Patents by Inventor Robert E. Stephens

Robert E. Stephens 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: 20130303862
    Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. MILLER, Robert E. Stephens, Michael M. PHELIPA, Mary W. BRIGANTI
  • Patent number: 8573203
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20130289363
    Abstract: A method for treating at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters in a patient includes inducing an involuntary reflex cough event within the patient to determine whether a dysfunction exists in at least one of the urethral and anal sphincters. If a dysfunction is determined to exist, then contracting a muscle located at one of at least the urethral and anal sphincters during an inspiratory phase of respiration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Robert E. Stephens
  • Patent number: 8566825
    Abstract: A system includes a number of server computing devices and a management server computing device. Each server computing device has a virtual host computer program running thereon to support one or more virtual machine computer programs. Each virtual machine computer program is able to execute an instance of an operating system on which application computer programs are executable. The management server computing device monitors the server computing devices, and causes the virtual machine computer programs supported by the virtual host computer program of a first server computing device to dynamically migrate to the virtual host computer program of a second server computing device, upon one or more conditions being satisfied. The conditions may include the first server being predicted as failure prone, the first server consuming power less than a threshold, and the first server having resource utilization less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Bozek, Robert E. Stephens, James L. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 8333190
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120277547
    Abstract: A system and method tests the gastric valve and urethral sphincter in a patient. A contrast agent is administered into the esophagus of a patient followed by inducing an involuntary reflex cough epoch within the patient to isolate the gastric valve from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and isolate the external urethral sphincter from the internal urethral sphincter. An imaging sensor detects the flow of the contrast agent during the involuntary reflex cough epoch and determines whether stomach reflux occurred indicative of a malfunctioning gastric valve. A determination is made if urine leakage occurs indicative of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. Miller, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120190938
    Abstract: A system and method diagnoses acid reflux. A nasogatric/orogastric (Ng/Og) device is inserted through the esophagus and into the stomach of a patient. The Ng/Og device includes a pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure and a plurality of pH sensors positioned along the Ng/Og device. An involuntary reflex cough epoch is induced within the patient. The intra-abdominal pressure and elevation of reflux along the Ng/Og device is measured. A subsequent step determines the functional status of the gastric valve based on the measured intra-abdominal pressure and the elevational reflux along the catheter created by the increased intra-abdominal pressure that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough epoch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120190999
    Abstract: A nebulizer includes a body having an air channel section, medication reservoir and nebulizer outlet configured to be received within an oral cavity of a patient. A nebulizer suction member encloses the body and is configured as an infant pacifier. An air line extends through the air channel section and has a venturi nozzle and at its end configured to form a low pressure mixing chamber. A primary suction line extends from the medication reservoir to the low pressure mixing chamber through which medication is drawn upward and mixed with air passing through the venturi nozzle and nebulized for discharge through the nebulizer outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20120137293
    Abstract: A system includes a number of server computing devices and a management server computing device. Each server computing device has a virtual host computer program running thereon to support one or more virtual machine computer programs. Each virtual machine computer program is able to execute an instance of an operating system on which application computer programs are executable. The management server computing device monitors the server computing devices, and causes the virtual machine computer programs supported by the virtual host computer program of a first server computing device to dynamically migrate to the virtual host computer program of a second server computing device, upon one or more conditions being satisfied. The conditions may include the first server being predicted as failure prone, the first server consuming power less than a threshold, and the first server having resource utilization less than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: James J. Bozek, Robert E. Stephens, James L. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 8156490
    Abstract: A system includes a network, a number of server computing devices, and a management server computing device. Each server computing device has a virtual host computer program running thereon to support one or more virtual machine computer programs. Each virtual machine computer program is able to execute an instance of an operating system on which application computer programs are executable. The management server computing device monitors the server computing devices, and causes the virtual machine computer programs supported by the virtual host computer program of a first server computing device to dynamically migrate to the virtual host computer program of a second server computing device, upon one or more conditions being satisfied. The conditions may include the first server being predicted as failure prone, the first sever consuming power less than a threshold, and the first server having resource utilization less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Bozek, Robert E. Stephens, James L. Wooldridge
  • Publication number: 20120053482
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Robert E. Stephens
  • Patent number: 8109266
    Abstract: In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20110046653
    Abstract: A nasogastric/orogastric (Ng/Og) airway protection device includes an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. A main lumen extends the length of the device and is configured for at least one of gastric decompression, enteral feeding and enteral medication administration. A sump port is at the distal end. A sump lumen is formed the length of the device body and configured for venting gas and preventing adherence of the device against the gastric wall. An inflatable esophageal cuff is carried by the device body mid-esophagus and an inflation lumen is formed within the device body and connects the inflatable esophageal cuff through which the esophageal cuff is inflated and deflated. Upon inflation of the esophageal cuff, emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus to protect a patient's airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC, State of Incorporation: Florida
