Patents Examined by Michael Carey
  • Patent number: 10279171
    Abstract: A shield layer is added to an existing lead or lead extension by applying the shield layer to the lead body between the proximal contact and distal electrode of the lead body. The shield layer may be covered with an outer insulative layer. An inner insulative layer may be applied over the lead body prior to adding the shield layer and the outer insulative layer. The shield layer may have a terminator applied to the end of the shield layer to prevent migration of the shield layer through the outer insulative layer. The shield layer may be of various forms including a tubular braided wire structure or a tubular foil. The tubular braided wire structure may be applied to the lead body by utilizing the lead body as a mandrel within a braiding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Stem, James M. Olsen
  • Patent number: 10274553
    Abstract: A needle placement manipulator includes, a needle holder configured to hold a needle, a guide system configured to position the needle holder to a predetermined direction with respect to a subject of needle placement, an attachment including an attaching portion to which the guide system is attached and a setting portion on which an RF-coil is set. A base surface of the setting portion is configured to be disposed on the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignees: CANON U.S.A., INC., THE BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL, INC.
    Inventors: Kosuke Fujimoto, Yasumichi Arimitsu, Nobuhiko Hata, Sang-Eun Song, Junichi Tokuda
  • Patent number: 10271764
    Abstract: Intraluminal devices with deployable elements are described. An intraluminal device includes, but is not limited to, a shell dimensioned and structured to travel through a biological lumen of a subject; and at least one deployable element, the at least one deployable element being actuatable from a first configuration to at least a second configuration, wherein the at least one deployable element extends further outwards from the shell in the second configuration than in the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Jordin T. Kare
  • Patent number: 10264971
    Abstract: A system including two or more wearable devices includes at least one sensor in each device to detect signals related to the body of a wearer. User inputs, sensor outputs, or other information are used to determine an activity being performed or otherwise engaged in by the wearer and footsteps, heartbeats, discrete turns of the torso, or other events can be detected, from one or more of the sensor outputs, during a period of time that the user is engaged in the activity. A duration, amplitude, timing, mean value, or other characteristic of each such detected event can be determined, based on the sensor outputs, and used to generate a sample of clinically relevant information about the wearer. This information can then be used to determine the presence, stage, degree, progression, or other information about a disease state of the wearer or some other information about the wearer's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Scott Brian Kennedy, Mark Murphy, Ali Shoeb, Nikhil Bikhchandani, Hongsheng Wang, Emre Demiralp, Anupam Pathak, Tushar Parlikar
  • Patent number: 10251562
    Abstract: Discussed herein are an apparatus and a corresponding method for classifying a murmur detected in a heart signal as a Still's murmur. Circuitry included in the apparatus segments a heart signal to detect a first lobe (S1) and a second lobe (S2) of the heart signal. Further, the circuitry computes a spectral width of an extracted feature of the heart signal that lies in a portion of a time interval between the S1 lobe and the S2 lobe based on an estimated power spectral density. Additionally, a peak frequency of the extracted feature of the heart signal and a shape of an envelope of the extracted feature of the heart signal are computed. The extracted feature of the heart signal is classified as the Still's murmur based on the spectral width, the peak frequency, the shape of the envelop, and additional murmur discriminant features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventors: Raj Shekhar, Robin Doroshow, Sukryool Kang, James McConnaughey
  • Patent number: 10251596
    Abstract: A device is provided for use by a user, wherein the device includes a first sensor, a second sensor and an efficiency generating component. The first sensor detects a first parameter and generates a first detected signal based on the first detected parameter. The second sensor detects a second parameter and generates a second detected signal based on the second detected parameter. The efficiency generating component generates an efficiency signal based on the first detected signal and the second detected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Oleson, F. Grant Kovach, Nathan Dau, Angela Nelligan
  • Patent number: 10251559
    Abstract: Laser-induced ultrasonic wave apparatuses and methods of generating images using the same. The laser-induced ultrasonic wave apparatus includes a laser source which irradiates a laser beam to a target object and a thermoelastic material; a thermoelastic material which converts the laser beam to a first ultrasonic wave and irradiates the first ultrasonic wave to the target object; and a receiving unit which receives an echo acoustic wave of the first ultrasonic wave and receives a second ultrasonic wave generated by the target object due to the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-chan Kang, Woon-bae Kim, Jong-seok Kim, Yong-seop Yoon
  • Patent number: 10238861
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin
  • Patent number: 10238915
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for determining body's readiness to respond to physical exercise and for providing feedback to a user. In the method the user starts to perform an exercise, an earlier performance level is determined before starting a performance check having steps of: an instant performance level of the user is determined, the earlier performance level is compared to the instant performance level, a readiness index is determined according to the said comparison and optionally with background and/or training history of the user, a feedback is given according to the determined readiness index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Aki Pulkkinen, Sami Saalasti, Kaisa Hämäläinen
  • Patent number: 10238880
    Abstract: Medical devices include deformable structures that contact a lead upon being compressed. A grip that a clinician may grasp and manipulate is engaged with a nose structure of a header block of the medical device, and manipulation of the grip causes compression of the deformable structure to ultimately create fixation of the lead within the header block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Thom, Rajesh V. Iyer, Darren A. Janzig, Randy S. Roles
  • Patent number: 10231638
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to signal processing. In accordance with example embodiments, methods and apparatuses involve using at least two electrodes that sense an ECG signal. A denoising module is communicatively coupled to the at least two electrodes, and receives the ECG signal sensed by the sensing electrodes. The denoising module includes circuitry that conditions and digitizes the ECG signal, and a computing circuit that processes the digitized ECG signal to denoise the ECG signal. A communications circuit generates a communication including the denoised ECG signal for access by a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: VivaQuant LLC
