Patents by Inventor Weston Blaine Griffin
Weston Blaine Griffin 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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Patent number: 8727993Abstract: A catheter tip (50, 170, 750) is provided that is adapted for mating attachment to a catheter body (90, 300, 790). In an embodiment, the catheter tip (50, 170, 750) comprises a transducer array (32, 60, 110, 210, 710) in electrical communication with an interconnect (120, 220, 720) and in a mechanical driven relationship with an actuator (80, 730), also in the catheter tip (50, 170, 750), via a drive shaft (38, 82, 732). The transducer array (710) is encapsulated in a potting material body 711 providing a desired ultrasound acoustical transmission, A defined annular space 761 exists between an outer capsule 752 of the catheter tip 750 and the potting material body 711. Oscillating back and forth motion of the transducer array (32, 60, 110, 210, 710) provides ultrasonic imaging functionality that may include real time three-dimensional imaging. Other embodiments of the catheter tip (50, 170, 750) and methods of fabrication also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Warren Lee, Weston Blaine Griffin, Douglas Glenn Wildes
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Publication number: 20140135623Abstract: An imaging assembly is provided including a paddle assembly, an X-ray detection unit, an ultrasound module, and a control module. The paddle assembly includes first and second plates that are articulable with respect to each other and configured to receive and compress an object to be imaged. The X-ray detection unit is mounted proximate to at least one of the first and second plates. The ultrasound module is configured to acquire ultrasound information of the object to be imaged and includes an ultrasound transducer articulably mounted to at least one of the first and second plates. The control module is configured to position the ultrasound transducer to scan a region of interest identified using X-ray information received from the X-ray detection unit, while not scanning at least a portion of the object outside of the region of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joseph John Manak, Kai Thomenius, Robert Wodnicki, Scott Zelakiewicz, Ying Fan, Andrea Schmitz, Weston Blaine Griffin
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Patent number: 8721553Abstract: An imaging catheter tip is presented. The imaging catheter tip includes a housing. Further, the imaging catheter tip includes a transducer assembly located within the housing in a distal portion of the imaging catheter tip. The transducer assembly includes a transducer. In addition, the imaging catheter tip includes a motor located within the housing in a proximal portion of the imaging catheter tip. The motor is configured to facilitate oscillation of the transducer assembly about a longitudinal axis of the imaging catheter tip. The imaging catheter tip also includes a fill tube disposed between the motor and the housing. The fill tube is configured to deliver acoustic coupling fluid to the distal portion of the imaging catheter tip.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2008Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Warren Lee, Douglas Glenn Wildes, Weston Blaine Griffin, Reinhold Bruestle
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Patent number: 8713775Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for servicing a dynamoelectric machine component. The apparatus includes a tool delivery mechanism adapted for delivering a tool to a desired location in the dynamoelectric machine, and a tool support fixture adapted to be secured onto the body of the dynamoelectric machine, where the tool support fixture can be used for supporting and adjusting the tool delivery mechanism. A sleeve mechanism is attached to the tool support fixture, and the sleeve mechanism is disposed around a portion of the tool delivery mechanism. The apparatus is adapted to service the component of the dynamoelectric machine in-situ.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Zhipeng Zhang, Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Robert Jeffrey Pieciuk, Weston Blaine Griffin, Arvind Rangarajan, Diego Quinones, Prabhjot Singh
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Patent number: 8689649Abstract: Automated methods and systems for punching out pieces of a porous substrate for biological samples comprising: loading the porous substrate onto a support comprising a die and an opening; moving a receptacle support in at least a z-direction to position a receptacle relative to the support so that an opening in the receptacle is aligned and substantially flush with the opening in the support; actuating a punching head so that the punching head passes through the die, thereby punching a piece out of the porous substrate; and actuating an ejector pin to eject the punched piece from the porous substrate support and into the receptacle aligned with the opening in the support.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Weston Blaine Griffin, Erin Jean Finehout
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Patent number: 8685749Abstract: Methods and systems for processing samples fixed to a porous substrate generally comprising, a compressor defining one or more fluid isolation areas, a support, for the porous substrate, having an opening corresponding to one or more of the fluid isolation areas of the compressor, an actuator that causes at least a portion of the compressor to press against the porous substrate, a fluid inlet having access to the fluid isolation area at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate, and a fluid outlet to receive fluid, through the opening in the support corresponding to the fluid isolation area of the compressor, at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Whatman International LimitedInventors: Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Weston Blaine Griffin, Erin Jean Finehout, Xuefeng Wang, Kashan Ali Shaikh, Greg Darryl Goddard
