Patents Issued in March 8, 2016
  • Patent number: 9277830
    Abstract: A carrying device (10) for carrying a baby or an infant by a person, comprises a receiving body (20) having a cloth-like or cushion-like backrest (40) at least in sections with a front side (21) facing toward the carrying person and a back side (22) facing away from the carrying person. The device includes a harness system (30) for fastening the receiving body (20) to the person and can have two cloth-like seating sections (50) attached to the front side (21) of the backrest (40), each having a first end (51) fastened to the front side (21) of the backrest (40) and a loose second end (52). The first ends (51) of the two seating sections (50) are arranged next to one another and the second ends (52) can be detachably fastened to the backrest (40). The seating sections (50) form a sling device T within the receiving body (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Schachtner Vermoegensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Petra Schachtner
  • Patent number: 9277831
    Abstract: An integrated “T” assembly combines into a single integrated assembly, a track portion along both sides of a divider. The T assembly may have a wide-base portion, which may include a spring-urged-pusher track, on one side of the divider and a narrow-base portion on the opposite side of the divider. An offset pusher may have an upper portion that is offset, via an angled offset portion, from a lower portion of the pusher. Additional supporting bases, any of which may include spring-urged-pusher tracks and/or a spring-urged pusher, may be used under a wide product. Left and right side finisher components may be paired with T assemblies near the sides of a merchandise-display shelf. The T assembly, base, and/or end finishers may be coupled to a front rail via a complimentary tongue and groove arrangement and/or a non-slideable engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Hardy
  • Patent number: 9277832
    Abstract: A display fixture includes a shelf having a tester product receptacle, at least one first tester product assembly and an elongated channel. The at least one first tester product assembly has a base and a cover. The cover includes a hinge component. The base is located in the tester product receptacle of the shelf. The elongated channel is coupled to the shelf and is configured to receive and retain the hinge component of the cover such that the cover is rotatable about a back edge of the base of the at least one first tester product assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Theisen, Nick Q. Trinh, Benjamin Weshler
  • Patent number: 9277833
    Abstract: A checkout stand includes a first extendable conveyor extending in a first direction for delivering one or more articles to a first bagging station. A second conveyor is provided for conveying one or more articles from the first conveyor to at least a second bagging station. A scanner may be provided for scanning the articles, such as during delivery by an infeed conveyor upstream of the first conveyor. A controller may control the first conveyor to selectively divert articles between the first and second bagging stations. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PAN OSTON HOLDING COMPANY
    Inventors: James R. Vance, Chad A. Eilers, Richard J. Blankenship, Gordon T. Gravelle, Andrew B. Ritter, Jerrod P. Arterburn, Kyle Thomas Hampton
  • Patent number: 9277835
    Abstract: A chair-back mountable garment hanger has a main supporting body; at least one fastening element configured to attach the supporting body to a seat back, and a hanger element supported by the supporting body. In one configuration, the main supporting body has a pair laterally extending wings, and a back adapted to lie against a back surface of a seat back. Mounting hooks are coupled to respective laterally extending wings, and are configured to be hooked over the seat back to thereby hang the main supporting body from the seat back. A hanger element, formed of a single piece of wire, defines a pair of garment shoulder support portions and a pair of downwardly extending support members which slidably engage with, and extend from a top edge of, the main support body, whereby the hanger element is vertically adjustable relative to the main support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Rohit Jindal
  • Patent number: 9277836
    Abstract: A cookware assembly or set comprising or including at least one cookware vessel of a substantially square peripheral exterior and interior form when viewed in plan, wherein the vessel has an attachment location on at least one of the four sides, the attachment location being a relief in the vessel's rim suitable for handle engagement, and a handle selectively engageable at the or any one of the attachment locations, the handle with both proximal and distal end regions having a pair of jaw elements at the proximal region for facilitating engagement to an attachment location such that a first jaw of the jaw pair locates substantially inside the vessel and a second jaw of the jaw pair locates substantially outside of the vessel, and a lid able to fit on the cookware vessel and to close, or at least substantially close, the cookware vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AGD HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Graham Robert Brett Dalton, David Moodie
