Patents Examined by Amanda Patton
  • Patent number: 9999766
    Abstract: A device and method verifies the electrical output of a microcurrent therapy device. The current and/or voltage of an electrical pulse, being supplied to an electrode adapted to contact tissue, is measured by a control unit. The current and/or voltage is supplied by the control unit according to a predefined waveform. Any difference in the current or voltage of the electrical pulse being supplied with respect to the current or voltage of the predefined waveform is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Synapse Electroceutical Limited
    Inventor: Charles Richard Elliott
  • Patent number: 9993640
    Abstract: A mouthpiece for providing non-invasive neuromodulation to a patient. The mouthpiece includes an elongated housing having a center of gravity located within a posterior region, a positioning pad attached to the top surface of the elongated housing for minimizing contact between a patient's upper teeth and the exterior top surface of the elongated housing, and a printed circuit board mounted to a bottom portion of the elongated housing, the printed circuit board having a plurality of electrodes for delivering subcutaneous local electrical stimulation to the patient's tongue. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece includes at least one locator disposed along the anterior region of the elongated housing for contacting a patient's teeth to securely position the mouthpiece within the patient's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Neurohabilitation Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Guarraia, Aidan Petrie, Justin Fisk, Adam Muratori, Jeffrey M. Wallace, Jeffrey C. Morang
  • Patent number: 9993157
    Abstract: An optical measuring system comprises a control device and an optical meter. The optical meter comprises a first case, a first controller for controlling light emitters for irradiating a patient with light and light receivers for receiving light from the patient to obtain measurement data regarding a cerebral activity, and a first transmitter and receiver for transmitting the measurement data to the control device. The control device comprises a second case removably attached to the first case, a display and input device on a surface of the second case, a second transmitter and receiver for receiving the measurement data from the optical meter, and a second controller for controlling the display and input device to display the measurement data from the optical meter. The second case can be attached on a top face of the first case when the first case is placed on a table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Ishikawa, Yoshihiro Inoue, Takashi Amita, Satoru Kohno, Haruhide Udagawa, Yoshinori Masuda
  • Patent number: 9993286
    Abstract: A high-frequency surgical device for treating a tissue surface, device having an electrode device, in which a first electrode is formed on a working surface intended for contact with the tissue, and having a high-frequency generator, to the one pole of which the first electrode can be connected for operation. The surgical device is wherein a second electrode is formed on the working surface which electrode can be connected to the same pole, wherein a control device is connected to this and is designed initially to connect the first electrode and then to switch on the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventors: Thorsten Jürgens, Dennis Trebbels, Thomas Freitag, Josef Bartolic
  • Patent number: 9986921
    Abstract: A real-time arrhythmia discrimination method is used in smartphones, which can discriminate between NSR, AF, PACs and PVCs using pulsatile time series collected from a smartphone's camera. To increase the sensitivity of AF detection and add the new capabilities of PVC and PAC identification, the arrhythmia discrimination method of these teachings combines Root Mean Square of Successive RR Differences (RMSSD), Shannon Entropy (ShE) and turning point ratio (TPR), with the Poincare plot, and utilizes the features of pulse rise/fall time and amplitude for arrhythmia discrimination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ki H. Chon, Jowoon Chong
  • Patent number: 9987029
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an outer housing shell defining a cavity, the outer housing shell defining an upper outer housing half and a lower outer housing half, wherein the upper outer housing half defines a longitudinal axis and an instrument module selectively insertable into the cavity of the outer housing shell. The instrument module includes an inner housing shell, at least one motor disposed within the inner housing shell, a control board being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and an energy source being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the control board. The instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell in such a manner that the operative axis of the at least one motor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper outer housing half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John Beardsley, Matthew Chowaniec, Russell Pribanic
  • Patent number: 9987490
    Abstract: A method of determining insertion status of a cochlear implant electrode array into a cochlea of a patient is provided. The method includes measuring conductivity associated with an electrode in the electrode array. Insertion status of the electrode is determined based, at least in part, on the measured conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Kabot, Mathias Kals
  • Patent number: 9986927
    Abstract: An ECG monitoring system for ambulatory patients includes a disposable multi-electrode patch that adhesively attaches to the chest of a patient. A reusable battery-powered ECG monitor clips onto the patch and receives patient electrical signals from the electrodes of the patch. A processor continuously processes received ECG signals and stores the signals in memory in the monitor. The processor also analyzes the received ECG signals for predefined arrhythmia. If an arrhythmia is detected, a bi-directional wireless transceiver in the ECG monitor transmits the event information and an ECG strip to a cellphone handset. The cellphone handset automatically relays the event information and ECG strip to a monitoring center for further diagnosis and necessary intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Solosko, Stacy Gehman, Earl Herleikson, Thomas Lyster, Shannon Fong, Kim Hansen, Jon Bishay, Chuni Kao, Brett Cross, Krishnakant Nammi, Corinne Mauser
  • Patent number: 9980661
    Abstract: A method of reconstruction of the standard 12-lead surface EKG given values of the electrical potential from an implanted medical device is described. This implanted device can be oriented in an arbitrary fashion and reconstruction technique is obtained through physical measurement of the orientation of the implanted device or correlation with a standard 12-lead EKG obtained from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Samir F. Saba, Jeffrey L. Williams, George S. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 9981130
    Abstract: A multiple output current stimulator circuit with fast turn on time is described. At least one pair of input side and output side transistors is arranged in a current mirror connected to a supply transistor by cascode coupling. The output side transistor supplies stimulation current to an electrode in contact with tissue. An operational amplifier connected to a reference voltage and to the output side transistor drives the supply transistor to maintain the voltage at the output side transistor equal to the reference voltage. The at least one pair of transistors includes multiple pairs of transistors whose output side transistors drive respective electrodes with stimulation currents. The stimulator determines the initiation and duration of stimulation current pulses supplied to each electrode. At circuit activation, large currents are generated which discharge capacitances in the output side transistors causing rapid output side transistor turn on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
