Patents by Inventor Whitney A. Bouma

Whitney A. Bouma 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).

  • Probe for thermometry apparatus having light passage features to enable safe insertion
    Patent number: 7484884
    Abstract: A probe for use in sensing body temperature includes a longitudinally elongated tubular member having a wall defining a hollow interior, a distal end having a closed tip, and a temperature sensing element mounted in the tip producing a signal indicative of the temperature of the tip. A lighted indicia is provided by one or more light passages disposed in the wall of the tubular member and a light emitting device is disposed in operative association therewith for illuminating the light transmissive indicia from interiorly of the tubular member. The lighted indicia is disposed at a selected distance longitudinally inwardly of the end of the tip portion of the probe commensurate with the desired depth of rectal insertion during use of the probe in rectal application. The region in front of the probe may be illuminated by light passing through a light passage in the probe tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Lane, David E. Quinn, Whitney A. Bouma
  • Safety probe for thermometry apparatus
    Publication number: 20080080593
    Abstract: A probe for use in sensing body temperature includes a longitudinally elongated tubular member having a wall defining a hollow interior, a distal end having a closed tip, and a temperature sensing element mounted in the tip producing a signal indicative of the temperature of the tip. A lighted indicia is provided by one or more light passages disposed in the wall of the tubular member and a light emitting device is disposed in operative association therewith for illuminating the light transmissive indicia from interiorly of the tubular member. The lighted indicia is disposed at a selected distance longitudinally inwardly of the end of the tip portion of the probe commensurate with the desired depth of rectal insertion during use of the probe in rectal application. The region in front of the probe may be illuminated by light passing through a light passage in the probe tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: WELCH ALLYN, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Lane, David E. Quinn, Whitney A. Bouma