Patents by Inventor John Ferguson

John Ferguson 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: 20220161969
    Abstract: A method for providing a passivation layer or pH protective coating on a substrate surface by PECVD is provided, the method comprising generating a plasma from a gaseous reactant comprising polymerizing gases. The lubricity, passivation, pH protective, hydrophobicity, and/or barrier properties of the passivation layer or pH protective coating are set by setting the ratio of the O2 to the organosilicon precursor in the precursor feed, and/or by setting the electric power used for generating the plasma. In particular, a passivation layer or pH protective coating made by the method is provided. Pharmaceutical packages coated by the method and the use of such packages protecting composition contained in the vessel against mechanical and/or chemical effects of the surface of the package without a passivation layer or pH protective coating material are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: John T. Felts, Thomas E. Fisk, Robert S. Abrams, John Ferguson, Jonathan R. Freedman, Robert J. Pangborn, Peter J. Sagona, Christopher Weikart
  • Patent number: 11334535
    Abstract: A platform for storing and reporting of data records associated with management of a population of managed devices is disclosed. Data records are injected into a hosted computing environment in which data processing services are arranged to store and generate analytics associated with a mobile device management (MDM) platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: VMware, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Glenn Broch, Abhishek Mishra, Manu Nazareth, Gregory John Ferguson, Phillip Charles Krasko, Zundna Vennaldo Daniel
  • Patent number: 11326844
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers may include a cleaning lance for cleaning a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger and an examination lance for examining a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger. The apparatus may further include a first feeder configured to extend and retract the cleaning lance and a second feeder configured to extend and retract the examination lance. The apparatus may further include a controller configured to control the first feeder to feed the cleaning lance into a first bore, to control the cleaning lance to clean the first bore, and to control the first feeder to retract the cleaning lance from the first bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Amerapex NDT LLC
    Inventors: John Ferguson, Deric Puckitt, Steven Christopher, William Parker
  • Patent number: 11321432
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided which automatically adjusts settings based on the environment of the electronic device. The settings of the electronic device which are adjusted may be security settings, filter settings, or status for instant messaging in dependence on the determined location of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Hassan, Denny Chiu, John Ferguson Wilson
  • Patent number: 11298164
    Abstract: A tether tensioner includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending distally from the handle assembly, and an engaging portion. The handle assembly includes a stationary member, a trigger pivotably coupled to the stationary member, and a spool rotatably supported on the stationary member. The spool is configured to wrap a tether thereabout. The spool is operatively coupled with the trigger such that pivoting of the trigger relative to the stationary member causes rotation of the spool. The elongate member includes a channel configured to slidably receive a tether therethrough. The engaging portion is configured to receive a head portion of a bone screw such that a tether extends from the head portion disposed in the engaging portion to the spool through the channel of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kunes, Stacy Hollins, Laurel Blakemore, Brian Hsu, John Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20220081297
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a film having a network of randomly aligned carbon nanotubes, where the carbon nanotubes have an average diameter between about 0.6 nm and about 2.0 nm and the carbon nanotubes form bundles having an average diameter between about 3 nm and about 50 nm. In addition, the composition is characterized by a power factor ?2? between 1 ?W/mK2 and about 3500 ?W/mK2 and by ZT=?2?T/k between about 0.02 and about 2.0 over a temperature range between about 100 K and about 500 K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee BLACKBURN, Andrew John FERGUSON, Barry Lee ZINK
  • Patent number: 11246629
    Abstract: A transverse connector includes a cross member connecting assembly, and first and second spinal rod connection members rotatably coupled to opposing end portions of the cross member connecting assembly. The cross member connecting assembly includes a first band slot defined therethrough and a threaded opening extending through an upper surface of the cross member connecting assembly and into the first band slot. The cross member connecting assembly includes a band set screw threadingly engaged with the threaded opening and movable relative to the first band slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mundis, Jr., Han Jo Kim, John Ferguson, Laurel Blakemore, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20210330869
    Abstract: A vessel including a thermoplastic wall enclosing a lumen is disclosed. The wall supports an SiOx composite barrier coating or layer, for which x is from 1.8 to 2.4, between the wall and the lumen. High Resolution X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) shows the presence of an interface between the composite barrier coating or layer and the wall or substrate. In one aspect, the interface has at least 1 mol. % O3—Si—C covalent bonding, as a proportion of the O3—Si—C covalent bonding plus SiO4 bonding. In another aspect, the interface has an Si 2p chemical shift to lower binding energy (eV), compared to the binding energy of SiO4 bonding. The result is a tightly adherent composite barrier coating or layer having a high degree of adhesion to the substrate under practical use conditions. Methods of applying the composite barrier coating or layer are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Weikart, John T. Felts, Thomas E. Fisk, Robert S. Abrams, John Ferguson, Jonathan R. Freedman, Robert J. Pangborn, Peter J. Sagona
