Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Testa, Hurwitz and Thibeault
  • Delivering a uretheral stent
    Patent number: 6790223
    Abstract: A delivery system for placement of a stent within a body of a patient includes a stent, a retaining structure, and an elongated member. The stent includes a coil which defines a lumen and has an initial length when in an expanded rest state. Adjacent turns of the coil are positioned to substantially prevent tissue ingrowth through the turns and into the lumen when the stent is placed within the body. The retaining structure is sized for insertion into the body and includes one or more pins. The pins collapse and deform the stent while the stent maintains substantially its initial length. The elongated member is coupled to the retaining structure and enables insertion of the retaining structure with the stent into the body such that the stent can be deployed from the retaining structure and placed into the body while maintaining substantially its initial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Reever
  • Platform for item sensing and identification
    Patent number: 6791452
    Abstract: The response of an object to a single time-varying magnetic field is sensed to determine object position and/or manipulation on a horizontal or vertical surface. A time-varying interrogation signal, which interacts with tags disposed on the surface, is read by an array of sensing coils. Control circuitry receives signals from the sensing coils representing this interaction and, based thereon, determines the identity, position, and manipulation of each of the objects based on the sensed signals and the known positions of the sensing coils. Feedback to the user can be provided in the form of a localized output (e.g. light, sound, heat, etc.) physically coincident with the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, Gershenfeld Neil, Paul Yarin, Hiroshi Ishii
  • Multichannel laser transmitter suitable for wavelength-division multiplexing applications
    Patent number: 6791747
    Abstract: A laser transmitter capable of transmitting large numbers of WDM channels but requiring locking of only a single channel. Each of the channels can be individually modulated using an external modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Tso Yee Fan
  • Systems and methods for creating virtual objects in a sketch mode in a haptic virtual reality environment
    Patent number: 6792398
    Abstract: A user of a modeling application modifies an initial virtual object using a sketch drawn on one or more construction planes. Typically, construction planes are connected by an axis that intersects the virtual object. The user can draw a sketch on each construction plane, and the modeling application interpolates a shape along the axis between the sketches to determine what material in the virtual object is to be removed from it. In this manner, material may be removed to create a recess or hole in the virtual object or otherwise to slice away material from the object. A user can use two or more axes and construction planes to produce complex shapes from the initial virtual object. A user can also select a portion of a virtual object and mirror the selected portion. Modifications that the user makes in the selected portion are made correspondingly in the mirrored portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Handley, Marc Midura, Bradley Payne, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
  • Particles
    Patent number: 6787233
    Abstract: The invention provides electroconductive particles comprising a styrene copolymer core and an external gold coating, characterised in that as said copolymer core is used a styrene copolymer comprising less than 50 wt. % styrene residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Dynal Biotech ASA
    Inventors: Astrid Evenrod Molteberg, Arvid Trygve Berge
  • Organo-titanate catalysts for preparing pure macrocyclic oligoesters
    Patent number: 6787632
    Abstract: Organo-titanate catalysts are prepared that are useful to catalyze depolymerization of a polyester to produce macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from macrocyclic co-oligoesters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Cyclics Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Phelps, Timothy A. Thompson, Yi-Feng Wang, Donald G. Le Grand
  • Controllable transformer
    Patent number: 6788180
    Abstract: A controllable transformer device comprising a body of a magnetic material, a primary winding wound round the body about a first axis, a secondary winding wound round the body about a second axis at right angles to the first axis, and a control winding wound the body about a third axis, coincident with the second axis. The device can be employed to provide a frequency controlled power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Magtech AS
    Inventors: Espen Haugs, Frank Strand
  • Light running shoe
    Patent number: 6782642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sole for an article of footwear and the method of manufacture. The sole includes a mesh layer at least partially embedded in a sole layer. The method for manufacturing the sole includes the steps of providing a mold, inserting a mesh into the mold, and forming a sole layer in the mold, the sole layer having a mesh layer at least partially embedded in the sole layer. The invention also relates to an article of footwear that includes this sole, and the method of manufacture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: adidas International
    Inventors: Bernhard Knoche, Klaus Knoerr, Gerald Kuhtz
  • Tissue regenerative composition, method of making, and method of use thereof
    Patent number: 6783776
    Abstract: A matrix, including epithelial basement membrane, for inducing repair of mammalian tissue defects and in vitro cell propagation derived from epithelial tissues of a warm-blooded vertebrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ACell, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan R. Spievack
  • Dual rail tool holder
    Patent number: 6783013
    Abstract: A dual rail tool holder may be used to store and organize garden and lawn tools with long handles in an inverted position, as well as to store and organize accessories. The tool holder consists of a first rail and a second rail, that are vertically and horizontally offset from each other forming an opening therebetween. Ends of tool handles are inserted in the opening between the rails and are stored in a generally vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Richard N Spann
  • Voice message delivery method and system
    Patent number: 6785363
    Abstract: A voice message delivery method and system for delivering voice messages from a Sender to a Receiver, where neither the Sender nor the Receiver are required to be Subscribers to the system. The invention allows voice messages to be delivered to non-Subscribers and, if they are not how, to be recorded into the existing answering machine or voicemail system of the Recipient. Advertisements played during either the process of sending or receiving a message provide revenue for a company providing the service of the present invention without requiring users to become Subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: SoundBite Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary A. Culliss
