Patents by Inventor Christopher Howard

Christopher Howard 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: 20260134982
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing ultrasound devices are disclosed. Multiple ultrasound devices, such as ultrasound scanners, ultrasound machines, ultrasound carts, etc., can be tracked. For example, the ultrasound device's location (e.g., geotag location) or network connection can be tracked and used to determine a state of the ultrasound device on a state machine. The system can then initiate one or more actions appropriate to the state of the ultrasound device. Additionally, the system includes containers for charging, cleaning, and testing ultrasound devices. The system can also include a charger array on a table, wall, or cart to wirelessly charge the ultrasound device. The ultrasound device can include an inertial measurement unit (IMU), which can enable a user to move the device in the air to perform a gesture with the device, and resulting IMU data can be used to trigger an action by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2024
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Applicant: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Chamberlain, Saeed Aliakbari, Katsuya Yamamoto, Christopher Howard, Thomas J. Endres, Mark Fiebig
  • Patent number: 12605144
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a virtual sonography team are described. An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner that is configured to generate ultrasound data based on reflections of ultrasound signals transmitted by the ultrasound scanner and communicate the ultrasound data over a communication network to at least one display device and an archiver. An ultrasound machine is coupled to the ultrasound scanner and is configured to determine examination data for the ultrasound examination and communicate the examination data to the archiver over the communication network. The display device is configured to generate an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data as part of an ultrasound examination and communicate the ultrasound image to the archiver for aggregation with the examination data into a patient record of the ultrasound examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony R. Carter, Harald Fiedler, Craig Chamberlain, Saeed Aliakbari, Christopher Howard
  • Patent number: 12594054
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide an ultrasound scanner that supports handset wireless network connectivity are described. An ultrasound scanner includes a transducer system that generates, as part of an ultrasound examination, ultrasound data based on reflections of ultrasound signals transmitted by the transducer system. The ultrasound scanner includes a first transceiver that communicates, over a first communication link, the ultrasound data to a display device that displays an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data. The ultrasound scanner includes one or more additional transceivers that communicate, over a one or more additional communication links and simultaneously with the first transceiver communicating the ultrasound data over the first communication link, the ultrasound data through an access point of a care facility administering the ultrasound examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignees: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC., FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Chamberlain, Christopher Howard, Harald Fiedler, Derek Jensen, Katsuya Yamamoto, Hiroshi Murakami, David Hoglund
  • Publication number: 20250295390
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide an ultrasound scanner with a display interface are described. An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner having an interface configured to display a visual representation, and a first transceiver configured to communicate over a communication link. The ultrasound system includes a display device having a reader configured to read the visual representation displayed by the ultrasound scanner, and a second transceiver configured to, responsive to the reader reading the visual representation, initiate communication with the first transceiver of the ultrasound scanner over the communication link to pair the ultrasound scanner and the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2025
    Publication date: September 25, 2025
    Inventors: Patrick Nally, Tyler Dawson, Kenji Kimura, John Fogelberg, Christopher Howard, Craig Chamberlain, Andrew Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20250255579
    Abstract: Systems and methods for repeatable ultrasound are disclosed. These systems and methods enable generation of consistent ultrasound images across serial ultrasound examinations, which are suitable for the early detection and management of one or more medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. These systems can include a robotic manipulator that holds and operates an ultrasound scanner for scanning a patient's anatomy. Additionally, sensors are used to detect position and orientation of the patient anatomy to enable the robotic manipulator to consistently hold and orient the ultrasound scanner based on the position and orientation of the patient anatomy during an ultrasound examination. In aspects, an anatomy fixture can be generated to support the patient anatomy in the same position and orientation across the serial ultrasound examinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Applicant: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shelton, Christopher Howard
  • Publication number: 20250235185
    Abstract: Embodiments of ultrasound systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, an ultrasound system includes a mobile computing device configured to be wirelessly coupled to the ultrasound scanner and display an ultrasound image based on reflections of ultrasound, and a docking station to support the mobile computing device. The ultrasound system also includes a processor system configured to enable the ultrasound system with additional ultrasound features when the mobile computing device is supported by the docking station, which are unavailable to the ultrasound system when the mobile computing device is unsupported by the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Howard, Derek Jensen, Sebastian Tomaszewski, Marnie Hamp, Craig Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 12350102
