Patents by Inventor Michael Black

Michael Black 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: 10818062
    Abstract: A method for generating a body shape, comprising: receiving one or more linguistic descriptors related to the body shape; retrieving an association between the one or more linguistic descriptors and a body shape; and generating the body shape, based on the association.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG D. WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V., Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Stephan Streuber, Maria Alejandra Quirós Ramírez, Michael Black, Silvia Zuffi, Alice O'Toole, Matthew Q. Hill, Carina A. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20200330723
    Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating urine output from the kidney, including: (a) inserting a catheter including: a drainage lumen including a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's kidney, renal pelvis and/or in the ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis and a proximal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion including a funnel support including at least one sidewall, wherein the funnel support includes a first diameter and a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter, the second diameter being closer to an end of the distal portion of the drainage lumen than the first diameter, wherein the proximal portion of the drainage lumen is essentially free of or free of openings; and (b) applying negative pressure to the proximal portion of the drainage lumen for a period of time to facilitate urine output from the kidney.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, David E. Orr, Lance Michael Black, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane
  • Patent number: 10799668
    Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Strataca Systems Limited
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, David E. Orr, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black
  • Patent number: 10765834
    Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating urine output from the kidney, including: (a) inserting a catheter including: a drainage lumen including a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's kidney, renal pelvis and/or in the ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis and a proximal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion including a funnel support including at least one sidewall, wherein the funnel support includes a first diameter and a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter, the second diameter being closer to an end of the distal portion of the drainage lumen than the first diameter, wherein the proximal portion of the drainage lumen is essentially free of or free of openings; and (b) applying negative pressure to the proximal portion of the drainage lumen for a period of time to facilitate urine output from the kidney.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Strataca Systems Limited
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, David E. Orr, Lance Michael Black, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane
  • Patent number: 10755202
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods include: receiving, in a first client device, multiple risk indicators from multiple server devices over a network, in which the multiple risk indicators represent different external risks to a business and different internal risks to two or more divisions of the business; applying a forecasting model to at least one risk indicators to obtain one or more estimated future performance metrics; outputting to a graphical user interface, at least one of the estimated future performance metrics, the external risks or the internal risks; and outputting to the graphical user interface, a user-interactive feature for sending at least one of the estimated future performance metrics, the external risks, or the internal risks from the first client device, over the network, to a second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Alissa Hess, Debra Freund, Dustin Bishop, James Edwin Knighton, Jared Alan Natho, Michael Black, Brian Philip Stackhouse
  • Patent number: 10755464
    Abstract: Present application refers to a method, a model generation unit and a computer program (product) for generating trained models (M) of moving persons, based on physically measured person scan data (S). The approach is based on a common template (T) for the respective person and on the measured person scan data (S) in different shapes and different poses. Scan data are measured with a 3D laser scanner. A generic personal model is used for co-registering a set of person scan data (S) aligning the template (T) to the set of person scans (S) while simultaneously training the generic personal model to become a trained person model (M) by constraining the generic person model to be scan-specific, person-specific and pose-specific and providing the trained model (M), based on the co-registering of the measured object scan data (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Michael Black, David L. Hirshberg, Matthew Loper, Eric Rachlin, Alex Weiss
  • Publication number: 20200237419
    Abstract: An orthopedic assembly is described that comprises an orthopedic device, an anchor, and a locking mechanism. The orthopedic device can be a plate member having an aperture that is configured to receive the anchor. The anchor can include a head, neck and shank portion. The head portion can include a plurality of arms separated by grooves that are capable of splaying. The assembly is configured such that when the locking mechanism is inserted into the head portion, this causes expansion of the arms of the head. This expansion locks and secures the anchor to the orthopedic device. Various instruments are provided that can deliver the locking mechanism to the anchor, and can provide impact to lock functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Black, Jon Suh, Christopher Angelucci, Matthew Hansell
  • Publication number: 20200237975
    Abstract: A method for increasing urine output rate from a patient having venous congestion is provided. The method includes: deploying a urinary catheter into the patient such that flow of urine from the ureter and/or kidney is transported within a drainage lumen of the catheter; applying negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney through the drainage lumen of the catheter to extract urine from the patient; periodically measuring an edema value of the patient; and if the measured edema value is less than or equal to Grade 1 in which the depth of indentation is less than about 2 mm after about 10 seconds, ceasing the application of the negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black, David E. Orr
  • Publication number: 20200222660
    Abstract: A bladder catheter is provided. The bladder catheter includes: a proximal portion configured to be positioned in at least a portion of a patient's urethra; and a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's bladder, the distal portion including a retention portion, wherein the retention portion includes an inwardly facing side including one or more perforations and an outwardly facing side, and wherein, when negative pressure is applied through the bladder catheter, fluid is drawn into the bladder catheter through the one or more perforations while bladder walls are prevented from appreciably occluding the one or more perforations by contact with the outwardly facing side of the retention portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black
  • Publication number: 20200215304
    Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters and systems are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion including an outer periphery or protective surface area which prevents mucosal tissue from occluding one or more protected drainage holes, ports, or perforations disposed within the outer periphery or protective surface area upon application of negative pressure through the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, David E. Orr, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black
  • Publication number: 20200215303
    Abstract: Ureteral catheters are provided including a drainage lumen including a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's kidney, renal pelvis and/or in the ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis for receiving fluid from a patient's kidney and a proximal portion for draining the fluid from the distal portion, the distal portion including a coiled retention portion including: at least a first coil having a first diameter; at least a second coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter, the second coil being closer to an end of the distal portion of the drainage lumen than the first coil; and one or more perforations on a sidewall of the coiled retention portion of the distal portion of the drainage lumen for permitting fluid flow into the drainage lumen, wherein the proximal portion of the drainage lumen is essentially free of or free of perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Erbey II, Jacob L. Upperco, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black
  • Publication number: 20200214753
    Abstract: Misaligned bones on opposite sides of a joint are aligned using a first rigid extension securable to one of the misaligned bones using a particular surgical approach, and a second rigid extension having a contacting surface positionable in contact with the other the two misaligned bones from the same surgical approach. The first and second rigid extensions are moved with respect to each other using a lever, whereby a pulling force is exerted on one of the bones, and a pushing force on the other, thereby aligning the first and second misaligned bones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Marcin Niemiec, Duncan Sibson, Noah Hansell, Chad Glerum, Colm McLaughlin, Daniel Davenport, Mark Weiman, Jason Gray, Khiem Pham, Michael Black, Ben Silber, Mark Fromhold, Andrew Iott, Kathleen Hill, John Gilbert, Richard Castle
  • Patent number: 10679046
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method including receiving an input image including a human, predicting, based on a convolutional neural network that is trained using examples consisting of pairs of sensor data, a corresponding body shape of the human and utilizing the corresponding body shape predicted from the convolutional neural network as input to another convolutional neural network to predict additional body shape metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Michael Black, Eric Rachlin, Nicolas Heron, Matthew Loper, Alexander Weiss, Xiaochen Hu, Theodora Hinkle, Martin Kristiansen
  • Patent number: 10617450
    Abstract: The present invention is a spinal fixation device that includes an occipital rod having a first end and a second end, and a spinal rod extending from a connection housing having a first end and a second end. The first end of the spinal rod is integral with a portion of the connection housing and the connection housing is configured with an elongated opening, a rotating plug, and a locking mechanism. The elongated opening is configured for mating with the first end of the occipital plate and the locking mechanism is adapted to enable the occipital rod to be locked in a fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Black, Michael Zentko
  • Patent number: 10610664
    Abstract: Ureteral catheters are provided including a drainage lumen including a distal portion configured to be positioned in a patient's kidney, renal pelvis and/or in the ureter adjacent to the renal pelvis for receiving fluid from a patient's kidney and a proximal portion for draining the fluid from the distal portion, the distal portion including a coiled retention portion including: at least a first coil having a first diameter; at least a second coil having a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter, the second coil being closer to an end of the distal portion of the drainage lumen than the first coil; and one or more perforations on a sidewall of the coiled retention portion of the distal portion of the drainage lumen for permitting fluid flow into the drainage lumen, wherein the proximal portion of the drainage lumen is essentially free of or free of perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Strataca Systems Limited
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black
  • Patent number: 10603089
    Abstract: Novel bone screw and plate assemblies including locking confirmation mechanisms are provided. In certain cases, a locking confirmation mechanism is operably attached to the plate, and comprises a toggling arm having an upper portion, a mid-portion and a lower portion. When a bone screw is positioned in a plate in an unlocked configuration, the locking confirmation mechanism assumes a first position. When the bone screw is positioned in the plate in a locked configuration, this causes the locking confirmation mechanism to pivot and assume a second position. The locking confirmation mechanism thus provides a convenient visual and/or tactile means to assess when the screw is in a locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah Hansell, Michael Black
  • Patent number: 10588674
    Abstract: An orthopedic assembly is described that comprises an orthopedic device, an anchor, and a locking mechanism. The orthopedic device can be a plate member having an aperture that is configured to receive the anchor. The anchor can include a head, neck and shank portion. The head portion can include a plurality of arms separated by grooves that are capable of splaying. The assembly is configured such that when the locking mechanism is inserted into the head portion, this causes expansion of the arms of the head. This expansion locks and secures the anchor to the orthopedic device. Various instruments are provided that can deliver the locking mechanism to the anchor, and can provide impact to lock functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Black, Jon Suh, Christopher Angelucci, Matthew Hansell
  • Publication number: 20200078497
    Abstract: A method for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution is provided. The method includes: deploying a urinary tract catheter into the patient such that flow of urine from the ureter and/or kidney is transported within a drainage lumen of the catheter; applying negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney through the drainage lumen of the catheter to extract urine from the patient; periodically measuring a hematocrit value of the patient; and if the measured hematocrit value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, ceasing the application of the negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney. A system for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution including a ureteral catheter and a pump is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black, David E. Orr
  • Publication number: 20200058137
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically obtaining pose and shape parameters of a human body. The method includes obtaining a sequence of digital 3D images of the body, recorded by at least one depth camera; automatically obtaining pose and shape parameters of the body, based on images of the sequence and a statistical body model; and outputting the pose and shape parameters. The body may be an infant body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Sergi PUJADES, Javier ROMERO, Michael BLACK, Nikolas HESSE
  • Publication number: 20200054856
    Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Strataca Systems Limited
    Inventors: John R. Erbey, II, Jacob L. Upperco, David E. Orr, Michael Alan Fisher, Patrick William Strane, Lance Michael Black