Patents by Inventor Dean Kamen

Dean Kamen 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: 20250140128
    Abstract: A medical error reduction system may include a medical error reduction software for use in creating and revising at least one drug library. The software configured to provide one of a plurality of sets of privileges to each of a plurality of sets of users. Each of the plurality of sets of privileges arranged to allocate a degree of software functionality to one of the plurality of sets of users. The degree of software functionality configured to define the ability of a user to alter the at least one drug library. The medical error reduction system may include at least one server. The medical error reduction system may include at least one editor computer each of the at least one editor computer comprising a processor in communication with a display. The at least one editor computer and at least one server may be configured to communicate via a network in a client-server based model. Each of the at least one drug library may be for use in at least one medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John J. Biasi, Richard M. Newman, Eric L. Pribyl, John M. Kerwin, Rahul Gupta
  • Publication number: 20250135102
    Abstract: A wearable infusion pump assembly. The wearable infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir for receiving an infusible fluid and a fluid delivery system configured to deliver the infusible fluid from the reservoir to an external infusion set. The fluid delivery system includes a controller, a pump assembly for extracting a quantity of infusible fluid from the reservoir and providing the quantity of infusible fluid to the external infusion set, the pump assembly comprising a pump plunger, the pump plunger having distance of travel, the distance of travel having a starting position and an ending position, at least one optical sensor assembly for sensing the starting position and ending position of the pump plunger distance of travel and sending sensor output to the controller, and a first valve assembly configured to selectively isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir, wherein the controller receives the sensor output and determines the total displacement of the pump plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Gregory R. LANIER, Larry B. GRAY, Richard J. LANIGAN, Dean KAMEN, Stephen L. FICHERA, John M. KERWIN
  • Patent number: 12288604
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump having at least first, second, and third stages is provided. The peristaltic pump includes a plunger, inlet and outlet valves, a spring, and an actuator. The plunger actuates toward and away from a tube, the inlet valve is upstream of the plunger, the outlet valve is downstream of the plunger, the spring biases the plunger toward the tube, and the actuator mechanically engages and disengages from the plunger. In the first stage, the inlet valve is opened and the plunger is actuated from the tube, in the second stage, the inlet valve is closed, the plunger is actuated toward the tube, and the actuator is mechanically disengaged from the plunger, and in the third stage, the outlet valve is opened. In the third stage or in a fourth stage, the actuator actuates the plunger toward the tube to discharge fluid downstream past the outlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Publication number: 20250131574
    Abstract: A system for regulating fluid flow having a processor configured to reduce image noise is provided. The system includes an image sensor to capture an image of the drip chamber. The processor captures the image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, performs an edge detection on the image to generate a first processed image, and performs a Boolean-operation on a pixel on a first side of an axis of the first processed image with a corresponding pixel on a second side of the axis of the first processed image to generate a second processed image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20250120882
    Abstract: A filling aid. The filling aid includes a needle housing portion including at least one tab having a starting position and a filling position, and a filling needle cradle including a filling needle, the filling needle cradle slidable connected to the needle housing portion and having a starting position and a filling position, wherein when the at least one tab on the needle housing moves from a starting position to a filling position, the filling needle cradle slides from a starting position to a filling position, and wherein when the at least one tab on the needle housing moves from a filling position to a starting position, the filling needle cradle slides from a filling position to a starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Richard J. LANIGAN, Dean KAMEN, Bright C.K. FOO, Kevin L. GRANT, Lisa A. GUSTIN
  • Patent number: 12274857
    Abstract: A method for controlling a device using a shape-memory alloy wire is disclosed. The method includes determining an ontime for the shape-memory alloy wire based on a target volume to be pumped by a pump plunger, determining the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire and adjusting the ontime based on the temperature of the shape-memory alloy wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Colin H. Murphy, Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray
  • Publication number: 20250114537
    Abstract: An infusion pump system is disclosed. The infusion pump system includes an infusion pump and a controller device in wireless communication with the infusion pump, wherein the controller including instructions for controlling the infusion pump, wherein the instructions May be synchronized with a secure web portal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Dean KAMEN, John M. KERWIN, David BLUMBERG, JR., Kevin A. DURAND, Gregory R. LANIER, JR., Gerald M. GUAY, Colin H. MURPHY, Bob D. PERET
  • Patent number: 12268841
    Abstract: A fluid connector assembly. The fluid connector assembly includes a tab portion including a slot; a plug portion slidably connected to the tab portion the plug portion comprising a fluid path and a disc, the disc configured to seat within the slot; a catch feature located on a first end of the tab portion and configured to interact with a reservoir; and a latching feature located on a second end of the tab portion, the latching feature configured to interact and lock onto the reservoir, wherein force applied to the plug portion may overcome a threshold force and unseat the disc from the slot wherein the plug portion moves with respect to the tab portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, Jason A. Demers, Brian D. Tracey, Dean Kamen, Richard J. Lanigan, Gregory R. Lanier, Jr., Bright C. K. Foo, Lisa A. Panneton, Thomas F. Soldau, Stephen L. Fichera, David D. B. Cannan
  • Publication number: 20250102109
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus is disclosed that includes a body, first and second actuators, first, second, third and fourth gear sets, first and second movable grippers, and at least one leaf spring. The first gear set is coupled to the first actuator and the second gear set is coupled to the second actuator. The first gear set engages the second gear set. The first and second movable grippers are each operatively coupled to the body. The third gear set is coupled to the first movable gripper and the fourth gear set is coupled to the second movable gripper. The third gear set operatively engages the fourth gear set. The leaf spring engages with the third gear set and the fourth gear set to urge the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper toward a clamped position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Janway, Larry B. Gray, Matthew Richard Gill, Richard J. Lanigan, Thomas A. Friedrich, Stephen L. Fichera, John M. Kerwin, Erik N. Sabin, Dean Kamen
  • Patent number: 12258988
