Patents Examined by Mitchell Alter
  • Patent number: 10463340
    Abstract: An acoustic sensor is provided according to certain aspects for non-invasively detecting physiological acoustic vibrations indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient. The sensor can include an acoustic sensing element configured to generate a first signal in response to acoustic vibrations from a medical patient. The sensor can also include front-end circuitry configured to receive an input signal that is based at least in part on the first signal and to produce an amplified signal in response to the input signal. In some embodiments, the sensor further includes a compression module in communication with the front-end circuitry and configured to compress portions of at least one of the input signal and the amplified signal according to a first compression scheme, the compressed portions corresponding to portions of the first signal having a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Valery G. Telfort, Mark Wylie
  • Patent number: 8827913
    Abstract: An example system may include at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a cardiovascular pressure signal and another medical device configured to measure an electrical depolarization signal of the heart. The system determines a plurality of cardiovascular pressure metrics based on the measured cardiovascular pressure signal, including at least one cardiovascular pressure metric indicative of a timing of at least one cardiac pulse. The system also determines a metric indicative of a timing of at least one heart depolarization within the measured electrical depolarization signal. The system compares the timing of the at least one cardiac pulse to the timing of the at least one depolarization, and determines whether to discard the plurality of cardiovascular pressure metrics based on whether the timings substantially agree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Havel, Tommy D. Bennett, Yong Kyun Cho, Robert T. Taepke, II
  • Patent number: 8818498
    Abstract: An eyeglass-type electroencephalogram interface system is worn on the head of a user. The system includes: an output section for presenting a visual stimulation to the user; an ear electrode portion disposed at a position coming in contact with an ear of the user when the system is worn; a facial electrode portion disposed at a position coming in contact with the face below a straight line connecting an external canthus and an internal canthus of an eye of the user, such that the mass of the system is supported at the position, when the system is worn; and an electroencephalogram measurement and determination section for measuring an event-related potential on the basis of a potential difference between the ear electrode portion and the facial electrode portion based on the visual stimulation being presented by the output section as a starting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Terada, Koji Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8784313
    Abstract: Novel prognosis methods associated with cases of postpartum haemorrhage providing a predictive test enabling practitioners to provide better management of patients suffering from postpartum haemorrhage. Different risk factors exist on which a score allowing prediction of the need to carry out invasive procedures to stop bleeding has been developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Assistance Publique—Hopitaux de Paris
    Inventors: Alexandre Mebazaa, Etienne Gayat, Matthieu Resche-Rigon, Olivier Morel, Yann Fargeaudou, Matthias Rossignol, Didier Payen
  • Patent number: 8755858
    Abstract: Provided are a blood sensor that is highly reliable and does not contaminate the interior of the main body of the device, a blood testing device and a blood analysis method. The blood sensor is provided with a plate-shaped base, a blood storage part set roughly in the center of the base, a supply path, one end of which is connected to the storage part and the other end of which is connected to an air pore, multiple detecting electrodes laid on one surface of the supply path connecting electrodes, each coming out of these detection electrodes, and skin detection electrodes in the storage part or near the storage part. The blood detecting device is provided with a skin detecting circuit that detects skin contact by measuring sensor conduction or impedance changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kitagawa, Masaki Fujiwara, Keisuke Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8753282
    Abstract: A blood pressure measurement apparatus detects a downward flexure of an arm rest and informs a user of the downward flexure on a display unit. By providing a partially color changing display or a blinking display on the display unit, the user is informed that a measurement posture is not good. The blood pressure measurement apparatus has an elbow rest with an arrangement that can easily prompt the user to be in a good posture for measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kukita, Koji Maruta, Masataka Yanagase
  • Patent number: 8747328
    Abstract: The systems and methods monitor a subject's blood pressure under a constant applied pressure. Measurements taken from a pressure measuring element and a pulse sensing element are combined to determine the subject's systolic and diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is measured directly by the pressure measuring element, and the diastolic pressure is determined indirectly by using a pulse waveform to extrapolate portions of a pressure waveform. The systems and methods can be employed in any number of applications, including, without limitation, taking a single reading from a subject, continuously monitoring a subject, or evaluating a subject during physical exertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Larry M. Tichauer
