Patents by Inventor Michael A. Connor

Michael A. Connor 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: 20140294159
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Eugene A. GREGERSON, Russell STANTON, Michael ALLEN, Michael CONNOR, Scott COPPEN
  • Publication number: 20140275953
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a first portion and a second portion that translates and/or rotates with respect to the first portion. A first locking mechanism may prevent the second portion from translating with respect to the first portion, such as during transport of the system. A second locking mechanism may prevent the second portion from rotating with respect to the first portion, such as during transport and/or during an imaging scan. Further embodiments include a cable management system between the first and second portions, a spherically-shaped surface of a support gimbal and a user interface device for an imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene GREGERSON, Russell STANTON, Paul SEBRING, Michael CONNOR, Robert POWELL
  • Patent number: 8770839
    Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, which can be a mobile or stationary surgical CT imaging system or an MRI system, comprises an internal airflow cooling system that includes an air intake opening and an air outtake opening that are positioned near the ground and direct air flow away from the sterile surgical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mobius Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Russell Stanton, Michael Allen, Michael Connor, Scott Coppen
  • Patent number: 8753009
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Mobius Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Russell Stanton, Michael Allen, Michael Connor, Scott Coppen
  • Publication number: 20140139215
    Abstract: An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. GREGERSON, Russell STANTON, Michael CONNOR, Michael ALLEN, Paul SEBRING, Robert POWELL
  • Publication number: 20140050303
    Abstract: A system and a method for acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system is provided. The system can include a gantry that completely annularly encompasses at least a portion of the subject, which can be positioned along at an isocenter of the imaging system. The system can include a source and a detector positioned within and movable relative to the gantry on a rotor. The system can include a move control module that sets move data for each of the source, detector and rotor that causes the source, detector and rotor to move in a desired motion profile to acquire image data of a portion of the subject off the isocenter of the imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. HELM, Michael Connor, Russell Stanton, Norbert Johnson, Eugene A. Gregerson
  • Patent number: 8641690
    Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of external hemorrhaging has a panel for applying pressure to an absorbent pad and a wound on a body part. The panel has a central portion located between first and second arms which extend outwardly and in transversely opposed directions from the central portion. The apparatus includes a strap which is attached to the first arm at or near a first strap end, and is releasably attachable to the second arm at an attachment region of the strap spaced apart from the first strap end. When the panel is strapped to the body part, the tension in the strap pulls on and elastically deforms the first and second arms of the panel inwardly toward the body part, and applies localized pressure to the pad and wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micheal Connor Fitzpatrick
    Inventors: Michael Connor Fitzpatrick, Robert Colin Adamson
  • Publication number: 20130343509
    Abstract: Imaging systems having multiple radiation sources, such as x-ray sources, and multiple radiation detectors, such as flat-panel x-ray detectors and/or diagnostic-quality CT detectors, housed within an imaging gantry, for obtaining simultaneous images of an object positioned within a bore of the gantry in multiple imaging planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Russell Stanton, Michael Connor, Michael Allen, Paul Sebring, Robert Powell, Scott Coppen
  • Publication number: 20130343507
    Abstract: A detector system for an imaging system includes an airflow cooling system. The detector system includes a detector chassis, a duct extending along the length of the chassis, and a manifold that couples the duct to the interior of the chassis. A vacuum source, such as a suction fan, is coupled to the duct and generates a vacuum force within the duct. The chassis includes a plurality of inlet openings, with an airflow path being defined through the interior of the chassis between the inlet openings and the manifold. The suction fan pulls cooling air through the inlet openings, through the chassis and manifold to the duct, and then expels the air through an exhaust opening The airflow is directed into thermal contact with detector elements and associated electronics in the detector chassis to provide cooling of these components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Paul Sebring, Russell Stanton, Michael Connor, Michael Allen, Scott Coppen
  • Patent number: 8562211
    Abstract: A system and a method for acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system is provided. The system can include a gantry that completely annularly encompasses at least a portion of the subject, which can be positioned along at an isocenter of the imaging system. The system can include a source and a detector positioned within and movable relative to the gantry on a rotor. The system can include a move control module that sets move data for each of the source, detector and rotor that causes the source, detector and rotor to move in a desired motion profile to acquire image data of a portion of the subject off the isocenter of the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Helm, Michael Connor, Russell Stanton, Norbert Johnson, Gene Gregerson
  • Patent number: 8559074
    Abstract: An illumination device for an image capture system according to one example embodiment includes an integrating light pipe having an input face and an output face. The integrating light pipe is positioned to receive light from a light source at the input face and transmit the light at the output face. A projection element is positioned to focus the light from the output face to a document plane to be imaged by an image sensor. A uniformity correction device is positioned to attenuate the light from the output face so that the light has a substantially uniform intensity at the image sensor and a less uniform intensity at the document plane than at the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan Keniston, Paul Scott Nicholas Sherrill, Mark Eric Miller, William Michael Connors, Kevin Garcia
