Patents by Inventor Stephen Christopher Geist

Stephen Christopher Geist 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).

  • Automated surgical implant sewing system and method
    Patent number: 8020503
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a prosthetic heart valve, including a procedure for sewing fabric around a heart valve support stent. The system includes a support stent handling component that works in conjunction with a sewing machine component. The sewing machine has a bobbin, and the system includes a non-contact sensor to monitor the passage of a needle thread loop over the bobbin. The sensor may be a monitoring laser, and a controlling processor receives information therefrom for 100% real-time inspection of each stitch. The occurrence of an unsuccessful stitch may prompt the processor to repeat the stitch at a slower speed. The automation of the fabric sewing procedure greatly enhances manufacturing throughput and reduces ergonomic strain on workers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: C. Roger Ekholm, Stephen Christopher Geist
  • Automated surgical implant sewing system and method
    Publication number: 20080035038
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a prosthetic heart valve, including a procedure for sewing fabric around a heart valve support stent. The system includes a support stent handling component that works in conjunction with a sewing machine component. The sewing machine has a bobbin, and the system includes a non-contact sensor to monitor the passage of a needle thread loop over the bobbin. The sensor may be a monitoring laser, and a controlling processor receives information therefrom for 100% real-time inspection of each stitch. The occurrence of an unsuccessful stitch may prompt the processor to repeat the stitch at a slower speed. The automation of the fabric sewing procedure greatly enhances manufacturing throughput and reduces ergonomic strain on workers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: C. Roger Ekholm, Stephen Christopher Geist