Patents Examined by Christine Matthews
  • Patent number: 9005110
    Abstract: A decorative glass dildo comprising a solid, high density heat-resistant glass outer portion, a coated decorative inner portion, a sealing ring attached to the inner portion, an electrical conductive strip attached to the inner portion, and an end portion mechanically attached to the inner portion of the glass dildo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Budiman Lee
  • Patent number: 8992409
    Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a flow of fluid and/or other bodily matter in a lumen formed by a tissue wall of a patient's organ. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall) at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the flow in the lumen, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the lumen. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the lumen, or for actively moving the fluid in the lumen, with a low risk of injuring the organ. Such an organ may be the esophagus, stomach, intestines, urine bladder, urethra, ureter, renal pelvis, aorta, corpus cavernosum, exit veins of erectile tissue, uterine tube, vas deferens or bile duct, or a blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 8986189
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to reduce ventricular volume are disclosed. The device takes the form of a transventricular anchor, which presses a portion of the ventricular wall inward, thereby reducing the available volume of the ventricle. The anchor is deployed using a curved introducer that may be inserted into one ventricle, through the septum and into the opposite ventricle. Barbs or protrusions along the anchor body combined with a mechanical stop and a sealing member hold the device in place once deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: BioVentrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Sing-Fatt Chin, Lon S. Annest
  • Patent number: 8986192
    Abstract: A spanking machine comprising, fixed to a support, a shaft and a torsion spring, a tensioning hook and an electric gear motor, being the lower end of the spring integrally fixed to the support, whereas the upper end, which extends slightly partially protruding from the ensemble, is situated at the level of a tensioning hook; wherein the hook rotates integrally with the shaft being provided with a mechanism for, in each turn of the shaft, moving the upper end so as to load the spring, adjusting the force accumulated in the spring and releasing the spring; and wherein the upper end of the spring is provided with a fastener for fixing to it the spanking instrument, and the support for allowing the fixation of the machine to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Juan Angel Recondo Garcia
  • Patent number: 8979730
    Abstract: The disclosed system and method provide for the automatic assessment of the presence/severity of the sleep problem and its exact nature. The assessment is based on qualitative information about sleep patterns, insomnia-related factors and daytime consequences, as well as quantitative information about sleep patterns measured by a sensor. By combining the different sources of information (subjective as well as objective data), the diagnosis gives more insight into the nature of the sleep problem and is therefore more accurate. Furthermore, the disclosed system may be used to select specific components of the system that are medically relevant to the individual and therefore create a personalized program. The system teaches a selection of self-management skills that could help the individual to better cope with sleep disturbances and target those factors that maintain the problem or make it worse by a particular individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Elke Naujokat, Hui Zhang, Sandrine Magali Laure Devot, William Arthur Hoos, Antonius Arnoldus Johannes Rademaker
  • Patent number: 8979731
    Abstract: A device (1), for calming down a subject, comprises a content delivering means (12,14) adapted for delivering a content in a first mode, at least one sensor (22, 24, 26, 28, 29) configured to detect an activity level of the subject and a controlling unit operatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The controlling unit receives the detected activity level and compares the detected activity level with a pre-determined threshold activity level. The controlling unit is capable of changing the delivery of the content to a second mode when the detected activity level is above the threshold activity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ronaldus Maria Aarts, Joanne Henriette Desiree Monique Westerink, Johan Partomo Djajadiningrat, Johannes Willem Frens, Marius Cornelis Rozendaal
  • Patent number: 8979727
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing skin rejuvenation of a region of a patient's skin. The system includes: a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) frequency generator that emits electromagnetic pulses to the region of the patient's skin; and a deep tissue diathermy device that applies heat to the region of the patient's skin up to temperature T. The system simultaneously applies the heat and the PEMF to the region of a patient's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Venus Concept Ltd.
    Inventors: Oded Ron Edoute, Orit Ron Edoute, Itzhak Kremin, Vadim Polyakov
  • Patent number: 8979733
    Abstract: An incontinence treatment device includes a section of synthetic urethra and a closure device attached to the section of synthetic urethra. The section of synthetic urethra provides a flow diameter and is configured to be spliced into a natural urethra such that the flow diameter is aligned with a lumen of the natural urethra for passage of urine. The closure device is attached to the section of synthetic urethra and operable to coapt the flow diameter to allow a user to impede the passage of urine and be continent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventors: Tim Crabtree, Nicholas Ellering, Allen Gaynor, Michael B. Hektner, Steve Knop
  • Patent number: 8974367
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting a surgical sling in a patient by a transobturator approach are disclosed. A sling delivery device couplable to a sling assembly with the surgical sling includes a guide tube and an extendible shaft section movable inside the guide tube. At least a portion of the shaft may be made of a shape memory material and can, when extended, assume a shape different from the shape of the guide tube in which the shaft is housed. This allows the extended shaft to navigate along a path that tracks close to bone structures, in particular the ischiopubic ramus, and prevents damage to surrounding tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: James Goddard
  • Patent number: 8961386
    Abstract: Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for a number of disorders. Described are methods and devices to treat disorders that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NeoSync, Inc.
