Patents by Inventor Mark R. Erickson

Mark R. Erickson 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: 11938326
    Abstract: Implantable medical systems enter an exposure mode of operation, either manually via a down linked programming instruction or by automatic detection by the implantable system of exposure to a magnetic disturbance. A controller then determines the appropriate exposure mode by considering various pieces of information including the device type including whether the device has defibrillation capability, pre-exposure mode of therapy including which chambers have been paced, and pre-exposure cardiac activity that is either intrinsic or paced rates. Additional considerations may include determining whether a sensed rate during the exposure mode is physiologic or artificially produced by the magnetic disturbance. When the sensed rate is physiologic, then the controller uses the sensed rate to trigger pacing and otherwise uses asynchronous pacing at a fixed rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J. Yoon, Wade M. Demmer, Matthew J. Hoffman, Robert A. Betzold, Jonathan D. Edmonson, Michael L. Ellingson, Mark K. Erickson, Ben W. Herberg, Juliana E. Pronovici, James D. Reinke, Todd J. Sheldon, Paul R. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20240081835
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing total knee arthroplasty procedures with kinematic alignment are described herein. A method of performing a total knee arthroplasty can comprise positioning a femoral cut guide adjacent a distal end of a femur, positioning a tibial cut guide proximate a proximal end of a tibia adjacent an anterior surface of the tibia, adjusting a position of the femoral cut guide and the tibial cut guide relative to each other using a tibial positioning device, fixing the position of the femoral cut guide relative to the tibial cut guide using the tibial positioning device, and resecting the femur and tibia with parallel resections using the femoral and tibial cut guides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Mark D. Erickson, Edward R. Yager, Justin J. Kaler, Ryan Girst
  • Patent number: 9051638
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus that includes at least a target presented as an inner surface of a confinement structure, the inner surface of the confinement structure is preferably an internal wall of a circular tube. A cathode is disposed adjacent the internal wall of the circular tube. The cathode preferably provides a hollow core, within which a magnetron is disposed. Preferably, an actuator is attached to the magnetron, wherein a position of the magnetron within the hollow core is altered upon activation of the actuator. Additionally, a carriage supporting the cathode and communicating with the target is preferably provided, and a cable bundle interacting with the cathode and linked to a cable bundle take up mechanism provided power and coolant to the cathode, magnetron, actuator and an anode of the sputtering apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: POOLE VENTURA, INC., BROOKHAVEN SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Henry J. Poole, Arthur W. Custer, III, Ady Hershcovitch
  • Publication number: 20150152548
    Abstract: Preferably, obtaining internal and external thermal measurement values of a sealed process chamber allows a control system to generate a control signal based on a comparison of the internal and external thermal measurement values to the predetermined value. The control signal is provided to a fluid handling system, wherein the fluid handling system modulates flow of a first fluid around the exterior of the sealed process chamber. The control signal is further provided to a closed loop heat exchange system, wherein the closed loop heat exchange system modulates flow of a second fluid within an interior cavity of the sealed process chamber based on the control signal. The control signal is still further provided to an open loop heat exchange system, wherein the open loop heat exchange system modulates flow of a third fluid within the interior of cavity of the sealed process chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Aaron L. Dingus, Arthur W. Custer, III, Henry J. Poole, Nader Jamshidi
  • Patent number: 8950470
    Abstract: Preferably, obtaining internal and external thermal measurement values of a sealed process chamber allows a control system to generate a control signal based on a comparison of the internal and external thermal measurement values to the predetermined value. The control signal is provided to a fluid handling system, wherein the fluid handling system modulates flow of a first fluid around the exterior of the sealed process chamber. The control signal is further provided to a closed loop heat exchange system, wherein the closed loop heat exchange system modulates flow of a second fluid within an interior cavity of the sealed process chamber based on the control signal. The control signal is still further provided to an open loop heat exchange system, wherein the open loop heat exchange system modulates flow of a third fluid within the interior of cavity of the sealed process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Poole Ventura, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Aaron L. Dingus, Arthur W. Custer, III, Henry J. Poole, Nader Jamshidi
