Patents Examined by Alexander Morales
  • Patent number: 11679229
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally to cough-assist devices with humidified cough assistance. In one example, a system includes a cough-assist device having a first phase configured to provide insufflating gas to a patient circuit and a second phase configured to draw exsufflating gas from the patient circuit. A humidifier is disposed between the cough-assist device and a distal end of the patient circuit, the humidifier including a chamber configured to contain heated water and fluidically coupled to the cough-assist device and the patient circuit. The system further includes a bypass configured to (a) direct insufflating gas from the cough-assist device through a first route to the patient circuit such that the insufflating gas is humidified in the chamber, and (b) route exsufflating gas from the patient circuit through a second route to the cough-assist device such that the exsufflating gas bypasses the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ventec Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shan Gaw, Joseph Cipollone
  • Patent number: 11633324
    Abstract: A massage device has a position adjustable handle along a handle slot that extends along a portion of the cane support. The cane support has a support extension portion, or the long substantially linear portion, an arc portion that extends from the support extension in an arc or cure and a head portion. The handle slot may extend a portion of the length of the cane support and along the support extension to the head portion. A vibration device is coupled to the head end of the cane support and may be decoupled from the cane support by a vibration dampening material that extends around the vibration device within a chamber. The vibration dampening material extend out to form a locking ring between the vibration assembly and the massage head. A user can comfortably hold the massage head against their body without excessive vibration in the cane support or handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Vibration Cane, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Edward Kesner, Tyler Douglas Comer, Jennifer Jo Kesner, Daniel Wright Allen, George Carl Dierking, Joseph Elijio Velasquez
  • Patent number: 11617841
    Abstract: A fine water discharge device of a human body which discharges fine water to the human body includes: fine water generating units being brought into a moisture absorption state and a moisture release state in which moisture is absorbed in, and is released from, a conductive polymer film due to a decrease and an increase in temperature, respectively and disposed in parallel; a blowing unit blowing air so that air flows through the fine water generating units; an electrifying portion individually electrifying the fine water generating units so that a temperature of each fine water generating unit is changed depending on electrification; and a control portion controlling the electrifying portion and the blowing unit so that the fine water generating units are individually switched between the moisture absorption state and the moisture release state to discharge the fine water by blowing air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoko Adachi, Shinsuke Inoue, Akiyoshi Hirano, Masayuki Miyabe
  • Patent number: 11607359
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a reservoir, a handle, a housing, a bezel positioned at least partially within and secured to the housing, and an actuator operably coupled to the housing and movable relative thereto is disclosed. The actuator includes a control shaft extending from the interior surface of the face and positioned inwards from an outer perimeter of front wall. The control shaft extends through an aperture in the housing and movement of a gripping body causes the control shaft to directly actuate a switch or a pressure assembly positioned within the housing. The actuator also includes an augmentation fluid positioned between the bezel and a portion of the actuator. The augmentation fluid modifies a frictional relationship between the bezel and the actuator to provide a predefined resistance force between the actuator and the bezel as the actuator is rotated relative to the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Williams, Robert D. Wagner
  • Patent number: 11602479
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a system that includes a powered wheelchair, a user-worn exoskeleton, and a master controller. The master controller monitors the independent movements of the powered wheelchair and the user-worn exoskeleton. The master controller prioritizes the movement of the powered wheelchair and the user-worn exoskeleton such that only one of the powered wheelchair or the user-worn exoskeleton will have the priority to complete the intended movement. The master controller may coordinate movements between the powered wheelchair and the user-worn exoskeleton so to perform a plurality of predetermined programs. For example, assisting a user to sit within the powered wheelchair, to assist a user to stand from a seating position when outside of the powered wheelchair, and/or use the powered wheelchair as a guide for walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Moore
  • Patent number: 11590307
    Abstract: An expandable inter-vivos tube that allows for the use in medical procedures while limiting known complications arising from conventional inter-vivos tubes is presented, wherein the expandable inter-vivos tube comprises a slit formed longitudinally within a tube and a plurality of nipples extending from an outer surface of the tube that are insertable within a corresponding one of a plurality of slides within an outer slidable element that is slidable within the slit. A position of the nipples within the slots causes a distance between the edges of the to increase; thus, increasing a circumference of the inter-vivos tube as the outer element is slide from a proximal end of the tube element to a distal end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph A. Vilasi, Joseph D'Ambrosio
