Patents Issued in August 30, 2016
  • Patent number: 9427155
    Abstract: The optical apparatus includes an optical measurement module, a central processing module, and an air-puff module. The air-puff module is used for generating an air pressure to a surface of the cornea according a blow pattern to cause a deformation of the cornea. The optical measurement module includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit is used for measuring an intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye according to the deformation of the cornea. The second unit is used for measuring properties of the cornea in an optical interference way. The central processing module is coupled to the first unit and the second unit and used for receiving and processing the intraocular pressure and the properties of the cornea to provide a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Crystalvue medical corporation
    Inventors: William Wang, Chung-Ping Chuang, Meng-Shin Yen, Chung-Cheng Chou
  • Patent number: 9427156
    Abstract: Devices and methods for wavefront sensing and keratometry are described. A device includes a lens assembly, a wavefront sensor, and a keratometer. The wavefront sensor includes: the lens assembly; a first light source configured to emit first light and transfer the first light emitted from the first light source toward an eye through the lens assembly; an array of lenses that is distinct from the lens assembly; and a first image sensor configured to receive light, from the eye, transmitted through the lens assembly and the array of lenses. The keratomer includes: the lens assembly; a second light source that is distinct from the first light source and configured to emit second light and transfer the second light emitted from the second light source toward the eye; and a second image sensor configured to receive light, from the eye, transmitted through the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: OVITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Samuel J. Steven, Joung Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9427157
    Abstract: Technology for transmitting and receiving a biosignal based on a pattern related to the biosignal and a feature point included in the biosignal. A biosignal transmitter includes a biosignal obtaining unit configured to obtain a biosignal comprising a plurality of unit signals, a parsing unit configured to parse the biosignal to extract a first unit signal of the plurality of unit signals, a pattern obtaining unit configured to obtain a pattern related to the biosignal based on the first unit signal, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit information related to a feature point of the first unit signal based on the first unit signal and the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Min Kang, Kun Kook Park
  • Patent number: 9427158
    Abstract: A wearable mobile device and a method of detecting a biosignal with a wearable mobile device are provided. A method of detecting a biosignal with a wearable mobile device involves determining whether a wearable mobile device is closely attached to a user; and providing a biosignal-based service in response to the wearable mobile device being determined to be closely attached to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Mok Choi, Sang Joon Kim, Sang Il Park, Se O Lee, Young Joong Jun
  • Patent number: 9427159
    Abstract: A medical cloud system with an automatically checking and feeding back self-status function utilizes a database to receive and integrate a physiological information, an electronic physiological monitoring device intrinsic information, an electronic physiological monitoring device status information, an electronic physiological monitoring device error code or a miss operation information from an electronic physiological monitoring device through a smart transmitting unit. The database can notify user or manager of the electronic physiological monitoring device of arising of the electronic physiological monitoring device status information, the electronic physiological monitoring device error code or the miss operation information, and confirm the system status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: OSTAR MEDITECH CORP.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 9427160
    Abstract: A wearable device includes a wearable device structure. The wearable device has a first end and a second end each with a plurality of magnets. The first and second ends are coupled by overlapping of at least a portion of the first end magnets to at least a portion of the second end magnets. The wearable device structure includes an undercut structure for receiving at least a portion of the magnets. ID circuitry is provided at a surface or an interior of the wearable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hello Inc.
