Patents Examined by Michael D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 9262586
    Abstract: A method of enhancing readability of a graph showing glucose values received from a continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM) on the display of a handheld device includes receiving a plurality of CGM glucose values separated by a first fixed time interval. A second fixed time interval at which to display at least a portion of the plurality of CGM glucose values is received. The second fixed time interval is greater than the first fixed time interval. A computer processor of the handheld device determines a characteristic CGM glucose value at a preselected fixed time for each of a sequence of second fixed time intervals within a patient-specified time period. Each characteristic CGM glucose value is derived from two or more received CGM values centered about the preselected fixed time in the corresponding second fixed time interval. The characteristic CGM glucose values for a patient-selected period of time on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd Steiger, Michael Brossart
  • Patent number: 9241642
    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: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: WELCH ALLYN, INC.
    Inventors: David E. Quinn, Matthew J. Kinsley
  • Patent number: 9237855
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a wearable fitness monitoring device including a motion sensor and a photoplethysmographic (PPG) sensor. The PPG sensor includes (i) a periodic light source, (ii) a photo detector, and (iii) circuitry determining a user's heart rate from an output of the photo detector. Some embodiments provide methods for operating a heart rate monitor of a wearable fitness monitoring device to measure one or more characteristics of a heartbeat waveform. Some embodiments provide methods for operating the wearable fitness monitoring device in a low power state when the device determines that the device is not worn by a user. Some embodiments provide methods for operating the wearable fitness monitoring device in a normal power state when the device determines that the device is worn by a user. Some embodiments provide methods for using response characteristics of the user's skin to adjust a gain and/or light emission intensity of the heart rate monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Ook Hong, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Patent number: 9220460
    Abstract: A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyse the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system comprises a pulse oximeter which includes a light emitting device and a photodetector attachable to a subject to obtain a pulse oximetry signal; analogue to digital converter means arranged to convert said pulse oximetry signal into a digital pulse oximetry signal; signal processing means suitable to receive said digital pulse oximetry signal and arranged to decompose that signal by wavelet transform means; feature extraction means arranged to derive physiological information from the decomposed signal; an analyser component arranged to collect information from the feature extraction means; and data output means arranged in communication with the analyser component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Paul Stanley Addison, James Nicholas Watson
  • Patent number: 9220459
    Abstract: A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyze the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system comprises a pulse oximeter which includes a light emitting device and a photodetector attachable to a subject to obtain a pulse oximetry signal; analogue to digital converter means arranged to convert said pulse oximetry signal into a digital pulse oximetry signal; signal processing means suitable to receive said digital pulse oximetry signal and arranged to decompose that signal by wavelet transform means; feature extraction means arranged to derive physiological information from the decomposed signal; an analyzer component arranged to collect information from the feature extraction means; and data output means arranged in communication with the analyzer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Paul Stanley Addison, James Nicholas Watson
  • Patent number: 9216001
    Abstract: The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates optical characteristics of light transmitted into a patient to ascertain physiological signals, such as pulsatile changes in general blood volume proximate a light detector module. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Owen, Cynthia P. Jayne, William E. Crone
  • Patent number: 9213802
    Abstract: A method of improving updatability of entry, adherence, and exit criteria stored in memory of a handheld diabetes management device, the method includes: providing the handheld diabetes management device with a blood glucose (bG) measurement engine that measures a bG level in a sample of blood of a user and that generates sample data indicative of the bG level; providing the handheld diabetes management device with the memory and a touchscreen display; providing the handheld diabetes management device with a processor module that is in communication with the bG measurement engine, the touchscreen display, and the memory; storing firmware that is executable by the processor module for performing operations to carry out a structured bG test in a non-modifiable portion of the memory; and storing the entry, adherence, and exit criteria in a modifiable portion of the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Price, Paul J. Galley
