Patents Issued in January 28, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160022109
    Abstract: A mobile robot configured to travel across a residential floor or other surface while cleaning the surface with a cleaning pad and cleaning solvent is disclosed. The robot includes a controller for managing the movement of the robot as well as the treatment of the surface with a cleaning solvent. The movement of the robot can be characterized by a class of trajectories that achieve effective cleaning. The trajectories include sequences of steps that are repeated, the sequences including forward and backward motion and optional left and right motion along arcuate paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Dooley, James Philip Case, Nikolai Romanov
  • Publication number: 20160022110
    Abstract: A self-contained device capable of steam cleaning and removal of residue such as chewing gum and the like from surfaces is portable and well balanced so that one person can remove residue of chewing gum or the like in just a couple of seconds. The device includes an elongated housing having wheels on a lower end portion and a handle on an upper portion and the cleaning solution to be turned into steam is heated quickly by a gas burner after being preheated at several stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Scott Genoa, Shihui Xu
  • Publication number: 20160022111
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an improved mop having a support arm having a handle, a mop head that is pivotally attached to said support arm, a pair of rollers disposed in said mop head at lateral side of the mop head housing, a cleaning pad rotatably carried by said rollers so that a first roller carries said cleaning pad and a second roller draws sections of said cleaning pad across a cleaning area defined by said mop head, whereas the cleaning pad travel along a path orthogonal to the front of the housing, a spray nozzle carried by said mop head that is fluidly connected to a cleaning solution container for allowing the user to select and spray a cleaning solution on the surface being cleaned, and an ultra violet light source disposed on said mop head for disinfecting said cleaning pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Nathan A. Scolari
  • Publication number: 20160022112
    Abstract: A debris collection container that allows debris to be deposited directly into the debris collection container in a single step. The debris collection container has a detachable lid that doubles as a collection tray. A screen filter is integrated into the collection tray to allow dirt and soil on the debris to be discharged and returned to the ground prior to depositing the debris into the debris collection container. The front edge of the debris collection chamber, and the corresponding edge of the detachable lid has straight edges to facilitate raking debris onto the detachable lid or directly into the debris collection chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Dudley Davenport
  • Publication number: 20160022113
    Abstract: A method of controlling the filling with water of a household appliance after treatment including activating a wash pump to a first speed, opening a load valve and starting a time counter, closing the valve and stopping the counter, calculating a flow-rate, opening and closing the valve again based on the calculated flow-rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Indesit Company S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nicola Ladisa, Marco Whilhelmus Gerhardus Ten Bok, Gianluca Benedetto, Giacomo Marvardi
  • Publication number: 20160022114
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus and method is used with industrial kitchen articles. The apparatus includes a cleaning tank for immersing kitchen articles having a generally rectangular configuration, with two opposing major sides and two opposing minor sides. There is an openable and closable lid, which may be pivotably openable and closable from one of the minor sides of the tank to allow access to the tank and to cover the tank in use. A retaining device can be positioned within the tank in use and configured to support kitchen articles in immersion within the tank. A lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the retaining device is coupled or connected between the lid and retaining device such that as lid is openable and closable, the retaining device raises and lowers within the cleaning tank, respectively. The lid includes an extendable handle portion configured to extend the effective length of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20160022115
    Abstract: A dishwasher may include a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, an airflow conduit, and a blower assembly fluidly coupled to the airflow conduit. The blower assembly may include a first impeller effecting a flow of ambient air to the treating chamber and a second impeller effecting a flow of mixed air from the treating chamber exhausting the mixed air from the treating chamber. Additionally, at least one of the first and second impellers may effect a flow of ambient air that bypasses the tub and combines with the mixed air before being exhausted from the dishwasher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: ALVARO VALLEJO NORIEGA
  • Publication number: 20160022116
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub having an air outlet, an airflow conduit fluidly coupling the tub air outlet to ambient air, a blower assembly forcing air to flow from the tub and through the tub air outlet into the airflow conduit, a first reservoir associated with the airflow conduit and collecting liquid condensed from the air forced through the airflow conduit, the first reservoir fluidly coupled to the tub for draining the collected liquid into the tub, and a second reservoir associated with the airflow conduit downstream of the first reservoir and collecting liquid condensed from the air prior to the exhaustion of the air to the ambient air, wherein any liquid not collected by the first reservoir is collected by the second reservoir for evaporation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: THOMAS M. DELELLIS, MARK S. FEDDEMA, ALVARO VALLEJO NORIEGA
  • Publication number: 20160022117
    Abstract: An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixels; first vertical transfer lines; a second vertical transfer line; a reference voltage generator configured to generate a first reference voltage for a column-black reference signal, a second reference voltage for a line-black reference signal and a third reference voltage for phase adjustment; a phase adjusting signal generator configured to output a phase adjusting signal corresponding to the third reference voltage; a first reference signal generator configured to generate a column-black reference signal corresponding to the first reference voltage; a second reference signal generator configured to generate a line-black reference signal corresponding to the second reference voltage; and a timing generator configured to drive the phase adjusting signal generator, the first reference signal generator and the second reference signal generator to transmit the phase adjusting signal, the column-black reference signal and the line-black reference signal, respectiv
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nana AKAHANE, Makoto ONO, Takahiro NISHIWAKI, Katsumi HOSOGAI
  • Publication number: 20160022118
    Abstract: An endoscope and a treatment tool which are inserted into an outer tube can move back and forth in interlock with each other, and an operation part of the treatment tool can be prevented from interfering with a proximal end of the endoscope when inserting the treatment tool into the outer tube. An endoscopic surgery device satisfies the following expressions: Lt?Ls<Lh, and Lh?Ls1+Ls+t, where Lt is a length of the outer tube, Ls is a length of a hard part of the insertion part of the endoscope, Lh is a length of a hard part of the insertion part of the treatment tool, Ls1 is a minimum projection length of a distal end of the insertion part of the treatment tool with respect to a distal end of the insertion part of the endoscope, and t is an allowance amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: TAKUMI DEJIMA
  • Publication number: 20160022119
    Abstract: Endoscopes, multicore endoscope fibers and configuration and operation methods are provided. The fibers may have hundreds or thousands of cores and possibly incorporate working channel(s) and additional fibers. The fiber may be used at different optical configurations to capture images of tissue and objects at the distal tip and to enhance a wide range of optical characteristics of the images such as resolution, field of view, depth of field, wavelength ranges etc. Near-field imaging as well as far-field imaging may be implemented in the endoscopes and the respective optical features may be utilized to optimize imaging. Optical elements may be used at the distal fiber tip, or the distal fiber tip may be lens-less. Diagnostics and optical treatment feedback loops may be implemented and illumination may be adapted to yield full color images, depth estimation, enhanced field of views and/or depths of field, and additional diagnostic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Asaf SHAHMOON, Alex Zlotnik, Zeev Zalevsky, Sigal Kremer-Tal, David Zigdon
  • Publication number: 20160022120
    Abstract: An expander for mounting a resilient outer tubular article over an elongate article including a chassis element having associated therewith at least one outwardly movable element which is selectably engageable with at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, a driver which is movable with respect to the chassis element and is operative to selectably engage the at least one outwardly movable element, when the outwardly movable element is in engagement with the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, for producing corresponding outward motion and outward expansion thereof and an engagement element, associated with the driver, for insertion into the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article upon expansion thereof by operation of the driver, the engagement element being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the elongate article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Gad TERLIUC, Gilad LURIA, Ori NISSAN
  • Publication number: 20160022121
    Abstract: The outer tube includes two insertion holes which are formed in a cross-sectional D-shape via a partition wall provided in the central part in a cross-section vertical to respective axial directions of the insertion holes. A slit of a valve body located in the insertion hole is disposed along reference line passing through centers of respective arcs of the insertion holes as seen from the axial directions of the insertion holes. Therefore, two leaflets of the slit abut on an arc edge of the insertion hole and a D-shaped cut part of the partition wall respectively when the insertion part of the treatment tool is internally fitted, and they are deformed into the same shape. Since there is no difference in stress applied to two leaflets, it is possible to secure the airtightness by the slit over a long period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: TAKUMI DEJIMA
  • Publication number: 20160022122
    Abstract: A surgical device, an outer tube, an endoscope, and a treatment tool that have a compact configuration and achieve high durability are provided. The outer tube includes a slider in an outer tube body. When the endoscope and the treatment tool are inserted into the outer tube, and are held by an endoscope holding part and a treatment tool holding part each being provided in the slider, and are combined into a single unit. Consequently, when the treatment tool is moved in the axial direction, the endoscope is moved in the axial direction in interlock with the movement. Because the outer tube is configured such that the endoscope exit port has an inner diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the elastic member provided to hold the endoscope at the endoscope holding part, the strength of the endoscope can be secured while preventing interference with the treatment tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: TAKUMI DEJIMA
  • Publication number: 20160022123
    Abstract: A ternary coil assembly (TCA) is provided, which may include an anterior coil, a posterior coil adjacently mounted side by side with respect to, and electrically isolated from and forming a plane with, the anterior coil, and an ancillary coil encircling, and electrically isolated from, the anterior and posterior coils. A magnetic field maneuvering system may include a number N of TCAs that may be positioned circularly. The circularly positioned TCAs, by manipulating their electrical current, may be operated to generate a magnetic field maneuvering pattern (MMP) such that a magnetic field may be generated in a first direction to orient a device in that direction, and a magnetic field gradient in a second direction to apply a movement force in the second direction. The direction of the magnetic field and the direction of the magnetic field gradient may differ, that is, they may be controlled independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Ehud KATZNELSON, Haim ROTEM, Eshel HASON
  • Publication number: 20160022124
    Abstract: The present invention applies to the field of medical devices, and provides capsule endoscope control device and system. The capsule endoscope control device comprises: a frame; a rotating apparatus, disposed on the frame; a movement arm, secured to the rotating apparatus, a tail end of the movement arm being provided with a permanent magnet; and a driving apparatus, electrically connected to the rotating apparatus and the movement arm, and configured to receive an external movement control instruction, drive the rotating apparatus, the movement arm and the permanent magnet to move, and control position and posture of the capsule endoscope in a human body via a magnetic force of the permanent magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: SHENZHEN JIFU TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD
    Inventors: Yi LI, Ping SUN, Wenjun DENG, Jianping WANG
  • Publication number: 20160022125
    Abstract: A method and a system for anatomical site relocalisation using dual data synchronisation. Method for repositioning, possibly several times, at a specific location, which has been already explored during a first or “reference exploration”, a flexible endoscope during one or more successive endoluminal or extraluminal subsequent or “new exploration”, or similar procedures, wherein the repositioning is realized either manually, by a human user, or automatically, by a robotic system, from or by way of a synchronisation process between a “new exploration” flexible endoscope video and the “reference exploration” flexible endoscope video displayed in parallel on or in two different windows, on one or more screens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Stephane NICOLAU, Anant Suraj VEMURI, Luc SOLER, Jacques MARESCAUX
  • Publication number: 20160022126
    Abstract: An endoscopic system having a light source that can operate in two modes is provided. The first mode provides a white light to an endoscope to transmit the light to a surgical site or other object, the reflection of which can be received by the endoscope and for the process. The second mode of the light source provides infrared excitation light and light in the blue and green wavelength spectra to an endoscope to transmit the light to an object such as a surgical site. The blue and green reflected light, as well as light from excitation markers, which is an infrared light at a different wavelength than the excitation infrared light, is received by the endoscope and further processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Ajay RAMESH, Perry HU, Harman SINGH, Chien Mien PANG, Vasudev NAMBAKAM
  • Publication number: 20160022127
    Abstract: A separator unit is a cleaning auxiliary tool to be inserted into an air/water feeding cylinder. The separator unit includes a partition plate for partitioning an air feeding conduit side and a water feeding conduit side, and two elastic members in an air/water feeding cylinder. The two elastic members are arranged at an outer circumferential side of the partition plate. When an internal pressure on the air feeding conduit side corresponds to an internal pressure on the water feeding conduit side, the elastic members are spaced apart from an inner wall of the air/water feeding cylinder by a predetermined distance, and when one of the internal pressures on the air feeding conduit and the water feeding conduit becomes higher than the other, one of the elastic members is deformed by receiving the higher internal pressure and comes in close contact with the inner wall of the air/water feeding cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomokazu IWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20160022128
    Abstract: A laparoscope/endoscope warmer includes a rechargeable heater with an inexpensive, disposable casing so that the expensive portions of the system can be reused. An elongated heater has an outer wall, a closed end and an open end into a cavity having an inner wall. A heating element such as a heating coil is disposed between the inner and outer walls of the heater. A rechargeable battery within the heater powers the heating element. The heater fits into a charging base operative to recharge the rechargeable battery through cooperating electrical contacts or an inductive coupling. The sterile casing includes an inner sleeve that fits into the cavity of the heater unit, providing a receptacle to receive and warm the rod of an endoscope or laparoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: John TEMPLE
  • Publication number: 20160022129
    Abstract: An endoscopic bite block, with teeth position defining regions which guide the subject's teeth to grip the bite block in their natural position, with the teeth of the upper jaw positioned further out than the lower jaw teeth. These teeth position defining regions are also preferably curved to match the curved shape of the jaw. The upper and lower parts of the front plate of the bite block may also be positioned at different distances out, so that upper and lower lip regions both contact the front plate snuggly. The bite block may be used with separate oral/nasal cannulae, or may incorporate breath sampling or gas supply cannulae. A flexible flapped curtain at the outer end of the bite block may be provided to largely enclose the inner volume of the bite block to enable more accurate capnographic sampling under conditions of wide-open mouth breathing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua Lewis Colman, Gershon Levitsky, Ron Porat
  • Publication number: 20160022130
    Abstract: A pendant mounted track lighting system includes an electronic display for use in an operatory environment. In particular, the invention is directed towards a pendant mounted track lighting system that incorporates and integrates intraoral illumination for illuminating a patient's mouth area, general room or ambient lighting in the operatory environment for patients and practitioners, directional task lighting for work surface areas, and electronic display for patient stimulation. The track lighting system includes a housing assembly attached to one or more elongated members for attachment within the operatory environment, one or more ambient lighting assemblies, an intraoral light assembly having a carriage mechanism, an electronic display, and one or more directional task lighting assemblies in a single track lighting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Dr. David J. Ahearn
  • Publication number: 20160022131
    Abstract: A waterproof laryngoscope and a waterproof structure are revealed. The waterproof laryngoscope includes a laryngoscope body and a waterproof sleeve. The laryngoscope body consists of a handle and a camera tube. The handle has a fixing portion disposed with at least one stopper. The camera tube is fixed in the handle and extended out of the fixing portion. The waterproof sleeve is fitted over the camera tube and fixed on the handle. The waterproof sleeve includes a connection portion that is sleeved over the camera tube and fixed on the fixing portion. The connection portion is arranged with at least one fixing groove. The stopper is slid in the fixing groove and locked on a rear end of the fixing groove. Thereby not only patient's body fluid will not flow into the laryngoscope, patients are also protected from being affected by toxic chemicals and cross infection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: KAI-CHENG CHAN, CHIN-CHIA CHANG
  • Publication number: 20160022132
    Abstract: A laryngoscope with automatic image adjustment is revealed. The laryngoscope includes a laryngoscope body, a rotation assembly, a display and a sensor. The laryngoscope body is disposed with a fixing slot and is used for capturing an image. One end of the rotation assembly is fixed in the fixing slot while the other end thereof is arranged with the display. The display is rotated around the rotation assembly. The rotation assembly is set with a limiting slot. The sensor is electrically connected to a rear side of the display and is located inside the limiting slot. While the display being rotated, the sensor is slid on the surface of the rotation assembly. When the sensor is slid in the limiting slot, the display shows the image. Once the sensor is slid outside the limiting slot, the display shows a reflection of the image. Thus the image is adjusted automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: KAI-CHENG CHAN
  • Publication number: 20160022133
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical microscope can include a movable optical element positioned in an optical pathway of light reflected from a surgical field. The movable optical element can be configured to oscillate in a direction along the optical pathway. The microscope can include an actuator coupled to the movable optical element and configured to move in response to a control signal. The microscope can include a computing device in communication with the actuator and configured to generate the control signal to move the movable optical element. In some embodiments, the computing device is configured to generate the control signal to move the movable optical element with an oscillation frequency greater than the critical flicker fusion rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Michael Papac
  • Publication number: 20160022134
    Abstract: An imaging device and method is shown to image ocular tissue in motion. Devices and methods include at least one target to align the patient's eye at a desired angular orientation, multiple selectable target locations, and control circuitry to display the target at the multiple target locations and image ocular tissue at each multiple target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Edwin RYAN
  • Publication number: 20160022135
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing blinking includes an electronic computing device detecting blinking of a user of the electronic computing device and determining an uninduced blink rate for the user from the detected blinking. The method also includes inducing the user to blink based on the uninduced blink rate. A further method and apparatus for managing blinking includes the electronic computing device presenting the user with a blink inducement of a plurality of blink inducements and determining whether the user blinked in response to presenting the blink inducement. The further method also includes presenting the blink inducement again based on the determination of whether the user blinked in response to presenting the blink inducement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Nidhi Agarwal, Amit Kumar Agrawal
