John J Kotlarik

US Patent:

6468229, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Jan 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/529148

Inventors:

John P. Grace - Lake Villa IL
Neil W. Loomis - Racine WI
Thomas G. Schapira - Bristol WI
Sie Ting Wong - Mundelein IL
Kristin M. Noonan - Chicago IL
Michael G. Lowery - Wildwood IL
Pete M. Bojan - Grayslake IL
Daniel P. Schmidt - Bannockburn IL
Tung-Ming Huang - Buffalo Grove IL
Robert G. Hiltibran - late of Libertyville IL
Mark R. Pope - Grayslake IL
John J. Kotlarik - Lake Geneva WI
Brian Joseph Tarkowski - Lake Villa IL
David Dean Cunningham - Lake Villa IL

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

600573, 604317

Abstract:

The present invention involves apparatus and methods for use in collecting bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, from the epidermal layer of an animal. A preferred apparatus includes a pressure head and, optionally, a holder therefor for supplying a positive pressure to the head. The methods include the application of a positive pressure to the area surrounding an epidermal site from which stratum corneum has been breached, such as by laser ablation, to cause bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, to exude from the site and collecting the fluids exuding therefrom.

US Patent:

6604054, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Feb 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/794255

Inventors:

James H. Lipscomb - Kennett Square PA
Larry Jurik - late of Elmhurst IL
Bernard Katz - Rockaway NJ
Michael J. Keating - Blairstown NJ
Stone Klengler - Escondido CA
John J. Kotlarik - Lake Geneva WI
Mieczyslaw Wroblewski - Lake Forest IL

Assignee:

Gen-Probe, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01F 15075

US Classification:

702 47, 7386142, 7386144, 138104, 324647, 417 63

Abstract:

A sensor for detecting contact of a fluid delivery probe with a fluid surface and for detecting fluid flow through the probe includes a first electrode disposed along a fluid flow path of the probe upstream from a distal tip of the probe and a second electrode longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed at the distal tip of the probe. An oscillating signal is transmitted through the first electrode, and at least a portion of the signal is received through the second electrode. Through changes in the received signal due to the distal tip of the probe coming into contact with a fluid surface or due to fluid flow through the conduit between the first and second electrodes, fluid surface contact and fluid flow can be detected. A pressure sensor can be employed to monitor internal fluid pressure within the fluid conduit of the fluid delivery probe as a secondary, redundant mechanism for detecting fluid flow through the conduit.

US Patent:

6658946, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Aug 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/214161

Inventors:

James H. Lipscomb - Kennett Square PA
Larry Jurik - late of Elmhurst IL
Bernard Katz - Rockaway NJ
Michael J. Keating - Blairstown NJ
Stone Klengler - Escondido CA
John J. Kotlarik - Lake Geneva WI
Mieczyslaw Wroblewski - Lake Forest IL

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01F 2202

US Classification:

7386142, 7386144, 702 47

Abstract:

A sensor for detecting contact of a fluid delivery probe with a fluid surface and for detecting fluid flow through the probe includes a first electrode disposed along a fluid flow path of the probe upstream from a distal tip of the probe and a second electrode longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed at the distal tip of the probe. An oscillating signal is transmitted through the first electrode, and at least a portion of the signal is received through the second electrode. Through changes in the received signal due to the distal tip of the probe coming into contact with a fluid surface or due to fluid flow through the conduit between the first and second electrodes, fluid surface contact and fluid flow can be detected. A pressure sensor can be employed to monitor internal fluid pressure within the fluid conduit of the fluid delivery probe as a secondary, redundant device for detecting fluid flow through the conduit.

US Patent:

6663353, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Aug 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/214158

Inventors:

James H. Lipscomb - Kennett Square PA
Larry Jurik - late of Elmhurst IL
Bernard Katz - Rockaway NJ
Michael J. Keating - Blairstown NJ
Stone Klengler - Escondido CA
John J. Kotlarik - Lake Geneva WI
Mieczyslaw Wroblewski - Lake Forest IL

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01F 2202

US Classification:

417 63, 7386422, 7386425

Abstract:

A sensor for detecting contact of a fluid delivery probe with a fluid surface and for detecting fluid flow through the probe includes a first electrode disposed along a fluid flow path of the probe upstream from a distal tip of the probe and a second electrode longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed at the distal tip of the probe. An oscillating signal is transmitted through the first electrode, and at least a portion of the signal is received through the second electrode. Through changes in the received signal due to the distal tip of the probe coming into contact with a fluid surface or due to fluid flow through the conduit between the first and second electrodes, fluid surface contact and fluid flow can be detected. A pressure sensor can be employed to monitor internal fluid pressure within the fluid conduit of the fluid delivery probe as a secondary, redundant mechanism for detecting fluid flow through the conduit.

