Patents by Inventor David M. Brienza
David M. Brienza 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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Publication number: 20240099924Abstract: A system for assisting a user with navigating a set of stairs includes a pulley system positioned adjacent to the stairs, the pulley system including a first pulley, a second pulley, and an elongated member coupled to and looped around the first pulley and the second pulley. The system further includes a motor coupled to the first pulley, a sensing assembly operatively coupled to the pulley system, the sensing assembly being structured and configured to sense that a force is being applied to or that is about to be applied to the elongated member by the user, and a controller coupled to the motor and the sensing assembly. The controller is structured and configured to, responsive to the sensing assembly sensing the force, turn the motor on to drive the first pulley.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATIONInventors: Alexandra Delazio, Alton E. James, III, David M. Brienza, Jonathan L. Pearlman, Paulina M. Villacreces, MD Rayhan Afsar, Todd Hargroder
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Patent number: 11317852Abstract: Medical device or instrument for diagnosing pressure ulcers using optical reflectance spectroscopy. The device may comprise a tip and a controller. The tip is pressed against the skin of the patient and collects the optical reflectance data. The controller processes the data to determine whether there exists a pressure ulcer and, if there is one, its depth. The tip may also include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the tip is applied to the patient's skin.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: Sanna Gaspard, Mel Siegel, Todd M. Przybycien, James F. Antaki, David M. Brienza, Mark B. Friedman
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Publication number: 20210401205Abstract: A device for use with a beverage can to secure a straw thereto includes a base configured to cooperate with an opening of the beverage can to secure the device to the beverage can and a passage formed through the base which aligns with the opening of the beverage can when the device is secured to the beverage can. The passage is configured to pass a straw therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Alexandra Marie Delazio, David M. Brienza, Patricia Karg
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Publication number: 20210053312Abstract: A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Esteban Ruiz, David M. Brienza
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Patent number: 10759138Abstract: A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, or a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: University of Pittsburgh - Of The Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: Esteban Ruiz, David M. Brienza
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Patent number: 10376412Abstract: A cushioning surface for cooling tissue that reaches a predefined level of immersion into the cushioning surface, comprising: a segmented fluid cushion comprising a plurality of cells interconnected to allow fluid to flow from each cell to at least one of the other plurality of cells; and wherein one or more of the plurality of cells contains a heat exchange material. The cushioning surface may further comprise a cooling element associated with and for removing heat from the one or more cells containing a heat exchange material.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of The Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: David M. Brienza, Patricia E. Karg, Andrew J. Malkiewicz
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Publication number: 20180295930Abstract: A footwear product with an integrated active temperature control system comprising: an upper; a sole comprising an insole comprising one or more thermo-conductive inserts or plugs; a midsole disposed between the insole and an outsole; wherein the midsole comprises one or more cooling elements selected from the group consisting of: an air flow cooling element, a liquid cooling element, a thermoelectric cooling element; and one or more heat sinks disposed in the midsole, outsole or between the midsole and outsole.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM FOR HIGHER EDUCATIONInventors: David M. Brienza, Patricia Karg, David Smeresky, Yi-Ting Tzen
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Publication number: 20180281340Abstract: A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, or a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM FOR HIGHER EDUCATIONInventors: David M. Brienza, Esteban Ruiz
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Publication number: 20140228918Abstract: A cushioning surface for cooling tissue that reaches a predefined level of immersion into the cushioning surface, comprising: a segmented fluid cushion comprising a plurality of cells interconnected to allow fluid to flow from each cell to at least one of the other plurality of cells; and wherein one or more of the plurality of cells contains a heat exchange material. The cushioning surface may further comprise a cooling element associated with and for removing heat from the one or more cells containing a heat exchange material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Inventors: David M. Brienza, Patricia E. Karg, Andrew J. Malkiewicz
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Publication number: 20120130255Abstract: Medical device or instrument for diagnosing pressure ulcers using optical reflectance spectroscopy. The device may comprise a tip and a controller. The tip is pressed against the skin of the patient and collects the optical reflectance data. The controller processes the data to determine whether there exists a pressure ulcer and, if there is one, its depth. The tip may also include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the tip is applied to the patient's skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicants: University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: Sanna Gaspard, Mei Siegel, Todd M. Przybycien, James F. Antaki, David M. Brienza, Mark B. Friedman