  • Patent number: 9277837
    Abstract: A method for preparing a beverage or liquid from a food substance contained in a filtering receptacle by passing water through the substance using brewing centrifugal forces. The method includes feeding water into the receptacle, and driving the receptacle in centrifugal rotation to force water to flow through the substance in a centrifugal flow path to the outlet of the receptacle. The receptacle is a sealed capsule which is opened for water to be introduced into the capsule, contains a predetermined dose of food substance and is discarded after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser
  • Patent number: 9277838
    Abstract: A coffee beverage system is described including a coffee bean packaging cartridge and a coffee brewing apparatus. The packaging cartridge includes a container holding coffee beans and transportation component for transporting coffee beans towards an exit opening of the cartridge. The coffee apparatus comprises a grinder for grinding the coffee beans from the cartridge and a brewing device for brewing coffee from ground coffee obtained by the grinder. A metering chamber holds a predetermined amount of coffee beans and comprises a bottom portion which forms a part of the grinder, said bottom portion rotates around an axis extending in a vertical direction. A second coffee bean packaging cartridge includes a second dosing device separate from the first dosing device for preparing and/or supplying a dose of coffee beans to the entrance opening of the coffee brewing apparatus independent of the coffee brewing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V., Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan de Graaff, Ivo van Os, Christiaan Johannes Maria Moorman, Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 9277839
    Abstract: A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (50) has: an outlet (4) for dispensing said beverage; a user-recipient support (5) movable within such machine from a position for supporting a smaller user-recipient (51) under the outlet to a position for placing a larger user-recipient (52) under the outlet; and means for stopping movement of the user-recipient support in at least one of said positions. The stopping means comprise a means (57, 58) for fastening the user-recipient support in said at least one of said positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Blaise Rithener, Antoine Cahen
  • Patent number: 9277840
    Abstract: A raising mechanism of a movable lower grill grid formed with a hand crank mounted to lateral columns of a frame of a barbecue grill and a worm provided in a middle point of the hand crank. A cross-sectional rotary axis is arranged below a fixed upper grill grid and a worm wheel with one end engages the worm. Pulleys are mounted to respective ends of the axis. Steel cables include ends mounted to the pulleys and lower ends mounted to lateral tabs of the lower grill grid. The mechanism also includes a casing for housing and protecting the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Tadaharu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9277841
    Abstract: The invention refers to a mechanical food treatment processor comprising a driving block topped by a bowl. The driving block comprises a motor connected to a driving device having a substantially vertical axis. The bottom of the bowl comprises an opening to allow the passage of the driving device. The processor further comprises a food treatment tool having a fitting device to be fitted onto the driving device and a magnetizing device exerting a force of attraction between the food treatment tool and the bowl. Thus, it is possible to tilt the bowl with the claimed invention while preventing the treatment tool from inopportunely falling. The tool remains easily dismountable from the bowl and the driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: HAMEUR S.A.
    Inventors: Loïc Xavier Fevre, Nicolas Lapray
  • Patent number: 9277842
    Abstract: A potato chip lifting apparatus has a elongated handle with a front side and a back side, the back side having a plurality of catching mechanisms extending from the back side of the elongated handle and away from the elongated handle, the catching mechanisms configured to engage a can in which potato chips are stored. The foot portion is rotatably attached to a bottom portion of the elongated handle, the foot portion movable between a first position and a second position, in the second position the foot portion extends in a direction away from the front side of the handle and generally orthogonal to the elongated handle and the front side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Donald P. Berry
  • Patent number: 9277843
    Abstract: A wipes container designed for one-handed use. The wipes container may have a three-dimensional orifice to facilitate access to wipes stored therein. The wipes container may have additional convenience features, including an ergonomic opening button, gripping feet, and a size ratio consistent with moisture retention and one-handed operation. Methods and structures for communicating the proper use of the ergonomic features of the container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Richard Shane Mays, Lucio Frias, Samir M. Aziz, James Matthew Owen, Richard Lawrence Horstman
  • Patent number: 9277844
