Abstract: The filter assembly for a fuel checker includes a filter housing, a removable screen assembly, a first protective cap and a second protective cap. The filter housing includes a fuel receiving end portion and a fuel exiting end portion. The fuel receiving end portion is shaped to securely attach to a fuel checker. The filter housing defines a volume for containing checked fuel. A removable screen assembly is securely attachable to the fuel exiting end portion. The removable screen assembly includes a flexible screen housing and a filter screen supported by the flexible screen housing. The filter screen is a barrier to water and desired particulate debris. A first protective cap fits over the fuel receiving end portion for containing evaporative fumes while the filter assembly is being stored. A second protective cap fits over the removable screen assembly and protects the screen when the filter assembly is being stored.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 26, 2003
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2006
Inventors:
Robert M. Brodbeck, Charles A. Teilborg
Abstract: Various embodiments of open system heat exchange catheters and methods of use are disclosed. The various catheters can be used with various ablative surgical devices. One specific exemplary use is in conjunction with cryosurgical probes involving ablation of the prostate, in which the integrity of the urethra is desired to be maintained. Other uses involve various heating ablative devices. In one embodiment an injection tube assembly is used to provide heat exchange fluid through the urethra to the bladder where it is then expelled via a suprapubic suction tube. In other embodiments a coaxial tube assembly is utilized which defines a passageway for either expelling the bladder fluid or for providing access to an endoscope. In other embodiments a double lumen assembly is utilized that defines a passageway for expelling bladder fluid.
Abstract: The keyboard modification system includes: a looping module; a keycode processing module; a determining module; and, at least one additional keycode processing module. The looping module checks for the existence of incoming data from a communication port of a PDA and provides a keycode data output therefrom. A keycode processing module receives the keycode data output from the looping module and translates the data into variable data. A determining module determines whether a key on a keyboard of a portable keyboard assembly has remained depressed and if not continues to check for the existence of the variable data and translate the variable data to a keydata stream. The additional keycode processing module replaces the keydata stream with a different keydata stream if the key has remained depressed.
Abstract: A multi-purpose anti-glare divider system for minimizing glare from oncoming traffic on a two-way road. The anti-glare divider system includes at least one light blocking module arranged and constructed to minimize glare from oncoming traffic. An electrical generating system is associated with the light blocking module for generating electrical energy for use by an auxiliary device. A mounting system supports the light blocking module in a desired position relative to the road.
Abstract: The malleable cryosurgical probe includes a cryostat assembly and a cryoprobe assembly. The cryostat assembly includes an elongated shaft assembly having at least one malleable segment thereof and a closed distal end. The shaft assembly includes at least one freezing portion, at least one thermally insulated portion and a thermally insulating element positioned about the thermally insulated portion. A cryostat is operably associated with the elongated shaft assembly. It includes a cryostat inlet for receiving gas entering the cryostat, a cryostat outlet and a heat exchanger positioned between the cryostat outlet and the cryostat inlet. The heat exchanger receives gas from the cryostat inlet and provides heat transfer between gas flowing within the cryostat and fluid exterior thereto. At least one Joule-Thomson nozzle is in fluid communication with the cryostat outlet. The at least one Joule-Thomson nozzle expands gas expelled therefrom.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 20, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 30, 2005
Assignee:
Endocare, Inc.
Inventors:
Xiaoyu Yu, Jay J. Eum, David J. Battles
Abstract: A chair arm mounted computer accessory support assembly that includes a support plate and a chair arm engaging assembly. The support plate has an upper surface for supporting a computer accessory and a lower surface for supporting the support plate on an upper surface of a chair arm. The chair arm engaging assembly is securely attachable to the lower surface of said support plate and is operably engageable with lateral surfaces of the chair arm to provide lateral support of the computer accessory support assembly relative to the chair arm. The chair arm engaging assembly includes a pair of side panels securely attachable to the lower surface of said support plate; and fastening means operatively associated with the pair of side panels for securing the pair of side panels on opposing sides of the chair arm.
Abstract: An ablation device placement spacer for use with a patient undergoing a targeted ablation procedure utilizing elongated ablation devices insertable into treatment zones of the patient. The ablation device placement spacer includes an elongated spacing member and at least one ablation device engaging element positioned on the elongated spacing member. During use, an ablation device is releasably engageable with the ablation device engaging element, a spacing portion of the elongated spacing member being spaced from the ablation device engaging element at a desired distance so as to provide the user with an indication of a desired spacing for a subsequent ablation device to be inserted into its respect treatment zone.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for safer and more effective deep trans-cervical intra-uterine artificial insemination (AI) is provided. Such a deep AI catheter causes minimal discomfort and risk of trauma, and does not require the services of a highly trained AI professional. First, a catheter is inserted into the cervical tract of the animal. A membrane, initially positioned inside a tube section of the catheter, is then extended from an opening in the tube and into the tract under pressure. The membrane extends into the tract without friction thereby reducing the discomfort and the risk of trauma or injury to the animal. When the membrane is fully extended into the tract, pressure causes the tip of the membrane to open thereby releasing the AI fluid and depositing the genetic material suspended in the fluid into the reproductive tract. Deployment of the membrane is facilitated by tapering its wall thickness towards its tip.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 24, 2003
Date of Patent:
March 1, 2005
Assignee:
Pathway Technologies, LLC.
