Patents Examined by Nicholas Polito
  • Patent number: 9629770
    Abstract: A portable transfer board can facilitate moving a person having limited mobility, for example a person in a wheelchair transferring himself or herself into or out of a wheelchair. The portable transfer board can be transported in a compact configuration and placed in a transfer configuration on an as-needed basis. For example, a user or caregiver can tote the portable transfer board in a backpack, in a compartment on a wheelchair, or on his or her person. When needed for transfer, the user or caregiver can reconfigure the transfer board, so that at least one dimension is lengthened, and deploy the transfer board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph T. Dyer, Michael L. Wach
  • Patent number: 9629772
    Abstract: A medical examination device is provided with a pair of foot support assemblies, a patient support mat, and a U-shaped support frame with an attached pair of legs. Wheel assemblies are attached to the legs and facilitate the transportation of the device to and from a bed whereby the support assemblies, patient support mat, and legs are extended and adjusted to support a patient on the bed to facilitate a medical examination. The foot support assemblies are foldable, and the patient support mat and legs are collapsible so that the device is transported and stored in a small, compact size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GWENVENTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Ronnie Z. Bochner
  • Patent number: 9610050
    Abstract: An imaging device for a joint of a human is made of an HF transparent material. The imaging device has a base element that may be fastened to a patient bed of a magnetic resonance system. The imaging device includes a bearing element, in which a joint region of an extremity of the human may be supported when the base element is fastened to the patient bed. The bearing element and the base element are connected movably to each other by a guiding structure such that when the base element is fastened to the patient bed, the bearing element may be positioned in a plurality of defined positions relative to the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stephan Biber
  • Patent number: 9596888
    Abstract: Implementations if a baby wrap are provided. In some implementations, the baby wrap may be used to wrap, lift, and/or transport a baby therein. In some implementations, the baby wrap may be configured to support the baby's head, neck, and/or spine during use. In some implementations, the baby wrap may be used to provide a warm, clean, dry, and/or soft surface on which a baby may be placed. In some implementations, the baby wrap may be used for any other purpose for which a typical blanket may be used. In some implementations, the baby wrap comprises one or more layers of fabric. In some implementations, the baby wrap may have three or more handles. In some implementations, the baby wrap may have a pocket thereon. In some implementations, each handle may comprise an opening that extends through the one or more layers of fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Theresa Rogers
  • Patent number: 9596943
    Abstract: Mattress foundations and kits include a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, a second end rail, and at least one center rail. The foundations and kits further include a plurality of slats of varying lengths. The invention may further include a method of assembling a foundation kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Rick L. Hartley
  • Patent number: 9591928
    Abstract: A convertible sofa of the perpendicular-sleeping type, comprising a fixed structure supporting a foldable structure which comprises three articulated panels and a system of actuation of folding/unfolding of the foldable structure between a sofa configuration and a sleeping configuration and vice versa, which comprises at least one motorized actuator comprising a body within which a rod is movable in translation, where the body is mounted on one of either the fixed or foldable structure and the end of the rod is articulated on the other of the fixed or foldable structure, the movement of the rod causing the foldable structure to fold/unfold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jose Martinez
  • Patent number: 9585493
    Abstract: An infant bed apparatus includes a support frame, a bed frame for defining an interior space suitable for receiving a child, and a motorized drive unit. The support frame includes a first and a second housing disposed at two locations spaced-apart from each other along a lengthwise axis of the infant bed apparatus. The bed frame has a first portion anchored with the first housing, and a second portion assembled with the second housing. The motorized drive unit is operable to drive the second portion of the bed frame in movement relative to the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Robert E. Haut, Jonathan K. Mountz
  • Patent number: 9579240
    Abstract: A mechanical lift features the low profile of a traditional wood and cloth cot stretcher allowing patients to be easily rolled or moved upon a flat surface. An integrated mechanical lift system then lifts a patient to a raised or seated position without need for manual lifting. The lift allows patients to be moved and transported without back strain to health care workers or first responders. The lift may be raised by the mechanical movement or expansion of a piston. A seat plate 420 may rest upon a non-tilting seat strut 310 and become a seat as the lift rises. During the lifting process, a back plate 400, attached to a back strut 205 gently rises to place the patient in a seated position as a leg plate 440 lowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventors: Robert S Krolick, Sanford Shapiro, Duane Carling