    Inventors: James William Phillips, Yi Jin
  • Patent number: 8961393
    Abstract: Gastric banding devices, and drive systems designed to operate gastric banding devices, are disclosed. The gastric banding devices and drive systems intend to increase performance, durability, and simplicity over known gastric banding systems. Embodiments include transmission systems configured to output a variable force. Embodiments also include banding structures biased to apply a constrictive force to a patient's stomach. Supporting, or skeletal, structures are also disclosed. Various drive systems designed to improve power efficiency are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Julien Rion, Laurent Mosimann, Pierre Fridez, Tiago Bertolote, Denis Crottet, Marcel Aeschlimann, Vincent Vaucher
  • Patent number: 8956276
    Abstract: A medical article is used to repair prolapses of various pelvic organs including vaginal vault prolapse. The medical article can include a first flap comprising a dual density mesh formed of a first and second filament, a second flap comprising a single density mesh formed of the first filament, and a third flap comprising a single density mesh formed of the second filament. The first, second, and third flap can share a common intersection that can form an arc. The medical article can be formed by knitting a uniform piece of mesh and the arc can be configured to conform to a surface of a pelvic organ. Methods of manufacturing and methods of using the medical article are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Young, Walter Freitag, Doug Evans
  • Patent number: 8956274
    Abstract: Described herein are Transcranial Magnetic Simulation (TMS) systems and methods of using them for emitting focused, or shaped, magnetic fields for TMS. In particular, described herein are arrays of TMS electromagnets comprising at least one primary (e.g., central) TMS electromagnet and a plurality of secondary (e.g., lateral or surrounding) TMS electromagnets. The secondary TMS electromagnets are arranged around the primary TMS electromagnet(s), and are typically configured to be synchronously fired with the primary TMS electromagnets. Secondary TMS electromagnets may be fired at a fraction of the power used to energize the primary TMS electromagnet to shape the resulting magnetic field. The secondary TMS electromagnets may be stimulated at opposite polarity to the primary TMS electromagnet(s). Focusing in this manner may prevent or reduce stimulation of adjacent non-target brain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Bret Schneider, David J. Mishelevich
  • Patent number: 8956273
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are provided for synchronous, asynchronous, or independent triggering the firing multiple of electromagnets from either a single power source or multiple energy sources. These methods are particularly useful for stimulation of deep (e.g., sub-cortical) brain regions, or for stimulation of multiple brain regions, since controlled magnetic pulses reaching the deep target location may combine to form a patterned pulse train that activates the desired volume of target tissue. Furthermore, the methods, devices and systems described herein may be used to control the rate of firing of action potentials in one or more brain regions, such as slow or fast rate rTMS. For example, described herein are multiple electromagnetic stimulation sources, each of which are activated independently to create a cumulative effect at the intersections of the electromagnetic stimulation trajectories, typically by means of a computerized calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cervel Neurotech, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Mishelevich, M. Bret Schneider
  • Patent number: 8951185
    Abstract: An implant, insertion tool, combinations, and associated methods, that involve placement of a self-fixating tip at tissue of the pelvic region, wherein an insertion tool includes one or more of an aperture for engaging a guide and an extension guard, the method optionally allowing for initial placement of a self-fixating tip at tissue of the pelvic region and adjustment of the location of the self-fixating tip. A threading guide is provided to assist in threading the guide through the aperture. An anchor also provided to with a retaining member to retain the anchor in tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jason W. Ogdahl, Brent A. Binkowski, Jose' W. Jimenez, Chaouki A. Khamis, Jessica L. Roll, Michelle L. Solari, John F. Otte, Mona N. Dahdah
  • Patent number: 8944989
    Abstract: Disclosed are single-incision surgical procedures for treatment of urinary incontinence and/or pelvic floor disorders and related uses, devices, kits, and methods. Implants are also disclosed for use in the exemplary procedures. In certain embodiments, soft tissue anchors are used to anchor the surgical implants to obturator membranes of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Weiser, George Mamo, Michael S. H. Chu, Brett Nowlin
  • Patent number: 8939885
    Abstract: The disclosed system and method are directed to qualifying an image(s) and exposing an individual to the qualified image(s) for the purpose of eliciting a relaxation response. More specifically, a sequential rendition of qualified images are presented to either a normal or cognitively impaired person in order to elicit relaxation and/or reduce agitation. Qualified images include those with both particular natural landscape content or elements (e.g., low vegetative growth, an open area, trees, a horizon, a visible sky, an absence of any man-made structures, and fresh water) and a particular average fractal dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Penelope S. Martin
  • Patent number: 8939884
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sleep aid device including: an electrode arranged on the surface of a pillow in such a manner as to come into contact with the scalp of a user; a brain wave signal acquisition section adapted to acquire a brain wave signal of the user via the electrode; an analysis section adapted to analyze the acquired brain wave signal; and a control section adapted to control the execution of a preset process according to the sleep stage representing the depth of sleep of the user identified by the analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kashima, Yoshihiro Wakita, Takeshi Yamazaki, Seiji Wada, Natsuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8939886
    Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering of a sling assembly and removal of the sleeve at least partially enclosing the sling through a single orifice of incision are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. H. Chu
  • Patent number: 8939888
    Abstract: A method and system for determining pressure in a syringe, and more specifically to a syringe pressure accessory which can be connected to a syringe to determine pressure in a syringe and a gastric band. The syringe pressure accessory can detect a pressure of a syringe and/or a gastric band and digitally display the pressure. The syringe pressure accessory can include a durable unit and a disposable unit. The disposable unit can be disposed of after a single use, while the durable unit can be reused with multiple disposable units. The syringe pressure accessory can also include a syringe attachment unit and one or more display units for a caretaker or a patient. The display unit can be wirelessly connected to the syringe attachment unit to display a pressure chart or the results of various analysis of the pressure data. Markers can be added to the pressure chart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Augarten, Sean Snow