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: 11559625
    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: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis
  • Patent number: 11554208
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Gregory R. Lanier, Larry B. Gray, Richard J. Lanigan, Dean Kamen, Stephen L. Fichera, John M. Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20230003174
    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: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III
  • Publication number: 20230001956
    Abstract: A deployment mechanism and a delivery container enabling unattended delivery of cargo by a vehicle navigating autonomously on both vehicle lanes and pedestrian ways. A trailer for an autonomous vehicle for hauling additional cargo and power supplies. A method for delivering and picking up goods using delivery trucks, autonomous vehicles, and trailers. The deployment mechanism can include a crane, a robot arm, a forklift, straps, and sails. The delivery container can include visible, partly visible, or hidden security features and grasping features, and can be foldable and stackable. The trailer can include a 4-bar linkage, the 4-bar linkage enabling consistent pitch between the trailer cargo and a cargo hold of the towing vehicle. The trailer wheels are decoupled from the 4-bar linkage, connected by swing arms and possible shock absorbers. The trailer can buffer fore/aft movement of the trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher C. LANGENFELD, Justin M. WHITNEY, Spencer TRAFTON, Seth SCHAFFER, Michael J. SLATE, Dirk A. VAN DER MERWE, Sooshin CHOI, Dean KAMEN, Karla BEAGLE, Eliza AGOSTA, John C. LANGENFELD
  • Patent number: 11534542
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Richard J. Lanigan, Bright C. K. Foo, Dean Kamen
  • Patent number: 11534543
    Abstract: A method for making a fluid delivery device including a reusable portion and a disposable portion. The disposable portion is adapted to be secured to a user and includes a conduit fluidly connecting a reservoir containing a fluid and a moveable pumping member. The moveable pumping member can expand an expandable structure with the fluid. The reusable portion is selectively engageable to the disposable portion and contains a drive device for engaging the moveable pumping member of the disposable portion. The drive device has a rotatable pumping actuation member with a plurality of projections for engaging the moveable pumping member and thereby moving the fluid to expand the expandable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry Brian Gray
  • Publication number: 20220401641
    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: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Richard J. Lanigan, Bright Chong Khuang Foo, Dean Kamen
  • Patent number: 11530712
    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 guide member, a connector, an actuation member configured to have a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the actuation member is pivotally coupled to the guide member. The cover member is pivotally coupled to the guide member and 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: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    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: 11524107
    Abstract: A system for electronic patient care includes a hub. The hub is configured to monitor a patient-care device. The sandbox may be configured to control access to at least one of a hardware resource and a software resource. The hub is further configured to identify the patient-care device and execute an application to monitor the patient-care device. The hub executes the application within the sandbox component such that the application accesses the at least one of the hardware resource and the software resource through the sandbox component. The hub may be further configured to control the patient-care device. The hub may be further configured to receive an identification from the patient-care device and download the application from a server associated with the identification. The hub may be further configured to receive an identification from the patient-care device and update the application from a server associated with the identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John J. Biasi, Jacob W. Scarpaci, John M. Kerwin, James G. Turner, Todd A. Ballantyne
  • Patent number: 11524151
    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: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Richard J. Lanigan, Gregory R. Lanier, Jr., Dean Kamen, Bright C. K. Foo, Kevin L. Grant, Lisa A. Panneton
  • Publication number: 20220387734
    Abstract: A system for priming an infusion pump is disclosed. The system includes a priming cap including a septum and configured to matably connect with a male part comprising a needle and attached to a length of tubing for fluid, wherein when matably connected with the male part, the priming cap occludes the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Marc A. Mandro, Kevin A. Durand, Gregory R. Lanier, Kevin L. Grant, Larry B. Gray, Brian D. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20220387260
    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: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Richard J. Lanigan, Dean Kamen, Bright C. K. Foo, Kevin L. Grant, Lisa A. Gustin
  • Publication number: 20220379013
    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 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, David Blumberg, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220383884
    Abstract: A method for phoneme identification. The method includes receiving an audio signal from a speaker, performing initial processing comprising filtering the audio signal to remove audio features, the initial processing resulting in a modified audio signal, transmitting the modified audio signal to a phoneme identification method and a phoneme replacement method to further process the modified audio signal, and transmitting the modified audio signal to a speaker. Also, a system for identifying and processing audio signals. The system includes at least one speaker, at least one microphone, and at least one processor, wherein the processor processes audio signals received using a method for phoneme replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane
  • Publication number: 20220378632
    Abstract: A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Stewart M. Coulter, Brian G. Gray, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Susan D. Dastous, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Bob Peret, Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane, David Doherty, Matthew A. Norris, Alexander D. Streeter, David J. Couture, Matthew J. Myers, Matthew B. Kinberger, Constance D. Pitenis, Allison E. Key-Wallace, David E. Collins, Erik N. Sabin, Katie A. DeLaurentis, Catharine N. Flynn, Elizabeth Rousseau, Thomas A. Doyon, Dale B. McGrath, Ryan Adams, Prashant Bhat, Trevor A. Conway, David J. Meehan, Tania M. F. Zirn, Paul R. Curtin, Zachary E. Cranfield, James J. Dattolo, Atlant G. Schmidt, III, Steven B. Meuse, George W. Marchant, JR., Jeffrey C. Marrion
  • Patent number: 11511024
    Abstract: A fluid handling cassette, such as that useable with an automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) cycler device or other infusion apparatus, may include a generally planar body having at least one pump chamber formed as a depression in a first side of the body and a plurality of flowpaths for a fluid that includes a channel. A patient line port may be arranged for connection to a patient line and be in fluid communication with the at least one pump chamber via at least a first one of said flowpaths, and an optional membrane may be attached to the first side of the body over the at least one pump chamber. In one embodiment, the membrane may have a pump chamber portion with an unstressed shape that generally conforms to the depression of the at least one pump chamber in the body and is arranged to be movable for movement of the fluid in a useable space of the at least one pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: David W. McGill, James D. Dale, Simon C. Helmore, Richard J. Lanigan, Jason A. Demers, Dean Kamen
  • Patent number: 11511038
    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: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    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
  • Publication number: 20220362459
    Abstract: An infusion device. The infusion device includes a top portion comprising an introduction needle, and a bottom portion comprising a cannula, the top portion removably attached to the bottom portion, wherein the introduction needle is used to insert the cannula, and wherein after insertion, the top portion is removed from the bottom portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Kevin L. Grant
  • Publication number: 20220362467
    Abstract: A medical device system. The system includes a first medical device, a first remote interface, and a second remote interface in communication with the first remote interface and the first medical device, wherein the first medical device sends a command to the first medical device through the second remote interface, and wherein when the second remote interface receives the command, the command must be confirmed by the second remote interface before the command is send by the second remote interface to the first medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Gregory R. Lanier, JR., Gregg W. Rivinius
  • Publication number: 20220367027
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump, and related method, are disclosed that includes a cam shaft, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring, a plunger, a door, and a plunger lift lever. The cam shaft includes a plunger cam. The plunger-cam follower engages with the plunger cam of the cam shaft. The spring provides a bias and the plunger is biased toward the tube receiver by the spring. The 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 actuates the plunger away from the tube receiver. The door lever can be actuated between a first position and a second position. The plunger lift lever is coupled to the door lever to actuate the plunger away from the tube receiver when the door lever is actuated to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray