Patents Examined by Kathrynn Lyddane
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Patent number: 9592171Abstract: Hyperbaric chamber control system and apparatus and related methods. A system for controlling, measuring, and reporting hyperbaric chamber sessions using the partial pressure of oxygen as the lead variable. Air is gently flushed from the bottom of the chamber, upwards, and a nostril-level oxygen pickup measures oxygen concentration in the chamber. Chamber pressure and oxygen concentration values are used to calculate the partial pressure of oxygen, and the session time is adjusted so that a subject treatment accurately reflects prescribed treatment.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: UNDERSEA BREATHING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: William H. Delp, II, Rui M. Barbosa
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Patent number: 9592174Abstract: An exoskeleton mechanism according to the present disclosure includes: a fixed frame positioned to correspond to an upper physique; a rotatable frame positioned to correspond to a lower physique and coupled to the fixed frame by a hinge unit to be rotatable in the vertical direction; a support frame for supporting a terminal; a first motor mounted to the fixed frame and connected to the rotatable frame to drive the rotatable frame to rotate in the vertical direction; motors mounted to the rotatable frame and connected to the support frame to drive the support frame to rotate in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction and rotate around an axis (roll axis) of the lower physique; links for connecting the first motor and the rotatable frame; and links for connecting the motors and the support frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Manbok Hong, Keehoon Kim
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Patent number: 9566397Abstract: The invention relates to a small-volume nebulizer with a valve system to provide lung physiotherapy during airway therapy with small-volume nebulizers. The valve system may be incorporated into a small-volume nebulizer. The small-volume nebulizer may be pre-filled with at least one unit-dose of medicine and hermetically sealed until use. The nebulizer may be sealed at the top with a removable cap that may be detached at the time of use and replaced with a patient connector. Likewise, the nebulizer may be sealed at the bottom with a bottom cap that is replaced with a gas source at the beginning of a therapeutic aerosol treatment.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Inventor: Joseph Dee Faram
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Patent number: 9561336Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a dose unit for a dry powder inhaler including: a dose carrier including a plurality of pockets each adapted to contain a dose of medication powder suitable for inhalation, the pockets being sequentially arranged such that the content of the pockets can be sequentially exposed to a flow of air for successive inhalations and a plurality of medication powder doses arranged in the pockets of the dose carrier. The doses are regularly distributed in the pockets according to a sequence of identical groups, each group including at least one blank pocket and one pocket containing a dose of medication powder. Various embodiments also relate to a pack including one such dose unit and one further dose unit with all pockets containing a medication powder. Various embodiments further relate to a dry powder inhaler including such a pack of dose units.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: PFIZER LIMITEDInventor: Ian Smith
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Patent number: 9555201Abstract: A hand-held, portable inhalator device is disclosed. The device has a mouthpiece with a chamber operatively coupled to a medication inlet and a fluid outlet. A valve is disposed about the fluid outlet and is configured to open when subjected to a first threshold level of positive pressure permitting egress of fluid from the chamber. A trigger is configured to dispense medication from a medication source through the medication inlet and into the chamber after a second threshold level of positive pressure is achieved within the chamber of the mouthpiece and maintained for a threshold period of time.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Inventor: John R. Collins
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Patent number: 9539170Abstract: The lacrimal duct therapy device includes a frame assembly and an actuator assembly mounted on the frame assembly. The actuator assembly includes a contact assembly and a motor assembly configured to drive the contact assembly. The contact assembly includes at least one cam member having a base portion and a lobe portion and at least one arm member. The at least one cam member is mounted on a rod member attached to the motor assembly for rotation therewith. The at least one cam member bears against a leg member pivotally attached to the frame assembly, the leg member terminating in a knob bearing against the user's lacrimal duct region. Actuation of the motor periodically pivots the leg member so that the knob massages the lacrimal duct.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Inventor: Hamdah J. S. Adaie
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Patent number: 9474684Abstract: A method for treatment by vibration stimulation of body tissue in a body cavity of a human subject includes providing a stimulation member comprising a dielectric polymer; introducing the stimulation member into a body cavity; expanding the stimulation member to a state such that it abuts the body tissue within the body cavity, and applying a time varying potential to said dielectric polymer to impart vibrations to body tissue in the body cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: CHORDATE MEDICAL ABInventors: Jan-Erik Juto, Fredrik Juto, William Holm
