Patents by Inventor Nancy Beck Irland

Nancy Beck Irland 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: 7854237
    Abstract: To better position an ultrasonic transducer typically used in non-invasive fetal monitoring during labor, the present invention consists of a transducer-aligning device having a plurality of selectively fillable chambers, each chamber having a resiliently deformable side-wall. A fluid, such as air, can be selectively pumped or released into any combination of the chambers. When coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, the selective use of air pressure in the bladder more precisely aligns and positions the fetal monitor transducer to improve imaging. In a second embodiment, the present invention includes a solid wedge-shaped protrusion extending below the bottom surface of the housing and adapted to rotate about 360-degrees to enable a care-giver to selectively position the wedge and thus align the associated transducer for optimal readings of fetal heart rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Nancy Beck Irland
  • Publication number: 20090005690
    Abstract: To better position an ultrasonic transducer typically used in non-invasive fetal monitoring during labor, the present invention consists of a transducer-aligning device having a plurality of selectively fillable chambers, each chamber having a resiliently deformable side-wall. A fluid, such as air, can be selectively pumped or released into any combination of the chambers. When coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, the selective use of air pressure in the bladder more precisely aligns and positions the fetal monitor transducer to improve imaging. In a second embodiment, the present invention includes a solid wedge-shaped protrusion extending below the bottom surface of the housing and adapted to rotate about 360-degrees to enable a care-giver to selectively position the wedge and thus align the associated transducer for optimal readings of fetal heart rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Nancy Beck Irland