Patents Examined by Catherine Voorhees
  • Patent number: 10052480
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and computing devices for fitting bilateral hearing prostheses. An example method includes sending a signal to a first hearing prosthesis and a second hearing prosthesis. The signal causes the first hearing prosthesis to deliver a first stimulus to a body part in a left auditory pathway of a user. The signal also causes the second hearing prosthesis to deliver a second stimulus to a body part in a right auditory pathway of the user. The first stimulus and the second stimulus cause the user to perceive a sound and are delivered simultaneously. The method also includes receiving an indication of a perception of the sound by the user. The method further includes determining an adjustment to at least one of the first stimulus or the second stimulus based on the perception of the sound by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Zachary M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10046170
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a defibrillation treatment protocol in an external defibrillator whereby a user may override a CPR-first default protocol. The method includes following steps configured in a defibrillator controller of issuing an inquiry; waiting for a response to the inquiry for a set time; ordering a CPR treatment protocol if no response is received within the set time; analyzing a response; ordering a CPR treatment protocol upon receiving a non-affirmative response to the inquiry; and ordering a shock treatment protocol upon receiving an affirmative response to the inquiry. Upon selecting a shock treatment protocol, the defibrillator performs a shock analysis under the shock treatment protocol, and either orders a CPR treatment protocol if shock treatment is not indicated by the shock analysis or provides a defibrillation shock if shock treatment is indicated by the shock analysis. Queries may be presented to a user in visual, audible, or both visual and audible format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Isabelle Banville, David R. Hampton, Gregory T. Kavounas, Richard C. Nova
  • Patent number: 10039452
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes an irradiation system including at least one light irradiator to irradiate light onto an object under test; and a detection system detecting the light that is irradiated from the irradiation system and is propagated in the object under test. Further, the light irradiator irradiates non-parallel plural light beams on a same position of the object under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ishii, Yoichiro Takahashi, Satoru Sugawara, Takeaki Shimokawa, Okito Yamashita, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 10039459
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for monitoring the wellbeing of a fetus by the non-invasive detection and analysis of fetal cardiac electrical activity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Nuvo Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Oren Oz, Ilya Divinsky, Muhammad Mhajna, Elad Knoll, Amit Kam, Nathan Intrator
  • Patent number: 10035017
    Abstract: A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Lungpacer Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Viral Thakkar, Joaquin Andres Hoffer, Bao Dung Tran, Douglas G. Evans, John Nash
  • Patent number: 10034632
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing a patient's balancing ability in order to facilitate ascertaining the patient's current medical status. The system includes a balance plate for measuring the center of gravity dynamic weight distribution in combination with a sensor for measuring the patient's fine motor skills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: IsoTechnology Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Terence Vardy
  • Patent number: 10029114
    Abstract: A system and method for recuperating cell metabolism, which comprises an energy wave generator has an energy wave's frequency control mode. The energy wave's frequency control mode includes multiple controls for acting the energy wave generator to generate and emit energy waves each with a corresponding energy density. The energy density is calculated by a corresponding base frequency, a sweep bandwidth of the corresponding base frequency, an emission rate and a total time of emission in a duty cycle, so that the energy waves with the corresponding energy densities effecting on the body of animals or human to improve the function of cell metabolism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Resonant Waves Research Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Chieh Chang
  • Patent number: 10029037
    Abstract: Sensors for catheter pumps are disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include a catheter assembly comprising a catheter and a cannula coupled to a distal portion of the catheter. The cannula can have a proximal port for permitting the flow of blood therethrough. The catheter assembly can include a sensor to be disposed near the proximal port. A processing unit can be programmed to process a signal detected by the sensor. The processing unit can comprise a computer-readable set of rules to evaluate the signal to determine a position of the cannula relative to an aortic valve of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: Paul F. Muller, Keif M. Fitzgerald, Richard L. Keenan, Veronica J. Neiman
  • Patent number: 10028780
    Abstract: Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: AERIN MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Scott J. Wolf, Andrew Frazier
  • Patent number: 10022062
    Abstract: Patient electrodes, patient monitors, defibrillators, wearable defibrillators, software and methods may warn when an electrode stops being fully attached to the patient's skin. A patient electrode includes a pad for attaching to the skin of a patient, a lead coupled to the pad, and a contact detector that can change state, when the pad does not contact fully the skin of the patient. When the detector changes state, an output device may emit an alert, for notifying a rescuer or even the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: WEST AFFUM HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Blaine Krusor, Isabelle Banville, Joseph Leo Sullivan, David Peter Finch, Daniel Ralph Piha, Laura Marie Gustavson, Kenneth Frederick Cowan, Richard C. Nova, Carmen Ann Chacon, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • Patent number: 10022535
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for implanting and securing an implanted medical device in a recipient. The implantable medical device of the generally includes an electrode assembly that comprises an elongate carrier member having at least one stimulating electrode positioned thereon. The carrier member further has a fixation structure positioned thereon configured to interact with a portion of the rigid structure to longitudinally secure the carrier member in the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Gibson
  • Patent number: 10016141
    Abstract: A system for measuring heart rate variability (HRV) comprising 3 sub-systems: a data collection sub-system, a data analysis sub-system, and an output sub-system. A patient is connected to a heart monitoring device such as an ECG and the data collection sub-system records the patients heart beats, and an ECG chart is produced from which the patient's HRV value is derived by the data analysis sub-system. The present invention obtains the HRV value through calculation of a new parameter called relative density (RD). In accordance with the inventive method, data points are generated from the peak interval data of measured heart beats and the HRV relative density parameter (RD) is calculated by correlation between two subsets of data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: LEV-EL DIAGNOSTICS OF HEART DISEASES LTD.