    Abstract: A new and useful vacuum apparatus is provided, for sweeping and cleaning a residential and commercial spaces, in a manner that is efficient and effective and a manner that minimize effort and time. The apparatus includes a flexible container that encloses some of the vacuum, sweeping and cleaning components that are part of a vacuum system, the flexible container configured to be worn by a person operating the apparatus, and having a flexibility that enables it to conform to the contour of the back of a person wearing the flexible container, and the flexible container is also configured to enable certain components of the vacuum system to be located outside of the container when the container is being worn by a person operating the vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Luis A. Millan
  • Patent number: 9277845
    Abstract: An accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner comprises an elongated body having a plurality of furrows for imparting flexibility to the accessory tool. The elongated body is further be made of a material that is selected to impart flexibility to the accessory tool so that the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion can be bent about a radius through an angle up to 45° without kinking or breaking in a direction transverse to and laterally of elongated cross-sectional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Griffith, Joseph A. Fester, Jonathan L. Miner
  • Patent number: 9277846
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a home cleaning appliance including a housing having a nozzle, which includes a main suction opening. An airstream suction source is mounted to the housing and includes a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A cyclone main body is mounted to the housing and communicates with the nozzle main suction opening. The cyclone main body includes a first stage separator and a plurality of second stage separators. A dirt cup is connected to the cyclone main body for collecting dust particles separated by the first stage separator and the plurality of second stage separators. An air manifold is mounted to the first stage separator for fluidly connecting the first stage separator to the plurality of second stage separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Sergey V. Makarov, Raymond P. Kawolics, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9277847
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a handheld tool for removing debris from a crevice. The tool may include a handle shank having a proximal end and a distal end, and a generally anchor-shaped dislodging body extending from the distal end of the handle shank. The dislodging body may have a fulcrum aperture configured to permit the passage of a fulcrum apparatus therethrough along with a distal end and two blade portions extending outwardly from the distal end of the dislodging body and a punch extending from the distal end of the anchor-shaped dislodging body, the punch configured to push debris through the crevice. The punch may include a pair of picks, such as a sharp pick and a flat pick, extending therefrom and a beveled outer edge configured to function as a scraper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Everette Harold Epting
  • Patent number: 9277848
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided, in which a plurality of filters are modularized to extend their effective area and improve their efficiency. The dishwasher includes a tub formed at an inside of the cabinet, forming a washing space where the dishes are washed; and a sump assembly provided at a lower side of the tub and provided with a filter chamber to which a filter module is inserted. The filter module filters the washing water, and includes a plurality of drainage filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Heon Yoon, Joon Ho Pyo, Jae Won Chang, Gap Su Shin
  • Patent number: 9277849
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a combination dishwashing machine and sink that utilizes a first use solution includes a dishwashing machine, a sump, a pump, a sink, a first fluid passageway, and a controller. The sump is in fluid communication with the dishwashing machine and is configured and arranged to contain the first use solution utilized in the dishwashing machine. The pump is in fluid communication with the sump, and the first fluid passageway interconnects the pump and the sink. The controller is operatively connected to the pump and is programmed to signal the pump to direct the first use solution from the sump, through the first fluid passageway, and into the sink. The controller automates the filling of the sink with the first use solution from the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud, Daniel F. Brady, Darryl C. Bowling, Eddie D. Sowle, Matthew C. Porter
  • Patent number: 9277850
    Abstract: Computer systems and software for controlling an endoscope integrity tester. The pressurization and humidity measurement and calculations, and the resulting determination of passage or failure is automated and controlled to eliminate concerns of human error in the detection process. Further, the computer system is capable of adapting its calculations to specific endoscopes and particular testing changes to further improve accuracy by being context-sensitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Medivators Inc.
