Patents by Inventor Chung-Chu Chen
Chung-Chu Chen 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).
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Patent number: 11712363Abstract: This invention provides an adjustable oral interface for adapting a user's oral anatomy to deliver a negative pressure generated by an oral negative-pressure therapy system. The adjustable oral interface comprises a shield adapted for being situated between a user's lips and front teeth, a negative pressure deliverable part coupled with the shield, and a tube fluidly communicated between the negative pressure deliverable part and a negative pressure generation source. The negative pressure deliverable part is adapted for being adjustably situated at a space between the user's tongue and upper palate so as to be conformable to the contour of the upper palate, whereby the adjustable oral interface delivers negative pressure via the negative pressure deliverable part to the front and back of the user's oral cavity to eliminate air space between the tongue and the upper palate.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Tung-Ming Yu, Yin-Ruei Chen
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Patent number: 11406526Abstract: This invention provides devices and systems and methods therefrom for properly controlling negative pressure applied to oral cavity, facilitating breathing and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The systems comprise a negative pressure system providing a vacuum source and an oral device comprising a shield, a tube passing through the shield, a flexible negative pressure deliverable part connected to the shield or the tube, an optional tongue protector, where the negative pressure deliverable part is conformable to the contour of the upper palate. Negative pressure is delivered to the front and back zones inside the oral cavity via the negative pressure deliverable part to eliminate air space in the oral cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Yin-Ruei Chen, Ming-Jian You, Wen-Yen Huang
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Patent number: 11311692Abstract: The present invention discloses a negative-pressure oral apparatus capable of relieving discomfort of soft tissues in the oral cavity and improving fixation of the oral apparatus to prevent the oral apparatus from falling off due to mouth opening. The oral apparatus is compact and elastic so that it fits various shapes and sizes of the oral cavity and is easy to be put on and taken off to provide convenience and safety to the user. In another embodiment, a method for maintaining a negative oral pressure and collecting liquid by coupling the oral apparatus to a liquid collecting apparatus capable of effectively providing the oral cavity with a negative pressure to expel liquid in the oral apparatus and deliver the liquid to an absorbing element in the liquid collecting apparatus so as to prevent liquid leakage or contamination.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Te-Yang Shen
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Patent number: 11246742Abstract: This invention provides devices and systems and methods therefrom for properly controlling negative pressure applied to oral cavity, facilitating breathing and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The systems comprise a negative pressure system providing a vacuum source and an oral device comprising a shield, a tube passing through the shield, a flexible negative pressure deliverable part connected to the shield or the tube, an optional tongue protector, where the negative pressure deliverable part is conformable to the contour of the upper palate. Negative pressure is delivered to the front and back zones inside the oral cavity via the negative pressure deliverable part to eliminate air space in the oral cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Yin-Ruei Chen, Ming-jian You, Wen-Yen Huang
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Publication number: 20200352776Abstract: This invention provides an adjustable oral interface for adapting a user's oral anatomy to deliver a negative pressure generated by an oral negative-pressure therapy system. The adjustable oral interface comprises a shield adapted for being situated between a user's lips and front teeth, a negative pressure deliverable part coupled with the shield, and a tube fluidly communicated between the negative pressure deliverable part and a negative pressure generation source. The negative pressure deliverable part is adapted for being adjustably situated at a space between the user's tongue and upper palate so as to be conformable to the contour of the upper palate, whereby the adjustable oral interface delivers negative pressure via the negative pressure deliverable part to the front and back of the user's oral cavity to eliminate air space between the tongue and the upper palate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu CHEN, Tung-Ming YU, Yin-Ruei CHEN
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Patent number: 10638971Abstract: The present invention provides methods for characterizing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients in the treatment of OSA, and devices thereof. The methods comprise measuring polysomnography of said patients; analyzing polysomnography, and determining a characteristic of the polysomnography and selections of suitable treatments based on the patterns.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Somnics, Inc. (USA)Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Chen-Ning Huang
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Patent number: 10624628Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for percutaneously suturing tissue. An elongated deployment member having a guide member coaxially disposed over a shaft member may be used to carry a needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may be carried at a distal end of the elongated deployment member and include a plurality of needles releasably secured to the needle deployment member, wherein each needle is routed coaxially within the distal end of the needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may further include a needle pusher driven by a link coaxially disposed within the shaft member, wherein the needle pusher is configured to advance each needle through the distal end of the needle deployment member and coaxially over the proximal end of the needle deployment member to position the plurality of needles at a piercing angle in a proximal direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Terumo Medical CorporationInventors: Hsiao-Wei Tang, Yu-Shih Weng, Shih-Jui Han, Chung-Chu Chen, Chao C. Chen
