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: 20190262555
    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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Publication number: 20190262552
    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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Patent number: 10383999
    Abstract: A method of dispensing fluid includes three processes. A first one of these processes includes pumping fluid into a resilient variable-volume dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber is in series with a normally present finite fluid impedance and an output. The impedance is sufficient so as to cause expansion of the dispensing chamber as it receives pumped fluid even while some fluid flows through the output. Another one of these processes includes repeatedly measuring a parameter related to volume of the dispensing chamber over time. A third one of these processes includes controlling the pumping of fluid based on repeated measurements of the parameter to produce a desired fluid flow through the output. A corresponding system for dispensing fluid implements these processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Russell H. Beavis, Derek G. Kane, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray
  • Publication number: 20190249657
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump and related-method are disclosed that includes a cam shaft having a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower that engages the plunger cam of the cam shaft, a tube receiver, a spring, a plunger, a position sensor, and a processor. The tube receiver receives a tube. The spring provides a bias. The plunger is biased toward the tube by the spring and the plunger is to the plunger-cam follower, such that expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates actuates the plunger away from the tube. The position sensor determines a position of the plunger and the processor estimates fluid flow within the tube utilizing the position of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 10380321
    Abstract: A method, related system and apparatus are disclosed. The method is implemented by an operative set of processor executable instructions configured for execution by a processor. The method includes the acts of: determining if a monitoring client is connected to a base through a physical connection; establishing a first communications link between the monitoring client and the base through the physical connection; updating, if necessary, the interface program on the monitoring client and the base through the first communications link; establishing a second communications link between the monitoring client and the base using the first communications link; and communicating data from the base to the monitoring client using the second communications link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John J. Biasi, John M. Kerwin, Eric L. Pribyl, David Blumberg, Jr., Marc J. Gorayeb
  • Patent number: 10370052
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
  • Patent number: 10369299
    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: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: New Power Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Publication number: 20190224411
    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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis
  • Publication number: 20190219047
    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: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Publication number: 20190218501
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    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: 10344760
    Abstract: A fluid pumping device is disclosed. The fluid pumping device includes a housing having a front end and a rear end, a fluid discharge opening in the front end of the housing, a pump assembly, a crank assembly rotatably connected to the pump assembly wherein the crank assembly operates the pump assembly, and a fluid storage reservoir connected to the gear housing from which fluid is drawn into the gear housing to be pumped through the fluid discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: James L. Jackson, Dean Kamen
  • Publication number: 20190201638
    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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis
  • Publication number: 20190202506
    Abstract: A transporter for transporting a load over a surface. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting the load. The support platform is characterized by a fore-aft axis, a lateral axis, and an orientation with respect to the surface, the orientation referred to as an attitude. At least one ground-contacting element is flexibly coupled to the support platform in such a manner that the attitude of the support platform is capable of variation. One or more ground-contacting elements are driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal characterizing the attitude of the support platform. Based on the attitude, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Robert R. Ambrogi
  • Patent number: 10335557
    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 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry Brian Gray
  • Patent number: 10328215
    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: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry Brian Gray, Russell H Beavis
  • Publication number: 20190189272
    Abstract: A system for electronic patient care includes a network, a facility gateway, a device gateway application and a medical device. The facility gateway is configured to provide a publish-subscribe service for an application. The device gateway application is configured for execution by the facility gateway. The device gateway is configured to communicate via the network by providing a web service. The medical device is in operative communication with the network. The medical device is configured to communicate with the device gateway using the web service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John J. Biasi
  • Publication number: 20190175822
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Marc A. Mandro, David Blumberg, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190175821
    Abstract: A pump for administering an agent to a patient includes a housing, a motor, a gearbox, a sensor, and a controller. The motor may be coupled to housing. The gearbox is operatively connected to said motor. The sensor senses a rotation of said motor. The controller acts to control operation of said motor and monitor the quantity of said agent delivered to said patient. The pump also includes a pump assembly such that the pump is configured such that the pump assembly may be interchangeable from a syringe pump assembly and a peristaltic pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, John M. Kerwin, Michael J. Baier, Dirk A. van der Merwe
  • Publication number: 20190179289
    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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Brian H. Yoo, Derek G, Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 10316834
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, first and second pinch-valve cams, first and second pinch-valve cam followers, a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring-cam plunger, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower is configured to engage the plunger cam. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower where expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam to disengage the spring-biased plunger from the tube and a spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube. The position sensor is operatively coupled to the spring-biased plunger and is configured to determine a position of the spring-biased plunger. The processor estimates fluid flow using the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    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