Patents Examined by Michael Catina
  • Patent number: 11484274
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a patient includes an inflatable cuff configured to at least partially occlude an artery of the patient, and a sensor configured to determine a first parameter associated with the at least partially occluded artery and to generate an output signal indicative of the first parameter. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the output signal and information indicative of an occlusion efficiency of the cuff. The processor is configured to determine a hemodynamic parameter of the patient based on the output signal and the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Quinn, Matthew J. Kinsley
  • Patent number: 11478190
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for assessing, predicting and/or estimating effectiveness of hydration of a patient and/or an amount of fluid needed for effective hydration of the patient, in some cases, noninvasively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventors: Isobel Jane Mulligan, Gregory Zlatko Grudic, Steven L. Moulton
  • Patent number: 10548509
    Abstract: An animal monitoring device configured as a bolus for oral administration to reside in an animal's stomach. The bolus has a substantially inert solid body with a hollow inside space to receive the animal monitoring device. The animal monitoring device includes a radio frequency generator, an animal identification information encoder for outputting the animal identification information of the particular animal. The animal monitoring device can further include sensors to detect physiological and non-physiological animal characteristics such as temperature and a sensed animal characteristic encoder for outputting sensed animal characteristic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ST Reproductive Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Rettedal, Stephen M. Weilnau, Scott R. Cockroft, Billy J. Yeager, Jerry A. Hornick, John B. Lienau
  • Patent number: 10512419
    Abstract: A medical system (100) is disclosed that provides a respiratory-based control of at least one medical procedure. In this regard, the medical system (100) includes one or more appropriate sensors (108) for providing respiratory data on a patient (104). This respiratory data is utilized by respiration assessment logic (116) to determine if the respiratory data has exceeded one or more respiration thresholds and which may be equated with a “sudden” respiratory event. Identification of such a sudden respiratory event by the logic (116) results in the suspension of the noted medical procedure. Patient respiration data may also be displayed, for instance in a color that depends upon its magnitude or level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Craven, Timothy R. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 10448893
    Abstract: Devices and systems provide methods for detecting respiratory related effort from movements associated with the head or face. In one embodiment, a strain signal is measured by one or more sensors. A processor may analyze the head strain signal to detect respiratory related effort. Detection of effort may serve as a basis for identifying sleep disordered breathing events. For example, the analysis may serve as part of a detector to identify central or obstructive apneas or central or obstructive hypopneas. Sensors may be integrated with headgear to support them at desired locations of the face or head. Strain from head movement may be detected by measuring, for example, tension of the headgear or force applied against the headgear. The headgear may serve as an independent support for the sensors or as a component of a respiratory treatment apparatus, such as a mask or cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Jeffrey Peter Armitstead, Glenn Richards, Alicia Kristianne Wells
  • Patent number: 10376161
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a finger arterial dilatability testing method, finger arterial dilatability testing device, and finger arterial dilatability testing program with which it is possible to simply test for early signs of arteriosclerosis using the small vessels of the finger arteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SAPPORO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Gohichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10226198
    Abstract: An electrode attachment state determination system includes: an electroencephalogram measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram signal of a user by using at least one set of electrodes including a ground electrode, a reference electrode, and a measurement electrode; a frequency analysis section for performing a frequency analysis of the electroencephalogram signal; an insufficient electrode determination section for extracting at least one parameter of a total frequency power and a noise amount from a result of the frequency analysis, and through a comparison of a value of the parameter against a predetermined threshold value, determining whether the ground electrode, the reference electrode, or the measurement electrode has an insufficient state of attachment; and an output section for, when an insufficient state of attachment is determined, presenting information indicating the insufficient state of electrode attachment to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Terada, Koji Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10182726
    Abstract: Continuous monitoring of a plurality of physiological data may be used for health and fitness improvements for a user. To this end, a physiological monitoring and measurement device may include a wearable strap that receives heart rate data for a user including a time series of heart rate data, a maximum heart rate, and a resting heart rate. A processor may transform the heart rate data into a time series of heart rate reserve data that is weighted, e.g., to account for cardiovascular efficiencies at different intensity levels, to provide a weighted time series of heart rate reserve values. An intensity score that provides an indicator of cardiovascular intensity for an exercise routine may be generated from the weighted time series of heart rate reserve values and displayed to the user on the wearable strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Whoop, Inc.
