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: 11400272
    Abstract: Improvements in fluid volume measurement systems are disclosed for a pneumatically actuated diaphragm pump in general, and a peritoneal dialysis cycler using a pump cassette in particular. Pump fluid volume measurements are based on pressure measurements in a pump control chamber and a reference chamber in a two-chamber model, with different sections of an apparatus being modeled using a combination of adiabatic, isothermal and polytropic processes. Real time or instantaneous fluid flow measurements in a pump chamber of the diaphragm pump are also disclosed, in this case using a one-chamber ideal gas model and using a high speed processor to obtain and process pump control chamber pressures during fluid flow into or out of the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael G. Norris, Jacob W. Scarpaci, Robert J. Bryant, Jr., Geoffrey P. Spencer, David J. Hibbard, James D. Dale, John M. Kerwin, Andrew S. Coll, David A. Beavers, David W. McGill, Simon C. Helmore, David B. Doherty, Edgar J. Bolton, Jinsun Yoo, Paul G. Girouard, Daniel S. Karol, Daniel B. Singer, Joseph P. Rushlow
  • Patent number: 11395877
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, David Blumberg, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220227640
    Abstract: A water vapor distillation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan K. LaRocque, John M. Kerwin, Michael A. Baker, Aaditya Ravindran, Prashant Bhat, Sean T. McCauley, Benjamin E. Colburn, Shannon Prescott, Brian G. Gray
  • Patent number: 11373747
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11365107
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Russell H. Beavis, Benjamin W. Jones, Jr., John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Casey P. Manning, Felix Winkler, Robert A. Charles
  • Publication number: 20220180983
    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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John J. Biasi, Richard M. Newman, Eric L. Pribyl, John M. Kerwin, Rahul Gupta
  • Patent number: 11352267
    Abstract: A water vapor distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ryan K. LaRocque, John M. Kerwin, Michael A. Baker, Aaditya Ravindran, Prashant Bhat, Sean T. McCauley, Benjamin E. Colburn, Shannon Prescott, Brian Gray
  • Patent number: 11348674
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump and related-method are disclosed that includes a cam shaft having a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower that engages the plunger cam of the cam shaft, a tube receiver, a spring, a plunger, a position sensor, and a processor. The tube receiver receives a tube. The spring provides a bias. The plunger is biased toward the tube by the spring and the plunger is to the plunger-cam follower, such that 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. The position sensor determines a position of the plunger and the processor estimates fluid flow within the tube utilizing the position of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11339918
    Abstract: A clamp includes a housing, a fixed gripper, a moveable gripper, a driven member, and an actuator. The housing includes first and second tracks. The fixed gripper is coupled to the housing. The driven member is configured to slide within the first and second tracks of the housing. 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Thomas A. Friedrich, Erik N. Sabin, John M. Kerwin, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 11339887
    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 an AND-operation on a pixel on a first side of an axis of the first processed image with a corresponding mirror pixel on a second side of the axis of the first processed image to generate a second processed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 11325845
    Abstract: A water vapor distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    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: 20220130536
    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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Todd A. Ballantyne, Frederick Morgan, Jason A. Demers, John J. Biasi
  • Patent number: 11295846
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Larry B. Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place
  • Publication number: 20220062541
    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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    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: 20220057247
    Abstract: An acoustic volume sensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing comprising a reference volume chamber and a variable volume chamber, the reference volume chamber and the variable volume chamber connected by a resonant port, a first MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the variable volume chamber, a second MEMS microphone located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, a MEMS speaker located in acoustic relation to the reference volume chamber, and a circuit board in electric connection with the first and second MEMS microphones and the MEMS speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory R. Lanier, JR., John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 11244745
    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: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John J. Biasi, Richard M. Newman, Eric L. Pribyl, John M. Kerwin, Rahul Gupta
  • Patent number: 11227687
    Abstract: A system includes first and second hubs. The first hub is configured to communicate data with a medical device through a Local Area Network and package the data into at least one application-layer packet. The second hub is configured to receive the at least one application-layer packet from the first hub operatively through at least one cellular network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Todd A. Ballantyne, Frederick Morgan, Jason A. Demers, John J. Biasi
  • Publication number: 20220008649
    Abstract: A syringe pump includes a lead screw, a cam, and a grasper. The grasper assembly has first and second graspers arms each having a first end and a second end. The second ends of the first and second grasper arms are configured to engage with the lead screw. The first ends of the first and second grasper arms are configured to engage with the cam such that actuation of the cam toward the grasper assembly causes the second ends of the first and second grasper arms to pivotally approach each other. The second ends of the first and second grasper arms each includes threads to engage the lead screw when the second ends of the first and second grasper arms approach each other. The plunger head coupled to said grasper assembly and operative to drive a plunger of a syringe into a barrel of said syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    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
  • Publication number: 20210395109
    Abstract: A distillation device may comprise a source fluid input and an evaporator in fluid communication therewith. The device may further comprise a compressor having an impeller coupled to a motor, the compressor having a low pressure inlet for vapor from the evaporator and a high pressure outlet for compressed vapor. The device may further comprise at least one temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature of vapor in the inlet and a condenser in heat transfer relationship with exterior surfaces of the evaporator and in fluid communication with the compressor outlet. The device may further comprise a controller configured to govern rotation speed of the impeller with an impeller motor command based on a calibrated motor speed for the distillation device. The controller may be configured to determine an adjusted motor speed for a next use of the device and overwrite the calibrated motor speed with the adjusted motor speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan K. LaRocque, John M. Kerwin, Michael A. Baker, Aaditya Ravindran, Prashant Bhat, Larry B. Gray, Sean McCauley, Benjamin E. Colburn, Shannon Prescott, Brina G. Gray, Paul R. Curtin, Josh Ling, Gregory J. Hurley, Lucas Vannie, Robert Bowman, Thaddeus J. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20210395108
    Abstract: A distillation device may comprise a source fluid input and an evaporator in fluid communication therewith. The device may further comprise a compressor having an impeller coupled to a motor, the compressor having a low pressure inlet for vapor from the evaporator and a high pressure outlet for compressed vapor. The device may further comprise at least one temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature of vapor in the inlet and a condenser in heat transfer relationship with exterior surfaces of the evaporator and in fluid communication with the compressor outlet. The device may further comprise a controller configured to govern rotation speed of the impeller with an impeller motor command based on a calibrated motor speed for the distillation device. The controller may be configured to determine an adjusted motor speed for a next use of the device and overwrite the calibrated motor speed with the adjusted motor speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan K. LaRocque, John M. Kerwin, Michael A. Baker, Aaditya Ravindran, Prashant Bhat, Larry B. Gray, Sean McCauley, Benjamin E. Colburn, Shannon Prescott, Brian G. Gray, Paul R. Curtin, Joshua Ling, Gregory J. Hurley, Lucas Vannie, Robert Bowman, Thaddeus J. Hughes