US Patent:

6786874, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Sep 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/243584

Inventors:

John P. Grace - Lake Villa IL
Neil W. Loomis - Racine WI
Thomas G. Schapira - Bristol WI
Sie Ting Wong - Mundelein IL
Kristin M. Noonan - Chicago IL
Michael G. Lowery - Wildwood IL
Pete M. Bojan - Grayslake IL
Daniel P. Schmidt - Bannockburn IL
Tung-Ming Huang - Buffalo Grove IL
Robert G. Hiltibran - late of Libertyville IL
Mark R. Pope - Grayslake IL
John J. Kotlarik - Lake Geneva WI
Brian Joseph Tarkowski - Lake Villa IL
David Dean Cunningham - Lake Villa IL

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

A61B 1000

US Classification:

600573

Abstract:

The present invention involves apparatus and methods for use in collecting bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, from the epidermal layer of an animal. A preferred apparatus includes a pressure head and, optionally, a holder therefor for supplying a positive pressure to the head. The methods include the application of a positive pressure to the area surrounding an epidermal site from which stratum corneum has been breached, such as by laser ablation, to cause bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, to exude from the site and collecting the fluids exuding therefrom.

US Patent:

6851453, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Apr 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/425615

Inventors:

James H. Lipscomb - Kennett Square PA, US
Anna Jurik - Elmhurst IL, US
Bernard Katz - Rockaway NJ, US
Michael J. Keating - Blairstown NJ, US
Stone Klengler - Escondido CA, US
John J. Kotlarik - Lake Geneva WI, US
Mieczyslaw Wroblewski - Lake Forest IL, US

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F16L055/00
F16L009/22
G01F001/56
B01L003/02

US Classification:

138104, 137557, 138177, 7386473, 7386425, 324647

Abstract:

A sensor for detecting contact of a fluid delivery probe with a fluid surface and for detecting fluid flow through the probe includes a first electrode disposed along a fluid flow path of the probe upstream from a distal tip of the probe and a second electrode longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed at the distal tip of the probe. An oscillating signal is transmitted through the first electrode, and at least a portion of the signal is received through the second electrode. Through changes in the received signal due to the distal tip of the probe coming into contact with a fluid surface or due to fluid flow through the conduit between the first and second electrodes, fluid surface contact and fluid flow can be detected. A pressure sensor can be employed to monitor internal fluid pressure within the fluid conduit of the fluid delivery probe as a secondary, redundant mechanism for detecting fluid flow through the conduit.

US Patent:

6914555, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

May 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/426655

Inventors:

James H. Lipscomb - Kennett Square PA, US
Anna Jurik - Elmhurst IL, US
Bernard Katz - Rockaway NJ, US
Michael J. Keating - Blairstown NJ, US
Stone Klengler - Escondido CA, US
John J. Kotlarik - Lake Geneva WI, US
Mieczyslaw Wroblewski - Lake Forest IL, US

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01F023/284

US Classification:

342124, 324647, 73290 R

Abstract:

A sensor for detecting contact of a fluid delivery probe with a fluid surface and for detecting fluid flow through the probe includes a first electrode disposed along a fluid flow path of the probe upstream from a distal tip of the probe and a second electrode longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed at the distal tip of the probe. An oscillating signal is transmitted through the first electrode, and at least a portion of the signal is received through the second electrode. Through changes in the received signal due to the distal tip of the probe coming into contact with a fluid surface or due to fluid flow through the conduit between the first and second electrodes, fluid surface contact and fluid flow can be detected. A pressure sensor can be employed to monitor internal fluid pressure within the fluid conduit of the fluid delivery probe as a secondary, redundant mechanism for detecting fluid flow through the conduit.

US Patent:

20090036199, Feb 5, 2009

Filed:

Jul 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/830073

Inventors:

David A. Myus - Green Bay WI, US
John J. Kotlarik - Green Bay WI, US

Assignee:

BAY TEK GAMES, INC. - Pulaski WI

International Classification:

A63F 13/06

US Classification:

463 23

Abstract:

A system and method for operating a game of skill to provide awards or prizes to players of the game when the player has been successful in completing the game task. The game of skill is operated at a current skill level and the game monitors a rule parameter, such as a winning percentage or payout percentage, as the game is played. If the rule parameter exceeds a maximum limit, the difficulty level of the game is adjusted. Likewise, if the rule parameter is below a minimum limit, the difficulty level of the game is decreased. At each and every difficulty level, the player is able to succeed in winning the game of skill.