Patents Issued in July 1, 2014
  • Patent number: 8764618
    Abstract: A paper bag bottoming mechanism having a bottoming drum having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall disposed therebetween, a bar affixed to the bottoming drum, the bar having a first end and a second end, a first guide block attached to the first end of the bar and a second guide block attached to the second end of the bar, a first slideable finger attached to the first guide block and a second slideable finger attached to the second guide block, and a first actuating mechanism communicating with the first slideable finger for actuating the first slideable finger and a second actuating mechanism communicating with the second slideable finger for actuating the second slideable finger. Also disclosed is a method for making a using a clampless bar mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Duro Bag Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Noe YaƱez Castro, Guadalupe Acevedo, Cipriano Hinojosa
  • Patent number: 8764619
    Abstract: A mechanism to facilitate the insertion of radioactive sources/source strands into soft tissue, such as breast tissue, and a method that utilizes this mechanism with the goal of improving the reproducibility of the procedure and ensuring that the sources are reliably and consistently inserted in an exact position per a patient prescription treatment plan from patient to patient as well as improve the ease-of-use of the device and procedure are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Breast Microseed LLC
    Inventor: Charlie Pitman
  • Patent number: 8764620
    Abstract: A system for treating patients includes a first magnetic device including a set of four magnetic discs arranged in an array, the four magnetic discs including two having negative magnetic poles lying in a first plane and two having positive magnetic poles lying in the first plane, wherein the two magnetic discs having negative magnetic poles extend along a first diagonal line and the two magnetic discs having positive magnetic poles extend along a second diagonal line that crosses the first diagonal line, and a housing containing the four magnetic discs for maintaining the magnetic discs in the array arrangement, the housing including an alignment marker for aligning the first magnetic device on a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Laurie A. Bechler, Joseph R. Mele
  • Patent number: 8764621
    Abstract: A system includes an implantable pump system for assisting blood flow in a patient including at least one movable valve. The movable valve is in a normally open state when the moveable valve is not being powered and a drive system in operative connection with the moveable valve to move the moveable valve under power. The system further includes an energy transfer system to provide energy to the drive system. The energy transfer system includes an external system including a power source and an external coil and an internal system including an internal coil adapted to receive transcutaneous energy transmitted from the external coil. The internal system has at least a first state wherein energy transmission from the external coil is required to provide operational power to the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Vascor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt D. Badstibner, Jonathan R. Speicher, Marlin S. Heilman, Richard A. Bates, Charles E. Greene
  • Patent number: 8764622
    Abstract: A sling in accordance with the invention includes a synthetic material and a non-synthetic material positioned adjacent thereto. The non-synthetic material may be wrapped around or may be attached to the synthetic material. Additionally, the non-synthetic material may include slits. Methods for making such slings are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry N. Gellman, Art Madenjian, Doreen Rao
  • Patent number: 8764623
    Abstract: A reproductive infusion device for collection of semen for in-home insemination. The device features a collection vessel having a collection cavity defined by a sidewall which communicates through an elongated member extending therefrom. The collection vessel removably engages coaxially with an injection component to transfer collected semen thereto. A plunger engageable with an axial cavity of the injection component is provided for vaginal deposit of collected semen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Gregory Minow
  • Patent number: 8764624
    Abstract: A power management system provides wireless power to operate components of a remotely adjustable gastric banding system. The power management system comprises an external power component transmitting power, and an implantable power management component receiving power and converting the power for use in powering one or more components of the remotely adjustable gastric banding system, such as a pump. The internal power management component and the external power component may be tunable. By utilizing the power management system, implantable batteries may be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apollo Endosurgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Snow, Janel A. Birk, Robert Stone
  • Patent number: 8764625
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for bowel packing having an essentially elliptical shape that is essentially symmetrical along a minor axis of the ellipse, and the device includes a notch located on the minor axis below the major axis. The device is composed of material comprising an elastomeric polymer and the device is appropriately sized for retaining the intestines of a mammal. The invention further provides methods of use of the devices of the invention for bowel packing. The invention further provides methods for increasing bowel packing speed, increasing effectiveness of bowel retention, decreasing the formation of post-operative intraperitoneal adhesions, and increasing temperature of the abdominal cavity during surgery by use of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Antonio Santillan, Robert E. Bristow, Joshua Liu, Gayathree Murugappan, Anshuman Gupta, Brian G. Liu, Sameer S. Manek, Michael R. Bisogno, Kevin Yeh, Vicki Zhou
  • Patent number: 8764626
    Abstract: A method of reducing ventricular dilation comprises placing one or more cardiac bridges into vessels extending along a length of the ventricle. Each cardiac bridge preferably includes a pair of anchors and a bridge member secured therebetween. The tension in the bridge member compresses the ventricle and thereby reduces the dilation along the ventricle wall. In another embodiment, the bridge member is tensioned to reshape the left ventricle for reducing tension on the chordae tendinae in the heart for improving valve function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: David Leigh Hauser, Jan Otto Solem
