Patents Issued in May 3, 2016
  • Patent number: 9326678
    Abstract: A tomographic-image pickup unit is controlled so as to capture a tomographic image in response to a signal input from a signal input unit. Then, a display unit is controlled so as to display the captured. tomographic image. An eyeground-image pickup unit is controlled so as to capture a two-dimensional image in response to a signal input from the signal input unit while the tomographic image. is displayed on the display unit. Therewith, the user can more easily perform imaging, and the time load on the subject is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Muto, Yasuyuki Numajiri, Nobuhito Suehira, Makoto Sato, Yukio Sakagawa, Akihiro Katayama
  • Patent number: 9326679
    Abstract: A medical system includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomographic image of an object to be examined based on a combined beam generated by combining a return beam returning from the object to be examined illuminated with a measuring beam and a reference beam corresponding to the measuring beam, a focus position changing unit configured to change a focus position on the object to be examined; an optical-path-length difference changing unit configured to change a difference in optical path lengths between the measuring beam and the reference beam, and a control unit configured to control the optical-path-length difference changing unit so that the difference in the optical path length is within a predetermined range and then receive an instruction to the focus position changing unit to make a change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motoya Takai
  • Patent number: 9326680
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus includes: a main unit including a unit for observing or photographing an examinee's eye; a movable part in which the main unit is mounted; a vertical movement mechanism provided with a drive part to move the movable part up and down; an operating member to be operated by an examiner to move the movable part up and down; a sensing part to detect an operation signal of the operating member; and a driving control part to convert the operation signal detected by the sensing part to a drive signal to move the movable part up and down, and drive the drive part based on the drive signal, wherein the drive part includes a motor having a hollow portion about a rotation axis thereof, the motor being controlled by the driving control part to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Makino, Hirokazu Nakamura, Daisuke Baba, Toshiya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9326681
    Abstract: An excessive amount of pressurized air is inhibited from being blown to an eye of a patient during measurement of a corneal shape deformation amount. In a non-contact tonometer having a piston, a driving unit to drive the piston, a fluid ejection unit to blow air pressurized by driving the piston toward a cornea of an eye to be inspected, and an intraocular pressure measuring unit to detect a deformed state of the cornea and measure an intraocular pressure, there are provided a piston displacement restricting unit that restricts a displacement amount when the piston pressurizes the air, and a changing unit to change the displacement amount to be restricted by the piston displacement restricting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Shimozato
  • Patent number: 9326682
    Abstract: Software systems, arrangements and processes for evaluating an image associated with at least one portion of an anatomical structure are provided. For example, first information associated with the at least one portion of the anatomical structure second information associated with the at least one portion of the anatomical structure can be received. Third information can be generated by determining a relationship between the first information and the second information. Further, the image can be evaluated using a predetermined pathological scoring criteria and the third information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Brett Eugene Bouma, John A. Evans
  • Patent number: 9326683
    Abstract: Wound fluid blood detection systems and methods are described that are operable in conjunction with reduced pressure wound treatment (RPWT) systems, as well as ancillary therapy and monitoring systems applied concurrently with RPWT systems. The blood detection monitor operates by optically characterizing the content of wound fluids to the extent of identifying percentage blood content. This identification relies upon the transmission of select wavelengths of light across a volume of wound fluid to a photo detector (connected to signal processing instrumentation) capable of quantifying the absorption characteristics of the fluid. The detection components may be implemented in conjunction with either a fluid flow conduit (i.e. the reduced pressure tubing directing fluid away from the wound dressing) or more directly in association with the materials that comprise the wound dressing positioned within the wound bed itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Premnarayan Ganapathy, Royce Johnson, Tim Robinson, Christopher B. Locke
  • Patent number: 9326684
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a physiological parameter of blood in a patient are provided herein. An example method includes establishing with a magnetic array, an first magnetic field along tissue of the patient inserted into the magnetic array and a second magnetic field perpendicular to the tissue, emitting optical signals into further tissue of the patient during at least a first alignment of the magnetic array around the tissue, detecting characteristics of the optical signals, and identifying a value of a physiological parameter based on at least the characteristics of the optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Lockett E. Wood
