Patents by Inventor Steve Thomas

Steve Thomas 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).

  • Publication number: 20260151583
    Abstract: A directional adjustment unit for a headgear for a respiratory mask includes a housing and at least one frictional engagement member arranged to be movable with respect to the housing. The at least one frictional engagement member has an aperture extending therethrough for receiving a filament of a strap of the headgear therethrough. The at least one frictional engagement member in a first movable configuration provides a disengaged configuration with respect to the filament, and in a second movable configuration provides an engaged configuration with respect to the filament. Various headgear, yoke assemblies, mask assemblies, mask frames and headgear filaments, some of which are for use with such a directional adjustment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Nick SULLIVAN, Christopher Michael WONG, Vitaly KAPELEVICH, Matthew Robert Geoff SLIGHT, David Monroy FELIX, Fadi Karim Moh'd MASHAL, Christopher Gareth SIMS, Jonathan Tong Lok SNG, Steve THOMAS, Jeroen HAMMER, Mark Arvind MCLAREN, Yi-Jen LIN, Silas Sao Jin SIEW, Arvin San Jose GARDIOLA, Chris Onin Limpin HIPOLITO, Janine Elizabeth COLLINS, Blair Raymund Dadson MURPHY
  • Patent number: 12564695
    Abstract: According to this disclosure there is provided various embodiments of directional adjustment unit for a headgear for a respiratory mask, comprising a housing, at least one frictional engagement member arranged to be movable with respect to the housing, the at least one frictional engagement member having an aperture extending therethrough for receiving a filament of a strap of the headgear therethrough, wherein the at least one frictional engagement member in a first movable configuration provides a disengaged configuration with respect to the filament, and in a second movable configuration provides an engaged configuration with respect to the filament. Also disclosed herein are various headgear, yoke assemblies, mask assemblies, mask frames and headgear filaments, some of which are for use with such a directional adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Nick Sullivan, Christopher Michael Wong, Vitaly Kapelevich, Matthew Robert Geoff Slight, David Monroy Felix, Fadi Karim Moh'd Mashal, Christopher Gareth Sims, Jonathan Tong Lok Sng, Steve Thomas, Jeroen Hammer, Mark Arvind McLaren, Yi-Jen Lin, Silas Sao Jin Siew, Arvin San Jose Gardiola, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Blair Raymund Dadson Murphy
  • Publication number: 20240408342
    Abstract: A respiratory mask system includes a mask interface and a headgear assembly. The headgear assembly is adjustable and comprised of an elastic portion, a non-elastic portion and a restriction mechanism configured to provide a force resisting movement of the non-elastic portion when the elastic portion is extended. There is a support beam coupled to the non-elastic portion and extending along a portion of the headgear that is curved along its longitudinal extent. In this way particular seal modules can be comfortably fitted to a user and any blow off force is mitigated. A particular example of the respiratory mask system includes provision for removable attachment between the seal and a mask frame, the mask frame and a yoke of the headgear; and between a conduit and the mask frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher Gareth SIMS, Fadi Karim Moh'd MASHAL, Vitaly KAPELEVICH, Mark Arvind MCLAREN, Silas Sao Jin SIEW, Jonathan Mark DOWNEY, Christopher Michael WONG, Matthew Aaron BRADLEY, Janine Elizabeth COLLINS, Dillan PATEL, Steve THOMAS, Chris Onin Limpin HIPOLITO, Priyanka Ferdinand PEREIRA, Matthew Robert Geoff SLIGHT, David Monroy FELIX, Xin Yue ZHU, Jonathan Tong Lok SNG, Arvin San Jose GARDIOLA, Stephen Francis HEFFERNAN, Christine Marie LYNCH, Wen Dong HUANG, Bruce Michael WALLS, Jeremy Owen YOUNG, Tony William SPEAR, Jake Baker HOCKING, Melissa Catherine BORNHOLDT
  • Patent number: 12102764
