Patents by Inventor Chris Ward

Chris Ward has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150047642
    Abstract: A semi-disposable face mask has a shaped molded base composed of silicone and/or TPE and molded forming a face seal, a filter media and a support structure that houses the shaped molded base and filter media in fluid communication allowing airflow from an environment through the filter media to the face seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Carl Escort Tucker, John Slemmen, Gareth Dyfan Evans, Garath Tudor Roberts, Chris Ward, Troy Alan Baker, Graham Peter Wilson, Robert Charles Sutton, Amy Elizabeth Quiring, Michael Parham, Nigel Holmes
  • Publication number: 20150041457
    Abstract: Systems and methods include directing limited frequencies of microwave signals toward target molecules, driving a motion of the target molecules to impact molecular recognition. In one implementation, a microwave spectra associated with the rotational modes of a target molecule is obtained. From peaks in the spectra, a mode of molecular movement is identified and a microwave signal profile is generated for driving a motion of binding portions of the molecule associated with the identified mode. Microwave signals are generated based on the signal profile for output by antennas. For example, the microwave signals can be can be used to impede the binding of quorum sensing molecules by receptors of P. aeruginosa. In one implementation, the antennas can be placed in a catheter for placement in a patient. In another implementation, the antennas can be placed in a sleeve or other device for use adjacent to the skin of a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: William Hunt, Kyle Spencer Davis, Michelle LaPlacca, Chris Ward, John Alexander Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20150038922
    Abstract: Described is a safety needle assembly (1, 101 to 901) comprising a needle hub (2, 102 to 902) mounting a needle (3, 103 to 903), a needle shield (4, 104 to 904) translatably arranged with respect to the needle hub (2, 102 to 902) and comprising a distal base member (4.2, 104.2 to 904.2) with a needle aperture (4.3, 104.3 to 904.3) through which a needle (3, 103 to 903) may pass, and a closure element (7, 107 to 907) moveably arranged with respect to the needle shield (4, 104 to 904). When the needle shield (4, 104 to 904) is moved from a retracted position (PR, PR101 to PR901) to an advanced position (PA, PA101 to PA901) the closure element (7, 107 to 907) is moved in such a way that it closes the needle aperture (4.3, 104.3 to 904.3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: John Slemmen, Chris Ward
  • Patent number: 8911401
    Abstract: According to the invention, an injection device (D) comprises a pre-filled syringe and a safety device. The pre-filled syringe comprises a barrel with an inner cavity in fluid communication with a hypodermic needle attached to a distal end of the pre-filled syringe and a piston fluid-tightly sealing a proximal end of the inner cavity. The safety device comprises a support body for retaining the pre-filled syringe therein, an outer body operably connected to the piston, a needle shield and a releasable retaining means (R). The retaining means comprises a radial projection and a longitudinal recess adapted to receive the radial projection. The radial projection is connected to or integral part of one of the support body or the outer body and a longitudinal recess formed into the other of the support body or the outer body. The needle shield, the support body and the outer body are telescopable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gareth Roberts, Chris Ward, Matthew Ekman
  • Publication number: 20140302860
    Abstract: The Invention is directed to a mobile communications system having improved spectral efficiency. The invention is further directed to methods and apparatus to achieve this improved spectral efficiency. In the mobile communications system communication with a plurality of mobile terminals is provided by a base station. Within the system terminals are adapted to communicate with one or more adjacent similar terminals to establish groups of terminals, called micro-cells. Each terminal within a micro-cell receives signals from the base station and then performs a first processing step on these signals. These processed signals are shared with all the other terminals within the micro-cell. Each terminal then performs a second processing step on the information it has received from all the other terminals within the micro-cell which enables it to derive a signal intended for reception by that terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Naden, Chris Ward, Andrew W. Jeffries
  • Publication number: 20140293416
    Abstract: A stereoscopic device for recapturing light is provided. A chassis is open on front and back sides and forms a rectangular housing with top, bottom, and two sides that frame the front and back openings. A polarizing beam splitter is angled away from the back opening of the chassis and captively held by the chassis. The beam splitter is constructed of substantially orthogonally polarizing material. A phase shifting optic having a reflective surface coated by a phase shifting film is angled toward the front opening, wherein the beam splitter and phase shifting optic are in optical alignment with each other within the chassis. A modulator sized to cover the front opening is positioned in front of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Lightspeed Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ward, Robert Mueller, Kirk Melby
  • Publication number: 20140249481
    Abstract: Described is a needle safety device comprising a needle hub including a plurality of resilient arms having detents, a needle having a distal tip, and a needle shield telescopically coupled to the needle hub. The needle shield includes a plurality of axial slots adapted to engage the detents on the resilient arms and the detents are axially movable in the slots. The needle shield includes a plurality of grooves separated from the slots by separation walls and the grooves are adapted to engage the detents. When the needle shield is in a first position relative to the needle hub, the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle and the detents are engaged in the slots. When the needle shield is in a second position relative to the needle hub, the distal tip of the needle protrudes through an aperture in the needle shield and the detents are engaged in the slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: John Slemmen, Chris Ward
