Patents by Inventor Douglas McConnell
Douglas McConnell 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: 11540817Abstract: A hydrodissector for hydrodissecting a vascular target, the hydrodissector comprising: a handle; a shaft extending from the handle at an angle and including a tip at a distal end thereof; at least one port provided at the tip and configured to be coupled to a fluid supply and to eject fluid from the at least one port into the space between the vascular target and surrounding tissues to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, the at least one port being sized to provide sufficient pressure and velocity to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, wherein the length of the shaft is configured for insertion into an incision to atraumatically hydrodissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, and wherein the shaft is configured to releasably couple with one or more hook-shaped attachments configured to lift the vascular target after the vascular target is dissected from the surrounding tissues.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Inventors: John Gallagher, Jeffrey Ralph Swift, Douglas McConnell, Jason Swift
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Publication number: 20210045722Abstract: A hydrodissector for hydrodissecting a vascular target, the hydrodissector comprising: a handle; a shaft extending from the handle at an angle and including a tip at a distal end thereof; at least one port provided at the tip and configured to be coupled to a fluid supply and to eject fluid from the at least one port into the space between the vascular target and surrounding tissues to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, the at least one port being sized to provide sufficient pressure and velocity to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, wherein the length of the shaft is configured for insertion into an incision to atraumatically hydrodissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, and wherein the shaft is configured to releasably couple with one or more hook-shaped attachments configured to lift the vascular target after the vascular target is dissected from the surrounding tissues.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: John GALLAGHER, Jeffrey Ralph SWIFT, Douglas MCCONNELL, Jason SWIFT
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Patent number: 10687793Abstract: A hydrodissector for hydrodissecting a vein, the hydrodissector comprising a handle, a shaft extending from the handle at an angle and including a tip at a distal end thereof, at least one port configured to be coupled to a fluid supply for supplying fluid at a substantially constant pressure, and provided at the distal end of the shaft, and an image capturing assembly configured to provide direct visualization of the vein during hydrodissection. A minimally invasive method for dissecting a greater saphenous vein (GSV) from surrounding tissues using the hydrodissector is also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: OBP MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventors: John Gallagher, Jeffrey Ralph Swift, Douglas McConnell, Jason Swift
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Publication number: 20190167240Abstract: A harvester for harvesting a vein, comprising a handle, a blade extending at an angle from the handle and having a spoon-shaped tip at a distal end of the blade, the spoon-shaped tip including a concave surface and a convex surface, and an image capturing assembly for capturing images of an operating field, the image capturing assembly including an image capturing device provided on the concave surface of the spoon-shaped tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: John GALLAGHER, Jeffrey Ralph SWIFT, Douglas MCCONNELL
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Publication number: 20190021709Abstract: A hydrodissector for hydrodissecting a vein, the hydrodissector comprising a handle, a shaft extending from the handle at an angle and including a tip at a distal end thereof, at least one port configured to be coupled to a fluid supply for supplying fluid at a substantially constant pressure, and provided at the distal end of the shaft, and an image capturing assembly configured to provide direct visualization of the vein during hydrodissection. A minimally invasive method for dissecting a greater saphenous vein (GSV) from surrounding tissues using the hydrodissector is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: John GALLAGHER, Jeffrey Ralph SWIFT, Douglas MCCONNELL
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Publication number: 20180353258Abstract: An illuminated surgical retractor, comprising a metal blade having a top surface and a bottom surface, a metal handle extending from a proximal end of the blade, and a plastic illumination housing assembly comprising at least one light source, at least one battery and an activation device for energizing the light source, and the illumination assembly being permanently and non-releasably attached to the metal handle and/or blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Matthew Traub, Douglas McConnell, Jeffrey Ralph Swift
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Patent number: 9937861Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a vehicle blind spot detection system, method, and module for adjusting parameters of a vehicle blind spot detection algorithm based on a trailer being attached to the back of the vehicle. More specifically, based on a determination that a trailer is attached to the vehicle and the reception of trailer information corresponding to the attached trailer, an adjust to the parameters of a blind spot detection area is disclosed for ensuring the continued operation of the blind spot detection feature will take into account the attached trailer.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mark Alan Shehan, Kenneth Snarski, Joseph Mackey, Douglas McConnell, Steven Gerd Kanzler
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Publication number: 20170057413Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a vehicle blind spot detection system, method, and module for adjusting parameters of a vehicle blind spot detection algorithm based on a trailer being attached to the back of the vehicle. More specifically, based on a determination that a trailer is attached to the vehicle and the reception of trailer information corresponding to the attached trailer, an adjust to the parameters of a blind spot detection area is disclosed for ensuring the continued operation of the blind spot detection feature will take into account the attached trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Mark Alan Shehan, Kenneth Snarski, Joseph Mackey, Douglas McConnell, Steven Gerd Kanzler
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Publication number: 20170057517Abstract: An electronic control unit for adaptive cruise control of a vehicle, comprises an interface operable to receive data from a plurality of sensors and a training module operable to analyze the data and determine a first set of parameters for a first performance mode of the adaptive cruise control system. The first set of parameters is learned based upon the received data. A reading module is operable to read a recorded second set of parameters for a second performance mode, wherein the second set of parameters are read from the received data. A comparison module is operable to select one of the first performance mode and the second performance mode and a controller is operable to receive the set of parameters associated with the selected performance mode, wherein the controller determines desired vehicle actions based on the received set of parameters and send instructions to implement the desired vehicle actions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mohammad Shafikul Huq, Douglas A McConnell
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Patent number: 9493117Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a vehicle blind spot detection system, method, and module for adjusting parameters of a vehicle blind spot detection algorithm based on a trailer being attached to the back of the vehicle. More specifically, based on a determination that a trailer is attached to the vehicle and the reception of trailer information corresponding to the attached trailer, an adjust to the parameters of a blind spot detection area is disclosed for ensuring the continued operation of the blind spot detection feature will take into account the attached trailer.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mark Alan Shehan, Kenneth Snarski, Joseph Mackey, Douglas McConnell, Steven Gerd Kanzler
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Publication number: 20160101730Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a vehicle blind spot detection system, method, and module for adjusting parameters of a vehicle blind spot detection algorithm based on a trailer being attached to the back of the vehicle. More specifically, based on a determination that a trailer is attached to the vehicle and the reception of trailer information corresponding to the attached trailer, an adjust to the parameters of a blind spot detection area is disclosed for ensuring the continued operation of the blind spot detection feature will take into account the attached trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Mark Alan Shehan, Kenneth Snarski, Joseph Mackey, Douglas McConnell, Steven Gerd Kanzler
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Patent number: 7643921Abstract: A method of estimating values beyond sensor limits accurately and simply includes the initial step of determining an actual slope utilizing measured data. An estimated slope is then determined as a percentage of the actual slope to provide an estimation of data values outside of the sensor limits until measured values return to within sensor limits. The estimation method according to this invention increases sensor range without sacrificing resolution with a desired accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Andres, Douglas A. McConnell
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Publication number: 20070032241Abstract: A communications system including a plurality of base station transceivers linked by some means over which the base station transceivers communicate, a plurality of mobile transceivers adapted to communicate via the base station transceivers using macrodiversity, and wherein the mobile transceivers are further adapted to control allocation of system resorces to enable communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2003Publication date: February 8, 2007Inventors: Adrian Busch, Paul Churton, Shyh-Hao Kuo, Stefan Lendnal, Kishore Mehrotra, Douglas McConnell, Ian McLoughlin, Iain Pow, Thomas Scott, David Spalding
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Publication number: 20060052925Abstract: A method of estimating values beyond sensor limits accurately and simply includes the initial step of determining an actual slope utilizing measured data. An estimated slope is then determined as a percentage of the actual slope to provide an estimation of data values outside of the sensor limits until measured values return to within sensor limits. The estimation method according to this invention increases sensor range without sacrificing resolution with a desired accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Robert Andres, Douglas McConnell
