Human Patents (Class 33/512)
  • Patent number: 9409293
    Abstract: A robot includes a base, first and second arms, first and second drive sources, first and second inertia sensors, and first and second angle sensors. A rotation axis of the first arm and a rotation axis of the second arm are orthogonal to each other. The first inertia sensor is installed at the first arm, and the second inertia sensor is installed at the second arm. The first angle sensor is installed at the first drive source, and the second angle sensor is installed at the second drive source. Angular velocities obtained from the first inertia sensor and the first angle sensor are fed back to a first drive source control unit. Angular velocities obtained from the second inertia sensor and the second angle sensor are fed back to a second drive source control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Gomi, Akio Niu, Masaki Motoyoshi
  • Patent number: 9389056
    Abstract: Example height measuring system includes a slide rack configured for mounting to a vertical wall surface and being vertically aligned. The height measurement system also includes a height measuring gauge. The height measuring gauge has a slide mount portion slidably mounted within the slide track, the slide mount portion being configured to travel essentially parallel to the vertical surface. The height measuring gauge also has a gauge plank hingedly mounted to the slide mount portion. The gauge plank is rotatable between a first plank position and a second plank position. The first plank position is parallel to the vertical surface, and the second plank position is perpendicular to the slide mount portion. The height measurement system also includes a backing sheet configured for mounting along a length of the backing sheet on the vertical wall surface and between the height measuring gauge and the vertical wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: James L. Wood
  • Patent number: 9351833
    Abstract: A dynamic, adjustable annuloplasty ring sizer can include an adjustable ring replica, which can be adjusted through a range of sizes corresponding to available prosthetic annuloplasty repair ring sizes. Actuation of an adjustment trigger on a handle portion of the ring sizer can displace tension wires that extend through a malleable shaft and through a plurality of articulating segments that form the ring replica. Displacement of the tension wires causes flexion of the joints between adjacent articulating segments, thereby reducing the overall size of the ring replica. Releasing the tension wires can allow an elastic extension wire to act on the ring replica, enlarging the ring replica to its maximum, at-rest size. In this manner, the appropriate size of annuloplasty ring prosthesis can be determined with a single device, without requiring a plurality of static ring sizers that require individual insertion and placement for the conventional trial-and-error sizing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Conklin
  • Patent number: 9345574
    Abstract: A valve sizer for determining an appropriate replacement valve size when performing a heart valve replacement procedure is provided. In one version the valve sizer has a hollow shaft with proximal and distal ends. A movable sizing element couples to the distal end of the shaft and is radially expandable between first, contracted and second, expanded positions. An actuator assembly on a handle includes an actuator coupled to a clutch member via a ball-spring-detent clutch. A rod extends through the shaft and maintains a fixed distance between the handle and a distal hub in the sizing element. Movement of the actuator causes axial movement of the shaft, thereby causing radial expansion of sizing petals relative to the hub. The clutch slips when a predetermined reaction force from the surrounding valve annulus is met by the petals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Conklin
  • Patent number: 9347817
    Abstract: A surgical sponge and comprehensive fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system includes a support ring for securely supporting a container with at least one port opening for receiving surgical sponges placed into the container. A hollow spine structure includes a channel and a rod that can move in the channel. The rod transfers weight force from the support ring to a weight force sensing device. A flexure maintains the rod vertically aligned in the channel with a gap separating the length of the rod from the channel walls. A processor receives an information signal indicative of at least one of urine outflow, suction fluid outflow, irrigation fluid intake; and intravenous fluid intake, of a surgical patient. The processor accumulates a total amount of estimated net fluid volume loss for the patient from the surgical sponge, and from other measured fluid outflow and intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Surgitrac Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Pollock, Mahmood S. Kassam
  • Patent number: 9232847
    Abstract: A novel gauging device and associated stencils facilitate the shaping of eyebrows according to a Golden Ratio standard. The gauging device is adapted to be placed over a woman's face and maintained in a fixed position relative to her eyes and nose. A nosepiece and knobs are adjusted such that a lower end of a guide rod may be rotated about various points relative to the nose and held in predetermined angles relative to the nose and eyes, possibly supported magnetically on a lower track adjacent the nostrils and an upper track above the eyebrows. An eyebrow stencil is held in a desired position relative to the previously positioned guide rod, which facilitates convenient application and symmetrical shaping, preferably with frictional clamps for permitting the stencil to be shifted in place so that a particular portion of the stencil is properly aligned with the guide rod after the guide rod has been aligned with an appropriate Golden Ratio marking on the stencil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Anastasia Soare
  • Patent number: 9227359
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for quickly and accurately creating custom-fit artificial nails by introducing a secondary shaping process to pre-made nail blanks by using thermoforming method with appropriate nail tooling. The method includes measuring a natural nail and using this information to select a matching, or, close to matching, nail blank and a mold where the nail blank is thermoformed in the mold to match substantially the size and shape of the natural nail. The options available in combining pre-made nail blanks with further thermoforming allows for accommodating a wide variety of shapes and sizes of natural nails. The system and method offers the advantage of safely producing custom-fit artificial nails, which fit properly on user's natural nails within a short period of time. The system is advantageously small and suitable for use inside a nail salon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: Yong Li, Kefei Wang, Yinhong Zhao
  • Patent number: 9222764
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing device that includes a flexible substrate having an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions. The sensing device also includes a first compliant strain sensing element embedded within the compliant material and extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure. The first compliant strain sensing element includes a second compliant material that is flexible and bendable, where an electrical property of the first compliant strain sensing element changes in proportion to an applied strain on the elongated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Bend Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn P. Reese
  • Patent number: 9216026
    Abstract: A femoral sizing guide comprises a body, a superstructure and a stylus. The body has feet extending underneath and resting against posterior condylar surfaces of the femur and an extension component. The superstructure is slidable on the extension component and the extension component is rotatable with respect to the feet. The stylus may be coupled to the superstructure. The superstructure has a first guide hole defining a first alignment axis and the extension component has a second guide hole defining a second alignment axis. The distance between the first and second guide holes varies as the superstructure slides relative to the body. A method of locating an alignment axis on a resected femoral surface at a distal end of a femur which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the femur using the femoral sizing guide is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: DEPUY (IRELAND)
    Inventors: Michael Reeve, Michael Rock
  • Patent number: 9210989
    Abstract: A novel gauging device and associated stencils for shaping of eyebrows according to a Golden Ratio standard. The gauging device is adapted to be placed over a woman's face and maintained in a fixed position relative to her eyes and nose. A nosepiece and knobs are adjusted such that a lower end of a guide rod may be rotated about various points relative to the nose and held in predetermined angles relative to the nose and eyes, possibly supported magnetically on a lower track adjacent the nostrils and an upper track above the eyebrows. Each stencil may be adapted to accommodate not only different eyebrows of different sizes, but also to adjust the eyebrow's ideal Golden Ratio “High Point” to complement facial proportions (preferably represented by a single Facial Ratio Value or “FRV” that deviate from an ideal Golden Ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Anastasia Soare
  • Patent number: 9186091
    Abstract: Systems and methods of analyzing the distribution of weight of animals, including a base member, a plurality of sensor regions connected to the base member to respectively receive feet of the animal when the animal is standing, each sensor region having a plurality of sensors to generate signals indicative of weight applied by each foot to a respective sensor region, at least a portion of the sensors being located between the base member and the sensor regions and spaced apart proximate perimeter portions of each sensor region, and a control unit to generate an output indicative of the weight applied by each foot to the respective sensor regions based on an aggregation of the generated signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Litecure, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Mainini, Greg Gillis, Anita White, Darryl Millis, Erica Shoults, Jessica Morris, Rick Seltzer
  • Patent number: 9167857
    Abstract: Provided is a waist belt for automatically measuring a waist circumference. The waist belt includes a belt part (10) and a buckle part (20). The belt part has a plurality of magnets (11) attached thereto at a predetermined interval. The buckle part includes two or more magnetic field sensors sensing the plurality of magnets attached to the belt part, an operation processor processing and analyzing signals obtained by the magnetic field sensors, and a display displaying a measurement result of a waist circumference obtained by the operation processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yong-Won Jang, In-Bum Lee, Seung-Chul Shin, Seung-Hwan Kim, Seon-Hee Park
  • Patent number: 9128283
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes example systems and methods for dynamically adjusting a tension of at least a portion of a frame of wearable computing device. The systems and methods may be directed to receiving an input signal from a component of the wearable computing device that is indicative of a movement of the wearable computing device. An adjustment of the tension of at least the portion of the frame may be based on the movement. An output signal that is indicative of the adjustment may be provided to the wearable computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell Joseph Heinrich, Eliot Kim
  • Patent number: 9128521
    Abstract: A system and method are described herein for a sensor device which biomechanically detects in real-time a user's movement state and posture and then provides real-time feedback to the user based on the user's real-time posture. The feedback is provided through immediate sensory feedback through the sensor device (e.g., a sound or vibration) as well as through an avatar within an associated application with which the sensor device communicates. The sensor device detects the user's movement state and posture by capturing data from a tri-axial accelerometer in the sensor device. Streamed data from the accelerometer is normalized to correct for sensor errors as well as variations in sensor placement and orientation. Normalization is based on accelerometer data collected while the user is wearing the device and performing specific actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: LUMO Bodytech, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Chang, Monisha Perkash, C. Charles Wang, Andreas Martin Hauenstein
  • Patent number: 9121709
    Abstract: A method of projecting into space, from a first object, a plurality of modulated lines to form a grid defining a first relative reference frame, the method includes simultaneously projecting into space from the first object a horizontal grid line and a vertical grid line to form a set of grid lines, modulating the horizontal grid line and the vertical grid line to carry first and second grid words, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry Lynne Page
  • Patent number: 9113913
    Abstract: A surgical instrument has first and second components that can rotate relative to one another and a locking mechanism to selectively restrict or allow rotation between the first and second components. One component has a first array of two or more grooves or teeth spaced apart at a first angular pitch and at least one further groove or further tooth which does not correspond to the first angular pitch. The other component comprises a first tooth or a first groove to engage one of the first array of grooves or teeth to selectively restrict rotation to two or more predetermined rotational positions; the other component also selectively engages the at least one further groove or further tooth on the first component to selectively restrict rotation between the first and second components at a 0° rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: DEPUY (IRELAND)
    Inventor: Michael Reeve
  • Patent number: 9033902
    Abstract: An instrument and method for determining the location of the anatomical epicondylar axis between the condyles of a femur is provided. The instrument includes first and second gauges each for measuring a radius of a femoral condyle and a frame. At least one of the gauges is movably connected to the frame. The method includes positioning the measuring end of each gauge against a separate condyle of a femur, actuating a pivoting member of each gauge to determine the radius of each condyle, measuring the distance between the condyles, and determining the location of the anatomical epicondylar axis of the femur. A measurement can be taken from a measuring scale provided on the gauge and from another scale provided on the frame. Determining the location of the axis can further include performing a calculation utilizing the radii of the condyles and the distance between the condyles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
    Inventor: Carlos E. Collazo
  • Publication number: 20150131865
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring feet, for the purpose of gathering measurements for custom shoes, is disclosed. The apparatus is shaped like a shoe, and has an opening where the shoe lace opening is normally present on the shoe, in addition to openings near the big toe and the little toe. Each opening has holes for laces that are tightened so that the gap, or overlap, of the openings can be measured. Additionally, mats of known thickness can be used to measure the distance between the heel of the shoe and the heel of the foot. Furthermore, markings are used to identify the different shoe lace holes so measurements can be taken at multiple places along the top of the foot. Furthermore, a size indicator can be shown on the shoe, so that measurements can be taken on a picture of the foot in the shoe rather than on the foot and shoe themselves, and then scaled to actual size with reference to the size indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Jianxin Ye