Inventors:
Donald E. Anderson, Mark E. Anderson, Glenn M. Anderson, Kang S. Lim
Abstract: The malleable cryosurgical probe includes a cryostat assembly and a cryoprobe assembly. The cryostat assembly includes an elongated shaft assembly having a bellows portion thereof and a closed distal end. The shaft assembly includes at least one freezing portion comprising the bellows portion, at least one thermally insulated portion and a thermally insulating element positioned about the thermally insulated portion. A cryostat is operably associated with the elongated shaft assembly. It includes a cryostat inlet for receiving gas entering the cryostat, a cryostat outlet and a heat exchanger positioned between the cryostat outlet and the cryostat inlet. The heat exchanger receives gas from the cryostat inlet and provides heat transfer between gas flowing within the cryostat and fluid exterior thereto. At least one Joule-Thomson nozzle is in fluid communication with the cryostat outlet. The at least one Joule-Thomson nozzle expands gas expelled therefrom.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 2002
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2004
Assignee:
Endocare, Inc.
Inventors:
Sanford D. Damasco, Dennis M. Bui, Xiaoyu Yu
Abstract: A vehicle seat and steering wheel sunshade including a main covering and at least one side panel. The main covering includes a front portion for covering a steering wheel region of a vehicle, a rear portion for covering a seat back region of a vehicle seat, and an intermediate portion between the front portion and the rear portion for covering a seat region of the vehicle seat. The at least one side panel depends from the main covering for providing enhanced covering of the vehicle seat.
Abstract: A software module for a software controlled device for performing cryosurgical procedures on a treatment region with a cryosurgical probe. The software controlled device is of a type that is responsive to user input settings. The software module includes a temperature feedback control system which is adaptive to the external heat load of a treatment region and utilizes user input settings for determining an optimal rate of gas flow through a cryosurgical probe thereby enabling the user to precisely monitor and deliver a cryosurgical treatment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 2002
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2004
Assignee:
Endocare, Inc.
Inventors:
Jawahar M. Ali, Sanford D. Damasco, Thach Duong
Abstract: The computer system is capable of acquiring and displaying images of the prostate of a patient for assisting a surgeon in placing ablative elements in the prostate of the patient. The computer system is programmed with software capable of: 1) determining the dimensions of the prostate; and, 2) determining the dimensions and location of a treatment zone. The treatment zone is determined to include only one neurovascular bundle of the prostate and exclude the other neurovascular bundle of the prostate. The system utilizes the determined dimensions of the prostate and treatment zone for computing the number and location of ablative elements needed to treat the treatment zone while minimizing any adverse effect on the patient's sexual function.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 16, 2001
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2004
Assignee:
Endocare, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul W. Mikus, Jay Eum, John C. Rewcastle, Jawahar M. Ali
Abstract: The present invention is a container assembly for use with a rapid transfer port. The rapid transfer port (RTP) is of the type having an RTP door, an RTP circular seal around the door, and spaced RTP indentations. The RTP requires rotation of the device being attached thereto. The container assembly includes a circular ring member having an interface end and a bearing system end. The interface end includes a first set of ring member protrusions for engagement with RTP indentations of an RTP and a container assembly circular seal for providing sealing engagement of the ring member and the RTP. A circular enclosure door is concentrically positioned within the ring member. The enclosure door includes a first set of enclosure door indentations for engaging associated RTP door protrusions and a second set of enclosure door indentations for engaging a second set of ring member protrusions. The container assembly circular seal further provides sealing engagement of the ring member and the enclosure door.
Abstract: An imaging device receives imaging data from a treatment region of a patient, processes the imaging data and provides imaging output data and imaging signals. A computer system includes a guidance module for processing the imaging signals and providing treatment guidance plan to an operator. A treatment module acquires and processes surgical device output data, for optimally controlling treatment parameters and providing feedback information to the operator based on the treatment guidance plan. A set of surgical devices includes at least one ablative device for providing ablation of the treatment region based on the treatment parameters and operator input; and, at least one temperature sensing device for acquiring temperature data from the treatment region and providing a temperature sensing device output signal which is a portion of the surgical device output data. The treatment guidance plan is utilized for appropriately placing the ablative device and the temperature-sensing device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 2002
Date of Patent:
November 4, 2003
Assignee:
Endocare, Inc.
Inventors:
Sanford D. Damasco, Jawahar M. Ali, David J. Battles, Paul W. Mikus, Jay J. Eum
Abstract: A stent delivery catheter is disclosed. The catheter includes an inner catheter tube and an outer catheter tube which are rotatable relative to each other. The inner catheter and outer catheter include releasable attachment structures to releasably engage the ends of the stent. A proximal hand piece includes controls for enlarging and deploying the stent in a body lumen.