Thermal Applicators Patents (Class 607/96)
  • Patent number: 11890423
    Abstract: A device and method for inducing sleep, improving blood circulation, and correcting autonomous imbalances. The device includes a heat exchange member mounted on top of housing, the heat exchange member can receive a neck of a user and apply alternate hot and cold stimuli to the neck. The hot and cold stimuli improve blood circulation and correct the autonomous imbalances. The device includes a drive module and a heat sink to quickly switch from hot to cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Kenji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11819257
    Abstract: Compositions and formulations for use with devices and systems that enable tissue cooling, such as cryotherapy applications, for alteration and reduction of adipose tissue are described. Aspects of the technology are further directed to methods, compositions and devices that provide protection of non-targeted cells (e.g., non-lipid-rich cells) from freeze damage during dermatological and related aesthetic procedures that require sustained exposure to cold temperatures. Further aspects of the technology include systems for enhancing sustained and/or replenishing release of cryoprotectant to a treatment site prior to and during cooling applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. O'Neil, Leonard C. DeBenedictis, George Frangineas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11819625
    Abstract: A facial wearable device for providing external stimuli to a user comprises a foldable frame, a flexible layer, an airbag layer, a plurality of heating pads, a plurality of vibrating motors, and a sensor. The flexible layer may couple to a proximal side of the foldable frame and be configured to couple to a facial area of the user. The airbag layer may be disposed between the foldable frame and the flexible layer and comprise a plurality of inflatable bladders configured to provide pressure to the facial area of the user. The plurality of heating pads may couple to the flexible layer and be configured to provide heat to the facial area of the user. The plurality of vibrating motors may couple to the flexible layer and be configured to provide vibration to the facial area of the user. The sensor may couple to the flexible layer and be configured to detect biometric data of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Therabody, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Nazarian, Jason Wersland, Jaime Sanchez Solana, Eduardo Merino, Mandar Deshmukh, Timothy Roberts
  • Patent number: 11759348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for hyperthermic treatment of itching, for example following insect bites, wherein during the treatment a treatment surface is regulated at a temperature of preferably between 42° C. and 56° C. for a period of 2 sec to 12 sec and a hardware-implemented temperature monitor limits the maximum temperature of the treatment surface and a safety fuse shuts off the device in the case of a short-circuit or uncontrolled continuous heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: DERMAPHARM AG
    Inventor: Daniel Bünger
  • Patent number: 11737806
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical tool for cutting and hemostasis of biological tissues. The surgical tool includes a hollow blade comprising a cutting implement residing within a hollow cavity configured to provide high-pressure steam through an apical surface. The cutting implement can operate independently or in cooperation with the provided high-pressure steam. The surgical tool of the present disclosure applies a directionally-controlled, high-pressure steam flow to a tissue region of interest. A control unit provides temperature-controlled steam at a flow-rate determined in accordance with tissue type and intended procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Matani, Mutasem Samih Matani, Ahmed Abdelkarim Mansi
  • Patent number: 11728670
    Abstract: Devices and methods described herein facilitate rapid wireless recharging, while reducing risk of injury, damage, or discomfort caused by heat generated during recharging. The embodiments described herein are useful in a variety of context, including for IoT devices, personal electronics, electric vehicles, and medical devices, among others. Such devices can prevent localized over-heating of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Fried, Venkat R. Gaddam, Brett Otteson
  • Patent number: 11672692
    Abstract: A heating device includes: a temperature change unit that changes a temperature of a temperature change area; an induction unit that applies a stimulus to an induction area; and a controller, wherein the induction area is an area on skin surface, or an area that occupies a space that can be perspectively projected on the skin surface, the induction area is an area that does not overlap with the temperature change area, the induction unit applies at least one of a tactile stimulus and a visual stimulus to the induction area, the controller executes a first control for changing a temperature of a first temperature change area of the temperature change area and a second control for applying a stimulus to a first induction area of the induction area, and the second control is performed in accordance with the first control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takumi Yoda, Fumitoshi Akaike, Kohei Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11638835
    Abstract: Provided herein is a multifunctional aesthetic system including a housing, an electromagnetic array situated in the housing and having a plurality of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sources, each EMR source configured to generate an EMR beam having a wavelength different than that of an EMR beam generated by another of the EMR sources, a controller in electronic communication with the array to operate two or more of the EMR sources to direct the EMR beam to a treatment area, and a sensor in electronic communication with the controller for providing feedback to the controller based on defined parameters to allow the controller to adjust at least one operating condition of the multifunctional system in response to the feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Dominion Aesthetic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Daly, Robert E. McKinney, Scott R. Marable, Matthew D. Hawk
  • Patent number: 11577098
    Abstract: A control apparatus detects a misalignment between an irradiation position of a transdermal treatment device and a target irradiation position. When the misalignment is detected, the control unit stops irradiation of the transdermal treatment device or moves the irradiation position closer to the target irradiation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SONIRE THERAPEUTICS INC.
