Patents by Inventor H. Aaron Christmann
H. Aaron Christmann 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: 11819285Abstract: Electromagnetic navigation systems and methods detect ambient or extraneous magnetic interference by inhibiting the navigation system from generating an electromagnetic field and measuring, with a sensor, the strength of a magnetic field at one or more frequencies of and at one or more phases associated with the electromagnetic field generated by the navigation system. The systems and methods may further determine whether the strength of the magnetic field is greater than a threshold. Based on this determination, an alert or message may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Keith E. Jasperson, Michael R. Weisenberger, H. Aaron Christmann
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Patent number: 11484285Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Keith E. Jasperson, H. Aaron Christmann, Michael R. Weisenberger
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Publication number: 20200315712Abstract: Electromagnetic navigation systems and methods detect ambient or extraneous magnetic interference by inhibiting the navigation system from generating an electromagnetic field and measuring, with a sensor, the strength of a magnetic field at one or more frequencies of and at one or more phases associated with the electromagnetic field generated by the navigation system. The systems and methods may further determine whether the strength of the magnetic field is greater than a threshold. Based on this determination, an alert or message may be generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: KEITH E. JASPERSON, MICHAEL R. WEISENBERGER, H. AARON CHRISTMANN
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Publication number: 20200022673Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: KEITH E. JASPERSON, H. AARON CHRISTMANN, MICHAEL R. WEISENBERGER
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Patent number: 10413272Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Keith E. Jasperson, H. Aaron Christmann, Michael R. Weisenberger
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Publication number: 20170258439Abstract: A medical instrument includes a printed ultrasound sensor, a surface, at least one non-conductive material, and at least one pair of contacts. The ultrasound sensor includes an array of ultrasound transducers printed on a non-conductive surface of the medical instrument. The medical instrument contains multiple conductive and nonconductive layers. The at least one pair of contacts are electrically coupled to the ultrasound sensor and operably coupled to the conductive layer, the conductive layer coupled to a measurement device, which converts electrical signals from the ultrasound sensor into images displayed on a display unit. The location of the medical instrument can be visualized in real time on the display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: KEITH E. JASPERSON, H. AARON CHRISTMANN, MICHAEL R. WEISENBERGER
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Patent number: 8984963Abstract: A torque-measurement device that has a rotational axis, and wherein the torque-measurement device includes an inner tubular structure, an outer tubular structure, and a plurality of ribs that each have a length dimension in a rib-length direction parallel to the rotational axis, a rib-width dimension in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and extending radially rotational axis, and a minimum rib-thickness dimension in a thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the width direction, wherein the length dimension is greater than the width dimension and the width dimension is greater than the thickness dimension, wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a center plane that lies in the rib-length direction and the rib-width direction, and wherein a torque applied between the inner tubular structure and the outer tubular structure results in an angular displacement of inner tubular structure relative to the outer tubular structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Inventor: H. Aaron Christmann
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Patent number: 8984962Abstract: A torque-measurement device that has a rotational axis, and wherein the torque-measurement device includes an inner tubular structure, an outer tubular structure, and a plurality of ribs that each have a length dimension in a rib-length direction parallel to the rotational axis, a rib-width dimension in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and extending radially rotational axis, and a minimum rib-thickness dimension in a thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the width direction, wherein the length dimension is greater than the width dimension and the width dimension is greater than the thickness dimension, wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a center plane that lies in the rib-length direction and the rib-width direction, and wherein a torque applied between the inner tubular structure and the outer tubular structure results in an angular displacement of inner tubular structure relative to the outer tubular structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Inventor: H. Aaron Christmann
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Publication number: 20140260684Abstract: A torque-measurement device that has a rotational axis, and wherein the torque-measurement device includes an inner tubular structure, an outer tubular structure, and a plurality of ribs that each have a length dimension in a rib-length direction parallel to the rotational axis, a rib-width dimension in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and extending radially rotational axis, and a minimum rib-thickness dimension in a thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the width direction, wherein the length dimension is greater than the width dimension and the width dimension is greater than the thickness dimension, wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a center plane that lies in the rib-length direction and the rib-width direction, and wherein a torque applied between the inner tubular structure and the outer tubular structure results in an angular displacement of inner tubular structure relative to the outer tubular structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: H. Aaron Christmann
