Patents by Inventor Steven Eric Backer

Steven Eric Backer 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: 6553681
    Abstract: A system and method to facilitate thickness measurement of bio-material workpiece, preferably a sheet, and to topographically map the sheet into similar thickness zones for later use. In particular, the system may include a three-axis programmable controller for manipulating a bio-material workpiece with respect to a thickness measurement head. The measurement head may include a plurality of sensors for simultaneous measurement of a plurality of points, with the sensors being adapted to contact the sheet or not. A robust human-machine interface is also provided for process control, preferably including a touch-screen monitor. A marking head may be provided for marking the zones or otherwise indicating the thickness in different areas. Two platens are desirably used in parallel for increased thoughput; the workpiece on one platen may be measured while the other is marked. The system and method are especially suited for assessing and marking pericardial tissue for forming heart valve leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Carl Roger Ekholm, Jr., Son Nguyen, Richard L. Peloquin, Robert Gliniecki, Todd Baeten, Suzanne E. Graumlich, Steven Eric Backer
  • Publication number: 20020157271
    Abstract: A system and method to facilitate thickness measurement of bio-material workpiece, preferably a sheet, and to topographically map the sheet into similar thickness zones for later use. In particular, the system may include a three-axis programmable controller for manipulating a bio-material workpiece with respect to a thickness measurement head. The measurement head may include a plurality of sensors for simultaneous measurement of a plurality of points, with the sensors being adapted to contact the sheet or not. A robust human-machine interface is also provided for process control, preferably including a touch-screen monitor. A marking head may be provided for marking the zones or otherwise indicating the thickness in different areas. Two platens are desirably used in parallel for increased thoughput; the workpiece on one platen may be measured while the other is marked. The system and method are especially suited for assessing and marking pericardial tissue for forming heart valve leaflets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Carl Roger Ekholm, Son Nguyen, Richard L. Peloquin, Robert Gliniecki, Todd Baeten, Suzanne E. Graumlich, Steven Eric Backer
  • Patent number: 6378221
    Abstract: A system and method to facilitate thickness measurement of bio-material workpiece, preferably a sheet, and to topographically map the sheet into similar thickness zones for later use. In particular, the system may include a three-axis programmable controller for manipulating a bio-material workpiece with respect to a thickness measurement head. The measurement head may include a plurality of sensors for simultaneous measurement of a plurality of points, with the sensors being adapted to contact the sheet or not. A robust human-machine interface is also provided for process control, preferably including a touch-screen monitor. A marking head may be provided for marking the zones or otherwise indicating the thickness in different areas. Two platens are desirably used in parallel for increased thoughput; the workpiece on one platen may be measured while the other is marked. The system and method are especially suited for assessing and marking pericardial tissue for forming heart valve leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Roger Ekholm, Jr., Son Nguyen, Richard L. Peloquin, Robert Gliniecki, Todd Baeten, Suzanne E. Graumlich, Steven Eric Backer