Patents Examined by Michael D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 8244340
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to methods, systems and devices for sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes. Certain embodiments relate to a system for sleep stage determination comprising a sensing unit and a processing unit. The sensing unit is positioned over a forehead area of a patient and has first, second and third electrodes for positioning at locations on or adjacent the forehead area for detecting electrical potentials of a human head. The processing unit is coupled to the sensing unit for receiving biological signals corresponding to the detected electrical potentials and processing the biological signals to determine a sleep stage of the patient. The processing of the biological signals is based on a plurality of rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Jianping Wu, Ronald Leon Kurtz, Aaron Phillip Weinroth
  • Patent number: 8231538
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an in-vivo blood pressure sensor device including a strain transducer and flexible biocompatible material that carries the strain transducer. The flexible biocompatible material is configured to encircle the outside of a blood vessel when surgically installed. A preferred embodiment in-vivo blood pressure sensor device of the invention includes a strain transducer carried by a flexible biocompatible ring that is configured to be surgically installed to encircle a blood vessel. The device also includes passive circuitry encased in biocompatible material for sensing strain in the strain transducer and for providing data to an external reader. The passive circuitry is also configured to be surgically installed in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia W. Aebersold, Guruprasad A. Giridharan, George M. Pantalos, Laman A. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8229535
    Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous measurement of an analyte in a host are provided. The system generally includes a continuous analyte sensor configured to continuously measure a concentration of analyte in a host and a sensor electronics module physically connected to the continuous analyte sensor during sensor use, wherein the sensor electronics module is further configured to directly wirelessly communicate displayable sensor information to a plurality of different types of display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Mensinger, John Michael Dobbles, Apurv U. Kamath, Beat Stadelmann, Deborah M. Ruppert, Nasser Salamati, Richard C. Yang
  • Patent number: 8221329
    Abstract: A system includes but is not limited to at least one manifold; an inhalant dissemination device coupled to the at least one manifold; an inhalant characterization device coupled to the at least one manifold; and a control module operably coupled to the inhalant dissemination device and the inhalant characterization device, said control module configured to (a) determine an inhalant concentration in a manifold, and (b) calculate at least one of a retrospective and a prospective inhaled dose in response to the inhalant concentration, and (c) start and stop a flow through the manifold until the at least one of the retrospective and the prospective inhaled dose is greater than or equal to a specified dose. A method includes but is not limited to starting a flow of an inhalant through a manifold; determining an inhalant concentration of the inhalant in the manifold; and stopping the flow of the inhalant through the manifold when the inhalant concentration is in a first specified inhalant-concentration range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: The United State of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Justin M. Hartings, Chad J. Roy, Gerald M. Liverette
  • Patent number: 8224434
    Abstract: An implantable seizure monitor can include at least one sensing electrode and an electronics module configured to detect, record and/or log neurological events. For example, the electronics module can be configured to detect brainwaves indicative of seizures, such as, for example, epileptic seizures, and to create a log indicating when such seizures occur. The implantable seizure monitor can include a cushioning member made of a soft material and configured to be implantable between the epidermis and cranium of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventor: David Greene
  • Patent number: 8221328
    Abstract: The invention provides a breath testing device which includes a visual indicating agent which changes color in the presence of an odor associated with bad breath, such as sulfur and ammonia odors. An example of the visual indicating agent is 4,4?-bis(dimethylamino)-benzhydrol (Michler's hydrol or BDMB) and related dyes having a similar chemical structure. The indicating agent is applied to a substrate which is then inserted into a tube or straw, or which covers one end of a straw. When a user with bad breath blows into the tube or straw, the indicating agent will change color. The breath testing devices provide a quick and affordable means for a user to test their breath, and they may be packaged in discreet, pocket-sized dispensers which can be carried in a pocket or purse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Gavin MacDonald, Kevin P. McGrath, RameshBabu Boga
  • Patent number: 8221325
    Abstract: An implantable medical device receives a physiological signal indicative of circulatory blood volume and detects hypovolemia from that physiological signal. In one embodiment, an implantable pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) senses a PAP signal, and the implantable medical device detects hypovolemia from the PAP signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 8219173
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing analyte sensor calibration including receiving a current blood glucose measurement, retrieving a time information for an upcoming scheduled calibration event for calibrating an analyte sensor, determining temporal proximity between the current blood glucose measurement and the retrieved time information for the upcoming calibration event, initiating a calibration routine to calibrate the analyte sensor when the determined temporal proximity is within a predetermined time period, and overriding the upcoming scheduled calibration event using the current blood glucose measurement are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Erwin Satrya Budiman, Wesley Scott Harper, Timothy Christian Dunn
  • Patent number: 8211015
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a short-acting analgesic agent in the management of pain during labor, wherein the system enables efficient, real-time prediction of contractions for the coordinated administration of analgesia such that the peak effectiveness of the analgesic coincides with the intermittent pain of labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc., Convergent Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy Y. Euliano, Neil Russell Euliano, II, Jose C. Principe, Dorothee Marossero
