Patents by Inventor Michael A. Higgins
Michael A. Higgins 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).
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Publication number: 20140235974Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a blood analyte sensing system (10) that includes an integral calibrant concentration measurement system. The blood analyte sensing system includes a blood sensor (22), a calibration system and the calibrant concentration measurement system. The calibrant concentration measurement system is connected in communication with both the calibration system and the blood sensor. The calibration concentration measurement system includes a calibrant sensor (20) configured to measure a calibrant concentration in response to exposure to the calibrant. The calibration concentration measurement system is also configured to determine the analyte concentration of the patient's blood using the calibrant concentration, calibration signal and the blood signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Edward Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Michael Higgins, Jennifer L. Wilbur, Paul S. Van Wieren
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Publication number: 20140235984Abstract: The present invention provides a blood parameter sensing system that may include a sensor, a blood access system, a flow controller and a monitor system. The blood access system may include a blood draw member having an internal configuration adapted to avoid clotting without the use of anticoagulants and under a range of flow profiles, including small volume blood draws. The flow controller may be configured to adapt to a range of access devices by using feedback from the sensor and monitor to customize flow profiles. The monitor system is configured to reduce parameter measurement error by modeling sensitivity change during system startup or reconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Jennifer L. Wilbur, Michael Higgins, Paul S. Van Wieren, Alexander H. Siemons, Chris J. Okos
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Publication number: 20140221911Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensor system that includes a blood access device, a flow controller, and an analyte sensor. The system is configured to flush or draw a volume of fluid through the blood access device at least once; determine a signal-time history corresponding to signals received from the sensor; determine a duration of a portion of the signal-time history; determine whether the duration is greater than a predetermined threshold value; and detect the occlusion in the blood access device when the duration is greater than the predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Paul S. Van Wieren, Michael Higgins
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Publication number: 20140200927Abstract: A system and method for evaluating an insurable risk and providing an immediate, binding insurance offer to cover that risk, includes the collection of self-reported and objective information relating to the risk. The information is provided to an automated underwriting program that evaluates and rates the insurable risk and produces a binding insurance quote. Certain embodiments of the system and method utilize an automated application form and information gathering apparatus to collect the self-reported information. Objective information is obtained by a variety of means, including the direct measurement of certain physical and medical parameters. Certain embodiments may provide for the collection of information relating to payment for the insurance product, and the obtaining of an electronic signature from an applicant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: SWISS REINSURANCE COMPANYInventor: G. Michael HIGGINS
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Patent number: 8725540Abstract: A system and method for evaluating an insurable risk and providing an immediate, binding insurance offer to cover that risk, includes the collection of self-reported and objective information relating to the risk. The information is provided to an automated underwriting program that evaluates and rates the insurable risk and produces a binding insurance quote. Certain embodiments of the system and method utilize an automated application form and information gathering apparatus to collect the self-reported information. Objective information is obtained by a variety of means, including the direct measurement of certain physical and medical parameters. Certain embodiments may provide for the collection of information relating to payment for the insurance product, and the obtaining of an electronic signature from an applicant.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd.Inventor: G. Michael Higgins
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Patent number: 8556327Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel housing having sidewalls and an interior wall defining a fuel nozzle receiving volume for receiving a fuel nozzle. A sealing retainer assembly includes a retainer base integrally formed with the fuel housing and a seal member that engages a locking shaft of a fuel door lock system in both unlocked and locked configurations.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Michael Higgins
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Publication number: 20130249234Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel housing having sidewalls and an interior wall defining a fuel nozzle receiving volume for receiving a fuel nozzle. A sealing retainer assembly includes a retainer base integrally formed with the fuel housing and a seal member that engages a locking shaft of a fuel door lock system in both unlocked and locked configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Michael Higgins
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Publication number: 20130228002Abstract: Methods and systems for preparation of calibrant infusion fluid sources are disclosed. In one embodiment, a precise volume of glucose is injected into a saline-solution filled calibrant infusion fluid source proximate in time to conducting a calibration procedure. The glucose concentration in the calibrant infusion fluid source is subsequently calculated based on the measured weight of the saline-solution, as determined prior to glucose injection, and the volume of glucose injected. This method provides a highly accurate and convenient manner for use in a hospital environment, for example, with an intravenous blood glucose sensor system. In another embodiment, a premixed calibrant infusion fluid source is provided that includes saline solution and a predetermined concentration of glucose. In such embodiments, shelf life problems related to water evaporation are mitigated by hermetically covering or otherwise hermetically containing the calibrant infusion fluid source up until the point of use.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: James R. Petisce, Michael Higgins, Kristie P. Trinh, Todd Abraham
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Patent number: 8485216Abstract: In a urine cartridge or wastewater trap, equalized pressures and increased flow rate between its inlet and outlet compartments increases the life of the cartridge. The pressure equalizing is effected by placement of a separator between the two compartments to provide them with substantially equal volumes. The increased flow rate is created by a uniquely configured baffle positioned adjacent a pan at the bottom of the cartridge. The baffle configuration is shaped to provide a constriction that increases the flow velocity of the urine so that the fluid flow effects a channel along the bottom pan and through any solids deposited on the bottom pan. A diverter may be placed above the centrally located entry to the inlet compartment to create a circuitous path for preventing a disturbing impingement of the urine onto the sealant contained in the inlet compartment.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Falcon Waterfree Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Higgins
