Patents by Inventor Robert R. Steuer
Robert R. Steuer 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: 6987993Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (?) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (?o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6937882Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (?) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (?o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6873865Abstract: A system for determining a biologic constituent including hematocrit transcutaneously, noninvasively and continuously. A finger clip assembly includes including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least one predetermined wavelength of light is passed onto or through body tissues such as a finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and attenuation of light at that wavelength is detected. Likewise, the change in blood flow is determined by various techniques including optical, pressure, piezo and strain gage methods. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If an additional wavelength of light is used which attenuates light substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David R. Miller
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Publication number: 20040220484Abstract: Indicator dilution techniques are used to measure vascular access flow rates during routine hemodialysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Publication number: 20040127779Abstract: A system for determining a biologic constituent including hematocrit transcutaneously, noninvasively and continuously. A finger clip assembly includes including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least one predetermined wavelength of light is passed onto or through body tissues such as a finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and attenuation of light at that wavelength is detected. Likewise, the change in blood flow is determined by various techniques including optical, pressure, piezo and strain gage methods. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If an additional wavelength of light is used which attenuates light substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David R. Miller
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Publication number: 20040122330Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (&agr;) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (&agr;o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Publication number: 20040116790Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (&agr;) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (&agr;o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Publication number: 20040116817Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (&agr;) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (&agr;o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6746415Abstract: A cuvette having a pedestal for transmitting light through a relatively thin layer of blood. While the pedestal enables the use of a small path length it also permits the use of a high volume and/or high flow rate conduit. The pedestal further enables methods of determining various blood parameters in which the path length, d, is fixed; i.e., there are little or no pulsatile variations. Hence, the flow-through cuvette accommodates a large range of blood flow rates without any reduction in accuracy of the hematocrit measurement. The pedestal, because of its elliptical shape, does not damage or hemolyze the individual red blood cells as they pass through. A quantitative method for determining changes in blood volume in view of the path length is provided along with a method for measuring a patient's cardiac output and oxygen consumption rate. Cardiac output is obtained by injecting a saline arterial bolus and a saline venous bolus into a patient and measuring the change in hematocrit caused by each bolus.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2000Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6746407Abstract: Indicator dilution techniques are used to measure vascular access flow rates during routine hemodialysis. A bolus injection port is used to infuse a specific volume (Vi) of an indicator diluent, such as saline or dye, into the patient cardiovascular circuit by one of the following: 1. Needle injection of a known volume (bolus) of indicator diluent directly into the access site in the presence or absence of the hemodialysis circuit. 2. Infusion of an indicator diluent into the arterial, venous line upstream of the venous needle. 3. Turning the ultrafiltration of the dialysis delivery system from OFF to ON and OFF again over a predetermined time period. 4. In a hemodialysis circuit, turning on the hemodialysis pump and using the priming saline volume as a single saline bolus. A transdermal sensor is used to measure the percent change in a blood parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6725072Abstract: An optical sensor includes photoemitter and photodetector elements at multiple spacings (d1, d2) for the purpose of measuring the bulk absorptivity (&agr;) of an area immediately surrounding and including a hemodialysis access site, and the absorptivity (&agr;o) of the tissue itself. At least one photoemitter element and at least one photodetector element are provided, the total number of photoemitter and photodetector elements being at least three. The photoemitter and photodetector elements are collinear and alternatingly arranged, thereby allowing the direct transcutaneous determination of vascular access blood flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6687519Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for noninvasively measuring the levels of urea, blood osmolarity (or Na+), plasma free hemoglobin and tissue water content in a patient's blood or tissue. Light of selected wavelengths is passed through blood or body tissue and the transmitted or reflected light is detected and the detected signals can be electronically compared and manipulated to provide the non-invasive, continuous and quantitative display of a patient's blood urea, blood osmolarity (or Na+), plasma free hemoglobin and tissue water content.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6681128Abstract: A system determines heamtocrit transcutaneously and noninvasively. Disclosed are a finger clip assembly and an earlobe clip assembly, each including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least two, and preferably three, predetermined wavelengths of light are assed onto or through body tissues such as the finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and the extinction of each wavelength is detected. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If a fourth wavelength of light is used which is extinguished substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin and which is not substantially extinguished by plasmas, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit, maybe determined. It is also disclosed how to detect and analyze multiple wavelengths using a logarithmic DC analysis technique.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David H. Harris