    Inventors: Seisho Inada, Tsuyoshi Ueyama, Hideki Okuda, Toshihiko Koyama
  • Patent number: 11478290
    Abstract: A method and system for automated and semi-automated predictable, consistent, safe, effective, and lumen-specific and patient-specific cryospray treatment of airway tissue in which treatment duration is automatically set by the system following entry of patient information and treatment location information into the system by the user, and treatment spray is automatically stopped by the system when the automatically selected treatment duration has been achieved as determined by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: CSA Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendelin Maners, Ellen Sheets, Rafael Cordero, Marc Davidson, Wei Li Fan, David Sherrill, Brian M. Hanley, Amy Sarli, Stephen Griffin, Heather V. Hawkes
  • Patent number: 11464993
    Abstract: A method of soft tissue treatment of a patient comprises placing an applicator onto a surface of a soft tissue, with the applicator including an RF electrode and a dielectric material having a vacuum cup and a dielectric material under the RF electrode, with the dielectric material under the electrode having an absolute value of difference between polarization factor below center of the RF electrode and below edges of the RF electrode in a range from to 0.10005 mm to 19 800 mm, and heating the soft tissue via the RF electrode, and applying vacuum into a cavity under the applicator with changing pressure value inside the cavity under the applicator compared to pressure in the room during the treatment in range from 0.01 kPa to 100 kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: BTL Healthcare Technologies A.S.
    Inventors: Tomá{umlaut over (s)} Schwarz, Ondrej Prouza, Franti{hacek over (s)}ek Lang
  • Patent number: 11446178
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: MIRAKI INNOVATION THINK TANK LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Velis
  • Patent number: 11406415
    Abstract: A system, delivery device and method delivers ultrasonic energy to a target musculoskeletal tissue site. In some embodiments, the delivery device includes a monolithic stainless steel needle and horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Tenex Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Tate Ray Parham, Brad Buzea
  • Patent number: 11382789
    Abstract: A system that can be used to provide highly controlled thermal therapy and compression to both cool and heat a skin surface and a joint and surrounding tissue below the skin surface is provided. The system includes a joint conforming wrap; a power supply module for supply power to the joint conforming wrap and a cable operably coupling the wrap and the power supply module. The joint conforming wrap and power supply module include opposing thermoelectric modules. The joint conforming wrap is designed to provide heat transfer processes to the body of a patient to warm or cool the skin and a joint and surrounding tissue disposed under the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: RHMD PTY. LTD.
    Inventors: Martin Lee, Craig Kelley, Robert Biolchinni, Steven Stokes
  • Patent number: 11383092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reactive gas application apparatus capable of easily and surely applying a reactive gas to a target object. The reactive gas application apparatus (100) includes: a plasma generating unit (12), a nozzle (1) for discharging a reactive gas activated by plasma generated in the plasma generation unit (12), and a light source unit (50) for emitting light toward a position ahead of a tip of the nozzle (1). The reactive gas application apparatus preferably further includes a control unit for synchronizing plasma generation in the plasma generation unit and light emission in the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Nagahara, Yoshishige Takikawa, Takaya Oshita, Tsuyoshi Uehara
  • Patent number: 11285334
    Abstract: A disposable/removable tip attachable on a distal end of a fiber bundle, allowing transmitting light energy from the fiber bundle to an eyelid and comprising a contact surface made of bio-compatible material, which allows to contact the eyelid and in addition an add-on device, comprising a fiber bundle, having a distal and proximal end, wherein a disposable/removable tip is attachable to the distal end, while the proximal end is connected to an optical coupler, designed for optical and/or energy coupling with a lightguide of a Meibomian gland expression (MGX) treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: LUMENIS BE LTD.
