Sleep Or Relaxation Inducing Therapy (e.g., Direct Nerve Stimulation, Hypnosis, Analgesia) Patents (Class 600/26)
  • Patent number: 10603462
    Abstract: The configurations herein are directed to a sleep trolley system for automation of sleep disruption. Such a unique system often includes a platform support system; a natural habitat chamber configured for an animal subject, wherein the natural habitat chamber is removeably disposed thereon the platform support system; an agitator disposed therein the natural habitat chamber, wherein the agitator is configured with a first magnetic component to provide magnetic coupling; a trolley affixed to the platform support system; wherein the trolley is configured with a second magnetic component, wherein the second magnetic component exerts a magnetic attraction force with the first magnetic component coupled to the agitator as disposed therein the natural habitat chamber; and a control system configured to move the trolley along a dimension of the platform support system so as to guide the agitator along a corresponding length of the natural habitat chamber via the magnetic attraction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Washington State University
    Inventors: John Hoehn Harkness, Ryan Patrick Todd, Barbara A. Sorg
  • Patent number: 10542904
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system to facilitate at home neural monitoring. The system can include a wearable device and an external device. The wearable device can include an electrode configured to be placed behind a patient's ear to record an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal; an amplifier to amplify the EEG signal; a battery; and a wireless transmission system to transmit the amplified EEG signal. The external device can be configured to receive the amplified EEG signal and to perform analysis of the amplified EEG signal. In some instances, the external device can also provide neural stimulation (e.g., acoustic, visual, or electrical) to the wearable device in response to analysis of the amplified EEG signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Dominique M. Durand
  • Patent number: 10540067
    Abstract: A breathing apparatus and system include a breathing apparatus having a display, an internal memory unit, and a processing unit, and optionally an interface for connecting at least an external memory unit to the apparatus; optionally an external memory unit connectable to the breathing apparatus via the interface; wherein the processing unit is in operative communication with the display, the internal memory unit, and/or the external memory unit when connected to the apparatus via the interface, and the processing unit is configured to provide on at least a portion of the display, a user selectable background stored on at least one of the internal and/or external memory unit, such as a background image, or a background color different than a factory default background color that is not selectable by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: MAQUET CRITICAL CARE AB
    Inventors: Madlene Lindström, Anette Sunna, Helena Stone
  • Patent number: 10537703
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improving sleep by transdermal electrical stimulation (TES). In general, described herein are methods for applying TES to a subject, and particularly the subject's head (e.g., temple/forehead region) and/or neck with an TES waveform adapted to improve sleep, including reducing sleep onset (falling to sleep) more quickly and/or lengthening the duration of sleep. TES waveform(s) particularly well suited to enhancing sleep are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Thync Global, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Tyler, Alyssa M. Boasso, Hailey M. Mortimore, Sumon K. Pal, Jonathan Charlesworth
  • Patent number: 10537254
    Abstract: A method for calculating blood pressure based on pulse return wave transmission time, and a blood pressure monitor have been provided. The method includes the following steps: S1: collecting and storing pulse waveform data at a fingertip; S2: processing said pulse waveform data to obtain a heart rate and parameters of a plurality of pulse periods, detecting time axis coordinates of a primary wave starting point SPL1 of a pulse wave and a growth point SPL2 of a return wave in each of said pulse periods, and calculating a corresponding pulse return wave transmission time RWTT: RWTT=SPL2?SPL1; S3: calculating the pulse return wave transmission time RWTT in each of said pulse periods to form a RWTT array; and S4: calculating systolic and diastolic pressures based on said RWTT array and the heart rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: HANGZHOU NANOCHAP ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jiawei Yang
  • Patent number: 10512783
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling delivery of a stimulus to a pinna of a subject with a stimulator worn on the pinna are described. A wearable stimulation device includes a mechanical, electrical, or other type of stimulator secured to a pinna of a subject. A personal computing device in communication with the wearable stimulation device controls delivery of stimuli and other aspects of operation of the device. The personal computing device presents various types of information relating to operation and control of the device to a user of the wearable stimulation device. In some aspects recommendations regarding neural stimuli and other stimuli or experiences to be delivered in association with the neural stimuli are provided via a computing system in communication with the personal computing device or the wearable stimulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: eQuility LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10456579
