Patents Examined by Scott Getzow
  • Patent number: 9943238
    Abstract: A pulse wave measuring device includes a light emitter unit, a light receiver unit, a pulse wave measuring unit and a contact portion. The light receiver unit receives reflected light, which is reflected from a finger after transmission of the light from the light emitter unit. The pulse wave measuring unit measures a pulse wave based on the reflected light, which is received with the light receiver unit. The finger contacts the contact portion at a time of measuring the pulse wave. The contact portion has a recess, which receives at least a portion of the finger at the time of measuring the pulse wave, and a protrusion is provided in an inside of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouki Futatsuyama, Tsunemi Kanda, Satoshi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9937343
    Abstract: A hand held electrostimulation device has a handle having a first side member and a second side member. At least one first electrode is provided on the first side member and at least one second electrode is provided on the second side member. The first side member is longer than the second side member, which is connected with the first side member at a position intermediate the ends of the second side member. The handle is configured so that a user can cause relative movement of the first and second side members from a rest position and is resiliently biased to return to the rest position to cause relative movement of the first and second electrodes to massage skin engaged by the electrodes while applying electricity to the skin via the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CACI Microlift Limited
    Inventors: Dean Nathanson, Shilen Thakker
  • Patent number: 9936919
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and associated methods for determining heart rate (HR) of a subject from noisy Electrocardiogram (ECG) data are disclosed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Amit Baxi, Mayank Garg
  • Patent number: 9931514
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed filtered feedthrough assembly for an active implantable medical device includes an electrically conductive ferrule hermetically sealed by a first braze to an insulator. A conductor is hermetically sealed to and disposed through the insulator. A filter capacitor has an active electrode plate and a ground electrode plate which are disposed within and supported by a capacitor dielectric in an interleaved, partially overlapping relationship. A first passageway is disposed through the capacitor dielectric having a capacitor internal metallization which is connected to the active electrode plate. A capacitor external metallization electrically connects to the ground electrode plate. An oxide-resistant metal addition includes a conductive core with a conductive cladding of a different material. A first electrical connection is between the oxide-resistant metal addition and the capacitor external metallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Christine A. Frysz, Robert A. Stevenson, Jason Woods
  • Patent number: 9931505
    Abstract: A system and method for promoting immunity of animals or human, which comprises an energy wave generator has an energy wave's frequency control mode. The energy wave's frequency control mode includes multiple controls for acting the energy wave generator to generate and emit energy waves each with a corresponding energy density. The energy density is calculated by a corresponding base frequency, a sweep bandwidth of the corresponding base frequency, an emission rate and a total time of emission in a duty cycle, so that the energy waves with the corresponding energy densities effecting on the body of animals or human to promote immunity of animals or human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Resonant Waves Research Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Chieh Chang
  • Patent number: 9925375
    Abstract: A non-invasive device for facilitating therapy of patient suffering from the gastrointestinal system diseases or symptoms, and in particular suffering Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The device is positioned by the patient on the skin of the patient abdomen and electrically stimulates the abdomen muscles. This treating results in dynamic motions of the digestive system, which causes the treatment of various digestive symptoms or diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventors: Mordechay Esh, Giora Arbel
  • Patent number: 9918647
    Abstract: A biometric information detecting apparatus is provided. The biometric information detecting apparatus includes a fixing unit disposed on a lower structure, and a pressure pulse wave measuring unit that is supported by the fixing unit and separate from the lower structure. An optical pulse wave measuring unit is disposed on the pressure pulse wave measuring unit. The optical pulse wave measuring unit may contact a surface of a subject's body. A pressure pulse wave of the subject's body may be measured by the pressure pulse wave measuring unit and an optical pulse wave of the subject's body may be measured by the optical pulse wave measuring unit, at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaemin Kang, Younho Kim, Sangyun Park, Hyoyoung Jeong
  • Patent number: 9919145
    Abstract: Connector assemblies that are separate from medical lead extensions provide features such as bores for receiving both a medical lead and a medical lead extension and provide electrical connections between connectors of the leads and connectors of the lead extensions. Connector assemblies may include additional features such as contours and wings that reduce subcutaneous erosion. Connector assemblies may also include retention structures such as movable clips that are moved into engagement with leads and lead extensions to retain them within the connector assembly. Integrated lead extension connectors may also include contours and wings as well as retention structures including movable clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Spencer M. Bondhus, Patrick D. Wells
  • Patent number: 9901276
    Abstract: A cardiac monitoring device for determining the occurrence of a sick sinus syndrome condition of a patient that includes a plurality of electrodes to sense a cardiac signal, a sensing module electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes having circuitry positioned therein to receive the sensed cardiac signal, and a processor coupled to the sensing module and configured to determine an RR interval variability during an RR interval variability session in response to the sensed cardiac signal, determine whether a P-wave occurs during the RR interval variability session, determine whether a sick sinus indicator is satisfied in response to a P-wave occurring, increment a sick sinus count in response to the sick sinus indicator being satisfied, determine whether a sick sinus burden is satisfied in response to the sick sinus count being incremented, and determine the occurrence of sick sinus syndrome in response to the sick sinus burden being satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Shantanu Sarkar
  • Patent number: 9901391
    Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil adapted to receive an electrode controllable by an electrical signal for performing surgical operations. This pencil includes a housing, a circuit, and switch that is activatable from outside the housing for closing the circuit. The housing receives the electrode. The circuit is a flexible circuit and is positioned such that it is in direct contact with the electrode when the electrode is received in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Cimpax ApS