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Publication number: 20050004729Abstract: A vehicle safety system (20) includes a controller (24) that verifies the plausibility of a roll angle indication obtained by processing a roll angular rate sensor (26) output. The controller (24) determines whether an acceleration value corresponding to the roll angle indication is within an expected range. In a disclosed example, the controller (24) utilizes a vertical acceleration value and a first expected range and a lateral acceleration value and a second expected range. When both of the acceleration values are outside of the respective expected range, the controller determines that the roll angle indication is invalid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2004Publication date: January 6, 2005Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Gleacher, Ciprian Lucut, Robert Andres, Andreas Knueppel, Thomas Malbouef, Douglas McConnell, Eric Mertz, Scott Morell
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Patent number: 6766235Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraining system includes a plurality of safety restraint devices and utilizes a main controller and a safing controller to determine whether or not conditions are proper for deploying each safety restraint device. The system discriminates between front, side, rear, and roll-over impact events and determines which safety restraint devices should be deployed in response to an impact event. The system also independently determines whether to activate a fuel cut-off switch in response to an impact event. The main and safing controllers utilize vehicle data from a main center tunnel sensor assembly and various satellite sensors to make deployment decisions. The safing controller is used to independently verify whether or not the safety restraint should be deployed.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Seimens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Manfred Frimberger, Telmo Glaser, Jeffrey Gleacher, Reinhard Hamperl, Matthias Kiening, Douglas McConnell, Reinhart Weber
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Patent number: 6701238Abstract: A strategy for determining the type of impact condition experienced by a vehicle (24) and for deciding whether to deploy a supplemental restraint device such as an airbag (22) includes using a difference between a front sensor (32) velocity and a tunnel sensor (34) velocity. Determining whether the difference between the front sensor velocity and the tunnel sensor velocity exceeds a difference threshold provides information regarding an impact condition that allows a controller to operate at a lower bandwidth and in a more reliable fashion. By combining the determination whether the difference threshold has been exceeded with at least one other parameter, at least three discreet types of impact conditions can be discriminated and a decision can be made whether to deploy a supplemental restraint device.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Douglas A. McConnell
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Publication number: 20030139866Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraining system includes a plurality of safety restraint devices and utilizes a main controller and a safing controller to determine whether or not conditions are proper for deploying each safety restraint device. The system discriminates between front, side, rear, and roll-over impact events and determines which safety restraint devices should be deployed in response to an impact event. The system also independently determines whether to activate a fuel cut-off switch in response to an impact event. The main and safing controllers utilize vehicle data from a main center tunnel sensor assembly and various satellite sensors to make deployment decisions. The safing controller is used to independently verify whether or not the safety restraint should be deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2003Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Manfred Frimberger, Telmo Glaser, Jeffrey Gleacher, Reinhard Hamperl, Matthias Kiening, Douglas McConnell, Reinhart Weber
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Patent number: 6536401Abstract: The method of controlling fuel supply comprises the steps of detecting a value related to velocity of a vehicle along a first path and detecting a value related to velocity along a second path transverse to the first path. The detected values are then combined and compared to a threshold. The fuel supply is then controlled based on the comparison of the combined values with the threshold. Using this method, a fuel safety system comprises a fuel system of a vehicle, a fuel cutoff switch controlling the transmission of fuel through the fuel system, a sensor detecting a value related to velocity of the vehicle along the first path, and a sensor detecting a value related to velocity of the vehicle along a second path transverse to the first path. A control unit combines the detected values and activates the fuel cutoff switch based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Douglas A. McConnell
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Publication number: 20030023360Abstract: A strategy for determining the type of impact condition experienced by a vehicle (24) and for deciding whether to deploy a supplemental restraint device such as an airbag (22) includes using a difference between a front sensor (32) velocity and a tunnel sensor (34) velocity. Determining whether the difference between the front sensor velocity and the tunnel sensor velocity exceeds a difference threshold provides information regarding an impact condition that allows a controller to operate at a lower bandwidth and in a more reliable fashion. By combining the determination whether the difference threshold has been exceeded with at least one other parameter, at least three discreet types of impact conditions can be discriminated and a decision can be made whether to deploy a supplemental restraint device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: Douglas A. McConnell