Patents Examined by William Thomson
  • Patent number: 9629559
    Abstract: A method and system for determining homeostatic risk in a patient, in order to screen metabolic diseases and/or their complications and/or their treatment management, is provided. The method includes receiving, from one or more sensors coupled with the patient, galvanic skin response, bioimpedance, a photoplethysmogram (PTG), and blood pressure from the patient, calculating a first score based on the PTG, calculating a second score based on the galvanic skin response, calculating a third score based on the bioimpedance, calculating a fourth score based on the blood pressure, calculating a homeostatic risk score based on the first, second, third and fourth scores that were calculated, wherein the homeostatic risk score corresponds to the homeostatic risk of the patient, and displaying the homeostatic risk score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MEDICAL SCREENING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Albert Maarek
  • Patent number: 9629675
    Abstract: A hypotube based deliver system is used to position one or more elements in position for treatment within the body. The elements may include electrodes, sensors or injection ports or even anchors. The hypotubes may have pre-set shapes or are plastically deformed prior to positioning as they exit a positioning device. There are methods of providing therapy using the hypotubes including mixed mode therapies are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Confluent Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Kleshinski, Christopher P. Cheng
  • Patent number: 9630002
    Abstract: Embodiments of dermatological cell treatment are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Jongju Na
  • Patent number: 9626478
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking biological age over time based upon heart rate variability includes an activity monitoring device configured to measure and transmit one or more biological age parameters, including heart rate variability, to a biological age calculation and display module configured to calculate a biological age factor as a function of the biological age parameters, calculate biological age as a function of the biological age factor and the user's actual age, and display the biological age.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LOGITECH EUROPE, S.A.
    Inventor: Judd Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9627120
    Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for enabling electrical communication with a device positionable within a body cavity of a patient. Apparatuses and systems for magnetically positioning a device within a body cavity of a patient. Medical devices. Methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Daniel J. Scott, Raul Fernandez, Richard A. Bergs, Jeffrey A. Cadeddu
  • Patent number: 9622729
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bodily invasive steerable device (100) having a proximal (201) and distal (205) end comprising a steering mechanism (50) having a proximal bending part (202), a distal bending part (204), and an intermediate part (203) disposed between the proximal bending part (202) and the distal bending part (204) configured mechanically to transmit forces applied at the proximal end (201) to the distal end (205). The steering is mechanism configured such that the distal bending part (204) moves responsive to movements of the proximal bending part (202). The device also comprises a handle (206) coupled to the proximal bending part (202) to effect manual bending. The handle (206) comprises at least one grip member (210) that extends distally (205), at least over the proximal terminal end (171) of the proximal bending part (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Steerable Instruments NV
    Inventors: Frank Dewaele, Bart Blanckaert, Cyriel Mabilde
  • Patent number: 9622832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a handle portion and a tip, wherein a tip sensor is provided on the handle portion. The tip sensor enables detection of when a tip is inserted into and/or removed from the handle. In addition, the tip sensor enables a navigation system to be notified when landmarks are probed with the surgical instrument, thereby ensuring accurate capture of the location of the landmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Rainer Birkenbach, Stefan Vilsmeier
  • Patent number: 9622818
    Abstract: A laser-based hair cutting device (10) comprises a laser source (18), an optically transparent exit window (15) and optical elements (11, 12, 13, 14). The laser source (18) provides an incident light beam (21) for cutting a hair (22) above and near a skin surface by laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) of the hair (22) in a focal position of the light beam (21). The optically transparent exit window has an external exit surface (15) for allowing the incident light beam (21) to leave the device. The optical elements (11, 12, 13, 14) focus the incident light beam (21) in the focal position at a working distance from the exit surface (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Johnson, Calina Ciuhu, Rieko Verhagen, Bastiaan Wilhelmus Maria Moeskops, Kiran Kumar Thumma, Thomas Adriaan Cohen Stuart, Petrus Cornelis Paulus Bouten, Roelof Koole, Emile Johannes Karel Verstegen, Petrus Theodorus Jutte
  • Patent number: 9622817
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hair-shortening device. The device is based on the principle of laser-induced optical breakdown, wherein a laser pulse causes mechanical effects in tissue, which are used to cut the hair (20). The invention uses the insight that, when two or more such laser pulses are provided simultaneously, the mechanical effects can co-operate. This in turn allows cutting of the hair (20) with less total energy, down to about half the energy required for cases with pulses that are supplied sequentially. In one embodiment, the device comprises a laser source (2), a grating (6), and a beam manipulator (8), that aim a plurality of simultaneous focal spots (10) into a hair (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Robbert Adrianus Maria Van Hal, Rieko Verhagen
  • Patent number: 9615781
    Abstract: During patient monitoring, a depth of consciousness (DOC) measure, such as a bispectral index, may be used in conjunction with additional information obtained from an awareness metric derived from one or more physiological signals, such as a photoplethysmograph signal. In an embodiment, a DOC measure may be combined with information from an awareness metric to produce a combined DOC measure. In an embodiment, information from an awareness metric derived from one or more physiological signals may be used to provide an indication of confidence in a DOC measure. In an embodiment, a DOC measure may be used to provide an indication of confidence in a depth of consciousness assessment based on an awareness metric. In an embodiment, one or the other of a DOC measure and an awareness metric may be used to provide an indication of a patient's depth of consciousness (e.g., by one “overriding” the other).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Edward M. McKenna, Bo Chen, Youzhi Li, Paul Stanley Addison, James N. Watson
