Patents by Inventor Tom McCollum
Tom McCollum 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: 9971138Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for using modular microscopes is disclosed. Connecting the housings of the individual microscope modules provide the structural framework of the modular microscope. Furthermore, the modular microscope can include specialized software, the distribution and use of which can be controlled using security keys or identifiers stored on one or more of the microscope modules. The security keys and identifiers can be based on calibration data associated with the physical, electrical, or optical properties of one of more of the modules. The illumination modules disclosed provide for selectable wavelengths and controllable levels of output illumination for both bright field and dark field illumination.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael Griffin, Daniel Yue Man Chu, Tom McCollum
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Patent number: 9850517Abstract: Biological cells in a liquid suspension are counted in an automated cell counter that focuses an image of the suspension on a digital imaging sensor that contains at least 4,000,000 pixels each having an area of 2×2 ?m or less and that images a field of view of at least 3 mm2. The sensor enables the counter to compress the optical components into an optical path of less than 20 cm in height when arranged vertically with no changes in direction of the optical path as a whole, and the entire instrument has a footprint of less than 300 cm2. Activation of the light source, automated focusing of the sensor image, and digital cell counting are all initiated by the simple insertion of the sample holder into the instrument. The suspension is placed in a sample chamber in the form of a slide that is shaped to ensure proper orientation of the slide in the cell counter.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Tom McCollum, Paul Patt, Frank Shen, Daniel Y. Chu, Don Flory, Mike Griffin, Xin Heng, Eli Hefner
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Patent number: 9329127Abstract: In a scanning system for the detection and discrimination of a plurality of targets in each of a plurality of samples, one or more multiband fluorescence detection channels each of which contains a single multiband emission filter and a single detector replaces multiple detection components in scanning heads of the prior art. In certain embodiments, a single multi-emitter light source is used as well, to illuminate each sample with excitation light at a variety of distinct wavelengths in succession.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Tom McCollum
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Publication number: 20140327349Abstract: A drawer apparatus having a drawer chassis and a drawer adapted to move relative to the drawer chassis from a closed position to an open position. The drawer has first and second lateral sides. A lid assembly is moveable from an upward position to a downward position relative to the drawer chassis. The lid assembly has first and second roller members. A first lever arm is rotatable about a first pivot on the first lateral side. The first lever arm has a first surface for moveably engaging with the first roller member. A second lever arm is rotatable about a second pivot on the second lateral side. The second lever arm has a second surface for moveably engaging with the second roller. A handle connects the first and second lever arms. The handle is adapted to move the first and second lever arms respectively about the first and second pivots to move the lid assembly from the downward position to the upward position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Jeffry M. Ceremony, Tom McCollum
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Publication number: 20140293412Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for using modular microscopes is disclosed. Connecting the housings of the individual microscope modules provide the structural framework of the modular microscope. Furthermore, the modular microscope can include specialized software, the distribution and use of which can be controlled using security keys or identifiers stored on one or more of the microscope modules. The security keys and identifiers can be based on calibration data associated with the physical, electrical, or optical properties of one of more of the modules. The illumination modules disclosed provide for selectable wavelengths and controllable levels of output illumination for both bright field and dark field illumination.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael Griffin, Daniel Yue Man Chu, Tom McCollum
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Patent number: 8711474Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for using modular microscopes is disclosed. Connecting the housings of the individual microscope modules provide the structural framework of the modular microscope. Furthermore, the modular microscope can include specialized software, the distribution and use of which can be controlled using security keys or identifiers stored on one or more of the microscope modules. The security keys and identifiers can be based on calibration data associated with the physical, electrical, or optical properties of one of more of the modules. The illumination modules disclosed provide for selectable wavelengths and controllable levels of output illumination for both bright field and dark field illumination.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael Griffin, Daniel Yue Man Chu, Tom McCollum
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Publication number: 20140024107Abstract: Biological cells in a liquid suspension are counted in an automated cell counter that focuses an image of the suspension on a digital imaging sensor that contains at least 4,000000 pixels each having an area of 2×2 ?m or less and that images a field of view of at least 3 mm2. The sensor enables the counter to compress the optical components into an optical path of less than 20 cm in height when arranged vertically with no changes in direction of the optical path as a whole, and the entire instrument has a footprint of less than 300 cm2. Activation of the light source, automated focusing of the sensor image, and digital cell counting are all initiated by the simple insertion of the sample holder into the instrument. The suspension is placed in a sample chamber in the form of a slide that is shaped to ensure proper orientation of the slide in the cell counter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Tom McCOLLUM, Paul PATT, Frank SHEN, Daniel Y. CHU, Don FLORY, Mike GRIFFIN, Xin HENG, Eli HEFNER