    Abstract: An electrotherapeutic system for treating a visual disease is disclosed. The system includes a signal generator configured to generate a treatment waveform comprising a series of current pulses. Preferably, the current pulses have a peak current amplitude of 200 microamps or less. The system also includes a headset applicator comprising a headband and a headset. The headset has a magnetic slot configured to be mounted to a magnetic mount of the headband. The headset includes left and right eyecup electrodes each of which has a contact surface that is positioned for contact with a skin surface within left and right eye regions, respectively. Preferably, the contact surface of each of the left and right eyecup electrodes comprises an upper contact pad and a lower contact pad that have a total area in the range of about 1.10 cm2 to about 1.80 cm2. The headset is connectable to the signal generator and configured to deliver the treatment waveform to one or both of the left and right electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Nova Oculus Canada Manufacturing ULC
    Inventor: Alfonso Salazar
  • Patent number: 10456082
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program, in which a body of a wearable apparatus is maintained maintaining by a link in place at a given part of skin of the user. A sensor platform is movably supported sandwiched between the body and the skin and supported by the body movably with relation to the body towards and away of the skin, when the apparatus is worn by the user. A sensor is supported by the sensor platform. The sensor produces sensor signals corresponding to a property of the skin or underlying matter. The position of the sensor platform is adjusted by an actuator with relation to the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Matti Kosonen, Harri Lasarov
  • Patent number: 10453227
    Abstract: A mass spectrometry data processing apparatus having a function of displaying a plurality of MSn spectra in an arranged manner is allowed to display these MSn spectra in a state where a user can easily grasp presence or absence of a common neutral loss. A mass spectrometry data processing apparatus 20 that displays, on a display screen, an MSn spectrum resulting from mass spectrometric analysis of n?1 stage dissociation, where n is integer of two or more, of an ion, includes: a precursor ion identifying section 32 configured to identify, for each of a plurality of MSn spectra, a mass-to-charge ratios m/z of a precursor ion from which the MSn spectra are obtained; and a spectrum aligning section 33 configure to display the MSn spectra on the display screen in a vertically arranged manner such that positions of the mass-to-charge ratios m/z of the respective precursor ions are located at a same horizontal position of the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yasuda, Yoshikatsu Umemura, Tetsuya Kageyama
  • Patent number: 10426904
    Abstract: An anesthesia system includes a volume reflector, a breathing circuit, a processing unit, and a display operatively connected to the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to provide a status indicator on the display for gas in the volume reflector, the status indicator including a graphical representation of an extent of a driving gas of the volume reflector and/or a patient gas in the volume reflector, and/or a flow of gas and a direction of the flow in the volume reflector, and/or a waste gas flow out of the volume reflector relative a fresh gas flow in the system, and/or a re-breathing fraction (RBF), and/or a balance between the fresh gas flow and patient uptake and/or leakage of gas from the breathing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventors: Stefan Broborg, Jacob Jansson, Hans Bocké
  • Patent number: 10420912
    Abstract: A system for influencing the senses of a person in a room for measuring and/or influencing physiological parameters of the person is provided. The person is substantially stationary and lying in the room during the measurement and/or influencing. The system includes a sound insulating apparatus for screening off acoustically active devices with respect to the person. The acoustically active devices serve for measuring and/or influencing the physiological parameters in the room, and an optical display apparatus for offering optical stimuli and/or signals for the person in the field of view of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Graft Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH
    Inventors: Alawi Lütz, Claudia Spies, Thomas Willemeit, Annette Finke
  • Patent number: 10398902
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling delivery of a stimulus to a pinna of a subject with a stimulator worn on the pinna are described. A wearable stimulation device includes a mechanical, electrical, or other type of stimulator secured to a pinna of a subject. A personal computing device in communication with the wearable stimulation device controls delivery of stimuli and other aspects of operation of the device. The personal computing device also controls delivery of a sound signal (for example, music) to the user of the stimulation device in association with the neural stimulus. In some aspects recommendations regarding neural stimuli and other stimuli or experiences to be delivered in association with the neural stimuli are provided via a computing system in communication with the personal computing device or the wearable stimulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: eQuility LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10384070