    Inventor: Hernan Altman
  • Patent number: 11266682
    Abstract: The invention concerns medical applications and can be used in oncology, as well as in neurosurgery, traumatology, neurology, rehabilitation. The aim of the inventions claimed is the creation of a new method of local exposure on biological tissues and a new tissue-substitute applicator that benefits to both destruction and replacement of tumor tissue by restored biological tissue with no external exposure applied (alternating magnetic field, heating, etc.) The aim set is solved by using porous polytetrafluoroethylene as a cytostatic material. The aim set is also achieved by using porous polytetrafluoroethylene in production of a tissue-substitute applicator for treating or replacing tumor tissues. The aim set for the method of local exposure to biological tissues, including the placement of a tissue-substitute polymeric applicator in direct contact with the biological tissue to be exposed, is solved by using porous polytetrafluoroethylene for the constituent polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Anatoli D. Dosta
  • Patent number: 11259627
    Abstract: The invention provides a skin treatment device especially for use for treating skin in terms of cleaning, exfoliating and/or massaging the skin. The device comprising a housing and a skin treatment head releasably attached to the housing. The skin treatment head being rotatable around an axis element associated with the housing, wherein the housing encloses an actuator configured to rotate the skin treatment head, wherein the skin treatment head comprises one or more brushes associated with a support element, wherein the device further comprises a first thermally conductive element configured at a shortest distance (d1) to the one or more brushes selected from the range of 0-40 mm, and wherein the device further comprises a thermoelectric element configured to heat in a first mode the first thermally conductive element to provide a hot surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Joldert Maria Boersma, David Alonso Canadas, Marc Leendert Verwillegen
  • Patent number: 11248153
    Abstract: A seating system, particularly suited for personal mobility vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that includes a seat cushion having pressure relieving properties and enhanced thermal absorption properties. The seat cushion includes a thixotropic fluid contained within a flexible envelope. The thixotropic fluid includes a phase change material that enhances the thermal absorption properties of the seat cushion to increase thermal absorption from a seated user to provide a reduced temperature sensory effect. The thixotropic fluid further includes a thermal conduction medium that facilitates heat distribution to the phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical (US) LLC
    Inventor: Marc Lalouette
  • Patent number: 11246746
    Abstract: A thermal transfer device for providing thermal treatment to a patient. A patient support portion supporting and contacting the patient includes a first segment of a fluid flow path to receive a fluid from a fluid source. A flexible covering coupled and movable relative to the patient support portion defines a space therebetween that substantially conforms to the patient. The flexible covering includes a second segment of the fluid flow path. The fluid is circulated through an inlet, an outlet, and fluid flow path for supplying heat to or removing heat from the patient support portion and the flexible covering. A fluid circulation system with a controller may selectively adjust heat transfer from temperature zones defining the patient support portion. The thermal transfer device or a mattress cover may provide for controlling the microclimate, or conditions at or near the interface between the patient and the patient support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Ryan Ross
  • Patent number: 11247051
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing respiratory pacing using a closed-loop adaptive controller that can self-adjust in real-time to meet metabolic needs of a subject are provided. The controller can use an adaptive pattern generator/pattern shaper architecture that can autonomously generate a desired ventilatory pattern in response to dynamic changes in arterial carbon dioxide levels and, based on a learning algorithm or machine learning, can modulate stimulation intensity and cycle duration to evoke the desired ventilatory pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Ranu Jung, Ricardo Siu
  • Patent number: 11179269
    Abstract: A cooling device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having skin is provided. The cooling device includes a plurality of cooling elements movable relative to each other to conform to the contour's of the subject's skin. The cooling elements have a plurality of controllable thermoelectric coolers. The cooling elements can be controlled to provide a time-varying cooling profile in a predetermined sequence, can be controlled to provide a spatial cooling profile in a selected pattern, or can be adjusted to maintain constant process parameters, or can be controlled to provide a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell E. Levinson, Jesse N. Rosen, William P. Pennybacker
  • Patent number: 11129998
    Abstract: A method of soft tissue treatment of a patient comprises placing an applicator onto a surface of a soft tissue, with the applicator including an RF electrode and a dielectric material having a vacuum cup and a dielectric material under the RF electrode, with the dielectric material under the electrode having an absolute value of difference between polarization factor below center of the RF electrode and below edges of the RF electrode in a range from to 0.10005 mm to 19 800 mm, and heating the soft tissue via the RF electrode, and applying vacuum into a cavity under the applicator with changing pressure value inside the cavity under the applicator compared to pressure in the room during the treatment in range from 0.01 kPa to 100 kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: BTL Medical Technologies s.r.o.
