Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC
  • Patent number: 7879472
    Abstract: A fuel cell, fuel cell array and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The fuel cell can be made by forming a first aperture defined by a first aperture surface through a first electrode layer and forming a second aperture defined by a second aperture surface through a second electrode layer. A proton exchange membrane is laminated between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. At least a portion of the first aperture is at least partially aligned with the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Roland A. Wood, Tom Rezachek
  • Patent number: 7861941
    Abstract: A thermostat system having multiple and individual schedules. For instance, a user may have different schedules and setpoints for heating and cooling. An appropriate schedule combining individual schedules may be automatically selected based on a system configuration. Schedule control may involve manual changeover from one schedule to another or automatic changeover relative to the schedule combining schedules. The thermostat system may be programmable. Also, there may be a system switch mode, for example, between heat and cool, where the schedules of either may be edited. Scheduling may be menu and option key driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Schultz, Chad W. Koster, Steven R. Hoglund
  • Patent number: 7850695
    Abstract: A method of fixing first and second vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes inserting a first cannula into the body of the patient. A fusion device is moved through the cannula and inserted between the first and second vertebrae. A first fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the first vertebra. A second fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the second vertebra. A first fixation element is moved through the cannula. The first fixation element is fixed to the first and second fasteners. The fusion device has first and second ends, upper and lower surfaces for engaging the first and second vertebrae, and first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces. Each of the first and second side surfaces extend along an arc from the first end of the fusion device to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Pagliuca, John D. Unger, Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 7850681
    Abstract: A cryoplasty catheter and method for preventing or slowing reclosure of a lesion following angioplasty. The cryoplasty catheter includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a dilatation balloon disposed at the distal end. An intake lumen and exhaust lumen are defined by the shaft to deliver coolant to the balloon and to exhaust or drain coolant from the balloon. The method in accordance with the present invention includes cooling a lesion to aid in remodeling the lesion through dilatation and/or freezing a portion of the lesion adjacent the dilatation balloon to kill cells within the lesion to prevent or retard restenosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. LaFontaine
  • Patent number: 7846148
    Abstract: The present invention includes catheters and catheter shafts having a curved portion, for example, a curved distal portion. The curved distal portion may be formed by subjecting the distal portion, which might include one or more polymeric segments or layers, to heat at or above the melt temperature thereof. Heating at or above the melt temperature may to reduce residual stress and eliminate heat history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Pu Zhou
  • Patent number: 7845576
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to thermostats having an improved interface. In some cases, the present disclosure relates to thermostats that can display not only menu items, temperature set points and the like, but also has an ability to display variable textual information that is not predefined at the time of manufacture of the display. The thermostat may include an LCD display that is viewable from outside of the thermostat housing and that includes a first region and a second region. The first display region may include an array of fixed segment pixels that are arranged into a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying text in a dot matrix format. In some cases, the first region may be adapted to display messages, including scrolling messages. The second region may include a plurality of fixed segment graphical icons, which may be more precisely and more clearly displayed than if displayed using the array of fixed segment pixels of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lokesh T. Siddaramanna, Harsha N. Chandrashekar, Gary J. Hobart, Thomas G. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7846133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-size catheter for use in biliary endoscopic procedures. The multi-size catheter comprises an outer diameter defined by a plurality of superimposed peelable layers. The peelable layers allow the multi-size catheter to function as a single operator exchange catheter without the need, and additional expense, of an endoscope sheath. Before positioning the multi-size catheter within the working channel of an endoscope, the peelable layers may be selectively removed in order to obtain an outer diameter for the catheter that is less than, but approximate to, the inner diameter of the working channel of the endoscope. The resulting fit eliminates the potential for a guidewire to slip out of the guidewire channel and become pinched between the catheter and the endoscope working channel. With an incorrect fit, a pinched guidewire would restrict the desired movements of both the guidewire and the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Windheuser, Fernando Alvarez de Toledo
  • Patent number: 7846182
    Abstract: The pedicle screw (1) for intervertebral support elements (3) consists of a shaft (10) and a head (2) comprising at least two parts (20, 22). The head is formed as a securing means for at least one support element (3). Each support element consists of a piece of a cable-like band (31) and a cylindrical support body (30) with an axial lumen (31?containing the band. The band is securable outside end surfaces (32) of the support body in the head. The head is formed with a contact surface (23) via which a pressure stress can be exerted on the support body in the band direction, and indeed using the band and in cooperation with a further pedicle screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
    Inventors: Reto Walder, Reto Braunschweiler
  • Patent number: 7848223
    Abstract: Methods and devices for operating a wireless network including redundant communication. Methods involving redundantly connected nodes are discussed including addressing methods and/or methods of creating groups for such redundant communication. The use of primary and secondary redundant connections is discussed. Also, devices for implementing such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Budampati, Soumitri N. Kolavennu, Patrick S. Gonia, Vinayak S. Kore, Smriti Narang
