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).

  • Patent number: 11569817
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventors: David Willis, Brent Quist
  • Publication number: 20220123748
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: David WILLIS, Brent QUIST
  • Publication number: 20220002856
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Qiyang Liu, David Willis
  • Patent number: 11048361
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: David Willis
  • Patent number: 10722691
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masakatsu Kawaura, Nao Mandai, Nobuo Takahashi, Thomas J. Fogarty, David Willis, Thomas Howell, Peter Carlotto, Shuji Uemura
  • Publication number: 20200000569
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masakatsu KAWAURA, Nao MANDAI, Nobuo TAKAHASHI, Thomas J. FOGARTY, David WILLIS, Thomas HOWELL, Peter CARLOTTO, Shuji UEMURA
  • Patent number: 10420582
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masakatsu Kawaura, Nao Mandai, Nobuo Takahashi, Thomas J. Fogarty, David Willis, Thomas Howell, Peter Carlotto, Shuji Uemura
  • Publication number: 20180289341
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
  • Patent number: 9936925
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: BIOLUCENT, LLC
    Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20170123486
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: David Willis, Paul Vincent, Brent Quist, Wayne Liu, Eric Gibson
  • Publication number: 20170071555
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20170014218
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masakatsu KAWAURA, Nao MANDAI, Nobuo TAKAHASHI, Thomas J. FOGARTY, David WILLIS, Thomas HOWELL, Peter CARLOTTO, Shuji UEMURA
  • Publication number: 20170014154
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masakatsu KAWAURA, Nao MANDAI, Nobuo TAKAHASHI, Thomas J. FOGARTY, David WILLIS, Thomas HOWELL, Peter CARLOTTO, Shuji UEMURA
  • Patent number: 9504433
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: BIOLUCENT, LLC
    Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20140307848
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
  • Patent number: 8705689
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: BioLucent, LLC
    Inventors: Gail Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20130004794
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BLUESCOPE STEEL LIMITED
    Inventors: Qiyang Liu, David Willis
  • Patent number: 8293376
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Bluescope Steel Limited
    Inventors: Qiyang Liu, David Willis
  • Publication number: 20120114096
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Gail Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell
  • Patent number: 8098793
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: BioLucent, LLC
    Inventors: Gail Lebovic, George D. Hermann, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell