Patents by Inventor Christian Gerhardt

Christian Gerhardt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230190433
    Abstract: An oral cleaning unit, e.g. a head for an oral cleaning and/or treatment device, includes electrodes for generating an RF field for providing an oral cleaning and/or treatment function. The unit includes at least a first and second protruding structure, which protrude in a same general direction away from a base or support structure. Each comprises one or more electrodes. The protruding structures are arranged facing one another and separated by a space or gap which is configured so as to be able to receive a tooth pushed or inserted therein between the first and second protruding structures, and with the protruding structures extending on either side of the tooth, i.e. straddling the tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Lucas Petrus Henricus SCHEFFERS, Ravindra BHAT, Cornelis Reinder RONDA, Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Mark Thomas JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20230190435
    Abstract: An oral care device (8) for use in aiding delivery of a substance for an oral treatment purpose within the mouth. The device comprises a field generator (16) which is adapted to generate a field (20) for exerting a force on particles (20) susceptible to the field to guide movement of the particles to a desired location. When operated in the mouth, this allows oral treatment particles to be quickly, safely and efficiently distributed within the mouth to the correct locations for performing the oral treatment function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Thomas JOHNSON, Bart GOTTENBOS, Maaike Cornelia Johanna Wilhelmina VAN HULTEN, Lutz Christian GERHARDT
  • Publication number: 20230191143
    Abstract: An oral care device has a field generator adapted to generate an electric field in a mouth of a user, responsive to an input control signal. The electric field is for imparting a force upon particles forming a biofilm to be removed by the oral care device or upon cleaning agent particles. A cyclic control signal is generated for intermittent generation of an electric field at a first RF frequency. The use of an intermittent generation of an RF electric field means the force applied to particles (in particular polarized particles) by the field is itself cyclic. The cyclic nature of this applied force is found to be more effective in the disintegration of a biofilm to be removed, and hence makes subsequent mechanical removal, e.g. by brushing, easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Thomas JOHNSON, Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Bart GOTTENBOS
  • Publication number: 20230184753
    Abstract: The present invention relates to biofluid monitoring. It is proposed to use a system (100) and a method to detect when a biomarker sensor (10) with a regenerable surface (14) has degraded and/or predicting when the sensor will degrade. At least one of the following methods are used for the detection: counting the number of times the surface has been regenerated, determining the cumulative amount of biomolecules measured with the device, detecting an increased/decreased voltage change or pH change needed to release the biomarkers from the capture surface, detecting deviations of the sensor raw signal signatures from factory calibration signals, and using tracer analyte molecules comprising analyte molecules bound to magnetic beads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: LAURENTIA JOHANNA HUIJBREGTS, RON MARTINUS LAURENTIUS VAN LIESHOUT, MARK THOMAS JOHNSON, LUTZ CHRISTIAN GERHARDT, EDUARD GERARD MARIE PELSSERS
  • Publication number: 20230172351
    Abstract: The invention provides for an oral treatment unit, or an assembly of a plurality of oral treatment units, for confining an electromagnetic field having a frequency in the range of 100 kHz to 300 MHz and adapted to be inserted into an oral cavity, which may form part of an oral cleaning device in combination with a base unit, including a first cleaning element coupled to the oral treatment unit. The oral treatment unit further includes a material structure coupled to the oral treatment unit adapted to receive an initial electromagnetic field and output a focused electromagnetic field, wherein the material structure has a passive electromagnetic field focusing function, which focuses the received initial electromagnetic field in the near-field region of the material structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Priscilla BRANDAO SILVA, Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Mark Thomas JOHNSON, Gerardus Johannes Nicolaas DOODEMAN
  • Publication number: 20230148915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for uptaking and analyzing sweat from a skin of a user. In particular, it is proposed to provide a variability in the size of the sweat sensor inlets (102, 103, 104), which can be used for improving the determination of sweat parameters like for example determining the number of active sweat glands The variability in the size of the inlets (102, 103, 104) with which the sweat sensor (100) uptakes the sweat from the user's skin (111) can be achieved by having either plurality of inlets wherein at least some of them have different opening sizes and to use the differently sized inlets based in different situations. Alternatively, one or more inlets may have openings with variable cross-sectional area, like e.g. an adjustable diameter of their opening, and also a combination of these two alternatives is of course possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: LAURENTIA JOHANNA HUIJBREGTS, FRANK MUELLER, LUTZ CHRISTIAN GERHARDT, KIRAN HAMILTON J. DELLIMORE
  • Publication number: 20230145447
    Abstract: The invention provides a mouthpiece for dental cleaning system and the dental cleaning system itself. The mouthpiece has a base and inner and outer arches. An actuator is for applying motion to the inner arch and/or the outer arch, relative to the base. A coupling arrangement converts motion of one of the inner and outer arches in one direction relative to the base to motion in an opposite direction relative to the base of the other of the inner and outer arches. By forming the mouthpiece as a central stationary base enveloped by two contour-following and moving arches, an anti-phase brushing motion at opposite tooth sites along the tooth arch is enabled, giving increased reach toward the molars as well as a reduction in device vibration in the mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Ravindra BHAT, Mart Kornelis-Jan TE VELDE, Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Mark Thomas JOHNSON, Edward Theodorus Maria BERBEN, Bart GOTTENBOS