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Publication number: 20140260682Abstract: A torque-measurement device that has a rotational axis, and wherein the torque-measurement device includes an inner tubular structure, an outer tubular structure, and a plurality of ribs that each have a length dimension in a rib-length direction parallel to the rotational axis, a rib-width dimension in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and extending radially rotational axis, and a minimum rib-thickness dimension in a thickness direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the width direction, wherein the length dimension is greater than the width dimension and the width dimension is greater than the thickness dimension, wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a center plane that lies in the rib-length direction and the rib-width direction, and wherein a torque applied between the inner tubular structure and the outer tubular structure results in an angular displacement of inner tubular structure relative to the outer tubular structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: H. Aaron Christmann
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Patent number: 7857251Abstract: Film lamination vehicles and methods that can be used to laminate films to surfaces are disclosed. The vehicles and methods use a moving lamination device that forms a lamination front over which the film is applied to the surface. The lamination front complies to irregularities in the surface such as dips, bumps, etc. while providing substantially uniform pressure such that the film conforms to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2005Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jason L. Aveldson, Conrad V. Anderson, H. Aaron Christmann, Anne M. DePalma, Brian T. Loesch, Chin-Yee Ng, Justin W. Wilhelm
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Patent number: 7806961Abstract: A variable speed fan device includes a housing, a motor, a fan blade, a controller, and a first plurality of discrete light sources. The motor is maintained by the housing and the fan blade is connected to the motor. The controller is electronically coupled to the motor and manages an operational status of the variable speed fan device. The light sources are adapted to emit light from the display panel along a discontinuous perimeter at the exterior face. In an activated state, the light emitted by each light source is visually perceptible an exterior face of the display panel. The controller is programmed to individually activate and deactivate the light sources in a predetermined pattern creating a perception of movement of light about the discontinuous perimeter at the exterior face of the display panel corresponding with an operational status of the variable speed fan device.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: EM Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Casey L. Carlson, Glendon D. Kappel, H. Aaron Christmann
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Patent number: 7106938Abstract: A method of making a photonic crystal includes obtaining single spheres for use in making a self assembled opal structure. Spherical particles are placed centrifuge and separated from doublets using a relative difference in sedimentation velocity in response to centrifugal force. A method includes drawing a substrate through a meniscus at a declination to uniformly deposit spheres on the substrate. Three-dimensional photonic crystals including buried waveguides are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kang-Hyun Baek, Anand Gopinath, H. Aaron Christmann
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Patent number: 5628731Abstract: An irrigation system for use in endoscopic procedures for maintaining and controlling flow of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site. The system includes a tubing set comprising inflow and outflow lines and a cassette, and an fluid control module comprising a race and a pumping mechanism that squeezes the inflow line of the tubing set against the race to pump fluid to the irrigation site. The cassette includes a through opening exposing a portion of the inflow line to the race and pumping mechanism so that the cassette merely holds the inflow line in alignment with the pumping mechanism but is not required to resist the compressive force of the pumping mechanism. The cassette may include a second through opening exposing a portion of the outflow line to a valve mechanism to regulate pressure independently of the pump mechanism, and rib-or-groove alignment mechanism to align the inflow line with the pumping mechanism and the outflow line with the valve mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1994Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Larry H. Dodge, H. Aaron Christmann, Ulf B. Dunberger, Thomas D. Egan, James R. Watts
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Patent number: 5403277Abstract: An irrigation system for use in endoscopic procedures for maintaining and controlling flow of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site. The system includes a tubing set comprising inflow and outflow lines and a cassette, and an fluid control module comprising a race and a pumping mechanism that squeezes the inflow line of the tubing set against the race to pump fluid to the irrigation site. The cassette includes a through opening exposing a portion of the inflow line to the race and pumping mechanism so that the cassette merely holds the inflow line in alignment with the pumping mechanism but is not required to resist the compressive force of the pumping mechanism. The cassette may include a second through opening exposing a portion of the outflow line to a valve mechanism to regulate pressure independently of the pump mechanism, and rib-or-groove alignment mechanism to align the inflow line with the pumping mechanism and the outflow line with the valve mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1993Date of Patent: April 4, 1995Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Larry H. Dodge, H. Aaron Christmann, Ulf B. Dunberger, Thomas D. Egan, James R. Watts