Patents by Inventor Jean E. Rinaldi

Jean E. Rinaldi 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: 4974461
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for producing ultrasound readings of simulated blood flow through a model left ventricle or larger portion of the human heart, held inside a fluid filled chamber with membrane-covered windows, and through mitral and aortic valves cooperating therewith to provide a simulated human circulation flow free of reverberation artifacts and the like. Adjustable flow of a selected hydraulic fluid into and out of the chamber that also contains a plurality of ultrasound absorbing elements disposed oppositely to the ultrasound viewing windows is utilized to produce ultrasound signals picked up by an ultrasound transducer for processing in any known manner. A range of flow rate and systolic characteristics of a heart are readily simulated, to provide outputs substantially free of reverberations and ultrasound reflections from the inside walls of the chamber as well as the ultrasound absorbing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, Jean E. Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 4894013
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for producing ultrasound readings of simulated blood flow through a model left ventricle or larger portion of the human heart, held inside a fluid filled chamber with membrane-covered windows, and through mitral and aortic valves cooperating therewith to provide a simulated human circulation flow free of reverberation artifacts and the like. Adjustable flow of a selected hydraulic fluid into and out of the chamber that also contains a plurality of ultrasound absorbing elements disposed oppositely to the ultrasound viewing windows is utilized to produce ultrasound signals picked up by an ultrasound transducer for processing in any known manner. A range of flow rate and systolic characteristics of a heart are readily simulated, to provide outputs substantially free of reverberations and ultrasound reflections from the inside walls of the chamber as well as the ultrasound absorbing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, Jean E. Rinaldi