Patents by Inventor T. O'Brien

T. O'Brien 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: 20160151082
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, John R. Twomey, Michael B. Lyons, Jessica E. C. Olson, Sean T. O'Neill, Grant T. Sims
  • Patent number: 9346099
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for containing the molten materials within a melt zone during melting. The apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein and an induction coil with unevenly spaced turns along its length. Induction coil can have a series of turns acting as a first (e.g., load) induction coil and a series of turns acting as a second (e.g., containment) induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated and contained by the separated turns of the induction coil. A plunger can also assist in containing material during melting. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold using the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: Adam A Verreault, Sean T. O'Keeffe, Joseph W Stevick, Brennan D Yahata
  • Publication number: 20160136200
    Abstract: This invention relates to the improvement of gastrointestinal health, immunity and performance by direct dietary intervention with a composition comprising a glucan and/or a fucan, and relates in particular to the transfer of associated health benefits to offspring via glucan and/or a fucan supplementation of the maternal diet. Accordingly the present invention provides a composition comprising at least one glucan, at least one fucan, or at least one glucan and at least one fucan for use in improving or maintaining the gastrointestinal health or function of a progeny of a maternal animal by administration to the maternal animal; and a method for improving or maintaining the gastrointestinal health or function of a progeny of a maternal animal, the method comprising administering a composition comprising at least one glucan, at least one fucan, or at least one glucan and at least one fucan to the maternal animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: John T. O'SULLIVAN, Michael GALLAGHER, John O'DOHERTY, Torres SWEENEY
  • Patent number: 9326812
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft. The housing includes a docking portion that includes one or more apertures defined therein and electrical circuitry disposed therein. An end effector is operably supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft. A battery assembly is selectively and pivotably engageable with the docking portion of the housing and configured to generate electrical energy. The battery assembly includes one or more protrusions that are configured to releasably engage the aperture(s) on the docking portion and a latch mechanism that is movable from an initial position for latching the battery assembly to the docking portion to a subsequent position for unlatching the battery assembly from the docking portion. The battery assembly is adapted to communicate with the electrical circuitry of the docking member upon insertion of the battery assembly into the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Luke Waaler, Duane E. Kerr, Diana Gunnarson, Robert B. Stoddard, Sean T. O'Neill, Steven E. Butcher, William E. Robinson, Cody C. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20160100881
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly includes providing first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second, approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cavity defined therein and the other of the first and second jaw members includes a stop member configured to be inserted into the cavity. A gap-setting gauge is grasped between the first and second jaw members to define a gap-distance between the jaw members equivalent to a thickness of the gap-setting gauge. The first and second jaw members are set such that the jaw members are prevented from approximation beyond the gap-distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: JOANNA ACKLEY, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, RYAN C. ARTALE, KIM V. BRANDT, DENNIS W. BUTCHER, EDWARD M. CHOJIN, GARY M. COUTURE, JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, DAVID M. GARRISON, KEIR HART, RUSSELL D. HEMPSTEAD, GLENN A. HORNER, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, DUANE E. KERR, DYLAN R. KINGSLEY, PETER M. MUELLER, JESSICA E.C. OLSON, SEAN T. O'NEILL, JASON T. SANDERS, ROBERT M. SHARP, JOHN R. TWOMEY, JEFFREY R. UNGER
  • Patent number: 9265566
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the housing. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis and a mandrel at the proximal portion. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft. An actuating mechanism is operably coupled to the mandrel and is configured to selectively cause movement of the elongated shaft in a longitudinal direction with respect to the inner shaft member. The surgical also includes an end effector that is adapted for treating tissue and includes an upper jaw member pivotally coupled to a distal portion of the inner shaft member about a pivot axis and a lower jaw member supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. Longitudinal movement of the elongated shaft is configured to pivot the upper jaw member relative to the lower jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Sean T. O'Neill, Jessica E. C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20160045254
