Patents by Inventor Richard Schroeder
Richard Schroeder 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: 20080195200Abstract: Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: Robert M. Vidlund, Jason E. Kalgreen, Todd J. Mortier, Cyril J. Schweich, Richard Schroeder, David Kusz
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Publication number: 20080001023Abstract: A fin retention and deployment mechanism that has the advantage of providing for the deployment of aerodynamic control surfaces on command without the need for an additional actuation device or control circuitry separate from the actuator that controls the angle of the fins during flight. The actuator that is already required for operation of the control surfaces after deployment initiates the deployment of the fins, as well. A latch mechanism comprises a retaining member and a lath, which engages the retaining member enabling a biasing mechanism to force the fins from a stowed position to a fully deployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2005Publication date: January 3, 2008Applicant: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.Inventor: Richard Schroeder
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Publication number: 20070227383Abstract: The present invention provides a soft lithographic stamp (30) and a method for the manufacturing of such a stamp (30). A stamp (30) according to the present invention comprises blocking regions (37) and printing regions (38). The blocking regions (37) are formed of a material which is different from the material the printing regions (38) are formed of and which exhibits a reduced permeability, diffusivity or absorbing or adsorbing capability to the printing compound, such that it prevents or significantly reduces chemical or physical transport or transfer of the printing compound from the blocking regions to a substrate that has to be patterned or printed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2005Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.Inventors: Michel Decre, Martin Blees, Patrick Van Eerd, Richard Schroeders, Dirk Burdinski, Ruben Sharpe, Jurriaan Huskens
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Publication number: 20070216914Abstract: A machine (1) is equipped for printing a pattern on a substrate (20). The machine (1) comprises a table (10) for supporting and moving the substrate (20), and a print head (30) for firing ink droplets towards the substrate (20). Further, the machine (1) comprises a cover plate (40) which is arranged such as to encompass the print head (30), wherein the print head (30) partly extends through a hole in the cover plate (40). During a printing process, evaporation of solvent which is part of the ink droplets starts as soon as the ink droplets land on the substrate (20). The presence of the cover plate (40) has an equalizing effect on the evaporation rate over the printed pattern. As a result, a height distribution of all printed elements of the pattern is within predetermined limits, once the elements have dried up.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2005Publication date: September 20, 2007Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.Inventors: Dirkjan Van Dam, Adrianus Van Kasteren, Richard Schroeders
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Publication number: 20070055303Abstract: A method for placing a splint assembly transverse a heart chamber includes providing an elongate member having a first end and a second end and a deployable heart-engaging assembly connected to at least the first end. The method includes advancing the elongate member through vasculature structure and into the heart chamber such that the first end of the elongate member extends through a first location of a wall surrounding the heart chamber and the second end extends through a second location of the heart chamber wall substantially opposite the first location. A deployable heart-engaging assembly is deployed such that it engages with a first exterior surface portion of the heart chamber wall adjacent the first location. The elongate member is secured with respect to the heart with a second heart-engaging assembly connected to the second end. The second heart-engaging assembly engages with a second exterior surface portion of the heart chamber wall adjacent the second location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Inventors: Robert Vidlund, Marc Simmon, Todd Mortier, Cyril Schweich, Peter Keith, Richard Schroeder, Jason Kalgreen
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Publication number: 20070050022Abstract: Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Inventors: Robert Vidlund, Jason Kalgreen, Todd Mortier, Cyril Schweich, Richard Schroeder, David Kusz
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Publication number: 20060241340Abstract: The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. According to one aspect of the invention, a method improves the function of a valve of a heart by placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Richard Schroeder, Robert Vidlund, Jason Kalgreen, Cyril Schweich, Todd Mortier, Marc Simmon, Peter Keith