    Inventors: Ondrej Prouza, Tomas Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11083621
    Abstract: An instrument for removing debris from an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder has a swab and a rigid member. The swab includes a tip portion sized to provide access to the debris on an eyelid of the eye. The rigid member has a distal end portion affixed to the swab and a proximal end portion with a cross-sectional member profile. The cross-sectional member profile is non-circular and has a first groove. The first groove extends longitudinally along the proximal end portion for cooperating with a chuck such that rotation of the proximal end portion within the chuck is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BLEPHEX, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Patent number: 11051975
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of nerve blockage, for example for treatment of obesity, heart failure, cardiovascular disease, muscle spasms, chronic pain, or urinary retention in a patient. The method comprises first heating a nerve above physiological temperature (e.g. 37° C. in a human), such as from 43° C. to 54° C. for a duration that leads to reversible nerve blockage as opposed to nerve damage. Second, reversible nerve blockage is produced by cooling the nerve below physiological temperature to a temperature in which reversible nerve blockage is achieved, for example from 15° C. to 30° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: Changfeng Tai
  • Patent number: 11026835
    Abstract: A method of neurostimulation may include delivering a modulated electrical signal to a patient through galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and delivering a time varying thermal waveform to the patient through caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) simultaneous with the delivery of the modulated electrical signal through GVS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Scion NeuroStim, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Lanty L. Smith, Leseo L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10993827
    Abstract: This application relates to a hand-held cooling device for supplying a cryogen to a target region for cryotherapy. The device can include a cryogen container configured to contain a first cryogen having a first temperature and a nozzle configured to spray a first modified cryogen to the target region, the first modified cryogen having a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The device can also include a cryogen temperature regulator configured to receive the first cryogen and output the first modified cryogen to the nozzle, the cryogen temperature regulator disposed closer to the nozzle than the cryogen container. The cryogen temperature regulator can include a holder tube, a porous structure disposed inside a holder tube and a heater disposed around the holder tube and heating the holder tube so as to increase the first temperature to the second temperature while the first cryogen passes through the porous structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: RecensMedical, Inc.
    Inventor: Gun-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10969594
    Abstract: An article includes a hollow enclosure defining a void. The void has a first section and a second section separate from the first section. An electronic component is housed in the first section and the second section of the void. A low pressure mold material is molded into the first section of the void and cured around a first segment of the electronic component to encapsulate the first segment of the electronic component. A support seal is inserted into the second section of the void adjacent a second segment of the electronic component. The support seal defines a sealing barrier on one side of the low pressure mold material that limits the flow of low pressure mold material out of the first section of the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Andrew Steger
  • Patent number: 10952891
    Abstract: A system for treating a subject can include an adjustable vacuum applicator configured to receive the subject's tissue by applying a vacuum. The vacuum applicator can have an cavity adjustment mechanism with different modes for widening and narrowing a tissue-receiving cavity to adjust the thermal contact between the vacuum applicator and the subject's tissue within the applicator. Sidewalls of the vacuum applicator can be moved to positive draft angle positions to help draw tissue deeper into the tissue-receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Yee, George Frangineas, Jr., Kerrie Jiang, Bryan J. Weber
  • Patent number: 10925806
    Abstract: An acumoxa therapy device utilizes energy waves for preventing, alleviating or treating COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) coronavirus infection. In one embodiment, the device delivers energy in a non-invasive manner. In one embodiment, the device is configured to include an energy pin and one or more energy rings. In one embodiment, the device delivers sufficient energy to certain body parts such as acupoints to achieve an intervening and/or therapeutic effect. In one embodiment, the device maintains or improves general health, or alleviates or treats a subject with COVID-19 infection and one or more other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Xunhua Zhang
  • Patent number: 10874543