    Abstract: A respiratory mask system includes a mask interface and a headgear assembly. The headgear assembly is adjustable and comprised of an elastic portion, a non-elastic portion and a restriction mechanism configured to provide a force resisting movement of the non-elastic portion when the elastic portion is extended. There is a support beam coupled to the non-elastic portion and extending along a portion of the headgear that is curved along its longitudinal extent. In this way particular seal modules can be comfortably fitted to a user and any blow off force is mitigated. A particular example of the respiratory mask system includes provision for removable attachment between the seal and a mask frame, the mask frame and a yoke of the headgear; and between a conduit and the mask frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Gareth Sims, Fadi Karim Moh'd Mashal, Vitaly Kapelevich, Mark Arvind McLaren, Silas Sao Jin Siew, Jonathan Mark Downey, Christopher Michael Wong, Matthew Aaron Bradley, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Dillan Patel, Steve Thomas, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Priyanka Ferdinand Pereira, Matthew Robert Geoff Slight, David Monroy Felix, Xin Yue Zhu, Jonathan Tong Lok Sng, Arvin San Jose Gardiola, Stephen Francis Heffernan, Christine Marie Lynch, Wen Dong Huang, Bruce Michael Walls, Jeremy Owen Young, Tony William Spear, Jake Baker Hocking, Melissa Catherine Bornholdt
  • Publication number: 20240139456
    Abstract: FIGS. 1-16D & 66A-92D disclose a large variety of methods of forming the headgear for use in combination with a breathing apparatus including a unitary plastic core within textile casings. In some configurations, the plastic core material penetrates or bursts-through the textile casing of the straps. Some configurations include over moulding, alignment posts, T-joints and joint housings with injection aperture. FIGS. 17-65 & 93A-94C disclose a large variety of different headgear arrangements including top strap, front strap, rear strap and pairs of straps extending from the mask above and below the ear to meet behind the ear. FIGS. 95-121B disclose a large variety of connectors connecting the headgear assembly to the mask assembly where the headgear, mask and connector form a closed loop when the connector is disengaged with the mask assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Paul Mathew Freestone, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Ryan Anthony Graham, Vitaly Kapelevich, Melissa Catherine Bornholdt, Sophie Kathryn Randles, Silas Sao Jin Siew, Steve Thomas, Ronan Leahy, Max Leon Betteridge, Callum Ross Gordon, Vicky Dan Gao, Cameron Robert Willis
  • Publication number: 20240104338
    Abstract: A method comprising: sampling a temporal causal graph from a temporal graph distribution specifying probabilities of directed causal edges between different variables of a feature vector at a present time step, and from one variable at a preceding time step to another variables at the present time step. Based on this there are identified: a present parent which is a cause of the selected variable in the present time step, and a preceding parent which is a cause of the selected variable from the preceding time step. The method then comprises: inputting a value of each identified present and preceding parent into a respective encoder, resulting in a respective embedding of each of the present and preceding parents; combining the embeddings of the present and preceding parents, resulting in a combined embedding; inputting the combined embedding into a decoder, resulting in a reconstructed value of the selected variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Wenbo GONG, Cheng ZHANG, Nick PAWLOWSKI, Joel JENNINGS, Karen FASSIO, Marife DEFANTE, Steve THOMAS, Alice HORAN, Chao MA, Matthew ASHMAN, Agrin HILMKIL
  • Patent number: 11850365
    Abstract: FIGS. 1-16D & 66A-92D disclose a large variety of methods of forming the headgear for use in combination with a breathing apparatus comprising a unitary plastic core within textile casings. In some configurations, the plastic core material penetrates or bursts-through the textile casing of the straps. Some configurations include over moulding, alignment posts, T-joints and joint housings with injection aperture. FIGS. 17-65 & 93A-94C disclose a large variety of different headgear arrangements including top strap, front strap, rear strap and pairs of straps extending from the mask above and below the ear to meet behind the ear. FIGS. 95-121B disclose a large variety of connectors connecting the headgear assembly to the mask assembly where the headgear, mask and connector form a closed loop the connector is disengaged with the mask assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mathew Freestone, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Ryan Anthony Graham, Vitaly Kapelevich, Melissa Catherine Bornholdt, Sophie Kathryn Randles, Silas Sao Jin Siew, Steve Thomas, Ronan Leahy, Max Leon Betteridge, Callum Ross Gordon, Vicky Dan Gao, Cameron Robert Willis