  • Publication number: 20140246313
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus that includes at least a target presented as an inner surface of a confinement structure, the inner surface of the confinement structure is preferably an internal wall of a circular tube. A cathode is disposed adjacent the internal wall of the circular tube. The cathode preferably provides a hollow core, within which a magnetron is disposed. Preferably, an actuator is attached to the magnetron, wherein a position of the magnetron within the hollow core is altered upon activation of the actuator. Additionally, a carriage supporting the cathode and communicating with the target is preferably provided, and a cable bundle interacting with the cathode and linked to a cable bundle take up mechanism provided power and coolant to the cathode, magnetron, actuator and an anode of the sputtering apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: POOLE VENTURA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Henry J. Poole, Arthur W. Custer, III, Ady Hershcovitch
  • Publication number: 20140246311
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus that includes at least a target presented as an inner surface of a confinement structure, the inner surface of the confinement structure is preferably an internal wall of a circular tube. A cathode is disposed adjacent the internal wall of the circular tube. The cathode preferably provides a hollow core, within which a magnetron is disposed. Preferably, an actuator is attached to the magnetron, wherein a position of the magnetron within the hollow core is altered upon activation of the actuator. Additionally, a carriage supporting the cathode and communicating with the target is preferably provided, and a cable bundle interacting with the cathode and linked to a cable bundle take up mechanism provides power and coolant to the cathode, magnetron, actuator and an anode of the sputtering apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Henry J. Poole, Arthur W. Custer, III, Nader Jamshidi, Ady Hershcovitch
  • Publication number: 20120168143
    Abstract: Preferably, a frame supporting a containment chamber, a sealed process chamber confined within the containment chamber, a heat source module disposed between the containment chamber and the process chamber, and a fluid inlet box with a flow adjustment structure, the fluid inlet box in fluidic communication with an exterior of the sealed process chamber, the flow adjustment structure controls fluid flow around the exterior of the sealed process chamber. Preferentially, a thermal sensor is disposed within and contactingly adjacent a wall of the sealed thermal chamber, the thermal sensor measures an internal temperature value of the sealed process chamber, and a controller communicating with the flow adjustment structure and the thermal sensor, the controller sets a flow position of the flow adjustment structure to regulate fluid flow through the fluid inlet box, and around the exterior of the sealed process chamber in response to the measured internal temperature value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: POOLE VENTURA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Henry J. Poole, Nader Jamshidi, Arthur W. Custer, III, Aaron L. Dingus
  • Publication number: 20120168144
    Abstract: Preferably, obtaining internal and external thermal measurement values of a sealed process chamber allows a control system to generate a control signal based on a comparison of the internal and external thermal measurement values to the predetermined value. The control signal is provided to a fluid handling system, wherein the fluid handling system modulates flow of a first fluid around the exterior of the sealed process chamber. The control signal is further provided to a closed loop heat exchange system, wherein the closed loop heat exchange system modulates flow of a second fluid within an interior cavity of the sealed process chamber based on the control signal. The control signal is still further provided to an open loop heat exchange system, wherein the open loop heat exchange system modulates flow of a third fluid within the interior of cavity of the sealed process chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: POOLE VENTURA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Aaron L. Dingus, Arthur W. Custer, III, Henry J. Poole, Nader Jamshidi
  • Patent number: 8097085
    Abstract: A frame supporting a containment chamber, the containment chamber is preferably configured to enclose and confine a process chamber. A heat source module is disposed between the containment chamber and the process chamber, while a thermal regulation cavity is maintained between the heat source module and the process chamber. Preferably, at least one fluid inlet box is in fluidic communication with the thermal regulation cavity, in which the fluid inlet box provides a plate valve that mitigates the flow of fluids from the thermal regulation cavity through the fluid inlet box and to an environment external to the thermal regulation cavity. Additionally, the preferred fluid inlet box further includes a flow adjustment structure interacting with the plate valve to control fluid flow from the environment external to the thermal regulation cavity past the plate valve and into thermal regulation cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Poole Ventura, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Aaron L. Dingus, Arthur W. Custer, III, Henry J. Poole, Nader Jamshidi
