Timothy W Fofonoff

US Patent:

6705850, Mar 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/519247

Inventors:

Timothy W. Fofonoff - Dedham MA

Assignee:

TEI Biosciences, Inc. - Boston MA

International Classification:

B29C 4788

US Classification:

425 67, 425 70, 4253782

Abstract:

An apparatus for forming a fiber from a biocompatible biopolymer includes a fiber-formation tube that defines a bore extending generally vertically from an upper end to a lower end. Coagulation fluid enters the tube through a fluid inlet coupled to its upper end and establishes a laminar flow of coagulation fluid within the tube. A spinneret introduces a stream of liquid biopolymer into the laminar flow of coagulation fluid so that the stream is surrounded and swept downstream by the coagulation fluid as it coagulates into a biopolymer fiber. The laminar flow of coagulation fluid surrounding the biopolymer stream maintains the shape of the stream so that the resulting fiber is homogeneous in both geometry and structure. The laminar flow of coagulation fluid also prevents the resulting fiber from contacting the inner wall of the fiber-formation tube.

US Patent:

6875397, Apr 5, 2005

Filed:

Oct 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/037149

Inventors:

Timothy W. Fofonoff - Dedham MA, US

Assignee:

TEI Biosciences, Inc. - Boston MA

International Classification:

D01D005/06
D01F004/00

US Classification:

264561, 264180, 264202, 264562

Abstract:

An apparatus for forming a fiber from a biocompatible biopolymer includes a fiber-formation tube that defines a bore extending generally vertically from an upper end to a lower end. Coagulation fluid enters the tube through a fluid inlet coupled to its upper end and establishes a laminar flow of coagulation fluid within the tube. A spinneret introduces a stream of liquid biopolymer into the laminar flow of coagulation fluid so that the stream is surrounded and swept downstream by the coagulation fluid as it coagulates into a biopolymer fiber. The laminar flow of coagulation fluid surrounding the biopolymer stream maintains the shape of the stream so that the resulting fiber is homogeneous in both geometry and structure. The laminar flow of coagulation fluid also prevents the resulting fiber from contacting the inner wall of the fiber-formation tube.

US Patent:

7212851, May 1, 2007

Filed:

Oct 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/278853

Inventors:

John Philip Donoghue - Providence RI, US
Nicholas George Hatsopoulos - Chicago IL, US
Sylvain Martel - Newton MA, US
Timothy A. Fofonoff - Somerville MA, US
Robert J. Dyer - Duluth GA, US
Ian W. Hunter - Lincoln MA, US

Assignee:

Brown University Research Foundation - Providence RI

International Classification:

A61B 5/04

US Classification:

600544, 600378

Abstract:

A brain implant system consistent with embodiments of the present invention includes an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes for sensing neuron signals. A method for manufacturing the electrode array includes machining a piece of an electrically conductive substance to create a plurality of electrodes extending from a base member. Each electrode also has a corresponding base section. A nonconductive layer is provided around at least a portion of the base section of each electrode to support the plurality of electrodes. The base section of the electrodes are then cut to separate the base member from the plurality of electrodes supported by the nonconductive support layer. The present invention also includes a complete brain implant system using the above electrode array.

US Patent:

7581715, Sep 1, 2009

Filed:

Jul 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/780596

Inventors:

Nathan Ball - Cambridge MA, US
Timothy Fofonoff - Cambridge MA, US
Bryan Schmid - Boston MA, US
Daniel Walker - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Atlas Devices, LLC - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

B66D 1/36

US Classification:

254325, 254371

Abstract:

A device for pulling an elongate member includes a powered rotational motor having an output and a rotating drum connected to the output of said rotational motor where the rotating drum has a longitudinal axis and a circumference. The device further includes a guide mechanism for guiding the resilient elongate element onto, around at least a portion of the circumference of, and off of, the rotating drum. When the powered rotational motor turns the rotating drum, the rotating drum thereby continuously pulls the resilient elongate element through the device.

US Patent:

7934698, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Feb 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/037432

Inventors:

Nathan Ball - Cambridge MA, US
Timothy Fofonoff - Cambridge MA, US
Bryan Schmid - Boston MA, US
Daniel Walker - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Atlas Devices, LLC - Boston MA

International Classification:

B66D 1/30

US Classification:

254371, 254325, 254333, 182133, 182142

Abstract:

A device for pulling an elongate member includes a rotational motor having an output and a rotating drum connected to the output of said rotational motor. The device further includes a guide mechanism for guiding the resilient elongate element onto, around at least a portion of the circumference of, and off of, the rotating drum. When the rotational motor turns the rotating drum, the rotating drum thereby continuously pulls the resilient elongate element through the device.

US Patent:

8519575, Aug 27, 2013

Filed:

Nov 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/590495

Inventors:

Ian W. Hunter - Lincoln MA, US
Timothy A. Fofonoff - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Nucleus Scientific, Inc. - Lincoln MA

International Classification:

H02K 7/06
H02K 33/00
H02K 35/00
H02K 7/065

US Classification:

310 20, 310 1201, 310 15, 310 17, 310 22, 310 23, 290 1 R, 290 45, 123 543

Abstract:

A rotary and linear motion device includes a magnetic stator assembly, opposed electromagnetic actuators, and a linear-to-rotary converter (e. g. , cam). Each electromagnetic actuator includes a coil that is configured to reciprocate relative to the magnetic stator assembly or to linearly translate in a common direction relative to the magnetic stator assembly. The electromagnetic actuators are coupled to the linear-to-rotary converter and upon reciprocation or linear translation, drive the linear-to-rotary converter in rotary or linear motion. The device may be located inside a wheel, which may be part of a vehicle. If part of a wheel of a vehicle, the device can be used to provide propulsion, steering, braking, and suspension for the vehicle.

US Patent:

8624699, Jan 7, 2014

Filed:

Nov 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/590493

Inventors:

Ian W. Hunter - Lincoln MA, US
Timothy A. Fofonoff - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Nucleus Scientific, Inc. - Lincoln MA

International Classification:

H01F 5/00
H01F 27/29
H01F 27/28

US Classification:

336200, 336192, 336225, 336232

Abstract:

Instead of being made from one continuous piece of material, a coil includes multiple flat coil segments that are stacked together and electrically coupled in series. In many embodiments, the coil segments are U-shaped segments, and the segments are arranged so that each segment is rotated (e. g. , by 270 degrees) with respect the segment it follows. The stacked coils may then be fastened together using, for example, bolts through the corners of the coil segments. The combined coil segments form a continuous coil.

US Patent:

7261278, Aug 28, 2007

Filed:

Mar 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/376721

Inventors:

Nathan Ball - Cambridge MA, US
Timothy Fofonoff - Cambridge MA, US
Bryan Schmid - Boston MA, US
Daniel Walker - Cambridge MA, US

Assignee:

Atlas Devices, LLC - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

B66D 1/36

US Classification:

254325, 254371

Abstract:

A device for pulling an elongate member includes a powered rotational motor having an output and a rotating drum connected to the output of said rotational motor where the rotating drum has a longitudinal axis and a circumference. The device further includes a guide mechanism for guiding the resilient elongate element onto, around at least a portion of the circumference of, and off of, the rotating drum. When the powered rotational motor turns the rotating drum, the rotating drum thereby continuously pulls the resilient elongate element through the device.