    Inventors: William Ahmed, John Capodilupo, Aurelian Nicolae
  • Patent number: 10058255
    Abstract: A method of determining stiffness index of an arterial network is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a pulse waveform related to the arterial network; estimating a source pulse based on at least one predetermined feature of the pulse waveform; determining a plurality of characteristics of the pulse waveform based on a relationship between the pulse waveform and the source pulse; and calculating the stiffness index of the arterial network based on the plurality of characteristics of the pulse waveform. An arterial stiffness index measuring device employing the above methodology is also disclosed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi Kit Cheng
  • Patent number: 10052055
    Abstract: Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Li, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Richard C. Yang, Mark C. Brister
  • Patent number: 10004434
    Abstract: A sensing device, designed to be used in contact with the skin, contains a plurality of individually controllable sites for electrochemically monitoring an analyte, such as glucose, in interstitial fluid of a user. The device includes at least a hydrophobic layer designed to contact the skin; a capillary channel providing an opening adjacent the skin; a metal electrode layer having a sensor layer applied to an edge portion thereof such that it is exposed to the interior of said capillary channel, the sensing layer being effective to measure the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Georgetown University
    Inventor: Makarand Paranjape
  • Patent number: 9968281
    Abstract: A breath condensate collector (10) comprising a chamber having a breath inlet port (14) and an outlet port (16); a sample collector, adapted to receive breath from the chamber outlet and having air exhaust means; cooling means (112) to promote in use condensation of vapor from breath entering the sample collector and where collector comprises a partially lidded dish (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Exhalation Technology Ltd
    Inventor: George Lee Bulbrook
  • Patent number: 9949667
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mask for use in respiratory monitoring and/or diagnostics. The mask comprises at least one transducer responsive to sound and/or airflow for generating a signal, and a support structure to rest on the subject's face. In one embodiment, the support structure comprises two or more limbs that provide a transducer support for supporting the transducer at a distance from a nose and mouth area, allowing monitoring via the transducer of sound and/or airflow produced by the subject. Also described is a mask comprising a transducer responsive to airflow for generating a signal and a support structure to rest on the subject's face and extend outwardly over a nose and mouth area to provide a transducer support supporting the transducer at a distance from a nose and mouth area of the subject's face and at a preset orientation, for monitoring via the transducer of airflow produced by the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: University Health Network
    Inventors: Hisham Alshaer, Geoffrey Roy Fernie, T. Douglas Bradley, Oleksandr Igorovich Levchenko, Steven M. Pong
  • Patent number: 9907500
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to membranes composed liquid crystals having continuous aqueous channels, such as a lyotropic liquid crystal, including a cubic phase lyotropic liquid crystal, and to electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes. The membranes are useful in limiting the diffusion of an analyte to a working electrode in an electrochemical sensor so that the sensor does not saturate and/or remains linearly responsive over a large range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with membranes of the present invention demonstrate considerable sensitivity and stability, and a large signal-to-noise ratio, in a variety of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Heller, Pawel Rowinski, Benjamin J. Feldman
  • Patent number: 9901288
    Abstract: Method for detecting gaseous component levels in a breath, comprising: receiving a breath through a breath channel, wherein the breath channel is in fluid communication with a flow rate sensor and an electrochemical fuel cell gas sensor; measuring a flow rate of the breath received through the breath channel; measuring a first time, wherein the first time corresponds to an amount of time elapsed while receiving the breath in the breath channel; and calculating a current gaseous component level utilizing the flow rate, first time and an output from the gas sensor. Methods for detecting an error condition while measuring gaseous component levels in a breath comprising: determining if the peak output occurs while breath is still being received in the breath channel; and if the peak output occurs while breath is still being received in the breath channel, alerting a user of an error condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: OmegaPoint Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Gollar
  • Patent number: 9888866
    Abstract: Accurate AR method for extracting respiratory rates directly from a pulse oximeter and accurate methods of extracting respiratory rates directly from a pulse oximeter under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ki H. Chon, Jinseok Lee
  • Patent number: 9848781
    Abstract: The equipment has at least one pressure sensor (28) disposed for being placed onto the surface of the body of the user and being held attached thereto by means of a band. The attachment force is selected such that the pressure signal from the pressure sensor (28) contains variations caused by the pulse. An attachment pressure sensor (52) or a band tension sensor (18?) generates an electrical signal depending on the attachment pressure. The microprocessor (36) determines the diastolic and systolic blood pressure values from the pressure signal, taking into account the signal from the attachment pressure sensor (52) or the band tension sensor (18?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: STBL Medical Research AG
    Inventors: Heinz Suesstrunk, Etienne Hirt
  • Patent number: 9848800
    Abstract: Respiratory rate can be calculated from an acoustic input signal using time domain and frequency domain techniques. Confidence in the calculated respiratory rate can also be calculated using time domain and frequency domain techniques. Overall respiratory rate and confidence values can be obtained from the time and frequency domain calculations. The overall respiratory rate and confidence values can be output for presentation to a clinician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MASIMO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sung Uk Lee, Gilberto Sierra
  • Patent number: 9849259
    Abstract: There is provided herein, a bite block (100) comprising an insertion channel (134) and an airway channel (132) wherein the airway channel is adapted to receive exhaled breath and wherein the first insert channel is adapted to pass a medical instrument. There is provided herein, a bite block comprising an oral insert channel, wherein a portion of said channel opens into a cavity (142) adapted to slidably receive an oral prong (270) the oral insert channel is adapted to receive exhaled breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ORIDION MEDICAL 1987 LTD.
    Inventors: Joshua Lewis Colman, Gershon Levitsky, Kathleen Niebel
  • Patent number: 9808169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for electroencephalographic detection of an improper adjustment of a ventilator used on a mammal. The system includes an electroencephalograph, capable of measuring, as a function of time, an electroencephalographic signal representative of a breathing process; and an input for receiving a respiratory initiation signal, different from the electroencephalographic signal, capable of indicating a respiratory initiation time. The detection system further includes means for specifying a beta frequency band comprised between 15 and 30 Hz and with a width comprising between 5 and 10 Hz; means for processing the measured electroencephalographic signal, configured for processing the measured electroencephalographic signal as it is being acquired, in the sole specified beta frequency band; and means for identifying, for each breathing cycle, an improper adjustment of the ventilator from the electroencephalographic signals processed in the sole beta frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE PIERRE ET MARIE CURIE (PARIS 6), ASSISTANCE PUBLIQUE-HOPITAUX DE PARIS, UNIVERSITE LILLE 2 DROIT ET SANTE, CENTRE HOSPITALIER UNIVERSITAIRE DE LILLE
    Inventors: Thomas Similowski, Mathieu Raux, Louise Tyvaert