Patents by Inventor James A. Harder

James A. Harder 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: 20150133877
    Abstract: An implantable injection port facilitates filling and/or draining an inflatable portion of a gastric band. In an embodiment, the port comprises a movable cap that causes anchor wires to extend from anchor devices in order to implant the injection port in the tissue of a patient. In another embodiment, the port comprises a handle that rotates to implant curved anchors into the tissue of a patient. In yet another embodiment, a cap is configured to move towards a base of the port in order to cause the curved anchors to rotate into the tissue of a patient. The cap may also rotate with respect to the base in order to lock the cap and the anchors in position. Further, surfaces of the injection port may be textured to increase adhesiveness to the patient's tissue during installation and to facilitate simpler installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Harders, Joseph S. Raven, Dimitrios Stroumpoulis, Nikhil S. Trilokekar
  • Patent number: 8882728
    Abstract: An implantable injection port facilitates filling and/or draining an inflatable portion of a gastric band. In an embodiment, the port comprises a movable cap that causes anchor wires to extend from anchor devices in order to implant the injection port in the tissue of a patient. In another embodiment, the port comprises a handle that rotates to implant curved anchors into the tissue of a patient. In yet another embodiment, a cap is configured to move towards a base of the port in order to cause the curved anchors to rotate into the tissue of a patient. The cap may also rotate with respect to the base in order to lock the cap and the anchors in position. Further, surfaces of the injection port may be textured to increase adhesiveness to the patient's tissue during installation and to facilitate simpler installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Harders, Joseph S. Raven, Dimitrios Stroumpoulis, Nikhil S. Trilokekar
  • Publication number: 20130171288
    Abstract: A system for molding, more specifically demolding, elastomeric breast implant shells is provided. The system generally includes a molding device having a mandrel having a form generally of a breast implant shell and a mandrel rod, couplable to the mandrel. A fluid flow port is provided which is alternately disposable in a concealed position and an exposed position upon rotation of the mandrel rod. When a liquid elastomer coating on the mandrel is cured, the fluid flow port is rotated into the exposed position which allows it to pass air between the cured coating and the molding surface, thereby facilitating disengagement and demolding of the shell from the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.
    Inventor: James A. Harders
  • Publication number: 20120293861
    Abstract: In a method embodiment, a method for correcting astigmatism caused by an aircraft canopy comprises receiving at a compensator module a plurality of light rays that have been refracted by an aircraft canopy. At least two of the refracted light rays have respective foci different from one another and propagate in respective planes that are substantially perpendicular to one another, such that astigmatism occurs. The method further includes using the compensator module to substantially compensate for the astigmatism by providing astigmatic power to the received plurality of light rays. The method also includes providing the plurality of light rays having the astigmatic power compensation to an imaging module. The imaging module is configured to generate imagery using the plurality of light rays having the astigmatic power compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Elbit Systems of America, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Harder, Michaelene W. Sprague
  • Publication number: 20110288639
    Abstract: An inflatable tissue expander, suitable for implantation in a breast, is provided. The tissue expander includes a puncturable, self-sealing anterior portion forming a fillable cavity, and posterior portion that is puncture resistant. The anterior portion includes a silicone-based elastomer material having a mesh embedded therein. The posterior portion includes a first composite guard and a second composite guard, each composite guard including an arrangement of puncture resistant members and a flexible substrate having a first side on which the puncture resistant members are disposed in a spaced apart fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.
    Inventors: Nikhil S. Trilokekar, Dimitrios Stroumpoulis, Dustin Leslie, Kaustubh S. Chitre, Nicholas J. Manesis, David J. Schuessler, Thomas E. Powell, James A. Harders
  • Patent number: 5969885
    Abstract: A system (10) for calibrating an image detector includes a calibration platform (16) supporting a calibration element (18). The calibration element (18) may be made up of a first portion (20) and a second portion (22), each having a curved surface (20A, 22A) to appropriately alter characteristics of reference light levels (33) generated by a reference source (24). The second portion (22) may have its surface positioned differently to the focal plane array (14) than the first portion (20) for enhanced calibration operation. The reference source (24) generates the reference light levels (33) over a range of temperatures to mimic the image energy generated by the scene (12). The reference source (24) may also include a reference portion element (26) that transmits reference light energy (33) generated by the reference source (24) or reflects scene base energy (34) generated by the scene (12) and allowed to pass through the first portion (20) and the second portion (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James A. Harder, Keith A. Jacobson, Val J. Herrera
  • Patent number: 5956176
    Abstract: An image detection system (10) uses an optical configuration for both image forming and calibration phases of operation. A field lens (20) has an inner portion (36) of a conventional prescription to allow for collection of scene based energy for an opto-electronic approximation of the infrared detail within the afocal field of view by a focal plane array (32). The field lens (20) also has an outer portion (38) that collects far field energy from a scene area (A.sub.I) through a converging point (P.sub.I). The energy collected from the scene area (A.sub.I) is indicative of the average energy level within the scene. The electrical equivalent values of all energy received from the unique area (A.sub.I) is stored in a multidimensional range used for subsequent gain and offset calibration coefficient calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon TI Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Harder, Val J. Herrera
  • Patent number: 5886834
    Abstract: An image detection system (10) uses an optical configuration for both image forming and calibration phases of operation. A field lens (20) has an inner portion (36) of a conventional prescription to allow for collection of scene based energy for an opto-electronic approximation of the infrared detail within the afocal field of view by a focal plane array (32). The field lens (20) also has an outer portion (38) that collects far field energy from a scene area (A.sub.I) through a converging point (P.sub.I). The energy collected from the scene area (A.sub.I) is indicative of the average energy level within the scene. The electrical equivalent values of all energy received from the unique area (A.sub.I) is stored in a multidimensional range used for subsequent gain and offset calibration coefficient calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon TI Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Harder, Val J. Herrera
  • Patent number: 5866900
    Abstract: An image detection system (10) includes a derotation optics assembly (24) that stabilizes images viewed from a scene (14) by individual detector elements (31) in a focal plane array (32). The derotation optics assembly (24) also is used in providing scene based calibration to the individual detector elements (31). The derotation optics assembly (24) places images viewed from the scene (14) in a first rotation position. The individual detector elements (31) collect scene based energy at the first rotation position. The derotation optics assembly (24) places images viewed from the scene (14) in a second rotation position. The individual detector elements (31) collect scene based energy at the second rotation position. Comparisons are made among outputs of the individual detector elements (31) at the first and second rotation positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon TI Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Jacobson, Val J. Herrera, James A. Harder
  • Patent number: 5745285
    Abstract: An image detection system (10) uses an optical configuration for both image forming and calibration phases of operation. A field lens (20) has an inner portion (36) of a conventional prescription to allow for collection of scene based energy for an opto-electronic approximation of the infrared detail within the afocal field of view by a focal plane array (32). The field lens (20) also has an outer portion (38) that collects far field energy from a scene area (A.sub.I) through a converging point (P.sub.I). The energy collected from the scene area (A.sub.I) is indicative of the average energy level within the scene. The electrical equivalent values of all energy received from the unique area (A.sub.I) is stored in a multidimensional range used for subsequent gain and offset calibration coefficient calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Raytheon TI Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Harder, Val J. Herrera
  • Patent number: 5705811
    Abstract: A system (10) for calibrating an image detector includes a calibration platform (16) supporting a calibration element (18). The calibration element (18) may be made up of a first lens (20) and a second lens (22), each having a curved surface to appropriately alter characteristics of reference light levels (33) generated by a reference source (24). The second lens (22) may have its surface positioned differently to the focal plane array (14) than the first lens mirror (20) for enhanced calibration operation. The reference source (24) generates the reference light levels (33) over a range of temperatures to mimic the image energy generated by the scene (12). The reference source (24) may also include a reference lens element (26) that transmits reference light energy (33) generated by the reference source (24) or reflects scene base energy (34) generated by the scene (12) and allowed to pass through the first lens (20) and the second lens (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Raytheon TI Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Harder, Keith A. Jacobson, Val J. Herrera