Patents Assigned to Volunteers for Medical Engineering
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Patent number: 6655905Abstract: A linear translation thrust system for moving an object from one location to another that includes at least two platforms and pivotally connected members. The distance between one platform and the second is varied by inflating and deflating an inflatable bladder. The linear translation thrust system may also include a conduit for coupling the exhaust system of a vehicle to the interior of the bladder so that the exhaust pressure of the vehicle inflates the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventor: John H. Staehlin
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Patent number: 6530927Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, David S. Hungerford, Dror Paley, Charles Bartish, John Garmon, Dana Mcpherson
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Patent number: 6488686Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, David S. Hungerford
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Patent number: 6309394Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, David S. Hungerford, Dror Paley, Charles Bartish, John Garmon, Dana Mcpherson
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Publication number: 20010034525Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Applicant: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, David S. Hungerford, Dror Paley, Charles Bartish, John Garmon, Dana McPherson
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Publication number: 20010034533Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Applicant: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, David S. Hungerford, Dror Paley, Charles Bartish, John Garmon, Dana McPherson
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Patent number: 6283942Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for guiding a needle into a blood vessel of a patient. The apparatus is removably attached to a patient's arm, and uses the returns from transducer arrays to locate the blood vessel. The needle, positioned on the apparatus, is maneuvered in accordance with the transducer returns to ensure accurate penetration of the blood vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, Guy Rubley
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Patent number: 6254185Abstract: A seating arrangement comprising two seats mounted to a single support pole, each seat capable of being rotated about the support pole and stowed independently of the other. The seating arrangement may also include a single seat slidably and rotatably mounted to a support pole.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, Thomas DeFelice
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Patent number: 6106060Abstract: A seating arrangement comprising two seats mounted to a single support pole, each seat capable of being rotated about the support pole and stowed independently of the other. The seating arrangement may also include a single seat slidably and rotatably mounted to a support pole. In one embodiment, the seat may changed from the stowed to the in-use position, or vice versa, by rotating the seat about the support pole, without requiring any upward or downward movement of the seats.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1999Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventor: John H. Staehlin
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Patent number: 6059361Abstract: A seating arrangement comprising two seats mounted to a single support pole, each seat capable of being rotated about the support pole and stowed independently of the other. The seating arrangement may also include a single seat slidably and rotatably mounted to a support pole.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, Thomas Defelice, deceased
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Patent number: 6029406Abstract: The seating arrangement of the present invention comprises a series of hingedly connected rigid platforms with a series of folding seats affixed to selected platforms. Beneath each series of folding seats are a series of hingedly connected folding panels connected to front and rear support frames. When collapsing the seating arrangement for storage, the seats are folded to their closed position and the folding panels fold inwardly, pulling the front and rear frames towards each other. The folding panels may be simultaneously folded by utilizing a member connecting one or more of these folding panels. Additionally, means may be provided for facilitating the collapsing of the seating arrangement from its use position to its compact, folded configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventor: John H. Staehlin
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Patent number: 5988662Abstract: This invention relates to an improved lever driven bicycle including a shifting mechanism for controlling a drive ratio between the oscillating lever and the drive wheel. The drive lever arrangement may be located about the front or rear wheels of the bicycle and, when about the rear wheel, may include a sole lever or dual levers. The drive lever arrangement includes a drive lever, a force applicator, a shifting mechanism, and a force converter which together transform the oscillating displacement of the lever to a rotation of the drive wheel. The shifting mechanism includes a slide block located about the lever which engages with the drive lever upon downward motion of the drive lever and controllably slides along the drive lever upon upward motion of the drive lever. The position of the slide block corresponds to a drive ratio between the drive lever and the drive wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventor: John H. Staehlin
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Patent number: 5954673Abstract: A method for determining muscle strength of elements of the musculature used in speech and swallowing. In particular, a tool is equipped with at least one pressure sensor. A person inserts the tool into the person's mouth and utters sounds of speech or swallows. While uttering sounds of speech or swallowing, portions of the oral musculature contact and exert force on the sensor. A representation of this force is displayed at a visual display device as an indication of muscle strength and position.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, Jack Light, Warren O'Reilly, Dan Buck, John Knight, Mike Robinson, Erick Figueroa, Forest Platt, Phil Atkinson
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Patent number: 5704938Abstract: A bone lengthening mechanism is placed into a bone which is then lengthened by extending the mechanism. The mechanism is extended by effecting a rotational movement in a drive bolt which mates with a threaded portion in a section of the mechanism. The threads convert the rotational movement to a longitudinal force thereby lengthening the bone.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1996Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Volunteers For Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, Gary I. Segal, David King, Guy Rubley, Dror Paley
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Patent number: 5636640Abstract: An apparatus for sampling blood which includes a deformable housing defining a chamber that retains liquid. The housing has a pierceable membrane. The apparatus also includes a resilient piercer member that is adjacent the wall of a chamber and adapted to puncture the pierceable membrane. A removable layer that covers at least a portion of the pierceable membrane. Depression of the deformable housing proximate the piercer member urges the piercer member to puncture the pierceable membrane. The piercer member thereby forms an opening, allowing liquid to be drawn through the opening and into the chamber. Thereafter, the piercer member returns into the deformable housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventor: John H. Staehlin
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Patent number: 5626581Abstract: An implantable bone lengthening apparatus may utilize an entirely self-contained lengthening mechanism which includes a shape memory material-powered hydraulic pump, a shape memory material-powered ratchet mechanism, a permeable head piston mechanism, and a bellows extension mechanism. The bone lengthening nails are more compact, simpler, eliminate unnecessary shifting or torsional movement, and maintain alignment of the bone during its natural healing process.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1995Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Volunteers for Medical EngineeringInventors: John H. Staehlin, Amy Corvelli, Stanley Lu, Garret Taylor