Patents by Inventor Dirk A. Van der Merwe

Dirk A. Van der Merwe 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: 20230230694
    Abstract: A syringe pump includes a lead screw, a motor, and a sliding block assembly. The lead screw has threads and the motor is coupled to the lead screw to rotate it. The half-nut housing has a half nut and a barrel cam. The half nut is disposed within the half-nut housing. The half nut has half-nut threads at an end adjacent to the lead screw void. The half nut engages or disengages with the threads of the lead screw. The half nut includes a half-nut cam-follower surface and a half nut slot. The barrel cam is disposed within the half-nut housing and engages with the half-nut cam-follower surface. The barrel cam includes a pin to fit within the half nut slot such that the barrel cam rotates between a first position and a second position to actuate the half nut between the engagement position and the disengagement position, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, John M. Kerwin, Dirk van der Merwe, Stephen L. Fichera, Jonathan R. Thurber, Martin D. Desch
  • Publication number: 20230213421
    Abstract: A system and method for applying force to at least one device at least one force actuator including a processor accessing at least one description of the at least one device, the processor creating command information based at least on the at least one description, and a controller accessing the command information, the controller creating at least one motion command based on the command information, the controller issuing the at least one motion command, the motion command enabling the testing of the at least one device by controlling the at least one force actuator based on the at least one motion command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher C. LANGENFELD, Dirk A. VAN DER MERWE, Grant A. PERET, John C. ANASTASIOU, Jonathan PARKER, Michael A. BAKER
  • Patent number: 11681293
    Abstract: Utility services related to executing services requiring trips of various lengths, and short-distance assistance to customers. Utility services can be delivered by semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles on various types of routes, and can be delivered economically. A network of utility vehicles provide the utility services, and can include a commonly-shared dispatch system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane, Gregory J. Buitkus, Emily A. Carrigg, Raphael I. Zack, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Matthew B. Kinberger, Stewart M. Coulter, Christopher C. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 11679044
    Abstract: A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Stewart M. Coulter, Brian G. Gray, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Susan D. Dastous, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Dean Kamen, David B. Doherty, Matthew A. Norris, Alexander D. Streeter, David J. Couture, Matthew B. Kinberger, Catharine N. Flynn, Elizabeth Rousseau, Thomas A. Doyon, Ryan Adams, Prashant Bhat, Bob Peret
  • Publication number: 20230166031
    Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Jonathan Parker, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Larry B. Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael S. Place, Michael J. Slate
  • Patent number: 11664106
    Abstract: A pump for administering an agent to a patient includes a housing, a motor, a gearbox, a sensor, and a controller. The motor may be coupled to housing. The gearbox is operatively connected to the motor. The sensor senses a rotation of the motor. The controller acts to control operation of the motor and monitor the quantity of the agent delivered to the patient. The pump also includes a pump assembly such that the pump is configured such that the pump assembly may be interchangeable from a syringe pump assembly and a peristaltic pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, John M. Kerwin, Michael J. Baier, Dirk A. van der Merwe
  • Publication number: 20230160379
    Abstract: A valved manifold module is disclosed, constructed and arranged to be readily connected in a chain with similar modules to form a manifold assembly. The modular manifolds allows for expansion or modification of the manifold assembly to control a group of pneumatically or hydraulically driven pumps, valves or combinations thereof in a liquid flow control apparatus. The valved manifold module can be configured to accept a group of four substantially identical valve assemblies, and can be controlled by a local controller mounted to the manifold module, thus forming an independently programmable valved manifold module. The resulting modular system is expandable to allow for coordinated operations of a liquid flow control system, using substantially independent controller functions originating at the manifold assembly level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Timothy D. Moreau, Richard J. Lanigan, Michael A. Baker, David Blumberg, JR.
