Patents by Inventor Maxine A. McClain

Maxine A. McClain 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: 8694090
    Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of dental caries on the surface of a remaining tooth present underneath a crown are provided. Such an inventive concept involves the utilization of a proper electrically conductive pathway from the crown exterior to the tooth itself, allowing for impedance measurements to be undertaken to determine the degree of potential demineralization within the tooth and/or adhesive loss at the tooth/crown interface, all due to decay attributable to dental caries or like problems. A measuring electrode may be applied to a specific point on the target crown as well as on the adjacent gum, to measure impedance levels for any appreciable decreases which would indicate underlying tooth decay has been initiated. From that point, the dental professional may undertake proper therapeutic measures to treat such tooth locations in order to avoid far more expensive repairs, such as the implementation of bridges or implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Maxine McClain, John Bruce McClain
  • Patent number: 8326413
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the detection of dental caries on the surface of a remaining tooth present underneath a crown are provided. Such an inventive concept involves the utilization of a proper electrically conductive pathway from the crown exterior to the tooth itself, allowing for impedance measurements to be undertaken to determine the degree of potential demineralization within the tooth and/or adhesive loss at the tooth/crown interface, all due to decay attributable to dental caries or like problems. In such a manner, a measuring electrode may be applied to a specific point on the target crown as well as on the adjacent gum, to measure impedance levels for any appreciable decreases which would indicate underlying tooth decay exists. The dental professional may then undertake proper therapeutic measures to treat such tooth locations in order to avoid far more expensive repairs, such as the implementation of bridges or implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Maxine McClain, J. Bruce McClain
  • Patent number: 7419575
    Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods are disclosed which are adapted to transport and lyse cellular components of a test sample for analysis. The disclosed microfluidic systems and methods, which employ an electric field to rupture the cell membrane, cause unusually rapid lysis, thereby minimizing continued cellular activity and resulting in greater accuracy of analysis of cell processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Culbertson, Stephen C. Jacobson, Maxine A. McClain, J. Michael Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20040224397
    Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods are disclosed which are adapted to transport and lyse cellular components of a test sample for analysis. The disclosed microfluidic systems and methods, which employ an electric field to rupture the cell membrane, cause unusually rapid lysis, thereby minimizing continued cellular activity and resulting in greater accuracy of analysis of cell processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher T. Culbertson, Stephen C. Jacobson, Maxine A. McClain, J. Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 6783647
    Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods are disclosed which are adapted to transport and lyse cellular components of a test sample for analysis. The disclosed microfluidic systems and methods, which employ an electric field to rupture the cell membrane, cause unusually rapid lysis, thereby minimizing continued cellular activity and resulting in greater accuracy of analysis of cell processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Culbertson, Stephen C. Jacobson, Maxine A. McClain, J. Michael Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20030075446
    Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods are disclosed which are adapted to transport and lyse cellular components of a test sample for analysis. The disclosed microfluidic systems and methods, which employ an electric field to rupture the cell membrane, cause unusually rapid lysis, thereby minimizing continued cellular activity and resulting in greater accuracy of analysis of cell processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher T. Culbertson, Stephen C. Jacobson, Maxine A. McClain, J. Michael Ramsey