Patents by Inventor David Willis
David Willis 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).
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Patent number: 11569817Abstract: A system for generating an offset signal for a capacitive sensor includes a waveform generator configured to generate a waveform, an R-2R ladder circuit having a constant output resistance that is coupled to an output of the waveform generator and is configured to generate the offset signal based on the waveform, and an adjustable capacitor that is connected between an output of the R-2R ladder circuit and a reference voltage. The capacitive sensor includes one or more sensing electrodes coupled to the waveform generator through a capacitance and is configured to generate a sensed signal by sensing an object. The R-2R ladder circuit and the adjustable capacitor are configured to adjust amplitude and phase of the offset signal such that the amplitude and the phase of the offset signal respectively coincide with an amplitude and a phase of the sensed signal when the sensing electrodes do not sense the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Inventors: David Willis, Brent Quist
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Publication number: 20220123748Abstract: A system for generating an offset signal for a capacitive sensor includes a waveform generator configured to generate a waveform, an R-2R ladder circuit having a constant output resistance that is coupled to an output of the waveform generator and is configured to generate the offset signal based on the waveform, and an adjustable capacitor that is connected between an output of the R-2R ladder circuit and a reference voltage. The capacitive sensor includes one or more sensing electrodes coupled to the waveform generator through a capacitance and is configured to generate a sensed signal by sensing an object. The R-2R ladder circuit and the adjustable capacitor are configured to adjust amplitude and phase of the offset signal such that the amplitude and the phase of the offset signal respectively coincide with an amplitude and a phase of the sensed signal when the sensing electrodes do not sense the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: David WILLIS, Brent QUIST
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Publication number: 20220002856Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The strip is characterised in that the coating includes aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy that contains magnesium and the coating has small size spangles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Qiyang Liu, David Willis
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Patent number: 11048361Abstract: A system for generating a control signal for a capacitive sensor includes a waveform generator configured to generate a digital waveform, a first sigma-delta modulator (SDM) configured to generate a first output corresponding to the control signal based on the digital waveform and first adjustment data and a second SDM configured to generate a second output corresponding to an offset signal based on the digital waveform and second adjustment data. The first SDM is configured to selectively adjust a phase and an amplitude of the control signal and the second SDM is configured to selectively adjust a phase and an amplitude of the offset signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Inventor: David Willis
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Patent number: 10722691Abstract: A vaginal insertion portion is disclosed, the vaginal insertion portion including a base portion, a proximal holding portion located on a proximal side of the base portion, and a suction portion located on distal side of the proximal holding portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakatsu Kawaura, Nao Mandai, Nobuo Takahashi, Thomas J. Fogarty, David Willis, Thomas Howell, Peter Carlotto, Shuji Uemura
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Publication number: 20200000569Abstract: A vaginal insertion portion is disclosed, the vaginal insertion portion including a base portion, a proximal holding portion located on a proximal side of the base portion, and a suction portion located on distal side of the proximal holding portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakatsu KAWAURA, Nao MANDAI, Nobuo TAKAHASHI, Thomas J. FOGARTY, David WILLIS, Thomas HOWELL, Peter CARLOTTO, Shuji UEMURA
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Patent number: 10420582Abstract: A puncture apparatus is disclosed, which can include an insertion portion that is insertable into a living body, the insertion portion including an urethral insertion portion and a vaginal insertion portion, the urethral insertion portion and the vaginal insertion portion each having at least two sensors; a puncture needle that punctures living body tissues near the insertion portion in a state in which the insertion portion is inserted into the living body, the puncture needle having at least one sensor on a distal portion of the puncture needle; and a monitor configured to receive information relating to a positional relationship between a distal portion of the puncture needle and the insertion portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakatsu Kawaura, Nao Mandai, Nobuo Takahashi, Thomas J. Fogarty, David Willis, Thomas Howell, Peter Carlotto, Shuji Uemura
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Publication number: 20180289341Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
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Patent number: 9936925Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: BIOLUCENT, LLCInventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
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Publication number: 20170123486Abstract: A system and method for reducing the power required for a capacitive sensing measurement and for simplifying a sample capacitor signal offset while reducing charge injection during synchronous rectification by enabling the touch sensor to begin a measurement cycle at an arbitrary voltage rather than forcing the touch sensor to have a precise known voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: David Willis, Paul Vincent, Brent Quist, Wayne Liu, Eric Gibson
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Publication number: 20170071555Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
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Publication number: 20170014218Abstract: A vaginal insertion portion is disclosed, the vaginal insertion portion including a base portion, a proximal holding portion located on a proximal side of the base portion, and a suction portion located on distal side of the proximal holding portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakatsu KAWAURA, Nao MANDAI, Nobuo TAKAHASHI, Thomas J. FOGARTY, David WILLIS, Thomas HOWELL, Peter CARLOTTO, Shuji UEMURA
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Publication number: 20170014154Abstract: A puncture apparatus is disclosed, which can include an insertion portion that is insertable into a living body, the insertion portion including an urethral insertion portion and a vaginal insertion portion, the urethral insertion portion and the vaginal insertion portion each having at least two sensors; a puncture needle that punctures living body tissues near the insertion portion in a state in which the insertion portion is inserted into the living body, the puncture needle having at least one sensor on a distal portion of the puncture needle; and a monitor configured to receive information relating to a positional relationship between a distal portion of the puncture needle and the insertion portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masakatsu KAWAURA, Nao MANDAI, Nobuo TAKAHASHI, Thomas J. FOGARTY, David WILLIS, Thomas HOWELL, Peter CARLOTTO, Shuji UEMURA
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Patent number: 9504433Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: BIOLUCENT, LLCInventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
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Publication number: 20140307848Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
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Patent number: 8705689Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: BioLucent, LLCInventors: Gail Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
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Publication number: 20130004794Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The strip is characterised in that the coating includes aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy that contains magnesium and the coating has small size spangles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: BLUESCOPE STEEL LIMITEDInventors: Qiyang Liu, David Willis
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Patent number: 8293376Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip. The coating includes an aluminum-zinc-silicon alloy containing magnesium and has small spangles. The magnesium concentration is between 1 and 5% by weight.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Bluescope Steel LimitedInventors: Qiyang Liu, David Willis
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Publication number: 20120114096Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Gail Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
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Patent number: 8098793Abstract: According to the present invention, improved methods and apparatus are provided for providing cushioning and other ergonomic surfaces on devices requiring the patient or tissue to be compressed, such as radiography machines, fluoroscopy units, mammography units and the like. In particular a radiolucent pad element is provided for releasable attachment to at least one surface of a compression device to be used under x-ray, for example, during mammography. The pad element of the present invention can be disposable or constructed to be reusable and in some cases may be applied directly to the patient's breast. Furthermore, a cushioned paddle is provided wherein the compression paddle and the cushion can be separately or integrally formed.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: BioLucent, LLCInventors: Gail Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell