Patents Examined by Brian M Antiskay
  • Patent number: 8694070
    Abstract: An applicator for applying an electrode to a patient, and a system for recording of the electroencephalographic potential, the evoked potential, and the ground and reference potentials in electroenceophalographic and evoked potential measurements, is disclosed herein. The applicator includes a main body and a plunger unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Persyst Development Corporation
    Inventor: Scott B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8688237
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, David C. Hacker, Wenjeng Li, David J. Little, Carla A. Pagotto, Dwayne S. Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8682412
    Abstract: A tetrode for measuring bio-signals, the tetrode including four electrodes which extend in a lengthwise direction of the tetrode and are symmertrically arranged; and an insulation layer which surrounds the four electrodes to insulate the electrodes from each others. A method of manufacturing a tetrode for measuring bio-signals, the method including forming a first insulation layer; forming first and second electrodes on the first insulation layer and forming a second insulation layer on the first and second electrodes; and forming third and fourth electrodes on the second insulation layer and forming a third insulation layer on the third and fourth electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Se Jae Oh, Jei Won Cho, Il Joo Cho, Soo Hyun Lee, Hee Sup Shin, Jin Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8679115
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members and a first electrically conductive cutting plate. The pair of opposing first and second jaw members is movable to cooperatively grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes a tissue contacting plate that is disposed thereon and has a longitudinal channel that is defined therealong. The first electrically conductive cutting plate includes a cutting element that extends along the first electrically conductive cutting plate and into the longitudinal channel of the first jaw member to engage and electrosurgically sever tissue upon activation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Arlan J. Reschke
  • Patent number: 8663238
    Abstract: A treatment tool used with an endoscope includes a flexible sheath having an internal insertion through hole which extends in the axial direction of the sheath; one or more holes that are placed in a distal end portion of the sheath, and that penetrate a wall portion of the sheath so as to allow the insertion through hole to communicate with the outside of the sheath; a wire that passes from the insertion through hole in the sheath through the hole portion so that a portion thereof is exposed to the outside of the sheath; and a wire restricting portion that is provided in the vicinity of at least one hole portion from among the one or more hole portions, and that prevents the wire which is passing through the hole portion and extending to the outside of the sheath from shifting from the radial direction of the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Goto
  • Patent number: 8655454
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of tissue with microwave energy. The devices and methods disclosed herein utilize an antenna assembly which includes an elongate member, an outer conductor, an inner conductor, at least a portion of which is deployable, and a cooling system. The cooling system disclosed herein may significantly curtail any theoretical, or potential negative effects upon the target tissue experienced during the transmission of microwave energy to the antenna assembly due to ohmic heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mani N. Prakash, Tao Nguyen, Christopher T. Rusin
  • Patent number: 8655441
    Abstract: In an exemplary implementation of this invention, a user wears comfortable biosensors. These sensors gather physiological data from the user and transmit this data to another radio-enabled device. This other device may be a mobile phone. The data is further transmitted, via this other radio-enabled device, to one or more networks (such as wireless networks or the Internet). A processor analyzes this transmitted data, in real time, to recognize patterns in the data that indicate the need for therapeutic intervention. Upon recognition of such a pattern, the processor outputs instructions for a transducer to deliver therapeutic stimuli. These instructions are transmitted, over one or more wired or wireless networks, to a transducer which delivers the therapeutic stimuli to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Richard Fletcher, Rosalind Picard, Hoda Eydgahi, Clayton Williams
  • Patent number: 8644904
    Abstract: A flexible dry electrode and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. The electrode has an electroplated uneven surface and at least one hole and is made of porous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Cheng-Hung Chang, Yi-Shiang Ouyang, Wen-Ying Chang
  • Patent number: 8644902
    Abstract: A method for sensing multiple local electric voltages from endocardial surface of a heart, includes: providing a system for sensing multiple local electric voltages from endocardial surface of a heart, including: a first elongate tubular member having a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end; a basket assembly including: a plurality of flexible splines for guiding a plurality of exposed electrodes, the splines having proximal portions, distal portions and medial portions therein between, wherein the electrodes are substantially flat electrodes and are substantially unidirectionally oriented towards a direction outside of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Topera, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Kordis, Ruchir Sehra
  • Patent number: 8626317
    Abstract: A bite block for use during intraoperative monitoring of nerves is provided. The bite block is formed of a resilient material to inhibit injury to one or more teeth or the tongue of the patient. The bite block includes at least one access port angled with the respect to a plane and sized to slidingly receive an electrode. The electrode may be advanced through the access port and into the tongue of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: ProNerve, LLC
    Inventor: James Higgins
  • Patent number: 8613709
    Abstract: An ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor with a jumpered sensing electrode and method of use for female and large-girthed patients is provided. Self-powered ECG sensing circuitry is fully enclosed in a housing with electrode receptacles on a bottom surface. A flexible and stretchable electrode mounting panel is provided with a layer of skin adhesive. A standoff pad is placed between the housing and the electrode mounting panel. Sensing electrodes are mounted on opposite ends of the mounting panel. Each sensing electrode includes an electrode pad facing the skin contacting surface and an oppositely-facing electrode plug. Each plug is removably and pivotably couplable into the receptacles. A jumper wire assembly includes a jumper plug electrically connected to a jumper receptacle. The jumper plug is removably and pivotably couplable into the receptacles and the jumper receptacle is removably and pivotably couplable into the plugs on the mounting panel opposite from the standoff pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Science Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Mikalson Bishay, Gust H. Bardy, Jason Felix
