Patents by Inventor Robert T. Stone

Robert T. Stone 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: 20010036277
    Abstract: An audiometric apparatus comprising stimulus generating means for transmitting at least one true random stimulus sequence to a subject's inner ear, and sampling means for detecting the response signal returned from the subject's inner ear in response to the stimulus sequence, the response signal having at least a first waveform, the sampling means including waveform reconstruction means for reconstructing the first waveform, the reconstruction means including means for applying a plurality of true random frequencies to the response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Robert T. Stone, Bret A. Herscher
  • Publication number: 20010037059
    Abstract: A method for determining physiological characteristics comprising the steps of (a) acquiring a first blood oxygen signal from a subject, the blood oxygen signal having an undesirable artifact signal component; (b) acquiring an additional physiological signal having a heart rate component using an acquisition technique that is different and independent from the first acquiring step; (c) processing the first blood oxygen signal and the physiological signal to provide a first waveform having a reduced level of the artifact signal component therein; (d) processing the first waveform and the physiological signal to provide a reference waveform; and (e) processing the reference waveform and the physiological signal to provide a second blood oxygen saturation signal corresponding to the blood oxygen saturation level of said subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Robert T. Stone, Alex K. Mills
  • Publication number: 20010034494
    Abstract: An acoustic coupling device for a hearing screening device comprising a coupling input adapted to removeably engage a hearing screening device, the coupling input being adapted to receive an acoustic stimulus from the hearing screening device and transmit at least one response signal from a subject (or patient) to the hearing screening device; a first passive attenuator adapted to attenuate a first frequency of the acoustic stimulus; a second passive attenuator adapted to attenuate a second frequency of the acoustic stimulus, the first and second passive attenuators in combination providing a second acoustic stimulus having a substantially balanced acoustic spectrum; at least a first earpiece disposed proximate the ear canal of one of the subject's ears, the earpiece including a stimulus input adapted to transmit at least the second acoustic stimulus to the subject and receive at least a first response signal having a first volume from the subject's ear; and a response signal compensator adapted to regulate t
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Robert T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20010034493
    Abstract: A multi-mode audiometric device comprising stimulus generating means for transmitting at least one true random stimulus sequence to a subject's inner ear, first detection means for detecting at least one AEP signal having at least a first waveform, second detection means for detecting at least one OAE signal having at least a second waveform; signal analyzer means for analyzing the AEP and OAE signals, the signal analyzer means including first averager means for reconstructing the first waveform and second averager means for reconstructing the second waveform; and synchronization means for synchronizing the stimulus generating means and the signal analyzer means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Robert T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20010033220
    Abstract: A system and method for verifying an individual's identity that collects fingerprint information and verifies it using blood oxygen saturation and/or ECG information. The results of the identification can be used to control access and may be output to a security monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Robert T. Stone, Bret A. Herscher
  • Publication number: 20010034492
    Abstract: An acoustic coupling device for a hearing screening device comprising engagement means being adapted to receive an acoustic stimulus from the hearing screening device and transmit at least one response signal from a subject (or patient) to the hearing screening device, stimulus monitoring means in communication with the engagement means for monitoring the acoustic stimulus, at least a first earpiece disposed proximate the cavity of at least one of said subject's ears having a stimulus input in communication with the engagement means adapted to receive the acoustic stimulus, the stimulus input being further adapted to receive and transmit the response signal from the subject to the engagement means, the earpiece further including a response signal output adapted to receive and transmit the response signal, and response signal monitoring means in communication with the response signal output for monitoring the response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: 5913309
    Abstract: A disposable element for ear phone assembly is provided for use with a hearing screening instrument to test infants for hearing impairments. The ear phone assembly includes a generally D-shaped reusable cover including a back wall having a perimeter, a side wall extending from the perimeter to define a cavity for receiving an infant's ear, a port in the cover to receive and support a transducer, and a generally D-shaped disposable element that is adhesive coated on two sides to be secured to the cover and to the patient's head. The cover may have a notch located along the perimeter of the re-usable body for removing the disposable element. A liner is used to cover the disposable element adhesive sides to protect them from contamination during packaging and prior to use. The disposable element may have a die cut so that a portion of it can be removed to make the ear phone adjustable for infants with large ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Natus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Neil J. Sheehan, Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: 5826582
    Abstract: An ear phone assembly is provided for use with a hearing screening instrument to test infants for hearing impairments. The ear phone includes a generally D-shaped reusable cover including a back wall having a perimeter, a side wall extending from the perimeter to define a cavity for receiving an infant's ear, a port in the cover to receive and support a transducer, and a generally D-shaped disposable element that is adhesive coated on two sides to be secured to the cover and to the patient's head. The cover may have a notch located along the perimeter of the re-usable body for removing the disposable element. A liner is used to cover the disposable element adhesive sides to protect them from contamination during packaging and prior to use. The disposable element may have a die cut so that a portion of it can be removed to make the ear phone adjustable for infants with large ears. The ear phone is low in cost and capable of being used with any conventional hearing screening equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Natus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Neil J. Sheehan, Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: 5404885