  • Patent number: 9572741
    Abstract: A surgical table arm support assembly and surgical table therewith is provided. The assembly includes a mount bracket and an upright support member operably attached to the mount bracket. A lateral support member is operably attached to the upright support member. The lateral support member is selectively movable about 3 axes. An arm support member is operably attached to the lateral support member. The arm support member is selectively movable about 3-axes. The arm support member can be precisely positioned and releasably fixed in the desired position to best assure the patient's arm, which is releasably fixed to the arm support member, is properly supported and located over the course of a lengthy surgical procedure to minimize the risk of trauma resulting from the arm being supported in a rearward extending, elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TIDI CFI Products, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Weaver, James H. Niedzielski
  • Patent number: 9572439
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a novel system, device, and method for providing a sleeping bag with an integrated ground mat that provides thermal comfort by effectively retaining heat and is lightweight, compact, and easily packed for transport or storage. The sleeping bag with integrated air mattress allows the user to bring only one item that doubles as a sleeping bag and a ground mat. Additionally, the integrated ground mat remains positioned under the user while the user is sleeping. The sleeping bag may have an integrated ground mat, an inner shell, an outer shell, insulation between the inner and outer shells, an upper portion and a lower portion forming a sleeping cavity, an opening for access into the sleeping cavity, a draft tube, and a means for opening and closing the sleeping bag opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Eddie Bauer LLC
    Inventors: Noah Pitchforth, Mark Correll
  • Patent number: 9572706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a head support (10, 100) for operating tables, comprising a rotatably mounted first holding element (12) for surrounding a first side of a patient's head receivable in a receiving area (32) and an also rotatably mounted second holding element (14) for surrounding a second side of the head. The two holding elements (12, 14) are coupled to each other in a coupling area by means of a coupling element (16) such that when one of the holding elements (12, 14) is rotated, the coupling element (16) also rotates the other holding element (12, 14). Between the coupling area and the receiving area (32) a stationarily arranged supporting element (33) for supporting the head receivable in the receiving area (32) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MAQUET GMBH
    Inventors: Hongquiang Li, Kaiyou Ge
  • Patent number: 9554655
    Abstract: A kit (100) for constructing a support surface (10) for a sleeping person. The kit (100) comprises: an air-permeable layer (20) having at least one pair of opposing layer-edge portions stretchable at least in the direction between the layer-edge portions (11, 12, 13, 14) to form the support surface; at least one pair of parallel opposing frame sections (30, 32, 34, 36) fixedly disposable at a distance therebetween for forming at least a portion of a frame (15) supporting the support surface; at least a first of said frame sections (30, 32, 34, 36) comprising a layer-edge engaging portion (31, 33, 35, 37) configured for fixedly engaging a corresponding layer-edge portion (11, 12, 13, 14); and a tensioning mechanism configured for moving the layer-edge engaging portion (31, 33, 35, 37) together with the layer-edge portion (11, 12, 13, 14) relative to the opposing frame section (30, 32, 34, 36) to at least partially tension the air-permeable layer (20) between the frame sections (30, 32, 34, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AIRNETTRESS LTD
    Inventor: Shlomo Abadi
  • Patent number: 9554959
    Abstract: The improved positioning device, for use in hip, pelvis or bariatric surgery, securely and safely supports a morbidly obese patient lying in the lateral decubitus position at one side of an operating table so the surgeon may stand close to the anterior side of the patient. The support device includes a double-ended bracket having a pair of oppositely positioned padded end portions secured to an angular bracket post adapted to securely mount to an operating table via a question mark-shaped bracket. The angular bracket arm vertically adjusts to support the patient on one side, with the padded end portions applied to bony prominences such as the symphysis pubis and the lower side anterior superior iliac spine. The support device is used in combination with a posterior pelvic support plate, and a pair of anterior-posterior chest support plates to retain the patient in a secure and stable manner during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald M. Carn
  • Patent number: 9549706
