Patents Examined by Christine Matthews
  • System for determining relative distance(s) and/or angle(s) between at least two points
    Patent number: 8684009
    Abstract: Systems and method utilizing microelectronic devices for determining relative positions such as distances and/or angles between at least two points is described. The points may be locations of parts of the body such as the fingers on a person's hand. A first microelectronic device is adapted to emit magnetic signals and at least a second microelectronic device is adapted to receive the magnetic signals, wherein a controller is adapted to communicate with the first and second microelectronic devices. The second microelectronic device and/or the controller are adapted to determine a distance and angle between the first and the second microelectronic devices based on the strength of the magnetic signals received by the second microelectronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventors: Eusebiu Matei, Lawrence J. Karr, Joseph H. Schulman
  • Pelvic implant and delivery system
    Patent number: 8678995
    Abstract: Described and depicted are pelvic sling implant and delivery systems. The sling implants can be used in treating stress incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders. The sling systems can include a mesh extension or support portion and one or more tip anchors. A delivery tool can include a handle (61), a needle (62) and a sheath (70), with the sheath having an elongate shaft portion slidable along at least a portion of the needle. The sheath can further include a distal hood portion having opposed flared portions (78) defining interior pleat channels adapted to selectively seat tine ends of the anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Crawford
  • Automated interpretive medical care system and methodology
    Patent number: 8679029
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for monitoring, diagnosing and treating at least one medical respiratory condition of a patient are provided, including a medical data input interface adapted to provide at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration of the patient, and a medical parameter interpretation functionality (104, 110) adapted to receive the at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration (102) of the patient and to provide at least one output indication (112) relating to a degree of severity of at least one medical condition indicated by the at least one medical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Oridion Medical (1987) Ltd., Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventors: Baruch Schlomo Krauss, David Robert Hampton, Ephraim Carlebach
  • Method of collecting semen from lab animals and artificial insemination method thereof
    Patent number: 8678992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of collecting semen from the epididymis or the testis of a lab animal and an artificial insemination method thereof. The present invention relates to a new applicable method in the animal production field using artificial insemination. Since the present invention solves the problems of the conventional method of artificial insemination of lab animals, it is excellent in terms of the pregnancy rate and productivity; is time-efficient; and is superior in economic and industrial respects by preventing a huge economic loss due to the costs for maintaining the mass breeding of animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Testing and Research Institute
    Inventor: Jeong Sup Hong
  • Method and system for providing sensor redundancy
    Patent number: 8679016
    Abstract: A closed loop system or semi-closed loop system for infusing insulin using sensor values applies a redundant sensor system as a fail-safe method against sensor failure. The redundant glucose sensors are used corroborate each other and a failing sensor is detected if the sensors no longer corroborate each other. The use of redundant sensors has the additional benefit of producing better sensor signals compared to the use of a single sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Mastrototaro, Richard K. Yoon, Desmond Barry Keenan
  • Devices and methods for treating morbid obesity
    Patent number: 8678994
    Abstract: A surgical method of treating morbid obesity via bariatric procedures, carried out endoluminally and transluminally using endoscopic devices that are introduced through natural body openings without the necessity of creating any incisions in the abdominal wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Medigus Ltd.
    Inventors: Elazar Sonnenschein, Amir Govrin, Yoav Avidor, Yuval Elovici, Minelu Sonnenschein
  • Vivo stimulation of cellular material
    Patent number: 8672826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the in vivo stimulation of cellular material. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for stimulating cells and tissue in vivo comprising the step of applying to said cells and tissue an electrobiomimetic stimulus, wherein the growth characteristics of said cells and tissue are enhanced as compared to cells and tissue not receiving said stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Global Energy Medicine Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey David Edwards, Chin Joo Goh, Kay Fei Chan
  • Implantable restriction system with release mechanism
    Patent number: 8672830
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. A drive element is associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. A release mechanism is provided for the tension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Dlugos, Jr., Thomas E. Adams, Randal T. Byrum, Toralf Bork, Christine H. Chen, Sean P. Conlon, Rocco Crivelli, Dean L. Garner, Alec J. Ginggen, David T. Krumanaker, Amy L. Marcotte, Anil K. Nalagatla, Bret W. Smith, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Richard W. Timm
  • Magnetic nanoparticle and group of nanoparticles
    Patent number: 8662085
    Abstract: For particularly effective stem cell therapy a nanoparticle is provided. The nanoparticle has a first element consisting of a magnetic material, a support or envelope element consisting of a biodegradable material, a first substance containing an x-ray contrast agent, and a second substance containing stem cells. The stem cells are embodied such that they can be used for angiogenesis or for myogenesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Maschke
  • Method and apparatus for intensity modulated arc therapy sequencing and optimization
    Patent number: 8663084
    Abstract: A treatment planner (102) generates fluence maps (140) indicative of a desired fluence distribution at various locations (304, 312) along a treatment arc (302). A converter (142) converts the fluence distributions (140) to treatment device settings (144). The settings (144) may include multiple segments. A segment distributor (146) distributes the settings to locations in the vicinity of their original positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Karl Antonin Bzdusek
  • Sequentially programmed magnetic field therapeutic system (SPMF)
    Patent number: 8657732