    Abstract: A nerve tissue stimulator configured for contacting to or insertion in the body of a subject to stimulate a tissue therein, said probe comprising: (a) a support configured for contacting to or positioning adjacent a tissue of said subject; (b) at least one thermoelectric device (TED) on said support and positioned for thermally stimulating said nerve tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Scion Neurostim, LLC
    Inventor: Lesco L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10842557
    Abstract: Ablation catheters and systems include multiple inline chambers for containing and heating an ablative agent. The heating chamber includes one or more channels to increase the contact surface area of the ablative agent with the walls of the heating chamber to provide more efficient heating. Induction heating is used to heat a chamber and vaporize a fluid within by wrapping a coil about a ferromagnetic chamber and providing an alternating current to the coil. A magnetic field is created in the area surrounding the chamber which induces electric current flow in the chamber, heating the chamber and vaporizing the fluid inside. Positioning elements help maintain the device in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Santa Anna Tech LLC
    Inventors: Virender K. Sharma, Harry Jabs
  • Patent number: 10842549
    Abstract: The present application discloses devices that ablate human tissue. The device comprises a catheter with a shaft through which an ablative agent can travel, a liquid reservoir and a heating component, which may comprise a length of coiled tubing contained within a heating element, wherein activation of said heating element causes said coiled tubing to increase from a first temperature to a second temperature and wherein the increase causes a conversion of liquid within the coiled tubing to vapor, a reusable cord connecting the outlet of the reservoir to the inlet of the heating component, and a single use cord connecting a pressure-resistant inlet port of a vapor based ablation device to the outlet of the heating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Santa Anna Tech LLC
    Inventors: Virender K. Sharma, William Parks
  • Patent number: 10806053
    Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein relate to using thermally conductive textiles for heat dissipation from wearable electronic devices. An exemplary thermally conductive textile may be constructed from an elasticated band for encircling a body part of a user (e.g., a user's head) and one or more thermally conductive wires that are affixed to the elasticated band in a wave pattern. The thermally conductive wires being arranged in the wave pattern allows for the thermally conductive wires to freely stretch and contract as forces are exerted on the elasticated band. Thus, the thermally conductive textile described herein exhibit elastic properties that are predominantly governed by the elasticated band while also exhibiting thermal properties that are predominantly governed by the thermally conductive wires. The thermally conductive textiles may also include locking fibers to restrict deformation of the wave pattern of the thermally conductive wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Toleno, Gavin D. Stanley, Douglas L. Heirich, Tzu-Yuan Lin, Sridhar Canumalla
  • Patent number: 10758404
    Abstract: The cooling system (100, 300, 400, 500, 700, 750) includes an applicator (101, 501, 701) configured to hold a predetermined amount of solid coolant and fluid coolant (117) to cool a targeted area of the body (162, 570) to crystalize the lipid-rich cells underneath the targeted area to reduce the fat cells. The applicator may include a thermoelectric cooler (TEC, 136, 704, 706) where the hot side is cooled by coolant held within the applicator. The cold side of the TEC may be thermally coupled to a cooling plate (138, 560) configured to cool a targeted area of the skin at a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined period of time. The cooling system may also be used to relieve localized pain at certain area of the body and/or utilized for cryotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: DIVERGENT MED LLC
    Inventor: Sung Oh
  • Patent number: 10758738
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates a system that can quickly and reversibly block conduction in a nerve. The system can include a first nerve block modality that provides heat to the nerve to block conduction in the nerve. For example, the heat can provide the quick nerve block. The system can also include a second nerve block modality that provides an electrical signal to the nerve to block the conduction in the nerve. For example, the electrical signal can provide the reversibility. In some instances, the heat can be provided by an infrared light signal and the electrical signal can be provided by a kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) signal or a direct current (DC) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hillel Chiel, Niloy Bhadra, Mike Jenkins, Emilie Lothet, Tina Vrabec, Kevin Kilgore, Narendra Bhadra, Eric Duco Jansen
  • Patent number: 10695121
    Abstract: Controlling conductive fluid flow during an electrosurgical procedure. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: flowing conductive fluid from a source lumen to a suction lumen of an electrosurgical wand, the flowing with the electrosurgical wand in a first orientation; sensing a change in orientation of the electrosurgical wand to a second orientation different than the first orientation; and changing a control parameter associated with the conductive fluid flow, the changing responsive to the change in orientation of the electrosurgical wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Cox
