Patents Represented by Attorney Herrell & Skillman, P.C.
  • Patent number: 8320651
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to report the findings of an expert's analysis of image data. The method and system are based on a reporting system that forms the basis of an image management system that can efficiently and systematically generate image reports, facilitate data entry into searchable databases for data mining, and expedite billing and collections for the expert's services. The expert identifies a significant finding on an image and attaches a location:description code to the location of that finding in order to create a significant finding and an entry into a database. Further descriptions of that finding, such as dimensional measurements, may be automatically appended to the finding as secondary attributes. After the evaluation, the system sorts the findings in the database and presents the findings by prioritized categories. The expert edits and approves a multimedia report which may be delivered by electronic means to an end-user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: David J. Vining, Yaorong Ge, David K. Ahn, David R. Stelts
  • Patent number: 8294898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotationally asymmetric chaotic optical multi-pass cavity useful in optical gas sensing spectroscopy, optical delay lines, and laser amplification systems, for example. The cavity may include a single closed mirror having a light reflective surface that is deformed in two orthogonal directions and more particularly, but not exclusively, in the shape of a quadrupole in both horizontal and vertical planes. The cavity includes a light entry port and a light exit port which may be the same or separate ports, as well as a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The optical path length, the beam divergence rate, and the spot pattern are controlled by selecting the cavity deformation coefficients and the input beam direction to achieve the desired beam path and beam quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Dongxia Qu, Claire Gmachl
  • Patent number: 8275446
    Abstract: A computer system and a computer-implemented method are provided for interactively displaying a three-dimensional rendering of a structure having a lumen and for indicating regions of abnormal wall structure. A three-dimensional volume of data is formed from a series of two-dimensional images representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure. An isosurface of a selected region of interest is created by a computer from the volume of data based on a selected value or values of a physical property representing the selected region of interest. A wireframe model of the isosurface is generated by the computer wherein the wireframe model includes a plurality of vertices. The vertices are then grouped into populations of contiguous vertices having a characteristic indicating abnormal wall structure by the computer. The wireframe model is then rendered by the computer in an interactive three-dimensional display to indicate the populations of abnormal wall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: David J. Vining, Gordon W. Hunt, David K. Ahn, David R. Stelts, Yaorong Ge, Paul F. Hemler, Tiffany W. Salido
  • Patent number: 8268633
    Abstract: A method for conducting a broad range of biochemical analyses or manipulations on a series of nano- to subnanoliter reaction volumes and an apparatus for carrying out the same are disclosed. The invention is implemented on a fluidic microchip to provide high serial throughput. In particular, the disclosed device is a microfabricated channel device that can manipulate nanoliter or subnanoliter reaction volumes in a controlled manner to produce results at rates of 1 to 10 Hz per channel. The reaction volumes are manipulated in serial fashion analogous to a digital shift register. The invention has application to such problems as screening molecular or cellular targets using single beads from split-synthesis combinatorial libraries, screening single cells for RNA or protein expression, genetic diagnostic screening at the single cell level, or performing single cell signal transduction studies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Ramsey, Stephen C. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 8235928
    Abstract: A low profile dynamic extension splint for biasing a person's fingers and/or a thumb in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
    Inventor: Joseph R. Padova
  • Patent number: 8145292
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for effecting interactive, three-dimensional renderings of selected body organs for purposes of medical observation and diagnosis. A series of CT images of the selected body organs are acquired. The series of CT images is stacked to form a three-dimensional volume file. To facilitate interactive three-dimensional rendering, the three-dimensional volume file may be subjected to an optional dataset reduction procedure to reduce pixel resolution and/or to divide the three-dimensional volume file into selected subvolumes. From a selected volume or subvolume, the image of a selected body organ is segmented or isolated. A wireframe model of the segmented organ image is then generated to enable interactive, three-dimensional rendering of the selected organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: David J. Vining
  • Patent number: 8107697
