Patents Examined by Michael C Astorino
  • Patent number: 6988989
    Abstract: A medical monitoring system includes a central station adapted to receive vital signs data concerning a plurality of patients, and one or more transmitter/receivers associated with the central station. At least one patient monitor is configured to monitor a particular one of the plurality of patients by collecting vital signs data from the particular patient, and configured to establish communications with the central station and communicate the collected vital signs data to the central station via the one or more transmitter/receivers. The at least one patient monitor is operable by a user to identify the particular patient from the plurality of patients, and to inform the central station of the identity of the particular patient. The central station is configured to associate the vital signs data received from the at least one patient monitor with the particular patient. The system, transmitter/receivers and at least one patient monitor may be wireless or wired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Welch Allyn Protocol, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert S. Weiner, James B. Moon, Nhedti L. Colquitt, Eric G. Petersen, William H. Howell, Kenneth G. West
  • Patent number: 6974414
    Abstract: System and method for monitoring the physiological behavior of a driver that includes measuring a physiological variable of a driver, assessing a driver's behavioral parameter on the basis of at least said measured physiological variable, and informing the driver of the assessed driver's behavioral parameter. The measurement of the physiological variable can include measuring a driver's eye movement, measuring a driver's eye-gaze direction, measuring a driver's eye-closure amount, measuring a driver's blinking movement, measuring a driver's head movement, measuring a driver's head position, measuring a driver's head orientation, measuring driver's movable facial features, and measuring a driver's facial temperature image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Volvo Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Trent Victor
  • Patent number: 6960168
    Abstract: A driver mental condition information system in which physiological data of the driver of a vehicle is detected and the mental condition of the driver is calculated as a mental condition evaluation value in accordance with the physiological data, thereby indicating the mental condition of the driver, using the mental condition evaluation value along with a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yanagidaira, Mitsuo Yasushi
  • Patent number: 6945935
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for physiological monitoring of a remote subject, the apparatus including: a base station having a transmission means for transmitting a reference signal; and a physiological monitoring probe connectable to the subject, the physiological monitoring probe having: receiver means for receiving the reference signal; monitoring means for monitoring the subject and generating a condition signal containing information related to a condition of the subject; modulation means for modulating the reference signal to produce a modulated reference signal containing the information contained in the condition signal; and passive retransmission means for passively retransmitting the modulated reference signal to the base station; wherein the base station has means for receiving the modulated reference signal, and means for demodulating the modulated reference signal to obtain the information related to a condition of the subject so that a condition of the subject can be mo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony Corry Sasse, Stephen Garth Ratten, Jeffrey Edmond Hales
  • Patent number: 6921365
    Abstract: A non-invasive remote diagnostic system includes a central processing unit (CPU) adapted to feed an image of a patient such as a digital photograph to be displayed to an operator by a first computer monitor. A second computer monitor is displaying a realistic outline of a target area of diagnostic interest such as an outline of a human organ or a particular portion thereof. These two monitors together with a CPU are adapted to induce a state of heightened consciousness and intuition of a system operator. A detecting/evaluating unit is sensing non-invasively the operator's biofeedback response while the operator is exposed to the images. The biofeedback response is converted to an electrical signal and is fed back into the CPU to compare against a predetermined database of similar signals obtained from volunteers with known diseases. The biofeedback signal allows a non-invasive remote diagnosis of a patient's state of health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Clinictech, Inc.
    Inventor: Hanmyung Lee
  • Patent number: 6878111
    Abstract: A system for measuring subjective well-being utilizes an interactive communications module, an electronic transmission module and an intervention module. The interactive communications module receives data or input that reflects a person's subjective well-being and makes a temporal record of the input. The electronic transmission module transmits that data or input to a communications device. The intervention module is coupled to the interactive communications module to communicate a trend of subjective well-being. Trends may be created using a correlation module adapted to correlate and compare subjective and/or objective data. The correlation module may also include an inquiry module to allow a person to inquire about a person's subjective well-being.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce H Kenknight, Scott Thomas Mazar
  • Patent number: 6840905
    Abstract: Disclosed is method, system, and program for defining and administering a test to determine human perceptions of observable samples, such as printed text or images, sounds, motion pictures, etc. based on multiple factors. A displayable test building window includes input fields to receive input on at least one observable sample set according the multidimensional scaling experiment. Generated in a data gathering window is at least one perception input field for each observable sample set. The observer is capable of entering perception information in each input field concerning the observable samples. Observer perception input on the observable samples is received and stored. Statistical analysis is then performed on the entered perception input. A report is generated displaying the results of the multidimensional scaling calculations in the form of plots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Peter Gotschim, Yue Qiao, Jeff Wang
  • Patent number: 6835175
    Abstract: The invention addresses hardware and software products capable to make contemporaneous accurate predictions regarding how a person's biological system will respond to a serious of stimuli. The predictions can then be communicated in real time, enabling confirmation of good control status, need for corrective action, planning future actions, or even outside intervention in case of emergency. Also addressed by the invention is a family of diagnostic hardware based on intelligent optoelectronic sensors that incorporate one or more Wedge-and-Strip Position-Sensitive Photo-Detectors optimized for probabilistic real time evaluation of spectroscopy data from living subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Proactive Metabolics Co.
