Patents by Inventor Niall Smith
Niall Smith 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: 11998678Abstract: A digital processor of a nebulizer controller controls and monitors drive current (I) applied to an aperture plate. The drive current is detected as a series of discrete values at each of multiple measuring points, each having a particular drive frequency The processor in real time calculates a slope or rate of change of drive current with frequency and additionally determines a minimum value for drive current leading up to the peak value. The processor uses both the value of the minimum drive current during the scan and also the maximum slope value to achieve reliable prediction of end of dose, when the aperture plate becomes dry.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Joseph Grehan, Michael Casey, Shaun Porter, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20240066258Abstract: A high flow nasal therapy system (1) has a gas supply (2), a nebulizer (12), and a nasal interface (7). There are two branches (11, 10) and a valve (6) linked with the controller, the branches including a first branch (11) for delivery of aerosol and a second branch (10) for delivery of non-aerosolized gas. The controller controls delivery into the branches (11, 10), in which flow is unidirectional in the first and second branches, from the gas supply towards the nasal interface. The first branch (11) includes the nebulizer (12) and a line configured to store a bolus of aerosol during flow through the second branch (10). The valve (6) comprises a Y-junction between the gas inlet on one side and the branches on the other side.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Ronan MACLOUGHLIN, Niall SMITH
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Patent number: 11833310Abstract: A high flow nasal therapy system (1) has a gas supply (2), a nebulizer (12), and a nasal interface (7). There are two branches (11, 10) and a valve (6) linked with the controller, the branches including a first branch (11) for delivery of aerosol and a second branch (10) for delivery of non-aerosolized gas. The controller controls delivery into the branches (11, 10), in which flow is unidirectional in the first and second branches, from the gas supply towards the nasal interface. The first branch (11) includes the nebulizer (12) and a line configured to store a bolus of aerosol during flow through the second branch (10). The valve (6) comprises a Y-junction between the gas inlet on one side and the branches on the other side.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Ronan MacLoughlin, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20230248921Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Joseph GREHAN, Niall SMITH
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Patent number: 11660404Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Joseph Grehan, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20210308387Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Joseph GREHAN, Niall Smith
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Patent number: 11065399Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: STAMFORD DEVICES LIMITEDInventors: Joseph Grehan, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20210187209Abstract: A digital processor of a nebulizer controller controls and monitors drive current (I) applied to an aperture plate. The drive current is detected as a series of discrete values at each of multiple measuring points, each having a particular drive frequency The processor in real time calculates a slope or rate of change of drive current with frequency and additionally determines a minimum value for drive current leading up to the peak value. The processor uses both the value of the minimum drive current during the scan and also the maximum slope value to achieve reliable prediction of end of dose, when the aperture plate becomes dry.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Joseph Grehan, Michael Casey, Shaun Porter, Niall Smith
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Patent number: 10967138Abstract: A digital processor of a nebulizer controller controls and monitors drive current (I) applied to an aperture plate. The drive current is detected as a series of discrete values at each of multiple measuring points, each having a particular drive frequency The processor in real time calculates a slope or rate of change of drive current with frequency and additionally determines a minimum value for drive current leading up to the peak value. The processor uses both the value of the minimum drive current during the scan and also the maximum slope value to achieve reliable prediction of end of dose, when the aperture plate becomes dry.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: STAMFORD DEVICES LIMITEDInventors: Joseph Grehan, Michael Casey, Shaun Porter, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20200155788Abstract: A high flow nasal therapy system (1) has a gas supply (2), a nebulizer (12), and a nasal interface (7). There are two branches (11, 10) and a valve (6) linked with the controller, the branches including a first branch (11) for delivery of aerosol and a second branch (10) for delivery of non-aerosolized gas. The controller controls delivery into the branches (11, 10), in which flow is unidirectional in the first and second branches, from the gas supply towards the nasal interface. The first branch (11) includes the nebulizer (12) and a line configured to store a bolus of aerosol during flow through the second branch (10). The valve (6) comprises a Y-junction between the gas inlet on one side and the branches on the other side.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Ronan MACLOUGHLIN, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20200129723Abstract: Apparatus (500) and components for coupling fluid or gas conducting elements, such as apparatus and components for connecting a nebulizer (501) with a gas flow system. In particular, the apparatus (500) and components are useful for connecting, in a gas-tight and quick release manner, a nebulizer (501) to a pressure-assisted breathing system, such as a mechanical ventilator or a continuous airway pressure (“CPAP”) system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: Nektar TherapeuticsInventors: James B. FINK, Gavan O'SULLIVAN, Paul DUNNE, Declan MORAN, John POWER, Niall SMITH