  • Patent number: 8747330
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring respiratory rate (RR) from a patient. The system includes an impedance pneumography (IP) sensor, connected to at least two electrodes, and a processing system that receives and processes signals from the electrodes to measure an IP signal. A motion sensor (e.g. an accelerometer) measures at least one motion signal (e.g. an ACC waveform) describing movement of a portion of the patient's body to which it is attached. The processing system receives the IP and motion signals, and processes them to determine, respectfully, frequency-domain IP and motion spectra. Both spectra are then collectively processed to remove motion components from the IP spectrum and determine RR. For example, during the processing, an algorithm determines motion frequency components from the frequency-domain motion spectrum, and then using a digital filter removes these, or parameters calculated therefrom, from the IP spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sotera Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Banet, Marshal Dhillon, Devin McCombie
  • Patent number: 8727977
    Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn vital sign monitor that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling) and posture (upright, supine). The monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs and associated alarms/alerts by motion-related artifacts. It also features a graphical user interface (GUI) rendered on a touchpanel display that facilitates a number of features to simplify and improve patient monitoring and safety in both the hospital and home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sotera Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Banet, Jim Moon, Gunner Trommer, Caroline DiBattista
  • Patent number: 8727998
    Abstract: The shear stiffness of a subject's spleen is measured using elastography techniques such as ultrasound elastography or a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) acquisition with an MRI system. A relationship between splenic shear stiffness and portal venous blood pressure is modeled and is used to calculate portal venous blood pressure non-invasively from the measured splenic shear stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: MAYO Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Meng Yin, Jayant A. Talwalkar, Anthony J. Romano, Armando Manduca, Richard L. Ehman
  • Patent number: 8728002
    Abstract: A system and method of calculating an accurate estimate of pulmonary mechanics of a patient, including but not limited to compliance, resistance, and plateau pressure without modification of ventilator flow pattern. The accurate estimation of pulmonary mechanics is derived from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the patient using novel mathematical models. These estimated figures for pulmonary mechanics (respiratory system compliance and resistance) are important for monitoring patient treatment efficacy during mechanical ventilation and ensuring alveoli do not over distend to avoid baro- and/or volutrauma, especially in patients with restrictive lung diseases. The subject method of calculating these accurate estimated figures for pulmonary mechanics is based on linear or non-linear calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc., Convergent Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Nawar Nazar Yousif Al-Rawas, Andrea Gabrielli, Neil Russell Euliano, Michael Joseph Banner
  • Patent number: 8708920
    Abstract: Existing monitors for apnea miss many serious events because they do not adequately distinguish the heart signal in chest impedance from the respiratory signal. Described herein is a respiratory monitoring system and method for improved detection and response to apnea, particularly in a NICU setting but also useful in a home setting. This method filters from the chest impedance the part of the impedance that is caused by the beating of the heart in a human subject, and then identifies in real time significant silence in the filtered chest impedance signal, including determining the probability of apnea. If the probability of apnea exceeds a threshold value, the apneic subject can be stimulated using automated interactions such as a vibrating mattress or air blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: College of William and Mary
    Inventors: John B. Delos, Hoshik Lee
  • Patent number: 8708918
    Abstract: A monitoring device (20) and method (200) for monitoring the health of a user is disclosed herein. The monitoring device (20) is preferably an article (25), an optical sensor (30), a circuitry assembly (35) a display member (40) and a control component (43). The monitoring device (20) preferably displays the following information about the user: pulse rate; calories expended by the user of a pre-set time period; target zones of activity; time; and distance traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Impact Sports Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolai Rulkov, Mark Hunt, Donald Brady, Sammy Elhag, Steve Lui
  • Patent number: 8712495
