Patents Assigned to Somatic
  • Patent number: 8001123
    Abstract: It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a method of publishing content including the steps of: (a) providing a printed publication having printed content, a storage device storing a content database having digital content, an output device for outputting the digital content, and an interactive user device for generating one or more signals associated with retrieval of the digital content from the storage device; (b) accessing digital content; (c) associating the digital content with the printed content; (d) storing in a mapping database the association and a location of the digital content; (e) actuating the interactive user device to generate the one or more signals; (f) querying the mapping database to determine the association and the location of the digital content; (g) upon determining the location, retrieving the digital content; and (h) outputting the digital content to the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Somatic Digital LLC
    Inventor: Jason E. Barkeloo
  • Publication number: 20030019144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of attracting a crustacean comprising generating a sound recording of a feeding crustacean. The invention also provides a device for attracting crustaceans by generating sound waves corresponding to the sounds of a feeding crustacean; a transducer for coupling the sounds to water, and a trap proximal to the transducer for entrapping attracted crustaceans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Somate Corporation
    Inventor: Harold D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6200331
    Abstract: A free-standing device for the testing of ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) instruments, and for training doctors in using such instruments, includes circuits to generate electrical wave forms which simulate the EEG (electroencephalograph) detectable brain waves, EMG (electromyograph) muscle activity and heart beats of a patient undergoing ECT. In one embodiment the ECT output leads of the ECT instrument are plugged into the device, the training doctor selects the ECT current and the device generates response EEG and EMG waveforms. It also measures the current and displays its measurement as a test of the accuracy of the stimulus selection controls of the ECT instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad Melton Swartz, Richard Stephen Abrams
  • Patent number: 6117066
    Abstract: In non-convulsive magnetic stimulation therapy a patient is treated with magnetic pulses from a coil placed proximate the patient's head as a treatment of certain neurologic and psychiatric disorders. A set of EEG (electroencephalograph) electrodes on the patient's scalp are switched on during pauses in the electrical pulse train to the coil. If epilepsy-like brain wave spikes and/or sharp waves are detected by the EEG, a warning is given, treatment is halted and an anti-convulsive medicine may be administered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Stephen Abrams, Conrad Melton Swartz
  • Patent number: 6039046
    Abstract: An oral protector, especially for use by patients during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) consists of a flat unitary member which is preferably stamped from a flat sheet of material. The protector is elastic and formed of a closed-cell material, such as polyurethane plastic resin or artificial rubber. It has an elongated, generally elliptical shaped central opening which acts as an air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad Melton Swartz, Richard Stephen Abrams
  • Patent number: 5871517
    Abstract: In medical convulsive therapy (CV), comprising electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and magnetoconvulsive therapy (MCT), a computer system is used to analyze the effectiveness of the treatment. In one embodiment the effectiveness is determined by measuring the physiological effects on the heart (ECG) muscles (EMG) and brain (EEG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Stephen Abrams, Conrad Melton Swartz
  • Patent number: 5813970
    Abstract: A magnetic induction coil is placed next to the scalp of a patient. A pulse train of high energy electrical waves is flowed through the induction coil to produce a sufficiently strong magnetic field to generate currents in the patient's brain for the therapy of neurologic or psychiatric illnesses. These currents induced in the brain cause multifocal neuronal discharge to induce a generalized convulsive neuronal discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Abrams, Conrad M. Swartz
  • Patent number: 5769778
    Abstract: A medical device includes a magnetic stimulator having a magnetic induction coil which is placed next to the scalp of a patient. A pulse train of high energy electrical waves is flowed through the induction coil to produce a sufficiently strong magnetic field to generate currents in the patient's brain for the therapy of psychiatric illnesses. These currents induced in the brain are below the minimum needed to induce a convulsive brain seizure. The device includes an ECG (electrocardiograph) to monitor the electrical activity of the patient's heart and an EEG (electroencephalograph) to monitor the patient's electrical brain waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Abrams, Conrad M. Swartz
  • Patent number: 5577674
