Patents by Inventor Robert Q. Tham

Robert Q. Tham 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: 11129951
    Abstract: A medical vaporizer includes a liquid drug reservoir configured to receive and hold a liquid drug. A low power graphical display is configured to intermittently receive power. The low power graphical display is operable to visually present information and maintain the visual presentation of information in the absence of power. A controller is configured to intermittently receive power and upon receiving power the controller operates to determine a status of a medical vaporizer. The controller operates the low power graphical display to present the status of the medical vaporizer as visually presented information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shawn Thomas Whitman, Michael Eric Jones, Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: 10398870
    Abstract: A system for controlling the delivery of medical gases includes a digital signal processor that receives at least one ventilation parameter value change, calculates a fresh oxygen flow rate, total fresh gas flow rate into the breathing circuit, and a reference oxygen flow rate representative of a predetermined oxygen concentration delivered to a patient. A graphical display presents the calculated fresh oxygen flow rate, total fresh gas flow rate, and reference oxygen flow rate. A method of controlling the delivery of medical gases to a patient includes calculating a total fresh gas flow rate into the breathing circuit, calculating a fresh oxygen flow rate into the breathing circuit, calculating a reference oxygen flow rate representative of a predetermined oxygen concentration delivered to the patient and presenting the total fresh gas flow rate, the fresh oxygen flow rate, and reference oxygen flow rate on a graphical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Chapman, Robert Q. Tham, Michael Foulis, Wesley Moreau
  • Patent number: 9744321
    Abstract: A system and to automate the integrity check of a breathing system and inform a ventilator to deliver a compensated gas volume, and alert the user if a vital component of a breathing circuit is absent or not fully connected. The system and method utilize an open RFID tag on a first point of connection and a conducting ring on the second point of connection such that when a circuit connection is made, the open RFID tag becomes active and provides an RFID reader with data regarding the circuit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Q. Tham, Julie Anne Mills, Mike Foulis
  • Publication number: 20170113010
    Abstract: A medical vaporizer includes a liquid drug reservoir configured to receive and hold a liquid drug. A low power graphical display is configured to intermittently receive power. The low power graphical display is operable to visually present information and maintain the visual presentation of information in the absence of power. A controller is configured to intermittently receive power and upon receiving power the controller operates to determine a status of a medical vaporizer. The controller operates the low power graphical display to present the status of the medical vaporizer as visually presented information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shawn Thomas Whitman, Michael Eric Jones, Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: 9566404
    Abstract: A medical vaporizer includes a liquid drug reservoir configured to receive and hold a liquid drug. A low power graphical display is configured to intermittently receive power. The low power graphical display is operable to visually present information and maintain the visual presentation of information in the absence of power. A controller is configured to intermittently receive power and upon receiving power the controller operates to determine a status of a medical vaporizer. The controller operates the low power graphical display to present the status of the medical vaporizer as visually presented information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shawn Thomas Whitman, Michael Eric Jones, Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: 9504797
    Abstract: The system and method of the present application predicts if there is sufficient CO2 absorbent capacity for the next anesthesia case. If insufficient, the canister can be preemptively replaced when no patient is connected to the breathing system. Such prediction also allows clinicians to determine if the CO2 canister has to be changed during the present case or to wait until the end of the case. In the latter, the clinician may buy time by increasing the fresh gas flow rate to reduce the amount of patient CO2 gases recirculated. A predictive estimation of CO2 breakthrough allows more time to prepare for an orderly CO2 canister replacement during a quiet period in the anesthesia care.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: 9433742
