Patents by Inventor William C. Culp

William C. Culp 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: 9764173
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems and methods utilizing flow of a medically safe inert gas to prevent fires in operating rooms during electrosurgical procedures. A device is disposed around or proximate to or integrated into the tip of an electrosurgical instrument or tool and is in fluid contact with a source of a medically safe inert gas. The gas is flowed around or envelopes the tip as the electrosurgical instrument or tool is utilized. The presence of the medically safe inert gas displaces oxygen, thereby preventing or suppressing fires that may be ignited by sparks generated during use of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SCOTT & WHITE HEALTHCARE
    Inventor: William C Culp, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170173285
    Abstract: Provided herein are fire safety face masks and systems comprising the same for displacing excessive oxygen away from a surgical area. The face mask comprises a body portion, an exhalation conduit fluidly connected to the body portion and an in-flow tubing in a fluidly connecting relationship with the body portion. The fire safety face mask may further comprise a gas sampling port disposed on the body portion to facilitate monitoring of inspired and exhaled gases via a multi-gas analyzer. Also provided are methods for preventing fires in an operating theater during a surgical procedure utilizing the fire safety masks and systems disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Scott & White Healthcare
    Inventor: William C. Culp, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150013999
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems and methods utilizing flow of a medically safe inert gas to prevent fires in operating rooms during electrosurgical procedures. A device is disposed around or proximate to or integrated into the tip of an electrosurgical instrument or tool and is in fluid contact with a source of a medically safe inert gas. The gas is flowed around or envolopes the tip as the electrosurgical instrument or tool is utilized. The presence of the medically safe inert gas displaces oxygen, thereby preventing or suppressing fires that may be ignited by sparks generated during use of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: SCOTT & WHITE HEALTHCARE
    Inventor: William C Culp, JR.
  • Patent number: 6945937
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for using ultrasound augmented with microbubbles, thrombolytic drugs or other agents for clot lysis wherein at least one ultrasound transducer generates a plurality of acoustic signals and time, amplitude, phase and frequency modulation of the signals provide more uniform power delivery with fewer gaps in the ultrasound field. Interference patterns from one or multiple transducers are constantly shifted in position. A phased array of transducers may generate a beam that is swept over the area to be treated. In another embodiment, an array of transducers may generate ultrasound at a number of slightly varying frequencies to produce an interference pattern that sweeps in and out through the targeted tissue. A single array may be used to produce both effects simultaneously or separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Trustees University of Arkansas
    Inventors: William C. Culp, James D. Wilson