  • Patent number: 8764627
    Abstract: A male impotence treatment apparatus comprises an adjustable prosthesis device implanted in an impotent patient. The prosthesis device engages the corpus cavernosum or penile tissue of the patient to provide flaccid or erect state of the penis. An implanted adjustment device is adapted to adjust the prosthesis such that the penis can be temporarily erected. The prosthesis is preferably controlled with a remote control and an implanted powered operation device, which may include servo means, operates the adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Obtech Medical AG
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 8764628
    Abstract: A device to help alleviate any reduced penile erection firmness may include a plurality of strands, each having a first end, a first keeper for gathering the first end of each of the plurality of strands, and a first loop operably coupled to the first keeper. A method to help alleviate any reduced penile erection firmness may include fitting a pair of strands around a user's scrotum, the pair of strands having first ends gathered by a first keeper and second ends gathered by a second keeper, moving one of the pair of strands upwards towards the base of the user's penis, so that the one of the pair of strands is situated at the base of the user's penis, pulling the first keeper and the second keeper over the top of the user's penis; and interlocking the first keeper and the second keeper over the top of the user's penis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: William Edward Basden
  • Patent number: 8764629
    Abstract: A prosthetic device for supporting a flaccid penis during intercourse comprising an oval shaped base having a through-hole, an elongated support platform member having an upper side and a lower side, an adjustable waist-strap, a first adjustable leg strap, and a second adjustable leg strap. The upper side of the elongated support platform member has a concave surface so as to provide a bed for the flaccid penis and the lower side of the elongated support platform member has a convex shape. The adjustable waist-strap is affixed to the oval shaped base and is tightened around a waist of a user. The first and second adjustable leg straps are affixed to the oval-shaped base and are tightened around the thighs of the user so as to secure the prosthetic device against the groin area of the user. The prosthetic device is used in conjunction with a penis extension sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Callan Braud
  • Patent number: 8764630
    Abstract: A minimally invasive endoscopic surgical procedure or an endoscopic surgical procedure through natural orifices which includes: introducing a spacial structure in a shrunken state into a body cavity by a spacial structure introduction portion; enlarging the spacial structure in the body cavity; setting the enlarged spacial structure in a predetermined position in the body cavity and supporting the tissues inside of the body cavity with the set spacial structure; inserting a distal end of at least an endoscope or a treatment instrument from at least a part of an opening portion of the spacial structure, and orienting the distal end to a pathological lesion located on the inner side of the tissues inside of the body cavity which is supported by the spacial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Ken Yamatani
  • Patent number: 8764631
    Abstract: A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitourinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Endo Technology America Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Frassica
  • Patent number: 8764632
    Abstract: An endoscopic system may include a catheter or tubing and at least one optical sensor disposed along the catheter or tubing and configured to capture image information from a body lumen when disposed within the body lumen and activated. The system may further include an untethered module operatively arranged with the at least one optical sensor and configured to store or transmit image information captured by the at least one optical sensor. The catheter or tubing, at least one optical sensor and module may be portable during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Eric James Kezirian, Robert Andrew Howard, Jonathan Patrick Summers, Jeffrey William Servaites, Matthew Charles Archer Durack
  • Patent number: 8764633
    Abstract: In a minimally invasive surgical system, an image capture unit includes a prism assembly and sensor assembly. The prism assembly includes a beam splitter, while the sensor assembly includes coplanar image capture sensors. Each of the coplanar image capture sensors has a common front end optical structure, e.g., the optical structure distal to the image capture unit is the same for each of the sensors. A controller enhances images acquired by the coplanar image capture sensors. The enhanced images may include (a) visible images with enhanced feature definition, in which a particular feature in the scene is emphasized to the operator of minimally invasive surgical system; (b) images having increased image apparent resolution; (c) images having increased dynamic range; (d) images displayed in a way based on a pixel color component vector having three or more color components; and (e) images having extended depth of field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian McDowall
  • Patent number: 8764634
    Abstract: An endoscope system 100 is provided with an optical fiber cable 31 and an electrical cable 32a that transmit pixel information output by a light receiving part 28, an image processor 42 that generates an image based on the pixel information transmitted from the optical fiber cable 31 or the pixel information transmitted from the electrical cable 32a, and a control unit 55 that controls a display unit 71 to display the image generated by the image processor 42, determines whether or not a transmission abnormality is present in the optical fiber cable 31, and selects, as pixel information as a target to be processed by the image processor 42, one of the pixel information transmitted from the optical fiber cable 31 and the pixel information transmitted from the electrical cable 32a depending on a presence of the transmission abnormality in the optical fiber cable 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Hirohiko Matsuzawa, Wataru Ono, Hidenori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8764635