  • Publication number: 20210326418
    Abstract: A computing device and method of controlling access to a computing device. An application to be used when the computing device is in a locked state is selected, wherein in the locked state, only use of the selected application is permitted. The computing device enters the locked state. Use of the selected application without unlocking the computing device is allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Hassan, John Ferguson Wilson, Daryl Joseph Martin
  • Patent number: 11148856
    Abstract: A method for providing a passivation layer or pH protective coating on a substrate surface by PECVD is provided, the method comprising generating a plasma from a gaseous reactant comprising polymerizing gases. The lubricity, passivation, pH protective, hydrophobicity, and/or barrier properties of the passivation layer or pH protective coating are set by setting the ratio of the O2 to the organosilicon precursor in the precursor feed, and/or by setting the electric power used for generating the plasma. In particular, a passivation layer or pH protective coating made by the method is provided. Pharmaceutical packages coated by the method and the use of such packages protecting composition contained in the vessel against mechanical and/or chemical effects of the surface of the package without a passivation layer or pH protective coating material are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SiO2 Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Felts, Thomas E. Fisk, Robert S. Abrams, John Ferguson, Jonathan R. Freedman, Robert J. Pangborn, Peter J. Sagona, Christopher Weikart
  • Patent number: 11123491
    Abstract: A package including a vessel wherein at least a portion of the vessel wall is made of a double wall material is disclosed. The double wall material comprises an interior polymer layer enclosed by an exterior polymer layer and one of the polymer layers is a layer made of cyclic olefin polymer (COP) resin. The package comprising the double wall, a CVD coating set on the wall, and a medicament comprising at least one protein, peptide, and/or DNA sequence is disclosed. Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide lubricity or hydrophobicity, are also disclosed. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by PECVD. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SIO2 MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Felts, Thomas E. Fisk, Robert S. Abrams, John Ferguson, Jonathan R. Freedman, Robert J. Pangborn, Peter J. Sagona
  • Patent number: 11051860
    Abstract: A system for securing a flexible member to a vertebra includes a flexible member, a fixation member, and an inserter. The flexible member includes two ends. The fixation member includes a head and a shank that defines a longitudinal axis of the fixation member. The head defines a slot that passes through the head orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The slot receives a portion of the flexible member. The inserter includes a handle and a tubular member that has proximal and distal end portion. The proximal end portion is attached to the handle and the distal end portion extends from the handle. The tubular member defines a passage between the proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion includes a couple for receiving the head of the fixation member with the portion of the flexible member received in the slot of the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mundis, Jr., Han Jo Kim, John Ferguson, Laurel Blakemore, Michael Barrus
  • Publication number: 20210164923
    Abstract: Methods for determining desired doping conditions for a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (s-SWCNT) are provided. One exemplary method includes doping each of a plurality of s-SWCNT networks under a respective set of doping conditions; determining a thermoelectric (TE) power factor as a function of a fractional bleach of an absorption spectrum for the plurality of s-SWCNT networks doped under the respective sets of doping conditions; and using the function to identify one of the TE power factors within a range of the fractional bleach of the absorption spectrum. The identified TE power factor corresponds to the desired doping conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Azure Dee AVERY, Jeffrey Lee BLACKBURN, Andrew John FERGUSON, Taylor Christie Julia AUBRY-KOMIN
  • Publication number: 20210137571
    Abstract: A tether tensioner includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending distally from the handle assembly, and an engaging portion. The handle assembly includes a stationary member, a trigger pivotably coupled to the stationary member, and a spool rotatably supported on the stationary member. The spool is configured to wrap a tether thereabout. The spool is operatively coupled with the trigger such that pivoting of the trigger relative to the stationary member causes rotation of the spool. The elongate member includes a channel configured to slidably receive a tether therethrough. The engaging portion is configured to receive a head portion of a bone screw such that a tether extends from the head portion disposed in the engaging portion to the spool through the channel of the elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Kunes, Stacy Hollins, Laurel Blakemore, Brian Hsu, John Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20210137707
