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: 20230277759
    Abstract: A medical agent administration device may comprise a main body including a central region and a peripheral region. The peripheral region may have a plurality of petal members extending outwardly from the central region. The device may further comprise at least one coupling on a first face of the central region. The device may further comprise at least one sharp bearing body on an opposing face of the central region. Each of the at least one sharp bearing body may be in fluid communication with a respective one of the at least one coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Richard J. Lanigan, Eitan C. Zeira, Lee A. Batchelder, Hans E. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230277416
    Abstract: A method for filling a reservoir a filling assembly having a needle, and a fluid. The reservoir is in a disposable housing assembly with a septum fluidly connected to the reservoir, a septum access assembly having a first position covering the septum and a second position providing access to the septum, and a bias mechanism for biasing the septum access assembly to the first position. The method includes piercing the septum with the needle, inserting fluid to the reservoir through the needle, contacting the filling assembly to the septum access assembly, and removing the needle from the septum. Removing the needle from the septum allows the bias mechanism to move the septum access assembly from the second position to the first position. The disposable housing assembly is attached to a reusable housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory R. Lanier, JR., Richard J. Lanigan, Stephen L. Fichera, Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11744935
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    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: 20230264006
    Abstract: A delivery device for delivery of medical agent to a barrier may comprise a main body including a central region defining a receptacle, a peripheral region defined by a number of petal members, and a set of retention tabs extending into the receptacle. The delivery device may further comprise a reservoir including at least one delivery sharp, a main interior volume, and at least one septum in fluid communication with the main interior volume. The reservoir may be coupled to the main body via the retention tabs. The delivery device may further comprise an adhesive coupled to the main body. The delivery device may further comprise at least one bias member positioned within the receptacle between the reservoir and a wall of the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Lee A. Batchelder, Eitan C. Zeira, Linda R. Rios Guevara, Joshua A. Frye, Hans E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11728021
    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: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    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
  • Patent number: 11723841
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Richard J. Lanigan, Dean Kamen, Bright C. K. Foo, Kevin L. Grant, Lisa A. Gustin
  • Patent number: 11720115
    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: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Stewart M. Coulter, Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane
  • Patent number: 11717609
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis
  • Publication number: 20230233756
    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: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory R. Lanier, Larry B. Gray, Richard J. Lanigan, Dean Kamen, Stephen L. Fichera, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 11707567
    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: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Marc A. Mandro, David Blumberg, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230226271
    Abstract: A fill adapter system for an infusion pump assembly. The system includes a reusable fill adapter base, the base including a volume control mechanism to adjust an available fill volume of a reservoir of the infusion pump assembly and a pump mechanism configured to pump air into a fluid vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Richard J. LANIGAN, Bright C.K. FOO, Dean KAMEN
  • Publication number: 20230226273
    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: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis
  • Publication number: 20230226274
    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: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Publication number: 20230226321
    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 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Brian H. Yoo, Brian D. Tracey, David Blumberg, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230230694
    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: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    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
  • Patent number: 11703069
    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: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Stephen L. Fichera, Larry B. Gray, Thomas A. Friedrich, Erik N. Sabin, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 11701300
    Abstract: A fill adapter for filling a reservoir and a related method are disclosed herein. The fill adapter includes a button assembly actuator and a pump chamber plunger actuator hingeably attached to the button assembly actuator, wherein the actuation of the button assembly actuator actuates the pump chamber plunger actuator and wherein the pump chamber plunger actuator actuates a pump chamber membrane before the at least one button assembly is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Gregory R. Lanier, Jr., Richard J. Lanigan, Stephen L. Fichera, Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11705233
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring-biased plunger, a spring, a position sensor, and a processor. 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 came. The processor estimates fluid flow utilizing at least 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 biases the spring-biased plunger against the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    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
  • Patent number: 11705234
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Dean Kamen
  • Patent number: 11690952
    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: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Eric Yeaton