Patents Represented by Attorney Fletcher Yoder

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  • Oximeter sensor with digital memory recording sensor data
    Patent number: 7085597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a memory chip for use in an oximeter sensor, or an associated adapter or connector circuit. The memory chip allows the storing of different data to provide enhanced capabilities for the oximeter sensor. In addition to providing unique data to store in such a memory, the invention describes unique uses of data stored in such a memory. The data stored in the memory chip may include information relating to use of the oximeter sensor. For example, the memory chip may encode a sensor model identification that can be displayed on a display screen when the sensor is connected to an oximeter monitor. The memory may also encode a range of operating parameters such as light levels over which the sensor can function or a maximum drive current. The operating parameters are read and interpreted by a controller circuit to control the pulse oximetry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia Fein, legal representative, Paul D. Mannheimer, Adnan Merchant, Charles Porges, David Swedlow, Michael E. Fein, deceased
  • Methods and apparatus for computing volumetric perfusion
    Patent number: 7082180
    Abstract: A method for computing volumetric perfusion in a spatially stationary organ using a computed tomography (CT) imaging system includes positioning an area detector such that the area detector encompasses a spatially stationary organ within the field of view of the imaging system for all view angles, operating the CT imaging system in a cine mode to acquire a plurality of projection data representative of the tissue dynamics in the spatially stationary organ, processing the projection data, temporally filtering respective signals from volume elements of the reconstructions of the projection data which are representative of the tissue dynamics and computing the volumetric perfusion in the organ using the temporally filtered signals from volume elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Michael Edic, Samit Kumar Basu
  • Centralized hospital monitoring system for automatically detecting upper airway instability and for preventing and aborting adverse drug reactions
    Patent number: 7081095
    Abstract: A system and method for the automatic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in a centralized hospital critical care monitoring system for the monitoring of a plurality of patients in at least one of a critical care, step down, and cardiac ward by telemetry. The system includes a central processor having a display, and a plurality of telemetry units for mounting with patients, each of the telemetry units has a plurality of sensors for connection with each patient, the telemetry unit is capable of the transmission of multiple signals derived from the sensors to the central processor, in one preferred embodiment the method comprising steps of programming the system to analyze the signals and to automatically identify the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea and to provide an indication of the identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Lynn, Eric N. Lynn
  • Phosphors containing oxides of alkaline-earth and group-IIIB metals and white-light sources incorporating same
    Patent number: 7077978
    Abstract: A phosphor comprises a material having a formula of AMgD10O17:Eu2+,Mn2+, wherein A is at least an alkaline-earth metal selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr, Ca, and combinations thereof; and D is at least a metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In, and combinations thereof; wherein Eu2+ ions are present in an amount from about 10 to about 50 atom percent of a combined quantity of A ions and europium ions, and Mn2+ ions are present in an amount from about 5 to about 30 atom percent of a combined quantity of magnesium ions and manganese ions. The phosphor is used alone or in conjunction with other phosphors to convert UV/blue radiation emitted by a source, such as an LED or a gas discharge device, to visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anant Achyut Setlur, Alok Mani Srivastava, Holly Ann Comanzo
  • Medical diagnostic system remote service method and apparatus
    Patent number: 7080095
    Abstract: A system for providing remote service to medical diagnostic systems is described that includes a field service unit connectable to an automated service facility via a network link. The field service unit is configured to compose service requests based upon a series or menu of predefined service modules or functions. The service request includes identification of a diagnostic system or facility of interest. The request is communicated to the automated service facility which verifies the request and executes the requested function. Data may be gathered from the diagnostic system or institution as well as from service databases. Results of the service operation are automatically transmitted to the requesting service unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Lawrence Accardi, Kevin James Jay, Diane Marie Miesbauer
  • Methods and apparatus for temperature measurement and control in electromagnetic coils
    Patent number: 7077566
    Abstract: A method for monitoring temperature in at least one location of an electromagnetic coil assembly having at least one electrical winding. The method includes passing a light through a non-magnetic optical fiber inserted into a sheath that is wound with the electrical winding. The sheath is wound and cast with the electromagnetic coil assembly, and the optical fiber is slidably inserted therein. The optical fiber has a core containing at least a first Bragg grating etched therein. The method further includes detecting a wavelength of light reflected from the first Bragg grating and determining a temperature of the electromagnetic coil assembly at a location of the first Bragg grating utilizing the detected wavelength of the light reflected from the first Bragg grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Veera Palanivelu Rajendran, Mehmet Arik, Bulent Aksel
  • Phosphors containing oxides of alkaline-earth and group-13 metals, and light sources incorporating the same
    Patent number: 7077980
    Abstract: A phosphor comprises europium, at least two alkaline-earth metals, and at least a Group-13 metal. In one embodiment, the phosphor has a formula selected from the group consisting of Sr4-a-zAaEuzD12O22 and Sr4-a-zAaEuzD14O25; wherein A is at least an alkaline-earth metal other than strontium; D is an element selected from the group consisting of Group-13 metals, group-3 metals, and rare-earth metals; 0<a<4; 0.001<z<0.3; and 4-a-z>0. The phosphor can be used in light sources and displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gopi Chandran Ramachandran, Mukunda Srinivas Adyam, Shankar Madras Venugopal, Anant Achyut Setlur, Alok Mani Srivastava, Holly Ann Comanzo, Venkatesan Manivannan, William Winder Beers
  • Vehicle energy storage system control methods and method for determining battery cycle life projection for heavy duty hybrid vehicle applications
    Patent number: 7078877
    Abstract: A method for equalizing a storage parameter for a vehicle energy storage system having one or more energy storage banks associated therewith includes identifying a quiescent period of operation for the vehicle, and determining whether the value of a defined storage quantity for a first energy storage bank differs from the value of the defined storage quantity for a second energy storage bank by a threshold amount. During the quiescent period of operation, one of the first and second energy storage banks is discharged and the other of the first and second energy storage banks is charged. The one of the first and second energy storage banks corresponds to the bank having the value of the defined storage quantity exceeding the value of the defined storage quantity of the other of the first and second energy storage banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lembit Salasoo, Robert Dean King, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Dongwoo Song, Henry Todd Young, Timothy Gerard Richter, Prahlad Bhugra
  • Method and system for active tip clearance control in turbines
    Patent number: 7079957
    Abstract: A system for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine. The system includes a stator including a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments and a rotor including a blade rotatable within the shroud. An actuator assembly is positioned radially around the shroud and includes a plurality of actuators. A sensor senses a turbine parameter and generates a sensor signal representative of the turbine parameter. A modeling module generates a tip clearance prediction in response to turbine cycle parameters. A controller receives the sensor signal and the tip clearance prediction and generates at least one command signal. The actuators include at least one actuator receiving the command signal and adjusts a position of at least one of the shroud segments in response to the command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Michael Finnigan, Mullahalli Venkataramaniah Srinivas, Robert Joseph Albers, Guy Wayne DeLeonardo
  • Structured micro-channel semiconductor electrode for photovoltaic cells
    Patent number: 7078613
    Abstract: A solar cell having a plurality of micro-channels. Specifically, a plurality of micro-channels are formed in a semiconductor material that has been disposed on the surface of a planar electrode. The semiconductor material is saturated with dye and injected with an electrolyte solution. The micro-channels are insulated and filled with a material that provides a catalyst material for the electron transfer to an oxidant during the photovoltaic process. The catalyst disposed in the micro-channels forms the upper electrode of the solar cell. The micro-channels are arranged to provide a reduced migration path for the oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James L. Spivack, Donald F. Foust
  • Apparatus for latency specific duty cycle correction
    Patent number: 7075856
    Abstract: The illustrated embodiments relate to a control circuit that is adapted to use a latency signal to generate an output signal. The latency is adapted to be used to create a control signal that is dependent on the latency signal. The control signal is adapted to be used to select from among multiple input sources. The selected input source is adapted to be used to create an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick N. Labrum, Paul A. Silvestri
  • Method and apparatus for measuring blood pressure using relaxed matching criteria
    Patent number: 7074192
    Abstract: A technique for comparing pressure oscillations obtained during a blood pressure determination wherein two or more sets of matching criteria may be employed. The set of matching criteria to be employed is determined based on the heart rate variability or the presence of heart beat irregularities or arrhythmias as determined by an independent heart monitor, such as an ECG. The selected set of matching criteria may then be employed in determining the acceptability of the time interval between two oscillations and the equivalence of the two oscillations based upon one or more oscillation characteristics, such as peak amplitude. In this manner, non-consecutive oscillations may be matched and used in determining blood pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Arnold Friedman, Richard Medero, Lawrence T. Hersh, Sai Kolluri
  • Critical aperture convergence filtering and systems and methods thereof
    Patent number: 7076402
    Abstract: A system for compressing a set of data points is provided. The system includes a critical aperture compression module that is configured to discard one or more data points from the set of data points. The discarded one or more data points fall within a tolerance band surrounding a straight line that represents a trend of the discarded one or more data points. A remainder of the set of data points represents a compressed set of data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: George Edward Williams
  • Method and system for generating monochromatic X-rays
    Patent number: 7072444
    Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides an X-ray source. The X-ray source includes an electron source configured to generate an electron beam. The X-ray source also includes an ultra-violet photon source configured to generate one or more mono-energetic streams of ultra-violet photons. The X-ray source further includes an interaction region configured to facilitate interaction of the electron beam and the one or more mono-energetic streams of ultra-violet photons to generate X-rays having a substantially monochromatic or multimodal distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph John Manak, Jr., John Scott Price
  • Methods for installing a circuit device
    Patent number: 7065868
    Abstract: A method is provided for installing circuit components, such as memory devices, in a support, such as a socket. The device to be installed is supported in a holder or shell. The holder is positioned over a support region in the receiving socket. A manual actuator is pressed into the holder to eject the device from the holder and to install the device in the support. The holder may be configured to hold a single device, or multiple devices aligned in slots defined by partitions. A multi-device tray may be provided for indexing devices toward an ejection slot, through which the devices are installed by manual actuation of an ejecting actuator. The technique provides protection for the device prior to and during installation, and facilitates manual installation of such devices without requiring direct hand contact with the device either prior to or during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Kinsman, Mike Brooks, Warren M. Farnworth, Walter Moden, Terry Lee
  • Active seal assembly
    Patent number: 7066470
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes an annular hanger having a supporting ledge. An arcuate seal segment includes an outer rail mounted on the ledge and supporting an inner seal. An arcuate carrier is mounted between the hanger and the rail, and includes a piston mounted in a bore. The bore is selectively pressurized to deploy the piston between the hanger and rail for temporarily retracting the seal segment from an adjacent rotor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Biao Fang, Osman Saim Dinc, Hamid Reza Sarshar, Mehmet Demiroglu, Mark Edward Burnett, Frederick George Baily, Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Ahmad Safi, Richard Robert Larsen
  • Nickel bonding cap over copper metalized bondpads
    Patent number: 7067924
    Abstract: A method for forming a nickel cap layer over copper metalized bond pad is disclosed in which the phosphorous content of the nickel cap, and particularly the surface of the nickel cap, may be controlled. The phosphorous content of the surface of the nickel cap is suitably determined such that oxidation is inhibited. The resulting nickel cap may be wire-bonded directly, without the deposition of a gold cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery N. Gleason, Joseph T. Lindgren
  • Distributed multi-user replication-based system for real time data access during cardiology procedures
    Patent number: 7069071
    Abstract: A distributed multi-user system for real time data access during cardiology procedures. The system includes an interactive computer network which can be used to simultaneously display data from a cardiology procedure on a plurality of devices and at a plurality of locations. The system is implemented through various replication topologies which allow the simultaneous access a cardiology study during the procedure. The study can be displayed at any of the plurality of locations, which may be local or remote, during the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Stoycos, Ewin Michael Kiser
  • Automatic selection of the log-subtraction decomposition parameters for dual energy chest radiography
    Patent number: 7068826
    Abstract: The present technique provides a variety of processing schemes for decomposing soft tissue and bone images more accurately from low and high-energy images acquired from an imaging system, such as a dual-energy digital radiography system using flat-panel technology. In particular, a parameter selection process is provided for automatically computing the decomposition parameters WS and WB to create soft tissue and bone images, respectively. The parameter selection process modifies a default decomposition parameter based on a variety of image and technique variables, such as intensity levels of the low and high-energy images, the patient size, and the collimator filtration setting. The parameter selection process avoids robustness problems associated with image-based algorithms, and the process may operate without any direct user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Kadri N. Jabri, Gopal B. Avinash, John M. Sabol, Francois S. Nicolas, Renuka Uppaluri, Mohamed A. Hamadeh
  • Method and apparatus for correcting a retained image artifact
    Patent number: 7065177
    Abstract: A technique for compensating for a retained image includes employing bimodal readout of alternating light and dark images. The bimodal readout technique results from reading either light or dark frames more rapidly, allowing additional time to be allocated to the X-ray exposures occurring prior to the light frames or to the other reading operation. The bimodal readout may be accomplished by a binning procedure by which scan lines are binned and read, typically during dark frame readout. The images acquired from reading the dark frames may then be used to compensate for a retained image artifacts present in the image derived from light frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian David Yanoff, Douglas Albagli