Patents by Inventor Richard H. Bruce

Richard H. Bruce 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: 9307938
    Abstract: An implantable product such as an article, device, or system can include analyte and non-analyte containers in parts that can be operated as optical cavities. The product can also include fluidic components such as filter assemblies that control transfer of objects that affect or shift spectrum features or characteristics such as by shifting transmission mode peaks or reflection mode valleys, shifting phase, reducing maxima or contrast, or increasing intermediate intensity width such as full width half maximum (FWHM). Analyte, e.g. glucose molecules, can be predominantly included in a set of objects that transfer more rapidly into the analyte container than other objects, and can have a negligible or zero rate of transfer into the non-analyte container; objects that transfer more rapidly into the non-analyte container can include objects smaller than the analyte or molecules of a set of selected types, including, e.g., sodium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Jeffrey Roe, Peter Kiesel, Michael Bassler, Alan Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Noble M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9161714
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting concentration of an analyte in a fluid. A first container includes (i) an optical cavity detection region, (ii) a reservoir for one or more modifiers of one or more optical properties of the optical cavity detection region, and (iii) a set of one or more bounding regions through which objects in the fluid can transfer into the container. The optical cavity detection region and the reservoir define separate areas of the first container. The movement of the one or more modifiers between the reservoir and the optical cavity detection region is responsive to changes in concentration of the analyte. A second container includes an optical cavity detection region, and a set of one or more bounding regions through which objects in the fluid can transfer into the container. Also provided are optical components for guiding light into the optical cavity detection regions of the first and second containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Richard H. Bruce, Francisco E. Torres, Peter Kiesel, Michael I. Recht, Jeffrey N. Roe
  • Patent number: 8723140
    Abstract: An analyzer includes a flow cell having a flow channel through which a sample passes. A light source excites at least a first particle type in the sample in one or more excitation region(s), and a detector detects light emitted by the excited particle. A spatial filter defines detection regions, wherein light emitted by the particle is transmitted to the detector, and interspersed shielded regions, wherein such light is at least partially blocked from reaching the detector. The light emitted by the excited particle has a response time ?1, and the sample may also contain a component that is excited by the light source and that has a response time ?2<?1. The excitation region(s) and the detection regions are arranged to provide a time delay between excitation and detection, the time delay tailored to isolate light emitted by the first particle from light emitted by the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Kiesel, Richard H. Bruce, Michael Bassler
  • Publication number: 20130037728
    Abstract: An analyzer includes a flow cell having a flow channel through which a sample passes. A light source excites at least a first particle type in the sample in one or more excitation region(s), and a detector detects light emitted by the excited particle. A spatial filter defines detection regions, wherein light emitted by the particle is transmitted to the detector, and interspersed shielded regions, wherein such light is at least partially blocked from reaching the detector. The light emitted by the excited particle has a response time ?1, and the sample may also contain a component that is excited by the light source and that has a response time ?2<?1. The excitation region(s) and the detection regions are arranged to provide a time delay between excitation and detection, the time delay tailored to isolate light emitted by the first particle from light emitted by the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Peter Kiesel, Richard H. Bruce, Michael Bassler
  • Patent number: 8320983
    Abstract: An implantable product such as an article, device, or system can include analyte and non-analyte containers in parts that can be operated as optical cavities. The product can also include fluidic components such as filter assemblies that control transfer of objects that affect or shift spectrum features or characteristics such as by shifting transmission mode peaks or reflection mode valleys, shifting phase, reducing maxima or contrast, or increasing intermediate intensity width such as full width half maximum (FWHM). Analyte, e.g. glucose molecules, can be predominantly included in a set of objects that transfer more rapidly into the analyte container than other objects, and can have a negligible or zero rate of transfer into the non-analyte container; objects that transfer more rapidly into the non-analyte container can include objects smaller than the analyte or molecules of a set of selected types, including, e.g., sodium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Jeffrey Roe, Peter Kiesel, Michael Bassler, Alan Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Noble M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8293213
    Abstract: A method and system for affecting a thrombus after ischemic stroke. The method may include injecting a plurality of magnetic particles into a bloodstream and moving or distorting a thrombus formed or lodged in the bloodstream using a magnetic force to manipulate the magnetic particles. The method may include conjugating ferromagnetic particles, paramagnetic particles, or superparamagnetic particles to a thrombus-specific attachment agent such as an anti-fibrin antibody, and injecting the conjugated particles into the bloodstream. Thereafter, the thrombus may be agitated, broken apart, or dissolved using a magnetic field to exert a magnetic force on the conjugated particles. The method may also include injecting a thrombolytic agent into the bloodstream to interact with and further dissolve the thrombus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: David Eric Schwartz, Scott A. Elrod, Richard H. Bruce, Daniel L. Larner