  • Patent number: 9021712
    Abstract: The invention relates to an autonomous system for determining items of information representative of the movement of an articulated chain (CA—1, CA—2, CA—3) comprising at least two solid elements (ES1—1, ES2—1, ES1—2, ES2—2, ES3—2, ES1—3, ES2—3, ES3—3, ES4—3) and at least one articulation (ART1—1, ART1—2, ART2—2, ART1—3, ART2—3, ART3—3) connecting said two elements. The system comprises at least two devices (DISP1—1, DISP2—1, DISP1—2, DISP2—2, DISP3—2, DISP1—3, DISP2—3, DISP3—3, DISP4—3) for measuring inter-device distances, mounted fixedly on two distinct elements of said articulated chain and suitable for transmitting the measurements made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie Atomique et aux energies Aternatives
    Inventors: Yanis Caritu, Christelle Godin
  • Patent number: 9017339
    Abstract: A protractor for use with an external fixation frame is provided. The protractor may include a face having angle designations thereon and a set of opposed and extending flanges projecting from said face. The flanges may connect to a portion of an external fixation frame, such as a ring (or other component) of the frame. The face may also include a post member to which a rotatable dial is mounted. An elongate member may be pivotally connected to a portion of the post member and may include a clamp. The clamp may be used to connect to an alternate portion of an external fixation frame, such as a strut of the frame. Thus, the protractor may be connected to two points on an external fixation frame so as to measure the angle between such points. Related methods of using the aforementioned protractor are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma GmbH
    Inventors: Adam John Edelhauser, Jan Heinsohn
  • Publication number: 20150089824
    Abstract: This invention relates to a breast measuring device (1) for determining bra size. The breast measuring device comprises a band size measuring tape (3, 43) and a cup size measuring tape (5, 7) mounted on and extending substantially perpendicular to the band size measuring tape. The band size measuring tape comprises a flexible tape having indicia (19) printed thereon representative of band sizes and the cup size measuring tape comprises a flexible tape having indicia (23) printed thereon indicative of cup sizes. The breast measuring device (1) has a buckle (53) mounted on one end of the band size measuring tape through which the other end of the band size measuring tape (3, 43) may be led and there is provided means (17, 29, 57) to releasably secure the band size measuring tape in a looped configuration. When the device is secured in a looped configuration, the cup size measuring tape (5, 7) can be used to measure the cup size and both the band size and the cup size will be visible simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Wendy Moore
  • Patent number: 8960205
    Abstract: A method of imparting hair strand effects may include identifying each of a plurality of hair strands to which to apply a hair strand effect product independently and individually, the plurality of hair strands associated with an illustration of at least one type of hair strand effects and one of a plurality of hair styles, and applying the product to each of the plurality of hair strands independently and individually subsequent to identifying the plurality of hair strands. In the alternative or in combination, a hair instruction guide may be consulted, the guide having at least one strand size associated with one of the plurality of types of hair strand effects, and a strand of hair may be identified according to the at least one strand size. A system for creating a hair strand effect may include a hair strand effect product and such a hair instruction guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dennis Joseph Boyle, Natasha Jane Evans, Betsy Charlotte Fields, Simon Paul Godfrey, Mark Thomas Lund, Emily Joyce Ma, John Edward Sheppard, John Wallace Smith
  • Patent number: 8959781
    Abstract: A measuring device for creating prescription eyeglasses including a rigid eyeglasses template and a rhinometer. The template is made of a face part including two rims that are spaced apart and connected by a bridge. An earpiece is rigidly and removably attached to each side of the face part. The face part of the template is provided with a lining-up means that is precisely positioned on the outer surface of the face part. The rhinometer comprises two parts that are slidable against each other, each part having flanges comprising an angled edge. The angled edges of the flanges of one of the parts slant in an opposite manner to the flanges of the other part, each flange of one of said parts forming a pair of flanges with a flange of the other part, the spacing of said pair being variable so as to form a measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Experoptic SAS
    Inventor: Jean Marie Christophe Delort
  • Patent number: 8939917
    Abstract: A method for measuring cartilage defects within a subject includes surgically exposing a joint or cartilage surface. The exposed joint or cartilage surface having at least one defect, and the method may generating a cast of the at least one defect. The method may also include measuring a parameter of the cast, thereby estimating a characteristic of the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ImaTx, Inc.
