Patents Represented by Attorney Pauly, Devries Smith & Deffner
  • Patent number: 8185203
    Abstract: In one aspect a system includes an external communication device configured to interrogate a pulse generator, an external programmer device communicatively coupled to the external communication device; the external programmer device configured to receive a listing of valid electrode pairs from the pulse generator through the external communication device, the external programmer device configured to prevent a pacing, sensing, or shocking vector from being programmed by the user if a pair of electrodes needed for the vector are not included within the listing of valid electrode pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, David L. Perschbacher, James Kalgren, Les N. Peterson, Mitchell Lanz
  • Patent number: 8177876
    Abstract: A web can comprise a substantially continuous fiber mass and a separation means dispersed into the fiber. The web having a preferred thickness resulting from forming a polymer material and a particulate into a fine fiber layer can have a variety of end uses. A filtration media can include a structure comprising such a web of fine fiber and a substantial volume of particulate embodiment of the separation means. The resulting fine fiber structure provides an improved filtration medium having substantial depth, thickness, and a layered structure. The improved properties of the web results from inclusion of the separation or spacer particulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Veli E. Kalayci, Douglas G. Crofoot, Timothy H. Grafe, Kristine M. Graham
  • Patent number: 8177875
    Abstract: Crankcase ventilation arrangements are shown. Preferred wet laid media materials, for use in such arrangements are described. Also described and shown are example crankcase ventilation components, parts for use with a preferred media described and characterized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Rogers, Brad Kahlbaugh, Paul Kojetin, Keh Dema
  • Patent number: 8167289
    Abstract: This invention relates to a clamping element for workpieces, in particular a vice (10, 33, 40), comprising a first clamping jaw (12, 34, 41) and a second clamping jaw (13, 35, 42), which are mounted on a carriage bed (11). To avoid bending moments as a result of tensile forces acting on the carriage bed (11), the clamping element of the invention is characterized in that the resultants of the forces introduced by the clamping jaws (12, 13, 34, 35, 41, 42) into the carriage bed (11) as a result of the clamping forces acting on the clamping jaws (12, 13, 34, 35, 41, 42) are located in the plane of the neutral fiber (32) of the carriage bed (11). Preferably, the clamping jaws (12, 13, 41, 42) constitute two-armed levers, a clamping surface (21, 24) being associated to the one lever arm and a push rod (27, 46) engaging the other lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Promero SA
    Inventor: Andreas Schar
  • Patent number: 8166909
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for forming coatings that can elute active agents and coating produced by the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a first spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit, a second spray nozzle, and a second coating composition supply conduit. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying a coating to a medical device including forming a first spray stream, forming a second spray stream, and directing the spray streams toward the medical device so that the first spray stream intersects the second spray stream before hitting the medical device. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for applying a coating to a medical device including a spray nozzle, a first coating composition supply conduit and a second coating composition supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Chappa
  • Patent number: 8161996
    Abstract: The resilient seated butterfly valve has a common spherical center for receiving either an on-center or off-center disc, both of which are rotatably mounted in the body. A seal has a seat spherical surface. The seal is affixed to the circumference of the valve chamber. It has an on-center seal region for engagement with the on-center spherical sealing edge of the on-center disc. The seal has an off-center seal region for engagement with the off-center spherical sealing edge of the off-center disc. The seal may include an outlet flange, an outlet ramp, an inlet ramp, and an inlet flange. The front face of the seal for the off-center disc extends beyond the position of the front face of the seal for the on-center disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: DeZURIK, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Barker, Albert W. Libke, Steven K. Neu
  • Patent number: 8152902
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions that can be used to adsorb low concentration, preferably, for example less than 15 ppm, of unwanted or target substances. Typically the absorbance can be from an enclosed vapor phase. Such absorbency is accomplished in a contained substantially enclosed gaseous volume or atmosphere using a composition comprising a cyclodextrin compound and a polyethylenimine that can have an absorbency capability for low concentrations of unwanted or target substances. Such absorbency can be obtained with thermoplastic materials used in the form of bulk polymer or a film, fiber, web, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, sheet, packaging and other such structures including or surrounding the enclosed volume. The adsorbent of the invention is typically used in the context of an enclosed volume, also known as an enclosed ambient vapor phase that contains the adsorbent of the invention and the unwanted or target substances at a concentration that is not desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cellresin Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Willard E. Wood, Ronald A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 8151542
