Patents by Inventor C. Sullivan

C. Sullivan 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: 9138246
    Abstract: Techniques and instrumentation for elbow reconstruction, specifically, for repairs of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). The instrumentation provides for precise formation of sockets and tunnels along with easy suture/graft passage while accommodating all forms of elbow UCL reconstruction techniques. A V-drill guide is provided with a handle and two drill sleeves having intersecting trajectories for creating an intersecting V-shaped bone tunnel in the ulna. An adjustable humeral guide has an adjustable arm with an arc shape, and a peg and a block extending from each end of the adjustable arm. The peg is shaped to fit within an already-formed humeral socket. The block allows a drill to pass through and form other tunnels which intersect with the originally-formed tunnel at various positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Anderson, Neal S. ElAttrache, William C. Benavitz, John E. Conway, Anthony A. Romeo, Derek C. Sullivan, Jonathan H. Webb
  • Publication number: 20150245831
    Abstract: A method of fixating soft tissue to bone using a bone anchor connected to a construct formed of a suture strand passing through the anchor and a shuttle device passing through a splice region of the suture strand. After installing the anchor in bone, an end of the suture strand is passed around or through soft tissue to be fixated, and then the end of the suture strand is inserted into an eyelet of the shuttling device. By pulling on the opposite end of the shuttling device, the end of the suture strand is passed through the splice region of the flexible strand, thereby forming a knotless closed loop having an adjustable perimeter. As the loop is tightened, the soft tissue is tensioned against the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9089363
    Abstract: A cannula with a tri-slot dam assembly including two primary dams as the main fluid seal and an adjacent outer “baffle-like dam” that prevents fluid pressure build-up and allows the fluid to leak out and not squirt out of the cannula. The baffle-like dam has a body formed of a low profile material and is provided with a plurality of small through holes or perforations to allow fluid to gently leak out. Fluid that enters the outer chamber leaks out of the through holes so that the fluid pressure between the baffle and the primary dams is very low. A spacer is optionally provided between the two primary dams and the outer dam to prevent the dams from interfering with each other and allow them to remain open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dooney, Jr., Derek C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150204142
    Abstract: A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes introducing metal into a die, rotating the die to generate centrifugal forces on the metal, and cooling the metal in the rotating die. A rotary drill bit may include a unitary, centrifugally cast bit body including an integral shank, at least one blade, and at least one cutting element on the blade. A rotary drill bit or a roller cone may include a first centrifugally cast material and a second centrifugally cast material. Another rotary drill bit includes a bit body comprising a maraging steel alloy. A method of forming a rotary drill bit may include disposing cutting elements on a rotary drill bit comprising maraging steel and aging the rotary drill bit to form at least one intermetallic precipitate phase. Methods of repairing a rotary drill bit include annealing and aging at least a portion of a rotary drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Xiaomin Chris Cheng, Eric C. Sullivan, Tu Tien Trinh
  • Publication number: 20150152687
    Abstract: A method of improving the service life of a drill bit comprises creating a weldment between load bearing portions of the drill bit where the weldment has a preselected root gap greater than about 25 mils and a preselected root face greater than about 25 mils, and where the weldment has a material property greater than the materials being joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Don Q. Nguyen, Carl E. Poteet, Eric C. Sullivan, John F. Bradford, Mark P. Blackman, Alan J. Massey, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 9028732
    Abstract: A single-sided, slip resistant, self-adhesive material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior layer capable of being treated or coated to accept a pressure sensitive adhesive, a middle layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent to produce a single-sided slip resistant material. A number of in-line rollers are optionally provided after a pair of nip rollers, which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that is used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies) the film prior to the film being coated on one side with a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Multi Technologies Industrial L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael C. Sullivan, Thomas Zickell, II, George M. Orlych
  • Patent number: 8991471