  • Publication number: 20230229906
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: accessing a machine learning, ML, model that is operable to sample a causal graph from a graph distribution describing different possible graphs, wherein nodes represent the different variables of said set and edges represent causation, and the graph distribution comprises a matrix of probabilities of existence and causal direction of potential edges between pairs of nodes, and wherein the ML model is trained to be able to generate a respective simulated value of a selected variable from among said set based on the sampled causal graph. The method further comprises using the ML model to estimate a treatment effect from one or more intervened-on variables on another, target variable from among the variables of said set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng ZHANG, Javier ANTORAN, Adam Evan FOSTER, Maria DEFANTE, Steve THOMAS, Tomas GEFFNER, Miltiadis ALLAMANIS, Karen FASSIO, Daniel TRUAX
  • Publication number: 20220126050
    Abstract: FIGS. 1-16D & 66A-92D disclose a large variety of methods of forming the headgear for use in combination with a breathing apparatus comprising a unitary plastic core within textile casings. In some configurations, the plastic core material penetrates or bursts-through the textile casing of the straps. Some configurations include over moulding, alignment posts, T-joints and joint housings with injection aperture. FIGS. 17-65 & 93A-94C disclose a large variety of different headgear arrangements including top strap, front strap, rear strap and pairs of straps extending from the mask above and below the ear to meet behind the ear. FIGS. 95-121B disclose a large variety of connectors connecting the headgear assembly to the mask assembly where the headgear, mask and connector form a closed loop the connector is disengaged with the mask assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Mathew Freestone, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Ryan Anthony Graham, Vitaly Kapelevich, Melissa Catherine Bornholdt, Sophie Kathryn Randles, Silas Sao Jin Siew, Steve Thomas, Ronan Leahy, Max Leon Betteridge, Callum Ross Gordon, Vicky Dan Gao, Cameron Robert Willis
  • Patent number: 11253668
    Abstract: FIGS. 1-16D & 66A-92D disclose a large variety of methods of forming the headgear for use in combination with a breathing apparatus including a unitary plastic core within textile casings. In some configurations, the plastic core material penetrates or bursts-through the textile casing of the straps. Some configurations include over moulding, alignment posts, T-joints and joint housings with injection aperture. FIGS. 17-65 & 93A-94C disclose a large variety of different headgear arrangements including top strap, front strap, rear strap and pairs of straps extending from the mask above and below the ear to meet behind the ear. FIGS. 95-121B disclose a large variety of connectors connecting the headgear assembly to the mask assembly where the headgear, mask and connector form a closed loop the connector is disengaged with the mask assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mathew Freestone, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Ryan Anthony Graham, Vitaly Kapelevich, Melissa Catherine Bornholdt, Sophie Kathryn Randles, Silas Sao Jin Siew, Steve Thomas, Ronan Leahy, Max Leon Betteridge, Callum Ross Gordon, Vicky Dan Gao, Cameron Robert Willis
  • Publication number: 20220023574
    Abstract: According to this disclosure there is provided various embodiments of directional adjustment unit for a headgear for a respiratory mask, comprising a housing, at least one frictional engagement member arranged to be movable with respect to the housing, the at least one frictional engagement member having an aperture extending therethrough for receiving a filament of a strap of the headgear therethrough, wherein the at least one frictional engagement member in a first movable configuration provides a disengaged configuration with respect to the filament, and in a second movable configuration provides an engaged configuration with respect to the filament. Also disclosed herein are various headgear, yoke assemblies, mask assemblies, mask frames and headgear filaments, some of which are for use with such a directional adjustment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Nick Sullivan, Christopher Michael Wong, Vitaly Kapelevich, Matthew Robert Geoff Slight, David Monroy Felix, Fadi Karim Moh'd Mashal, Christopher Gareth Sims, Jonathan Tong Lok SNG, Steve Thomas, Jeroen Hammer, Mark Arvind McLaren, Yi-Jen Lin, Silas Sao Jin Siew, Arvin San Jose Gardiola, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Blair Raymund Dadson Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210170134
