Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Evans

Thomas J. Evans 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: 20240032961
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling clinical soil are provided. A system includes a device cover formed of a flexible polymer sheet defining an interior volume for a skin grafting device and includes at least a first opening configured to receive a portion of the skin grafting device. The system further includes a cincture having a gasket configured to be affixed to a perimeter of the first opening of the device cover and to secure the device cover about the first opening to the skin grafting device to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior volume of the device cover during a skin grafting process performed using the skin grafting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Marvin A. Guiles, Aaron McPherson, Kelly Molinaro, Thomas J. Evans
  • Patent number: 11853372
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving the discoverability of messages on a social network. The creation of a proposed message that requests a response from a target audience is detected. The social network is then searched to identify search terms and posts related to the proposed message. Upon identifying the search terms, the search terms are ranked in order of usage among the identified posts. A list of identified search terms in order of rank is then presented to the user to modify the proposed message. The proposed message is modified using a search term selected by the user from the list of search terms. The modified message is then posted on the social network. In this manner, the message created by the user has been modified to improve the discoverability of the message on the social network and to increase responses from an appropriate target audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 11633208
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling clinical soil are provided. A system includes a device cover formed of a flexible polymer sheet defining an interior volume for a skin grafting device, and includes at least a first opening configured to receive a portion of the skin grafting device. The system further includes a cincture having a gasket configured to be affixed to a perimeter of the first opening of the device cover and to secure the device cover about the first opening to the skin grafting device to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior volume of the device cover during a skin grafting process performed using the skin grafting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventors: Kelly Molinaro, Marvin A. Guiles, Thomas J. Evans, Aaron McPherson
  • Publication number: 20220280180
    Abstract: A skin grafting system having a handheld device, a cartridge, and a device shield. The handheld device includes a device housing forming an interior that secures a drive system. The cartridge includes a plurality of hollow microneedles surrounded by a peripheral housing and is configured to be operated by the drive system to extend and retract past the peripheral housing into a subject to harvest tissue during a skin grafting process. The device shield is formed of a polymer extending from an interior opening to an exterior edge, the interior opening sized to extend about the peripheral housing to position the exterior edge over the device housing to control ingress of fluids into the interior of the device housing from fluid about the peripheral housing of the cartridge during the skin grafting process performed using the skin grafting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Marvin A. Guiles, Aaron McPherson, Thomas J. Evans
  • Patent number: 11369409
    Abstract: A skin grafting system having a handheld device, a cartridge, and a device shield. The handheld device includes a device housing forming an interior that secures a drive system. The cartridge includes a plurality of hollow microneedles surrounded by a peripheral housing and is configured to be operated by the drive system to extend and retract past the peripheral housing into a subject to harvest tissue during a skin grafting process. The device shield is formed of a polymer extending from an interior opening to an exterior edge, the interior opening sized to extend about the peripheral housing to positon the exterior edge over the device housing to control ingress of fluids into the interior of the device housing from fluid about the peripheral housing of the cartridge during the skin grafting process performed using the skin grafting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Medline Industries, LP
    Inventors: Marvin A. Guiles, Aaron McPherson, Thomas J. Evans
  • Patent number: 11157578
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving the discoverability of messages on a social network. The creation of a proposed message that requests a response from a target audience is detected. The social network is then searched to identify search terms and posts related to the proposed message. Upon identifying the search terms, the search terms are ranked in order of usage among the identified posts. A list of identified search terms in order of rank is then presented to the user to modify the proposed message. The proposed message is modified using a search term selected by the user from the list of search terms. The modified message is then posted on the social network. In this manner, the message created by the user has been modified to improve the discoverability of the message on the social network and to increase responses from an appropriate target audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 11122046
    Abstract: A system for user-processing of data includes a processor, computer readable storage medium, and a program for generating an authorized response to a message in a network. Messages with content that relates to a group, sent by an originator via a network, are detected. The computer system determines that the message relates to the group by analyzing the message content. Members of the group are selected as designated senders to contribute to an authorized response for the group by analyzing the message. Selected designated senders are notified that they are selected to contribute to the authorized response. Initial responses to the originator from the designated senders are intercepted. The computer system combines the initial responses from the designated senders for generating a combined response as an authorized response for the group and sends the combined response to the originator via the network as the authorized response for the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 11115416
    Abstract: In a computer system implemented method for generating an authorized response to a message in a network, messages with content that relates to a group are sent by an originator via a network are detected. The computer system determines that the message relates to the group by analyzing the message content. Members of the group are selected as designated senders to contribute to an authorized response to the message for the group by analyzing the message. Selected designated senders are notified that they are selected to contribute to the authorized response and initial responses to the originator from the designated senders are intercepted. The computer system combines the initial responses from the designated senders for generating a combined response as an authorized response for the group and sends the combined response to the originator via the network as the authorized response for the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, Robert E. Loredo
  • Publication number: 20210216602
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving the discoverability of messages on a social network. The creation of a proposed message that requests a response from a target audience is detected. The social network is then searched to identify search terms and posts related to the proposed message. Upon identifying the search terms, the search terms are ranked in order of usage among the identified posts. A list of identified search terms in order of rank is then presented to the user to modify the proposed message. The proposed message is modified using a search term selected by the user from the list of search terms. The modified message is then posted on the social network. In this manner, the message created by the user has been modified to improve the discoverability of the message on the social network and to increase responses from an appropriate target audience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Publication number: 20210212711
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling clinical soil are provided. A system includes a device cover formed of a flexible polymer sheet defining an interior volume for a skin grafting device, and includes at least a first opening configured to receive a portion of the skin grafting device. The system further includes a cincture having a gasket configured to be affixed to a perimeter of the first opening of the device cover and to secure the device cover about the first opening to the skin grafting device to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior volume of the device cover during a skin grafting process performed using the skin grafting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kelly Molinaro, Marvin A. Guiles, Thomas J. Evans, Aaron McPherson
