Patents Examined by Boniface Nganga
  • Patent number: 10709609
    Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation lever, an optic fiber, and a housing tube. The housing tube may have a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffs ness may be greater than the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within the housing tube and within an inner bore of the handle. An actuation of the actuation lever about a pivot pin of the handle may gradually curve the optic fiber. An actuation of the actuation lever about the pivot pin of the handle may gradually straighten the optic fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Matthew N Zeid, Craig Moore
  • Patent number: 10307199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to robotic surgical devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to robotic surgical devices that can be inserted into a patient's body and can be positioned within the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Shane Farritor, Amy Lehman, Nathan A. Wood, Mark Rentschler, Jason Dumpert, Dmitry Oleynikov
  • Patent number: 10292767
    Abstract: Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Burbank, Gregory W. Dachs, II, Todd E. Murphy
  • Patent number: 10292867
    Abstract: An ophthalmological laser system for photodisruptive irradiation of ocular tissue, including a crystalline lens or a cornea. The system includes an ultra-short pulse laser, the radiation of which is focusable as illumination light via an illumination beam path including a scanner unit and focusing optics. A control unit is programmed to execute determining irradiation control data for photodisruptions at irradiation points in an interior of the ocular tissue distributed three-dimensionally and non-equidistantly to create at least one predetermined target incision. The laser system then irradiates the ocular tissue according to the determined irradiation control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Manfred Dick, Matthias Reich, Dieter Grebner
  • Patent number: 10285857
    Abstract: Ophthalmic treatment systems and methods of using the systems are disclosed. The ophthalmic treatment systems include (a) a light source device; (b) at least one optical treatment head operatively coupled to the light source device, comprising a light source array, and providing at least one treatment light; and (c) a light control device, which (i) provides patterned or discontinuous treatment light projection onto an eye (e.g., the cornea and/or sclera of an eye); or (ii) adjusts intensity of part or all of the light source array, providing adjusted intensity treatment light projection onto an eye (e.g., the cornea and/or sclera of an eye). The at least one treatment light promotes corneal and/or scleral collagen cross-linking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CXL OPHTHALMICS, LLC
    Inventors: Roy S. Rubinfeld, Sandy T. Feldman, Kevin E. Daly, Raymond A. Hartman
  • Patent number: 10277001
    Abstract: A laser system for medical treatment is disclosed which comprises a pump, wherein the laser system is adapted to be operated in pulsed operation so that at least one laser pulse of a temporally limited pulse duration (Tp) is generated. The generated laser pulse irradiates some part of the human or animal body so that a two-dimensional laser spot S is located on the top layer of the irradiated part of the human or animal body. The pump power of the pump of the laser system is modulated in such a way that the cumulative energy ES(Tp/2) which is delivered by said laser pulse to said laser spot S during the first half of the pulse duration is less than 45% of the energy ES(Tp) which is delivered by said laser pulse to said laser spot S during the entire pulse duration Tp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Fotona d.d.