    Abstract: In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a window assembly and a window spacer. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the window assembly includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and a spacer arranged between the first sheet and the second sheet. The spacer includes a first elongate strip, a second elongate strip, and continuous sidewalls or a plurality of sidewalls. In some embodiments the sidewalls include a first portion having a first fastening mechanism and a second portion have a second fastening mechanism. The first fastening mechanism is arranged and configured to securely engage with the second fastening mechanism to connect the first portion with the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Infinite Edge Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Trpkovski
  • Patent number: 8148466
    Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions, films, containers, laminates and fibers can comprise a modified polymer. The said modified polymer having a moiety comprising a half-ester reaction product of cyclodextrin and metal and/or organic group covalently bonded to some portion of the half-acid moieties. The cyclodextrin compound, grafted to the polymer structure, can scavenge impurities, permeants, or other undesirable volatile contaminants. The cooperation between the modified polymer's carboxylic acidic groups, basic groups and grafted cyclodextrin can provide active barrier properties to a film, web, fiber or other polymer structure. A permeant or a contaminant can be complexed or trapped within the polymer and held within the film, web or fiber preventing the permeant from passing into the interior of a container, or the contaminant can be scavenged from the enclosed headspace or surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cellresin Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Willard E. Wood, Neil J. Beaverson
  • Patent number: 8143631
    Abstract: A layered structure for use with a high power light emitting diode system comprises an electrically insulating intermediate layer interconnecting a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer, the intermediate layer, and the bottom layer form an at least semi-flexible elongate member having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of positions spaced along the longitudinal axis. The at least semi-flexible elongate member is bendable laterally proximate the plurality of positions spaced along the longitudinal axis to a radius of at least 6 inches, twistable relative to its longitudinal axis up to 10 degrees per inch, and bendable to conform to localized heat sink surface flatness variations having a radius of at least 1 inch. The top layer is pre-populated with electrical components for high wattage, the electrical components including at least one high wattage light emitting diode at least 1.0 Watt per 0.8 inch squared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Metrospec Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wm. Todd Crandell, Anthony Mitchell Johnson, Tony Stephen Schweitzer, H. Vic Holec
  • Patent number: 8142836
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include multi-layered coatings for controlling the elution rates of active agents and methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying an elution control coating to a substrate. The method can include depositing a coating solution onto the substrate to form a base layer. The method can also include selecting a desired concentration of the solvent based on a desired elution rate. The method can further include removing solvent from the base layer to reach a desired concentration of the solvent and depositing a layer of parylene on the base layer. In an embodiment, the invention can include a medical device including a substrate, a base layer, and a porous layer. The base layer can include a polymeric matrix and an active agent dispersed within the polymeric matrix. The porous layer can include parylene. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Chappa
  • Patent number: 8141716
    Abstract: A polymer alloy has been developed comprising a polysulfone and a vinyl lactam polymer. The resulting alloy has excellent thermal characteristics and even in the presence of substantial quantities in vinyl lactam polymers, has solvent resistance to both organic and aqueous solvent materials. The materials, when dissolved in solvents, can be spun from a variety of solvents into a variety of useful fiber materials. The resulting fine fiber, microfiber and nanofiber materials have excellent thermal and chemical resistance for a variety of fiber applications. The polymer alloys of the invention can be spun into nanofiber mats that can act as a filtration media and can also be combined into conventional substrate materials for fabrication into filter structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ismael Ferrer, Richard S. Cardinal, Veli Kalayci
  • Patent number: 8137548
