Patents by Inventor Manfred Müller

Manfred Müller 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).

  • Publication number: 20200039399
    Abstract: A suspension fabric seat includes a fabric seat surface formed from a woven fabric material having heating element fibers. The heating element fibers are in electrical communication with a conductor. A carrier is overmolded onto the seat surface. The carrier and the conductor are disposed in a frame and a connector is mounted to the frame in electrical communication with the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Craig Martin Oomen, Randy James Sayers, Samuel Smith, Manfred Mueller
  • Publication number: 20200008688
    Abstract: The invention relates to a signal processing unit (208) for determining a value of a blood flow quantity characterizing blood flow inside a blood vessel, wherein the signal processing unit comprises a vibration sensor signal input, which is configured to receive vibration sensor signals from an intravascular vibration sensor at two different measuring times, the vibration sensor signal comprising a vibration sensor signal component caused by blood flow oscillations of intravascular blood flow, and a blood flow determination unit which, for each measuring time, is configured to determine the vibration sensor signal components using the vibration sensor signal, to determine a respective oscillation frequency of the blood flow oscillations using the vibration sensor signal component and to determine and provide a frequency ratio of the determined oscillation frequencies as the value of the blood flow quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Manfred MUELLER
  • Patent number: 10510254
    Abstract: For operating a motor vehicle, a travel path of the motor vehicle across a roadway section of a roadway situated ahead of the motor vehicle and in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle is ascertained. The travel path is defined by an instantaneous running condition of the motor vehicle, a virtual local map that contains instantaneous local wind conditions, an instantaneous location of the motor vehicle on the virtual local map, and information relating to the instantaneous environment of the motor vehicle. The ascertained travel path is used for actuating at least one device of the motor vehicle that influences the instantaneous running condition of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Arndt, Manfred Mueller
  • Publication number: 20190365248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining information relating to a suspected occluding structure. It is described to provide (210) a spectral resolving unit with at least one broadband radiation. The at least one broadband radiation comprises a first broadband radiation acquired from a region of interest within a vascular structure. An occluding structure is suspected to be located within the region of interest and wherein the first broadband radiation is associated with the suspected occluding structure. At least one spectrally resolved data set is determined (220) on the basis of the at least one broadband radiation, wherein the at least one spectrally resolved data set comprises a first spectrally resolved data set determined on the basis of the first broadband radiation. A processing unit is provided (230) with the at least one spectrally resolved data set on the basis of the at least one broadband radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: MANFRED MUELLER, ARJEN VAN DER HORST, GERHARDUS WILHELMUS LUCASSEN, BERNARDUS HENDRIKUS WILHELMUS HENDRIKS, CHARLES FREDERIK SIO
  • Patent number: 10383584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for guiding an instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112) in a body (14). The system (10) records an image where the instrument (12, 100, 100A,100B, 112) is identifiable and the instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112) records signals indicative of the type of tissue at the instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112). The system (10) determines the tissue type based on a signal from the instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112). The system (10) displays an image being a combined image of the body (14) and instrument (12, 100, 100A, 100B, 112) and an indication of tissue type at a position where the tissue type was determined. The present invention further relates to a method of displaying an image comprising tissue-type and instrument position in a body. The present invention further relates to an instrument and a software implemented method for being executed on a digital processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Christian Reich, Rami Nachabe, Jeroen Jan Lambertus Horikx, Arnoldus Theodorus Martinus Hendricus Van Keersop, Robert Johannes Frederik Homan, Nicolaas Jan Noordhoek, Manfred Mueller, Jasper Klewer, Marjolein Van Der Voort
  • Patent number: 10299684
    Abstract: A system and method to support exploring the interior of an object. The system 100, 200 includes a graphical user interface generator (GG) to generate a graphical user interface (GUI). The graphical user interface (GUI) includes an indicator (NC) of a current position of an interventional tool (IT) inside an object (OB). There is also an exploratory indictor (PC) to indicate material composition and/or type that surrounds the tool's tip (TP) at a current position in the object (OB). The exploratory indicator (PC) includes a pointer element for a current reading against a dial element for a range of possible values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Torre Michelle Bydlon, Arnoldus Theodorus Martinus Hendricus Van Keersop, Gerhardus Wilhelmus Lucassen, Vijay Parthasarathy, Vishnu Vardhan Pully, Marjolein Van Der Voort, Manfred Mueller, Gerardus Henricus Maria Gijsbers
  • Patent number: 10286823