  • Publication number: 20230089520
    Abstract: An oral cleaning and/or treatment device includes electrodes for emitting RF energy for providing an oral cleaning and/or treatment function. The device includes a cleaning unit for receipt in an oral cavity which includes at least a first and second protruding member, which protrude in a same general direction away from abase or support structure. Each member comprises one or more electrodes or conductive elements for emitting RF energy. The device generates an RF field in a space between and around the electrodes by driving the electrodes with an RF signal generator. The device includes means, either mechanical or electrical, for varying a generated RF field pattern (e.g. spatial intensity distribution) between different settings. The device is in particular configurable in at least two modes or settings, each associated with a different respective field pattern or spatial intensity distribution. This is valuable for adapting the cleaning functionality to different required purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jyothir Ganeshwar Reddy UMMADI, Mark Thomas JOHNSON, Bart GOTTENBOS, Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Priscilla BRANDAO SILVA
  • Publication number: 20230047226
    Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing, treating, and ameliorating sleep bruxism events using a positive airway pressure (PAP) system for treating obstructive sleep apnea to concurrently recognize bruxism events. At least one sensor is integrated into a therapy interface and/or headgear to detect physiological signals indicative of bruxism. In some exemplary embodiments, a loudspeaker and microphone are integrated into the interface, either near the nose or near the mouth of the patient. When integrated near the nose, the pair is used for acoustical rhinometry, and when integrated near the mouth, the pair is used for acoustical pharyngometry. In other exemplary embodiments, sound or vibration sensors are used to detect signals indicative of teeth grinding. In response to sensor detection of bruxism activity, the PAP system controller adjusts the PAP therapy settings or proposes alternative treatment modalities in order to stop or prevent bruxism events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Joyce van Zanten, Joachim Johannes Kahlert, Pedro Miguel Ferreira dos Santos da Fonseca, Lutz Christian Gerhardt, Angela Grassi
  • Patent number: 11569760
    Abstract: A triboelectric energy generator (1) comprises a first generating element (8) and a second generating element (10). The first generating element comprises a first triboelectric material (9) and the second generating element comprises a second triboelectric material (13). Movement of the second generation element relative to the first generation element results in an output voltage, as a consequence of the triboelectric effect. A stopper (7) is configured to restrict rotation of the second generating element, so that the second generating element may only rotate through a desired angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Hans Kroes, Lutz Christian Gerhardt, Mark Thomas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220331078
    Abstract: There is provided a controller for a fluid-detection system, wherein the controller is configured to: determine if a user is interacting with the fluid detection system, wherein the determining comprises at least one of: determining whether a user is within a predetermined distance of the fluid detection system; determining whether a user is in physical contact with the fluid detection system; determining whether a fluid sensor of the fluid detection system is in a mouth of a user; and control the temperature of the fluid sensor of the fluid detection system based on the result of the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Maria Estrella MENA BENITO, Ashoka Sathanur VISWESWARA, Cornelis Reinder RONDA, Lucas Petrus Henricus SCHEFFERS
  • Publication number: 20220330687
    Abstract: Provided is a brush head for an oral cleaning device for cleaning teeth with a combination of brushing and emitting of a cleaning agent. The brush head comprises a bristle set for brushing the teeth and a nozzle for emitting the cleaning agent. When actuating the bristle set from a first configuration, which is optimized for brushing, to a second configuration, which is optimized for emitting of a cleaning agent, at least a part of the bristle 5 set is moved away from the nozzle and/or away from a path of the cleaning agent when being emitted from an orifice of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Bart GOTTENBOS, Quintin Oliver WILLIAMS, Mark Thomas JOHNSON, Lutz Christian GERHARDT
  • Publication number: 20220211304
    Abstract: A sweat sensing system comprises a mesh for location over a sweat surface on which sweat is formed or collected, and a vibration system for vibrating the mesh to nebulize sweat droplets. The nebulized sweat droplets are condensed on a sensing surface, and a sweat sensor performs biomarker sensing of the sweat at the sensing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kiran Hamilton J. DELLIMORE, Eduard Gerard Marie PELSSERS, Mark Thomas JOHNSON, Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Ron Martinus Laurentius VAN LIESHOUT
  • Patent number: 11376385
