Patents by Inventor C. Mills

C. Mills 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).

  • Publication number: 20050229323
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the field of implants that include soft tissue. More particularly, the present invention is directed to processes for treating implants that include soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, and to implants produced by such processes. The present invention is also directed to processes and apparatus for improved processing of implants that include soft tissue, by applying kinematic restraint, preferably tension, to the implant or specific portions of the implants during the treatment, and to implants produced by such processes and apparatus. The present techniques yield soft tissue implants having superior structural, mechanical, and/or biochemical integrity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: C. Mills, John Bianchi, Michael Roberts, Michael Zingaro, Wesley Lewis, Chandrasekaran Nataraj, Benjamin Sanders
  • Patent number: 6929632
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageways, including the removal of obstructive matter from the cerebral vasculature, prostatic obstructions from the urinary tract and/or obstructive matter from the fallopian tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Nita, Timothy C. Mills
  • Publication number: 20050152880
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intermediate composition for producing a muscle tissue matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier, preferably a biocompatible acid solution, to form a muscle tissue slurry having a viscosity within the range of 1 centistoke to 20,000 centistokes measured at 25° C. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a tissue implant comprising a human muscle tissue matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: C. Mills, John Bianchi, Michael Roberts, David Cheung, Chandrasekaran Nataraj, John Howell
  • Publication number: 20050152881
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. Also disclosed is a tissue graft or implant comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. The composition and/or tissue graft or implant of the invention is usable in combination with seeded cells, a tissue growth factor, and/or a chemotactic agent to attract a desired cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: C. Mills, John Bianchi, Michael Roberts, David Cheung, Chandrasekaran Nataraj, John Howell
  • Publication number: 20050100862
    Abstract: This invention is a novel method for perfusion of a porous implant which achieves efficient interpenetration of desired factors into and removal of undesirable factors from the pores of the implant, cleaning of the implant, efficient passivation of the implant (inactivation of pathogens, microorganisms, cells, viruses and the like and reduction in antigenicity thereof), and the novel implant produced by such treatment. The process presents a system wherein the rate of pressure cycling, the fact of pressure cycling, and the amplitude of pressure cycling, results in highly cleaned tissues and other implants for implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: C. Mills, John Wironen, Sean Hanstke
  • Publication number: 20050096742
    Abstract: This invention is a novel method for perfusion of a porous implant which achieves efficient interpenetration of desired factors into and removal of undesirable factors from the pores of the implant, cleaning of the implant, efficient passivation of the implant (inactivation of pathogens, microorganisms, cells, viruses and the like and reduction in antigenicity thereof), and the novel implant produced by such treatment. The process presents a system wherein the rate of pressure cycling, the fact of pressure cycling, and the amplitude of pressure cycling, results in highly cleaned tissues and other implants for implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: C. Mills, John Wironen, Sean Hanstke
  • Patent number: 6843541
    Abstract: A glove box assembly that includes a glove box enclosure attached to a longitudinally extending hollow tube having an entranceway, wherein the portion of the tube is in a liquid environment. An elevator member is provided for raising an object that is introduced into the hollow tube from the liquid environment to a gas environment inside the glove box enclosure while maintaining total containment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William C. Mills, Richard A. Rabe
  • Publication number: 20040092404
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a cemented lateral junction including a sleeve with a premachined opening and a cover disposed at the sleeve. A release material is disposed at the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, Aubrey C. Mills
  • Publication number: 20040064348
    Abstract: An enterprise business planning system includes a server to an application server to execute an enterprise planning activity in accordance with a model that defines a set of enterprise users. The system further includes an extension manager to selectively deploy software extensions to the enterprise users in accordance with the model. The model may, for example, define roles for the enterprise users, and the extension manager selectively deploys the software extensions to the enterprise users based on the roles assigned to the enterprise users. As another example, enterprise model may comprises a multi-level hierarchy of related nodes, and associates the enterprise users with the nodes. The extension manager may selectively deploy the software extensions to the enterprise users based on the levels of respective nodes associated with the enterprise users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Brian S. Humenansky, John Sutcliffe, Michael Giles, Michael C. Mills, Clarence A. Aschenbrener, John M. Pitstick, Adam Thier
  • Publication number: 20040064327
    Abstract: An enterprise business planning system includes a server to execute an enterprise planning session for a set of enterprise contributors in accordance with an enterprise model, wherein the enterprise model defines hierarchically arranged nodes and associates the enterprise contributors with the nodes. The system further comprises a web browser executing on a remote computing device of one of the enterprise contributors to communicate contribution data between the remote computing device and the server, and an inline compression module executing on the remote computing device. The inline compression module automatically compresses outbound communications from the web browser to the server, and automatically decompresses inbound communication received from the server and forwards the decompressed inbound communications to the web browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Brian S. Humenansky, George Duncan Pearson, Michael C. Mills
  • Publication number: 20030192130
