Patents by Inventor James A. Ashton-Miller
James A. Ashton-Miller 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).
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Patent number: 12290366Abstract: Wearable uroflowmetry systems having wearable uroflowmeters are disclosed. A disclosed example uroflowmetry system comprises a wearable uroflowmeter including: a funnel portion having an end configured to secure the funnel portion against a person, an outlet opposite the end, and a funnel configured to capture urine excreted by the person when the end is secured against the person, and to direct the captured urine into the outlet; a fluid passage portion having an opening configured to receive the urine from the outlet of the funnel portion, and a fluid channel to pass the received urine along a length of the fluid passage portion; and a measuring portion having a sensor in the fluid channel configured to collect one or more measurements of the urine as the urine passes the sensor, the measurements representative of at least one of a property of the urine, or a flow characteristic of the urine.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANYInventors: Ali Attari, James A. Ashton-Miller, John O. Delancey, Mark A. Burns, Tana Marie Kirkbride, Edward Paul Carlin, Alexzandra Joan Ramachandran, Carol A. Day
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Patent number: 12121721Abstract: A transvaginal stimulation device comprises a probe body sized to fit entirely within a vaginal cavity of a female patient. The probe body has a stimulating side defined by a length and a width of the probe body. The transvaginal stimulation device further comprises a pair of electrodes disposed on the stimulating side of the probe body and laterally spaced from each other. A method for treating stress urinary incontinence in a female patient comprises inserting the intravaginal device into a vaginal cavity of the female patient, positioning the pair of electrodes against an anterior wall of the vagina of the female patient, and conveying stimulation energy between the pair of electrodes to stimulate at least one muscle of a urethral sphincter muscle of the female patient without substantially stimulating pelvic floor muscles of the female patient.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignees: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, HOLOGIC, INC.Inventors: John O. DeLancey, James Ashton-Miller, Christian Michael Ulm, Jessica Tina Schenck
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Publication number: 20220322971Abstract: A system for real-time monitoring of movement of a person on a mattress includes sensor devices positioned on one or more peripheral surfaces of the mattress and configured to sense motions of the one or more peripheral surfaces. The sensor devices includes at least first and second sensor devices positioned on a first side surface of the mattress. A processing subsystem is configured to receive signals indicative of the sensed motions of the peripheral surface(s) from the sensor devices, determine whether at least the sensed motions to one or more alert conditions, and selectively cause, or not cause, one or more visual and/or audio indicators to be generated based on whether at least the sensed motions correspond to the alert condition(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Jennifer Meddings, James A. Ashton-Miller, Shiyu Wang, Jessica Marie Ameling, Shuai Xiong
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Publication number: 20220212004Abstract: A transvaginal stimulation device comprises a probe body sized to fit entirely within a vaginal cavity of a female patient. The probe body has a stimulating side defined by a length and a width of the probe body. The transvaginal stimulation device further comprises a pair of electrodes disposed on the stimulating side of the probe body and laterally spaced from each other. A method for treating stress urinary incontinence in a female patient comprises inserting the intravaginal device into a vaginal cavity of the female patient, positioning the pair of electrodes against an anterior wall of the vagina of the female patient, and conveying stimulation energy between the pair of electrodes to stimulate at least one muscle of a urethral sphincter muscle of the female patient without substantially stimulating pelvic floor muscles of the female patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicants: HOLOGIC, INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: John O. DeLancey, James Ashton-Miller, Christian Michael Ulm, Jessica Tina Schenck
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Publication number: 20220039751Abstract: An anorectal expulsion device includes a balloon having a wall that extends between proximal and distal ends of the balloon and defines a balloon interior. The balloon interior contains a self-expanding, low compression-set material (e.g., open cell foam). The device also includes a catheter that extends through the proximal end of the balloon and at least a portion of the balloon interior. An interior of the catheter is in fluid communication with the balloon interior. The device also includes a termination component (e.g., a cap or a valve) coupled to the catheter at a position along the catheter that is outside of and proximal to the proximal end of the balloon (e.g., at the proximal end of the catheter). The physical configuration of the termination component is adjustable, and controls whether the balloon interior is in fluid communication with the external environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: William D. Chey, James A. Ashton-Miller, Eric D. Shah, Jason Baker, Adrienne Harris, Gene Parunak, Aaron Miles Kehrer
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Publication number: 20210121112Abstract: Wearable uroflowmetry systems having wearable uroflowmeters, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A disclosed example uroflowmetry system comprises a wearable uroflowmeter including: a funnel portion having an end configured to secure the funnel portion against a person, an outlet opposite the end, and a funnel configured to capture urine excreted by the person when the end is secured against the person, and to direct the captured urine into the outlet; a fluid passage portion having an opening configured to receive the urine from the outlet of the funnel portion, and a fluid channel to pass the received urine along a length of the fluid passage portion; and a measuring portion having a sensor in the fluid channel configured to collect one or more measurements of the urine as the urine passes the sensor, the measurements representative of at least one of a property of the urine, or a flow characteristic of the urine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Ali Attari, James A. Ashton-Miller, John O. Delancey, Mark A. Burns, Tana Marie Kirkbride, Edward Paul Carlin, Alexzandra Joan Ramachandran, Carol A. Day
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Patent number: 10279145Abstract: A single-use, sterile, disposable catheter placement assist device to aid in the sterile placement of transurethral urinary catheters in female patients, and a method for catheter placement using the device. The catheter placement assist device includes a labia separator with flared wings having a curved profile. The wings meet at a valley. The catheter placement assist device also includes a posterior shield that covers the perineal tissues including the anus to prevent contamination of the sterile catheter with bacteria and may further include a spout that may be shallowly inserted into the vagina to position the catheter device to optimize labial separation, retraction of the posterior vaginal wall, perineal shielding, and visualization of the urethral meatus. The additional features of a light, a handle, a catheter tip holder, a swab storage location, and a stackable configuration may further be included with the catheter placement assist device.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: Jennifer Meddings, John O. Delancey, James A. Ashton-Miller, Dee E. Fenner, Sanjay Saint
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Publication number: 20180339133Abstract: A single-use, sterile, disposable catheter placement assist device to aid in the sterile placement of transurethral urinary catheters in female patients, and a method for catheter placement using the device. The catheter placement assist device includes a labia separator with flared wings having a curved profile. The wings meet at a valley. The catheter placement assist device also includes a posterior shield that covers the perineal tissues including the anus to prevent contamination of the sterile catheter with bacteria and may further include a spout that may be shallowly inserted into the vagina to position the catheter device to optimize labial separation, retraction of the posterior vaginal wall, perineal shielding, and visualization of the urethral meatus. The additional features of a light, a handle, a catheter tip holder, a swab storage location, and a stackable configuration may further be included with the catheter placement assist device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Jennifer Meddings, John O. Delancey, James A. Ashton-Miller, Dee E. Fenner, Sanjay Saint
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Patent number: 9743857Abstract: A probe system includes a finger-mountable housing having a distal end and a proximal receptacle end. The proximal receptacle end defines an opening to receive a finger. The probe system also includes a probe assembly disposed on or within the finger-mountable housing and having at least a first sensor. The first sensor is positioned to measure a physical characteristic of a first tissue when the finger-mountable housing and probe assembly are inserted in a rectum of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: William D. Chey, James A. Ashton-Miller, Brennan M. R. Spiegel
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Patent number: 9725908Abstract: The gutter cleaning device removes wet or dry debris in the gutter after being attached to a leaf blower, and is designed to be used while standing on the around to reach gutters at the first, second and even third story levels without the need for a ladder. The gutter cleaning device includes a nozzle arranged at an angle to the gutter so that the flow of air drives debris in a direction away from the operator, and a fluid-driven agitation device powered simply by air pressure to mechanically stir up heavy debris in the gutter or to prevent the debris from clogging the nozzle. In addition, the gutter cleaning device includes a plough that protrudes forward relative to the nozzle and mechanically lifts compacted debris from the gutter to be blown away by the same flow of air that is used to drive the agitation device.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Viper Tool Company, LLCInventors: James A Ashton-Miller, Jeffrey E Terrell
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Publication number: 20170191272Abstract: The gutter cleaning device removes wet or dry debris in the gutter after being attached to a leaf blower, and is designed to be used while standing on the ground to reach gutters at the first, second and even third story levels without the need for a ladder. The gutter cleaning device includes a cleaning head and a lower portion that supports the cleaning head above the operator. The lower portion includes a both a fluid supply tube and a support rod that is separate from the fluid supply tube. The support rod is a rigid, telescoping rod. The fluid supply tube is a highly flexible tube that can shortened as needed by folding or gathering to match the length of the support rod, and can be folded or rolled into a small volume for storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Applicant: Viper Tool Company LLCInventors: James A. Ashton-Miller, Jeffrey E. Terrell
