Patents Examined by Karen E. Toth
  • Patent number: 11202584
    Abstract: A gait aid is to be disposed on a shoe, and includes a detecting module, a control circuit and a projecting module. The detecting module generates a sense output based on pressure exerted on a sole of the shoe. The control circuit generates a control signal based at least on the sense output generated by the detecting module. The projecting module is electrically coupled to the control circuit for receiving the control signal therefrom, and is operable, based on the control signal, to project or not to project a cueing mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Chang Gung University
    Inventor: Ya-Ju Chang
  • Patent number: 11179069
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for processing, transmitting, and displaying data received from continuous analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor. In some embodiments, the continuous analyte sensor system comprises a sensor electronics module that includes power saving features. One feature includes a low power measurement circuit that can be switched between a measurement mode and a low power mode, in which charging circuitry continues to apply power to electrodes of a sensor during the low power mode. In addition, the sensor electronics module can be switched between in a low power storage mode higher power operational mode via a switch. The switch can include a reed switch or optical switch, for example. A validation routine can also be implemented to ensure an interrupt signal sent from the switch is valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Bohm, Mark Dervaes, Eric Johnson, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Shawn Larvenz, Jacob S. Leach, Phong Lieu, Aarthi Mahalingam, Tom Miller, Paul V. Neale, Jack Pryor, Thomas A. Peyser, Daiting Rong, Kenneth San Vicente, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Peter C. Simpson, Matthew Wightlin
  • Patent number: 11179042
    Abstract: A system and method for characterising a narrowing in a fluid filled tube, the system comprising: a probe having a first measurement sensor to take an instantaneous measurement at different locations along the tube; a mechanism to draw the probe through the tube; a position measure to provide location data relating to the location at which a respective instantaneous measurement is taken by the first measurement sensor; a processor to calculate, from the instantaneous measurements, a characteristic of the tube at different locations along the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: MEDSOLVE LIMITED
    Inventors: Helen Catherine Stuart Davies, Justin Davies
  • Patent number: 11172864
    Abstract: Neural activity in the brain arising from a stimulus is monitored. A stimulus is applied to a target structure of the brain and a neural measurement is obtained from at least one electrode implanted in contact with the target structure. The neural measurement is configured to capture a measure of any late response arising in the target structure, typically being a neural response arising after conclusion of an ECAP, such as in the period 1.5-10 ms after stimulus onset. The late response(s) can be a useful biomarker such as of therapeutic ranges of deep brain stimulation, disease progression, medication efficacy, and intra-operative changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Closed Loop Medical Pty Ltd
    Inventors: John Louis Parker, Gerrit Eduard Gmel
  • Patent number: 11141102
    Abstract: An information processing system, computer readable storage medium, and methods for analyzing the airflow related health of a person. A method includes obtaining an audio sample of a person's verbal communication, obtaining geographic information of the person, querying a remote server based on the geographic information, and obtaining additional information from the remote server, the additional information being related to the geographic information, and extracting contours of amplitude change from the at least one audio sample over a period of time, the contours of amplitude change corresponding to changes in an airflow profile of the person. The method further includes correlating the contours of amplitude change with periodic episodes typical of airflow related health problems, and determining, based at least on the additional information, whether the contours of amplitude change result from at least one local environmental factor related to the geographic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark C. Hampton, Timothy M. Lynar, Suraj Pandey, John M. Wagner
  • Patent number: 11141084
    Abstract: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte, such as blood glucose. An inserter having a retractable introducer is provided for subcutaneously implanting the sensor in a predictable and reliable fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery V. Funderburk, Duane O. Yamasaki, Brian VanHiel, Stephen J. Flynn, Bradley D. Kelemen
  • Patent number: 11129546
    Abstract: A portable unit for metabolic analysis includes a manifold in fluid communication with a mouth of a test subject. A conduit extends from the manifold and defines a flow channel through which the breaths of the test subject travels. A carbon dioxide sensor is attached to the conduit. The carbon dioxide sensor includes an intermediate support housing enclosing a volume disposed along the flow channel to define a first part of the flow channel, an inner support housing attached to a first side of the intermediate support housing, a plurality of IR LEDs mounted to an interior surface of the inner support housing, an outer support housing attached to a second side of the intermediate support housing, and a photodetector attached to the outer support housing. The photodetector faces the flow channel and receives IR radiation emitted by the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Daniel L. Dietrich, Jeffrey R. Juergens, Mark E. Lewis, Nancy C. Piltch, Michael J. Lichter, Russel W. Valentine, Dale M. Diedrick, Richard D Pettegrew, Peter M. Struk
  • Patent number: 11122980
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for visually depicting a vessel and evaluating treatment options are disclosed. In some instances, a method of evaluating a vessel of a patient includes moving a second instrument longitudinally through a vessel of the patient from a first position to a second position while maintaining a first instrument in a fixed longitudinal position with respect to the vessel; obtaining pressure measurements from the first and second instruments while the second instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel; visually depicting the vessel on a display based on the obtained pressure measurements; and modifying the visual depiction of the vessel to simulate one or more treatment options. Systems for performing such methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
    Inventor: Justin Davies
  • Patent number: 11116478
    Abstract: A medical device includes an acoustic transducer, which is configured to sense infrasonic waves emitted from a body of a living subject with a periodicity determined by a periodic physiological activity and to output an electrical signal in response to the sensed waves. At least one speaker is configured to output audible sounds in response to an electrical input. Processing circuitry is configured to process the electrical signal so as to generate a frequency-stretched signal in which infrasonic frequency components of the electrical input are shifted to audible frequencies while preserving the periodicity of the periodic physiological activity in the frequency-stretched signal, and to input the frequency-stretched signal to the at least one speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SANOLLA LTD.