    Abstract: A waste compaction and liquid extraction system and method are provided. The system includes a tank for containing liquid and solids, and a tray that seats on the tank. The tray includes a feeding mechanism for moving bags of waste across the tray, and a stuffing mechanism for pushing the bags down into the tank. A rotary disc impeller is mounted in the tank for grinding the solids to form a mixture of liquid and solids. The impeller has a rotating blade with inclined and bevelled cutting members. A stationary helical screw is horizontally mounted to the output port of the tank. The screw has a receiving end adjacent to the output port and a discharge end. The tank conducts the mixture to the receiving end of the screw. A sieve is provided having a cylindrical sieve surface surrounding the screw. The liquid drains through the sieve. The sieve is rotatably mounted to the output port of the tank. The sieve rotates about the screw to move the solids longitudinally towards the discharge end of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Somat Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Altonji, Robert J. Cohn, Steven M. Eno, Albert Kolvites
  • Patent number: 5470347
    Abstract: An electronic method and apparatus in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to automatically measure the electrical dosage of an ECT device at the time of stimulus and to prevent delivery to the patient of a dosage that is substantially (e.g., more than 5%, or 25 millicoulombs [mC], or 5 joules [J]) larger than the dosage selected by the operator. When the measured dosage varies more or less than a selected limited amount, or proportion, from the stimulus dial setting (e.g., 5% or 25 mC or 5 J), visible and/or audible signals are triggered and the device is blocked from delivering further stimuli without first being reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad M. Swartz, Richard S. Abrams
  • Patent number: 5451004
    Abstract: A waste compaction and liquid extraction system is provided. The system includes a tank for containing liquid and solids. The tank has an input port for receiving liquid, and an output port for discharging a mixture of liquid and solids. A rotary disc impeller is mounted in the tank for grinding the solids to form the mixture. The impeller has a rotating blade with inclined and bevelled cutting members. Each cutting member has a helical leading edge. The tank conducts the mixture to the output port. A stationary helical screw is horizontally mounted to the output port of the tank. The screw has a receiving end adjacent to the output port and a discharge end. The screw has a tapered shaft that increases in diameter towards the discharge end. A sieve is provided having a cylindrical sieve surface surrounding the screw. The liquid drains through the sieve surface. The sieve is rotatably mounted to the output port of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Somat Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Altonji, Robert J. Cohn, Steven M. Eno, Albert Kolvites
  • Patent number: 5269302
    Abstract: In electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) the duration of the generated skeletal muscle, heart and brain wave activity during the administration of the electrically induced therapeutic seizures is automatically monitored. The ECT device includes a special purpose electromyograph (EMG) to detect isolated muscle activity and, in one embodiment, an electrocardiograph (ECG) to detect heart-beat intervals, and in another embodiment also includes an electroencephalograph (EEG) system to detect an EEG parameter of the electrically induced EEG seizure. The detected voltage from the EMG, ECG and EEG are converted to digital data and compared to a set of threshold reference values previously obtained from the same patient. The operator is informed by a display, or auditory signal, if the selected parameters have crossed the predetermined threshold reference value and the time period, since termination of the ECT that each parameter has taken to reach the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad M. Swartz, Richard S. Abrams
  • Patent number: 5263408
    Abstract: Food press of the kind comprising pressing means adapted to operate on the food(s) to be pressed comprising at least one grid (12) and at least one plate (13) between which the food(s) (42) must be disposed, characterized in that hydraulic operating means (15) are associated with said pressing means and adapted to move the grid and the plate towards each other so that they exert pressure on the food(s), the hydraulic operating means (15) comprising at least one single-acting piston-and-cylinder actuator (24) operated by a hydraulic pump (25) adapted to operate in compression and in suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Somatic
    Inventors: Michel Blanchet, Daniel Mario
  • Patent number: 4878498
    Abstract: A method and systen in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to automatically monitor and display the occurrence and the duration of the seizure activity generated during the administration of electrically induced therapeutic seizures. The ECT device includes a special-purpose electroencephaloraph (EEG) system to detect a specific EEG parameter (e.g. integrated voltage) of the electrically induced EEG seizure. The detected integrated voltage is converted to digital data and compared to a threshold reference value previously obtained from the same patient. The operator is informed by an electronic alphanumeric elapsed time display or indications on a moving strip chart paper record, or oscilloscope CRT screen, when the parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold reference value and how long since the termination of the ECT the parameter has taken to reach the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Abrams, Conrad M. Swartz
