Patents by Inventor Nickolas Markoff

Nickolas Markoff 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: 11531133
    Abstract: A printed circuit card assembly (PCBA) configured for retrofitting a conventional electromagnetic locator device (ELD) for a simulator system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having data connectors connected via a switch to the ELD, a low-power radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving emulated electromagnetic (EM) field data, a processor for reading the emulated EM field data that includes constituent parts, wherein each constituent part corresponds to EM field data for a specific one of the digital signal processor on the conventional ELD, disassembling the emulated EM field data into its constituent parts, and transmitting to the digital signal processors, via the data connectors, the constituent part of the emulated EM field data that corresponds to said digital signal processor, thereby emulating an EM field on the conventional ELD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: UTTO INC.
    Inventors: Alan Haddy, Nickolas Markoff
  • Publication number: 20220260744
    Abstract: A printed circuit card assembly (PCBA) configured for retrofitting a conventional electromagnetic locator device (ELD) for a simulator system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having data connectors connected via a switch to the ELD, a low-power radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving emulated electromagnetic (EM) field data, a processor for reading the emulated EM field data that includes constituent parts, wherein each constituent part corresponds to EM field data for a specific one of the digital signal processor on the conventional ELD, disassembling the emulated EM field data into its constituent parts, and transmitting to the digital signal processors, via the data connectors, the constituent part of the emulated EM field data that corresponds to said digital signal processor, thereby emulating an EM field on the conventional ELD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Haddy, Nickolas Markoff
  • Patent number: 10709427
    Abstract: Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone
  • Publication number: 20180103933
    Abstract: Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone
  • Patent number: 9872670
    Abstract: Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone
  • Publication number: 20160331354
    Abstract: Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone
  • Patent number: 9429609
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. An example method of determining a capacitance capability of an electrical lead for an ultrasound device includes discharging stored capacitance of the electrical lead; applying power to the electrical lead; during applying power to the electrical lead, counting clock cycles from a microprocessor; comparing a electrical lead voltage to a reference voltage; stopping counting clock cycles when the electrical lead voltage passes the reference voltage; and processing a number of counted clock cycles, in response to stopping the counting clock cycles to determine a capacitance of the electrical lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone
  • Publication number: 20120271573
    Abstract: Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: UNISYN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone
  • Patent number: 8143898
    Abstract: Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Unisyn Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone
  • Publication number: 20110019802
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the testing and reconfiguration of x-ray devices. In one embodiment, a test bed effectuates testing of an acquired x-ray device to determine a cause of the inoperability of the device. The x-ray device test bed may be provided to test a plurality of x-ray devices and, therefore, readily adaptable to such devices. The x-ray device test bed may include a mount for an x-ray tube. A variable power supply may be coupled to the x-ray tube to provide the requisite high-voltage electrical energy thereto. The x-ray device test bed may also include a mount for an imaging module (e.g., a “flat-panel sensor”). A processor may be coupled to the imaging module to determine the operational characteristics thereof. If certain x-ray components are deemed inoperable, the x-ray components may be replaced such that the x-ray device may be reintroduced to a medical industry segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: UNISYN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone, Mike M. Tesic
  • Patent number: 7748901
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the testing and reconfiguration of x-ray devices. In one embodiment, a test bed effectuates testing of an acquired x-ray device to determine a cause of the inoperability of the device. The x-ray device test bed may be provided to test a plurality of x-ray devices and, therefore, readily adaptable to such devices. The x-ray device test bed may include a mount for an x-ray tube. A variable power supply may be coupled to the x-ray tube to provide the requisite high-voltage electrical energy thereto. The x-ray device test bed may also include a mount for an imaging module (e.g., a “flat-panel sensor”). A processor may be coupled to the imaging module to determine the operational characteristics thereof. If certain x-ray components are deemed inoperable, the x-ray components may be replaced such that the x-ray device may be reintroduced to a medical industry segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Unisyn Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone, Mike M. Tesic
  • Publication number: 20090296894
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the testing and reconfiguration of x-ray devices. In one embodiment, a test bed effectuates testing of an acquired x-ray device to determine a cause of the inoperability of the device. The x-ray device test bed may be provided to test a plurality of x-ray devices and, therefore, readily adaptable to such devices. The x-ray device test bed may include a mount for an x-ray tube. A variable power supply may be coupled to the x-ray tube to provide the requisite high-voltage electrical energy thereto. The x-ray device test bed may also include a mount for an imaging module (e.g., a “flat-panel sensor”). A processor may be coupled to the imaging module to determine the operational characteristics thereof. If certain x-ray components are deemed inoperable, the x-ray components may be replaced such that the x-ray device may be reintroduced to a medical industry segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: NICKOLAS MARKOFF, CHRISTOPHER M. CONE, MIKE M. TESIC
  • Publication number: 20090067581
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for the testing and reconfiguration of x-ray devices. In one embodiment, a test bed effectuates testing of an acquired x-ray device to determine a cause of the inoperability of the device. The x-ray device test bed may be provided to test a plurality of x-ray devices and, therefore, readily adaptable to such devices. The x-ray device test bed may include a mount for an x-ray tube. A variable power supply may be coupled to the x-ray tube to provide the requisite high-voltage electrical energy thereto. The x-ray device test bed may also include a mount for an imaging module (e.g., a “flat-panel sensor”). A processor may be coupled to the imaging module to determine the operational characteristics thereof. If certain x-ray components are deemed inoperable, the x-ray components may be replaced such that the x-ray device may be reintroduced to a medical industry segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Nickolas Markoff, Christopher M. Cone, Mike M. Tesic