Willis E Howard

US Patent:

20060139649, Jun 29, 2006

Filed:

Jun 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/560440

Inventors:

Willis Howard - Elkhart IN, US

International Classification:

G01N 21/55

US Classification:

356445000

Abstract:

A wavelength correction function provides corrected reflectance values from actual reflectance values taken in a reflectance-base instrument. The correction is provided as a function of measured reflectance values and a predefined set of high resolution reflectance values established for the reflectance-based instrument implementing the wavelength correction function.

US Patent:

6261522, Jul 17, 2001

Filed:

Oct 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/170271

Inventors:

David Hough - Edwardsburg MI
Willis E. Howard - Elkhart IN
Richard Hurtle - Elkhart IN
Gary E. Rehm - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

G01N 2113
G01N 3502

US Classification:

422 8205

Abstract:

An apparatus for automatically detecting the presence of a reagent strip (14) having a body fluid sample disposed thereon and for inspecting the reagent strip (14) after the presence of the reagent strip (14) is detected is provided with a detection system adapted to automatically detect the presence of a reagent strip (14) at a reagent strip receiving area (12), a light source (64 or 68) adapted to illuminate the reagent strip (14) after the presence of the reagent strip (14) at the reagent strip receiving area (12) is detected, and a detector (66 or 70) adapted to receive light from the reagent strip (14) when the reagent strip (14) is being illuminated by the light source. The detection system is provided with a light emitting apparatus (30) adapted to illuminate the reagent strip receiving area (12), a detecting apparatus (32) adapted to receive light from the reagent strip receiving area (12) while the reagent strip receiving area (12) is being illuminated by the light emitting apparatus (30) and to generate a detection signal relating to the amount of light detected from the reagent strip receiving area (12), and a circuit (120 or 144, 148) adapted to automatically determine whether a reagent strip (14) is present at the reagent strip receiving area (12) based on the magnitude of the detection signal.

US Patent:

D4184971, Jan 4, 2000

Filed:

Mar 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

D/085013

Inventors:

Willis E. Howard - Elkhart IN
Stacie Koepke - Carmel IN
Eric Miller - Granger IN

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D141143

US Patent:

56615639, Aug 26, 1997

Filed:

May 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/647122

Inventors:

Willis Howard - Elkhart IN
Gerald H. Shaffer - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

G01N 2147

US Classification:

356446

Abstract:

A reflectance spectroscope, which is provided with one or more optical paths which prevent substantially all singly reflected light rays from reaching the intended destination(s), is provided with a source of illumination for generating light rays, a support member adapted to support a reagent pad, the support member having a position in which the reagent pad is illuminated by the light rays generated by the illumination source, a reflectance detector positioned to receive light rays from the reagent pad, and means for defining an optical path in which substantially all singly-reflected light rays are prevented from reaching the intended destination. The optical path may be between the illumination source and the reagent pad, or between the reagent pad and the area in which the detector is provided.

US Patent:

57241481, Mar 3, 1998

Filed:

May 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/647120

Inventors:

Willis Howard - Elkhart IN
Gary E. Rehm - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

G01N 2127

US Classification:

356425

Abstract:

An apparatus for analyzing a body-fluid sample, such as a urine sample, disposed on a reagent pad is provided with means for illuminating the reagent pad on which the body-fluid sample is disposed, means for detecting light received from the reagent pad and generating a first reflectance signal at a first time and a second reflectance signal at a second time, and means for assigning a color to the body-fluid sample based upon the magnitudes of the first and second reflectance signals. The means for assigning the color to the body-fluid sample may include means for determining a pair of color coefficients each of which has a magnitude based upon the magnitudes of the reflectance signals and means for assigning the color to the body-fluid sample based upon the magnitudes of the color coefficients.

US Patent:

59453419, Aug 31, 1999

Filed:

Oct 21, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/734103

Inventors:

Willis E. Howard - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

G01N 3348
G01N 3352
G01N 3350

US Classification:

436 46

Abstract:

Disclosed is an automated method for reading a test strip for the analysis of one or more analyte in a liquid test sample. The method involves the spectrophotometric reading of a test strip which bears at least two marker fields on its surface which are capable of reflecting light at different spectral regions from each other. The reading means of the spectrophotometer is programmed to discern information concerning the strip, such as what analyte the strip is designed to detect, from the sequences of spectral classifications by spectral reflectancy measurements of the strip's marker fields.

US Patent:

54085357, Apr 18, 1995

Filed:

Sep 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/117782

Inventors:

Willis E. Howard - Elkhart IN
Dijia Huang - Granger IN
Robert W. Rogers - Elkhart IN
Gerald H. Shaffer - Elkhart IN
Mark A. Yoder - Bristol IN

Assignee:

Miles Inc. - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

G06K 900
G01N 2101

US Classification:

382 1

Abstract:

A video test strip reader uses a video imager or camera for viewing a viewing field containing reagent test strips each having test pads reacted with a specimen containing constituents of interest. The video imager produces an analog signal representing an image of the viewing field. An image handler coupled to the video imager converts or digitizes the analog signal into a digital signal representing the image and stores the image in the form of an array of pixels representing the image. Each pixel contains color information broken down into red, green or blue (RGB). A processor coupled to the image handler analyzes the array of pixels, determines the location and orientation of a test strip, identifies the test areas on the test strip, measures the corresponding test areas on the strip at the proper times and calculates the test results, such as the concentration of the constituents of interest in the specimen or other measurable properties of the specimen such as color or specific gravity, etc. Accordingly, the video test strip reader can simultaneously locate, color analyze and time track multiple test strips on the viewing field.

US Patent:

61804096, Jan 30, 2001

Filed:

Oct 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/170270

Inventors:

Willis E. Howard - Elkhart IN
Gary E. Rehm - Elkhart IN
Gerald H. Shaffer - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

G01N 2113
G01N 3502

US Classification:

436 46

Abstract:

An apparatus for inspecting a reagent strip (14) having a fluid sample disposed thereon is provided with a conveyor system (80) adapted to move the reagent strip (14) from a first reagent strip inspection location to a second reagent strip inspection location, a first readhead (60) associated with the first reagent strip inspection location, and a second readhead (62) associated with the second reagent strip inspection location. Each of the readheads (60, 62) has a light source (64, 68) and a light detector (66, 70) associated therewith, each light source (64, 68) being adapted to illuminate the reagent strip (14) at one of the reagent strip inspection locations and each light detector (66, 70) being adapted to detect light from the reagent strip (14) when the reagent strip (14) is disposed at one of the reagent strip inspection locations.