    Inventor: Rene Vargas-Voracek
  • Publication number: 20150007439
    Abstract: A sizing gauge (4) is structured to be used with a patient (8) and is structured to enable an identification of a particular patient interface that is most appropriately sized for the patient. The sizing gauge includes a support portion (12) and a sizing portion (16). The sizing portion includes a first gauge element (36) and a plurality of second gauge elements (40A,40B,40C). The first gauge element is disposed on the support portion and is structured to be positioned at a first location on the patient's face. The plurality of second gauge elements are disposed on the support portion and are situated at locations spaced from the first gauge element. The distance between the first gauge element and each second gauge element is representative of a size in one direction (44) of each of at least some of the plurality of patient interfaces. At least one of the plurality of second gauge elements comprises a tactile feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Jonathan Paul Todd
  • Patent number: 8926532
    Abstract: A goniometer comprises a first arm (2), a second arm (4) and a connecting portion (6) pivotally connecting the first arm (2) to the second arm (4) about a pivot axis (7). An instrument connector (8) is coupled to the first arm (2) arranged to couple to a surgical instrument (10). A method of aligning a surgical instrument (10) using the goniometer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Depuy International Limited
    Inventors: Philip Barrett, Alec Birkbeck, James Brooks, Andrew Burton, Marcellino Maheson
  • Publication number: 20140373374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for fitting and determining the size of a patient interface, said device (10) comprising a sizing gauge(12), wherein the shape of the gauge (12) is configured to replicate the shape of a contacting surface of a patient interface with the portion of a patient's face, and a support (14) including a grip (16) for holding the device (10) by hand during use, which support (14) is mechanically coupled to said gauge (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Dmitry Nikolayevich Znamenskiy, Ruud Vlutters, Octavian Soldea, Karl Catharina Van Bree, Peter Chi Fai Ho
  • Publication number: 20140373375
    Abstract: A method of determining the offset of the head part of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis stem component, relative to the neck of the stem part on which the head part can be fitted, involves obtaining a first and second images of the patient's joint on a non-coincident first and second planes. Template parts are fitted to the first and second images of the bone, which have markings on them which can be placed relative to the head part and the stem part respectively of the patient's bone, and scales for measuring first and second displacements which are the distances between the axis of the head part and the axis of the neck of the patient's bone measured in the first and second planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: JAMES BROOKS, ANDREW BURTON
  • Patent number: 8915868
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is an instrument for measuring posture in a patient. The instrument comprises a measuring instrument, further comprising a perpendicular member mechanically coupled to a fixed marker and a sliding marker. The fixed marker and the sliding marker can mark a poster instrument. The poster instrument is mechanically coupled to right side banner track which is mechanically coupled to three track screws, a left side banner track which is mechanically coupled three track screws and an upper banner track, which is mechanically coupled to an upper track screw. An examiner can utilize the measuring instrument to mark the poster instrument and maneuver the track screws to determine difference in measurements at head, shoulders, iliac crests, and vertical head measurement in a repeatable and consistent manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Kendall Duane Anderson
  • Patent number: 8911384
    Abstract: A wound measuring device and system measures the length, width and depth of a wound. The device and system features first and second ruler members connected and secured by a connecting member which allows the ruler members to move to measure the length and width of a wound. The connecting member affords perpendicular movement of the ruler members providing accurate and consistent measurement of wounds irregular in shape and size. An end of the first or second member is designed to be inserted in the wound to measure the depth and undermining of the wound. Use of the device provides little to no discomfort to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Carmen Celia Santiago
  • Patent number: 8887402
    Abstract: Measuring device for determining a leg length for measurement of stockings, in particular medical compression stockings, comprising a base plate with a foot-receiving surface and, arranged vertically thereon, a measurement board, wherein the measurement board (6), which can be mounted releasably on the base plate (2), is composed of a plurality of releasably connectable board sections (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Medi GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wiebke Doppel, Beate Neugebauer
  • Patent number: 8881417
    Abstract: An angle measuring device 2 is configured to detect an angle formed between a measured line LX connecting a first position PL and a second position PR and a predetermined reference plane. The angle measuring device 2 includes: a case 10; a first pointing mechanism 30L for pointing the first position PL; a second pointing mechanism 30R for pointing the second position PR; moving mechanisms 60L and 60R that allow at least one of the first and second pointing mechanisms 30L and 30R to be movable; and a turning member angular scale mark 72 that indicates a moved amount of at least one of the first and second pointing mechanisms 30L and 30R by the moving mechanisms 60L and 60R. The moving mechanisms 60L and 60R move the first pointing mechanism 30L and the like so that a line segment connecting the first pointing mechanism 30L and the second pointing mechanism 30R includes the measurement reference plane or becomes parallel to the measurement reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Yuki Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Sano
  • Publication number: 20140325859
    Abstract: A tissue caliper is provided. The tissue caliper includes a housing assembly including a tubular body, an activation assembly operably received within the housing assembly, and a caliper assembly operably connected to the activation assembly. The activation assembly includes a magnetic spring for effecting the opening and closing of the caliper assembly. Also provided is a kit for measuring tissue thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Steven Plachtyna, John Pantazis
  • Patent number: 8876736
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to cervical sizing devices and related kits and methods. In some aspects, a cervical sizing device includes an elongate arm and a member positioned at a distal end region of the elongate arm. The cervical sizing device can be used to determine an approximate size of a cervix when the member is brought into contact with an outer surface of the cervix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: CooperSurgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Sherts, Kerry Blair, Peter K. Arneson, Robert Williams
  • Patent number: 8870794
    Abstract: A device for measuring a length of a cervix includes an elongate measurement member extending along a longitudinal axis and including a measurement scale thereon, a hollow member coaxial with and disposed over the elongate measurement member, a flange offset from the longitudinal axis and attached to a distal end of the hollow member, a handle attached to a proximal end of the measurement member, and a locking mechanism on the handle. The hollow member is freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the measurement member to place the flange in a first position and in a second position perpendicular to the first position without moving the measurement scale. The locking mechanism is configured, when locked, to fix the hollow member relative to the measurement member and, when unlocked, to allow the hollow member to slide axially along the measurement member in the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cervilenz Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Bauer, Dean R. Koch, Paul E. McCreadie, Michael Glenn Ross, Craig B. Berky
  • Patent number: 8869415
    Abstract: A portable foldable height measuring device which can be removably mounted to a vertical surface such as a wall in order to measure the height growth of a person, primarily a child, to determine that the child is growing at a proper rate and to keep an accurate record of the child's height on a given date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Zohar Haykeen
  • Patent number: 8858469
    Abstract: A method of determining the offset of the head part of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis stem component, relative to the neck of the stem part on which the head part can be fitted, involves obtaining a first and second images of the patient's joint on a non-coincident first and second planes. Template parts are fitted to the first and second images of the bone, which have markings on them which can be placed relative to the head part and the stem part respectively of the patient's bone, and scales for measuring first and second displacements which are the distances between the axis of the head part and the axis of the neck of the patient's bone measured in the first and second planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Depuy International Limited
    Inventors: James Brooks, Andrew Burton
  • Patent number: 8845332
    Abstract: An educational and interactive system for teaching children the importance of maintaining proper nutrition in order to induce healthy growth utilizing an interactive audio system that updates a child regarding the child's height and outputs pre-recorded messages. A system having an elongate member adapted to determine accurate height measurements of a child, the elongate member having a measurement indicator extending from the top of the face of the elongate member to the bottom of the face of the elongate member, the elongate member with a series of food decals disposed at predetermined locations on the face of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Donald J. Reid
