Patents Examined by Justine R. Yu
  • Driving system for controlling the rotation of an object about two perpendicular axes of rotation and rehabilitation machine for rehabilitation of the lower limbs and the trunk incorporating such a driving system
    Patent number: 11103411
    Abstract: The driving system comprises: a first support structure; a second support structure supported by the first support structure for rotation about a stationary axis of rotation; a first actuation unit having a first motor device and a first output member; and a second actuation unit having a second motor device and a second output member. The first output member is drivingly connected with the second support structure for rotation about the first axis of rotation. The first motor device controls the rotation of the first output member, along with the second support structure, about the first axis of rotation. The second output member is supported by the second support structure for rotation about a second axis of rotation. The second motor device controls the rotation of the second output member about the second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
    Inventors: Jody Alessandro Saglia, Stefano D'Angella, Lucia Ciaccia, Carlo Sanfilippo, Simone Ungaro
  • Underwater mask with feeding and discharge system for breathing air
    Patent number: 11104406
    Abstract: An underwater mask includes a frame, a transparent part, a seal part mounted on the frame, and a snorkel. The seal part has a partition wall forming an upper and a lower chamber, the lower chamber receiving nose and mouth of the user. The two chambers communicate through a passage in the partition wall and a one-way valve so that air can pass only from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. The snorkel has first and second channels through which the upper and respectively lower chamber communicate with the outside. A connection end between snorkel and mask is fastened at an opening of the seal part to put the first channel of the snorkel in communication with the upper chamber of the mask, and further has a side inlet for a corresponding exhaust tube that puts the lower chamber in communication with the second channel of the snorkel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventors: Aristide Barone, Marco Barbagelata, Valerio Palmieri
  • Rehabilitation training apparatus for ankle joint
    Patent number: 11096855
    Abstract: Provided is a rehabilitation training apparatus for an ankle joint. The rehabilitation training apparatus comprises a working platform, a Z-axis rotating mechanism, a Y-axis rotating mechanism, an X-axis rotating mechanism, and a pedal. The Y-axis rotating mechanism includes an annular bracket vertically fastened to a driving arm of the Z-axis rotating mechanism, an annular sliding cover slidably disposed on one side wall of the annular bracket, a Y-axis driving mechanism for driving the annular sliding cover to rotate around the axis of the annular bracket, and a sliding block for locating the annular sliding cover. The Y-axis driving mechanism synchronously rotates with the annular sliding cover and the X-axis rotating mechanism is fastened to one side of the annular sliding cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Chunbao Wang
  • Cervical traction device
    Patent number: 11083663
    Abstract: An example cervical traction device includes a traction assembly configured to cyclically apply a traction force to a patient's cervical spine at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cervical spine to bend the cervical spine. The traction assembly is made up of an electric motor operably connected to a headgear by a traction line capable of transferring traction force generated by the electric motor to the headgear. The electric motor is operably connected to the traction line by a linkage and a linear actuator rod. Together, the linkage and the linear actuator rod are configured to convert torque generated by the electric motor into back-and-forth linear motion used to cyclically apply traction force to the traction line and thereby the headgear. The linear actuator rod is supported by two posts, each of the two posts includes an eyelet through which the linear actuator rod reciprocates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen Mullins
  • Cosmetic device with exchangeable application head
    Patent number: 11083279
    Abstract: A cosmetic device with an exchangeable application head and a device body, wherein the device body contains a motor and drive mechanism, an actuating switch, a power supply, a head recognition element and a control element adapted to control the motor and drive mechanism based on an actuation of the actuation switch and the application head recognized by the head recognition element. It is provided that the head recognition element comprises at least one mechanical switch disposed on a carrier fixed at the device body. Further, a flexible actuation area is disposed in front of the at least one mechanical switch. The exchangeable application head has at least one recognition generating protrusion actuating through the flexible actuation area on one of the at least one mechanical switches when the exchangeable application head is mounted at the device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Braun GMBH
    Inventors: Pedro Sanchez Martinez, Thomas Steiner, Lars Gerlach, Ferdinand Hermann
  • Compact oronasal patient interface
    Patent number: 11077275
    Abstract: A breathing arrangement includes a patient interface, at least one inlet conduit, and a headgear assembly. The patient interface includes a mouth covering assembly including a cushion structured to sealingly engage around exterior of a patient's mouth in use, a nozzle assembly including a pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage within nasal passages of a patient's nose in use, and a flexible element connecting the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly. The at least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. The headgear assembly is removably connected to at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly so as to maintain the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly in a desired position on the patient's face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Aaron Samuel Davidson, Michael Kassipillai Gunaratnam, Susan Robyn Lynch, Milind Chandrakant Raje, Gary Christopher Robinson, Steven John Lubke, Gregory Scott Smart, Philip Rodney Kwok, Rupert Christian Scheiner
  • Blister strip advance mechanism
    Patent number: 11065403
    Abstract: A blister strip advance mechanism includes: an indexing gear train; drive mechanism configured to drive the indexing gear train; and a hub including a recess shaped to engage a first blister of a blister strip, the hub being rotatable by the indexing gear train to engage the first blister in the recess and move the engaged blister strip such that a second blister is moved to a dosing position at which the second blister can be emptied; wherein the indexing gear train is configured to temporarily disengage the drive mechanism from the hub when the second blister is in the dosing position. Also disclosed is a dosing mechanism including the blister strip advance mechanism; an inhaler including the dosing mechanism; a method for advancing a blister strip; and a method for dosing a medicament including the method for advancing a blister strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MICRODOSE THERAPEUTX, INC.
