Patents by Inventor Stephen K. Harrel

Stephen K. Harrel 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: 8096944
    Abstract: An air shield for a videoscope imager to prevent obscuring of the optical input by body liquids and tissue particles. The imager is extended through a tube carrying a pressurized gas so that when the gas escapes from the end of the tube, it generates an air stream envelope around the optical input of the imager and prevents liquids and particles directed toward the optical input from contacting the optical input. The pressurized gas flows continuously during the medical or dental procedure to maintain a constant resistance to liquids and matter directed to the optical input of the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Patent number: 7798813
    Abstract: A rotatable tissue removing instrument having a tissue engaging member. The tissue engaging member includes one or more prongs or barbs, or both, which grab the strands of granulation tissue and cause the tissue to be wrapped around the tissue engaging member. The granulation tissue continues to be wrapped around the tissue engaging member until pulled free from both the tooth and the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Publication number: 20090112065
    Abstract: An air shield for a videoscope imager to prevent obscuring of the optical input by body liquids and tissue particles. The imager is extended through a tube carrying a pressurized gas so that when the gas escapes from the end of the tube, it generates an air stream envelope around the optical input of the imager and prevents liquids and particles directed toward the optical input from contacting the optical input. The pressurized gas flows continuously during the medical or dental procedure to maintain a constant resistance to liquids and matter directed to the optical input of the imager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Patent number: 6872125
    Abstract: A tool for abrading a workpiece to smooth the surface thereof. The tool has a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has a smooth and non-abrading surface, with one or more depressions formed therein. Each depression includes an abrading mechanism. The abrading mechanism does not protrude above the smooth surface of the working portion of the tool. During operation, once the workpiece has been smoothed by removal of the raised areas by the abrading mechanism, the smooth surface of the tool engages the workpiece and further abrasion of the workpiece is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Publication number: 20040176016
    Abstract: A tool for abrading a workpiece to smooth the surface thereof. The tool has a shank portion and a working portion. The working portion has a smooth and non-abrading surface, with one or more depressions formed therein. Each depression includes an abrading mechanism. The abrading mechanism does not protrude above the smooth surface of the working portion of the tool. During operation, once the workpiece has been smoothed by removal of the raised areas by the abrading mechanism, the smooth surface of the tool engages the workpiece and further abrasion of the workpiece is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Patent number: 6726531
    Abstract: A tool for abrading a workpiece to smooth the surface thereof. In one embodiment, the tool is an ultrasonic tip (12) having plural grooves (16) formed in a smooth surface (14) thereof. Each groove (16) includes an abrasive material (24) coating the depression thereof. Rough surface areas of a workpiece projecting into the groove (16) are abraded to thereby result in a smooth workpiece surface. Once the surface roughness of the workpiece has been removed, the smooth areas (14) of the ultrasonic tip (12) are engaged, thereby preventing further abrasion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Patent number: 5901930
    Abstract: A cord restraining device including a band fastened around the extremity of a user employing a corded, hand-held tool. Fastened to the band is a hook-member through which the cord is loosely suspended. Fastened to the cord is a stop member which, when abutted with the hook member, prevents further movement of the cord. In this manner, a desired length of cord can be suspended by the tool to thereby allow a user to more accurately balance the tool and prevent trauma and other disorders to joints such as the wrist, hand and fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Patent number: 5547376
    Abstract: A suction attachment for use with an air-driven abrasive polisher to contain an area to be polished and to provide removal of the abrasive powder residue to prevent airborne contamination. A suction attachment body is fixed to the nozzle of the polisher, and is connected to a source of suction to provide a suction influence in the area of polishing. A flexible cover is fastened to the attachment body at one end, and is engaged with the surface to be cleaned at the other end, to enclose and contain the surface area to be cleaned, and provide removal of the abrasive powders via the suction source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Patent number: 5378150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a suction hood assembly that is attachable to an ultrasonic handpiece, as well as to a source of suction. The suction hood assembly includes a portion thereof that opens in an area adjacent the ultrasonic tip to provide an area of influence of the suction and thereby recover microdroplets of body fluids, matter and water mist. The suction can be used to control the size of the aerosol envelope generated when the water stream from the ultrasonic device is directed toward the ultrasonic-moving tip. The size of the aerosol envelope can be substantially reduced to a small area of operation, thereby minimizing the dispersion of germs, viruses and body fluids from the patient to the surgeon. The suction tube assembly is easily attached or removed from the ultrasonic handpiece, is easily manufactured, cost effective and thus is disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel
  • Patent number: 5122153
    Abstract: A rotating bur is disposed in a small-diameter tissue removing suction tube to grind tissue drawn into an entrance end of the tube. The bur includes a grinding head recessed from the entrance end, and is closely spaced between the internal sidewalls of the suction tube to grind tissue entrained into the tube. The entrance end of the suction tube includes an annular sharp edge to facilitate removal of tissue strands from a tissue mass. The ground tissue is then conducted through the suction tube by the suction, and discharged into a remotely located container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Stephen K. Harrel