Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Matula

Thomas J. Matula 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).

  • Focused shock-wave devices with direct wave cavitation suppressor
    Patent number: 7267654
    Abstract: A reflector (14) reflects energy emitting from an energy source (16) and focuses and directs it to a target. An aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is positioned between the energy source (16) and target. The outer periphery of the aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is an irregular curve (FIGS. 12 and 13). This shape of the periphery prevents diffraction enhancement to the direct wave. In another emobidment, the suppressor disk (18) is replaced by a suppressor member (18?) that is directly mounted on a frame portion of the energy source (16). This energy source (16) includes a spark-gap, or the like, and an open frame (36) that surrounds the spark-gap (52) or the like. This frame (32) includes a pair of laterally spaced apart frame members (42, 44) on the side of the frame (36) that faces the target (F2). The suppressor member (18?) is connected to these frame members (32, 44). It may have longitudinal grooves (48, 50) in its side edges into which the frame members (42, 44) snap-fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Thomas J. Matula, Paul Hilmo, Michael Bailey
  • Direct wave cavitation suppressor for focused shock-wave devices
    Patent number: 7033328
    Abstract: A reflector (14) reflects energy emitting from an energy source (16) and focuses and directs it to a target. An aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is positioned between the energy source (16) and target. The outer periphery of the aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is an irregular curve (FIGS. 12 and 13). This shape of the periphery prevents diffraction enhancement to the direct wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Thomas J. Matula, Paul Hilmo, Michael Bailey
  • Focused shock-wave devices with direct wave cavitation suppressor
    Publication number: 20040068209
    Abstract: A reflector (14) reflects energy emitting from an energy source (16) and focuses and directs it to a target. An aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is positioned between the energy source (16) and target. The outer periphery of the aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is an irregular curve (FIGS. 12 and 13). This shape of the periphery prevents diffraction enhancement to the direct wave. In another emobidment, the suppressor disk (18) is replaced by a suppressor member (18′) that is directly mounted on a frame portion of the energy source (16). This energy source (16) includes a spark-gap, or the like, and an open frame (36) that surrounds the spark-gap (52) or the like. This frame (32) includes a pair of laterally spaced apart frame members (42, 44) on the side of the frame (36) that faces the target (F2). The suppressor member (18′) is connected to these frame members (32, 44). It may have longitudinal grooves (48, 50) in its side edges into which the frame members (42, 44) snap-fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Matula, Paul Hilmo, Michael Bailey
  • Direct wave cavitation suppressor for focused shock-wave devices
    Publication number: 20040068206
    Abstract: A reflector (14) reflects energy emitting from an energy source (16) and focuses and directs it to a target. An aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is positioned between the energy source (16) and target. The outer periphery of the aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is an irregular curve (FIGS. 12 and 13). This shape of the periphery prevents diffraction enhancement to the direct wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Matula, Paul Hilmo, Michael Bailey