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Patent number: 8512566Abstract: Disclosed herein is a disposable fluid path for processing complex materials. The disposable fluid path comprises a gravity assisted disposable system for separating a biological sample into two or more distinct submaterials through sedimentation. The fluid path is comprised of a sample delivery conduit and bag-set wherein the bag set comprising a tubing assembly, a separation assembly, and a filter assembly. Methods of using the system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Weston Blaine Griffin, Jaydeep Roy, Eric Douglas Williams, Philip Alexander Shoemaker, James Mitchell White
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Patent number: 8409102Abstract: A multi-focus probe that includes a motor communicatively coupled with a lead screw and configured to turn the lead screw about a lengthwise axis of the lead screw, wherein the lead screw includes a length having threads. The probe also includes a lead-screw nut positioned about the lead screw such that the lead-screw nut engages the threads and such that the lead-screw nut and the lead screw can move relative to one another via the threads, a transducer configured to move vertically with the lead screw, and an enclosure surrounding the transducer, wherein the enclosure includes a probe face configured to hold fluid and engage a wave emission target such that waves from the transducer can enter the target.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Weston Blaine Griffin, Douglas Glenn Wildes, David Martin Mills, Murtuza Lokhandwalla, Christopher Robert Hazard, Warren Lee, Reinhold Bruestle
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Publication number: 20130029411Abstract: The methods of harvesting cells are provided, wherein the methods comprise introducing a processing material and a source material into a processing loop. The processing loop comprises a processing chamber and a filtering device. The processing material and the source material are circulating through the processing chamber and the filtering device, wherein the processing chamber has a mass; balancing an influx of the processing material into the processing chamber with a permeate flux of the filtering device to maintain the mass of the processing chamber at a constant value; and collecting the cells in a collection chamber. Cell harvesting devices are also provided for processing and harvesting cells using a control law to balance the mass of the processing chamber through the entire process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jaydeep Roy, Andrew Michael Leach, Weston Blaine Griffin, Stefan Rakuff, Philip Alexander Shoemaker
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Patent number: 8360982Abstract: A device and a method for sealing a micromotor with an optional associated gearbox are disclosed where, in one aspect of the present invention, a catheter tip comprises: a micromotor; an ultrasound imaging transducer; a gearbox mechanically coupled to the micromotor, the gearbox having a rotatable portion mechanically coupled to the ultrasound imaging transducer array; and a moisture barrier disposed so as to reduce or prevent acoustic coupling fluid from entering both the gearbox and the micromotor.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Warren Lee, Douglas Glenn Wildes, Weston Blaine Griffin
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Publication number: 20120317771Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for servicing a dynamoelectric machine component. The apparatus includes a tool delivery mechanism adapted for delivering a tool to a desired location in the dynamoelectric machine, and a tool support fixture adapted to be secured onto the body of the dynamoelectric machine, where the tool support fixture can be used for supporting and adjusting the tool delivery mechanism. A sleeve mechanism is attached to the tool support fixture, and the sleeve mechanism is disposed around a portion of the tool delivery mechanism. The apparatus is adapted to service the component of the dynamoelectric machine in-situ.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Zhipeng Zhang, Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Robert Jeffrey Pieciuk, Weston Blaine Griffin, Arvind Rangarajan, Diego Quinones, Prabhjot Singh
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Patent number: 8216409Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a housingless hollow fiber filtration apparatus using batch, continuous, and semi-continuous processes. Also provided is manufacturing methods to increase rigidity of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Mitchell White, Nichole Lea Wood, Weston Blaine Griffin, Ryan Austin Hutchinson, Owen Scott Quirion, Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Eric Douglas Williams
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Publication number: 20120053468Abstract: A multi-focus probe that includes a motor communicatively coupled with a lead screw and configured to turn the lead screw about a lengthwise axis of the lead screw, wherein the lead screw includes a length having threads. The probe also includes a lead-screw nut positioned about the lead screw such that the lead-screw nut engages the threads and such that the lead-screw nut and the lead screw can move relative to one another via the threads, a transducer configured to move vertically with the lead screw, and an enclosure surrounding the transducer, wherein the enclosure includes a probe face configured to hold fluid and engage a wave emission target such that waves from the transducer can enter the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Weston Blaine Griffin, Douglas Glenn Wildes, David Martin Mills, Murtuza Lokhandwalla, Christopher Robert Hazard, Warren Lee, Reinhold Bruestle
