Patents Examined by Eduando C. Robert
  • Patent number: 6224605
    Abstract: An orthopaedic instrumentation assembly for preparing a bone to receive an orthopaedic implant includes a rasp which is insertable within an opening in the bone and has an attachment end with a projection extending therefrom. A handle is attached to the projection. A cutting guide has a first leg and an adjoining second leg. The first leg is attached to the rasp and/or handle adjacent to the attachment end. The second leg is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the first leg to thereby lie adjacent to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    Inventors: Michael Anderson, Rodney Bays, John Cooper, Lisa Schroder
  • Patent number: 6214017
    Abstract: An improved ultrasonic surgical apparatus includes an ultrasonic handpiece. An ultrasonic fragmenting tool is mountable within the handpiece, the tool having a vibratable tip adapted for ultrasonically fragmenting tissue at a surgical site of a patient. A transducer is mounted within the handpiece and coupled to a connector body. The connector body is coupled to the tip for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the tip from the transducer, the tip and the connector body being constructed of titanium or its alloys. An aspirating system is connected to the handpiece for aspirating fluid and tissue fragmented by the tip from the surgical site. An irrigation system is connected to said handpiece for supplying irrigation fluid to the surgical site for suspending fragmented tissue by the tip. Preferred embodiments include operational frequencies of about 36 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
    Inventors: Robert Stoddard, Arlan James Reschke
  • Patent number: 6214009
    Abstract: A rhinoplasty bur for use with a powered handpiece includes an outer tubular member configured to form a pocket for receiving a bur and for protecting the bur during operation. In one embodiment, the pocket has an end wall extending from a bottom wall of the pocket to form a distal lip providing protection for distal movement of the bur. In another embodiment, with or without the lip, the pocket is formed with opposed, curved wings extending laterally from longitudinal edges of the pocket for protection and stabilization of the bur during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Xomed Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Toriumi, Gary Peters
  • Patent number: 5989222
    Abstract: A system and a method for detecting the presence of an occlusion in an intravenous (IV) line supplying a medicinal liquid to a patient. Two pressure occlusion sensors are employed to produce a value for the proximal and distal pressures within an IV pumping cassette that is disposed in the fluid path of the IV line. Each pressure occlusion sensor includes a strain gauge connected to a leaf spring that is fixed at one end within a pump chassis and a rod that is disposed transverse to the leaf spring. Each rod has one end that responds to the force of a portion of an elastomeric membrane inside the pumping cassette and another end that contacts a free end of the leaf spring. When a leaf spring is flexed by the movement of a rod, the strain gauge mounted on the leaf spring produces a differential voltage that corresponds to a fluid pressure within the pumping cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Martin A. Cole, Michael W. Lawless, Christopher D. Lynch, Frank S. C. Mo, Peter A. Soberon
  • Patent number: 5868571
    Abstract: A dental hose assembly for use with a dental handpiece. The assembly comprises inner tubes, an outer tube enclosing the inner tubes, a connector for connecting the inner tubes to fluid passages in the handpiece, a tubular hose guide enclosing the distal ends of the inner tubes, a tubular joint cover engaging the connector and the distal end portion of the outer tube, and a connector ring sheathing the joint cover and to be connected to the handpiece for preventing the connector from being detached from the handpiece. The connector has a proximal end connected to the inner tubes and a distal end to be connected to the dental handpiece. The hose guide has a frustconical portion proximally tapered and distally flared on its outer surface to end with a projected distal end. The distal end portion of the outer tube is fitted over the hose guide to define an expanded portion. The joint cover has a proximal end thickened radially inwardly with a rounded outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Nakanishi Inc.
    Inventor: Takasuke Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 5865143
    Abstract: Atmospheric growing conditions in high-rise animal rearing facilities are proved by spraying liquid alum periodically over the manure collection area. Improved high rise animal rearing facilities provided with a liquid alum treatment delivery system for misting or spraying the liquid alum over the manure collection area to strip ammonia gas from the air and to apply a chemical coating on a surface of the accumulated manure which reduces or prevents ammonia volatilization. The liquid chemical treatment comprises an aqueous alum solution containing 1 to about 50% by weight alum, applied at a rate of about 50-250 g of Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3. 14H.sub.2 O per kg of manure as it accumulates. The improved rearing facilities and methods control the atmospheric conditions in the animal rearing area at less than or equal to about 25 ppm ammonia throughout the growing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Trustees of University of Arkansas and United States of America
    Inventor: Philip A. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5836320
    Abstract: A device for packaging and applying a cosmetic includes a housing suitable for containing cosmetic, an applicator element for applying the cosmetic, and a transfer device for feeding the applicator element with cosmetic taken from inside the housing. The transfer device includes a coating roller capable of rotating inside the housing. The roller has a region of its surface that is capable of coming into contact with the applicator element and exerting contact pressure thereon. Another region of its surface is capable of coming into contact with the cosmetic contained in the housing. Rotation of the roller conveys a coating of cosmetic between the regions for transfer to the applicator element. The coating roller is secured to a drive mechanism that is accessible to a user outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Patent number: 5823208
    Abstract: A flexible integrally produced toothpick structure for gum massaging and teeth cleaning purpose has one end provided with a fixed reverse U-shaped end having, parallel rung elements or cross elements disposed thereon or arc-shaped outward projections defined consecutively or alternatively on either side thereof. The reverse U-shaped end can be twisted in use so as to effectively bring out food residues stuck in between teeth. The opposite end of the toothpick is provided with a flat extension on which are disposed a number of V-shaped marks for massaging the gum; and a slant pointed projection in connection to the flat extension is used to pick out food residues left between molar teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Chien I Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching Hsi Lin
  • Patent number: 5819758
    Abstract: A combination brush and cleaning comb to remove hair and other debris from the bristles. The cleaning comb is specially sized to have teeth that are complementary or slightly larger than the space between the bristles, allowing for minimal effort when cleaning. The matched sizing also reduces the possibility of damage to the bristles. The handle of the brush contains an ergonomically designed enclosure to store the cleaning comb without affecting the feel of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nouvelle Celluloid
    Inventor: Bernard Sohler
  • Patent number: 5785064
    Abstract: A high temperature externally heated hair-styling device is provided which has a hair-styling body. An over-temperature alarm is mounted in the hair-styling body. The over-temperature alarm has a temperature sensor which is thermally connected to the hair-styling body. The sensor provides a voltage signal representative of the temperature of the hair-styling body. A variable reference voltage signal generator is powered by a DC battery power source. The reference signal generator has an adjustable range and the reference voltage signal is calibrated to coincide with a predefined operating temperature range. A comparative device comparing the representative and reference voltage signals is used to determine when the predefined operating temperature range is exceeded. An indicator device responsive to the comparative device is used to indicate a temperature of the hair-styling body exceeding the predefined operating temperature range of the hair-styling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Timothy A. Simpson