  • Patent number: 8206297
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Apurv Ullas Kamath, Paul V. Goode, Jr., James H. Brauker, James Patrick Thrower
  • Patent number: 8197414
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for monitoring a patient that includes a cuff configured to inflate to at least partially occlude an artery of the patient and a cuff controller configured to control inflation and deflation of the cuff. The system also includes a sensor configured to receive a signal associated with the at least partially occluded artery and generate an output signal based on the received signal. Also included is a signal analysis module configured to receive the output signal and determine a first hemodynamic parameter based on a first set of data obtained during inflation of the cuff and a second set of data obtained during deflation of the cuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Quinn, Matt Kinsley, Tyson B. Whitaker, John D. Seller
  • Patent number: 8200307
    Abstract: A device for measuring a glucose level or some other parameter of living tissue that affects the dielectric properties of the tissue is disclosed. The device comprises an electrode arrangement (5) having a plurality of electrodes (5-i). The signal from a signal source (31) can be applied to the electrode arrangement via a switching assembly (39). The switching assembly (39) is designed to selectively connect a first and a second pattern of the electrodes (5-i) to the signal source, thereby generating a first and a second electrical field with different spatial distribution in the tissue. By using a differential method which relies on measuring the impedance of the electrode arrangement (5) for each field and on suitable subtraction of the measured results, surface effects can be reduced and the focus of the measurement can be offset to a point deeper inside the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Biovotion AG
    Inventors: Andreas Caduff, Pascal Truffer, Yaroslav Ryabov, Yuri Feldman, Alexander Puzenko
  • Patent number: 8187201
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for titration of airway pressure in the treatment of hypoventilation. An exemplary method comprises examining both a signal indicative of ventilation of a patient and a signal indicative of oxygen saturation of the patient to determine a condition of hypoventilation, and applying a pressure to the nasal passage of the patient if the condition of hypoventilation is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Lynn
  • Patent number: 8190251
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for treating patients suffering from movement disorders having the ability to determine one or more biomarkers indicative of a disease state. In some embodiments, the biomarker may be used as a closed-loop feedback signal to control the delivery of therapy (such as electrical stimulation or drug therapy), and which may also be used as an indication of therapy effectiveness. One embodiment uses electrodes placed in the brain to measure EEG or local field potential (LFP) signals, from which the one or more biomarkers may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Gabriela C. Miyazawa, Keith A. Miesel, Jonathan C. Werder, David L. Carlson, Jonathon E. Giftakis
  • Patent number: 8182425
    Abstract: The methods of this invention relate to means for measuring skin hydration. The methods of this invention utilize at least two wavelengths filtered by at least two polarizers to create digital images of skin treated with personal care products. The methods are useful for demonstrating the efficacy of skin care products intended to increase skin hydration and/or protect the skin from dehydration, even when such dehydration is not apparent to the naked eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios N. Stamatas, Michael Cobb, Christiane Bertin
  • Patent number: 8185181
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include detecting a concurrent occurrence of a decrease in monitored analyte level and a corresponding decrease in monitored on-skin temperature, confirming a presence of an impending hypoglycemic condition, and asserting a notification corresponding to the confirmed impending hypoglycemic condition. Devices, methods, systems and kits incorporating the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Jay Feldman, Adam Heller, Namvar Kiaie
  • Patent number: 8172761
    Abstract: A monitoring device for monitoring the vital signs of a user is disclosed herein. The monitoring device is preferably comprises an article, an optical sensor, an accelerometer and processor. The optical sensor preferably comprises a photodetector and a plurality of light emitting diodes. A sensor signal from the optical sensor is processed with a filtered accelerometer output signal from the accelerometer to create a filtered vital sign signal used to generate a real-time vital sign for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Impact Sports Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolai Rulkov, Mark Hunt, Donald Brady
  • Patent number: 8160669
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Brauker, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Paul Goode, Mark Brister
  • Patent number: 8157742
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for planning treatment for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of an anatomical structure of the patient, create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the anatomical structure of the patient based on the patient-specific data, and determine a first fractional flow reserve within the anatomical structure of the patient based on the three-dimensional model and a physics-based model relating to the anatomical structure of the patient. The at least one computer system may be further configured to modify the three-dimensional model, and determine a second fractional flow reserve within the anatomical structure of the patient based on the modified three-dimensional model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: HeartFlow, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8160671
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for calibrating a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes one or more electrodes to measure an additional analyte. Such measurements may provide a baseline or sensitivity measurement for use in calibrating the sensor. Furthermore, baseline and/or sensitivity measurements may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Apurv Ullas Kamath, Peter C. Simpson, James H. Brauker, Paul V. Goode, Jr.