Patents by Inventor Rodney Sparks
Rodney Sparks 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: 11759777Abstract: Multi-component separation devices configured to separate components of a liquid sample by centrifugation are provided. Aspects of the separation devices include a container having a distal end and a proximal end and a buoy configured to be displaced along a longitudinal axis within the container where the buoy includes one or more sealed chambers. Also provided are methods of using the subject devices to separate components of a multi-component liquid sample such as whole blood, bone marrow aspirate or stromal vascular fraction as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Inventors: Rodney Sparks, John Raymond Chapman
-
Publication number: 20220241776Abstract: Multi-component separation devices configured to separate components of a liquid sample by centrifugation are provided. Aspects of the separation devices include a container having a distal end and a proximal end and a buoy configured to be displaced along a longitudinal axis within the container where the buoy includes one or more sealed chambers. Also provided are methods of using the subject devices to separate components of a multi-component liquid sample such as whole blood, bone marrow aspirate or stromal vascular fraction as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Rodney Sparks, John Raymond Chapman
-
Patent number: 11292014Abstract: Centrifuge counterbalances having an adjustable center of gravity are provided. Aspects of the centrifuge counterbalances include an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, a weight configured to be reversibly immobilized at a position along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and a base configured to operably couple the centrifuge counterbalance to a centrifuge. Also provided are methods for balancing a centrifuge rotor when separating components of a liquid sample by centrifugation as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Arteriocyte Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Welborn, Rodney Sparks
-
Patent number: 11278884Abstract: Multi-component separation devices configured to separate components of a liquid sample by centrifugation are provided. Aspects of the separation devices include a container having a distal end and a proximal end and a buoy configured to be displaced along a longitudinal axis within the container where the buoy includes one or more sealed chambers. Also provided are methods of using the subject devices to separate components of a multi-component liquid sample such as whole blood, bone marrow aspirate or stromal vascular fraction as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Arteriocyte Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rodney Sparks, John Raymond Chapman
-
Patent number: 10856071Abstract: A system and method for improving hearing is disclosed. The system includes a microphone array that includes an enclosure, a plurality of beamformer microphones and an electronic processing circuitry to provide enhanced audio signals to a user by using information obtained on the position and orientation of the user. The system is preferably in the form of a smartphone having a retractable piece having the beamformer microphones mounted thereon. The system may also include a corresponding method for improving hearing and a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the method.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Noopl, Inc.Inventors: Steven Verdooner, Rodney Sparks, Kevin Snow
-
Patent number: 10665884Abstract: A flexible fuel cell power system comprising one or more fuel cell cartridges (which contain fuel cell modules) connected to a fuel cell system is provided. The components of the flexible fuel cell power system may be placed on a shared backbone with flexible joints, and may be made of flexible materials so that the entire system can be worn by a human being.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Wallace, Glenn Rambach, Linna Peng, Rodney Sparks, John Melack
-
Publication number: 20190181484Abstract: A flexible fuel cell power system comprising one or more fuel cell cartridges (which contain fuel cell modules) connected to a fuel cell system is provided. The components of the flexible fuel cell power system may be placed on a shared backbone with flexible joints, and may be made of flexible materials so that the entire system can be worn by a human being.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Andrew Wallace, Glenn Rambach, Linna Peng, Rodney Sparks, John Melack
-
Patent number: 10218026Abstract: A flexible fuel cell power system comprising one or more fuel cell cartridges (which contain fuel cell modules) connected to a fuel cell system is provided. The components of the flexible fuel cell power system may be placed on a shared backbone with flexible joints, and may be made of flexible materials so that the entire system can be worn by a human being.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Andrew Wallace, Glenn Rambach, Linna Peng, Rodney Sparks, John Melack
-
Publication number: 20170319063Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing, recording and analyzing data representative events of memory lapses and function uses a wearable device (e.g., wrist, armband, pendant) having sensors to detect user gestures and vital signs for transmission and analysis by a computation unit to predict the onset of cognitive impairment related diseases.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Steven Verdooner, Rodney Sparks
-
Publication number: 20170304823Abstract: Multi-component separation devices configured to separate components of a liquid sample by centrifugation are provided. Aspects of the separation devices include a container having a distal end and a proximal end and a buoy configured to be displaced along a longitudinal axis within the container where the buoy includes one or more sealed chambers. Also provided are methods of using the subject devices to separate components of a multi-component liquid sample such as whole blood, bone marrow aspirate or stromal vascular fraction as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, LLCInventors: Rodney Sparks, John Raymond Chapman
-
Publication number: 20170054175Abstract: A flexible fuel cell power system comprising one or more fuel cell cartridges (which contain fuel cell modules) connected to a fuel cell system is provided. The components of the flexible fuel cell power system may be placed on a shared backbone with flexible joints, and may be made of flexible materials so that the entire system can be worn by a human being.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Andrew Wallace, Glenn Rambach, Linna Peng, Rodney Sparks, John Melack
-
Publication number: 20160296947Abstract: Centrifuge counterbalances having an adjustable center of gravity are provided. Aspects of the centrifuge counterbalances include an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, a weight configured to be reversibly immobilized at a position along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and a base configured to operably couple the centrifuge counterbalance to a centrifuge. Also provided are methods for balancing a centrifuge rotor when separating components of a liquid sample by centrifugation as well as systems suitable for practicing the subject methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Kenneth Welborn, Rodney Sparks
