Patents by Inventor Richard M. Andrews

Richard M. Andrews 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: 9895051
    Abstract: An assist tool attachable to an insertion section of an insertion apparatus includes a tube including a longitudinal axis. The tube is provided with a lumen through which the insertion section is insertable. The tool includes a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism receives a drive force and is rotated together with the tube with respect to the insertion section inserted through the lumen. The tool includes a locking mechanism provided on a more distal end side than the connecting mechanism in the tube. The locking mechanism includes a convex portion or a concave portion engaged with the insertion section to restrict movement of the tube along the longitudinal axis with respect to the insertion section. Furthermore, an insertion apparatus to which the tool is attached and an introduction apparatus including them is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro Nishiie, Robert E. Ailinger, James J. Frassica, Richard M. Andrews, David E. Gately, Matthew S. Carlone
  • Publication number: 20170071447
    Abstract: An assist tool attachable to an insertion section of an insertion apparatus includes a tube including a longitudinal axis. The tube is provided with a lumen through which the insertion section is insertable. The tool includes a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism receives a drive force and is rotated together with the tube with respect to the insertion section inserted through the lumen. The tool includes a locking mechanism provided on a more distal end side than the connecting mechanism in the tube. The locking mechanism includes a convex portion or a concave portion engaged with the insertion section to restrict movement of the tube along the longitudinal axis with respect to the insertion section. Furthermore, an insertion apparatus to which the tool is attached and an introduction apparatus including them is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro NISHIIE, Robert E. AILINGER, James J. FRASSICA, Richard M. ANDREWS, David E. GATELY, Matthew S. CARLONE
  • Patent number: 9538904
    Abstract: A spiral unit includes a base tube extended along a longitudinal axis and made of a first thermoplastic resin, and a fin disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the base tube along a fin axis spirally extended around the longitudinal axis and made of a second thermoplastic resin. The fin includes a strip portion provided in a state of being bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the base tube and spirally extended along the fin axis. The second resin being mixed with a magnetic material in the strip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. Ailinger, James J. Frassica, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20160135661
    Abstract: A spiral cap includes: a cap body with one end portion fitted to one end of a tube body which is rotatably attached to an insertion section of an introducing device; and a fin connector provided on the cap body and formed on a side closer to the other end of the tube body than the end of the cap body which is fitted to the one end of the tube body, the fin connector being connected to an end portion of a main fin portion which is provided on an outer surface of the tube body in a spiral shape about a longitudinal axis of the tube body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. AILINGER, James J. FRASSICA, Richard M. ANDREWS, Hiroaki MIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160100743
    Abstract: A spiral unit includes a base tube extended along a longitudinal axis and made of a first thermoplastic resin, and a fin disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the base tube along a fin axis spirally extended around the longitudinal axis and made of a second thermoplastic resin. The fin includes a strip portion provided in a state of being bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the base tube and spirally extended along the fin axis. The second resin being mixed with a magnetic material in the strip portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. AILINGER, James J. FRASSICA, Richard M. ANDREWS, Hiroaki MIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160100744
    Abstract: A spiral unit into which an insertion section of an introduction apparatus having a longitudinal axis is to be inserted, and is rotatable to the insertion section in a state of being disposed on the insertion section, includes a regulator which is removably arranged in a tubular section, holds a state of expanding an inner diameter of the tubular section to regulate reduction of the inner diameter of the tubular section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. Ailinger, James J. Frassica, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8795034
    Abstract: A dressing blade for finishing and reconditioning new and used abrasive grinding and cutting tools has a slab-shaped shank with an extension protruding longitudinally from the shank. Superabrasive grains are disposed on the surface of the extension and held in place by a brazed metal composition. This composition is formed by brazing a powdered mixture of brazing metal components and active metal components. Specific extension configurations are provided which allow aligning the superabrasive grains in single layer arrangement for precise dressing and simple fabrication of the tool. The novel dressing tool exhibits excellent wear characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Andrews, Sergej-Tomislav Buljan, Earl G. Geary, Jr., Robert L. Owen, Marcus R. Skeem
  • Patent number: 8764640
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Endo Technology America, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8684913
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Endo Technology America, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8579681
    Abstract: A disc-shaped, rotary dressing tool has a rigid core and an abrasive rim around at least one surface of the periphery of the rigid core. The rigid core and the abrasive rim are oriented in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the tool. In an embodiment, the abrasive rim comprises an abrasive component bonded to the rigid core by means of an active braze. The abrasive component can be diamond grains arranged in a single layer or diamond film inserts. In a particular embodiment, the abrasive component can comprise a plurality of abrasive inserts mechanically fastened to the rigid core. In another embodiment, the abrasive rim can comprise strips of an abrasive component with each strip being filled into slots machined into and through the perimeter of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Andrews, Sergej-Tomislav Buljan
