Patents Issued in February 9, 2016
  • Patent number: 9254372
    Abstract: A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet received within a lumen of the catheter sheath. A carrier arrangement projects from the distal end of the handle, the carrier arrangement mounting the catheter sheath and at least part of the deflection stylet. The catheter handle includes an adjustment unit having a gear mechanism that controls at least one of the deflection of the distal part of the stylet and the extent of deflection of the distal part of the stylet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: CathRX LTD
    Inventor: Garrett Ryan
  • Patent number: 9254373
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive pad and a surface plate which in combination can provide a medical device which is to be placed on the skin of a patient. The combined medical device is provided with a subcutaneous part which necessitates that the device is securely and comfortably attached to the patient's skin. Often such devices are used to transfer medication such as insulin to a patient from a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: UnoMedical A/S
    Inventor: Elo Lau Hørdum
  • Patent number: 9254374
    Abstract: The instant invention relates generally to introducer catheters used to help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within the human body. In particular, the instant invention relates to large diameter introducer catheters (introducer catheters with lumens greater than about 6 French) having increased strength, flexibility, and kink resistance. Introducer catheters according to the teachings herein may also include curved distal ends and flared (that is, funnel-like) transition sections within their lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad A. Thorstenson
  • Patent number: 9254375
    Abstract: A hand-held dispensing applicator comprising a source of fluid a frangible applicator tip attached to the fluid source, and an absorbent member attached to the frangible applicator tip. When the frangible applicator tip is broken, fluid flows from the source to the absorbent member, whereby the fluid is applied and spread on a surface. Preferably the frangible applicator tip comprises a support element permanently connected to the fluid source, a relatively rigid tongue element extending outwardly of the support element, and a frangible region therebetween. Preferably, the tongue element comprises ribs for reinforcing the tongue element to resist unintentional breaking of the frangible region, and the applicator tip comprises a semi-permeable or non-permeable cover disposed around the frangible region to control the speed and direction of the dispersion of the fluid in the absorbent member. Adaptive embodiments allow the generation of designs applicable to a particular medical purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: BIOMED PACKAGING SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jack W. Kaufman, James Brown
  • Patent number: 9254376
    Abstract: A wireless, battery powered tattooing apparatus employing a stable voltage regulator to provide stable control of the operation of the tattoo applicator. A user interface enables an artist to select a desired reciprocation frequency for the needle movement of the tattoo applicator. The selected setting is used to generate a particular voltage from the voltage regulator that in turn, controls the frequency of the needle reciprocations. A wireless receiver receives operational commands to control the tattoo applicator from a remote transmitter thereby keeping the artist's hands free to work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventors: Brett Colton, Bertho Boman
  • Patent number: 9254377
    Abstract: A multilayer helical wave filter having a primary resonance at a selected RF diagnostic or therapeutic frequency or frequency range, includes an elongated conductor forming at least a portion of an implantable medical lead. The elongated conductor includes a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a first inductive component, and a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a second inductive element. The first and second helically wound segments are wound in the same longitudinal direction and share a common longitudinal axis. Planar surfaces of the helically wound segments face one another, and a dielectric material is disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the helically wound segments and between adjacent coils of the helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Kondabatni, Warren S. Dabney, Robert Shawn Johnson, Robert A. Stevenson, Christine A. Frysz
  • Patent number: 9254378
    Abstract: A nerve interface electrode has a plurality of conductive fibers. The fibers have a nonconductive sheath (108) surrounding a conducting wire. A conducting region (105) of the wire is exposed to the interior of the nerve (200). The fibers are configured for insertion between fascicles (204) of the nerve. In other teachings, a layer of polymer material configured to switch from a high strength/tensile modulus state to a low strength/tensile modulus state upon introduction of the fibers into the nerve is disposed on the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Dustin J. Tyler
  • Patent number: 9254379
    Abstract: This invention provides a device for implantation directly into the spinal cord for the purpose of treating back pain. Electrodes on a backing that conforms directly to the spinal cord are installed as a source of electrical stimulation and pain relief. The electrode array is maintained on the spinal cord by way of a spring or support structure that is anchored to an anatomical structure outside the spinal cord but near the site of implantation. Suitable anchoring structures include the vertebrae and the dura. Secured in this fashion, the support structure maintains a gentle pressure of the electrode array against the spinal cord so as to stay in electrical contact but minimize injury or inflammation. The device may accommodate and buffer movement of the spinal cord both laterally and in a caudal-rostral fashion so that the electrode array remains in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Howard, Hiroyuki Oya, Steve Viljoen, Chandan G. Reddy
  • Patent number: 9254380
