Patents by Inventor John M. Kerwin

John M. Kerwin 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: 11615886
    Abstract: A syringe pump includes a lead screw, a motor, and a sliding block assembly. The lead screw has threads and the motor is coupled to the lead screw to rotate it. The half-nut housing has a half nut and a barrel cam. The half nut is disposed within the half-nut housing. The half nut has half-nut threads at an end adjacent to the lead screw void. The half nut engages or disengages with the threads of the lead screw. The half nut includes a half-nut cam-follower surface and a half nut slot. The barrel cam is disposed within the half-nut housing and engages with the half-nut cam-follower surface. The barrel cam includes a pin to fit within the half nut slot such that the barrel cam rotates between a first position and a second position to actuate the half nut between the engagement position and the disengagement position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Jesse T. Bodwell, John M. Kerwin, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Stephen L. Fichera, Jonathan R. Thurber, Martin D. Desch
  • Patent number: 11612688
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume of fluid dispensed. The apparatus has an acoustic volume sensor that acoustically excites a reference volume and a measurement chamber with a loudspeaker and measures the acoustic response with microphones acoustically coupled to the reference and the measurement chamber. The loudspeaker and sensing microphones are connected to the measurement chamber by separate ports. A detachable dispensing chamber is coupled to the acoustic volume sensor. The volume of the fluid dispensed is determined by a processor based on the acoustic response of the microphones to acoustic excitement by the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Larry B. Gray, Russell H. Beavis, John M. Kerwin, Derek G. Kane
  • Publication number: 20230082342
    Abstract: A system for delivery of a volume of infusible fluid. The system includes a controller configured to calculate a trajectory for delivering infusible fluid, the trajectory comprising at least one volume of fluid, and determine a schedule for delivering the at least one volume of fluid according to the trajectory, wherein the schedule comprising an interval and a volume of infusible fluid for delivery. The system also includes a volume sensor assembly for determining the at least one volume of fluid delivered, wherein the controller recalculates the trajectory based on the volume of fluid delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, Larry B. Gray, Richard J. Lanigan, Stephen L. Fichera, Colin H. Murphy, Thomas F. Soldau, David Blumberg, JR.
  • Patent number: 11596732
    Abstract: A method of dispensing fluid includes three processes. A first one of these processes includes pumping fluid into a resilient variable-volume dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber is in series with a normally present finite fluid impedance and an output. The impedance is sufficient so as to cause expansion of the dispensing chamber as it receives pumped fluid even while some fluid flows through the output. Another one of these processes includes repeatedly measuring a parameter related to volume of the dispensing chamber over time. A third one of these processes includes controlling the pumping of fluid based on repeated measurements of the parameter to produce a desired fluid flow through the output. A corresponding system for dispensing fluid implements these processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Russell H. Beavis, Derek G. Kane, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11574407
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow rate sensor and a valve. The flow rate sensor uses images to estimate flow through a drip chamber and then controls the valve based on the estimated flow rate. The valve comprises a rigid housing disposed around the tube in which fluid flow is being controlled. Increasing the pressure in the housing controls the size of the lumen within the tube by deforming the tube, therefore controlling flow through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Brian H. Yoo, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20230022552
    Abstract: A flow meter, and related system and method are provided. The flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, a valve, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive image data therefrom and to the actuator to actuate the valve. The one or more processors are configured to estimate a flow of fluid through the drip chamber and to actuate the valve to control the flow of fluid through the drip chamber to achieve a target flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Bob Peret, Brian H. Yoo, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220388829
    Abstract: A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Russell H. Beavis, Benjamin W. Jones, JR., John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Casey P. Manning, Felix Winkler, Robert A. Charles
  • 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.
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20220340448
    Abstract: A water vapor distillation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan K. LaRocque, John M. Kerwin, Michael A. Baker, Aaditya Ravindran, Prashant Bhat, Sean T. McCauley, Benjamin E. Colburn, Shannon Prescott, Brian Gray
  • Publication number: 20220344024
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump is disclosed that includes a plunger, a spring, an actuator, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger actuates toward and away from a tube. The spring biases the plunger toward the tube. The actuator actuates the plunger away from the tube and mechanically engages and disengages from the plunger. The position sensor senses a position of the plunger. The processor receives the sensed position of the plunger and estimates fluid flow within the tube using a first position of the plunger when the actuator is engaged with the plunger and a second position of the plunger when the actuator is disengaged from the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11449037
    Abstract: A flow meter, and related system and method are provided. The flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, a valve, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive image data therefrom and to the actuator to actuate the valve. The one or more processors are configured to estimate a flow of fluid through the drip chamber and to actuate the valve to control the flow of fluid through the drip chamber to achieve a target flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob David Peret, Brian H. Yoo, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20220290771
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Publication number: 20220275906
    Abstract: A clamp includes a fixed gripper, a moveable gripper, a driven member, an actuator, and first and second tracks. The driven member is configured to slide within the first and second tracks. The moveable gripper is operatively coupled to the driven member. The actuator is configured to move the driven member towards a first position to thereby move the moveable gripper towards the fixed gripper. The actuator is further configured to move the driven member towards a second position to thereby move the moveable gripper away from the fixed gripper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Thomas A. Friedrich, Erik N. Sabin, John M. Kerwin, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 11426512
    Abstract: A system for delivery of a volume of infusible fluid. The system includes a controller configured to calculate a trajectory for delivering infusible fluid, the trajectory comprising at least one volume of fluid, and determine a schedule for delivering the at least one volume of fluid according to the trajectory, wherein the schedule comprising an interval and a volume of infusible fluid for delivery. The system also includes a volume sensor assembly for determining the at least one volume of fluid delivered, wherein the controller recalculates the trajectory based on the volume of fluid delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Gerald M. Guay, Larry B. Gray, Richard J. Lanigan, Stephen L. Fichera, Colin H. Murphy, Thomas F. Soldau, David Blumberg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11429120
    Abstract: A flow control device is disclosed. The flow control device includes a solenoid, the solenoid including an armature. Also, a piston connected to the armature. The piston includes a primary orifice. The piston having an open position and a closed position. A piston spring connected to the piston is also includes and at least one secondary orifice. The movement of the piston to the open position at least partially opens the at least one secondary orifice and the movement of the piston to the closed position at least partially closes the at least one secondary orifice. The movement of the armature actuates the piston movement and controls fluid flow from the primary orifice through the at least one secondary orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Russell H. Beavis, Benjamin W. Jones, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Casey P. Manning, Felix Winkler, Robert A. Charles
  • Publication number: 20220246267
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump, and related system method are provided. The peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, first and second pinch-valve cams, first and second pinch-valve cam followers, a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, and a spring-biased plunger. The first and second pinch-valve cams are coupled to the cam shaft. The first and second pinch-valve cam followers each engage the first and second pinch-valve cams, respectively. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower engages the plunger cam. The tube receiver is configured to receive a tube. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower such that the expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam follower towards the plunger and thereby disengages the spring-biased plunger from the tube. A spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Larry B, Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place