    Abstract: The present invention provides for eyeglasses to deliver light therapy to the wearer. The eyeglass lenses or frames feature an embedded light source in logical and electrical communication with power, sensors, processors, and other components contained within the eyeglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, William Chester Neeley, Robertson Towart, Mario Peeters, Wilhelmus Drinkenburg, Aleksander Miletic
  • Patent number: 10368797
    Abstract: A system for monitoring sleep efficiency includes a measuring device and a data processing device. The measuring device is for measuring body temperature of a subject and for outputting temperature data associated with the body temperature. The data processing device receives the temperature data, and is programmed to process the temperature data so as to determine sleep efficiency. The processing of the temperature data includes constructing a curve of the body temperature over asleep episode, finding a saddle point of the curve occurring for a first time, treating a time instance at which the saddle point occurs as a sleep-onset time point at which the subject falls asleep, and determining the sleep efficiency according to the sleep-onset time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventor: Tsung-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 10357663
    Abstract: Light therapy is provided to a subject using a system and/or method. The light therapy includes the administration of electromagnetic radiation to the eyeball of the subject underneath the eyelid of the subject while the eyelid of the subject is closed (e.g., as the subject sleeps). The light therapy algorithm may be designed to impact melatonin and/or serotonin levels within the body of the subject in a therapeutically beneficial manner. For example, the light therapy algorithm may be designed to impact melatonin and/or serotonin levels to treat one or more of a sleep and/or mood disorder (e.g., seasonal affective disorder, non-seasonal depression, Circadian rhythm disruption), or other disorders treatable with control over melatonin and/or serotonin levels in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Edward Colbaugh, Timothy A. Nathan
  • Patent number: 10328263
    Abstract: In a patient suffering from neural impairment, stimulation is provided to sensory surfaces of the face and/or neck, or more generally to areas of the body that stimulate the trigeminal nerve, while performing an activity intended to stimulate a brain function to be rehabilitated. The simulation may then be continued after the performance of the activity has ceased. It has been found that the patient's performance of the activity is then improved after stimulation has ceased. Moreover, it tends to improve to a greater extent, and/or for a longer time, when the post-activity stimulation is applied, as compared to when post activity stimulation is not applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventors: Yuri P. Danilov, Mitchell E. Tyler, Kurt A. Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 10293177
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for treating cognitive dysfunction in a subject in need thereof. The system can include a neural stimulation system that receives an indication of an ambient audio signal detected by a microphone. The system selects, from a profile, an audio signal including a fixed parameter and a variable parameter. The system sets the variable parameter to a first value. The system generates an output signal based on the fixed parameter and the first value, and provides the output signal to the speaker. The system measures a physiological condition of the subject, adjusts the variable parameter to a second value, generates a second output signal based on the fixed parameter and the second value of the variable parameter, and provides the output signal to the speaker to cause the speaker to provide modified sound to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: COGNITO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary John Hambrecht Malchano, Martin Warren Williams
  • Patent number: 10292639
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing device including: a sleep environment controlling unit configured to, when exerting control of, on the basis of a result of forecast of a transition of a depth of sleep of a user at least in a period from a first time to a second time, a sleeping environment of the user such that the depth of sleep at the second time falls below a first depth-of-sleep threshold value estimated as an upper limit of a first depth-of-sleep region in which the user is likely to awake, decide a temporal pattern of the control in the period from the first time to the second time in accordance with a temporal pattern of the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 10293163
    Abstract: A method to provide non-invasive neurostimulation to enhance a subject's proficiency in an exercise includes: (a) engaging a subject in a physical or mental exercise, the subject having no cognitive, physical or emotional impairment; (b) providing intraoral cutaneous stimulation of at least one of the subject's trigeminal nerve, facial nerve or hypoglossal nerve by delivering electrical pulses to one or more stimulators situated within the subject's mouth, the delivery of electrical pulses being (i) contemporaneously with and independent of the subject's engagement in the exercise, and (ii) independent of the subject's surrounding environment; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) on a periodic basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventors: Yuri P. Danilov, Mitchell E. Tyler, Kurt A. Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 10286555