    Abstract: A protective mechanism for use when gripping a medical device to a rack is provided. A related system and method are also provided. The protective mechanism includes a connector, an actuation member configured to have a first end portion and a second end portion. The cover member is configured to interact with the actuation member so as to pivot to uncover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a first direction and to pivot to cover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Parternship
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Stephen L. Fichera, Larry B. Gray, Thomas A. Friedrich, Erik N. Sabin, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Publication number: 20250082843
    Abstract: A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body 10 without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Dean KAMEN, Larry B. GRAY, Eric YEATON
  • Publication number: 20250087331
    Abstract: A medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes an RFID reader for receiving information from at least one RFID transponder. The medical device also includes a memory for storing a database and at least one processor for processing information. Also, a remote controller for a medical device is disclosed. The remote controller includes an information receiver for receiving information related to food. The infusion device also includes a memory for storing a database and at least one processor for processing information. A method for use in a medical device is also disclosed. The method includes receiving information from an RFID transponder related to food. Also, the processing the information by comparing the information to a database is included in the method. The method also includes determining the acceptability of the food and providing information related to acceptability to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventor: Dean KAMEN
  • Publication number: 20250067230
    Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine with a liquid fuel/gaseous fuel burner. The burner may include a preheater to capture the thermal energy of the exhaust. The burner directs the preheated air to each burner head, where it enters a prechamber. Each burner head includes a fuel nozzle that directs liquid or gaseous fuel into the prechamber. The prechamber is fluidically connected to a combustion chamber via a prechamber nozzle that has a smaller opening than the prechamber. The burner head ignites the fuel air mixture in the prechamber with an ignitor located above or within the prechamber. The flame is initially lit as a diffusion flame in the prechamber. The flame is pushed out of the prechamber into the combustion chamber by an increased air flow rate. The liquid fuel from the nozzle now evaporates in the prechamber and forms a prevaporized flame in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Dean KAMEN, Christopher C. LANGENFELD, Prashant BHAT, Stanley B. SMITH, III
  • Patent number: 12233236
    Abstract: A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, Richard J. Lanigan, Brian D. Tracey
  • Patent number: 12233233
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow rate sensor and a valve. The flow rate sensor uses images to estimate flow through a drip chamber and then controls the valve based on the estimated flow rate. The valve comprises a rigid housing disposed around the tube in which fluid flow is being controlled. Increasing the pressure in the housing controls the size of the lumen within the tube by deforming the tube, therefore controlling flow through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Brian H. Yoo, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 12233235
    Abstract: A patch-sized fluid delivery device may include a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion may include components that come into contact with the fluid, while the reusable portion may include only components that do not come into contact with the fluid. Redundant systems, such as redundant controllers, power sources, motor actuators, and alarms, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, certain components can be multi-functional, such a microphones and loudspeakers that may be used for both acoustic volume sensing and for other functions and a coil that may be used as both an inductive coupler for a battery recharger and an antenna for a wireless transceiver. Various types of network interfaces may be provided in order to allow for remote control and monitoring of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 12221364
    Abstract: A system for producing and packaging fluid may comprise a water distillation device. The system may further comprise a mixing circuit coupled to an output of the water distillation device and including a source of concentrate. The mixing circuit may include a plurality of flow controllers configured to adjust the flow of fluid through the mixing circuit so as to generate a preset fluid. The system may further comprise an enclosure including an antechamber and a packaging compartment. The system may further comprise a reservoir dispenser in the packaging compartment having a feed plate and a housing block. The reservoir dispenser may include a bias member which urges the feed plate toward the housing block. The system may further comprise a filling station in the packaging compartment including a filling nozzle coupled to the mixing circuit. The system may further comprise a sealing station in the packaging compartment having a ram and a sealing member dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Hans Erik Johnson, Thaddeus Joseph Hughes, Michael J. Haynes, Margaret Bayne Bradley, Robert Houston Lawler, Jr., Gregory Hurley, Keller Waldron, Jeremy Shane Dube
  • Publication number: 20250046445
    Abstract: A syringe pump includes a lead screw, a motor, and a sliding block assembly. The lead screw has threads and the motor is coupled to the lead screw to rotate it. The half-nut housing has a half nut and a barrel cam. The half nut is disposed within the half-nut housing. The half nut has half-nut threads at an end adjacent to the lead screw void. The half nut engages or disengages with the threads of the lead screw. The half nut includes a half-nut cam-follower surface and a half nut slot. The barrel cam is disposed within the half-nut housing and engages with the half-nut cam-follower surface. The barrel cam includes a pin to fit within the half nut slot such that the barrel cam rotates between a first position and a second position to actuate the half nut between the engagement position and the disengagement position, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, John M. Kerwin, Dirk van der Merwe, Stephen L. Fichera, Jonathan R. Thurber, Martin D. Desch
  • Publication number: 20250037833
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump is disclosed that includes a plunger, a spring, an actuator, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger actuates toward and away from a tube. The spring biases the plunger toward the tube. The actuator actuates the plunger away from the tube and mechanically engages and disengages from the plunger. The position sensor senses a position of the plunger. The processor receives the sensed position of the plunger and estimates fluid flow within the tube using a first position of the plunger when the actuator is engaged with the plunger and a second position of the plunger when the actuator is disengaged from the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Publication number: 20250032701
    Abstract: Fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems. The fill stations may be opened and closed to accept a reservoir and to allow fluid to be introduced into the reservoir for use with personal pump systems. The fill stations may hold the reservoir at a tilt relative to an underlying surface and may discourage overfilling of the reservoir. The filling stations may also include viewing windows having fluid lines marked thereon for indicating volume of fluid within the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis