Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
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Patent number: 9289090Abstract: Cooktop appliances and methods of operation for intelligent response to cooktop audio are provided. One example cooktop appliance includes microphones for capturing an audio signal at the cooktop. A controller can compare the audio signal to a plurality of cooking event sounds representative of different cooking events. If the audio signal is matched to one of the cooking event sounds, operations responsive to the particular identified cooking event can be performed.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Peijian Jefferson Yuan, Eric Xavier Meusburger
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Patent number: 9289091Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing a pressed beverage using a press and lid system. In one aspect, a beverage material is pressed to the bottom of a beverage container by means of a press ring including a filter. The walls of the beverage container exert a force on the press ring, folding flaps (perimeter portions) that are attached to the press ring by means of a flexible attachment member. Any beverage material or other debris that is not collected by the filter in the press ring is collected by a filter in the lid. Other variations and features consistent with the present invention exist.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Smartcup, Inc.Inventor: Jeff Baccetti
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Patent number: 9289092Abstract: An attachment system for connecting a piston cover to a piston body of a french press coffee maker comprises a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the plate is adapted to be in contact with a top surface of the piston cover. The bottom surface has at least one peg extending therefrom. The at least one peg is adapted to be inserted into at least one aperture of the piston cover and corresponding at least one aperture of the piston body. The at least one peg is adapted to be secured to the bottom surface of the piston body. Piston heads for a brewing chamber of a french press coffee maker are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: LES ENTREPRISES CAFECTION INC.Inventor: Simon Gagné
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Patent number: 9289093Abstract: A brewing assembly includes a brewing chamber, a support structure carrying first and second portions of the brewing chamber, and a boiler for heating water. The support structure has a first part which is fastened to the first portion of the brewing chamber, and a second part which is fastened to the second portion of the brewing chamber. The first and second parts of the support structure can be mutually coupled and uncoupled. The first and second portions of the brewing chamber are mutually mobile to adopt an open position, and a closed position when the first and second parts of the support structure are coupled. The boiler is rigidly connected to one of the parts of the support structure and to one of the portions of the brewing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Cristiano Castelli, Stefano Tonelli
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Patent number: 9289094Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a steam chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, a steam chamber is placed in selective communication with a vacuum pump and a heat transfer medium, such as a source of deaerated water. The steam chamber is then placed in communication with the vacuum pump, which draws a vacuum on the steam chamber and begins removing air from the interior thereof. Once a sufficient vacuum has been drawn on the steam chamber and substantially all of the air removed therefrom, the steam chamber may be placed in communication with the heat transfer medium. In one exemplary embodiment, the heat transfer medium is deaerated water. A predetermined amount of heat transfer medium is then allowed to fill the steam chamber. Once the predetermined amount of deaerated water has been received within the steam chamber, a steam chamber may be sealed.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ACCUTEMP PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Larry R. Wolf
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Patent number: 9289095Abstract: Described are embodiments of a grilling apparatus and associated methods that can include a bottom portion defining a cavity and a firewall. The firewall can be positioned within the cavity defined by the bottom portion such that the cavity can be divided into a first section and a second section, where the first section can retain a heating element. A grate assembly that can include a grate and a handle can be positioned within the bottom portion and can be configured to rotate relative to the bottom portion. The grilling apparatus can include a lid that can be configured to cover at least a portion of the grate assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Ben Douglas Goff, IV
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Patent number: 9289096Abstract: A temperature control system for safely controlling the rate of flow of a flammable fluid at generally constant pressure is disclosed. The system may include a flow control apparatus that is free of a regulator mechanism, for affecting the flow of the fluid. The flow control apparatus may be operable between at least a first flow rate and a second flow rate, and may have at least one upstream opening and at least one downstream opening. The system may also include a first burner in fluid communication with the downstream opening of the flow control apparatus and a conduit in fluid communication at one end thereof with the upstream opening of the flow control apparatus, and configured at the other end thereof for connection to a fuel supply. A thermocouple may be located in the vicinity of the burner or an appliance used in conjunction with the burner. The thermocouple converts a sensed thermal state into an electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: WOLFEDALE ENGINEERING LIMITEDInventors: Sydney Barkhouse, Stuart T. McKenzie
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Patent number: 9289097Abstract: An accessory is provided for adapting cooking grills, especially grills including a hinged lid, for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods. The accessory includes a body adapted to be disposed between the base and lid portions of the cooking grill, the body being configured to mate with an inner surface of the lid and to cooperate with the base and lid portions to define therebetween a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber when the lid is positioned in a partially-closed position between the open and closed positions. A hinged-lid grill including the accessory is provided also.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: AFC Business Ventures, LLCInventor: Alfred F. Contarino, Jr.