  • Patent number: 11006249
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for ensuring that important messages are viewed by the intended recipient. A time-to-live pattern for a message identified as being important is determined for the target group, where the time-to-live pattern indicates a set of presentation criteria (e.g., impression analysis, such as the number of views of the message). The target group refers to the intended recipient(s) of the message identified as being important. The message is then monitored in the network environment with respect to the time-to-live pattern using the set of presentation criteria of the time-to-live pattern. An action (e.g., pinning the message for a period of time) may then be performed to increase the priority of the message for the target group if the time-to-live pattern has underachieved within a threshold period of time (i.e., has not met the requirements of the presentation criteria within the threshold period of time).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 11006250
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for ensuring that important messages are viewed by the intended recipient. A time-to-live pattern for a message identified as being important is determined for the target group, where the time-to-live pattern indicates a set of presentation criteria (e.g., impression analysis, such as the number of views of the message). The target group refers to the intended recipient(s) of the message identified as being important. The message is then monitored in the network environment with respect to the time-to-live pattern using the set of presentation criteria of the time-to-live pattern. An action (e.g., pinning the message for a period of time) may then be performed to increase the priority of the message for the target group if the time-to-live pattern has underachieved within a threshold period of time (i.e., has not met the requirements of the presentation criteria within the threshold period of time).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Publication number: 20210100572
    Abstract: A skin grafting system having a handheld device, a cartridge, and a device shield. The handheld device includes a device housing forming an interior that secures a drive system. The cartridge includes a plurality of hollow microneedles surrounded by a peripheral housing and is configured to be operated by the drive system to extend and retract past the peripheral housing into a subject to harvest tissue during a skin grafting process. The device shield is formed of a polymer extending from an interior opening to an exterior edge, the interior opening sized to extend about the peripheral housing to positon the exterior edge over the device housing to control ingress of fluids into the interior of the device housing from fluid about the peripheral housing of the cartridge during the skin grafting process performed using the skin grafting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Marvin A. Guiles, Aaron McPherson, Thomas J. Evans
  • Patent number: 10951566
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system processes messages and includes at least one processor. The system receives a message intended for a collection of messages having a common topic. The message is compared to the common topic of the collection of messages to determine relatedness of the message to the collection of messages. The presentation of the message is altered based on the comparing. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for processing messages in substantially the same manner described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 10929489
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving the discoverability of messages on a social network. The creation of a proposed message that requests a response from a target audience is detected. The social network is then searched to identify search terms and posts related to the proposed message. Upon identifying the search terms, the search terms are ranked in order of usage among the identified posts. A list of identified search terms in order of rank is then presented to the user to modify the proposed message. The proposed message is modified using a search term selected by the user from the list of search terms. The modified message is then posted on the social network. In this manner, the message created by the user has been modified to improve the discoverability of the message on the social network and to increase responses from an appropriate target audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 10616160
    Abstract: Controlling cascade of information transmitted and received via one or more online data sharing platforms and electronic communication network. A message to be shared is detected. The message and the corresponding message stream may be analyzed. An action may be taken upon the message responsive to one or more criteria being met based on analyzing the message and the corresponding message stream. The action may include at least forcing a fact check of the message that determines veracity of the message. The action may also include one or more of removing the message, disabling the message, allowing conditional sharing of the message, or allowing the message to be shared. The one or more criteria may include at least determining a confidence value below a threshold value that indicates the message is non-factual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Vijay Francis
  • Publication number: 20200073900
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving the discoverability of messages on a social network. The creation of a proposed message that requests a response from a target audience is detected. The social network is then searched to identify search terms and posts related to the proposed message. Upon identifying the search terms, the search terms are ranked in order of usage among the identified posts. A list of identified search terms in order of rank is then presented to the user to modify the proposed message. The proposed message is modified using a search term selected by the user from the list of search terms. The modified message is then posted on the social network. In this manner, the message created by the user has been modified to improve the discoverability of the message on the social network and to increase responses from an appropriate target audience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 10565275
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving the discoverability of messages on a social network. The creation of a proposed message that requests a response from a target audience is detected. The social network is then searched to identify search terms and posts related to the proposed message. Upon identifying the search terms, the search terms are ranked in order of usage among the identified posts. A list of identified search terms in order of rank is then presented to the user to modify the proposed message. The proposed message is modified using a search term selected by the user from the list of search terms. The modified message is then posted on the social network. In this manner, the message created by the user has been modified to improve the discoverability of the message on the social network and to increase responses from an appropriate target audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Patent number: 10560419
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to message presentation management in a social networking environment. A message from a source may be detected in the social networking environment. An identified category for the message from the source may be identified based on a set of candidate categories. A presentation format for the message from the source may be determined by comparing a set of user profile criteria with the identified category for the message from the source. The message from the source may be presented in the social networking environment using the presentation format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Thomas J. Evans, IV, Robert E. Loredo
  • Publication number: 20190386999
    Abstract: A system for user-processing of data includes a processor, computer readable storage medium, and a program for generating an authorized response to a message in a network. Messages with content that relates to a group, sent by an originator via a network, are detected. The computer system determines that the message relates to the group by analyzing the message content. Members of the group are selected as designated senders to contribute to an authorized response for the group by analyzing the message. Selected designated senders are notified that they are selected to contribute to the authorized response. Initial responses to the originator from the designated senders are intercepted. The computer system combines the initial responses from the designated senders for generating a combined response as an authorized response for the group and sends the combined response to the originator via the network as the authorized response for the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: PAUL R. BASTIDE, MATTHEW E. BROOMHALL, THOMAS J. EVANS, ROBERT E. LOREDO