Patents Represented by Attorney B. Craig Killough
  • Patent number: 8337006
    Abstract: Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sawgrass Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Hale, Ming Xu, Kimberlee Thompson, Sukun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8316756
    Abstract: A gas control mounted in an upper receiver of a weapon. A valve communicates with a gas tube of the weapon to receive gas under pressure from the barrel of the weapon. The valve has a first orifice and a second orifice. The position of the valve is selectable between the first orifice and the second orifice by rotation of a knob positioned on an exterior surface of the upper receiver of the weapon. The orifices are of different sizes to allow regulation of the volume of gas flow to the receiver of the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Phillip Lynn Woodell, Jenny Rebekah Woodell
  • Patent number: 8308690
    Abstract: A method of positioning an arcuate device against the inner walls of the disc, and particularly on the posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc. The arcuate device retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the catheter. In an embodiment, an arcuate cutter is used to remove tissue from the inner annulus of the disc. In another embodiment an arcuate device is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc. In yet another embodiment, an arcuate device is used to remove the entire intervertebral disc and place supports to maintain a disc space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Leonard Edward Forrest
  • Patent number: 8292025
    Abstract: A sound suppressor for firearms is characterized by a baffle core having a blast chamber that is larger than a remaining plurality of chambers. The blast chamber is proximal to a mounting point of the sound suppressor to a firearm. The baffle core is contained in a body. An external structural frame is positioned externally over a portion of the body, and over the blast chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Phillip Lynn Woodell, Jenny Rebekah Woodell
  • Patent number: 8292931
    Abstract: A device and method for removing tissue, and if required, other undesired materials from an intervertebral disc or vertebral body. An elongated arcuate, and preferably S-shaped tool is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc or vertebral body. A sheath introduces the elongated tool by a posterior, postero-lateral or lateral approach. The shape of the elongated tool is formed within a guide or lumen of the sheath for transportation through the sheath. The elongated tool assumes its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the tool by the sheath as the elongated tool exits the sheath. The device and method allow positioning of new material in the intervertebral disc and/or vertebral body. The new material may be tissue, therapeutic agents, mechanical devices such as spacers, or agents that will fuse vertebral bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Leonard Edward Forrest
  • Patent number: 8282643
    Abstract: Methods are described wherein bone constructs of a patient are used to arthroscopically attach sutures to torn or dysfunctional tissue. A suture or multiple sutures are passed through intersecting/bisecting tunnels formed in the bone. An end of the suture extends from each of the tunnels, and the ends are used to secure the tissue to the bone, such as by arthroscopic tying of the ends, and pulling the tissue against the bone. Devices for performing the methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ION Surgical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D Dross
  • Patent number: 8257311
    Abstract: A device and method of positioning materials in a spine using an arcuate tool and introducer. Materials may be positioned as desired, such as against an inner annular wall of an intervertebral disc or vertebral body. The arcuate tool retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the tool, and is positioned by manipulating the tool relative to an introducer and the spine, with the introducer manipulated relative to the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Leonard Edward Forrest
  • Patent number: 8206445
    Abstract: A method of ligament reconstruction comprising forming a femoral tunnel and a tibial tunnel, forming a plurality of supplemental femoral tunnels through a sidewall of the femoral tunnel, and forming a plurality of supplemental tibial tunnels through a sidewall of the tibial tunnel. The plurality of supplemental femoral tunnels and plurality of supplement tibial tunnels providing a basis for suture material fixation of graft tissue/material over cortical bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ion Surgical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D Dross
  • Patent number: 8196363
    Abstract: A window system for installation in a structure is provided. The window system includes a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure. The window system further includes at least one window pane having a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure; at least one sash that surrounds the at least one window pane, wherein the sash has a front side that faces away from the structure and a back side that faces into the structure when the window system is installed in a structure; at least one window frame comprising at least one head, sill, and jamb; and at least one mounting base integral to the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The Muhler Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry M. Hay, Bruce Weber
  • Patent number: 8187352
    Abstract: A filter bag is longitudinally formed in a frusto-conical shape The filter bag has a plurality of radially extending members that form a propeller shaped cross-section, and a propeller-shaped molded bottom that enhances dust fall from the exterior. A frusto-conically-shaped inner cage facilitates the shape of the filter bag of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventors: Klaus Schumann, Gebhard Schumann