    Inventor: Melissa Kubach
  • Patent number: 9277851
    Abstract: A video endoscope including: a tube forming an interior, a window formed at a distal end of the tube; an image sensor; a support in the interior for supporting the image sensor, said image sensor viewing through the window; a conductor arranged on the support, the conductor electrically connecting the image sensor, and a closing wall at a proximal end of the tube through which a pin extends, said pin being in contact with the conductor on the support, wherein the support abuts an inner face of the closing wall such that a surface region of the support on which the conductor is mounted contacts the closing wall at an angle at the point where the pin is located such that a portion of the pin protrudes into the interior and rests in a parallel manner on the surface region of the support and makes contact with the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Stuehle, Sebastian Jungbauer
  • Patent number: 9277852
    Abstract: A probe includes an optical system which irradiates a site of a biological tissue and receives light emitted from the site, and an imaging device. The imaging device is disposed ahead of the optical system closer to the end of the probe. The probe rotates the incident direction of the light and the imaging direction of the imaging device around a rotation axis directed to the longitudinal direction of the probe while fixing an angle between the incident direction and the imaging direction. The optical system receives the light from the site which always falls in the field of view of the imaging device, or brought with a time lag into the field of view of the imaging device as a result of rotation, the light being incident in the direction normal to, or inclined away from the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Advanced Layers, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Katsurada, Yuichi Atarashi
  • Patent number: 9277853
    Abstract: An endoscope for an optical fiber provides for inflow and outflow of irrigant. A telescope is included having a field of view directed into a working region. The endoscope defines a “hooded region” with an extended, blunt tip. The optical fiber fits within the endoscope has a side or end firing tip with an emission surface. A guide element is adapted to movably support the optical fiber in a position spaced away from the working region, and limit lateral movement of the tip without preventing longitudinal and rotational movement. An irrigant flow arrangement operates to direct inflowing irrigant over the emission surface of the tip. The fiber is assembled with a fiber coupler, a handle, a fiber port cap, and a travel limiter fixed to the fiber at a predetermined distance from the tip. The travel limiter cooperates with the endoscope and the fiber port cap to limit longitudinal and rotational movement of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AMS Research, LLC
    Inventors: Kester Nahen, Ken Arnold, Steven Yihlih Peng, James Raymond Kermode
  • Patent number: 9277854
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image sensor for a capsule endoscope which enables a dual mode operation, and more particularly, to an image sensor for a capsule endoscope wherein two image sensors identically designed and manufactured for photographing the inside of a human body are used and set as a master and a slave, respectively so as to enable a dual mode operation in which two chips are linkage-operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: I3SYSTEM, INC.
    Inventors: Han Jung, Byung Hyuk Kim, Yong Woo Lee, Chul Cha, Sang Heun Park, Bong Ki Baek
  • Patent number: 9277855
    Abstract: A medical device, configured for insertion into a body, may include an elongate member extending from a proximal end to a distal end, where the distal end may be configured to be positioned inside the body. The medical device may also include an imaging device positioned at the distal end. The medical device may further include a plurality of light sources positioned at the distal end, wherein a characteristic of light delivered through a first light source may be controlled independent of the characteristic of light delivered through a second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Benning, Paul Aquilino
  • Patent number: 9277856
    Abstract: An illumination device (1a) includes a light source section (21) outputting excitation light; a fluorescent member (22) excited by the excitation light to emit illumination light; a first light transmitting section (24) disposed between the light source section (21) and the fluorescent member (22) to guide the excitation light output from the light source section (21) to the fluorescent member (22); and a second light transmitting section (25), which is arranged closer to the distal side than the fluorescent member (22) to guide the illumination light emitted from the fluorescent member (22). According to the invention, it is possible to provide an illumination device and an endoscope apparatus capable of exciting the fluorescent member to radiate illumination light, without directly radiating laser light from the light source section to the outside, even if a bending portion or more distal side than the bending portion is damaged in an insertion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichi Kobayashi, Takakazu Ishigami
  • Patent number: 9277857