    Inventor: Edward K. F. Lee
  • Patent number: 9981141
    Abstract: The defibrillator may include a heart rhythm detector to detect the heart rhythm of a patient, a manual mode controller structured to set the defibrillator in a synchronous shock operating mode or an asynchronous shock operating mode depending on an input from a human operator, a shock module to cause the defibrillator to deliver a shock to the patient according to the operating mode, and an automatic mode controller structured to, after the shock module has delivered the shock to the patient, set the external defibrillator to the synchronous shock operating mode or the asynchronous shock operating mode depending on the detected heart rhythm of the patient and without input from the human operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walker, Fred W. Chapman, Isabelle Banville, James W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9980650
    Abstract: A remote photoplethysmography system includes a filter (10) for application to a detection unit. The filter further includes a first filter area (11) configured to transmit light (A) at a first wavelength and a second filter area (12) configured to transmit light (D) at a second wavelength. The detection unit (22) detects radiation received from the first filter area and from the second filter area of the filter. An analysis unit (6) determines the vital sign information of the subject from the detected radiation from the first filter area and from the second filter area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Rick Bezemer
  • Patent number: 9981126
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing the undesirable dissipation of charge throughout a tissue surface while maintaining the charge density at a desired tissue treatment site. The invention embodies a physical perimeter conductor positioned in proximity to a tissue surface and a conductance control circuit working in combination to collect surface charge applied within the confines of the perimeter conductor and to maintain a desired relationship between the contained surface charge density and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Andrew M. Hoff, Mark J. Jaroszeski, Richard A. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9981140
    Abstract: An external defibrillator can have a synchronous shock operating mode and an asynchronous shock operating mode and include a controller to set the defibrillator in the synchronous shock operating mode or the asynchronous shock operating mode. The defibrillator can also include a shock module to cause the defibrillator to deliver shock therapy to the patient according to the operating mode of the defibrillator, and a prompt module to transmit a prompt, after delivery of the shock therapy, that includes the operating mode of the defibrillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walker, Fred W. Chapman, Isabelle Banville
  • Patent number: 9974959
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation system includes a control module that provides electrical stimulation signals to an electrical stimulation lead coupled to the control module for stimulation of patient tissue. The system also includes a sensor to be disposed on or within the body of the patient and to measure a biosignal; and a processor to communicate with the sensor to receive the biosignal and to generate an adjustment to one or more of the stimulation parameters based on the biosignal. The adjustment can be configured and arranged to steer the electrical stimulation signals to stimulate a region of the patient tissue that is different, at least in part, from a region of the patient tissue stimulated prior to the adjustment. Alternatively or additionally, the biosignal is indicative of a particular patient activity and the adjustment is a pre-determined adjustment selected for the particular patient activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Sridhar Kothandaraman
  • Patent number: 9962546
    Abstract: A CFS system includes self-adhesive, disposable pads. Each pad is combined with a sealed, cleanable battery/controller pod and then placed on the body where needed. The battery/controller pod preferably has wireless capability, such as Bluetooth® capability. The patient can download an application to a smartphone or similar mobile device to control the pods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Meagan Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Carroll, Mark Edward Schoening, Patrick Allen Scranton, William Richard Huseby
  • Patent number: 9962545
    Abstract: A hand-held device for combined light therapy and electrotherapy of a skin surface with acne, includes: a hand-held housing having an output port; at least one light source configured to emit light of different colors through the output port of the housing for light therapy of an acne lesion; and electrodes configured to apply a current across a center part of the output port for electrotherapy of the acne lesion, wherein the center part of the output port is located between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Unimed ApS
    Inventor: Bjarne Asah
  • Patent number: 9962095
    Abstract: Heartrate tracking is performed entirely optically without the subject being required to wear any monitoring equipment by processing a combination of signals representing frames of video of the sinusoidal motion of a subject's facial skin color changes captured by both IR and visible light (e.g., RGB—red/green/blue) cameras. The IR and RGB graphs that result from the processing are perfectly phase-shifted so that when the IR signal is going down in amplitude, the RGB signal is going up. Such phase-shifting enables the optical heartrate tracking to utilize diverse input feeds so that a tracked signal is accepted as the user's true heartrate when both IR and RGB signals are well correlated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Anis Ahmad, Ben Walker, Daniel Kennett, Andrew Flavell
  • Patent number: 9962538
    Abstract: A medical electrode includes a moderately conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom side with a connector and contact with a flexible member top side for establishing electrical contact with an external apparatus. An oversize non-conductive flexible sheet covers the conductive flexible member top and the connector and a highly conductive ink pattern is disposed on a conductive flexible member bottom side. A moderately high conductive hydrogel adhesive disposed on the conductive flexible member bottom side and covering the conductive ink pattern is provided for adhering the electrode to a patient's skin. Lateral conductivity and conformability of the electrode is controlled by cutouts in and thickness of the conductive flexible member and/or the conductive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: AXELGAARD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Jens Axelgaard
  • Patent number: 9956395
    Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a substantially porous element configured to be coupled to an electrode for delivery of electrical current to a patient in a neurostimulation procedure. The substantially porous material defining a contact surface, of which at least a portion contacts the patient during the neurostimulation procedure. A first insulating member is coupled to the substantially porous element and exposed at the contact surface to prevent a portion of the contact surface from contacting the patient to deliver the electrical current during the neurostimulation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Marom Bikson, Gregory Kronberg, Tamer N. Naguib, Denis Arce, Preet Minhas