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Patent number: 9289098Abstract: A muddler includes a handle and a shaft extending axially from the handle. The handle has a bore with helical grooves in the interior surface thereof. The shaft has a proximal end received in the bore, and a pin extends through the shaft to engage the helical grooves. A compression spring in the bore urges the shaft distally. A pestle head is secured to the distal end of the shaft, with a convex distal end surface having a plurality of projections extending distally to contact the solid materials to be crushed and bruized or broken. A force transmitted distally from the handle causes the spring to compress, driving the proximal end of the shaft into the bore and causing the shaft to rotate, further bruising and crushing the solid ingredients and creating a mixing action among the solid ingredients.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: William D. Federighi
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Patent number: 9289099Abstract: A sandwich making accessory, where embodiments of the inventive device aligns the edges of a bottom and top food material used for making a sandwich while maintaining constant user determined pressure on the sandwiched food materials between the top and bottom food materials is provided. The constant and evenly distributed pressure applied by embodiments of the sandwich making accessory provides for an even distribution of the fill materials within the top and bottom food materials without the fill materials spilling out over the edges. The enclosing materials that bound the sandwich interior fill may include slices of bread, cake, waffles, graham crackers, cookies, biscuits, and other consumable products. The inventive accessory allows for easier pick up and when closed evenly distributes the pressure over the whole surface of the top and bottom enclosing crackers which lessens the chance of cracker breakage.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Glenn Pesti
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Patent number: 9289100Abstract: A cooking utensil having a metal food holding member, a shaft member, a nut, and a handle is provided. The shaft member has a body portion and a threaded portion. The body portion has a slot therein. The threaded portion extends from the body portion and defines first threads thereon. An end portion of the metal food holding member is received in the slot and is coupled to the body portion. The nut is threadably received on the first threads of the threaded portion. The handle includes internal threads communicating with a first aperture of the handle. The first threads of the threaded portion are threadably received on the internal threads of the handle, such that the nut abuts against the handle and is disposed between the handle and the body portion of the shaft member.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Samuel A. Lisek
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Patent number: 9289101Abstract: A collapsible toilet enclosure has a base portion having a toilet aperture and a holding receptacle in fluid communication with the toilet aperture. The base portion has walls defining an inner space. An upper frame portion is pivotally connected to the base portion, the upper frame portion having a front wall, the upper frame portion being pivotable relative to the base portion between a collapsed position where the upper frame portion forms a lid for the base portion and a vertical position where the upper frame portion and a front wall of the base portion form a front wall of the toilet enclosure. The collapsible toilet has may be selectively secured to the upper frame portion in the vertical position. A doorframe is formed by an opening in the front wall of the upper frame portion and an opening in the base portion, the openings aligning to form the doorframe when the upper frame portion is in the vertical position.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Wezor Inc.Inventor: Robert Ritchie Weir
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Patent number: 9289102Abstract: A disposable seating-surface cover for a toilet-seat flap is configured to cover a seating surface of a toilet-seat flap in order to avoid contact between a user and the toilet-seat flap. The disposable seating-surface cover includes a deformable or foldable base section with an aperture. The disposable seating-surface cover further includes at least one adhesive section which is arranged on or in the base section and is made of a paramagnetic or ferromagnetic material.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Christian Seibt, Jorinde Wittkugel
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Patent number: 9289103Abstract: A toilet seat hinge assembly and method of installing the assembly are described, wherein the assembly includes a hinge body having a seat and a central opening extending longitudinally through the body; a fastening hinge post having a head, a longitudinally extending body and at least one locking pin; a bushing having an upper flange portion and a longitudinally extending body defining a longitudinally extending channel therethrough, which body further has at least one transversely extending groove in or on the bushing body; and at least one fastening device for securing the hinge assembly to a toilet. The at least one locking pin locks the assembly by rotation of the fastening hinge post body within the channel in the bushing body.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: AS IP Holdco, LLCInventor: Robert M. Jensen
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Patent number: 9289104Abstract: An adapter device for attaching a vacuum cleaner bag to a retaining plate intended to be received in a vacuum cleaner bag retaining device of a vacuum cleaner and comprising a retaining plate through hole is described. The adapter device has a base element comprising a first surface and a second surface as well as a through hole which extends between the first and the second surface. The clamping arrangement comprises at least one deformable clamping element which is attached or can be attached to the base element and can be brought into a first and a second deformation state.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Sovi GmbHInventor: Michael Justus