  • Patent number: 8040526
    Abstract: An implantable product includes an optical cavity structure with first and second parts, each of which can operate as an optical cavity. The first part includes a container with at least one opening through which bodily fluid can transfer between the container's interior and exterior when the product is implanted in a body. The second part includes a container that is closed and contains a reference fluid. The implantable product can also include one or both of a light source component and a photosensing component. Photosensed quantities from the first part's output light can be adjusted based on photosensed quantities from the second part's output light. Both parts can have their light interface surfaces aligned so that they both receive input light from a light source component and both provide output light to a photosensing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Kiesel, Oliver Schmidt, Michael Bassler, Richard H. Bruce, Noble M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110245581
    Abstract: A method and system for affecting a thrombus after ischemic stroke. The method may include injecting a plurality of magnetic particles into a bloodstream and moving or distorting a thrombus formed or lodged in the bloodstream using a magnetic force to manipulate the magnetic particles. The method may include conjugating ferromagnetic particles, paramagnetic particles, or superparamagnetic particles to a thrombus-specific attachment agent such as an anti-fibrin antibody, and injecting the conjugated particles into the bloodstream. Thereafter, the thrombus may be agitated, broken apart, or dissolved using a magnetic field to exert a magnetic force on the conjugated particles. The method may also include injecting a thrombolytic agent into the bloodstream to interact with and further dissolve the thrombus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Eric Schwartz, Scott A. Elrod, Richard H. Bruce, Daniel L. Larner
  • Patent number: 7961326
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting concentration of an analyte in a fluid. The method comprises detecting an optical property of a first region of two or more regions in a system, the first region located in a container having a reservoir for one or more modifiers of one or more optical properties of the first region. The movement of the one or more modifiers is responsive to changes in concentration of the analyte. A next step detects an optical property of a second region of the two or more regions in the system, the second region located in a container having a reservoir for one or more modifiers of one or more optical properties of the second region. The movement of the one or more modifiers is responsive to changes in concentration of a compound, where the compound is something other than the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Joerg Martini, Richard H. Bruce, Francisco E. Torres, Peter Kiesel, Michael I. Recht, Jeffrey N. Roe
  • Patent number: 7949560
    Abstract: A system and method for providing print advertisements is presented. A target audience is assembled from characteristics about readers. Advertising content is targeted to the target audience. The characteristics of the target audience are analyzed against the advertising content to identify potential advertisers. At least one of the potential advertisers is selected. At least one print advertisement for the selected advertiser is included on the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Peeters, Richard H. Bruce, Ana Arias, Bo Begole, Ross Bringans, Celia Chow, Lawrence Lee, Lisa Fahey, Linda Jacobson, Marc Mosko, Susan (Susie) Mulhern, Nitin Parekh, David Weinerth
  • Publication number: 20110082353
    Abstract: An implantable product includes an optical cavity structure with first and second parts, each of which can operate as an optical cavity. The first part includes a container with at least one opening through which bodily fluid can transfer between the container's interior and exterior when the product is implanted in a body. The second part includes a container that is closed and contains a reference fluid. The implantable product can also include one or both of a light source component and a photosensing component. Photosensed quantities from the first part's output light can be adjusted based on photosensed quantities from the second part's output light. Both parts can have their light interface surfaces aligned so that they both receive input light from a light source component and both provide output light to a photosensing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Kiesel, Oliver Schmidt, Michael Bassler, Richard H. Bruce, Noble M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7914735
    Abstract: A detection system includes a detection device and an anti-evaporation device. The detection device comprises a region configured to merge at least two small drops and to detect a potential transient signal generated by the merger of the drops. The an anti-evaporation is configured to enclose the region and limit evaporation from the region. A method for detecting a signal includes the following steps: depositing drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions on a detection device within a drop-merging region; placing an anti-evaporation device over the drop-merging region to form a seal around the drop-merging region; merging the drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions; and measuring a signal occurring within the merged solution drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Francisco E. Torres, Michael Chabinyc, Scott Elrod, Eric Peeters, Gregory B. Anderson, Alan G. Bell, Richard H. Bruce
  • Patent number: 7852490
    Abstract: An implantable product includes an optical cavity structure with first and second parts, each of which can operate as an optical cavity. The first part includes a container with at least one opening through which bodily fluid can transfer between the container's interior and exterior when the product is implanted in a body. The second part includes a container that is closed and contains a reference fluid. The implantable product can also include one or both of a light source component and a photosensing component. Photosensed quantities from the first part's output light can be adjusted based on photosensed quantities from the second part's output light. Both parts can have their light interface surfaces aligned so that they both receive input light from a light source component and both provide output light to a photosensing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Kiesel, Oliver Schmidt, Michael Bassler, Richard H. Bruce, Noble M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7842465
    Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a sample containing potential cells of interest and of using a laser of a laser based system for novel excitation and emission collection, and data usage including use of obtained data for direct and ratio based measurements. The prepared sample is configured to emit signals having spectral characteristics sufficient to permit filtering to differentiate and eliminate most false positives from true positives among acquired imaging events, in an imaging system employing a laser spot having a range of diameters from 1 to 20 ?m or greater and which excites the fluorescence in a conventional or novel manner. These filtered events may be subsequently imaged and confirmed with another higher resolution device such as a fluorescent microscope in a short amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Huangpin Ben Hsieh, Nicole H. Lazarus, Robert T. Krivacic, Douglas N. Curry, Richard H. Bruce
  • Patent number: 7833800
    Abstract: Thermal sensing devices can include two subsets of thermal sensors connected in a bridge by circuitry on the same support layer or surface with the sensors. Each thermal sensor can be formed in a patterned layer of semiconductor material, and the bridge circuitry can include leads formed in a patterned layer of conductive material, over or under the semiconductor layer. In one implementation, the bridge circuitry includes conductive portions that extend across and electrically contact the lower surface of each sensor's semiconductor slab. The bridge circuitry can also include pads that can be electrically contacted, such as by pogo pins. The device's reaction surface can be spaced apart from or over the thermal sensors. The device's components can be shaped and positioned so that the bridge's offset voltage is below the sensitivity level required for an application, such as by left-right symmetry about an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Eric Peeters, Michal V. Wolkin, Dirk De Bruyker
  • Publication number: 20100233147
    Abstract: A method and system for affecting a thrombus after ischemic stroke. The method may include injecting a plurality of magnetic particles into a bloodstream and moving or distorting a thrombus formed or lodged in the bloodstream using a magnetic force to manipulate the magnetic particles. The method may include conjugating ferromagnetic particles, paramagnetic particles, or superparamagnetic particles to a thrombus-specific attachment agent such as an anti-fibrin antibody, and injecting the conjugated particles into the bloodstream. Thereafter, the thrombus may be agitated, broken apart, or dissolved using a magnetic field to exert a magnetic force on the conjugated particles. The method may also include injecting a thrombolytic agent into the bloodstream to interact with and further dissolve the thrombus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: DAVID ERIC SCHWARTZ, SCOTT A. ELROD, RICHARD H. BRUCE, DANIEL L. LARNER
  • Patent number: 7797725
    Abstract: Techniques for providing privacy protection are provided. A query is received. Privacy policy information, extracted knowledge and optional information about available public information are determined. Information about the knowledge extraction transformations applied to create the extracted knowledge and the source data is determined. Privacy protecting transformations are determined and applied to transform the extracted knowledge based on the selected privacy policy, optional information about available public information, the characteristics of the applied knowledge extractions transformations, the source data and optional previous user queries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Teresa F Lunt, Daniel H Greene, Philippe J Golle, Richard H Bruce
  • Patent number: 7754492
    Abstract: Thermal detectors and thermal sensing cells can include a region of a support layer or support structure. Within the region can be reaction surfaces or other reaction regions, as well as contact pads and circuitry connecting the contact pads to other components. Also, a cell region can include a structure with reaction regions, contact pads, and control/detection circuitry connected to the contact pads; the control/detection circuitry controls occurrence of reactions in response to control signals, such as by drop merging, and also allows electrical detection of thermal signals from the reaction regions. The control/detection circuitry can include reaction control components such as drop merger electrodes and also thermal sensors such as thermistors, or it can include control/sensor elements such as semiconductor slabs that perform both functions. Each cell in an array can have control/detection circuitry that does not extend or connect outside the cell except through contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Eric Peeters
  • Patent number: 7745161
    Abstract: Provided is a method of detecting characteristics of a reaction of interest, including instituting the reaction of interest, obtaining an amplified heat related to the reaction of interest, measuring the amplified heat, and determining the characteristics of the reaction of interest, using the signal obtained in the step of measuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Francisco E. Torres, Richard H. Bruce, James R. Williamson, Peter Kuhn, Ray Stevens
  • Patent number: 7727768
    Abstract: A method for detecting chemical reactions uses a nanocalorimeter having a substrate including thermal isolation capability residing on the substrate, thermal equilibration regions residing within the thermal isolation capability, and thermal measurement capability residing within each of the thermal equilibration regions. The thermal measurement device is connected to detection electronics. The method includes depositing drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions within the thermal equilibration region. These potentially reactive solution drops are merged through the use of drop merging electrodes residing within the thermal isolation region. The thermal change occurring within the merged solution drops is then measured with the detection electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan G. Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres