Patents by Inventor Charles A. Brusseau

Charles A. Brusseau 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: 20240033156
    Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for post-knee surgery therapy. A resting platform accommodates a patient in the seated position and is attached to an actuator assembly that allows the patient to extend their leg on the assembly. The actuator assembly connection is adjustable laterally and longitudinally. A foot pedal assembly is attached to a worm drive in the actuator assembly which, when activated, moves the patient's foot closer to or away from their hips causing knee flexion and extension. The therapy can be accomplished using an electronic device with preset measurements and durations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Lawrence Guillen, Charles Brusseau
  • Patent number: 8429987
    Abstract: A portal, system and method for screening an object for a target substance is provided. The portal includes an inflatable bladder expandable to form a test space for receiving the object and a plurality of nozzles positioned about the inflatable bladder. The nozzles are in fluid communication with a fluid source for directing air over the object whereby samples are removed from the object for examination. A collector is operatively connected to the inflatable bladder for collecting the samples removed from the object. A detector is operatively connected to the collector for examining the removed samples for the presence of the target substance. At least one preconcentrator may be operatively connected to the collector for concentrating the samples collected thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Linker, John A. Hunter, Charles A. Brusseau
  • Patent number: 6978657
    Abstract: A portable system for the detection of chemical particles such as explosive residue utilizes a metal fiber substrate that may either be swiped over a subject or placed in a holder in a collection module which can shoot a jet of gas at the subject to dislodge residue, and then draw the air containing the residue into the substrate. The holder is then placed in a detection module, which resistively heats the substrate to evolve the particles, and provides a gas flow to move the particles to a miniature detector in the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J. Baumann, Charles A. Brusseau, David W. Hannum, Kevin L. Linker
  • Patent number: 6848325
    Abstract: A system for detecting particles on the outer surface of a vehicle has a housing capable of being placed in a test position adjacent to, but not in contact with, a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle. An elongate sealing member is fastened to the housing along a perimeter surrounding the wall, and the elongate sealing member has a contact surface facing away from the wall to contact the outer surface of the vehicle to define a test volume when the wall is in the test position. A gas flow system has at least one gas inlet extending through the wall for providing a gas stream against the surface of the vehicle within the test volume. This gas stream, which preferably is air, dislodges particles from the surface of the vehicle covered by the housing. The gas stream exits the test volume through a gas outlet and particles in the stream are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Parmeter, Charles A. Brusseau, Jerry D. Davis, Kevin L. Linker, David W. Hannum
  • Publication number: 20040055399
    Abstract: A system for detecting particles on the outer surface of a vehicle has a housing capable of being placed in a test position adjacent to, but not in contact with, a portion of the outer surface of the vehicle. An elongate sealing member is fastened to the housing along a perimeter surrounding the wall, and the elongate sealing member has a contact surface facing away from the wall to contact the outer surface of the vehicle to define a test volume when the wall is in the test position. A gas flow system has at least one gas inlet extending through the wall for providing a gas stream against the surface of the vehicle within the test volume. This gas stream, which preferably is air, dislodges particles from the surface of the vehicle covered by the housing. The gas stream exits the test volume through a gas outlet and particles in the stream are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: John E. Parmeter, Charles A. Brusseau, Jerry D. Davis, Kevin L. Linker, David W. Hannum
  • Patent number: 6604406
    Abstract: A preconcentrator system and apparatus suited to human portable use wherein sample potentially containing a target chemical substance is drawn into a chamber and through a pervious screen. The screen is adapted to capture target chemicals and then, upon heating, to release those chemicals into the chamber. Chemicals captured and then released in this fashion are then carried to a portable chemical detection device such as a portable ion mobility spectrometer. In the preferred embodiment, the means for drawing sample into the chamber comprises a reversible fan which, when operated in reverse direction, creates a backpressure that facilitates evolution of captured target chemicals into the chamber when the screen is heated. The screen can be positioned directly in front of the detector prior to heating to improve detection capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Linker, Charles A. Brusseau, David W. Hannum, James G. Puissant, Nathan R. Varley
  • Patent number: 6345545
    Abstract: A device for concentrating particles from a high volume gas stream and delivering the particles for detection in a low volume gas stream includes first and second preconcentrators. The first preconcentrator has a first structure for retaining particles in a first gas flow path through which a first gas flows at a relatively high volume, valves for selectively stopping the first gas flow; and a second gas flow path through which gas flows at an intermediate flow volume for moving particles from the first structure. The second preconcentrator includes a second structure for retaining particles in the second gas flow path; a valve for selectively stopping the second gas flow; and a third gas flow path through which gas flows at a low volume for moving particles from the second structure to a detector. Each of the particle retaining structures is preferably a metal screen that may be resistively heated by application of an electric potential to release the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Linker, Charles A. Brusseau
  • Patent number: 6334365
    Abstract: A portal apparatus for screening persons or objects for the presence of trace amounts of target substances such as explosives, narcotics, radioactive materials, and certain chemical materials. The portal apparatus can have a one-sided exhaust for an exhaust stream, an interior wall configuration with a concave-shape across a horizontal cross-section for each of two facing sides to result in improved airflow and reduced washout relative to a configuration with substantially flat parallel sides; air curtains to reduce washout; ionizing sprays to collect particles bound by static forces, as well as gas jet nozzles to dislodge particles bound by adhesion to the screened person or object. The portal apparatus can be included in a detection system with a preconcentrator and a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Linker, Charles A. Brusseau