  • Patent number: 8834473
    Abstract: Disclosed are lockable instrument assemblies for quick and easy configuration of surgical instrumentation. The assemblies are operable between a locked and unlocked position, and generally include an aperture having a shaped profile which receives an adjustment member therein. When the assemblies are placed in a locked assembly configuration, the adjustment member is prevented from rotating or translating within the aperture. When the assemblies are placed in an unlocked assembly configuration, the adjustment member is permitted to rotate or translate within the aperture. Also disclosed are methods of using and making lockable instrument assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Ryan Dees, Jr., Jeffrey Andrew Sharp
  • Patent number: 8832955
    Abstract: A tape measuring device for determining bra sizes has band dimension and bra size markings on the outer surface of the tape. The band dimension markings divide a section of the surface by standard units and subunits of band size. The band size markings on the outer surface allow the user to determine the proper band size for a bra based on a single measurement, without the need for any additional calculations or correlations. The bra size markings on the outer surface allow the user to directly determine the proper cup and overall bra size based on the band size determination, again without the need for any additional calculations or correlations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Chico's Brands Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Petter, Donna Mines
  • Patent number: 8826922
    Abstract: A guided hair-cutting device guides a cutting implement along a user's hairline to evenly cut the front, back, and sides of the user's hair. The device includes a pair of side guards and a front guard coupled to and extending between the side guards. The side guards extend downwardly away from the front guard. Each of the guards comprises a pair of panels. A slot is positioned in each of the guards. Each of the slots has a plurality of teeth positioned therein such that each of the slots is configured to receive teeth from a hair clipper. The panels of each of the guards are slidable such that hair positioned on an inner side of the associated one of the guards is cut when an associated one of the panels is moved along a length of the guard and the hair is engaged by the teeth of the hair clipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Joshua I. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20140246026
    Abstract: There is provided a device for measuring an inside shape of a vagina, including a device body, operationally connected to one or more movable cheeks, the cheeks movable in a direction substantially transaxially relative to the device body longitudinal axis, and a width indicator, for indicating a distance between opposite faces of the cheeks. There is provided a method for fitting a pessary including inserting a Pessary Caliber (PC) into a vagina, extending cheeks of the PC to press against sides of the vagina, measuring a distance between the cheeks, measuring how deep the PC is inserted into the vagina, and selecting a pessary size based, at least in part, on the measuring. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: ConTIPI Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Perle, Elan Ziv, Idan Bauder
  • Patent number: 8806765
    Abstract: A revolutionary, new sizing and fitting system for jeans is based on the concept of shape, not size. This sizing and fitting system is organized around some basic body shapes categories: e.g., slight curve (straighter figure, flatter fanny), demi curve (evenly proportioned hip and seat) and bold curve (smaller waist, larger seat). To use the system, the consumer finds their shape using a shape measuring tool. The shape measuring tool calculates a shape category based on a differential of two measurements in the seat area. With this shape category information, the consumer can easily locate a pair of form-fitting jeans. The sizing and fitting system is also applicable to pants, shorts, skirts, and other clothing where form fit is desirable in the seat and hip area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventor: Kris Tulin
  • Publication number: 20140202017
    Abstract: Example height measuring system includes a slide rack configured for mounting to a vertical wall surface and being vertically aligned. The height measurement system also includes a height measuring gauge. The height measuring gauge has a slide mount portion slidably mounted within the slide track, the slide mount portion being configured to travel essentially parallel to the vertical surface. The height measuring gauge also has a gauge plank hingedly mounted to the slide mount portion. The gauge plank is rotatable between a first plank position and a second plank position. The first plank position is parallel to the vertical surface, and the second plank position is perpendicular to the slide mount portion. The height measurement system also includes a backing sheet configured for mounting along a length of the backing sheet on the vertical wall surface and between the height measuring gauge and the vertical wall surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: James L. Wood
