Patents by Inventor Bradford B Chew

Bradford B Chew has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8874181
    Abstract: A pulse oximeter method and apparatus which provides (1) a notch filter at a distance between a modulation frequency and a common multiple of commonly used power line frequencies (50, 60, 100 and 120) and also (2) a demodulation frequency greater than a highest pulse rate of a person and lower than any harmonic of 50, 60, 100 or 120 Hz, to filter ambient light interference, while choosing an optimum demodulation frequency that avoids interference from the notch filter or from harmonics of the line interference. Also, ambient light for any low frequency interference, such as power line interference, is measured both before and after each of the light emitter wavelengths and the average of the ambient light is then subtracted from the detected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, William Shea, Bradford B. Chew
  • Patent number: 8515512
    Abstract: A medical sensor may be adapted to prevent unwanted light and electrical interference from corrupting physiological measurements. Sensors are provided with features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to reduce crosstalk between electrical signals, increasing the accuracy of measurements. The sensor is also adapted to reduce the effect of outside light or shunted light on pulse oximetry measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Albert L. Ollerdessen, Bradford B. Chew, Phillip S. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8315684
    Abstract: A pulse oximeter method and apparatus which provides (1) a notch filter at a distance between a modulation frequency and a common multiple of commonly used power line frequencies (50, 60, 100 and 120) and also (2) a demodulation frequency greater than a highest pulse rate of a person and lower than any harmonic of 50, 60, 100 or 120 Hz, to filter ambient light interference, while choosing an optimum demodulation frequency that avoids interference from the notch filter or from harmonics of the line interference. Also, ambient light for any low frequency interference, such as power line interference, is measured both before and after each of the light emitter wavelengths and the average of the ambient light is then subtracted from the detected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, William Shea, Bradford B. Chew
  • Patent number: 8195262
    Abstract: A light emitter drive circuit for an oximeter which utilizes a single inductor for driving multiple light emitters. The inductor is connected to a switching circuit to multiple energy storage circuits, such as capacitors. These are alternately charged up, using the same inductor. Subsequently, the capacitors are alternatively discharged for their corresponding light emitters through the same inductor. Also, the magnetic susceptibility of the LED drive circuit is reduced by using magnetic flux canceling in the inductor. In one embodiment, a toroidal inductor is used with geometric symmetry and its magnetic flux. In other embodiment, a dual core closed bobbin shielded inductor is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Bradford B. Chew, Ethan Petersen, William Shea
  • Publication number: 20110066016
    Abstract: A medical sensor may be adapted to prevent unwanted light and electrical interference from corrupting physiological measurements. Sensors are provided with features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to reduce crosstalk between electrical signals, increasing the accuracy of measurements. The sensor is also adapted to reduce the effect of outside light or shunted light on pulse oximetry measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Albert L. Ollerdessen, Bradford B. Chew, Phillip S. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7869849
    Abstract: A medical sensor may be adapted to prevent unwanted light and electrical interference from corrupting physiological measurements. Sensors are provided with features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to reduce crosstalk between electrical signals, increasing the accuracy of measurements. The sensor is also adapted to reduce the effect of outside light or shunted light on pulse oximetry measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Albert L. Ollerdessen, Bradford B. Chew, Phillip S. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7794266
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing crosstalk between wires is provided. The method includes spatially separating first and second sets of wires. A device is disposed relative to the first and second sets of wires to maintain the spatial separation. The method also comprises coupling pins to the first and second sets of wires. Additionally, the method includes covering the device with a connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Ken Sawatari, Paul D. Mannheimer, Bradford B Chew
  • Patent number: 7658652
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing crosstalk between wires is provided. The method includes spatially separating first and second sets of wires. A device is disposed relative to the first and second sets of wires to maintain the spatial separation. The method also comprises coupling pins to the first and second sets of wires. Additionally, the method includes covering the device with a connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Ken Sawatari, Paul D. Mannheimer, Bradford B. Chew
  • Publication number: 20090163083
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing crosstalk between wires is provided. The method includes spatially separating first and second sets of wires. A device is disposed relative to the first and second sets of wires to maintain the spatial separation. The method also comprises coupling pins to the first and second sets of wires. Additionally, the method includes covering the device with a connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Ken Sawatari, Paul D. Mannheimer, Bradford B. Chew
  • Patent number: 7476131
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing crosstalk between wires is provided. The method includes spatially separating first and second sets of wires. A device is disposed relative to the first and second sets of wires to maintain the spatial separation. The method also comprises coupling pins to the first and second sets of wires. Additionally, the method includes covering the device with a connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Ken Sawatari, Paul D. Mannheimer, Bradford B. Chew
  • Publication number: 20090005662
