Patents Examined by Max F. Hindenburg
  • Detecting unmeasurable loads using heart rate and work rate
    Patent number: 10687752
    Abstract: A method and a system for determining an energy expenditure of a user by detecting unmeasurable loads using heart rate and work rate are described. Time-stamped heart rate data and work rate data can be collected by one or more sensing modules. A processor circuit can calculate a heart rate-based energy expenditure and a work rate-based energy expenditure. The processor circuit can output a hybrid energy expenditure based on a heart rate confidence parameter, an exercise type, a fraction of heart rate reserve, and a hear rate-based metabolic equivalents of task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hung A. Pham, Karthik Jayaraman Raghuram, Hengliang Zhang, Edith Merle Arnold
  • Systems and methods for phlebotomy through a peripheral IV catheter
    Patent number: 10674950
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line. The apparatus includes an introducer and a catheter configured to advance the catheter through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the catheter and place in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced the catheter is configured to transport a bodily fluid (i.e. blood) to a volume outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: VELANO VASCULAR, INC.
    Inventor: Pitamber Devgon
  • System and method for monitoring safety and productivity of physical tasks
    Patent number: 10674965
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring workplace safety and evaluating risks is provided, the method comprising receiving signals from at least one wearable device, identifying portions of the signals corresponding to physical activities, excerpting the portions of the signals corresponding to the physical activities, and calculating risk metrics based on measurements extracted from the excerpted portions of the signals, the risk metric indicative of high risk lifting activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ONE MILLION METRICS CORP.
    Inventors: Haytham Elhawary, Aditya Bansal, Firdaus Janoos, Selim Youssry, Enrique Ruiz de Villa
  • Forecasting eye condition progression for eye patients
    Patent number: 10667680
    Abstract: Aspects extend to methods, systems, and computer program products for forecasting eye condition progression for eye patients. When a patient visits an eye practitioner, the patient (or when appropriate their guardian) may be interested in the current eye condition as well as a prediction of eye condition progression in the future and/or as the patient ages. Aspects of the invention can be used to predict the progress of an eye condition for a patient (e.g., a child) at a number of different post-examination times after an examination. Predicting the progress of an eye condition for a patient over time can be used to assist the eye practitioner in tailoring a treatment plan and/or tailoring a subsequent examination schedule for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Manish Gupta, Prashant Gupta, Joy Mustafi
  • Device for collecting a biological sample
    Patent number: 10660621
    Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample in a patient includes a collection portion having a first axial end portion and a second axial end portion. The second axial end portion has a collapsed position and an expanded position. The second axial end portion moves in an axial direction relative to the first axial end portion when the second axial end portion moves between the collapsed position and the expanded position. The second axial end portion extends axially into the first axial end portion and has a concave shape when in the collapsed position. The second axial end portion is convex when in the expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Sanford Markowitz, Amitabh Chak, Joseph Willis, Jeffrey Silver Taggart, Rebecca Blice, Dean Secrest, Dennis Siedlak
  • Prosthetic limb sensory system for improved balance control
    Patent number: 10660559
    Abstract: A feedback device for measuring balance related information, and for producing a stimulation of the skin that encodes that information in a way that is useful to the wearer of the device. At least one sensor detects balance information and transmits at least one balance information signal to a signal processing subsystem. The signal processing subsystem converts the received balance information signal into at least one stimulation control signal. The signal processing subsystem then transmits the stimulation control signal to at least one stimulator, which provides stimulation to a wearer of the device reflecting the stimulation control signal received from the signal processing subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: RxFunction, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Oddsson, Peter Meyer
  • Joint position error test systems and methods
    Patent number: 10660547
    Abstract: Tools and techniques for providing joint position error test system are provided. A system includes a head sensing unit coupled to a joint position error processor. The head sensing unit may include a positional sensor and further be configured to be coupled to the head of a test subject. The joint position error processor may include a processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to record reference sensor data from the positional sensor when the test subject's head is in a reference position, record return sensor data when the test subject's head is in a return position. The instructions may further be executable to determine a position error based on the reference sensor data and the return sensor data, and to further determine the presence of a condition of the test subject based on the position error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventor: Barry E. Kosofsky
