Patents Represented by Attorney Fulwider Patton, LLP
  • Patent number: 8123669
    Abstract: A blood pump is temporarily operated at a low rotational speed lying below a design rotational speed. This involves a risk of thrombogenesis since flow detachments may occur at blades of an impeller of the rotary blood pump. For eliminating deposits at said impeller, the rotational speed of said pump is temporarily increased to the design rotational speed. Alternatively, said pump alternately operates at said design rotational speed and a low rotational speed, and this pulsed operation is synchronized with the heart rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Abiomed Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Siess, Rainer Damen
  • Patent number: 8123702
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire, and method for making the device. The guidewire of the present invention is formed, at least in part, of a composite elongate core formed, at least in part, of precipitation hardened material. The elongate core members of the present invention will have an ultimate tensile strength and modulus of elasticity greater than the same for an identically dimensioned elongate member formed from superelastic NITINOL alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Grandfield, Mark T. Richardson, Peter D'Aquanni, Wayne E. Cornish, Jonathan M. Howland
  • Patent number: 8118462
    Abstract: An automotive lamp includes an LED as a light source, a heatsink for radiating heat produced by the LED, the heatsink including a plurality of plate fins installed upright on base parts and a plurality of ventilation passages formed between the plate fins, a centrifugal fan for performing the forced air cooling of the plate fins by sending air through the ventilation passages of the heatsink, the centrifugal fan having air inlets in an axial direction for drawing air in, a left-side air outlet and a right-side air outlet for discharging air in left-right directions perpendicular to the axial direction, and a lamp housing for housing the LED, heatsink and centrifugal fan. The plate fins of the heatsink are formed such that the entrance of at least one of a plurality of ventilation passages faces the left-side air outlet and the right-side outlet of the centrifugal fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Inoue, Yuji Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8118823
    Abstract: An ultrasonic horn for use with an ultrasonic surgical hand piece including a resonator comprises a contacting annulus having a plurality of angled lands. The lands are alternated around the annulus such that adjacent lands have opposite angles. As a result of the adjacent angled lands, a shear stress field is developed in contacted tissue due to the promotion of refracted longitudinal ultrasonic waves propagating in different directions at the interface to the coupled tissue. The shear stress field enhances the fragmentation and removal rate of fibrous, elastic, and tenacious tissue. The horn is hollow permitting suction to be applied to the tissue for controlling tissue contact with the lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Integra LifeSciences (Ireland) Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Cotter, Saurav V. Gupta, James P. O'Connor, Matthew F. Shinopulos
  • Patent number: 8118373
    Abstract: The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary DeVlieg, John Gowan
  • Patent number: 8112857
    Abstract: A system for crimping a prosthesis is disclosed, comprising a plurality of wheels. Each wheel has an outer circumferential surface configured to be placed in contact with the prosthesis. When in contact with the prosthesis, each wheel is configured to be rotated, thereby to apply a radially inward force on the prosthesis so as to reduce the diameter of the prosthesis. More than one set of wheels may be provided, so that the prosthesis is crimped first by one set of wheels, then by a subsequent set of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises Limited
    Inventor: Claus Voelkl
  • Patent number: 8113372
    Abstract: A collapsible cargo container is disclosed wherein end walls are pivoted into the container when empty and locked against the roof, and then side walls buckle via hinges into a folded configuration. The folded configuration is achieved easily with a modified spreader without the need to otherwise disassemble or deconstruct the container, leaving no loose parts or tools. The cargo container preferably constructed with an improved light weight panel that facilitates loading of the container while improving strength and reducing weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Alex Bellehumeur, Trustee of the Alex Bellehumeur Family Trust
    Inventors: Alexander R. Bellehumeur, James Woods
  • Patent number: 8106560
    Abstract: A brushless motor is provided. A stator core has a plurality of teeth extending radially from an annular portion of the stator core. The number of the teeth is an integral multiple of the number of coil-drive phases. Coil relief holes for allowing coils to enter are formed on the motor base. The number of the coil relief holes is less than the number of the teeth by the number of the coil-drive phases multiplied by N (N is a natural number). The number of turns of the motor-drive coil wound around one of the teeth corresponding to a portion of the motor base where the coil relief hole is not formed is set to less than that corresponding to a portion of the motor base where the coil relief hole is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Alphana Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyoshi Mori
  • Patent number: 8104522
    Abstract: A fluid exchange machine for removing used transmission fluid from a vehicle's cooling system and replacing the used fluid with fresh fluid includes a fresh fluid tank, a used fluid tank, a pump for forcing fresh fluid from the fresh fluid tank to a vehicle's cooling system, a processor for controlling a fluid exchange operation, and a display coupled to said processor for graphically representing a status of the fluid exchange operation. The display can be an LCD display or other display capable of graphical representation of the conditions and status of the fluid exchange operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Michael Flournoy