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Mary W. Briganti, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20110040157
    Abstract: A system permits diagnosis of a patient for a physiological abnormality while protecting their airway. An esophageal airway protection device comprises an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. The device includes a main lumen extending the length of the device and an inflatable esophageal cuff carried by the device body mid-esophagus. Emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus when it is inflated to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary cough event. At least one electromyogram (EMG) pad is configured to obtain an EMG from an involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles. A processing device is configured to receive the EMG and process the EMG to determine a physiological abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC, State of Incorporation:
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart P. Miller, Michael M. Phelipa, Mary W. Briganti, Robert E. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20100137737
    Abstract: A system and method evaluates a patient for stress urinary incontinence. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguous and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. And elecromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles and its duration determined. Any urine leakage time that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event is identified and correlated within a processor together with the urine leakage time and EMG and duration of cough event to determine stress urinary incontinence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Robert E. Stephens, Michael M. Phelipa, Mary W. Briganti, Stuart P. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100137736
    Abstract: A system and method allows diagnosis of a patient for physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency. An involuntary reflex cough event is induced within the patient that activates the nucleus ambiguus and medial motor cell column of the patient and stimulates involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles in the pelvis of the patient. An electromyogram (EMG) is obtained from the involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles while inducing involuntary reflex cough and determining its duration. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is determined and the IAP is correlated with the EMG duration of the involuntary cough event within a processing device to diagnose a physiological abnormality such as a neurological deficiency within the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: PNEUMOFLEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert ADDINGTON, Robert E. Stephens, Michael M. Phelipa, Mary W. Briganti, Stuart P. Miller
  • Patent number: 7343915
    Abstract: A apparatus and method for self-treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by a patient, comprising a container sized to be portable by the patient and having therein a chamber containing a medicament composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier mixed with a chemoirritant, preferably L-tartaric acid; a nebulizing valve connected to the chamber so as to provide an outlet therefor; a source of motivating force connected with the chamber so as to motivate the composition through the opening in the nebulizing valve to thereby cause nebulization of the composition; a wireless transmitter responsive to activation of the nebulizer for sending a wireless signal requesting medical assistance; and a power source operatively connected for providing power; wherein the chemoirritant is mixed in the composition in an amount sufficient for causing the patient to produce an involuntary cough effective to maintain at least partial blood circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Robert E. Stephens, Stuart P. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040172010
    Abstract: A apparatus and method for self-treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by a patient, comprising a container sized to be portable by the patient and having therein a chamber containing a medicament composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier mixed with a chemoirritant, preferably L-tartaric acid; a nebulizing valve connected to the chamber so as to provide an outlet therefor, a source of motivating force connected with the chamber so as to motivate the composition through the opening in the nebulizing valve to thereby cause nebulization of the composition; a wireless transmitter responsive to activation of the nebulizer for sending a wireless signal requesting medical assistance; and a power source operatively connected for providing power; wherein the chemoirritant is mixed in the composition in an amount sufficient for causing the patient to produce an involuntary cough effective to maintain at least partial blood circulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: W Robert Addington, Robert E Stephens, Stuart P Miller
  • Patent number: 6679249
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of a patient having a pulmonary disease involving chronic obstruction of the airways includes a container having therein a chamber containing a composition of L-tartrate in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; an opening connected to the chamber so as to provide an outlet therefor, the opening sized for producing droplets of a predetermined size range responsive to the composition being motivated from the chamber through the opening; and a source of motivating force connected with the chamber so as to motivate the composition through the opening to thereby cause nebulization of the composition. A treatment kit comprises the container described and a mouthpiece connectable to the container so as to be in fluid connection with the opening and downstream therefrom to thereby convey the nebulized composition into a patient's mouth to thereby facilitate oral inhalation of the nebulized composition by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Robert E. Stephens, Stuart P. Miller
  • Patent number: 6655376
    Abstract: Whether a post surgery intubated patient is at risk for aspiration-based pneumonia is determined by requiring the patient to inhale an aerosol of tartaric acid that will stimulate a sensory innervation of the patient's larynx, if functionally recovered, thereby causing the patient to cough. The resulting cough or lack of cough is graded to determine whether the patient is at risk for pneumonia caused by the aspiration of matter present in the patient's mouth. In a further embodiment, the inability or difficulty of a patient to voluntarily expel potentially threatening fluid and matter from the patient's airway can be remedied by repeated applications of the aerosol chemostimulant spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems L.L.C.
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Robert E. Stephens