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: 11884555
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid. The fluid vapor distillation apparatus also includes a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stephen M. Ent, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III, Otis L. Clapp
  • Publication number: 20240024566
    Abstract: An access assembly for administration of agent to a shallow delivery destination may comprise a body having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface. The first exterior surface may be at a non-orthogonal angle to the second exterior surface. The body may have a passage extending therethrough to a corner formed between the first and second exterior surfaces. The assembly may further comprise an adhesive pad coupled to the second exterior surface. The assembly may further comprise a member having a flow path extending therethrough and a sharp bearing body including a number of microneedles coupled to an end of the member. The member may be disposed within the passage and in contact with at least one stop defined by the passage. The assembly may further comprise a coupler configured to couple with a cooperating coupler on a fluid flow conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Lee A. Batchelder
  • Publication number: 20240021290
    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: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventor: Dean Kamen
  • Publication number: 20230420101
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump having at least first, second, and third stages is provided. The peristaltic pump includes a plunger, inlet and outlet valves, a spring, and an actuator. The plunger actuates toward and away from a tube, the inlet valve is upstream of the plunger, the outlet valve is downstream of the plunger, the spring biases the plunger toward the tube, and the actuator mechanically engages and disengages from the plunger. In the first stage, the inlet valve is opened and the plunger is actuated from the tube, in the second stage, the inlet valve is closed, the plunger is actuated toward the tube, and the actuator is mechanically disengaged from the plunger, and in the third stage, the outlet valve is opened. In the third stage or in a fourth stage, the actuator actuates the plunger toward the tube to discharge fluid downstream past the outlet valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Publication number: 20230400425
    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: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, N. Christopher Perry, Jason A. Demers, Brian D. Tracey, Arun D. Chawan, Kevin L. Grant
  • Patent number: 11839741
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. An apparatus for infusing fluid into a patient infusion apparatus includes a drip-chamber seat configured to receive a drip chamber; a tube seat configured to receive a tube fluidly coupled to the drip chamber, the tube including a plurality of conduits for fluid flow therethrough; a plunger configured to engage with the tube; and a user actuator configured to actuate the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Daniel B. Finnegan, Dean Kamen, James M. Scott
  • Patent number: 11833281
    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: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: David W. McGill, James D. Dale, Simon C. Helmore, Richard J. Lanigan, Jason A. Demers, Dean Kamen
  • Publication number: 20230382252
    Abstract: A system for charging a battery within an at least partially electric vehicle. The system includes a charging device wherein the charging device configured to electrically connect to the at least partially electric vehicle and charge at least one battery by a predetermined amount. The system also includes a network configured to determine the location of the charging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Richard K. Heinzmann, Jason M. Sachs
  • Publication number: 20230386628
    Abstract: An electronic patient monitoring system comprising a monitoring client and a remote communicator are provided. The monitoring client is configured to store patient information. The patient information may be patient-specific information. The monitoring client may receive the information from a database, e.g., through a monitoring server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Marc J. Gorayeb
  • Publication number: 20230383774
    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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Stephen L. Fichera, Larry B. Gray, Thomas A. Friedrich, Erik N. Sabin, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 11830617
    Abstract: A hub is disclosed that includes a network, first and second modules, a processor, a failsafe bus, and an alarm wire bus. The network interface component communicates data with a medical device. The first module interfaces with a first communications channel, and the second module interfaces with a second communications channel. The processor packages the data from the medical device into at least one packet. The processor communicates with one of the first and second modules to communicate one or more packets over one of the first and second communications channels. The failsafe bus signals from the hub to the medical device when a fatal-error fault condition of the hub has occurred. The alarm wire bus signals from the hub to the medical device when an alarm condition of the hub has occurred to cause the medical device to execute at least one mitigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partneship
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Todd A. Ballantyne, Frederick Morgan, Jason A. Demers, John J. Biasi
  • Patent number: 11826543
    Abstract: A syringe pump includes a lead screw, a cam, and an assembly having first and second arms each having a first end and a second end. The second ends of the first and second arms are configured to engage with the lead screw. The first ends of the first and second arms are configured to engage with the cam such that actuation of the cam toward the assembly causes the second ends of the first and second arms to pivotally approach each other. The second ends of the first and second arms each includes threads to engage the lead screw when the second ends of the first and second arms approach each other. The plunger head coupled to the assembly and operative to drive a plunger of a syringe into a barrel of the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partneship
    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: 11826681
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partneship
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Prashant Bhat, Ryan K. LaRocque, Otis L. Clapp, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stanley B. Smith, III
  • Publication number: 20230372606
    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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis
  • Patent number: 11813427
    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 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry Brian Gray, Eric Yeaton
  • Publication number: 20230360763
    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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11810653
    Abstract: A medical error reduction system may include a medical error reduction software for use in creating and revising at least one drug library. The software configured to provide one of a plurality of sets of privileges to each of a plurality of sets of users. Each of the plurality of sets of privileges arranged to allocate a degree of software functionality to one of the plurality of sets of users. The degree of software functionality configured to define the ability of a user to alter the at least one drug library. The medical error reduction system may include at least one server. The medical error reduction system may include at least one editor computer each of the at least one editor computer comprising a processor in communication with a display. The at least one editor computer and at least one server may be configured to communicate via a network in a client-server based model. Each of the at least one drug library may be for use in at least one medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John J. Biasi, Richard M. Newman, Eric L. Pribyl, John M. Kerwin, Rahul Gupta
  • Publication number: 20230341863
    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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob Peret, Stewart M. Coulter, Dean Kamen, Derek G. KANE
  • Patent number: 11793928
    Abstract: A system for regulating fluid flow having a processor configured to reduce image noise is provided. The system includes an image sensor to capture an image of the drip chamber. The processor captures the image of the drip chamber using the image sensor, performs an edge detection on the image to generate a first processed image, and performs a Boolean-operation on a pixel on a first side of an axis of the first processed image with a corresponding pixel on a second side of the axis of the first processed image to generate a second processed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: D1008101
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Sooshin Choi, Dean Kamen