  • Publication number: 20160022136
    Abstract: Provided are methods and system for assessing a human subject's neurological and/or psychological status. The methods entail displaying visual tests to a human subject, wherein each of the visual tests includes a visual target signal, optionally with visual cue signals, for eliciting visual and, optionally, body part, movements by the subject. Following the display, the movements are then detected. The latency and/or correctness of such movements can then be used to assess the subject's neurological and/or psychological status. Also provided are methods and systems for assessing performance validity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advance- ment of Military Medicine, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. ETTENHOFER, David BARRY
  • Publication number: 20160022137
    Abstract: Objects of interest which project beyond the fovea are poorly resolved and lack color information, requiring movement of the eyes in order to obtain a comprehensive image and perception of the surrounding world. Eye movements emanate from different areas of the brain which can be affected by disease and or injury. As such, different neurological disorders will affect a myriad of eye movements in a variety of different ways. An automated system and method, capable of detecting, analyzing and summarizing a person's eye movements is used to detect (diagnose) (either before or after symptoms of said neurological disease are apparent), confirm a prior diagnosis, and/or to monitor the treatment effectiveness for a variety of neurological diseases, neurological movement disorders and potential brain injuries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Paul A. WETZEL, Mark S. BARON, George T. GITCHEL
  • Publication number: 20160022138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixation measurement includes rotating a first reflector comprising a diffraction component about a rotation axis, the first reflector being configured to reflect light received from a light source onto a second reflector via the diffraction component and reflect light received from the second reflector via the diffraction component and capturing light which is reflected by the second reflector and subsequently reflected by the first reflector with one or more photo detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Scott Winsor
  • Publication number: 20160022139
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical microscope can include a first light source configured to project a first light beam at an observer's eye. The microscope can include a first wavefront sensor. The first wavefront sensor can be configured to determine aberrations in the first reflection wavefront of a reflection of the first light beam. The microscope can include adaptive optical element(s). The adaptive optical element(s) can be controlled to modify the phase of incident light. The microscope can include a computing device in communication with the first wavefront sensor and the adaptive optical element(s). The computing device can be configured to generate the control signal to compensate for the aberrations and to provide the control signal to the adaptive optical element(s). A second light source and second wavefront sensor can be provided to compensate for aberrations of a subject's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Alexander N. Artsyukhovich
  • Publication number: 20160022140
    Abstract: A personalized patient alarm management profile configured to be used when monitoring one or more medical parameters, the personalized patient alarm management profile determined based on at least two profile determinants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua Lewis Colman, Michal Ronen
  • Publication number: 20160022141
    Abstract: Some examples include a secure low-power sensor platform able to be used for activity monitoring or other purposes. For instance, a sensor system may sense sparse signals using compressed sensing. As one example, compressed sensing may be used to obtain sparse signals from analog sensor signals received from one or more sensors. The data obtained by compressed sensing may be sent subsequently to a computing device to reconstruct the sensor signal. Examples herein enable lower power usage, lower cost, and lower weight than conventional devices, while also enabling processing advantages, such as less overall data to process and lower data storage utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Rohit MITTAL, Neeraj JHANJI
  • Publication number: 20160022142
    Abstract: A RF coil compression system for use with an MRI system configured to image a patient's breast is disclosed. In one embodiment, the compression system comprises a first compression plate comprising a first plurality of RF coil elements, which is positioned in a plane oriented orthogonal to a direction of the main magnetic field and the first RF coil elements having a reception sensitivity to a B1 field and is orthogonal to a main magnetic field of the MRI system. The compresses system may further comprise a second compression plate, configured to be positioned opposing the first compression plate and orthogonal to the superior-inferior direction, the second compression plate comprising a second plurality of RF coil elements, the second RF coil elements having a reception sensitivity to a B1 field oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and to the main magnetic field of the MRI system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: KENNETH BRADSHAW
  • Publication number: 20160022143
