Patents by Inventor Terence T. Smith
Terence T. Smith 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).
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Publication number: 20140199057Abstract: A warming system for large volume dialysis bags provides a basin configured to position the bags in a low thickness, wrinkle free configuration for maximum heat transfer. A centrally positioned thermal sensing element may provide accurate temperature measurement of interior bag temperature by a correction process and a weight sensor may automatically control the heater when the bag is in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: ENTHERMICS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: William J. Hansen, Terence T. Smith
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Patent number: 8581152Abstract: A heating system is disclosed including a cabinet, at least one heating pad subassembly, and a plurality of couplings. The cabinet has walls defining an interior heating chamber. The heating pad subassembly is disposed on an exterior surface of the walls of the cabinet and includes a heating element and a plurality of openings formed there through. The plurality of couplings includes a plurality of coupling first portions disposed on the exterior surface of the walls and a plurality of coupling second portions coupled to the plurality of coupling first portions. At least a portion of the plurality of couplings extend through the plurality of openings in the heating pad subassembly, thereby coupling the heating pad subassembly to the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Enthermics Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: William J. Hansen, Adam Van Essen, Terence T. Smith
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Patent number: 8362402Abstract: A fluid warmer is disclosed. The fluid warmer includes a support surface, a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface, and a switch assembly extending through the support surface. The switch assembly includes a switch, a movable switch plate, and a thermocouple. The switch has at least two states, one of which indicates the presence of an item on the support surface. The movable switch plate operably links to the switch to move the switch between the states and further includes a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface. One or more thermocouples are embedded in the movable switch plate below the contact surface. The movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple(s) embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Enthermics Medical Systems, IncInventors: William J. Hansen, Terence T. Smith
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Patent number: 8217316Abstract: A heating system is disclosed including a cabinet having walls defining an interior heating chamber. Sensors are attached to an exterior surface of the walls. Heating pad subassemblies are attached to the exterior surface of the walls with each heating pad subassemblies located adjacent a corresponding sensor. The heating pad subassemblies include a pad having an attachment face coupled to the exterior surface of the walls and a heating element coupled to the pad. A controller is in electrical communication with the heating elements and the sensors. This controller is configured to independently monitor temperate measurements from each of the sensors and to independently control each of the heating elements. The heating pad subassemblies are positionable on the exterior side of the plurality of walls and the heating system compensates for load variations across the interior heating chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Enthermics Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: William J. Hansen, Adam Van Essen, Terence T. Smith, Praveen Rai
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Patent number: 8076618Abstract: The present invention provides a modular fluid warmer and a method of stacking a plurality of modular fluid warmers. As each of the modular fluid warmers is independently operated, the modular fluid warmers are energy efficient. Further, each modular fluid warmer may be equipped with sensors and a controller that reduces the required amount of user interaction with the modular fluid warmer.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Enthermics Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: William J. Hansen, Terence T. Smith
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Publication number: 20110198339Abstract: A heating system is disclosed including a cabinet, at least one heating pad subassembly, and a plurality of couplings. The cabinet has walls defining an interior heating chamber. The heating pad subassembly is disposed on an exterior surface of the walls of the cabinet and includes a heating element and a plurality of openings formed there through. The plurality of couplings includes a plurality of coupling first portions disposed on the exterior surface of the walls and a plurality of coupling second portions coupled to the plurality of coupling first portions. At least a portion of the plurality of couplings extend through the plurality of openings in the heating pad subassembly, thereby coupling the heating pad subassembly to the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: William J. Hansen, Adam Van Essen, Terence T. Smith
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Publication number: 20100276411Abstract: A fluid warmer is disclosed. The fluid warmer includes a support surface, a heating element configured to selectively heat the support surface, and a switch assembly extending through the support surface. The switch assembly includes a switch, a movable switch plate, and a thermocouple. The switch has at least two states, one of which indicates the presence of an item on the support surface. The movable switch plate operably links to the switch to move the switch between the states and further includes a contact surface that contacts an item placed on the support surface. One or more thermocouples are embedded in the movable switch plate below the contact surface. The movable switch plate comprises a material having a thermal conductivity that permits the thermocouple(s) embedded in the switch plate to measure a temperature of an item placed on the support surface within a predetermined period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventors: William J. Hansen, Terence T. Smith
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Publication number: 20100059498Abstract: The present invention provides a modular fluid warmer and a method of stacking a plurality of modular fluid warmers. As each of the modular fluid warmers is independently operated, the modular fluid warmers are energy efficient. Further, each modular fluid warmer may be equipped with sensors and a controller that reduces the required amount of user interaction with the modular fluid warmer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: William J. Hansen, Terence T. Smith
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Patent number: 5001317Abstract: A pneumatic switch unit includes a switch housing. A conductive contact spring is mounted between diametric supports, one being adjustable. The spring has a central actuator arm and an offset contact arm interconnected to an encircling frame. A two piece switch actuator has clamp members clamped to the actuator arm. Separate end closure members secured to the switch housing ends. The closure member may clamp a diaphragm against the housing, with the diaphragm engaging the actuator. The closure member may have a mechanical actuating member or a simple closure plate engaging the actuator. The two switch housings may be mounted to the opposite sides of a single pressure chamber with end diaphragms closing the opposed ends of the switch housing. The pressure actuates both switch units to establish a sequence switch unit. The spring has a rectangular frame with a central opening having an actuating arm therein. The opposite spring ends are mounted in supports one of which is adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1989Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Louis D. AtkinsonInventors: Louis D. Atkinson, Terence T. Smith