Patents by Inventor Steve Chow
Steve Chow 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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Publication number: 20200197600Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary infusion device includes a motor operable to deliver fluid to a body of a user, a first control module to enable input power for the motor and provide a dosage command for operating the motor, and a second control module coupled to the first control module to receive the dosage command and operate the motor using at least a portion of the input power based at least in part on the dosage command. One of the first control module and the second control module detects an anomalous condition, and in response, disables the input power to the motor, stores diagnostic information for the anomalous condition in its internal memory, and automatically resets thereafter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell, Yongbo Wang, Thomas W. Collins, Linda I. Torres
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Patent number: 10617816Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary infusion device includes a motor operable to deliver fluid to a body of a user, a first control module to enable input power for the motor and provide a dosage command for operating the motor, and a second control module coupled to the first control module to receive the dosage command and operate the motor using at least a portion of the input power based at least in part on the dosage command. One of the first control module and the second control module detects an anomalous condition, and in response, disables the input power to the motor, stores diagnostic information for the anomalous condition in its internal memory, and automatically resets thereafter.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.Inventors: Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell, Yongbo Wang, Thomas W. Collins, Linda I. Torres
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Patent number: 10275572Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are presented here. An exemplary embodiment of the device includes a drive motor assembly, a force sensor associated with the drive motor assembly, and a reservoir cavity that accommodates fluid reservoirs. An exemplary operating method for the device obtains force measurements for a reservoir seating action of the drive motor assembly, where the force measurements indicate measures of force imparted to the force sensor during the reservoir seating action. The method continues by determining that a vent in the reservoir cavity is blocked, based on an analysis of the force measurements, and by initiating corrective action for the fluid infusion device in response to determining that the vent in the reservoir cavity is blocked.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.Inventors: Juan M. Alderete, Jr., Alexander S. Campbell, Steve Chow, Hsiao-Yu S. Kow, Salman Monirabbasi, Dmytro Y. Sokolovskyy, Andrew E. Weaver
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Patent number: 10137243Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary infusion device includes a motor operable to deliver fluid to a body of a user, a first control module, and a second control module. The first control module and the second control module are coupled to one another. The first control module enables input power for the motor in accordance with a handshaking sequence of communications between the first control module and the second control module and provides a dosage command to the second control module, with the second control module operating the motor using the input power based on the dosage command in accordance with the handshaking sequence of communications.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.Inventors: Yongbo Wang, Steve Chow, David P. Lewinski, Linda I. Torres, Alexander S. Campbell
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Patent number: 10130757Abstract: A medical therapy system including liquid detection is disclosed. A medical therapy includes a case with an interior and an exterior. Within the interior of the case is the liquid detection system that includes a first electrode set with a first positive electrode and a first negative electrode. The liquid detection system further includes an impedance measurement circuit coupled to the first electrode set to determine impedance values between the first positive electrode and the first negative electrode. A threshold detector compares impedance values between the first electrode set to a first threshold impedance. A microprocessor is programmed to initiate an alarm when measured impedance from the first electrode set is below the first threshold impedance.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.Inventors: Yongbo Wang, Steve Chow
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Publication number: 20180256813Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary infusion device includes a motor operable to deliver fluid to a body of a user, a first control module to enable input power for the motor and provide a dosage command for operating the motor, and a second control module coupled to the first control module to receive the dosage command and operate the motor using at least a portion of the input power based at least in part on the dosage command. One of the first control module and the second control module detects an anomalous condition, and in response, disables the input power to the motor, stores diagnostic information for the anomalous condition in its internal memory, and automatically resets thereafter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell, Yongbo Wang, Thomas W. Collins, Linda I. Torres
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Patent number: 9999721Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary infusion device includes a motor operable to deliver fluid to a body of a user, a first control module to enable input power for the motor and provide a dosage command for operating the motor, and a second control module coupled to the first control module to receive the dosage command and operate the motor using at least a portion of the input power based at least in part on the dosage command. One of the first control module and the second control module detects an anomalous condition, and in response, disables the input power to the motor, stores diagnostic information for the anomalous condition in its internal memory, and automatically resets thereafter.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.Inventors: Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell, Yongbo Wang, Thomas W. Collins, Linda I. Torres