    Inventors: James Proud, Bryan Fan, Robert Shook, Joaquin Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9427161
    Abstract: An acoustic driver system includes an active acoustic driver and a passive acoustic driver. The active acoustic driver is configured to produce oscillating acoustic energy. The passive acoustic driver is acoustically connected to the active acoustic driver and is configured to receive the oscillating acoustic energy and to convert it into shear waves. The passive acoustic driver includes a housing member and a vibrating member. The housing member includes a housing member cavity. The vibrating member is disposed at least partially within the housing member cavity. The vibrating member permanently retains a curved shape while disposed within the housing member cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mayank Vijayvergia, Gaurav Gadodia, Sumeeth Jonathan, Samantha By, Frank Miller, Timothy Carroll, Teresa Woodruff
  • Patent number: 9427162
    Abstract: The shade matching method and device of the subject invention is to be used by dentists and dental professionals to help in determining the correct shade of porcelain crowns, composite fillings and other cosmetically critical dental restorations. Based on the principle of metamerism, the method consists of using a light source for generating a light spectrum in at least two distinct wavelength spectra in sequence under the control of the operator of the light source inclusive of a first wavelength spectrum corresponding to daylight to enable the dentist or dental professional to perform a shade match the way a patient would view their restoration outside of a dental office in a real world environment and then switching to a second wavelength spectrum corresponding to either room light or ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Joshua Friedman
  • Patent number: 9427163
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, side-loading electrical connectors for use with intravascular devices are provided. The side-loading electrical connector has at least one electrical contact configured to interface with an electrical connector of the intravascular device. A first connection piece of the side-loading electrical connector is movable relative to a second connection piece between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position an elongated opening is formed between the first and second connection pieces to facilitate insertion of the electrical connector between the first and second connection pieces in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the intravascular device and wherein in the closed position the at least one electrical contact is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector received between the first and second connection pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventor: David H. Burkett
  • Patent number: 9427164
    Abstract: A neural probe (10) is provided for in vivo communication with biological tissue, including stimulating neurons and/or recording neural electrical activity. The probe (10) may be constructed so that the immune response by the biological tissue in which the device is implanted is reduced over known implantable probes. The probe (10) can be constructed with a tip (16) that has a branched configuration, with electrodes (24) located along each of the branches (20). A biodegradable coating (18) is disposed over at least the tip (16) of the probe (10) to provide the probe (10) with sufficient integrity for insertion into the biological tissue and to degrade after insertion. The biodegradable coating (18) can have an anti-inflammatory drug or other bioagent distributed therein for localized release of the bioagent to further reduce the immune response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Euisik Yoon, Fan Wu
  • Patent number: 9427165
    Abstract: Systems and methods for management of physiological data, for example data obtained from monitoring an electrocardiogram signal of a patient. In one example use, digital data is obtained and episodes of arrhythmias are detected. Snapshots of the digitized ECG signal may be stored for later physician review. One or more techniques may be used to avoid recording of redundant data, while ensuring that at least a minimum number of episodes of each detected arrhythmia can be stored. The system may automatically tailor its data collection to the cardiac characteristics of a particular patient. In one technique, memory is allocated to include for each detectable arrhythmia a memory segment designated to receive ECG snapshots representing only the respective arrhythmia. A shared memory pool may receive additional snapshots of as the designated memory segments fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Monitoring, Inc.
    Inventors: Brion Finlay, Scott Williams, Richard Fogoros, Brett Landrum, Abhi Chavan
  • Patent number: 9427166
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium can have instructions executable by a processor. The instructions can include an electrogram reconstruction method to generate reconstructed electrogram signals for each of a multitude of points residing on or near a predetermined cardiac envelope based on geometry data and non-invasively measured body surface electrical signals. The instructions can include a phase calculator to compute phase signals for the multitude of points based on the reconstructed electrogram signals and a visualization engine to generate an output based on the computed phase signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Cardioinsight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Remi Dubois, Brian P. George, Charulatha Ramanathan, Qingguo Zeng, Maria Strom, Venkatesh Vasudevan, Ryan Bokan, Ping Jia
  • Patent number: 9427167
    Abstract: A catheter system includes a mapping catheter including a plurality of mapping electrodes, each mapping electrode configured to sense signals associated with an anatomical structure. The catheter system further includes a processor operatively coupled to the plurality of mapping electrodes and configured to receive the signals sensed by the plurality of mapping electrodes, characterize the signals sensed by the plurality of mapping electrodes based on amplitudes of the sensed signals, and generate an output of a quality of contact of the plurality of mapping electrodes with the anatomical structure based on the signal characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Barun Maskara, Pramodsingh H. Thakur, Shantha Arcot-Krishnamurthy, Shibaji Shome, Sunipa Saha, Allan C. Shuros, Scott A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9427168
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: AFTx, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Edwards, Bao Nguyen, Paul Kessman, Thomas Kurian
