David Taylor

Digital Olfactometer And Method For Testing Olfactory Thresholds

Application

#6338715 Jan 15, 2002

Filed

Mar 31, 2000

Inventor

Donald J. Hayes (Plano, TX) · Ioan Achiriloaie (Dallas, TX) · David W. Taylor (Dallas, TX) · Norman Comparini (Garland, TX) · David B. Wallace (Dallas, TX)

Appl. No.

09/540836

Assignee

MicroFab Technologies, Inc. (Plano, TX)

International Classification

A61B 508

U.S. Classification

600303, 73 2334

Abstract

A more reliable and precise method of determining the olfactory threshold is provided by a digitally operated apparatus that dispenses controlled amounts of a volatile test fluid from a digital jetting device of the type used for ink jet printing. A precise number and size of micro droplets are dispensed onto a heater which vaporizes the fluid at a test location where a patient can sniff and report whether the odor is sensed. Incremental adjustments are made to determine the approximate threshold of olfactory perception of the odor. Sensors are included to verify dispensing and to coordinate dispensing with breathing.

Claim

What is claimed: 1. A method of determining a patient's olfactory threshold, comprising the steps of: a. ) providing a digitally controlled and operated olfactometer comprising a jetting device capable of dispensing controlled amounts of volatile fluid at a test location; b. ) placing a patient's nose at the test location; c. ) dispensing a controlled amount of volatile fluid from the jetting device and converting the fluid to vapor at the test location; d. ) determining if the patient has or has not sensed the volatile fluid vapor at the test location; c. ) dispensing respectively an increased incremental known quantity of volatile fluid if the patient has not sensed the volatile fluid vapor or a reduced incremental known quantity of volatile fluid if the patient has sensed the volatile fluid vapor; f. ) repeating steps c-e respectively at incremental higher or lower known volatile fluid vapor concentrations until the patient no longer senses the volatile fluid vapor if the patient was sensing it or senses the volatile fluid vapor if the patient was not sensing it; and g. ) wherein the patient's olfactory threshold is determined by determining a measure of the concentration in effect at the time a change in the patient's state of sensing the volatile fluid vapor was detected. 2.

Soybean Cultivar 922411274

Application

#6362401 Mar 26, 2002

Filed

Mar 7, 2000

Inventor

Joseph R. Byrum (West Des Moines, IA) · David Bryan Taylor (Stuttgart, AR)

Appl. No.

09/520767

Assignee

Asgrow Seed Company, LLC (Ames, IA)

International Classification

A01H 100

U.S. Classification

800312, 435426, 435430, 800260, 800265, 800268, 800278

Abstract

A novel soybean cultivar, designated 922411274, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 922411274, to the plants of soybean 922411274 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the cultivar 922411274 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar 922411274 with another soybean cultivar.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A soybean seed designated 922411274, a sample of said seed deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-3938. 2. A plant, or parts thereof, produced by growing the seed of claim 1. 3. Pollen of the plant of claim 2. 4. An ovule of the plant of claim 2. 5. A soybean plant, or parts thereof, having all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the soybean plant of claim 2. 6. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of a soybean plant of cultivar 922411274, wherein the tissue regenerates plants capable of expressing all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the cultivar 922411274 wherein seed of cultivar 922411274 has been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-3938. 7. A tissue culture according to claim 6, the cells or protoplasts being from a tissue selected from the group consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos, meristematic cells, roots, root tips, anthers, flowers, seeds, stems and pods. 8. A soybean plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 6, capable of expressing all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of soybean cultivar 922411274. 9.

Method And Apparatus For Delivery Of Fragrances And Vapors To The Nose

Application

#6390453 May 21, 2002

Filed

Apr 30, 2001

Inventor

Christopher J. Frederickson (Little Elm, TX) · Donald J. Hayes (Plano, TX) · David B. Wallace (Dallas, TX) · David W. Taylor (Dallas, TX) · Matthew D. Hayes (Plano, TX)

Appl. No.

