Patents by Inventor Steven J.M. Butala
Steven J.M. Butala 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: 11635424Abstract: We disclose an in-toilet urinalysis system which includes a system for collection urine and for analysis of urine components using aptamer technology. Urine collection system may dispense urine into cuvettes, channels, or other containers that include aptamers. The aptamers may detect target molecules in urine. The aptamers may measure urine analytes, detect excreted drugs or drug metabolites, or disease markers. Upon binding to the target molecule, the aptamers may produce a signal which a sensor in the toilet may detect. In some embodiments, the signal may be electrochemical, fluorescent, or colorimetric. The measurements obtained from analysis of the urine may be used to assess a user's health or diagnose disease. In some embodiments, the measurements are stored in a controller which may transmit the measurements to a healthcare provider for assessment.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Medic, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Conrad Rosenbrock, Daniel Hendricks, Andrew Nguyen, Steven J. M. Butala, Travis Niederhauser, Terrece Pearman, Joe Fox
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Patent number: 11353469Abstract: The method of confirming consumption of a tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product includes the step of providing a subject with a pharmaceutical or nutritional product which has been tagged with a safe, for example, a plant-based, compound. These compounds may include asparagusic acid or a derivative thereof which is found in asparagus, garlic or an extract of garlic, or 1,8-cineole. Alternatively, the taggant may be dimethylsulfoxide. A subject may be provided with and instructed to consume the tagged product according to a defined protocol. A sample of bodily waste or other biological sample may be collected from the subject and analyzed for the presence of the tag or a metabolite thereof. This method may be used to confirm compliance with the protocol in clinical drug trials or nutritional studies.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: David R Hall, Steven J. M. Butala
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Patent number: 11187695Abstract: The method uses a device which measures the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in headspaces of fluid samples to differentiate between authentic and synthetic urine samples. The method includes the use of a device which includes an array of resistive microchemical sensors. The device may be exposed to samples of synthetic and authentic urine to identify a pattern of VOCs in each, these steps being referred to herein as training the device. The device may then be exposed to a urine sample of unknown authenticity and a pattern of VOCs identified. The pattern of VOCs from the urine sample of unknown authenticity may be compared to those of synthetic and authentic urine. In some embodiments the device is installed in a toilet. The method may be used to identify a false sample provided for a urine analysis intended to screen for use of illicit drugs.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: David R. Hall, Steven J. M. Butala, Estanislado Bravo, Joshua Larsen
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Patent number: 11068843Abstract: The inventory management system (“the system”) includes a series of bar codes and a bar code reader. The bar codes are placed around the inventory storage area on or near containers which store inventory items. The bar codes identify the contents of the container. The system includes a bar code reader and an augmented reality viewing device. The system includes a processor which stores instructions for identifying the bar codes associated with each of the inventory items in an order. When the bar code reader scans a bar code associated with an item in the order, the augmented reality viewing device emits a cue that indicates the item should be picked. The containers may be connected to sensors which detect when an item has been removed and which transmit the sensor data to a processor. The processor may include instructions for processing the sensor data to maintain a current inventory.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: David R. Hall, Jared Eggett, Ben Swenson, Steven J. M. Butala, Conrad Rosenbrock
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Patent number: 10920408Abstract: The antimicrobial toilet includes one or more pairs of electrodes positioned below a water line when the hydraulic circuit is at equilibrium. The pairs of electrodes may be connected to a power source by electrical wires. In some embodiments, the electrodes are positioned on the inner wall of the toilet bowl and in some embodiments, the electrodes are positioned within the siphon tube. In some embodiments, the electrodes are metal strips and in others they are circular. When actuated, an electrical current passes through the toilet water between the electrode pairs resulting in disinfected water. Some embodiments include a pump and water conduit which transfers disinfected water to areas above the water line and emits the water to wash areas of the toilet.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: David R. Hall, Steven J. M. Butala, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
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Publication number: 20200386775Abstract: The method of confirming consumption of a tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product includes the step of providing a subject with a pharmaceutical or nutritional product which has been tagged with a safe, for example, a plant-based, compound. These compounds may include asparagusic acid or a derivative thereof which is found in asparagus, garlic or an extract of garlic, or 1,8-cineole. Alternatively, the taggant may be dimethylsulfoxide. A subject may be provided with and instructed to consume the tagged product according to a defined protocol. A sample of bodily waste or other biological sample may be collected from the subject and analyzed for the presence of the tag or a metabolite thereof. This method may be used to confirm compliance with the protocol in clinical drug trials or nutritional studies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2019Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: Hall Labs, LLCInventors: David R. Hall, Steven J.M. Butala
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Publication number: 20200319159Abstract: We disclose an in-toilet urinalysis system which includes a system for collection urine and for analysis of urine components using aptamer technology. Urine collection system may dispense urine into cuvettes, channels, or other containers that include aptamers. The aptamers may detect target molecules in urine. The aptamers may measure urine analytes, detect excreted drugs or drug metabolites, or disease markers. Upon binding to the target molecule, the aptamers may produce a signal which a sensor in the toilet may detect. In some embodiments, the signal may be electrochemical, fluorescent, or colorimetric. The measurements obtained from analysis of the urine may be used to assess a user's health or diagnose disease. In some embodiments, the measurements are stored in a controller which may transmit the measurements to a healthcare provider for assessment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Medic, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Conrad Rosenbrock, Daniel Hendricks, Andrew Nguyen, Steven J.M. Butala, Travis Niederhauser, Terrece Pearman, Joe Fox
