Patents by Inventor Michael Annen

Michael Annen 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: 20070066185
    Abstract: Conformable abrasive article comprising: a backing having a first major surface; a deformable material contacting a central portion of the first major surface; an elastic member affixed to the first major surface of the backing and together with the backing enclosing the deformable material; and an abrasive member affixed to the elastic member, wherein the abrasive member comprises abrasive particles and a binder; and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Felipe, James Schutz, Gregory Koehnle, Michael Annen, Albert Everaerts
  • Publication number: 20060270908
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for illuminating a region of an eye is provided and may include at least one optical fiber in fluid connection with a light source for allowing light to be transmitted to a probe for diffusing light into the region of the eye. The probe be formed from a portion of the at least one optical fiber and may be directly inserted into a portion of the eye so that light is diffused into the eye to illuminate the region. The probe may be secured in a substantially fixed position when the probe is inserted within a portion of the eye such as by a frictional engagement between the diffusing means and the eye. A plurality of probes may be inserted within the eye where each probe may include a substantially tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into the eye. The distal end of each probe is formed with a cutting device to enable the probe to be pressed into the eye with the cutting device forming an aperture through which the optical fiber protrudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: K. Luloh, Michael Annen, Paul Tornambe
  • Patent number: 7060028
    Abstract: A fiber optic endoilluminator surgical instrument for projecting illuminating light into an interior of an eyeball includes a finger grip member and an elongated passageway through the finger grip member. A hollow rigid needle, adapted to penetrate into the interior of the eyeball, slidably extends from one end of the grip member. An optical fiber extends through the needle and the grip member, and a lever is connected to the needle for allowing the needle to be moved to and fro with respect to the grip member for varying the amount of optical fiber exposed at an illumination end portion of the fiber. By covering the illumination end portion with the needle, a spot of illumination is provided for viewing a comparatively smaller portion of the interior of the eyeball. By uncovering the illumination end portion, a flood of illumination is provided for viewing a comparatively larger portion of the interior of the eyeball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Insight Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Peter Luloh, James Dodsworth, Michael Annen
  • Publication number: 20060003307
    Abstract: The invention is a display article having a flexible substrate which includes a writing surface capable of being used as a dry erase surface. A peripheral edge extends around the writing surface. A flexible framing strip is affixed to the writing surface at a position proximate to the peripheral edge. One embodiment of the display article can be made by forming a substrate having a writing surface. The substrate defines a periphery edge, a back surface, and a plurality of mushroom shaped hooks extending from the back surface substantially over the entire back surface. The writing surface is capable of being used as a dry erase surface. At least a portion of the periphery of the writing substrate is folded over to form a framing strip having a plurality of exposed mushroom shaped hooks. The framing strip is secured to the writing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan Hester, Michael Annen, Brent Hansen, Timothy Quinn, John Emmel
  • Publication number: 20050262773
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive product comprised of an open cell foam backing, a foraminous barrier coating and a shaped foraminous abrasive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: James Schutz, Stacee Royce, Michael Annen, Jon Pieper, Jeffrey Sheely
  • Publication number: 20050097824
    Abstract: The invention provides a backing for an abrasive article comprising a sheet-like polymeric substrate having a first major surface including a pattern of non-abrasive raised areas and depressed areas and an opposite second major surface including a plurality of shaped engaging elements that are one part of a two-part mechanical engagement system. An abrasive product is provided by coating at least the raised areas of the backing with an abrasive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Ehrich Braunschweig, Daidre Syverson, Edward Woo, Michael Annen
  • Publication number: 20050020190
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive product comprised of an open cell foam backing, a foraminous barrier coating and a shaped foraminous abrasive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: James Schutz, Stacee Royce, Michael Annen
  • Publication number: 20050020189
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive product comprised of an open cell foam backing, a foraminous barrier coating and a shaped foraminous abrasive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Annen, Jon Pieper, Jeffrey Sheely
  • Publication number: 20040249424
    Abstract: A fiber optic endoilluminator surgical instrument for projecting illuminating light into an interior of an eyeball includes a finger grip member and an elongated passageway through the finger grip member. A hollow rigid needle, adapted to penetrate into the interior of the eyeball, slidably extends from one end of the grip member. An optical fiber extends through the needle and the grip member, and a lever is connected to the needle for allowing the needle to be moved to and fro with respect to the grip member for varying the amount of optical fiber exposed at an illumination end portion of the fiber. By covering the illumination end portion with the needle, a spot of illumination is provided for viewing a comparatively smaller portion of the interior of the eyeball. By uncovering the illumination end portion, a flood of illumination is provided for viewing a comparatively larger portion of the interior of the eyeball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: K. Peter Luloh, James Dodsworth, Michael Annen
  • Patent number: 6743168
    Abstract: An endoscope for eye surgery incorporates a handle having a camera and an electric motor driven lens assembly for enabling a user to focus the camera during surgery without manually adjusting the focus. The endoscope includes a probe attached by a rotatable bayonet type connector with a simple pivoting lever to release the probe from the handle. The motor drive system incorporates spring biasing to compensate for overruns of a drive nut on a lead screw when the user attempts to exceed the focal range of the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Insight Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Peter Luloh, Michael Annen
  • Publication number: 20030214629
    Abstract: A lens system and method for use in eye surgery and diagnostics in combination with a microscope is provided. The lens system includes a lens having a variable field curvature, so that the concave surface of a fundus of the eye is in focus for substantilly the full extent of a retina. The lens system also provides a lens adapted to compensate for optical properties of eye components in an image space. A method for designing a wide angle lens system for use in combination with a microscope for eye surgery includes defining a number of eye components having optical properties as surfaces in the lens system and calculating a wide angle lens design based on a desired field of view and the surfaces defined from the plurality of eye features modeled as optical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: K. Peter Luloh, Michael Annen
  • Publication number: 20030169603
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for illuminating a region of an eye is provided and may include at least one optical fiber in fluid connection with a light source for allowing light to be transmitted to a probe for diffusing light into the region of the eye. The probe be formed from a portion of the at least one optical fiber and may be directly inserted into a portion of the eye so that light is diffused into the eye to illuminate the region. The probe may be secured in a substantially fixed position when the probe is inserted within a portion of the eye such as by a frictional engagement between the diffusing means and the eye. A plurality of probes may be inserted within the eye where each probe may include a substantially tapered distal end to facilitate insertion into the eye. The distal end of each probe may be formed in different shapes or may include an optical lens for diffusing light into the eye for illuminating the region of the eye during a surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: K. Peter Luloh, Michael Annen, Paul Tornambe, Frank H.J. Koch
  • Publication number: 20020161279
    Abstract: An endoscope for eye surgery incorporates a handle having a camera and an electric motor driven lens assembly for enabling a user to focus the camera during surgery without manually adjusting the focus. The endoscope includes a probe attached by a rotatable bayonet type connector with a simple pivoting lever to release the probe from the handle. The motor drive system incorporates spring biasing to compensate for overruns of a drive nut on a lead screw when the user attempts to exceed the focal range of the lens assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: K. Peter Luloh, Michael Annen