Patents by Inventor David E. Barker

David E. Barker 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: 9265470
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rotating X-ray devices are disclosed. The systems and methods use X-ray devices with an X-ray imaging arm orbitally rotating about pivot joints that are physically attached to the X-ray imaging arm. The pivot joint coincides with the center of gravity for the X-ray imaging arm. The X-ray device has an X-ray imaging arm with an X-ray source and detector respectively disposed at nearly opposing locations of the imaging arm. The pivot joint can serve as an axis of orbital rotation around which the imaging arm pivots. The pivot joint can be pivotally attached to a first end of an X-ray imaging arm fork, which has a second end attached to an X-ray imaging arm support structure. The imaging arm fork can include a lateral pivot joint that provides a lateral axis of rotation for the imaging arm. The fork can contain one or two arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Matthew Simmons, David E. Barker, Jan D. Bruening, Samuel L. Alder
  • Publication number: 20120300909
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rotating or pivoting an X-ray device are disclosed. The systems and methods use X-ray device in which an X-ray imaging arm (such as a C-arm) can pivotally rotate in an orbital manner about a pivot joint that is physically attached to the X-ray imaging arm and the pivot joint coincides with the center of gravity for the X-ray imaging arm. The X-ray device can have an X-ray imaging arm that has an X-ray source and an X-ray detector which are respectively disposed at nearly opposing locations of the imaging arm. The pivot joint can serve as an axis of orbital rotation around which the imaging arm pivots in an orbital fashion. The pivot joint can be pivotally attached to a first end of an X-ray imaging arm fork, which, in turn, can have its second end attached to an X-ray imaging arm support structure (such as a mobile cart). The imaging arm fork can further include a lateral pivot joint that provides a lateral axis of rotation for the imaging arm. The fork can consist of one or two arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: John Matthew Simmons, David E. Barker, Jan D. Bruening, Samuel L. Alder
  • Publication number: 20120224673
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using a brake system to selectively lock and release the vertical motion of a C-arm X-ray device that is part of a sliding counterbalanced C-arm positioning device are described. In such systems and methods, the C-arm positioning device typically includes a C-arm X-ray device, a linear bearing rail assembly, a linear bearing block, a counterbalance mechanism, and brake system. Generally, the C-arm is connected to the linear bearing block, which is slidably coupled to the bearing rail assembly to allow the bearing block and C-arm to slide up and down on the rail assembly. The counterbalance mechanism applies a force to the bearing block to substantially counterbalance the weight of the components, such as the C-arm, that are suspended from the bearing block. The brake system can be actuated to engage the linear bearing rail assembly and lock the vertical movement of the linear bearing block. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: David E. Barker, John Matthew Simmons, Jan Bruening
  • Patent number: 7505253
    Abstract: A retention system for restraining and releasing a movable monitor including a monitor, a latch bail, and a latching assembly with one of the latch bail and the latching assembly being connected to the monitor. The latching assembly includes a latch base, a latch, and a tensioning device. The latch base has at least one ear and the latch has at least one arm. The latch is pivotally connected to the latch base such that the latch is rotatable between closed and open positions. The tensioning device engages the latch and the latch base such that the tensioning device pulls the latch toward either of the open or closed positions. The latching assembly receives the latch bail such that the latch bail is retained between the ear and the arm when the latch is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rocco A. Cherone, David E. Barker, Jan D. Bruening
  • Patent number: 6973688
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a patient table is provided, the patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure; a base supporting the patient support surface; a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure; and a pivot arm having a first end connected to the base and a second end connected to the monitor; a pivot release member provided on one of the monitor and the pivot arm for releasably securing the monitor and the pivot arm at predetermined angular positions with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Barker, Jeffrey W. Pattee, John Matthew Simmons
  • Publication number: 20030079286
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a patient table is provided, the patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure; a base supporting the patient support surface; a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure; and a pivot arm having a first end connected to the base and a second end connected to the monitor; a pivot release member provided on one of the monitor and the pivot arm for releasably securing the monitor and the pivot arm at predetermined angular positions with respect to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: David E. Barker, Jeffrey W. Pattee, John Matthew Simmons
  • Publication number: 20030079285
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, and a support member mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor, wherein said support member includes an adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and support member and providing movement of said monitor of the monitor relative to said support member in at least three degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: David E. Barker, Jeffrey W. Pattee, John Matthew Simmons
  • Patent number: 6553587
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, and a support member mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor, wherein said support member includes an adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and support member and providing movement of said monitor of the monitor relative to said support member in at least three degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Barker, Jeffrey W. Pattee, John Matthew Simmons
  • Patent number: 5627873
    Abstract: A C-arm apparatus. An X-ray imaging system is coupled to a C-arm, including an X-ray source and an image receptor mounted upon opposing locations, respectively on the C-arm. The C-arm is mass balanced about its axis of orbital rotation and is pivotally coupled to an articulating arm assembly supported upon a wheeled support base. The mass balance enables repositioning of the X-ray imaging system between an anterior-posterior view and an orthogonal lateral view with a single, orbital movement of the C-arm which also causes the views to define an imaging isocenter. The C-arm is preferably miniaturized to an approximate diameter of twenty-eight inches with a source-to-image distance of approximately fourteen inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: OEC Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry K. Hanover, David E. Barker, Ross A. Riches, Blain C. Erickson, Lonnie B. Weston