  • Patent number: 9199015
    Abstract: A system for administering negative pressure therapy to a wound includes a screen adapted to be positioned at the wound. A reduced pressure source is in fluid communication with the screen, and a blood gas transducer is exposed to a reduced pressure provided by the reduced pressure source. The reduced pressure supplied by the reduced pressure source induces hyperperfusion of a blood gas at the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Royce Johnson
  • Patent number: 9198616
    Abstract: A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyze the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system comprises a pulse oximeter which includes a light emitting device and a photodetector attachable to a subject to obtain a pulse oximetry signal; analog to digital converter means arranged to convert said pulse oximetry signal into a digital pulse oximetry signal; signal processing means suitable to receive said digital pulse oximetry signal and arranged to decompose that signal by wavelet transform means; feature extraction means arranged to derive physiological information from the decomposed signal; an analyzer component arranged to collect information from the feature extraction means; and data output means arranged in communication with the analyzer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Paul Stanley Addison, James Nicholas Watson
  • Patent number: 9192338
    Abstract: A method of presenting glucose data to a person with diabetes from a blood glucose meter is provided in which an effective meal average (EMA) value is presented, followed by two or more of the individual values that make up the EMA, to provide improved feedback data for clinical decisions by patients who need to alter their dose of insulin. The EMA can also comprise a measure of the variability of its constituent values. The EMA encompasses those values that occur at specified times such as 1 hour before and 1 hour after a specified meal time. The EMA is calculated over a limited number of days previous to the calculation (e.g., 3 days) and has a minimum number of values that must be obtained within the time and date ranges. An algorithm allows for exclusion of any given reading from the average (e.g., post-prandial or control solution readings). Patients can use 1 to 8 EMA on any given date range (e.g., preferably 4, that is, breakfast, lunch, supper and bedtime snack).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Barry H. Ginsberg
  • Patent number: 9192336
    Abstract: A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyze the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system comprises a pulse oximeter which includes a light emitting device and a photodetector attachable to a subject to obtain a pulse oximetry signal; analog to digital converter means arranged to convert said pulse oximetry signal into a digital pulse oximetry signal; signal processing means suitable to receive said digital pulse oximetry signal and arranged to decompose that signal by wavelet transform means; feature extraction means arranged to derive physiological information from the decomposed signal; an analyzer component arranged to collect information from the feature extraction means; and data output means arranged in communication with the analyzer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Paul Stanley Addison, James Nicholas Watson
  • Patent number: 9192329
    Abstract: A user configurable variable mode pulse indicator provides a user the ability to influence outputs indicative of a pulse occurrence at least during distortion, or high-noise events. For example, when configured to provide or trigger pulse indication outputs, a pulse indicator designates the occurrence of each pulse in a pulse oximeter-derived photo-plethysmograph waveform, through waveform analysis or some statistical measure of the pulse rate, such as an averaged pulse rate. When the configured to block outputs or not trigger pulse indication outputs, a pulse indicator disables the output for one or more of an audio or visual pulse occurrence indication. The outputs can be used to initiate an audible tone “beep” or a visual pulse indication on a display, such as a vertical spike on a horizontal trace or a corresponding indication on a bar display. The amplitude output is used to indicate data integrity and corresponding confidence in the computed values of saturation and pulse rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MASIMO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ammar Al-Ali
  • Patent number: 9179854
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus to localize the electrical signals measured from a subject's scalp surface, preferably in near-real time, and to generate dynamic three-dimensional information of the electrical activity occurring within the cerebral cortex of the brain. In the preferred embodiment, it can produce images that can be immediately inspected and analyzed by an operator in near-real time, resulting in a powerful new cortical imaging modality, which we denote as Dynamic Electrocortical Imaging (DECI). The present invention involves the use of a computer, an electroencephalographic (EEG) amplifier, EEG electrodes, and custom software. It can measure healthy and diseased cortical events and states in both conscious and unconscious subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventors: Mark S. Doidge, Joseph D. Mocanu
