Patents Examined by Danton DeMille
  • Patent number: 7335175
    Abstract: A portable hydro massage device for submersion in a body of water containing a female user, i.e. a bathtub, provides a local massage to the labium region and a focused stimulant to the female user's clitoris thereby resulting in a superior sensation to the entire body promoting an overall euphoric state and calming effect. The apparatus employs a saddle shaped housing, where the buttocks are placed, and a saddle horn for controlling the stimulus. Disposed within the midsection of the saddle horn is a hydro jet with a driven flow from a circulating water pump that draws suction from the main body of water. The hydro jet is adjustable in pressure and a method is provided for aeration of the water discharged to allow for a rhythmic pulsation effect. The saddle horn may be held and the lower body positioned as needed to focus the discharged stream from the hydro jet to the desired point of the pelvic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: David Heilman
  • Patent number: 7322949
    Abstract: A lower-limb massage machine is provided with a stand having an upper stand member disposed on an upper portion of a lower stand member to be placed on a floor surface, and a casing. The casing has a pair of right and left recess portions, on its face side, extending in a front-and-rear direction so that lower limbs are fitted in the recess portions, respectively. The casing is supported rotatably around an axis extending in a right-and-left direction with respect to the upper stand member, a massage mechanism incorporated in the casing for massaging the lower limbs. Also provided is an attitude holding mechanism for holding the casing at an attitude with respect to the upper stand member to which the casing is rotated. Accordingly, the attitude and height of the casing of the lower-limb massage machine can easily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Daito Electric Machine Industry Company Limited
    Inventor: Nobuzo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7318810
    Abstract: A device for assisting in the active and pushing stages of childbirth. The childbirthing device consist of a first loop that can be used to provide resistance for pulling. The first loop is then connected by means of a length of rope to a braided handhold two wrist loops attached thereto. A pregnant person can then insert her hands through the wrist loops and grasp the braided handhold. She can then pull against tension that is applied to the other end of the rope. The pulling action while pushing redirects where the pushing takes place in the pregnant persons body and increases the effectiveness of her “pushing”. This decreases the time necessary for the fetus to descend through the birth canal. The wrist loops provide support to the person who might be holding the first loop, on the opposite end of the rope. In case the pregnant person suddenly releases the braided gripping knot the support person won't descend to the ground or fall backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Shirley M. Benson
  • Patent number: 7316658
    Abstract: An improved connector having limited durability for a disposable chest compression vest is quiet and cost effective. Among other advantages, the connector is heat sterilizable and flat so that the vest can be efficiently packaged and stacked, which is particularly beneficial for use in a hospital.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Gagne
  • Patent number: 7316657
    Abstract: The present invention is a massage appliance comprising a preparation, a storage container containing the preparation, and a closure for the storage container. The closure comprises a massage device comprising an outlet opening through which the preparation can be applied to the surface to be massaged and an adjustment device comprising a first element with at least one first surface wherein the first surface contacts the surface to be massaged during a massage, and a second element arranged to be moveable relative to the first element. The adjustment device may be used to adjust a massage characteristic value of the first surface. The massage device is positioned at an angle with respect to the main axis of the storage container. The present invention also includes a method of applying a preparation to the skin, a method of treating rheumatoid arthritis, and a method of warming up using the massage appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Beiersdorf AG
    Inventors: Sven Kleinhenz, Bernhard Felten
  • Patent number: 7311680
    Abstract: A method for determining a chest pressure profile for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes the steps of representing a hemodynamic circulation model based on a plurality of difference equations for a patient, applying an optimal control (OC) algorithm to the circulation model, and determining a chest pressure profile. The chest pressure profile defines a timing pattern of externally applied pressure to a chest of the patient to maximize blood flow through the patient. A CPR device includes a chest compressor, a controller communicably connected to the chest compressor, and a computer communicably connected to the controller. The computer determines the chest pressure profile by applying an OC algorithm to a hemodynamic circulation model based on the plurality of difference equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Suzanne M. Lenhart, Vladimir A. Protopopescu, Eunok Jung
