Patents Examined by Karen E. Toth
  • Patent number: 10537362
    Abstract: A device for positioning a probe in living tissue, the device including a casing having an underside for positioning on the tissue, the probe, which can be moved relative to the casing beyond the underside in an insertion direction to be inserted into the tissue, and a signal means carried by the casing such that it can be moved in the insertion direction to an end position, wherein the signal means slaves the probe when moving in the insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcel Hunn
  • Patent number: 10524670
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method including obtaining, by a fitness tracking device, a plurality of heart rate measurements of the user over a period of time, wherein the plurality of heart rate measurements can include heart rate data from a heart rate sensor of the fitness tracking device; analyzing, by the fitness tracking device, the plurality of heart rate measurements to determine a rate of change of a heart rate of the user during the period of time; determining, by the fitness tracking device, that the user is experiencing an onset phase if the rate of change of the heart rate during the period of time is greater than zero; determining, by the fitness tracking device, that the user is experiencing a cool-down phase if the rate of change of the heart rate during the period of time is less than zero; estimating, by the fitness tracking device, a first rate of energy expenditure of the user if the user is experiencing an onset phase using an onset calorimetry model; and estimating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Karthik Jayaraman Raghuram, Hung A. Pham, Richard Channing Moore, III, Alexander Singh Alvarado, Umamahesh Srinivas, Xing Tan
  • Patent number: 10441185
    Abstract: Provided herein are skin-mounted biomedical devices and methods of making and using biomedical devices for sensing and actuation applications. For example, flexible and/or stretchable biomedical devices are provided, including electronic devices useful for establishing conformal contact with the skin of a subject. Devices disclosed herein can comprise a plurality of sensing and/or actuating devices provided as part of a skin-mounted flexible or stretchable electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Dae-Hyeong Kim
  • Patent number: 10420496
    Abstract: A blood glucose sensing system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes stabilization circuitry. The stabilization circuitry causes a first voltage to be applied to one of the electrodes for a first timeframe and causes a second voltage to be applied to one of the electrodes for a second timeframe. The stabilization circuitry repeats the application of the first voltage and the second voltage to continue the anodic-cathodic cycle. The sensor electronics device may include a power supply, a regulator, and a voltage application device, where the voltage application device receives a regulated voltage from the regulator, applies a first voltage to an electrode for the first timeframe, and applies a second voltage to an electrode for the second timeframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Rajiv Shah, Bahar Reghabi, James L. Henke, Wayne A. Morgan, Gopikrishnan Soundararajan, David Y. Choy, Peter Schultz, Udo Hoss
  • Patent number: 10413349
    Abstract: A surgical system and corresponding methods for identifying tissue or vessels and assessing their conditions includes a probing signal source for applying a probing signal to the tissue and a response signal monitor for monitoring a response signal that varies according to the level of blood circulation in the tissue or vessels. The response signal monitor monitors the response signal over an interval equal to or longer than an interval between two successive cardiac contractions. The surgical system includes a microprocessor that analyzes the amplitude and/or phase of the response signal to determine the level of blood circulation in the tissue or in different portions of the tissue, and determines a tissue parameter based upon the level of blood circulation. The surgical system may monitor a cardiac signal related to cardiac contractions and correlate the response signal and the cardiac signal to determine a level of blood circulation in the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Nataliya Chernova, Igoris Misuchenko, Georgy Martsinovskiy, Mikhail Verbitsky
  • Patent number: 10413244
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, devices and kits for assessing the level of pulmonary disease in individual lung compartments. A lung compartment comprises a subportion of a lung, such as a lobe, a segment or a subsegment, for example. By measuring individual lung compartments, the level of disease of the pulmonary system may be more precisely defined by determining values of disease parameters reflective of individual subportions or compartments of a lung. Likewise, compartments may be separately imaged to provide further measurement information. Once individual compartments are characterized, they may be compared and ranked based on a number of variables reflecting, for example, level of disease or need for treatment. Such comparison may be aided by simultaneous display of such variables or images on a visual display. Further, the same tests may be performed on the lung as a whole or on both lungs and to determine the affect of the diseased lung compartments on the overall lung performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Pulmonx Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kotmel, Peter Soltesz, Anthony Wondka, Rodney Perkins
  • Patent number: 10390714
    Abstract: Sensing devices and methods of implanting sensing devices within an anatomical vessel network of a patient are provided. In one method, a fixation element (e.g., a stent or coil) of the sensing device is expanded into firm contact with a wall of a main anatomical vessel (e.g., a right pulmonary artery), and a stabilization element of the sensing device is placed into contact with a wall of an anatomical vessel branch of the main anatomical vessel. In another method, a first fixation element of the sensing device is expanded into firm contact with the wall of the main anatomical vessel (e.g., a right pulmonary artery) at a longitudinal location proximal to the anatomical vessel branch, and a second fixation element of the sensing device is expanded into firm contact with the wall of the main anatomical vessel at a longitudinal location distal to the anatomical vessel branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Remon Medical Technologies, LTD.