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Patent number: 8116838Abstract: Medical device or instrument for diagnosing pressure ulcers using optical reflectance spectroscopy. The device may comprise a tip and a controller. The tip is pressed against the skin of the patient and collects the optical reflectance data. The controller processes the data to determine whether there exists a pressure ulcer and, if there is one, its depth. The tip may also include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the tip is applied to the patient's skin.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: Sanna Gaspard, Mel Siegel, Todd M. Przybycien, James F. Antaki, David M. Brienza, Mark B. Friedman
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Publication number: 20090234206Abstract: Medical device or instrument for diagnosing pressure ulcers using optical reflectance spectroscopy. The device may comprise a tip and a controller. The tip is pressed against the skin of the patient and collects the optical reflectance data. The controller processes the data to determine whether there exists a pressure ulcer and, if there is one, its depth. The tip may also include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the tip is applied to the patient's skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: Sanna Gaspard, Mei Siegel, Todd M. Prbycien, James F. Antaki, David M. Brienza, Mark B. Friedman
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Patent number: 6941602Abstract: A cushion for seats, wheelchairs, mattresses, etc. is disclosed. The cushion includes fluid-filled cells. Each cell is in fluid communication with adjacent cells via conduits. Constrictures such as check-valves and duckbill valves may be located inside the conduits to restrict or otherwise regulate fluid flow into or out of a particular cell. A control pin may be used to selectively enable or disable said constrictures. In this way, the cushion may be customized on a cell-by-cell basis, providing a cushion that can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Dynamic Contours, LLCInventors: Clifford E. Brubaker, David M. Brienza
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Publication number: 20030121102Abstract: A cushion for seats, wheelchairs, mattresses, etc. is disclosed. The cushion includes fluid-filled cells. Each cell is in fluid communication with adjacent cells via conduits. Constrictures such as check-valves and duckbill valves may be located inside the conduits to restrict or otherwise regulate fluid flow into or out of a particular cell. A control pin may be used to selectively enable or disable said constrictures. In this way, the cushion may be customized on a cell-by-cell basis, providing a cushion that can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Clifford E. Brubaker, David M. Brienza
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Patent number: 6519797Abstract: A cushion for seats, wheelchairs, mattresses, etc. is disclosed. The cushion includes fluid-filled cells. Each cell is in fluid communication with adjacent cells via conduits. Constrictures such as valves or constrictor clips may be applied to the conduits to restrict or otherwise regulate fluid flow into or out of a particular cell. In this way, the cushion may be customized on a cell-by-cell basis, providing a cushion that can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Dynamic Contours LLCInventors: Clifford E. Brubaker, David M. Brienza
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Patent number: 6125338Abstract: A surface replicating and contour measuring device substantially comprises a mechanical pin array having calibration pins mounted on a frame, an imaging system for recording contour and a data processor for storing and manipulating the recorded information.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: David M. Brienza, Michael J. Brienza
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Patent number: 5862874Abstract: A steering mechanism for a wheelchair which minimizes the turning radius of the wheelchair providing good maneuverability while also minimizing the misalignment of each of the wheels. The steering mechanism substantially comprises a flat plate defining cam follower slots, two sliding members defining slots, four linkages which follow the path of the cam followers and are connected to the wheels, and a single actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: David M. Brienza, Clifford E. Brubaker
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Patent number: 5470590Abstract: A reusable die for the manufacture of molded seat cushions that includes a first device for forming a positive profile of a contoured surface, such as a seating support surface, from data obtained for defining the positive surface profile; and a second device for forming a negative profile of the contoured surface, whereby the first surface is adapted to be maintained in contact with the second surface. The first device includes a plurality of rods adapted to define the positive profile. The second device also includes a plurality of rods and a deformable member, such as a wire mesh, that coact with the rods of the first device to form the negative profile. The rods of both the first device and the second device are adapted to be locked in place. A sealing surface is vacuum formed over the negative profile, which then forms a wall of a foam mold. Liquid foam material is then injected in the mold and permitted to cure thereby forming a contoured seat cushion.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1994Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: Clifford E. Brubaker, David M. Brienza, Michael J. Brienza