Patents Examined by Brian Szmal
  • Signal processing method, signal processing apparatus, and pulse photometer using the same
    Patent number: 8437820
    Abstract: A method of processing first and second signals obtained by measuring a medium, to obtain a pulse wave signal and an artifact signal which are separated, includes: separating vectors of the first and second signals by using a separation matrix into a vector of the pulse wave signal and a vector of the artifact signal, the separation matrix including a norm ratio of a stable zone of the pulse wave signal and a compensated norm ratio of an artifact zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Yarita
  • Blood sample obtaining device
    Patent number: 8425431
    Abstract: A blood sample obtaining device including a first arm, a second arm, a light source and a pressure applying head. The first arm and the second arm are operably connected to each other. The light source is mounted with respect to the first arm. The pressure applying head is mounted with respect to the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Sylvana Kotila
  • Methods for assessment of improvements in pelvic organ conditions after an interventional procedure
    Patent number: 8419659
    Abstract: Methods for assessment of pelvic floor conditions based on tactile imaging are described. The vaginal wall is deformed before and after an interventional procedure using a transvaginal probe equipped with tactile pressure sensors and a motion tracking sensor. The vaginal wall coordinates and pressure patterns are obtained during the examination and used to build 3-D tactile image of the vagina and to calculate elasticity modulus profiles and spacing profiles along selected lines inside 3-D tactile image. The “before” and “after” profile values at specified locations are then compared to each other and to thresholds or profiles for normal conditions of vagina and its support structures. Methods of the invention may be used in estimating an improvement after an interventional procedure such as pelvic tissue regeneration, muscle repair or implantation of a supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Artann Laboratories
    Inventors: Vladmir Egorov, Heather van Raalte, Armen P. Sarvazyan
  • Method and apparatus for aural acoustic immittance measurement
    Patent number: 8419655
    Abstract: An acoustic immittance measurement system converts a measure of acoustic immittance (i.e. impedance and/or admittance) of a subject's middle ear to the frequency domain such that variations in magnitude and/or phase are diagnosed using either open-loop or closed-loop measurement techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: JD Birck, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan David Birck
  • Optimization of thresholds for eating detection
    Patent number: 8423130
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a fundic impedance signal of a subject sensed during an initial calibration period using at least one implantable fundic sensor of an eating detection device. An indication is received of actual ingestion events of the subject during the initial calibration period. Using a cost function, an analysis is performed of the fundic impedance signal and the actual ingestion events. Responsively to the analysis, a threshold is set, the crossing of which by the fundic impedance signal is indicative of ingestion. The threshold is stored in a memory of the eating detection device. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Metacure Limited
    Inventors: James Thrower, Paul Goode, Shai Policker, Anat Kliger
  • Catheter driver system
    Patent number: 8414505
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing medical procedures on an anatomical body includes an extension with an element near its distal end to be extended into the body, and a driver that moves the extension axially into the body, and that causes flexure of the distal end of the extension. The movement and flexure of the extension is driven by the driver from the proximal end of the extension, and an electronic controller directs the operation of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Weitzner, Brian Murphy
  • Balloon sizing of valve annulus for percutaneous valves
    Patent number: 8406867
    Abstract: Balloon sizing of valve annulus for percutaneous valves. In at least one embodiment of a device to size a valve annulus of the present disclosure, the device comprises an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a lumen therethrough, a balloon positioned along the elongated body at or near the distal end, a detector and a pressure transducer positioned along the elongated body within the balloon, and a suction/infusion port defined within the elongated body within the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: DTherapeutics, LLC
    Inventor: Ghassan S. Kassab
  • Modified biopsy device
    Patent number: 8403863
    Abstract: A biopsy device for excising tissue from skin and hair comprising a syringe for numbing the area to be excised coupled to a sleeve mounted on the exterior of the syringe with a blade attached to the distal edge of the sleeve. The sleeve is manually slidable from an extended position where the needle is retracted within to a retracted position where the needle is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Saad Ibrahim Al Mohizea
  • Anatomical thermal sensing device and method
    Patent number: 8388549
    Abstract: A medical device utilizing temperature sensing to identify or assess anatomical bodies or structures includes an elongate tubular member, at least one electrode, a thermal sensor, and a temperature response assessment system or component. The at least one electrode may be connected to the distal portion of the elongate tubular member, and the one or more electrode can be configured to provide energy or heat to a portion of an anatomical body or structure. The thermal sensor may be configured to measure the thermal response of the portion of an anatomical body or structure, e.g., tissue or blood pools. The temperature response assessment system or component can be coupled to the thermal sensor. In embodiments, the device may include a lumen and port opening, which may accommodate a tool, such as a needle. Methods for using temperature sensing to identify an anatomical body or structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Saurav Paul, Todd Stangenes, Riki Thao
  • Body composition monitor, measurement result output method, and measurement result output program product
    Patent number: 8391969
    Abstract: A body composition monitor calculates a body composition value of a whole body and a body composition value by site of a user using a plurality of electrodes, and calculates a site ratio representing a ratio of the body composition value by site with respect to the body composition value of the whole body. A process of outputting ratio information (site ratio and/or evaluation index of site ratio) related to the calculate site ratio is then carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Sato
  • System for withdrawing small amounts of body fluid
    Patent number: 8388552
    Abstract: A system is provided for withdrawing small amounts of body fluid from an animal or human. The system includes a holder and a disposable lancing unit attached to the holder. The lancing unit also includes an open capillary channel for transporting the body fluid and piercing the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo Effenhauser, Heinz-Michael Hein, Karl-Heinz Koelker, Frank Deck
  • Electronic safety device for sport-helmets
    Patent number: 8382685
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide an electronic safety device, adapted for use in a helmet suitable for an impact-sport, which operates to warn a first participant that a head inside the helmet is in an unsafe position relative to a body coupled to the head. In some embodiments, the head may belong to the first participant, in which case the first participant is warned of their own unsafe head position. Alternatively and/or additionally, the head may belong to a second participant, in which case the first participant is warned of the unsafe head position of the second participant. In very specific embodiments the electronic safety includes a sensor that senses head position and provides corresponding readings, and a processor that interprets the reading of the sensor in order to determine whether or not to produce a signal that indicates that the head is in an unsafe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Fred A. Vaccari, Giovanni Gentile
  • Therapy evaluation machine for measuring range of motion of a wrist, a hand and fingers
    Patent number: 8376909
    Abstract: A therapy evaluation machine used for measuring range of motion during the rehabilitation of an injury to a patient's wrist, hand or fingers. The machine includes a horizontal machine base with first and second frame members. A torque bar is mounted on the frame members and adapted for gripping by the patient's healthy and injured hand. A range of motion scale is mounted on the torque bar for visually measuring range of motion in degrees by the healthy and injured hand or fingers and to measure progress as the injured hand or fingers begin to heal. Also, the machine includes a strain gauge mounted on the torque bar and connected to a computer with digital display. The strain gauge is used for originating resistance on the torque bar and measuring torque applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Romeo J. Martin
  • Apparatus for determining health of an individual
    Patent number: 8374690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining data relevant to the state of health of an individual by measuring the signal spectra at various points on the individual's body. Illustratively, the measurements are at points on the individual's hand, implemented with a glove that includes numerous electrical point contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: ARI Licensing
    Inventor: Z. Ming Ma
  • Balloon for measuring pressure related to oral cavity and method for producing the same
    Patent number: 8366639
    Abstract: A balloon including: a pressure-receiving portion formed of an elastic material and forming an enclosed space; and a tubular portion formed integrally therewith. The balloon is configured to detect the air pressure in the pressure-receiving portion due to communication with a pressure detector through an opening end of the tubular portion. A transverse cross-section of the pressure-receiving portion orthogonal to the axial direction of the tubular portion has a flattened outer circumferential shape with an oblateness f=(A?B)/A, where A represents the length of a major axis of the outer circumferential shape and B represents the length of a minor axis thereof, being set to a range of 0.1?f?0.7 at a position at which the length A is at a maximum. The air pressure can be changed significantly and stably, and the precision of the pressure measurement can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Toyota, Hideki Munekuni, Hisashi Miyata
  • Estimating transform values using signal estimates
    Patent number: 8364225
    Abstract: According to embodiments, estimated values for a signal transform may be generated using estimated values for the signal. Signal parameters may then be determined based on the estimated signal transform. A first portion of a signal may be obtained. A second portion of the signal may be estimated. The second portion of the signal may correspond to a portion of the that is unknown, that is not yet available and/or that is obscured by noise and/or artifacts. A transform (e.g., a continuous wavelet transform) of both of the signal portions may be performed. One or more parameters corresponding to the signal may then be determined from transformed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Paul Stanley Addison, James Nicholas Watson, Braddon M. Van Slyke
  • Analysis device
    Patent number: 8357106
    Abstract: This invention is regard to an analysis device that analyze a specific component in bodily fluid extracted from the skin using an analysis tool. The analysis device comprise a laser beam oscillation section that emits a laser beam for extracting the bodily fluid from the skin, and a detection mechanism that detects whether or not the analysis tool exists at a target position. The analysis device is adapted to emit the laser beam from the laser beam oscillation section when the analysis tool is detected by the detection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhide Kusaka, Hirokazu Matsuda, Yoshiharu Sato
  • Active stylet safety shield
    Patent number: 8357104
    Abstract: A bone needle assembly has a cannula and a stylet including a shaft received in a cannula shaft. A stylet safety shield is carried by the stylet to cover a sharp tip of the stylet shaft when removed from the cannula shaft after the bone is penetrated. The stylet includes a shield release device that moves the shield somewhat out of a handle member of the stylet when the stylet is released from the cannula, so that the safety shield can be more easily grasped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Coviden LP
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Moos, David Rork Swisher
  • Blood glucose meter having integral lancet device and test strip storage vial for single handed use and methods for using same
    Patent number: 8357107
    Abstract: A blood glucose meter having a test strip port and an adjustable lancet device disposed at the same end of the device body is disclosed. The device body further includes an enclosure at the proximal end of the device body which houses a test strip storage vial and which facilitates one-handed opening and closing of the vial to simplify access to test strips contained therein. The enclosure is further provided with a window which allows the reading of the lot numbers on the label of the test strip vial therein without necessitating removal of the vial. A data connector is also provided on the device body for communication access, such as to upload data from other devices or to download data to other devices. By combining these multiple components into a single device body, the blood glucose meter requires fewer steps for sampling and testing, and makes device use easier and more convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Gregg R. Draudt, Dirk Ahlgrim, Jan Schminke, Mark Follman, José Colucci, Jr., Raymond Yao, Robert J. McCaffrey, Victor Chan
  • Method and apparatus for tinnitus evaluation
    Patent number: 8353846
    Abstract: Methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for evaluating tinnitus are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, a tinnitus evaluation system may include a tinnitus evaluation module configured to perform one or more tinnitus evaluation tests. A tinnitus evaluation test may comprise generating a first single-frequency sound based at least in part on a sound of a patient's tinnitus, and generating a narrow-band sound centered at the frequency of the first single-frequency sound. Tests include a hearing threshold test, a loudness match test, a pitch match test, a bandwidth match test, a minimum masking level test, and a residual inhibition test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Oregon Health & Science University, The United States of America as represented by The Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: James A. Henry, Grayson Silaski, David Gray, Edward V. Porsov, Kimberly Owens