Patents by Inventor Mark H. Sprenkle

Mark H. Sprenkle 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).

  • Multi-point filtering liquid level detection methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 11815523
    Abstract: A method of detecting a level of a liquid in a well of a container. The method includes looking up an expected liquid level of the liquid in the well of a container; measuring and recording a measured liquid level of the liquid in the well; changing a level of the liquid in the well based upon an expected amount of the liquid to be added or removed; and calculating a next expected liquid level at least in part based on multi-point filtering. Apparatus for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Dunfee, Mark H. Sprenkle, Colin Ingersoll
  • MULTI-POINT FILTERING LIQUID LEVEL DETECTION METHODS AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20230273231
    Abstract: A method of detecting a level of a liquid in a well of a container. The method includes looking up an expected liquid level of the liquid in the well of a container; measuring and recording a measured liquid level of the liquid in the well; changing a level of the liquid in the well based upon an expected amount of the liquid to be added or removed; and calculating a next expected liquid level at least in part based on multi-point filtering. Apparatus for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Dunfee, Mark H. Sprenkle, Colin Ingersoll
  • Short aspiration detection in a clinical analyzer
    Patent number: 11519771
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for detecting aspiration in a clinical analyzer, including: acquiring, from a sensor, pressure measurement data; transforming the pressure measurement data into frequency domain data; generating a clean version of the frequency domain data by attenuating, using a filter, unwanted frequencies; comparing the cleaned version of the frequency domain data to one or more predetermined data points; and determining, based on the comparison, if an aspiration was properly performed. Other aspects are described and claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Dunfee, Stephen Krufka, Mark H. Sprenkle, Colin Ingersoll
  • SHORT ASPIRATION DETECTION IN A CLINICAL ANALYZER
    Publication number: 20190234787
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for detecting aspiration in a clinical analyzer, including: acquiring, from a sensor, pressure measurement data; transforming the pressure measurement data into frequency domain data; generating a clean version of the frequency domain data by attenuating, using a filter, unwanted frequencies; comparing the cleaned version of the frequency domain data to one or more predetermined data points; and determining, based on the comparison, if an aspiration was properly performed. Other aspects are described and claimed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: William D. DUNFEE, Stephen KRUFKA, Mark H. SPRENKLE, Colin INGRESOLL
  • Liquid transfer systems and methods of calibration thereof by performing air aspirations
    Patent number: 9874471
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods adapted to calibrate a liquid transfer system. The methods include providing a probe having a fluidly-coupled pressure sensor, the pressure sensor adapted to sense an aspiration pressure associated with the probe, performing one or more air aspirations and taking one or more pressure readings with the pressure sensor, and using one or more of the pressure readings to calibrate the pressure sensor. A novel liquid transfer system is also disclosed, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Jianfang Wang, Mark H. Sprenkle, Jingjing Zhang, John M. Shrewsbury
  • LIQUID TRANSFER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF CALIBRATION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20140373596
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods adapted to calibrate a liquid transfer system. The methods include providing a probe having a fluidly-coupled pressure sensor, the pressure sensor adapted to sense an aspiration pressure associated with the probe, performing one or more air aspirations and taking one or more pressure readings with the pressure sensor, and using one or more of the pressure readings to calibrate the pressure sensor. A novel liquid transfer system is also disclosed, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventors: Jianfang Wang, Mark H. Sprenkle, Jingjing Zhang, John M. Shrewsbury