Patents by Inventor Michael Hollopeter

Michael Hollopeter 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: 11872088
    Abstract: A surgical light head and proximity detection method includes a housing, a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the housing and configured to direct light at a target region of interest, and a plurality of distance sensors arranged in the housing. At least two of the distance sensors have field of views that overlap to define a common detection region of interest and the common detection region of interest at least partially overlaps with the target region of interest. The light head may have a plurality of integrally formed tilted seats that position the distance sensors relative to a center line of focus of the surgical light head. The distance sensors may be integrated in the housing via an optical component that is sealed relative to the housing and covers the distance sensor while enabling transmission and receipt of distance sensing signals therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: David A. Westenfelder, II, Jill A. Sanders, Michael Hollopeter, Joseph James Groszek, David Jesurun, Ian Hugh Cook
  • Publication number: 20230408074
    Abstract: A handle assembly for an accessory of a medical device support system. The handle assembly includes a handle, an interface device, a conductive coating, and a connector. The interface device is in an outer surface of a generally tubular section of a handle housing of the handle and is configured to receive an input or transmit an output associated with the medical device support system. The conductive coating is on the inner surface of the generally tubular section and is configured to transmit one or more of power, ground, control signals, and communication signals corresponding to the input or the output of the interface device. The connector is connected to the conductive coating and is configured to transmit the one or more of the power, ground, control signals, and communication signals from the conductive coating to another part of the accessory and/or the medical device support system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Purushottam Parajuli, Michael Hollopeter, Steven H. Rus
  • Publication number: 20230355343
    Abstract: A sterilizable cover for a handle of an accessory of a medical suspended ceiling assembly includes a generally tubular stem portion and an annular flange portion. The generally tubular stem portion has a sufficient size to be gripped by the human hand, and has a proximal end that is open and a distal end that is closed, and defines a cavity along a longitudinal axis for receipt therein of a handle grip portion. The generally tubular stem portion includes a friction fit portion that is configured to flex radially outwardly to create a friction fit with a portion of the handle grip portion upon receipt of the handle grip portion in the cavity of the generally tubular stem portion. The annular flange portion extends radially outwardly from a proximal end of the generally tubular stem portion. The generally tubular stem portion and the annular flange portion are a single continuous piece of flexible silicone rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, David A. Westenfelder, II
  • Patent number: 11793593
    Abstract: Embodiments include a lighting assembly includes an elongate gasket body formed of a resilient, optically transmissive material. The gasket body includes a light source cavity at least partially defined by a light transmission portion and an attachment channel configured to attach the gasket body to a mount. A light source is disposed in the light source cavity. Other embodiments include securement ring including a clamp portion and a lighting assembly portion. The clamp portion includes first and second segments, each being semiannular in shape and curving between first and second ends, the first end of the first segment coupled to the second end of the second segment and the second end of the first segment coupled to the first end of the second segment to collectively form an aperture. The lighting assembly portion includes a first and second segments, each being semiannular in shape and including a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Lance Clark Bellows, Bernard John Moss, Michael Hollopeter, Joseph James Groszek
  • Patent number: 11703197
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light transmissive substrate extending along a length and including a light emission portion including opposed first and second major surfaces spaced apart from one another in a thickness direction, an inner edge surface extending between the first and second major surfaces in the thickness direction, and an outer edge surface opposed the inner edge surface and extending in the thickness direction. An extension portion extends from the light emission portion proximate the second major surface in the thickness direction. A light source is attached to the extension portion. A light head includes a housing, a primary light source attached to the housing, and the lighting assembly as an auxiliary lighting assembly. The housing includes a channel in which the auxiliary lighting assembly is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: David A. Westenfelder, II, Michael Hollopeter, Jill A. Sanders, Martin R. Kraig
  • Publication number: 20230180368
    Abstract: A device and method for operating a lighting system varies a characteristic of visible light emitted by a first lighthead according to a predefined profile, and fixes a characteristic of visible light emitted by a second lighthead. A light sensor configured to view a focal area of the second lighthead detects a characteristic of visible light on a target surface over a period of time, and the characteristic of the light detected by the light sensor over the period of time is compared to the characteristic of light defined in the predetermined profile. A mode of operation of the first and second lighthead is determined based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, Benjamin Yoder
  • Patent number: 11659642
    Abstract: A device and method for operating a lighting system varies a characteristic of visible light emitted by a first lighthead according to a predefined profile, and fixes a characteristic of visible light emitted by a second lighthead. A light sensor configured to view a focal area of the second lighthead detects a characteristic of visible light on a target surface over a period of time, and the characteristic of the light detected by the light sensor over the period of time is compared to the characteristic of light defined in the predetermined profile. A mode of operation of the first and second lighthead is determined based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, Benjamin Yoder
  • Patent number: 11484382
    Abstract: A system for identification of abnormalities related to illumination of a target and automatic compensation therefor includes a lighthead and a controller. The lighthead is configured to illuminate the target. The lighthead includes a plurality of lighting modules configured to emit light therefrom. Each of the lighting modules includes a distance sensor configured to measure a distance from the lighting module to a surface toward which the lighting module is pointed. The controller is configured to identify one or more abnormalities of the measured distances, determine a true distance from the lighthead to the target based on the measured distances, predict an amount of illumination based on the true distance that would be supplied to the target without the identified abnormalities, and compensate for the identified abnormalities by respectively adjusting an amount of light emitted from the lighting modules to illuminate the target according to the predicted amount of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, Ian Hugh Cook
  • Publication number: 20220168064
    Abstract: Embodiments include a lighting assembly includes an elongate gasket body formed of a resilient, optically transmissive material. The gasket body includes a light source cavity at least partially defined by a light transmission portion and an attachment channel configured to attach the gasket body to a mount. A light source is disposed in the light source cavity. Other embodiments include securement ring including a clamp portion and a lighting assembly portion. The clamp portion includes first and second segments, each being semiannular in shape and curving between first and second ends, the first end of the first segment coupled to the second end of the second segment and the second end of the first segment coupled to the first end of the second segment to collectively form an aperture. The lighting assembly portion includes a first and second segments, each being semiannular in shape and including a light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Lance Clark BELLOWS, Bernard John MOSS, Michael HOLLOPETER, Joseph James GROSZEK
  • Publication number: 20220133431
    Abstract: A load balancing arm for a medical device support system includes a proximal hub, a support arm, a link, and a distal end vertical block. The components together may form a four bar linkage. The proximal hub is configured for pivotable movement about an axis P-P. The distal hub is configured to support a medical device load for pivotable movement about an axis D-D. The distal hub is mounted to the distal end vertical block for pivotable movement between a first position in which the axis D-D is at a first angle relative to the axis P-P and a second position in which the axis D-D is at a second angle relative to the axis P-P, wherein the first angle is different than the second angle. A parallelism adjustment mechanism enables the axis D-D to be adjusted so as to be substantially parallel to the axis P-P.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Lance Bellows, Michael Hollopeter, Martin Kraig, Brad Lachmeier, Jerime Pichler, Nicholas Puterbaugh, David Westenfelder, Robert Chavez
  • Publication number: 20210236231
    Abstract: A surgical light head and proximity detection method includes a housing, a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the housing and configured to direct light at a target region of interest, and a plurality of distance sensors arranged in the housing. At least two of the distance sensors have field of views that overlap to define a common detection region of interest and the common detection region of interest at least partially overlaps with the target region of interest. The light head may have a plurality of integrally formed tilted seats that position the distance sensors relative to a center line of focus of the surgical light head. The distance sensors may be integrated in the housing via an optical component that is sealed relative to the housing and covers the distance sensor while enabling transmission and receipt of distance sensing signals therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: David A. Westenfelder, II, Jill A. Sanders, Michael Hollopeter, Joseph James Groszek, David Jesurun, Ian Hugh Cook
  • Publication number: 20210239281
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light transmissive substrate extending along a length and including a light emission portion including opposed first and second major surfaces spaced apart from one another in a thickness direction, an inner edge surface extending between the first and second major surfaces in the thickness direction, and an outer edge surface opposed the inner edge surface and extending in the thickness direction. An extension portion extends from the light emission portion proximate the second major surface in the thickness direction. A light source is attached to the extension portion. A light head includes a housing, a primary light source attached to the housing, and the lighting assembly as an auxiliary lighting assembly. The housing includes a channel in which the auxiliary lighting assembly is retained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: David A. Westenfelder, II, Michael Hollopeter, Jill A. Sanders, Martin R. Kraig
  • Patent number: 11039899
    Abstract: A sterile field encroachment indicator apparatus for a surgical lighting system includes one or more encroachment indicators, one or more sensor units, and one or more controllers. The encroachment indicators are configured to indicate encroachment of a predetermined proximity to a surgical lighthead by a foreign entity and contact of the encroaching foreign entity with the surgical lighthead. The surgical lighthead is configured to provide illumination in order to illuminate a surgical environment. The sensor units are positioned in the surgical lighthead, and are configured to sense proximity of the foreign entity to the surgical lighthead and the contact of the encroaching foreign entity with the surgical lighthead. The controllers are configured to control the encroachment indicators based on the sensed proximity of the foreign entity to the surgical lighthead and the sensed contact of the foreign entity with the surgical lighthead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, Lena T. Fogle
  • Patent number: 11006894
    Abstract: A method is provided for continuously monitoring pressure ulcer risk for a patient positioned on a support surface. The support surface has an associated pressure sensing device for sensing instantaneous pressure at the support surface. The method includes acquiring pressure data from the pressure sensing device to generate a two-dimensional instantaneous pressure (IP) map indicative of instantaneous pressure at locations of the support surface. The method further includes acquiring a body position model using the two-dimensional IP map, where the body position model includes body parts that are respectively mapped to locations on a pressure ulcer risk map. An accumulated risk is determined in associated with each body part. The pressure ulcer risk map is displayed in accordance with the accumulated risk. Further, a current body position model is compared to a previous body position model to detect a position change of the patient on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, Richard P. Nardo, Sohrab Soltani
  • Patent number: 10966796
    Abstract: Embodiments include a lighting assembly includes an elongate gasket body formed of a resilient, optically transmissive material. The gasket body includes a light source cavity at least partially defined by a light transmission portion and an attachment channel configured to attach the gasket body to a mount. A light source is disposed in the light source cavity. Other embodiments include securement ring including a clamp portion and a lighting assembly portion. The clamp portion includes first and second segments, each being semi-annular in shape and curving between first and second ends, the first end of the first segment coupled to the second end of the second segment and the second end of the first segment coupled to the first end of the second segment to collectively form an aperture. The lighting assembly portion includes a first and second segments, each being semi-annular in shape and including a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Lance Clark Bellows, Bernard John Moss, Michael Hollopeter, Joseph James Groszek
  • Publication number: 20200337797
    Abstract: A system for identification of abnormalities related to illumination of a target and automatic compensation therefor includes a lighthead and a controller. The lighthead is configured to illuminate the target. The lighthead includes a plurality of lighting modules configured to emit light therefrom. Each of the lighting modules includes a distance sensor configured to measure a distance from the lighting module to a surface toward which the lighting module is pointed. The controller is configured to identify one or more abnormalities of the measured distances, determine a true distance from the lighthead to the target based on the measured distances, predict an amount of illumination based on the true distance that would be supplied to the target without the identified abnormalities, and compensate for the identified abnormalities by respectively adjusting an amount of light emitted from the lighting modules to illuminate the target according to the predicted amount of illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, Ian Hugh Cook
  • Publication number: 20200315733
    Abstract: Embodiments include a lighting assembly includes an elongate gasket body formed of a resilient, optically transmissive material. The gasket body includes a light source cavity at least partially defined by a light transmission portion and an attachment channel configured to attach the gasket body to a mount. A light source is disposed in the light source cavity. Other embodiments include securement ring including a clamp portion and a lighting assembly portion. The clamp portion includes first and second segments, each being semi-annular in shape and curving between first and second ends, the first end of the first segment coupled to the second end of the second segment and the second end of the first segment coupled to the first end of the second segment to collectively form an aperture. The lighting assembly portion includes a first and second segments, each being semi-annular in shape and including a light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Lance Clark Bellows, Bernard John Moss, Michael Hollopeter, Joseph James Groszek
  • Patent number: 10650988
    Abstract: A handle assembly comprised of a base and a detachable handle that mounts to the base. The base includes integrated electronics, such as switches. The detachable handle includes buttons for activating the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: AMERICAN STERILIZER COMPANY
    Inventors: Jill Sanders, David A. Westenfelder, II, Michael Hollopeter, Lance Clark Bellows
  • Publication number: 20200100860
    Abstract: A sterile field encroachment indicator apparatus for a surgical lighting system includes one or more encroachment indicators, one or more sensor units, and one or more controllers. The encroachment indicators are configured to indicate encroachment of a predetermined proximity to a surgical lighthead by a foreign entity and contact of the encroaching foreign entity with the surgical lighthead. The surgical lighthead is configured to provide illumination in order to illuminate a surgical environment. The sensor units are positioned in the surgical lighthead, and are configured to sense proximity of the foreign entity to the surgical lighthead and the contact of the encroaching foreign entity with the surgical lighthead. The controllers are configured to control the encroachment indicators based on the sensed proximity of the foreign entity to the surgical lighthead and the sensed contact of the foreign entity with the surgical lighthead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, Lena T. Fogle
  • Patent number: D894468
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Hollopeter, Damon Thomas Jurkiewicz