  • Publication number: 20110254228
    Abstract: A process chamber that provides an interior surface and an exterior surface is confined within a containment chamber. Secured to the containment chamber is a collar that communicates with the process chamber. A seal formed between the process chamber and the collar, includes at least an adjustable backing ring encircling the exterior surface of the process chamber, a preload ring secured to the collar, and a sealing structure encircling the process chamber and positioned between the adjustable backing ring and the preload ring. The adjustable backing ring is adjustably secured a predetermined distance from the preload ring, based on a perimeter dimension of the process chamber, to form the seal between the process chamber and the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: POOLE VENTURA, INC.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Custer, III, Henry J. Poole, Mark R. Erickson, Nader Jamshidi, Aaron L. Dingus
  • Publication number: 20110249960
    Abstract: A frame supporting a containment chamber, the containment chamber is preferably configured to enclose and confine a process chamber. A heat source module is disposed between the containment chamber and the process chamber, while a collar communicates with the process chamber and is secured to the process chamber. Preferably, a heat source door is in fluidic communication with the process chamber, and includes at least a top hat section secured to a main body portion, an over center latch secured to the top hat section and interacting with the collar, the over center latch mitigates an inadvertent opening of the process chamber, and a lamp feed-through is preferably secured to the main body portion and supports a heat source device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: POOLE VENTURA, INC.
    Inventors: Henry J. Poole, Mark R. Erickson, Nader Jamshidi, Aaron L. Dingus, Arthur W. Custer, III
  • Publication number: 20110143297
    Abstract: A frame supporting a containment chamber, the containment chamber is preferably configured to enclose and confine a process chamber. A heat source module is disposed between the containment chamber and the process chamber, while a thermal regulation cavity is maintained between the heat source module and the process chamber. Preferably, at least one fluid inlet box is in fluidic communication with the thermal regulation cavity, in which the fluid inlet box provides a plate valve that mitigates the flow of fluids from the thermal regulation cavity through the fluid inlet box and to an environment external to the thermal regulation cavity. Additionally, the preferred fluid inlet box further includes a flow adjustment structure interacting with the plate valve to control fluid flow from the environment external to the thermal regulation cavity past the plate valve and into thermal regulation cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: POOLE VENTURA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, Aaron L. Dingus, Arthur W. Custer, III, Henry J. Poole, Nader Jamshidi
  • Patent number: 5217296
    Abstract: A solar powered light adapted to be mounted under the eaves of a building, a wall or the like for use in security applications. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solar powered light comprises an adjustable configuration having a lamp with an infrared detector or sensor rotatably mounted thereto and a photovoltaic or solar cell array rotatably disposed at a remote end of an extension arm movably attached to the lamp. Such a flexible arrangement allows the photovoltaic array to be positioned to receive direct sunlight. The sensor activates the solar powered light upon sensing infrared to illuminate the surrounding areas when a presence is sensed and turn it off when a presence is no longer sensed. In accordance with a second embodiment, the solar powered light does not include an infrared detector and provides continuous illumination for a given period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries, L.P.
    Inventors: David P. Tanner, John S. Frost, Mark R. Erickson, Fred A. Moore
  • Patent number: 5211470
    Abstract: A self-contained solar powered marking light. The marking light may be utilized to delineate certain predetermined boundaries without effectively illuminating the areas. The marking light automatically illuminates when output power from the photovoltaic cells contained therein fall below a predetermined level and automatically extinguishes when the voltage from the photovoltaic cells reaches a predetermined level. The marking light includes a lens which is closely coupled to a source of light and which includes a textured surface for diffusing the light to cause the lens to appear to glow when the source of light is illuminated. An electrical circuit is coupled between the photovoltaic cells and a battery and includes the source of light and switching means for automatically illuminating the light dependent upon the relative relationship between the voltage of the photovoltaic cells and the battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries, L.P.