  • Patent number: 7311104
    Abstract: A method of making a filtering face mask, which method includes the steps of: (a) providing (i) a valve seat that comprises an orifice and a seal surface, wherein the orifice allows air to pass therethrough and is surrounded by the seal surface, and (ii) a single flexible flap; (b) supporting the single flexible flap non-centrally and operatively relative to the orifice of the valve seat to form an exhalation valve, the single flexible flap being supported such that there is an imposed curved profile that extends from a first point where a stationary portion of the flap is supported on the valve seat to a second point where a free portion of the flap contacts a seal surface; and (c) attaching the exhalation valve to a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Japuntich, Vaughn B. Grannis, Harold J. Seppala, Anthony B. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7306568
    Abstract: A therapeutic pad system (200) is disclosed for the treatment of edema, wherein the pressure applied to the user by the pad encourages the proximal flow of lymph. A fluid is provided to one or more bladder-type pads (220) in the pad through an inlet port (218) at a distal end of the pad, and is expelled from the bladder through an outlet port (220) at the proximal end of the bladder, thereby producing a pressure gradient across the pad. The system includes a flexible and compressible liner (250) filled with a number of small foam pieces (258) that is adapted to be wrapped about the therapeutic pad, and a relatively rugged, outer binder (270) that is securable about the liner (250). An advantage of the present system is that it may be applied in a number of different modes and combinations providing many treatment options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Richard Diana
  • Patent number: 7297124
    Abstract: A massage device comprising two compression rods on a stable base with a cushioned circumferential barrier to properly position the user's head. When activated, an internal motor moves the two rods together to provide cranial massage to the user. Additional user controls or heating can be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Jorge Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7297125
    Abstract: A chest brace and method of using same that prevents the chest wall from buckling inwards during patient breathing by providing a distending force on the patient's thorax. The chest brace also restores the normal anterior-to-posterior chest dimensions by providing a distending force in this direction. The chest brace includes an anterior member adapted to overly a patient's chest. An adhesive mechanism secures the anterior member to a surface of such a patient. A support structure is coupled to the anterior member such that, in use, the support structure imparts a force on the anterior member in a manner so as to distend a thorax of such a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventors: Charles Palmer, Jerome Matula, Jr., Lance Busch, Eugene N. Scarberry
  • Patent number: 7294113
    Abstract: A massaging device includes a housing, a motor, a cover, and an operation mechanism. The operation mechanism includes a rotation member secured on the rotation shaft of the motor to rotate therewith, and a massaging member pivotally mounted on the rotation member to move therewith. Thus, the massaging surface of the massaging member is rotated about the rotation shaft of the motor in an eccentric manner to move in the normal rotation direction and is rotated about the pivot shaft of the rotation member to move in the reverse rotation direction so as to provide a double massaging effect to the human body, thereby enhancing the massaging effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Dong-Her Wu
  • Patent number: 7278978
    Abstract: A vest for a supine human has a one-piece cover with a front panel secured to a bladder coupled to a pulsator operable to subject the vest to repeated pulses of air which applies and releases pressure to the front of the thorax of a person. The bladder has an air chamber and a bottom transverse portion having an air receiving passage and openings to allow air to flow from the air receiving passage into the air chamber. A coil spring within the air receiving passage maintains the air receiving passage open to allow air and air pressure pulses to flow into the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Electromed, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig N. Hansen, Lonnie J. Helgeson
  • Patent number: 7273052
    Abstract: A pneumatic sealing system for a gas mask, which seals the mask to the face of the user by using a pump that employs air from inside the gas mask to variably inflate a mask seal during the breathing cycle. A double diaphragm pump, which has a driving diaphragm and a driven diaphragm, is connected to the inflatable mask seal via a hose duct. The double diaphragm pump is driven by the pressure difference inside the gas mask. During inhalation, the driving diaphragm fills with ambient air and the driven diaphragm fills with filtered air. During exhalation, the driving diaphragm and the driven diaphragm compress, releasing and trapping air in the mask seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: TVI Corporation
    Inventor: Otto Gossweiler
  • Patent number: 7270639
    Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling an electro-mechanical chest compression device. A blower or fan forces air through the device and a metal foil distributes heat. The temperature of the device and the patient is measured and the processor controls the operation of the device based on the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Zoll Circulation, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Jensen, Vladimir Rappoport, Robert Mastromattei
  • Patent number: 7264601
    Abstract: A spine massager is disclosed to include a master air bladder, two supplementary air bladders bilaterally provided at the top side of the master air bladder, and a pressure control unit formed of a switch pressure switch and a second pressure switch and connectable to an external air pump for inflating the air bladders in such a manger that the two supplementary air bladders are alternatively inflated and exhausted after the master air bladder has been inflated to the saturated status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Bi-Chih Liao
  • Patent number: 7252645
    Abstract: A thumb tool for use by a massage therapist includes a tubular sleeve having at least a portion of which is a rigid plastic tubular sleeve that slides over the thumb. A portion of the tool may include a flexible PVC thermo plastic membrane. The tool may be a one-piece construction or may include multiple layers or removable inserts. The tool and/or an insert may comprise a gel-like substance acting as thermal medium that may be heated or cooled for individualized thermal therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Greg Polins
  • Patent number: 7252646
    Abstract: A controller for a gradient sequential compression system is provided for inflating a plurality of inflatable chambers of one or more compression sleeves according to several different modes of operation. A mode of operation may define the number and selection of chambers to be inflated, the pressurization levels, the pressurization time, or the sequence of chamber inflation. To enable the controller to automatically perform a designated mode of operation based on the type of compression sleeve connected, a new and improved connecting device is provided. An indicator on an interface connector associates a predetermined mode of operation with the interface connector. A sensor associated with a complementary connector identifies the mode of operation associated with the interface connector. It is contemplated that the universal connecting device can be used for any type of system, not just controllers for a gradient sequential compression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Michael Bolam, James Arthur Borgen
  • Patent number: 7238163
    Abstract: A treatment device for a user's hand and/or wrist. The treatment device includes a housing having an outer surface defined at least partially by a membrane adapted for placement against the user's hand and/or wrist. The treatment device creates localized outwardly deformations in the membrane adapted to create a massaging effect in the user's hand and/or wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Scott Fried, Luke W. Michas, Jeremy C. Howard, Phil Bussone, David J. Moretti, Sean J. Albert
  • Patent number: 7238161
    Abstract: A therapy apparatus includes a container having an interior volume and having an opening providing access to the interior volume and massaging elements freely located in the interior volume of the container. Each massaging element has a generally spherical exterior and has multiple protrusions projecting from its generally spherical exterior. A patient's hand may be inserted into the container through the opening and be moved among the massaging elements to be stimulated by massaging elements contacting the fingers and both the front and the back of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Andrei V. Komkin, Alexander S. Pervov
  • Patent number: 7226427
    Abstract: Improved procedures for cardiopulmonary resuscitation of a victim of cardiac arrest are provided. In the resuscitation, the victim's chest is mechanically compressed and decompressed to stimulate the heart. The victim is induced to inspire and expire against insufflating breathing gas during the chest compression/decompressions. The breathing gases are adduced under pressure to promote the development of a positive coronary perfusion pressure. Electro-stimulation of the heart can be carried after positive coronary perfusion pressures have been achieved. The electro-stimulation can be defibrillation or heart pacing or both. The chest compression/decompression cycles and the electro-stimulation measures are synchronized to promote sufficiently body circulation of oxygenated blood in a subject suffering from cardiac arrest. Medical equipment systems are provided for implementing the CPR procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Jolife AB
    Inventor: Stig Steen