    Abstract: Breathable residual-limb system that admits air and allows sweat to evaporate from the surface of the residual limb. In an embodiment, the system comprises a liner sock to be worn on the residual limb, and comprising air-permeable textile forming a substantially cylindrical portion that is closed on a distal end and open on a proximal end and comprising an internal surface and an external surface. The liner sock further comprises a friction-interface material that covers only a portion of the internal surface of the air-permeable textile, such that, when worn on the residual limb, the friction-interface material contacts a surface of the residual limb, and an uncovered portion of the air-permeable textile which the friction-interface material does not cover allows air to pass between an external environment of the liner sock and the surface of the residual limb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Hansen, Sara Koehler-Mcnicholas, Eric Nickel, Kyle Barrons, Felix Starker, Spencer Mion, John Ferguson, Stuart Fairhurst, Ellankavl Ramasamy, Karl Koester, Christopher Dearth, Brad Hendershot, Alison Pruziner, Peter Anderson, Louise Hassinger, David Laufer, Urs Schneider
  • Patent number: 10928334
    Abstract: Methods for determining desired doping conditions for a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (s-SWCNT) are provided. One exemplary method includes doping each of a plurality of s-SWCNT networks under a respective set of doping conditions; determining a thermoelectric (TE) power factor as a function of a fractional bleach of an absorption spectrum for the plurality of s-SWCNT networks doped under the respective sets of doping conditions; and using the function to identify one of the TE power factors within a range of the fractional bleach of the absorption spectrum. The identified TE power factor corresponds to the desired doping conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Azure Dee Avery, Jeffrey Lee Blackburn, Andrew John Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20200333093
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers may include a cleaning lance for cleaning a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger and an examination lance for examining a plurality of bores of the heat exchanger. The apparatus may further include a first feeder configured to extend and retract the cleaning lance and a second feeder configured to extend and retract the examination lance. The apparatus may further include a controller. The controller may be configured to control the first feeder to feed the cleaning lance into a first bore, to control the cleaning lance to clean the first bore, and to control the first feeder to retract the cleaning lance from the first bore. The controller may be further configured to control the first feeder to extend the cleaning lance into a second bore, to control the cleaning lance to clean the second bore, to control the second feeder to extend the examination lance into the first bore, and to control the examination lance to examine the first bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Amerapex NDT LLC
    Inventors: John Ferguson, Deric Puckitt, Steven Christopher, William Parker
  • Publication number: 20200278307
    Abstract: Methods for determining desired doping conditions for a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (s-SWCNT) are provided. One exemplary method includes doping each of a plurality of s-SWCNT networks under a respective set of doping conditions; determining a thermoelectric (TE) power factor as a function of a fractional bleach of an absorption spectrum for the plurality of s-SWCNT networks doped under the respective sets of doping conditions; and using the function to identify one of the TE power factors within a range of the fractional bleach of the absorption spectrum. The identified TE power factor corresponds to the desired doping conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Azure Dee AVERY, Jeffrey Lee BLACKBURN, Andrew John FERGUSON
  • Publication number: 20200270025
    Abstract: A method for providing a passivation layer or pH protective coating on a substrate surface by PECVD is provided, the method comprising generating a plasma from a gaseous reactant comprising polymerizing gases. The lubricity, passivation, pH protective, hydrophobicity, and/or barrier properties of the passivation layer or pH protective coating are set by setting the ratio of the O2 to the organosilicon precursor in the precursor feed, and/or by setting the electric power used for generating the plasma. In particular, a passivation layer or pH protective coating made by the method is provided. Pharmaceutical packages coated by the method and the use of such packages protecting composition contained in the vessel against mechanical and/or chemical effects of the surface of the package without a passivation layer or pH protective coating material are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: John T. Felts, Thomas E. Fisk, Robert S. Abrams, John Ferguson, Jonathan R. Freedman, Robert J. Pangborn, Peter J. Sagona, Christopher Weikart
  • Patent number: 10744362
    Abstract: An exercise machine has a mobile base and an upright support extending upwards from the mobile base. An upper support assembly extends forward from an upper portion of the upright support and an exercise device is suspended from the upper support assembly at a location spaced forward from the upright support. The exercise machine may include a compact and safe counterbalancing gas spring mechanism that tends to move the exercise device away from the exerciser, and that requires a force to be applied to move an exercise device down towards the exerciser. The exercise machine may include an exercise device that is rotatable along a vertical axis, and may be coupled to an adjustable monitor for a wide range of uses. The exercise machine may be used by a exerciser lying supine, sitting in a chair or wheelchair, or standing in front of or adjacent the exercise machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: United States Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Gary Goldish, Andrew Hansen, Eric Nickel, John Ferguson, Stuart Fairhurst