  • Patent number: 9326685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for evaluating condition on skin or hair. The device provides one extension supporting a hydration meter suitable for measuring hydration values in areas difficult to measure (e.g., skin in scalp area) and; a separate extension supporting a camera for capturing images of an area of skin or hair and transferring said image to computer. Data from these sources are evaluated and scored. The multiple data points are used to provide a highly targeted product best suited for each individual consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivasan Krishnan, Jamie Gordon Nichol
  • Patent number: 9326686
    Abstract: A system including a sensor and a device coupled to the sensor. The sensor is configured to detect in Animalia tissue (i) a first electromagnetic radiation extinction dominated by absorption of a first wavelength and (ii) a second electromagnetic radiation extinction dominated by scattering of a second wavelength. The device is configured to aid in diagnosing at least one of infiltration and extravasation in the Animalia tissue based on the first and second electromagnetic radiation extinctions detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ivWatch, LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Warren, Matthew S. Alley, Scott J. Anchell, Javier A. Garriz, William J. Naramore, Garret T. Bonnema
  • Patent number: 9326687
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating metal nano-particle embedded enhancement substrates used for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) including ion implanting metal nano-particles into the substrate and etching the substrate to partially expose the metal nano-particles. The resulting material is useful as a SERS substrate for detection of molecules adsorbed on it by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventors: Wei-Kan Chu, Dharshana N Wijesundera, Indrajith Rajapaksa
  • Patent number: 9326688
    Abstract: The present invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus that includes a light source, a holding plate configured to hold an object, a supporting unit configured to support the holding plate, and a probe configured to receive, via the holding plate, an acoustic wave generated from the object on which light is irradiated from the light source. A light reflecting member is provided between the supporting unit and the holding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Yukio Furukawa, Hiroshi Nishihara
  • Patent number: 9326689
    Abstract: Motion tracking is performed with a thermal pattern within a patient. A pattern of different temperature is created in tissue, such as warming up tissue in a checkerboard pattern. The temperature pattern is used over time to track motion of the tissue. The tracked motion may be used to treat the tissue throughout at least part of a periodic cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Hsu
  • Patent number: 9326690
    Abstract: A patient monitor configured to display patient information in a display area. The patient information is indicative of at least one physiological parameter of a patient and includes at least one unitary display element in the display area that indicates simultaneously both a quantitative value and a reliability indication of the physiological parameter. An appearance of the display element transitions so as to represent a plurality of different reliability levels, including at least a first reliability level, a second reliability level, and at least one intermediary reliability level between the first and second reliability levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Joe Petruzzelli, Cadathur Rajagopalan
  • Patent number: 9326691
    Abstract: A pad of disposable protective barrier films for adhesive attached to a blood pressure cuff prior to its placement on a limb of a subject. The barrier film is a thin, non-permeable polymer, typically having a thickness of between approximately 1.0 and 3.0 mil. A portion of the side of the barrier adapted for attachment of the blood pressure cuff is coated with a low tack adhesive. The low tack adhesive holds the barrier in place during installation and use of the blood pressure but allows easy removal and disposal thereof upon completion of the blood pressure measurement. A unique packaging system is provided whereby no adhesive backing strips are required, successive barrier sheets are merely peeled from a stack. In still other embodiments, the barrier or the adhesive may include a germicidal material to further help protect the blood pressure cuff to from germs or other contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Jane Corbett-Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9326692
    Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device is characterized in that the said device is designated to arithmetically apply to the computed blood pressure value a correction value that is in accordance with the difference in atmospheric pressure between the position of the blood pressure transmitting part and the position of the heart of the subject wearing the blood pressure transmitting part as obtained from the sensor signal, on the basis of the internal pressure variation of the blood pressure transmitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Yokoyama, Kuniaki Tanaka, Toshinobu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9326693
    Abstract: A method, consisting of receiving respective electrocardiograph (ECG) signals from body-surface electrodes at respective locations in proximity to a heart of a subject. The ECG signals may be processed to generate respective signal parameters characteristic of positions of the body-surface electrodes with respect to the heart, and the respective locations may be adjusted so as to achieve a specified geometrical relationship between the body-surface electrodes and the heart in response to the respective signal parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventor: Shaul Haim Raz
  • Patent number: 9326694
    Abstract: A mobile terminal for measuring a biological signal is disclosed. The mobile terminal for measuring a biological signal includes an electrocardiogram electrode unit having a first electrode provided in a front surface of a body of the mobile terminal and a second electrode provided in a first side surface of the mobile terminal body for measuring an electrocardiogram signal through the first electrode and the second electrode, a sensor unit provided in a second side surface of the mobile terminal body for measuring a pulse wave signal, a controller provided within the mobile terminal for analyzing the electrocardiogram signal received from the electrocardiogram electrode unit and the pulse wave signal received from the sensor unit and a radio frequency unit for transmitting an analyzed result by the control of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Geol Cho, Sang Hun Lee, Chul Ho Cho, Sun Tae Jung
  • Patent number: 9326695
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode harness and more particularly to an electrode harness with various features, which enhance the use and performance of the electrode harness. The present invention further relates to a method of taking biopotential measurements. The electrode harness and methods of the present invention allow for use with most applications where biopotential measurements are taken. The electrode harness can be used in ECG (or EKG), EEG, EMG, and other such biopotential measurement applications. Because of the versatility of various embodiments of the present invention, preferably the electrode harness can be adjusted for different applications or for application to various sized and shaped subjects. The electrode harness is further preferably part of a system, which includes either wireless or tethered bridges between the electrode harness and a monitor, and preferably includes various forms of processors for analyzing the biopotential signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc
    Inventors: David Kryzpow, James Elliott, Aaron Rood, Frederick J. Lisy
  • Patent number: 9326696
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system having an implanted component and external component which are configured to provide a test of wireless communication in order to assess the success or failure of such communication and to store attributes related to such test in a memory log. To provide the communication test the implantable and external components can attempt wireless communication according to communication test parameters which relate to number of times to retry communication, duration of sending communication test signals, durations of waiting for communication test signals and the schedule of the communication tests. The schedule of tests may be period or may change over time in order to become more or less frequency according to a programmable schedule that may also decrease if the communication tests are successful and indicate patient compliance in keeping the external components close by.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Angel Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Keenan, Michael Sasha John
  • Patent number: 9326697
    Abstract: A method, system, and device for detection of an arrhythmia, and discrimination between different types of arrhythmia, for example to determine whether to administer an electric shock to the heart, the device comprising a wearable monitor with electrodes that detect the electrical activity of a beating heart, attached to an embedded monitoring system having an amplifier, a microprocessor, a data storage device, and a power supply, all disposed on a substrate having large distal end portions that attach to the electrodes and a narrow intermediate portion that attaches to the monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventor: David Thor Linker
  • Patent number: 9326698
    Abstract: Oscillatory signals may be used to determine a region of a patient's body that is associated with a medical condition. As described herein, oscillatory signals may be detected using a high sensitivity, low specificity detector. The oscillatory signals may be representative of discrete events in a patient's body. The detected signals may be tested in the context of surrounding background activity to identify anomalous discrete physiologic events that are sufficiently different from the surrounding background activity. The anomalous discrete physiologic events having correlative morphological, time, or location characteristics may be automatically clustered and clusters of anomalous physiologic events may be determined that are indicative of at least one region of the patient's body that is associated with a medical condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Justin Blanco, Brian Litt
  • Patent number: 9326699
    Abstract: Methods for use of EIT. Disclosed are: (1) EIT used to obtain a final solution to an EIT inverse problem for localizing tissues undergoing changes in impedance, which is used as a constraint on solving an EEG source localization inverse problem; (2) EIT used with MREIT, where the MREIT is used to constrain the solutions to the EIT inverse problem for the distribution of static tissue impedance; (3) EIT used with MREIT, where the MREIT is used to constrain the solutions to the EIT inverse problem for localizing tissues undergoing changes in impedance; and (4) EIT according to any of (1)-(3) as feedback for modifying at least one of the location, magnitude, and timing of currents injected for the purpose of neurostimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Electrical Geodesics, Inc.