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Patent number: 9289105Abstract: A floor cleaning device is disclosed. It comprises a brush, which is rotatable around an axis of rotation, and a cover having a cover surface which faces the axis of rotation and has a plurality of ridges constituting liquid channels between them for transporting liquid to outfalls provided at lower ends of the liquid channels. In addition, a method of cleaning a floor is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a brush, bringing the brush into contact with the floor, moistening the brush with a fluid, for example, a cleaning solution, rotating the brush, collecting droplets of fluid, released from the brush due to a centrifugal force associated with its rotational motion, in a plurality of liquid channels provided on a cover, and guiding the collected fluid through the liquid channels towards outfalls provided at lower ends of the liquid channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Freddy Moes
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Patent number: 9289106Abstract: A pad driver for a floor treating machine comprises an annular support plate to which is attached a plurality of resilient spoke members that project radially therefrom. The support plate is shock-mounted to a hub used to couple the pad driver to a floor treating machine drive motor shaft. On the free ends of the resilient spokes are connector plates on which abrasive pads are removably secured.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Diamond Productions Ltd.Inventors: Harvey Stark, Pavel Ikonomov
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Patent number: 9289107Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dishmachine that includes one or more features directed to water, energy or material savings. The disclosed dishmachines are still capable of meeting the soil demands of the articles to be cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Paul Ellingson, Wesley Mark Nelson
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Patent number: 9289108Abstract: A crockery basket of a dishwasher for receiving pieces of crockery. The crockery basket has a bottom; a plurality of lateral parts framing the bottom; and at least two substantially parallel rows of rods that are arranged on the bottom to hold the pieces of crockery. Each of the at least two rows of rods has a base wire and individual rod wires that are attached to the base wire. At least two adjacent individual rod wires of a first of the at least two rows of rods have a bend in a direction of a second of the at least two rows of rods.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Werner Haltmayer, Mathias Herrmann, Stefan Kasbauer, Claus Köther, Jens Schlichtmeier, Martin Weissenburger, Mark Woldenberg
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Patent number: 9289109Abstract: A dishwasher includes a washing container, and an upper basket located in an upper region of the washing container for accommodating items to be washed. The upper basket has a floor wall and a side wall that circumferentially bounds the floor wall and projects upward. The upper basket has a static first partial region and a second partial region that is movable relative to the first partial region between at least two positions, with the second partial region forming in the at least two positions at least one section of the floor wall. The section assumes different heights relative to a part of the floor wall of the first partial region in the at least two positions, wherein the section assumes for at least one of the at least two positions a height above a height of the part of the floor wall of the first partial region.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Klaus-Martin Forst, Andreas Reiter, Jochen Riedinger
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Patent number: 9289110Abstract: A surgical pump system arrangement receives an inflow cassette and provides fluid flow to a surgical site in a joint of a patient. The arrangement calculates load coefficients for a pressure loss curve based on an identified inflow cannula and an identified endoscope utilized therewith. The arrangement determines if the cannula is disposed at a surgical site and if adequate fluid flow is provided. Further, the arrangement determines if the inflow cannula and endoscope are properly identified. The arrangement integrates with an identified or unidentified surgical device to adjust pump operation when the surgical device is operating. The arrangement maps actuators disposed on a surgical handpiece or footswitch to control operation of the pump system, including providing suction to an outflow path of a surgical device that is not operating. The arrangement also determines when an inflow pump cassette is not properly inserted into the pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATIONInventors: Brady Woolford, Jesse Smith, Nikolai Chernyy, Andrew Hamel, Michael Hilldoerfer, Steffan Benamou
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Patent number: 9289111Abstract: A controllable sheath for optimizing the control of surgical instruments at the operation site includes a flexible sheath surrounding an endoscope and including a lumen extending along the walls of the sheath and adjacent to the endoscope. The lumen permits the passage of surgical instruments from the proximal end of the endoscopic device to the operation site. The lumen extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope and deflects at the distal end as desired by the operator's manipulation of a controller device. This distal end deflection may occur through various different techniques where the ability to deflect the lumen gives the operator increased control and maneuverability over the surgical implements located in the lumen. Depending upon the particular requirements of the surgical procedure, the controllable sheath may include any number of lumens capable of distal end deflection.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Adams, Michael Banik, Charles Pugsley