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the housing. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis and a mandrel at the proximal portion. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft. An actuating mechanism is operably coupled to the mandrel and is configured to selectively cause movement of the elongated shaft in a longitudinal direction with respect to the inner shaft member. The surgical also includes an end effector that is adapted for treating tissue and includes an upper jaw member pivotally coupled to a distal portion of the inner shaft member about a pivot axis and a lower jaw member supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. Longitudinal movement of the elongated shaft is configured to pivot the upper jaw member relative to the lower jaw member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: SEAN T. O'NEILL, JESSICA E.C. OLSON
  • Publication number: 20160039659
    Abstract: Systems are described for delivery of a wide variety of materials in which liquid and gas or vapor states are concurrently present, from a package preferably including a fluid-containing collapsible liner. Headspace gas is removed from a pressure dispensing package prior to liquid dispensation therefrom, and ingress gas is removed thereafter during dispensation operation. At least one sensor senses presence of gas or a gas-liquid interface in a reservoir or gas-liquid separation region. A gas removal system including an integral reservoir, at least one sensor, and at least one flow control elements may be included within a connector adapted to mate with a pressure dispensing package, for highly efficient removal of gas from the liquid being dispensed from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Donald D. WARE, Glenn M. TOM, Paul DATHE, Amy KOLAND, Jason GEROLD, Kirk MIKKELSEN, Kevin T. O'DOUGHERTY, Michael A. CISEWSKI
  • Publication number: 20160029627
    Abstract: A non-nematicidal composition comprises at least one glucan and/or at least one fucan which act individually or synergistically with mannitol to reduce losses in crop yield and marketable grade caused by the infestation of growth media with plant pathogenic nematodes, to levels equivalent to those achieved with commercial nematicides, but without posing a risk to the ecosystem or user. In some cases the composition comprises at least one glucan, at least one fucan and at least one mannitol which may be in a weight/weight ratio of approximately 1:2:3 of at least one glucan:at least one fucan:at least one mannitol or between approximately 1:1:1 to 1:1:3 of at least one glucan:at least one fucan:at least one mannitol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: BIOATLANTIS LTD
    Inventors: John T. O'SULLIVAN, Kieran GUINAN, Sujeeth NEERAKKAL
  • Patent number: 9253376
    Abstract: This invention relates to the automatic pointing of a pointing device, such as a camera, without the assistance of a person who operates the camera. Systems and methods are disclosed wherein the system is substantially stationary during recording but is portable to the venue of recording. For the purpose of recording, the camera turns automatically to optically follow the person, animal, or object that is being recorded. The present invention provides for high quality video recording; the high quality video recording here refers to features of the inventive systems and methods that provide for smooth camera motion necessary to take enjoyable videos for personal or for commercial use. This invention provides a portable system that automatically records videos from the vantage point of a sports fan, of a spectator or of a competition judge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Boyle, Scott K. Taylor, Alexander G. Sammons, John T. O'Callaghan, Denes Marton
  • Patent number: 9246519
    Abstract: A method for producing a LDPC encoded test pattern for media in a LDPC based drive system includes adding error detection code data to a predominantly zero bit test pattern and adding additional zero bits to produce a test pattern of a desirable length. The test pattern may then be scrambled to produce a desirable flaw detection test pattern. The flaw detection test pattern may then be encoding with an LDPC code, or other error correction code with minimal disturbance to the run length constraints of the data pattern, and written to a storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jefferson E. Singleton, Shaohua Yang, Bruce A. Wilson, Keenan T. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9241951