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Patent number: 9795732Abstract: Apparatus are provided for infusion devices and related systems and operating methods. An exemplary system includes a motor, a sensing arrangement coupled to the motor to provide output indicative of a detected characteristic of the motor when the sensing arrangement is enabled, and a module coupled to the sensing arrangement to periodically enable the sensing arrangement while the motor is idle and detect potential unintended motion of the motor based on the output from the sensing arrangement while periodically enabling the sensing arrangement. In some embodiments, the motor includes a rotor configured such that its rotation provides translational displacement of a plunger in a fluid reservoir, and the sensing arrangement includes one or more sensors configured to provide output indicative of a detected magnetic field of the rotor magnet.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.Inventors: Adam S. Trock, Hsiao-Yu S. Kow, Nichole R. Mattson, Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell
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Publication number: 20160346458Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary infusion device includes a motor operable to deliver fluid to a body of a user, a first control module, and a second control module. The first control module and the second control module are coupled to one another. The first control module enables input power for the motor in accordance with a handshaking sequence of communications between the first control module and the second control module and provides a dosage command to the second control module, with the second control module operating the motor using the input power based on the dosage command in accordance with the handshaking sequence of communications.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Yongbo Wang, Steve Chow, David P. Lewinski, Linda I. Torres, Alexander S. Campbell
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Publication number: 20160346459Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary infusion device includes a motor operable to deliver fluid to a body of a user, a first control module to enable input power for the motor and provide a dosage command for operating the motor, and a second control module coupled to the first control module to receive the dosage command and operate the motor using at least a portion of the input power based at least in part on the dosage command. One of the first control module and the second control module detects an anomalous condition, and in response, disables the input power to the motor, stores diagnostic information for the anomalous condition in its internal memory, and automatically resets thereafter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell, Yongbo Wang, Thomas W. Collins, Linda I. Torres
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Publication number: 20160339171Abstract: Apparatus are provided for infusion devices and related systems and operating methods. An exemplary system includes a motor, a sensing arrangement coupled to the motor to provide output indicative of a detected characteristic of the motor when the sensing arrangement is enabled, and a module coupled to the sensing arrangement to periodically enable the sensing arrangement while the motor is idle and detect potential unintended motion of the motor based on the output from the sensing arrangement while periodically enabling the sensing arrangement. In some embodiments, the motor includes a rotor configured such that its rotation provides translational displacement of a plunger in a fluid reservoir, and the sensing arrangement includes one or more sensors configured to provide output indicative of a detected magnetic field of the rotor magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Adam S. Trock, Hsiao-Yu S. Kow, Nichole R. Mattson, Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell
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Publication number: 20160317739Abstract: A medical therapy system including liquid detection is disclosed. A medical therapy includes a case with an interior and an exterior. Within the interior of the case is the liquid detection system that includes a first electrode set with a first positive electrode and a first negative electrode. The liquid detection system further includes an impedance measurement circuit coupled to the first electrode set to determine impedance values between the first positive electrode and the first negative electrode. A threshold detector compares impedance values between the first electrode set to a first threshold impedance. A microprocessor is programmed to initiate an alarm when measured impedance from the first electrode set is below the first threshold impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2015Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Yongbo Wang, Steve Chow
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Patent number: 9433731Abstract: Apparatus are provided for infusion devices and related systems and operating methods. An exemplary system includes a motor, a sensing arrangement coupled to the motor to provide output indicative of a detected characteristic of the motor when the sensing arrangement is enabled, and a module coupled to the sensing arrangement to periodically enable the sensing arrangement while the motor is idle and detect potential unintended motion of the motor based on the output from the sensing arrangement while periodically enabling the sensing arrangement. In some embodiments, the motor includes a rotor configured such that its rotation provides translational displacement of a plunger in a fluid reservoir, and the sensing arrangement includes one or more sensors configured to provide output indicative of a detected magnetic field of the rotor magnet.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.Inventors: Adam S. Trock, Hsiao-Yu S. Kow, Nichole R. Mattson, Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell
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Publication number: 20150314068Abstract: A fluid infusion device and related operating methods are presented here. An exemplary embodiment of the device includes a drive motor assembly, a force sensor associated with the drive motor assembly, and a reservoir cavity that accommodates fluid reservoirs. An exemplary operating method for the device obtains force measurements for a reservoir seating action of the drive motor assembly, where the force measurements indicate measures of force imparted to the force sensor during the reservoir seating action. The method continues by determining that a vent in the reservoir cavity is blocked, based on an analysis of the force measurements, and by initiating corrective action for the fluid infusion device in response to determining that the vent in the reservoir cavity is blocked.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.Inventors: Juan M. Alderete, Jr., Alexander S. Campbell, Steve Chow, Hsiao-Yu S. Kow, Salman Monirabbasi, Dmytro Y. Sokolovskyy, Andrew E. Weaver
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Patent number: 8970388Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a fluid infusion device, obtains its operating power from a primary battery and a secondary battery. The primary battery may be a replaceable battery, and the secondary battery may be a rechargeable battery that can be charged with the primary battery under certain conditions. The device utilizes a power management scheme that transitions between the primary battery and/or the secondary battery to prolong the useful life of the primary battery. The device may also generate an intelligent battery life indicator that displays an accurate representation of the remaining life of the primary battery.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.Inventors: Adam Trock, Jon Spurlin, Michael Ortega, Seth Kazarians, Steve Chow, Steven Vargas, Belinda Lee, David Lewinski, Gabor Oroszlan
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Publication number: 20150025499Abstract: Apparatus are provided for infusion devices and related systems and operating methods. An exemplary system includes a motor, a sensing arrangement coupled to the motor to provide output indicative of a detected characteristic of the motor when the sensing arrangement is enabled, and a module coupled to the sensing arrangement to periodically enable the sensing arrangement while the motor is idle and detect potential unintended motion of the motor based on the output from the sensing arrangement while periodically enabling the sensing arrangement. In some embodiments, the motor includes a rotor configured such that its rotation provides translational displacement of a plunger in a fluid reservoir, and the sensing arrangement includes one or more sensors configured to provide output indicative of a detected magnetic field of the rotor magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Adam S. Trock, Hsiao-Yu S. Kow, Nichole R. Mattson, Steve Chow, Alexander S. Campbell
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Publication number: 20140049397Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a fluid infusion device, obtains its operating power from a primary battery and a secondary battery. The primary battery may be a replaceable battery, and the secondary battery may be a rechargeable battery that can be charged with the primary battery under certain conditions. The device utilizes a power management scheme that transitions between the primary battery and/or the secondary battery to prolong the useful life of the primary battery. The device may also generate an intelligent battery life indicator that displays an accurate representation of the remaining life of the primary battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.Inventors: Adam TROCK, Jon SPURLIN, Michael ORTEGA, Seth KAZARIANS, Steve CHOW, Steven VARGAS, Belinda LEE, David LEWINSKI, Gabor OROSZLAN
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Patent number: 8564447Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a fluid infusion device, obtains its operating power from a primary battery and a secondary battery. The primary battery may be a replaceable battery, and the secondary battery may be a rechargeable battery that can be charged with the primary battery under certain conditions. The device utilizes a power management scheme that transitions between the primary battery and/or the secondary battery to prolong the useful life of the primary battery. The device may also generate an intelligent battery life indicator that displays an accurate representation of the remaining life of the primary battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.Inventors: Adam Trock, Jon Spurlin, Michael Ortega, Seth Kazarians, Steve Chow, Steven Vargas, Belinda Lee, David Lewinski, Gabor Oroszlan
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Publication number: 20120235823Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a fluid infusion device, obtains its operating power from a primary battery and a secondary battery. The primary battery may be a replaceable battery, and the secondary battery may be a rechargeable battery that can be charged with the primary battery under certain conditions. The device utilizes a power management scheme that transitions between the primary battery and/or the secondary battery to prolong the useful life of the primary battery. The device may also generate an intelligent battery life indicator that displays an accurate representation of the remaining life of the primary battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.Inventors: Adam TROCK, Jon SPURLIN, Michael ORTEGA, Seth KAZARIANS, Steve CHOW, Steven VARGAS, Belinda LEE, David LEWINSKI, Gabor OROSZLAN
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Patent number: 5594788Abstract: An improved telephone interface device communicatively couples a local telephone set to an inside telephone wire which, in turn, is communicatively coupled to an outside telephone line from a central office of a telephone service provider. The interface device includes an on-hold switch, a ring detector, a tone decoder, and a coupling switch, all of which are coupled to the bridge via an internal signal line and a control computer. The touch tone decoder receives input tone sequences from the bridge, decodes the tone sequence, and outputs a bit signal to the control computer. The on-hold switch is responsive to a command from the control computer, and is operative to maintain the signal line at a first predetermined voltage. The coupling switch communicatively couples the signal line to a node line. When the node line is coupled to the signal line, a user at the local telephone set may communicate with another user in the home, or with an outside user.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1994Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Inventors: Stephen T. Lin, Bing-Heng Huang, Steve Chow