Anthony C Hill

US Patent:

7982724, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

May 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/850516

Inventors:

Anthony L. Hill - River Falls WI, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G06F 3/043

US Classification:

345177, 178 1804

Abstract:

The present invention provides a multiple region vibration-sensing touch sensor that incorporates at least two sets of vibration sensors on a single touch plate, each set of vibration sensors defining distinct touch regions. The vibration sensors detect vibrations indicative of a touch to the touch plate, and are configured to communicate signals representing the detected vibrations to controller electronics for determining information related to the touch input. Touches within each touch region can be distinguished.

US Patent:

7990262, Aug 2, 2011

Filed:

Jun 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/825432

Inventors:

Billy L. Weaver - Eagan MN, US
Silva K. Theiss - Woodbury MN, US
Eileen M. Gorrell - Eagan MN, US
Kathy L. Hagen - Stillwater MN, US
James J. Bartol - Mahtomedi MN, US
Scott E. Brigham - Maplewood MN, US
Anthony L. Hill - River Falls WI, US
Jennifer R. Yi - Woodbury MN, US
M. Benton Free - St. Paul MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G08B 1/08

US Classification:

3405391, 340506, 340 31

Abstract:

An apparatus for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes modules for receiving and processing the data. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The apparatus also includes modules for parsing events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. The paths can be used to generate a representation of traffic patterns in a space monitored by wireless network sensors.

US Patent:

8013731, Sep 6, 2011

Filed:

Jul 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/772866

Inventors:

Billy L. Weaver - Eagan MN, US
Silva K. Theiss - Woodbury MN, US
Eileen M. Gorrell - Eagan MN, US
Kathy L. Hagen - Stillwater MN, US
James J. Bartol - Mahtomedi MN, US
Scott E. Brigham - Maplewood MN, US
Anthony L. Hill - River Falls WI, US
Jennifer R. Yi - Woodbury MN, US
M. Benton Free - St. Paul MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G08G 1/08

US Classification:

3405391, 340506, 340 31

Abstract:

An apparatus for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes modules for receiving and processing the data. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The apparatus also includes modules for parsing events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. The paths can be used to generate a representation of traffic patterns in a space monitored by wireless network sensors.

US Patent:

8231569, Jul 31, 2012

Filed:

Dec 14, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/968149

Inventors:

Martin Maitre Grasse - Boston MA, US
Anthony D. Hill - Minneapolis MN, US
Don Curtis Deno - Andover MN, US

Assignee:

St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61M 37/00
A61M 25/00
B25B 23/157

US Classification:

604 9504, 604523, 81473

Abstract:

A catheter includes a handle that advantageously limits the amount of torque that can be imparted to the body of the catheter. This advantageously reduces the likelihood of catheter failure, damage to tissue, or damage to medical devices introduced into the vasculature via the catheter. The catheter handle includes a grip portion that the practitioner manipulates in order to impart a torque and a torque transmitting portion operably coupled thereto that transmits the torque to the catheter body. A torque limiting mechanism decouples the torque transmitting portion from the grip portion, the body, and/or any pull wires when the torque imparted to the grip portion exceeds a torque threshold, thereby preventing excessive torques from being transmitted to the catheter body and/or pull wires. A practitioner may be able to adjust the torque threshold and may be able to disable the torque limiting mechanism.

US Patent:

20110160593, Jun 30, 2011

Filed:

Dec 31, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/982968

Inventors:

D. Curtis DENO - Andover MN, US
Anthony D. Hill - Minneapolis MN, US
Hua Zhong - Pittsburgh PA, US
Robert D. Aiken - Stillwater MN, US
Martin M. Grasse - Boston MA, US
Dale E. Just - Minneapolis MN, US
Fos Kuehn - Richfield MN, US
Riki Chou Thao - Maplewood MN, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/14

US Classification:

600463

Abstract:

A three dimensional physiological mapping system utilizing an intracardiac echo catheter capable of being located in six degrees of freedom by a visualization, navigation, or mapping system. An echocardiography image of the intracardiac echo catheter may be projected within a geometric model of the visualization, navigation, or mapping system where the location of the projected image is adjusted in response to user input identifying a structure present in the echocardiography image and the geometric model.

US Patent:

20120155723, Jun 21, 2012

Filed:

Dec 20, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/972723

Inventors:

D. Curtis Deno - Andover MN, US
Anthony D. Hill - Minneapolis MN, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382128

Abstract:

A system and method for identifying a location of a physical structure in a body is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to register a first image of a portion of the body in a three-dimensional coordinate system. The electronic control unit is further configured to identify the location of the physical structure in the three-dimensional coordinate system responsive to flow of a fluid shown in the image. The fluid may comprise blood. In one embodiment, the electronic control unit is further configured to generate a second image, such as a three dimensional model, incorporating a representation of the physical structure within a larger physical environment in the three-dimensional coordinate system.

US Patent:

20120165664, Jun 28, 2012

Filed:

Dec 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/979170

Inventors:

Anthony D. Hill - Minneapolis MN, US
D. Curtis Deno - Andover MN, US
Martin M. Grasse - Boston MA, US
Robert D. Aiken - Stillwater MN, US
Daniel A. Feeney - Coon Rapids MN, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/14

US Classification:

600437

Abstract:

A method of refining an anatomical model includes acquiring a two-dimensional echocardiogram that has a variable intensity, relating the two-dimensional echocardiogram to a plurality of mapping points that exist in three-dimensional space, and determining a confidence value for each of two or more mapping points that corresponds to an intensity at a point on the two-dimensional echocardiogram.

US Patent:

20120165671, Jun 28, 2012

Filed:

Dec 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/978935

Inventors:

Anthony D. Hill - Minneapolis MN, US
D. Curtis Deno - Andover MN, US
Robert D. Aiken - Stillwater MN, US
Hua Zhong - Pittsburgh PA, US
Mark Kudas - Astoria NY, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/14

US Classification:

600443

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for identifying objects in an ultrasound image that includes acquiring ultrasound information from a catheter, locating the ultrasound information to a three-dimensional cardiac model having two or more distinct anatomic objects, displaying at least one of the distinct anatomic objects from the cardiac model within a visual representation of the ultrasound information, and identifying the at least one of the distinct anatomic objects within the visual representation of the ultrasound information using the identifier provided for that object in the three-dimensional cardiac model.