Patents by Inventor William David Dunfee

William David Dunfee 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).

  • Method for optimizing vertical probe alignment using diagnostic mixing routines
    Patent number: 9488555
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the height of a tip of a mixing element, such as a needle probe, compares the mixing efficiency observed at two heights separated by a predetermined distance. The heights can be incrementally adjusted to determine the location of the bottom of a mixing vessel and, by extension, the approximate location for placing the mixing element for efficient mixing of solutions in the mixing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Henry Carter, Jr., William David Dunfee, Media Marie Lloyd, John P. Mizzer
  • METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING VERTICAL PROBE ALIGNMENT USING DIAGNOSTIC MIXING ROUTINES
    Publication number: 20140024133
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the height of a tip of a mixing element, such as a needle probe, compares the mixing efficiency observed at two heights separated by a predetermined distance. The heights can be incrementally adjusted to determine the location of the bottom of a mixing vessel and, by extension, the approximate location for placing the mixing element for efficient mixing of solutions in the mixing vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventors: Richard Henry Carter, Jr., William David Dunfee, Media Marie Lloyd, John P. Mizzer
  • Method For Mixing Liquid Samples In A Container Using A Lemniscate Stirring Pattern
    Publication number: 20120127821
    Abstract: A method for rapidly and uniformly mixing solutions within a biochemical analyzer by rapidly and repeatedly moving a sampling probe in generally lemniscate shaped pattern within the solution is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Richard Renrong Zhang, Richard Henry Carter, Media Marie Lloyd
  • Clog detection in a clinical sampling pipette
    Patent number: 7867769
    Abstract: Analyzing the pressure profile generated during a predetermined period of time prior to the end of an aspiration or dispensing process and comparing a pressure reading to predetermined values to determine if the aspiration or dispensing pipette was free of clogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Mark Henry Sprenkle
  • CLOG DETECTION IN A CLINICAL SAMPLING PIPETTE
    Publication number: 20090075386
    Abstract: Analyzing the pressure profile generated during a predetermined period of time prior to the end of an aspiration or dispensing process and comparing a pressure reading to predetermined values to determine if the aspiration or dispensing pipette was free of clogs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: DADE BEHRING INC.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Mark Henry Sprenkle
  • Method and Device for Cleaning a Liquid Aspiration and Dispense Probe
    Publication number: 20080099057
    Abstract: Cleaning a liquid sample probe with a cleansing station having sources of air, cleansing solution, bath and shower water in a two-well cleansing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: DADE BEHRING INC.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Antoine Elias Haddad, Robert Franklin Hazelwood, Robert Eugene Myers, Richard Renrong Zhang
  • Apparatus for mixing liquid samples using a two dimensional stirring pattern
    Patent number: 7258480
    Abstract: A method for rapidly and uniformly mixing solutions within a biochemical analyzer by rapidly and repeatedly moving a sampling probe in a two-dimensional boomerang-curved pattern within the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Dade Behring Inc.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Robert Franklin Hazlewood, Jr.
  • Liquid sampling probe and cleaning fluidics system
    Patent number: 7186378
    Abstract: A sampling aliquotter for aspirating aliquot portions of sample fluid from a closed container and for dispensing aliquot portions into a vessel using horizontal and vertical drives to drive a probe into the closed container, to position the probe above the vessel, and to lower the probe into a cleansing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Dade Behring Inc.
    Inventor: William David Dunfee
  • Method for maintaining test accuracy within a microbiological test array
    Patent number: 6645737
    Abstract: A microbiological test array with a plurality of microwells connected by a microchannel to a solution reservoir. Subsequent to filling the microwells, the microchannels are sealed to protect the integrity of the solution in the test microwells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Dade Microscan Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Francis Farina, Edward Stephen Kaminski, John Charles Mazza, Bruce McLean Gemmell, William David Dunfee
  • Method for minimizing optical interference during antibiotic susceptibility readings in a microbiological analyzer
    Patent number: 6582929
    Abstract: Performing antibiotic testing on samples contained in test arrays by orienting the arrays relative to the direction of gravity so that test solution within the microwells is drawn downwards and air within the microwells is forced to the uppermost portion of the test array. Antibiotic testing is conducted using an interrogating beam of radiation passing horizontally through the microwells at locations devoid of air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Dade Microscan Inc.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Bruce McLean Gemmell, Edward Stephen Kaminski, John Charles Mazza, Edward Francis Farina, Frank Stephen Krufka
  • Method for minimizing optical interference during antibiotic susceptibility readings in a microbiological analyzer
    Publication number: 20020155516
    Abstract: Performing antibiotic testing on samples contained in test arrays by orienting the arrays relative to the direction of gravity so that test solution within the microwells is drawn downwards and air within the microwells is forced to the uppermost portion of the test array. Antibiotic testing is conducted using an interrogating beam of radiation passing horizontally through the microwells at locations devoid of air bubbles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Dade Behring Inc.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Bruce McLean Gemmell, Edward Stephen Kaminski, John Charles Mazza, Edward Francis Farina, Frank Stephen Krufka
  • Method for maintaining test integrity within a microbiological test array
    Publication number: 20020155515
    Abstract: A microbiological test array with a plurality of microwells connected by a microchannel to a solution reservoir. Subsequent to filling the microwells, the microchannels are sealed to protect the integrity of the solution in the test microwells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Dade Behring Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Francis Farina, Edward Stephen Kaminki, John Charles Mazza, Bruce McLean Gemmell, William David Dunfee
  • Method for verifying the integrity of a fluid transfer
    Patent number: 6370942
    Abstract: A liquid aspiration method which includes a method for determining the quality of the aspirated sample through mathematical analysis of the pressure profile generated before, during, and after the aspiration process and comparison of the results with predetermined known values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Dade Behring Inc.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Kerry Lynn Miller
  • Method and apparatus for extracting liquid samples from a closed container
    Patent number: 6077713
    Abstract: Extracting a quantity of liquid from a closed container by driving a cannula having a passage the length of the cannula and a groove a partial length of the cannula through the closure of the container until the groove establishes communication between a pressurized chamber and the container, thereby forcing liquid from the tube through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Dade Behring Inc.
    Inventors: William David Dunfee, Edward Stephen Kaminski, John Charles Mazza, Kerry Lynn Miller, Jeffery Kenneth Parmer, Paul John Zuk