    Abstract: A comprehensive system for inducing cellular regeneration and/or degeneration processes and methods of treatment based on such processes through generating and applying a sequentially programmed magnetic field (SPMF) to the area to be treated. In the case of regeneration and degeneration of cells, the pulsing frequencies are in the range of about 0.1 to about 2000 Hz based on the indication of the disease type which was determined by either the patient's MRI, CT, Ultrasound or other diagnostic information. Methods for treating diseases or conditions that will benefit from regeneration and/or degeneration of cells. For example, methods for treating cancer, arthritis, neuro degeneration conditions, such as the age-related progressive loss of nerve cells, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and Huntington's disease, retinal degeneration, and other damage to sensory systems (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: SBF Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventor: Vishwanath Gopalakrishna Vasishta
  • Gastric belt
    Patent number: 8657735
    Abstract: A gastric belt has a wall of a chamber (3) forming a working face (5) with a length (l5) in the flat position of the belt. The length (l5) is equal to or greater than a length (l4) of the wall of the chamber (3), which forms the back side (4) in such a way that when the belt is fastened in the form of a circle and is inflated, the chamber wall forms folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Medical Innovation Developpement
    Inventors: Vincent Frering, Pierre-André Denis
  • Magnetic core for medical procedures
    Patent number: 8657731
    Abstract: The inventive technique includes a system, method and device for treating a patient. The device includes a magnetic device having a core created by a binder process having a relatively low temperature. The device further includes a conductor in electrical communication with the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Neuronetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Edward Riehl, Kenneth Marc Ghiron
  • Health applications of a double helix conductor
    Patent number: 8652023
    Abstract: An electrical system having an underlying structure resembling the double helix most commonly associated with DNA is used to produce useful electromagnetic fields for health applications and/or medical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: LifeWave, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Schmidt
  • Stabilizer and method for irradiating tumors
    Patent number: 8652022
    Abstract: A method of treating a region of diseased tissue using a probe is disclosed. A probe cannula is introduced into the tissue of the patient until a distal end of the cannula is located at or proximate to the treatment region. A plurality of electrodes are then deployed from the distal end of the cannula into the treatment region. Energy (e.g., radiofrequency energy) is then delivered through the plurality of electrodes to the tissue. The cannula is then secured to an immobile object external to the patient. The treatment region is irradiated with a therapeutically effective dose of an ionizing radiation while the plurality of electrodes remain at least partially advanced within the treatment region and while the cannula remains secured to the immobile object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Rioux
  • Disposable urine incontinence device
    Patent number: 8652026
    Abstract: A disposable urinary incontinence device comprises a liquid-stable resilient member, and a cover sheet that envelops the liquid-stable resilient member to form an elongated member having a tubular profile. The elongated member has a first end, a second end, a first fold region disposed between the first end and the second end, a second fold region disposed between the first end and the first fold region, a third fold region disposed between the second end and the first fold region, a first portion located between the first end and the second fold region, a second portion located between the second end and the third fold region, a third portion located between the first fold region and a second fold region, and a fourth portion located between the first fold region and the third fold region to form a W-shaped incontinence device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Ann Zunker, Sarah Anne Lemke, Patricia Ann Samolinski, Sarah Anne Olson
  • Applying torque to paramagnetic structures in bodies using dual magnetic fields
    Patent number: 8647252
    Abstract: Techniques for applying torque to microscopic paramagnetic structures in a body includes exposing a body simultaneously to a first magnetic field oscillating at a first frequency in a first direction and a different second magnetic field oscillating at a second frequency in a second direction. The body includes a plurality of microscopic paramagnetic structures for which magnetic susceptibility to the first magnetic field is different from magnetic susceptibility to the second magnetic field. Such techniques are effective for ameliorating a symptom of a disease in an animal in which disease agents or diseased cells selectively include microscopic paramagnetic structures, including malaria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Diament
  • Epicardial clip
    Patent number: 8647254
    Abstract: An epicardial clip for reshaping the annulus of the mitral valve of a heart. The epicardial clip includes a curved member having an anterior segment configured to be positioned in the transverse sinus of the heart, a posterior segment configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the heart, such as on or inferior to the atrioventricular groove, and a lateral segment extending between the anterior segment and the posterior segment. The lateral segment includes a curve such that the first end of the member is positioned at or above the plane of the mitral valve and the second end of the member is positioned at or below the plane of the mitral valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC
    Inventors: Peter Tachi Callas, Pierluca Lombardi, Michael C. Stewart, Liming Lau, Mark S. Juravic, Evan Anderson, Joe Lamberti, Albert K. Chin, Tammy Wang
  • Sleep control device and control method therefor
    Patent number: 8647253
    Abstract: A drowsiness level detection section detects a drowsiness level of an individual person. A sleep depth level control section controls the sleep depth of the individual person based on the detected drowsiness level. The sleep depth level control section executes a first sleep control, in which the sleep depth level of the individual person is maintained at a predetermined sleep depth level below a maximum sleep depth level, if the detected drowsiness level is equal to or below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Iizuka, Hiroki Okamura
  • Bolus
    Patent number: 8640712
    Abstract: A bolus for monitoring the parameters of an animal. The bolus will sense selective parameters and will send signals representative of those parameters to a receiver. The bolus includes sensors for sensing a number of parameters such as temperature, pH and movement. The power of the signal inside the animal is greater than that outside the animal since the signal is attenuated by the structure of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: William E. Ardrey, Jr.