Patents by Inventor Joel C. Kent

Joel C. Kent 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: 6238339
    Abstract: An improved remote sensing tonometric catheter apparatus (20) and method for sampling of a fluid or gas property of interest in a hollow internal organ. The tonometric catheter (20) assists in early detection of the problems of stress ulceration and/or intestinal ischemia. The tonometric catheter (20) can be one or more sampling chambers (40) for introduction into an internal organ or area adjacent thereto. Preferably, the wall (36) of the sampling chamber (40) is freely permeable to the gas or fluid to be measured by the sensor (42), but is poorly permeable to other gases or fluids which may interfere with the sensor (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventors: Richard G. Fiddian-Greene, Bo Holte, Joel C. Kent, Börje Tor Rantala
  • Patent number: 6029076
    Abstract: The method is accomplished by introducing the catheter (20) into the organ such that the sampling chamber (40) is disposed at a portion of the wall of the organ. The sampling chamber (40) is left in position at the wall of the organ for a time sufficient to allow the fluid or gas of interest to diffuse into the sampling chamber (40). The concentration of the liquid fluid or gaseous fluid of interest is analyzed. The pH of the wall of the organ may be calculated based on the concentration of the fluid or gas property of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventors: Richard G. Fiddian-Greene, Bo Holte, Joel C. Kent
  • Patent number: 5784054
    Abstract: An effective seal for protecting a touchscreen and associated electronics from liquid infiltration, the seal being placed between the housing and the surface of the touchscreen and configured to surround the useful touchscreen area. The seal is preferably formed of a closed cell foam covered on the surface which contacts the touchscreen surface with a liquid impervious barrier, or an expanded polymer such as expanded PTFE. The seal may be secured to the bezel edge by a transfer adhesive coating applied to the bezel edge, except for a relatively thin edge strip along the inner edge of the bezel end, so that substantially no adhesive is present on a free surface of the seal body proximate to the window aperture of the bezel. Preferably, a smooth surface is provided for adhering the seal body to the bezel. The seal body may be compressed between the bezel and touchscreen surface to effect a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Elo ToughSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald B. Armstrong, Jeffrey W. Asher, Susan P. Benitez, Richard A. Jones, Joel C. Kent, Michael L. Lewis, Robert C. Phares
  • Patent number: 5220136
    Abstract: A contact sensor comprises a first sheet of flexible material and second sheet. The first sheet is capable of being energized to establish an electrical potential thereon. The second sheet can be energized to establish an electrical potential in juxtaposition with the first sheet. The two sheets are formed of materials that tend to stick together. To keep the sheets apart, a plurality of substantially uniform discrete insulating islands are used. By the use of a non-square insulating island spacing pattern with the island spacing satisfying rigorous criteria, the two sheets can be prevented from sticking together without unduly increasing the amount of force required to activate the device. The sensor is particularly useful as a transparent touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Elographics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel C. Kent