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for generating data for a two-dimensional image which identifies different classes of property of an imaged subject, this being done by separately rendering volumetric data classified into those different classes and, from all of those separate renderings, choosing one datum for use in the two-dimensional image as an image pixel. This being repeatable for each datum to be used in the two-dimensional image—thereby, for example, to selectively build-up the data for whole of the two-dimensional image as a mixture/combination of different classes of data. The data for the two-dimensional image may be color coded for visually distinguishing data of different classes. Thus when applied to the image enhancement of tissues subjected to contrast agent uptake in patients kinetic information may be incorporated into the volume renderings to enable tissues of different enhancement and kinetic characteristics to be identified as such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: The Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
    Inventors: Michael Khazen, Martin Osmund Leach
  • Patent number: 8106367
    Abstract: An ionizer includes a high voltage AC generator, and a planar ion emitter mounted on an insulating substrate and having an array of planar needles that protrude from an edge of the substrate. The high voltage AC generator may be actuated by a switch having a pair of mutually insulated planar contacts located near an edge of the insulating substrate and configured to be contacted by an electrically conductive coil spring. The coil spring is supported by a slider that is moveable toward the ion emitter from an initial position wherein the planar contacts are shorted by the spring so as to actuate the high voltage AC generator. Continued movement of the spring collects dust in its coils while breaking the switch contacts and de-energizing the high voltage AC generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Filt Air Ltd.
    Inventor: Yefim Z Riskin
  • Patent number: 8066184
    Abstract: A ballot or sheet having an anti-copying feature provides for detecting from an image of the ballot or sheet whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy. The anti-copying feature may lighten or darken, or both, when copied and may or may not be evident to the human eye. A reader comprising an imager and a processor is for reading the ballot or sheet and for determining whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy, and for determining selections marked thereon. A method for reading the ballot or sheet is for determining from an image of the ballot or sheet whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy, and for determining selections marked thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Avante International Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung, Victor Jun Dong
  • Patent number: 8012416
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for thawing and heating biological material such as plasma, bone marrow or stem cells. The apparatus includes a housing containing a fluid-filled, sealed bladder for receiving a bag of the biological material. An agitator is provided which is operable to inflate an actuator pillow causing a support plate to compress the fluid-filled bladder, thereby promoting movement of the fluid within the bladder to agitate the biological material. A heater is provided which heats the fluid while contained in the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CytoTherm, L.P.
    Inventor: Roman Kuzyk
  • Patent number: 7995823
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to report the findings of an expert's analysis of image data. The method and system are based on a reporting system that forms the basis of an image management system that can efficiently and systematically generate image reports, facilitate data entry into searchable databases for data mining, and expedite billing and collections for the expert's services. The expert identifies a significant finding on an image and attaches a location:description code to the location of that finding in order to create a significant finding and an entry into a database. Further descriptions of that finding, such as dimensional measurements, may be automatically appended to the finding as secondary attributes. After the evaluation, the system sorts the findings in the database and presents the findings by prioritized categories. The expert edits and approves a multimedia report which may be delivered by electronic means to an end-user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: David J. Vining, Yaorong Ge, David K. Ahn, David R. Stelts
  • Patent number: 7969055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to rotary motors in which the rotational motion of the motor is provided by the attractive (or repulsive) forces between a pair of cooperating magnets in response to tilting of the motor axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Larry Titus Clean Energy Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry D. Titus
  • Patent number: 7954978
    Abstract: A pocket-sized flashlight may comprise a hollow cylindrical housing, a solid state light source at a forward end thereof and a switch at a rearward end thereof. The switch selectively connects the solid state light source and two or more batteries, preferably size AAAA batteries, in the housing in circuit for causing the solid state light source to produce light. The pocket-sized flashlight preferably is a relatively long and slim flashlight, wherein its length is between about 12.6 times and about 17.4 times its diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Charles W. Craft
  • Patent number: 7931651