  • Patent number: 8500628
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Olympus Endo Technology America, Inc., Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8377041
    Abstract: A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitourinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews
  • Patent number: 8281044
    Abstract: A data flow control and bridging architecture that enhances the performance of removable data storage systems. In one implementation, the present invention provides a bypass bus implementation where the data transfer phase associated with select commands occurs directly between the host computing system and the target removable data storage unit. In one implementation, the present invention further provides a data flow and bridging architecture that emulates a removable media interface, such as the ATAPI interface, to the host computing system, and translates these commands for a target removable storage unit that implements a fixed media interface, such as the ATA interface. In yet another implementation, the present invention provides a data flow and bridging architecture that supports the serial ATA interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony E. Pione, Richard M. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20120244791
    Abstract: A disc-shaped, rotary dressing tool has a rigid core and an abrasive rim around at least one surface of the periphery of the rigid core. The rigid core and the abrasive rim are oriented in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the tool. In an embodiment, the abrasive rim comprises an abrasive component bonded to the rigid core by means of an active braze. The abrasive component can be diamond grains arranged in a single layer or diamond film inserts. In a particular embodiment, the abrasive component can comprise a plurality of abrasive inserts mechanically fastened to the rigid core. In another embodiment, the abrasive rim can comprise strips of an abrasive component with each strip being filled into slots machined into and through the perimeter of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard M. Andrews, Sergej-Tomislav Buljan
  • Patent number: 8192256
    Abstract: A disc-shaped, rotary dressing tool has a rigid core and an abrasive rim around at least one surface of the periphery of the rigid core, the rigid core and the abrasive rim being oriented in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the tool. The abrasive rim comprises an abrasive component bonded to the rigid core by means of an active braze, and the abrasive component is diamond grains arranged in a single layer or diamond film inserts. The abrasive rim may comprise a plurality of abrasive inserts mechanically fastened to the rigid core and comprising an abrasive component bonded to a backing element by means of an active braze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc., Saint-Gobain Abrasifs
    Inventors: Richard M. Andrews, Sergej-Tomislav Buljan
  • Publication number: 20120029281
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20110302341
    Abstract: A data flow control and bridging architecture that enhances the performance of removable data storage systems. In one implementation, the present invention provides a bypass bus implementation where the data transfer phase associated with select commands occurs directly between the host computing system and the target removable data storage unit. In one implementation, the present invention further provides a data flow and bridging architecture that emulates a removable media interface, such as the ATAPI interface, to the host computing system, and translates these commands for a target removable storage unit that implements a fixed media interface, such as the ATA interface. In yet another implementation, the present invention provides a data flow and bridging architecture that supports the serial ATA interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony E. Pione, Richard M. Andrews
  • Patent number: 8041862
    Abstract: A data flow control and bridging architecture that enhances the performance of removable data storage systems. In one implementation, the present invention provides a bypass bus implementation where the data transfer phase associated with select commands occurs directly between the host computing system and the target removable data storage unit. In one implementation, the present invention further provides a data flow and bridging architecture that emulates a removable media interface, such as the ATAPI interface, to the host computing system, and translates these commands for a target removable storage unit that implements a fixed media interface, such as the ATA interface. In yet another implementation, the present invention provides a data flow and bridging architecture that supports the serial ATA interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony E. Pione, Richard M. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20100318698
    Abstract: A data flow control and bridging architecture that enhances the performance of removable data storage systems. In one implementation, the present invention provides a bypass bus implementation where the data transfer phase associated with select commands occurs directly between the host computing system and the target removable data storage unit. In one implementation, the present invention further provides a data flow and bridging architecture that emulates a removable media interface, such as the ATAPI interface, to the host computing system, and translates these commands for a target removable storage unit that implements a fixed media interface, such as the ATA interface. In yet another implementation, the present invention provides a data flow and bridging architecture that supports the serial ATA interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony E. Pione, Richard M. Andrews
  • Patent number: 7831753
    Abstract: A data flow control and bridging architecture that enhances the performance of removable data storage systems. In one implementation, the present invention provides a bypass bus implementation where the data transfer phase associated with select commands occurs directly between the host computing system and the target removable data storage unit. In one implementation, the present invention further provides a data flow and bridging architecture that emulates a removable media interface, such as the ATAPI interface, to the host computing system, and translates these commands for a target removable storage unit that implements a fixed media interface, such as the ATA interface. In yet another implementation, the present invention provides a data flow and bridging architecture that supports the serial ATA interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony E. Pione, Richard M. Andrews