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Patent number: 8464007Abstract: Various embodiments include fault tolerant memory apparatus, methods, and systems, including a memory manager for supplying read and write requests to a memory device having a plurality of addressable memory locations. The memory manager includes a plurality of banks. Each bank includes a bank queue for storing read and write requests. The memory manager also includes a request arbiter connected to the plurality of banks. The request arbiter removes read and write requests from the bank queues for presentation to the memory device. The request arbiter includes a read phase of operation and a write phase of operation, wherein the request arbiter preferentially selects read requests for servicing during the read phase of operation and preferentially selects write requests for servicing during the write phase of operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Cray Inc.Inventors: Dennis C. Abts, Michael Higgins, Van L. Snyder, Gerald A Schwoerer
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Publication number: 20130075278Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for preparing, maintaining, and stabilizing sensors. The apparatus and methods for preparing sensors for use are utilized in advance of the sensor being removed from a sealed, sterilized package. The apparatus include packaging materials having electrical circuits capable of stabilizing a sensor to prepare the sensor for use. The methods for preparing a sensor for use includes methods of providing a solution to a sterilized packaging that contains a sensor connected to a sensor activating circuit, activating the circuit, and allowing the sensor to stabilize. These methods can be performed without compromising the packaging. The apparatus for stabilizing a sensor that is in use include a circuit connectable to the sensor that provides a signal to the sensor that prevents the sensor from becoming destabilized when disconnected from a monitoring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Michael Higgins, Mark Konno, Todd Fjield
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Patent number: 8348330Abstract: The present invention is a touch sensor assembly for a closing panel of a frame member that at least partially defines an opening and is oppositely disposed from the closing panel. The touch sensor assembly can have an elongated housing dimensioned to attach to a leading edge of the closing panel or a trailing edge of the frame member. The touch sensor assembly can also have a wire harness with a first portion encapsulated within the housing and a second portion that extends a predetermined length from the housing and passes through an aperture in the closing panel or an aperture in the frame member. A wire harness protector is also provided, the protector being attached to the wire harness proximate to the elongated housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Christopher Michael Higgins, Hideki Shimizu, Hironori Koeda, Yoshiteru Taniguichi
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Patent number: 8245087Abstract: Various embodiments include fault tolerant memory apparatus, methods, and systems, including an apparatus comprising a memory device including a plurality of addressable memory locations, and a memory manager coupled to the memory device, the memory manager including a scheduling unit operable to detect a multi-bit error in data read from the memory device, and to retry the read operation in order to distinguish between an intermittent error and a persistent error.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Cray Inc.Inventors: Dennis C. Abts, Michael Higgins, Van L. Snyder
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Publication number: 20110208013Abstract: A system for sensing a physiological parameter in a human or animal, and storing a processed sensing signal at a sensor with which the sensing was performed. The system includes a physiological sensor adapted to output a sensor signal representative of a sensed physiological parameter, for processing by a remote processor. A microcontroller has memory, and is located locally to the sensor and is fixedly attached to or housed together with the sensor. An authentication algorithm is stored in the memory and the microprocessor is configured to engage in an authentication process to authenticate the sensor when queried by a remote processor. The memory is configured to receive and store data representative of a sensed physiological parameter after data from the sensor has been processed by a remote processor. The microcontroller may be configured to communicate with a remote processor over a single wire by, for example, using a single wire protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventors: Luong Ngoc Phan, Steven Backer, Jennifer Wilbur, Michael Higgins
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Publication number: 20110126470Abstract: The present invention is a touch sensor assembly for a closing panel of a frame member that at least partially defines an opening and is oppositely disposed from the closing panel. The touch sensor assembly can have an elongated housing dimensioned to attach to a leading edge of the closing panel or a trailing edge of the frame member. The touch sensor assembly can also have a wire harness with a first portion encapsulated within the housing and a second portion that extends a predetermined length from the housing and passes through an aperture in the closing panel or an aperture in the frame member. A wire harness protector is also provided, the protector being attached to the wire harness proximate to the elongated housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd., Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Christopher Michael Higgins, Hideki Shimizu, Hironori Koeda, Yoshiteru Taniguichi
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Publication number: 20100185897Abstract: Various embodiments include fault tolerant memory apparatus, methods, and systems, including an apparatus comprising a memory device including a plurality of addressable memory locations, and a memory manager coupled to the memory device, the memory manager including a scheduling unit operable to detect a multi-bit error in data read from the memory device, and to retry the read operation in order to distinguish between an intermittent error and a persistent error.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2007Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: Cray Inc.Inventors: Dennis C. Abts, Michael Higgins, Van L. Snyder
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Publication number: 20100024892Abstract: In a urine cartridge or wastewater trap, equalized pressures and increased flow rate between its inlet and outlet compartments increases the life of the cartridge. The pressure equalizing is effected by placement of a separator between the two compartments to provide them with substantially equal volumes. The increased flow rate is created by a uniquely configured baffle positioned adjacent a pan at the bottom of the cartridge. The baffle configuration is shaped to provide a constriction that increases the flow velocity of the urine so that the fluid flow effects a channel along the bottom pan and through any solids deposited on the bottom pan. A diverter may be placed above the centrally located entry to the inlet compartment to create a circuitous path for preventing a disturbing impingement of the urine onto the sealant contained in the inlet compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventor: Michael Higgins
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Publication number: 20090287889Abstract: Various embodiments include fault tolerant memory apparatus, methods, and systems, including a memory manager for supplying read and write requests to a memory device having a plurality of addressable memory locations. The memory manager includes a plurality of banks. Each bank includes a bank queue for storing read and write requests. The memory manager also includes a request arbiter connected to the plurality of banks. The request arbiter removes read and write requests from the bank queues for presentation to the memory device. The request arbiter includes a read phase of operation and a write phase of operation, wherein the request arbiter preferentially selects read requests for servicing during the read phase of operation and preferentially selects write requests for servicing during the write phase of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Dennis C. Abts, Michael Higgins, Van L. Snyder, Gerald A. Schwoerer
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Patent number: D598838Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventors: Robert Jonathan Carr, James Michael Higgins
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Patent number: D623010Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Inventor: Michael Higgins