  • Patent number: 10682297
    Abstract: A method and system in accordance with a particular embodiments of the technology includes applying a substance onto skin of a human subject. The applied substance can include a freezing point depressant and a liposome, an oil-in-water emulsion, a water-in-oil emulsion, or an oil-in-oil emulsion and can be configured to protect or target tissue. The substance and a surface of the skin can be cooled using the applicator to treat acne and other skin conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Like Zeng, Joel N. Jimenez Lozano, Leonard C. DeBenedictis
  • Patent number: 10672520
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining, among other things, the temperature profile of a medical implant in a patient when subjected to an MRI scan or machine, thus enabling a determination of the risk of temperature induced tissue necrosis or damage to the implant. The specific position of the implant in the patient changes the temperature dispersion in the body and is accounted for in the creation of the temperature profile. The method includes mapping with an imaging unit location, size and orientation of the medical implant in a patient, and storing the location, size and orientation in a mapped data. Then, translating the data to a model patient of gender, age, weight, height, and body structure of the patient with a model medical implant. Further, determining the parameters of an MRI unit to be used and computing the temperature profile of the implant to ascertain temperature impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey Crompton, Kyle Koppenhoefer, Orlando Simonetti, David Gross
  • Patent number: 10660820
    Abstract: A unit has been designed to be applied within the area of physiotherapy and is applicable to both medical and athletic therapeutic programs to provide correction of functional states of the spine and the nervous system to eliminate nervous overloads, fatigue, and stress. Moreover, the unit corrects spinal disorders, paravertebral muscular disorders and can be used as a part of mobilizing procedures to act on biologically active body points, and as a part of therapeutic procedures to relieve the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Yara LLC
    Inventors: Valeriy Denisenko, Yuriy Koryukalov
  • Patent number: 10588778
    Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling the temperature of a patient includes a fluid circulation channel with an inlet and outlet, a first heat exchanger, a controller, and a cartridge receptacle. The controller controls the first heat exchanger to adjust the temperature of the circulating fluid toward a desired temperature. The cartridge receptacle is adapted to receive a cartridge having a second heat exchanger and to allow fluid to flow from the cartridge into the fluid circulation channel of the thermal control unit. The cartridge may include a vacuum chamber and a coolant whereby the expansion of the coolant into the vacuum chamber cools the fluid in the cartridge. Flow of the coolant in the vacuum chamber may be automatically initiated upon insertion of the cartridge into the cartridge receptacle, or by other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory S. Taylor, Christopher John Hopper, Roy E. Holmberg, III
  • Patent number: 10582960
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of cooling to produce selective disruption of visceral fat tissue in a non-infant human subject comprising infusing a cooled fluid into the abdominal or peritoneal cavity, or into other parts of the body containing visceral fat, to cool the proximal tissue sufficiently to selectively disrupt lipid-rich cells therein, for example, to promote subsequent damage and absorption of lipid-rich cells by the body without producing unwanted effects in non-lipid-rich cells; e.g., without injury to internal organ tissues that could otherwise produce life-threating risks. The cooled fluid can be infused using a catheter arrangement. The cooled fluid can be retained within the abdominal category for a particular duration, and then drained using the catheter arrangement. In certain embodiments, the cooled fluid can be simultaneously introduced into the abdominal cavity and drained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew M. Avram, Richard Rox Anderson, Joshua Tam
  • Patent number: 10555831
    Abstract: A method and system in accordance with particular embodiments includes applying a substance onto skin of a human subject. A method for treating a subject's skin includes applying a hydrogel to the skin which contains the substance. The hydrogel and the skin are cooled using a cooling applicator to treat tissue via the cooling treatment by either freezing or not freezing tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel N. Jimenez Lozano, Leonard C. DeBenedictis
  • Patent number: 10524978
    Abstract: A system applies compression, vibration and heat to a body part of a person. The system includes a portable vibration and heat generation apparatus having a flexible support platform and a bag-like enclosure extending from the support platform. A cylindrical control unit is mounted to the support platform and extends perpendicularly from the support platform. The control unit has a diameter of between 50 millimeters and 100 millimeters. The control unit houses electronic circuitry and at least one battery. Four vibration pods extend from the support platform into the bag-like structure. The bag-like structure also houses a heat generation unit. The control unit extends through a circular bore in a compression wrap. The compression wrap is securable to a body part with a distal wall of the bag-like enclosure against the body part. The system selectively applies vibration, heat or a combination of vibration and heat to the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hyper Ice, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Marton, Anthony Katz