  • Publication number: 20140243760
    Abstract: Described is a needle safety device comprising a needle hub including a latch element, a needle coupled to the needle hub and having a distal tip, and a needle shield telescopically coupled to the needle hub. The needle shield includes a resilient arm adapted to engage the latch element. When the needle shield is in a first axial position relative to the needle hub, the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle. When the needle shield is in a retracted position relative to the needle hub, the needle shield is retracted to expose the distal tip of the needle and the arm is deflected radially. When the needle shield is in a second axial position relative to the needle hub, the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle and the arm engages the latch element to prevent proximal movement of the needle shield relative to the needle hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: John Slemmen, Chris Ward
  • Publication number: 20140243755
    Abstract: Described is a needle safety device comprising a needle hub, a needle coupled to the needle hub and having a distal tip, an outer needle shield telescopically coupled to the needle hub, and an inner needle shield telescopically coupled to the outer needle shield. The needle safety device has a first state in which the distal tip is covered by the inner needle shield and the inner needle shield is movable in a proximal direction relative to the outer needle shield, a second state in which the distal tip is exposed from the inner needle shield, and a third state in which the distal tip is covered by the inner needle shield and the inner needle shield is immovable in the proximal direction relative to the outer needle shield. The needle safety device includes a first locking mechanism (L1, L101) engaging the inner needle shield to the outer needle shield in the first state. The needle hub includes a release element adapted to release the first locking mechanism (L1, L101) in the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: John Slemmen, Chris Ward
  • Publication number: 20140236095
    Abstract: Described is a needle safety device comprising a needle hub, a needle coupled to the needle hub and having a distal tip; a needle shield telescopically coupled to the needle hub, the needle shield, a locking element including latch arms adapted to engage the needle hub and engagement elements adapted to engage the needle shield. When the needle shield is in a first axial position (PA1) relative to the needle hub, the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle and the engagement elements of the locking element engage the needle shield. When the needle shield is in a second axial position (PA2) relative to the needle hub, the needle shield is retracted to expose the distal tip of the needle and the latch arms engage the needle hub. When the needle shield is in a third axial position (PA3) relative to the needle hub, the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle and the engagement elements abut the needle shield to prevent proximal movement of the needle shield relative to the needle hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: John Slemmen, Chris Ward
  • Publication number: 20140236100
    Abstract: Described is a needle safety device comprising a needle hub having a radial protrusion, a needle coupled to the needle hub and having a distal tip, and an inner sleeve telescopically coupled to the needle hub. The inner sleeve includes a first track adapted to engage the radial protrusion. The first track includes an axial section and a radial section. When the inner sleeve is in a first advanced position (PA1) and a first angular position (P1) relative to the needle hub, the radial protrusion is engaged in the first track and the distal tip is covered. When the inner sleeve is in a retracted position (PR) relative to the needle hub, the radial protrusion is in the axial section and the distal tip is exposed. When the inner sleeve is in a second advanced position (PA2) relative to the needle hub and a second angular position (P2), the radial protrusion is in the radial section and the distal tip is covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Chris Ward, John Slemmen
  • Publication number: 20140228771
    Abstract: Described is a needle safety device, comprising a support body having a first aperture adapted to allow passage of a needle, and a needle shield having a cover face and a distal face and a second aperture formed in the distal face adapted to allow passage of the needle. The needle shield is hingedly mounted on the support body and movable between a first angular position (P1) relative to the support body in which the cover face covers the first aperture and a second angular position relative to the support body in which the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture. When the needle shield is in the second angular position, the needle shield is movable between a first axial position relative to the support body in which the needle is within the support body and a second axial position relative to the support body in which the needle passes through the first aperture and the second aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Chris Ward, John Slemmen
  • Publication number: 20140228772
    Abstract: Described is a safety needle device comprising a needle hub including a guide track, a needle coupled to the needle hub, and a needle shield telescopically coupled to the needle hub. The guide track includes a first axial section, a second axial section, and a locking section. The needle has a distal tip. The needle shield includes a radial protrusion adapted to engage the guide track. When the needle shield is in a first axial position and a first angular position relative to the needle hub, the radial protrusion is in the first axial section and the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle. When the needle shield is in a second axial position and a second angular position, the radial protrusion is in the second axial section and the distal tip of the needle is exposed from the needle shield. When the needle shield is in a third axial position and a third angular position, the radial protrusion is adjacent the locking section and the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Chris Ward, John Slemmen
  • Publication number: 20140228770