  • Patent number: 11654034
    Abstract: A prosthetic arm apparatus comprising a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a harness mount that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Christopher O. Evans, Stanley B. Smith, III, Alexander H. Muller, John M. Kerwin, Thomas S. Schnellinger, G. Michael Guay, Dirk A. van der Merwe
  • Patent number: 11628072
    Abstract: A robotic assembly control system is disclosed. The robotic assembly control system includes an exoskeleton apparatus adapted to be worn by a user, at least one robotic assembly, the at least one robotic assembly controlled by the user by way of the exoskeleton, and at least one mobile platform, the at least one mobile platform controlled by the user and wherein the at least one robotic assembly is attached to the at least one mobile platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stewart M. Coulter, Christopher M. Werner, Michael J. Slate, Ethan D. Stern
  • Patent number: 11615886
    Abstract: A syringe pump includes a lead screw, a motor, and a sliding block assembly. The lead screw has threads and the motor is coupled to the lead screw to rotate it. The half-nut housing has a half nut and a barrel cam. The half nut is disposed within the half-nut housing. The half nut has half-nut threads at an end adjacent to the lead screw void. The half nut engages or disengages with the threads of the lead screw. The half nut includes a half-nut cam-follower surface and a half nut slot. The barrel cam is disposed within the half-nut housing and engages with the half-nut cam-follower surface. The barrel cam includes a pin to fit within the half nut slot such that the barrel cam rotates between a first position and a second position to actuate the half nut between the engagement position and the disengagement position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, John M. Kerwin, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Stephen L. Fichera, Jonathan R. Thurber, Martin D. Desch
  • Patent number: 11549502
    Abstract: A valved manifold module is disclosed, constructed and arranged to be readily connected in a chain with similar modules to form a manifold assembly. The modular manifolds allows for expansion or modification of the manifold assembly to control a group of pneumatically or hydraulically driven pumps, valves or combinations thereof in a liquid flow control apparatus. The valved manifold module can be configured to accept a group of four substantially identical valve assemblies, and can be controlled by a local controller mounted to the manifold module, thus forming an independently programmable valved manifold module. The resulting modular system is expandable to allow for coordinated operations of a liquid flow control system, using substantially independent controller functions originating at the manifold assembly level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Timothy D. Moreau, Richard J. Lanigan, Michael A. Baker, David Blumberg, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230001956
    Abstract: A deployment mechanism and a delivery container enabling unattended delivery of cargo by a vehicle navigating autonomously on both vehicle lanes and pedestrian ways. A trailer for an autonomous vehicle for hauling additional cargo and power supplies. A method for delivering and picking up goods using delivery trucks, autonomous vehicles, and trailers. The deployment mechanism can include a crane, a robot arm, a forklift, straps, and sails. The delivery container can include visible, partly visible, or hidden security features and grasping features, and can be foldable and stackable. The trailer can include a 4-bar linkage, the 4-bar linkage enabling consistent pitch between the trailer cargo and a cargo hold of the towing vehicle. The trailer wheels are decoupled from the 4-bar linkage, connected by swing arms and possible shock absorbers. The trailer can buffer fore/aft movement of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher C. LANGENFELD, Justin M. WHITNEY, Spencer TRAFTON, Seth SCHAFFER, Michael J. SLATE, Dirk A. VAN DER MERWE, Sooshin CHOI, Dean KAMEN, Karla BEAGLE, Eliza AGOSTA, John C. LANGENFELD
  • Patent number: 11543336
    Abstract: A system and method for applying force to at least one device at least one force actuator including a processor accessing at least one description of the at least one device, the processor creating command information based at least on the at least one description, and a controller accessing the command information, the controller creating at least one motion command based on the command information, the controller issuing the at least one motion command, the motion command enabling the testing of the at least one device by controlling the at least one force actuator based on the at least one motion command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Dirk A. Van der Merwe, Grant A. Peret, John C. Anastasiou, Jonathan Parker, Michael A. Baker
  • Publication number: 20220378632
