Patents by Inventor William McMillan

William McMillan 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).

  • FACILITATING THE SENDING OF MULTIMEDIA AS A MESSAGE
    Publication number: 20150312184
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein include methods and systems of sending multimedia content items as electronic communications. More specifically, systems and methods described herein provide user the ability to easily and effectively select multimedia content items stored on a computing device for inclusion in a communication session without navigating away from the communication session. Additionally, systems and methods described herein provide a user the ability to edit multimedia content items for inclusion in the communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Langholz, William McMillan Tyler
  • Apparatus and method for analyzing fluid sample
    Patent number: 9156032
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample. The cartridge provides for the efficient separation of cells or viruses in the sample from the remaining sample fluid, lysis of the cells or viruses to release the analyte (e.g., nucleic acid) therefrom, and optionally chemical reaction and/or detection of the analyte. The cartridge is useful in a variety of diagnostic, life science research, environmental, or forensic applications for determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Kurt E. Peterson, Michael T. Taylor, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Stanley H. Sakai, Jesus Ching, Douglas P. Dority, Philip Belgrader, M. Allen Northrup
  • Apparatus and method for cell disruption
    Patent number: 9073053
    Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Michael T. Taylor, Phillip Belgrader, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Stanley H. Sakai, Jesus Ching
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING OPTICAL SIGNALS FROM IMPLANTED SENSORS
    Publication number: 20140364707
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus including a light source configured to transmit an excitation optical signal to an implanted sensor and a detector configured to detect an analyte-dependent optical signal emitted from an implanted sensor. The apparatus can include a lens configured to focus at least a portion of the analyte-dependent optical signal onto the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kintz, William A. McMillan, Natalie A. Wisniewski
  • TISSUE-INTEGRATING ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20140357964
    Abstract: Tissue-integrating electronic apparatuses, systems comprising such apparatuses and methods of using these apparatuses and systems for the detection of one or more signals are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Natalie A. Wisniewski, Kurt E. Petersen, Kristen Helton, William A. McMillan
  • OXYGEN SENSORS
    Publication number: 20140286875
    Abstract: Oxygen sensing luminescent dyes, polymers and sensors comprising these sensors and methods of using these sensors and systems are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Profusa, Inc.
    Inventors: Soya Gamsey, Natalie Wisniewski, Kristen Helton, William McMillan
  • METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CORRECTING OPTICAL SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20140275869
    Abstract: An optical device is used to monitor an implant embedded in the tissue of a mammal (e.g., under the skin). The implant receives excitation light from the optical device and emits light that is detected by the optical device, including an analyte-dependent optical signal. Scatter and absorption properties of tissue change over time due to changes in hydration, blood perfusion and oxygenation. The optical device has an arrangement of light sources, filters and detectors to transmit excitation light within excitation wavelength ranges and to measure emitted light within detection wavelengths. Changes in scattering and absorption of light in the tissue, such as diffuse reflectance, are monitored. The light sources, filters and detectors may also be used to monitor autofluorescence in the tissue to correct autofluorescence background.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Profusa, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kintz, William McMillan, Natalie Wisniewski
  • Apparatus and method for cell disruption
    Patent number: 8815521
    Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Michael T. Taylor, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang
  • CARTRIDGE FOR CONDUCTING A CHEMICAL REACTION
    Publication number: 20140206074
    Abstract: A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having at least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Kurt E. Peterson, William McMillan, Farzad Pourahmadi, Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority
  • METHOD FOR SEPARATING AN ANALYTE FROM A SAMPLE
    Publication number: 20140141424
    Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: FARZAD POURAHMADI, William McMillan, Jesus Ching, Ronald Chang, Lee A. Christel, Gregory T.A. Kovacs, M. Allen Northrup, Kurt E. Petersen
  • Cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction
    Patent number: 8709363
    Abstract: A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having at least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Kurt Petersen, William McMillan, Farzad Pourahmadi, Ronald Chang, Douglas Dority
  • Method for separating an analyte from a sample
    Patent number: 8592157
    Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Kurt E. Petersen, William A. McMillan, Lee A. Christel, Ronald Chang, Farzad Pourahmadi, Jesus Ching, Gregory T. A. Kovacs, M. Allen Northrup
  • Device for extracting nucleic acid from a sample
    Patent number: 8580559
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample. The cartridge provides for the efficient separation of cells or viruses in the sample from the remaining sample fluid, lysis of the cells or viruses to release the analyte (e.g., nucleic acid) therefrom, and optionally chemical reaction and/or detection of the analyte. The cartridge is useful in a variety of diagnostic, life science research, environmental, or forensic applications for determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Kurt E. Petersen, Michael T. Taylor, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Stanley H. Sakai, Jesus Ching, Douglas B. Dority, Phillip Belgrader, M. Allen Northrup
  • COMPOSITION, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING AN ANALYTE FROM A SAMPLE
    Publication number: 20130236907
    Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: CEPHEID
    Inventors: Kurt E. PETERSEN, William A. McMillan, Lee A. Christel, Ronald Chang, Farzad Pourahmadi, Jesus Ching, Gregory T.A. Kovacs, M. Allen Northrup
  • Seismically hardened two-post electronic equipment rack
    Patent number: 8424691
    Abstract: A two-post mounting rack includes a frame bottom, a frame top, a pair of frame uprights interconnected between the frame bottom and the frame top, and a base assembly for supporting the frame bottom on a surface. One or more of the frame bottom, the frame top, the pair of frame uprights, and the base assembly are seismically hardened. Each frame upright has a closed cross-sectional shape. Each frame upright includes a flange with apertures adapted to provide a mounting location for cable management projections. The base assembly includes two separate end gusset members. Each end gusset member includes two corner gussets. Each corner gusset includes a floor plate and a riser plate. The two corner gussets in each end gusset member are connected by a bridge member. The frame top includes an upper cross-member and two lateral reinforcement plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Chatsworth Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William McMillan, III, Ben John Sy, Andrew Ungho Pae
  • METHOD FOR SEPARATING AN ANALYTE FROM A SAMPLE
    Publication number: 20120295269
    Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: CEPHEID
    Inventors: Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Jesus Ching, Ronald Chang, Lee A. Christel, Gregory T.A. Kovacs, M. Allen Northrup, Kurt E. Petersen
  • CARTRIDGE FOR CONDUCTING A CHEMICAL REACTION
    Publication number: 20120288924
    Abstract: A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having at least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Cepheid
    Inventors: Kurt E. Peterson, William A. McMillan, Farzad Pourahmadi, Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority
  • TISSUE-INTEGRATING SENSORS
    Publication number: 20120265034
    Abstract: Tissue-integrating biosensors, systems comprising these sensors and methods of using these sensors and systems for the detection of one or more analytes are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Natalie A. Wisniewski, Kristen Helton, William A. McMillan
  • Apparatus and method for cell disruption
    Patent number: 8268603
    Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Michael T. Taylor, Phillip Belgrader, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Jesus Ching
  • Method for separating an analyte from a sample
    Patent number: 8247176
    Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Kurt E. Petersen, William A. McMillan, Lee A. Christel, Ronald Chang, Farzad Pourahmadi, Jesus Ching, Gregory T. A. Kovacs, M. Allen Northrup