Patents Assigned to Welch Allyn, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11350834
    Abstract: A blood pressure cuff is defined by a first sheet, having an opening, and a second sheet. The second sheet is attached to a bottom of the first sheet to form an interior inflatable portion between the first sheet and the second sheet, with the opening of the first sheet fluidly interconnecting the interior inflatable portion with an exterior of the cuff. The blood pressure cuff is made from a single type of material and can be recycled, biodegradable, or composted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Vivenzio, Ian K. Edwards, Raymond A. Lia, Jeffrey Perkins, Sean R. Karla
  • Patent number: 11344254
    Abstract: An example system for estimating a hydration level of an individual can include: a mechanism configured to apply mechanical pressure to a digit of the individual; an light detector configured to sense the light from the digit; and a controller programmed to perform functions including: send a first signal to the mechanism to apply the mechanical pressure to the digit; send a second signal to the mechanism to release the mechanical pressure on the digit; determine a capillary refill time based upon a third signal from the light detector indicating an amount of time for capillaries of the individual to refill with blood; and estimate the hydration level of the individual based upon the capillary refill time and one or more additional parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignees: Welch Allyn, Inc., Oregon Health & Science University
    Inventors: Richard Howard Weitzel, Steven D. Baker, Richard Allen Sunderland, Matthew Lee Hansen, David Clark Sheridan
  • Patent number: 11331014
    Abstract: A physiological parameter sensor system includes a housing with a first cell and a plurality of second cells. A first sensor system element (either an emitter or a detector) resides in the first cell. Second sensor system elements reside in at least some of the second cells. If the first sensor system element is an emitter, each second sensor system element is a detector, and vice versa. The housing is conformable to the contours of a patient to ensure that the sensor system elements are closely coupled to the patient's skin. The system identifies the emitter which yields the best quality signal at the detector (or the detector which receives the best quality signal from the emitter). The system then uses only the identified emitter/detector pair. The system is compact, places only modest demands on battery power, and tolerates being positioned at a nonoptimal locations on the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventor: Thaddeus J. Wawro
  • Patent number: 11291359
    Abstract: A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. McMahon, Allan I. Krauter, Robert L. Vivenzio, Dale C. Saddlemire, Dominick Danna, Stephen W. Burnett, Daniel C. Briggs, Scott G. Spanfelner, Jon R. Salvati
  • Patent number: 11283975
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a housing having a surface that can engage the face of a patient. A cavity is at least partially defined by the surface. An anterior imaging system includes an optical lens barrel positioned inside the cavity, and the optical lens barrel includes a variable focus lens at one end and an image sensor array at an opposite end. One or more illumination LEDs are positioned around the periphery of the optical lens barrel at opposite sides of the variable focus lens, and are configured to illuminate the cavity to capture images of an anterior of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Myers, Christian H. Reinke, Carlos A. Suarez, Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Patent number: 11251635
    Abstract: A vital signs monitor includes an equipment housing defining an equipment compartment, a circuit assembly and a battery residing inside the equipment compartment, an electrical connector forming a connection between the battery assembly and the circuit assembly, and a battery discharge circuit. A retainer joined to the equipment housing retains the battery assembly in the housing. The retainer is separable from the housing so that its separation causes a break in the electrical connection and activates the discharge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Wawro, David M. Antos, Jennifer Bergstrom, Kenneth V Coon, III, Jennifer M. Grant, Scott A. Martin, Carlos A. Suarez
  • Patent number: 11246482
    Abstract: A vision screening apparatus conducts a photorefraction ocular screening test to generate refractive error data. Based on the refractive error data, a Snellen equivalent is determined. An evaluated person distance from the vision screening apparatus is also determined and used to generate an adjusted optotype size. The vision screening apparatus displays the optotype, adjusted for the Snellen equivalent and the evaluated person distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Lane, Ervin Goldfain, Megan Schneider, Yaolong Lou, David L. Kellner, Mathias Mereles, Chris R. Roberts, Tyson B. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 11234586
    Abstract: A portable medical illuminator is configured for attachment to a medical device wherein the illuminator includes an illuminator housing and a light source disposed in relation to the housing. A portable rechargeable power supply is connected to the light source, and an inductive charging coil is disposed within the illuminator housing to enable contactless charging of the contained portable power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Lia, Robert A. Vivenzio, Miguel C. Mudge, Jon R. Salvati, Jeffrey Chiodo
  • Patent number: 11224495
    Abstract: A system includes a base, and an actuator having a first end and a second end. The system also includes a shaft configured to rotate relative to the base, and a drive link fixed to the shaft. The system further includes a support arm. A first end of the support arm being fixed to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes commensurate rotation of the support arm. The system also includes a timing link having a first end pivotably connected to the base and a second end opposite the first end. Additionally, the system includes a mount coupled to the second end of the timing link. The mount is configured to maintain a substantially constant orientation relative to the base as the support arm transitions between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian H. Reinke, Carlos Suarez, Richard M. Farchione
  • Publication number: 20210393120