    Abstract: FIGS. 1-16D & 66A-92D disclose a large variety of methods of forming the headgear for use in combination with a breathing apparatus comprising a unitary plastic core within textile casings. In some configurations, the plastic core material penetrates or bursts-through the textile casing of the straps. Some configurations include over moulding, alignment posts, T-joints and joint housings with injection aperture. FIGS. 17-65 & 93A-94C disclose a large variety of different headgear arrangements including top strap, front strap, rear strap and pairs of straps extending from the mask above and below the ear to meet behind the ear. FIGS. 95-121B disclose a large variety of connectors connecting the headgear assembly to the mask assembly where the headgear, mask and connector form a closed loop the connector is disengaged with the mask assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Mathew Freestone, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Ryan Anthony Graham, Vitaly Kapelevich, Melissa Catherine Bornholdt, Sophie Kathryn Randles, Silas Sao Jin Siew, Steve Thomas, Ronan Leahy, Max Leon Betteridge, Callum Ross Gordon, Vicky Dan Gao, Cameron Robert Willis
  • Patent number: D955553
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Silas Sao Jin Siew, Thomas Mark Richardson, Jonathan Mark Downey, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Steve Thomas, Priyanka Ferdinand Pereira, Matthew Aaron Bradley
  • Patent number: D955558
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Janine Elizabeth Collins, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Jonathan Mark Downey, Matthew Aaron Bradley, Priyanka Ferdinand Pao, Steve Thomas, Silas Sao Jin Siew
  • Patent number: D989288
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Janine Elizabeth Collins, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Jonathan Mark Downey, Matthew Aaron Bradley, Priyanka Ferdinand Pao, Steve Thomas, Silas Sao Jin Siew
  • Patent number: D989289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Silas Sao Jin Siew, Thomas Mark Richardson, Jonathan Mark Downey, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Steve Thomas, Priyanka Ferdinand Pereira, Matthew Aaron Bradley
  • Patent number: D990661
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Silas Sao Jin Siew, Vitaly Kapelevich, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Steve Thomas, Lydia Kathleen McGlashan, Mark Andrew Thompson, Jordan Dean Jones Kimpton, Bruno Sintive, Roshalee Nundloll, Yunhe Guan, Paul Mathew Freestone, Bruce Michael Walls, Jake Baker Hocking, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Katie O'Brien, Arvin San Jose Gardiola, Matthew Robert Geoff Slight, Christopher Gareth Sims, Blair Raymund Dadson Murphy
  • Patent number: D1024313
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Janine Elizabeth Collins, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Jonathan Mark Downey, Matthew Aaron Bradley, Priyanka Ferdinand Pao, Steve Thomas, Silas Sao Jin Siew
  • Patent number: D1048379
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Silas Sao Jin Siew, Thomas Mark Richardson, Jonathan Mark Downey, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Steve Thomas, Priyanka Ferdinand Pereira, Matthew Aaron Bradley
  • Patent number: D1073058
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LIMITED
    Inventors: Silas Sao Jin Siew, Vitaly Kapelevich, Janine Elizabeth Collins, Steve Thomas, Lydia Kathleen McGlashan, Mark Andrew Thompson, Jordan Dean Jones Kimpton, Bruno Sintive, Roshalee Nundloll, Yunhe Guan, Paul Mathew Freestone, Bruce Michael Walls, Jake Baker Hocking, Chris Onin Limpin Hipolito, Katie O'Brien, Arvin San Jose Gardiola, Matthew Robert Geoff Slight, Christopher Gareth Sims, Blair Raymund Dadson Murphy