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Publication number: 20160312473Abstract: The gutter cleaning device removes wet or dry debris in the gutter after being attached to a leaf blower, and is designed to be used while standing on the around to reach gutters at the first, second and even third story levels without the need for a ladder. The gutter cleaning device includes a nozzle arranged at an angle to the gutter so that the flow of air drives debris in a direction away from the operator, and a fluid-driven agitation device powered simply by air pressure to mechanically stir up heavy debris in the gutter or to prevent the debris from clogging the nozzle. In addition, the gutter cleaning device includes a plough that protrudes forward relative to the nozzle and mechanically lifts compacted debris from the gutter to be blown away by the same flow of air that is used to drive the agitation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Applicant: Viper Tool Company LLCInventors: James A. Ashton-Miller, Jeffrey E. Terrell
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Patent number: 9347223Abstract: The gutter cleaning device removes wet or dry debris in the gutter after being attached to a leaf blower, and is designed to be used while standing on the ground to reach gutters at the first, second and even third story levels without the need for a ladder. The gutter cleaning device includes a nozzle arranged at an angle to the gutter so that the flow of air drives debris in a direction away from the operator, and a fluid-driven agitation device powered simply by air pressure to mechanically stir up heavy debris in the gutter or to prevent the debris from clogging the nozzle. In addition, the gutter cleaning device includes a plough that protrudes forward relative to the nozzle and mechanically lifts compacted debris from the gutter to be blown away by the same flow of air that is used to drive the agitation device.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Viper Tool Company LLCInventors: James A Ashton-Miller, Jeffrey E Terrell
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Patent number: 8845566Abstract: An active exoskeletal spinal orthosis that can reduce the spinal compression and muscle effort involved in resisting gravitational bending moments. The spinal orthosis includes upper and lower members that fit around the body in the area of the spine. Actuators extend between the upper and lower members. By applying a corrective moment, a distraction force, or both to a user via the actuators, the spinal orthosis allows for supported multi-planar maneuverability within a set range of motion. A controller activates the actuators based on sensor feedback that is indicative of pressure or some other sensed physical parameter related to the bending moment.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: The Regents of The University of MichiganInventors: Daniel D. Johnson, James A. Ashton-Miller, Albert J. Shih
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Patent number: 8657295Abstract: A manual neurological testing device for measuring a subject's reaction time comprising: a releasable holding member operable to be grasped by the subject; a stimulus device coupled with the releasable holding member, the stimulus device outputting a perceivable stimulus; and a measurement device coupled with the releasable holding member, the measurement device measuring the subject's reaction time for grasping the releasable holding member relative to the perceivable stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: The Regents of The University of MichiganInventors: James A. Ashton-Miller, Hogene Kim, James T. Eckner, James K. Richardson
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Publication number: 20140039371Abstract: An active exoskeletal spinal orthosis that can reduce the spinal compression and muscle effort involved in resisting gravitational bending moments. The spinal orthosis includes upper and lower members that fit around the body in the area of the spine. Actuators extend between the upper and lower members. By applying a corrective moment, a distraction force, or both to a user via the actuators, the spinal orthosis allows for supported multi-planar maneuverability within a set range of motion. A controller activates the actuators based on sensor feedback that is indicative of pressure or some other sensed physical parameter related to the bending moment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: Daniel D. Johnson, James A. Ashton-Miller, Albert J. Shih
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Publication number: 20100324443Abstract: A manual neurological testing device for measuring a subject's reaction time comprising: a releasable holding member operable to be grasped by the subject; a stimulus device coupled with the releasable holding member, the stimulus device outputting a perceivable stimulus; and a measurement device coupled with the releasable holding member, the measurement device measuring the subject's reaction time for grasping the releasable holding member relative to the perceivable stimulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: James A. ASHTON-MILLER, Hogene KIM, James T. ECKNER, James K. RICHARDSON
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Patent number: 6468232Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring characteristics of the pelvic floor muscles of a patient includes two or more elongated blades disposed adjacent to one another, one or more sensors that sense an amount of deflection of the first and second blades when the two or more blades are subjected to an external force and a determining unit that determines properties of the pelvic floor muscles in response to an output of the one or more sensors.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: James A. Ashton-Miller, John O. L. Delancey, David N. Warwick
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Patent number: D816931Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Viper Tool Company LLCInventors: James A Ashton-Miller, Jeffrey E Terrell
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Patent number: D877436Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Viper Tool Company, LLCInventors: James A Ashton-Miller, Jeffrey E Terrell