  • Patent number: 9427169
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to detect and analyze arrhythmia drivers. In one example, a system can include a wave front analyzer programmed to compute wave front lines extending over a surface for each of the plurality of time samples based on phase information computed from electrical data at nodes distributed across the surface. A trajectory detector can be programmed to compute wave break points for each of the wave front lines and to determine a trajectory of at least one rotor core across the surface. A stability detector can be programmed to identify at least one stable rotor portion corresponding to subtrajectories of the determined trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CARDIOINSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Qingguo Zeng, Ping Jia, Ryan Bokan, Brian P. George, Charulatha Ramanathan, Venkatesh Vasudevan, Maria Strom
  • Patent number: 9427170
    Abstract: A cardiac device and method thereof for detecting atrial fibrillation within a mean heart signal of a body, wherein the cardiac device includes at least two sensing electrodes. The method includes providing an input heart signal, detecting sense events (VS) and noise events (VN), and generating further noise events (VN) each at a predetermined time interval after a noise event (VN) has been detected and when the noise event (VN) continues. The method includes incrementing a noise counter for each noise event (VN) and each further noise event (VN), and terminating the detection of atrial fibrillation when the noise counter reaches a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Garth Garner, R. Hollis Whittington, Dirk Muessig
  • Patent number: 9427171
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance image of a subject is generated by acquiring k-space samples by sampling an elliptical central area of k-space, k-space having a plurality of points. Each point is representative of a potential sample. An elliptical peripheral area of k-space which peripheral area surrounds the central area is partially sampled. Respiratory motion of the subject is detected and the magnetic resonance image of the subject is reconstructed using the k-space samples acquired before the detection of respiratory motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Nadine Gdaniec, Holger Eggers
  • Patent number: 9427172
    Abstract: A roll-detecting sensor assembly includes a coil extending along and disposed about an axis. The coil comprises one or more portions, with each portion defining a winding angle. At least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is substantially nonzero relative to a line perpendicular to the axis, whereby the projected area of the coil in an applied magnetic field changes as the coil rotates about the axis. As a result, the coil is configured to produce a signal responsive to the magnetic field indicative of the roll of the sensor about the axis. In an embodiment, at least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is at least 2 degrees. In an embodiment, at least one of the portions defines a winding angle that is about 45 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: MediGuide Ltd.
    Inventors: Uzi Eichler, Alon Izmirli, Dan Seter
  • Patent number: 9427173
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations changes in an aneurysm in a patient over time are identified by determining temporal differences between segmented aneurysms in a plurality of longitudinal exams and visually presenting the temporal differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Saad Ahmed Sirohey, Paul E. Licato, Gopal B. Avinash, Tamanna N. Bembenek
  • Patent number: 9427174
    Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus is disclosed. The endoscopic apparatus includes a light source which has a plurality of light source components which output light beams which cross one another; an estimator which estimates a geometry of an internal surface of a body; and a controller which controls so that an intensity of a light beam output by any one of the plurality of light source components is variably adjusted based on the estimated geometry of the internal surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stepan Tuliakov, Tae-hee Lee, Seung-ki Cho, Hee-chul Han
  • Patent number: 9427175
    Abstract: System, methods, and media for finding and matching tremor signals that: receive a first piece of tremor signal content; identify a first plurality of tremor peaks that describe at least a portion of the first piece of tremor signal content using a Teager-Kaiser operator; form a first template of tremor peaks from at least a portion of the first plurality of tremor peaks, the first group of tremor peaks having a first group of parameters; compare the first template and the first group of parameters with at least one second template and a second group of parameters, wherein the second group of parameters is based on a second set of tremor peaks associated with a second piece of tremor content; and identify a match between the first piece of tremor signal content and the second piece of tremor signal content based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: In Actu, LLC
    Inventors: Xanadu Christina Halkias, Henry Frisz
  • Patent number: 9427176
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an integrated or connectable implantable three-dimensional acceleration sensor, and a ballistocardiogram (BCG) capturing unit that is connected or connectable to the acceleration sensor. The BCG evaluation unit processes an acceleration signal provided by the acceleration sensor and derives a BCG from the 3D accelerometer output signal. A BCG evaluation unit is connected to the BCG capturing unit, and is designed to evaluate a BCG provided by the BCG capturing unit and supply an output signal representing stroke volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olaf Skerl, Michael Lippert, Jens Kirchner
  • Patent number: 9427177
    Abstract: A fall detection device includes a fall detection circuit to detect a fall by a user and a verification circuit to verify the initial indication of a fall from the fall detection circuit. The device is sized to be worn by the user and includes an orientation sensor to track the orientation of the device relative to one or more axes. The device averages the average inclination values for one or more axes for time periods before, during, and after the fall. A fall is determined to have occurred when differences in the average values of the inclination values exceed threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Fidelity Investment Corporation
    Inventor: Tibor Ganyi
  • Patent number: 9427178
    Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for a plurality of kinematic sensors to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of shanks of an individual, a processor, and a memory to store a set of instructions. If executed by the processor, the instructions can cause the system to calculate a timed up and go (TUG) time segment based on angular velocity data from the plurality of kinematic sensors. The instructions may also cause the system to calculate a derived parameter based on the angular velocity data, and generate a falls risk assessment based on at least one of the TUG time segment and the derived parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CARE INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Barry R. Greene
  • Patent number: 9427179
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and garment that incorporates sensors that can be used for measuring or monitoring pressure or forces in feet, the stumps of limbs of an amputee that are fitted with prosthetic devices, or any other parts of the body that are subject to forces such as the buttock while seated or when external pressure inducing devices are employed, such as for example, pressure bandages. The invention also relates to a method to monitor or diagnose any foot or limb related activity for recreational, sporting, military or medical reasons and is particularly aimed at the treatment of neuropathic or other degenerating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Sensoria Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Mestrovic, Pamela Margaret Petersen, Robin William Cranston, Warren Bradley Stannard, Patrick Brendan D'Arcy
  • Patent number: 9427180
    Abstract: The medical puncturing device includes a housing, a shield, and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Paul C. DiCesare, Jeffrey Radziunas, Christopher A. Battles
  • Patent number: 9427181
    Abstract: A sensor that may be used to detect the presence, amount, and/or concentration of an analyte in a medium within an animal. The sensor may include a sensor housing, an indicator element embedded within and/or covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, and a membrane over the indicator element. The membrane may reduce indicator element deterioration by preventing immune cells, such as white blood cells, from contacting the indicator element, substantially prevent transmission of light of at least a specified wavelength or range of wavelengths through the membrane, and/or permit the analyte to pass through to the indicator element. The membrane may be an opaque diffusion membrane. The sensor may include a foil. The foil may block light and/or reduce indicator element deterioration. The membrane may reduce oxidation of the indicator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy Emken, Philip Huffstetler, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9427182
    Abstract: A sensor that may be used to detect the presence, amount, and/or concentration of an analyte in a medium within an animal. The sensor may include a sensor housing, an indicator element embedded within and/or covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, and a membrane over the indicator element. The membrane may reduce indicator element deterioration by preventing immune cells, such as white blood cells, from contacting the indicator element, substantially prevent transmission of light of at least a specified wavelength or range of wavelengths through the membrane, and/or permit the analyte to pass through to the indicator element. The membrane may be an opaque diffusion membrane. The sensor may include a foil. The foil may block light and/or reduce indicator element deterioration. The membrane may reduce oxidation of the indicator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy Emken, Philip Huffstetler, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9427183
    Abstract: Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Goode, Jr., James H. Brauker, Apurv U. Kamath, James Patrick Thrower, Victoria Carr-Brendel
  • Patent number: 9427184
    Abstract: Bodily fluid sample collection systems, devices, and method are provided. The device may comprise a first portion comprising at least a sample collection channel configured to draw the fluid sample into the sample collection channel via a first type of motive force. The sample collection device may include a second portion comprising a sample container for receiving the bodily fluid sample collected in the sample collection channel, the sample container operably engagable to be in fluid communication with the collection channel, whereupon when fluid communication is established, the container provides a second motive force different from the first motive force to move a majority of the bodily fluid sample from the channel into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Theranos, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Holmes, Michael Chen, Pey-Jiun Ko, Tammy Burd, Adrit Lath, Patricia McHale
  • Patent number: 9427185
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards monitoring user behavior on a computerized device for any deviation from normal or acceptable behavior that is likely to affect the user's mental state. A prediction model corresponding to features of one or more mental states may be compared with features based upon current user behavior. If the user's current behavior presents a mental state indicative of an uncharacteristic deviation from the normal or acceptable behavior, descriptive data associated with that mental state may be presented to the user in addition to a trusted individual, such as a health care professional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Elad Yom-Tov, Eric J. Horvitz, Ryen William White, Munmun De Choudhury, Scott J Counts
  • Patent number: 9427186
    Abstract: A system and method for locating magnetic material. In one embodiment the system includes a magnetic probe; a power module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to supply current to the magnetic probe; a sense module in electrical communication with the magnetic probe to receive signals from the magnetic probe; and a processing module in electrical communication with the power module and the sense module. The processing module generates a waveform that controls the supply of current from the power module and receives a signal from the sense module that indicates the presence of magnetic material. The magnetic probe is constructed from a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of substantially 10?6/° C. or less and a Young's modulus of substantially 50 GPa or greater. In one embodiment magnetic nanoparticles collect in the lymph nodes. In one embodiment the particles have a mean hydrodynamic diameter of between 5-200 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ENDOMAGNETICS LTD.