09/845714

Assignee

MicroFab Technologies, Inc. (Plano, TX)

International Classification

B01F 304

U.S. Classification

261 26, 261 782, 261100, 261142, 261DIG 65, 261DIG 88, 422124

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed which employs a pulse-controlled microdroplet fluid delivery system for precisely dispensing fragrances and other odor producing vapors. The pulse-controlled fluid delivery device is capable of ejecting microdroplets of fluid with a diameter less than 350 micrometers at a controlled ejection rate based upon ink-jet printing technology. The pulse-controlled fluid delivery system includes mechanisms for vaporizing the fluids and delivery of the vapors to the nose, which is controlled by a programmable system controller capable of real time data-driven dispensing with a multi-fluid capability. Synthesis of custom fragrances is made possible by a multijet programmed control system which adjusts dispensing rates of components. Calibration of a prior art âelectronic noseâ is disclosed. A precise calibration gas is produced in real-time to counteract the effect of drifting.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus for controlled dispensing of volatile material, comprising: a housing containing a target medium comprising a heater having a heating surface and an air-flow outlet; an electronically operated fluid droplet ejection device mounted with the housing, said ejection device having a fluid supply reservoir and a droplet ejection orifice aimed to deposit fluid droplets onto the heating surface; drive electronics operably connected to said ejection device; a system controller operably connected to the drive electronics and a power source whereby operating signals are delivered to the drive electronics to cause sequential droplets of fluid to be deposited onto the heating surface where they can be completely_volatilized and pass from the housing through the air-flow outlet, to be perceived by the mammalian_nose. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes an air movement device positioned to move air from t he housing through the air-flow outlet. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heater is under control of the system controller, having a quickly heatable heating_surface upon which said fluid droplets are deposited. 4.

Compartment Sensing System

Application

#6480103 Nov 12, 2002

Filed

Jan 18, 2000

Inventor

Kevin C. McCarthy (Tucson, AZ) · Eugenie V. Uhlmann (Tucson, AZ) · Brent J. Bos (Tucson, AZ) · Eric J. Hoekstra (Holland, MI) · Roger Koops (Hamilton, MI) · Gimtong Teowee (Tucson, AZ) · Kenneth Schofield (Holland, MI) · David W. Taylor (Fenton, MI) · Niall R. Lynam (Holland, MI) · Robert L. Bingle (Zeeland, MI)

Appl. No.

09/484754

Assignee

Donnelly Corporation (Holland, MI)

International Classification

B60Q 100

U.S. Classification

3404255, 3405734, 3405731, 340632, 73 232, 73 233

Abstract

A system for sensing ambient conditions in a compartment, such as the trunk of an automobile, generates a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. This control signal actuates indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person trapped in the trunk. The control signal is also used to actuate a lamp inside the trunk to provide light for the trapped person. A trunk release is also actuated, by a control module, to free the trapped person. The trunk release of the automobile can be prevented from being actuated if the automobile is moving, which prevents the trunk lid from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is in motion.

Claim

What is claimed: 1. An apparatus for controlling the status of a compartment of a vehicle comprising: a first sensor, disposed in the compartment, for generating a signal indicative of at least one of a person and an animal in the compartment, said first sensor responsive to sensing of at least one of motion and temperature; a controller, coupled to the sensor, for receiving said signal and generating a control signal in accordance with said signal; and a mechanism, adapted to have both open and closed positions, coupled to the controller, disposed in the compartment for receiving the control signal from the controller and entering an open position from a closed position when actuated by the control signal. 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the controller receives a motion signal, generated by the vehicle, indicative of vehicle motion. 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the vehicle generates the motion signal in accordance with an output of a vehicle motion sensor and the control signal will not actuate the mechanism while the motion signal indicates that the vehicle is in a non-stationary state. 4.

Apparatus For Assisting The Manipulation Of Overhead Mounted Devices By A Handling Tool

Application

#6512442 Jan 28, 2003

Filed

Sep 14, 2000

Inventor

David G. Taylor (Thomasville, GA)

Appl. No.

