Patents Examined by Daniel Cerioni
  • Patent number: 9308017
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a lateral member; a gun mount configured to support a biopsy gun, the gun mount being connected to the lateral member and movable along a first axis with respect to the lateral member, and a sensor which detects a position of the gun mount along the first axis with respect to the lateral member and generates positional data which is provided to an interface module. The gun mount can also be reconfigured in orientations which are offset in a dimension which is orthogonal to the first axis, orientations rotationally offset about the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis. The lateral member can be in right hand and left hand orientations. Various sensors detect these reconfigurations and provide corresponding data to the interface module for additional calculations and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: John Girgenti, Kenneth F. DeFreitas, Thomas W. DeYoung
  • Patent number: 9295454
    Abstract: An endoscopic needle for collecting tissue, cell and/or fluid specimens from a patient that uses a multi-channel connector having a first channel for accepting a vacuum source that will fluidly connect with a hollow needle at the distal end, and a second channel for receiving a stylet therein, an outer sheath having proximal and distal ends with the proximal end being operatively connected to a lower portion of a leur-lock, an inner tube fluidly connected to the multi-channel connector and an outer needle assembly connected to or as part of the inner tube, an inner needle or a stylet having a proximal end attached to a cap removably connected to the second channel, the stylet having a distal end connected to an inner needle or slidingly positioned within the outer needle, and a fluid pathway from the multi-channel connector to the interior of the outer needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Ko-Pen Wang
  • Patent number: 9295609
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for cardiopulmonary resuscitation includes: an information acquiring section configured to acquire information of a force, displacement, and velocity during a compression of a chest of a living body; a calculating section configured to calculate viscoelasticity information of the chest based on the information of the force, displacement, and velocity, which are acquired by the information acquiring section; an evaluating section configured to perform evaluation related to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation by using the viscoelasticity information which is calculated by the calculating section; and an outputting section configured to perform an output showing the evaluation which is performed by the evaluating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventor: Teiji Ukawa
  • Patent number: 9301068
    Abstract: The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for determining prescription rules for a hearing prosthesis. A method in accordance with the present disclosure includes identifying a threshold hearing level and an uncomfortable loudness level for a channel of a hearing prosthesis. In one example, the threshold hearing level and the uncomfortable loudness level are determined in response to a stimulation signal generated utilizing the hearing prosthesis in situ on a recipient. In the present example, the stimulation signal corresponds to the channel of the hearing prosthesis. The method further includes developing a prescription rule based on the threshold hearing level and the uncomfortable loudness level. Generally, the prescription rule includes at least one of a linear compression scheme and a wide dynamic range compression scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Erwin Cas, Mark C. Flynn, Christopher J. James
  • Patent number: 9289162
    Abstract: The invention concerns a control device for a medical test system which has a lancing element that can be inserted into body tissue to collect body fluid and a lancing drive for the lancing element. A sensor element for body fluid is arranged on the lancing element and a control unit is coupled to the sensor element for detecting a fault when collecting body fluid. In order to improve the success rate, the control unit actuates the lancing drive for an automatic puncture repetition in less than 1 second when a fault, e.g., inadequate wetting of a detection field, occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Kuhr, Herbert Harttig, Hans-Peter Haar, Hans List
  • Patent number: 9271802
    Abstract: A malleolar registration clamp comprising a reference unit and a receiving portion for receiving the malleolus, wherein the receiving portion is designed to receive at least part of the malleolus in a defined position relative to the receiving portion, and the position of the reference unit relative to the receiving portion is defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Timo Neubauer, Manuel Millahn, Norman Plaβky
  • Patent number: 9259210
    Abstract: A sampling tool for isolating and collecting a tissue biopsy includes a hollow sampling cylinder that includes a first end and an opposing second end. The first end being a sharpened, annular cutting edge and a central bore extending completely from the first end to the second end. The sampling tool also includes a plunger having a first end and a second end. The plunger includes an air evacuation feature in the form of an air evacuation channel that extends from one end of the plunger to the other end and is open at both ends. The sampling tool has particular utility in isolating and collecting cylindrical core placental biopsies of a standardized size that can be used for multiple downstream applications, including the sampling of other harvested solid, soft-tissue organs such as brain, liver, kidney, and spleen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
    Inventors: Men-Jean Lee, Luca Lambertini
  • Patent number: 9247928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic biopsy-instrument and use thereof for enriching specific sample material from the body. The invention also relates to a biopsy-kit and use thereof for enriching specific sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: OGENO GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Pison, Silvia Pietschmann, Wolfgang Meissner
  • Patent number: 9247899
    Abstract: The Invention comprises a body, an actuator pivotally connected to the body, and a retractable needle adapted to provide fluid communication between a patient and a fluid collection tube, typically a blood collection tube, attachable to the device. A significant feature of the subject device is a retraction cavity disposed inside the actuator that is manually positionable to receive a portion of the needle retraction assembly following removal of the blood collection tube. Retraction is initiated by depressing the forwardly extending end of the actuator relative to the body, thereby causing a retainer clip to release the needle holder, after which the needle holder and a part of the needle are propelled into the retraction cavity by expansion of a compressed spring. The needle is thereby withdrawn from the patient and into the housing, reducing the likelihood of accidental needle sticks and preventing reuse of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Retractable Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Shaw, Mark Small, Ni Zhu
  • Patent number: 9241658
    Abstract: A system and method for personal fatigue risk management, performed using a smartwatch including a digital processor, associated memory, and an accelerometer for measuring acceleration in X, Y, and Z axes. A signal is received from the accelerometer indicating a movement of the smartwatch, and the value of the signal is stored in association with indicia of the time at which the signal was received in a time-stamped bin. The stored movement values are analyzed using a state algorithm to determine sleep, wake, and off-wrist state values. Fatigue risk values are determined from the sleep and wake state values, using a state algorithm. The probable relative risk of errors and incidents as compared to average risk, for the wearer of the watch, are then calculated. A warning is issued when the fatigue risk data indicates that one of the thresholds has been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Martin Christopher Moore-Ede
  • Patent number: 9237853
    Abstract: A system for visualizing a medical treatment of a human or animal body part. The system has means for thermal treatment of the body part, means for determining the temperature distribution on the body part, and means for identifying the location of a particular temperature determined on the body part. Further, a method for visualizing the temperature characteristics of a human or animal body part is provided. The method includes the steps of comparing a first temperature distribution data set of the surface of the body part with a second temperature distribution data set of the surface of the body part, wherein the first temperature distribution data set is determined before and the second temperature distribution data set is determined after a thermal treatment of the body part, and visualizing the temperature distribution data sets of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ThermoMend International Ltd.