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Medical treatment endoscope having an operation stick formed to allow a procedure instrument to pass
Patent number: 9289112Abstract: A medical treatment endoscope according to the present invention is provided with: a flexible sheath capable of a bending operation; an arm section protruding from the tip of the sheath and capable of a bending operation; an operation stick formed to allow a procedure instrument to pass therethrough so that the operation stick is operated by an operator in an attempt to bend the arm section; and a channel unit having a first channel which allows the procedure instrument to pass therethrough so that the channel unit is inserted through the operation stick detachably.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Shotaro Takemoto, Takumi Dejima, Kazushi Murakami -
Patent number: 9289113Abstract: A processor for an electronic endoscope includes first and second image storing units; a motion detector obtains a difference of image data; and a controller executes control in one of a first mode where the image data is sequentially converted into the video signal, and the image data and the difference are sequentially stored in the first and second image storing units; a second mode where the image data stored in the first image storing unit is outputted, and the generated image data and the difference are sequentially stored in the second image storing unit; and a third mode where the image data stored in the second image storing unit is outputted, and the generated image data and the difference are sequentially stored in the first image storing unit, and in the second and the third modes, based on the difference.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: HOYA CORPORATIONInventor: Ryo Ozawa
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Patent number: 9289114Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward a laryngoscope having a handle, a rigid tube, and an optical subassembly. The handle has a distal end and a proximate end. The tube is hollow and also has a distal end having a distal opening and a proximate end having a proximate opening. The optical subassembly includes a light source located within the handle, a power source located within the handle and in communication with the light source and a light carrier extending between the handle and the tube and in communication with the light source and providing light inside and along the entire length of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Nilesh R. Vasan
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Patent number: 9289115Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical access port system that comprises a retractor that is adapted for being coupled to a cap and that is particularly useful in natural orifice surgery are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Applied Medical Resources CorporationInventors: Kevin K. Dang, Jeremy J. Albrecht, Blaze Brown, Adam Hoke, Adeeb Saiduddin, Gary M. Johnson, Jacob J. Filek
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Patent number: 9289116Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an extraction unit configured to extract a region where light is depolarized from a polarization-sensitive tomographic image of a subject, and a display control unit configured to display, on a display unit, a region determined as a region invading a predetermined layer of the subject, in a part of the region where light is depolarized.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Sato, Yoshihiko Iwase
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Patent number: 9289117Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes a first lens, a second lens and a scanning unit on an optical path of measurement light that irradiates an object to be examined. The second lens has a focal length longer than a focal length of the first lens. A portion of the object to be examined is disposed at a focal position of the first lens, and the scanning unit is disposed at a focal position of the second lens. The scanning unit scans the measurement light via the second lens with a smaller angle than an angle at which the measurement light irradiates the object to be examined via the first lens.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hirofumi Yoshida
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Patent number: 9289118Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a planar image acquisition unit configured to acquire a planar image showing a polarization state of a subject, a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a three-dimensional tomographic image including a plurality of two-dimensional tomographic image of the subject, a display control unit configured to display, on the display unit, an index indicating a position of a tomographic image to be displayed on the display unit among a plurality of two-dimensional tomographic images, by superimposing it on a planar image showing the polarization state, and an instruction unit configured to give an instruction to change a position of the index on a planar image showing the polarization state.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Sato, Tomoyuki Makihira, Yoshihiko Iwase, Kazuhide Miyata, Hiroyuki Shinbata, Ritsuya Tomita, Daisuke Kibe
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Patent number: 9289119Abstract: Device for determining at least one sight parameter of a subject, includes stimulation elements for stimulating the sight of the subject in a predetermined viewing direction, elements for ophthalmological measurement of at least one sight parameter of a subject, the elements for ophthalmological measurement having at most one optical measurement axis for each eye, at least one optical conjugation system, arranged between the ophthalmological measurement apparatus and the right eye and/or left eye of a subject, and a system for aligning the optical conjugation system, so as to optically conjugate a point Y and a point E, the point Y intended to coincide with the optical center of rotation of the eye concerned, the point E being situated on the optical measurement axis, so as to align the image of the optical measurement axis with the ocular axis of the right or left eye in a plurality of viewing directions.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)Inventors: Konogan Baranton, Guilhem Escalier
