Patents Represented by Attorney Seager, Tufte & Wickhem, LLC

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  • Iris recognition system using quality metrics
    Patent number: 8280119
    Abstract: A system for iris recognition using a set of quality metrics, which may include eye image validation, blur assessment, offset, gazing, obscuration, visibility, and the like. These metrics may be established as quantitative measures which can automatically assess the quality of eye images before they are processed for recognition purposes. Quadrant iris analysis, histograms, map processing enhancements, and multi-band analysis may be used in aiding in the iris recognition approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Rida Hamza
  • Packaging for chip-on-board pressure sensor
    Patent number: 8276460
    Abstract: A method of packaging for chip-on-board pressure sensor that includes a buffer layer with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) intermediate between the transducer and a main chip-on-board substrate by which thermally induced package stresses can be greatly reduced or eliminated. Additionally, the use of a buffer layer with higher stiffness (elastic modulus) than the chip-on-board substrate further prevents or reduces flexural (bending) stresses from being transferred to the transducer. Such a buffer layer also enables a wider choice of materials for bonding and stable performance of pressure sensor in harsh media and environmental conditions. The pressure transducer can be adhesively bonded to a ceramic layer, which in turn can be adhesively bonded to an epoxy laminate chip-on-board substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Alistair D. Bradley, Lamar F. Ricks
  • Self-opening filter with wire actuation
    Patent number: 8277479
    Abstract: A distal protection device that may include a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end, a filter disposed on the guidewire, the filter including filtering material and an expandable hollow coil, and a wire at least partially disposed within the coil, wherein the filter is actuatable from a closed position to an open position by reducing tension on the wire and methods of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Messal, Timothy M. Stivland
  • Guide catheter with removable support
    Patent number: 8277438
    Abstract: Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured for delivery of devices to vasculature portions such as intracranial spaces while retaining a desired level of flexibility. A catheter having an elongate shaft can include removable support means that can provide column support to the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft can include anchoring means that releasably secure the removable support means. The catheter can be deployed within a patient's vasculature, followed by deploying the removable support means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Griffin, Gregory E. Mirigian
  • System for performing a procedure at a spinal location
    Patent number: 8277486
    Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Davison
  • System for determining ambient temperature
    Patent number: 8280673
    Abstract: A mechanism for indicating ambient temperature of an enclosure from temperatures determined within the enclosure. The temperatures may be obtained from two or more sensors at each of two or more locations within the enclosure. The enclosure may include an apparatus inside such as electronics of which power consumption may be determined. Data including temperatures of two locations within the enclosure at various electronics power consumption levels may be entered into a 2-D plot. An approximation of the 2-D plot may be effected with an appropriate equation to be solved for ambient temperature. The data of the dimensional 2-D plot plus temperatures of a third location and air flow levels in the enclosure may be entered into a 3-D plot. An approximation of the 3-D plot may be effected with an appropriate equation to be solved for ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad A. Aljabari
  • Molded cartridge with 3-D hydrodynamic focusing
    Patent number: 8273294
    Abstract: A microfluidic circuit cartridge having 3-D hydrodynamic focusing. The cartridge may be fabricated with injection-molded or other molded layers providing a 3-D structure. A flow channel on the card may have a sample core flowing in a fluid of a flow channel for analysis. The sample core may be adjustable in position within the channel with one or more jets or channels of fluid being injected into the flow channel. The jets may also adjust the size of the sample core. There may be a hemoglobin measurement mechanism or card with a cuvette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind Padmanabhan, Ron L. Bardell
  • Thrombus filter with break-away anchor members
    Patent number: 8273099
    Abstract: A thrombus filter which can be securely fixed at a selected location in the vascular system of a patient and removed when no longer required. The thrombus filter includes a body portion and a plurality of struts, each strut having a joined end and a free end. The joined end of each strut is fixably attached to the body portion. The struts radiate outwardly from the body member such that the thrombus filter is generally conical in shape. The free end of each strut includes an anchor member. A weakened portion is disposed proximate the free end of each strut. When removal of the thrombus filter is desired, forces are applied to the thrombus filter causing the struts to break at the weakened portions proximate the free ends. When breaking of the struts has been accomplished, the thrombus filter may be freely pulled into the lumen of the retrieval catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristian DiMatteo
  • Total mixed ration equine feed
    Patent number: 8273400
    Abstract: An illustrative method of making a total mixed ration (TMR) equine biscuit including a fibrous material and one or more nutritional supplements may include suspending the one or more nutritional supplements with the fibrous material and impregnating the one or more nutritional supplements into the fibrous material. The biscuit may have a starch content of less than 6 percent by weight. The biscuit may have a sugar content of less than 15 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Harlan R. Anderson
  • Prioritizer system for target acquisition
    Patent number: 8275205
    Abstract: A system having an approach for prioritizing targets for an order of capturing the targets photographically or otherwise. Prioritizing is based on cost of obtaining or capturing the target for viewing or photographing in high resolution. One acquisition mechanism is for obtaining a wide field of view of a scene of targets and another acquisition mechanism is for obtaining a narrow field of view of a target for capture. The cost for prioritizing is based on the time that the narrow field of view acquisition mechanism takes to pan and tilt to get a close-up image of a target divided by the width of the target. The targets may be faces of people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ray Elgersma, Saad J. Bedros, Michael Janssen, Ben Miller
  • Intervertebral disk prosthesis provided with anchor means
    Patent number: 8273125