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Patent number: 6671528Abstract: A system for determining a biologic constituent including hematocrit transcutaneously, noninvasively and continuously. A finger clip assembly includes including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least one predetermined wavelength of light is passed onto or through body tissues such as a finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and attenuation of light at that wavelength is detected. Likewise, the change in blood flow is determined by various techniques including optical, pressure, piezo and strain gage methods. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If an additional wavelength of light is used which attenuates light substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Hema Metrics, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6582656Abstract: Access recirculation in a shunt is determined quantitatively by a method in which a standard solution, such as a saline, is injected into a patient's bloodstream upstream of the shunt. At a point in the access line, a photometric measurement is conducted of the change in hematocrit (&Dgr;H) with respect to time. Electronic circuitry receives signals from the detector and compares the integrated area of &Dgr;H with respect to time of the standard solution initially flowing through the access and of the recirculated solution and provides display of access recirculation. In another aspect, access recirculation and access blood flow are quantitatively determined without injecting a solution into the bloodstream. In this aspect the extent of access recirculation and/or access blood flow is determined quantitatively by a method in which the dialyzer blood flow rate or the ultrafiltration rate (UFR) is changed and the corresponding change in concentration of a blood constituent is measured.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: In-Line Diagnostics CorporationInventors: Robert R. Steuer, David R. Miller
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Publication number: 20020128545Abstract: Indicator dilution techniques are used to measure vascular access flow rates during routine hemodialysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David A. Bell, David R. Miller
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Publication number: 20020038079Abstract: A system for determining the hematocrit transcutaneously and noninvasively. Disclosed are a finger clip assembly and an earlobe clip assembly, each including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least two, and preferably three, predetermined wavelengths of light are passed onto or through body tissues such as the finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and the extinction of each wavelength is detected. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If a fourth wavelength of light is used which is extinguished substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin and which is not substantially extinguished by plasma, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit, may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David H. Harris
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Publication number: 20010039376Abstract: A system for determining a biologic constituent including hematocrit transcutaneously, noninvasively and continuously. A finger clip assembly includes including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least one predetermined wavelength of light is passed onto or through body tissues such as a finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and attenuation of light at that wavelength is detected. Likewise, the change in blood flow is determined by various techniques including optical, pressure, piezo and strain gage methods. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If an additional wavelength of light is used which attenuates light substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit may be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David R. Miller
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Publication number: 20010020122Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for noninvasively measuring the levels of urea, blood osmolarity (or Na+), plasma free hemoglobin and tissue water content in a patient's blood or tissue. Light of selected wavelengths is passed through blood or body tissue and the transmitted or reflected light is detected and the detected signals can be electronically compared and manipulated to provide the non-invasive, continuous and quantitative display of a patient's blood urea, blood osmolarity (or Na+), plasma free hemoglobin and tissue water content.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: September 6, 2001Inventors: Robert R. Steuer, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6266546Abstract: A system for determining the hematocrit transcutaneously and noninvasively. Disclosed are a finger clip assembly and an earlobe clip assembly, each including at least a pair of emitters and a photodiode in appropriate alignment to enable operation in either a transmissive mode or a reflectance mode. At least two, and preferably three, predetermined wavelengths of light are passed onto or through body tissues such as the finger, earlobe, or scalp, etc. and the extinction of each wavelength is detected. Mathematical manipulation of the detected values compensates for the effects of body tissue and fluid and determines the hematocrit value. If a fourth wavelength of light is used which is extinguished substantially differently by oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin and which is not substantially extinguished by plasma, then the blood oxygen saturation value, independent of hematocrit, may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1998Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: In-Line Diagnostics CorporationInventors: Robert R. Steuer, David H. Harris