Patents Issued in May 31, 2016
  • Patent number: 9351604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1) for use with a beverage preparation capsule, comprising a machine main unit with a casing (3), a water reservoir (4), and a brewing head (5) comprising a dispensing outlet for dispensing said beverage into a container (12) placed below said outlet, characterized in that said machine further comprises a base element (2) supporting the main unit (3, 4, 5), and (i) the base element (2) comprises supporting stands with surfaces (11) for supporting said container (12), said stands having different heights, and (ii) the machine main unit (3, 4, 5) is pivotally mounted onto said base element (2) such that the brewing head (5) can be aligned above any of the supporting surfaces (11) by rotation of said machine main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Talon, Samuel Odet
  • Patent number: 9351605
    Abstract: In summary there is provided in one embodiment a combination of a pan with a box for holding a roasting material. The roasting bag is positioned within and removable from the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Handi-Foil Corporation
    Inventors: Norton Sarnoff, David Sarnoff, Raj Patel
  • Patent number: 9351606
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing with a base, a side wall and a cavity. The housing has a housing rim defining an opening to the cavity. A hinge base is mounted to the side wall. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim defining an opening. The container fits within the cavity of the housing. A lid at least partially covers the opening of the container when placed on the container rim. The lid has an exterior surface, and an opposing interior surface facing the interior of the container when the lid is placed on the container rim. A bracket is mounted to the exterior surface of the lid. At least a portion of the bracket is rotatably and selectively removably received within at least a portion of the hinge base to rotatably and selectively removable mount to the lid of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: James Robert Gaynor, Mark C. Steiner, Brian Bock, John D. Barnes
  • Patent number: 9351607
    Abstract: A multi-purpose unit configured for fire usage having a body with an interior volume selectively closable by doors attached to sidewalls spaced between a base and a top. The interior volume contains spaces for grilling, baking, and heating. The heating space houses a grate to support a heat source. The grate is positionable between a first position generally adjacent the base and a second position generally adjacent the baking or grilling space. The intensity of heat in the baking and grilling spaces is adjusted by positing the heat source closer to or further from the space. In one embodiment the heating space may be exposed by selectively opening one or more doors over the space for use as an outdoor fire pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Hephaestus BBQ, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Louis Pothetes
  • Patent number: 9351608
    Abstract: A barbecue grill includes a body, a support and a platform frame. The body is mounted in the support, and the support is erected on the platform frame. The body defines an oven chamber. An oil discharge port is arranged at a bottom of the oven chamber. A plurality of keys are arranged near an opening on the inner sidewall of the oven chamber. A barbecue plate is arranged in the body, and the edge of the barbecue plate rests on the plurality of keys. A burner is arranged in the body, and is located below the barbecue plate. The platform frame includes an oven platform and a stand mounted at the bottom of the oven platform. The support is erected on the oven platform. The oven platform defines a groove for placement of the barbecue plate. A slot is defined on the oven platform to support legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: China Window Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih Jen Lin
  • Patent number: 9351609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for centrifuging at least one food product having at least one conveyance means (7, 7a, 7b) and at least one centrifuge element (9a, 9b) having an interior space (15a, 15b) to receive the food product and being adapted to be spun around a first rotational axis, wherein the food product is conveyable into the internal space via the conveyance means, wherein the conveyance means is at least partly insertable into and extricable out of the interior space, as well as a method for centrifuging at least one food product using said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Florigo International B. V.