    Inventors: Travis Ernest Yoch, Robert R. Roberts, III
  • Spinal massage device
    Patent number: 11065178
    Abstract: A vibrating back massager with guide slot and vibrating heads is described. The guide slot is designed to restrict lateral movement of the massage device when the guide slot is engaged with a supporting member. The supporting member may be the edge of an open door, a corner, a vertical pole, or other generally available structure. The device includes a strap handle which may be draped over the user's shoulder and used to control the vertical position of the device. The described vibrating massage device allows a single user to create and maintain a significant amount of massage pressure without fatiguing his arms or relying on a second person. In a preferred embodiment, the controls for the vibrating massage device are incorporated into the strap handle so that the speed, intensity, and/or temperature may be controlled by the user without repositioning the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Pete Trevino, Jr.
  • Portable roller device
    Patent number: 11039976
    Abstract: A roller device includes a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments is configured to form a tubular shape. In addition, each of the plurality of segments are coupled to neighboring segments of the plurality of segments and each of the plurality of segments include a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge is opposite the second edge. The roller device also includes a coupling mechanism for coupling the first edge of a segment to a second edge of a first neighboring segment and coupling the second edge of the segment to a first edge of a second neighboring segment, wherein the coupling mechanism allows the plurality of segments to convert from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: The Moovmnt LLC
    Inventors: Samuel C Jorgenson, Daniel Giordano, Philippos Kyriacou, Alexander Lawrence Georg
  • Cleaning appliance
    Patent number: 11033371
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid chamber, a piston, and a drive. The drive rotates a coupling member having two angularly opposed pins. An arm pivotably connected to the piston has a seat for receiving one of the pins to couple the piston to the drive. Through continued rotation of the coupling member, the piston moves within the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber until the second detent contacts the arm to push it away from the first detent to decouple the drive from the piston. This allows a compressed spring to actuate the piston to urge a burst of fluid from the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Tweedie, Christopher Graham Vincent, Geoffrey Michael Burlington
  • Oral cavity washing device and nozzle for the same
    Patent number: 11033370
    Abstract: An oral cavity washing device includes a nozzle having a flow passage structure and a pump to feed washing liquid to the flow passage structure. The flow passage structure includes: a first component having a first flow passage; a second component being disposed downstream of the first component and having a second flow passage that is narrower than the first flow passage; a third component being disposed downstream of the second component and having a third flow passage that is broader than the second flow passage; a reducer being disposed downstream of the third component and being configured so as to reduce a width of the flow passage; and a fourth component being disposed downstream of the reducer and having a fourth flow passage that widens with an advancement in a path from the reducer to the outlet port so as to generate cavitation in the washing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mahito Nunomura, Shinichi Taniguchi
  • Systems and methods for reducing stress
    Patent number: 11031117
    Abstract: A method for providing a therapeutic benefit to a person wearing an article having first and second tactile stimulators bilaterally positioned in the article to be in therapeutic contact with the person when the article is worn by the person. A controller (mobile device) activates the first tactile stimulator to provide a first stimulation for a first time period and activating the second tactile stimulator to apply a second stimulation for a second time period beginning at least commensurate with a cessation of the first time period. This process is repeated for a therapeutically effective number of repetitions so that the first and second stimulations are applied bilaterally to the body of the person without a perceivable pause in stimulation between the first stimulation and second stimulation to provide the therapeutic benefit to the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: VMAS Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Vicki Mayo, Amy Serin
  • Assist system, assist method, and storage medium
    Patent number: 11020307
    Abstract: An assist system includes a fist belt worn on an upper body part of a user, a second belt worn on a knee of the user, a wire, a motor coupled with a first end of the wire and disposed on the first or second belt, a drive controller that controls drive of the motor, a gyro sensor that is disposed on the second belt and that measures an angular velocity about a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wire, and a controller. When the angular velocity is greater than or equal to a first threshold with a first tension being applied to the wire using the motor, the controller outputs first information. A second end of the wire is coupled with the second belt when the motor is disposed on the first belt but coupled with the first belt when the motor is disposed on the second belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Murakami, Stephen John, Mayumi Komatsu, Jun Ozawa
  • Methods and systems to reduce brain damage
