Patents by Inventor Richard F. Morris
Richard F. Morris 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).
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Publication number: 20170000919Abstract: A sterilization container with a sensor module for monitoring the environmental characteristics internal to the container. The sensor module includes a normally closed end bore. A sensor is disposed in the closed end void space. Other sensors also part of the module monitor the pressure and temperature of the environment inside the container. Based on the measurements of the environment in the container and the environment within the closed end void space it is possible to determine the extent to which the container is filled with saturated steam.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Bruce Henniges, William L. Hassler, David Jeng, Tom Blandino, Richard F. Morris
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Patent number: 6520914Abstract: A contained water ultrasonic densitometer employs pre-inflated bladders holding coupling fluid about ultrasonic transducers. The bladders in a relaxed state define a cavity smaller than the human heel so that when the heel is inserted, the bladders conform to the heel in a wiping action removing entrapped air.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventors: Richard F. Morris, Steven Morris, David R. Strait
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Patent number: 6517487Abstract: A scanning ultrasonic apparatus provides measurements of a bone at a number of spatially separated locations. These measurements may produce an image or may be used to automatically identify a measurement region of interest or to align a series of measurements with each other despite possible shifting in the bony member in between measurements.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventors: Richard B. Mazess, Scott A. Wiener, Richard F. Morris
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Patent number: 6491635Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument employs a digital architecture to provide improved stability to sound speed measurements of human bone in vivo. A digitization of the received ultrasonic signal allows numerical analyses to be applied in determining precise arrival time of the waveform. The microprocessor may initiate the ultrasonic signal transmission and detect its arrival and may control the strength of the transmitted signal and the amplification of the received signal to optimize the signal path.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventors: Richard B. Mazess, Scott A. Wiener, Richard F. Morris
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Patent number: 6432057Abstract: An ultrasonic densitometer has opposed ultrasonic transducers with inflatable bladders containing a coupling fluid. The bladders are affixed to a housing with a simple mounting. The densitometer sizes the bladder diameter so as to be moved into contact to the patient with inflation only. The densitometer further controls the geometry of the inflated bladders so as to provide improved immobilization of the patient. The coupling fluid allows the bladder also to couple the ultrasonic energy to the patient member.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventors: Richard B. Mazess, Richard F. Morris
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Patent number: 6364837Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument employs a digital architecture to provide improved stability to sound speed measurements of human bone in vivo. A digitization of the received ultrasonic signal allows numerical analyses to be applied in determining precise arrival time of the waveform. The microprocessor may initiate the ultrasonic signal transmission and detect its arrival and may control the strength of the transmitted signal and the amplification of the received signal to optimize the signal path.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventors: Richard B. Mazess, Scott A. Wiener, Richard F. Morris
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Patent number: 6305060Abstract: An acoustic array of independently sensitive detecting elements is produced by locating a pattern of electrodes on a piezoelectric polymer film. Sensitivity of the film and a spaced away supporting structure are used to reduce artifacts caused by acoustic reflection in the supporting structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: GE Lunar CorporationInventor: Richard F. Morris
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Publication number: 20010020128Abstract: A contained water ultrasonic densitometer employs pre-inflated bladders holding coupling fluid about ultrasonic transducers. The bladders in a relaxed state define a cavity smaller than the human heel so that when the heel is inserted, the bladders conform to the heel in a wiping action removing entrapped air.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: September 6, 2001Inventors: Richard F. Morris, Steven Morris, David R. Strait
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Patent number: 6277076Abstract: A contained water ultrasonic densitometer employs pre-inflated bladders holding coupling fluid about ultrasonic transducers. The bladders in a relaxed state define a cavity smaller than the human heel so that when the heel is inserted, the bladders conform to the heel in a wiping action removing entrapped air.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventors: Richard F. Morris, Steven Morris, David R. Strait
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Patent number: 6027449Abstract: An ultrasonometer having opposed ultrasonic transducers with bladders containing a coupling fluid, controls the geometry of the bladder so as to provide immobilization of the patient as well as coupling of the ultrasound to the patient member. The coupling fluid may be hermetically enclosed in sealed chambers slideable toward the patient member or may be fixed in position and use a collar distending the membrane outward by compressing other portions of the membrane inward. A rolling diaphragm-type pump allows inflation of the membranes in an alternative embodiment without exposure of the acoustic coupling liquid to outside contamination. Temperature sensors and heaters communicating with the acoustic coupling fluid to reduce error caused by changes in the fluid's temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventors: Richard B. Mazess, Scott A. Wiener, Richard F. Morris
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Patent number: 6012779Abstract: An acoustic array of independently sensitive detecting elements is produced by locating a pattern of electrodes on a piezoelectric polymer film. Sensitivity of the film and a spaced away supporting structure are used to reduce artifacts caused by acoustic reflection in the supporting structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventor: Richard F. Morris
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Patent number: 5840029Abstract: A scanning ultrasonic apparatus provides measurements of a bone at a number of spatially separated locations. These measurements may produce an image or may be used to automatically identify a measurement region of interest or to align a series of measurements with each other despite possible shifting in the bony member in between measurements.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1997Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Lunar CorporationInventors: Richard B. Mazess, Richard F. Morris, Scott A. Wiener
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Patent number: 4917096Abstract: A hand-held portable ultrasonic scanning probe for use with energizing and receiving means for imaging sections of a body includes a fluid-filled enclosure coupled to a handle portion which houses a DC drive motor. The output shaft of the drive motor is directly coupled to a level wind drive screw. A holder assembly incorporating a pawl which coacts with the drive screw and a plano-concave transducer moves back and forth across the drive screw as a result of the DC motor output shaft rotation. The linear travel of the transducer creates a linear scan thereby eliminating the diagnostic imaging problems of sector scans.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1987Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Laboratory Equipment, Corp.Inventors: Theodore M. Englehart, Richard F. Morris, Narendra T. Sanghvi
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Patent number: 4664121Abstract: A heat-sterilizable ultrasonic surgical scanner includes an ultrasonic transducer and a permanent magnet motor for moving the transducer along an arcuate path. The scanner further includes a housing for the ultrasonic transducer and the motor. The housing includes an acoustically transparent window for transmitting ultrasonic energy from and into the housing. A resilient diaphragm permits expension and contraction of a coupling fluid with which the housing is filled without causing fluid loss from the housing due to leakage. The resilient diaphragm is mounted at a location remote from the acoustically transparent window.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1985Date of Patent: May 12, 1987Assignee: Indianapolis Center for Advanced ResearchInventors: Narendra T. Sanghvi, Francis J. Fry, Richard F. Morris, Richard A. Stuber
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Patent number: 4443816Abstract: A digital video image splitter permits the top portion of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) display to be shifted right (delayed) or left (advanced) with respect to the stationary bottom portion of the display. The user controls the vertical level (distance from top to bottom of display) at which the split is seen on the display, and the amount of shift from controls in the system. Shifting of the image permits the width of an object displayed on the display to be measured. By matching opposite edges of the object in the display, the width of the displayed object is equal to the amount of shift. A single raster line at the level of the split is available as digitized image intensity data, and represents the intensity profile of the video display, including the object being measured, along that raster line.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1982Date of Patent: April 17, 1984Assignee: Indianapolis Center for Advanced Research, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Hogan, Jr., Narendra T. Sanghvi, Richard F. Morris