    Abstract: A vaporizer filler includes a fill port. The fill port defines an open interior. The open interior is configured to receive the nozzle of an anesthetic bottle. An agent reservoir is configured to receive and store anesthetic agent. A valve is disposed between the open interior and the agent reservoir. At least one vent extends through the fill port. A method of filling a vaporizer includes inserting the nozzle of a bottle filled with anesthetic agent into a vaporizer filler. At least one vent is occluded from fluid communication. Fluid communication between and open interior and an agent reservoir is opened. Anesthetic agent is poured into an agent reservoir of a vaporizer. Fluid communication is closed between the open interior and the agent reservoir. At least one vent is opened to fluid communication with the open interior. Pressure within the open interior is released through the at least one vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Russell C. Manzke, Thomas Bender, II, David G. Barton, Michael S. Morrissey, Robert Q. Tham
  • Publication number: 20160121070
    Abstract: A system for controlling the delivery of medical gases includes a digital signal processor that receives at least one ventilation parameter value change, calculates a fresh oxygen flow rate, total fresh gas flow rate into the breathing circuit, and a reference oxygen flow rate representative of a predetermined oxygen concentration delivered to a patient. A graphical display presents the calculated fresh oxygen flow rate, total fresh gas flow rate, and reference oxygen flow rate. A method of controlling the delivery of medical gases to a patient includes calculating a total fresh gas flow rate into the breathing circuit, calculating a fresh oxygen flow rate into the breathing circuit, calculating a reference oxygen flow rate representative of a predetermined oxygen concentration delivered to the patient and presenting the total fresh gas flow rate, the fresh oxygen flow rate, and reference oxygen flow rate on a graphical display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Chapman, Robert Q. Tham, Michael Foulis, Wesley Moreau
  • Patent number: 9233218
    Abstract: A system for controlling the delivery of medical gases includes a digital signal processor that receives at least one ventilation parameter value change, calculates a fresh oxygen flow rate, total fresh gas flow rate into the breathing circuit, and a reference oxygen flow rate representative of a predetermined oxygen concentration delivered to a patient. A graphical display presents the calculated fresh oxygen flow rate, total fresh gas flow rate, and reference oxygen flow rate. A method of controlling the delivery of medical gases to a patient includes calculating a total fresh gas flow rate into the breathing circuit, calculating a fresh oxygen flow rate into the breathing circuit, calculating a reference oxygen flow rate representative of a predetermined oxygen concentration delivered to the patient and presenting the total fresh gas flow rate, the fresh oxygen flow rate, and reference oxygen flow rate on a graphical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Comapny
    Inventors: Philip E. Chapman, Robert Q. Tham, Michael Foulis, Wesley Moreau
  • Publication number: 20150250961
    Abstract: A medical vaporizer includes a liquid drug reservoir configured to receive and hold a liquid drug. A low power graphical display is configured to intermittently receive power. The low power graphical display is operable to visually present information and maintain the visual presentation of information in the absence of power. A controller is configured to intermittently receive power and upon receiving power the controller to operates to determine a status of a medical vaporizer. The controller operates the low power graphical display to present the status of the medical vaporizer as visually presented information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Shawn Thomas Whitman, Michael Eric Jones, Robert Q. Tham
  • Publication number: 20150217080
    Abstract: A vaporizer filler includes a fill port. The fill port defines an open interior. The open interior is configured to receive the nozzle of an anesthetic bottle. An agent reservoir is configured to receive and store anesthetic agent. A valve is disposed between the open interior and the agent reservoir. At least one vent extends through the fill port. A method of filling a vaporizer includes inserting the nozzle of a bottle filled with anesthetic agent into a vaporizer filler. At least one vent is occluded from fluid communication. Fluid communication between and open interior and an agent reservoir is opened. Anesthetic agent is poured into an agent reservoir of a vaporizer. Fluid communication is closed between the open interior and the agent reservoir. At least one vent is opened to fluid communication with the open interior. Pressure within the open interior is released through the at least one vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Russell C. Manzke, Thomas Bender, II, David G. Barton, Michael S. Morrissey, Robert Q. Tham
  • Publication number: 20150182711
    Abstract: The system and method of the present application predicts if there is sufficient CO2 absorbent capacity for the next anesthesia case. If insufficient, the canister can be preemptively replaced when no patient is connected to the breathing system. Such prediction also allows clinicians to determine if the CO2 canister has to be changed during the present case or to wait until the end of the case. In the latter, the clinician may buy time by increasing the fresh gas flow rate to reduce the amount of patient CO2 gases recirculated. A predictive estimation of CO2 breakthrough allows more time to prepare for an orderly CO2 canister replacement during a quiet period in the anesthesia care.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: 9061114