    Abstract: Described is a needle safety device comprising a needle hub having an inner surface with a bearing element, a needle coupled to the needle hub and having a distal tip, a needle shield telescopically coupled to the needle hub. The needle shield comprises an outer sleeve coupled to an inner sleeve by a biasing element. In a first axial position (PA1), the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle. In a second axial position (PA2), the needle shield moves proximally relative to the needle hub to expose the distal tip of the needle, the outer sleeve locks to the needle hub and the biasing element deforms around the bearing element. In a third axial position (PA3), the biasing element expands, forcing the inner sleeve distally relative to the needle hub and covering the distal tip of the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Chris Ward, John Slemmen
  • Publication number: 20140221937
    Abstract: Described is a needle safety device comprising a needle hub adapted to couple to an injection device a needle coupled to the needle hub and having a distal tip, a needle shield telescopically coupled to the needle hub and including a biasing element, and a locking element arranged on the needle hub. When the needle shield is in a first axial position, the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle. When the needle shield is in a second axial position, the needle shield moves proximally relative to the needle hub to expose the distal tip of the needle and the locking element deflects the biasing element. When the needle shield is in a third axial position, the locking element engages the biasing element and the needle shield covers the distal tip of the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Chris Ward, John Slemmen
  • Patent number: 8718657
    Abstract: A mobile communications system having improved spectral efficiency, and methods and apparatus to achieve this improved spectral efficiency. In the mobile communications system communication with a plurality of mobile terminals is provided by a base station. Within the system terminals are adapted to communicate with one or more adjacent similar terminals to establish groups of terminals, called micro-cells. Each terminal within a micro-cell receives signals from the base station and then performs a first processing step on these signals. These processed signals are shared with all the other terminals within the micro-cell. Each terminal then performs a second processing step on the information it has received from all the other terminals within the micro-cell which enables it to derive a signal intended for reception by that terminal. The technique is applicable to both the uplink and the down link and also to peer to peer communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Naden, Chris Ward, Andrew W. Jeffries
  • Publication number: 20140098203
    Abstract: A video controller for synchronizing presentation of a plurality of images is provided. A color switching device is operable to continually select a color out of a set consisting essentially of a plurality of fundamental colors. Each fundamental color is selected for presentation for a fixed time segment. A light processing element is operable to block and permit transmission of light in each color selected by the color switching device during each fixed time segment. The light includes at least two streams of sequential images. A synch signal generator is in control of the light processing element and is configured to time presentation of the light by the light processing element and of control signals to a viewing device of the display. The presentation of the light and of the control signals is timed in synchrony with the fixed time segments only during a transition state of the viewing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Lightspeed Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Michal Husak, Chris Ward, Robert Mueller, Joesph D. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20130324923
    Abstract: According to the invention, a safety device for a pre-filled syringe comprises a hollow support body for mounting the pre-filled syringe therein, a hollow needle shield that is slidable relative to the support body and guiding means for guiding the movement of the needle shield relative to the support body. The guiding means comprise a flexible arm with a guide pin, a guide track and a separating wall. The guide pin extends from the flexible arm in a radial direction, and protrudes into the guide track. The separating wall extends into the guide track in a direction parallel to a central axis of the safety device. When the needle shield is slid relative to the support body the guide pin moves along the guide track to deflect the flexible arm in a lateral direction perpendicular to the central axis and the movement of the guide pin along the guide track is guided by the interplay of the flexible arm and the separating wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gareth Roberts, Chris Ward, Matthew Ekman
  • Patent number: 8556429
    Abstract: A system and method for improving stereoscopic images produced by a projecting device containing a single chip DMD, seen through an eye-switching device, such as a pair of liquid crystal (LC) shutter glasses. The system and method are used with a video projector used with a multiple-color, color switching device The color switching device produces Blue, Red and Green lights and at least one non-critical segment. A color sequencing firmware resident in the video projector is used to align a non-critical segment in front of the projector's main light source during the eye-switching device's unstable transition phase. If the non-critical segment is transmissive, the firmware controls the DMD so light is discontinued. If the non-critical segment is non-transmissive, light is physically blocked. If the non-critical segment is electronically defined, the firmware directly controls the DMD to discontinue the transmission of light for the duration of device's unstable transition phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Husak, Chris Ward, Robert Mueller, Joesph Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8549058
    Abstract: An information processing system for performing a transform of a multidimensional matrix in a distributed memory network. The method includes storing a multidimensional matrix of side N in a distributed memory network with a plurality of nodes and distributing work associated with a calculation of a transform of the matrix among N2 of the plurality of nodes. The system further includes a receiver for receiving results of the calculation of the transform of the matrix by the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Maria Eleftheriou, Blake G. Fitch, Robert S. Germain, Aleksandr Rayshubskly, T. J. Chris Ward