    Abstract: A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes introducing metal into a die, rotating the die to generate centrifugal forces on the metal, and cooling the metal in the rotating die. A rotary drill bit may include a unitary, centrifugally cast bit body including an integral shank, at least one blade, and at least one cutting element on the blade. A rotary drill bit or a roller cone may include a first centrifugally cast material and a second centrifugally cast material. Another rotary drill bit includes a bit body comprising a maraging steel alloy. A method of forming a rotary drill bit may include disposing cutting elements on a rotary drill bit comprising maraging steel and aging the rotary drill bit to form at least one intermetallic precipitate phase. Methods of repairing a rotary drill bit include annealing and aging at least a portion of a rotary drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiaomin Chris Cheng, Eric C. Sullivan, Tu Tien Trinh
  • Patent number: 8972277
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a layered image assembly and a marketing method are provided including a passive consumer behavior tracking method without requiring an “opt-in” process. The layered image assembly includes a base layer and a top layer with an inner area formed between. An opening is provided within a perimeter of the base layer to provide access to the inner layer. The inner layer is provided with a media that may comprise coupons, offers, advertisements, collapsible springs, animated collapsible springs having an image, etc. The media may include one or more symbols for conveying information. The layered image assembly may be attached to an item, such as a substrate, envelope, package, magazine, etc. The customer information relating to the item may be associated, or merged, with the information from the one or more symbols from the media. This merging of information may be used to track customer purchases, customer information, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Action Wobble, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Sullivan, Jeffrey S. Samson, Cory Price, Pedro Vaca, Basil Luck
  • Patent number: 8967295
    Abstract: A data acquisition module comprising a base sized and configured for disposition within a shank of a drill bit bore and an extension protruding therefrom having electrical contacts on an exterior surface thereof for connection to electrical contacts on an interior surface of a sub secured to the bit shank. A drill bit equipped with a data acquisition module, a bottom hole assembly including a drill bit bearing a data acquisition module operably coupled to a sub secured to the drill bit, and a method of transferring data from a data acquisition module carrying a data acquisition module to a sub secured to the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason R. Habernal, R. Keith Glasgow, Jr., Eric C. Sullivan, Tu Tien Trinh
  • Patent number: 8964490
    Abstract: Embodiments of a memory are disclosed that may allow for a negative boost of data lines during a write. The memory device may include a data input circuit, an address decode circuit and a plurality of sub-arrays. Each of the sub-arrays may include a plurality of columns, a write selection circuit, a first write driver circuit, a second write driver circuit, and a boost circuit. Each of the columns may include a plurality of data storage cells. The write selection circuit may select a column of the plurality of columns. Each of the write driver circuits may be configured to discharge a data line of a selected column into a common node. The boost circuit may be configured to initialize the common node to the first voltage level and couple the common node to a second voltage level, where the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C Chow, Hang Huang, Ajay Kumar Bhatia, Steven C Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150032169
    Abstract: A flexible obturator configured to dilate soft tissue without abrading the adjacent bone surface area. The flexible obturator consists of at least one flexible strand (for example, flexible wire, suture or similar malleable flexible material) that is overmolded with a material that allows the device to bend/flex in multiple planes. The overmolded material has an increasing taper to provide graduated dilation through soft tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Allen E. Holowecky, Derek C. Sullivan, Donald K. Shuler, James J. Guerra
  • Patent number: 8865038
    Abstract: A double-sided, slip resistant material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior heat sealable layer, a core layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent and optionally grit to produce a double-sided slip resistant material. A number of rollers may be provided after nip rollers have fused the film together, and which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that may be used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies in the film) prior to the film being wound onto a roll for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Multi Technologies Industrial L.L.C.