    Inventor: Levi Emmerik A. Dewaegenaere
  • Patent number: 9220483
    Abstract: A medical device for reducing the force necessary to penetrate living being tissue using a variety of reciprocating motion actuators. The reciprocating actuator drives a penetrating member, such as a needle, through the tissue at a reduced force while the device detects the passage of the penetrating member through the tissue. Upon passage of the penetrating member through the tissue, a feedback system monitors electromechanical properties of a control signal of the device and automatically modifies control based thereon, e.g., electrical power to the reciprocating actuator is automatically terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Actuated Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Frankhouser, Maureen L. Mulvihill, Roger B. Bagwell, Ryan S. Clement, Gabriela Hernandez Mesa, Ryan M. Sheehan, Brian M. Park
  • Patent number: 9173779
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a swab for collecting biological specimens of the type consisting of a rod terminating in a tip covered with fibre with hydrophilic properties to allow absorption of said specimens, wherein said fibers covers said tip in the form of a layer deposited by flocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Copan Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Triva
  • Patent number: 9155467
    Abstract: A system for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) of an eye, comprising a plurality of force sensors that are adapted to contact a surface of an eye, measuring the forces exerted on the force sensors when in contact with the eye surface, and processing the measured forces to determine the 10P of the eye as a function of the measured forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventor: Eniko Todorov Enikov
  • Patent number: 9155494
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a hearing testing probe apparatus. The hearing testing probe apparatus includes a probe tube detachably coupled at a first end to a probe body and extending through a center hole in an eartip to align proximate a face of the eartip at a second end. The probe tube includes a plurality of stimulus lumens for receiving and carrying stimulus from the first end of the probe tube for output at the second end of the probe tube. The probe tube includes one or more microphone lumens for receiving and carrying one or more measured responses from the second end of the probe tube to one or more microphones at the first end of the probe tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: ETYMOTIC RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Iseberg, Mead C. Killion, Jonathan Siegel, Sumitrajit Dhar, Viorel Drambarean, Dan Mapes-Riordan, Steve Viranyi
  • Patent number: 9149293
    Abstract: There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Hardert, Thomas W. McGhie
  • Patent number: 9149211
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring pressure at a contact surface, for applications such as pressure sore prevention. The system includes a number of force sensors positioned at different locations in relation to the contact surface, the force sensors providing a signal in proportion to the amount of force detected. The system includes a controller for receiving the signals from the force sensors and determining values associated with each force sensor. The controller is configured for comparing a first one or more values associated with a first subset of force sensors with a second one or more values associated with a second subset of force sensors, determining from the comparing whether a threshold between said first one or more values and said second one or more values has been exceeded, and controlling, based on the determining, an indicator to provide an indication to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SENSIMAT SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: David Mravyan, Milos Popovic, Michael Mravyan
  • Patent number: 9138545
    Abstract: A needle retraction apparatus for a medical device such as a liquid infusion or collection device, the apparatus having a body, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body, a transverse slide member with an external needle retraction chamber, and a retraction actuator that is rotatable relative to the slide member, the retraction actuator being attachable to or made as part of the liquid infusion or collection device, whereby rotation of the device causes the slide member to move in a linear translational direction to reposition the retraction chamber in alignment with the needle retraction mechanism and allow retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Retractable Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Shaw, Mark Small, Ni Zhu
  • Patent number: 9125609
    Abstract: A portable terminal device capable of measuring and evaluating mental fatigue, its measuring method, and a server computer is provided. The portable terminal device includes an operation unit; an imaging unit; a display screen or light emitting element; and a recording unit. Environmental data, which represents ambient environmental light, is calculated by capturing at least a reference image, first frequency data measured when the user is healthy is associated with first environmental data at the time of the measurement, and the associated data is stored in the recording unit; and a proportion of decrease of second frequency data measured when the user is not healthy from the first frequency data associated with the first environmental data having the same order of magnitude as that of second environmental data at the time of the measurement is calculated to evaluate the degree of fatigue of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Harada, Sunao Iwaki
  • Patent number: 9101350
    Abstract: There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, an inner tubular member having a semi-cylindrical distal end is within and slidable with respect to an outer tubular member. A semi-cylindrical channel is in the distal end, as well as a planar end surface. The channel has a set of one or more protrusions or texture, and a complementary set of protrusions or texture are placed on the inside of the outer member so that the sets of protrusions or texture face each other when the distal ends of the members are adjacent each other. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Cleon Stanley, Erik Hughes, James Taylor, Elizabeth A. Theobald, Ryan Nowicki, Meridith Cavett