Patents by Inventor Marco Constant
Marco Constant 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).
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Patent number: 11992432Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit allows multiple patient therapy devices to be fluidly coupled thereto and to individually monitor the temperatures, flow rates, and/or connections/disconnections of the patient therapy devices. A user interface enables a user to designate outlet ports to the therapy devices as active or inactive, and the control unit provides notifications to the user if any of the active ports experience an undesired condition, or if a patient therapy device is connected to an inactive port. The user interface further allows the user to designate one of multiple patient temperature probes as a primary probe. The primary probe is used to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Christopher John Hopper, Brian Schultz, Roy E. Holmberg, III, Jonathan David Campbell, Marco Constant
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Patent number: 11918510Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads used to control the temperature of a patient. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, and a controller. The controller receives first and second data from at least two different sources to determine if the patient is shivering or not. The two different sources may include a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the patient, a tissue oxygenation sensor, a vibration/motion sensor, a thermal image sensor, an electromyograph, and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal control unit takes one or more automatic actions in response to detection of patient shivering.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Marko N. Kostic, Marco Constant, Christopher John Hopper
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Patent number: 11883333Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus has support wheels coupled to a base and swivelable about swivel axes. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and includes an auxiliary wheel configured to move between a plurality of wheel positions, and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheel to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions. A sensing system with a sensor is provided to detect a motion condition of the patient transport apparatus. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and to the actuator, and is configured to drive the actuator to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions based on the motion condition of the patient transport apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore, Marco Constant, Brian Tessmer
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Publication number: 20240009025Abstract: A thermal control system for controlling a patient's temperature includes a thermal control unit and an off-board computing device. The thermal control unit includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a pump, a heat exchanger, a display, one or more sensors, a transceiver, and a controller. The thermal control system employs one or more machine learning techniques to perform one or more of the following: automatically implement one or more user-preferred settings, automatically predict the occurrence of one or more events based on analyses of prior events, and/or automatically improve one or more algorithms based on analyses of additional sensor data. The machine learning techniques may be implemented onboard the thermal control unit and/or may be implemented at a remote computing device (e.g. a server) that collates and analyzes data from multiple thermal control units, and then sends the results of the analyses back to the thermal control units.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Marco Constant, Anish Paul, Marko N. Kostic, Sujay Sukumaran, Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Alexey Titov
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Publication number: 20230363939Abstract: A medical device, such as a patient support apparatus or a thermal control unit, includes a plurality of mechanical components and a plurality of nodes adapted to communicate with each other over a local network onboard the medical device, and a gateway in communication with an off-board network. The gateway translates messages between the onboard and off-board networks, manages subscriptions to content of the local network, controls bidirectional communication, and otherwise oversees communications between the local and remote networks. The gateway utilizes a configuration file for managing the communications between the off-board and onboard networks, and the gateway is configured to switch to using new or modified configuration files without requiring a reboot or power cycle of the gateway. Updates to the communications between the onboard and off-board networks can therefore be implemented without any downtime and/or without requiring updates to software executables.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2021Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Marco Constant, Madhu Sandeep Thota, Bhavin Kapadia, Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Thomas Joseph Durlach, Frank J. Lee
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Publication number: 20230363705Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to a patient to control the patient's temperature. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, patient core temperature probe port, auxiliary sensor port, and controller. The controller receives patient core temperature readings from the patient temperature probe port and auxiliary sensor readings from the auxiliary sensor port. The controller may control a temperature of the circulating fluid in both a feedback manner using patient core temperature readings and a feedforward manner using readings from the auxiliary sensor. The auxiliary sensor may measure a characteristic of the patient's tissue indicative of thermal resistance, and/or the auxiliary sensor may measure a temperature of the patient's tissue at an intermediate depth. The controller may use the intermediate temperature to predict arrival at a target patient temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Marko N. Kostic, Marco Constant, Christopher John Hopper, Anuj K. Sidhu