    Abstract: An intervertebral disk prosthesis is provided. The prosthesis comprises: a first plate for engaging a first vertebral body, said first plate comprising a first slot formed through the first plate; a second plate for engaging a second vertebral body, said second plate comprising a second slot formed through the second plate; a first anchor member, said first anchor member positioned and slidable through the first slot and having a sharp edge for penetrating into the first vertebral body; and a second anchor member, said second anchor member positioned and slidable through the second slot and having a sharp edge for penetrating into the second vertebral body. The first plate and the second plate engage with one another by way of complimentary concave and convex spherical cap portions to provide relative movement between the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Christian Baccelli, Karl Belliard
  • Beam intensity detection in a cavity ring down sensor
    Patent number: 8269972
    Abstract: A cavity ring down gas sensor may include a radiation source emits an input beam of light having a wavelength corresponding to an absorption line of a gas to be detected. The input beam of light is coupled into an optical cavity to amplify an internal beam of light that is reflected about the optical cavity. An optical element is disposed in the optical cavity at an angle close to, but not at, the Brewster's angle to reflect a relatively small portion of the internal beam of light to a detector. When a specified light intensity is reached in the optical cavity, the input beam of light may be prevented from entering the optical cavity, and a cavity ring down time decay may be measured. The cavity ring down time decay may be related to the gas concentration of a gas to be detected in the optical cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Barrett E. Cole, Terry Marta
  • Physical security management system
    Patent number: 8272053
    Abstract: A physical security system having a plurality of sensors and a sensor report aggregator. The sensors may detect a large number of physical activities. The aggregator may cluster a large number of detected reports to a small number of sets of reports. The sets of reports may be reduced to hypotheses. From the hypotheses, the aggregator may develop hypotheses about the physical environment which the sensors are monitoring in view of a security reference model. The security reference model may include, but not be limited to, facility models, physical security models, and/or attack models. The hypotheses may have probabilities assigned to them according to their certitude of likelihood and severity of danger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Markham, Walter Heimerdinger
  • Vascular embolic filter exchange devices and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8267956
    Abstract: Vascular embolic filtering systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. In general, the subject invention includes a system comprised of a delivery and retrieval sheath adapted for delivering and retrieving multiple embolic filters, wherein the embolic filters are each operatively coupled to a distal region of a filter wire segment and are deployable within a target vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Incept, LLC
    Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Jackson Demond, Jeff Krolik
  • Magnetic surface acoustic wave sensor apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8269490
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor that includes a magnetic film deposited on a surface acoustic wave device. The surface acoustic wave device includes an input interdigital transducer and an output interdigital transducer. An RF voltage can be applied at the input interdigital transducer in order to generate acoustic waves, which can travel via the magnetic material to the output interdigital transducer. The application of an external magnetic field alters the conductivity of the magnetic material. Such a change in conductivity attenuates the velocity of the traveling surface acoustic wave and an output frequency due to electro acoustic interaction. The change in the applied magnetic field can be indirectly monitored as a change in output frequency of the SAW device at the output interdigital transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Sarinkumar Anakkat Koyilothu, Sankaranarayanan Kalathil
  • Methods and systems for selecting capture verification modes
    Patent number: 8271087
    Abstract: Methods and systems are directed to selecting from a variety of capture verification modes. A plurality of capture verification modes, including a beat by beat capture detection mode and a capture threshold testing mode without intervening beat by beat capture detection is provided. An efficacy of at least one of the capture verification modes is evaluated and, based on the evaluation, a capture verification mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Alok Sathaye, Scott A. Meyer, Derek D. Bohn
  • Pacing output determination based on selected capture threshold values
    Patent number: 8271086
    Abstract: Approaches for adjusting the pacing energy delivered by a pacemaker are provided. Adjusting the pacing energy involves performing a plurality of capture threshold tests, each capture threshold test measuring a capture threshold of the heart. One or more measured captured thresholds are selected, including at least one capture threshold that is higher relative to other measured capture thresholds acquired by the plurality of capture threshold tests. The pacing energy is adjusted based on the one or more selected capture thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: John Voegele, Clayton Foster, David W. Yost, Scott Meyer, Yanting Dong, Kevin J. Stalsberg, Derek D. Bohn, Eric K. Enrooth
  • Wire and lock mechanism
    Patent number: 8262690
    Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering and/or retrieving a filter fixed to a guidewire disposed within a blood vessel are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises, an outer shaft having a proximal end, distal end and a wall defining an outer shaft lumen. The system also includes a stop mechanism disposed within the outer shaft lumen. The stop mechanism is preferably configured such that relative axial movement between the guidewire and the outer shaft may be selectively precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Petersen
  • Surgical access system and method of using the same
    Patent number: 8262569
    Abstract: A surgical access system includes retractor for creating an access path between an incision site and a surgical site. The retractor includes a frame having a base member and a pair of generally curved rails extending therefrom. A tubular member is coupled to the frame and includes first and second blade portions that are capable of relative movement with respect to each other by movement on the curved rails. A method of inserting the retractor into a patient includes inserting a guide rod over a guide wire, locating an obturator in the retractor, inserting the obturator and retractor over the guide rod, and removing both the guide rod and obturator to leave the retractor in the body to provide the access path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh D. Hestad, Rajesh Dwarakanath, Daniel Robbins
  • Cardiac rhythm pacing rate selection for automatic capture threshold testing
    Patent number: 8265754
    Abstract: Cardiac devices and methods that select pacing rates for automatic threshold tests based on a patient's hemodynamic need. A sensor-indicated pacing rate corresponding to a patient's hemodynamic need is determined. A test pacing rate is selected from either the sensor-indicated rate or another rate. Capture threshold testing is performed using the selected pacing rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Yost, Clayton Scott Foster