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus is adapted to be inserted into an inside of a subject and observe the inside of the subject and includes: an observation optical system which has a first optical path and a second optical path with parallax; an imaging portion on which a light passing through the first optical path and a light passing through the second optical path are formed; a diaphragm portion which selectively blocks out the first optical path or the second optical path; a distance measurement portion which measures a distance to the subject on the basis of parallax between a first image formed on the imaging portion via the first optical path and a second image formed on the imaging portion via the second optical path; a displacement amount detection portion which detects a displacement amount between two first images acquired with a time interval therebetween; and a measurement environment determination portion which determines, on the basis of the displacement amount, whether or not the first image and the secon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Konomura
  • Patent number: 8764636
    Abstract: An electronic endoscopic apparatus of the present invention can improve the usage efficiency of a circuit of a control section therein and can improve the reliability of operations of the circuit. The electronic endoscopic apparatus is an electronic endoscopic apparatus having multiple operation modes to be executed exclusively, the apparatus internally including an FPGA 1 that internally includes a CPU 10 and peripheral circuits and controls the execution of the operation modes and a switching request detecting section that detects a request for switching to the operation mode to be executed, wherein the internal configuration of the FPGA 1 is changed based on the detection result by the switching request detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimada, Yusuke Yabe, Tomoya Takahashi, Susumu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8764637
    Abstract: A living-body observation system is provided with: an in-vivo observation apparatus including: an in-vivo information acquiring section; a power source section; a magnetic field detection section that detects a magnetic field from outside and outputs a detected result as an electric signal; and a power supply section that controls a supply state of driving power supplied to the in-vivo information acquiring section, and the operation of the in-vivo information acquiring section, based on the electric signal; and a magnetic field generating section that is disposed outside the in-vivo observation apparatus and generates the magnetic field, wherein the power supply section includes a control section that controls the operation of the in-vivo information acquiring section of the in-vivo observation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Hideharu Miyahara
  • Patent number: 8764638
    Abstract: A detachable stylet assembly for endotracheal intubation of a patient is disclosed. The stylet comprises an elongated tube defining: a longitudinal axis, a proximal end for detachably mounting the stylet to a hand grip, and a distal end for entering the trachea of the patient. The tube comprises an articulation section adjacent the distal end adapted to curve into the trachea upon actuation. An actuator housing is mounted on and adjacent to the proximal end of the tube. An actuating assembly is constructed inside the actuator housing having connection means for engaging the hand grip. A control wire is mounted within the actuator housing and connected to the actuating assembly. The control wire extends through the tube to the distal end of the tube and is adapted to curve the articulation section upon actuation. The hand grip comprises a base handle and a trigger for manual actuation of the actuator assembly. The trigger comprises finger grooves for convenient gripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Al Medical Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: John Schwartz, Richard Schwartz, Harsha Setty
  • Patent number: 8764639
    Abstract: Provided is a capsule medical apparatus including a capsule body, a control member, and an observing member. The capsule body is to be introduced into a lumen of a subject. The control member controls a movement of the capsule body in the lumen by a flow of a fluid introduced in the lumen. The observing member is fixed inside the capsule body and observes a direction of the flow of the fluid and a direction different from the flow of the fluid according to the movement of the capsule body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Hidetake Segawa, Hironobu Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8764640
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Endo Technology America, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8764641
    Abstract: A portion of an outer periphery of a plug body of a forceps plug is cut out to form an arm having a shape along the circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface of an opening. A tip portion of the arm is formed with a boss that protrudes toward the opening. An outer peripheral surface of the opening tip portion is formed with a cam groove for a forceps plug that guides the boss. The cam groove for a forceps plug is constituted by a cam groove for attachment that guides the boss 33 when the forceps plug is attached, a cam groove for locking that locks the boss, and a cam groove for removal that guides the boss when the forceps plug is removed. When the boss moves along the cam groove for removal, the deflection of the arm exceeds an elastic limit, and the arm breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Yamane
  • Patent number: 8764642
    Abstract: A combined tube set for a disposable water bottle for a medical instrument includes a cap with threads suitable for attachment to various water bottles. The combined tube set provides a first tube set for rinsing that includes an air and water tubes, and air/water connector The combined tube set also provides a second tube set for irrigation that includes an irrigation connector, backflow valve(s), and flexible tubing section. In some embodiments, the tube set can provide warm and/or humid gas to the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Medivators Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Henry Bendele, Christopher Steven Adams, Dina Grudo, Don Byrne, Leon Russ Smith