    Inventors: Mirko Loehn, Erik Van Loon
  • Patent number: 9351610
    Abstract: Provided is a food processor with shredding and/or slicing functions, including a driving device and a main component; the main component includes a main body, a lid, a transmission axle and a cutterhead component; the cutterhead component includes a fixed cutterhead and a movable cutterhead, a cutter body is disposed on the fixed cutterhead or the movable cutterhead, a cutting channel is formed between a cutting edge of the cutter body and the movable cutterhead or the fixed cutterhead for cut-out food passing through; the main component further includes a height adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a height of the cutting channel, and an operation part of the height adjusting mechanism is disposed on the lid. With the food processor of the present disclosure, the thickness of cut-out food can be adjusted without removing the lid, which is convenient for operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ELEC-TECH INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tony Wang, Xuejun Chen, Jianwei Chen
  • Patent number: 9351611
    Abstract: A portable water heater is described. The portable water heater may include a housing. A base may be mounted to said housing. The base may include a plurality of base members that may be pivotably and/or slidably mounted to the base. At least one thermal source may be disposed within the housing. The thermal source may be configured to produce thermal energy in the housing. A thermal transfer conduit may be disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: TAPH, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Adrian
  • Patent number: 9351612
    Abstract: A shower door assembly with at least one adjustment assembly has an adjustment device and a locking device. The locking device includes a blocking element, a pressing element and an elastic element between the blocking element and the pressing element. The elastic element is arc-shaped when unlocked. An inclined surface projects to the blocking element. The curvature of the elastic element is thus reduced until it engages with the adjustment device. A driving device includes a cam mechanism and a sliding element having one end in contact with the pressing element and the other end sliding along with the inclined surface when driven by the cam mechanism so as to push the pressing element toward the blocking element, and thus reduce the curvature of the arc-shaped elastic element until the elastic element is engaged with the adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: IDEAL SANITARY WARE CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Wuxiang Wei
  • Patent number: 9351613
    Abstract: A long-handled personal holder device for personal cleaning, hygiene, and daily living, and is made of resilient material with extendable finger-like grips. The grips are configured to surely grip a tool, but also to release (e.g., so that a user does not have to soil their hands). The curved handle allows proper reach, and is designed for easy break-down, rinsing and cleaning, and for placement in a compact carry bag. The grips can grip a larger personal hygiene flushable wipe, a smaller flushable pad, a sponge for shower use, and/or a an ointment pad; and are also able to hold more rigidly-handled personal tools, such as a toothbrush, shaver, makeup applicator, pencil, pen, brush, and similar items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: Deborah Tacoma
  • Patent number: 9351614
    Abstract: A quick installation hinge seat of a closestool cover plate includes two hinge shafts and two support seats. Each hinge shaft has a pin hole for connection of a pin provided on each support seat. A button switch is mounted between the two hinge shafts to control the pin in the pin hole. The button switch includes a hinge pipe, a button seat, a lock control rod slidable in the radial direction of the hinge pipe, a spring, and a button to press the lock control rod. Two ends of the lock control rod are axially inserted in the two hinge shafts respectively and slideable radially. Each of the two ends of the lock control rod has a locking plate and an unlocking plate. The locking plate and the unlocking plate are arranged in a stagger manner. Each pin has a locking groove and an unlocking groove thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: HOTI (XIAMEN) PLUMBING INC.
    Inventor: Guobin Chen
  • Patent number: 9351615
    Abstract: A storage caddy for a cleaning implement can include a holder configured to receive a wand or cleaning implement and a storage container having a lid connected to the storage container. The storage caddy can also include a tray for holding a first set of cleaning pads and a sleeve for holding a second set of cleaning pads. The first set of cleaning pads can be arranged in an upper portion of the storage container above the second set of cleaning pads, and the second set of cleaning pads can be located in a lower portion of the storage container. The wand or cleaning implement can be configured to receive one of the first set of cleaning pads from the tray or one of the second set of cleaning pads from the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil P. Williams, Christopher Conley, Jo Anthony Sasota, Chrysoula Myrto Nigl, Heather Harwood, Christopher Alan Harris, Christopher T. Strahm
  • Patent number: 9351616
    Abstract: A window cleaning apparatus includes a first cleaning unit and a second cleaning unit that is attached to both sides of a window, respectively, by a magnetic force and moved on the sides, and a method of controlling a movement of the window cleaning apparatus. The method includes detecting the first initial attachment position of the window cleaning apparatus and moving the window cleaning apparatus close to the detected initial attachment position after cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO., LTD., KOREA INSTITUTE OF ROBOT & CONVERGENCE
    Inventors: Man Hyun Ryu, Kwang Mok Jung, Young Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 9351617
    Abstract: A device for performing an action on a surface comprises at least one movably arranged functional body (21, 22), driving means for driving the functional body (21, 22), main safety means for decoupling the driving means from the functional body (21, 22) when a load exerted by the functional body (21, 22) in the direction of the driving means under the influence of resistance forces experienced by the functional body (21, 22) exceeds a predetermined maximum value, and additional safety means (40) which are movably arranged in the vicinity of the functional body (21, 22), and which are capable of exerting loads on the main safety means to different extents in different positions, at a side of the main safety means associated with the functional body (21, 22). The additional safety means may comprise a bar (40) having a non-circular cross-sectional area, which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS B.V.