    Abstract: A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Stewart M. Coulter, Brian G. Gray, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Susan D. Dastous, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Bob Peret, Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane, David Doherty, Matthew A. Norris, Alexander D. Streeter, David J. Couture, Matthew J. Myers, Matthew B. Kinberger, Constance D. Pitenis, Allison E. Key-Wallace, David E. Collins, Erik N. Sabin, Katie A. DeLaurentis, Catharine N. Flynn, Elizabeth Rousseau, Thomas A. Doyon, Dale B. McGrath, Ryan Adams, Prashant Bhat, Trevor A. Conway, David J. Meehan, Tania M. F. Zirn, Paul R. Curtin, Zachary E. Cranfield, James J. Dattolo, Atlant G. Schmidt, III, Steven B. Meuse, George W. Marchant, JR., Jeffrey C. Marrion
  • Patent number: 11511038
    Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Jonathan Parker, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Larry B. Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael S. Place, Michael J. Slate
  • Publication number: 20220333056
    Abstract: A system and method for growing and maintaining biological material including producing a protein associated with the tissue, selecting cells associated with the tissue, expanding the cells, creating at least one tissue bio-ink including the expanded cells, printing the at least one tissue bio-ink in at least one tissue growth medium mixture, growing the tissue from the printed at least one tissue bio-ink, and maintaining viability of the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, David D. B. Cannan, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Frederick Morgan, Timothy D. Moreau, Brian D. Tracey, Matthew Ware, Richard J. Lanigan, Michael A. Baker, David Blumberg, JR., Richard E. Andrews, Derek G. Kane, Dane Fawkes, Thomas J. Bollenbach, Michael C. Tilley, Stuart A. Jacobson, John F. Mannisto
  • Patent number: 11399995
    Abstract: A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Stewart M. Coulter, Brian G. Gray, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Susan D. Dastous, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Bob Peret, Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane, Dave Doherty, Matthew A. Norris, Alexander D. Streeter, David J. Couture, Matthew J. Myers, Matthew B. Kinberger, Constance D. Pitenis, Allison E. Key-Wallace, David E. Collins, Erik N. Sabin, Katie A. DeLaurentis, Catharine N. Flynn, Elizabeth Rousseau, Thomas A. Doyon, Dale B. McGrath, Ryan Adams, Prashant Bhat, Trevor A. Conway, David J. Meehan, Tania M. F. Zirn, Paul R. Curtin, Zachary E. Cranfield, James J. Dattolo, Atlant G. Schmidt, III, Steven B. Meuse, George W. Marchant, Jr., Jeffrey C. Marrion
  • Publication number: 20220169963
    Abstract: A system and method for printing cells in a medium. A multi-dimensional printer, stably constructed of low-mass parts, can include a computer numerically controlled system that can enable motors driving delivery systems. The motors can include encoders that can enable achieving arbitrary resolution. The motors can drive ballscrews to enable linear motion of delivery systems, and the delivery systems can enable printing of a biological material in a pre-selected pattern in a petri dish. The petri dish can accommodate a medium such as a gel, and can further accommodate a vision system that can detect actual position and deflection of the delivery system needle. The printer can accommodate multiple delivery systems and therefore multiple needles of various sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, David D. B. Cannan, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Jonathan Parker, John C. Anastasiou, Michael C. Tilley, David Blumberg, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220122710
    Abstract: A syringe pump is disclosed that includes a pressure sensor assembly, a plunger, first and second pressure sensors, and a processor. The pressure sensor assembly senses a force and includes the plunger having a sensing surface configured to receive the force, the first pressure sensor operatively coupled to the plunger and configured to estimate the force applied to the sensing surface, and the second pressure sensor operatively coupled to the plunger and configured to estimate the force applied to the sensing surface. The processor is coupled to the first and second pressure sensors to estimate a magnitude of the force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Martin D. Desch, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, Dirk A. van der Merwe
  • Publication number: 20220117759
    Abstract: A prosthetic device control apparatus includes at least one sensor worn by a user. The sensor(s) determines a user's movement. A control module is in communication with the sensor(s). The control module communicates movement information to a prosthetic. A method for controlling a prosthetic device includes sensing a user's movement, communicating the movement through a control module to a prosthetic device; and controlling the movement of a prosthetic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory R. Lanier, JR., N. Christopher Perry, Andrew P. Pascoe, Dirk A. van der Merwe