Patents by Inventor A. Michael Smith

A. Michael Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6176597
    Abstract: A surgical lighthead includes a light source having a reference point defined thereon and a reflector including a concave reflector surface which has a central axis. The concave reflector surface is formed to include a plurality of facets configured to reflect light emanating from the light source. The plurality of facets includes a first set of facets for which each associated longitudinal boundary line is angularly spaced by a first angle from each of the next adjacent boundary lines relative to the central axis. In addition, the plurality of facets includes a second set of facets for which each associated longitudinal boundary line is angularly spaced by a second angle from each of the next adjacent boundary lines relative to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventor: A. Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 5971569
    Abstract: A surgical lighthead having a stacked elliptical reflector (20) directs light from a lamp (10) to an illumination zone (Y) without the need for a refractor to redirect the reflected light. The reflector is formed of at least three annular reflector segments (22, 24, 26) stacked on top of each other to form a continuous reflector surface. Each of the reflector segments has a longitudinal cross section of a different conical shape such as elliptical or parabolic for directing the light to a different portion of the illumination plane. The stacked elliptical reflector provides the benefits of reduction of the image of the filament in the light field and reduction of shadowing due to objects passing between the lighthead and the illumination plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Steris Corporation
    Inventors: A. Michael Smith, Henry Holt Frazier
  • Patent number: 5951139
    Abstract: A frame (10) supports a plurality of illumination modules (12) arranged in a common plane in a spoke-like pattern extending radially outward from a central axis. Each module includes a lamp (24) with a vertical filament (26) mounted in a faceted reflector (22) to direct a beam of light to a planar, dichroic mirror (30). The mirror (30) reflects the visible spectrum portion of the beam of light downward toward the central axis with all of the beams of light intersecting the central axis in a common plane to create an illumination zone of selected diameter. A disk (32) which is light transmissive at least in portions (34) forms a bottom cover for a cover (14). A handle (40) is rotatably mounted to the frame and connected by a mechanical linkage (50) with the reflectors for tipping the angle of the emitted light beams to adjust the diameter of the illumination zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Steris Corporation
    Inventors: A. Michael Smith, Mark P. Jongewaard, Henry Holt Frazier
  • Patent number: 5913599
    Abstract: A surgical light (10) includes a conical shaped reflector (12) which is formed from pre-finished sheet of reflector material into a conical shape. The conical reflector (12) reflects the light from a lamp (14) at a plurality of different angles. Light directly from the lamp and reflected from the reflector strikes a refractor (18) at a plurality of angles of incidence which vary with distance from a central axis (X) of the reflector. The refractor has a plurality of differently shaped prisms (20) whose shape varies with the distance from the central axis to redirect the light to an illumination zone (Z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Steris Corporation
    Inventors: A. Michael Smith, Henry Holt Frazier
  • Patent number: 5001616
    Abstract: A lighting fixture to illuminate a target surface, particulary a surgical site, is provided which includes a light source, a reflector superposing and partially circumscribing the light source, a cylindrical filter surrounding the light source coaxial to the axis of symmetry of the lighting fixture and a refractor positioned beneath the reflector through which the light reflected from the reflector must pass to reach the target surface. The refractor is divided into a plurality of portions which radiate outwardly from the axis of symmetry. Each portion includes first, second and third prism means having individual prism members of varying configuration for focusing the light to first, second and third areas, respectively, within a cylinder of light defined by the light passing through the refractor, to provide small, medium and large patterns respectively, of the cylinder of light when it impinges upon the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Joel C. Gehly, A. Michael Smith