    Inventors: Michael Busch-Madsen, Patrick Busch-Madsen
  • Patent number: 9895533
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a controller (22). The controller includes at least one interface (62) that couples the controller to stimulation circuitry (24), which includes a pair of electrodes (26a, 26b), and to measuring circuitry, and further includes controller circuitry (64). While the electrodes are coupled to skin (60) of a subject, the controller circuitry, via the interface, drives the stimulation circuitry to (i) pass a plurality of stimulating pulses (32) between the electrodes, and (ii) pass one or more reference pulses (34) between the electrodes, the reference pulses being different from each of the stimulating pulses. The controller receives, from the measuring circuitry, an impedance between the electrodes that is measured using the reference pulses. In response to the impedance measured using the reference pulses, but not in response to any impedance measured using the stimulating pulses, the controller circuitry controls the stimulation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: THERANICA BIO-ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Amnon Harpak, Uzi Hizi
  • Patent number: 9889298
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an implantable mechanical support comprising a mesh shaped to support a portion of a urethra of a patient. One or more electrodes, coupled to the mesh, so as to contact tissue of the patient when the mechanical support (26) is implanted in the patient. A control unit drives the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Astora Women's Health, LLC
    Inventors: Ross A. Longhini, Yosef Gross
  • Patent number: 9884184
    Abstract: A device for extending a lead according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having first and second apertures, the body having an inner lumen, the first and second apertures extending from an outside of the body to the inner lumen; a filamentous element extending out of the first aperture and into the second aperture to form a filament loop extending from the body; a tightening mechanism configured to twist the filamentous element to compress a lead body between the filament loop and the body; and a tether coupled to body and configured to extend further proximally than a proximal-most end of the lead body when the lead body is compressed between the filament loop and body, the tether further configured to transfer at least a portion of a tension force applied to the tether to the lead body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Spectranetics Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Kelby Triffo
  • Patent number: 9883905
    Abstract: An electrosurgical probe for suction and irrigation systems is provided. The electrosurgical probe comprises an elongate tube with a probe tip and a probe handle. An unobstructed fluid communication path is defined by the probe handle and elongate tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Medical Rescources Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Elliott, Daniel McFarland, Michael Whitlock, Wayne Young
  • Patent number: 9883811
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting biometric information. The apparatus may include a biometric signal measurer comprising a light-receiving element and a plurality of light-emitting elements; and a processor including a tracking unit configured to sequentially drive the plurality of light-emitting elements, receive a signal detected by the light-receiving element, and determine a tracking line that connects at least two positions of a radial artery of the object from the received signal; and an analyzing unit configured to detect a pulse wave signal at the at least two points on the tracking line and analyze biometric information from the detected pulse wave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaemin Kang, Yongjoo Kwon, Sunkwon Kim, Younho Kim, Sangyun Park
  • Patent number: 9883902
    Abstract: A surgical device having a step-up converter, a power supply unit and a control arrangement. The step-up converter converts a mains AC voltage to an intermediate circuit voltage and energizes a DC intermediate circuit. The power supply unit includes an inverter connected to the intermediate circuit. The power supply unit also includes a transformer that has a primary coil connected to the inverter and a secondary coil for energizing a load. The control arrangement includes a PFC control circuit connected in a controlling manner to the step-up converter. The control arrangement further includes an operation control circuit connected in a controlling manner to the power supply unit. The PFC control circuit and operation control circuit are connected to each other via a digital communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventor: Florian Schulz
  • Patent number: 9878160
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system adapted to provide therapy for various neurological disorders is capable of varying therapy delivery strategies based on the context, physiological or otherwise, into which the therapy is to be delivered. Responsive and scheduled therapies can be varied depending on various sensor measurements, calculations, inferences, and device states (including elapsed times and times of day) to deliver an appropriate course of therapy under the circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Thomas K. Tcheng
  • Patent number: 9872652
    Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus employ a time-varying spectral analysis approach for reconstructing an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal that includes motion artifacts. The motion artifacts are produced by motion of an ECG sensor relative to a sensing location. The time-varying spectral analysis based approach enables the ECG signal to be reconstructed with accuracy by suppressing the motion artifacts. Example applications for the method and corresponding apparatus include ECG-based heart rate monitoring in wearable devices for fitness tracking and health monitoring even during intense physical activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Seyed M. A. Salehizadeh, Ki H. Chon, Yeonsik Noh
  • Patent number: 9867665
    Abstract: A handle for longitudinal movement of a first tubular member over a second tubular member includes a handle body, a nose cone, a locking mechanism, and a retraction control. The nose cone has a sleeve and an outer wall that define a control channel therebetween. The nose cone is moveable over the handle body between extended and retracted positions. The locking mechanism has locked and unlocked positions for selectively fixing the nose cone in the extended and retracted positions. A finger of the retraction control is positioned within the control channel of the nose cone. The retraction control has first and second positions relative to the nose cone for transitioning the locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked position and for moving the nose cone between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: William J. Dickhans, Carol L. Shaffer, Alex A. Peterson, Arlen J. Reschke
  • Patent number: 9861320
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for evaluating an exercise capability, the method including monitoring a heart rate of a user, setting a detection area to measure an exercise capability of the user based on the monitoring and body information of the user, and detecting a feature point for evaluating the exercise capability from the detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Younho Kim, Sangkon Bae, Byunghoon Ko, Dae-Geun Jang