  • Patent number: 8099804
    Abstract: A blanket of many floats of like configuration and each incorporating a polygonal parametrical rims housing a plurality of radial spokes configured to, in alternate axial relationship, form cells closed at the respective one ends and opening axially at their respective opposite ends. The system of the present of invention includes plumbing with a series of water jets for generating a current to flow fluid in a controlled fashion from and to a storage tank to selectively deploy and retrieve the floats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: John M. Gregg
  • Patent number: 8101892
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring conditions that affect the quality of food being served. Conditions such as temperature and elapsed time affect the quality of food and the safety of food consumers. Various embodiments of monitoring systems can be incorporated with different types of food containers. Sensors such as temperature probes can provide temperature information about the container and/or the food being served. The monitoring system can use such information in conjunction with elapsed time information in various ways. The monitored information can be displayed generally “real-time,” or it can be stored for subsequent analysis. The monitored information can also be used to trigger an alarm or similar indicator when a condition detrimental to food-serving is present. Various embodiments of the monitoring system having such features can be packaged in various embodiments, including a self-contained unit and an assembly of modular components linked by wire and/or wireless connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 8100957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for accurate temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including inducing hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette attached to the circulatory flow lines of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within a control unit. A temperature measurement scheme for obtaining body core temperature is provided, including methods of obtaining and analyzing temperature data to provide feedback to the control unit for use in controlling the heating and cooling of the heat exchange medium so as to heat or cool a patient to a desired target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zoll Circulation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Callister, Paul M. Stull, Andrew E. Wu, David J. Scott
  • Patent number: 8100918
    Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Micrus Corporation
    Inventors: Deepak Gandhi, Kamal Ramzipoor
  • Patent number: 8096312
    Abstract: The erectable shelter includes an awning assembly for a shelter that is removably mounted to two or more adjacent legs of the shelter. The awning assembly is mounted so that it can be moved between a downwardly directed vertical position and an upwardly directed vertical position, and to an intermediate horizontal position between the downwardly directed vertical position and an upwardly directed vertical position, allowing the awning to provide shade and to serve as a holder for signage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 8096246
    Abstract: The modular folding table includes a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and a folding utility shelf, and includes legs that can be connected horizontally or vertically to the legs of one or more similar modular folding tables, to provide desired table and shelf space with a structure that is foldable, strong and stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 8092475
    Abstract: Ultrasonic horns configured for use with a surgical ultrasonic handpiece including a resonator are described. The ultrasonic horns include an elongated member having a longitudinal internal channel extending partially therethrough. Disposed on the distal end of the elongated member is a chisel and awl shaped tip configured for cutting and/or abrading hard tissue, for example bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Integra LifeSciences (Ireland) Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Cotter, Maria Benson, Matthew Shinopulos, Amin Kassam
  • Patent number: 8091570
    Abstract: The corner brace of a framework of a quickly erectable canopy shelter is connected between portions of a perimeter truss assembly connected to a leg of the framework of the canopy shelter. The corner brace includes a corner brace mounting pin on a first link member of an outer truss of the perimeter truss assembly, and a support truss tube member pivotally and rotatably connected at one end to an outer truss on one side of the leg. The other end of the support truss tube member is removably connected to an outer truss on the other side of the leg. The support truss tube member of the corner brace may include a support truss clip that fits to a link member of the framework. The framework may also include a canopy framework support assembly for supporting a canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 8087712
    Abstract: A pair of vertically disposed handlebars spaced laterally apart mounting a plurality of vertically spaced flexible cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: David Svengalis
  • Patent number: 8083718
    Abstract: A system for the metering and delivery of small discrete volumes of liquid is comprised of a small or minimal number of inexpensive components. One such component is a movable member, such as a miniature precision reciprocating displacement pump head, which is driven by an actuator that comprises a shape memory alloy material. The operating mechanism of the system is of little or minimal complexity. The system facilitates the precise metering and delivery of the small discrete volumes of liquid. Potential applications for the system include subcutaneous, long-term, automated drug delivery, for example, the delivery of insulin to a person with diabetes. In such an application, the small, simple and inexpensive nature of the invention would allow for its use as both a portable and a disposable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Rush, Christopher V. Reggiardo
  • Patent number: D652183
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Regina Hall, Alma Magana