    Abstract: A medical device lead includes a proximal connector configured to couple the lead to a pulse generator, an insulative lead body extending distally from the proximal connector, and a conductor assembly extending distally from the proximal connector within the lead body. The conductor assembly includes a conductor having a proximal end electrically coupled to the connector and a distal end electrically coupled to a defibrillation coil. A first portion of the defibrillation coil is exposed at an outer surface of the medical device lead and a second portion of the defibrillation coil is insulated at the outer surface of the medical device lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Masoud Ameri, Yingbo Li
  • Patent number: 9254381
    Abstract: A method for changing clusterization pattern of water molecules in the human body in order to speed up the healing process. A mobile device has an application, which generates different audio streams based on a type of illness needed to be cured. A user selects the illness type on the mobile device screen and a special connector placed into an audio output port of the module device provides the electric carrier wave signal to a surface of a human body. A mobile device needs to be plugged into a power source in order to have enough power to generate the signal of required intensity. The electric signal penetrates into the human body upon contact with the connector and gradually changes the pattern of clusterization of the water molecules of a person to a normal (healthy) pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Scientific Production Association Information Cell Biophysics
    Inventor: Vladislav Pustovit
  • Patent number: 9254382
    Abstract: An electro-acupuncture device for controlling over active bladder is described. The device includes a housing, circuitry for generating electro-acupuncture stimulus disposed within the housing, and at least one strap for securing the housing to the ankle. The device also includes a pair of D-shaped electrodes received within the bottom outer surface of the housing. The housing of the device is flexible with a low profile and is shaped so that it is conformal to a person's ankle. When the device is strapped to a patient's ankle, the electrodes contact the ankle and provide electric stimulation to the tibial nerve within the ankle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ReliefBand Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Aftab Ahmad, Matthew J. Geary, Farhan Hussain
  • Patent number: 9254383
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed that treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrically stimulating a nerve noninvasively, which may be a vagus nerve situated within a patient's neck. Preferred embodiments allow a patient to self-treat his or her condition. Disclosed methods assure that the device is being positioned correctly on the neck and that the amplitude and other parameters of the stimulation actually stimulate the vagus nerve with a therapeutic waveform. Those methods comprise measuring properties of the patient's larynx, pupil diameters, blood flow within an eye, electrodermal activity and/or heart rate variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico
  • Patent number: 9254384
    Abstract: The stimulation provided in the electrically stimulated cochlea is modulated in accordance with the amplitude of a received acoustic signal and the onset of a sound in a received acoustic signal to provide increased sound perception. An onset time that corresponds to the onset of a sound is detected in an acoustic signal associated with a frequency band. A forcing voltage and a transmitting factor are determined, wherein the forcing voltage and the transmitting factor are associated with the frequency band at the detected onset time. The acoustic signal is modulated as a function of the forcing voltage and the transmitting factor to generate an output signal. The generated output signal can be used to stimulate the cochlea. The modulation strategy can be used in conjunction with sound processing strategies that employ frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, or a combination of frequency and amplitude modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Gene Y. Fridman, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Patent number: 9254385
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved method of stimulating visual neurons to create artificial vision. It has been found that varying current of visual stimulation can create varying percept brightness, varying percept size, and varying percept shape. By determining the attributes of predetermined current levels, and using those attributes to program a video processor, more accurate video preproduction can be obtained. The present invention also includes an electrode array having alternating large and small electrodes in rows at a 45 degree angle to horizontal in the visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Greenberg, Mark Humayan, Devyani Nanduri, Matthew McMahon, James Weiland
  • Patent number: 9254386
    Abstract: A method and neurostimulator for providing therapy to a patient is provided. In one technique, an electrical pulsed waveform is conveyed between a caudal electrode and spinal cord tissue, thereby evoking action potentials that are orthodromically propagated along dorsal column fibers and evoking action potentials that are antidromically propagated along the DC fibers. Electrical energy is conveyed between a rostral electrode and the spinal cord tissue, thereby modulating times that the action potentials orthodromically propagated along the DC fibers arrive at the brain. In another technique, an electrical pulsed waveform is conveyed through a first electrode, thereby evoking action potentials that are propagated along a neural axon, and electrical energy is conveyed through the second electrode. The electrical energy has a frequency that is greater than a pulse rate of the electrical pulsed waveform, such that the action potentials propagated along the neural axon are blocked by the electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporatition
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Kerry Bradley
  • Patent number: 9254387
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an estimated volume of activation (VOA) corresponding to settings applied to a stimulation leadwire includes a processor performing the following: determining, for each of a plurality of neural elements, one or more respective parameters characterizing an electrical distribution along the neural element, looking up the one or more parameters for each of the neural elements in a look-up table (LUT), obtaining threshold values for each of the neural elements recorded in the LUT in association with the looked-up parameters, comparing, for each of the neural elements, a value of the leadwire settings to each of the respective threshold value, estimating based on the comparisons which of the neural elements would be activated by the settings, and generating a structure corresponding to a region including the neural elements estimated to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: David Arthur Blum, Michael A. Moffitt, Karl Steinke
  • Patent number: 9254388
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for endocrine and exocrine gland control, Neuro-electrical coded signals can be selected from a storage area that is representative of body organ function. The selected neuro-electrical coded signals are then transmitted to a treatment member, which is in direct contact with the body, and which then broadcasts the neuro-electrical coded signals to a specific endocrine and exocrine gland nerve or gland to modulate the gland functioning. A control module is provided for transmission to the treatment member. The control module contains the neuro-electrical coded signals which are selected and transmitted to the treatment member, and computer storage can be provided for greater storage capacity and manipulation of the neuro-electrical coded signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Codes of Life, LLC
    Inventor: Eleanor Schuler
  • Patent number: 9254389
    Abstract: According to various method embodiments for pacing a heart and avoiding unwanted stimulation of a phrenic nerve during cardiac pacing, a desired pacing time for delivering a cardiac pace is determined, and a desired nerve traffic inhibition time to inhibit nerve traffic in the phrenic nerve is determined using the desired pace time. The cardiac pace is delivered at the desired pacing time and nerve traffic in the phrenic nerve is inhibited at the desired nerve traffic inhibition time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Gabriel Hincapie Ordonez, Holly Rockweiler
  • Patent number: 9254390
    Abstract: Devices and methods for improving device therapy such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are described. An ambulatory medical device can receive one or more physiologic signals and generate multiple signal metrics from the physiologic signals. The ambulatory medical device can determine a desired value for a device parameter, such as a timing parameter used for controlling the delivery of CRT, using information fusion of signal metrics that are selected based on one or more of a signal metric sensitivity to perturbations to the device parameter, a signal metric variability, or a covariability between two or more signal metrics. The ambulatory medical device can program a stimulation using the desired device parameter value, and deliver the programmed stimulation to one or more target sites to achieve desired therapeutic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi An, Barun Maskara, Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Julie A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9254391
    Abstract: Pacing related timing is determined for an implantable medical device (IMD) by pacing at an RV pacing site, a first LV pacing site and a second LV pacing site in accordance with a first site, a second site and a third site pacing order, and further in accordance with a first inter-electrode pacing delay between pacing at the first site and pacing at the second site and a second inter-electrode pacing delay between pacing at the second site and pacing at the third site. At least one of a sensed event or a paced event is detected for at each of the second site and the third site. The first inter-electrode pacing delay and the second inter-electrode pacing delay are adjusted to avoid sensed events in favor of paced events at each of the second site and the third site. An atrio-ventricular delay may also be adjusted to avoid sensed events or lack of capture due to possible fusion at the first site, in favor of paced events at the first site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungmoo Ryu, Tomas Svensson, Stuart Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 9254392
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for determining whether anodal capture of the right ventricle is occurring when delivering left ventricular pacing with a cross-chamber pacing vector. The systems and methods may be measure cross-chamber sense times from left ventricular pacing and right ventricular pacing and compare the cross-chamber sense times to determine whether anodal capture of the right ventricle is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Subham Ghosh, Todd Sheldon
  • Patent number: 9254393
    Abstract: A wearable device for facilitating neurophysiological treatment of a patient harboring an implanted neural stimulator is provided. The wearable device includes a transmitting antenna configured to accept one or more input signals and to transmit one or more electromagnetic signals to a neural stimulator that is implanted in a patient's body. The wearable device further includes a control circuitry configured to provide the one or more input signals to the transmitting antenna. The wearable device further includes a battery that provides electrical power to at least the control circuitry. The wearable device is configured to be worn outside the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Devices LLC
    Inventors: Laura Tyler Perryman, Elizabeth Greene, Chad Andresen
  • Patent number: 9254394
    Abstract: A transcranial magnetic stimulation coil which is location-specific for medial brain regions or lateral brain regions is designed with multiple spaced apart stimulating elements having current flow in a first direction, and multiple return elements having current flow in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The multiple stimulating elements are distributed around a central axis of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: BRAINSWAY, LTD.
    Inventors: Abraham Zangen, Yiftach Roth
  • Patent number: 9254395
    Abstract: A microcurrent stimulation device with a power supply, two or more electrodes electronically coupled to the power supply, a microcontroller configured to generate an electromagnetic waveform, an impedance measurement module configured to measure electrical impedance of one or more biological tissues between the two or more electrodes. A first safety circuit monitors electric current flow through one or more components of the microcurrent stimulation device and interrupts electric current flow if the electric current flow through the one or more components is above a predetermined level. A second safety circuit interrupts electric current flow through the one or more components if a firmware failure occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: TAMA Research Corp.
    Inventor: Ali Shambayati
  • Patent number: 9254396
    Abstract: A method of radiotherapy treatment planning is described. A planned target volume is identified for radiotherapy treatment and at least one volume of interest is identified. The mass, density, and total deposited energy contained in the planned target volume and the volumes of interest are identified and dose objectives are determined. At least one of the objectives is a function of the identified mass, density, or deposited energy. A composite objective function is determined using the dose objectives for the planned target volume and the volumes of interest. A near optimal solution to the composite objective function is determined to produce a radiotherapy treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Rhode Island Hospital
    Inventor: Ivaylo B. Mihaylov
  • Patent number: 9254397
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma evaluation system and method for evaluating plasma, including: a treatment target material and a weak current measurement unit including a resistor unit and a differential amplifier, wherein the treatment target material is connected to the weak current measurement unit via a treatment target side measurement terminal, the resistor unit of the weak current measurement unit is connected to a ground side of a plasma generation current source, and the system and method evaluate plasma by receiving plasma generated by a plasma treatment equipment with the treatment target material, measuring a current by measuring a voltage across resistors of the resistor unit through the differential amplifier, and measuring an output voltage of the plasma generation power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hajime Sakakita, Yuzuru Ikehara, Satoru Kiyama
  • Patent number: 9254398
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having a substrate comprising metal oxide particles. The substrate has a coating thereon that includes an organic dispersant present in a amount that renders the substrate self-dispersible. Also disclosed is a composition, such as a cosmetic composition, that includes that self-dispersible coated substrate, and a process that includes coating a particulate metal oxide with an organic dispersant to render the metal oxide self-dispersible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KOBO PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: David Schlossman, Yun Shao, Carl Orr
  • Patent number: 9254399
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable fire extinguishing device, which comprises a casing (1) and a cartridge (2) provided inside the casing (1). The device is characterized in that: the casing (1) comprises a first half casing (4), a second half casing (5) fitted to the first half casing (4), a fastening ring (6) and a bottom cover (7); the first half casing (4) and the second half casing (5) are butted; the fastening ring (6) is provided on the top ends of the first half casing (4) and the second half casing (5) so as to fasten the both; and the bottom cover (7) is provided at the bottoms of the both. The first half casing, the second half casing, the fastening ring and the bottom cover are clamped and fixedly connected with each other to form a whole casing so that the whole wall thickness of the casing is uniform, thus improving injection moulding processes, reducing the difficulty in manufacturing a mould, saving plastic resources, and facilitating installation and disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: XI'AN J&R FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Qiang, Zhengjun Lei
  • Patent number: 9254400
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-step method for processing peroxygen solutions for reuse or disposal. The method uses an enzyme and a reducing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hilgren, Jelte Lanting, Roger John Arthur Tippett
  • Patent number: 9254401
    Abstract: Disclosed is a jump rope comprising: an oil impregnated bushing; having a pair of handles with an external surface treatment. Additionally, the rope may include a fastener attached to each end and secured within the head of the jump rope yet still free to rotate about an axis formed by the centerline of the rope body. In some configurations a universal joint is attached to each end and secured to the jump rope handle, with one end of the input yoke acting as a column for rotation and one end of the output yoke used to secure the rope, and both free ends of each yoke attaching to the cross-trunnion to complete the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventors: Shane Patrick Rogers, Joshua Barry Rogers