  • Patent number: 8386469
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method and system for processing a query may include receiving a query from a user device; categorizing the query to identify one or more content sources; formatting the query according to one or more content source specifics for the one or more content sources; transmitting the formatted query for the one or more content sources to the one or more content sources; merging results in response to the formatted query from the one or more content sources based at least in part on one or more factors; and formatting the results for delivering to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mobile Content Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Phyllis Reuther, David Kurtz, Michael Connor
  • Patent number: 8352462
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method and system for processing a query may include receiving a query from a user device; categorizing the query to identify one or more content sources; formatting the query according to one or more content source specifics for the one or more content sources; transmitting the formatted query for the one or more content sources to the one or more content sources; merging results in response to the formatted query from the one or more content sources based at least in part on one or more factors; and formatting the results for delivering to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mobile Content Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Phyllis Reuther, David Kurtz, Michael Connor
  • Publication number: 20120256099
    Abstract: A mobile diagnostic imaging system includes a battery system and charging system. The battery system is located in the rotating portion of the imaging system, and includes one or more battery packs, comprising electrochemical cells. Each battery pack includes a control circuit that controls the state of charge of each of the electrochemical cells, and implements a control scheme that causes the electrochemical cells to have a similar charge state. The battery system communicates with a charging system on the non-rotating portion to terminate charge when one or more of the electrochemical cells reach a full state of charge. The imaging system also includes a docking system that electrically connects the charging system to the battery system during charging and temporarily electrically disconnects the rotating and non-rotating portions during imaging, a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating portion relative to the non-rotating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. GREGERSON, Michael Connor, Michael Allen, Paul Sebring, Robert Powell, Russell Stanton, Scott Coppen
  • Publication number: 20120257371
    Abstract: An illumination device for an image capture system according to one example embodiment includes an integrating light pipe having an input face and an output face. The integrating light pipe is positioned to receive light from a light source at the input face and transmit the light at the output face. A projection element is positioned to focus the light from the output face to a document plane to be imaged by an image sensor. A uniformity correction device is positioned to attenuate the light from the output face so that the light has a substantially uniform intensity at the image sensor and a less uniform intensity at the document plane than at the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: MATTHEW RYAN KENISTON, Paul Scott Nicholas Sherrill, Mark Eric Miller, William Michael Connors
  • Publication number: 20120250818
    Abstract: A system and a method for acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system is provided. The system can include a gantry that completely annularly encompasses at least a portion of the subject, which can be positioned along at an isocenter of the imaging system. The system can include a source and a detector positioned within and movable relative to the gantry on a rotor. The system can include a move control module that sets move data for each of the source, detector and rotor that causes the source, detector and rotor to move in a desired motion profile to acquire image data of a portion of the subject off the isocenter of the imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Medtronic Navigation, Inc
    Inventors: Patrick A. Helm, Michael Connor, Russell Stanton, Norbert Johnson, Gene Gregerson
  • Publication number: 20120244589
    Abstract: The present disclosure identifies methods and compositions for modifying photoautotrophic organisms as hosts, such that the organisms efficiently convert inorganic carbon and light into n-alkanes, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of n-alkanes and related molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: JOULE UNLIMITED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dan Eric Robertson, Christian Perry Ridley, Nikos Basil Reppas, Jacob Carter Harrison, Michael Connor, Frank Anthony Skraly
  • Publication number: 20110228910
    Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, which can be a mobile or stationary surgical CT imaging system or an MRI system, comprises an internal airflow cooling system that includes an air intake opening and an air outtake opening that are positioned near the ground and direct air flow away from the sterile surgical field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Russell Stanton, Michael Allen, Michael Connor, Scott Coppen
  • Publication number: 20110222667
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Russell Stanton, Michael Allen, Michael Connor, Scott Coppen
  • Patent number: 8011309
    Abstract: The invention provides an innovative yet straightforward approach to driving the seed distribution system in planters which feature hinged winged extensions. The flexibility of the hinged winged extensions may allow the planter to adjust to the contours of a field and to fold to facilitate transport of the planter. In one embodiment, for example, the invention may provide a mechanical coupling between several sections of a seed drive shaft which may support and be driven by a hydraulic motor for each of the winged sections. The seed drive system may also be coupled to row units to synchronize and power the distribution of seeds by the planter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Jaime, Michael Connors, Leonard A. Bettin, Rodney Samuel Horn