    Abstract: A system for testing the vision of a subject and/or training head-eye coordination associated with the vision of a subject is disclosed herein. The system includes a visual display device having an output screen, the visual display device configured to display one or more visual objects on the output screen so that the one or more visual objects are visible to the subject; and a data processing device, the data processing device operatively coupled to the visual display device, the data processing device being specially programmed to carry out the steps of the vision tests and training procedures. In one or more embodiments, the system may further include a motion sensing device, the motion sensing device configured to measure a velocity or speed of a head of a subject, and the motion sensing device being operatively coupled to the data processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Kamran Barin, Daniel James Petit
  • Patent number: 9277858
    Abstract: Aberration is measured as phase information at each of a plurality of aberration measurement points, and at the time of correcting the aberration with correction pixels of an aberration correction unit of which the number is greater than the number of the plurality of aberration measurement points, correction pixels corresponding to each aberration measurement point are driven based on the phase information. Regarding correction pixels not positionally corresponding to the aberration measurement points, the aberration correction unit is driven based on phase information in the vicinity of this correction pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Nozato, Kohei Takeno
  • Patent number: 9277859
    Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes an instruction unit configured to issue an instruction on a size of an imaging range of a tomographic image, and a control unit configured to control a measurement light optical path length changing unit to perform alignment in a depth direction with respect an object after the instruction by the instruction unit, and change an optical path length of measurement light by a distance corresponding to a change of the size on which the instruction is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Oyaizu, Hiroshi Aoki, Yukio Sakagawa, Hirofumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9277860
    Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes a control unit configured to, in a case where an instruction to narrow an imaging range of a tomographic image is issued, control a measurement light optical path length changing unit to reduce an optical path length of measurement light and make a changing speed of the optical path length of the measurement light lower than in a case where an instruction to widen the imaging range is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Komine, Hiroshi Aoki, Hirofumi Yoshida, Yukio Sakagawa, Hiroyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 9277861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for examining an eye, particularly a human eye, comprising: an optical unit that is designed to generate a current image of a current intermediate image, wherein the optical unit comprises an objective, an additional lens that is designed to be arranged in front of an eye along an optical axis of the optical unit in order to generate said current intermediate image of a posterior structure of said eye, and wherein said additional lens is designed to be movable relative to said optical unit so as to generate a sharp and particularly reflection-free current image of said posterior structure with help of said optical unit. According to the invention, the device comprises a first actuator means that is designed to move the additional lens and which is controlled depending on the current image. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for examining an eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSITÄT BERN
    Inventors: Jens Kowal, Tobias Rudolph, Christoph A. Amstutz
  • Patent number: 9277862
    Abstract: Non-tactile and non-evasive tonometer utilizing air flow with a definite amount of pressure to the eye and a mechanism to deflate the thin foil set that is placed near to eye ball such that re-bounded air hits on it. The mechanism involves acquiring or capturing then the images of the known pattern marking on thin foils both before and after deflating process due to rebounded air. On evaluating the deformation of the pattern appearing in the images obtained before and after air flow and calibrating the deformation with respect to size, translation, rotation and scaling parameters due the different pressure level that hits the eye ball and that rebounds on to thin foils, we arrive at a scheme of measuring the intraocular pressure of human eye. This intraocular pressure is used as a parameter for the ophthalmologist to diagnose glaucoma impairment of human beings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: FORUS HEALTH PVT. LTD.
    Inventors: Shyam Vasudeva Rao, Kuppuswamy Chandrasekhar, Mahabaleswara Ram Bhatt
  • Patent number: 9277863
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for automated measured correction of the eyes and provision of sunglasses and eyeglasses for individuals, including individuals with a visual acuity of 20/20 or better.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Perfect Vision Technology (HK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Junzhong Liang
  • Patent number: 9277864
    Abstract: A wearable sensor and method for providing a wearable sensor are disclosed. In a first aspect, the wearable sensor comprises at least one power source and a first module coupled to the at least one power source. The first module includes a first outer shell and a first printed circuit board (PCB) within the first outer shell. The wearable sensor further comprises a second module coupled to the first module. The second module includes a second outer shell and a second PCB within the second outer shell. One of the first and second modules is disposable and the other of the first and second modules is reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: VITAL CONNECT, INC.