    Inventors: George M. Orlych, Mike C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8857480
    Abstract: A vehicle having multiple isolated fluid circuits configured to be filled through a common fill port includes a first fluid circuit disposed within the vehicle, the first fluid circuit having a first fill port, a second fluid circuit disposed within the vehicle, and a conduit defining a fluid passageway between the first fluid circuit and second fluid circuit, the conduit including a valve. The valve is configured such that the first and second fluid circuits are fluidly coupled via the passageway when the valve is open, and are fluidly isolated when the valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Sullivan, Douglas Fansler
  • Publication number: 20140257384
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible construct having a flexible strand abutting a suture tape, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow the wide tape to be positioned over the tissue (for best compression and minimum tissue cut-thru) and suture for the implanted portion (for most efficient and least bone removal).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Arthrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Dreyfuss, Derek C. Sullivan, Tara L. Swanlaw
  • Publication number: 20140246249
    Abstract: Methods of forming earth-boring tools include using a plasma spray device to gouge at least one recess through a hardfacing material and into a body. At least a portion of the recess may define a cutting element pocket in which a cutting element may be received and bonded. The recess formed using the plasma spray device optionally may be further machined to form the cutting element pocket. Earth-boring tools are fabricated using such methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Xiaomin C. Cheng, Eric C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140233751
    Abstract: A device removeably attachable to a case for an electronic device for delivering sound includes a housing having a speaker means and a printed circuit board assembly mounted in the housing. The printed circuit board assembly is in electronic communication with the speaker means. The printed circuit board assembly includes a wireless communication module having an antenna to enable wireless communication with the electronic device. The printed circuit board and having a curved shape to partially circumscribe the speaker means to enable the speaker means and the circuit board to lie co-planar. In one embodiment, the speaker means is a retractable ear bud device. In another embodiment, the speaker assembly is a speaker with an annular periphery and a body with a truncated conical shape, whereby the printer circuit board lies co-planar with a portion of the body of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HEADLOGIC LLC
    Inventors: John Cataldo, Daniel C. Sullivan, Mardis Bagley
  • Publication number: 20140219009
    Abstract: Embodiments of a memory are disclosed that may allow for a negative boost of data lines during a write. The memory device may include a data input circuit, an address decode circuit and a plurality of sub-arrays. Each of the sub-arrays may include a plurality of columns, a write selection circuit, a first write driver circuit, a second write driver circuit, and a boost circuit. Each of the columns may include a plurality of data storage cells. The write selection circuit may select a column of the plurality of columns. Each of the write driver circuits may configured to discharge a data line of a selected column into a common node. The boost circuit may be configured to initialize the common node to the first voltage level and couple the common node to a second voltage level, where the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Daniel C Chow, Hang Huang, Ajay Kumar Bhatia, Steven C Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8799001
    Abstract: A method and system for defining standard catch styles used in generating speech application code for managing catch events, in which a style-selection menu that allows for selection of one or more catch styles is presented. Each catch style represents a system response to a catch event. A catch style can be selected from the style-selection menu. For each selected catch style, the system can prepare a response for each catch event. If the selected catch style requires playing a new audio message in response to a particular catch event, a contextual message can be entered in one or more text fields. The contextual message entered in each text field corresponds to the new audio message that will be played in response to the particular catch event. In certain catch styles, the entered contextual message is different for each catch event, while in other catch styles, the entered contextual message is the same for each catch event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ciprian Agapi, Felipe Gomez, James R. Lewis, Vanessa V. Michelini, Sibyl C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140199684
    Abstract: A method of amplifying an HCV nucleic acid in an HCV infected sample comprises amplifying a segment of a DNA template that is complementary to a genome of HCV RNA from the sample by a two-stage PCR, wherein a first stage PCR employs a first outer primer and a second outer primer, and a second stage PCR employs a first inner primer and a second inner primer. The nucleotide sequence of the first outer primer comprises a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; or SEQ ID NO:9, wherein optionally 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides are other nucleotides than those of SEQ ID NO: 9. The nucleotide sequence of the second outer primer comprises a nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4; or a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 10 or 11, wherein optionally 1, 2 or 3 nucleotides are other nucleotides than those of SEQ ID NO: 10 and 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
    Inventors: Ann Dak-Yee Kwong, James Daniel Frantz, Douglas John Bartels, Chao Lin, Benjamin Shames, Sheila Seepersaud, Judith A. Lippke, Tara Lynn Kieffer, Yi Zhou, Eileen Z. Zhang, James C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8777088
    Abstract: Methods of attaching cutting elements to earth-boring tools, comprising abutting a portion of a cutting element against at least one surface of an earth-boring tool with a braze material disposed therebetween; and brazing the cutting element to the earth-boring tool by applying high-frequency vibrations to cause the braze material to become flowable. Methods of securing cutting elements to earth-boring tools may comprise at least partially coating a cutting element with a braze material. The cutting element may be at least partially disposed in a pocket formed in a body of an earth-boring tool with the braze material adjacent surfaces defining the pocket. The cutting element and the braze material may be ultrasonically torsionally oscillated to braze the cutting element within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tu Tien Trinh, Eric C. Sullivan, Xiaomin Chris Cheng