Patents by Inventor Minoru Niwa
Minoru Niwa 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: 5119824Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a heartbeat synchronous wave produced from a subject in synchronization with heartbeat of the subject, including a probe which is adapted to be set on a body portion of the subject, a sensor for detecting the heartbeat synchronous wave produced from the subject, the sensor being supported by the probe, a judging device for judging whether or not an electric knife is being used on the subject, and a device for, if the judging device judges that the electric knife is being used, ceasing from detecting the heartbeat synchronous wave, or discarding the heartbeat synchronous wave detected when the electric knife is being used. The judging device may be adapted to detect a high frequency electric current flowing from an electric knife to the probe via the body portion of the subject, and judge whether or not the electric knife is being used on the subject, based on the detected high frequency electric current.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1990Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Minoru Niwa
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Patent number: 5119822Abstract: A pulse wave detecting apparatus including a pulse wave sensor; a pressing device for pressing the sensor against an arterial vessel of a subject, while varying the pressing force; a first device for determining an amplitude of each of pulses of pulse wave which are detected by the sensor while the pressing force is varied; a second device for determining, based on the determined pulse amplitudes, a first range of the pressing force within which the pulse amplitudes are generally constant, the first range including a point at which a rate of change of the pulse amplitudes with respect to the pressing force is zero; a third device for determining a minimum value of each of the pulses detected by the sensor; a fourth device for determining, based on the determined pulse minimum magnitude, a second range of the pressing force within which the pulse minimum magnitudes are generally constant, the second range including a point at which a rate of change of the pulse minimum magnitudes with respect to the pressing fType: GrantFiled: April 13, 1990Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Minoru Niwa
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Patent number: 5103831Abstract: A pulse wave detecting apparatus including a sensing device sensing a pulse wave produced from an arterial vessel of a subject, a storing device concurrently storing the pulse wave signals generated by pressure sensing elements of the sensing device, a selecting device selecting, as an optimum pressure sensing element, one of the pressure sensing elements such that an amplitude of the pulse wave signal from the selected one element is the greatest of the amplitudes of the pulse wave signals stored in the storing means, a judging device judging whether or not the pulse wave signal from the selected one element is abnormal, and a changing device which, if an affirmative judgement is provided by the judging device, changes the optimum pressure sensing element from the selected one element to another of the pressure sensing elements such that an amplitude of the pulse wave signal from the selected another element is the greatest of the amplitudes of the pulse wave signals which are stored in the storing device coType: GrantFiled: August 15, 1990Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Minoru Niwa
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Patent number: 5025791Abstract: A reflectance pulse oximeter for detecting pulse synchronous waves is disclosed. The detector includes a sensor or sensors for detecting physical motion of the subject so that readings influenced by subject movement can be eliminated or indicated. One form of motion detector used is an accelerometer employing a spring-supported weight mounted within a cylinder. Accelerations beyond a predetermined value cause the weighted member to complete a circuit against the inside walls of the cylinder. Three accelerometers for detecting acceleration in each of three directions can be utilized. Motion can also be detected by a cubic motion detector having individual reed valves associated with each of six faces. A magnetic ball is movable in a spherical space formed within the cubic body. The magnetic ball operates to actuate only one of the reeds which is at a time. Motion detection can also be accomplished by a combination of the cubic motion detector and one or more accelerometers of the type previously described.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1990Date of Patent: June 25, 1991Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Minoru Niwa
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Patent number: 5000187Abstract: An apparatus for continuously measuring blood pressure of a subject based on magnitude variation of heartbeat-synchronous pulses produced from the subject, the apparatus including a detecting device for continuously detecting the pulses, the detecting device including an inflatable cuff to be set around a body portion of the subject, magnitude of the pulses being varied as pressure in the inflatable cuff is varied, the varying magnitude of the pulses being detected by the detecting device, a selecting device for selecting a pulse from the pulses detected at a preceding blood pressure measuring cycle, the selected pulse corresponding to maximum blood pressure determined at the preceding measuring cycle, a first determining device for determining a reference value based on at least a magnitude of the selected pulse, a second determining device for comparing, with the reference value, the varying magnitude of the heartbeat-synchronous pulses detected at a current blood pressure measuring cycle, and determining aType: GrantFiled: February 16, 1989Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoe Higuchi, Minoru Niwa
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Patent number: 4976268Abstract: An apparatus for detecting pressure pulse wave, including a main body having a pressing surface which is pressed against the body surface of a subject, and a plurality of through holes formed therethrough and opening in the pressing surface; a plate member secured to the pressing surface of the main body such that the plate member covers the openings of the through holes, the pressing plate having flexibility and including a plurality of displaceable portions each of which is aligned with the opening of a corresponding through hole; a plurality of optical fibers, one of opposite ends of each optical fiber being fitted in a corresponding through hole of the main body, such that an end face of the one end is opposed to a corresponding displaceable portion of the plate member at a predetermined distance therefrom; and a plurality of signal generating devices each of which is connected to the other of the opposite ends of a corresponding optical fiber, each signal generating device detecting the pressure pulse waType: GrantFiled: June 21, 1989Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kimimasa Kurosawa, Chikao Harada, Hiroshi Sakai, Minoru Niwa
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Patent number: 4938227Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring blood pressure of a subject based on Korotkoff sounds which are produced synchronously with heartbeat of the subject by pressing a body portion of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1989Date of Patent: July 3, 1990Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Niwa, Hifumi Yokoe