    Inventors: Bastiaan Johannes De Wit, Fokke Roelof Voorhorst, Johannes Tseard Van Der Kool, Sepas Setayesh
  • Patent number: 9351618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (10) for a floor cleaning device (100), comprising a nozzle housing (28); a brush (12) rotatable about a brush axis (14), wherein the brush (12) is partially surrounded by the nozzle housing (28) and protrudes from a bottom side (30) of said nozzle housing (28), said brush (12) being provided with brush elements (16) for picking up dirt and/or liquid particles (22, 24) from a surface to be cleaned (20) during the rotation of the brush (12), and a protection assembly (32) for preventing obstacles (40) from getting sucked into the nozzle housing (28) or wrapped around the brush (12), wherein said protection assembly (32) is arranged within the nozzle housing (28) and comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs (34) that extend at least partly through the brush (12), wherein a suction channel (42) is defined between a back end (44) of the ribs (34) and an opposite inner wall element (46) of the nozzle housing (28), wherein said back end (44) of the ribs (34) i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Tseard Van Der Kooi, Matthijs Hendrikus Lubbers, Ralph Pierre Krebbers
  • Patent number: 9351619
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a base, and a mechanical beater and a vibrating member connected thereto. A first suction inlet in the base is associated with the mechanical beater. A second suction inlet in the base is associated with the vibrating member. An airflow path is in fluid communication with the first and second suction inlets and flows to a debris collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Zenith Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark D. Bosses
  • Patent number: 9351620
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a dirt collection container and a suction head which can be placed on the dirt collection container, wherein the suction head has at least one suction unit which is in flow communication with the dirt collection container via a suction duct and a filter device and with at least one exhaust air opening via at least one exhaust air duct. To provide high suction capacity, a compact construction, and relatively little generation of noise during operation, the suction head has two suction units arranged next to one another, positioned in a vertical direction at the same level as the filter device and surrounded by a common exhaust air chamber, wherein the exhaust air chamber is in flow communication with exhaust air openings via a first and a second exhaust air duct and the filter device is arranged between the two exhaust air ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Frank, Kai Thorsten Langen, Maic Hensel
  • Patent number: 9351621
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner suction pipe with at least one inner and at least one outer pipe, and at least one locking device, the locking device being movable by manual actuation, the locking device having a toothed rack, and in the locking position the rack being kept engaged to a toothed strip of the inner pipe, as a result of which the position of the inner pipe is fixed relative to the outer pipe. The locking device is movable into a release position by axial displacement relative to the outer pipe, and in the release position, the rack can be disengaged from the toothed strip by a relative force between the outer pipe and inner pipe, without the effect of a spring force, by the flanks of the teeth of the toothed strip pushing the flanks of the teeth of the rack upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: fischer Rohrtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Cordes, Stephan Cordes
  • Patent number: 9351622
    Abstract: A fluid extracting device with a shaped head and associated systems and methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, the device includes an extractor head that includes an extractor port housing having a cavity configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The extractor port housing includes a recessed surface and individual openings extending through the recessed surface and in fluid communication with an interior suction cavity. The extractor port housing can further include first and second lips each adjacent to opposite sides of the recessed surface and each configured to provide a squeegee function. In another embodiment, the device includes a tubular member and a handle operably coupled to the tubular member and including a suction control device. The suction control device is configured such that a user can simultaneously operate the device to control the suction and operate the extractor to remove fluid from a flooring surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Sapphire Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: William Bruders, Brett Bartholmey
  • Patent number: 9351623
    Abstract: A steam cleaner comprising a cleaning head; means for supplying steam to the cleaning head to be emitted thereby; means for supplying a cleaning agent to the cleaning head to be emitted thereby; and control means for controlling the emission of steam and cleaning agent by the cleaning head; wherein the control means is operable to cause or permit the emission of cleaning agent by the cleaning head while the emission of steam from the cleaning head is at least substantially prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Carter
  • Patent number: 9351624
    Abstract: A cleaning implement is disclosed with a support sheet having a first surface, a second surface, and a longitudinal axis. A plurality of detachable cleaning sheets, each having an outwardly facing cleaning surface and an inwardly facing attachment surface, may be supported by the support sheet in a stacked configuration. A plurality of folded portions included with the support sheet and the cleaning sheet extend generally radially from the longitudinal axis of the cleaning implement. The outermost cleaning sheet may be removed from the stacked cleaning sheet to expose a new, fresh cleaning sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Thurin, Joey Nakayama, Teddy Lu