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Patent number: 10201345Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suturing tissue. An elongated deployment shaft carries a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying suture material. A needle catcher is disposed over the shaft and configured to engage and retain at least a portion of each of the needles carrying the suture material when the needles are passed through the tissue to be sutured to a proximal position.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Terumo Medical CorporationInventors: Yu-Shih Weng, Shih-Jui Han, Shih-Ming Wang, Chung-Chu Chen, Hsiao-Wei Tang, Chun-Chia Juan
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Patent number: 10194901Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suturing tissue. An elongated deployment shaft carries a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying suture material and a stabilizer that is reconfigurable between an unexpanded insertion profile and an expanded profile. A catcher tube over the shaft having a catcher at a distal end may retain at least a portion of the needles carrying the suture material when the needles are passed through the tissue to be sutured into engagement with the catcher. A sheath over the catcher tube may sandwich tissue to be sutured against the stabilizer when expanded under control of first actuator. A second actuator may control the needles.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Terumo Medical CorporationInventors: Hsiao-Wei Tang, Yu-Shih Weng, Shih-Jui Han, Chung-Chu Chen, Shih-Ming Wang, Chun-Chia Juan
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Publication number: 20190015618Abstract: The present invention discloses a negative-pressure oral apparatus capable of relieving discomfort of soft tissues in the oral cavity and improving fixation of the oral apparatus to prevent the oral apparatus from falling off due to mouth opening. The oral apparatus is compact and elastic so that it fits various shapes and sizes of the oral cavity and is easy to be put on and taken off to provide convenience and safety to the user. In another embodiment, a method for maintaining a negative oral pressure and collecting liquid by coupling the oral apparatus to a liquid collecting apparatus capable of effectively providing the oral cavity with a negative pressure to expel liquid in the oral apparatus and deliver the liquid to an absorbing element in the liquid collecting apparatus so as to prevent liquid leakage or contamination.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Te-Yang Shen
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Patent number: 10166140Abstract: An oral negative-pressure therapy system includes a container and absorbent insert for the container. The container includes a baffle inside an interior of the container. A fluid passageway extends along the baffle for delivering fluid (e.g., a mixture of air and saliva) into the container. The absorbent insert for absorbing liquid (e.g., saliva) in the container may is over the baffle. At least one of the baffle and the absorbent insert is configured to maintain a fluid flow path between the baffle and the absorbent insert to maintain fluid communication between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the container. The absorbent insert and/or the container may be designed and constructed to burst air bubbles in the aspirated liquid. In one or more embodiments, the absorbent insert is replaceable so that a spent absorbent insert can be replaced with a new, fresh absorbent insert.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Chung Chu Chen, Chen Ning Huang, Tung Ming Yu, Yin Ruei Chen, Chih Jung Lee, Chin Jen Lin, Ming Tsung Kuo
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Patent number: 10159595Abstract: The present invention provides a negative pressure generator comprising a vacuum pump having an intake end and an exhaust end, a soundproofing module having a compartment for accommodating the vacuum pump, the soundproofing module being configured to insulate noise and vibration generated when the vacuum pump is in operation, and a silencing tube module comprising a flexible intake tube having one open end communicating with the intake end of the vacuum pump and a flexible exhaust tube having one open end communicating with the exhaust end of the vacuum pump, the silencing tube module being configured to reduce noise generated at the intake end and/or the exhaust end of the vacuum pump when the vacuum pump is in operation. The negative pressure generator can provide a vacuum source to an oral interface device to favorably create a negative pressure environment in a user's oral cavity so that the patency of the user's upper airway is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Yin-Ruei Chen, Tung-Ming Yu, Chen-Ning Huang, Chung-Chu Chen
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Patent number: 10149782Abstract: This invention provides an oral interface mainly including a connecting channel, a collapsible chamber and a non-collapsible structure disposed inside the collapsible chamber. The connecting channel communicates between the collapsible chamber and a negative source. When a negative pressure environment is generated inside the collapsible chamber via being pumped by the negative pressure source, the non-collapsible structure supports the collapsible chamber so that there are fluid channels formed inside the collapsible chamber. The air inside a user's oral cavity can be pumped out via the fluid channels and the connecting channel. A negative pressure environment is hence formed inside the user's oral cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Yin-Ruei Chen
