Patents by Inventor Michael D. Halleck
Michael D. Halleck 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: 20200037913Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for monitoring a patient for seizure activity and for verifying the contact integrity of electrodes included among an EMG sensor may include generating a test signal of known periodicity and applying the signal to at least one electrode in a sensor system. The test signal may be monitored to verify contact integrity of the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Michael R. Girouard, Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck
-
Patent number: 10342451Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for monitoring a patient for seizure activity and for verifying the contact integrity of electrodes included among an EMG sensor may include generating a test signal of known periodicity and applying the signal to at least one electrode in a sensor system. The test signal may be monitored to verify contact integrity of the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Brain Sentinel, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Girouard, Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck
-
Publication number: 20190046377Abstract: A patient support apparatus (20) including a patient support surface (22) and a repositioning mechanism (24) for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface (22). The apparatus (20) including sensors (84) for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus (20) also includes a tilt control system (88) for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends (36,38) of the surface (22) can be angularly repositioned, a scale (92) and a warning system (120) for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface (22) is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface (22), a sensor (122) for detecting an increase in amperage during an operation and stopping the operation, and an ability to update microcontroller programming via a controller area network bus (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Troy PARSONS, Jeff SPRIER, Eric BOSS, Craig McGUIRE, Michael D. HALLECK, Jeffrey Tad SAMSON, Doug ZAUGG, John TOMASIK
-
Patent number: 10123923Abstract: A patient support apparatus (20) including a patient support surface (22) and a repositioning mechanism (24) for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface (22). The apparatus (20) including sensors (84) for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus (20) also includes a tilt control system (88) for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends (36,38) of the surface (22) can be angularly repositioned, a scale (92) and a warning system (120) for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface (22) is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface (22), a sensor (122) for detecting an increase in amperage during an operation and stopping the operation, and an ability to update microcontroller programming via a controller area network bus (102).Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Sizewise Rentals, L.L.C.Inventors: Troy Parsons, Jeff Sprier, Eric Boss, Craig McGuire, Michael D. Halleck, Jeffrey Tad Samson, Doug Zaugg, John Tomasik
-
Publication number: 20160242668Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for monitoring a patient for seizure activity and for verifying the contact integrity of electrodes included among an EMG sensor may include generating a test signal of known periodicity and applying the signal to at least one electrode in a sensor system. The test signal may be monitored to verify contact integrity of the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Michael R. Girouard, Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck
-
Publication number: 20150283013Abstract: A patient support apparatus (20) including a patient support surface (22) and a repositioning mechanism (24) for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface (22). The apparatus (20) including sensors (84) for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus (20) also includes a tilt control system (88) for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends (36,38) of the surface (22) can be angularly repositioned, a scale (92) and a warning system (120) for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface (22) is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface (22), a sensor (122) for detecting an increase in amperage during an operation and stopping the operation, and an ability to update microcontroller programming via a controller area network bus (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Troy PARSONS, Jeff SPRIER, Eric BOSS, Craig McGUIRE, Michael D. HALLECK, Jeffrey Tad SAMSON, Doug ZAUGG, John TOMASIK
-
Publication number: 20140350426Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a general breathing event and for anticipating an onset of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event. The method for detecting a general breathing event includes receiving a plurality of signals from at least one microphone. The method also includes determining a one-sided power spectral density from the received signals. The method further includes distinguishing each received signal as either a breath signal or a background noise signal. The method still further includes calculating a breath signature by processing each breath signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Sleep Methods, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Lehrman, Shun-Yong Zinn, Michael D. Halleck
-
Patent number: 8740805Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a general breathing event and for anticipating an onset of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event. The method for detecting a general breathing event includes receiving a plurality of signals from at least one microphone. The method also includes determining a one-sided power spectral density from the received signals. The method further includes distinguishing each received signal as either a breath signal or a background noise signal. The method still further includes calculating a breath signature by processing each breath signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Sleep Methods, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Lehrman, Shun-Yong Zinn, Michael D. Halleck
-
Patent number: 8574145Abstract: An apparatus and method for causing a conditioned reflex in a person. The apparatus includes a detector configured to detect a physiological condition of the person, the physiological condition associated with an onset of a sleep apnea event. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to transmit a stimulus to the person upon a detection of the physiological condition. The controller is also configured to determine if the physiological condition is still occurring. The controller is further configured, upon a determination that the physiological condition is still occurring, to repeat the transmitting and determining steps.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Sleep Methods, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Lehrman, Michael D. Halleck
-
Publication number: 20130219382Abstract: A patient support apparatus (20) including a patient support surface (22) and a repositioning mechanism (24) for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface (22). The apparatus (20) including sensors (84) for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus (20) also includes a tilt control system (88) for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends (36,38) of the surface (22) can be angularly repositioned, a scale (92) and a warning system (120) for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface (22) is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface (22), a sensor (122) for detecting an increase in amperage during an operation and stopping the operation, and an ability to update microcontroller programming via a controller area network bus (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Inventors: Troy PARSONS, Jeff SPRIER, Eric BOSS, Craig McGUIRE, Michael D. HALLECK, Jeffrey Tad SAMSON, Doug ZAUGG, John TOMASIK
-
Publication number: 20110066059Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a general breathing event and for anticipating an onset of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event. The method for detecting a general breathing event includes receiving a plurality of signals from at least one microphone. The method also includes determining a one-sided power spectral density from the received signals. The method further includes distinguishing each received signal as either a breath signal or a background noise signal. The method still further includes calculating a breath signature by processing each breath signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: Sleep MethodsInventors: Michael L. Lehrman, Shun-Yong Zinn, Michael D. Halleck
-
Publication number: 20110065979Abstract: An apparatus and method for causing a conditioned reflex in a person. The apparatus includes a detector configured to detect a physiological condition of the person, the physiological condition associated with an onset of a sleep apnea event. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to transmit a stimulus to the person upon a detection of the physiological condition. The controller is also configured to determine if the physiological condition is still occurring. The controller is further configured, upon a determination that the physiological condition is still occurring, to repeat the transmitting and determining steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: Sleep MethodsInventors: Michael L. Lehrman, Michael D. Halleck
-
Patent number: 7095331Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for detecting an acceleration of a body and for evaluating movement of a body relative to an environment to detect falls and irregular motions of the body. According to an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a sensor and a controller that comprises a processor. The sensor, which is associable with the body, comprises a plurality of acceleration measuring devices and is capable of repeatedly sensing accelerative phenomena of the body. The controller, which is associated with the sensor, is operable to process the sensed accelerative phenomena as a function of at least one accelerative event characteristic. The controller determines when the body experiences an acceleration that represents a particular type of motion. The controller also determines when a static acceleration vector reaches a value indicative of a fall.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: iLife Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Lehrman, Michael D. Halleck, Edward L. Massman
-
Patent number: 7066894Abstract: There is disclosed a sensor and method for detecting very low frequency acoustic signals. The sensor is capable of detecting low frequency acoustic signals in the frequency range of one tenth Hertz to thirty Hertz. The sensor comprises a chamber having portions that form a cavity and a low frequency microphone placed within the cavity. An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises a chamber having portions that form a resonant cavity, a low frequency microphone placed within the resonant cavity, and a membrane that covers the resonant cavity. Low frequency acoustic signals that are incident on the membrane cause the membrane to move and amplify the acoustic signals within the resonant cavity.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: iLife Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck, Michael L. Lehrman
-