  • Patent number: 10524956
    Abstract: A method and apparatus in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention includes applying adhesive onto skin of a human subject. An applicator is then brought into contact with the adhesive such the adhesive is disposed between the applicator and the subject's skin. The applicator is activated to cool a tissue region via the subject's skin, via the heat-transfer surface of the applicator, and via the adhesive. While the tissue region cools, the adhesive also cools, thereby reversibly strengthening adhesion between the subject's skin and the heat-transfer surface and forming a strong bond therebetween. The strengthened adhesion inhibits any movement of the applicator relative to the skin. After cooling the tissue region, the adhesive is warmed, thereby weakening the adhesion which allows the heat-transfer surface of the applicator to be easily separated from the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard C. DeBenedictis, Like Zeng, George Frangineas, Jr., Joel N. Jimenez Lozano
  • Patent number: 10512319
    Abstract: A warm-cool beauty treatment device, comprising: a Peltier element of a plate shape having a first surface configured to generate heat, and a second surface configured to absorb heat; a heat sink including—a first section touching the first surface, and a second section connecting the first section thermally; a first plate connected to the first surface thermally via the heat sink; a second plate connected to the second surface thermally; a blower configured to produce air flow to release the heat of the second section; and a power supply configured to supply electric power to the Peltier element and the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ya-Man Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwao Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10342958
    Abstract: A method for improving function of a cardiac valve in a patient, the cardiac valve having at least one leaflet that is attached to a papillary muscle: Inserting a balloon, that is in a first uninflated condition and having a first diameter, within tissue that is part of to the papillary muscle, and thereby separating tissue that was previously connected together, by a maximum amount equal to the first diameter; inflating the balloon to a second inflated condition having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, thereby permanently stretching tissue in the papillary muscle and separating the tissue from the first diameter to a maximum amount equal to the second diameter; deflating the balloon to the first uninflated condition, and thereby returning the tissue to a separation of a maximum amount substantially equal to the first diameter; and then removing the balloon from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wei, Anna M. Snell, Tamer M. Mahmoud, Scott C. Mosher
  • Patent number: 10322293
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates a system that can quickly and reversibly block conduction in a nerve. The system can include a first nerve block modality that provides heat to the nerve to block conduction in the nerve. For example, the heat can provide the quick nerve block. The system can also include a second nerve block modality that provides an electrical signal to the nerve to block the conduction in the nerve. For example, the electrical signal can provide the reversibility. In some instances, the heat can be provided by an infrared light signal and the electrical signal can be provided by a kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) signal or a direct current (DC) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hillel Chiel, Niloy Bhadra, Mike Jenkins, Emilie Lothet, Tina Vrabec, Kevin Kilgore, Narendra Bhadra, Eric Duco Jansen
  • Patent number: 10299860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment method using multiple energy sources. The treatment method using multiple energy sources, includes: applying a first energy into an inside of an annulus fibrosus; and applying a second energy different from the first energy to an outside of the annulus fibrosus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kwang Chon Ko
  • Patent number: 10201380
    Abstract: Treatment systems, methods, and apparatuses for improving the appearance of skin or other target regions are described as well as for providing for other treatments. Aspects of the technology are directed to improving the appearance of skin by tightening the skin, improving skin tone or texture, eliminating or reducing wrinkles, increasing skin smoothness, or improving the appearance of cellulite. Treatments can include cooling a surface of a patient's skin and detecting at least one freeze event in the cooled skin. The treatment system can continue cooling the patient's skin after the freeze event(s) are detected so to maintain at least a partially frozen state of the tissue for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard C. DeBenedictis, George Frangineas, Jr., Kristine Tatsutani, Linda Pham