Patents by Inventor Stephen J. Hinkson
Stephen J. Hinkson 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: 10864535Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Publication number: 20190160478Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Patent number: 10118186Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Publication number: 20170216856Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Patent number: 9586215Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Patent number: 8389295Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Publication number: 20110114743Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: LABCYTE INC.Inventors: Richard G. Stearns, Stephen J. Hinkson
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Patent number: 6605081Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating images of portions of the patient's eye, such as the anterior surface of the cornea. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful for directly imaging the profile of the ablated region of the cornea during or immediately following a laser ablation procedure, such as photorefractive keratometry (PRK), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or the like. These methods and apparatus allow the surgeon to precisely image the exterior edge of the eye to characterize the profile of ablated corneas and to determine the spatial variance of tissue ablation rates during the surgical procedures. Methods and apparatus are also provided for generating one or more images depicting the profile of the ablated region of the cornea. The profile is registered with a pre-ablation profile to provide feedback regarding the true ablation properties of the eye.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Visx, IncorporatedInventors: John K. Shimmick, Stephen J. Hinkson, Charles R. Munnerlyn
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Patent number: 6520958Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating images of portions of the patient's eye, such as the anterior surface of the cornea. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful for directly imaging the profile of the ablated region of the cornea during or immediately following a laser ablation procedure, such as photorefractive keratometry (PRK), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or the like. These methods and apparatus allow the surgeon to precisely image the exterior edge of the eye to characterize the profile of ablated corneas and to determine the spatial variance of tissue ablation rates during the surgical procedures. Methods and apparatus are also provided for generating one or more images depicting the profile of the ablated region of the cornea. The profile is registered with a pre-ablation profile to provide feedback regarding the true ablation properties of the eye.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: VISX, IncorporatedInventors: John K. Shimmick, Stephen J. Hinkson, Charles R. Munnerlyn
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Patent number: 6315413Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating images of portions of the patient's eye, such as the anterior surface of the cornea. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful for directly imaging the profile of the ablated region of the cornea during or immediately following a laser ablation procedure, such as photorefractive keratometry (PRK), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or the like. These methods and apparatus allow the surgeon to precisely image the exterior edge of the eye to characterize the profile of ablated corneas and to determine the spatial variance of tissue ablation rates during the surgical procedures. Methods and apparatus are also provided for generating one or more images depicting the profile of the ablated region of the cornea. The profile is registered with a pre-ablation profile to provide feedback regarding the true ablation properties of the eye.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: VISX, IncorporatedInventors: John K. Shimmick, Stephen J. Hinkson, Charles R. Munnerlyn
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Patent number: 6302876Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating images of portions of the patient's eye, such as the anterior surface of the cornea. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful for directly imaging the profile of the ablated region of the cornea during or immediately following a laser ablation procedure, such as photorefractive keratometry (PRK), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or the like. These methods and apparatus allow the surgeon to precisely image the exterior edge of the eye to characterize the profile of ablated corneas and to determine the spatial variance of tissue ablation rates during the surgical procedures. Methods and apparatus are also provided for generating one or more images depicting the profile of the ablated region of the cornea. The profile is registered with a pre-ablation profile to provide feedback regarding the true ablation properties of the eye.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1998Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Visx CorporationInventors: John K. Shimmick, Stephen J. Hinkson, Charles R. Munnerlyn