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Patent number: 7112219Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning a spacing filling device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device applies an inward force against the heart wall acting on the valve. A substantially equal and opposite force may be provided by securing the device to the heart wall, and/or a substantially equal and opposite outward force may be applied against anatomical structure outside the heart wall. The inward force is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example. The space filling device may be implanted by a surgical approach, a transthoracic approach, or a transluminal approach, for example. The space filling portion may be delivered utilizing a delivery catheter navigated via the selected approach, and the space filling portion may be expandable between a smaller delivery configuration and a larger deployed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Myocor, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Vidlund, Cyril J. Schweich, Jr., Todd J. Mortier, Richard Schroeder, Craig Ekvall, Jason Kalgreen, Edward Matthees, David Kusz
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Patent number: 7077862Abstract: Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Myocor, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Vidlund, Jason E. Kalgreen, Todd J. Mortier, Cyril J. Schweich, Jr., Richard Schroeder, David Kusz
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Publication number: 20060149123Abstract: A splint assembly for placement transverse a heart chamber to reduce the heart chamber radius and improve cardiac function has a tension member formed of a braided cable with a covering. A fixed anchor assembly is attached to one end of the tension member and a leader for penetrating a heart wall and guiding the tension member through the heart is attached to the other end. An adjustable anchor assembly can be secured onto the tension member opposite to the side on which the fixed pad assembly is attached. The adjustable anchor assembly can be positioned along the tension member so as to adjust the length of the tension member extending between the fixed and adjustable anchor assemblies. The pad assemblies engage with the outside of the heart wall to hold the tension member in place transverse the heart chamber. A probe and marker delivery device is used to identify locations on the heart wall to place the splint assembly such that it will not interfere with internal heart structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2006Publication date: July 6, 2006Inventors: Robert Vidlund, Thomas Paulson, Todd Mortier, Cyril Schweich, Jeffrey LaPlante, David Kusz, Richard Schroeder
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Patent number: 7044905Abstract: A splint assembly for placement transverse a heart chamber to reduce the heart chamber radius and improve cardiac function has a tension member formed of a braided cable with a covering. A fixed anchor assembly is attached to one end of the tension member and a leader for penetrating a heart wall and guiding the tension member through the heart is attached to the other end. An adjustable anchor assembly can be secured onto the tension member opposite to the side on which the fixed pad assembly is attached. The adjustable anchor assembly can be positioned along the tension member so as to adjust the length of the tension member extending between the fixed and adjustable anchor assemblies. The pad assemblies engage with the outside of the heart wall to hold the tension member in place transverse the heart chamber. A probe and marker delivery device is used to identify locations on the heart wall to place the splint assembly such that it will not interfere with internal heart structures.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Myocor, Inc.Inventors: Robert Vidlund, Thomas Paulson, Todd Mortier, Cyril Schweich, Jr., Jeffrey LaPlante, David Kusz, Richard Schroeder
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Publication number: 20060041306Abstract: Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2005Publication date: February 23, 2006Inventors: Robert Vidlund, Jason Kalgreen, Todd Mortier, Cyril Schweich, Richard Schroeder, David Kusz
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Publication number: 20060036317Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning a spacing filling device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device applies an inward force against the heart wall acting on the valve. A substantially equal and opposite force may be provided by securing the device to the heart wall, and/or a substantially equal and opposite outward force may be applied against anatomical structure outside the heart wall. The inward force is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example. The space filling device may be implanted by a surgical approach, a transthoracic approach, or a transluminal approach, for example. The space filling portion may be delivered utilizing a delivery catheter navigated via the selected approach, and the space filling portion may be expandable between a smaller delivery configuration and a larger deployed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2005Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: Robert Vidlund, Cyril Schweich, Todd Mortier, Richard Schroeder, Craig Ekvall, Jason Kalgreen, Edward Matthees, David Kusz