  • Patent number: 8764643
    Abstract: A system and method for imaging tissue autofluorescence through a video endoscope is described, comprising a light source capable of providing both ultraviolet light capable of inducing tissue autofluorescence and visible light which induces little or no autofluorescence, an optical system to deliver both wavelength bands to the tissue with the same apparent spatial and angular intensity distribution, a means for digitally acquiring the resulting, visible fluorescence and visible reflectance images using a single imaging detector at the distal tip of the endoscope and a means for digitally processing said images to generate a final, false-color image for display which indicates regions of tissue dysplasia. This system can either be added on to an existing video endoscope or integrated into its structure. The combined system can be electronically switched between normal white light imaging and fluorescence imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen F. Fulghum
  • Patent number: 8764644
    Abstract: An endoscope light source unit comprising: a first light source section emitting a first illumination light composed of white light; a second light source section emitting a second illumination light orthogonally to a direction in which the first illumination light travels; a light combining member transmitting the first illumination light through a transmission section and, at the same time, reflecting the second illumination light by means of a reflection section to form a combined light so that a beam of the second illumination light may be located in a central part of a beam of the first illumination light; a shaping lens for modifying the beam of the second illumination light emitted; and a condenser lens for converging the combined light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8764645
    Abstract: An access device for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure is disclosed. The access device is configured and adapted to be placed within a body opening to provide access to an underlying body cavity. The access device provides protection to the opening and minimizes contamination and the risk of possible infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Gennady Kleyman, Gregory Okoniewski
  • Patent number: 8764646
    Abstract: A surgical device for application in a treatment performed on the human or animal body with the aim of providing access to a surgical site in the body by exerting a force, upon expansion of the device at the location of the surgical site, on the organs and/or tissues at the surgical site, e.g. for mobilizing and/or supporting organs and/or tissues, the surgical device including an expansion structure, at least one fluid reservoir, and a conduit for conveying fluid from the reservoir to the expansion structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: UMC Utrecht Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Paul Frederik Gründeman
  • Patent number: 8764647
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a seal anchor member. The seal anchor member includes a leading end, a trailing end, and at least one longitudinal port extending between the two ends. The at least one longitudinal port is dimensioned for reception of a surgical object. One end of the at least one longitudinal port is closed by a membrane, which can be pierced through by a sharp-pointed device. The at least one longitudinal port further includes at least one lip therein. The at least one lip is configured to establish a substantially sealed relation with the surgical object entered therethrough, thereby inhibiting the loss of insufflation gas between the at least one longitudinal port and the surgical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Gennady Kleyman
  • Patent number: 8764648
    Abstract: A trocar unit includes a flexible lateral wall defining a cavity and a longitudinal axis. A flexible first plate connects to the flexible lateral wall and is surrounded by the flexible lateral wall. The flexible first plate extends generally transversely to the longitudinal axis. Independent portals extend through at least the flexible first plate. The flexible first plate includes a rigid section attached around the periphery of the flexible first plate. The flexible first plate is spaced from the open distal end of the cavity and is positioned above an opening at a surgical site. A second plate is configured to fit securely within a portion of the flexible lateral wall and is disposed distally with respect to the flexible first plate. A second rigid section is attached around the periphery of the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Gregory Piskun
  • Patent number: 8764649
    Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Miles, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley
  • Patent number: 8764650
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for communicating the distress or pain experienced by an infant or a non-communicative patient. The systems and methods can provide an objective quantification of pain and/or distress in conjunction with, e.g., various distressing procedures commonly found in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). The systems may include a processor in communication with a distress level input device and a display configured to provide a representation of a pain or distress score calculated in the processor. The processor may include executable code to translate data from the distress level input into the distress score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Martin Schiavenato, Laurel H. Carney, Scott Seidman
  • Patent number: 8764651
    Abstract: A heart monitoring system for a user includes a body wearable appliance placed on or near the user skin and having one or more sensors to capture fitness data and a wireless transceiver to communicate fitness data; and a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver to receive fitness data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 8764652
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating an engagement value by quantifying an amount that a user is acting without thinking considering brainwaves and a heart rate can be used to compare media based on an individual or a group of individuals. Events of the media can be contrasted and compared by the engagement value as well. Statistical measurements may be taken to improve media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielson Company (US), LLC.