    Inventors: Simon Richard Hattersley, Quentin Andrew Pankhurst
  • Patent number: 9427187
    Abstract: A system for analyzing at least one characteristic of the skin (1) and by extension hair, via optics (7, 4) and image processing (4, 5) elements notably include a consumer electronics device (4). The method for analyzing at least one characteristic of the skin notably includes a step wherein at least one digital image is acquired via a consumer electronics device. According to a first aspect, the method notably aims at applications in the field of cosmetics or that of skin cancer screening, and according to a second aspect in the field of assisting with diagnosis of allergies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventor: Jerome Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9427188
    Abstract: The spacer attachment for a dermatoscope comprises an outer sleeve (12) including an attachment end configured for releasable attachment to the illumination head of a dermatoscope and a contact end intended to be placed on the skin of a patient at an examination location. A filter insert (30) is releasably attached in the outer sleeve (12) by rotation about the central axis of the outer sleeve (12), wherein the filter insert (30) includes a viewing plate (52) intersected perpendicularly by the central axis of the outer sleeve (12). The filter insert (30) is releasably attached to the outer sleeve (12) by a rotation snap device comprising at least one resilient snap hook (44) which is arranged at the outer circumference of the filter insert (30) and resiliently engages around a projection (26) provided at the inner wall of the outer sleeve (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Heine Optotechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Oliver Heine, Wolfgang Behrendt, Roman Raab
  • Patent number: 9427189
    Abstract: A system is provided for using data based on user habit information or user monitoring. A monitoring device has one or more sensors that detect or measure user information selected from of at least one of, a user's activities, behaviors and habit information, and a user's health. The monitoring device includes circuitry that provides at least identification of the monitoring device, a communication system which reads and transmits an identification of the monitoring device, and a pathway system. A telemetry system is provided with a database of user ID's and is in communication with the monitoring device. A device determines a user's melanin level at a place where the monitoring device is positioned on the user. The user's melanin level is used with monitoring or measuring information relative to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hello Inc.
    Inventors: James Proud, Bryan Fan, Robert Shook, Joaquin Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9427190
    Abstract: A method is provided for utilizing a personal monitoring device or other personal logging device, to assist an individual in a lifestyle control program. The method includes storing lifestyle data from a statistically large group of persons in a database, collecting, in a personal logging device, corresponding personal lifestyle data; feeding the data from the personal logging device to the database; performing a statistical analysis of the collected lifestyle data, and producing an output and providing feedback to the user based on correlations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hello Inc.
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9427191
    Abstract: A method of determining a value of a physiological parameter for a subject at a selected state includes obtaining, via a device attached to the subject, a value of the physiological parameter of the subject at a particular time-of-day, and applying a time-dependent relationship function to the obtained physiological parameter value via a processor to determine a value of the physiological parameter at the selected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Francis LeBoeuf
  • Patent number: 9427192
    Abstract: Techniques are generally described for touch-sensitive devices with biometric information determination capabilities. The touch-sensitive device may include one or more of a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The transmitter may be configured to emit light towards a surface of the touch-sensitive device and the receiver may be configured to receive reflected light from a touch to the touch-sensitive device. The processor may be arranged to receive signals from the receiver and determines biometric information, and in some examples location of touch, based on the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Seth Adrian Miller
  • Patent number: 9427193
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for reducing motion artifacts in x-ray sampling circuits. The detector system output is sampled at a rate than the x-ray exposure rate to reduce blurring associated with motion of the detector and/or object being scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Teratech Corporation
    Inventor: Alice Chiang
  • Patent number: 9427194
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for computed tomography (CT) imaging are provided. One method includes providing a patient table to move along an examination axis of a rotating gantry of a CT imaging system having at least one imaging detector. The imaging detector includes a pixelated detector array. The method further includes configuring the CT imaging system to perform an overlapping helical CT scan by controlling a speed of the moving patient table along the examination axis through a field of view (FOV) of the at least one imaging detector of the rotating gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Bouhnik, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 9427195
    Abstract: An emergency vehicle has a patient compartment and a motor, a generator cooperative with the patient compartment, and a Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner positioned in the patient compartment and connected to the generator so as to supply power to the CT scanner. The CT scanner is releasably affixed to the front wall of the patient compartment. The generator is operable independently of the motor. The front wall of the patient compartment has a receptacle affixed thereto. The CT scanner has at least one pin connector extending toward the front wall. The pin connector is releasably received by the receptacle so as to fix a position of the CT scanner against the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: FRAZER, LTD.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Richardson
