Patents by Inventor GARY JOSEPH BALLAS

GARY JOSEPH BALLAS 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: 20220110768
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modular adjustable prosthetic volume compensation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for adjusting fit of a prosthetic device includes: a pump having a bleed actuator, a plunger and a pressure bulb. The system also includes a bladder fluidically coupled to the pump. The bladder lines a posterior section of an interior of a prosthetic device. A volume of the bladder is changeable by a pumping action of the pump. The volume of the bladder at least partially determines a space available inside the prosthetic device. The bleed actuator is configured to decrease a volume of the bladder. The plunger in operation squeezes the pressure bulb of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Gary Joseph Ballas, Michael Thomas Ballas
  • Patent number: 10357382
    Abstract: An incompressible fluid is used to adjust fit for a prosthetic device, the use of a closed loop control system and force, motion, and position measurement to aid with algorithms controlling the fit of the prosthetic device to a residual limb. Embodiments include automatic actuation, based on triggering of threshold values from sensors, a powered full release feature, use of hydraulic transducers to transfer fluid pressure to force on a limb, and customizable pressure distribution pads and embedded valves in transducers to prevent backflow and allow stabilization of the residual limb. A retrofit system may be used for existing prosthetic sockets. A triggering algorithm utilizes measured force exceeding a threshold or thresholds with a characteristic pulse signature and a triggering of release based on a combination of total motion and measured force below a threshold or thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Epoch Medical Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Ballas, Gary Joseph Ballas
  • Publication number: 20190021884
    Abstract: A friction-based prosthetic retention system includes a prosthetic socket and a plurality of hydraulic actuators attached to an interior surface of the prosthetic socket. A socket liner is positioned over the plurality of hydraulic actuators and includes a plurality of friction elements. A limb liner is placed over a residual limb to be secured within the prosthetic socket. The limb liner includes a plurality of friction pad projections arranged to engage with the plurality of friction elements on the socket liner. A controller is attached to the prosthetic socket and is fluidly coupled to the plurality of hydraulic actuators. The controller is configured to control the plurality of hydraulic actuators to apply pressure to the socket liner to engage the plurality of friction elements of the socket liner with the friction pad projections of the limb liner to retain the prosthetic socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Thomas BALLAS, Gary Joseph BALLAS
  • Publication number: 20160000583
    Abstract: An incompressible fluid is used to adjust fit for a prosthetic device, the use of a closed loop control system and force, motion, and position measurement to aid with algorithms controlling the fit of the prosthetic device to a residual limb. Embodiments include automatic actuation, based on triggering of threshold values from sensors, a powered full release feature, use of hydraulic transducers to transfer fluid pressure to force on a limb, and customizable pressure distribution pads and embedded valves in transducers to prevent backflow and allow stabilization of the residual limb. A retrofit system may be used for existing prosthetic sockets. A triggering algorithm utilizes measured force exceeding a threshold or thresholds with a characteristic pulse signature and a triggering of release based on a combination of total motion and measured force below a threshold or thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Ballas, Gary Joseph Ballas
  • Publication number: 20120065561
    Abstract: A compression device for applying compression to an extremity of a mammal includes a cuff adapted to be placed around and secured to the extremity. A control and tensioning unit is attached to the cuff and is operable to control a tension of the cuff to thereby control the compression applied to the extremity. The cuff may further include a bladder system, in which case the compression device further includes a hydraulic pump that is operable to transfer fluid within the bladder system to control the compression applied to the extremity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: EPOCH MEDICAL INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL THOMAS BALLAS, GARY JOSEPH BALLAS, EDWARD BERMAN, THOMAS E. UDD, CAREY M. GOLDEN, NICHOLAS LOCKEN