    Abstract: A cradle drive mechanism, a table and a patient imaging and carrying apparatus are provided. The cradle drive mechanism includes: a first portion, which is arranged on a main base and has a belt drive structure, wherein the belt drive structure is used to connect a cradle and drive the cradle to make a reciprocating motion; a second portion, which is arranged on a secondary base and has a secondary supporting and rotating member, wherein the second portion and the first portion form a gap therebetween, and the secondary supporting and rotating member is used to support the cradle; and two guiding and rotating members, which are arranged on the second portion and/or the first portion for guiding the cradle to move linearly. The present application can simplify the structure by adoption of the belt drive structure. Further, the gap between the second portion and the first portion does not attenuate the X-ray additionally, so the dose of the X-ray emitted can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Xuyong Yang, Yanguo Yang, Feng Yang, Jia Liu
  • Patent number: 9545164
    Abstract: A mattress cover includes a securing belt about its skirt to aid in engaging and fixing the skirt to a mattress, thereby minimizing the tendency of a skirt to migrate upward on the mattress during use. The belt may be attached to the skirt by means of a sleeve extending the length of the skirt, lacing, belt loop structures, an integrated channel, Velcro® or similar devices. The belt may be adjusted by means of a buckle, a knot or other similar devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Symone Tulloch
  • Patent number: 9545351
    Abstract: A modular operating table comprises a support (10) and a base part (20) attached to the support (10), the base part (20) providing a first region of a support surface for a patient's body during surgery, the base part (20) comprising side bars (21) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support surface in lateral edge regions of the support surface. A seat element (30) is attached to the base part (20), the seat element (30) providing a second region of the support surface, a width of the second region decreasing in a distal direction, symmetric to a central longitudinal axis of the support surface, the seat element (30) having at least two first connection elements for the distal attachment of functional components, the at least two first connection elements being arranged along main axes of the side bars. A first functional component (40.1, 40.2) comprising a generally triangular plate (42.1, 42.2) provides a third region of the support surface. The first functional component (40.1, 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Schaerer Medical Management AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sommer, Michael Voegtle, Christian Zaugg
  • Patent number: 9523165
    Abstract: A bed covering product, system and a process of manufacturing such product is disclosed to form a one-piece, multi-panel upper and lower sheet assembly. The lower sheet fits on a mattress in a removable manner and the upper sheet is connected to the lower sheet through expandable flaps of material made from elastic, stretchable material. An expansion flap zipper runs between the sides of the upper and lower sheets so as to close the assembly when it is zipped, whereby the upper sheet is pulled tightly against the lower sheet but when it is opened by unzipping the upper sheet is allowed to move away from the lower sheet to the extent of the expandable flaps of material. Another release zipper is disposed adjacent the expansion flap zipper and interior for allowing laundering the upper and lower sheets separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: KaDe Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Kathleen Crispino
  • Patent number: 9517171
    Abstract: Bed, comprising a lower frame (1) and an upper frame (2) with a supporting surface for a mattress, and where the upper frame (2) is connected to the lower frame (1) so that the upper frame can be raised and lowered in proportion to the lower frame by means of one or more adjusting means (5, 6) driven by an electric motor. In order to prevent squeezing between the upper and lower frame when the upper frame is lowered, the bed is provided with anti squeezing means. These comprise a light source and a receiver positioned in a corner of the lower frame. The light source sends a light beam which follows the lower frame all the way around and runs just above the top side of the lower frame. When the light beam is interrupted the control unit reacts by cutting off the current for the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Egelund Andersen, Morten Fog
  • Patent number: 9516951
    Abstract: An anatomical pillow configured for use by a woman includes a compressible body having an upper surface, lower surface, a top, a first side, a second side, a bottom, and a central recess. The relative dimensions and geometries of the segments and surfaces are selected to accommodate a woman lying prone on the pillow with her head above the upper surface and her torso lying on the bottom segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Marnie Rustemeyer
  • Patent number: 9517172
    Abstract: An electric bed includes a first driver that performs rising and lowering operation of a second frame with respect to a first frame, a controller that controls the first driver, and an input unit that instructs the controller by switch manipulation of a lowering switch of the input unit. The controller controls the first driver to lower the second frame at a basic speed when a bed height is a first predetermined height or more during depression of the lowering switch, and to lower the second frame at a first low speed slower than the basic speed when the bed height is less than the first predetermined height during the depression of the lowering switch, in case where the bed height is a height of an upper surface of the second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Kume, Shohei Tsukada, Hideo Kawakami