  • Thermochromic fabrics utilizing cholesteric liquid crystal material
    Patent number: 10660571
    Abstract: A thermochromic fabric utilizing cholesteric liquid crystals includes a fabric material or garment formed therefrom. The liquid crystal material is patterned with a plurality of different liquid crystal formulations, whereby each formulation has high thermal sensitivity over a narrow temperature range. As a result, the aggregate pattern of liquid crystal material formed on the thermochromic fabric allows the thermochromic fabric to have high thermal sensitivity over a broad temperature range. As such, the fabric or garment may be worn on specific body parts of a patient, such as his or her feet, to assist in making a medical diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John L. West, Yijing Chen, Peter Palffy-Muhoray, Lawrence Osher, Vincent J. Hetherington, Jill S. Kawalec
  • Apparatus, system, and method for mapping the location of a nerve
    Patent number: 10660567
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for mapping the location of a nerve. The apparatus includes at least one stimulation module, a stimulation detection module, a distance module, and a mapping module. The stimulation module stimulates a nerve with an electrical stimulation current from at least one stimulation electrode. A stimulation detection module detects a muscle reaction resulting from stimulation of the nerve by the at least one stimulation electrode. The distance module uses information from the at least one stimulation electrode and from the stimulation detection module to calculate a distance between the at least one stimulation electrode and the nerve. The mapping module maps a location on the nerve using at least two distances calculated by the distance module and position information of the at least one stimulation electrode for each of the at least two distances calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Cadwell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John A Cadwell
  • Systems, devices and methods for caloric vestibular stimulation having an impedance monitor and/or temperature sensor
    Patent number: 10660792
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Scion NeuorStim, LLC
    Inventors: Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers, Robert D. Black
  • Feedback device for improved balance control
    Patent number: 10653352
    Abstract: A feedback device for measuring pressure related information, and for providing that information in a way that is useful to the wearer of the device. At least one sensor detects pressure information and transmits at least one pressure information signal to a signal processing subsystem. The signal processing subsystem converts the received pressure information signal into at least one stimulation control signal. The signal processing subsystem then transmits the stimulation control signal to at least one stimulator, which provides stimulation to a wearer of the device reflecting the stimulation control signal received from the signal processing subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: RxFunction, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Oddsson, Peter Meyer
  • System and method to assess risk of changes to brain white matter based on head impact dose equivalent number
    Patent number: 10646154
    Abstract: A system to assess risk of changes to brain white matter includes a sensor system adapted to measure an energy of each impact to an individual belonging to a sub-population that causes a repetitive head impact (RHI). A head impact dose equivalent number (HIDEN) process calculates a HIDEN for a most recent RHI event based on the energy of the most recent RHI event, a time of the most recent RHI, and all previously recorded RHI events available in a non-volatile memory. A sub-population function process calculates a risk assessment number based on the sub-population and the HIDEN. A risk assessment notification means provides a notification of the risk assessment number. A method to assess risk of changes to brain white matter based on a head impact dose equivalent number and a method to define a sub-population function to convert a HIDEN to a risk assessment value is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Kian Merchant-Borna, Jeffrey J. Bazarian
  • Manual flow regulation for blood collection
    Patent number: 10646149
    Abstract: A specimen collection assembly (100) including a flow control member (106) for adjustably altering a flow path is disclosed. In one configuration, the flow control member (106) defines a regulation channel (166) in fluid communication with a lumen of a cannula (112), wherein the flow control member (106) is configured to adjustably alter an effective flow distance between the lumen of the cannula (112) and an interior of an evacuated collection container. In another configuration, the flow control member (106) is positioned to vary an effective cross-sectional area of at least one of an inlet port (346) and an outlet port (350) adapted to be in fluid communication with the lumen and the evacuated collection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Jamieson W. Crawford, Craig Owen Russ, Bradley M. Wilkinson
  • Noncontact thermometry systems and methods
    Patent number: 10638936