    Inventors: Yun Yang, Azin Sahabi
  • Patent number: 9277865
    Abstract: A photodynamic therapy apparatus as an estimating apparatus is an apparatus for irradiating a tissue having absorbed photo-sensitive pharmaceutical, the photo-sensitive pharmaceutical absorbing an excitation light and emitting fluorescence, with the excitation light emitted from a tip portion of a laser catheter, including a connector, a light source, and a light detection unit. The laser catheter is capable of being attached to and detached from the connector. The light source outputs the excitation light to the laser catheter via the connector. The light detection unit detects intensity or a spectrum of the fluorescence, the fluorescence being entered from the laser catheter via the connector, to estimate whether the tissue has changed because of reaction between the excitation light emitted from the tip portion of the laser catheter and the photo-sensitive pharmaceutical absorbed in the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ARAI MEDPHOTON RESEARCH LABORATORIES, CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Shiho Hakomori, Koshi Tamamura, Tsunenori Arai, Arisa Ito, Jun Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9277866
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining qualitative and quantitative analysis of the optical properties or structures of tissue or turbid medium at one or more wavelengths via 1) detection at a single spatial location on the surface of a turbid medium (such as tissue) under two or more structured light conditions or 2) detection at two or more spatial locations on the surface under a single structured light condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: MODULATED IMAGING, INC.
    Inventor: David Cuccia
  • Patent number: 9277867
    Abstract: The brassiere may include at least one accommodation disposed on a portion of the brassiere with the at least one accommodation configured to carry at least a pair of sensors. The pair of sensors may be detachably carried by the at least one accommodation. The accommodation may be a pocket, slit, or pouch. The accommodation may be a pair of pockets that support a garment accessory. The garment accessory may include a member having first and second ends that fit within the pair of pockets. The pair of sensors may be carried by the member, which holds the sensors against the skin of a subject wearing the brassiere. The garment accessory may further include a wireless transmitter carried by the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Medicomp, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Kurzweil, Paul Albrecht, Lucy Gibson, Amara Angelica, Aaron Kleiner
  • Patent number: 9277868
    Abstract: A vital sign measurement device includes a sensor fixation device, a sensor frame, an optical sensing system, and an output unit. The sensor fixation device is adapted to be placed against an anatomical location of a subject. The optical sensing system includes an optical waveguide, an optical source device to supply optical energy to the optical waveguide, and an optical detector to detect an amount of optical energy exiting the optical waveguide. The optical sensing system is adapted to sense an arterial pulse from the compression or flexing of at least a portion of the optical waveguide resulting in reduction of the amount of light exiting the optical waveguide. The output unit is configured to receive a signal indicative of the amount of light exiting the optical waveguide and to generate a measure of the vital sign based at least in part on the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Tarilian Laser Technologies, Limited
    Inventors: John A. Borgos, Thomas A. Borgos, Troy Pongratz
  • Patent number: 9277869
    Abstract: There are provided a thin-film piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric thin film which has an alkali niobate-based perovskite structure represented by the composition formula (K1-w-xNawSrx)m(Nb1-yZry)O3 and which is preferentially oriented to (001), and a pair of electrode films that sandwich the piezoelectric thin film, a thin-film piezoelectric actuator, and a thin-film piezoelectric sensor each including the thin-film piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Kurachi, Yasuhiro Aida, Hitoshi Sakuma, Kazuhiko Maejima
  • Patent number: 9277870
    Abstract: One variation of a method for monitoring sleep of a user includes: assigning a collective wakefulness model—generated from sleep data collected from a set of other users—to the user for a first time period; storing a first set of vitals data collected by a wearable device worn by the user during first time period; extrapolating, from the collective wakefulness model, a first waking time of the user for a first sleep event during first time period based on data in the first set of vitals data; queuing the first waking time for transmission to a mobile computing device linked to the account for presentation to a guardian of the user; in response to expiration of the first time period, generating an individual wakefulness model specific to the user based on the first set of vitals data collected during the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Sproutling, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew Spolin, Christopher Bruce
  • Patent number: 9277871
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for the analysis of data returned from monitoring multiple physiological parameters of a subject, especially from ambulatory multiple parameter monitoring. The methods and systems remove motion artifacts from signals and separate multiple components of single signals due to two or more physiological systems or processes. Each output signal is are preferably free from motion artifacts and reflects primarily functioning of only a single physiological system or process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Desmond B. Keenan, Michael Coyle
  • Patent number: 9277872
    Abstract: This invention relates to the determination and/or representation of physiological information relating to a heart surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Rhythmia Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Harlev, Brian Stewart
