Patents by Inventor Mark McElroy

Mark McElroy 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: 11944476
    Abstract: A fixture for fabricating a detector mini-module includes a lower block having a Y-datum lower block upper surface, an X-datum lower block surface, and a Z-datum lower block surface orthogonal to both the Y-datum lower and X-datum block surface surfaces. A mount block for a detector is positionable and in contact with the X-datum lower block surface, the Y-datum lower block upper surface, and the Z-datum lower block surface. An intermediate block is positionable on the lower block having an aperture passing through an upper surface and having an X-datum intermediate block surface and a Z-datum intermediate block surface. When a mount block for the detector mini-module is positioned on the lower block, the mount block is biased having an X-axis mount block planar surface aligned with the X-datum lower block surface, and biased having a Z-axis mount block planar surface aligned with the Z-datum lower block surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MINFOUND MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark McElroy, Zhiyuan Zha
  • Patent number: 11602317
    Abstract: A detector sub-assembly for a CT system includes a detector module that includes a mount block having a top planar surface, a Y-axis planar surface that is parallel with the top planar surface, an X-axis planar surface that is orthogonal to the first Y-axis planar surface, and an aperture passing through the X-axis planar surface. The module includes a substrate having a pixelated photodiode positioned thereon, and a two-dimensional anti-scatter grid (ASG) positioned on the pixelated photodiode. The detector sub-assembly includes a support structure including a Y-axis mount surface and an X-axis mount surface, and a second aperture passing through the X-axis mount surface, a mounting screw having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the aperture and passing through the aperture and into the second aperture when the Y-axis planar surface is on the Y-axis mount surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Minfound Medical Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Mark McElroy
  • Publication number: 20220338825
    Abstract: A fixture for fabricating a detector mini-module includes a lower block having a Y-datum lower block upper surface, an X-datum lower block surface, and a Z-datum lower block surface orthogonal to both the Y-datum lower and X-datum block surface surfaces. A mount block for a detector is positionable and in contact with the X-datum lower block surface, the Y-datum lower block upper surface, and the Z-datum lower block surface. An intermediate block is positionable on the lower block having an aperture passing through an upper surface and having an X-datum intermediate block surface and a Z-datum intermediate block surface. When a mount block for the detector mini-module is positioned on the lower block, the mount block is biased having an X-axis mount block planar surface aligned with the X-datum lower block surface, and biased having a Z-axis mount block planar surface aligned with the Z-datum lower block surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Mark McElroy, Zhiyuan Zha
  • Publication number: 20220338823
    Abstract: A detector sub-assembly for a CT system includes a detector module that includes a mount block having a top planar surface, a Y-axis planar surface that is parallel with the top planar surface, an X-axis planar surface that is orthogonal to the first Y-axis planar surface, and an aperture passing through the X-axis planar surface. The module includes a substrate having a pixelated photodiode positioned thereon, and a two-dimensional anti-scatter grid (ASG) positioned on the pixelated photodiode. The detector sub-assembly includes a support structure including a Y-axis mount surface and an X-axis mount surface, and a second aperture passing through the X-axis mount surface, a mounting screw having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the aperture and passing through the aperture and into the second aperture when the Y-axis planar surface is on the Y-axis mount surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Mark McElroy
  • Patent number: 10473796
    Abstract: A scintillator module for a CT detector includes an array of pixelated scintillators extending in a first direction at a first spacing, and extending in a second direction at a second spacing, a reflector on the array and between the pixelated scintillators, the reflector having a first thickness and forming notches having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The module includes an anti-scatter grid having plates, each plate extending along a length such that, when the CT detector is positioned in a CT system, the length of the plates extend approximately toward a focal spot. The plates are separated from one another at one of the first spacing and the second spacing, and two of the notches have a gap therebetween that engages one of the plates. An adhesive positioned in the gap to adhere the one plate to the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FMI Medical Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Kevin McMahon, Mark McElroy
  • Publication number: 20190243006
    Abstract: A scintillator module for a CT detector includes an array of pixelated scintillators extending in a first direction at a first spacing, and extending in a second direction at a second spacing, a reflector on the array and between the pixelated scintillators, the reflector having a first thickness and forming notches having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The module includes an anti-scatter grid having plates, each plate extending along a length such that, when the CT detector is positioned in a CT system, the length of the plates extend approximately toward a focal spot. The plates are separated from one another at one of the first spacing and the second spacing, and two of the notches have a gap therebetween that engages one of the plates. An adhesive positioned in the gap to adhere the one plate to the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: FMI Medical Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Kevin McMahon, Mark McElroy
  • Patent number: 10112133
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter element, a cap, and a base seal. The filter element has a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inside passage. The cap is affixed to the first end. The cap has a cap perimeter configured to mate with an opening of a filter housing. The base seal is disposed at the second end. The base seal has an outlet port in cooperative alignment with the inside passage. The base seal is configured to seal the outlet port to a housing outlet and the base seal is configured to seal a housing drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Mark McElroy
  • Publication number: 20170021291
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter element, a cap, and a base seal. The filter element has a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inside passage. The cap is affixed to the first end. The cap has a cap perimeter configured to mate with an opening of a filter housing. The base seal is disposed at the second end. The base seal has an outlet port in cooperative alignment with the inside passage. The base seal is configured to seal the outlet port to a housing outlet and the base seal is configured to seal a housing drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Mark McElroy
  • Publication number: 20070221585
    Abstract: A collapsible, protective cover may be used to enshroud a filter during shipping, storage, and installation. The cover protects the filter from dirt and other harmful debris which could contaminate the clean filter element contained within the filter. As the filter is inserted into a filter canister, the cover collapses around the filter and moves out of the way, allowing the filter to enter the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Andrea Vozar, Mark McElroy, Dana Heern, Brian Earnhart, Raymond Kulma, Aaron Stritesky
  • Publication number: 20050197969
    Abstract: A human social system has a tendency to self organize around one or more of the production, diffusion and application of organizational knowledge. One or more of the production, diffusion and application of such knowledge can be enhanced by synchronizing knowledge policies with the tendency. The synchronization may be accomplished by proposing knowledge embryology, politics, diversity and connectivity policies (step S10). The proposed knowledge politics policy is practiced in the social system and is evaluated and/or refined (step S20). The proposed knowledge embryology, diversity and connectivity policies are practiced in the social system with the evaluated proposed politics policy, and the policies are evaluated and/or refined as needed (step S30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Mark McElroy, Steven Cavaleri, Joseph Firestone