    Abstract: A device for the variable fixing of a headrest to a vehicle seat, having a receptacle (1) forming a receiving space (5) a headrest support, and having a locking element (7) which, by a disengagement movement of a disengagement element (10), is movable from a locking position, in which a locking section (18) of the locking element (7) projects into the receiving space, into a release position, in which the locking section does not project into the receiving space or projects into the receiving space to a lesser extent than in the locking position and movement of the disengagement element leads along the longitudinal axis (9) of the receiving space (5). The movement of the disengagement element (10) can be effected by an actuation movement (12) of an actuation element (11), wherein the direction of the actuation movement (12) is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Manfred Müller
  • Patent number: 10194943
    Abstract: The rod coupler according to the present invention comprises two clamping jaws and locking means for locking said clamping jaws against one another. Each clamping jaw comprises an outside surface and a clamping surface, the latter providing at least a first and a second groove. Each groove runs laterally from a different part of the outside surface extending into the rod coupler, wherein longitudinal axis of the first groove and the second groove include an angle that is equal to or less than 160 degrees. Opposing grooves form an aperture. The apertures are adapted for receiving a rod if the locking means is released. Clamping jaws that are locked by the locking means clamp the rods received in said apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Klaus Dorawa, Axel Cremer, Adam Busch, Manfred Müller
  • Patent number: 10183598
    Abstract: A device for the variable fixing of a headrest to a vehicle seat, having a receptacle (1), which forms a receiving space (5) for receiving a headrest support (6), and having a locking rocker (7) which, by means of an actuation movement of an actuation element (11), can be rotated from a locking position, in which a locking section (18) of the locking rocker (7) projects into the receiving space, into a release position, in which the locking section (18) does not project into the receiving space or projects into the receiving space (5) to a lesser extent than in the locking position, is characterized in that the direction of the actuation movement is not oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation (25) about which the locking rocker (7) is rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Manfred Müller, Ricard Fortuny
  • Publication number: 20180214017
    Abstract: A catheter (12) has an image sensing system (S1-S5) for imaging the interior wall of a passageway in which the catheter is to be located. The catheter has a radial imaging system comprising a light source arrangement for generating a light output radially around the catheter and an image sensor for receiving the generally radial light after the light has been scattered back by the interior wall. The catheter is positioned within the passageway with a known position and orientation, for example a known angle with respect to the anterior-posterior plane along the length of the catheter, so that it is known where along the catheter length, and at which angular position around the catheter, it is close to the passageway wall. The light output has a different intensity at different radial directions and/or the catheter comprises a light transmission arrangement which gives rise to different transmission of the light output at different radial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Manfred MUELLER
  • Publication number: 20180200460
    Abstract: Laser siping forms sipes in an article. The laser operates in a scan laser configuration for some sipe patterns and the laser operates in a fixed laser concept for other siping patterns. The article on which the sipes are formed is secured by a part holder. Movement of the part holder may be computer controlled. Movement of the laser may also be computer controlled. A movement of a reflective surface of the laser may be computer controlled. Together, the movement of the part holder, the laser, and the reflective surface is coordinated to achieve the scan laser configuration and the fixed laser configuration when forming sipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Dominik Ziegler, Manfred Müller, Richard Pavkov
  • Publication number: 20180098730
    Abstract: A system for detection of optically anisotropic tissue is provided. The system comprises an optical source, an optical detector, a processing unit and a probe. The probe has a shaft with a longitudinal axis and a front end, and a plurality of optical fibers; wherein an end of each of the optical fibers is arranged at the front end of the shaft, and at least one of the optical fibers is a source optical fiber adapted to transmit optical radiation emitted from the optical source to a tissue adjacent to the front end of the shaft. Another one of the optical fibers is a detector optical fiber adapted to transmit optical radiation reflected from the tissue to the optical detector, so that an optical path through the tissue is defined, wherein the optical paths differ from each other with respect to their spatial orientation, and wherein the optical paths cross each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: MANFRED MUELLER, BERNARDUS HENDRIKUS WILHELMUS HENDRIKS, GERHARDUS WILHELMUS LUCASSEN, TORRE MICHELLE BYDLON
  • Patent number: 9867599
    Abstract: An interventional device, e.g. a Vacuum Assisted Biopsy (VAB) needle, incorporating optical fibers such that biological tissue in a volume at a side of the interventional device can be substantially completely optically probed by optical spectroscopy. In a VAB embodiment, a plurality of optical fiber pairs connected to respective optical ports, are placed at opposite positions along the suction cavity, and they are readout subsequently allowing to make a map of the tissue properties along the place where the tissue will be cut by the VAB needle. Based on decision software in an optical console, it can be determined whether the tissue present in the cutting cavity is completely normal tissue or not, prior to actually performing the biopsy on the tissue. In this way a well defined end point for VAB is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Christian Reich, Waltherus Cornelis Jozef Bierhoff, Manfred Mueller, Franciscus Marinus Antonius Maria Van Gaal, Jozef Christiaan Mathieu Versleegers, Vishnu Vardhan Pully, Sven Stoffelen
