DR. KARL J KREDER, MD
Urology at Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA

5776081, Jul 7, 1998

Jun 6, 1995

8/467100

Karl J. Kreder - Iowa City IA

University of Iowa Research Foundation - Iowa City IA

A61B 5103

600593

Devices and methods for measuring the weakness of body lumens, and in particular, urethral sphincters and similar valves, are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a catheter with a hollow fluted distal end can be inserted into a lumen. The hollow fluted distal end of the catheter is then expanded into an enlarged configuration. The measurement of resistance to withdrawal of the catheter in the enlarged configuration provides an indication of weakness of the lumen. In one aspect of the invention, the catheter is inserted into a bladder via the urethral sphincter and the weakness of the urethral sphincter is measured. In another aspect of the invention, a device for measuring weakness of a body lumen, such as a urethral sphincter and similar valves, can consist of a catheter with a hollow fluted distal end having of an array of wings, and an expanding means for radially expanding the wings into an enlarged configuration. Subsequent withdrawal of the catheter in the enlarged configuration encounter resistances which can be measured as an indication of the weakness of the body lumen, such as a urethral sphincter and similar valves. In still another aspect of the invention, a system for measuring weakness of a body lumen can consist of a catheter, a means for expanding a hollow fluted distal end of the catheter from a first configuration into a second enlarged configuration and means for measuring resistance to withdrawal of the catheter in the enlarged configuration as an indicator of weakness of the body lumen, such as the urethral sphincter and similar valves.

2006015, Jul 13, 2006

Oct 21, 2005

11/256546

Karl Kreder - Coralville IA, US
Rajat Daftuar - West Bloomfield MI, US
Matthew Adams - Arlington Heights IL, US

G06G 7/00, G06F 17/00, G06Q 30/00

705400000, 705026000

A computer system and method is disclosed where the computer system allows a user to find course materials based off of the user's course schedule and obtain comparative pricing from multiple online vendors for the given course materials. A computer system and method is disclosed where the computer system provides regional and national statistics about a book to aid in the user's shopping decision. A computer system and method is disclosed that simultaneously presents pertinent information from multiple websites which allows a user to find course materials based off of the user's course schedule and obtain comparative pricing.

2007016, Jul 19, 2007

Jan 13, 2006

11/331798

Craig Marriott - Clawson MI, US
Karl Kreder - Coralville IA, US

F04B 49/00, F04B 23/00

417310000, 417440000

The invention relates to an apparatus and method of statically sealing a reciprocating-type fuel pump, such as a direct injection high pressure piston-type fuel pump. The first embodiment of the invention is a fuel pump comprising a pump body, a fuel reservoir within the pump body, wherein the fuel reservoir is capable of holding fuel and a bellows attached to the pump body, wherein the bellows is a stretchable membrane acting as a static seal. The second embodiment further comprises a diaphragm seal inside the pump body, and adjacent to the fuel reservoir, and a working fluid reservoir adjacent to the diaphragm seal, wherein the working fluid reservoir is capable of holding fluid. The diaphragm seal is a static seal separating the working fluid reservoir and the fuel reservoir.