    Inventor: Aureliu M. Porumbescu
  • Patent number: 6764447
    Abstract: Structure-based processing includes a method of diagnosing diseases that works by arranging diseases, symptoms, and questions into a set of related disease, symptom, and question structures, such as objects or lists, in such a way that the structures can be processed to generate a dialogue with a patient. A structure-based processing system organizes medical knowledge into formal structures and then executes those structures on a structure engine to automatically select the next question. Patient responses to the questions lead to more questions and ultimately to a diagnosis. An object-oriented embodiment includes software objects utilized as active, intelligent agents where each object performs its own tasks and calls upon other objects to perform their tasks at the appropriate time to arrive at a diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: First Opinion Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin C. Iliff
  • Patent number: 6746399
    Abstract: Structure-based processing includes a method of diagnosing diseases that works by arranging diseases, symptoms, and questions into a set of related disease, symptom, and question structures, such as objects or lists, in such a way that the structures can be processed to generate a dialogue with a patient. A structure-based processing system organizes medical knowledge into formal structures and then executes those structures on a structure engine to automatically select the next question. Patient responses to the questions lead to more questions and ultimately to a diagnosis. An object-oriented embodiment includes software objects utilized as active, intelligent agents where each object performs its own tasks and calls upon other objects to perform their tasks at the appropriate time to arrive at a diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: First Opinion Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin C. Iliff
  • Patent number: 6730023
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus is provided for computerized management of the databases relating to phenotypic health assessment and genomic mapping and genetic screening of animals. Multiple remote users can access a computer network connected with a central database processing resource for managing the data. There is appropriate security and payment of appropriate fees for accessing and retrieving data. Users may input data relating to animal health, lifespan, and genetic background, and obtain reports relating to phenotypic health assessment of a particular animal subject or animal group, and genotypic characteristics of a particular subject or animal group to which this subject belongs. The central computer database processing resource stores phenotypic data and genotypic data relating to animals and analyzes their relationship according to predetermined criteria. The input of data and reporting of data is preferably electronic, or through fax or voice communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Hemopet
    Inventor: W. Jean Dodds
  • Patent number: 6663564
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for controlling body weight in which selection of food servings is based on a calculated point value and a range of allotted daily points which is adjusted for weight change. The calculated point value is a function of measured calories, total fat and dietary fiber for serving sizes specified in readily estimatable units. A range or maximum number of points allotted per day may be calculated based on current body weight, caloric reduction to be achieved, physical activity level, and physical activity duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Weight Watchers (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Karen Miller-Kovach, Sarah May Watson, Marian Jane Way, Wanema Frye, Mary Grace Melnyk, Adrienne Forman, Kathryn H. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6607482
    Abstract: A method and system for assisting in the diagnosis of a patient's symptoms. The method and system gather information regarding the patient's symptoms and past medical history. A review of the patient's systems are also made systematically in order to find the root of the patient's symptoms instead of merely finding a temporary cure alleviating symptoms without curing the symptoms. The method and system also reviews a patient's psychological profile and an analysis of a patient's exposure to mold. Finally, a diagnosis is made by assigning point values to the information gathered creating a diagnosis based on the point values. In order better assess the information that is gathered and the diagnosis that is created, the information is organized into a formatting document that organizes everything into a more sensible and readable format for one to analyze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Jacob Teitelbaum
  • Patent number: 6607484
    Abstract: A life support apparatus comprising a vital information sensor attached to a body to acquire vital information of a user, a behavior information sensor attached to the body to acquire behavior information of the user, a situation recognition device which recognizes a user's situation based on the behavior information acquired by the behavior information sensor and the vital information acquired by the vital information sensor to generate user's situation information, a data base which stores stress management information are prepared in advance, an information search device which searches the data base for stress management information corresponding to the user's situation information, and an information presentation device which presents the stress management information obtained by the information search device to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takuji Suzuki, Miwako Doi