    Abstract: A measurement device includes an electronic component device, a perspiration acceleration device, and a perspiration collection device. The perspiration acceleration device or the perspiration collection device is removably coupled to the electronic component device. The electronic component device is attached to a measurement site with a belt. A perspiration accelerating performance is made with respect to the measurement site with the perspiration acceleration device coupled to the electronic component device, and thereafter, the perspiration acceleration device is replaced with the perspiration collection device with the electronic component device attached to the measurement site, and the perspiration collection and measurement computation performance are made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Muneo Tokita
  • Patent number: 8684941
    Abstract: An electronic sphygmomanometer determines whether a position of a measurement site falls within a proper range, and notifies whether the position of the measurement site falls within the proper range. When determination is made that a time in which the position of the measurement site falls within the proper range is not less than a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), measurement of a blood pressure is automatically started. When determination is made that a time in which the position of the measurement site is out of the proper range is not less than a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the measurement of the blood pressure is started. Further, whether the position of the measurement site falls within the proper range is notified while correlated with the measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Nishioka, Yoshihiko Sano, Atsushi Kawano, Mika Eto, Kenji Aridome, Kotaro Suzuki, Masahiko Yumoto
  • Patent number: 8682411
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for remotely monitoring physiologic cardiovascular data are disclosed. At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein provide access to the external surface of the heart through the pericardial space for the delivery of the sensor to the epicardial surface of the heart. In addition, various disclosed embodiments provide for a memory device capable of receiving the physiologic cardiovascular data collected by the sensors and transmitting such data wirelessly to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: CVDevices, LLC
    Inventors: Ghassan S. Kassab, Jose Navia
  • Patent number: 8652061
    Abstract: Visible light is a treatment option for Segmental Vitiligo (SV), and visible light-induced repigmentation is associated normalization of sympathetic. Currently it is difficult to predict individual patient's response to visible light therapy. Therefore, the present invention uses the Laser Doppler Flowmeter to serve as a response predictor for visible light on treating SV. The present invention recruited 14 Segmental Vitiligo patients for evaluating clinical information. FirstLaser Doppler Flowmeter was used to evaluate the cutaneous blood flow of SV lesion and contralateral normal skin, and then treated them with visible light irradiate, cold-stress, rewarmed, and recorded the change of skin blood flow, finally the patients received regular visible light treatment for 3 months, and patients have a sign of repigmentation after the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kaohsiung Medical University
    Inventors: Hsin-Su Yu, Cheng-Che Lan, Wei-Tai Yu
  • Patent number: 8636671
    Abstract: A wearable respiration measurement apparatus including: an eyeglass frame having a nose flap which is formed in such a manner as to cover a user's nose; and an induced current generation device attached to the nose flap and generating an induced current corresponding to an amount of air inhaled or exhaled through the user's nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Yong Won Jang
  • Patent number: 8622917
    Abstract: An electronic sphygmomanometer has a causing unit that causes a constant volume change in a cuff and a causing processing unit for controlling a drive of the causing unit for a period for which a first pressure control (for example, depressurization control) is made so as to execute a process for giving a constant volume change to the cuff. Further, the electronic sphygmomanometer includes a measurement control unit that controls based on a cuff pressure signal measurement of a pulse wave amplitude and a pressure change property with respect to the volume change. The electronic sphygmomanometer includes a correction processing unit that corrects the measured pulse wave amplitude based on the measured pressure change property and a blood pressure calculating unit that calculates a blood pressure value based on the corrected pulse wave amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mika Eto, Yukiya Sawanoi
  • Patent number: 8577438
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for in vivo measurements comprising a planar substrate, and a sensor shaft bearing several electrodes, and a sensor head for connecting the sensor, wherein the sensor head has metal surfaces as contact fields for contact making, which are connected to the electrodes by way of conductor paths. The sensor head protrudes laterally to the sensor shaft so that the contact fields are arranged laterally from the sensor shaft, whereas the conductor paths extend in parallel on the sensor head transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sensor shaft. Also disclosed is a system having a sensor as just described and a suitable plug connector therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kube, Andrea Rittinghaus