    Inventors: Hans C. Lee, Timmie T. Hong, William H. Williams, Michael R. Fettiplace, Michael J. Lee
  • Patent number: 8764653
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more than one biological parameter is provided. The apparatus comprises two or more than two layers, each layer comprising a flexible substrate, the two or more than two layers comprising two or more than two sensors for sensing the one or more than one biological parameter; a signal conditioning module in communication with one or more than one of the two or more than two sensors; a signal processor in communication with the signal conditioning module and producing a processed signal; a communication module in communication with the signal processor and transmitting the processed signal to a storage module, a display device, a host processing system, or a combination thereof; and a power module to provide power to the two or more than two sensors, the signal conditioning module, the signal processor, and the communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Bozena Kaminska, Yindar Chuo
  • Patent number: 8764654
    Abstract: A modular system for acquiring biometric data includes a plurality of data acquisition modules configured to sample biometric data from at least one respective input channel at a data acquisition rate. A representation of the sampled biometric data is stored in memory of each of the plurality of data acquisition modules. A central control system is in communication with each of the plurality of data acquisition modules through a bus. The central control system is configured to collect data asynchronously, via the bus, from the memory of the plurality of data acquisition modules according to a relative fullness of the memory of the plurality of data acquisition modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Zin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Chmiel, Bradley T. Humphreys, Carlos M. Grodsinsky
  • Patent number: 8764655
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a remote medical diagnostic device that includes both a bio-mouse and a bio-keyboard, and a method using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Chern Yoo
  • Patent number: 8764656
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing device of an emotion signal and a method thereof capable of recognizing and analyzing the change in emotion by collecting at least one of the bio signals and peripheral environmental signals, guiding the state of emotion to a user, and sharing emotion information with authorized persons and communicating it between them. The sensing device of the emotion signal according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a sensing signal processor that senses a plurality of bio signals and peripheral environment signals of a user; an emotion signal processor that generates emotion signals representing the emotional state of the user for each of the sensed bio signals and collects the emotion signals to generate an emotion index; and an emotion signal communication unit that optionally transmits the emotion signals and the emotion index to external authorized devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyun-Soon Shin, Yong-Kwi Lee, Jun Jo, Ji-Hoon Kim, Jun-Sik Choi, In-Tark Han
  • Patent number: 8764657
    Abstract: An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Mason Curry, Manuel Luis Donnay, Tuan Nguyen, Louis G. Pace, Peter G. Robinson, Philip Yee
  • Patent number: 8764658
    Abstract: The present disclosure described methods, systems, and techniques for applying contrast-enhanced ultrasound to locate areas of blockage within retinal vessels and to break up clots that are causing damage. In addition to identifying the damaged area, the researchers anticipate that the initial image may serve as a baseline for monitoring the effect of treatment on the vessel, which may be achieved in multiple ways. The vibration effect of the ultrasound itself may suffice to dislodge clots. The microbubbles may also be coated or filled with medication, with ultrasonic shock waves activating the coating or causing mini explosions to release the medicine. Loading the microbubbles with a therapeutic agent, visualizing their presence at the diseased site using the ultrasound diagnostic mode, and then activating the microbubbles to release their contents at the targeted lesion could be a powerful and effective way to reverse occlusion without harming other areas of the eye or body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
    Inventors: Amani Fawzi, Hossen Ameri, Mark S. Humayun
  • Patent number: 8764659
    Abstract: An ultrasound image having a good image quality is generated in the neighborhood of a puncture needle without lowering the image quality of the whole ultrasound image. A first echo signal received by transmitting first ultrasonic waves focused on an imaging target position and a second echo signal received by transmitting second ultrasonic waves having the depth of the focal point positioned at a uniform position are obtained, the weights of the first echo signal and the second echo signal are determined according to the focal point positions of the respective ultrasonic waves, and weighted addition is performed to generate a corrected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Rika Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8764660
    Abstract: An acquisition component is provided that includes an audible sound sensor configured to receive audible sounds within a sensing area and a multi-element ultrasound transducer configured to emit ultrasound signals and to receive reflections of the ultrasound signals in the same sensing area. The audible sound sensor and the multi-element ultrasound transducer may be configured to be simultaneously operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sigmund Frigstad, Jean-Francois Gelly, Hans Garmann Torp
