Patents Examined by Karen E. Toth
  • Patent number: 8007441
    Abstract: A pulse oximeter which determines multiple heart rates, and selects between them based on the metrics of only one of the heart rate calculations. A primary heart rate calculation method is selected, and is used unless its metrics indicate questionable accuracy, in which case an alternative rate calculation is available and is used instead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Clark R. Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7998079
    Abstract: A biosensor senses pulse wave data of a user. The biosensor stores relation information, which indicates a relationship between recommended bedtime data and sleep-affecting activity data. The relationship between the recommended bedtime data and the sleep-affecting activity data is determined in view of at least one of previously sensed pulse wave data of the user and model pulse wave data. The biosensor receives at least one sleep-affecting activity value from the user. The biosensor computes recommended bedtime information based on the at least one sleep-affecting activity value in view of the relation information. The biosensor gives notification to the user based on the recommended bedtime information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiya Nagai, Katsuyoshi Nishii, Kazuhiro Sakai
  • Patent number: 7993280
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve use of a medical device comprising sensing circuitry. One or more respiratory parameters are detected using the device. Patient baseline weight is provided, and an output signal indicative of a patient's congestive heart failure status is generated based on a change in the one or more respiratory parameters and a change in the patient's measured weight or predicted weight relative to the patient baseline weight. The respiratory parameters may include one or more of respiration rate, relative tidal volume, an index indicative of rapid shallow breathing by the patient, an index derived by computing a respiration rate and a tidal volume for each patient breath, and an index indicative of dyspnea, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, John D. Hatlestad, Yousufali H. Dalal, Marina Brockway
  • Patent number: 7988641
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring lung ventilation, comprising: a pressure device to measure volume of air flow; an aerosol-generating device that provides aerosol particles to be released at a determined point in a breathing cycle; a mouthpiece with a detector that measures the concentration of aerosol particles for a given volume during the breathing cycle; and a computing device configured to provide lung ventilation data as a function of time constants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Respiratory Management Technology
    Inventors: Michael McCawley, Gary Gasner, Ian Christie, Tal Gottesman, James Dalton
  • Patent number: 7988640
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating sleep disordered breathing. An arousal index is determined for use in an outer loop of a control algorithm, the arousal index being a measure of the frequency of sleep arousals. The respiratory airflow signal in an inner loop of the control algorithm is monitored to detect an airway obstruction. If the arousal index is high, then the sensitivity of obstruction detection and/or the aggressiveness of the treatment is increased, and if the arousal index is low, then the sensitivity of the obstruction detection and/or the aggressiveness of the treatment is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Resmed Limited
    Inventors: Michael Berthon-Jones, Gordon Joseph Malouf, Peter Edward Bateman, David John Bassin, Robert Henry Frater, Steven Paul Farrugia
  • Patent number: 7985187
    Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for site selection and placement of extra-anatomic passages altering gaseous flow in a diseased lung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Broncus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henky Wibowo, Edmund J. Roschak, Thomas M. Keast, Cary Cole
  • Patent number: 7981033
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tonometric device (20) for examination of respiratory insufficiency and regional tissue perfusion failure in patients, comprising a distal end (22), a section (24) to be introduced into the body, and a fixing part (3). The section (24) to be introduced comprises a first tube (1) to which an additional tubing (4) is connected. A second tube (2) is arranged substantially parallel with the first tube (1). At least the section (24) of the first tube (1) is made of a material permeable for gases, especially for carbon' dioxide, but substantially impermeable for body fluids, preferably of silicone rubber. The device does not comprise any balloon, it can be introduced into the patient stomach without preliminary preparation, and is useful for examination of premature babies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Szegedi Tudomanyegyetem
    Inventor: Domokos Boda
  • Patent number: 7979114
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for assuming the information on the amount accumulated visceral fat in a human body with a high degree of accuracy. It comprises: at least a unit for collecting pieces of information on the identification of the human body and a unit for collecting pieces of information on breathing function, thereby making the visceral fat accumulation calculating unit provide the information on the amount accumulated visceral fat based on the so collected pieces of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tanita Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Masuo
  • Patent number: 7967757
    Abstract: One or more cardiovascular parameters is estimated as a function of the arterial pressure waveform, in particular, using at least one statistical moment of a discrete representation pressure waveform having an order greater than one. Arterial compliance, the exponential pressure decay constant, vascular resistance, cardiac output, and stroke volume are examples of cardiovascular parameters that can be estimated using various aspects of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, not only are the first four moments (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) of the pressure waveform used to estimate the cardiovascular parameter(s) of interest, but also heart rate, statistical moments of a set of pressure-weighted time values, and certain anthropometric patient measurements such as age, sex, body surface area, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Luchy Roteliuk
  • Patent number: 7967762