    Abstract: An external fixation assembly includes a plurality of hollow pins that are inserted into a patient's bone. Each pin has an interior bore and a plurality of apertures extending through the pin wall from the bore. The pin may be coupled to a source of vacuum pressure operable to create reduced pressure in the tissue surrounding the pin. A cover is placed around the pin and sealed to provide a fluid-tight enclosure that maintains reduced pressure around the pin. A method for applying external fixation using the fixator pins described above includes the steps of inserting each pin through a skin opening, positioning the pin apertures near selected tissue, covering the skin opening with a sealed enclosure, connecting the pins to a source of vacuum pressure, and activating the source of vacuum pressure to create reduced pressure in the patient's tissue at or near the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Wake Lake University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Lawrence X. Webb, Louis C. Argenta, Michael J. Morykwas
  • Patent number: 7916909
    Abstract: A method and means enabling identification in an NMR image, being one of a time-sequence of images recording induced changes in pixel values of successive images of a subject (such as post-contrast dynamic images), the contribution to the image arising from the presence within the image subject of a specified tissue (e.g. fat). This identification is done using a statistical measure derived from the dynamic data (e.g. pixel value changes due to contrast agent uptake) taken from a plurality of the separate images forming the time-sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: The Institute of Cancer Research
    Inventors: Michael Khazen, Martin O Leach
  • Patent number: 7882776
    Abstract: Armor for a vehicle comprises a grid of bars, at least the majority of the bars being formed from carbon fiber. The carbon fiber bars may be pultruded and some of the bars may be metallic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: NP Aerospace Limited
    Inventors: Roger Terence Arthur Medwell, Christopher Davies
  • Patent number: 7883243
    Abstract: An LED light may comprise a light emitting diode selectively energizable for producing light; an electronic circuit for selectively energizing the light emitting diode; and a heat sink of a thermally conductive material, wherein the light emitting diode is thermally bonded to the heat sink; and wherein the electronic circuit is attached to the heat sink. The light may have a pair of contact springs extending from the heat sink and the electronic circuit may include thermal conductivity enhancing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7853310
    Abstract: A computer system and a computer-implemented method are provided for interactively displaying a three-dimensional rendering of a structure having a lumen and for indicating regions of abnormal wall structure. A three-dimensional volume of data is formed from a series of two-dimensional images representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure. An isosurface of a selected region of interest is created by a computer from the volume of data based on a selected value or values of a physical property representing the selected region of interest. A wireframe model of the isosurface is generated by the computer wherein the wireframe model includes a plurality of vertices. The vertices are then grouped into populations of contiguous vertices having a characteristic indicating abnormal wall structure by the computer. The wireframe model is then rendered by the computer in an interactive three-dimensional display to indicate the populations of abnormal wall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: David J. Vining, Gordon W. Hunt, David K. Ahn, David R. Stelts, Yaorong Ge, Paul F. Hemler, Tiffany W. Salido
  • Patent number: 7775001
    Abstract: A storm panel is provided for shielding a structure. The storm panel includes at least one corrugation, and comprises a first wall and a second wall disposed in spaced-apart relation. An angled wall is disposed between and connected to the first wall and the second wall to support the second wall away from the first wall. At least one ridge is disposed proximate the point of connection between the second wall and the angled wall, and may have a shape configured to strengthen the panel proximate the point of connection between the second wall and the angled wall. In addition, a storm panel assembly is provided comprising at least one storm panel and a mounting extrusion for attachment to the storm panel to provide support for the storm panel on a mounting surface, such as the side of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventors: Shawn Milliken, Les Milliken, Kim Smiley
  • Patent number: 7747055
    Abstract: A system, and computer implemented method are provided for interactively displaying three-dimensional structures. Three-dimensional volume data (34) is formed from a series of two-dimensional images (33) representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure, such as a body organ having a lumen. A wire frame model of a selected region of interest is generated (38b). The wireframe model is then deformed or reshaped to more accurately represent the region of interest (40b). Vertices of the wire frame model may be grouped into regions having a characteristic indicating abnormal structure, such as a lesion. Finally, the deformed wire frame model may be rendered in an interactive three-dimensional display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: David J. Vining, Gordon W. Hunt, David K. Ahn, David R. Stelts, Yaorong Ge, Paul F. Hemler, Tiffany W. Salido