Larry L Howell
Engineers in Orem, UT

2013017, Jul 11, 2013

Jun 29, 2012

13/539184

Quentin T. Aten - Orem UT, US
Walter Fazio - Albuquerque NM, US
Jason Mathew Lund - Orem UT, US
Gregory H. Teichert - Provo UT, US
Sandra H. Burnett - Saratoga Springs UT, US
Brian D. Jensen - Orem UT, US
Larry L. Howell - Orem UT, US

Brigham Young University - Provo UT

C12M 1/12, C12N 15/89

435325, 4352831

Systems, devices, and methods for restraining a biological structure are provided. In one example, a biological structure restraining device can include a barrier structure, an opening defined in the barrier structure, and at least two contact points positioned adjacent to the opening and oriented to contact the biological structure, wherein the barrier structure and the opening are structurally positioned to receive the cell at the contact points. In another aspect, the device can also include a biological structure manipulator having a structure operable to press the biological structure against the contact points. In yet another aspect, the device can further include a biological structure injector having a structure operable to be inserted through the opening and into the biological structure, wherein the biological structure manipulator is operable to maintain the biological structure against the contact points as the biological structure injector is inserted into the biological structure.

2010021, Aug 26, 2010

Feb 19, 2010

12/709246

Anton E. Bowden - Lindon UT, US
Larry L. Howell - Orem UT, US
Peter A. Halveson - Alpine UT, US
Eric M. Stratton - Provo UT, US

A61B 17/70, A61B 17/88

606260, 606279

A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments, said contiguous segments being prestressed to apply torque that is a function of a negative slope of a moment difference between a degenerative torque-rotation signature and a healthy torque-rotation signature. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to a degenerate spinal segment.

2013015, Jun 13, 2013

Jun 7, 2012

13/491129

Eric Dodgen - Anthem AZ, US
Larry L. Howell - Orem UT, US
Anton Bowden - Lindon UT, US

A61B 17/70

606260

A spinal implant comprising a plurality of contiguous segments that define a segment array, said plurality of contiguous segments extending from a first side of the segment array to a second side of the segment array in an overlapping configuration, said plurality of contiguous segments operable to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment in each of three orthogonal axes. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.

6215081, Apr 10, 2001

Mar 29, 1999

9/280916

Brian D. Jensen - Albuquerque NM
Larry L. Howell - Orem UT
Gregory M. Roach - Springville UT

Brigham Young University - Provo UT

H01H 300, F16F 100

200341

A compliant, bistable mechanism has a plurality of segments coupled end-to-end in a series to form a continuous chain of segments. The plurality of segments includes at least two rigid segments and at least one relatively flexible and resilient segment. Adjacent rigid segments are coupled by flexible joints or pin joints. The flexible and resilient segment is coupled to adjacent segments either fixedly or by pin joints. There are at least four pin joints, flexible joints, and/or flexible and resilient segments. The joints allow relative movement of the segments while the flexible and resilient segment resists movement and biases the segments. The segments move between first and second stable equilibrium positions. The segments have a pseudo-rigid-body model resembling a four-bar linkage. The segments and flexible joints may be integrally formed.

6982515, Jan 3, 2006

Sep 12, 2001

10/363243

Larry Howell - Orem UT, US
Scott Lyon - Provo UT, US
Brent Weight - Springville UT, US
Deanne Clements - Lafayette IN, US

Brigham Young University - Provo UT

H02N 10/00

310307

An apparatus () that is capable of a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration is disclosed. The bistable mechanism () has a leg () that is coupled on one end by a base member () and on the other end by a shuttle (). The leg () stores potential energy as it is deflected. The potential energy stored in the leg () has a maximum potential energy position with a low potential energy position on either side of the maximum. An apparatus and method are also disclosed for a latching mechanism () and the associated method. The latching mechanism () is comprised of a grasping member (), a lock slider (), and a detent slider (). These three members () operate together to induce a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration by actuating the lock slider () in a single direction.

7763818, Jul 27, 2010

Jul 31, 2006

11/496747

Craig Lusk - Lutz FL, US
Larry L. Howell - Orem UT, US

Brigham Young University - Provo UT

H01H 13/14, H01H 3/12

200341

A spherical bi-stable mechanism includes a planar bi-stable compliant member including an input and an output, and a spherical mechanism member coupled to the output of the first planar bi-stable compliant component. An actuation of the first planar bi-stable compliant member in a first plane is configured to cause the spherical mechanism member to be selectively positioned in a second plane.

2010022, Sep 2, 2010

Feb 19, 2010

12/709243

Anton E. Bowden - Lindon UT, US
Larry L. Howell - Orem UT, US
Peter A. Halveson - Alpine UT, US
Eric M. Stratton - Provo UT, US

A61B 17/70

606260

A spinal implant comprises a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect. At least one of said contiguous segments is prestressed to form a selected radius of curvature prior to implantation. At least one mounting connection is configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to a degenerate spinal segment.

6983924, Jan 10, 2006

Apr 25, 2001

10/258568

Larry L. Howell - Orem UT, US
Scott Thomson - Provo UT, US
Jason Alan Briscoe - Provo UT, US
John J. Parise - Lauderhill FL, US
Shae Lorenc - Idaho Falls ID, US
John B. Larsen - Provo UT, US
Curtis R. Huffmire - Provo UT, US
Nathan Burnside - Provo UT, US
Troy A. Gomm - Provo UT, US

Brigham Young University - Provo UT

F16F 1/34

251118, 251902, 267158, 267160

An ortho-planar spring has a platform movably coupled to a base and being movable linearly with respect to the base along at least a portion of an axial direction perpendicular to both a base surface and a platform surface. A resilient and flexible connecting structure is connected to and between the base and platform. The connecting structure is bendable to develop (i) an axial force along the axial direction to bias the platform in a stable position with respect to the base, and (ii) non-axial forces which substantially sum to zero to preserve the orientation of the platform with respect to the base. Thus, the spring is very compact and does not have rotation between the deflecting ends. The spring may be associated with a valve opening, and a button for restricting flow through the valve opening, to bias the button at a position with respect to the valve opening.

7884525, Feb 8, 2011

Aug 1, 2007

11/832041

Martin L. Culpepper - Danvers MA, US
Spencer P. Magleby - Provo UT, US
Larry L. Howell - Orem UT, US
Christopher M. DiBiasio - Cambridge MA, US
Robert M. Panas - Westborough MA, US

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA
Brigham Young University - Provo UT

H02N 1/00

310309, 310 1203, 310 15, 310 36, 977724, 977725, 361820

A nano-scale compliant mechanism includes a coupler and a plurality of nanotubes disposed for nano-scale motion relative to a grounded component. The nanotubes are fastened at one end to the coupler and at the other end to ground, to guide motion of the coupler relative to the ground. Particular embodiments include a plurality of parallel carbon nanotubes. An exemplary embodiment exhibits first and second regions of mechanical behavior; a first region governed by bulk elastic deformation of the nanotubes and a second region governed by compliant, hinge-like bending of the buckled nanotubes.

2010022, Sep 2, 2010

Feb 19, 2010

12/709255

Anton E. Bowden - Lindon UT, US
Larry L. Howell - Orem UT, US
Peter A. Halveson - Alpine UT, US
Eric M. Stratton - Provo UT, US

A61B 17/88

606279

A method of surgically implanting a spinal implant comprises obtaining at least one spinal implant configured to apply a torque to a degenerate spinal segment. Said spinal implant includes: a plurality of contiguous segments in which said contiguous segments form an angle at a location in which two adjacent contiguous segments of the plurality of contiguous segments intersect, said contiguous segments configured to apply a torque to said degenerate spinal segment; and at least one mounting connection configured to connect said spinal implant to a mounting mechanism, said mounting mechanism being configured to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment. A minimally invasive surgical technique is used to attach said spinal implant to said degenerate spinal segment.