    Inventors: Jacob Levitan, Roi Kobo
  • Patent number: 10004905
    Abstract: Intermittent delivery of ventricular pacing pulses synchronized to occur during an atrial diastole time period can be used to provide atrial stretch therapy and augment the production and release of atrial natriuretic hormone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Ramesh Wariar, Stephen B. Ruble
  • Patent number: 10004403
    Abstract: Multispectral digitized images are provided by utilizing 2 or more spectral bands, providing images and information regarding a pigmented or other differentiated tissue sample at differing depths. The images are transformed to enhance morphological patterns characteristic of melanoma, such as the statistical properties of the pigment network, image texture or homogeneity, and the lesion reflectance, in order to provide information about lesion morphology at different depths. The images can also be processed and transformed to extract features such as blood volume saturation, oxygen saturation, or other characteristics that can be identified based on differential reflectance or absorption of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Mela Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. DeBernardis, Natalie J. Tucker, Austin D. Reiter, Minhaz Palasara
  • Patent number: 10004907
    Abstract: In one example, a leadless implantable medical device (LIMD) generates a cathodal stimulation pulse with anodal recharge for delivery to patient heart tissues using the tip electrode and the anode electrode. The LIMD then verifies capture of the cathodal stimulation pulse and, if capture is not verified, delivers a cathodal backup stimulation pulse with anodal recharge using the tip electrode and the anode electrode. Automatic capture verification is thereby provided within an LIMD to allow for a reduction in the magnitude of stimulation pulses and to extend the lifetime of the device. In one particular example, the anode is a middle portion of a cylindrical case with a surface area sufficient to prevent anodal stimulation. Other portions of the case are coated with an electrically insulating material to render those portions substantially electrically inert. A voltage halver may be used to further reduce power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventor: Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 10004409
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for measuring vital signs (e.g. SYS, DIA, SpO2, heart rate, and respiratory rate) and motion (e.g. activity level, posture, degree of motion, and arm height) from a patient. The system features: first and second sensors configured to independently generate time-dependent waveforms indicative of one or more contractile properties of the patient's heart; and a cuff-based oscillometric module. A processing component, typically worn on the patient's body and featuring a microprocessor, receives the time-dependent waveforms generated by the different sensors and processes them to determine patient-specific calibration values for use in a continuous blood pressure measurement based on pulse wave velocity (PWV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SOTERA WIRELESS, INC.
    Inventors: Devin McCombie, Guanqun Zhang
  • Patent number: 9987068
    Abstract: A method for optimizing emissions from simultaneous activation of electrosurgery generators is presented including delivering first energy to a first target tissue via a first energy module, the first energy represented as a first waveform having a first phase, delivering second energy to a second target tissue via a second energy module, the second energy represented as a second waveform having a second phase, applying the first energy in a first energy mode, and applying the second energy in a second energy mode. The method further includes the steps of comparing the first phase of the first energy waveform with the second phase of the second energy waveform and adjusting a relative phase between the first and second energy waveforms based on the comparison step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Randall L. Anderson, Donald W. Heckel
  • Patent number: 9974968
    Abstract: An implantable head-mounted unibody peripheral neurostimulation system is provided for implantation in the head for the purpose of treating chronic head pain, including migraine. The system may include an implantable pulse generator (IPG) from which multiple stimulating leads may extend sufficient to allow for adequate stimulation over multiple regions of the head, preferably including the frontal, parietal and occipital regions. A lead may include an extended body, along which may be disposed a plurality of surface metal electrodes, which may be sub-divided into a plurality of electrode arrays. A plurality of internal metal wires may run a portion of its length and connect the IPG's internal circuit to the surface metal electrodes. The IPG may include a rechargeable battery, an antenna, and an application specific integrated circuit. The IPG may be capable of functional connection with an external radiofrequency unit for purposes that may include recharging, diagnostic evaluation, and programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Syntilla Medical LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Lyle Reed, Robert Raymond Bulger
  • Patent number: 9974595
    Abstract: A modular electrosurgical generator platform is presented including a power supply module configured to output power, a first energy module configured to receive the power and convert the power into a first waveform having a first phase, and to deliver the power in a first energy mode, and a second energy module configured to receive the power and convert the power into a second waveform having a second phase, and to deliver the power in a second energy mode. The modular electrosurgical generator platform also includes a host controller module to control a type and a number of energy modalities, a comparator for comparing the first phase of the first waveform with the second phase of the second waveform in one or more of a plurality of sub-periods and an adjustment module for adjusting a relative phase between the first and second waveforms based on results obtained from the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Randall L. Anderson, Donald W. Heckel
  • Patent number: 9949783
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is presented including a power supply module configured to output power, a first energy module configured to receive the power and convert the power into a first waveform having a first phase, and to deliver the power in a first energy mode, and a second energy module configured to receive the power and convert the power into a second waveform having a second phase, and to deliver the power in a second energy mode. A host controller module is configured to control a type and a number of energy modalities provided by the generator platform and a comparator compares the first phase of the first waveform with the second phase of the second waveform in one or more of a plurality of sub-periods. An adjustment module adjusts a relative phase between the first and second waveforms based on results obtained from the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Randall L. Anderson, Donald W. Heckel