-
Patent number: 9440243Abstract: A centrifuge vessel is configured to have at least two chambers therein separated by a divider, and with a spillway around a lip at an end of the divider to join the chambers. After centrifugation differing density phases of an original sample remain on opposite sides of the divider. Separate extraction ports are provided for removal of differing density phases of the original sample from opposite sides of the divider. A method of use of the centrifuge vessel includes centrifugation and extraction at differing orientations of the vessel for convenient and reliable extraction of differing density fractions from the original sample.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, LLCInventors: John R. Chapman, Rodney Sparks
-
Publication number: 20160249141Abstract: A system and method for improving hearing is disclosed. The system includes a microphone array that includes an enclosure, a plurality of beamformer microphones and an electronic processing circuitry to provide enhanced audio signals to a user by using information obtained on the position and orientation of the user. The system is preferably in the form of a smartphone having a retractable piece having the beamformer microphones mounted thereon. The system may also include a corresponding method for improving hearing and a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Steven VERDOONER, Rodney SPARKS, Kevin SNOW
-
Patent number: 9101926Abstract: The centrifugation vessel includes an outer wall containing an interior space. A dam defines a barrier which divides the interior space into at least two regions including a catch basin defining a higher gee region and a reservoir defining a lower gee region. These regions are joined together over the dam. The dam includes a face which is preferably tapered to enable optimization of speed of separation of a sample placed within the vessel. The vessel is usable in a biological sample processing method by having the higher gee region of the vessel configured to have an elongate form and the volume optimized for collection of a higher density fraction of the sample. Supply and withdrawal tubes extend into the regions for reliable extraction and separate collection of differing density fractions after separation by centrifugation.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, LLCInventors: John R. Chapman, Rodney Sparks, Philip H. Coelho
-
Patent number: 9101925Abstract: The centrifugation vessel includes an outer wall containing an interior space. A dam defines a barrier which divides the interior space into at least two regions including a catch basin defining a higher gee region and a reservoir defining a lower gee region. These regions are joined together over the dam. The dam includes a face which is preferably tapered to enable optimization of speed of separation of a sample placed within the vessel. The vessel is usable in a biological sample processing method by having the higher gee region of the vessel configured to have an elongate form and the volume optimized for collection of a higher density fraction of the sample. Supply and withdrawal tubes extend into the regions for reliable extraction and separate collection of differing density fractions after separation by centrifugation.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, LLCInventors: John R. Chapman, Rodney Sparks, Philip H. Coelho
-
Patent number: 9095798Abstract: The centrifugation vessel includes an outer wall containing an interior space. A dam defines a barrier which divides the interior space into at least two regions including a catch basin defining a higher gee region and a reservoir defining a lower gee region. These regions are joined together over the dam. The dam includes a face which is preferably tapered to enable optimization of speed of separation of a sample placed within the vessel. The vessel is usable in a biological sample processing method by having the higher gee region of the vessel configured to have an elongate form and the volume optimized for collection of a higher density fraction of the sample. Supply and withdrawal tubes extend into the regions for reliable extraction and separate collection of differing density fractions after separation by centrifugation. A medium density fluid is used within the vessel to further isolate constituents of differing densities.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, LLCInventors: John R. Chapman, Rodney Sparks
-
Publication number: 20130045852Abstract: The centrifugation vessel includes an outer wall containing an interior space. A dam defines a barrier which divides the interior space into at least two regions including a catch basin defining a higher gee region and a reservoir defining a lower gee region. These regions are joined together over the dam. The dam includes a face which is preferably tapered to enable optimization of speed of separation of a sample placed within the vessel. The vessel is usable in a biological sample processing method by having the higher gee region of the vessel configured to have an elongate form and the volume optimized for collection of a higher density fraction of the sample. Supply and withdrawal tubes extend into the regions for reliable extraction and separate collection of differing density fractions after separation by centrifugation. A medium density fluid is used within the vessel to further isolate constituents of differing densities.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventors: John R. Chapman, Rodney Sparks
-
Publication number: 20120065047Abstract: The centrifugation vessel includes an outer wall containing an interior space. A dam defines a barrier which divides the interior space into at least two regions including a catch basin defining a higher gee region and a reservoir defining a lower gee region. These regions are joined together over the dam. The dam includes a face which is preferably tapered to enable optimization of speed of separation of a sample placed within the vessel. The vessel is usable in a biological sample processing method by having the higher gee region of the vessel configured to have an elongate form and the volume optimized for collection of a higher density fraction of the sample. Supply and withdrawal tubes extend into the regions for reliable extraction and separate collection of differing density fractions after separation by centrifugation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: John R. Chapman, Rodney Sparks, Philip H. Coelho
-
Publication number: 20120065048Abstract: The centrifugation vessel includes an outer wall containing an interior space. A dam defines a barrier which divides the interior space into at least two regions including a catch basin defining a higher gee region and a reservoir defining a lower gee region. These regions are joined together over the dam. The dam includes a face which is preferably tapered to enable optimization of speed of separation of a sample placed within the vessel. The vessel is usable in a biological sample processing method by having the higher gee region of the vessel configured to have an elongate form and the volume optimized for collection of a higher density fraction of the sample. Supply and withdrawal tubes extend into the regions for reliable extraction and separate collection of differing density fractions after separation by centrifugation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: John R. Chapman, Rodney Sparks, Philip H. Coelho