Patents by Inventor Shaun Riffle

Shaun Riffle 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: 20200118465
    Abstract: The skill of performing ultrasound is becoming a standard in medical education and clinical practice across a wide range of disciplines and clinical practices. Ultrasound is being used as a clinical tool by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers. A major limitation to the broad incorporation of ultrasound is the lack of qualified users and instructors. Simple and effective methods to teach the many new learners of ultrasound scanning are needed. Presently disclosed subject matter uses a visible color laser beam originating from an ultrasound probe itself or from a laser light pointer attached to an ultrasound probe which can penetrate a clear-gel phantom. The laser light is aligned with the direction of flow of the invisible ultrasound waves so that the learner will know where the ultrasound waves are hitting the anatomical target within the phantom gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: RICHARD HOPPMANN, JOHN EBERTH, BROOKS LANE, TOUFIC ROBERT HADDAD, MICHAEL SHAUN RIFFLE
  • Publication number: 20180078237
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a barrier device. The barrier device has a generally flat base with a width and a length. The base has a top portion and an opposite bottom portion. A surface of the bottom portion includes adhesive. A barrier extends upwardly from the base, the barrier having a generally flat first side and an opposite generally flat second side. A width between the first side of the barrier and the second side of the barrier is less than the width of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Richard A. Hoppmann, Debra Krotish, Shaun Riffle
  • Patent number: 9801611
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a barrier device. The barrier device has a generally flat base with a width and a length. The base has a top portion and an opposite bottom portion. A surface of the bottom portion includes adhesive. A barrier extends upwardly from the base, the barrier having a generally flat first side and an opposite generally flat second side. A width between the first side of the barrier and the second side of the barrier is less than the width of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Richard A. Hoppmann, Debra Krotish, Shaun Riffle
  • Patent number: 9675322
    Abstract: In one aspect, an enhanced ultrasound device may generally comprise an ultrasound probe including a housing and at least one transducer element disposed within the housing. The ultrasound probe may be configured to generate ultrasound image signals associated with an object being imaged. In addition, the device may include an acoustic receiver associated with the ultrasound probe. The acoustic receiver may be configured to generate auscultation signals associated with sounds generated by the object as the object is being imaged using the ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Richard A. Hoppmann, Shaun Riffle, Victor Rao, Stephen Harris, Duncan Howe, Mary Beth Poston
  • Publication number: 20140323865
    Abstract: In one aspect, an enhanced ultrasound device may generally comprise an ultrasound probe including a housing and at least one transducer element disposed within the housing. The ultrasound probe may be configured to generate ultrasound image signals associated with an object being imaged. In addition, the device may include an acoustic receiver associated with the ultrasound probe. The acoustic receiver may be configured to generate auscultation signals associated with sounds generated by the object as the object is being imaged using the ultrasound probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Richard A. Hoppmann, Shaun Riffle, Victor Rao, Stephen Harris, Duncan Howe, Mary Beth Poston
  • Publication number: 20140135629
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a barrier device. The barrier device has a generally flat base with a width and a length. The base has a top portion and an opposite bottom portion. A surface of the bottom portion includes adhesive. A barrier extends upwardly from the base, the barrier having a generally flat first side and an opposite generally flat second side. A width between the first side of the barrier and the second side of the barrier is less than the width of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Richard A. Hoppmann, Debra Krotish, Shaun Riffle