Patents Related to Life Sciences, Optical Gauging & Inspection Devices, & Digital Electronics & Software

Our contributors are listed as inventors in the following patents. This collection of intellectual property illustrates some of the diverse creative achievements of these contributors. If any of these patents are of particular interest, click on the patent number to open the full patent at the USPTO web site.

In addition, we offer a service called White Space Mapping to assist clients with intellectual property development.

Life Sciences

A lens surrounded by a sealed chamber is focused by using a magnetic field to adjust the position of the lens. This eliminates the need for a mechanical coupling between the chamber and the environment. The method is used to construct autoclavable optical devices such as endoscopes and video couplers. rc

A novel optical device for arthroscopic imaging of the interior of human joints has a very compact design which facilitates focusing and rotating of the image. The device combines an arthroscope or other endoscope and C-mount video coupler into a single unit. rc

This is one of 6 design patents awarded to the inventors for a disposable optical sheath for an optical biopsy instrument.

This is a broad patent application for endoscopes containing two or more optical channels that produce two or more distinct views. It applies to flexible and rigid endoscopes. The multiple views may be created using multiple image sensors, optical channels, or a combination of means. The endoscopes are suitable for performing various surgical procedures including fundoplications to treat reflux disease, stapling of the stomach for obesity management, and bladder neck slings to treat incontinence.

This is a patent for the endoscopic treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The device places an implant into the stomach wall that forms a full-thickness plication to improve the closure of the sphincter at the gastro-esophageal junction. The device promises lifelong relief of this chronic disease through a 10-minute outpatient procedure. OTI did much of the mechanical engineering on this project.

Optical Devices and Systems

5,717,198 PELLICLE REFLECTIVITY MONITORING SYSTEM HAVING MEANS FOR COMPENSATING FOR PORTIONS OF LIGHT REFLECTED BY THE PELLICLE

An inspection system for photolithographic masks which monitors and compensates for the reflectivity of a protective pellicle covering the mask. The system allows mask inspection without the removal of the pellicle, reducing the risk of mask contamination or damage. na

A plate holder for a surface inspection system such as those used to inspect photolithographic masks. It has an integrated calibration plate for calibrating the inspection system. This eliminates the need to place a separate calibration plate on the holder, saving the fabrication and maintenance cost of the calibration plate and simplifying setup. na

A system for automatically focusing a laser beam on a rotating surface. The system automatically adjusts itself to account for surface warpage and/or displacement, allowing the precise optical inspection of photolithographic masks for surface defects and contamination. na

5,625,193 OPTICAL INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING FLAWS ON A DIFFRACTIVE SURFACE

An improved optical inspection system for detecting flaws on a diffractive surface with pattern features. It can differentiate between pattern features and defects, and is suitable for detecting particles, holes, bumps, pits or fingerprints on items such as semiconductor wafers and photolithographic masks. na

An optical inspection system is used to measure the flatness of a surface. Using a laser and optical grating, the system accurately detects displacement of the surface using moiré fringe patterns. It is insensitive to surface tilt and reflectivity, making it suitable for the inspection of warpage of photolithographic masks. na

5,602,401 DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SURFACE INSPECTION APPARATUS

An optical device for processing particle size and position data for a smooth surface under inspection. A beam of radiation detects particles while the surface is rotated and translated. A digital processing system collects and analyzes the data. Uses include the inspection of semiconductor wafers and substrates for magnetic media. na

5,389,794 SURFACE PIT AND MOUND DETECTION AND DISCRIMINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

The device scans a beam of radiation over a smooth surface. A mechanism for detecting a local slope on the surface identifies and differentiates surface defects such as pits and mounds. It is used as a quality control device for ultra smooth surfaces, such as the aluminum substrates for thin-film magnetic media. na

A high speed, high accuracy, optical gauging system using a two dimensional array of coherent fibers, a one dimensional light detector array, and digital processing electronics. The system is suitable for the measurement of discrete objects, as well as continuous objects such as webs. rc

5,818,508 IMAGING DEVICE AND MEDIA HANDLING APPARATUS

An internal drum laser imager which has special accomodation for reducing the effects of air turbulence on imaging performance. ds

5,828,501 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A LENS TO EXPAND AN OPTICAL BEAM OF AN IMAGING SYSTEM

This is a clever method to re-position lenses in an optical system so that the system can change both resolution (over a 4:1 range) and focus without user intervention. The mechanism for re-positioning the lenses utilizes motion systems already present in the system, resulting in virtually no increase in cost over the basic system. ds

5,841,567 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGING AT A PLURALITY OF WAVELENGTHS

