Stephen A Carter

US Patent:

6447718, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Nov 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/437358

Inventors:

Stephen Douglas Carter - Stone Mountain GA 30087
Kenneth Arthur Cunefare - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Stephen Douglas Carter - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

A61L 200

US Classification:

422 20, 422 28, 422 33, 422292, 422295, 422297, 422300, 422128, 95 30, 55275

Abstract:

An apparatus and associated method for decontaminating contaminated matter, such as an object or substance, with ultrasonic transient cavitation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container for containing a contaminated object, a pressure source for pressurizing the container to a predetermined pressure, a vibration source operably connected to the container, and a cleaning solution comprising a predetermined concentration of a volatile substance. The presence of the volatile substance in the cleaning solution, along with the pressurization and vibration thereof, enhances the effect of ultrasonic transient cavitation and improves decontamination of the contaminated matter. An associated method of decontaminating contaminated matter further comprises submerging the contaminated matter, such as a medical or dental instrument, in a cleaning solution having a predetermined concentration of a volatile substance, pressurizing the container, and vibrating the cleaning solution to produce ultrasonic transient cavitation therein.

US Patent:

56860455, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

Apr 19, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/425855

Inventors:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

A61L 200

US Classification:

422 20

Abstract:

Methods for sterilizing an instrument contaminated with biological matter are disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a container for containing a room temperature antimicrobial solution and a lid that can seal the container such that a gas is trapped within the container and above the antimicrobial solution. The apparatus provides a pressure, independent of heat, within the sealed container to greater than one atmosphere. Vibration is also provided to vibrate the container, and its contents, such that biological matter on the instruments is removed and all microbes on the instrument are exposed to the antimicrobial solution. The pressure drives and forces the antimicrobial solution into the cracks and crevices of the instrument and also into the outer membrane of the microbe, which can be first softened or attenuated by the vibrations. The method of sterilization generally includes submerging the instrument in the room temperature antimicrobial solution, sealing the container to trap a gas above the antimicrobial solution, increasing the pressure, independent of heat, within the container to force the antimicrobial solution into the cracks and crevices of the instrument and into contact with the microbe(s), and vibrating the container to remove matter from the instrument and to soften the outer membrane of the microbe.

US Patent:

56836554, Nov 4, 1997

Filed:

Nov 29, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/563989

Inventors:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

A61L 200

US Classification:

422 28

Abstract:

The apparatus of this invention can be used to disinfect a writing instrument used by a health care professional when working with a patient. The apparatus includes an absorbent material pad that has a breach formed, for example, with a slit or a series of slits extending entirely through the pad. The pad is soaked with disinfecting fluid, and a writing instrument is inserted through the breach in the pad to disinfect the writing instrument. To hold the pad in a fixed position, the apparatus includes a holder with first and second members that can be joined together or separated to allow insertion or removal of the pad. The first and second members of the holder define respective apertures that are aligned with the breach in the pad when the first and second members are joined together to enclose the pad. The holder is attached to a body that supports the holder at a sufficiently high level that the writing instrument, when inserted through the pad and the holder, will not be obstructed by the surface upon which the apparatus rests. The apparatus also includes several features to stabilize the apparatus and to minimize spillage or waste of the disinfecting fluid.

US Patent:

58125388, Sep 22, 1998

Filed:

Jan 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/778882

Inventors:

Robert A. Wiedeman - Los Altos CA
Paul A. Monte - San Jose CA
Stephen S. Carter - San Diego CA
William Ames - Poway CA

Assignee:

Globalstar L.P. - San Jose CA
Qualcomm Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

H04B 7185

US Classification:

370316

Abstract:

A communication system (10), and a method executed by same, for allocating communications traffic through a plurality of satellites (12) of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites. Each of the plurality of satellites is oriented, at any given time when in view of a ground station (18), at a particular elevation angle. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing each of the plurality of satellites with a receiver for receiving communication links from the ground station and a transmitter for transmitting communication links to user terminals; (b) in response to a request for service, determining if a highest elevation angle satellite can be assigned a new communications link; (c) if yes, assigning a new communication link to the highest elevation angle satellite; (d) if no, determining if a second highest elevation angle satellite can be assigned a new communications link; and (e) if yes, assigning a new communication link to the second highest elevation angle satellite. A number of different criteria can be employed in determining if a satellite can be assigned a new communication link, including: determining if the associated satellite has already been assigned a predetermined maximum number of communication links; and determining if the associated satellite, or a particular beam, is transmitting at or near to a power level that corresponds to a maximum peak flux density at the surface of the earth. Each of the steps of assigning is preferably accomplished such that the communication link is simultaneously established through at least two of the satellites to provide for diversity reception at a user's terminal (13).

US Patent:

55924816, Jan 7, 1997

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/465972

Inventors:

Robert A. Wiedeman - Los Altos CA
Paul A. Monte - San Jose CA
Stephen S. Carter - San Diego CA
William Ames - Poway CA

Assignee:

Globalstar L.P. - San Jose CA
Qualcomm Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

H04B 7185

US Classification:

370316

Abstract:

A communication system (10), and a method executed by same, for allocating communications traffic through a plurality of satellites (12) of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites. Each of the plurality of satellites is oriented, at any given time when in view of a ground station (18), at a particular elevation angle. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing each of the plurality of satellites with a receiver for receiving communication links from the ground station and a transmitter for transmitting communication links to user terminals; (b) in response to a request for service, determining if a highest elevation angle satellite can be assigned a new communications link; (c) if yes, assigning a new communication link to the highest elevation angle satellite; (d) if no, determining if a second highest elevation angle satellite can be assigned a new communications link; and (e) if yes, assigning a new communication link to the second highest elevation angle satellite. A number of different criteria can be employed in determining if a satellite can be assigned a new communication link, including: determining if the associated satellite has already been assigned a predetermined maximum number of communication links; and determining if the associated satellite, or a particular beam, is transmitting at or near to a power level that corresponds to a maximum peak flux density at the surface of the earth. Each of the steps of assigning is preferably accomplished such that the communication link is simultaneously established through at least two of the satellites to provide for diversity reception at a user's terminal (13).

US Patent:

52884627, Feb 22, 1994

Filed:

May 18, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/885661

Inventors:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA
James W. Brazell - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

H61L 200

US Classification:

422 39

Abstract:

A sterilization apparatus has a chamber within a housing in which the materials to be sterilized are placed and the chamber is supplied with liquid under pressure. A pressure sensitive, rapid acting implosion cartridge is in communication with the chamber and acts to depressurize the chamber in milliseconds when the desired sterilization pressure is reached. The cartridge then reseals the chamber for a subsequent pressure build-up.

US Patent:

D3795195, May 27, 1997

Filed:

Nov 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

D/049018

Inventors:

Stephen D. Carter - Stone Mountain GA

Assignee:

Calgene, Inc. - Davis CA

International Classification:

2401

US Classification:

D24217