Bizarre Patents
Pet Toilet-Like Water Disk and Food Storage
One pet-friendly inventor patented "a device for watering pets, e.g., a dog or cat." The device, he helpfully noted, "has the general shape of a toilet."
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 6890041 | Antilock brake systems employing a sliding mode observer based estimation of differential wheel torque Improved methods and systems for controlling hydraulically or electrically actuated anti-lock brake systems (ABS) on air and land vehicles requiring only measurement of wheel angular speed although brake torque measurements can also be employed if available. A slidi... | 05/10/2005 |
| 6635027 | Method and apparatus for intramural delivery of a substance An infusion catheter is formed with a catheter lumen extending from a proximal end connector assembly to a distal end valve that is normally closed but is penetrable to allow introduction of a guidewire through the catheter lumen and distal end valve and ... | 10/21/2003 |
| 6501536 | Method and apparatus for determining the location of an occupant of a vehicle A method and apparatus for use in locating the eyes of a vehicle driver or passenger in a vehicle for controlling vehicle systems including the positioning of vehicle sideview mirrors in relation to the driver's eyes to maximize the view of traffic on eit... | 12/31/2002 |
| 6378956 | Wheel chock assembly A vehicular wheel chock assembly and method of operation for use in providing automatic, positive chocking of one or more wheel of a vehicle upon setting of the vehicle's emergency/parking brakes and automatic retraction of the chock assembly upon release... | 04/30/2002 |
| 6315789 | Medical device anchoring system and method Methods and apparatus for anchoring percutaneous devices, e.g., tubes or catheters or leads, extending percutaneously through a percutaneous passageway from the skin of a patient to a subcutaneous location or body cavity or tract or lumen from movement fu... | 11/13/2001 |
| 6176587 | Method and apparatus for adjusting vehicle mirrors A method and apparatus for use in locating a vehicle driver, passenger or object in the vehicle for controlling vehicle systems including the positioning of vehicle sideview mirrors in relation to the driver's eyes to maximize the view of traffic on eithe... | 01/23/2001 |
| 6066152 | Rotatable attachment mechanism for attaching a medical obstruction treatment device sub-assembly to a drive motor unit A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a resilient brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive s... | 05/23/2000 |
| 6063069 | Method and apparatus for power lysis of a thrombus Thrombectomy methods and apparatus for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel involving high velocity injection of a thrombolytic agent, e.g., a plasminogen activator, through multiple, closely spaced, side wall infusion holes in a high strength catheter... | 05/16/2000 |
| 6030397 | Miniaturized medical brush A miniaturized brush particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of a brush delivery... | 02/29/2000 |
| 6027461 | Infusion guidewire having fixed core wire and flexible radiopaque marker An infusion guidewire that can be used either as a guidewire or an infusion catheter having an integral, tapered core wire within an infusion lumen formed of the aligned lumens of the conduit of a proximal connector housing, a proximal inner sheath in a p... | 02/22/2000 |
| 6022363 | Rotatable dynamic seal and guide for a medical obstruction treatment device sub-assembly coupled to a drive motor unit A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is en... | 02/08/2000 |
| 5997487 | Infusion wire having fixed core wire An infusion wire that can be used either as a guidewire or an infusion catheter having a tapered core wire within an infusion lumen formed of the aligned lumens of the conduit of a proximal connector housing, an inner sheath in a proximal infusion wire po... | 12/07/1999 |
| 5993015 | Method and apparatus for determining the location of an occupant of a vehicle A method and apparatus for use in locating a vehicle driver, passenger or object in the vehicle for controlling vehicle systems including the positioning of vehicle sideview mirrors in relation to the driver's eyes to maximize the view of traffic on eithe... | 11/30/1999 |
| 5810807 | Sphincterotome with deflectable cutting plane and method of using the same A sphincterotome adapted to be used in the lumen of an endoscope for cutting a sphincter in a patient's body using a cutting wire energized by an electrosurgical unit. The sphincterotome has a distal end segment and cutting plane orienting mechanism exten... | 09/22/1998 |
| 5800408 | Infusion device for distributing infusate along an elongated infusion segment An infusion device for use in delivering an infusate from an elongated infusion segment along an elongated section of a body vessel with either a relatively symmetric infusate distribution profile or asymmetric infusate distribution profile that concentra... | 09/01/1998 |
| 5681335 | Miniaturized brush with hollow lumen brush body A miniaturized brush and method of making same having a hollow lumen for introducing an agent for dissolving a soft fibrinous obstruction, such as a recently formed thrombus, within a patient's vascular system. The brush has soft, flexible bristles extend... | 10/28/1997 |
| 5668675 | Opto-electronic aid for alignment of exterior vehicle mirrors to minimize blind spot effects An opto-electronic alignment method and apparatus capable of being incorporated into left and right side vehicle exterior sideview mirrors to assist the driver in adjusting the mirror to minimize the presence of any traffic blind spot on a side of the veh... | 09/16/1997 |
| 5624396 | Longitudinally extendable infusion device A system for use in delivering a thrombolytic agent to a firm obstruction in a blood vessel by effecting longitudinal extension of the distal infusion segment of an infusion device through the obstruction as the obstruction is dissolved by the delivery of... | 04/29/1997 |
| 5613926 | Resistance and assistance physical training device An exercising and training method and apparatus particularly providing resistance and assistance physical training for athletes. An upper body harness is worn by the athlete and attached to one end of an inelastic rope that is extended around a rope guide... | 03/25/1997 |
| 5554114 | Infusion device with preformed shape An infusion guidewire or catheter for introduction through a selected path in a patient's vascular system to a site in a blood vessel and for infusing a drug or agent into the blood vessel. An elongated tubular body extends between a proximal and a distal... | 09/10/1996 |