    Inventors: Marina Brockway, Brian Brockway
  • Patent number: 10226552
    Abstract: Methods, materials, devices, and systems for electropolymeric paving and sealing (ePEPS) are provided. The methods include delivering paving materials to an interior surface of a blood vessel, tissue lumen or other hollow space, delivering electronic components to the surface, and forming a conformal device that contains the paving material and the integrated electronic components. Integrated electronic components can be homogenously or heterogeneously distributed in the material, such as on the top, middle, and/or bottom of the polymeric material. The devices are biocompatible, and preferably biodegradable or bioerodible. The devices integrated electrical properties useful for sensing or detecting one or more analytes, signals or conditions, transmitting or generating a signal, or releasing a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent. Optionally, the devices are smart devices that include feedback and logic means to respond to a change in local conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the Unviersity of Arizona
    Inventor: Marvin J. Slepian
  • Patent number: 10219745
    Abstract: A sensor includes: a base layer; first and second conduction paths supported by the base layer; a first adhesive layer covering a first portion of the first conduction path; a second adhesive layer covering the second conduction path; an insulation sheet including: a first protecting portion covering the second adhesive laver; a second protecting portion disposed between a second portion of the first conduction path, and a part of the second conduction path; and a third protecting portion covering the first adhesive layer; a detecting section; a wireless transmitter; and a power source. When the insulation sheet is peeled off, the second portion of the first conduction path, and the part of the second conduction path are caused to be in contact with each other, and an electric power is supplied from the power source to the detecting section and the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION, SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihito Konno, Yoshihiro Ihara, Tomoharu Fujii
  • Patent number: 10206661
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally relate to improved ultrasound visualization. In some embodiments, interoperative ultrasound displays may be enhanced for more accurate identification of cancerous and non-cancerous tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Mammone
  • Patent number: 10206604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of electrotherapy and measuring by means of electric cur-rents for diagnostic purposes, and more particularly to an electrode arrangement for facilitating wound healing, a method for measuring wound healing and a wound dressing having an electrode arrangement. A wound dressing according is described which includes at least two impedance reference electrodes, a frame like counter-electrode and stimulation electrodes in a form of an array; and a bioadhesive affinity layer surrounding the stimulation electrodes; said wound dressing being suited for applying on top of the wound so that the stimulation electrode array is on the wound area, and that the at least two impedance reference electrodes and the frame like counter-electrode are suited for placing in contact with the healthy skin surrounding the wound area; which electrodes, are suited for applying LIDC type electrical stimulation current to the wound area and for bioimpedance measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: CutoSense Oy
    Inventors: Mikael Bergelin, Jan-Erik Eriksson, Max Johansson, Chunlin Xu, Ann-Sofie Leppänen, Stefan Willför, Simo Köppä, Atte Kekonen, Heimo O. Ylänen, Jari Viik, Jari Hytti
  • Patent number: 10206583
    Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor and control tissue sealing are disclosed. The surgical device includes an end effector assembly that includes first and second jaw members that are movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position. An OCT system, at least a portion of which is incorporated into the end effector assembly, is configured to sense properties of the tissue, e.g., the structural density of the tissue, disposed between the first and second jaw members. A tissue-sealing energy source may be disposed within at least one of the jaw members and may provide tissue-sealing energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members. A controller, which is coupled to the OCT system and the tissue-sealing energy source, controls the tissue-sealing energy generated by the tissue-sealing energy source based on the properties of the tissue sensed by the OCT system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: William H. Nau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10194807
    Abstract: A body surface thermometer and a wearable temperature measuring device are disclosed. The body surface thermometer includes an infrared temperature sensor and a shielding protective hood disposed outside the infrared temperature sensor, and the shielding protective hood is an infrared ray shielding protective hood. With the body surface thermometer, the measuring precision of surface temperature of a target object can be promoted, thereby raising the freedom degree of test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masakazu Okamura
  • Patent number: 10195371
    Abstract: A trocar sleeve that isolates the surgical device or movement thereof to inhibit or prevent an established non-jet streaming condition from becoming a jet streaming condition and a method of inhibiting or preventing a jet streaming condition from occurring due to instrument obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: LEXION MEDICAL LLC
    Inventor: Douglas E Ott
  • Patent number: 10188876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method and a filler for measuring a dose of ionizing radiation received by a pre-determined part of the body during radiotherapy while creating a space between the organ to be irradiated and organs to be protected. The invention also relates to uses of such filler. The system comprises an injectable dosimetric filler, which under the influence of ionizing irradiation undergoes measurable physical and/or chemical changes, while preserving its spatial integrity; a detector system for measuring the physical and/or chemical changes within the radiation sensitive filler by sending an energy wave to the radiation sensitive filler and capturing the signal emitted therefrom; and a control unit for processing the signal captured by the detector system and calculating a dose of ionizing radiation previously or simultaneously received by each part of the volume of the radiation sensitive filler on the basis of said signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DOSEVUE NV
    Inventors: Emiliano D'Agostino, Jeroen Hermans
  • Patent number: 10188867
    Abstract: A method and medical device for generating a template that includes sensing a cardiac signal from a plurality of electrodes, determining a plurality of beats in response to the sensed cardiac signal, determining whether to store a beat of the plurality of beats in a subgroup of a plurality of subgroups for storing beats, determining whether a number of beats stored in one of the plurality of subgroups exceeds a subgroup threshold, and generating a template in response to beats stored in the one of the plurality of subgroups that exceeds the subgroup threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Xusheng Zhang