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Patent number: 9474682Abstract: A light guide type pain reliever includes a handle including a barrel accommodating a battery, a rear end cap and a front end cap respectively capped on two opposite ends of the barrel, a pushbutton mounted in the rear end cap and a switching connector mounted in the rear end cap and electrically connected to the battery and drivable by the pushbutton to switching on/off the battery, a holder shell connected to the front end cap and electrically coupled to the battery and having electrically connected thereto a vibrator and a light-emitting device, an adapter connected to the holder shell, and a light guide plate connected to the adapter guiding out light rays emitted by the light-emitting device.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Star Generation Limited Taiwan BranchInventors: Roger Chen, Ming-Chih Tsai
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Patent number: 9452103Abstract: A breast nipple stimulation device, for stimulating a breast nipple for nursing features a handle that tapers from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter. The device features a stimulation tip located on a handle first end tip that projects out and away from the handle first end tip. The device features a first handle arch and a second handle arch that are located on a single side of the handle. The second handle arch is larger than the first handle arch.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Inventor: Beverly Smallwood
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Patent number: 9452101Abstract: Provided is a comfortable and discrete device wearable by a patient to restore balance and gait. The device re-establishes the sensorimotor loop by providing the patient with a secondary signal to healthy nerves around the knee to alert the patient that the patient's heel has just struck the ground. In this regard, the device monitors the patient's leg movements to detect when the patient's heel strikes the ground and sends the secondary signal, i.e., vibrotactile stimulation, in response to the detected heel strike. The central nervous system incorporates the new signal and the motor system responds as if there is not loss of sensation in the foot and returns to its normal gait.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: WALKJOY, INC.Inventors: Blain Tomlinson, David Eckhous, Daniel B. Edney, Royce Rumsey
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Patent number: 9445931Abstract: A walking assist device having a safety mechanism that mitigates an impact upon falling is provided. A walking assist device has an upper and lower leg links, a motor, and a controller. The controller controls the motor to apply torque to the lower leg link. The walking assist device also has a one-way damper which generates a resisting force against rotation of the lower leg link in the knee bending direction, and does not generate a resisting force against rotation of the lower leg link in the knee straightening direction. The controller engages the one-way damper while controlling the motor to apply torque to the lower leg link in the knee straightening direction, and disengages the one-way damper while controlling the motor to apply torque to the lower leg link in the knee bending direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masayuki Imaida, Koji Osawa
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Patent number: 9398999Abstract: A chest compressions monitor for measuring the depth of chest compressions achieved during CPR. A displacement detector produces a displacement indicative signal indicative of the displacement of the CPR recipient's chest toward the recipient's spine. A signaling mechanism provides chest compression indication signals directing a chest compression force being applied to the chest and a frequency of such compressions.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Henry R. Halperin, Ronald D. Berger
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Patent number: 9370635Abstract: A breathing assistance device with improved pressure characteristics is disclosed. The device is capable of providing a high level of CPAP per unit of supplementary respirable gas consumed while maintaining low CPAP fluctuations throughout the breath cycle. The invention further optionally comprises a manometer for monitoring pressure and a safety pressure relief valve as additional safety measures against overpressure delivered to a patient. The device may be made to be completely disposable for one-time or single patient use.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: MERCURY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Jeffrey B. Ratner
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Patent number: 9364385Abstract: A massage apparatus includes an upright support frame and a moving seat. Each of the support frame and the moving seat has a U-shaped cross-section. The support frame has a middle main wall formed with an elongated groove, and two side walls extending rearwardly away from the main wall. The moving seat is connected slidably to guide rails disposed on the support frame, and has a middle plate that faces closely toward a rear surface of the main wall of the support frame, and two side plates that extend rearwardly similar to the side walls of the support frame. A massage unit includes a massage motor connected to the moving seat, a rotating shaft projecting forwardly through the elongated groove, and a head portion connected to the rotating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Inventor: Tsung-Hsun Yang
