Thomas F Collins

US Patent:

6368869, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Jan 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/775332

Inventors:

Kevin J. Sullivan - Medfield MA
Thomas C. Collins - Linwood MI
Rudolf E. Slovacek - Norfolk MA

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - E. Walpole MA

International Classification:

G01N 2164

US Classification:

436172, 422 8208, 427164

Abstract:

A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

US Patent:

20010012539, Aug 9, 2001

Filed:

Mar 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/823734

Inventors:

Steven Barnard - Framingham MA, US
Thomas Collins - Milford MA, US
Susan Cudmore - Upton MA, US
Richard Mason - Millis MA, US
Christiane Munkholm - Salem MA, US
Rudolf Slovacek - Norfolk MA, US
Kevin Sullivan - Medfield MA, US

International Classification:

B05D005/12

US Classification:

427/058000

Abstract:

Provided is an optical sensor including a support and a detection layer, wherein the detection layer includes: (a) a luminescent material wherein the luminescence intensity of the luminescent material varies as the amount of an analyte varies; (b) a reflective material having a highly efficient reflectance of the wavelengths of excitation and of emission of the luminescent material; and (c) a polymeric binder to support and hold together the luminescent material and the reflective material. Such an optical sensor can be advantageously used in the detection of gaseous, ionic, and nonionic analytes in highly scattering samples. Also provided are methods for the manufacture of such optical sensors.

US Patent:

20050123435, Jun 9, 2005

Filed:

Aug 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/916712

Inventors:

Brent Cutler - Vernon CA, US
Jeannette Dido - Hoboken NJ, US
Yah Hwa Lin - Cerritos CA, US
Ron Rieger - Cleveland TN, US
Eric Knittweis - Sherman Oaks CA, US
Bruce Keen - Chattanooga TN, US
Gary Chisholm - Rancho Palos Verdes CA, US
Thomas Collins - Nazareth PA, US
Don Jurgensen - China Springs TX, US
Ted LaFleur - South Pasadena CA, US

Assignee:

MARS INCORPORATED - McLean VA

International Classification:

A61L002/04

US Classification:

422001000, 422297000

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a method for the pasteurization and/or sterilization of a continuous web of packages. The method includes the steps of providing a continuous web of individual packages; moving the continuous web through a first mechanical pressure seal into a pressure chamber; applying an increased pressure and temperature; and moving the continuous web through a second mechanical pressure seal out of the pressure chamber. The present invention is also directed to a continuous pressure seal apparatus and an apparatus for the pasteurization and/or sterilization of a continuous web of flexible packages. The apparatus includes a first mechanical continuous feeding pressure seal; a pressure chamber; and a second mechanical continuous feeding pressure seal. The first pressure seal is adjacent to an entry to the pressure chamber and the second pressure seal is adjacent to an exit of the pressure chamber.

US Patent:

6254831, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Jan 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/009917

Inventors:

Steven M. Barnard - Framingham MA
Thomas C. Collins - Milford MA
Susan L. Cudmore - Upton MA
Richard W. Mason - Millis MA
Christiane Munkholm - Salem MA
Rudolf E. Slovacek - Norfolk MA
Kevin J. Sullivan - Medfield MA

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - East Walpole MA

International Classification:

G01N 2164

US Classification:

422 8208

Abstract:

Provided is an optical sensor including a support and a detection layer, wherein the detection layer includes: (a) a luminescent material wherein the luminescence intensity of the luminescent material varies as the amount of an analyte varies; (b) a reflective material having a highly efficient reflectance of the wavelengths of excitation and of emission of the luminescent material; and (c) a polymeric binder to support and hold together the luminescent material and the reflective material. Such an optical sensor can be advantageously used in the detection of gaseous, ionic, and nonionic analytes in highly scattering samples. Also provided are methods for the manufacture of such optical sensors.

US Patent:

51006219, Mar 31, 1992

Filed:

Sep 20, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/246734

Inventors:

Carl M. Berke - Boston MA
Thomas L. Collins - Springfield MA
David P. Leja - Belchertown MA
Ronald W. Mink - Wilbraham MA

Assignee:

Hygeia Sciences, Inc. - Newton MA

International Classification:

B01L 1100

US Classification:

422 61

Abstract:

A test kit for performing a diagnostic procedure. The kit comprises a plastic base which has an upper surface. The base is formed from a plastic material and a plurality of upwardly opening nests are provided in the upper surface of the base. A test component is provided in each of the nests in a manner such that the components may be displayed and made available for use. The test components are preferably displayed in essentially the plane of the upper surface of the base and an instruction booklet is provided so as to overlie the test components at the beginning of the procedure. The arrangement of the components and the size and shape of the pages of the booklet are such that as the user follows the instructions and turns pages in the booklet, components remain hidden from view until needed in conducting the procedure. The pages of the booklet are progressively shorter from front to back in the booklet so that as the pages are turned components of the kit come into view as needed.

US Patent:

62071106, Mar 27, 2001

Filed:

Aug 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/137728

Inventors:

Kevin J. Sullivan - Medfield MA
Thomas C. Collins - Linwood MI
Rudolf E. Slovacek - Norfolk MA

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - E. Walpole MA

International Classification:

G01N21/64

US Classification:

422 56

Abstract:

A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

US Patent:

61906123, Feb 20, 2001

Filed:

Jan 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/010161

Inventors:

Joseph Berger - Muttenz, CH
Thomas C. Collins - Milford MA
Rudolf E. Slovacek - Norfolk MA

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - East Walpole MA
Novartis AG - Basel

International Classification:

G01N 2164

US Classification:

422 8207

Abstract:

Optical sensor formulations comprising polymeric sensing formulations and methods of predictably making optical sensor formulations, for, e. g. , measuring O. sub. 2 levels in patient blood samples. These formulations may be, e. g. , deposited as a membrane on light-transmissive substrates. In an embodiment, O. sub. 2 -sensing formulations may be made by a process including selecting a first homopolymer comprised of first monomeric units, the first homopolymer having a first Perm. sub. O2 value; selecting a second homopolymer comprised of second monomeric units, the second homopolymer having a second Perm. sub. O2 value that is different from the first Perm. sub. O2 value; and copolymerizing the first and second monomeric units to obtain a copolymer having an intermediate Perm. sub. O2 value, i. e. , between the two Perm. sub.

US Patent:

20220191408, Jun 16, 2022

Filed:

Dec 14, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/120782

Inventors:

- Nashua NH, US
Thomas E. Collins III - Tyngsboro MA, US

Assignee:

BAE SYSTEMS Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc. - Nashua NH

International Classification:

H04N 5/33
H04N 5/378
H04N 5/365

Abstract:

A system for providing high resolution image output for pilotage and two color operation for threat detection, the system comprising a focal plane array, the focal plane array comprising: a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are arranged into groups of equal numbers of pixels, each pixel comprising: at least two detectors configured to receive electromagnetic energy; and a readout integrated circuit comprising an analog portion and a digital portion, which combine to form a current to frequency conversion circuit configured to convert current received from one of the at least two detectors into a pulse train, and a counter in operative communication with the frequency conversion circuit configured to count pulses in the pulse train during an integration time, wherein each detector from each of the pixels in a group of pixels is configured such that it can be connected to or disconnected from at least one detector from each adjacent pixel in a row or column from the same said group of pixels, and wherein each group of pixels is configured such that an output from detectors connected to one another is directed through the readout integrated circuit of a single pixel from the group of pixels.