Patents by Inventor Harold Schwartz

Harold Schwartz 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: 4783656
    Abstract: A system for quadriplegics and for others having less than full use of their limbs for controlling the environment is disclosed. The system includes an intra-oral lingually operated switch located on a dental appliance. The switch activates an intra-oral power supply and intra-oral FM transmitter which directs control signals from the inside of the oral cavity to an external FM receiver. A controller responsive to the receiver generates output signals for operating call devices, and for controlling various appliances such as televisions, lights, bed position, etc. In one embodiment, a delay circuit is interposed between the intra-oral switch and the power supply such that inadvertent closure of the switch with the tongue does not cause undue power drain. An improved FM transmitter circuit is also disclosed which has low power drain, has low mass and temperature sensitivity and is not directional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: Philip Katz, Harold Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4672673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a completely self-contained intraoral larynx comprising a power source, tongue activated controls, power saving signal generation circuitry, acoustic and audio amplifiers, and an intra-oral speaker. These components are contained within an otherwise conventional denture or dental prosthesis. The device produces a high amplitude sound while minimizing current drain from the power source. Laryngectomized patients require only short term training by a speech pathologist to use this device. Intelligible speech is usual within an hour of such training, and facility rapidly improves. The psychological barriers, post-operative physical limitations, aesthetic concerns and limited gestural communication traditionally associated with the use of extra-oral larynges is eliminated by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: Philip Katz, Henry S. Brenman, Louis D. Lowry, Harold Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4605927
    Abstract: A system for quadriplegics and for others having less than full use of their limbs for controlling the environment is disclosed. The system includes an intra-oral lingually operated switch located on a dental appliance. The switch activates an intra-oral power supply and intra-oral FM transmitter which directs control signals from the inside of the oral cavity to an external FM receiver. A controller responsive to the receiver generates output signals for operating call devices, and for controlling various appliances such as televisions, lights, bed position, etc. In one embodiment, a delay circuit is interposed between the intra-oral switch and the power supply such that inadvertent closure of the switch with the tongue does not cause undue power drain. An improved FM transmitter circuit is also disclosed which has low power drain, has low mass and temperature sensitivity and is not directional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: Philip Katz, Henry S. Brenman, Henry Hamarman, Harold Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4550427
    Abstract: The present invention provides a completely self-contained intraoral larynx comprising a power source, tongue activated controls, power saving signal generation circuitry, acoustic and audio amplifiers, and an intra-oral speaker. These components are contained within an otherwise conventional denture or dental prosthesis. The device produces a high amplitude sound while minimizing current drain from the power source. Laryngectomized patients require only short term training by a speech pathologist to use this device. Intelligible speech is usual within an hour of such training, and facility rapidly improves. The psychological barriers, post-operative physical limitations, aesthetic concerns and limited gestural communication traditionally associated with the use of extra-oral larynges is eliminated by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: Philip Katz, Henry S. Brenman, Louis D. Lowry, Harold Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4539698
    Abstract: An intra-oral artificial larynx is provided including a signal generator and a speaker mounted on a prosthesis for mounting the larynx within the intra-oral cavity. A horn is provided having an input opening coupled to the speaker for acoustically amplifying the output of the speaker, the horn also having an output opening. A saliva barrier is removably mounted to the output opening of the horn for precluding penetration of saliva into the horn, the barrier having a first end which is telescopically received within the output opening of the horn and the second end having a mouth formed on a bias to the longitudinal axis of the mounting and a microporous membrane sealing the mouth. The mouth of the mounting has an elliptical shape which has been found tends to increase speaker volume. Moreover, the telescopic mating of the mounting and the horn provides a saliva barrier which is easily replaceable by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: Philip Katz, Henry S. Brenman, Louis D. Lowry, Harold Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4539699
    Abstract: An intra-oral artificial larynx includes a signal generator encapsulated within a custom-molded prosthetic means for mounting the larynx within the intra-oral cavity, as well as a speaker and tongue activatable switch for enabling the signal generator and the speaker. A compartment is molded in the custom-molded prosthetic means for receiving a power source, the power source being mounted on a carrier removably mounted in the compartment for powering the signal generator and speaker. The power source carrier is slidably received within the compartment and includes a means for isolating the compartment from saliva in the intra-oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: Philip Katz, Henry S. Brenman, Louis D. Lowry, Harold Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4502150
    Abstract: The present invention provides a completely self-contained intraoral larynx comprising a power source, tongue activated controls, power saving signal generation circuitry, acoustic and audio amplifiers, and an intra-oral speaker. These components are contained within an otherwise conventional denture or dental prosthesis. The device produces a high amplitude sound while minimizing current drain from the power source. Laryngectomized patients require only short term training by a speech pathologist to use this device. Intelligible speech is usual within an hour of such training, and facility rapidly improves. The psychological barriers, post-operative physical limitations, aesthetic concerns and limited gestural communication traditionally associated with the use of extra-oral larynges is eliminated by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: Philip Katz, Henry S. Brenman, Louis D. Lowry, Harold Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4473905
    Abstract: The present invention provides a completely self-contained intraoral larynx comprising a power source, tongue activated controls, power saving signal generation circuitry, acoustic and audio amplifiers, and an intra-oral speaker. These components are contained within an otherwise conventional denture or dental prosthesis. The device produces a high amplitude sound while minimizing current drain from the power source. Laryngectomized patients require only short term training by a speech pathologist to use this device. Intelligible speech is usual within an hour of such training, and facility rapidly improves. The psychological barriers, post-operative physical limitations, aesthetic concerns and limited gestural communication traditionally associated with the use of extra-oral larynges is eliminated by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventors: Philip Katz, Henry S. Brenman, Louis D. Lowry, Harold Schwartz