  • Patent number: 8764661
    Abstract: Methods of probing a material under investigation using an ultrasound beam. Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or transmit beam lines, a multi-dimensional area can be imaged using a single ultrasound transmission. In some embodiments, this ability increases image frame rate and reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to generate an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Zonare Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen McLaughlin, Ting-Lan Ji, David Napolitano
  • Patent number: 8764662
    Abstract: A temperature management system and a method of monitoring temperature in an ultrasound imaging system is provided. The system includes an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe includes at least one ultrasound transducer and a plurality of application specific integrated circuits. Further, the system includes at least one temperature sensing device disposed on at least one of the plurality of application specific integrated circuits. The temperature sensing devices are disposed in such a way that the sensing devices are in thermal contact with at least one heat producing region of the ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruno Hans Haider, Krishnakumar Sundaresan, Boris Constantine Joesaar
  • Patent number: 8764663
    Abstract: A apparatus and a method are disclosed for transmitting a signal directed to a blood vessel via a Doppler ultrasound waveform apparatus, receiving, by the Doppler ultrasound waveform apparatus, a reflected signal from the blood vessel; and determining, by a processing device, whether the blood vessel is an artery or a vein based on a blood flow velocity in the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smok, Sheela Blaise, Sean James Coyle, Lauren Mayer, Matt Schurmann, Daniel Velez, Bruce McNair, Vikki Hazelwood
  • Patent number: 8764664
    Abstract: A conformable medical data acquisition pad and configurable imaging system. The conformable pad may comprise a carrier base having a plurality of transceivers in operative association with an interconnection network that communicates with a computer system. The data acquisition pad may be constructed with a flex circuit and at least one ultrasound data collection device to carry out a variety of medical procedures. Different types of signal transmitting and receiving elements can be selected to provide ultrasound systems, including scalable capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers arranged in a variety of configurations in combination with controlling electronics which interface with a translator board and software for signal processing. The resulting ultrasound data, such as a three-dimensional model, can be transmitted via an industry standard high speed bus to standard interfaces on various ultrasound systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Vizyontech Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Karla M. Callahan, Firat Kahraman
  • Patent number: 8764665
    Abstract: An acoustic probe (100, 300) includes an acoustic transducer (15, 444), and a plurality of variably-refracting acoustic lens elements (10, 210a, 210b, 442) coupled to the acoustic transducer. Each variably-refracting acoustic lens element has at least a pair of electrodes (150, 160) adapted to adjust at least one characteristic of the variably-refracting acoustic lens element in response to a selected voltage applied across the electrodes. In one embodiment, each variably-refracting acoustic lens element includes a cavity, first and second fluid media (141, 142) disposed within the cavity, and the pair of electrodes. The speed of sound of an acoustic wave in the first fluid medium is different than the speed of sound of the acoustic wave in the second fluid medium. The first and second fluid media are immiscible with respect to each other, and the first fluid medium has a substantially different electrical conductivity than the second fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Stephen Hall, Chien Ting Chin, Jan Frederik Suijver, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Stein Kuiper
  • Patent number: 8764666
    Abstract: An imaging probe for a biological sample includes an OCT probe and an ultrasound probe combined with the OCT probe in an integral probe package capable of providing by a single scanning operation images from the OCT probe and ultrasound probe to simultaneously provide integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasound imaging of the same biological sample. A method to provide high resolution imaging of biomedical tissue includes the steps of finding an area of interest using the guidance of ultrasound imaging, and obtaining an OCT image and once the area of interest is identified where the combination of the two imaging modalities yields high resolution OCT and deep penetration depth ultrasound imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Zhongping Chen, Jiechen Yin, Qifa Zhou, Changhong Hu, Hao-Chung Yang, Huihua Kenny Chiang, Kirk K. Shung
  • Patent number: 8764667
    Abstract: A method of monitoring sleep of a sleeping subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a phase shift of input radiofrequency signals received from the subject during sleep relative to output radiofrequency signals transmitted to the subject during sleep, calculating cardiac output based on the phase shift, and using the cardiac output for identifying sleep apnea events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cheetah Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoav Avidor, Daniel Burkhoff, Pierre Squara, Hanan Keren