Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas J. Nikolai
  • Patent number: 4898166
    Abstract: A controller for self-refilling resuscitation enclosures has a pair of arms pivotable between open and closed positions, an inside strap fixed to both arms, and an outside strap fixed to one arm. The outer strap can be releasably coupled at any one of a series of locations along the other arm, to selectively limit the amount of resuscitation bag recovery and thereby adjustably control the expansion or recovery volume of the enclosure. The straps, along with portions of the arm inside surfaces, maintain a contiguous wrapping engagement about the resuscitation enclosure throughout its compression and expansion, to positively secure the enclosure. The arms afford a mechanical advantage to reduce user fatigue, and provide for the tactile sensing of lung compliance during resuscitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Physician Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Rose, Larry A. Sundsrud
  • Patent number: 4896559
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting vehicle handlebars includes a lower hub intergral with a vehicle steering column, and an upper hub formed as an integral part of the handlebars. Two opposed diamond-shaped plates rotationally receive both hubs. Two locking gears, one integral with each hub, form various interlocking engagement with one of the plates, corresponding to different handlebar position settings. A release lever, pivotally attached to one of the plates, is pivotable to urge the plates away from one another to release the locking engagment of the gears and projection groove, enabling movement of the handlebars to different settings. A spring loaded detent prevents inadvertent release of the mechanism, and must be moved against the force of a torsion spring prior to the pivoting of the release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Gregory J. Marier, Tommy O. Moats
  • Patent number: 4893968
    Abstract: An improved end mill which is less subject to breakage in that its helical flutes in the cutting protion are tapered in depth from a maximum proximate the cutting tip to a minimum proximate the transition to the end mill's shank portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Inventor: Zadok H. Levy
  • Patent number: 4884611
    Abstract: A machine for facilitating the removal and replacement of tire casings from and on the rims of vehicle wheels. The machine incorporates a first hydraulically actuated tool for breaking the bead of the tire casing to be removed free from the rim. Subsequently, the wheel is placed upon a motor driven turntable and clamped in place relative thereto by a second hydraulically actuated mechanism. Once the wheel and tire are clamped in place, a tool support head is brought into play for supporting a tire iron, the end of which is introduced between the rim and the tire's bead. Now, when a hydraulic motor is actuated, the turntable with the wheel and tire clamp thereto is rotated causing the tire bead on one side of the tire to be lifted free of the rim. The process is repeated for the tire bead surrounding the opposite side wall, at which point the old tire has been totally removed from the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Raymond H. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4876109
    Abstract: A biocompatible covering, soluble in body fluids, surrounds the fixation helix of an implantable cardiac electrode as the electrode, and its adjoining lead, are inserted intravenously to a selected cardiac chamber. The covering size and shape are selected for protection of blood vessels and other body tissues during insertion, and for exposure of the fixation element shortly after its proper positioning. The covering may be applied to the fixation element by a dip coating process, or formed separately by casting or injection molding, for later attachment to the lead distal end using an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Mayer, Byron L. Gilman, Susan M. Walgren, June M. Berglund
  • Patent number: 4875476
    Abstract: A support bandage for providing temporary support and at least partial immobilization of the ankle joint which comprises an "L"-shaped bandage, the entire underside of which is coated with adhesive of the type typically used for adhesive bandages. One segment of the "L" bandage is applied over the ankle joint and continuously across the underside of the arch of the foot, and up to the opposite side of the ankle joint. The other segment of the "L"-shaped support bandage is thereafter wrapped about the periphery of the ankle joint, securing the free end of the first-to-be-applied segment. The arrangement employs wide elongated strips of adhesive-backed tape which are fixedly arranged in a generally right angular relationship, one to the other in order to form the "L"-shaped arrangement. The utilization of a single wide strip provides for a more secure and uniform application of immobilizing force to the ankle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Prevent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario C. Garcia
  • Patent number: 4876099
    Abstract: Disclosed is the process for popping wild rice to make a puffy snack food or breakfast cereal which has a nutty flavor. The process includes curing, roasting and parching the wild rice in roasting ovens, sorting the wild rice into differing lengths and widths so it will have uniformity prior to popping, heating the wild rice on a conveying means at a temperature between 500.degree.-800.degree. F., and immediately removing the popped product to avoid scorching the product and creating a bad taste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: MacGregor Wild Rice Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. MacGregor, Darlene M. MacGregor, Arnold Lueck
  • Patent number: 4874368
    Abstract: An improved fibrin glue delivery system is disclosed. The delivery system is comprised of a pair of syringe tubes which can be actuated by plungers simultaneously or independently, a connecting member which holds the syringe tubes in parallel alignment and a unique needle assembly which ensures the components in the syringe bodies will not be comingled until they reach the treatment site. The unique needle assembly also permits the user to manipulate the needles to enhance visibility when the surgeon is working through a speculum or when direct access is difficult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Micromedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis H. Miller, I. Kaufman Arenberg, John H. Altshuler
  • Patent number: 4865036
    Abstract: A cardiac stimulator apparatus for effecting cardioversion or defibrillation in the event of pathologic tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation in which the rate of heart depolarization signals is compared to a predetermined heart rate value indicative of the onset of tachycardia while, simultaneously, the heart's pre-ejection period is monitored to sense whether an increase in heart rate above the predetermined value is accompanied by a decrease in the pre-ejection period. If not, a pathologic rather than a physiologic episode is diagnosed and a cardioversion pulse protocol is initiated. By also monitoring the mechanical pulse of the heart, if an inordinately high heart rate is accompanied by a low or non-existing mechanical pulse, ventricular fibrillation is diagnosed and the cardioverter is triggered to shock the heart back into sinus rhythm. If the mechanical pulse rate tracks the electrical rate of depolarization, tachyarrythmia is confirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventor: Raul Chirife
  • Patent number: 4864775
    Abstract: An endless abrasive cross-belt surface treating apparatus which includes a platen assembly arranged to move in an oscillatory or epicyclic pattern relative to the work surface. The apparatus includes means for drivably oscillating the platen as well as a pair of laterally disposed belt guiding rolls positioned immediately adjacent the platen, with such oscillatory or epicyclic motion being continuously applied to the cross-belt while workpieces are being carried or conveyed through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Timesavers, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene C. David
  • Patent number: 4862890
    Abstract: A surgical cutting blade for use in an electrosurgical scalpel includes a thin flat ceramic substrate having a rounded tip where the edge portion of the substrate on the opposed major surfaces thereof are beveled. A pattern of metallization is provided on the opposed major surfaces of the blade substrate with the metallization extending over the tapered portions. The substrate is then back-ground to form a blunt edge extending between the tapered surfaces at the edge of the substrate. The metallization pattern further includes traces extending from the conductors along the blunt working edge of the blade to the handle receiving portion thereof and provide a means whereby RF energy may be conducted to the metallized working edge of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Everest Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Stasz, Jeffrey J. Solberg, Scott R. Grabinger
  • Patent number: 4862225
    Abstract: A fusing system for a xerographic printer in which the energy from a plurality of flash lamps is used to melt and fuse toner particles to paper sheets as said sheets travel through the fusing station. Each flash lamp has an associated storage capacitor and a charging circuit for that capacitor which is operative to develop a charge on its associated storage capacitor depending upon the length dimension of the paper sheets flowing through the system. Moreover, the capacitor charging circuits are rendered operative in a predetermined serial order so as not to unduly load down the alternating current source for the system. A lamp triggering circuit synchronized with the zero-crossings of the alternating current supply voltage provides the ignition potential for the flash lamps such that firing takes place at a time when the supply voltage is at a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Check Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn H. Heiller, Michael P. Petersen
  • Patent number: 4862112
    Abstract: A microstrip oscillator utilizing a Gunn diode as its active element for operation in the W-Band. A microstrip shunt resonator is dimensioned to resonate the Gunn diode at either its fundamental frequency or second harmonic frequency while a matching circuit, including a quarter wavelength transformer and a coupled microstrip transformer is employed to match the complex impedance of the Gunn diode device to the load. A radial hat on the Gunn diode effectively prevents radiation of electromagnetic energy from the system to thereby maximize the energy delivered to the load while, at the same time, functioning as a transformer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Singh
  • Patent number: 4860927
    Abstract: A bottle is specially designed for storing, measuring and dispensing liquids or pourable granular materials having a lower relatively large capacity reservoir for storing the material to be later measured and dispensed and an upper measuring chamber of a lesser capacity and having raised graduated marks thereon indicating a plurality of predetermined measured capacities. The lower and upper chambers are in fluid communication with one another by a passageway formed internally of the bottle. The passageway is configured so that when the bottle is tipped, a quantity of fluid may be transferred from the storage reservoir into the measuring chamber until a desired quantity has been transferred into that chamber. Formed in the top of the measuring chamber is a pour spout having a cap thereon which, when removed, can allow the measured quantity to be dispensed from the measuring chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: James E. Grinde
  • Patent number: 4857045
    Abstract: A catheter for facilitating the restoration of patency to a blood vessel occluded with an atheroma or other similar lesion or thrombus comprising an outer flexible plastic tubular member having a plurality of ports proximate its distal end and concentrically surrounding an inner flexible plastic tubular member having a cutting loop at its distal end. The distal end portion of the inner tubular member is journaled for rotation in the distal end portion of the outer tubular member. A motor is provided at the proximal end of the catheter assembly for rotatably driving the inner tubular member and the cutting loop thereof while flushing the treatment site and aspirating the flushing liquid, blood and any debris loosened during the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Schneider (USA) Inc., A Pfizer Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Rydell
  • Patent number: 4854505
    Abstract: An improved valve for use in combination with a hand-held nozzle for a lawn treatment system which is designed to allow selective application of a second liquid chemical by the operator in conjunction with the application of a first liquid chemical. The system includes separate pressurized sources for each of the two chemicals as well as a pair of hoses concentric with each other, each hose communicating with one of said pressurized sources and said valve. The nozzle includes means for connecting the hose associated with the first pressurized source, means for connecting the hose associated with the second pressurized source, and an operator controlled valve means for permitting and restricting flow of said second chemical through the valve, a nozzle, and means for connecting a nozzle to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventor: M. Joseph LaVine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4853763
    Abstract: A mounting pad means for use in combination with solid-state semiconductive translating devices and including a base pad with flange walls extending from said base pad, and with device mounting pad means being secured to the surface of the base pad and comprising a thin layer of silicone base rubber. The base pad an flange walls are formed of a generally rigid laminate with a core having outer metal foil layers disposed on opposite surfaces thereof, and wherein the core is composed of a thin layer of silicone base rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: The Bergquist Company
    Inventors: David C. DeGree, Dallas R. Humphrey, Carl R. Bergquist, Roger A. West
  • Patent number: D302521
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: James E. Grinde
  • Patent number: D302658
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventor: James E. Grinde
  • Patent number: D304770
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Robert J. De brey
    Inventors: Robert J. De brey, Bruce W. Carlson