    Abstract: A fabric treatment composition that includes at least one zeta potential modifier and a hydrophobic agent with a melting point or glass transition temperature below 100° C. that imparts fabric protection benefits, including improved stain resistance, oil repellency, water repellency, softness, wrinkle and damage resistance, and better handfeel to treated fabrics. Particularly preferred compositions include at least one zeta potential modifier in an amount sufficient to adjust the zeta potential of the composition to be positive and greater than zero millivolts. Particularly preferred compositions also include a fluoropolymer. The composition can be used as a pretreatment prior to washing, through soaking or direct spray application, or added to the wash or rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine, or used prior to or during the drying cycle of an automatic drying machine or refresher machine, or used prior to or in conjunction with an ironing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Walter Kaaret, Malcolm DeLeo, Scott C. Mills, Victor M. Casella, Gregory van Buskirk
  • Patent number: 6619398
    Abstract: A cement diverter system and method for cementing a junction in a wellbore wherein a cementing operation and reverse circulating operation are achievable in a single run in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan MacKenzie, Aubrey C. Mills, Douglas J. Murray
  • Publication number: 20030009125
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for removing obstructive matter from anatomical passageways, including the removal of obstructive matter from the cerebral vasculature, prostatic obstructions from the urinary tract and/or obstructive matter from the fallopian tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Henry Nita, Timothy C. Mills
  • Publication number: 20020151309
    Abstract: Two or more sectors of a coverage area of a wireless communication system may be linked together to form a wide area network. Each sector is associated with at least one radiation pattern carrying information, and the sectors forming the wide area network share at least some of the same information. One base station modem used to encode and decode information may be coupled to two or more radio transceivers, wherein each transceiver is associated with a different sector. In this manner, two or more differently geographically disposed sectors essentially function as one wide area network, in that the multiple sectors are served by one base station modem. The number of sectors that are selected to be serviced by a particular base station modem may be based at least in part on one or more of a capacity demand and a topological distribution of subscriber stations in at least a portion of the coverage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Johnson, Edward P. Champy, Donald C. Mills
  • Patent number: 6454757
    Abstract: A method for treating obstructions of tubular anatomical passageways of the urinary tract, including the urethra and fallopian tubes, provides inserting an ultrasonic catheter device into an anatomical passageway, passing ultrasound to the distal end of the catheter and infusing liquid infusate to the distal end of the catheter to expel it through lateral fluid outflow apertures at a rate which will cause fluidic dilation of the anatomical passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Nita, Timothy C. Mills
  • Patent number: 6398782
    Abstract: The method, device and system for electrical sealing of a puncture opening in a blood vessel wall. In a first embodiment, a vascular sealing probe has two bipolar electrodes formed thereon, is insertable to a position whereat the bipolar tip is adjacent the blood vessel puncture site to effect electrocauterization or electrocoagulation of the puncture site. In a second embodiment the bipolar vascular sealing probe has a first electrode formed thereon and an electrode-guide wire has the second bipolar electrode formed thereon. The electrode-guide wire is passable through a lumen formed in the probe such that the second electrode on the electrode-guide wire is positioned close enough to the first electrode positioned on the probe to permit electrical current to pass therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Pecor, Timothy C. Mills, Howard Taymor-Luria, Clifford E. Currier, Mark A. Konno, Charles R. Mooney, David J. Evans, Luchy D. Roteliuk
  • Publication number: 20020053433
    Abstract: A cement diverter system and method for cementing a junction in a wellbore wherein a cementing operation and reverse circulating operation are achievable in a single run in the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Alan Mackenzie, Aubrey C. Mills, Douglas J. Murray
  • Patent number: 6352112
    Abstract: A flexible swage comprises a swage cup and a support receivable in a swage cup. The swage cup and support are separable in order to promote distinct purposes. The first purpose is to allow the swage to act as such and reform a deformed junction when the support is engaged with the swage cup thus supporting it against deflection. The second purpose is to remove the swage from the deformed junction at which time deflection in the swage cup is beneficial. Thus, the support is removed from engagement with the swage cup thereby allowing the swage cup to deform and be removed from the reformed junction more easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Aubrey C. Mills
  • Patent number: 6231730
    Abstract: A cathode frame for receiving and retaining a cathode plate for electrowinning and/or electrorefining processes is constructed as an integrally-formed frame body having a base member and side members which provide a continuous channel therethrough for retaining the peripheral edge of a cathode plate, and is further structured with a cross frame extending between the side members for receiving a cathode plate therethrough. The cross frame is sized and positioned to extend proud of the frame body thereby providing contact surfaces for striking when recovering the cathode plate from the frame. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cross frame is integrally formed with the side members and base member and the cathode frame is configured to retain a filter media thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: EpviroTech Pumpsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Davis, Forrest B. Day, Calvin C. Mills
  • Patent number: 6233675
    Abstract: Improvements are made in how microprocessors execute AND, OR, and TEST instructions when the operands of this instruction are equal. AND/OR/TEST instructions with equal operands are used to set flags based on the contents of the single operand without explicitly performing the actual AND/OR/TEST command. By resetting these flags directly, this mechanism allows these instructions to be paired with preceding dependent instructions simply by using the flags set by the AND/OR/TEST for the previous instruction. An architecture that hardwires the implementation into the microprocessor through logic gates is preferred. This will result in increased speed while reducing power consumption. Further, a full-sized ALU is not needed in order to execute the AND/OR/TEST instruction with equal operands. As this is a more direct procedure, a pipeline with a reduced capability ALU can be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Rise Technology Company
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Munson, Peter C. Mills