  • Patent number: 9619613
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for sensing and assessing a patients responses to tests using a device that may include tactile input, voice input, still image analysis, and responses to visual and auditory stimuli. In one example, a method includes obtaining interactive clinical assessment data using a remote client device and a computer-based control device, the method including providing on a display of a remote client device one or more test prompts for conducting an interactive clinical assessment, each displayed test prompt instructing a user to perform an action using the remote client device in response to the test prompt, and providing on the display of the remote client device one or more potential responses of actions that may be performed in response to the test prompt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Integrated Deficit Examinations, LLC
    Inventors: Brett C. Meyer, Justin A. Zivin
  • Patent number: 9615789
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods involving the use of magnetic resonance imaging and optogenetic neural stimulation. Aspects of the disclosure include modifying a target neural cell population in a first region of a brain to express light-responsive molecules. Using a light pulse, the light-responsive molecules in the target neural cell population are stimulated. Multiple regions of the brain are scanned via magnetic resonance imaging. The scans allow for observation of a neural reaction in response to the stimulation in at least one of the multiple regions of the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Karl Deisseroth, Jin Hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 9610121
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a housing and an end effector assembly operably connected to the housing. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position, wherein in the second position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity configured to receive tissue between the jaw members. The end effector also includes at least one light-emitting element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one light-emitting element adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Craig A. Keller, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 9610012
    Abstract: A system and method for providing baseline data for automated patient management is disclosed. A patient is identified for enrollment in automated patient management with information including at least one of treatment profile and medical history. Device measures are collected to provide raw physiometry for the patient regularly recorded by a medical device, beginning with an initial observation period. Derived device measures are determined to provide derivative physiometry based on the collected device measures. Baseline data from the collected and derived device measures are quantified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Gust Bardy
  • Patent number: 9604072
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable phototherapy device capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength and intensity sufficient to obtain a desired phototherapeutic effect to a subject, without being in direct physical contact with said subject. The device is portable, capable of being flattened, folded, rolled, compressed, or otherwise collapsed, to a size smaller than that of its operating size. The device may be of any size or shape, and may optionally comprise a frame support. The device may be powered by a variety of sources, including one or more batteries. The device may be configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation sufficient to obtain one or more of a variety of desired phototherapeutic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: LITTLE SPARROWS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Donna J. Brezinski
  • Patent number: 9597038
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining maximal oxygen uptake per unit time for a subject. The apparatus comprises at least one body sensor measuring body temperature of the subject; at least one body sensor measuring sweat output of the subject; and a processor. The processor is configured to receive measurements from said at least one body sensors; determine whether said subject is exercising in steady state; and calculate, subject to said determining, maximal oxygen uptake per unit time for said subject using said received measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITED
    Inventor: Christof Schwiening
  • Patent number: 9597029
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely evaluating patient compliance status is presented. Compliance to a course of treatment is periodically checked through qualitative inquiry of a patient under remote management. Physiometry of the patient, that indicates emotional state, is remotely monitored contemporaneously with the qualitative state. Patient status is evaluated, including at least one of corroborating the compliance and identifying an emotional imbalance, based upon the indicated emotional state of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhilash Patangay, Shelley Marie Cazares
  • Patent number: 9599632
    Abstract: Biometric monitoring devices, including various technologies that may be implemented in such devices, are discussed herein. Additionally, techniques for utilizing altimeters in biometric monitoring devices are provided. Such techniques may, in some implementations, involve recalibrating a biometric monitoring device altimeter based on location data; using altimeter data as an aid to gesture recognition; and/or using altimeter data to manage an airplane mode of a biometric monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventor: Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Patent number: 9596991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for a self-examination. And more particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method providing examination guide information for the self-examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kyuhyoung Choi
  • Patent number: 9599166
    Abstract: A tool for a medical instrument includes a coupling member on the proximal end of the tool, for releasable mechanical coupling with a distal end of a shaft of a medical instrument, wherein the coupling member is in the form of a helical cutout of a circular cylinder barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jochen Stefan