  • Patent number: 8067750
    Abstract: An ultraviolet area sterilizer or disinfector is incorporated into a building structure where concern exists regarding the presence of pathogenic bacteria on environmental surfaces. Ultraviolet C (UV-C) generators generate UV-C that is directed to architectural partitions of an enclosed area. The architectural partitions reflect UV-C to kill pathogens in the enclosed area. The device transmits a calculated dose of UV-C from a fixture mounted to an architectural partition in the enclosed area. Once an effective cumulative dose of UV-C has been reflected to radiation sensors, as measured by the sensors, the device shuts down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffery L. Deal
  • Patent number: 8065162
    Abstract: A method and system of submitting healthcare claims for adjudication at the point of service is provided. The system provides methods and secure central storage for providers of healthcare services to maintain user created and maintained patient lists, provider location lists, and superbill forms for healthcare claims submission according to the user's unique and individual requirements. The system transmits completed healthcare claims while protecting patient privacy, and provides real-time adjudication of the claims, giving an almost instantaneous claim result in the form of a patient summary receipt back to the point of service at the healthcare provider's location. This is achieved through a real-time interface with the enterprise server claims adjudication engine. Customized lists and superbill forms as required by the individual user are also stored on the enterprise server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina
    Inventor: Bry Curry
  • Patent number: 8029883
    Abstract: A transfer medium is provided for receiving images formed on the medium by inks or toners comprising thermally diffusible colorants, including disperse dye and sublimation dye, and methods of using the medium to present images on substrates. The medium provides an opaque layer that allows transfer of the image from the medium to a substrate, and provides a background for the image when the image is transferred to a dark colored substrate, so that the dark colored substrate does not obscure the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Zhenrong Guo, Sukun Zhang
  • Patent number: 7987761
    Abstract: A time limited restraint device. After a predetermined time, a cutter of the time limited restraint device cuts a restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Frank Butler, William G. Rusher, Jr., Philip J. Ufkes
  • Patent number: 7921468
    Abstract: Protective eyeglasses provide hearing protection from elevated noise levels. The protective eyeglasses have safety lenses for protection of each of the eyes. Support members extend from the lenses of the eyeglasses to the ears, and have earplugs or protectors thereon which are inserted into the ears. The side support members are spring biased towards each other so that the side members provide pressure to hold the plugs in the ears of the wearer. Ear plugs are mounted so as to swivel relative to the side support members. The side support members are telescoping and are adjustable in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Joseph Conrad Sutton
  • Patent number: 7905863
    Abstract: A method of positioning an arcuate catheter against an inner annular wall of the disc, and particularly on the posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc, by arthroscopy is presented. The arcuate catheter retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the catheter. This present device and method require no forward tip pressure on the inner annular wall of a mammalian intervertebral disc. An arcuate sheath having a cutter is used to remove tissue from the inner annulus of the disc. In another embodiment an arcuate sheath is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc. In yet another embodiment, an arcuate sheath and catheter are used to remove the entire intervertebral disc and place supports to maintain a disc space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Leonard Edward Forrest
  • Patent number: 7907063
    Abstract: A device and method for providing speed limit and other roadway and traffic information to a vehicle. A signal is transmitted from a remote source, such as a satellite, to one or more ground transmitters. The ground transmitters are located apart from each other and adjacent to various sections of roadway, which may include work zones, school zones, residential areas, truck routes, interstate corridors, and highways, or in other vehicles, such as law enforcement and emergency vehicles. The ground transmitters have the necessary hardware and software for receiving and transmitting speed limit and other roadway information. The receiving device has the necessary hardware and software to receive speed limit and other information, and may translate speed information to vehicle components, such as an engine control computer for fuel and/or speed control. The receiver may use various signals audibly and visually to insure a higher level of driver awareness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth Lenard Simon
  • Patent number: 7883525
    Abstract: An intragastric catheter provides satiety due to its presence in the stomach cavity. Efficacy is improved by the tactile sensation provided by a plurality of fingers that extend from the device. Normal peristaltic action upon the device moves the fingers relative to the stomach. The structure of the intragastric catheter reduces the level of precision required in placement of the device, and blockage of conduits to and from the stomach by the device is unlikely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Rebecca DeLegge
  • Patent number: D655557
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Henry Horres
  • Patent number: D657012
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Phillip L. Woodell