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Patent number: 9289120Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for detecting and tracking fast-moving-object. In one application, the present invention can be employed to detect and track fast eye movements (saccades). An example device of the present invention tracks a moving object by generating, within a single frame of a detector (e.g., a video camera) two or more images of the moving object. The images are generated by illuminating the moving objects with sequentially activated light sources (e.g. sequentially strobed light-emitting diodes). The rate at which the light sources are sequentially activated exceeds the frame rate of the detector, resulting in generating multiple images of the moving object within a single frame of the detector. The devices and methods described herein, including a saccadometry system, can utilize off-the-shelf components and does not require expensive high-frame-rate video equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Massachussetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Nandini Rajan, Andrew M. Siegel
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Patent number: 9289121Abstract: Methods and system for determining a physiological parameter of a subject through interrogation of an eye of the subject with an optical signal are described. Interrogation is performed unobtrusively. The gaze direction of the eye of the subject is determined and an interrogation signal source and/or response signal sensor are moved into alignment with the eye using an actuator to facilitate detection of the signal from the eye of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Allen L. Brown, Jr., Douglas C. Burger, Eric Horvitz, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Eric C. Leuthardt, John L. Manferdelli, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Barney Pell, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Richard N. Zare
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Patent number: 9289122Abstract: A camera for capturing an image of an object, for example an eye. The camera has at least two light sources and an image-sensing system having two image sensors. A multiple branch optical system transmits outgoing light from the light sources to the object, and transmits incoming light from the object to the image-sensing system. The multiple branch optical system includes an autofocusing element such as a variable power optical element that varies the focus of the incoming light. There is also an image display. There is a controller that controls the operation of the light sources, controls acquisition of images by the image-sensing system, and controls the display of images on the image display. The controller activates an autofocus light source and uses the resulting captured image to automatically adjust the image exposure parameters.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Optimum Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Randal B. Chinnock, Frederick G. Bargoot, George Grubner, Jason P. Julian, Sarah Latta, William Weber
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Patent number: 9289123Abstract: An eye-mountable device for measuring an intraocular pressure is provided. The device may include a transparent polymeric material having a concave surface configured to be removably mounted over a corneal surface of an eye, an antenna, an expandable member, a sensor and control electronics at least partially embedded in the transparent polymeric material. The expandable device is configured to expand and apply a force to the corneal surface and the sensor is configured to detect a resistance to deformation of the cornea in response to the applied force. The resistance to deformation of the cornea in response to the force applied by the expandable member is indicative of the intraocular pressure of the eye.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Douglas Weibel, Babak Parviz
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Patent number: 9289124Abstract: A tool for calibrating a non-contact tonometer (NCT) comprises a body having a mating feature configured for removably mounting the body on the nosepiece or on the measurement head of the NCT, a pressure sensor carried by the body and arranged to receive an air pulse discharged by the NCT to provide a pressure signal in response to the air pulse, and a radiation emitter carried by the body, wherein the radiation emitter provides a pseudo-applanation event when the pressure signal reaches a predetermined level that is detectable by the NCT as though an actual corneal applanation had taken place. In one embodiment, the mating feature includes a mounting orifice for receiving a portion of the nosepiece. In another embodiment, the mating feature includes a pair of mounting pins sized for receipt by a corresponding pair of mounting holes in the measurement head of the NCT.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: REICHERT, INC.Inventors: Russell Bonaventura, David G. Kelkenberg, David L. Beverly, Donald E. Miller, David A. Luce
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Patent number: 9289125Abstract: The vision protection method and system thereof is provided to ensure a viewer to rest his/her eyes after viewing on an electronic device for a certain period, wherein the eyesight protection method includes the steps of detecting one of more working parameters of the viewer in responsive to a preset working threshold in a working mode of the electronic device during the viewer is working on a current work displaying by the electronic device; switching the working mode of the electronic device to a resting mode; and switching the electronic device from the resting mode back to the working mode to resume the display of the current work of the electronic device. Therefore, the viewer is enforced to rest his/her eyes after every certain period.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Roger Li-Chung Wu