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Patent number: 8570370Abstract: Biological cells in a liquid suspension are counted in an automated cell counter that focuses an image of the suspension on a digital imaging sensor that contains at least 4,000,000 pixels each having an area of 2×2 ?m or less and that images a field of view of at least 3 mm2. The sensor enables the counter to compress the optical components into an optical path of less than 20 cm in height when arranged vertically with no changes in direction of the optical path as a whole, and the entire instrument has a footprint of less than 300 cm2. Activation of the light source, automated focusing of the sensor image, and digital cell counting are all initiated by the simple insertion of the sample holder into the instrument. The suspension is placed in a sample chamber in the form of a slide that is shaped to ensure proper orientation of the slide in the cell counter.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Tom McCollum, Paul Patt, Frank Shen, Daniel Y. Chu, Don Flory, Mike Griffin, Xin Heng, Eli Hefner
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Publication number: 20130102481Abstract: In a scanning system for the detection and discrimination of a plurality of targets in each of a plurality of samples, one or more multiband fluorescence detection channels each of which contains a single multiband emission filter and a single detector replaces multiple detection components in scanning heads of the prior art. In certain embodiments, a single multi-emitter light source is used as well, to illuminate each sample with excitation light at a variety of distinct wavelengths in succession.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC. (002558)Inventor: Tom McCollum
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Publication number: 20110211058Abstract: Biological cells in a liquid suspension are counted in an automated cell counter that focuses an image of the suspension on a digital imaging sensor that contains at least 4,000,000 pixels each having an area of 2×2 ?m or less and that images a field of view of at least 3 mm2. The sensor enables the counter to compress the optical components into an optical path of less than 20 cm in height when arranged vertically with no changes in direction of the optical path as a whole, and the entire instrument has a footprint of less than 300 cm2. Activation of the light source, automated focusing of the sensor image, and digital cell counting are all initiated by the simple insertion of the sample holder into the instrument. The suspension is placed in a sample chamber in the form of a slide that is shaped to ensure proper orientation of the slide in the cell counter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.Inventors: Tom McCollum, Paul Patt, Frank Shen, Daniel Y. Chu, Don Flory, Mike Griffin, Xin Heng, Eli Hefner
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Publication number: 20100328766Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for using modular microscopes is disclosed. Connecting the housings of the individual microscope modules provide the structural framework of the modular microscope. Furthermore, the modular microscope can include specialized software, the distribution and use of which can be controlled using security keys or identifiers stored on one or more of the microscope modules. The security keys and identifiers can be based on calibration data associated with the physical, electrical, or optical properties of one of more of the modules. The illumination modules disclosed provide for selectable wavelengths and controllable levels of output illumination for both bright field and dark field illumination.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael Griffin, Daniel Yue Man Chu, Tom McCollum
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Patent number: 5298756Abstract: A flat response position sensitive neutron detector capable of providing neutron spectroscopic data utilizing scintillator fiber optic filaments embedded in a neutron moderating housing having an open end through which neutrons enter to be detected.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1992Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: Fibertek, Inc.Inventors: Tom McCollum, Garry B. Spector
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Patent number: 4931646Abstract: A multichannel coincidence nuclear detector system for spectral charactertion of nuclear radiation sources at a remote location. The system is designed to detect and classify the radiation source in unfriendly territory and to provide a radio link back to a friendly receiver user station. The sensing elements are comprised of a plurality of plastic scintillator fiber sensors which may be several meters long and with each fiber having a different spectral sensitivity to gamma and neutron sources. Each of the scintillator fibers is connected to a transmitting optical fiber which may be 1 kilometer or more in length. The plurality of optical fibers transmit the optical signal generated by the radiation from a nuclear source impinging on the scintillator fibers to an electronic system. The electronic system is a sealed self contained battery operated device which is comprised of a photomuliplier detector and microprocessor based signal processing and data storage.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1989Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Walter Koechner, Deborah R. Van Wyck, Garry B. Spector, Tom McCollum
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Patent number: H801Abstract: A nuclear radiation detection system for remote monitoring of movement of nuclear material over a road or highway. Nuclear fiber sensors, which may be several meters long, are covertly positioned in at least two monitoring points, such as buried shallowly under the roadway or hung from a tunnel wall, along the path which a nuclear source may be clandestinely moved. These fiber sensors are individually connected, by an epoxy glue, to individual transmitting optical fibers. Movement of a nuclear radiation source in close proximity to the fiber sensors at the two or more monitoring points produces an optical signal which exceeds a preestablished threshold. These optical signals travel through the transmitting optical fibers, which may be about 1 kilometers long, to a electronic system comprised of a microprocessor controlled signal detecting, signal processing and even data storage means. The optical fibers and electronic system are also selectively hidden from view for security reasons.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1989Date of Patent: July 3, 1990Inventors: Walter Koechner, Deborah R. Van Wyck, Gary P. Stevenson, William Krug, Tom McCollum, Garry B. Spector