    Abstract: A method for inducing the feeling of a presence (FoP) in a subject by using a master-slave robotic system, the method including the steps of altering a visual perception of a surrounding environment of the subject, connecting the subject with a robotic master device so that the subject can move, move on or manipulate the robotic master device, connecting the subject with a robotic slave device, making the subject move, move on or manipulate the robotic master device so that the subject is directly or indirectly touched by the robotic slave device according to a movement of the robotic master device, wherein the robotic master device and the robotic slave device are operatively connected so that the subject receives at least one of spatially and temporally conflicting sensorimotor stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Giulio Rognini, Olaf Blanke, Masayuki Hara
  • Patent number: 10288786
    Abstract: Method, device (100) and system (200) for detection and quantification of the variation of eye damage caused by the blue and violet light of the visible spectrum comprising the steps of detecting the incident radiation on an individual's visual system; calculating the incident radiation within the range between 380 and 500 nm; establishing at least one threshold of incident radiation within said range; detecting if at least one threshold established for said range has been exceeded; warning of the excess of at least one threshold; measuring the exposure time to incident radiation; and inferring in the different ocular structures of an individual the effect of incident radiation and warning of such effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID, CRAMBO, S.A.
    Inventors: Celia Sanchez Ramos, Nilo Garcia Manchado
  • Patent number: 10157349
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of automating inductive bias selection includes a computer receiving a plurality of examples, each example providing a plurality of feature-value pairs. The computer constructs an inductive bias dataset which correlates each respective example in the plurality of examples with numerical indications of training quality. The numerical indications of training quality for each respective example are generated by creating a plurality of models, with each model corresponding to a distinct set of inductive biases. The training quality for each respective model is evaluated when applied to the respective example. The computer uses the inductive bias dataset to select a plurality of inductive biases for application to one or more new datasets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: PTC Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Todd Caplan, Bruce F. Katz, Joseph John Pizonka
  • Patent number: 10105066
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for controlling an alarm are set forth herein for reminding a user with assurance of sleep quality. The method includes receiving sleep information, determining a sleep status, determining whether duration of the sleep status reaches a pre-determined duration threshold, and based on a determination that the duration of the sleep status reaches the pre-determined duration threshold, outputting alarming information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Anhui Huami Information Technology Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Haocheng Wu, Hui Wang
  • Patent number: 9999744
    Abstract: A user monitoring device system includes a user monitoring device with a microphone and sensors to determine air quality, sound level/quality, light quality and ambient temperature near the user. A movement detection device detects a user's movement information. The movement detection device and the monitoring system assist to determine user sleep information and sleep behavior information. The microphone records user movement sounds detected by the movement detection device. The movement detection device is configured to cause the microphone to stop recording user movement sounds when the movement sounds are not directed to a sleep related parameter. In response to determining user sleep information or sleep behavior information the system is used for treatment of sleep or psychiatric disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: FITBIT, INC.
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9997083
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system comprising at least one learner application module for receiving feedback data from at least one user via at least one electronic device, about information presented to the users by a presenter. The system further comprises at least one sensor for capturing contextual data associated with the users. The system further comprises a recommendation provider for collecting feedback data and contextual data from each learner application module and each sensor, respectively. The recommendation provider determines at least one personalized recommendation for each user based on the collected data and the presented information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Saeed Abbasi Moghaddam, Emmanuel M. Tapia
  • Patent number: 9981107
    Abstract: Introduced are methods and systems for: gathering human biological signals, such as heart rate, breathing rate, or temperature; analyzing the gathered human biological signals; and controlling home appliances based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Eight Sleep Inc.