  • Patent number: 7842072
    Abstract: A device for spinal stabilization includes bone anchors, a metal cord, and a spacer. The materials of the cord and spacer are chosen to allow the physician to customize the stiffness of the stabilization device based on a particular patient's needs. Each bone anchor has a clamping mechanism for securing the cord to the bone anchor. In an assembled and implanted state of the device, the spacer is positioned between two neighboring bone anchors, thereby impeding the motion of the bone anchors toward each other; the cord is clamped to the bone anchors, thereby impeding the motion of the bone anchors away from each other. By increasing or decreasing the tension in the cord during implantation, the physician can create a stabilization device that is either relatively stiff or relatively flexible to accommodate the specific needs of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: John Dawson
  • Patent number: 7842056
    Abstract: A catheter assembly for deployment in a vessel includes a catheter shaft extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. A balloon is operatively coupled to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft. At least one cutting member is coupled to the catheter assembly. As the balloon is inflated, the cutting member is moved to a position to cut a portion of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Holman, Jan Weber
  • Patent number: 7842065
    Abstract: A rapid exchange sheath comprising an elongate tubular member, a guidewire, and support wire having an expandable filter at a distal end. The guidewire passes through a first opening at a distal end of the tubular member and a second opening a short distance proximal from the distal end. The support wire is received in a lumen of the tubular member, or, in certain embodiments, extends proximally through a third opening a short distance proximal from the distal end. Methods of using the sheaths for deploying and/or exchanging medical device(s) in a patient's vessel are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Martin Belef, Ross S. Tsugita
  • Patent number: 7843563
    Abstract: An optical element for conveying scattered and image light to several detectors. The optical element may have the properties of a diffractive beam splitter and imaging lens. The detected light may be from an illuminated target. Further, there may be an optical element for conveying scattered light from a target via several zones to specific detectors, respectively. The latter optical element may include a multiple annular zone diffractive structure on a hybrid lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard S. Fritz, James A. Cox, Peter Reutiman
  • Patent number: 7841994
    Abstract: The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device includes an elongated core member including an outer surface, an intermediate member disposed about at least a portion of the outer surface of the core member, and a coil disposed about at least a portion of the intermediate member in the distal region. At least a portion of an outer surface of the coil can include an undulating surface in a portion of the distal region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Skujins, Brian R. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7844764
    Abstract: A unitary control module having adjustable input and output mapping functionality, including methods of configuring such devices for use in different applications, are disclosed. The unitary control module can include a unit type selector such as a DIP-switch that can be used by an installer to configure the control module to emulate a particular type of controller. The control module can be configured to run a selection algorithm for configuring the mapping of the input terminals and output terminals for the device based on the controller type selected. In use, the control module may run different control algorithms for controlling the system components based on the controller type selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Eric B. Williams
  • Patent number: 7833175
    Abstract: An intracorporeal device includes a helically wound coil having a plurality of windings having an outer perimeter and forming a coil length and a plurality of joining elements disposed on only a portion of the outer perimeter and along the coil length. Each joining element couples two coil windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Parins
  • Patent number: 7832652
    Abstract: An HVAC controller includes an HVAC controller housing having an aperture and a removable battery tray disposed within the aperture. The removable battery tray includes a pivot point for rotating the battery tray into and out of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Barton, Arnie P. Kalla, Paul Meyers, Cary Leen
  • Patent number: 7833564
    Abstract: An elongate medical device including a coating extending over a portion of the elongate medical device having a plurality of apertures formed thereon and a method of applying a coating to such an elongate medical device are disclosed. Prior to applying a coating to the elongate medical device, a removable liquid is dispensed in the plurality of apertures. Subsequently, the removable liquid is removed from the plurality of apertures, leaving the plurality of apertures free of, unobstructed by, or otherwise not filled with the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Hancun Chen, Scott Larson, Jason Romanowski, Ryan Messer
  • Patent number: 7833197
    Abstract: Guidewire exit ramp members that may be placed over a tubular member having a guidewire lumen, which longitudinally extending and laterally accessible, and methods of use. The guidewire exit ramp member can be placed to force a guidewire loaded through the lumen in a first direction to be forced out of the lumen via an opening, slit or channel. The guidewire exit ramp member, in an illustrative embodiment, takes the form of a relatively short member having a proximal portion and a distally extending flap. The flap may be designed to enter and remain in a longitudinally accessible guidewire lumen. Combinations of such ramp members and device shafts having longitudinally extending laterally accessible guidewire lumens are also disclosed, as are methods for securing such combinations together. A method of backloading a guidewire into a catheter while causing lateral exit of the guidewire at a desired location is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Boutillette
  • Patent number: D630310
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Joseph Pierre Beland, Evelyne Tremblay, Vincent Boutin, Xue Dong Li