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a user's static weight while standing as well as the user's load bearing weight. A sensor module with multiple sensors is placed inside a user's shoe and biometric data is gathered from the sensors when the user stands and when the user takes a step or walks. The data is used to generate data loops as the various sets of data are plotted against each other. The loops obtained from the data are then compared against stored loops previously obtained. Using the biometric loop baseline data, it can be determined whether the user has lost or gained weight, whether a specific load bearing weight condition is worsening while standing and while walking or running. The system can also determine whether a specific load bearing weight condition is improving or worsening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Todd GRAY, Vladimir POLOTSKI, Barry SMALE, Bernard F. GRISONI
  • Publication number: 20160022144
    Abstract: A system and method for collecting biometric data from a participant in an event including a sensor positioned on the participant for sensing a current biometric factor of the participant, the sensor including an interface for communicating the sensed current value of the biometric factor, a biometric data collector communicatively coupled to the sensor for receiving the current sensed biometric factor value as biometric data and further communicatively coupled to an RFID tag, and the RFID tag receive the biometric data from the collector and transmitting the received biometric data to an RFID tag reader responsive to a tag read from the tag reader. The system and method can also include the RFID tag reader and the timing system support for the biometric data communication, analysis and reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Kurt S. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20160022145
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for remote monitoring physiological parameters, comprising: a radar transmitter for transmitting radio frequency signal towards a human body; and a radar receiver for receiving frequency signals reflected from a human body. An accelerometer is adapted to be placed on a human body, and a signal processor, which is configured for extracting and processing physiological parameters of the at least one human body from the inputted signals of the receiver and accelerometer. A specific embodiment of the apparatus relates to a radar and a wireless communication channel controller for receiving data from patients. Patients have accelerometers attached to their bodies and the patients can be without motion or move freely within a room. For each patient, the device determines breathing and pulse rate; cardiac performance and the patient identification by automatically setting up a match between the determined parameters and each patient's ID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Kirill MOSTOV
  • Publication number: 20160022146
    Abstract: Insertable imaging devices, and methods of use thereof in minimally invasive medical procedures, are described. In some embodiments, insertable imaging devices are described that can be introduced and removed from an access port without disturbing or risking damage to internal tissue. In some embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an access port, thereby allowing imaging of internal tissues within the vicinity of the access port, while, for example, enabling manipulation of surgical tools in the surgical field of interest. In other embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an imaging sleeve that is insertable into an access port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Cameron PIRON, Michael WOOD, Murugathas YUWARAJ, Alex PANTHER, Nishantan MUGARATNAM, William LAU, Monroe M. THOMAS, Gal SELA, Joshua RICHMOND, Wes HODGES, Simon ALEXANDER, David GALLOP
  • Publication number: 20160022147
    Abstract: A method for monitoring vital parameters of a living being, wherein broad-band light is beamed into the tissue of a living being, a spectrum of the beamed-in light is recorded, and absorption is evaluated. At least one first parameter is determined on the basis of the absorption values of a first spectral range, and at least one second parameter is determined on the basis of the absorption values of a second spectral range. The first parameter is compared to the second parameter, and at least one vital parameter is determined with the aid of this comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: SENSPEC GMBH
    Inventor: Axel KULCKE
  • Publication number: 20160022148
    Abstract: Imaging, testing and/or analysis of subjects are facilitated with a capillary-access approach. According to an example embodiment, a capillary is implanted into a specimen and adapted to accept an optical probe to facilitate optical access into the specimen. In some applications, the capillary is implanted for use over time, with one or more different probes being inserted into the capillary at different times, while the capillary is implanted. Certain applications involve capillary implantation over weeks, months or longer. Other applications are directed to the passage of fluid to and/or from a sample via the capillary. Still other applications are directed to the passage of electrical information between the sample and an external arrangement, via an implanted capillary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Jacob Schnitzer, Juergen Claus Jung
  • Publication number: 20160022149
    Abstract: Provided is an object information acquiring apparatus including: a light source; a controller that controls irradiation of light from the light source; a detector that receives an acoustic wave generated from an object onto which light from the light source is irradiated; a processor that generates characteristic information inside the object using the acoustic wave received by the detector; and an acquirer that acquires the shape of the object, wherein the controller controls an irradiation area when light is irradiated from the light source onto the object, based on the shape of the object acquired by the acquirer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Yasufumi Asao, Takuji Oishi
  • Publication number: 20160022150
    Abstract: A photoacoustic apparatus disclosed in this specification includes a light source; a probe including a plurality of transducers each configured to receive a photoacoustic wave generated from a subject irradiated with light emitted from the light source and output a reception signal, and a support member configured to support the plurality of transducers so that directivity axes of the plurality of transducers are collected; a moving unit configured to move the probe; a region setting unit configured to set an imaging region; and a processing unit configured to acquire subject information in the imaging region based on the reception signals output from the plurality of transducers. The light source is configured to emit the light if a position at which the directivity axes are collected is farther from the probe than a center of the imaging region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Koichiro Wanda, Robert A Kruger
  • Publication number: 20160022151
    Abstract: Methods of obtaining physiological parameters of a body fluid compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Charles L. DAVIS
  • Publication number: 20160022152
    Abstract: Method and system for monitoring stress level of a subject. Beat-to-beat time variation and stroke volume variation of the heart a subject are obtained simultaneously, and a stress level indication is determined as a function of the beat-to-beat time variation and the relative stroke volume variation. More accurate and reliable estimates for stress level may be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Ulf MERIHEINÄ
  • Publication number: 20160022153
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a blockage in a vessel and, in particular, a stenosis in a blood vessel. In some particular embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are configured to provide FFR measurements over a length of a vessel of interest in a small, compact device that integrates with existing proximal and distal pressure measurement systems and does not require a separate power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Dale Dorando
  • Publication number: 20160022154
    Abstract: A system for detection of blood pressure in a blood vessel includes a guide wire and a LC resonance circuit provided at a distal end of the guide wire. The resonance circuit may be a non-LC resonance circuit responsive to changes in pressure of fluid external to the guide wire such that the resonance circuit has a resonance frequency that varies in accordance with changes in pressure of the external fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Reinhard J. WARNKING, Joerg SCHULZE-CLEWING, David DIPAOLA, Dong Ik SHIN, Matthew J. POLLMAN
  • Publication number: 20160022155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to computer-based methods for evaluating an individual's cardiovascular system and computer systems for use in such methods. The computer system recognizes a portion of the individual's cardiovascular system though an imaging device input, then assesses the cardiac power, energy and efficiency during the cardiac cycle. The computer system evaluates circulatory motion and properties of circulatory fluid, and further optimizes the cardiovascular analysis through suggested repositioning of the imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Stephanie LITTELL
  • Publication number: 20160022156
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a CPU and a memory circuit that has user-corresponding data stored on the memory circuit, and a platform over which a plurality of electrodes are interleaved, and configured for engaging the user. Based on a plurality of impedance-measurement signals being obtained from the electrodes, signals are generated that correspond to cardiovascular timings specific to the user. In such aspects of the present disclosure, pulse characteristic signals are determined based on the plurality of impedance-measurement signals and comparisons of user-obtained data are made relative to user-data profiles stored in the memory circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory T. Kovacs, Laurent B. Giovangrandi, Robert Bruce Darling
  • Publication number: 20160022157
    Abstract: Provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods of monitoring the direction of blood flow that include processing with a computer photoplethysmography (PPG) signal streams from a sensor array on a body site of the individual to determine the direction and/or velocity of the blood flow at the body site of the individual. In some embodiments, direction of the blood flow at the body site is determined by the phase difference between at least three PPG signal streams from the sensor array, wherein the at least three PPG signal streams are generated from emissions of the at least three emitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Melker, Sean Cohen
  • Publication number: 20160022158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring-type cuff for blood pressure manometer, wherein the cuff (C) comprises: a circular rubber ring (1) wearable on a wrist or an ankle; a resilient coil spring (2) built-in inside the tubular rubber ring (1) in the range of length of the rubber ring to obtain a predetermined flexibility, to suppress excessive stretching, to strengthen durability, and to maintain resilience; and a measurement portion (3) comprising a pressure sensor (S) for measuring blood pressure, a transmission circuit (IC) for transmitting measurement data to the outside, a power source (v), a power switch (sw), and a pilot lamp (LED).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Byung Hoon Lee, Jae Cheon Lee