Patents by Inventor David Shields

David Shields 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: 20240310282
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting optical signals according to the present disclosure includes a movable mount for carrying a set of light guides, the set of light guides having an excitation light guide and an emission light guide; an excitation light engine module for providing light to the excitation light guide; and an emission light detector module for detecting light from the emission light guide, wherein each distal end of the excitation light guide and the emission light guide are respectively connected to the excitation light engine module and the emission light detector module, wherein each proximal end of the excitation light guide and the emission light guide are both connected to the movable mount, and moved via the movable mount to be in optical communication with one reaction cavity at a time, among a plurality of reaction cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Simon Philip Adam HIGGINS, Trevor David Shields, Stuart John Knowles, Walson Lawi
  • Publication number: 20240307110
    Abstract: Devices for therapeutic nasal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A system for therapeutic neuromodulation in a nasal region configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a shaft and a therapeutic element at a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft can locate the distal portion intraluminally at a target site inferior to a patient's sphenopalatine foramen. The therapeutic element can include an energy delivery element configured to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves at microforamina of a palatine bone of the human patient for the treatment of rhinitis or other indications. In other embodiments, the therapeutic element can be configured to therapeutically modulate nerves that innervate the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: David Townley, Brian Shields, Ivan Keogh, Michele Qi Zhan, Conor Farrell
  • Patent number: 12082872
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for therapeutically modulating nerves in or associated with a nasal region of a patient for the treatment of a rhinosinusitis condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Neurent Medical Limited
    Inventors: David Townley, Brian Shields
  • Patent number: 12088634
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for establishing a secure connection between two or more devices. In some examples, a device is configured for wireless communication. The device comprises signal reception circuitry configured to receive communications transmitted according to at least a first communication protocol, communication circuitry configured for wireless communication according to at least a second communication protocol, and processing circuitry electrically coupled to the signal reception circuitry and the communication circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive, via the signal reception circuitry, a first signal according to the first communication protocol. In response to receiving the first signal, the processing circuitry is further configured to transmit, via the communication circuitry, a second signal according to the second communication protocol and establish a secure link according to the second communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Yoon, Bo Zhang, Robert M. Ecker, Ryan D. Wyszynski, Joseph C. Green, David J. Peichel, Sudar Shields, Nicholas C. Wine, Drew J. Thwaites
  • Patent number: 12085066
    Abstract: A pulsatile fluid pump system includes a pump-valving assembly including a chamber and a diaphragm assembly coupled to the chamber and including a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm assembly and the pump-valving assembly are configured as an integral pump assembly. The system further includes a linear motor having a magnet and a coil, the magnet moving in relation to the coil, the coil having an electrical input. The system also includes a control housing rigidly coupled to the linear motor and a controller system having an electrical output coupled to the electrical input of the coil, the controller system defining an electrical waveform at the electrical output to cause desired operation of the diaphragm. The integral pump assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the control housing, and the diaphragm assembly of the integral pump assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the linear motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: VentriFlo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Vincent, Brian Bailey, Conrad Bzura, David Butz, David Olney, Eric Smith, George Koenig, James W. Poitras, Jeffrey P. Naber, Judy Labonté, Kathleen Vincent, Lawrence Kuba, Matthew J. Murphy, Patrick Shields, Roger Greeley
  • Patent number: 10983305
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for automatically focusing a microscope on a specimen and collecting a focused image of the specimen are provided. Aspects of the methods include detecting the presence of a substrate in a microscope, determining whether the substrate is in a correct orientation for imaging, focusing the microscope on a specimen that is placed on the substrate, and collecting one or more images of the specimen. Systems and devices for carrying out the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Trevor David Shields, Robert John Fahey, Damian J. Verdnik, Svitlana Y. Berezhna, Mahmoud Janbakhsh, Koshy T. Chacko
  • Publication number: 20200309802