  • Patent number: 9254402
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a movement facilitative device, basically comprising a first fixing module, a second fixing module, an energy storing module and a switching module, wherein the first fixing module and the second fixing module are fixed on the first extremity and the second extremity of the animal respectively. The first fixing module is connected with the second fixing module. The present invention has the advantages of decreasing the force required by the muscles during the exercise as well as retarding the impact enforced thereon while the user is jogging or exercising. Furthermore, the switching module of the present invention minimizes the limitations to the movement of the user so as to let the user exercise more effortlessly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Mau-Pin Hsu, Jheng-Ying Lin, Jia-Yang Liang
  • Patent number: 9254403
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rehabilitation strap including a pair of handles and a strap of adjustable length and a method of using the same. The method includes rehabilitation exercises that an individual may practice after a joint replacement procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Peathry, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. Wertz, Ronald W. Brand, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9254404
    Abstract: An exerciser, preferably in the form of a stepper with a fluid resistance system guides stepper treadles angularly downward and outward from the center of the stepper. According to an embodiment bellows that support treadles angle downward and outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Tristar Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge Prats
  • Patent number: 9254405
    Abstract: An exercise device is provided using a variable resistant exercise band having spaced apart eyelets along the length of the band. Each eyelet located at respective ends of the band is secured onto a hook member attached to a rigid bar, or a grip handle which permits the band to be pulled up to different levels, or in different directions. A method is also provided for using the exercise device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Sammy Black Marji
  • Patent number: 9254406
    Abstract: A method of fatiguing a target muscle group of a user using an exercise device includes grasping in each hand one of a pair of outer handles of an exercise device, positioning the user's feet to be substantially aligned with the user's shoulders while maintaining the user's torso in a substantially upright orientation, positioning each hand in an initial position relative to the user's torso, cyclically pulling the outer handles away from one another in a cyclic motion to apply a cyclic pulling force to the tethers to cause the central disk to alternately rotate in opposing directions of rotation, and moving one or both hands to a secondary position relative to the user's torso and repeating the application of the cyclic force to fatigue the initial target muscle group or to fatigue a secondary target muscle group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Midvale Direct LLC
    Inventor: Forbes Riley
  • Patent number: 9254407
    Abstract: A tubing terminator is disclosed having two parts that are threaded together to receive and capture an expanded end portion of an elastic tube without exerting a compressive force against the expanded end portion of the tubing. The terminator has a C shaped handle and a threaded cap which together capture the end portion therebetween. A kit for terminating a free end of an elastic tubing resistance member includes a ball sized to be inserted into one end of an elastic tubing resistance member so as to expand the end of the elastic resistance member, a C shaped handle for receiving therein an expanded end of the elastic tubing resistance member, and a tubular cap removably fastenable to the handle to capture and retain the expanded end of the elastic tube in the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: BALANCED BODY, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Savarino
  • Patent number: 9254408
    Abstract: An exercise bar having a frame and a pair of rails positioned interiorly of the ends of a frame. A pair of moveable handles engaged with and mounted upon the rails. The moveable handles have a user grip. A pair of spring assemblies is located at each end of the frame and attached therein between and to the frame and one end of each respective moveable handle. During exercise, a user place weights on the outer ends of the frame and may then move the exercise bar in a general vertical swinging motion up or down, similar to existing barbells, and add additional stress via a compound movement by moving the handles in towards the center of the load and concurrently handle towards the center of the exercise bar to produce a transverse stress upon the user and user's musculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Patrick Mike Otto
  • Patent number: 9254409
    Abstract: Embodiments of a strength training apparatus and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, the strength training apparatus includes a base member and a tower structure coupled with the base member. At least one arm is pivotally coupled with the tower structure. A flywheel and a cable and pulley system are associated with the at least one arm, wherein displacement of at least one cable of the cable and pulley system effects rotation of the flywheel. The strength training apparatus may include a selectively adjustable magnetic braking mechanism associated with a flywheel that is configured to apply a selected resistance to the rotation of the flywheel. A torque sensor may be associated with the flywheel and the measured torque during operation of the apparatus may be used to calculate the work expended in rotating the flywheel. In one embodiment, the calculated work may be expressed in units of watts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dalebout, Michael Olson
  • Patent number: 9254410
    Abstract: The multi-grip exercise bar includes an elongate cylindrical shaft having end sleeves at opposite ends for selective mounting of weights. The cylindrical shaft has a pair of intermediate, symmetrically disposed, offset, coplanar grip portions formed by trapezoidal bends in the shaft, defining a main longitudinal axis and an offset longitudinal axis. Eight knurled grips are formed on the shaft. A pair of handles extend from a central section of the shaft parallel to each other, providing another pair of grips. Two outer sections of the shaft along the main axis provide a wide pair of grips for straight lifts, and two sections along the offset axis provide a narrow pair of grips for straight lifts. The four oblique legs of the offset portions provide wide and narrow pairs of grips for curl lifts, with either internal or external rotation of the wrists. The two handles provide grips for triceps lifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Abdullah Ayman Abd Alrasoul Mirza
  • Patent number: 9254411
    Abstract: A treadmill includes a frame, a support plate mounted on the frame, and a shock-absorbing structure mounted on two opposite sides of the frame. The shock-absorbing structure includes an elastic bar mounted between the frame and the support plate to support the support plate and to provide a shock-absorbing function. The elastic bar is above the frame and under the support plate and has two opposite ends each pivotally mounted between the frame and the support plate. Thus, the elastic bar is movable in a horizontal direction and is elastically bendable toward an inner side or an outer side of the support plate to increase or decrease a contact area of the elastic bar and the support plate and to change the position of the elastic bar relative to the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Li-Ling Chang
  • Patent number: 9254412
    Abstract: An exerciser includes a body and an adjustment wheel. The body has two flywheels and two foot support links. The two flywheels each have a sliding portion which radially connected thereto so as to guide the two foot support links to alternatively move along a supporting travel and a crossing travel to complete a closed pedal trajectory when the flywheels rotate. The timing adjustment wheel is pivotally connected to the body. The timing adjustment wheel has a first slider and a second slider, the first and second sliders are configured to move along the sliding portions of the flywheels. The foot support links drives the flywheel to rotate so that the first and second sliders move along the sliding portions to change the speeds and phase differences of the foot support links so as to meet the principles of ergonomics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KUN SHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chen, Wei-Ren Chen, Meng-Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 9254413
    Abstract: An elliptical exerciser includes a body having two foot support links and two rotation members. The rotation members are rotated about their respective rotation pivots to drive the foot support links to move along a supporting travel and a crossing travel to complete a closed pedal trajectory. The timing adjustment wheel is pivotally connected to the body. A distance is defined between the pivot of the timing adjustment wheel and either of the rotation pivots of the rotation members. Two connecting links are pivotally connected to the timing adjustment wheel. The lengths of the two connecting links are longer than the distance. When one of the foot support links moves within the supporting travel and rotates one of the rotation members, the timing adjustment wheel drives the other foot support link to move within the crossing travel and produces speed and phase differences to be more ergonomic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KUN SHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fu-Chen Chen, Wei-Ren Chen, Meng-Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 9254414
    Abstract: An elliptical trainer comprises a reciprocal-movement mechanism and an angle-adjusting chassis. The angle-adjusting chassis comprises a frame, a guider, an angle-adjusting assembly, and an intermediary part. Both the front end of the frame and the rear end of the guider may contact a supporting surface, and the rear portion of the frame may be pivotally coupled with a front portion of the guider. The angle-adjusting assembly is arranged near the rear portion of the frame, and the intermediary part is arranged at or near or attached to the front portion of the guider. The angle-adjusting assembly pushes the intermediary part, such that the guider rotates around its rear end, and the frame rotates around its front end, resulting in varying a first angle between the guider and the supporting surface and varying a second angle between the frame and the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: DYACO INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Liu, Hsuan-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 9254415