  • Patent number: 9351625
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head for a steam cleaner, comprising a plurality of steam outlets spaced from one another on the cleaning head, for steam supplied from a steam generator, and a steam distributing device which receives the steam and supplies it to the outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Carter
  • Patent number: 9351626
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an improved mop having a support arm having a handle, a mop head that is pivotally attached to said support arm, a pair of rollers disposed in said mop head at lateral side of the mop head housing, a cleaning pad rotatably carried by said rollers so that a first roller carries said cleaning pad and a second roller draws sections of said cleaning pad across a cleaning area defined by said mop head, whereas the cleaning pad travel along a path orthogonal to the front of the housing, a spray nozzle carried by said mop head that is fluidly connected to a cleaning solution container for allowing the user to select and spray a cleaning solution on the surface being cleaned, and an ultra violet light source disposed on said mop head for disinfecting said cleaning pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: Nathan A. Scolari
  • Patent number: 9351627
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine is designed to perform the following process steps: Step 1: a pretreatment cycle spraying the washing goods with an alkaline, highly concentrated cleaning solution, the pH value of which is at least 1 greater than the pH value of the washing liquid of a main washing cycle; Step 2 after Step 1: a soak cycle for a soak period, during which the cleaning solution acts on the washing goods and the washing goods are additionally thermally pretreated with steam, whereby the thermal pretreatment of the washing goods is performed during at least one part of the soak period, preferably during the entire soak period; Step 3 after Step 2: a main washing cycle, comprising spraying of the washing goods with washing liquid comprising water and cleaner; Step 4 after Step 3: a clear rinse cycle, during which the washing goods are sprayed with clear rinse liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
    Inventor: Harald Disch
  • Patent number: 9351628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a tub (2) wherein the items to be washed are placed, a body (4) having two side walls (3) that surround the tub (2), a fan receptacle (5) located between the tub (2) and the side wall (3), an air channel (8) located in the fan receptacle (5), having an inlet (6) that provides the humid air in the tub (2) to be received therein and an outlet (7) that provides the dehumidified air to be sent back to the tub (2), a fan (9) located in the fan receptacle (5), providing the humid air in the tub (2) to be sucked during the drying step, a hole (10) arranged on the fan receptacle (5), that allows the air received from the outer environment to enter into the air channel (8) and a guiding member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Arcelik A.S.
    Inventors: Gonca Erozkan, Orhan Atabey
  • Patent number: 9351629
    Abstract: There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: a front looking camera and a front discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the Field Of View (FOV) of said front looking camera; a right side looking camera and a right discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said right side looking camera; a left side looking camera and a left discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said left side looking camera; and a multi component cover configured to cover and seal said tip section such as to essentially prevent entry of fluids from the environment of said endoscope to inner parts of said tip section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: EndoChoice Innovation Center Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Levi, Amram Aizenfeld, Golan Salman
  • Patent number: 9351630
    Abstract: A flexible endoscope shaft with a shaft body which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft, is composed of at least two shaft portions with different degrees of flexibility, wherein at least one shaft portion is composed of at least one spring element, and wherein all the spring elements of the shaft portions, which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shaft body, are arranged proximally from the outer distal shaft portion, are designed as reversibly deformable spring rods extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft body. In order to create a flexible endoscope shaft that can be produced easily and cost-effectively, each of the shaft portions having at least one spring rod has at least one further spring rod, which is integrally bonded to the other spring rods of the respective shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Viktor Josef Wimmer, Robert Ayrenschmalz
  • Patent number: 9351631
    Abstract: A bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope includes a rod member that is disposed along a traveling path of a long member that is connected to a bending portion that is bendable and is pulled, a support member made of metal that is integrally provided to support both ends of the rod member, an adjustment piece that is engaged with the rod member, is movable along the rod member, and restricts movement of the long member, a guide member made of resin having a guide surface for guiding movement of the adjustment piece, wherein the guide member is fixed in a state in which the guide member is sandwiched between the adjustment piece and the support member so that the guide surface is disposed in a position capable of guiding the adjustment piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Reiji Koyama