    Inventors: Matteo Franceschetti, Massimo Andreasi Bassi
  • Patent number: 9962104
    Abstract: A stress-measuring device (10) and method determines a level (15) of stress of a user (1), in particular long-term stress. The stress-measuring device (10) includes an input interface (12) for receiving a skin conductance signal (11) indicating the skin conductance of the user (1), the skin conductance signal (11) over time forming skin conductance trace data (13). The stress-measuring device (10) further includes a processing unit (14) for processing the skin conductance trace data (13). The processing unit (14) determines, over at least a portion of the skin conductance trace data (13), values of a rise time (tr) between at least two different points of the skin conductance trace data (13), a frequency distribution of the rise time (tr) values, and the level (15) of stress of the user (1) based on the determined frequency distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Johannes Gerardus De Vries, Martin Ouwerkerk
  • Patent number: 9943698
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes determining a target frequency corresponding to a target brain state and stimulating a brain of a user using feedback to attempt to achieve the target brain state in the user. The stimulating step may include measuring an electrical output of the brain of the user received from one or more sensors coupled to the user, determining a current frequency associated with the brain of the user based on the measured electrical output, and determining a difference between the current frequency and the target frequency. When the difference between the current frequency and the target frequency is greater than a predetermined amount, the method includes sending a signal to the brain of the user through one or more pathways. The signal may have a frequency operable to modify the current frequency associated with the brain of the user towards the target frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Chase, Gerold Yonas
  • Patent number: 9861519
    Abstract: A device for delivering caloric vestibular stimulation to an individual, includes: (a) an earpiece configured to be at least partially insertable into the ear canal of the individual for delivering a first thermal stimulus; (b) an input unit for receiving a user input indicating efficacy of said first thermal stimulus, and (c) a controller operatively associated with said earpiece and said input unit for: (i) controlling said earpiece to provide said first thermal stimulus, and (ii) receiving a signal corresponding to the user input and generating a control signal to control the earpiece and delivering a subsequent thermal stimulus different from said first thermal stimulus. In some embodiments, each thermal stimulus is an actively controlled time varying waveform stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Scion NeuroStim, LLC
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 9839791
    Abstract: An apparatus for inhibiting melatonin synthesis in a horse comprises a blinker having an internal surface of which at least a part is diffusing. A source of light is positioned for direction into the horse's eye by the diffusing-surface. The light source and diffusing surface are configured such that the light directed into the horse's eye is blue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: EQUILUME LIMITED
    Inventors: Barbara Murphy, John Sheridan
  • Patent number: 9737683
    Abstract: A dream stimulator may include a substrate and a plurality of electrodes positioned along a first side of the substrate. The stimulator also may include a stimulator coupled to the substrate. At least one lead may couple the plurality of electrodes to the stimulator. Additionally, a band may be positioned along a second side of the substrate and about each of the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Aladdin Dreamer, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Shambroom, Craig Weiss
  • Patent number: 9656069
    Abstract: A method to provide non-invasive neurostimulation to enhance a subject's proficiency in an exercise includes: (a) engaging a subject in an exercise, the subject having no cognitive, physical or emotional impairment with respect to the exercise; (b) providing stimulation of at least one of the subject's trigeminal nerve, facial nerve or hypoglossal nerve by delivering electrical pulses generated by a signal generator to the subject's skin via at least one electrode in contact with the subject's skin, the delivery of electrical pulses being (i) contemporaneously with and independent of the subject's engagement in the exercise, and (ii) independent of the subject's surrounding environment; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) on a periodic basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Yuri P. Danilov, Mitchell E. Tyler, Kurt A. Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 9610030
    Abstract: A method monitors a person's sleep parameters, sleep activities, sleep state, or awake status sleep. At least one of a person's motion, movement and gesture is detected for determining a person's sleep parameters, sleep activities, sleep state, or awake status. The at least one of a person's motion, movement and gesture is communicated to a user monitoring device that includes at least two elements selected from: a proximity sensor; a temperature sensor/humidity sensor; a particulate sensor; a light sensor; a microphone; a speaker; two RF transmitters (BLE/ANT+WIFI); a memory card; and LED's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hello Inc.
