Patents Represented by Attorney Dennis H. Epperson
  • Patent number: 6057555
    Abstract: A high-frequency wireless communication system on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip is presented. This system incorporates analog, digital (logic and memory) and high radio frequency circuits on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip. The devices are fabricated using conventional bulk silicon CMOS processing techniques. Advantages include single chip architecture, superior high frequency performance, low power consumption and cost effective fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Reedy, Mark L. Burgener
  • Patent number: 5895957
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a silicon-on-sapphire wafer suited for fabrication of fully depleted field effect transistors. A fully depleted field effect transistor (FET) which has minimum parasitic charge in the conduction channel and a process to make same are described. The device is made in and relies on the silicon layer on sapphire which has minimal charge intentionally introduced into the conduction channel. Both N-type and P-type transistors are described. Methods for defining threshold voltage are also described. Specific examples of the devices are presented including specific materials selections for threshold voltage options.Manufacturing processes are described, including a preferred embodiment based on ultra thin silicon on sapphire. The devices can be fabricated using conventional silicon techniques; both silicided and non-silicided versions are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Reedy, Mark L. Burgener
  • Patent number: 5883396
    Abstract: A high-frequency wireless communication system on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip is presented. This system incorporates analog, digital (logic and memory) and high radio frequency circuits on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip. The devices are fabricated using conventional bulk silicon CMOS processing techniques. Advantages include single chip architecture, superior high frequency performance, low power consumption and cost effective fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Reedy, Mark L. Burgener
  • Patent number: 5871465
    Abstract: A remotely programmable infusion system. The remotely programmable infusion system comprises a memory for storing a programmable protocol and a remote communication port for sending a voice signal to a remote touch-tone transceiver and for receiving a remote programming signal from the remote touch-tone transceiver. The remotely programmable infusion system also comprises a voice storage unit for storing the voice signal. The remotely programmable infusion system further comprises a processor, coupled to the remote communication port, to the voice storage unit, and to the memory, for accessing the voice signal from the voice storage unit and the programmable protocol from the memory, and for processing the programmable protocol in response to receiving the remote programming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: I-Flow Corporation
    Inventor: Robert S. Vasko
  • Patent number: 5861336
    Abstract: A high-frequency wireless communication system on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip is presented. This system incorporates analog, digital (logic and memory) and high radio frequency circuits on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip. The devices are fabricated using conventional bulk silicon CMOS processing techniques. Advantages include single chip architecture, superior high frequency performance, low power consumption and cost effective fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Reedy, Mark L. Burgener
  • Patent number: 5771139
    Abstract: An integrated spring head/gimbal assembly holder is used to precisely load and unload a head/gimbal assembly (HGA) of the type used in magnetic disk drives. The holder includes a fixture base by which the holder is mounted. A first boss extending from the fixture base has a surface in which a recess is formed. The recess receives a second boss on the end of the HGA so that HGA rests on the surface of the first boss. A cantilevered beam extends from the fixture base and serves as a spring which includes a clamping head. Flexure of the cantilevered beam forces the clamping head to drive the second boss firmly against the sidewalls at the edge of the recess and to force the HGA against the surface of the boss. Thus, the HGA is precisely positioned and secured to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Phase Metrics
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lee, Arthur J. Cormier
  • Patent number: 5741277
    Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Laurus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Norman S. Gordon, Robert P. Cooper, Gordon C. Gunn
  • Patent number: 5741279
    Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Laurus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Norman S. Gordon, Robert P. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5713910
    Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Laurus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Norman S. Gordon, Robert P. Cooper, Richard L. Quick
  • Patent number: 5703683
    Abstract: An optical alignment device comprised of two "H" shaped structures may be used to precisely position an optical element in two orthogonal directions. Each "H" shaped web structure includes two flanges extending from opposite ends of a center web having a centroidal flexure axis. The "H" shaped structures also each include an aperture extending through the flanges and the web. The center webs may be resiliently flexed, allowing the angle between the flanges of each "H" shaped structure to be adjusted by rotating screws fitted through one flange and threaded to the other. The "H" shaped structures are mounted together so that their flexure axes are orthogonally oriented with respect to each other and so that the apertures of each structure are aligned to form an optical path cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Ohmeda Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Hunt, Torin T. Meyers
  • Patent number: 5700272
    Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Laurus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Norman S. Gordon, Robert P. Cooper, Richard L. Quick
