Patents by Inventor Richard Kust

Richard Kust 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).

  • Patent number: 10206731
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • Publication number: 20160256213
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • Patent number: 9265551
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • Publication number: 20150025538
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • Patent number: 6712794
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a viscous liquid to a surgical site employs a conventional syringe having a barrel and a plunger movable axially within the barrel from a withdrawn position to an inserted position. The apparatus includes an internally-threaded sleeve and a substantially cylindrical actuation element. The sleeve is configured to receive the plunger in its withdrawn position, and has an open proximal end and a distal end slot configured for receiving the syringe barrel therethrough. The actuation element has an externally-threaded distal portion dimensioned to screw into the proximal end of the sleeve, and a plunger seat, at the distal end of the actuation element, that bears against the plunger and that pushes the plunger axially toward its inserted position in the barrel as the actuation element is threaded into the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Spinal Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kust, Gary Werschmidt, William Porter, Robert Keahy, Gary Aurin, Roger Massengale
  • Publication number: 20030070273
    Abstract: A close-on-disconnect IV line connector pair includes a first connector element that includes normally-closed valve, and a second connector element, wherein the coupling of the first and second connector elements automatically opens the valve, and wherein the disconnecting of the first and second connector elements allows the valve to return to its normally-closed position. Specifically, the first connector element has an inlet end, an outlet end, and an internal valve orifice. The inlet end is configured for attachment to an upstream conduit, while the outlet end is configured for coupling with the second connector element. The valve includes a pair of flexible valve elements that normally close against each other, so that the valve has a normally closed position that prevents fluid flow through the valve orifice. The second connector element has an outlet end configured for attachment to a downstream conduit and an inlet end configured for coupling with the first connector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Kust
  • Publication number: 20030040718
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a viscous liquid to a surgical site employs a conventional syringe having a barrel and a plunger movable axially within the barrel from a withdrawn position to an inserted position. The apparatus includes an internally-threaded sleeve and a substantially cylindrical actuation element. The sleeve is configured to receive the plunger in its withdrawn position, and has an open proximal end and a distal end slot configured for receiving the syringe barrel therethrough. The actuation element has an externally-threaded distal portion dimensioned to screw into the proximal end of the sleeve, and a plunger seat, at the distal end of the actuation element, that bears against the plunger and that pushes the plunger axially toward its inserted position in the barrel as the actuation element is threaded into the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Kust, Gary Werschmidt, William Porter, Robert Keahey, Gary Aurin, Roger Massengale