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Patent number: 9289126Abstract: A subject information obtaining apparatus has: a light source; a plurality of receiving elements which receive acoustic waves generated from a subject, and output signals; a memory unit for storing, for each of a plurality of predetermined positions, information to represent signals which are output from the plurality of receiving elements when an acoustic wave source is assumed to exist in the position; and an estimating unit for estimating a distribution of acoustic wave sources. The estimating unit assumes a distribution of acoustic wave sources, obtains signals corresponding to positions of respective acoustic wave sources in the assumed distribution from the stored information, and defines a distribution of acoustic wave sources, of which degree of coincidence between the obtained signals and signals obtained in an actual measurement is highest, as the distribution of acoustic wave sources.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koichi Tanji
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Patent number: 9289127Abstract: A probe includes a connector having a connection end surface, a first cover covering the connection end surface of the connector and defined by a surface perpendicular to a first direction corresponding to the direction toward which the probe is inserted, and a second cover configured to move in a second direction corresponding to a direction opposite to the first direction and which covers the connector by being stretched from the outer circumference of the first cover toward the second direction. The second cover moves in the second direction by receiving a press force directed toward the second direction from a wall surface formed by an opening of the adapter unit at the time of insertion of the connector into the adapter unit. The first cover is configured to be broken by the connector's press force directed in the first direction when the second cover moves in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenta Mitsuhashi, Ryou Nakamoto
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Patent number: 9289128Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and systems for performing in vivo flow cytometry by using blood vessels as flow chambers through which flowing cells can be monitored in a live subject in vivo without the need for withdrawing a blood sample. In some embodiments, one or more blood vessels are illuminated with radiation so as to cause a multi-photon excitation of an exogenous fluorophore that was previously introduced into the subject to label one or more cell types of interest. In some other embodiments, rather than utilizing an exogenous fluorophore, endogenous (intrinsic) cellular fluorescence can be employed for in vivo flow cytometry. The emission of fluorescence radiation from such fluorophores in response to the excitation can be detected and analyzed to obtain information regarding a cell type of interest.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Charles P. Lin, Alicia L. Carlson, Clemens Alt, David P. Biss, Costas M. Pitsillides, Chungiang Li
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Patent number: 9289129Abstract: A non-contact measuring method in pediatrics is disclosed. An infant model is established by acquiring a human image and a depth image of a subject infant; updating the infant model by acquiring a plurality of anthropometric characteristic points and finally obtaining an anthropometric data of the subject infant from the updated infant model. This invention also provides an apparatus to achieve the above mentioned measuring method. An infant model which includes anthropometric characteristic points and 3D surface models is established based on a human image acquired by an image acquisition module and a depth image acquired by a depth information acquisition module in conjunction with an algorithm program built in a data acquisition and processing module. Human anthropometric data is obtained by analyzing the infant model. The non-contact measuring method and measuring apparatus in pediatrics make the measuring process more humane without contacting a subject body.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: IMAGE TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventor: Shi Yin
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Patent number: 9289130Abstract: The invention in one aspect relates to a method for discriminating soft biological tissues. The method includes illuminating soft biological tissues at at least one first spot with light; collecting Raman scattering light scattered from the soft biological tissues at at least second spot in response to illumination by the light, wherein the at least second spot is away from the at least one first spot so as to define a source-detection (S-D) offset distance therebetween; obtaining a spatially offset Raman spectrum from the collected light, wherein the spatially offset Raman spectrum is associated with a depth of the soft biological tissues at which the Raman light is scattered; identifying tissue signatures from the spatially offset Raman spectrum; and determining whether the soft biological tissues have a layered structure from the tissue signatures from the spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Matthew D. Keller, Mark C. Kelley
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Patent number: 9289131Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the thermal imaging of cells with nanoparticles.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas SystemInventors: Paul Castella, Jihoon Kim
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Patent number: 9289132Abstract: A system, device and method are presented for utilizing stretchable active integrated circuits with inflatable bodies. The invention allows for such operative features to come into direct contact with body structures, such as the inner wall of a lumen. Such direct contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: MC10, Inc.Inventors: Roozbeh Ghaffari, Gilman Callsen, William J. Arora, Benjamin Schlatka
