Patents by Inventor William H. Harris

William H. Harris 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).

  • Publication number: 20090105364
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicants: The General Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
  • Publication number: 20080229424
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of dispute resolution in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a wiki interface such that users modify and add profiles of others prior to the profiles being claimed, permitting an initial claimant to control editability of a wiki portion of a selected profile when the initial claimant claims the selected profile, capturing what personally identifiable information the initial claimant is willing to submit if the selected profile is disputed, placing the selected profile in dispute when a disputing claimant challenges an ownership of the selected profile by the initial claimant, electing a dispute resolution process that communication a code through a direct mail mechanism to a physical address associated with the selected profile, and allocating the selected profile to one of the initial claimant and the disputing claimant based on entry of the code in the selected profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: William H. Harris, Chandrasekhar Thota, Raj Vasant Abhyanker
  • Publication number: 20080228775
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of youth communities in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a set of user profiles above a general mapping environment, determining that one of the set of user profiles in a guardian profile through a verification technique, creating a dependent profile in a youth mapping environment when a guardian user associated with the guardian profile elects to allow a dependent user to create the dependent profile in the youth mapping environment, restricting access of the dependent user in the youth mapping environment based on a set of permissions granted by the guardian user and simultaneously visualizing the dependent profile based on a location data associated with the dependent profile along with adjacent dependent profiles having adjacent location data to the location data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Raj Vasant Abhyanker, William H. Harris
  • Publication number: 20080205966
    Abstract: A writing aid device (1) that promotes proper hand positioning and writing utensil (5) holding having a spacer (2) located between first and second finger-grasping holders (3) and (4). The spacer (2) is preferably round in cross-section, but may also be of varying shapes. An alternate embodiment of the writing aid device includes a writing utensil holding element (13) located on the spacer (2). To use the present invention, a person first positions the first holder (3) against an index finger proximal phalange (8) so as to cup the index finger proximal phalange (8). Then, the person positions the second holder (4) against a thumb proximal phalange (9) so as to cup the thumb finger proximal phalange (9). The person then pinches a portion of a writing utensil (5) between an index finger distal phalange (11) and a thumb distal phalange (12) and rests a portion of the writing utensil (5) on the spacer (2). The person then places a writing utensil tip (10) on a writing surface (16) and begins writing or drawing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: William H. Harris
  • Patent number: 7169186
    Abstract: The present invention provides monopolar acetabular liners that can enclose a femoral head to form a hip replacement prosthesis, wherein the liner has a rim that creates an orifice, wherein the orifice has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the femoral head, and wherein the liner encompasses greater than 50 percent of the volume of the head, wherein a constraining ring can be used in conjunction with the monopolar constrained acetabular liner to provide additional support for the femoral head to stay with the acetabular liner and avoid dislocation. Assemblies, complete prosthetic replacements, and methods of replacing also are provided. Liners and constraining rings having no, one or more recesses also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: William H. Harris, Brian R. Burroughs, Daniel P. Hoeffel
  • Patent number: 6786933
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within a body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radial. Preferred prosthesis exhibits reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacturing wear resistant medical prosthesis and materials used therein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
  • Publication number: 20040132856
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Vonugopalan
  • Patent number: 6729942
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable dental system for use in areas having inadequate sources of power, either for human or for veterinary dentistry. The system provides one or more handpieces, each driven driven by a pressurized nitrogen gas contained in a portable tank. A water reservoir is also provided for medicated water to be applied to the tooth site. The system has two channels to which either a conventional dental handpiece or an abrasive handpiece can be attached. When two abrasive handpieces are attached, two different abrasive materials may be used by the system, one material for cleaning and one material for cutting or abrading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: William H. Harris
  • Publication number: 20040058627
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable dental system for use in areas having inadequate sources of power, either for human or for veterinary dentistry. The system provides one or more handpieces, each driven driven by a pressurized nitrogen gas contained in a portable tank. A water reservoir is also provided for medicated water to be applied to the tooth site. The system has two channels to which either a conventional dental handpiece or an abrasive handpiece can be attached. When two abrasive handpieces are attached, two different abrasive materials may be used by the system, one material for cleaning and one material for cutting or abrading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: William H. Harris
  • Publication number: 20030212458
    Abstract: The present invention provides monopolar acetabular liners that can hold a femoral head to form a hip replacement prostheses, wherein the liner has a rim that creates and orifice, and wherein the orifice has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the femoral head, and wherein there is an outset between the rim of the liner and the center line of the femoral head when the femoral head is disposed therein. Assemblies, complete prosthetic replacements, and methods of replacing also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: William H. Harris, Brian R. Burroughs, Daniel P. Hoeffel
  • Patent number: 6641617
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corp., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
  • Publication number: 20030119935
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
  • Publication number: 20030105182
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
  • Publication number: 20030050703
    Abstract: The present invention provides monopolar acetabular liners that can enclose a femoral head to form a hip replacement prosthesis, wherein the liner has a rim that creates an orifice, wherein the orifice has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the femoral head, and wherein the liner encompasses greater than 50 percent of the volume of the head, wherein a constraining ring can be used in conjunction with the monopolar constrained acetabular liner to provide additional support for the femoral head to stay with the acetabular liner and avoid dislocation. Assemblies, complete prosthetic replacements, and methods of replacing also are provided. Liners and constraining rings having no, one or more recesses also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: William H. Harris, Brian R. Burroughs, Daniel P. Hoeffel
  • Publication number: 20030013781
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
  • Publication number: 20020156536
    Abstract: A hip joint prostheses including an acetabular cup (2) mounted in the hip socket (4) of the pelvis (6) is disclosed. The prosthesis also includes a head (8) which has a radius of curvature complementary to the cavity in the acetabular cup (2). The head (8) is typically made of metal. A neck (10) is connected to the head (8) joining the head (8) to the stem (12). The head (8), and the acetabular cup (2) are designed to allow a great deal of angular articulation. The bearing portions can be made with radiation treated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene polymer having substantially no detectable free radicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: William H. Harris, Orhun Muratoglu, Murali Jasty, Charles Bragdon, Daniel O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6464926
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical prosthesis for use within the body, which is formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having a polymeric structure with less than about 50% crystallinity, less than about 290 Å lamellar thickness and less than about 940 MPa tensile elastic modulus, so as to reduce production of fine particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis. The present invention also relates to methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Premnath Venugopalan, Murali Jasty, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20020007219
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
  • Publication number: 20010027345
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Murali Jasty, Orhun Muratoglu, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor, Premnath Venugopalan
  • Patent number: 5879400
    Abstract: A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene which has a polymeric structure with less than about 50% crystallinity, less than about 290 .ANG. lamellar thickness and less than about 940 MPa tensile elastic modulus, so as to reduce production of fine particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, is described. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Edward W. Merrill, William H. Harris, Premnath Venugopalan, Murali Jasty, Charles R. Bragdon, Daniel O. O'Connor