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to inorganic oxide particles that have been modified with a chelator group. In an embodiment, the chelator group is covalently bonded to a polymer. In an embodiment, the chelator group is covalently bonded to a chiral selector ligand. The present invention is also directed to methods of modifying inorganic oxide particles with a chelator group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Zirchrom Separations, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton McNeff, Bingwen Yan, Dwight Stoll
  • Patent number: 8129450
    Abstract: Durable and disposable articles are provided which include a thermoplastic polymer composition, which includes a blend of a polymer and a modified polymer. The modified polymer has covalently bonded pendant substituents derived from cyclodextrin. The articles can be a films, coatings, nonwoven webs, or monolithic articles. An article can have the polymer composition as one part of the article, such as in one distinct area of the article, or on the surface of the article, for example as a coating or surface film. The article can be, for example, a multilayer barrier film, a nonwoven sheet or pad, an absorbent article, or a storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cellresin Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Willard E. Wood, Timothy H. Bohrer, Stanley R. Kellenberger, Neil J. Beaverson
  • Patent number: 8129159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, reagents, and substrates that can be used for, for example, immobilizing biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to surfaces coated with a polymer according to the present invention. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for thermochemically and/or photochemically attaching molecules to a surface at a high density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Ofstead, Melvin J. Swanson, Dale G. Swan
  • Patent number: 8130093
    Abstract: A repeater providing data exchange with a medical device for remote patient care and method thereof are provided. The repeater includes a transmission device configured to send the data over a wireless medium to a data repository and a processing device configured to detect conditions in respect of an associated communication medium that could affect data exchange, where the processing device is configured to send the data based at least in part on the conditions. The processing device is further configured to analyze the data from the medical device to detect a problem with the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Mazar, Yatheendhar D. Manicka
  • Patent number: 8127695
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a display stand including a display stand housing is included. The display stand housing can be configured to hold one or more graphic panels. The display stand housing can define a table pocket. The display stand also includes a table assembly configured to move between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration. The table assembly can be configured to be disposed within the table pocket and concealed from view by at least one of the graphic panels when in the stored configuration. The display stand housing can further include a counter top panel disposed over the display stand housing. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Aisle Advertising
    Inventors: Mark R. MacDonald, Robert W. Stimson
  • Patent number: 8127718
    Abstract: The general goal of the present invention is to prevent damage to property resulting from the animal's separation anxiety which typically is a consequence of the pet owner's departure while minimizing the period of time the dog is confined. The most obvious objective is to restrain the animal until it calms down. A similar approach would be to reward the animal with a treat once it has calmed down. We have invented a device that incorporates an automatically releasing door of the kennel. For instance, the owner of a canine would place the dog in a kennel prior to leaving his or her residence. The owner would initiate a timer on the kennel, and the kennel door would automatically open after a pre-determined amount of time, for instance 30 minutes, or some other amount of time that was sufficient to calm the canine's emotions. After the door is automatically open, the canine would be free to exit the kennel for exercise, to access water and/or food, or otherwise explore the dwelling or its surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Barry Hoegh, Timothy Harold Grafe
  • Patent number: 8126554
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device with a pulse generator and a chemical sensor in communication with the pulse generator, the chemical sensor configured to detect an ion concentration in a bodily fluid. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for providing cardiac arrhythmia therapy to a patient including sensing a physiological concentration of an analyte, communicating data regarding the physiological concentration of the analyte to an implanted pulse generator, and delivering therapy to the patient based in part on the physiological concentration of the ion. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for monitoring diuretic therapy. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for controlling delivery of an active agent into a human body. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Kane, Jeffrey Allen Von Arx, James Gregory Bentsen
  • Patent number: 8118901
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoo Y. Chung, John R. B. Hall, Mark A. Gogins, Douglas G. Crofoot, Thomas M. Weik