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide an ultrasound scanner with a display interface are described. An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner having an interface configured to display a visual representation, and a first transceiver configured to communicate over a communication link. The ultrasound system includes a display device having a reader configured to read the visual representation displayed by the ultrasound scanner, and a second transceiver configured to, responsive to the reader reading the visual representation, initiate communication with the first transceiver of the ultrasound scanner over the communication link to pair the ultrasound scanner and the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Nally, Tyler Dawson, Kenji Kimura, John Fogelberg, Christopher Howard, Craig Chamberlain, Andrew Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20250111502
    Abstract: An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner configured to transmit ultrasound at a patient anatomy and generate ultrasound data as part of an ultrasound examination. The ultrasound system also includes an ultrasound machine configured to generate, based on the ultrasound data, an ultrasound image. The ultrasound system also includes a processor system implemented to determine features selected from the group consisting of regional features, patient features, clinician features, and ultrasound examination feature. The processor system is implemented to generate, based on the ultrasound image and the features, a patient recommendation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Davin Dhatt, David Knapp, Christopher Howard, Kristine Kelly, Thomas Endres, Kathleen Cooper, Sara Ali, William Kahler, Craig Chamberlain
  • Publication number: 20250107776
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a virtual sonography team are described. An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner that is configured to generate ultrasound data based on reflections of ultrasound signals transmitted by the ultrasound scanner and communicate the ultrasound data over a communication network to at least one display device and an archiver. An ultrasound machine is coupled to the ultrasound scanner and is configured to determine examination data for the ultrasound examination and communicate the examination data to the archiver over the communication network. The display device is configured to generate an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data as part of an ultrasound examination and communicate the ultrasound image to the archiver for aggregation with the examination data into a patient record of the ultrasound examination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Anthony R. CARTER, Harald FIEDLER, Craig CHAMBERLAIN, Saeed ALIAKBARI, Christopher HOWARD
  • Publication number: 20250111501
    Abstract: An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner configured to transmit ultrasound at a patient anatomy and generate ultrasound data as part of an ultrasound examination. The ultrasound system also includes an ultrasound machine configured to generate, based on the ultrasound data, an ultrasound image. The ultrasound system also includes a processor system implemented to determine features selected from the group consisting of regional features, patient features, clinician features, and ultrasound examination feature. The processor system is implemented to generate, based on the ultrasound image and the features, a patient recommendation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Davin Dhatt, David Knapp, Christopher Howard, Kristine Kelly, Thomas Endres
  • Publication number: 20250000486
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying data based on machine-reading of an ultrasound device are described. In some embodiments, an ultrasound system includes an ultrasound device having a machine-readable indicator and a reader device configured to read information from the machine-readable indicator. The ultrasound system also includes a display device configured to display device information about the ultrasound device based on the information read from the machine-readable indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Howard, Craig Chamberlain, Jimin Zhang, Katsuya Yamamoto, Andrew Lundberg
  • Patent number: 12167935
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a virtual sonography team are described. An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner that is configured to generate ultrasound data based on reflections of ultrasound signals transmitted by the ultrasound scanner and communicate the ultrasound data over a communication network to at least one display device and an archiver. An ultrasound machine is coupled to the ultrasound scanner and is configured to determine examination data for the ultrasound examination and communicate the examination data to the archiver over the communication network. The display device is configured to generate an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data as part of an ultrasound examination and communicate the ultrasound image to the archiver for aggregation with the examination data into a patient record of the ultrasound examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony R. Carter, Harald Fiedler, Craig Chamberlain, Saeed Aliakbari, Christopher Howard
  • Publication number: 20240398379
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide an ultrasound scanner that supports handset wireless network connectivity are described. An ultrasound scanner includes a transducer system that generates, as part of an ultrasound examination, ultrasound data based on reflections of ultrasound signals transmitted by the transducer system. The ultrasound scanner includes a first transceiver that communicates, over a first communication link, the ultrasound data to a display device that displays an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data. The ultrasound scanner includes one or more additional transceivers that communicate, over a one or more additional communication links and simultaneously with the first transceiver communicating the ultrasound data over the first communication link, the ultrasound data through an access point of a care facility administering the ultrasound examination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Craig CHAMBERLAIN, Christopher HOWARD, Harald FIEDLER, Derek JENSEN, Katsuya YAMAMOTO, Hiroshi MURAKAMI, David HOGLUND
  • Publication number: 20240366533
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides sublingual epinephrine tablets and methods of treating anaphylaxis, methods for concomitant therapy during a cardiac event, treating hypoglycemia, and prophylaxis for immunotherapy, using sublingual epinephrine tablets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: G. Lynn Howard, Nicholas J Farina, Edward J Walters, Christopher Howard
  • Publication number: 20240359213
    Abstract: An actuator includes a housing, a moving element and two springs connected between the housing and the moving element such that one of the two springs crosses the other of the two rotor springs without contacting the other of the two springs. A drive component causes the moving element to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Robin Elenga, Dan Knodle, Steven Combest, Liam O'Brien, Dave Beecher, Christopher Howard
  • Publication number: 20240313239
    Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cell configurations are provided that allow introduction of an anode input gas flow on a side of the fuel cell that is adjacent to the entry side for the cathode input gas flow while allowing the anode and cathode to operate under co-current flow and/or counter-current flow conditions. Improved flow properties can be achieved within the anode or cathode during co-current flow or counter-current flow operation by diverting the input flow for the anode or cathode into an extended edge seal region (in an extended edge seal chamber) adjacent to the active area of the anode or cathode, and then using a baffle to provide sufficient pressure drop for even flow distribution of the anode input flow across the anode or cathode input flow across the cathode. A second baffle can be used to create a pressure drop at the anode or cathode exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher HOWARD, Brandon J. O'NEILL, Paul J. RUBAS, Frank HERSHKOWITZ, Lu HAN, Lawrence J. NOVACCO, Frank J. DOBEK, JR., Keith E. DAVIS, Brian BULLECKS
  • Patent number: 12082974
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide an ultrasound scanner that supports handset wireless network connectivity are described. An ultrasound scanner includes a transducer system that generates, as part of an ultrasound examination, ultrasound data based on reflections of ultrasound signals transmitted by the transducer system. The ultrasound scanner includes a first transceiver that communicates, over a first communication link, the ultrasound data to a display device that displays an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data. The ultrasound scanner includes one or more additional transceivers that communicate, over a one or more additional communication links and simultaneously with the first transceiver communicating the ultrasound data over the first communication link, the ultrasound data through an access point of a care facility administering the ultrasound examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignees: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC., FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Chamberlain, Christopher Howard, Harald Fiedler, Derek Jensen, Katsuya Yamamoto, Hiroshi Murakami, David Hoglund
  • Patent number: 12059709
    Abstract: An actuator includes a housing, a moving element and two springs connected between the housing and the moving element such that one of the two springs crosses the other of the two rotor springs without contacting the other of the two springs. A drive component causes the moving element to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Resonant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Elenga, Dan Knodle, Steven Combest, Liam O'Brien, Dave Beecher, Christopher Howard
  • Patent number: 12042472
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides sublingual epinephrine tablets and methods of treating anaphylaxis, methods for concomitant therapy during a cardiac event, treating hypoglycemia, and prophylaxis for immunotherapy, using sublingual epinephrine tablets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: pHase Pharmaceuticals LLC
    Inventors: G. Lynn Howard, Nicholas J. Farina, Edward J. Walters, Christopher Howard
  • Patent number: 11978931
    Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cell configurations are provided that allow for introduction of an anode input gas flow on a side of the fuel cell that is adjacent to the entry side for the cathode input gas flow while allowing the anode and cathode to operate under co-current flow and/or counter-current flow conditions. It has been discovered that improved flow properties can be achieved within the anode or cathode during co-current flow or counter-current flow operation by diverting the input flow for the anode or cathode into an extended edge seal region (in an extended edge seal chamber) adjacent to the active area of the anode or cathode, and then using a baffle to provide sufficient pressure drop for even flow distribution of the anode input flow across the anode or cathode input flow across the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Christopher Howard, Brandon J. O'Neill, Paul J. Rubas, Frank Hershkowitz, Lu Han, Lawrence J. Novacco, Frank J. Dobek, Jr., Keith E. Davis, Brian Bullecks