    Abstract: This invention relates to the improvement of gastrointestinal health, immunity and performance by direct dietary intervention with a composition comprising a glucan and/or a fucan, and relates in particular to the transfer of associated health benefits to offspring via glucan and/or a fucan supplementation of the maternal diet. Accordingly the present invention provides a composition comprising at least one glucan, at least one fucan, or at least one glucan and at least one fucan for use in improving or maintaining the gastrointestinal health or function of a progeny of a maternal animal by administration to the maternal animal, and a method for improving or maintaining the gastrointestinal health or function of a progeny of a maternal animal, the method comprising administering a composition comprising at least one glucan, at least one fucan, or at least one glucan and at least one fucan to the maternal animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: BIOATLANTIS LTD
    Inventors: John T. O'Sullivan, Michael Gallagher, John O'Doherty, Torres Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20160009124
    Abstract: Heat transfers are provided that have indicia for labeling or enhancing the appearance of performance fabric material, such as apparel including sportswear fabrics with elastomeric characteristics. The label assembly includes a support portion with a label carrier layer and a release coating, along with a transfer portion over the support portion release coating that includes an ink design and a hot melt adhesive layer. The hot melt adhesive layer securely transfers the ink design to the fabric at relatively low temperature and pressure conditions for a relatively low dwell time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Yi-Hung Chiao, Liviu Dinescu, Andrew Spendlove, Johannes Yttri, Osman N. Tanrikulu, Ben T. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9216049
    Abstract: Implant removal systems and methods for using the system for removing an implant from a bone are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method for removing an intramedullary implant from a bone includes navigating a guidewire into an intramedullary cavity of the bone; inserting the guidewire into a lumen of an intramedullary implant located in the intramedullary cavity of the bone; advancing a removal screw over the guidewire to the intramedullary implant; threading the removal screw into the lumen of the intramedullary implant to engage the removal screw to the intramedullary implant; and applying impaction force on the removal screw to remove the intramedullary implant from the intramedullary cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: IlluminOss Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Rabiner, Gene P. DiPoto, Jeffrey P. Broussaeau, Augustus C. Shanahan, Chi Yin Wong, Anthony T. O'Leary
  • Publication number: 20150360929
    Abstract: Fluid storage and dispensing systems and processes involving various structures methods for fluid storage and dispensing, including, pre-connect verification couplings that are usefully employed with fluid storage and dispensing packages to ensure proper coupling and avoid fluid contamination issues, empty detect systems (e.g., monitoring pressure of dispensed liquid medium to detect pressure droop conditions) useable with fluid storage and dispensing packages incorporating liners that are pressure-compressed in the fluid dispensing operation, ergonomically enhanced structures for facilitating removal of a dispense connector from a capped vessel, cap integrity assurance systems for preventing misuse of vessel caps, and keycoding systems for ensuring coupling of proper dispense assemblies and vessels. Fluid storage and dispensing systems achieve zero or near-zero headspace character, and prevent or ameliorate solubilization effects in liquid dispensing from liners in overpack vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin T. O'DOUGHERTY, Glenn M. TOM
  • Publication number: 20150341121
    Abstract: An optical device may include a modulator. The modulator may receive an optical signal. The modulator may modulate the optical signal to include a first channel and a second channel. The modulator may modulate the optical signal based on a training pattern associated with detecting a skew. The modulator may cause the first channel to interfere with the second channel. The modulator may perform a power measurement on the first channel and the second channel. The modulator may determine the skew based on the power measurement and the training pattern. The modulator may time delay the first channel or the second channel to align the skew based on the skew.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Yang YUE, Bo Zhang, Robert C. Lofland, Jason T. O'Neil, Qiang Wang, Jon J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9192434
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John R. Twomey, Dylan R. Kingsley, James D. Allen, IV, Sean T. O'Neill, Jeffrey M. Roy
  • Patent number: D744100
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Shu Kuen Chang, Stephan Merkle, Subrat K. Samantray, Grant T. Sims, Sean T. O'Neill, Ryan C. Artale, Tony Moua, Robert M. Sharp, Roland J. Wyatt
  • Patent number: D748260
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Shu Kuen Chang, Stephan Merkle, Subrat K. Samantray, Grant T. Sims, Sean T. O'Neill, Ryan C. Artale, Tony Moua, Robert M. Sharp, Roland J. Wyatt
  • Patent number: D750245
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Shu Kuen Chang, Stephan Merkle, Subrat K. Samantray, Grant T. Sims, Sean T. O'Neill