Patents by Inventor Dennis L. Foster

Dennis L. Foster 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: 9066729
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Rex W. Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Publication number: 20130340238
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc. (d/b/a Medtronic Midas Rex)
    Inventors: Rex W. Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Patent number: 8518065
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Patent number: 7559927
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Publication number: 20080208195
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Patent number: 7066940
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a male member carried by the spindle. The spindle includes a cavity. The dissection tool is releasably received in the cavity. The dissection tool extends along an axis and includes a first end and a second end with the first end having a cutting element and a second end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny C. Riedel, Durrell G. Tidwell, Bryan David Simmons, Larry Dale Estes, Allen P. Hilton, Rex Wesley Shores, John K. Henderson, James Q. Spitler, Michelle L. Walker, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G Savage
  • Publication number: 20040122460
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and an coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, James Q. Spitler, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage, Danny C. Riedel
  • Publication number: 20020151902
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a male member carried by the spindle. The spindle includes a cavity. The dissection tool is releasably received in the cavity. The dissection tool extends along an axis and includes a first end and a second end with the first end having a cutting element and a second end having a generally cylindrical cross-section and a centrally located aperture partially extending along the axis. The male member is carried by the spindle and extends into the aperture of the dissection tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny C. Riedel, Durrell G. Tidwell, Bryan David Simmons, Larry Dale Estes, Allen P. Hilton, Rex Wesley Shores, John K. Henderson, James Q. Spitler, Michelle L. Walker, Dana A. Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas W. Haight, Laura A. Kriese, Stephen G. Savage
  • Patent number: 6460549
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Berger, Dennis L. Foster, David K. Shaffer, Phillip B. Simon, John D. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 6435198
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Berger, Dennis L. Foster, David K. Shaffer, Phillip B. Simon, John D. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20020014258
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Berger, Dennis L. Foster, David K. Shaffer, Phillip B. Simon, John D. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 6343610
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Berger, Dennis L. Foster, David K. Shaffer, Phillip B. Simon, John D. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20020011261
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Berger, Dennis L. Foster, David K. Shaffer, Phillip B. Simon, John D. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 5983910
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recycling and reusing an aqueous degreasing solution for further use as a component of a coolant solution which is itself recycled and reused in metal cutting machines. Also disclosed is a method of degreasing parts, and a degreasing apparatus which is controlled such that an appropriate amount of the aqueous degreasing solution is introduced into the coolant solution. Finally, disclosed herein is a method and system for preparing a coolant in which an aqueous degreasing solution is further utilized as a feeder solution for a coolant solution, with the resulting solution being able to be separated into its component parts and reused in the cutting and cleaning of metals to form metal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Berger, Dennis L. Foster, David K. Shaffer, Phillip B. Simon, John D. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 5795400
    Abstract: In a metalworking process, an aqueous based degreasing solution which is used to clean manufactured parts, is recycled as a component of an aqueous based coolant fluid which is employed in the metalworking process used to fabricate the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Berger, Dennis L. Foster, David K. Shaffer, Phillip B. Simon, John D. Wheatley
  • Patent number: D536791
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Brasseler USA Medical LLC
    Inventors: Dana Allen Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas William Haight, Laura A. Kriese
  • Patent number: D554256
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Brasseler USA Medical LLC
    Inventors: Dana Allen Eskridge, Dennis L. Foster, Douglas William Haight, Laura A. Kriese