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9603566
    Abstract: Provided are a sleep awaking system and a sleep awaking method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ruisi Chen
  • Patent number: 9597499
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating focused currents in biological tissue is provided. The apparatus comprises an electric source capable of generating an electric field across a region of tissue and means for altering the permittivity of the tissue relative to the electric field, whereby a displacement current is generated. The means for altering the permittivity may be a chemical source, optical source, mechanical source, thermal source, or electromagnetic source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HIGHLAND INSTRUMENTS
    Inventors: Timothy Andrew Wagner, Uri Tzvi Eden
  • Patent number: 9498627
    Abstract: A wireless implantable system is provided that is externally powered and comprises of a closed-loop feedback for treating both patients with obstructive and central sleep apnea. A method is provided for treating sleep apnea using an implantable device. The method comprises sensing an inspiration (IN) signal representative of inspiration experienced by a patient from a respiratory surrogate signal and sensing a respiratory effort (RE) signal representative of an amount of effort exerted by the patient during respiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart Rosenberg, Melanie Goodman Keiser, Lalit Venkatesan, Didier Theret
  • Patent number: 9483059
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the automated driving of a vehicle. The method may include coordinating a planned vehicle path using a path planner application. The path planner application may receive information based on inputs to sensors disposed on the vehicle. The method may include sending a command to one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow the planned vehicle path. While the vehicle follows the planned vehicle path, the method may include receiving an indication that the path planner application is not meeting a threshold performance level. After receiving the indication that the path planner application is not meeting the threshold performance level, a command is sent to one or more vehicle systems to control the vehicle to follow a temporary and irregular full vehicle movement to alert a vehicle driver. The temporary and irregular full vehicle movement may be a full vehicle side-to-side wobbling movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek S. Caveney
  • Patent number: 9446259
    Abstract: Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for a number of disorders. Described are methods and devices to treat disorders that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Neosync, Inc.
    Inventors: James William Phillips, Yi Jin
  • Patent number: 9408997
    Abstract: A system and method that provides controlled bilateral stimulation to a patient in response to physiological feedback to initiate and/or accelerate the onset of sleep and to maintain the sleep state after the onset of sleep. The system induces bilateral stimulation through stimulation modules that are coupled to opposite lateral sides of the patient's body. The stimulation modules stimulate the patient's body bilaterally through a sequence of stimulations that alternate from one side of the patient's body to the other with a pause between each successive stimulation. The system controls the duration of the stimulations, the intensity of the stimulations and the period of time between successive stimulations in response to feedback from physiological sensors. The sensors are coupled to the patient and provide physiological information which initiates or terminates the bilateral stimulations, and/or modifies the characteristics of the stimulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Insomnisolv, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Kelley
  • Patent number: 9364670
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and/or devices for selecting spinal cord stimulation (SCS) electrode array configurations to provide effective cardiac therapy. Physiological parameters related to the heart may be monitored and analyzed during the delivery of SCS using various SCS electrode array configurations to determine an effect SCS electrode array configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Lilian Kornet, Tim D. J. Jongen, Raphael A. Schneider, Pascalle H. C. M. Reiters
  • Patent number: 9358149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for use in the selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling. The present invention further relates to a device for use in carrying out the methods for selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Rox Anderson, Dieter Manstein
  • Patent number: 9192326
    Abstract: A method comprising monitoring a user's movements and determining when the user is falling asleep into a sleep session. The method further comprising identifying the sleep session as a power nap or a longer sleep, and waking up the user at a predetermined time, based on a combination of user preferences and measured information regarding the sleep session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Richard Kahn, Arthur Kinsolving
  • Patent number: 9194749
    Abstract: Body temperature measurements are obtained by scanning a thermal radiation sensor across the side of the forehead over the temporal artery. A peak temperature measurement is processed to compute an internal temperature of the body as a function of ambient temperature and the sensed surface temperature. The function includes a weighted difference of surface temperature and ambient temperature, the weighting being varied with target temperature through a minimum in the range of 96° F. and 100° F. The radiation sensor views the target surface through an emissivity compensating cup which is spaced from the skin by a circular lip of low thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Exergen Corporation
    Inventor: Francesco Pompei
  • Patent number: 9138186
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated on-boarding of a new-hire are provided. A sensor may monitor a response of the new-hire. A reference index may correlate the response to a known condition. A processor device may detect the known condition or a threshold number of known conditions. The processor may relate the known condition to feedback. A feedback mechanism may provide the feedback to the new-hire. The feedback may be provided based on the known condition. The feedback may be configured to provide the new-hire with directions, a policy reminder or any other suitable information. The feedback may be based on the threshold number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Price, Srinivasan Nallasivan
  • Publication number: 20150141741
    Abstract: A float tank for use in therapeutic floatation therapy. The float tank is specifically configured and adapted to be lightweight and formed in sections to allow a single individual to transport and install the float tank in both indoor and outdoor locations. The float tank may also include a pump which generates microbubbles within an Epsom Salt solution used for floatation therapy which may enhance the therapeutic effect achieved during a floatation therapy session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SAN JUAN PATENTS, INC.