  • Patent number: 8613708
    Abstract: An ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor with a jumpered sensing electrode and method of use is provided. Self-powered ECG sensing circuitry is fully enclosed in a housing that provides electrode connection receptacles on a bottom surface of the housing. A flexible and stretchable electrode mounting panel having an elongated shape is provided with a layer of skin adhesive on a skin contacting surface. Sensing electrodes are mounted on opposite ends of the mounting panel. Each sensing electrode includes an electrode pad facing the skin contacting surface and an oppositely-facing electrode connection plug. Each connection plug is removably and pivotably couplable into the connection receptacles. A jumper wire assembly includes a jumper connection plug electrically connected to a jumper connection receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Science Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Mikalson Bishay, Gust H. Bardy, Jason Felix
  • Patent number: 8600472
    Abstract: Cardiac catheters, including a lasso catheter, are provided for use in a system for electrical mapping and ablation of the heart has an array of raised, circumferential ring bump electrodes wherein each circumferential electrode has multiple perforations, which are in fluid communication with a cavity or chamber formed under the surface of the circumferential ring. The cavity is formed 360° around the outer surface or loop lumen of the lasso segment of the catheter which is in fluid communication with a breach hole (or holes) drilled through loop lumen and in fluid communication with an irrigating lumen. Each circumferential ring has a breach hole (or holes) that range from smaller to larger from the proximal end of the loop segment to the distal end of the loop segment in one embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel), Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Athanassios Papaioannou, Christopher Beeckler
  • Patent number: 8591599
    Abstract: An assembly may include a plurality of electrode contacts adapted to receive myoelectric signals from a body when placed into contact with the body. The assembly may also include a support structure adapted to support the electrode contacts. The assembly may also include a prosthetic liner, the support structure being embedded in the prosthetic liner. The electrode contacts may be positioned to be extending through openings in the prosthetic liner. The assembly may also include signal processing circuitry adapted to process the myoelectric signals from the body. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Infinite Biomedical Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rahul R. Kaliki, Neha Malhotra, Girish Singhal, Nitish V. Thakor
  • Patent number: 8577477
    Abstract: An endotracheal tube usable for intraopertive monitoring of the laryngeal nerve. The endotracheal tube includes at least one electrical contact that is movable along and about an exterior sidewall of the endotracheal tube and connected to the exterior sidewall by a connector when the electrode is placed in a position to optimize the conductivity between the nerve being monitored and the electrical contact. The electrical contact may be connected using a locking tube, tape, adhesive, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: ProNerve, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Thramann, James Higgins
  • Patent number: 8565870
    Abstract: A system implantable components (32, 36, 38, 40) for providing therapy to or monitoring the physiologic state of living tissue. The components exchange signals over implanted bus (34). The bus includes a trunk (84) and at least one branch (14) The at least one branch is connected to and able to move relative to the trunk. Signals are inductively exchanged between the branch and the one or more trunks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Malackowski, John J. Janik
  • Patent number: 8548558
    Abstract: An electrode for selective attachment to at least one of a garment and a subject, is provided and includes a conductive member defining a first side and a second side; a conductive composition disposed on the first side of the conductive member, wherein the conductive composition has a first adhesive strength; a contact layer disposed on the second side of the conductive member, wherein the contact layer includes a pressure sensitive adhesive portion and a conductive hydrogel portion, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive portion has a second adhesive strength that is greater than the adhesive strength of the conductive composition; whereby the electrode is adherable to the garment and to the subject such that the conductive composition is adhered to the subject and the pressure sensitive adhesive portion is adhered to the garment, wherein removal of the garment from the subject results in removal of the electrode from the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Boyd Dunagan, Jay M. Dunagan, Erick Garstka, Keith J. Geolat, Charles A. Rowe
  • Patent number: 8548555
    Abstract: An active dry sensor module for measurement of bioelectricity is disclosed. The active dry sensor module of the present invention excludes the use of a conductive gel, thereby not supplying unpleasantness and discomfort to a reagent and preventing the interference of the signal due to a noise component. Further, the active dry sensor module of the present invention amplifies the biomedical signal to a desired level, thereby precisely and easily measuring the biomedical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: NeuroSky, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Soo Jin, Jong-Jin Lim, Jong-Gil Byeon, Eun-Tae Kim, Jin-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 8540662
    Abstract: A kit for the diagnosis or treatment of tissue in a body cavity includes an introducer and a catheter insertable through the lumen of the introducer having a proximal segment, a working segment and a flexible distal tip segment. The flexible distal tip segment is located adjacent the distal end of the working segment and includes a proximal end, a distal end and a pre-formed bend or curve that permits the catheter to exit the introducer in a lateral direction relative to the introducer body to prevent inadvertent damage to the tissue during a medical procedure. All or part of the working segment and the flexible distal tip segment may be adhesive-filled. The catheter may also include a plurality of sensing and/or energy delivery elements on the working segment and a shape-memory wire terminating at the distal end of the working segment. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Stehr, Martin M. Grasse, Allan M. Fuentes
  • Patent number: 8538502
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and systems for monitoring bioelectric potentials. In some instances, an electrode is applied to a patient's skin. The electrode may be at least partly inserted into the patient's skin, such as by inserting at least part of one or more teeth underneath the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Persyst Development Corporation
    Inventors: Scott B. Wilson, Mark L. Scheuer, Dale Johnson, Scott Clear