This design allows for up to 2 different laser sources to be used in a common imager, so the user can image on a variety of different media with one system. The 2 lasers are kept in alignment with each other so that the system performs equally well for either laser. The system can be upgraded from one to the other, or both can be present simultaneously. ds

5,912,458 MULTIPLE BEAM SCANNING SYSTEM FOR AN IMAGING DEVICE

This patent describes a design with 2 or more imaging beams to increase the output of the system over traditional single beam designs. ds

6,042,101 AUTOMATED MEDIA TRANSPORT DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

This patent describes a media (12" x 18" up to 30" x 30" photographic film or aluminum plates) handler for use in a laser imaging system. The media handler can load, unload, and remove interleave paper all in parallel, optimizing the time available for imaging. ds

Digital Electronics and Software

5,828,730 METHOD AND APARATUS FOR RECORDING AND MANAGING COMMUNICATIONS FOR TRANSCRIPTION

A system for recording and managing communications at one location from another location. Includes configurable profiles, security, audible user identification, file integrity, and archiving functions. jz

5,682,551 SYSTEM FOR CHECKING THE ACCEPTANCE OF I/O REQUEST TO AN INTERFACE USING SOFTWARE VISIBLE INSTRUCTION WHICH PROVIDES A STATUS SIGNAL AND PERFORMS OPERATIONS IN RESPONSE THERETO

An apparatus including an electronic system bus coupled to an input/output interface which determines whether a request to write to the system's memory will be accepted or rejected. This improves the performance of a computer system by rejecting low-priority requests.

5,652,837 MECHANISM FOR SCREENING COMMANDS ISSUED OVER A COMMUNICATIONS BUS FOR SELECTIVE EXECUTION BY A PROCESSOR

An intelligent mechanism allowing devices connected to a computer by an electronic bus to selectively cause the execution of commands, such as halting or resetting the operation of the computer. The device improves the performance of secure computer networks by allowing only secure users and devices to issue certain commands. na

4,975,942 CREDIT/CALLING CARD PAY TELEPHONE METHOD AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING TELEPHONE UNIT LOCAL CARD-CHECKING AND OTHER INTELLIGENCE COOPERATIVE WITH LOCAL PERSONAL HOST COMPUTER

A credit/calling card pay telephone method and system, employing local intelligence at the telephone instrument for enabling local card checking and call transaction record keeping, and interfacing automatically with a PC host computer for locally generating customer billing. jz

Miscellaneous

6,482,286 CONTINUOUS MOLDING OF FASTENER PRODUCTS USING A PRESSURE ROLL HAVING A RESILIENT SURFACE

A fastener member useful for separable engagement with surface fibers of a low-loft, non-woven fabric, or the like. The fastener member has particular application for fastening of disposable products such as garments and diapers.

An automatic water supply shutoff valve for use with a fire protection piping system. yr

Relates to composite solid polymer electrolyte membranes (SPEMs) which include a porous polymer substrate interpenetrated with an ion-conducting material. SPEMs of the present invention are useful in electrochemical applications, including fuel cells and electrodialysis.

6,039,556 STACKABLE MOLD PLATES HAVING ARRAYS OF LASER-CUT MOLD SURFACES AT THEIR EDGES

Both Patents -- Molding apparatus and method for molding of features integral with a base, such as in the production of fastener elements for hook-and-loop type touch fasteners. Mold cavities, including cavities used for injection molding, and cooling passages formed in either mold rings or injection mold plates by photo-chemical etching, laser machining and other techniques are disclosed. Various machines and methods taking unique advantage of these features are disclosed, including ring alignment methods.

5,954,341 BELLOWS SEAL WITH DRIVE COLLAR FOR REVERSE PRESSURE CAPABILITY

A seal for sealing a low pressure area from a high pressure area for containing a process fluid. yr

5,945,131 CONTINUOUS MOLDING OF FASTENER PRODUCTS AND THE LIKE AND PRODUCTS PRODUCED THEREBY

Improvements for an apparatus for continuously molding small fastener elements integral with a base web from a flowable resin. The improvements compensate for the crowning of the mold roll under high molding pressures, enabling the molding of wider products.

5,901,965 BELLOWS SEAL HAVING BALANCED, DE-COUPLED SEAL RING AND SEAL RING SHELL

A balanced, de-coupled seal assembly for use in a bellows seal having a mating rotating seal assembly, wherein the seal is used for sealing a process fluid along a rotatable shaft extending from a machine body. yr

A seal for sealing a low pressure area from a high pressure area for containing a process fluid. yr