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Publication number: 20050206910Abstract: A linear displacement sensor includes a plurality of nested, telescoping sections extending between two end pieces. One end piece includes a light source such as an infrared light emitting diode (emitter), and the other end includes a light sensitive device such as a phototransistor (receiver). At least one disk having a centrally disposed aperture is secured to one of the sections and reduces and limits stray or incident light within the sensor which is reflected inside the sensor and would otherwise impinge upon the receiver. Improved accuracy and linearity is provided by this device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2004Publication date: September 22, 2005Inventors: Richard Schroeder, Joe Turner, Christopher Torchala
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Publication number: 20050179203Abstract: A multiplayer chess apparatus and method of play is disclosed. The apparatus consists of 108 hexagon-shaped tiles and 54 tokens. The tiles are arranged to create a field of play with the shape of a 6-tile by 7-tile hexagon. The tokens are placed on the tiles in three sets, one for each of three players. The tokens represent standard chess pieces on one side, and the reverse sides represent variant chess pieces. During play, according to the method of play, tokens can be moved, stacked, unstacked, or removed from play. Tiles can also be removed from play. The shape of the field of play, the use of tokens for chess pieces, and the method of play facilitate resolution of the petty diplomacy problem in chess. The apparatus can be adapted for use by more than three players.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Richard Schroeder, Morgan Enos, Steven Ross
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Publication number: 20050173049Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring a pattern from a stamping surface (31) of a stamp (30) to a receiving surface (21) of a substrate (20). The pattern is transferred to the receiving surface (21) by successively bringing portions of the pattern within such a range of the receiving surface (21) during a certain period, that the pattern is locally transferred from the stamping surface (31) to the receiving surface (21). The individual portions can be moved by means of individual actuators (50). By applying the method, the transfer of the pattern can be performed according to a wave, which is for example ring-shaped, moving from the center of the receiving surface (21) to the circumference, or linear, moving from side of the receiving surface (21) to an opposite side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2003Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventors: Marinus Josephus Dona, Martin Blees, Michel Decre, Patrick Van Eerd, Richard Schroeders, Teunis Heijmans, Christiaan Leonard Janssen, Peter Slikkerveer
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Patent number: 6919884Abstract: A fireplace generally including a display driven by a controller. The display may be configured to show images associated with a fireplace. The images may be in two dimensions or three dimensions. The display may be driven by the controller, and a user interface may be provided to configure the fireplace. The display may also be driven by other peripheral components as well. The display may optionally be a flat-panel display. The display may be placed against a wall of a structure and surrounded by a decorative facade, or may be placed in an enclosure of a wall. Various optional components, such as a simulated electric glowing ember system and a retractable grate and artificial log set, may also be included.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: HON Technology Inc.Inventors: Devin Eugene Mix, Thomas J. Bachinski, Dan Curtis Shimek, David Charles Lyons, Mark Richard Schroeder
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Publication number: 20050075723Abstract: The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. According to one aspect of the invention, a method improves the function of a valve of a heart by placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2004Publication date: April 7, 2005Inventors: Richard Schroeder, Robert Vidlund, Jason Kalgreen, Cyril Schweich, Todd Mortier, Marc Simmon, Peter Keith
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Publication number: 20040243229Abstract: Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: Myocor, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Vidlund, Jason E. Kalgreen, Todd J. Mortier, Cyril J. Schweich, Richard Schroeder, David Kusz
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Publication number: 20040148019Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning a spacing filling device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device applies an inward force against the heart wall acting on the valve. A substantially equal and opposite force may be provided by securing the device to the heart wall, and/or a substantially equal and opposite outward force may be applied against anatomical structure outside the heart wall. The inward force is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example. The space filling device may be implanted by a surgical approach, a transthoracic approach, or a transluminal approach, for example. The space filling portion may be delivered utilizing a delivery catheter navigated via the selected approach, and the space filling portion may be expandable between a smaller delivery configuration and a larger deployed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Robert M. Vidlund, Cyril J. Schweich, Todd J. Mortier, Richard Schroeder, Craig Ekvall, Jason Kalgreen, Edward Matthees, David Kusz