  • Patent number: 8776387
    Abstract: A bottle nipple size selection system for more accurately matching a bottle nipple to the individual anatomy of the mother. The bottle nipple size selection system generally includes a flat, rectangular member having a plurality of sizing apertures extending from its first end to its second end. Each of the apertures has a different diameter, wherein each of the aperture sizes are generally offset by at least 4 mm. By utilizing the apertures on the template, the mother may more accurately locate a bottle nipple which will match the size and contour of the mother's nipple to prevent the mother's baby from refusing breastfeeding due to becoming accustomed to a differently-sized bottle nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Travina Butler-Ammar
  • Publication number: 20140190029
    Abstract: A life milestone recording device and method of use is disclosed herein which utilizes a growth board system that employs a means to attach and detach geometric objects as measurement points on the growth board. The geometric objects are utilized to record additional user indicia which correlate to the growth measurement. The life milestone recording device generally includes a measuring base member and a measurement recording member. The base member includes measuring indicia in both English and metric units and at least one attaching member for engaging the measurement recording member. The measurement recording member includes planar faces used to label with user indicia and at least one attaching member for engaging the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Terry J. Blakely
  • Publication number: 20140182151
    Abstract: A nail gauge tool is provided for quickly and accurately measuring nail shape and nail size. The nail gauge offers several arch-shaped openings for matching to and measuring a natural nail. As the measurement result, the nail arch shape information and nail arc length information along the natural nail's width direction are obtained for manufacturing custom-fit artificial nails. The nail gauge tool is advantageously small and suitable for use inside a nail salon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Yong Li, Kefei Wang, Yinhong Zhao
  • Patent number: 8763262
    Abstract: A measuring tool is used to measure the shape of a person's body. The tool has a belt and at least one measuring tape attached, which extends perpendicularly to the belt. The tool is held to the person's waist with the belt. While the person is standing, shape measurements are typically made at one or more points based on the measuring tape. This measuring tape extends a length sufficient to include the person's seat and hip, where the shape will be measured, but will generally not be as long as the person's leg or long enough to touch the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventors: Susan C. Smith-Habelow, Meghan Donnelly Hetke, Eric Thompson, Bill Smith, Alexandra Levin, Judy Guo, Purin Phanichphant, Jesse Amos Silver, Peter Riering-Czekalla, Gina Lynn Romero, Candice Patricia Tillitt
  • Patent number: 8763269
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a bicycle seating position. A telescoping rod includes a pinch closure, with contact points to attach to a pedal, a saddle, and a handlebar/stem. The telescoping rod includes a larger diameter rod with a small diameter rod that can slide into the larger diameter rod, thereby allowing the inner rod to move freely up or down to account for differing distances being measured. The smaller diameter rod can include a measuring scale to allow a user to read a measurement from one point to another, allowing for the measurement to be repeated. With the pinch closure, a user could take a measurement on one bicycle, carry it over to another bicycle and set a position on the second bicycle identical to that of the first bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Charles E. Buckland
  • Patent number: 8728012
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a blood vessel measuring device is disclosed. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise a handle. A measuring member may be attached to the handle. The measuring member may be dimensioned to wrap around a blood vessel to measure a size of the blood vessel. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise an extension, and a first end of the extension may be attached to the handle. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise a connector attached to a second end of the extension. A method is also disclosed. The method may comprise inserting a measuring device into an incision in a patient. The measuring device may comprise a measuring member. The method may also comprise wrapping the measuring member around a blood vessel of the patient and measuring a dimension of the blood vessel with the measuring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter N. Braido