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Publication number: 20200297310Abstract: The medical toilet may include a seat, lid, and bowl as does a traditional toilet. It also includes one or more acoustic transducers. The acoustic transducers may be located on the seat where they may measure bone density in a user's pelvis or femur. The acoustic transducers may be located on the lid or on a belt which wraps around the user. These acoustic transducers may collect data relating to a user's heart, lungs, liver, bowel, or other internal organs. The medical toilet may include a handrail with an acoustic transducer which measures the bone density in the user's wrist, radius, or ulna. A controller associated with the medical toilet may store algorithms for analyzing the data collected by the acoustic transducers. The controller may perform machine learning to improve the analyses and may calculate trends in repeated measurements taken from the same user or a population of users.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: David R. Hall, K. Jeffrey Campbell, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Daniel Hendricks, Travis Niederhauser, Steven J.M. Butala, Joshua D. Heiner, A. Terrece Pearman, Vivek Garg
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Publication number: 20200289048Abstract: The medical toilet includes one or more sensors for measuring hardness of a soft tissue in contact with the sensor. The one or more sensors may be positioned on the toilet seat, toilet lid, or on a foot scale which extends from the base of the medical toilet. The sensors may include durometers, fluid-filled bubbles with pressure sensors on them, or an inflatable tube with pressure sensors on it. The measurements may be transmitted to a controller which may store and analyze the data. Changes in tissue hardness over time may be tracked and reported. The sensors may identify changes in the hardness of skin, adipose tissue, and muscle. These measurements may be useful to identify changes in skin thickness, body fat, muscle tone, tumors and other masses.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: David R. Hall, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, K. Jeffrey Campbell, Travis Niederhauser, Daniel Hendricks, Steven J.M. Butala, Vivek Garg
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Publication number: 20200253480Abstract: The sensor platform array includes a plurality of sensors and one or more sensor platforms. Each sensor may be mounted on a sensor platform. The sensor platform may be mounted on a support panel. The support panel may be mounted on a toilet lid. The one or more sensor platforms may be extendable towards a user seated on the toilet. Each sensor may be independently extended so that it is positioned flush against a user's body. The sensor platform array may include bendable arms which reach around a user and place sensors on the ventral side of the user. The sensors may collect measurements which are relevant to the user's health and well-being. In some embodiments, the sensors may be removable and replaceable so that different sensors may be added according to a user's individual needs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: David R. Hall, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Daniel Hendricks, Travis Niederhauser, K. Jeffrey Campbell, Steven J.M. Butala, Vivek Garg
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Patent number: 10722120Abstract: The sensor platform array includes a plurality of sensors and one or more sensor platforms. Each sensor may be mounted on a sensor platform. The sensor platform may be mounted on a support panel. The support panel may be mounted on a toilet lid. The one or more sensor platforms may be extendable towards a user seated on the toilet. Each sensor may be independently extended so that it is positioned flush against a user's body. The sensor platform array may include bendable arms which reach around a user and place sensors on the ventral side of the user. The sensors may collect measurements which are relevant to the user's health and well-being. In some embodiments, the sensors may be removable and replaceable so that different sensors may be added according to a user's individual needs.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: David R. Hall, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds, Daniel Hendricks, Travis Niederhauser, K. Jeffrey Campbell, Steven J. M. Butala, Vivek Garg
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Publication number: 20200231480Abstract: A gray water disposal system is disclosed. The system includes an inlet adapted to receive gray water and a vaporizer for discarding the gray water into the air. Preferably, the system includes a pump and a filter. Another aspect of the invention is using the system to dispose of gray water generated on a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: Hall Labs LLCInventors: David R. Hall, Michael Hall, Steven J. M. Butala, Jacob Dean
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Publication number: 20200131749Abstract: The antimicrobial toilet includes one or more pairs of electrodes positioned below a water line when the hydraulic circuit is at equilibrium. The pairs of electrodes may be connected to a power source by electrical wires. In some embodiments, the electrodes are positioned on the inner wall of the toilet bowl and in some embodiments, the electrodes are positioned within the siphon tube. In some embodiments, the electrodes are metal strips and in others they are circular. When actuated, an electrical current passes through the toilet water between the electrode pairs resulting in disinfected water. Some embodiments include a pump and water conduit which transfers disinfected water to areas above the water line and emits the water to wash areas of the toilet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J.M. Butala, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