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Patent number: 10617840Abstract: A high flow nasal therapy system (1) has a gas supply (2), a nebulizer (12), and a nasal interface (7). There are two branches (11, 10) and a valve (6) linked with the controller, the branches including a first branch (11) for delivery of aerosol and a second branch (10) for delivery of non-aerosolized gas. The controller controls delivery into the branches (11, 10), in which flow is unidirectional in the first and second branches, from the gas supply towards the nasal interface. The first branch (11) includes the nebulizer (12) and a line configured to store a bolus of aerosol during flow through the second branch (10). The valve (6) comprises a Y-junction between the gas inlet on one side and the branches on the other side.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: STAMFORD DEVICES LIMITEDInventors: Ronan MacLoughlin, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20200009332Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Joseph GREHAN, Niall SMITH
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Patent number: 10449307Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: STAMFORD DEVICES LIMITEDInventors: Joseph Grehan, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20180256829Abstract: A digital processor of a nebulizer controller controls and monitors drive current (I) applied to an aperture plate. The drive current is detected as a series of discrete values at each of multiple measuring points, each having a particular drive frequency The processor in real time calculates a slope or rate of change of drive current with frequency and additionally determines a minimum value for drive current leading up to the peak value. The processor uses both the value of the minimum drive current during the scan and also the maximum slope value to achieve reliable prediction of end of dose, when the aperture plate becomes dry.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2016Publication date: September 13, 2018Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Joseph GREHAN, Michael CASEY, Shaun PORTER, Niall SMITH
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Publication number: 20180214643Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Joseph Grehan, Niall SMITH
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Patent number: 9956356Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: STAMFORD DEVICES LIMITEDInventors: Joseph Grehan, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20170021125Abstract: A high flow nasal therapy system (1) has a gas supply (2), a nebulizer (12), and a nasal interface (7). There are two branches (11, 10) and a valve (6) linked with the controller, the branches including a first branch (11) for delivery of aerosol and a second branch (10) for delivery of non-aerosolized gas. The controller controls delivery into the branches (11, 10), in which flow is unidirectional in the first and second branches, from the gas supply towards the nasal interface. The first branch (11) includes the nebulizer (12) and a line configured to store a bolus of aerosol during flow through the second branch (10). The valve (6) comprises a Y-junction between the gas inlet on one side and the branches on the other side.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: Stamford Devices LimitedInventors: Ronan MACLOUGHLIN, Niall SMITH
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Publication number: 20160250437Abstract: Apparatus (500) and components for coupling fluid or gas conducting elements, such as apparatus and components for connecting a nebulizer (501) with a gas flow system. In particular, the apparatus (500) and components are useful for connecting, in a gas-tight and quick release manner, a nebulizer (501) to a pressure-assisted breathing system, such as a mechanical ventilator or a continuous airway pressure (“CPAP”) system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: Nektar TherapeuticsInventors: James B. Fink, Gavan O'Sullivan, Paul Dunne, Declan Moran, John Power, Niall Smith
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Publication number: 20150320944Abstract: A nebulizer has an aperture plate, a mounting, an actuator, and an aperture plate drive circuit (2-4). A controller measures an electrical drive parameter at each of a plurality of measuring points, each measuring point having a drive frequency; and based on the values of the parameter at the measuring points makes a determination of optimum drive frequency and also an end-of-dose prediction. The controller performs a short scan at regular sub-second intervals at which drive current is measured at two measuring points with different drive frequencies. According to drive parameter measurements at these points the controller determines if a full scan sweeping across a larger number of measuring points should be performed. The full scan provides the optimum drive frequency for the device and also an end of dose indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Joseph GREHAN, Niall SMITH