    Inventors: Lone Wolinsky, Alon Ben-Yoseph, Abraham Penner
  • Patent number: 10362947
    Abstract: A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna, pressure sensor, and/or connector are hermetically sealed, e.g., by the catheter and/or a coating, to prevent the antenna, pressure sensor, and connector from coming into contact with fluid, thereby allowing the catheter to be permanently implanted or otherwise used for long term use. Exemplary methods for manufacturing and using pressure sensing catheters are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: INTEGRA LIFESCIENCES SWITZERLAND SARL
    Inventors: Christophe Mauge, Alan J. Dextradeur, Daniel J. McCusker, Stefan Meyer, Volker Bodecker, Max G. Ostermeier
  • Patent number: 10349841
    Abstract: A blood pressure cuff assembly for an ambulatory blood pressure monitor may include a hollow cuff and an elastic liner provided on the reverse side of the cuff. An airbag may be provided in the cuff. A first connection part and a second connection part may be provided on the cuff. A third connection part and a fourth connection part may be correspondingly provided on the liner. The effect of tight inside and loose outside is achieved by the combination of the elastic liner and the cuff. When worn on an upper arm, the elastic liner has an elastic deformation and consequently tightens around the upper arm so as to realize certain slip resistance, and the cuff will not slip down even tied a bit loosely when located on the upper arm. The feeling of constraint from the cuff is reduced significantly and the comfort is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: XI'AN SHEN MINDRAY MEDICAL ELECTRONICS RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Guang Li
  • Patent number: 10314515
    Abstract: There is provided a method for dynamically determining a breath related parameter, which includes averaging a breath related parameter over a first period of time, calculating a breath related value over a second period of time and adapting the duration of the first period of time according to the calculated breath related value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Oridion Medical (1987) Ltd.
    Inventors: Joshua Lewis Colman, David Lain, Boaz Giron
  • Patent number: 10288578
    Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes a connection detection device, a power source, and a delay circuit. The connection detection device determines if the sensor electronics device is connected to the sensor and transmits a connection signal. The delay circuit receives the connection signal, waits a preset hydration time, and couples the regulated voltage from the power source to an electrode in the sensor after the preset hydration time has elapsed. Alternatively, the sensor electronics device may include an electrical detection circuit and a microcontroller. The electrical detection circuit determines if the plurality of electrodes are hydrated and generates an interrupt if the electrodes are hydrated. A microcontroller receives the interrupt and transmits a signal representative of a voltage to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC
    Inventors: Rajiv Shah, Wayne A. Morgan, David Y. Choy, James L. Henke, Bahar Reghabi, Gopikrishnan Soundararajan, Peter Schultz, Udo Hoss
  • Patent number: 10278597
    Abstract: A pulse data detecting apparatus, pulse data detecting method, and pulse data detection program are provided capable of suppressing an influence of the condition of the body surface to be measured and obtaining an appropriate measurement result under a wide range of conditions. In the present invention, a blood-flow-suppressing-projection protrusion-control mechanism section causes a blood-flow-suppressing projection to protrude to press or compress the body surface to suppress a blood flow on a downstream side, thereby increasing a blood pressure of a measurement region at the time of measurement. A light-receiving element receives reflected light of light applied from a light-emitting element to a skin surface, and outputs an electrical signal. Increasing the blood pressure of the measurement region enables to obtain an output signal at a sufficient output level from the light-receiving element. A CPU calculates a pulse rate based on the output signal from the light-receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiya Kuno
  • Patent number: 10278732
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present embodiments provide sensor applicators and methods of use with activation that implant the sensor, withdraw the insertion needle, engage the transmitter with the housing, and disengage the applicator from the housing. Systems and methods according to present principles allow for such steps to occur without significant loss of spring force, and without deleterious effects such as seal slingshotting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Everett Schoonmaker, Phong Lieu, Kyle Neuser, Todd Andrew Newhouse, Jack Pryor, Peter C. Simpson, Maria Noel Brown Wells, Justen Deering England, Stefanie Lynn Mah, Leonard Darius Barbod, Jillian K. Allen, Jennifer Blackwell, Michael J. Estes, Philip Thomas Pupa, Timothy Joseph Goldsmith, Kyle Tinnell Keller, Christopher M. Davis, David DeRenzy, Eric Gobrecht, Jason Halac, Jonathan Hughes, Kathleen Suzanne Hurst, Randall Scott Koplin
  • Patent number: 10231653