  • Patent number: 9351632
    Abstract: An ingestible image scanning pill captures high resolution images of the GI tract as it passes through. Images communicated externally have exact location determination. Image processing software discards duplicate information and stitches images together, line scan by line scan, to replicate a complete GI tract as if it were stretched out in a straight line. A fully linear image is displayed to a medical professional as if the GI tract had been stretched in a straight line, cut open, laid flat out on a bench for viewing—all without making any incisions in a live patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: INNURVATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Arneson, William R. Bandy, Kevin J. Powell, Kenneth E. Salsman, Devon Tirpack
  • Patent number: 9351633
    Abstract: A Laryngoscope system for controlling and monitoring characteristics associated with airway management and a remote access unit continuously interfacing through instant wireless private direct connectivity to a laryngoscope. The system also includes a plurality of sensors and controllers that measure and control characteristics and provide the remote unit with measurements and control results. In other aspects, the laryngoscope and display unit are sensitive to movement and may power on and off with motion or absence of motion. In another aspect, the laryngoscope is capable of wirelessly communicating with the screen for command and control of the Laryngoscope and laryngoscope system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Magaw, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jay (Jason) Tydlaska, Amy Sheppard
  • Patent number: 9351634
    Abstract: A method for calculating the values of an intraocular lens to be implanted, wherein the results of numerous cataract operations are taken into account in the calculation for intraocular lenses to be implanted in the future. At least the corneal topography, the length of the eye and the depth of the anterior chamber are determined pre-operatively, the values of the IOL to be implanted are calculated by means of ray-tracing, and at least the corneal topography, the length of the eye, the depth of the anterior chamber and the objective, wavefront-based residual refraction are determined post-operatively. The measurement values determined pre-operatively and post-operatively are used to optimize the surgically-induced astigmatism and the post-operative anatomical lens position for calculating the values of IOLs to be implanted in the future.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Tobias Bühren, Michael Trost, Burkhard Wagner
  • Patent number: 9351635
    Abstract: A solution for the individual automatic rough positioning of ophthalmological equipment with respect to ensure the diagnostic or therapeutic treatment of the patient. The assembly includes a positioning aid and a control unit for the automatic alignment of the axis of vision of the eye with the optical axis of the ophthalmological equipment. The positioning aid includes a chin rest and a forehead support which have corresponding controllable actuating devices. The assembly has an additional measuring device for recording the geometry of the face of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Steinmetz, Michael Güntzschel, Rico Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9351636
    Abstract: There is provided a subjective eye refracting power measurement apparatus which measures a refracting power of a subject eye. The apparatus includes a projection optical system which projects a visual target light flux toward the subject eye to form a visual target on a fundus of the subject eye; a correction optical system which changes a refracting power thereof; a relay optical system which relays a light flux passing through the correction optical system and to form an image of the correction optical system in front of the subject eye; a deviation detector which detects a positional deviation of the image of the correction optical system with respect to the subject eye; and a correction unit which optically corrects a formation position of the image based on a detection result by the deviation detector such that the image is formed in front of the subject eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kobayashi, Yoshinobu Hosoi
  • Patent number: 9351637
    Abstract: A cornea shape measurement apparatus includes: a first projecting optical system configured to project a first target on the cornea; a first imaging optical system configured to capture a reflection image of the first target projected on the cornea; a second projecting optical system configured to project a second target different from the first target on the cornea to measure a corneal shape; a second imaging optical system configured to capture a reflection image of the second target projected on the cornea; and a calculation controller configured to adjust the amount of projection light of the second projecting optical system based on the reflection image of the first target, the reflection image having been acquired by the first imaging optical system, and measuring the corneal shape of an examinee's eye based on the reflection image of the second target, the reflection image having been captured by the imaging optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazunari Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9351638
    Abstract: A hand-held ophthalmological device includes: a main unit having an ophthalmoscopic optical system configured to project ophthalmoscopic light to an examinee's eye and receive reflection light therefrom to examine or measure an examinee's eye; a detector placed in the main unit and configured to detect a relative deviation between an optical axis of the ophthalmoscopic optical system and the examinee's eye; a deviation compensating optical system placed as a part of the ophthalmoscopic optical system and configured to compensate the deviation; and a drive part configured to drive the deviation compensating optical system based on output from the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaaki Hanebuchi