  • Methods for diagnosing Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
    Patent number: 6780587
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing and treating Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) patients and PXE carriers. Methods and compositions are based on the discovery that PXE mutations are located in the MRP6 (ABCC6) gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: PXE International, Inc., The University of Hawaii
    Inventors: Charles D. Boyd, Katalin Csiszar, Olivier LeSaux, Zsolt Urban, Sharon Terry
  • Castable refractory investment mold materials and methods of their use in infiltration casting
    Patent number: 6776219
    Abstract: Methods and materials for preparing investment molds useful in pressure infiltration casting of near net-shape metal or metal matrix composite (MMC) components. One embodiment of the invention includes disposing a slurry of an appropriately sized refractory material and a vehicle around a preform or fugitive pattern, removing the bulk of the vehicle, then curing/drying the refractory material to create an investment mold of the invention. Subsequently, pressure infiltration casting with a molten infiltrant using the investment mold permits infiltration of the mold cavity and/or preform without infiltration of the investment mold. As a result, the investment mold readily is removed to provide the near net-shape metal or MMC component. In other embodiments of the invention, a non-fugitive pattern is used, typically with a modified refractory cement of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Metal Matrix Cast Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Cornie, Maxim L. Seleznev, Brett M. Schulz, Shiyu Zhang
  • Ultrasonic transducers
    Patent number: 6775388
    Abstract: Sonic transducers utilize resonant cavities of varying depths to achieve wide operational bandwidth. The transducers may include a conductive membrane spaced apart from one or more backplate electrodes. In one approach, spacing is achieved using a dielectric spacer having a series of depressions arranged in a pattern, the depressions forming cavities each resonant at a predetermined frequency. In another approach, the conductive membrane is piezoelectrically active, and the transducer is simultaneously driven in both piezoelectric and electrostatic modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: F. Joseph Pompei
  • Information filter system and method for integrated content-based and collaborative/adaptive feedback queries
    Patent number: 6775664
    Abstract: A search engine system is provided for a portal site on the internet. The search engine system employs a regular search engine to make one-shot or demand searches for information entities which provide at least threshold matches to user queries. The search engine system also employs a collaborative/content-based filter to make continuing searches for information entities which match existing wire queries and are ranked and stored over time in user-accessible, system wires corresponding to the respective queries. A user feedback system provides collaborative feedback data for integration with content profile data in the operation of the collaborative/content-based filter. A query processor determines whether a demand search or a wire search is made for an input query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Lycos, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew K. Lang, Donald M. Kosak
  • Prostatic stent and delivery system
    Patent number: 6770101
    Abstract: A collapsible and expandable stent includes a body segment, first and second terminal ends spaced apart from each other, a substantially smooth wall and a lumen extending between the first and second ends. The device can be used for maintaining the patency of the prostatic urethra in a male patient. The stent may be designed according to the individual needs of particular patients. A delivery system for deploying the stent and other collapsible and expandable stents in the body of the patient comprises a retractable sheath, a shaft and a locking element to reversibly lock the sheath to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Desmond, III, James A. Teague
  • Elastohydrodynamic and boundary lubricant and method of lubricating
    Patent number: 6767872
    Abstract: A lubricant compound for use for both boundary and elastohydrodynamic lubrication utilize a hydrocarbon boundary lubricant linked to one or more fluorocarbon elastohydrodynamic lubricants and may be employed alone or as an additive. The lubricant compound lubricates surfaces on which it is disposed over a range of conditions. The boundary lubricant and the elastohydrodynamic lubricant are substituted such that they react with and/or provide desirable lubrication properties for particular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Williams
  • Method and system for incremental stack scanning
    Patent number: 6769004
    Abstract: An incremental garbage collector and method of incremental garbage collection useful for systems with real-time requirements, including a method for incrementally scanning multiple program stacks in units of individual stack locations. Methods and system allow the garbage collector to be preempted by the system and then return to garbage collection without rescanning any portion of a partially completed stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: Kim A. Barrett
  • Fluorescent fiberoptic probe for tissue health discrimination and method of use thereof
    Patent number: 6768918
    Abstract: A system and method for the in situ discrimination of healthy and diseased tissue. A fiberoptic based probe is employed to direct ultraviolet illumination onto a tissue specimen and to collect the fluorescent response radiation. The response radiation is observed at three selected wavelengths, one of which corresponds to an isosbestic point. In one example, the isosbestic point occurs at about 431 nm. The intensities of the observed signals are normalized using the 431 nm intensity. A score is determined using the ratios in a discriminant analysis. The tissue under examination is resected or not, based on the diagnosis of disease or health, according to the outcome of the discriminant analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: MediSpectra, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex R. Zelenchuk
  • Diagnostic detection device and method
    Patent number: 6767714
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved test cell for detecting the presence of an analyte in a liquid sample. The device has an elongate casing defining a liquid sample inlet, a reservoir volume, a test volume, and a window through the casing at the test volume. Disposed within the cell is a sample absorbent, a novel biphasic substrate and a reservoir, together capable of transporting an aqueous solution within the casing along a flow path extending from the sample inlet through the test volume and into the reservoir volume. The invention further comprises a method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a liquid sample using the device and a biphasic chromatographic material for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Armkel, LLC
    Inventors: Albert Nazareth, Mary Beth Boyle, Yea-Shun Cheng