    Inventors: John S. Frost, Mark R. Erickson, Kimberly E. Seegan, Brent P. Boyer
  • Patent number: 5155668
    Abstract: A solar powered lamp utilizing cold cathode fluoresecent illumination and means for facilitating same. The solar powered lamp is powered through the utilization of photovoltaic cells which charge a battery for providing power to a cold cathode fluorescent bulb in the absence of sunlight. The cold cathode fluorescent bulb provides increased illumination and a longer lamp life. The solar powered lamp comprises circuitry for converting the low power provided by the battery into an alternating current voltage sufficient to operate the cold cathode fluorescent bulb in order to facilitate a longer lamp life and provide increased illumination. In a preferred embodiment, a lens configured with vertically disposed ribs about its inner surface is disposed about the cold cathode fluorescent lamp, which is vertically disposed within the lamp, to further enhance illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries L.P.
    Inventors: David P. Tanner, Mark R. Erickson, John S. Frost
  • Patent number: 5065291
    Abstract: A self-contained solar powered marking light. The marking light may be utilized to delineate certain predetermined boundaries without effectively illuminating the areas. The marking light automatically illuminates when output power from the photovoltaic cells contained therein fall below a predetermined level and automatically extinguishes when the voltage from the photovoltaic cells reaches a predetermined level. The marking light includes a lens which is closely coupled to a source of light and which includes a textured surface for diffusing the light to cause the lens to appear to glow when the source of light is illuminated. An electrical circuit is coupled between the photovoltaic cells and a battery and includes the source of light and switching means for automatically illuminating the light dependent upon the relative relationship between the voltage of the photovoltaic cells and the battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: John S. Frost, Mark R. Erickson, Kimberly E. Seegan, Brent P. Boyer
  • Patent number: 5062028
    Abstract: A self-contained photovoltaic powered light which is a stand alone unit. The solar cells which power the light are assembled and maintained within the top, or upper, portion of the self-contained unit. The solar cells are encapsulated within a resiliently deformable material to provide for contraction and expansion of the solar cells while at the same time providing protection from the elements for the assembly. A component tray assembly is rotationally secured to the upper portion of the lamp and a lens with decorative disks are rotationally secured to the component tray assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: John S. Frost, Lloyd V. Wallace, Mark R. Erickson, Bethanne Felder
  • Patent number: 4975816
    Abstract: A lens for use in a stand alone lamp utilizing low wattage light bulbs. The lamp is powered through the utilization of photovoltaic cells which charge a battery which then provides power to the bulb in the absence of the sun. The lens is constructed of a hollow body having horizontally disposed ribs formed on the exterior surface thereof with a clear, unobstructed lower portion closing the bottom of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries
    Inventors: John S. Frost, Mark R. Erickson, Kimberly E. Seegan, Bethanne Felder, Lloyd V. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4536847
    Abstract: An improvement in a system and method of controlling a body to maximize the amount of solar energy received by a collector by moving the body in azimuth and elevation by respective DC motors having connected therewith ring magnets and Hall Effect Devices for signalling the degrees, or steps of rotation. The at least one body may be a collector, per se, or a plurality of heliostats in an array reflecting onto a central collector. A central computer calculates a commanded position for particular time of particular day for the particular location of the body. A microprocessor incorporating respective software and hardware then calculates the position for the heliostat to be in terms of the number of signals from the Hall Effect Device, compares the number of signals from the Hall Effect Device once the motors are energized in, respectively, azimuth and elevation and runs to the commanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Erickson, James A. Kaehler