Patents by Inventor Virgil R. Laul

Virgil R. Laul 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: 7008276
    Abstract: A propulsion system which is designed to be used on a payload platform such as a spacecraft, satellite, aircraft or ocean vessel. To operate the system, electrical power is required. However, during operation the system does not require fuel or mass to be expelled into the environment in order to move in space. The system is designed to operate in two operational modes: in mode 1 the system incrementally moves the payload platform forward with each operational cycle. In the first mode, the system starts out with zero momentum and after moving a small distance is again left with zero momentum. In the mode 2 operation the payload platform accelerates forward a discrete increment of velocity during each operational cycle. In this second mode of operation these increments of velocity are additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Virgil R. Laul
  • Publication number: 20020010437
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a “click” sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 6290688
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a “click” sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 5971950
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 5954708
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 5776116
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 5688254
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 5344414
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: ICU Medical Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 5309218
    Abstract: In a gas ring laser gyroscope characterized by a gain medium for producing at least one monochromatic narrow electromagnetic beam reflected to form a loop about the gain medium, the improvement wherein bypass channels are provided, displaced from the beam path, for reducing gas flow in the beam path. The bypass channels may extend about the gain medium and across the beam loop and may include controllable restrictions therein for selecting the flow rates therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 5199947
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of using a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member is a piggyback connector with a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 4761548
    Abstract: An electric arc discharge switch having less susceptibility to electrode erosion and capable of being optically triggered. In a first embodiment the switch includes a gas tight body defining a hollow interior with electrodes mounted onto the body and forming a conducting path into the body interior. Portions of the body are optically transmissive to light frequencies above the photoelectric effect cutoff frequency for cesium vapor. A buffer gas and a predetermined quantity of vaporizable cesium are disposed within the hollow body interior and a flash lamp may be mounted onto the switch exterior. In operation, light frequencies above the photoelectric effect cutoff frequency for cesium are introduced into the switch body, ionizing the cesium vapor therein and reducing the resistance and breakdown voltage between the electrodes so as to initiate an electric arc. In an alternative embodiment a control plate with an aperture is disposed within the switch body between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 4757524
    Abstract: An improved X-ray tube including a coaxial tube with a center conductor isolated by a cylindrical insulator from a continuous annular interior conductor disposed about the insulator. The interior conductor includes sharp edged (high gradient) longitudinally aligned gaps in its surface with these gaps further generally aligned opposite one or more high atomic number targets deployed within the interior of a partially evacuated housing. A high voltage, high frequency AC or rapidly pulsed DC electrical excitation source is connected across the center and interior conductors to develop a high voltage electric field across the conductor gaps. A high voltage single or multiple pulse generating circuit is further connected across the interior conductor and the target to produce X-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 4752292
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector for introducing medication into a patient in a safe, convenient way. It comprises a pair of plastic tubular members adapted to be manually pushed together to engage in a male-female relationship, and a locking mechanism that detachably secures the members together. The male member has a sealed entry port at its end, and the female member safely houses within it a needle which centrally pierces the seal of the port upon engagement of the members. Preferably, the locking mechanism provides a "click" sound when it locks the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Lopez, Virgil R. Laul
  • Patent number: 4337377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biologic apparatus that permits easy and quick telephonic transmission of biologic signals--such as an electrocardiogram, blood pressure, cranial waveforms, and the like--from any location having a telephone handset. The disclosed apparatus is so simple to use that, if necessary, an inexperienced person can perform the entire procedure.The disclosed apparatus comprises a single, small, lightweight unit that may be carried unobtrusively in a purse, a handbag, a brief case, an attache case, or the like; and may be put into use at any location having a telephone handset.It does not require cardiac-gel, and may therefore be used as often as necessary without causing skin problems. Furthermore, it obviates "hard-wiring" between the patient and the apparatus; so that there is no danger of pulling off electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Inventors: Wilbur E. Van Riper, Virgil R. Laul