Patents by Inventor Heather-Marie Callanan Knight

Heather-Marie Callanan Knight 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).

  • Wheelchair alarm system and method
    Patent number: 8203454
    Abstract: A wheelchair alarm system and method for preventing falls for patients at risk by recognizing the gesture of a patient attempting to stand. The wheelchair alarm system uses an array of proximity sensors and pressure sensors to create a map of the patient's sitting position, and then uses gesture recognition algorithms to determine when a patient is attempting to stand up. The wheelchair alarm system responds with light and voice alarms that can encourage the patient to remain seated and/or to make use of the system's integrated nurse-call function. The wheelchair alarm system can be seamlessly integrated into existing hospital WiFi networks, sending messages to the nurse call system as well as providing the patient's location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Heather-Marie Callanan Knight, Jae-Kyu Lee, Hongshen Ma, Lauren Kattany
  • Wheelchair Alarm System and Method
    Publication number: 20100045454
    Abstract: A wheelchair alarm system and method for preventing falls for patients at risk by recognizing the gesture of a patient attempting to stand. The wheelchair alarm system uses an array of proximity sensors and pressure sensors to create a map of the patient's sitting position, and then uses gesture recognition algorithms to determine when a patient is attempting to stand up. The wheelchair alarm system responds with light and voice alarms that can encourage the patient to remain seated and/or to make use of the system's integrated nurse-call function. The wheelchair alarm system can be seamlessly integrated into existing hospital WiFi networks, sending messages to the nurse call system as well as providing the patient's location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Heather-Marie Callanan Knight, Jae-Kyu Lee, Hongshen Ma, Lauren Kattany