    Patent number: 11020314
    Abstract: A method to reduce brain injury and brain swelling includes performing active compression decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation on an individual in a supine position. The individual's head, shoulders, and heart are elevated relative to the individual's lower body. The head is elevated to a height of between about 20 cm and 30 cm above the horizontal plane and the heart is elevated to a height of between about 3 cm and 10 cm above the horizontal plane. Chest compressions are performed on the individual and actively decompressing the individual's chest while the individual's head, shoulders, and heart are elevated. Intrathoracic pressure of the individual is regulated using an intrathoracic pressure regulation device both while the individual is in the supine position and while the individual's head, shoulders, and heart are elevated relative to the lower body, thereby reducing brain edema during CPR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Keith G. Lurie
  • Method and device for treating ataxic breathing
    Patent number: 11013457
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for re-synchronizing a breathing pattern of a patient (16) suffering from ataxic breathing, the method including the steps of monitoring the breathing pattern of the patient (16) during sleep; detecting whether the monitored breathing pattern includes an ataxic breathing episode; and if an ataxic breathing episode is detected, ventilating the patient (16) and eliminating a spontaneous breathing of the patient (16) for a predetermined first period of time (?t1) by providing a flow of breathing gas (14) to an airway of the patient (16) with a volume of the breathing gas (14) provided per minute being above an individual-related threshold value of the patient (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Winter, Eugene Nelson Scarberry
  • Motor and piston assembly for percussive massage device
    Patent number: 10993874
    Abstract: A self-contained reciprocation mechanism is coupleable within an enclosure of a percussive massage device and is configured to receive an applicator head for stimulating a user's muscles. The self-contained reciprocation mechanism includes a spatial positioning bracket, a semi-cylindrical bracket, a piston, a motor, a crank, and a reciprocation linkage. The spatial positioning bracket is configured to receive the other interconnected components of the self-contained reciprocation mechanism and position said components relative to each other at close predetermined tolerances to assure that the interconnected components are properly positioned to provide consistent operating characteristics. The self-contained reciprocation mechanism is coupled within the enclosure using screws which extend through mounting tabs of the spatial positioning bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Hyper Ice, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Marton, Anthony Katz
  • Oral cavity washing device
    Patent number: 10980623
    Abstract: An oral cavity washing device includes: a device body including a pump configured to discharge washing liquid, and a body unit including a tank provided at the device body; a tube connected to the body unit and configured to allow the discharged washing liquid to flow through the tube; and a washing unit connected to the tube and configured to discharge the washing liquid. The body unit has a two-dimensional shape like an ellipse or an approximate ellipse in a planar view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Hoshino, Tadanobu Kitagawa
  • Massage system
    Patent number: 10966901
    Abstract: A massage system includes a chair type massage machine that performs a massage on a person to be treated, a head mounted display (head worn type display device) that is worn on a head portion of the person to be treated, and a controller, which, when the massage is being performed by the massage machine on the person to be treated, makes a video image, including a moving image of a virtual practitioner performing the massage, be displayed on the head mounted display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaaki Masuda
  • Exoskeleton apparatus for limb rehabilitation
    Patent number: 10966893
    Abstract: An exoskeleton apparatus includes a base unit, a support unit, and upper and lower arm units. The support unit is rotatable about a vertical first axis relative to the base unit. The upper arm unit includes a linking axle, a main arm that has a connecting end rotatable about a horizontal second axis, and a linkage mechanism for rotating the linking axle relative to the main arm about a horizontal third axis. The lower arm unit is rotatable relative to the upper arm unit, and includes a lower arm set co-rotatably coupled to the linking axle, a hand-receiving seat rotatably connected to the lower arm set, and a lower arm receiving seat connected to the hand-receiving seat, and a drive member for rotating the hand-receiving seat about a horizontal fourth axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HIWIN TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-En Liu, Fu-Han Hsieh
  • Lung gas exchange device
    Patent number: 10966902
    Abstract: A lung gas exchange device includes a front housing, at least one strap configured to affix the front housing to an anterior neck of a user, a vibration device positioned within the front housing, a wear plate configured to transfer vibration from the vibration device to the anterior neck of the user, a power source configured to provide power to the vibration device, a power control mechanism configured to allow a user to turn on and off the vibration device; and a central processing unit board connected to the power control mechanism, the power source, and the vibration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Eric William Brader