  • Patent number: 6605038
    Abstract: A system for detecting, monitoring and reporting physiological information includes a sensor device adapted to be worn on the upper arm that includes at least one of an accelerometer, a GSR sensor and a heat flux sensor and generates data indicative of at least one of activity, galvanic skin response and heat flow. The sensor device may also generate derived data from at least a portion of the data indicative of at least one of activity, galvanic skin response and heat flow. The system includes a central monitoring unit that generates analytical status data from at least one of the data indicative of at least one of activity, galvanic skin response and heat flow, the derived data, and previously generated analytical status data, a means for establishing electronic communication between the sensor device and the central monitoring unit, and a means for transmitting data to a recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: BodyMedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Teller, John M. Stivoric, Christopher D. Kasabach, Christopher D. Pacione, John L. Moss, Craig B. Liden, Margaret A. McCormack
  • Patent number: 6579222
    Abstract: A magnetic treatment device includes a fabric core embedded within an elastic body comprising an elastic material such as latex. Magnetic powder particles are embedded within the elastic layer and are magnetically oriented along predetermined flux lines. A first modified embodiment includes an elastic core with memory plastic and vinyl layers bonded thereto. The core and the vinyl layers have magnetic powder particles embedded therein. The magnetic flux lines can be oriented longitudinally and/or transversely with respect to the device. Other modified embodiments include mousepad and keyboard wrist support configurations. A magnetic treatment method includes the steps of embedding magnetic particles in an elastic base with a fabric core, magnetically orienting the particles and applying a strip formed by the method to a body part of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Fred W. Mann
  • Patent number: 6569093
    Abstract: Structure-based processing includes a method of diagnosing diseases that works by arranging diseases, symptoms, and questions into a set of related disease, symptom, and question structures, such as objects or lists, in such a way that the structures can be processed to generate a dialogue with a patient. A structure-based processing system organizes medical knowledge into formal structures and then executes those structures on a structure engine to automatically select the next question. Patient responses to the questions lead to more questions and ultimately to a diagnosis. An object-oriented embodiment includes software objects utilized as active, intelligent agents where each object performs its own tasks and calls upon other objects to perform their tasks at the appropriate time to arrive at a diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: First Opinion Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin C. Iliff
  • Patent number: 6524241
    Abstract: Structure-based processing includes a method of diagnosing diseases that works by arranging diseases, symptoms, and questions into a set of related disease, symptom, and question structures, such as objects or lists, in such a way that the structures can be processed to generate a dialogue with a patient. A structure-based processing system organizes medical knowledge into formal structures and then executes those structures on a structure engine to automatically select the next question. Patient responses to the questions lead to more questions and ultimately to a diagnosis. An object-oriented embodiment includes software objects utilized as active, intelligent agents where each object performs its own tasks and calls upon other objects to perform their tasks at the appropriate time to arrive at a diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: First Opinion Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin C. Iliff
  • Patent number: 6494830
    Abstract: The Invention presents a system and method of combining a medical device, a medical testing procedure, in a combination of hardware and software that provide motivation and digital rewards through a hand held video game controller or other hand held computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Guidance Interactive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Wessel
  • Patent number: 6491643
    Abstract: A breath test analyzer, which analyzes exhaled breaths of a patient for isotope labeled products generated in the patient's body after ingestion by the patient of an isotope labeled substance, where the presence of these isotope labeled products provide an indication of a medical condition in the patient. The analyzer uses a very sensitive infra-red spectrophotometer, which enables it to continuously collect and analyze multiple samples of the patient's breath, and process the outputs in real time, while the patient is still connected to the analyzer, such that a definitive result is obtained within a short time, such as the order of a few minutes. The breath test analyzer is sufficiently small that it can be easily accomodated in the office of a physician. The breath test analyzer can be utilized for a number of diagnostic breath tests, according to the isotope labeled substance ingested by the patient and the gases detected in the patient's breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Oridion Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Katzman, Ephraim Carlebach