin, porous membrane separating top and bottom reservoirs includes an array of precisely positioned micropores pores manufactured using a laser-based photo-machining (ablation) process. The membrane may be composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, polyimide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polystyrene, or other appropriate material. The pores formed in the membrane may have diameters in the range of 1 to 15 microns and spaced apart at a distance ranging from 10 to 500 microns. A plurality of upper and lower reservoirs may be provided to form a multi-well plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: ESSEN BIOSCIENCE, INC.Inventors: Kirk Schroeder, Bradley D. Neagle
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Publication number: 20140127744Abstract: Apparatus and methods to improve the Boyden chamber used in cellular biological measurements, allowing quantitative optical microscopy of biological cells in situ without using fluorescent probes or optical staining. In the preferred embodiment, a thin porous membrane separating top and bottom reservoirs includes an array of precisely positioned micropores pores manufactured using a laser-based photo-machining (ablation) process. The membrane may be composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, polyimide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other appropriate material. The pores formed in the membrane may have diameters in the range of 1 to 15 microns and spaced apart at a distance ranging from 10 to 200 microns. A plurality of upper and lower reservoirs may be provided to form a multi-well plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: ESSEN INSTRUMENTS, INC.Inventors: Kirk Schroeder, Bradley D. Neagle
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Publication number: 20110101794Abstract: A portable power supply device comprises a stackable battery housing locating a plurality of batteries therein and an inverter housing locating an inverter therein which is arranged to convert the direct current from the batteries to an alternating current. The inverter housing is readily separable from the battery housing such that one or more battery housings can be readily interchangeable to provide a constant supply of power and to allow a variety of charging configurations of the batteries. First electrical connectors on the battery housing and second electrical connectors on the inverter housing automatically connect the inverter to the batteries upon stacking of the inverter housing on the battery housing. Furthermore charging terminals are mounted externally on the inverter housing for ready access to connect to a charging device in a convenient manner without requiring the housings to be opened or separated form one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Kirk Schroeder, Dion Friesen
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Publication number: 20050051723Abstract: Examination systems, including methods and apparatus, for automated assay of biological samples, such as live cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Bradley Neagle, Kirk Schroeder, John Seldin, Thomas Griffin, Alan Riggs
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Patent number: 5355215Abstract: Measurement of the fluorescence of a layer of cells, disposed in a well, with supernatant liquid thereabove, is greatly enhanced in sensitivity by illuminating the cell layer with a beam of light incident thereupon at a first angle and detecting fluorescence emitted by the cells with a detector which views the illuminated cells at a second angle, wherein at least one of the first or second angles is oblique to the cell layer. By so controlling the geometry of the system, the contribution to background fluorescence by the supernatant liquid is greatly minimized. Sensitivity of the technique is further enhanced by restricting the portion of the illuminated cell layer which is viewed by the detector. The technique may be applied to an apparatus for rapidly scanning the fluorescence of a plurality of samples in a multiple well plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1992Date of Patent: October 11, 1994Assignee: Environmental Research Institute of MichiganInventors: Kirk Schroeder, Brad Neagle