    Inventors: Marko Marincek, Janko Nendl, Matjaz Mocnik, Lukac Matjaz
  • Patent number: 10265799
    Abstract: The present application relates to a device for cutting hair comprising a skin contacting face (3) that is placed against a surface of the skin (6) of a user during use. The device also has an optical system configured to direct a cutting laser beam (8) across a cutting zone (5) parallel to and spaced from said skin contacting face to cut hairs extending into the cutting zone. Also provided is a laser positioning mechanism which is arranged so that, during use of the device, the distance (H1) between said cutting laser beam and said skin contacting face is changed to maintain a predetermined distance between the cutting laser beam and the surface of the skin of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bastiaan Wilhelmus Maria Moeskops, Calina Ciuhu, Rudolf Maria Jozef Voncken, Klaas Hilverda, Geert Veenstra, Willem Auke Westerhof
  • Patent number: 10265125
    Abstract: A microwave applicator having a probe which comprises an elongate shaft (14), the shaft having an external tubular wall (18), a radiating portion (15) disposed at the distal end of the shaft (14), a transmission line (17) extending to the radiating portion internally of the tubular external wall (18), and an elongate flow dividing member (19) which co-extends with the transmission line (17) longitudinally of the shaft (14), the side wall of the transmission line (17) and the side wall of the flow dividing member (19) contacting each other and contacting the internal surface of the external tubular wall (18) at two-spatially separated discrete positions, thereby defining a pair of flow channels (20, 21) inside the shaft (14). In use, cooling fluid can pass down one channel (20) and return via the other channel (21). The structure of the probe is uncomplicated and the probe is straightforward to assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Cronin, Peter Clegg
  • Patent number: 10258235
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assessing bowel function in a patient, comprising providing the patient with a numeric analog scale for at least one parameter which is a measure of bowel function; causing the patient to indicate on the numeric analog scale the amount and/or intensity of the parameter being experienced; and observing the amount and/or intensity of the at least one parameter indicated on the numeric analog scale in order to assess bowel function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Purdue Pharma L.P.
    Inventors: Petra Leyendecker, Michael Hopp, Axel Drews
  • Patent number: 10258285
    Abstract: A system for ablating tissue includes an ablation catheter for insertion into the body of a patient and a robotic controller for moving the catheter within the body. The robotic controller advances the catheter until the catheter contacts the tissue surface, maintains contact between the catheter and the tissue surface, and moves the catheter along a predetermined path to create a substantially continuous lesion of ablated tissue. A display device may be used to present a graphical representation of an area of tissue to be ablated. A user interface permits selection of a plurality of treatment points on the graphical representation. The interface is preferably coupled to the controller and catheter such that the controller may cause the catheter to automatically ablate tissue at and between the plurality of treatment points in response to the received user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hauck, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer, Kedar Ravindra Belhe, Jeffrey L. Burrell
  • Patent number: 10251564
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating thermal patient signal analysis. In accordance with one aspect, the framework receives patient signal data including thermal signal data. The framework then segments a region of interest from the thermal signal data. One or more cardiac output indices may be determined based on one or more parameters extracted from the segmented region of interest to characterize cardiac output or stroke volume. A report may then be generated based at least in part on the one or more cardiac output indices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Hongxuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 10251609
    Abstract: Devices and systems are provided to determine the condition of a subject comprehensively on the basis of a measurement result of a body water meter. The body water meter measures the amount of water in a subject's body and includes direction means and output means. The direction means, when water amount data is acquired through the measurement of the amount of water, directs a server that manages data regarding living body information on the subject to search for another piece of data acquired through measurement of living body information on the subject other than the amount of water and that satisfies a predetermined measurement condition. The output means outputs a message indicating the condition of the subject which is determined on the basis of the water amount data and the other piece of data on the subject received in response to the direction from the direction means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Miyuki Koyama, Kei Honda, Yuusuke Sekine
  • Patent number: 10220142
    Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer readable media are provided for transitioning a clinical care room from a first scene to a second scene in order to facilitate completion of a medication-administration process. The first scene in the clinical care room is presented where the clinical care room has one or more zones. The first scene is associated with a first group of setting for components within the one or more zones. An input indicating that the medication-administration process has been initiated is received. Incident to receiving the input, the second scene is provided. The second scene is associated with a second group of settings for the components. The second group of settings is optimized to facilitate completion medication-administration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Palmer Bechtel, Mark Nolte