  • Patent number: 5696445
    Abstract: A tester for measuring the resistance of magnetoresistive heads as a function of the magnetic field applied to the heads. The tester applies a time varying magnetic field to the magnetoresistive head to be tested and filters the resulting time varying (AC) voltage signal indicative of the resistance of the head with a capacitor to remove the DC component of the signal. The AC component of the signal is then amplified, digitized, and analyzed to obtain the resistance properties of the magnetoresistive head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Phase Metrics
    Inventor: Michael Inbar
  • Patent number: 5673109
    Abstract: A Raman gas analysis system uses a half-wave plate to match the polarization of Raman scattered light emitted from a gas analysis cell to a preferred polarization orientation of a diffraction grating. The gas analysis system includes a plasma discharge tube for generating a polarized light beam; a gas analysis cell for containing a sample gas which produces Raman scattered light in response to being irradiated with the polarized light beam; an optical subsystem for collecting and providing the Raman scattered light with a preferred polarization orientation; a holographic diffraction grating for dispersing the Raman scattered light into component light signals; and an array detector for detecting the component light signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Ohmeda Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Keilbach
  • Patent number: 5671048
    Abstract: A slider is mounted to a rotary drive mechanism. The slider is loaded, i.e., moved toward and positioned near a disk surface, by rotary movement of the rotary drive mechanism in a first rotary direction. Similarly, the slider is unloaded, i.e., moved away from the disk surface, by rotary movement of the rotary drive mechanism in a second rotary direction which is the reverse direction of the first rotary direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Phase Metrics
    Inventor: Christopher Lacey
  • Patent number: 5663570
    Abstract: A high-frequency wireless communication system on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip is presented. This system incorporates analog, digital (logic and memory) and high radio frequency circuits on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip. The devices are fabricated using conventional bulk silicon CMOS processing techniques. Advantages include single chip architecture, superior high frequency performance, low power consumption and cost effective fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Reedy, Mark L. Burgener
  • Patent number: 5662664
    Abstract: A suturing device includes a shouldered surgical needle where the shoulder has a cross sectional transverse dimension. A suture is attached to a distal portion of the needle. A needle catch having a flexible aperture with a relaxed dimension which is smaller than the cross sectional transverse dimension of the shoulder allows insertion of the needle into the flexible aperture by expansion of the flexible aperture to a stretched dimension which is substantially equal to the cross sectional transverse dimension of the shoulder. The shoulder on the needle prevents removal of the needle from the flexible aperture in a direction which is the reverse of its direction of insertion into the flexible aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Laurus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Norman S. Gordon, Robert P. Cooper, Richard L. Quick
  • Patent number: 5600169
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a silicon-on-sapphire wafer suited for fabrication of fully depleted field effect transistors. A fully depleted field effect transistor (FET) which has minimum parasitic charge in the conduction channel and a process to make same are described. The device is made in and relies on the silicon layer on sapphire which has minimal charge intentionally introduced into the conduction channel. Both N-type and P-type transistors are described. Methods for defining threshold voltage are also described. Specific examples of the devices are presented including specific materials selections for threshold voltage options.Manufacturing processes are described, including a preferred embodiment based on ultra thin silicon on sapphire. The devices can be fabricated using conventional silicon techniques; both silicided and non-silicided versions are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Burgener, Ronald E. Reedy
  • Patent number: 5596404
    Abstract: A mechanism for aligning the elements of an optical system is disclosed. One aspect of the present invention is an alignment mechanism which includes lead screws placed on opposite corners of the elements to be aligned. The elements are provided with threaded holes of different pitch, and the lead screw is provided with threads of the same unequal pitches as the elements, thereby forming a differential lead screw. The threads include a locking thread which assures a positive lock between the lead screw and the elements to be aligned and eliminates backlash between them. Another aspect of the present invention is an interference fit mechanism which is provided by the employment of a slightly-oversized flexible boss which mates with a cavity. The boss is provided with a thin outer wall capable of flexing when the boss is inserted into the cavity. Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a wobble plate comprising a spherical socket and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Albion Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent F. Beck, Charles V. Owen
  • Patent number: 5596205
    Abstract: A high-frequency wireless communication system on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip is presented. This system incorporates analog, digital (logic and memory) and high radio frequency circuits on a single ultrathin silicon on sapphire chip. The devices are fabricated using conventional bulk silicon CMOS processing techniques. Advantages include single chip architecture, superior high frequency performance, low power consumption and cost effective fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Reedy, Mark L. Burgener
  • Patent number: 5578044
    Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Laurus Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Norman S. Gordon, Robert P. Cooper