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wear-out assessment system including a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient, wherein the patient interface includes a first wireless communication unit a communication device including a second wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the first wireless communication unit and a wear-out assessment unit for determining wear-out data relating to a wear-out of the patient interface. The first and second wireless communication unit are configured to exchange at least parts of the wear-out data. The present disclosure also relates to a method of assessing wear-out of a patient interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklljke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Mareike Klee, Nocolaas Petrus Willard, Joyce Van Zanten, Lutz Christian Gerhardt, Jacob Roger Haartsen, Cornelis Bernardus Aloysius Wouters, Jan Henrik Poesse
  • Publication number: 20220192805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid based tooth cleaning system (10) comprising a holdable body (20), a fluid delivery unit (30), at least one sensor (40) and a control unit (50). The holdable body is configured to be coupled to a head (60). The fluid delivery unit (30) is configured to be coupled to a nozzle (80) configured to emit fluid, and the nozzle (80) is comprised within the head (60). The at least one sensor (40) is configured to provide information, including velocity information, relating to the head (60) with respect to a user's teeth. The at least one sensor (40) is configured to provide the information to the control unit (50). The control unit (50) is configured utilize the information to enable the fluid delivery unit (30) to emit fluid from the nozzle (80) onto the user's teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Paulus Cornelis DUINEVELD, Maaike Cornelia Johanna Wilhelmina VAN HULTEN, Joldert Maria BOERSMA, Pieter HORSTMAN, Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Bart GOTTENBOS, Mark Thomas JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20220192807
    Abstract: There is provided a controller for use with an oral care device; wherein the controller is configured to estimate the location of the oral care device relative to an interdental space in a mouth using predetermined data and current use data, the current use data relating to at least one of: actions of the user during use of the oral care device, operations of the oral care device; and generate a control signal based on the outcome of the estimation. There is also provided an oral care system and a kit of parts, and a computer implemented method for an oral care device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Mart Kornelis-Jan TE VELDE, Bart GOTTENBOS, Felipe Maia MASCULO, Mark Thomas JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11264920
    Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation system comprising a generator having charged mutually rotating plate elements, and comprising an integrated drive mechanism for precisely controlling a separation distance between the plates. The drive mechanism provides a separation which varies as a function of the speed of rotation, hence assimilating separation control within the natural operation of the device. Embodiments provide plates comprising self-generating bearings, both hydrodynamic gas and fluid bearings and centrifugal regulator solid bearings, the bearings providing a supporting force between the plates of a magnitude which increases as the rotational speed of the plates increases. Methods of energy generation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Steven Ernest Franklin, Lutz Christian Gerhardt, Willem Potze, Hans Kroes, Mark Thomas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210401346
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided switch circuitry (1) for controlling power supplied to a fluid monitoring unit (4). The switch circuitry (1) comprises: a sensor (2) configured to detect fluid derived from the skin of a user and to generate a detection signal in response to detection of fluid; and a controller (3) configured to receive the detection signal, to generate a wake-up signal in accordance with the detection signal, and to supply the wake-up signal to a switch (6) controlling the power supply to the fluid monitoring unit (4) so as to activate the switch (6) and wake the fluid monitoring unit (4), wherein, optionally, the fluid is sweat. According to another aspect, there is provided method of controlling power to a fluid monitoring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Ashoka Sathanur VISWESWARA, Mark Thomas JOHNSON, Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Ron Martinus Laurentius VAN LIESHOUT
  • Publication number: 20210393173
    Abstract: Provided is a sensor unit (104) for detecting an analyte (128) in an aqueous medium. The sensor unit comprises a surface (124) for receiving the aqueous medium thereon. Capture species (126) immobilized on the surface reversibly bind the analyte. A detector (130) detects the analyte when the analyte is bound to the capture species. The sensor unit further comprises an electrolysis assembly (132). The electrolysis assembly comprises a plurality of spatially separated electrically conductive areas (134) on the surface, and a power supply (136) for supplying a voltage across at least two of the electrically conductive areas. The voltage is sufficient to electrolyse the aqueous medium received on the surface. Further provided is a body fluid monitoring device (101) comprising the sensor unit, and a method for detecting an analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Lutz Christian GERHARDT, Ron Martinus Laurentius VAN LIESHOUT, Mark Thomas JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11116434
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vital sign monitoring system. The system comprises a segmented electrode forming an in-plane electrode array, wherein the electrode comprise a skin contacting skin adhering contact layer mounted on an electrode backing material, a deformation sensor arranged for identifying deformation information of the electrode, a signal processor arranged to receive a vital sign signal from the electrode and process the deformation information to remove artefacts from the vital sign signal, wherein the electrode comprises multiple electrode segments and wherein the signal processor is arranged to select that electrode segment that has a lowest deformation of all electrode segments of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Lutz Christian Gerhardt, Neil Francis Joye, Mark Thomas Johnson, Mohammed Meftah