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Patent number: 9289133Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for determining a dynamical property of the systemic or pulmonary arterial tree using long time scale information, i.e., information obtained from measurements over time scales greater than a single cardiac cycle. In one aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for monitoring cardiac output (CO) from a single blood pressure signal measurement obtained at any site in the systemic or pulmonary arterial tree or from any related measurement including, for example, fingertip photoplethysmography. According to the method the time constant of the arterial tree, defined to be the product of the total peripheral resistance (TPR) and the nearly constant arterial compliance, is determined by analyzing the long time scale variations (greater than a single cardiac cycle) in any of these blood pressure signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventors: Richard J. Cohen, Ramakrishna Mukkamala, Derin A. Sherman
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Patent number: 9289134Abstract: Systems and methods related to the field of cardiac resuscitation, and in particular to devices for assisting rescuers in performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Qing Tan, Gary A. Freeman, Frederick J. Geheb, Martin E. Bures, Annemarie Silver
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Patent number: 9289135Abstract: A monitoring device includes a housing configured to be attached to a body of a subject. An optical emitter, optical detector, and sensor for measuring motion noise are located within the housing. Light transmissive material is in optical communication with the optical emitter and detector and is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more locations of the body of the subject and to collect light external to the housing and deliver the collected light to the detector. A signal processor is configured to receive and process signals produced by the optical detector and the motion noise sensor, and to remove noise from the signals produced by the optical detector. The signal processor may generate physiological parameters for the subject such as heart rate, blood flow, blood pressure, VO2max, heart rate variability, respiration rate, and blood gas/analyte level.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Valencell, Inc.Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer
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Patent number: 9289136Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for storing and recalling metrics associated with physiological signals. It may be determined that the value of a monitored physiological metric corresponds to a stored value. In such cases, a patient monitor may determine that a calibration is not desired. In some cases, a patient monitor may recall calibration parameters associated with the stored value if it determined that the stored value corresponds to the monitored metric value.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett IrelandInventors: Paul Stanley Addison, James N. Watson
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Patent number: 9289137Abstract: An intravascular pressure sensor assembly is disclosed herein that is produced in part using photolithography and DRIE solid-state device production processes. Using DRIE production processes facilitates a number of features that could not be readily incorporated in sensor chips fabricated using mechanical saws. In accordance with a first feature, sensor chips are created with non-rectangular outlines. The sensor chip includes a widened portion that substantially abuts an inner wall of a sensor housing, and a cantilevered portion that is relatively narrow in relation to the widened portion. The non-rectangular outline of the sensor chip is formed using photolithography in combination with DRIE processing. In accordance with another feature, the sensor chip is positioned width-wise in the housing, thereby reducing a required length for the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Volcano CorporationInventor: Paul Douglas Corl
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Patent number: 9289138Abstract: The application relates to an apparatus and a method for estimating a central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) of a subject, in which a peripheral blood pressure waveform of the subject's pulse and at least two peripheral blood pressure measurements within the cardiac cycle of the subject are determined and the peripheral blood pressure waveform is manipulated with a transfer function to provide an estimate of the central blood pressure waveform of the subject's pulse. The at least two peripheral blood pressure measurements within the cardiac cycle of the subject and the peripheral blood pressure waveform of the subject's pulse are determined at substantially the same point on a peripheral artery of the subject. The estimate of the central blood pressure waveform of the subject's pulse provides an estimate of the central systolic blood pressure of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SunTech Medical, Inc.Inventors: Philip Jan Chowienczyk, Sally Emma Brett, Antoine Yves Marie Guilcher
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Patent number: 9289139Abstract: A method employed in a prior art arm-worn blood pressure monitor to measure the height position of the heart has been an indirect method that merely estimates the position of the heart, and therefore has had the problems that the measurement accuracy and the reliability of the measurement are low, and that the measuring position is awkward and it is difficult to achieve correct position alignment. An arm-worn blood pressure monitor includes a cuff, a microwave transmitting unit for radiating a microwave onto a human subject, a microwave receiving unit for receiving a reflected wave Doppler-shifted relative to the radiated microwave due to a heartbeat of the subject, and a correct position detector for detecting, based on the reflected wave, whether the cuff worn around an arm of the subject is located in a correct position relative to the position of the heart of the subject.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideki Shimizu, Yuichi Kato