09/662095

Assignee

Taylor Maddox Technical, Inc. (Thomasville, GA)

International Classification

H01H 7110

U.S. Classification

337171, 337172, 337173, 361115

Abstract

A fuse cutout switch ( ) attached to electrical distribution equipment mounted on poles of electrical distribution systems operable with hooksticks ( ) in which a connection assembly ( ) detachably engages a first distal end of a fuse body ( ) that is pivotably and detachably engaged at a second distal end to a hinge ( ). A grab member ( ) attached to the fuse body ( ) near the first distal end includes a receptacle ( ) for selectively receiving the hookstick ( ) for disengaging the fuse body ( ) from the connection assembly ( ). A restoring member ( ) attached to the fuse body ( ) near a second distal end has a receptacle ( ) for selectively receiving the hookstick ( ) for pivoting the fuse body ( ) about the hinge ( ) and engaging the fuse body ( ) to the connection assembly ( ). Various embodiments of the grab member and the restoring member are disclosed, together with methods of modifying existing fuse cutout switches and of operating a fuse cutout switch.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. An actuator extending from a fuse body of a switch device of electrical distribution equipment mounted on poles of electrical distribution systems, comprising: a member having a connector defined by a planar portion thereof with a threaded member extending laterally and a pair of pins spaced-apart therefrom at a first end of the member for attaching the member to a fuse body of a switch device; a fastener for engaging the threaded member; and a receptacle defined at an opposing distal end of the member for receiving a hookstick therein, whereby the threaded member and the fastener, being engaged together while sandwiching a ring extending from a fuse body of switch device, communicates movement to the fuse body from a hookstick engaged in the receptacle for operating the switch device. 2. The actuator as recited in claim 1, wherein the receptacle defines a hook for receiving the hookstick. 3. The actuator as recited in claim 1, wherein a side wall of the receptacle defines a lip for restricting the hookstick from slipping out of the receptacle. 4.

Method For Fabricating Laminated Carrier For Collecting Interstitial Fluid From The Skin

Application

#6620283 Sep 16, 2003

Filed

Nov 27, 2001

Inventor

Donald J. Hayes (Parker, TX) · David W. Taylor (Richardson, TX) · David B. Wallace (Dallas, TX)

Appl. No.

09/993489

Assignee

MicroFab Technologies, Inc. (Plano, TX)

International Classification

B32B 3128

U.S. Classification

1562728, 156277, 156293, 101483, 427554, 427596

Abstract

A method for making a laminated carrier film for use in releasing interstitial fluid from skin for collection or measurement includes providing a printhead having an orifice and a reservoir containing a meltable absorber substance, the printhead being capable in response to electrical signals, to eject droplets of said meltable absorber substance from the orifice; supporting a carrier film having a series of spaced apart openings for a meltable absorber substance on a support base, in close proximity to the printhead, whereby the spaced apart openings on the carrier film can be positioned relative to the orifice to receive absorber substance droplets ejected from the printhead; filling the spaced apart openings of the carrier film with meltable absorber substance ejected from the printhead; and covering the carrier film on one side with a clear polymer film strip selected to allow laser energy to pass through the clear polymer film in order to reach the meltable absorber substance inside the openings.

Claim

We claim: 1. A method for making a laminated carrier film for use in releasing interstitial fluid from skin for collection or measurement, comprising: providing a printhead having an orifice and a reservoir containing a meltable absorber substance, the printhead being capable in response to electrical signals, to eject droplets of said meltable absorber substance from the orifice; supporting a carrier film having a series of spaced apart openings for a meltable absorber substance on a support base, in close proximity to the printhead, whereby the spaced apart openings on the carrier film can be positioned relative to the orifice to receive absorber substance droplets ejected from the printhead; filling the spaced apart openings of the carrier film with meltable absorber substance ejected from the printhead; and covering the carrier film on one side with a clear polymer film strip selected to allow laser energy to pass through the clear polymer film in order to reach the meltable absorber substance inside the openings. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier film is provided from a reel. 3. The method of claim 1 and providing the printhead with a heater. 4.