  • Patent number: 10220141
    Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer readable media for transitioning a clinical care room from a first scene to a second scene in order to facilitate completion of a real-world activity are provided. The first scene in the clinical care room is presented where the clinical care room has one or more zones. The first scene is associated with a first group of setting for components within the one or more zones. An input corresponding to the real-world activity is received. Incident to receiving the input, the second scene is provided. The second scene is associated with a second group of settings for the components. The second group of setting is optimized to facilitate completion of the real-world activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Palmer Bechtel, Mark Nolte, Eric Kays, Scott Gordon Siebers, Greg Mitchem
  • Patent number: 10219870
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Also disclosed are various medical devices for in vivo medical procedures. Included herein, for example, is a surgical robotic device having an elongate device body, a right robotic arm coupled to a right shoulder assembly, and a left robotic arm coupled to a left shoulder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Jack Mondry, Shane Farritor, Eric Markvicka, Thomas Frederick, Joe Bartels
  • Patent number: 10213341
    Abstract: A laser probe with a replaceable optic fiber may include a reusable handle, a reusable housing tube, a reusable handle adapter, a reusable machine adapter, and a replaceable optic fiber. The handle adapter may interface with a proximal end of the handle. The machine adapter may interface with a surgical machine. The replaceable optic fiber may include an optic fiber having a first optic fiber end and a second optic fiber end, a first connector, and a second connector. The optic fiber may be disposed within the first connector and the second connector. The first connector may be temporarily fixed within the handle adapter and the second connector may be temporarily fixed within the machine adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Matthew N Zeid
  • Patent number: 10201452
    Abstract: A laser probe with a replaceable optic fiber may include a reusable handle, a reusable housing tube, a reusable handle adapter, a reusable machine adapter, and a replaceable optic fiber. The handle adapter may interface with a proximal end of the handle. The machine adapter may interface with a surgical machine. The replaceable optic fiber may include an optic fiber having a first optic fiber end and a second optic fiber end, a first connector, and a second connector. The optic fiber may be disposed within the first connector and the second connector. The first connector may be temporarily fixed within the handle adapter and the second connector may be temporarily fixed within the machine adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: KATALYST SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Matthew N Zeid
  • Patent number: 10182942
    Abstract: A polarization beam splitter selectively decouples detection light onto a detector such that it has a polarization direction that differs from the emitted illumination light. This enables the detection of the light scattered back in the eye lens at a high level of accuracy, since stray light from reflections at optical components of the light path is suppressed. In the generating of photo disruptions or other incisions, the ray exposure of the retina may be reduced in that the incisions being furthest away from the laser are induced first such that laminar gas inclusions with an existence duration time of at least 5 seconds result. In this manner the laser radiation propagated in the direction of the retina in further incisions are scattered and partially reflected such that the influence impinging upon the retina is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reich, Dieter Grebner, Andreas Koch, Juergen Ledermann, Manfred Dick, Marco Hanft
  • Patent number: 10179247
    Abstract: An interstitial laser therapy control system is disclosed. The control system includes a thermistor controller apparatus, a microprocessor, a storage device, at least one input device, a display, an electro-mechanical shutter switch, an electro-mechanical emergency shutoff switch, and an electro-mechanical master power switch. The microprocessor is configured to monitor temperatures detected by one or more thermistors connected to the thermistor controller. Based on the temperatures, the microprocessor determines when treatment has been successful and when application of laser energy needs to be halted. The control system also enables an operator to pause and resume treatment using the input device. The electro-mechanical shutter switch sends a signal to a laser source to close a shutter on the laser. The electro-mechanical emergency stop button causes power to be cut off to the laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Novian Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Tomasello, William Graveman, Kambiz Dowlatshahi, Henry R. Appelbaum
  • Patent number: 10172562
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal with a health care function and a method of controlling the mobile terminal. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a mobile terminal with a health care function. The mobile terminal includes a sensing unit that senses a living body signal from a user and information on user's surroundings when performing the health care function, a controller that generates a numerically-valued living body information using the living body signal, sets a reference range of numerical values using the information on the user's surroundings and generates alerting information depending on whether or not a numerical value of the living body information falls into the reference range of numerical values, and a display unit that displays the alerting information under the control of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gukchan Lim, Seonghyok Kim, Hyunghoon Oh, Jeunguk Ha, Seehyung Lee