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Patent number: 10149783Abstract: This invention provides an oral apparatus and method capable of alleviating or curing snore and obstructive sleep apnea by applying a negative pressure through a mini oral interface to the oral cavity. The mini oral interface creates a secure connection between the interface and mouth or teeth and prevents the interface from falling off. The oral interface also provides fixation between upper and lower lips (or tooth) and prevents opening of patient's mouth during sleeping. The negative pressure pulls the tongue toward upper palate and also pulls the soft palate forward as well. By moving the tongue and the soft palate in a forward direction, the patentcy of the upper airway near the pharynx is maintained to prevent sleep-disordered breathing. The negative pressure will pull the lips inward to close the mouth ad prevent air from entering the oral cavity from atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Ching Shang, Marina Sirota, Zhen Yao
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Patent number: 10080855Abstract: The present invention discloses a negative-pressure oral apparatus capable of relieving discomfort of soft tissues in the oral cavity and improving fixation of the oral apparatus to prevent the oral apparatus from falling off due to mouth opening. The oral apparatus is compact and elastic so that it fits various shapes and sizes of the oral cavity and is easy to be put on and taken off to provide convenience and safety to the user. In another embodiment, a method for maintaining a negative oral pressure and collecting liquid by coupling the oral apparatus to a liquid collecting apparatus capable of effectively providing the oral cavity with a negative pressure to expel liquid in the oral apparatus and deliver the liquid to an absorbing element in the liquid collecting apparatus so as to prevent liquid leakage or contamination.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Te-Yang Shen
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Publication number: 20170273683Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for percutaneously suturing tissue. An elongated deployment member having a guide member coaxially disposed over a shaft member may be used to carry a needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may be carried at a distal end of the elongated deployment member and include a plurality of needles releasably secured to the needle deployment member, wherein each needle is routed coaxially within the distal end of the needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may further include a needle pusher driven by a link coaxially disposed within the shaft member, wherein the needle pusher is configured to advance each needle through the distal end of the needle deployment member and coaxially over the proximal end of the needle deployment member to position the plurality of needles at a piercing angle in a proximal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Hsiao-Wei TANG, Yu-Shih WENG, Shih-Jui HAN, Chung-Chu CHEN, Chao C. CHEN
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Patent number: 9668724Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for percutaneously suturing tissue. An elongated deployment member having a guide member coaxially disposed over a shaft member may be used to carry a needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may be carried at a distal end of the elongated deployment member and include a plurality of needles releasably secured to the needle deployment member, wherein each needle is routed coaxially within the distal end of the needle deployment member. The needle deployment member may further include a needle pusher driven by a link coaxially disposed within the shaft member, wherein the needle pusher is configured to advance each needle through the distal end of the needle deployment member and coaxially over the proximal end of the needle deployment member to position the plurality of needles at a piercing angle in a proximal direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Medeon Biodesign, Inc.Inventors: Hsiao-Wei Tang, Yu-Shih Weng, Shih-Jui Han, Chung-Chu Chen, Chao C. Chen
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Publication number: 20170049606Abstract: The present invention provides a negative pressure generator comprising a vacuum pump having an intake end and an exhaust end, a soundproofing module having a compartment for accommodating the vacuum pump, the soundproofing module being configured to insulate noise and vibration generated when the vacuum pump is in operation, and a silencing tube module comprising a flexible intake tube having one open end communicating with the intake end of the vacuum pump and a flexible exhaust tube having one open end communicating with the exhaust end of the vacuum pump, the silencing tube module being configured to reduce noise generated at the intake end and/or the exhaust end of the vacuum pump when the vacuum pump is in operation. The negative pressure generator can provide a vacuum source to an oral interface device to favorably create a negative pressure environment in a user's oral cavity so that the patency of the user's upper airway is maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2014Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: YIN-RUEI CHEN, TUNG-MING YU, CHEN-NING HUANG, CHUNG-CHU CHEN
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Publication number: 20160375183Abstract: An oral negative-pressure therapy system includes a container and absorbent insert for the container. The container includes a baffle inside an interior of the container. A fluid passageway extends along the baffle for delivering fluid (e.g., a mixture of air and saliva) into the container. The absorbent insert for absorbing liquid (e.g., saliva) in the container may is over the baffle. At least one of the baffle and the absorbent insert is configured to maintain a fluid flow path between the baffle and the absorbent insert to maintain fluid communication between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the container. The absorbent insert and/or the container may be designed and constructed to burst air bubbles in the aspirated liquid. In one or more embodiments, the absorbent insert is replaceable so that a spent absorbent insert can be replaced with a new, fresh absorbent insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Chung Chu Chen, Chen Ning Huang, Tung Ming Yu, Yin Ruei Chen, Chih Jung Lee, Chin Jen Lin, Ming Tsung Kuo
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Patent number: D871571Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Yin-Ruei Chen