Patents by Inventor R. Thomas

R. Thomas 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: 20150127381
    Abstract: A process that leverages technology to facilitate team-based coordinated care. Techniques for allowing a patient to schedule a future or on-demand videoconference appointment with a health care provider (behavioral or physical), check-in for the appointment, and participate in the videoconference. Further, the system allows a first provider to create and modify in real-time a schedule that modifies availability by types of appointments available and selected by patients/colleagues, view a virtual waiting room in which a patient is virtually located after the patient has checked in, initiate the videoconference, check the availability of a second provider, connect the second provider to the videoconference, view the patient's EHR, add indications about the diagnosis/plan and other notes to the EHR, and generate a bill to the patient for services rendered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander H. Vo, Greg N. Gauthier, Maryann Waugh, Terry A. Mayer, Jay H. Shore, Marshall R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150119854
    Abstract: Tear-away sheath introducers for catheters and methods for making and using such introducers are described. The sheath introducers contain movable valves that are encapsulated in a movable housing that allows the valve to move along the introducer axis. As the movable valve and housing travel along the axis, a portion of the hub protrudes past the valve and is exposed. As well, the sheath introducers can also contain a stationary valve and housing that can be opened to expose a portion of the hub when a conduit penetrates the stationary valve. The conduit can include a one-way, two-way, or other suitable valve actuator that can penetrate and open the valve, yet remain attached to a portion of the introducer when the introducer is split for removal from a patient. In both instances, the protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for a catheter into the sheath introducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Eric M. King, Spencer R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9000375
    Abstract: Methods and systems for real time, in situ monitoring of fluids, and particularly the determination of both the energy content and contaminants in a gas or oil transmission facility, are provided. The system may include two separate scanning sources to scan two different, but overlapping, NIR ranges, or may involve two separate scans from a single scanning spectroscopy source. The first scan ranges from approximately 1550 nm up through 1800 nm and a second scan concurrently scans at a high resolution across a band from approximately 1560-1610 nm, the wavelength of interest for hydrogen sulfide (though similar scans are contemplated in alternative wavelength ranges for alternative contaminants). The second scan may provide very narrow (0.005 nm) step resolution over just the wavelength of interest for the contaminant and may scan at a substantially higher power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Little, III, Matthew R. Thomas, Jie Zhu
  • Patent number: 8996411
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracey R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150082209
    Abstract: A three dimensional interface comprising a virtual light source and a virtual camera. The three dimensional interface further comprising a three dimensional user interface control set in a scene in the three dimensional interface, wherein the three dimensional user interface control comprises shading based on the virtual light source, the virtual camera, and based on a virtual depth of the three dimensional user interface control relative to the scene. The three dimensional interface further comprising a detector to detect a change in position of the device relative to the virtual light source and the virtual camera. The three dimensional interface further comprising a rendering module to render the three dimensional user interface control and the scene in a new perspective with a change in the three dimensional effects based on the change in position of the device relative to the virtual light source and the virtual camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Swindell, John R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8977761
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for developing digital products. A standardized process is applied to a product development effort and an online portal provides tools to aid the product development, assessment, funding and commercializing products. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between users. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracey R. Thomas, Katherine G. Chen
  • Patent number: 8972271
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracey R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150036358
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide separate optical devices operable to couple to a separate LED, the separate optical device comprising an entrance surface to receive light from a separate LED when the separate optical device is coupled to the separate LED, an exit surface opposite from and a distance from the entrance surface and a set of sidewalls. The exit surface can have at least a minimum area necessary to conserve brightness for a desired half-angle of light projected from the separate optical device. Furthermore, each sidewall is positioned and shaped so that rays having a straight transmission path from the entrance surface to that sidewall reflect to the exit surface with an angle of incidence at the exit surface at less than or equal to a critical angle at the exit surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Dung T. Duong, Paul N. Winberg, Matthew R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8942998
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracey R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8932355
    Abstract: A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one fixation element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to engage a surface of an adjacent vertebral body and secure the implant between two vertebral bodies. Preferably, the implant is expandable and has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it must pass to be deployed within the intervertebral space. Once within the space between vertebral bodies, the implant can be expanded so as to engage the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures restored and maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: CoAlign Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Thomas Grotz, Rudy A. Pretti
  • Patent number: 8925806
    Abstract: A wireless financial transaction instrument, such as a card, has a magnetic stripe, a display, and an on-board power supply, such as a battery, and is usable with a dual capture point of sale terminal. Information is received by such a terminal from the card wirelessly, and also from the magnetic stripe, and the data received contactlessly is preferably used to verify that read from the stripe. The display can display the account number on command, or to display a current balance, or amount of credit remaining, or any combination of these items of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: III Holdings 1, LLC