    Abstract: A noninvasive device and methods for measuring the end-tidal carbon monoxide concentration in a patient's breath, particularly newborn and premature infants. The patient's breath is monitored. An average carbon monoxide concentration is determined based on an average of discrete samples in a given time period. The ratio of the end-tidal portion of the breath flow sample is separately determined, preferably based on monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the gas sample and identifying the carbon dioxide concentration levels corresponding to the end-tidal portion of the breath sample. The sensed carbon monoxide level is converted to the end-tidal carbon monoxide level by subtracting the ambient carbon monoxide level and dividing the remainder by the ratio of end-tidal breath to breath in the breath sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Natus Medical, Incorporated
    Inventors: Neil J. Sheehan, Scott R. Rouw, Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: 5357971
    Abstract: A noninvasive device and methods for measuring the end-tidal carbon monoxide concentration in a patient's breath, particularly newborn and premature infants. The patient's breath is monitored. An average carbon monoxide concentration is determined based on an average of discrete samples in a given time period. The ratio of the end-tidal portion of the breath flow sample is separately determined, preferably based on monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the gas sample and identifying the carbon dioxide concentration levels corresponding to the end-tidal portion of the breath sample. The sensed carbon monoxide level is converted to the end-tidal carbon monoxide level by subtracting the ambient carbon monoxide level and dividing the remainder by the ratio of end-tidal breath to breath in the breath sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Neil J. Sheehan, Scott R. Rouw, Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: 5293875
    Abstract: A noninvasive device and methods for measuring the end-tidal carbon monoxide concentration in a patient's breath, particularly newborn and premature infants. The patient's breath is monitored. An average carbon monoxide concentration is determined based on an average of discrete samples in a given time period. The ratio of the end-tidal portion of the breath flow sample is separately determined, preferably based on monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the gas sample and identifying the carbon dioxide concentration levels corresponding to the end-tidal portion of the breath sample. The sensed carbon monoxide level is converted to the end-tidal carbon monoxide level by subtracting the ambient carbon monoxide level and dividing the remainder by the ratio of end-tidal breath to breath in the breath sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: 5078136
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation by non-invasive pulse oximeters during transient conditions. Transient conditions introduce artifactual errors into the detected optical signal because of changes in transmittance of the light with localized blood volume changes and as the average background oxygen saturation level of the patient's blood changes. The invention relates to correcting the detected optical pulses by linear interpolation and rate of change techniques or by selective frequency filtering and compensating the detected optical signal using the filtered signal to provide accurate estimates of oxygen saturation during transient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Nellcor Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert T. Stone, Deborah A. Briggs
  • Patent number: 4934372
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation and other blood constituents by non-invasive pulse oximeters. The method and apparatus permit more accurate determination of blood flow by collecting time-measures of the absorption signal at two or more wavelengths and processing the collected time-measure to obtain composite pulsatile flow data from which artifacts have been filtered. The processing may occur in the time domain or in the frequency domain. In the preferred time domain embodiment, successive portions of periodic information are weighted and added together in synchrony to obtain the composite pulse information. In the preferred frequency domain embodiment, the time-measure in Fourier transformed into its spectral components to form the composite information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Nellcor Incorporated
    Inventors: James E. Corenman, Robert T. Stone, Andras Boross, Deborah A. Briggs, David E. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4911167
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation and other blood constituents by non-invasive pulse oximeters. The method and apparatus permit more accurate determination of blood flow by collecting time-measures of the absorption signal at two or more wavelengths and processing the collected time-measure to obtain composite pulsatile flow data from which artifacts have been filtered. The processing may occur in the time domain or in the frequency domain. In the preferred time domain embodiment, successive portions of periodic information are weighted and added together in synchrony to obtain the composite pulse information. In the preferred frequency domain embodiment, the time-measure is Fourier transformed into its spectral components to form the composite information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Nellcor Incorporated
    Inventors: James E. Corenman, Robert T. Stone, Andras Boross, Deborah A. Briggs, David E. Goodman
  • Patent number: 4869254
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation by non-invasive pulse oximeters during transient conditions. Transient conditions introduce artifactual errors into the detected optical signal because of changes in transmittance of the light with localized blood volume changes and as the average background oxygen saturation level of the patient's blood changes. The invention relates to correcting the detected optical pulses by linear interpolation and rate of change techniques or by selective frequency filtering and compensating the detected optical signal using the filtered signal to provide accurate estimates of oxygen saturation during transient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Nellcor Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert T. Stone, Deborah A. Briggs
  • Patent number: D444237
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Kinderlife Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: D354808
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Neil J. Sheehan, Scott R. Rouw, Robert T. Stone
  • Patent number: RE35122
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation and other blood constituents by non-invasive pulse oximeters. The method and apparatus permit more accurate determination of blood flow by collecting time-measures of the absorption signal at two or more wavelengths and processing the collected time-measure to obtain composite pulsatile flow data from which artifacts have been filtered. The processing may occur in the time domain or in the frequency domain. In the preferred time domain embodiment, successive portions of periodic information are weighted and added together in synchrony to obtain the composite pulse information. In the preferred frequency domain embodiment, the time-measure is Fourier transformed into its spectral components to form the composite information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Nellcor Incorporated
    Inventors: James E. Corenman, Robert T. Stone, Andras Boross, Deborah A. Briggs, David E. Goodman