Patents by Inventor John R. Ballard

John R. Ballard 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: 10531945
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transcatheter coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are provided. The methods generally involve passing the graft from the aorta to the coronary artery through the pericardial space. The systems include poke-out wires, a coring device, and devices for forming anastomoses at the proximal and distal ends of a vascular graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Annamaria Szabolcs, Jeffrey W. Reineke, Andrew D. Bicek, John R. Ballard, Steven L. Kangas
  • Publication number: 20190269385
    Abstract: A dual-mode ultrasound system provides real-time imaging and therapy delivery using the same transducer elements of a transducer array. The system may use a multi-channel driver to drive the elements of the array. The system uses a real-time monitoring and feedback image control of the therapy based on imaging data acquired using the dual-mode ultrasound array (DMUA) of transducer elements. Further, for example, multi-modal coded excitation may be used in both imaging and therapy modes. Still further, for example, adaptive, real-time refocusing for improved imaging and therapy can be achieved using, for example, array directivity vectors obtained from DMUA pulse-echo data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Emad S. Ebbini, Andrew J. Casper, Dalong Liu, John R. Ballard
  • Patent number: 10231712
    Abstract: A dual-mode ultrasound system provides real-time imaging and therapy delivery using the same transducer elements of a transducer array. The system may use a multichannel driver to drive the elements of the array. The system uses a real-time monitoring and feedback image control of the therapy based on imaging data acquired using the dual-mode ultrasound array (DMUA) of transducer elements. Further, for example, multimodal coded excitation may be used in both imaging and therapy modes. Still further, for example, adaptive, real-time refocusing for improved imaging and therapy can be achieved using, for example, array directivity vectors obtained from DMUA pulse-echo data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Emad S. Ebbini, Andrew J. Casper, Dalong Liu, John R. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20160213462
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transcatheter coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are provided. The methods generally involve passing the graft from the aorta to the coronary artery through the pericardial space. The systems include poke-out wires, a coring device, and devices for forming anastomoses at the proximal and distal ends of a vascular graft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Annamaria Szabolcs, Jeffrey W. Reineke, Andrew D. Bicek, John R. Ballard, Steven L. Kangas
  • Publication number: 20160213348
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the assessment of fluid content and electrolyte balance in patients are provided. The systems generally include two or more ultrasound transducers and may include impedance-sensing electrodes as well. These elements are positioned about a soft tissue of a patient by means of a retention element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Reineke, Andrew D. Bicek, John R. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20130144165
    Abstract: A dual-mode ultrasound system provides real-time imaging and therapy delivery using the same transducer elements of a transducer array. The system may use a multichannel driver to drive the elements of the array. The system uses a real-time monitoring and feedback image control of the therapy based on imaging data acquired using the dual-mode ultrasound array (DMUA) of transducer elements. Further, for example, multimodal coded excitation may be used in both imaging and therapy modes. Still further, for example, adaptive, real-time refocusing for improved imaging and therapy can be achieved using, for example, array directivity vectors obtained from DMUA pulse-echo data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Emad S. Ebbini, Andrew J. Casper, Dalong Liu, John R. Ballard
  • Patent number: 7633252
    Abstract: A stall protection circuit is provided for bidirectional motor operation that is controlled by a half bridge switch that has forward, reverse and off positions. A method of protecting a motor is also disclosed. A Hall effect current sensor may be provided in a stall current protection circuit that engages a latching circuit. The latching circuit is operative to interrupt current flowing to the motor by disabling MOSFETs on opposite sides of the motor. Alternatively, FET voltage from drain to source may be used to measure the current supplied to the motor that is used to engage the latching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: H. Winston Maue, John F. Nathan, Michael Pajor, Michael Noorman, John R. Ballard, Jerremy Anderson, Paul Kucher
  • Patent number: 4566270
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine infra-red radiation suppressor comprising an exhaust nozzle which is surrounded by a duct having a plurality of diffuser vanes at its downstream end. The exhaust nozzle and duct constitute an ejector which is powered by the exhaust efflux from the exhaust nozzle and draws ambient air into the duct through a gap between the exhaust nozzle and the duct. The air serves to cool the exhaust efflux and thereby reduce its infra-red radiation emission, and the diffuser vanes prevent direct line of sight of the hot exhaust nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Limited
    Inventors: John R. Ballard, Peter H. Timmis, Michael J. Buller
  • Patent number: 4502875
    Abstract: An air intake for a helicopter mounted gas turbine engine comprises two intake portions which comprises vortex separator panels. One panel is generally forward facing while the other is generally sideways facing. A panel is pivotally mounted between the separator panels so as to pivot between a first position in which it obturates the generally sideways facing panel and a second position in which it obturates neither of the separator panels. The arrangement is such that when the helicopter is in fast forward flight, the pressure of the ram air flow through the generally forward facing inlet panel causes the pivoted panel to pivot to the position in which it obturates the generally sideways facing inlet panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Limited
    Inventor: John R. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4425756
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine and its associated air intake system in which the air intake system comprises a generally horizontally extending duct through which an airflow is induced by an ejector pump powered by the engine. A portion of the air passing through the duct is directed through a second duct to the air inlet of the engine. The second duct is connected to the first duct in such a manner that the air directed to the engine air inlet is derived from a vertically upper region of the first duct. The arrangement is intended to reduce the amount of airborne particulate material ingested by the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Limited
    Inventors: John R. Ballard, George H. Bennett, Leslie A. Lee
  • Patent number: 4291530
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine cowling suitable for a helicopter contains a gas turbine engine having a vortex tube separator panel for the purpose of separating water droplets and particulate material from engine inlet air. The vortex tube separator panel is mounted in a duct extending the length of the cowling so that air passing through the duct supplies air for passing through the panel to the engine inlet as well as maintaining a flow of air transverse to the panel. The air flow transverse to the panel ensures that blockage of the panel by ice is substantially reduced or eliminated. Under forward flight conditions, ram air passes through the duct but during hovering, the air flow through the duct is induced by an ejector powered by the exhaust efflux from the engine. The portion of the air flow through the duct which does not enter the gas turbine engine is utilized in the cooling of the engine exhaust efflux in order to reduce the amount of infra-red radiation emitted thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Limited
    Inventor: John R. Ballard