  • Patent number: 4873981
    Abstract: A method and system in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to automatically monitor and display the occurrence and the duration of the seizure activity generated during the administration of the electrically induced therapeutic seizures. The ECT device includes a special-purpose electroencephalograph (EEG) system to detect a specific EEG parameter (e.g. integrated voltage) of the electrically induced EEG seizure. The detected integrated voltage is converted to digital data and compared to a threshold reference value previously obtained from the same patient. The operator is informed by an electronic alphanumeric elapsed time display or indications on a moving strip chart paper record, or oscilloscope CRT screen, when the parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold reference value and how long since the termination of the ECT the parameter has taken to reach the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Abrams, Conrad M. Swartz
  • Patent number: 4870969
    Abstract: A medical method and system in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses a disposable electrode, which does not use a liquid, such as conductive gel or saline solution. The electrode is a flexible multi-layer pad having an adhesive surface which is covered by a removable cover sheet. The pad comprises a layer of adhesive non-liquid conductive hydrogel, a thin conductive plastic film layer, a conductive metal foil layer connected to a wire lead, and an insulative plastic layer, preferably a plastic foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventor: Conrad M. Swartz
  • Patent number: 4777952
    Abstract: An audible electroencephalograph (EEG) for use with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A voltage controlled oscillator converts the magnitude of the signal received from the patient's brain into an audible tone indicative of brain activity. The tone undergoes frequency modulation about 500 hertz to indicate to the attending physician the brain seizure produced by the ECT. The audible signal informs the physician of the results of the ECT without requiring any attention to or waiting for a strip recorder to provide a graphic display. This permits the physician to continuously watch the patient during the ECT. Used in conjunction with the ECT equipment, a first, warning tone may indicate a short hiatus between pressing the treatment button and the commencement of the ECT stimulus. A second tone indicates the application of the ECT stimulus, while the third tone, as described above audibly delineates the resulting effect upon the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Somatics, Inc.
    Inventor: John Pavel
  • Patent number: 4651636
    Abstract: A hydra-extractor includes an extractor screw and dewatering chamber, a cone for directing dried material to a plug cutter, the plug cutter, and a discharge chute. Associated power apparatus is mounted on the hydra-extractor. A novel cone is provided which is hyberolic in shape, composed of a high density urethane, and separable into two parts. The cone is affixed to the plug cutter which is also separable into two parts. The plug cutter is affixed to and rotated by the extractor screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Somat Corporation
    Inventor: Evan P. Fields
  • Patent number: 4630780
    Abstract: Waste materials are introduced into an impeller-created vortex of water and reduced to a pulp wherein the impeller is provided with one or more blades constructed and arranged to cooperate with one or more stationary blades on a sieve surrounding the impeller. The impeller blades, stationary blades, and components of the sieve comprise readily removable and changeable components. The shear blades provide edges which periodically mate upon rotation of the impeller to provide a desired shearing action for the waste pulping machine. The shear members may readily and easily be removed when they become worn or damaged. The stationary shear blades are provided with a beveled edge in order to assists the flow of debris. The beveled edge reduces the likelihood of silverware or untensil becoming wedged between the impeller blades and the stationary shear blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Somat Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Immel, Evan P. Fields
  • Patent number: 4249701
    Abstract: An apparatus for the pulping of waste material is disclosed including a tank, an impeller, a slurry chamber, and a discharge pipe for removal of slurry from the chamber. A flow directing device is provided within the chamber for increasing the flow into the discharge pipe. The device is appropriately positioned and shaped so that it will deflect the slurry from its rotational flow in the chamber to the discharge pipe. If the impeller is positioned horizontally at the bottom of the tank, it is preferably positioned off-center so waste material will not directly impinge upon the cutting surfaces when added to the tank. If the impeller is vertically oriented, the tank may be mounted on shock absorbers or resilient legs to minimize vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Somat Corporation
    Inventor: Blaine M. Miller, Jr.