Patent number: 6947565Abstract: Physiological condition monitors utilizing very low frequency acoustic signals and signals indicative of body orientation are disclosed. The physiological condition monitors comprise a sensor that is capable of detecting low frequency acoustic signals in the frequency range of one tenth Hertz to thirty Hertz. The sensor comprises a chamber having portions that form a cavity and a low frequency microphone placed within the cavity. An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises a chamber having portions that form a resonant cavity, a microphone mounted in the resonant cavity, and a membrane that covers the resonant cavity. Low frequency acoustic signals that are incident on the membrane cause the membrane to move and amplify the acoustic signals within the resonant cavity. The sensor provides information concerning physiological conditions, such as respiration and cardiac activity. The sensor in a physiological condition monitor does not need to be directly coupled to the skin of the person being monitored.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: iLife Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck, Michael L. Lehrman, Alan R. Owens
-
Patent number: 6734802Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in physiological condition monitors that use a memory data storage device that operates in a high power mode when data is being written to the memory data storage device and operates in a low power mode when inactive. The apparatus comprises: 1) a controller for receiving incoming data to be written to the memory data storage device; and 2) a first low power buffer coupled to the controller. The controller stores the incoming data in the first low power buffer until a predetermined amount of incoming data has been accumulated in the first low power buffer and transfers the accumulated predetermined amount of incoming data to the memory data storage device in a single data transfer.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: iLife Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck, Michael L. Lehrman, Alan R. Owens
-
Patent number: 6706002Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for remotely monitoring at least one physiological condition of a child by detecting very low frequency acoustic signals. The apparatus comprises a sensor that is capable of detecting low frequency acoustic signals in the frequency range of one tenth Hertz to thirty Hertz. The sensor comprises a chamber having portions that form a cavity and a low frequency microphone placed within the cavity. An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises a chamber having portions that form a resonant cavity, a microphone mounted in the resonant cavity, and a membrane that covers the resonant cavity. Low frequency acoustic signals that are incident on the membrane cause the membrane to move and amplify the acoustic signals within the resonant cavity. The sensor provides information concerning physiological conditions of the child, such as respiration and cardiac activity.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: ILife Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck, Michael L. Lehrman
-
Patent number: 6703939Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for detecting an acceleration of a body and for evaluating movement of a body relative to an environment to detect falls and irregular motions of the body. According to an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a sensor and a controller that comprises a processor. The sensor, which is associable with the body, comprises a plurality of acceleration measuring devices and is capable of repeatedly sensing accelerative phenomena of the body. The controller, which is associated with the sensor, is operable to process the sensed accelerative phenomena as a function of at least one accelerative event characteristic. The controller determines when the body experiences an acceleration that represents a particular type of motion. The controller also determines when a static acceleration vector reaches a value indicative of a fall.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: iLife Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Lehrman, Michael D. Halleck, Edward L. Massman
-
Patent number: 6575916Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for detecting very low frequency acoustic signals. The apparatus comprises a sensor that is capable of detecting low frequency acoustic signals in the frequency range of one tenth Hertz to thirty Hertz. The sensor comprises a chamber having portions that form a cavity and a low frequency microphone placed within the cavity. An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises a chamber having portions that form a resonant cavity, a low frequency microphone placed within the resonant cavity, and a membrane that covers the resonant cavity. Low frequency acoustic signals that are incident on the membrane cause the membrane to move and amplify the acoustic signals within the resonant cavity. The sensor provides information concerning physiological conditions, such as respiration and cardiac activity. The sensor in a physiological condition monitor does not need to be directly coupled to the skin of the person being monitored.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: iLife Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck, Michael L. Lehrman
-
Publication number: 20030088160Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in physiological condition monitors that use a memory data storage device that operates in a high power mode when data is being written to the memory data storage device and operates in a low power mode when inactive. The apparatus comprises: 1) a controller for receiving incoming data to be written to the memory data storage device; and 2) a first low power buffer coupled to the controller. The controller stores the incoming data in the first low power buffer until a predetermined amount of incoming data has been accumulated in the first low power buffer and transfers the accumulated predetermined amount of incoming data to the memory data storage device in a single data transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: iLife Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Halleck, Michael D. Halleck, Michael L. Lehrman, Alan R. Owens