Patents by Inventor Michael A. Duff

Michael A. Duff 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: 20150045813
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Publication number: 20140121676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Szymon Kostrzewski, Philippe Berard, Charles Baur, John Michael Duff, Kishore Sandu
  • Publication number: 20130270143
    Abstract: A two-piece package includes a container and a lid. The container includes a side wall, a bottom, an open end, an open end and a circumferential flange extending outward from the open end. The bottom, the sidewall, and the circumferential flange include a material having oxygen barrier properties. The lid includes a center portion and a rim portion including a body extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the center portion. The lid also includes a film attached to each of the center portion and the rim portion. The film is configured to seal to the circumferential flange. The film also includes a plurality of layers and at least one of the plurality of layers includes a material having oxygen barrier properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Zachary Muscato, Jeffrey Best, Michael Duff
  • Publication number: 20080297301
    Abstract: A high voltage fuse is disclosed. The high voltage fuse is compact and includes a molded plastic housing that holds connecting terminals, a fuse element, and optionally, a spring between one of the terminals and the fuse element or thin wire. When the fuse opens upon melting of the fuse element, the spring pulls apart ends of the wire and separates them as far as the spring and housing allow. The terminals may be mounted in separated parts of the housing, separated in some embodiments by the spring acting as an arc barrier. When the fuse element melts and the ends are pulled apart, the separation itself, or the arc barrier, prevents arcing between ends of the fuse element. In another embodiment, the housing itself furnishes a non-conducting plastic spring which urges the fuse link apart, the spring itself dividing the housing into two separate parts to prevent arcing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Onken, Michael Duff, William R. Travis, Stephen J. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20080188872
    Abstract: A multi-mode clip applier includes a hand-held applier body having a handle and a trigger, and internal mechanisms for firing a surgical clip upon actuation of the trigger. Distal jaws close when actuated by the internal firing mechanisms. An open-mode switch limits range of motion of the internal firing mechanisms and closure of the distal jaws, to produce open-mode surgical clips. Actuating the trigger when the open-mode switch is engaged drives the internal firing mechanisms through their limited range of motion to limit clamping of the distal jaws, bend free clip ends together, circumferentially bounding a clipped structure. A release button releasing the open-mode switch, to produce a closed surgical clip when the applier is fired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Duff
  • Publication number: 20060224170
    Abstract: A surgical marker clip and method for enhancing the safe performance of a cholangiography and cholecystectomy is disclosed. The clips are configured to frictionally engage the outer surface of the duct and are retained in place by light clamping force without damaging the duct. Placement of the clips allows a physician to visually isolate the common bile duct from the cystic duct during laparoscopic procedures which reduces bile duct injury typically caused by misidentification or visual misperception of the anatomy during the procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Duff
  • Patent number: 6030240
    Abstract: A coaxial connector has a housing (20) and a contact (10) is provided in the housing for electrical connection to a contact of a mateable connector. The contact 10 is resiliently deflectable in the mating direction upon mating with a suitable connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Duff
  • Patent number: 5596837
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for treating trees. The apparatus includes an injecting device for injecting articles into trees. The device provides a plurality of article retaining tubes fixedly connected to a removable and rotatable delivery head and stationary therewith. A slidably mounted injection member is provided which slides coaxially along the tubes from a non-injecting position to an injecting position for injecting an article into a tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Monsanto Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Duff