    Inventor: KIRK SULLIVAN
  • Publication number: 20150087893
    Abstract: A float tent can include: a frame having a pool frame portion with a tent frame portion thereof over the pool frame portion; a tent having the tent frame portion, the tent having a closable opening; and a pool having the pool frame portion, the pool having pool sides dimensioned to hold at least 8 inches of water and having a pool base dimension sufficient for a person to lay in the pool without touching pool sides. The tent can include tent walls having an angle that inhibits condensation drip, the angle being with respect to the pool base, such as at least 4.5 degrees. The tent can include a material that is opaque. The float tent can include a heater configured to heat the water to skin temperature of the person. The float tent can include a water circulation pump and filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Zen Float Co. LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Hill, Shane Jospeh Stott, Sean Gale Stott
  • Patent number: 8988014
    Abstract: A wake-up system includes an illumination apparatus and an interface apparatus. A wake-up time is input to the interface apparatus. The illumination apparatus varies output and color temperature of wake-up light that it irradiates. The output of the irradiated wake-up light is increased from a wake-up operation start time to the wake-up time. Color temperature of the wake-up light is controlled to become higher in one period than in another period between the wake-up operation start time to the wake-up time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohiro Toda, Hiroki Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20150080642
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to waking a subject from a period of wakeful sleep by modulation of a flow of breathable gas being delivered to the airway of the subject, with the modulation being performed based on a monitoring of wakefulness of the subject during sleep Typical sleep cycles comprise periods of deeper sleep and/or periods or lighter (wakeful) sleep. Waking during lighter stages of sleep may result in feeling more energetic and well-rested compared to waking from deeper sleep. Sleep therapy such as, for example, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), typically monitors sleep characteristics of a subject. These sleep characteristics comprise one or more of tidal volume, pressurized gas leakage (indicating movement), respiration rate, and/or other characteristics. During use of sleep therapy devices, sleep characteristics may be collected during therapy that can be used to determine whether the patient is in light sleep or deep sleep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Nathaniel Solomon Fox
  • Patent number: 8979730
    Abstract: The disclosed system and method provide for the automatic assessment of the presence/severity of the sleep problem and its exact nature. The assessment is based on qualitative information about sleep patterns, insomnia-related factors and daytime consequences, as well as quantitative information about sleep patterns measured by a sensor. By combining the different sources of information (subjective as well as objective data), the diagnosis gives more insight into the nature of the sleep problem and is therefore more accurate. Furthermore, the disclosed system may be used to select specific components of the system that are medically relevant to the individual and therefore create a personalized program. The system teaches a selection of self-management skills that could help the individual to better cope with sleep disturbances and target those factors that maintain the problem or make it worse by a particular individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Elke Naujokat, Hui Zhang, Sandrine Magali Laure Devot, William Arthur Hoos, Antonius Arnoldus Johannes Rademaker
  • Publication number: 20150065789
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for generating a sleep therapy stimulus waveform for a patient. Stimulus sequence information can be selected from a sequence memory array, and stimulus sequence information can be received from the sequence memory array at a stimulus generator selector. A generator select signal can be provided to a stimulus generator of a closed loop neuromodulator using the stimulus sequence information and a stimulus duration signal, wherein the generator select signal can include stimulus type information related to stimulus pulses generated using the closed loop neuromodulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Reinhold Henke, Evan S. Johnston, Peter Stasz