  • Patent number: 9351639
    Abstract: An eye imaging apparatus can include a housing, an optical imaging system in the housing, and a light source in the housing to illuminate an eye. The optical imaging system can include an optical window at a front end of the housing with a concave front surface for receiving the eye as well as an imaging lens disposed rearward the optical window. The apparatus can comprise a light conditioning element configured to receive light from the light source and direct said light to the eye. The apparatus can further include an image sensor in the housing disposed to receive an image of the eye from the optical imaging system. In various embodiments, light conditioning element includes at least one multi-segment surface. In some embodiments, the housing is provided with at least one hermitic seal, for example, with the optical window. In some embodiments, time sequential illumination is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Visunex Medical Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Su
  • Patent number: 9351640
    Abstract: A method of method of automatically requesting assistance for a patient by verbally communicating with a user through a base unit; wearing a mobile device with a plurality of different sensors on the patient to detect patient motion, wherein the mobile device transmits data to the base unit; and determining if a fall has occurred and requesting help through the base unit without a user pressing a button to call for help.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 9351641
    Abstract: A mobile processing device system for patient monitoring data acquisition includes a repository of information. The information associates a particular patient monitoring device type for displaying a particular patient parameter with a particular text label identifying the particular patient parameter. A portable processing device includes an imaging device for acquiring image data representing an image presenting patient parameter data from the particular patient monitoring device type. An image recognition processor, uses the information, for analyzing the image data to identify the particular text label identifying the particular patient parameter and a value of the particular patient parameter. An output processor communicates data representing the particular patient parameter and the value to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Neff
  • Patent number: 9351642
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for determining at least one material property of an anatomical structure can be provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is possible to apply at least one first coherent radiation to at least one portion of the anatomical structure, and receive at least one second coherent radiation from such portion(s). The first and second coherent radiations can be associated with one another. In addition, it is possible to determine the material property based on the second coherent radiation(s). Such determination can be performed without (i) any portion of an apparatus performing the procedure causing an induction of at least one mechanical deformation on or in the anatomical structure, and/or (ii) any mechanical deformation on or in the anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Seemantini K. Nadkarni, Guillermo J. Tearney
  • Patent number: 9351643
    Abstract: A system and method is presented for performing optical measurements, including a light source configured to emit a light beam, a first pattern generator defining a first longitudinal axis and configured to project a first generated pattern, and a second pattern generator defining a second longitudinal axis and configured to project a second generated pattern. The first and second generated patterns have different angular divergency. The first pattern generator is a diffractive circle pattern generator, whereas the second pattern generator is a diffractive cross pattern generator. Adjustment of the first and second generated patterns with respect to each other cause the system to serve as an optical ruler for performing the optical measurements when the first and second generate patterns overlap or coincide with each other at certain points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Alexey Sharonov
  • Patent number: 9351644
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Werner Nahm, Roland Guckler, Thomas Holzhauer
  • Patent number: 9351645
    Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement apparatus which includes a diffuser plate for diffusing laser light inputted from the upstream side of an optical system, a lens system for focusing the laser light diffused by the diffuser plate, and an optical fiber cable which includes an optical fiber having a core and cladding structure and a light energy resistant structure at an end portion on the side of the lens system, and is disposed such that the laser light focused by the lens is inputted from one end, in which the light projection unit projects the laser light guided by the optical fiber cable as the measuring light. In a photoacoustic measurement performed by guiding the measuring light using an optical fiber, high energy measuring light can be guided while inhibiting end face damage of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kaku Irisawa
  • Patent number: 9351646
    Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement apparatus which includes a diffuser plate which diffuses laser light inputted from the upstream side of an optical system, a lens system which focuses the laser light diffused by the diffuser plate, and an optical fiber cable which includes an optical fiber having a core and cladding structure and is disposed such that the laser light focused by the lens system is inputted from one end, in which the light projection unit projects the laser light guided by the optical fiber cable as the measuring light. In a photoacoustic measurement performed by guiding the measuring light using an optical fiber, high energy measuring light can be guided while inhibiting end face damage of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kaku Irisawa
  • Patent number: 9351647
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, receiving a user selection of a heart failure symptom, receiving a user selection of an abnormal psychological condition, receiving information about a physiological patient status parameter, and determining a heart failure status using the received information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 9351648
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes an electrode that forms a first snap-fit attachment area and an insulator that forms a through-hole, a second snap-fit attachment area and a third snap-fit attachment area. The second snap-fit attachment area mates with the first snap-fit attachment area of the electrode. The IMD further includes a body including an elongated conductive housing and a feedthrough wire extending therefrom. The body forms a fourth snap-fit attachment area on one end that mates with the third snap-fit attachment area of the insulator such that the feedthrough wire extends through the through-hole of the insulator. The housing encloses at least one of a battery, a sensor, and an electronic circuit. The insulator functions to electrically isolate the electrode from the housing of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal D. Mothilal, George Patras
  • Patent number: 9351649
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for determining a subject of interest's arterial pulse transit time from time-varying source signals generated from video images. In one embodiment, a video imaging system is used to capture a time-varying source signal of a proximal and distal region of a subject of interest. The image frames are processed to isolate localized areas of a proximal and distal region of exposed skin of the subject. A time-series signal for each of the proximal and distal regions is extracted from the source video images. A phase angle is computed with respect to frequency for each of the time-series signals to produce respective phase v/s frequency curves for each region. Slopes within a selected cardiac frequency range are extracted from each of the phase curves and a difference is computed between the two slopes to obtain an arterial pulse transit time for the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lalit Keshav Mestha, Survi Kyal
  • Patent number: 9351650
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus obtains an image of an eye area, determines a measurement target among multiple vascular branches based on information regarding multiple vascular branches that include multiple vascular bifurcations in the obtained image, and measures the size of a blood cell aggregate in the determined measurement target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihito Uji, Hiroshi Imamura
  • Patent number: 9351651
    Abstract: A magnetic field measurement apparatus includes a probe beam irradiating unit that radiates a probe beam. A gas cell is arranged on an optical axis of the probe beam and shows a linear dichroism with respect to the probe beam between a first axis and a second axis. Another gas cell is arranged on the optical axis of the probe beam on the opposite side of the probe beam irradiating unit with respect to the gas cell, and shows a linear dichroism with respect to the probe beam between a third axis and a fourth axis, which are different from the first and the second axes. A measuring unit measures a difference between magnetic fields in the gas cells and on the basis of amounts of change of a plane of polarization of the probe beam that has passed through the gas cell and the gas cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kimio Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 9351652
    Abstract: A system and method providing outpatient ECG monitoring and safe home based cardiac tele-rehabilitation. The system includes a recordation module for recording ECG signals using at least one lead, a tele-rehabilitation module for home based exercise management for a patient's recovery from a heart disease, the tele-rehabilitation module including a processing module for recognizing erroneous data from the ECG signals and an analysis module for calculating beat-to-beat annotations and determining if an ECG event and/or if a QT interval duration change has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Medicalgorithmics S.A.
    Inventors: Marek Dziubinski, Ryszard Piotrowicz, Ewa Piotrowicz, Rafal Baranowski
  • Patent number: 9351653
    Abstract: A biopotential monitoring device includes a configurable receiver circuit having a plurality of channels for receiving a plurality of biopotential signals from a biological tissue via a plurality of inputs coupled with the electrodes, and each channel substantially removes a DC (direct current) offset from a corresponding one of the biopotential signals and then band-pass amplifies such corresponding biopotential signal at a configurable gain and particular frequency range based on frequency control signals. The device further includes a controller circuit for receiving commands for configuring frequency characteristics of each biopotential signal. The controller automatically generates the frequency control signals based on such commands and outputs such frequency control signals to the configurable receiver circuit. The controller outputs a representation of each biopotential signal to an analyzer device that is configured to analyze such biopotential signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Intan Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Reid R. Harrison