    Inventors: Doron Adler, Igor Kagan, Ezra Salomon, Omri Adler, David Linhard, Hod Gilad
  • Patent number: 11116430
    Abstract: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte, such as blood glucose. An inserter having a retractable introducer is provided for subcutaneously implanting the sensor in a predictable and reliable fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery V. Funderburk, Duane O. Yamasaki, Brian VanHiel, Stephen J. Flynn, Bradley D. Keleman
  • Patent number: 11099151
    Abstract: An oxygen sensor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) comprises a working electrode (WE) and a comparatively larger Ag/AgCl reference electrode (RE). A floating voltage between the electrodes (WE, RE) is temporarily retained and a measurement voltage is applied to between the electrodes (WE, RE) during a first period to cause reduction of oxygen and production of an evoked current at the working electrode (WE). The temporarily retained floating voltage is then applied between the electrodes (WE, RE) during a second period to produce a current out from the working electrode (WE). The pO2 in a liquid medium is then representative of a measured net charge to the working electrode (WE) equal to a sum of a charge transferred to the working electrode (WE) during at least a last part of the first period and a charge transferred to the working electrode (WE) during at least a last part of the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NEOSENSE TECHNOLOGIES AB
    Inventors: Nils Holmström, Kenneth Danehorn
  • Patent number: 11096598
    Abstract: A system for measuring central venous pressure is provided comprising a device for measuring jugular venous pressure in communication with a patient inclination controller via a processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Mespere Lifesciences Inc.
    Inventor: Xuefeng Cheng
  • Patent number: 11083441
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for taking a biopsy in a human or animal tissue, comprising an elongated hollow member having a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, and a circular cutting edge at distal end. The circular cutting edge is provided with at least one cutting slit, running from the cutting edge in a proximal direction of the elongated hollow member. The arrangement further comprises a rotational member configured to apply rotational movement to the hollow member, wherein the rotational movement is applied in accordance to a rotational procedure such that the hollow member is rotated in one direction a predefined amount of rotations, and thereafter rotated in an opposite direction the same amount of rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: NeoDynamics AB
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Schässburger, Peter Sellei, Bo Lindström, Michael Svedberg, Ronny Ståhle, Magnus Olsen
  • Patent number: 11026609
    Abstract: Example biosensor devices having wake-up batteries and associated methods are disclosed. One example device includes a biosensor that has a first electrode for insertion into a subcutaneous layer beneath a patient's skin, and a second electrode coupled to the first electrode for insertion into the subcutaneous layer, and a first battery to apply a voltage across the first and second electrodes, the first battery at least partially electrically decoupled from the electrodes. The device also includes a second battery having an anode material coupled to the first electrode for insertion into the subcutaneous layer, and a portion of the second electrode. The second battery is activatable upon immersion in an electrolytic fluid. The device also includes a wake-up circuit to receive a signal from the second battery and, in response, to electrically couple the first battery to the first and second electrodes to activate the biosensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: William Biederman, Zenghe Liu
  • Patent number: 11032909
    Abstract: The invention aims at downsizing a sensor node incorporating a biosensor to detect biological information and at improving the accuracy of detection made by the biosensor and ensures a quality of communication performed by the sensor node. In the sensor node, a sensor section with a pulse wave sensor formed therein and a main body section with a data processing unit and a wireless communication unit formed therein are separated. The sensor section includes an A/D converter unit that converts an analog signal corresponding to biological information detected by the pulse wave sensor to a digital signal. Digital signal transmission is performed from the A/D converter unit to the data processing unit. Moreover, in the sensor node, there is no conductive member that planarly overlaps with an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Shibuya
  • Patent number: 10987039
    Abstract: A microneedle array device includes a substrate and an array of microneedles on the substrate. Each microneedle includes a redox enzyme and redox mediator and an electrically conductive layer on the substrate. The electrically conductive layer may extend partway up each microneedle exposing the tip thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Vincenza Di Palma, Maria Fortuna Bevilacqua, Andrea Di Matteo, Principia Dardano
  • Patent number: 10973443
    Abstract: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte, such as blood glucose. An inserter having a retractable introducer is provided for subcutaneously implanting the sensor in a predictable and reliable fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery V. Funderburk, Duane O. Yamaski, Brian VanHiel, Stephen J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 10959711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for self-collecting intravaginal sample for HPV test. The self-collecting intravaginal sample apparatus of the present invention comprises: an open end part, a closed end part, a tube providing an inner space that a finger could enter to insert an apparatus into women's vagina, a collecting part collecting intravaginal sample and attached outer surface of the closed end of the tube, and a turner preventing the collecting part being contaminated from an outer contaminant; wherein the collecting part collects a sample from the vagina by turning over the tube inside out so that collecting part may place inside of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Sang Young Ryu
  • Patent number: 10918298
    Abstract: Provided herein are biomedical devices and methods of making and using biomedical devices for sensing and actuation applications. For example, flexible and/or stretchable biomedical devices are provided including electronic devices useful for establishing in situ conformal contact with a tissue in a biological environment. The invention includes implantable electronic devices and devices administered to the surfaces(s) of a target tissue, for example, for obtaining electrophysiology data from a tissue such as cardiac, brain tissue or skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Dae Hyeong Kim, Joshua D. Moss, David J. Callans, Brian Litt, Jonathan Viventi
  • Patent number: 10912463
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a blockage in a vessel and, in particular, a stenosis in a blood vessel. In some particular embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a stenosis in the coronary arteries without the administration of a hyperemic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION, MEDSOLVE LIMITED, IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
    Inventors: Justin Davies, Joseph Burnett, Neil Hattangadi, David Anderson, Helen Catherine Stuart Davies