  • Patent number: 9277873
    Abstract: A method of identifying an epileptogenic zone of a subject's brain includes receiving a plurality of electrical signals from a corresponding plurality of surgically implanted electrodes, calculating a first plurality of connectivities between each pair of electrodes based on a portion of each of the plurality of electrical signals corresponding to a first time period, assigning a rank corresponding to each electrode for the first period of time based on the first plurality of connectivities to provide a first plurality of ranks, calculating a second plurality of connectivities between each pair of electrodes based on a portion of each of the plurality of electrical signals corresponding to a second time period, assigning a rank corresponding to each electrode for the second period of time based on the second plurality of connectivities to provide a second plurality of ranks, identifying a cluster of electrodes among the plurality of electrodes based on relative changes between the first plurality of ranks fro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Sridevi V. Sarma, Sandya Subramanian, Stephanie Hao
  • Patent number: 9277874
    Abstract: A multielectrode array with fault-tolerance for use in conjunction with a brain implantable device includes a sensor grid composed of a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors including primary sensors and spare sensors. The multielectrode array also includes signal processing circuitry associated with the plurality of sensors and a control system associated with the sensor grid for replacing faulty primary sensors with spare sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: YALE UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Bharat S. Joshi, Ipsita Acharya, Hitten P. Zaveri
  • Patent number: 9277875
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for detecting non-cavitated caries lesions, including a measuring electrode having an electrically conductive tip. The tip is dimensionally configured to fit within a fissure and provide electrical contact with a patient's tooth. A reference electrode is also included, the reference electrode being configured for electrical contact with the patient's body. A measuring means is also provided for determining electrical conductance between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode, wherein the device is further configured to receive a current source for providing electrical current between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York
    Inventors: Israel Kleinberg, Fred Confessore, Robi Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 9277876
    Abstract: In a method for measuring a metabolic rate of a user, an electronic device is configured to: output a first instruction to instruct the user to pronounce a first specified sound at rest; record a first vocal signal associated with the first specified sound pronounced by the user; output a second instruction to instruct the user to pronounce a second specified sound at exercise; record a second vocal signal associated with the second specified sound pronounced by the user; and evaluate the metabolic rate of the user according to the first vocal signal, the second vocal signal, and a maximum oxygen uptake of the user that is pre-obtained by the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SPORT-SUPPORTED CULTURES INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Lu Bi Sha Pu, Chia-Chih Lin, Wen-Kai Tai, Yi-Ting Pan, Jung-Charng Lin
  • Patent number: 9277877
    Abstract: A method of determining the presence of a pneumothorax includes obtaining a series of frames of image data relating to a region of interest including a pleural interface of a lung. The image data includes at least a first frame and a second frame. The method further includes identifying, via processing circuitry, the pleural interface in at least the first frame and the second frame, determining, based on computing optical flow between the first and second frames, a pleural sliding classification of the image data at the pleural interface, and determining whether a pneumothorax is present in the pleural interface based on the pleural sliding classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Philippe M. Burlina, Ryan N. Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 9277878
    Abstract: An image processing sensor system functions as a standalone unit to capture images and process the resulting signals to detect objects or events of interest. The processing significantly improves selectivity and specificity of detection objects and events in a series of motions that may precede a patient who is at elevated risk of falling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TKO Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil L. McClure, Ralph David Wieland
  • Patent number: 9277879
    Abstract: An integrated imaging system is invented for creating an optimal imaging session by importing information in real time from several sources and using that information to automatically and continuously adjust the parameters of the imaging session so as to create the optimal session for the prescribed testing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ORTHO KINEMATICS, INC.
    Inventor: Adam Deitz
  • Patent number: 9277880
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to noninvasive methods, devices, and systems for measuring various blood constituents or analytes, such as glucose. In an embodiment, a light source comprises LEDs and super-luminescent LEDs. The light source emits light at least wavelengths of about 1610 nm, about 1640 nm, and about 1665 nm. In an embodiment, the detector comprises a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a special geometry comprising one of a substantially linear substantially equal spaced geometry, a substantially linear substantially non-equal spaced geometry, and a substantially grid geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: MASIMO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeroen Poeze, Marcelo Lamego, Sean Merritt, Cristiano Dalvi, Hung Vo, Johannes Bruinsma, Ferdyan Lesmana, Massi Joe E. Kiani