    Abstract: A method of measuring blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of a stenosis in a vessel carrying blood includes the steps of providing a guide wire having both a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor disposed on a distal region of the guide wire, introducing the guide wire into the vessel, advancing the guide wire to position the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor proximally and distally of the stenosis, and measuring the blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of the stenosis with the pressure sensor and the velocity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Corl, Robert Z. Obara, John E. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7951086
    Abstract: A measurement device for generating an arterial volume-indicative signal includes an exciter and a detector. The exciter is adapted to receive an oscillating signal and generate a pressure wave based at least in part on the oscillating signal on the artery at a measurement site on a patient. The pressure wave includes a frequency. The detector is placed sufficiently near the measurement site to detect a volumetric signal indicative of arterial volume of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan Patrick Flaherty, Mark Henry Sher, Richard G. Caro
  • Patent number: 7938782
    Abstract: An approach for predicting disordered breathing involves detecting one or more conditions associated with disordered breathing. The detected conditions are compared to disordered breathing prediction criteria. A prediction of disordered breathing is performed based on the comparison of the detected conditions to the prediction criteria. At least one of comparing the detected conditions to the prediction criteria and predicting disordered breathing is performed at least in part implantably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, John D. Hatlestad, Quan Ni, Jesse Hartley, Douglas R. Daum, Kent Lee
  • Patent number: 7933646
    Abstract: Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio, Nina M. Graves, Scott F. Schaffner, Mark T. Rise, Jonathon E. Giftakis, David L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7927284
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for assessing a patient's hemodynamic response to a drug therapy. A patient's hemodynamic response to a drug therapy is monitored using sensor data acquired using one or more sensors. The patient's hemodynamic response to the drug therapy is quantified, such as by quantifying a patient's sensitivity or refractoriness to the drug therapy. The quantified data may be used to optimize a patient's drug therapy, among other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yousufali H. Dalal, Marina Brockway, Richard O. Kuenzler
  • Patent number: 7927274
    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: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Rasdal, James H. Brauker, Paul V. Neale, Peter C. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7896813
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring in a patient includes producing sensor signals representative of a physiologic parameter associated with respiration. A periodic breathing cycle is detected based on the sensor signals. An output is produced as a function of the cycle length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Sameh Sowelam, H. Toby Markowitz, Mark K. Erickson, Ioana Nicolaescu
  • Patent number: 7896811
    Abstract: A portable device having a biosignal measuring instrument includes: at least one first electrocardiogram signal sensor portion on a first surface of the portable device that contacts a first hand of a user, to measure a first electrocardiogram signal of the user; at least one second electrocardiogram signal sensor portion on a second surface of the portable device that contacts a wrist of a second hand of the user, to measure a second electrocardiogram signal from the wrist; a pulse waveform sensor on the second surface and in parallel with the second electrocardiogram signal sensor portion, to sense a pulse waveform from the wrist; a waveform controller generating an electrocardiogram waveform of the user from the measured first electrocardiogram signal and second electrocardiogram signal, generating a pulse waveform of the user from the sensed pulse waveform, and detecting at least one characteristic point of the pulse waveform by referring to the electrocardiogram waveform; and an output portion providing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan Taek Han, Jin Sang Hwang, Sang Hoon Shin, Hyung Sok Yeo
  • Patent number: 7883464
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an integrated transmitter unit and sensor insertion mechanism is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Ashley Stafford
  • Patent number: 7878975
    Abstract: An apparatus for indicating a health-related condition of a subject has an input interface for receiving a sequence of samples of a first biological quantity derived by a first measurement method, the first measurement method being an invasive measurement and having a first impact on the subject, and for receiving a sequence of samples of a second biological quantity derived by a second measurement method, the second measurement method being a non-invasive measurement and having a second impact on the subject, wherein the first biological quantity gives a more accurate indication of the health-related condition of the subject than the second biological quantity, wherein the first biological quantity and the second biological quantity have a correlation to the health-related condition of the subject, and wherein the second impact is smaller than the first impact; a predictor for providing, for a certain time, for which no sample for the first biological quantity exists, an estimated value of the first biologic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Diabetes Tools Sweden AB
    Inventors: Lars Gustaf Liljeryd, Ulf Frederik Magnusson
  • Patent number: 7878980
    Abstract: A gas flow diverter for increasing the turbulence of an incoming respiratory gas flow through a respiratory gas sensor is provided. The diverter is positioned at a patient or inlet end of a tube section of the sensor in order to divert the respiratory gas flow from the patient generally equally across the cross-sectional area of the tube section. The diverter can be formed integrally as a part of the sensor, or can be releasably attached to the sensor or to an adapter that is releasably connected to the inlet end of the sensor for use in situations in which the volume of the incoming respiratory gas flow from the patient is greatly reduced due to the size of the patient, i.e., when the patient is an infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Treymed, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Ricciardelli