  • Patent number: 11576835
    Abstract: Devices and methods for assisting breathing in a subject are described. In one embodiment, a device includes a splint that can be used to apply negative distending pressure, i.e., outward pull, to one or both of the chest walls and/or the abdomen of a subject. The splint may include an air bladder that can be attached to the skin of the subject's chest and/or abdomen. When the air bladder is inflated, negative distending pressure is applied to the subject's chest and/or abdomen, thereby assisting or promoting respiration. The inflated air bladder may also apply a compressive force on the chest to facilitate expiration, and the removal of secretions in the airways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: Charles Palmer
  • Patent number: 11554076
    Abstract: A distension/compression device for assisting breathing in a subject according to one embodiment includes a first tube having a flexible and elastic material that forms a first tube lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first tube. Longitudinal expansion of the first tube is restricted less than radial expansion of the first tube. A connection element including a first air supply port is in fluid communication with an open proximal end of the first tube lumen and attached to a proximal end of the first tube. A method for assisting breathing of a patient and a method for assisting the clearing of secretions is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Charles Palmer, William J. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11554070
    Abstract: A walking assist device includes: a pair of right and left handles that are movable back and forth with respect to a frame in accordance with arm swing performed during walk of a user; rails on which the handles are provided and which limit movement of the handles in a movable range in accordance with arm swing performed during the walk of the user; a handle information acquisition unit that acquires information related to movement of the handles; and a control unit that controls a drive unit in accordance with the information from the handle information acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumitaka Achiwa, Yoshiyuki Shibata, Kouji Nagumo, Kimihiro Onishi, Tomomi Nishida
  • Patent number: 11554069
    Abstract: A stretching device for stretching and aligning a user's back may include a belt, optionally a gambrel and universal hook, and optionally a support system, such as a slotted door mount. The belt may be designed to wrap around the user's back and under the user's armpits, wherein the belt is a segmented belt having a plurality of raised segments spaced along a length of the belt. Rings may be attached to each end of the belt, wherein the rings may be designed to engage with a mounting device, such as the gambrel and universal hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Tom John Langmacher
  • Patent number: 11534362
    Abstract: A manually-operated quantification soft tissue mobilization (QSTM) device includes a pressure applicator and a sensor member. The pressure applicator is configured to enable a user to dynamically apply a stroking mechanical force as the pressure applicator is moved over an area treatment areas of a patient's soft tissue. The sensor member including an accelerometer and a gyrometer is configured to determine various parameters of the dynamically applied stroking mechanical force in three dimensions as the pressure applicator is moved over the treatment areas of the patient's soft tissue. These parameters include a force magnitude in three dimensions, an angle in multiple axes, a stroke position, a stroke frequency, a sensed vibration magnitude at dominant spectral frequencies, and/or a rate of the stroking mechanical force dynamically applied to the soft tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mary T. Loghmani, Sohel Anwar, Ahmed Alotaibi, Keith L. March, Stanley Chien
  • Patent number: 11491073
    Abstract: A rehabilitation training apparatus and a rehabilitation training system are disclosed. The rehabilitation training apparatus includes a powertrain, a pneumatic flexible actuator and a receiving portion. The powertrain is coupled to the pneumatic flexible actuator and configured to rotate upon drive of the pneumatic flexible actuator. The receiving portion is coupled to the powertrain and configured to receive a training portion and be interlocked with rotation of the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bangcan Xue, Yanjun Liu, Dong Zhang, Zhehua Long
  • Patent number: 11484458
    Abstract: A device for spine rehabilitation comprising a support frame, immovable crossbars, movable crossbars, and a holder and systems of actuators supporting a patient's head, shoulders, hip, knees, and feet, characterised in that it is equipped with linear actuators (8) mounted to the holder (7) supporting the patient's head and shoulders, whereby the holder (7) has a driving mechanism (9) situated horizontally and mounted to an immovable crossbar (6) of the support frame (1) and in its lower part is rotationally mounted, at the rotation point (10) of the holder, to the immovable crossbar (6). A method for spine rehabilitation using the device for lateral deviation of the patient's torso, whereby the patient's body situated horizontally, face up, is lifted on eight sling hangers taking hold of his/her head and his/her back in the points of shoulder girdle and pelvis girdle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Akademia Gorniczo-Hutnicza Im. Stanislawa Staszica w Krakowie
    Inventors: Jerzy Kwaƛniewski, Szymon Molski
  • Patent number: 11484460