    Inventor: Don M. Tucker
  • Patent number: 9326700
    Abstract: A method for displaying information includes receiving a measurement with respect to an invasive probe inside a body of a subject of at least one probe parameter, selected from a group of parameters consisting of a bend angle of the probe and a pressure on the probe. Responsively to the measurement, an icon is displayed on a display screen representing the at least one probe parameter for viewing by an operator of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yaron Ephrath, Andres Claudio Altmann, Nahum Kilim
  • Patent number: 9326701
    Abstract: In a method and imaging apparatus to automatically determine imaging planes for an imaging procedure to visualize a percutaneous intervention of a patient along a trajectory to a target point, data are obtained that represent a reference coordinate system with three orthogonal reference planes, and data also are acquired that represent the trajectory. One of the reference planes is determined as a selected reference plane based on the arrangement thereof relative to the trajectory. A first imaging plane is defined such that the trajectory lies therein, and such that it has a defined arrangement in relation to the selected reference plane. A second imaging plane is defined such that the trajectory lies therein, and such that it is orthogonal to the first imaging plane. A third imaging plane is defined such that it is orthogonal to the first imaging plane and second imaging plane, and includes the target point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eva Rothgang
  • Patent number: 9326702
    Abstract: A system for navigating a medical device is provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic field generator assembly generates a magnetic field. Position sensors on the medical device, on an imaging system and on the body generate signals indicative of the positions within the magnetic field. The generator assembly and reference sensors are arranged such that a correlation exists between them and the positions of the body and of a radiation emitter and a radiation detector of the imaging system. An electronic control unit (ECU) determines, responsive to signals generated by the sensors, a position of the medical device, a position of one of the radiation emitter and detector and a distance between the emitter and detector. Using this information, the ECU can, for example, register images from the imaging system in a coordinate system and superimpose an image of the device on the image from the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: MediGuide Ltd.
    Inventors: Uzi Eichler, Alon Izmirli, Yuval Vaknin, Adi Raveh
  • Patent number: 9326703
    Abstract: A manipulation device is programmable with different parameters associated with different manipulation exercises for different types of simulated patients. A measuring system determines the success or failure for any of the programmable manipulation exercises and tracks specific results that precisely track how close a student comes to specific target force values. This allows a student to more accurately track performance improvements and more effectively focus practice sessions on problem manipulation techniques. The measurement system not only measures the time and force values associated with the manipulation exercises but also measures angular displacement of the manipulation apparatus during the manipulation exercise. This allows the student to not only determine if a proper amount of force was applied during the manipulation exercise but also to determine if the force was maintained in the same direction and angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ORTHO-NEURO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Leathers, Chris Doughty, Phillip Horvath
  • Patent number: 9326704
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a jump of a moving sportsman and separating the jump from other sportsman motion is described. Accelerometer data generated by a sportsman's motion is received in a computing device. The computing device is used to apply fuzzy logic membership functions to a plurality of parameters associated with the accelerometer data to detect a pattern associated with jumps. A subset of the data is identified as representing a jump based upon the detection of the pattern. The determination is used in the computing device to transform data, whereby jumps are separated from other sportsman motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: AlpineReplay, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatole M. Lokshin, Vitaly Kuzkin
  • Patent number: 9326705
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for monitoring characteristics of a subject. A system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a sensor subsystem including at least one respiratory sensor disposed proximate to the subject and configured to detect a respiratory characteristic of the subject, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit at least one respiratory signal representing the respiratory characteristic, and at least one physiological sensor disposed proximate to the subject and configured to detect a physiological characteristic of the subject, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit at least one physiological signal representing the physiological characteristic, and a processor subsystem in communication with the sensor subsystem, the processor subsystem being configured to receive at least one of the at least one respiratory signal and the at least one physiological signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ADIDAS AG
    Inventor: P. Alexander Derchak
  • Patent number: 9326706
    Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for profiling the hearing ability of a consumer are disclosed. One example includes a personal computer and a handheld device configured to produce calibrated acoustic output at suprathreshold levels above 20 db HL, and at step levels of 10-20 decibels, and presented test frequency bands across an audiometric frequency range from 400 to 8000Hz. The consumer's minimal audibility levels are registered, and a hearing profile score is presented to indicate hearing ability and hearing aid candidacy. In some embodiments, band-limited natural sounds are presented. Systems and methods disclosed herein, with considerations for noise present in the consumer's environment, allow for rapid calibrated hearing profiling, using a standard personal computer and minimal hardware, thus particularly suited for self-testing outside clinical environments such as at home or the office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: iHear Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Adnan Shennib
