Philip A Ekstrom

US Patent:

49553968, Sep 11, 1990

Filed:

Feb 5, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/152458

Inventors:

Richard D. Fralick - East Sound WA
Philip A. Ekstrom - Shaw Island WA

Assignee:

Northwest Marine Technology, Inc. - Shaw Island WA

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

128898

Abstract:

In a method for tagging members of a large group of macro-organisms so that each macro-organism is assigned to a respective subgroup, successive segments of wire are cut from a continuous length of wire. During implantation, a tag is ejected and stored to define the beginning of a set of successive tags corresponding to a subgroup of macro-organisms. The tags of that subgroup are then severed from the length of wire and implanted into respective members of the particular subgroup. Subsequently, another tag is severed from the wire and stored to mark the end of the subgroup. Upon capture of a member of a subgroup, the tag is excised, the respective multidigit code is read and compared with the multidigit codes of the stored tags to determine to which subgroup the captured macro-organism belongs.

US Patent:

53249402, Jun 28, 1994

Filed:

Jul 1, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/907411

Inventors:

Philip A. Ekstrom - Shaw Island WA

Assignee:

Northwest Marine Technology, Inc. - Shaw Island WA

International Classification:

G09F 308
G01N 2164
A01K 6100

US Classification:

250302

Abstract:

For the identification of macro-organisms, especially fish, visible implant tags having identification codes of fluorescent colorants are implanted into at least partially transparent tissue of the macro-organisms such that the visible implant tags are visible. The encoded information is obtained from the tags by measuring the spectrum of light emitted by the fluorescent colorants. The tagged fish need not be captured to read the tags. The information may be obtained through a significant depth of medium and also independently of the size of the tag or its orientation. Florescent dyes or, more preferably, fluorescent pigments may be used for the identification codes.

US Patent:

53212681, Jun 14, 1994

Filed:

Feb 22, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/020814

Inventors:

David A. Crosby - Shaw Island WA
Philip A. Ekstrom - Shaw Island WA

Assignee:

Northwest Marine Technology, Inc. - Shaw Island WA

International Classification:

G01J 158

US Classification:

250361R

Abstract:

An undersea probe which can be attached to marine animals for collecting data as to light intensity and temperature in regions where the marine animals travel. The probe is essentially omnidirectional in its light acceptance capability so that light intensity measurements will not be dependent upon any particular orientation of the probe. The probe includes a central optical fiber containing a fluorescent dye enclosed in a transparent or translucent, protective and fouling-resistant sheath. The optical fiber is provided at its outer end with a fiber terminator which blocks entry of light into the end of the fiber. At its opposite inner end, the fiber is coupled to a light detector in a housing which may be implanted in the marine animal. The optical fiber exhibits radial changes in its refractive index to trap light which approaches the surface of the fiber from inside and which makes a small enough angle with that surface. Such light is propagated along the fiber to the light detector.

US Patent:

51343703, Jul 28, 1992

Filed:

Jan 8, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/638769

Inventors:

Keith B. Jefferts - Shaw Island WA
Philip A. Ekstrom - Shaw Island WA

Assignee:

Northwest Marine Technology Inc. - Shaw Island WA

International Classification:

G01R 33022
G01R 3304

US Classification:

324247

Abstract:

An apparatus detects a magnetic tag implanted in an organism as detector is moved past the organism by detecting a magnetic field difference between two positions. Prior to examination of a specimen under test, the outputs of a plurality of loops detecting magnetic fields are balanced in a uniform magnetic field. As a consequence, when one of the coils is exposed to a different magnetic field than the other of the coils this difference is detected and an alarm is sounded to indicate that the magnetic tag has been detected.

US Patent:

48768189, Oct 31, 1989

Filed:

May 4, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/190139

Inventors:

Richard D. Fralick - East Sound WA
Philip A. Ekstrom - Shaw Island WA

Assignee:

Northwest Marine Technology, Inc. - Shaw Island WA

International Classification:

A01K 7100

US Classification:

43 7

Abstract:

A fishing net includes a cord having a multiplicity of strands including an identification strand marked at spaced intervals with sequential numerical codes. The preselected strand is substantially inextricably incorporated in the cord so that the preselected strand extends along the length thereof. The cord is in turn incorporated in the net so that the cord extends substantially from one end of the net to an opposite thereof. The cord has ends located at readily accessible preselected points relative to the net so that a smallest numerical code and a largest numerical code on the cord are easily determinable upon visual inspection of the net.