  • Patent number: 9179856
    Abstract: A device is described for measuring a parameter of living tissue, in particular a glucose level, which parameter affects a response of said tissue to an electric field. The device comprises a substrate (2), which carries a ground electrode (10) as well as a plurality of signal electrodes (12a, 12b, 13a-13c, 14). The gaps (15) between the ground electrode and the signal electrodes are filled with a solid filler material (16) in order to provide an even surface. Optical reflection detectors (23a, 23b, 23c) can also be located in these gaps in order to avoid field distortions and obtain a compact design. The backside of substrate (2) carries electronic high-frequency components for improving signal quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: BIOVOTION AG
    Inventors: Andreas Caduff, Mark Stuart Talary, Hans-Joachim Krebs, Alexander Megej, Francois Dewarrat
  • Patent number: 9179871
    Abstract: Generally, embodiments of the invention relate to analyte determining devices (e.g., electrochemical analyte monitoring systems) that include an indicator element that provides information relating to service history of the analyte determining devices, including, for example, previous use of the analyte determining devices. Also provided are systems and methods of using the, for example electrochemical, analyte determining devices in analyte monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Zenghe Liu, Benjamin J. Feldman, Brian Cho
  • Patent number: 9176141
    Abstract: A calibration system is disclosed for calibrating a first physiological monitoring device using a second physiological monitoring device. The first physiological monitor measures a first indication of a physiological parameter. The second physiological monitor measures a second indication of the physiological parameter. The first and second indications are used to calibrate the first physiological monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cercacor Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Massi Joe E. Kiani
  • Patent number: 9170265
    Abstract: A method for amperometric detection of proteins, especially haemoglobin in faeces, using an electrochemical sensor. The electrochemical sensor includes: a working electrode having an electrically conductive matrix holding a first reagent and/or a second reagent, the second reagent being an oxidizing agent, or a precursor thereof, for the first reagent; a counter electrode and optionally a reference electrode; wherein a reaction between the first reagent and the oxidizing agent is catalyzed by the protein to provide a detectable signal at the working electrode. The electrically conductive matrix is an electrically conductive carbon- or graphite-containing matrix or an electrically conductive porous matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: MODE DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Vincent Benoit
  • Patent number: 9167975
    Abstract: A method and system for continuous, mobile, ambulatory diagnostic monitoring for heart rate disease and abnormal conditions is disclosed herein. This device overcomes the prior art problems and allows for a continuous heart rate to be collected and recorded for extended time frames equivalent to a Holter monitor or special pulse oximeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Impact Sports Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Brady, Nikolai Rulkov, Mark Hunt
  • Patent number: 9161700
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for continuous measurement of blood pressure based on pulse transit time and which does not require any external calibration. This technique, referred to herein as the ‘Composite Method’, is carried out with a body-worn monitor that measures blood pressure and other vital signs, and wirelessly transmits them to a remote monitor. A network of body-worn sensors, typically placed on the patient's right arm and chest, connect to the body-worn monitor and measure time-dependent ECG, PPG, accelerometer, and pressure waveforms. The disposable sensors can include a cuff that features an inflatable bladder coupled to a pressure sensor, three or more electrical sensors (e.g. electrodes), three or more accelerometers, a temperature sensor, and an optical sensor (e.g., a light source and photodiode) attached to the patient's thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SOTERA WIRELESS, INC.
    Inventors: Matt Banet, Marshal Dhillon, Devin McCombie
  • Patent number: 9163273
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having optimized permselective membranes and methods for making and using such sensors. Embodiments of the invention also provide analyte sensors such as those having porous matrices coated with an analyte sensing composition and methods for making and using such sensors. Illustrative embodiments include electrochemical glucose sensors having glucose oxidase coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Shah, Gopikrishnan Soundararajan, Rebecca K. Gottlieb, Udo Hoss, Eric A. Grovender, Shaun M. Pendo