  • Patent number: 9326707
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus including determining a rate of occurrence of a glycemic excursion event, determining a frequency of an alarm activation associated with the glycemic excursion event, determining an analyte level associated with the alarm activation, and setting an alarm parameter based on one or more of the determined rate of occurrence of the glycemic excursion event, the frequency of the alarm activation associated with the glycemic excursion event or the determined analyte level are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey V. McGarraugh
  • Patent number: 9326708
    Abstract: A first sensor may be configured to measure a sensed amount of a physiological parameter and to generate a first signal based on the sensed amount of the physiological parameter measured by the first sensor. A second sensor may be configured to measure a temperature and to generate a second signal based on the temperate measured by the second sensor. A housing may have heat-generating electronics including a processor that may be configured to determine an overall amount of the physiological parameter based on the first signal generated from the first sensor and the second signal generated from the second sensor. The second sensor may be thermally insulated from the heat-generating electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Ian B. Hanson, Dore Mark, Sean Daley, Sheldon B. Moberg, Susie E. Buckman, Paul F. Bente, IV
  • Patent number: 9326709
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for the management of glucose levels in the body of patient featuring user interface input mechanisms configured to provide haptic feedback to the user are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventor: Erwin Satrya Budiman
  • Patent number: 9326710
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods employing contact lenses having electrochemical sensors that have adjustable analyte-sensing sensitivity are provided. In some aspects, level of the analyte or biological substance is detected and a number of sub-electrodes of the sensor are turned on or off based on the level of the analyte or biological substance. The sensitivity of the sensor is adjusted based on the number of sub-electrodes that are turned on or off. In some aspects, the current level from the sensor is employed in determining the number of sub-electrodes to turn on or off. In one aspect, a contact lens includes: a substrate; a power component; a circuit and an adjustment circuit. The circuit can include a potentiostat; and a sensor electrically coupled to the potentiostat, and configured to sense a level of an analyte. The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjustable by the adjustment circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Zenghe Liu, Brian Otis
  • Patent number: 9326711
    Abstract: A reflectance optical perfusion sensor may include at least one light source and a plurality of detector elements arranged in a planar or nonplanar configuration, such as a three-dimensional array. The detector elements may sense light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected by a blood mass of a patient, such as blood within a blood vessel. In some examples, the detector elements may be arranged such that photodetection surfaces of at least two of the detector elements are nonparallel. In addition to or instead of the nonplanar arrangement of detector elements, an optical perfusion sensor may include a detector array including a plurality of detector elements at least partially surrounding a light source. Varying the location and orientations of detector elements may help increase a quantity of light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected toward the optical perfusion sensor by blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan G. Kracker, Sourav Kumar Bhunia
  • Patent number: 9326712
    Abstract: A physiological sensor has an optic assembly, an acoustic assembly and an attachment assembly. The optic assembly has an optic transducer that is activated so as to transmit a plurality of wavelengths of light into a tissue site and to detect the light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site. The acoustic assembly has an acoustic transducer activated so as to respond to vibrations at the surface of the tissue site. The attachment assembly affixes the optic assembly and acoustic assembly to the tissue site, such as along one side of a person's neck or the forehead. A sensor cable extends from the attachment assembly so as to transmit an optic transducer signal and an acoustic transducer signal to a monitor for calculation of physiological parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventor: Massi Joe E. Kiani
  • Patent number: 9326713
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method that can quickly and accurately detect and measure ethyl alcohol in the blood of a motorized vehicle driver transdermally and non-invasively within minutes of ethanol consumption and in the presence of interferents. The system includes an array of sensors embedded into the steering mechanism of a motorized vehicle, a data base of patterns produced through empirical testing of various analytes in various combinations and concentrations, neural net based pattern recognition algorithms to ascertain the driver's transdermal alcohol concentration and a database derived from human testing, correlating the driver's transdermal alcohol concentration with the driver's blood alcohol concentration. The detection system is integrated with a motor vehicle decision module which can prevent the operation of a motorized vehicle by a driver whose BAC exceeds a preset limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Sober Steering Sensors Canada Inc.