    Abstract: A system includes system housing, an eccentric radiation source, and a radiation sensor. The radiation produced by the eccentric radiation source can be collected by the radiation sensor to generate images of retinas for a patient. The system also includes a vision screening device connected with the eccentric radiation source and the radiation sensor via the system house that can control and synchronize actions for the eccentric radiation source and the radiation sensor. The vision screening device further analyzes the images generated by the radiation sensor via neural network algorithms to determine spherical error slopes, refractive errors, and recommendations for the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaolong Lou, Yuan Ing Chow, Shadakshari Devarajaiah Chikkanaravangala
  • Patent number: 11202578
    Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn patch sensor for simultaneously measuring a blood pressure (BP), pulse oximetry (SpO2), and other vital signs and hemodynamic parameters from a patient. The patch sensor features a sensing portion having a flexible housing that is worn entirely on the patient's chest and encloses a battery, wireless transmitter, and all the sensor's sensing and electronic components. It measures electrocardiogram (ECG), impedance plethysmogram (IPG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and phonocardiogram (PCG) waveforms, and collectively processes these to determine the vital signs and hemodynamic parameters. The sensor that measures PPG waveforms also includes a heating element to increase perfusion of tissue on the chest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Tang, Matthew Banet, Marshal Dhillon, James McCanna, Mark Dhillon, David E. Quinn, Ervin Goldfain
  • Patent number: 11172817
    Abstract: A fundus image capture system operates to determine if the system has captured an image that identifies the fundus, a region of interest in the image, or the current field of view. According to the determination, the system can guide the user to operate the system to capture a desired fundus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Hart, Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Patent number: 11147465
    Abstract: An electrode includes an electrically conductive member having a first surface oriented to face the skin of a patient when the electrode is placed on the skin of the patient. The electrode further includes a housing member. The electrode further includes an abrasive member configured to abrade the skin of the patient. The electrode further includes an integrated gripping portion configured to allow an operator to grip the gripping portion by hand and abrade the skin by moving the electrode using the gripping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Mortara, Jeffrey Plate
  • Patent number: 11147441
    Abstract: An instrument head is provided for attachment to a plurality of instrument handles having different power profiles. The instrument head contains an illumination assembly including at least one LED as well as a drive circuit for detecting a power profile of an attached instrument handle and converting variable voltages received from the attached instrument handle to a constant current for powering the at least one LED based on the power profile. Accordingly, the instrument head enables use with a plurality of instrument handles, including those originally configured for use only with incandescent light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth V. Coon, Paul DeLucia, David M. Babson, Richard H. Weitzel
  • Patent number: 11138732
    Abstract: An example method for automating a quality assessment of digital fundus image can include: obtaining a digital fundus image file; analyzing a first quality of the digital fundus image file using a model to estimate an optimal time to capture a fundus image; and analyzing a second quality of the digital fundus image file using the model to estimate a disease state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Hart, Hongying Krause, Su Wang, Ynjiun P. Wang
  • Patent number: 11134895
    Abstract: A method for guiding electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode placement on a person includes acquiring an image of the person, identifying an externally discernable anatomical landmark on the image, determining target locations for first through nth electrodes as a function of the location of the landmark, and highlighting the target locations on the person. A system for guiding placement of ECG electrodes comprises an imaging device, an illumination source, a processor, and machine readable instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, identify at least one marker in an image acquired by the imaging device, determine, as a function of the location of the at least one marker, target locations on the person at which first through nth ECG electrodes should be placed, and cause the illumination source to illuminate the first through nth target locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventor: Sharone Zlochiver
  • Patent number: 11116397
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system adapted for determining from sensor data collected for a patient over a period of time a normative condition of a biological function of the patient, generating provisioning information according to the normative condition, detecting a first sensor coupled to the patient, and providing the provisioning information to the first sensor to enable the first sensor to detect an abnormal state of the biological function of the patient. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Quinn, Craig M. Meyerson, John A. Lane, Kenzi L. Mudge
  • Patent number: 11096574
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a fundus image includes: a processor and a memory; an illumination component including a light source; a camera; and a display, the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to: display a target element on the display; display a light source reflection from a cornea of an eye on the display; update a position of the light source reflection on the display as a caregiver manipulates a position of the apparatus relative to the eye; as time elapses, modify the display to allow the light source reflection to more easily be positioned within the target element; and automatically initiate fundus image capture with the camera when the light source reflection is within the target element on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: WELCH ALLYN, INC.
    Inventor: Ynjiun Paul Wang
  • Patent number: D935999
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: WELCH ALLYN, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Fitch, David G. Perkins, Brian Perrault, Robert S. Englert
  • Patent number: D946762
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: WELCH ALLYN, INC.
    Inventors: Christian H. Reinke, Carlos Suarez, Richard M. Farchione