  • Publication number: 20180011988
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a medical device configured to provide a function to a user, communicate via a wireless communication channel with one or more other devices, and send a signal to shift a medical device application from a locked state to an unlocked state. The system also includes a computing device having wireless communication channels and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the computing device to communicate with the medical device, execute the medical device application, and shift from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to receiving the signal from the medical device. Core functionality of the medical device application is disabled when the medical device application is in the locked state, and some functionality applicable to the medical device is enabled when the medical device application is in the unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventors: Dominik Ziegler, Manfred Mueller
  • Patent number: 9861427
    Abstract: An electro-surgical system (100) with an optical feedback functionality for performing electro-surgery on tissue (200) of patient. An electro-surgical device (105) has an electrode portion (110) with an optical guide (114) integrated therein. An optical unit (160) performs optical characterization of tissue type and/or condition, and is arranged for performing an analysis of the tissue type and/or condition. A control unit (170) generates a feedback control signal (FEEDCON) based on the analysis of the tissue type and/or condition, optical guide allows inspecting the tissue that is e.g. just a few millimeters ahead of the electrode portion (110) performing e.g. the cutting. As a result of the fast and reliable analysis performed by the spectrometer in the optical unit according to the present invention, the system can proactively react to what kind of tissue is in front of the electro-surgical portion i.e. the ‘blade’ of the electro-surgical device or the electro-surgical ‘knife’.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Theodoor Jacques Marie Ruers, Gerhardus Wilhelmus Lucassen, Manfred Mueller, Jeroen Jan Horikx, Waltherus Cornelis Jozef Bierhoff, Jasper Klewer, Marjolein Van Der Voort, Neriman Nicoletta Kahya, Christian Reich
  • Publication number: 20180004224
    Abstract: An autonomous driving unit for a self-driving motor vehicle is provided. The autonomous driving unit includes a memory that stores route data for a determined route, wherein the route data are based on the drive along the determined route. The autonomous driving unit also includes a control unit, which is connected to the memory, and includes a driving mode for autonomously driving along the determined route with the aid of the route data stored for the determined route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph ARNDT, Manfred MUELLER, Anke DIECKMANN
  • Publication number: 20170349071
    Abstract: A device for the variable fixing of a headrest to a vehicle seat, having a receptacle (1) forming a receiving space (5) a headrest support, and having a locking element (7) which, by a disengagement movement of a disengagement element (10), is movable from a locking position, in which a locking section (18) of the locking element (7) projects into the receiving space, into a release position, in which the locking section does not project into the receiving space or projects into the receiving space to a lesser extent than in the locking position and movement of the disengagement element leads along the longitudinal axis (9) of the receiving space (5). The movement of the disengagement element (10) can be effected by an actuation movement (12) of an actuation element (11), wherein the direction of the actuation movement (12) is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Manfred Müller
  • Publication number: 20170352276
    Abstract: For operating a motor vehicle, a travel path of the motor vehicle across a roadway section of a roadway situated ahead of the motor vehicle and in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle is ascertained. The travel path is defined by an instantaneous running condition of the motor vehicle, a virtual local map that contains instantaneous local wind conditions, an instantaneous location of the motor vehicle on the virtual local map, and information relating to the instantaneous environment of the motor vehicle. The ascertained travel path is used for actuating at least one device of the motor vehicle that influences the instantaneous running condition of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph ARNDT, Manfred MUELLER
  • Publication number: 20170334397
    Abstract: A heater for vehicular sensors is configured to pass sensing energy and thereby permit placement of the heater directly over the sensing area in the path of the sensed energy. In this way, direct heating of the sensing area is provided minimizing the energy necessary to prevent icing and improving deicing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Manfred MUELLER, Piotr SLIWA, Edward F. BULGAJEWSKI
  • Publication number: 20170334328
    Abstract: A device for the variable fixing of a headrest to a vehicle seat, having a receptacle (1), which forms a receiving space (5) for receiving a headrest support (6), and having a locking rocker (7) which, by means of an actuation movement of an actuation element (11), can be rotated from a locking position, in which a locking section (18) of the locking rocker (7) projects into the receiving space, into a release position, in which the locking section (18) does not project into the receiving space or projects into the receiving space (5) to a lesser extent than in the locking position, is characterized in that the direction of the actuation movement is not oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation (25) about which the locking rocker (7) is rotatable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Manfred Müller, Ricard Fortuny