    Inventors: John Carroll, Dennis Bellehumeur, Catherine Carroll
  • Patent number: 9326714
    Abstract: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: James Say, Michael F. Tomasco, Adam Heller, Yoram Gal, Behrad Aria, Ephraim Heller, Phillip John Plante, Mark S. Vreeke, Keith A. Friedman, Fredric C. Colman
  • Patent number: 9326715
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a hyperspectral/multispectral system referred to as the OxyVu-1 system. The hyperspectral imaging technology performs spectral analysis at each point in a two-dimensional scanned a producing an image displaying information derived from the analysis. For the OxyVu-1 system, the spectral analytical methods determined in superficial tissues approximate values of oxygen saturation (HT-Sat), oxyhemoglobin levels (HT-oxy), and deoxyhemoglobin levels (HT-deoxy). The OxyVu-1 system displays the tissue oxygenation in a two-dimensional, color-coded image. The system contains a system console, a cart, system electronics, CPU, monitor, keyboard, pointing device and printer. The hyperspectral instrument head with support arm contains broadband illuminator, camera and spectral filter for collecting hyperspectral imaging cube. The single use OxyVu Check Pads and Targets are used to perform an instrument check prior to patient measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Hypermed Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Svetlana Panasyuk, Jenny Freeman, Kevin Schomacker, Richard Lifsitz
  • Patent number: 9326716
    Abstract: In aspects of the present disclosure, a no coding blood glucose monitoring unit including a calibration unit is integrated with one or more components of an analyte monitoring system to provide compatibility with in vitro test strip that do not require a calibration code is provided. Also disclosed are methods, systems, devices and kits for providing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Heller, Benjamin Jay Feldman, Shridhara Alva Karinka, Yi Wang, John R. Galasso
  • Patent number: 9326717
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the concentration of one or more analytes from a sample such as blood or plasma are described. The systems described herein can be configured to withdraw a certain volume of sample from a source of bodily fluid, direct a first portion of the withdrawn sample to an analyte monitoring system and return a second portion of the sample to the patient. The analyte monitoring system can be connected to the source of bodily fluid via a connector that is configured to maintain uniform velocity across the connector and reduce the dead space volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Butler, Eugene Lim, Craig Johnson
  • Patent number: 9326718
    Abstract: A system is proposed for detection of at least one analyte in a body fluid, in particular for detection of blood glucose. The system is designed to generate a sample of the body fluid and to transfer at least some of the sample to at least one test element, in particular a test panel. The system is designed such that a time period between the generation of the sample and the application to the test element is less than 1 second, preferably less than 500 ms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Petrich, Christian Vrancic, Daniel Wong, Paul Patel
  • Patent number: 9326719
    Abstract: Optical methods, devices, and systems for noninvasively detecting transient surface displacements in a neuron are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems provided may employ a phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer. In addition, surface displacements due to action potential propagation in neural tissues may be detected in some embodiments using back-reflected light. According to some embodiments, exogenous chemicals or reflect ion coatings are not required. Transient neural surface displacement of less then 1 nm in amplitude and 1 ms in duration may be detected and may be generally coincident with action potential arrival to the optical measurement site. The systems and methods may be used for noninvasive detection of various neuropathies such as retinal neuropathies. They may also be useful in detecting the effects of various pharmacological agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Taner Akkin, Thomas E. Milner, Digant P. Dave, H. Grady Rylander, III
  • Patent number: 9326720
    Abstract: An electro-encephalography system includes an internal device for implantation below a scalp and above a skull of a patient, and an external device to be worn or carried outside the patient's body. The internal device includes a first electrode for receiving neurological signals originating from the patient's brain and a second electrode for receiving artifacts originating from sources other than the patient's brain. The external device includes a processing unit for receiving data from the internal device, mitigating the effects of the artifacts, and determining a neurological state of the patient. A therapy device is included to provide a therapy to the patient based on the patient's neurological state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventor: Bryan McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 9326721
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices for decreasing the incidence of Cesarean childbirth by managing the labor process. In one aspect, a tactile feedback device is positioned adjacent the perianal tissues. A perianal support device includes a perianal support member having a pressure surface configured for engagement with tissue adjacent an anal orifice and a pressure detecting system associated with the perianal support member to detect pressure indicative of pressure on the perianal tissue of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: STETRIX, INC.
    Inventors: David D. Blurton, Mark Buchanan
  • Patent number: 9326722
    Abstract: The invention includes, in part, methods and apparatus for determining the status of labor in a pregnant subject. In some embodiments of the invention, organ-level uterine function is determined as a measure of the status of labor such as non-labor (e.g. false labor), latent phase labor, active phase labor, or post-delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
    Inventor: Roger C. Young
  • Patent number: 9326723
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating foot inflammation each uses at least one temperature detection modality to form a first thermogram and a second thermogram of the sole of at least one foot. Each thermogram forms a substantially continuous set of two-dimensional temperature values across the sole of the (at least one) foot. The thermograms have features; namely, the first thermogram has first features and the second thermogram has second features. The method and apparatus thus control a device to apply at least one transformation to the first and second thermograms to align the first features with corresponding second features, and determine, at any thermogram location, if at least one of the thermograms presents one of a plurality of patterns indicative of inflammation. Finally, the method and apparatus each produce output information indicating the result of the determination of whether the thermograms present one of the plurality of patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Podimetrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Petersen, Jonathan David Bloom, David Robert Linders, Jeffrey Mark Engler
  • Patent number: 9326724
    Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Felice Sun, Benjamin D Pless, Barbara Gibb
  • Patent number: 9326725
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing human algometry are disclosed. They include a stimulator configured to apply electrical stimulation of variable intensity to an area of a patient's body, a monitoring device configured to measure a level of cortical activity in one or more regions of the patient's brain, and a microprocessor connected to the stimulator and the monitoring device that is configured to correlate the intensity of the electrical stimulation with the level of activity in the one or more regions of the patient's brain and to determine at least one of a measurement of pain intensity, a measurement of a sensory detection threshold (SDT), a measurement of a drug's analgesic impact, an indication of an onset of tolerance to a drug, an indication of an onset of analgesic-induced hyperalgesia, an indication of conditions of allodynia, a measurement of dose-response characteristics of pain management drugs, and a characterization of a pain condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Children's National Medical Center
    Inventors: Julia C. Finkel, Zenaide M. N. Quezado
  • Patent number: 9326726
    Abstract: A wireless system for brain monitoring/mapping of neurological-disorder patients includes a plurality of electrodes each configured for surface abutment of brain tissue and main circuitry for placement outside a body of a patient and configured to transmit power at radio frequencies and send and receive data using infrared energy. Remote circuitry is provided for subcutaneous implantation in a head of the patient. The remote circuitry is connected to the plurality of electrodes and includes a multiplexer sampling signals from the plurality of electrodes. The multiplexer outputs electrode signals to an amplifier and A/D converter for transmission to the main circuitry. The remote circuitry is configured to (a) receive transmitted power at radio frequencies from the main circuitry, (b) capture and digitize full-bandwidth EEG signals from each of the electrodes, and (c) send data to and receive data from the main circuitry using infrared energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: YALE UNIVERSITY, ITN ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Lanning, James A Nolan, Gregory J Nuebel, Dennis D Spencer, Hitten P Zaveri
  • Patent number: 9326727
    Abstract: Devices and methods for maintaining a medical device on-body are provided. Embodiments include medical device securement systems having first and second on-body securement elements. Also provided are systems and kits for use maintaining a medical device on-body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventor: Marc Barry Taub