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).

  • Patent number: 10839953
    Abstract: A pill dispenser is disclosed that includes a pill-dispensing mechanism, a receptacle, an identifying camera positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the pill dispenser, and a processor in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism and the identifying camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, James G. Turner, Erik N. Sabin, Gregg W. Rivinius, David E. Collins, Benjamin Zaslow, Jonathan Zobro, Alexander R. Therrien, Jared N. Farlow
  • Publication number: 20200338262
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a therapeutic fluid from a line includes providing an inlet line connectable to an upstream fluid source. The inlet line is in downstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a pump outlet. The method also includes actuating a force application assembly so as to restrict retrograde flow of fluid through the inlet while pressurizing the pumping chamber to urge flow through the pump outlet. A corresponding system employs the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Eric Yeaton
  • Patent number: 10808218
    Abstract: A fluid pumping and bioreactor system including at least two cassettes, at least one storage reservoir, at least one bioreactor, at least one manifold including valve modules, and tubing to connect the cassettes to the storage reservoir and the bioreactor. The cassettes can include pumps, valves, and fluid conduits and can be communicatively connected to the at least one manifold. The bioreactor can include an adapter and fluid conduits extending through the adapter from the exterior of the bioreactor to the interior of the bioreactor. System and method for generating a tissue for transplant by decellularizing and recellularizing a supplied tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Frederick Morgan, Timothy D. Moreau, Brian D. Tracey, Matthew Ware, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Richard J. Lanigan, Michael A. Baker, David Blumberg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10807883
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Chris C. Langenfeld, Stephen M. Ent, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, Otis L. Clapp
  • Patent number: 10802495
    Abstract: A user control device for a transporter. The user control device can communicate with the transporter via electrical interface(s) that can facilitate communication and data processing among the user interface device and controllers that can control the movement of the transporter. The user control device can perform automated actions based on the environment in which the transporter operates and the user's desired movement of the transporter. External applications can enable monitoring and control of the transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Stewart M. Coulter, Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane
  • Patent number: 10792419
    Abstract: A two-stage infusion set inserter system is disclosed. The inserter system includes an inserter assembly including a housing including a rotatable button assembly comprising ramps and and tab indents and a non-rotatable portion of housing, a sliding component comprising sliding component tabs, a needle carrier connected to an introduction needle, the needle carrier slidably movable from a starting position to an injection position and then to a second ending position, a sliding component spring, and a needle spring, wherein the rotatable button assembly rotates from a locked to an unlocked position, wherein when force is applied onto the rotatable button assembly, the sliding component and needle carrier are forced downward by the sliding component spring, and wherein when the needle carrier reaches the injection position, the needle spring forces the needle carrier upward towards the second ending position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Richard J. Lanigan, Timothy D. Moreau, Brian D. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20200306446
    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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis
  • Patent number: 10786621
    Abstract: A medical device system is disclosed. The medical device system includes a first medical device and a second medical device. A remote interface including a touch screen is also included. The remote interface is in wireless communication with the first medical device and the second medical device. The remote interface is configured to provide a user interface to the first medical device and the second medical device. The remote interface is configured to receive user input through a touch screen. Also, a charging device is included. The charging device is configured to receive at least the first medical device and the remote interface and the charging device is configured to recharge a first medical device battery and the charging device is configured to recharge an interface battery in the remote interface. The charging device is connected to a personal computer wherein the personal computer provides information to the remote interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Kevin A. Durand, Gregory R. Lanier, Jr., Larry B. Gray, Gregg W. Rivinius, Gerald M. Guay, Bob David Peret, Colin H. Murphy, David Blumberg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10786624
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Publication number: 20200276386
    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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Eric Yeaton
  • Publication number: 20200278078
    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: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    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: 10759676
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation system. The system includes a control system for controlling a fluid vapor distillation apparatus including a blow down controller for controlling a blow down valve, a source flow controller for controlling a source flow valve, and a blow down level sensor in communication with a blow down controller and a source flow controller, the blow down level sensor sends signals related to the blow down level to the blow down controller and the source flow controller indicative of the blow down level, wherein the source flow controller actuates the source flow valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, and wherein the blow down controller actuates the blow down valve based at least on the blow down level sensor signals, whereby the blow down level and the source flow level are maintained using the blow down level sensor signals as input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Andrew Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Otis L. Clapp, Stanley B. Smith, III, Stephen M. Ent
  • Patent number: 10751467
    Abstract: A system for at least partial closed-loop control of a medical condition is disclosed. The system includes at least one medical fluid pump. The medical fluid pump including a sensor for determining the volume of fluid pumped by the pump. Also, at least one continuous analyte monitor, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the medical fluid pump and the at least one continuous analyte monitor. The controller includes a processor. The processor includes instructions for delivery of medical fluid based at least on data received from the at least one continuous analyte monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Marc A. Mandro, David Blumberg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10753353
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring-biased plunger, a spring, a position sensor, and a processor. The cam shaft has a plunger cam. The plunger-cam follower engages the plunger cam to follow the plunger cam and to disengage from the plunger cam. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower and the spring biases the spring-biased plunger toward the tube receiver. The position sensor determines a position of the spring-biased plunger when the plunger-cam follower is disengaged from the plunger cam and the spring applies a force from the spring-biased plunger against the tube. The processor estimates fluid flow utilizing the position of the spring-biased plunger as indicated by the position sensor when the plunger-cam follower is disengaged from the plunger cam and the spring applies the force from the spring-biased plunger against the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    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: 20200261645
    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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 10744421
    Abstract: A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan K. LaRocque, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, Otis L. Clapp, Jeremy M. Swerdlow
  • Patent number: 10739759
    Abstract: A flow meter, and related system and method are provided. The flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, a valve, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive image data therefrom and to the actuator to actuate the valve. The one or more processors are configured to estimate a flow of fluid through the drip chamber and to actuate the valve to control the flow of fluid through the drip chamber to achieve a target flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    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: 10730763
    Abstract: A system for the distribution of resources. The system includes a housing, at least one power generation source connected to the housing, a power control and distribution system and at least one water distillation device, wherein power from at least one power generation source powers that at least a water distillation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Jr., Matthew A. Norris
  • Patent number: 10722645
    Abstract: A method for discharging fluid from a syringe and for mitigating occlusion conditions includes actuating the plunger of a syringe into a barrel. The method monitors fluid pressure within the barrel of the syringe and determines that an occlusion exists when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method actuates the plunger out of the barrel by a predetermined amount in response to the detected occlusion and actuates the plunger of the syringe into the barrel until a measured fluid pressure within the barrel of the syringe exceeds another predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, John M. Kerwin, Michael J. Baier, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Stephen L. Fichera, Jonathan R. Thurber, Martin D. Desch
  • Patent number: 10709838
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a therapeutic fluid from a line includes providing an inlet line connectable to an upstream fluid source. The inlet line is in downstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a pump outlet. The method also includes actuating a force application assembly so as to restrict retrograde flow of fluid through the inlet while pressurizing the pumping chamber to urge flow through the pump outlet. A corresponding system employs the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Eric Yeaton