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Publication number: 20230233389Abstract: A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a frame, a support surface, a control, a controller, and a transceiver. The patient support apparatus employs one or more machine learning techniques to perform one or more of the following: automatically implement one or more user-preferred settings, automatically predict the occurrence of one or more events based on analyses of prior events, and/or automatically improve one or more algorithms based on analyses of additional sensor data. The machine learning techniques may be implemented onboard the patient support apparatus and/or may be implemented at a remote computer device (e.g. a server) that collates and analyzes data from multiple patient support apparatuses, and then sends the results of the analyses back to the patient support apparatuses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2021Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Anish Paul, Marco N. Kostic, Sujay Sukumaran, Marco Constant, Alexey Titov
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Publication number: 20220313508Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus has support wheels coupled to a base and swivelable about swivel axes. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and includes an auxiliary wheel configured to move between a plurality of wheel positions, and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheel to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions. A sensing system with a sensor is provided to detect a motion condition of the patient transport apparatus. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and to the actuator, and is configured to drive the actuator to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions based on the motion condition of the patient transport apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: Stryker CorporationInventors: William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore, Marco Constant, Brian Tessmer
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Publication number: 20220241124Abstract: A patient support system for providing customized user menus. The system comprises a patient support apparatus, a user interface configured to receive input from a user, and a display configured to display user menus or information. The user menus may comprise indicia representative of the operational functions of the patient support apparatus. A controller determines the customized user menu based on usage characteristics, a position of the user interface in proximity to the patient support apparatus, a location of the user interface within a facility, an identification of the user, and/or a patient condition. A touchscreen and/or a mobile device may comprise the user interface and the display. The mobile device may be removably coupled to the patient support apparatus. Methods for improving patient care by providing the customized user menu are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: Stryker CorporationInventors: Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Annie Desaulniers, Marco Constant, Madhu Thomas, Christopher A. George, Sujay Sukumaran, Marko N. Kostic
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Patent number: 11395777Abstract: A patient transport apparatus for transporting a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus has support wheels coupled to a base and swivelable about swivel axes. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and includes an auxiliary wheel configured to move between a plurality of wheel positions, and an actuator operably coupled to the auxiliary wheel to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions. A sensing system with a sensor is provided to detect a motion condition of the patient transport apparatus. A controller is coupled to the sensing system and to the actuator, and is configured to drive the actuator to move the auxiliary wheel between the plurality of wheel positions based on the motion condition of the patient transport apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: William D. Childs, Kevin M. Patmore, Brian Tessmer, Marco Constant
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Patent number: 11337872Abstract: A patient support system for providing customized user menus. The system comprises a patient support apparatus, a user interface configured to receive input from a user, and a display configured to display user menus or information. The user menus may comprise indicia representative of the operational functions of the patient support apparatus. A controller determines the customized user menu based on usage characteristics, a position of the user interface in proximity to the patient support apparatus, a location of the user interface within a facility, an identification of the user, and/or a patient condition. A touchscreen and/or a mobile device may comprise the user interface and the display. The mobile device may be removably coupled to the patient support apparatus. Methods for improving patient care by providing the customized user menu are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Krishna S. Bhimavarapu, Annie Desaulniers, Ming Chen, Marco Constant
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Patent number: 11303735Abstract: Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include multiple internal network nodes. A controller is associated with each node and at least one of the controllers is adapted to process a message received from another node, convert the message from a first communication protocol to a different communication protocol, and forward the message to yet another node using the different communication protocol. One or more of the controllers may also or alternatively reformulate a packet received in a first format from a first node and forward the reformulated packet to another node. One or more controllers may also send messages over a common data link layer wherein some of the messages are formatted according to different message protocols. Some controllers may utilize real time operating systems while others may not.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Janani Gopalkrishnan, Jason A. Vanderplas, Michael Joseph Hayes, Marco Constant, Eileen Siew Chin Cheong Youne
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Patent number: 11246777Abstract: A patient support apparatus comprises a patient support surface for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a user input device, a controller, and an ultrasonic generator system. The controller is configured to control the ultrasonic generator system to provide haptic sensations to the user. The haptic sensations, in some cases, provides tactile stimuli to a user associated with a virtual button.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Marko N. Kostic, Aaron Douglas Furman, Annie Desaulniers, Richard A. Derenne, Marco Constant
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Publication number: 20210401616Abstract: A thermal control unit controls the temperature of a fluid delivered to one or more thermal transfer devices (e.g. thermal pads) in contact with a patient. The thermal control unit generates thermal data while being used to treat the patient and is adapted to receive thermal history data previously generated by a different thermal control unit in the treatment of that patient. Both the current and previous thermal data are displayable on the thermal control unit currently being used, thereby giving the caregiver a complete picture of the thermal history of the patient. The thermal control unit may also be adapted to transmit its thermal data, as well as the thermal history data previously received from the other thermal control unit, to still another thermal control unit. The thermal history data transfer may take place via a cable, wirelessly, by a portable flash drive, or by other means.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Christopher John Hopper, Marco Constant
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Patent number: 11116656Abstract: A thermal control unit controls the temperature of a fluid delivered to one or more thermal transfer devices (e.g. thermal pads) in contact with a patient. The thermal control unit generates thermal data while being used to treat the patient and is adapted to receive thermal history data previously generated by a different thermal control unit in the treatment of that patient. Both the current and previous thermal data are displayable on the thermal control unit currently being used, thereby giving the caregiver a complete picture of the thermal history of the patient. The thermal control unit may also be adapted to transmit its thermal data, as well as the thermal history data previously received from the other thermal control unit, to still another thermal control unit. The thermal history data transfer may take place via a cable, wirelessly, by a portable flash drive, or by other means.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Christopher John Hopper, Marco Constant
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Publication number: 20210228407Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads used to control the temperature of a patient. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, and a controller. The controller receives first and second data from at least two different sources to determine if the patient is shivering or not. The two different sources may include a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the patient, a tissue oxygenation sensor, a vibration/motion sensor, a thermal image sensor, an electromyograph, and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal control unit takes one or more automatic actions in response to detection of patient shivering.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Marko N. Kostic, Marco Constant, Christopher John Hopper
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Patent number: 10993829Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads used to control the temperature of a patient. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, and a controller. The controller receives first and second data from at least two different sources to determine if the patient is shivering or not. The two different sources may include a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the patient, a tissue oxygenation sensor, a vibration/motion sensor, a thermal image sensor, an electromyograph, and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal control unit takes one or more automatic actions in response to detection of patient shivering.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Marko N. Kostic, Marco Constant, Christopher John Hopper
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Publication number: 20210059601Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to a patient to control the patients temperature. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, patient core temperature probe port, auxiliary sensor port, and controller. The controller receives patient core temperature readings from the patient temperature probe port and auxiliary sensor readings from the auxiliary sensor port. The controller may control a temperature of the circulating fluid in both a feedback manner using patient core temperature readings and a feedforward manner using readings from the auxiliary sensor. The auxiliary sensor may measure a characteristic of the patients tissue indicative of thermal resistance, and/or the auxiliary sensor may measure a temperature of the patients tissue at an intermediate depth. The controller may use the intermediate temperature to predict arrival at a target patient temperature. The auxiliary sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2018Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Marko N. Kostic, Marco Constant, Christopher John Hopper, Anuj K. Sidhu
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Publication number: 20210045950Abstract: A patient support, such as a bed, a cot, a stretcher, or the like, for supporting an occupant includes sensors adapted to detect a status of the patient support, such as the width of the width-adjustable patient support component or the locked or unlocked state of the patient support component. A control system for the patient support is configured to determine if the patient support is in an unacceptable status, such as an unacceptable width configuration or an unlocked state, based on the sensed status. The control system is adapted to issue an alert or take action or prompt a caregiver to take an action if the patient support status is unacceptable.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Jason J. Connell, Joseph Steven David Elku, Jeffrey C. Shiery, Madhu Thomas, Jason J. Cerny, Carlos Vicente, Cory P. Herbst, Alexis Huizar, Mohamad Kashen, Xianyu Shea, Marco Constant
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Publication number: 20200405530Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid back, a pump, a heat exchanger, a controller for controlling the heat exchanger, a patient temperature port for receiving patient temperature readings, a memory, and a user interface that displays various data regarding thermal therapy sessions applied to patients using the thermal control unit. In some embodiments, past statistical data from previous thermal therapy sessions is stored in the memory and the controller displays a comparison of a current parameter of the current thermal therapy session to the past statistical data. The controller may also or alternatively automatically select a particular type of screen to display based on a type of user of the thermal control unit. The controller may also or alternatively generate after-session thermal therapy reports.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Marco Constant, Gideon P. Brewer, Robert Christopher Rusin, Christopher John Hopper