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Patent number: 9358174Abstract: A spinal decompression apparatus includes a horizontal base having left and right sides, a front end and a rear end and having an upper surface upon which a patient can lie on his back. Left and right horizontal guide rails are located adjacent the left and right sides of the base and left and right uprights are adjacent the rear end thereof. Left and right inclined rails have their upper ends movably attached to the uprights and their lower ends movable horizontally along the guide rails. A knee bar extends horizontally across the apparatus between the inclined rails and is positioned so as to permit a person lying on the base to place the back of his knees around the knee bar. A motor connected to the knee bar and operated by the patient moves the knee bar up or down the inclined rails. The angle of inclination of the inclined rails is manually adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Inventor: Natalia Gallo
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Patent number: 9352108Abstract: A nebulizer system includes a body having a fluid chamber and an aerosol chamber, and a vibrator assembly positioned at an interface between the fluid chamber and the aerosol chamber. The vibrator assembly may include a diaphragm, having a fluid side and an aerosol side, defining a plurality of perforations between the fluid side and the aerosol side, and one or more vibrator elements operatively associated with the diaphragm to vibrate the diaphragm to produce aerosolized medicament projected into the aerosol chamber from the plurality of perforations. Each perforation of the plurality of perforations projects the aerosolized medicament along a respective projection path substantially normal to a plane defined by the aerosol side of the perforation, the one or more vibrator elements further being configured to angularly displace the aerosol side of the diaphragm to sweep the direction of at least one projection path.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Inventors: George Ashford Reed, Jeffrey John Quinn, Brad Hayden Quinn, Patrick Finn Boileau
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Patent number: 9352076Abstract: A system for stimulating the healing of tissue comprises a porous pad positioned within a wound cavity, and an airtight dressing secured over the pad, so as to provide an airtight seal to the wound cavity. A proximal end of a conduit is connectable to the dressing. A distal end of the conduit is connectable to a negative pressure source, which may be an electric pump housed within a portable housing, or wall suction. A canister is positioned along the conduit to retain exudates suctioned from the wound site during the application of negative pressure. A controller for automated oscillation of pressure over time is provided to further enhance and stimulate the healing of an open wound. A power management motor control for varying pump drive frequency and managing a portable power supply is provided to increase battery life and improve patient mobility.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Boynton, Teryl Blane Sanders, Keith Patrick Heaton, Kenneth William Hunt, Mark Stephen James Beard, David M. Tumey, Larry Tab Randolph
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Patent number: 9345634Abstract: A hand rehabilitation device includes a base having an arm support. A first actuator is mounted to the base and includes a first output end. A second actuator is connected to the first output end of the first actuator and includes a second output end. A handle is connected to the second output end. One of the first and second output ends rotates about an axis. The other of the first and second output ends reciprocates in a direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITYInventors: Ming-Shaung Ju, Chou-Ching Lin, Meng-Dar Shieh, Shu-Min Chen, Yu-Ching Lin, Yung-Nien Sun, Pin-Cheng Kung, Chia-Chun Hung, Yi-Ting Lee
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Patent number: 9326909Abstract: A therapeutic device for improving voluntary control of paretic muscles in a patient extremity is provided. The therapeutic device is designed to be portable and may be strapped onto a patient's wrist or ankle. The device employs a plurality of micro-motors configured to deliver vibratory sensations to a patient extremity as somatosensory inputs. Each micro-motor is dimensioned to reside on a patient's respective finger or along their foot. The therapeutic device also includes a micro-processor programmed to actuate the micro-motors for designated times and in pre-programmed sequences, and a housing containing the micro-processor. A method of using somatosensory input as a functional guidance to improve motor function in a patient extremity is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: University Of Tennessee Research FoundationInventors: Yu Liu, Randall J. Nelson
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Patent number: 9320676Abstract: A resonance massage method and device for massaging acupuncture points on the wrist, wherein the massage device is provided with two wave generators which are placed on the inner and outer wrist to output periodic waves in opposite directions, and the opposite periodic waves resonate to create resonance which is capable of persistently massaging the acupuncture points on the wrist.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Inventor: Lai Chou