| 5541685 | Emulsion side backer support plate assembly for magnetics-on-film read/write head A magnetic read/write head and backer plate assembly particularly for use for recording and reading information on a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of photographic filmstrips. The backer plate assembly overcomes the loss of compliance of ... | 07/30/1996 |
| 5528288 | Illumination control system for a film scanner In an illumination system for a film telecine scanner of the type adapted to provide a line of illumination on the image frames of a film which is supported for movement in a film gate of the scanner, an improved light control system for adjusting the amo... | 06/18/1996 |
| 5486895 | Optical system for printing normal and panoramic images An automatic printer for making prints of normal and panoramic format negative filmstrip image frames arbitrarily interspersed in a single filmstrip. Normal and panoramic projection systems are provided for projecting normal and panoramic images onto resp... | 01/23/1996 |
| 5475460 | Photographic play set having improved lighting A play set for children that allows a child to take correctly framed, focused and illuminated photographs of dolls, action figures or the like, in a life-like play setting. A camera support frame receives a removable, standard camera and aims its lens, th... | 12/12/1995 |
| 5472394 | Parachute for athletic resistance and speed training A sport parachute for use in speed and endurance enhancement training for athletes, particularly runners, bikers, skaters, etc. engaged in recreational activities and amateur or professional sports. The parachute is provided with cords attached at one end... | 12/05/1995 |
| 5414460 | Mechanical aperture for controlling illumination level In an illumination system for a film telecine scanner of the type adapted to provide a line of illumination on the image frames of a film which is supported for rapid movement in a film gate of the scanner, an improved light control system for adjusting t... | 05/09/1995 |
| 5406352 | Photographic film segment flattening apparatus A film flattening apparatus and method of operation for a printer particularly operable in a film flattening mode for flattening image frames of filmstrip segments attached by a side attached tow web and transported through a transport path gap between th... | 04/11/1995 |
| 5370653 | Thrombectomy method and apparatus A thrombectomy method and apparatus for dissolving a soft fibrinous obstruction, such as a recently formed thrombus, within a patient's vascular system, either in a vessel or in a prosthetic implant, employing a rotating brush for separating and mixing th... | 12/06/1994 |
| 5168825 | Reversible canoe and camp seat A portable, adjustable seat for suspension between the gunwales of a canoe, when used in a first orientation as a canoe seat, of a rigid construction that permits its use in a second, reverse orientation as a camp stool, when camping. The seat comprises a... | 12/08/1992 |
| 5097224 | Self-biasing, low noise amplifier of extended dynamic range An audio frequency amplification circuit for use with low level, high impedance signal sources, such as a miniature electret microphone, particularly useful where the power supply range is variable or may be limited to a single cell. The preferred embodim... | 03/17/1992 |
| 4860446 | Medical electrical lead and method of manufacture A medical electrical lead having a polyurethane outer sheath and one or more coiled metal conductors. The metal conductors are optimized for use in conjunction with a polyurethane sheath and are provided with a barrier coating of a biocompatible metal. Th... | 08/29/1989 |
| 4832032 | Electrical apparatus protective interconnect An electrical apparatus protective interconnect module including a casing having therein a chamber at one end and a socket at the other end for receiving within the socket an electrical apparatus having controls. A power supply is contained within the cha... | 05/23/1989 |
| 4820263 | Apparatus and method for iontophoretic drug delivery An ionic substance is mixed with a polar, non-ionic adhesive to form an electrode for use in the iontophoretic introduction of the ionic substance into a body. The electrode may be formed as a sheet of the mixture of a size and shape suitable for attachme... | 04/11/1989 |
| 4817634 | Epicardial patch electrode An epicardial defibrillation electrode employing an elongated, coil electrode embedded in the surface of a flexible electrode pad. The coil electrode provides increased flexibility and superior electrode flex life. The arrangement of the coil electrode pr... | 04/04/1989 |
| 4813421 | Oxygen sensing pacemaker A heart pacemaker including a two wave length reflectance oximeter for determining oxygen saturation. The pacing rate is increased or decreased in response to the measured oxygen saturation. By appropriate multiplexing and timing functions, the two wave l... | 03/21/1989 |
| 4813952 | Cardiac assist device A muscle-powered pump to assist the natural heart is disclosed. The device comprises an oblate, spheroidal-shaped pumping chamber surrounded by innervated muscular tissue. The device may be coupled to the ventricle and descending aorta with valves and be ... | 03/21/1989 |
| 4808180 | Prosthetic heart valve An improved heart valve having an annular valve housing and two leaflets supported for pivotable movement within the annular valve housing. Each leaflet is pivoted about an axis displaced from the center of the valve housing. When open, the leaflets pivot... | 02/28/1989 |
| 4807629 | Oxygen sensing pacemaker A heart pacemaker including a two wave length reflectance oximeter for determining oxygen saturation. The pacing rate is increased or decreased in response to the measured oxygen saturation. By appropriate multiplexing and timing functions, the two wave l... | 02/28/1989 |
| 4791935 | Oxygen sensing pacemaker A heart pacemaker including a two wave length reflectance oximeter for determining oxygen saturation. The pacing rate is increased or decreased in response to the measured oxygen saturation. By appropriate multiplexing and timing functions, the two wave l... | 12/20/1988 |
| 4774952 | Cardioversion and defibrillation lead A cardioversion and defibrillation lead system and a method of use of the lead system for applying energy to the heart. The lead system and method of application are designed to maximize the efficiency of electrical energy and depolarizing the cells of th... | 10/04/1988 |