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Patent number: 4928701Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring blood pressure of a subject, the method including the steps of continuously detecting pulse wave which is produced from an artery synchronously with heartbeat of the subject; the pulse wave consisting of a plurality of pulses, repetitively measuring blood pressure of the subject, each of the repetitive blood pressure measurements being effected by inflating a cuff set on a body portion and deflating the cuff; repetitively determining a relationship between blood pressure and magnitude of pulse wave, based on each of the repetitively measured blood pressures and magnitude of at least one pulse of the pulse wave which pulse is detected during a predetermined time length including a first time length immediately before beginning of the inflation of the inflatable cuff for a corresponding one of the repetitive blood pressure measurements, and a second time length following the first time length; replacing each of the repetitively determined relationships, with another relatioType: GrantFiled: February 21, 1989Date of Patent: May 29, 1990Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chikao Harada, Minoru Niwa
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Patent number: 4901733Abstract: A pulse wave detecting apparatus having a pulse wave sensor for detecting pulse wave produced from an arterial vessel of a subject, the pulse wave sensor being movable along a cross line crossing the arterial vessel so as to be positioned in place relative to the arterial vessel, and pressed against a body surface of the subject so as to detect the pulse wave produced from the arterial vessel, a frame member for being set on the body surface of the subject, a guide device supported by the frame member, for guiding the pulse wave sensor within a predetermined length along the cross line, a feeding screw supported by the frame member such that the feeding screw is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the cross line, the feeding screw being threadedly engaged with the pulse wave sensor, a drive motor supported by the frame member such that the drive motor is located adjacent to the body surface when the frame member is set on the body surface of the subject, and a transmission device providedType: GrantFiled: February 21, 1989Date of Patent: February 20, 1990Assignee: Colin Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noriyuki Kaida, Hifumi Yokoe, Chikao Harada, Minoru Niwa, Masanobu Yasui
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Patent number: 4852907Abstract: There is disclosed a pad for use in an air bag device enclosing an air bag which inflates in case of an accident. The device is mounted to mount members disposed around the bag. The pad is shaped like a box, and comprises an upper wall and side walls extending downward from the fringes of the upper wall. The pad is molded integrally with an insert on which a coat layer is formed out of a soft synthetic resin. The coat layer has a thin-walled portion that breaks when the air bag inflates. The thin-walled portion is disposed at a given position on the upper wall. The insert comprises a rectangular tubular base portion made from a synthetic resin and a plurality of flexible nets disposed on opposite sides of the thin-walled portion. The base portion is disposed inside the side walls. The nets are disposed on the upper wall and connected to the top of the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1988Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouji Shiraki, Minoru Niwa, Kuniyasu Itou, Tadashi Yamamoto, Mitsuru Harata
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Patent number: 4808776Abstract: A horn switch mechanism mounted on a steering wheel includes a stationary contact plate, movable contact plates disposed upwardly away from the stationary contact plate, and a horn pad covering over the contact plates. The stationary and movable contact plates are spaced away from each other by springs interposed between the stationary contact plate and the movable contact plates, while a distance of the space between the two contact plates is restricted by flanged spacers which are inserted downwardly through respective insertion bores of the movable contact plate and secured to the stationary contact plate. Each flanged spacer is received in a respective projection formed on the stationary contact plate. The stationary contact plate has its contact points formed on the upper ends of the guide projections, and the movable contact plate has its contact points formed on respective annular lower edges defining the insertion bores.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1988Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Niwa, Takahiro Hashiba
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Patent number: 4780824Abstract: An automatic blood pressure monitoring system includes a device which detects the degree of saturation of oxygen in the blood at a peripheral part of the body. The detecting device generates a signal if the degree of saturation is detected to be abnormal. A control device operates a blood pressure measuring device in response to the signal indicating abnormal oxygen saturation. In a second embodiment, a trigger device periodically generates a signal to operate the blood pressure measuring device. When an abnormal oxygen saturation is detected, a signal operates the blood pressure measuring device and the triggering interval is shortened.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1986Date of Patent: October 25, 1988Assignee: Nippon Colin Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Niwa, Hifumi Yokoe
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Patent number: 4709944Abstract: In a steering wheel for vehicles, a self-aligning plate comprises a boss fitting portion, a spoke fitting portion and a plurality of plastically deformable arm portions arranged in radial direction in an annular space formed between both fitting portions so as to connect between an assembled body of rim/spokes and a boss. Each plastically deformable arm portion of the self-aligning plate has a curved portion at intermediate portion, and when impact force is applied to the rim, the rim surface is slanted in approximately perpendicular direction with respect to the line of impact force due to plastic deformation of the plastically deformable arm portion. Intersection angle between the adjacent plastically deformable arm portions near the spokes mounted on the spoke fitting portion is made obtuse angle, thereby stress concentration at edge portion of the boss fitting portion in the intersection position between these plastically deformable arm portions is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1986Date of Patent: December 1, 1987Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Suzuaki Hongo, Minoru Niwa, Takahiro Hashiba, Mitsuru Harata, Ichiro Hirata, Isamu Ito, Akihiko Sonobe
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Patent number: 4628761Abstract: In a steering wheel for an automobile having an impact energy absorber mounted on a boss member for absorbing the impact load, the positions of the boss and the boss plate are set lower than the frontal plane of the steering ring by angling a spoke core downwards. An impact energy absorber is mounted on the boss plate. The outer circumference of the impact energy absorber is covered by a cover pad and extension of a cover. Because the wheel pad member does not protrude towards the driver substantially above the frontal plane of the steering ring, the driver's view of the instrument panel is not obscured by it, and it need not detract from the interior styling of the automobile.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1985Date of Patent: December 16, 1986Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventor: Minoru Niwa