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods. According to certain embodiments, provided is an integrated analysis system that includes a first module including a sample analysis component and a first internal container conveyor system. The integrated analysis system further includes a second module including a second internal container conveyor system. The first and second modules are positioned adjacent each other such that the first and second internal container conveyor systems are aligned and adapted to transport containers from the first module to the second module. Also provided are methods of analyzing and preparing samples (e.g., blood and body fluid samples), as well as components that find use within the analysis systems of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Roger W. Accurso, Jiong Wu, Richard G. Kendall, James A. Janik, Ronald J. Shanafelter, Robert Fahey, Svitlana Y. Berezhna, Trevor David Shields, Mahmoud Janbakhsh, Daryl Wong, Jorge Haro, Michael J. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20200003990
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for automatically focusing a microscope on a specimen and collecting a focused image of the specimen are provided. Aspects of the methods include detecting the presence of a substrate in a microscope, determining whether the substrate is in a correct orientation for imaging, focusing the microscope on a specimen that is placed on the substrate, and collecting one or more images of the specimen. Systems and devices for carrying out the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor David Shields, Robert John Fahey, Damian J. Verdnik, Svitlana Y. Berezhna, Mahmoud Janbakhsh, Koshy T. Chacko
  • Patent number: 10393997
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for automatically focusing a microscope on a specimen and collecting a focused image of the specimen are provided. Aspects of the methods include detecting the presence of a substrate in a microscope, determining whether the substrate is in a correct orientation for imaging, focusing the microscope on a specimen that is placed on the substrate, and collecting one or more images of the specimen. Systems and devices for carrying out the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Trevor David Shields, Robert John Fahey, Damian John Verdnik, Svitlana Y. Berezhna, Mahmoud Janbakhsh, Koshy Thekkadathu Chacko
  • Patent number: 10292230
    Abstract: A system includes at least one signal light having at least one lamp. The system further includes a control device electrically connected to the at least one lamp by a conductive cable. The at least one lamp is configured to flash in response to the loss of an audio signal generated by the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: William David Shields, Forrest Henry Ballinger, Jeffrey Michael Fries, Larry John Anderson, Wayne Nelson Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10288218
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a back plate, at least one lower receiving channel adjacent to a lower edge of the back plate and configured to receive a lower holding tab of a line-replaceable unit, at least one upper receiving channel adjacent to an upper edge of the back plate and configured to receive an upper holding tab of the line-replaceable unit, and at least one tensioning member configured to urge the lower holding tab and the upper holding tab into the at least one lower receiving channel and the at least one upper receiving channel, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies
    Inventors: James Strecker, Nick David Nagrodsky, William David Shields, Steven Henry
  • Patent number: 10252735
    Abstract: A monitoring method and system monitor a transmitted current that is injected into conductive components of a route traveled by vehicle systems, monitor a received current that represents a portion of the transmitted current that is conducted through the conductive components of the route, examine changes in the transmitted and/or received current over time to determine when the vehicle systems are on the route between a first location where the transmitted current is injected into the conductive components and a second location where the received current is monitored, and examine the changes in the transmitted and/or received currents. The changes are examined to identify (a) a contaminated portion of a surface on which the route is disposed, (b) a foreign object other than the vehicle systems that is contacting the route, and/or (c) a damaged or broken portion of at least one of the conductive components of the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Richard Lee Lawson, Aric Albert Weingartner, Curtis Doyle Mechling, Aaron Richard Mitti, Martin Paget, William David Shields
  • Publication number: 20170241398
    Abstract: A power take-off arrangement for a wave energy converter is described. The arrangement has a gearbox having a first shaft (20) connected to the wave energy converter (1) which is adapted to receive, in use, rotational motion from the wave energy converter. The gearbox has a second shaft connecting the annulus gear (31) to the generator shaft (36). A third shaft (38) is connected to one or more means (39) of applying torque to it. Torque applied by the one or more means (39) may be varied in operation so as to alter the relative rotational velocities and accelerations of the second and third shafts in response to any given rotational velocity or acceleration of the first shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: David Shield
  • Publication number: 20170050653