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Publication number: 20200088714Abstract: The method uses a device which measures the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in headspaces of fluid samples to differentiate between authentic and synthetic urine samples. The method includes the use of a device which includes an array of resistive microchemical sensors. The device may be exposed to samples of synthetic and authentic urine to identify a pattern of VOCs in each, these steps being referred to herein as training the device. The device may then be exposed to a urine sample of unknown authenticity and a pattern of VOCs identified. The pattern of VOCs from the urine sample of unknown authenticity may be compared to those of synthetic and authentic urine. In some embodiments the device is installed in a toilet. The method may be used to identify a false sample provided for a urine analysis intended to screen for use of illicit drugs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J.M. Butala, Estanislado Bravo, Joshua Larsen
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Patent number: 10546169Abstract: The navigation system includes a series of bar codes and a bar code reader. The bar codes are placed at positions throughout the area to be navigated. The bar code readers scan the bar codes as a user moves through the area to be navigated. The navigation system may include a processor which includes instructions for receiving the user's current position and at least one location the user wishes to reach. The processor assembles the most efficient route from the user's position to the locations the user wishes to reach. The navigation system may include an augmented reality viewing device which receives signals from the processor and displays an augmented reality view to the user. The augmented reality view includes augmented reality images which provide step-by-step instructions from the user's position to the locations the user wishes to reach.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: David R. Hall, Jared Eggett, Ben Swenson, Steven J. M. Butala, Conrad Rosenbrock
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Publication number: 20190347608Abstract: The inventory management system (“the system”) includes a series of bar codes and a bar code reader. The bar codes are placed around the inventory storage area on or near containers which store inventory items. The bar codes identify the contents of the container. The system includes a bar code reader and an augmented reality viewing device. The system includes a processor which stores instructions for identifying the bar codes associated with each of the inventory items in an order. When the bar code reader scans a bar code associated with an item in the order, the augmented reality viewing device emits a cue that indicates the item should be picked. The containers may be connected to sensors which detect when an item has been removed and which transmit the sensor data to a processor. The processor may include instructions for processing the sensor data to maintain a current inventory.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: David R. Hall, Jared Eggett, Ben Swenson, Steven J.M. Butala, Conrad Rosenbrock
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Patent number: 10444144Abstract: We disclose a method of tagging nutritional or drug compositions using chemical entities which are known to be safely consumed and which are detectable using known techniques, including near IR spectroscopy. The chemical entities used as tags may be detected in easily obtainable biological samples, including urine and feces. The biological sample may be deposited into a medical toilet which may analyze the biological sample using an analytical device associated with the medical toilet. The tag may be identified and quantified to then identify and quantify the nutritional or drug composition the subject consumed along with the tag. This system may be used to track the source of a food or drug, confirm compliance to a prescribed diet or drug treatment, confirm drug consumption in clinical trials, identify the source of contaminated food, and identify the food substances used to produce food products.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Daniel Hendricks, Andrew Nguyen, Conrad Rosenbrock, Travis Niederhauser, Joe Fox, Terrece Pearman, Steven J. M. Butala
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Publication number: 20190294841Abstract: The navigation system includes a series of bar codes and a bar code reader. The bar codes are placed at positions throughout the area to be navigated. The bar code readers scan the bar codes as a user moves through the area to be navigated. The navigation system may include a processor which includes instructions for receiving the user's current position and at least one location the user wishes to reach. The processor assembles the most efficient route from the user's position to the locations the user wishes to reach. The navigation system may include an augmented reality viewing device which receives signals from the processor and displays an augmented reality view to the user. The augmented reality view includes augmented reality images which provide step-by-step instructions from the user's position to the locations the user wishes to reach.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: David R. Hall, Jared Eggett, Ben Swenson, Steven J.M. Butala, Conrad Rosenbrock
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Patent number: 10408849Abstract: We disclose a method of using taggants to assess how and to what extent a drug in a drug composition that a user has consumed has decayed in response to storage conditions and time. The taggants may decay in response to environmental conditions which cause different drugs to lose their efficacy. These environmental conditions may include light, temperature, oxidation, and age. The taggants may be detected in biological samples, including urine and feces. By identifying the taggants, the drug composition and other information relating to the drug may be identified. Additionally, quantification of the different taggants may be used to determine whether the drug in the drug composition has been exposed to environmental conditions which may reduce its efficacy.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Conrad Rosenbrock, Daniel Hendricks, Andrew Nguyen, Steven J. M. Butala, Travis Niederhauser, Terrece Pearman, Joe Fox
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Publication number: 20190053674Abstract: An antimicrobial toilet includes an inner surface of a toilet bowl which includes a non-doped titanium dioxide coating. The titanium dioxide coating is photocatalytic and antimicrobial in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light. In the absence of UV light, the inner surface of the toilet bowl is not antimicrobial. The UV light source may be actuated after the waste has exited the toilet bowl. Consequently, the waste may be used in digesters used to produce clean energy or for analysis to assess the user's health status without being exposed to the antimicrobial properties of the titanium dioxide coating. The UV light may then be actuated to disinfect the toilet bowl. The outer shell of the toilet is coated with a doped titanium dioxide. The doped titanium dioxide is photocatalytic and antimicrobial in the presence of visible light. The outer shell is antimicrobial when standard room lights are actuated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J.M. Butala, Ben Swenson, Joe Fox