    Abstract: A method of determining a temperature of a patient includes determining that a temperature measurement device is located within at least one of a distance range and an alignment range of a portion of a measurement site of the patient, providing an indication to a user of the device that the device is located within the at least one of the distance range and the alignment range, and determining, with the device, a first temperature of a first location on the portion of the measurement site without contacting the patient with the device. Such a method also includes determining, with the device, a second temperature of a second location on the portion of the measurement site without contacting the patient with the device, wherein the second location is different from the first location. Such a method further includes determining a third temperature of the patient based on the first and second temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Lane, Jennifer M. Grant, Matthew J. Kinsley, Matthew D. Mullin, Nick H. Nguyen, David E. Quinn, Alisa R. Salibra
  • Devices and methods for nerve mapping
    Patent number: 10631782
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for monitoring nerve tissue which includes inserting a dilator into muscle, the dilator including first and second electrodes at the distal tip. While the dilator is in muscle, a system may communicate (a) a first series of unequal current amplitude applications (e.g., a series including 0.5, 7, 3, 5 mA applications) to the first electrode to produce at least a first evoked potential (e.g., a MAP or NAP), and (b) a second series of unequal current amplitude applications to the second electrode to produce at least a second evoked potential. The method further includes sensing the first and second evoked potentials and determining a relative location of a nerve based on the sensing of at least one of the first and second evoked potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: J3G Spine, LLC
    Inventor: Jann Rasmussen
  • Devices and systems for optically determining a concentration of an analyte in a living subject using hydrogel-based, fluorescent microneedles and methods of manufacture thereof
    Patent number: 10631766
    Abstract: At least one microneedle comprises a hydrogel material that includes a substance that fluoresces when the substance interacts with an analyte. A magnitude of the fluorescence varies as a function of the concentration of the analyte. During use, the hydrogel material is illuminated with illumination light in a first wavelength range while the hydrogel material interfaces with the dermal interstitial fluid layer of a subject, and a photosensor generates an output that corresponds to an amount of light received in a second wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Samuel K. Sia, Matthieu Jean Michel Rueegg, Nalin Tejavibulya
  • Method and a system for monitoring healthcare garments
    Patent number: 10631783
    Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring healthcare garments (3), wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a temperature sensor (1) on or in a healthcare garment, sensing the temperature of the healthcare garment by means of the temperature sensor, transferring temperature data relating to the sensed temperature over at least one network (5) and a wireless interface (7) from the temperature sensor to a base station (4), and based on the transferred temperature data, determining information relating to a usage cycle of said healthcare garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Health Textiles i Sverige AB
    Inventor: Tomas Persson
  • User fatigue level analysis component
    Patent number: 10624570
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include user fatigue level analysis components, real-time visual behavior measuring devices, and methods for determining the fatigue level of a user. In one embodiment, a user fatigue level analysis component includes a memory configured to store computer executable instructions and a processor for executing the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions comprise instructions for receiving at least a visual behavior parameter indicative of the real time visual behavior of the user, for providing at least one sleep quality history parameter indicative of the sleep quality history of the user, and for determining the fatigue level of the user based on the analysis of the combination of the at least one visual behavior parameter and the at least one sleep quality history parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Marie Lore, Coralie Barrau, Thierry Villette
  • Acoustically probed over-the-ear hearing assessment devices and methods
    Patent number: 10617333
    Abstract: An over-the-ear hearing assessment device and a method for evaluating the performance of over-the-ear hearing devices are described. An exemplary over-the-ear hearing assessment device includes an ear cup defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially over the ear of a user. The ear cup includes a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup. The acoustic port is sealably engagable with a microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James D. Brown, Jacob H. Ely, Michael G. Wurm
  • Biosensor and production method for same
    Patent number: 10619178
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a biosensor including electrodes, a hydrophilic region or layer, and a reagent layer that contains an enzyme and a mediator, and methods of producing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Fukuda