Patents by Inventor Stephen Eckel

Stephen Eckel 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: 11287334
    Abstract: An optomechanical pressure-measurement system measures pressure in the range of 10?6 Pa-10?2 Pa by measuring various properties of a vibrational mode of an ultra-thin membrane member. With independent measurements of the thickness and density of the membrane, in addition to the measured vibration mode properties, the system can operate as a primary pressure sensor. The membrane member is mounted on a vibration-isolated mount and is excited by a drive force. A laser beam impinges on the excited membrane, and an optical phase detector detects the amplitude of the oscillations, as well as parameters of the laser beam affected by the membrane vibration. In one embodiment, a mechanical damping is computed based on the amplitude or frequency shift (depending on the pressure range), and the pressure based on the ring-down time of the membrane vibration mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: University of Maryland, College Park, Government of the USA, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Inventors: Stephen Eckel, James Fedchak, Thomas Purdy, Robinjeet Singh
  • Patent number: 11274271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a system, and a kit of parts for cleaning a surface contaminated with a hazardous drug or a hazardous drug related product, which involves cleaning in succession with a quaternary ammonium solution followed by an isopropyl alcohol solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: William Zamboni, Tom O'Neill, Stephen Eckel
  • Publication number: 20200248111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a system, and a kit of parts for cleaning a surface contaminated with a hazardous drug or a hazardous drug related product, which involves cleaning in succession with a quaternary ammonium solution followed by an isopropyl alcohol solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: William Zamboni, Tom O'Neill, Stephen Eckel
  • Patent number: 10240959
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for volumetrically measuring syringe fluid are disclosed. In one aspect, a device for volumetrically measuring syringe fluid includes a reference plate, a flange adapter base attached at a first end of the reference plate for receiving a flange of a syringe, a plunger adapter disposed adjacent to a housing for receiving a plunger of the syringe, the plunger adapter being configured to slidingly move along a length of the reference plate, a displacement sensor disposed in the housing and configured to measure a displacement of the plunger adapter in relation to the flange adapter base as the plunger adapter is slid along the length of the reference plate, and a displacement conversion mechanism disposed in the housing and configured to convert the displacement measurement of the plunger adapter to a volumetric measurement in order to determine a volume of fluid the syringe has drawn in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Stephen Eckel, Christopher Roberts, Chase Dubois, Jorge Martínez-Blat, John C. Pamplin
  • Publication number: 20170146381
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for volumetrically measuring syringe fluid are disclosed. In one aspect, a device for volumetrically measuring syringe fluid includes a reference plate, a flange adapter base attached at a first end of the reference plate for receiving a flange of a syringe, a plunger adapter disposed adjacent to a housing for receiving a plunger of the syringe, the plunger adapter being configured to slidingly move along a length of the reference plate, a displacement sensor disposed in the housing and configured to measure a displacement of the plunger adapter in relation to the flange adapter base as the plunger adapter is slid along the length of the reference plate, and a displacement conversion mechanism disposed in the housing and configured to convert the displacement measurement of the plunger adapter to a volumetric measurement in order to determine a volume of fluid the syringe has drawn in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen Eckel, Christopher Roberts, Chase Dubois, Jorge Martínez-Blat, John C. Pamplin
  • Publication number: 20160145549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a surface contaminated with a hazardous drug product involving cleaning in succession with a quaternary ammonium solution and an isopropyl alcohol solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: William Zamboni, Tom O'Neill, Stephen Eckel
  • Publication number: 20150258578
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a surface contaminated with a hazardous drug product involving cleaning in succession with a quaternary ammonium solution and an isopropyl alcohol solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: William Zamboni, Tom O'Neill, Stephen Eckel