    Abstract: A shoulder joint tracking apparatus includes a gravity compensation spring that compensates for a vertical movement of a shoulder joint of a trainee, a weight of an arm, and gravity to a weight of a rehabilitation exercise device attached to the arm, and a shoulder joint tracking device that is provided at one side of the shoulder rehabilitation apparatus, is connected to the gravity compensation spring, and applies a damping force corresponding to a force applied by the trainee, in a direction opposite to a direction in which the force is applied, to control a vertical movement of the shoulder rehabilitation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER
    Inventors: Hyung Soon Park, Kyoung Soub Lee, Hogene Kim
  • Patent number: 11458265
    Abstract: Aerosol delivery devices including mechanisms configured to deliver an aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer including a vaporization heating element to produce a vapor are disclosed. For example, a bubble jet head may be configured to dispense the aerosol precursor composition to the atomizer. The bubble jet head may be fixedly coupled to the atomizer. The bubble jet head may include a precursor inlet, an ejection heating element, and a precursor nozzle. The atomizer may include a vaporization heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: David Allan Brammer, David Jackson, Nigel John Flynn, Eric T. Hunt, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter
  • Patent number: 11458068
    Abstract: An apparatus for promoting shallow breathing of a patient includes a paddle, a belt, and a bladder. The paddle may be configured to contact the body of the patient. The belt may be configured to secure the paddle against the body of the patient. Finally, the bladder may be interposed between the belt and the paddle in the installed condition, such that inflating the bladder urges the paddle toward the body of the patient so as to apply pressure to the abdomen of the patient. A method of promoting shallow breathing is also provided that includes attaching a paddle and a bladder to a belt, such that the bladder is between the paddle and the belt, positioning the paddle on the patient, and inflating the bladder to urge the paddle toward the body of the patient such that the paddle applies pressure to the abdomen of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Qfix Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kenne Zony, Andrew Johnson, James Manning, Daniel D. Coppens
  • Patent number: 11458261
    Abstract: A curcumin entrained vapor generator providing the release of an essence, or compound or substances, from a solid or powder or liquid into a vapor exiting the generator, comprising a container having an interior volume and a region disposed to contain a liquid which emits or forms a vapor, and an openable closed end distal from said contained liquid. An interior support formed to support material (e.g. curcumin or other) thereon and is included and has a plurality of openings, and is dimensioned less than said container interior dimension across said container liquid to form a large vapor passage allowing the essence of the included material to be gently released into the vapor of the liquid and released into the external environment via the container openings. Other embodiments include esthetically shaped support structures, e.g. a leaf, a plant twig-like arms, etc. and/or graphic overlays, etchings, engravings, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Vijaya Natarajan, Joanne Michelle Martin
  • Patent number: 11439562
    Abstract: The invention refers to a system of a plurality of pendulums with controlled oscillation and trajectory which delivers the oscillatory movement in the upper part of its geometry, where it is recovered and transferred to the desired object, be it a chair, a crib or a bed, and since this motion is transferred or projected from below, does not need suspension points external to the system or to the object for it to experience a stable and safe oscillatory motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin Beja Lezama, Francisco Robles Robles
  • Patent number: 11432985
    Abstract: In various embodiments, provided herein are systems, methods, processes, and devices for providing locomotive rehabilitation to a subject via one or more gait motions that substantially accurately mimic motions performed in healthy, natural gait cycles. The system may mimic natural gait motions via footplates and handles, and one or more linkage systems. In particular embodiments, the system may further include a motor unit and/or clutch for providing controlled forces assisting or resisting motions of a linkage system. Further, the system may include a tower for operating in a standing or seated position. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a body weight support system that provides offloading forces to a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Healing Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Douglas Benda, Luke Scott Benda, Braden Joseph Davidson, Evan Andrew Reese, Christopher Zaro
  • Patent number: 11419779
    Abstract: A sitting type spinal traction and disc massage apparatus includes a seat member, a seat pad disposed atop the seat member, a fixing member straddling the seat member and the seat pad and connected to the seat member to fix hips of a user to the seat member, and a moving backrest board disposed atop a rear end of the seat member. The moving backrest board is movable relative to the seat member. A restricting member straddles and is connected to the moving backrest board to fix the user's upper body to the moving backrest board. A lifting unit is disposed below the moving backrest board to move the moving backrest board upwardly from the seat member to stretch the user's spine. A vibrating unit is disposed within and vibrates the seat pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: Asia University
    Inventors: Shin-Da Lee, Bor-Tsang Wu