    Abstract: A monitoring method and system monitor a transmitted current that is injected into conductive components of a route traveled by vehicle systems, monitor a received current that represents a portion of the transmitted current that is conducted through the conductive components of the route, examine changes in the transmitted and/or received current over time to determine when the vehicle systems are on the route between a first location where the transmitted current is injected into the conductive components and a second location where the received current is monitored, and examine the changes in the transmitted and/or received currents. The changes are examined to identify (a) a contaminated portion of a surface on which the route is disposed, (b) a foreign object other than the vehicle systems that is contacting the route, and/or (c) a damaged or broken portion of at least one of the conductive components of the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Richard Lee Lawson, Aric Albert Weingartner, Curtis Doyle Mechling, Aaron Richard Mitti, Martin Paget, William David Shields
  • Publication number: 20160381758
    Abstract: A system includes at least one signal light having at least one lamp. The system further includes a control device electrically connected to the at least one lamp by a conductive cable. The at least one lamp is configured to flash in response to the loss of an audio signal generated by the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: William David Shields, Forrest Henry Ballinger, Jeffrey Michael Fries, Larry John Anderson, Wayne Nelson Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20160334055
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a back plate, at least one lower receiving channel adjacent to a lower edge of the back plate and configured to receive a lower holding tab of a line-replaceable unit, at least one upper receiving channel adjacent to an upper edge of the back plate and configured to receive an upper holding tab of the line-replaceable unit, and at least one tensioning member configured to urge the lower holding tab and the upper holding tab into the at least one lower receiving channel and the at least one upper receiving channel, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: James Strecker, Nicholas David Nagrodsky, William David Shields, Steven Henry
  • Patent number: 9481385
    Abstract: A method for predicting failure of a crossing warning system is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an electrical characteristic of a first route when an electric current is injected into the first route. The first route has a crossing intersection with a second route and a crossing signal at the crossing intersection. The electrical characteristic is monitored to detect when a vehicle is approaching the crossing intersection on the first route and to determine when to activate the crossing signal at the crossing intersection. The method also includes identifying one or more changes in the electrical characteristic of the first route, and, based on the one or more changes that are identified, predicting a failure mode of the first route that interferes with detection of the vehicle approaching the crossing intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Richard Lee Lawson, Aric Albert Weingartner, Curtis Doyle Mechling, Aaron Richard Mitti, Martin Paget, William David Shields
  • Publication number: 20160238826
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for automatically focusing a microscope on a specimen and collecting a focused image of the specimen are provided. Aspects of the methods include detecting the presence of a substrate in a microscope, determining whether the substrate is in a correct orientation for imaging, focusing the microscope on a specimen that is placed on the substrate, and collecting one or more images of the specimen. Systems and devices for carrying out the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Trevor David Shields, Robert John Fahey, Damian John Verdnik, Svitlana Y. Berezhna, Mahmoud Janbakhsh, Koshy Thekkadathu Chacko
  • Publication number: 20150192636
    Abstract: A method for predicting failure of a crossing warning system is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an electrical characteristic of a first route when an electric current is injected into the first route. The first route has a crossing intersection with a second route and a crossing signal at the crossing intersection. The electrical characteristic is monitored to detect when a vehicle is approaching the crossing intersection on the first route and to determine when to activate the crossing signal at the crossing intersection. The method also includes identifying one or more changes in the electrical characteristic of the first route, and, based on the one or more changes that are identified, predicting a failure mode of the first route that interferes with detection of the vehicle approaching the crossing intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Richard Lee Lawson, Aric Albert Weingartner, Curtis Doyle Mechling, Aaron Richard Mitti, Martin Paget, William David Shields
  • Publication number: 20150158511
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a points machine obtains operating characteristics of the points machine that are representative of operations of the points machine during a movement event of rails at a switch. A waveform of the operating characteristics is examined to at least one of identify or predict a problem with the operations of the points machine. The waveform is examined by comparing the operating characteristics during the first movement event with at least one of: the operating characteristics obtained during a previous movement event; an expected value of the operating characteristics; or an expected duration of a moving time period during which the first rail is expected to move from or to an unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Joseph Forrest Noffsinger, Richard Lee Lawson, Aric Albert Weingartner, Curtis Doyle Mechling, Aaron Richard Mitti, Martin Paget, William David Shields