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Publication number: 20120046553Abstract: An ultrasound catheter housing with electromagnetic shielding properties and methods of manufacturing is provided. The ultrasound catheter housing comprises a an inner thin wall polymer tube extruded using an ultrasonically transparent polymer, a thin metalized layer deposited on the outer surface of the inner tube, and an outer thin wall polymer tube, which may be the same or a different ultrasonically transparent material. In another embodiment an ultrasound catheter comprising the ultrasound catheter housing is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Donald Joseph Buckley, Douglas Glenn Wildes, Warren Lee, Weston Blaine Griffin
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Publication number: 20120000330Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for cutting a sample piece, having a shape and an outer dimension, out of a porous substrate, comprising: a puncher having an outermost dimension at a punch head; a stripping sleeve; a die having an innermost dimension that is larger than the outermost dimension of the punch head; and a fixture that holds the die in a fixed position relative to the puncher and stripping sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Weston Blaine Griffin
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Patent number: 8057397Abstract: An imaging and navigation system is disclosed herein. The imaging and navigation system includes a computer and an ultrasonic imaging device disposed at least partially within an ultrasound catheter. The ultrasonic imaging device is connected to the computer and is adapted to obtain a generally real time three-dimensional image. The imaging and navigation system also includes a tracking system connected to the computer. The tracking system is adapted to estimate a position of a medical instrument. The imaging and navigation system also includes a display connected to the computer. The display is adapted to depict the generally real time three-dimensional image from the ultrasonic imaging device and to graphically convey the estimated position of the medical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dun Alex Li, Christopher Allen Nafis, Douglas Glenn Wildes, Vernon Thomas Jensen, Weston Blaine Griffin
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Publication number: 20110139345Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a housingless hollow fiber filtration apparatus using batch, continuous, and semi-continuous processes. Also provided is manufacturing methods to increase rigidity of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: James Mitchell White, Nichole Lea Wood, Weston Blaine Griffin, Ryan Austin Hutchinson, Owen Scott Quirion, Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Eric Douglas Williams
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Publication number: 20110139723Abstract: Disclosed herein is a disposable fluid path for processing complex materials. The disposable fluid path comprises a gravity assisted disposable system for separating a biological sample into two or more distinct submaterials through sedimentation. The fluid path is comprised of a sample delivery conduit and bag-set wherein the bag set comprising a tubing assembly, a separation assembly, and a filter assembly. Methods of using the system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Weston Blaine Griffin, Jaydeep Roy, Eric Douglas Williams, Philip Alexander Shoemaker, James Mitchell White
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Publication number: 20110143427Abstract: A high-throughput system for processing biological material that comprises: a tray that supports a functionally-closed fluid path subsystem comprising, a vessel for containing and enabling the biological material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; one or more receptacles to receive one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; a filtration device; a conduit through which one or more submaterials are transported between at least the vessel and the filtration device; and a first engagement structure; a processing unit comprising, a pumping device for moving one or more of the submaterials between at least the vessel and the filtration device via the conduit; a second engagement structure corresponding to the first engagement structure; a locking mechanism for at least temporarily holding the tray in a fixed position relative to the processing unit; a control device that automatically starts and stops the pumping device in response to one or more commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Weston Blaine Griffin, Jaydeep Roy, Phillip Alexander Shoemaker, William Patrick Waters
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Publication number: 20110132111Abstract: Automated methods and systems for punching out pieces of a porous substrate for biological samples comprising: loading the porous substrate onto a support comprising a die and an opening; moving a receptacle support in at least a z-direction to position a receptacle relative to the support so that an opening in the receptacle is aligned and substantially flush with the opening in the support; actuating a punching head so that the punching head passes through the die, thereby punching a piece out of the porous substrate; and actuating an ejector pin to eject the punched piece from the porous substrate support and into the receptacle aligned with the opening in the support.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Weston Blaine Griffin, Erin Jean Finehout