    Abstract: A vaporizer filler includes a fill port. The fill port defines an open interior. The open interior is configured to receive the nozzle of an anesthetic bottle. An agent reservoir is configured to receive and store anesthetic agent. A valve is disposed between the open interior and the agent reservoir. At least one vent extends through the fill port. A method of filling a vaporizer includes inserting the nozzle of a bottle filled with anesthetic agent into a vaporizer filler. At least one vent is occluded from fluid communication. Fluid communication between and open interior and an agent reservoir is opened. Anesthetic agent is poured into an agent reservoir of a vaporizer. Fluid communication is closed between the open interior and the agent reservoir. At least one vent is opened to fluid communication with the open interior. Pressure within the open interior is released through the at least one vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Russell C. Manzke, Thomas Bender, II, David G. Barton, Michael S. Morrissey, Robert Q. Tham
  • Publication number: 20150165142
    Abstract: The system and method of the present application automates the integrity check of the breathing system and informs the ventilator to deliver the compensated gas volume, and alert the user if a vital component of breathing circuit is absent or not fully connected. The present application utilizes an open RFID tag on a first point of connection and a conducting ring on the second point of connection such that when a circuit connection is made, the open RFID tag becomes active and provides an RFID reader with data regarding the circuit connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Q. Tham, Julie Anne Mills, Mike Foulis
  • Patent number: 8881724
    Abstract: An input device for a clinician to control and modify the operation of a mechanical ventilator comprises a graphical display, a representation of a respiratory therapy trajectory to be delivered to a patient, at least one data point associated with the trajectory, and a data input means for the clinician to select a data point and to modify the value of the trajectory at that data point. The present invention provides for the creation and modification of a respiratory therapy trajectory, wherein the ventilator provides a medical gas waveform to a patient according to the respiratory therapy trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary J. Choncholas, Paul R. Micheli, Jaron M. Acker, Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: 8770192
    Abstract: A system for preventing the delivery of hypoxic gases during respiratory support of a patient includes a breathing circuit. An input device is operable by a clinician to input at least one ventilator parameter value. A fresh gas manifold is pneumatically connected to the breathing circuit and the fresh gas manifold is configured to provide at least oxygen and balanced gas to the breathing circuit. A digital signal processor is communicatively connected to the input device and the fresh gas manifold. The digital signal processor receives the input at least one ventilation parameter value, calculate a predicted oxygen concentration, and compares the predicted oxygen concentration to a predetermined minimal oxygen required threshold of the patient. A method of preventing the delivery of hypoxic gases to a patient includes providing ventilatory support to the patient through a breathing circuit. A digital signal processor receives a ventilation parameter value from an input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: 8770191
    Abstract: A system for providing mechanical ventilation support to a patient and includes a mechanical ventilator. A breathing circuit is pneumatically connected between the mechanical ventilator and a patient connection. An inspiratory check valve is disposed within an inspiratory limb of the breathing circuit. A fresh gas manifold provides fresh gas to the breathing circuit for delivery to the patient. A fresh gas valve is disposed between the fresh gas manifold and the breathing circuit. The fresh gas valve is operable between a first position which directs fresh gas upstream of the inspiratory check valve and a second position that directs fresh gas downstream of the inspiratory check valve. A digital signal processor operates the fresh gas valve selectively between the first position and the second position. A method of ventilating a patient includes introducing a flow of fresh gas into an inspiratory limb of the breathing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Q. Tham
  • Patent number: D741879
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Chapman, Robert Q. Tham, Michael Foulis, Wesley Moreau
  • Patent number: D797116
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Chapman, Robert Q. Tham, Michael Foulis, Wesley Moreau
  • Patent number: D847830
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip E. Chapman, Robert Q. Tham, Michael Foulis, Wesley Moreau