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, transmitting, and displaying data received from a continuous analyte (e.g., glucose) sensor are provided. A sensor system can comprise a sensor electronics module that includes power saving features, e.g., a low power measurement circuit that can be switched between a measurement mode and a low power mode, wherein charging circuitry continues to apply power to electrodes of a sensor during the low power mode. The sensor electronics module can be switched between a low power storage mode and a higher power operational mode via a switch, e.g., a reed switch or optical switch. A validation routine can be implemented to ensure an interrupt signal sent from the switch is valid. The sensor can be physically connected to the sensor electronics module in direct wireless communication with a plurality of different display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Bohm, Mark Dervaes, Eric Johnson, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Shawn Larvenz, Jacob S. Leach, Phong Lieu, Aarthi Mahalingam, Tom Miller, Paul V. Neale, Jack Pryor, Thomas A. Peyser, Daiting Rong, Kenneth San Vicente, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Peter C. Simpson, Matthew Wightlin
  • Patent number: 8282550
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring glucose in a host, including a continuous glucose sensor that produces a data stream indicative of a host's glucose concentration and an integrated receiver that receives the data stream from the continuous glucose sensor and calibrates the data stream using a single point glucose monitor that is integral with the integrated receiver. The integrated receiver obtains a glucose value from the single point glucose monitor, calibrates the sensor data stream received from the continuous glucose sensor, and displays one or both of the single point glucose measurement values and the calibrated continuous glucose sensor values on the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Rasdal, James H. Brauker, Paul V. Neale, Peter C. Simpson, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Paul V. Goode
  • Patent number: 8086305
    Abstract: An implantable microvolt-level signal amplifying circuit may be used for resolving electrical signals generated by nerves in the presence of larger amplitude signals generated by muscles, the heart, or external noise sources. The circuit has a low-noise, high Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) preamplifier, followed by a cascade of stages, which provide filtering and further amplification of the neural signal. The band-pass amplifying circuit can also present high Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR). The output is offset-compensated by a DC restoration stage. Nerve protection circuitry minimizes or blocks DC current flow through the input terminals in the event of semiconductor failure in the preamplifier. The circuit may be incorporated onto a common monolithic circuit with follow-up circuitry for controlling Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Neurostream Technologies General Partnership
    Inventor: Marcelo Daniel Baru Fassio
  • Patent number: 8021310
    Abstract: A breathing support system is provided. The system may include a breathing support device configured to deliver gas to a patient and a display device associated with the breathing support device. The display device may be configured to display a work of breathing graphic indicating one or more work of breathing measures regarding the patient's breathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Warren G. Sanborn, Peter R. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8016764
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for exploiting left atrial pressure (LAP) measurements to determine various ventricular mechanical and electromechanical contraction intervals and for evaluating ventricular dyssynchrony based on those intervals. In one example, LAP measurements are combined with right ventricular pressure (RVP) measurements to determine the interventricular mechanical delay, which is the primary parameter representative of ventricular dyssynchrony. Other intervals determined based, in part, on LAP measurements include the electromechanical delay for the left ventricle (LV), as well as the LV systolic and diastolic intervals. Techniques are also described herein for detecting various RV intervals including the electromechanical delay for the RV, as well as the RV systolic and diastolic intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventor: Anne M. Shelchuk
  • Patent number: 8016762
    Abstract: Blood pressure values measured in four limbs are plotted on first to fourth linear axes which extend from an origin in an upper right direction, an upper left direction, a lower left direction, and a lower right direction respectively, and a rectangle composed of vertices which are determined by the plotted blood pressure values is illustrated to present the blood pressure values. This allows a specific measured value in each site to be easily known, and the relationships between the blood pressure values in the four limbs are intuitively understood from the shape of the rectangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuei Ogawa, Yoshiya Muraki, Tomoyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: RE43316
    Abstract: A diabetes management system for predicting a future blood glucose value of a patient and for recommending a corrective action to the patient when the future blood glucose value lies outside of a target range. The system includes a patient-operated apparatus for measuring blood glucose values and for storing data relating to insulin doses administered to the patient. The apparatus predicts the patient's future blood glucose value based upon the patient's current blood glucose value, the fraction of insulin action remaining from the insulin doses, and the patient's insulin sensitivity. The apparatus also determines the corrective action for the patient when the predicted blood glucose value lies outside of a target range. The system also includes a physician computer in communication with the apparatus for receiving the blood glucose values and insulin dose data and for calculating an adjusted insulin sensitivity for use in subsequent predictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Health Hero Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Brown, David L. Worthington