    Inventors: David S. Bonalle, Michael D. Donovan, Sherrie G. Jackson, Scott Glen Paylor, Medina J. Senghore, Tracey R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8926564
    Abstract: Tear-away sheath introducers for catheters and methods for making and using such introducers are described. The sheath introducers contain movable valves that are encapsulated in a movable housing that allows the valve to move along the introducer axis. As the movable valve and housing travel along the axis, a portion of the hub protrudes past the valve and is exposed. As well, the sheath introducers can also contain a stationary valve and housing that can be opened to expose a portion of the hub when a conduit penetrates the stationary valve. The conduit can include a one-way, two-way, or other suitable valve actuator that can penetrate and open the valve, yet remain attached to a portion of the introducer when the introducer is split for removal from a patient. In both instances, the protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for a catheter into the sheath introducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. King, Spencer R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8922557
    Abstract: Creating a three dimensional user interface. The interface comprising a three dimensional user interface control set in a scene in the interface, wherein the three dimensional user interface control comprises shading based on a virtual light source, a virtual camera, and based on a virtual depth of the three dimensional user interface control relative to the scene, wherein the three dimensional user interface control is a control for triggering an event. The interface further comprising a detector to detect a change in position of the device relative to the virtual light source and the virtual camera. The interface further comprising a rendering module to render the three dimensional user interface control and the scene in a new perspective with a change in the three dimensional effects based on the change in position of the device relative to the virtual light source and the virtual camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Embarcadero Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Swindell, John R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140373035
    Abstract: A computer-usable storage medium having instructions embodied therein that when executed cause a computer system to perform a method for binding data in an application. An expression is created via a framework based on input from a developer. The expression is received at an expression engine wherein the expression describes a relation between a first property of a first data of the application to a first property of a second data of the application. A binding is created between the first data and the second data based on the relation via the expression engine. The first property of the second data is changed based on a change to the first property of the first data wherein the changing occurs because of the binding. The receiving the expression, the creating the binding, and the changing the first property are orchestrated via the framework to manage when the expression is executed in the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: James Tierney, John R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8896003
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide separate optical devices operable to couple to a separate LED, the separate optical device comprising an entrance surface to receive light from a separate LED when the separate optical device is coupled to the separate LED, an exit surface opposite from and a distance from the entrance surface and a set of sidewalls. The exit surface can have at least a minimum area necessary to conserve brightness for a desired half-angle of light projected from the separate optical device. Furthermore, each sidewall is positioned and shaped so that rays having a straight transmission path from the entrance surface to that sidewall reflect to the exit surface with an angle of incidence at the exit surface at less than or equal to a critical angle at the exit surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Illumitex, Inc.
    Inventors: Dung T. Duong, Paul N. Winberg, Matthew R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8886560
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracey R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8871424
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to a polymeric film that comprises at least one laser imageable marking layer. The marking layer comprises a polyolefin, a photochromatic pigment, and an additive. It has been surprisingly discovered that a polyolefin film comprising a marking layer formulated with a photochromatic pigment and an additive offers a substantial advantage over prior art methods of laser imaging polyolefin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Russell Darley, Patrick R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140316526
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a resilient interpositional arthroplasty implant for application into a joint to pad cartilage defects, cushion, and replace or restore the articular surface, which may preserve joint integrity, reduce pain and improve function. The implant may endure variable joint compressive and shear forces and cyclic loads. The implant may repair, reconstruct, and regenerate joint anatomy, and thereby improve upon joint replacement alternatives. The walls of this invention may capture, distribute and hold living cells until aggregation and hyaline cartilage regrowth occurs. The implant may be deployed into debrided joint spaces, molding and conforming to surrounding structures with sufficient stability so as to enable immediate limb use after outpatient surgery. Appendages of the implant may repair or reconstruct tendons or ligaments, and menisci by interpositional inflatable or compliant polymer arthroplasties that promote anatomic joint motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: R. Thomas Grotz
  • Patent number: 8868767
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracey R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140257500
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a resilient interpositional arthroplasty implant for application into a knee joint to pad cartilage defects, cushion a joint, and replace or restore the articular surface, which may preserve joint integrity, reduce pain and improve function. The implant may endure variable joint compressive and shear forces and cyclic loads. The implant may repair, reconstruct, and regenerate joint anatomy, and thereby improve upon joint replacement alternatives. Rather than using periosteal harvesting for cell containment in joint resurfacing, the walls of this invention may capture, distribute and hold living cells until aggregation and hyaline cartilage regrowth occurs. The implant may be deployed into debrided joint spaces, molding and conforming to surrounding structures with sufficient stability to avoid extrusion or dislocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: R. Thomas GROTZ