    Abstract: A pulse oximeter method and apparatus which provides (1) a notch filter at a distance between a modulation frequency and a common multiple of commonly used power line frequencies (50, 60, 100 and 120) and also (2) a demodulation frequency greater than a highest pulse rate of a person and lower than any harmonic of 50, 60, 100 or 120 Hz, to filter ambient light interference, while choosing an optimum demodulation frequency that avoids interference from the notch filter or from harmonics of the line interference. Also, ambient light for any low frequency interference, such as power line interference, is measured both before and after each of the light emitter wavelengths and the average of the ambient light is then subtracted from the detected signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, William Shea, Bradford B. Chew
  • Patent number: 7400919
    Abstract: A pulse oximeter method and apparatus which provides (1) a notch filter at a distance between a modulation frequency and a common multiple of commonly used power line frequencies (50, 60, 100 and 120) and also (2) a demodulation frequency greater than a highest pulse rate of a person and lower than any harmonic of 50, 60, 100 or 120 Hz, to filter ambient light interference, while choosing an optimum demodulation frequency that avoids interference from the notch filter or from harmonics of the line interference. Also, ambient light for any low frequency interference, such as power line interference, is measured both before and after each of the light emitter wavelengths and the average of the ambient light is then subtracted from the detected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, William Shea, Bradford B. Chew
  • Patent number: 7373192
    Abstract: A pulse oximeter with drive lines for driving red and IR LEDs, and a drive circuit for driving those drive lines. A processor controls the drive circuit using a red zero output line and an IR zero output line directly connected between the processor and the drive circuit. This allows a control signal to directly control the turning off of either the red or IR drive transistors to prevent forward current flow through the red and IR LEDs by overriding the ongoing programmable logic state machine control of the drive transistors. The effects of crosstalk and capacitive coupling are reduced as a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford B. Chew, Ethan Petersen, William Shea
  • Patent number: 7355539
    Abstract: There is provided a pulse oximeter circuit including a feedback circuit configured to receive a digital output signal of a multi-bit sigma-delta modulator and generate a pulse width modulated signal (PWM). The PWM signal is directed to a first switching circuit and a D flip-flop. The first switching circuit provides a first or second reference voltage as a feedback signal to the multi-bit sigma-delta modulator. The D flip-flop generates a sample and hold signal. The sample and hold signal controls a second switching circuit coupled to the input of the multi-bit sigma-delta modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, William Shea, Bradford B. Chew
  • Publication number: 20080081492
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing crosstalk between wires is provided. The method includes spatially separating first and second sets of wires. A device is disposed relative to the first and second sets of wires to maintain the spatial separation. The method also comprises coupling pins to the first and second sets of wires. Additionally, the method includes covering the device with a connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Ken Sawatari, Paul D. Mannheimer, Bradford B. Chew
  • Publication number: 20080081508
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing crosstalk between wires is provided. The method includes spatially separating first and second sets of wires. A device is disposed relative to the first and second sets of wires to maintain the spatial separation. The method also comprises coupling pins to the first and second sets of wires. Additionally, the method includes covering the device with a connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Ken Sawatari, Paul D. Mannheimer, Bradford B. Chew
  • Publication number: 20080076982
    Abstract: A medical sensor may be adapted to prevent unwanted light and electrical interference from corrupting physiological measurements. Sensors are provided with features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to reduce crosstalk between electrical signals, increasing the accuracy of measurements. The sensor is also adapted to reduce the effect of outside light or shunted light on pulse oximetry measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Albert L. Ollerdessen, Bradford B. Chew, Phillip S. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7215985
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing cross-talk in an oximeter. The oximeter includes a band pass filter. The amount of cross-talk through the band pass filter is estimated. Based on this estimate, the corner frequencies of the band pass filter are adjusted when it is designed to minimize the cross-talk. In one embodiment, a calibration mode is performed when a sensor is attached to the oximeter. In the calibration mode, the signals are measured with first only the red LED on and then with only the IR LED on. Any signal measured in the off channel is assumed to be a result of cross-talk from the other channel. The magnitude of the cross-talk is determined as a percentage, and subsequently the percentage is multiplied by the actual signal and subtracted from the other LED signal as cross-talk compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritain Bennett Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, Bradford B. Chew, William Shea
  • Patent number: 7212847
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a substantially real-time representation of an analog representation of a physiological signal is provided. The waveform signal from the sensor is converted into digital form. A delta-sigma modulator is used as a simple Digital-to-analog Converter (DAC). The output can then be provided through a simple hardware filter to give an analog output signal in nearly real-time, which can be used for other instruments, synchronization, display, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, William Shea, Bradford B. Chew
  • Patent number: 7190985
    Abstract: A pulse oximeter method and apparatus which provides (1) a notch filter at a distance between a modulation frequency and a common multiple of commonly used power line frequencies (50, 60, 100 and 120) and also (2) a demodulation frequency greater than a highest pulse rate of a person and lower than any harmonic of 50, 60, 100 or 120 Hz, to filter ambient light interference, while choosing an optimum demodulation frequency that avoids interference from the notch filter or from harmonics of the line interference. Also, ambient light for any low frequency interference, such as power line interference, is measured both before and after each of the light emitter wavelengths and the average of the ambient light is then subtracted from the detected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, William Shea, Bradford B. Chew