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stretching device which makes it possible for a user to stretch muscles such as the calf muscles and Achilles tendons. The foothold unit (10) includes a base plate (12), and an inclined foothold (11) disposed above the base plate at a position spaced apart from the base plate. A support pole unit (30) is disposed in a central portion of the foothold unit. The support pole unit includes a lower tubular member (31) fixed to the base plate (12), an upper tubular member (32) disposed in the lower tubular member so as to be adjustable in height, with a handle (36) provided on an upper end of the upper tubular member, and a fastener (33) fastening the upper tubular member to the lower tubular member. The inclined foothold is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the support pole unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Sung Eui Ha
  • Patent number: 9254416
    Abstract: A touchscreen exercise device controller is connected to an exercise device and is used to adjust one or more operational parameters relative to the exercise device. The touchscreen exercise device controller includes a touchscreen that displays one or more exercise device controls for controlling exercise device operations, and receives touch inputs from an exercise device user that indicate which exercise device operations are to be changed. The touchscreen exercise device controller further includes a processing module that generates operational commands for the exercise device based on the received user inputs, and upon determining that one or more of the touch inputs comprises a predefined touch input, modifies at least a portion of the exercise device controls displayed on the touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Darren C. Ashby
  • Patent number: 9254417
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sprinter training aid which pulls the sprinter forward in an over speed condition, for the purpose of exercise the muscles which pull the leg forward when running, such the hip flexor muscles. Two devices can be used, one pulling the sprinter forward and one pulling the sprinter backward at the start of a run. The backward pulling at the start of the run exercises the sprinter's muscles which are used when going from a stationary position, to a full speed sprint. The device which pulls the sprinter forward would take over when the rearward pulling device shut off, and pull the sprinter to an over speed condition. Include in the device is a cable and cable winder, and a motor, computer, and a wireless connection to a data compilation computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Wendell Lawrence
  • Patent number: 9254418
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval apparatus for objects with looped openings, the apparatus being flexible and made of metal, the apparatus characterized in having first and second arms, the first and second arms each having an upper end and each having a lower end, the apparatus having a body with first and second ends, the first end of the body connecting with the lower end of the first arm, the second end of the body connecting with the lower end of the second arm, the body having a shape, the shape of the body urging the first and second arms toward each other with a first spacing therebetween, the upper end of the first arm defining a first tip, the upper end of the second arm defining a second tip, the first tip and the second tip forming a space wider than the first spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Steven R. Knight
  • Patent number: 9254419
    Abstract: An underwater man-powered mechanical propeller includes a screw propeller arranged on a screw propeller shaft and encircled by a concentric protective ring. One side of the protective ring is provided with a supporting plate on which a first gear and a second gear mesh with each other, and a transitional gear and the second ear form a meshing pair. The drive shaft of the transitional gear passes through the supporting plate and has a second bevel gear, which meshes with a first bevel gear provided on the screw propeller shaft. The first gear is connected to a first connecting rod and the second gear is connected to a second connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Zhanluo Xin
  • Patent number: 9254420
    Abstract: A golf ball having a good rebound and excellent flight performance can be obtained using a golf ball composition which includes a diene polymer containing not more than 1.5% of components having a molecular weight of 30,000 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD., BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideo Takeichi, Takashi Ohira, Yuichiro Ozawa, Tsuyoshi Nakajima, Satoru Tamaki, Yusuke Yamagata, Teppei Mori
  • Patent number: 9254421
    Abstract: A golf ball is provided that includes a coating. The coating is designed to allow a golfer to modify or increase the tackiness of the coating. The coating changes tackiness when exposed to a soaking material. A method of determining a desirable length of soak is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Alan