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: 9746093
    Abstract: A flow meter includes an image sensor and a processor. The image sensor is configured to capture an image of a drip chamber. The processor is configured to determine whether the captured image of the drip chamber contains a match to a template, and to apply a blurring function to the image captured by the image sensor of the drip chamber such that the processor can determine if the captured image contains a match to the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9746094
    Abstract: A flow meter includes a first image sensor, a background pattern, and at least one processor. The first image sensor has a first field of view and is positioned to view a drip chamber within the first field of view. The background pattern is positioned within the field of view of the first image sensor, and the background pattern includes first and second portions. The processor is operatively coupled to the first image sensor and configured to: receive a first image from the first image sensor, and estimate at least one parameter of liquid within the drip chamber in accordance with a distortion of the background pattern caused by the liquid as indicated by the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    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: 9744300
    Abstract: A pump for administering an agent to a patient includes a housing, a syringe seat, and a bumper. The syringe seat is coupled to the housing. The bumper is coupled to the housing adjacent to the syringe seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, John M. Kerwin, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Stephen L. Fichera, Jonathan R. Thurber, Martin D. Desch
  • Publication number: 20170241926
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus system for use in conjunction with a cassette, including a disposable or replaceable cassette. In some embodiments, the cassette includes a thermal well for permitting the sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. In other embodiments, the cassette includes sensor leads for sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well has an inner surface shaped so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, N. Christopher Perry, Jason A. Demers, Brian D. Tracey, Arun D. Chawan, Kevin L. Grant
  • Publication number: 20170239417
    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 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Richard J. Lanigan, Dean Kamen, Bright C.K. Foo, Kevin L. Grant, Lisa A. Gustin
  • Publication number: 20170224909
    Abstract: A pump includes a reservoir, a port, and a plunger. The reservoir delivers a liquid by discharging the liquid through the port coupled to the reservoir. A piston of the plunger defines a liquid side of the reservoir and a non-liquid side of the reservoir whereby movement of the plunger towards the liquid side of the reservoir discharges liquid through the port. The pump also includes a reference-volume assembly and/or a linear position sensor. The reference-volume assembly is coupled to the reservoir at an opposite end of the reservoir relative to the port and includes a reference-volume chamber in acoustic communication with the non-liquid side of the reservoir, a speaker disposed within the reference-volume chamber, and a reference microphone disposed within the reference-volume chamber. The pump estimate the amount of liquid discharged from the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9724467
    Abstract: An flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, 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 its field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive data thereform. The one or more processors (1) receive image data from the image sensor, and (2) determine an existence of a free flow condition by identifying an optical distortion of an area behind the free flow condition within the drip chamber using the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9724466
    Abstract: An flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, 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 its field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive data thereform. The one or more processors (1) receive image data from the image sensor, and (2) determine an existence of a free flow condition by identifying an optical distortion of an area behind the free flow condition within the drip chamber using the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9724465
    Abstract: An flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, 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 its field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive data therefrom. The one or more processors (1) receive image data from the image sensor, and (2) determine an existence of a free flow condition by identifying an optical distortion of an area behind the free flow condition within the drip chamber using the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20170216520
    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: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Eric Yeaton
  • Publication number: 20170216516
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. An apparatus for infusing fluid into a patient includes a housing, a tube-contact member, a rotating arm, and a tube-retention cover. The housing has an opening on a front side of the housing. The opening is sized to receive a drip chamber having an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The tube-contact member contacts one of the inlet tube and the output tube of the drip chamber when inserted into the opening. The rotating arm is coupled to the tube-contact member and is configured to rotate along an axis. The tube-retention cover is configured to close when the drip chamber is initially loaded into the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: James D. Dale, Stephen L. Fichera, Larry B. Gray, Dean Kamen, Matthew J. Lanigan, Frederick Morgan, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Brian H. Yoo
  • Publication number: 20170210637
    Abstract: A system for distributed utilities including electrical power and water. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for purifying untreated water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Kingston Owens
  • Publication number: 20170203975
    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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    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: 9707601
    Abstract: A container is disclosed. The container includes a top portion and a bottom portion, both including a mesh portion, at least one hinging feature attached to the bottom portion, wherein the at least one hinging feature hingably attaches the top portion to the bottom portion, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion having an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein the top portion and the bottom portion, when in the closed configuration, forming an inner portion, also a latching mechanism wherein when the latching mechanism is in a locked position the top portion and bottom portion are locked into the closed configuration, also at least one spring holder attached to the at least one hinging feature and located within the inner portion wherein when the top portion and bottom portion move from the closed position to the open position, the at least one spring holder lifts upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, David H. Bellman, Alexander R. Therrien, Jared N. Farlow, Keith D. Violette
  • Publication number: 20170199986
    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: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventor: Dean Kamen
  • Publication number: 20170197844
    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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Chris C. Langenfeld, Andrew Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Otis L. Clapp, Stanley B. Smith, Stephen M. Ent
  • Publication number: 20170197061
    Abstract: An insertion device is disclosed. The insertion device includes a base portion, a top portion slidably connected to the base portion, an introduction needle, a catheter in slidable relation to the introduction needle, and a substantially cylindrical flash chamber, the flash chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with the introduction needle. The flash chamber is connected to the base portion, the top portion slidably engages with the flash chamber, and the catheter and the top portion slidably advance with respect to the introduction needle and the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Brian H. Yoo, Brain D. Tracey, David Blumberg, JR.
  • Patent number: 9687602
    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: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Colin H. Murphy, Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 9675756
    Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Jonathan Parker, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Larry B. Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael S. Place, Michael J. Slate
  • Patent number: 9677555
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump, and related system method are provided. The 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, and a spring-biased plunger. The first and second pinch-valve cams are coupled to the cam shaft. The first and second pinch-valve cam followers each engage the first and second pinch-valve cams, respectively. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower engages the plunger cam. The tube receiver is configured to receive a tube. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower such that the expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam follower towards the plunger and thereby disengages the spring-biased plunger from the tube. A spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Larry B. Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place