Patents by Inventor Michael Merchant

Michael Merchant 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: 20190082866
    Abstract: A unitary bedsheet and cover are provided for applying bedding to a mattress. A mattress encasement surrounds the mattress, much like a pillow case and pillow. A flap is provided to cover the opening in the encasement tuck beneath the mattress. A top sheet is attached along a foot end of the mattress encasement. The unitary bedsheet system may have elastic panels to provide a snug fit of the encasement around the mattress. Once installed the sheets of unitary unit do not move or come untucked and the fitted encasement stays tight to the mattress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventor: Terry Michael Merchant
  • Patent number: 9895489
    Abstract: A disposable safety needle assembly and safety enclosure for internally shielding a used or contaminated needle includes a needle assembly having a needle cannula slidably disposed within a safety enclosure. An angular orientation to the needle within the enclosure maintains an insertion angle allowing the safety enclosure to remain substantially flush with a dermal surface during and while the needle is inserted. The safety enclosure also includes an internally disposed flexible safety member. The flexible safety member has face portion transversely situated and having a safety feature disposed to the needle and that slides thereon. Retracting the needle within the safety enclosure to a point wherein the sharp tip of the needle is beyond the needle protection section of the flexible member causes the protection section to travel transversely to the direction of motion of the needle. As a result, the safety feature receives the sharp tip of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Merchant
  • Publication number: 20170056586
    Abstract: A disposable safety needle assembly and safety enclosure for internally shielding a used or contaminated needle includes a needle assembly having a needle cannula slidably disposed within a safety enclosure. An angular orientation to the needle within the enclosure maintains an insertion angle allowing the safety enclosure to remain substantially flush with a dermal surface during and while the needle is inserted. The safety enclosure also includes an internally disposed flexible safety member. The flexible safety member has face portion transversely situated and having a safety feature disposed to the needle and that slides thereon. Retracting the needle within the safety enclosure to a point wherein the sharp tip of the needle is beyond the needle protection section of the flexible member causes the protection section to travel transversely to the direction of motion of the needle. As a result, the safety feature receives the sharp tip of the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Merchant
  • Patent number: 9366157
    Abstract: A lube oil supply system of a turbine system and method of regulating lube oil temperatures. In one embodiment, the system includes a first valve positioned on a lube oil bypass conduit in fluid communication with a lube oil supply line to a heat exchanger. The first valve may be positioned in parallel with the heat exchanger. The system may also include a second valve positioned on a cooling fluid supply line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and a lube oil control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve. The lube oil control system may be configured to modify a position of at least one of the first valve, or the second valve in response to determining a temperature of a lube oil of the lube oil supply line differs from a predetermined lube oil temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Fitzpatrick, Matthew Kenneth King, Jon Michael Merchant, Steven Paul Scarlata
  • Publication number: 20150044036
    Abstract: A lube oil supply system of a turbine system and method of regulating lube oil temperatures. In one embodiment, the system includes a first valve positioned on a lube oil bypass conduit in fluid communication with a lube oil supply line to a heat exchanger. The first valve may be positioned in parallel with the heat exchanger. The system may also include a second valve positioned on a cooling fluid supply line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and a lube oil control system operably connected to the first valve and the second valve. The lube oil control system may be configured to modify a position of at least one of the first valve, or the second valve in response to determining a temperature of a lube oil of the lube oil supply line differs from a predetermined lube oil temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Fitzpatrick, Matthew Kenneth King, Jon Michael Merchant, Steven Paul Scarlata
  • Patent number: 8758991
    Abstract: Methods of isolating membrane vesicles from a biological fluid sample are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise providing a biological fluid sample comprising membrane vesicles; filtering the biological fluid sample through a filtration module comprising a filter having an average pore diameter of between about 0.01 um and about 0.15 um; and collecting from the filtration module a retentate comprising the membrane vesicles, thereby isolating the membrane vesicles from the biological fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Klein, Elias Klein, Michael Merchant
  • Patent number: 8394601
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for diagnosing a kidney disease, or the risk thereof, in a subject. The methods include determining an amount of at least one peptide biomarker disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample with a control level, wherein if the amount determined is different than the control level, the subject is diagnosed as having, or at an increased risk of developing, the kidney disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon B. Klein, Michael Merchant, Grzegorz Boratyn
  • Patent number: 8221352
    Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include a disposable safety needle assembly and safety enclosure for internally shielding a used or contaminated needle. The needle assembly has a needle cannula slidably disposed within a safety enclosure. The safety enclosure includes an internally disposed flexible safety member. The flexible safety member has face portion transversely situated and having a safety feature disposed to the needle and that slides thereon. Retracting the needle within the safety enclosure to a point wherein the sharp tip of the needle is beyond the needle protection section of the flexible member causes the protection section to travel transversely to the direction of motion of the needle. As a result, the safety feature receives the sharp tip of the needle and prevents the needle from exiting the enclosure, thereby maintaining the needle safely after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Merchant
  • Publication number: 20120009606
    Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides methods for diagnosing a kidney disease, or the risk thereof, in a subject. The methods comprise determining an amount of at least one peptide biomarker disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample with a control level, wherein if the amount determined is different than the control level, the subject is diagnosed as having, or at an increased risk of developing, the kidney disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jon B. Klein, Michael Merchant, Grzegorz Boratyn
  • Patent number: 8039227
    Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a kidney disease, or the risk thereof, in a subject are provided. The methods comprise determining an amount of at least one peptide biomarker disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample with a control level, wherein if the amount determined is different than the control level, the subject is diagnosed as having, or at an increased risk of developing, the kidney disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon B. Klein, Michael Merchant, Grzegorz Boratyn
  • Publication number: 20110125056
    Abstract: A disposable safety needle assembly and safety enclosure means for internally shielding a used or contaminated needle is disclosed. The needle assembly has a needle cannula which is disposed and slidably within a safety enclosure. The safety enclosure includes an internally disposed flexible safety member situated substantially longitudinally within said flexible safety member, having a face portion transversely having a safety feature and being disposed to the needle and cooperatively sliding thereon. Retraction of the needle within the safety enclosure to a point wherein the sharp tip of the needle is beyond the needle protection section of the flexible member causes the protection section to travel transversely to the direction of motion of the needle and the safety feature receiving the sharp tip of the needle and preventing it from exiting the enclosure, thereby maintaining the needle safely after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Merchant
  • Publication number: 20090258379
    Abstract: Methods of isolating membrane vesicles from a biological fluid sample are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise providing a biological fluid sample comprising membrane vesicles; filtering the biological fluid sample through a filtration module comprising a filter having an average pore diameter of between about 0.01 um and about 0.15 um; and collecting from the filtration module a retentate comprising the membrane vesicles, thereby isolating the membrane vesicles from the biological fluid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jon Klein, Elias Klein, Michael Merchant
  • Publication number: 20090081713
    Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter provides methods for diagnosing a kidney disease, or the risk thereof, in a subject. The methods comprise determining an amount of at least one peptide biomarker disclosed herein in a biological sample from the subject and comparing the amount of the at least one peptide in the sample with a control level, wherein if the amount determined is different than the control level, the subject is diagnosed as having, or at an increased risk of developing, the kidney disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jon B. Klein, Michael Merchant, Grzegorz Boratyn
  • Publication number: 20080021763
    Abstract: Methods for collecting accurate perception data points related to a given item from a set of respondents by offering an incentive that benefits the respondent or respondents who submit data points that match most closely to a calculated value of the data points collected. Provides methods for collecting perception data points by a market research service provider that offers considerably greater information and convenience to prospective initiators of market research service who desire to have a given item be assessed and offer the chances to win incentives to encourage accurate assessment and participation by respondents. Helps one to understand how others perceive the value of a given item so that one may make an educated judgment on how to price such item. The object of the invention is that the more accurate the perception data given by respondents, the more likely the respondents will win the incentive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Merchant
  • Patent number: 7062357
    Abstract: A multiple region convolver includes tapering between successive models of a physical system. The tapering is performed during a transition period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Merchant, Richard Lund, Doug Mann
  • Publication number: 20020072811
    Abstract: A multiple region convolver includes tapering between successive models of a physical system. The tapering is performed during a transition period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Merchant, Richard Lund, Doug Mann