  • Patent number: 9427196
    Abstract: A patient table and a control device of a pallet of the patient table are provided according to the present application to facilitate achieving the switching between manual operation and automatic operation in controlling the pallet, and to improve the operation convenience. The control device includes a through-beam photoelectric switch, a shutter and a trigger connected to the shutter, the trigger is arranged on a push-pull portion of the pallet to allow the shutter to be driven to move when a hand acts on the push-pull portion, to block a light beam of the through-beam photoelectric switch. The through-beam photoelectric switch is in signal connection with the control board of the patient table and is configured to send a signal for releasing the pallet to the control board of the patient table once the light beam of the through-beam photoelectric switch is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SHENYANG NEUSOFT MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoping Shi, Yang Hu, Hong Yan
  • Patent number: 9427197
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a panoramic image similar to a panoramic radiography obtained from a patient through X-ray emission by processing an acquired 3D digital volume in voxel, each voxel having values of X-ray absorption is characterized by selecting a curved surface in 3D volume and identifying a plurality of first points on the curved surface and connecting each point of the identified first points with a corresponding pixel of the panoramic image to be obtained in order to map the first points of the curved surface on corresponding pixels of the panoramic image. Each identified point of the first points are associated with a respective set of lines passing through the identified point, each line having a different angle of incidence. The lines are contained in a solid angle having identified point as a vertex. An absorption value is calculated in the 3D volume along each of the lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: QR S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giacomo Zoccatelli
  • Patent number: 9427198
    Abstract: System for live 3D x-ray viewing comprising an x-ray source, an x-ray detector, a processing unit, a monitor and means for detecting viewer's eyes, wherein the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are arranged at a movable C-arm. The x-ray source comprises two focal spots, wherein a separation of the two focal spots is adjustable so that the image acquisition angle between the two focal spots matches the viewing angle between the two eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Heidrun Steinhauser, Michael John Murdoch, Peter Prinsen
  • Patent number: 9427199
    Abstract: A functional image generating section that generates a functional image that represents the functions of a subject, based on 3D medical image data obtained by imaging the subject; a projected 3D image generating section that generates a projected 3D image that represents the appearance of the subject, based on the 3D medical image data; a display control section that displays the functional image and the projected 3D image; and a specified position data obtaining section that obtains position data regarding a position specified within the functional image, are provided. The projected 3D image generating section generates the projected 3D image which is projected in a projection direction such that a position within the projected 3D image corresponding to the specified position faces forward, based on the position data. The display control section displays the projected 3D image having the projection direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9427200
    Abstract: A method for determining physiological cardiac parameters as a function of a heart rate is provided. For at least two heart rates adjusted by a cardiac stimulation during the recording, in each case, a four-dimensional image data set of the heart showing the entire cardiac cycle is recorded using an X-ray device. The physiological cardiac parameters are determined by evaluation of the four-dimensional image data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Yiannis Kyriakou
  • Patent number: 9427201
    Abstract: A non-invasive method and system for using 2D angiographic images for radiosurgical target definition uses non-invasive calibration devices and methods to calibrate an angiographic imaging system and a six-parameter registration algorithm to register angiographic images with 3D scan data for radiation treatment planning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Accuray Incorporated
    Inventors: Jay B. West, Calvin R. Maurer, Jr., Dongshan Fu, John R. Dooley
  • Patent number: 9427202
    Abstract: An arithmetic processor for measuring bone density using a correspondence relationship between a luminance value of transmitted radiation and a thickness of a reference material is provided. The luminance value is obtained by applying radiation, which is emitted from a radiation source upon application of a tube voltage to the radiation source, to the reference material having different thicknesses and detecting the radiation transmitted through the reference material. The arithmetic processor includes: a generating unit that generates, based on the detected luminance value, a luminance profile representing the correspondence relationship; a normalizing unit that generates a normalized profile by normalizing the luminance profile based on a maximum value and a minimum value in the luminance profile; and a determining unit that determines whether or not each luminance value corresponding to each thickness in the normalized profile is within a range defined in advance by the tube voltage and each thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yoshikawa, Takuma Okuno, Tsuyoshi Kamada
  • Patent number: 9427203
    Abstract: A system and method for digital x-ray imaging. The method includes emitting a first and second collimated x-ray beam from an x-ray source disposed in a first and second position, respectively. The first and second collimated x-ray beam is directed onto an identified region of interest (ROI) wherein a first and second ROI image is captured, respectively, when the x-ray source is disposed in the first and second position, respectively. The first and second ROI images are processed to extract features from each of the first and second ROI images. The extracted features are analyzed, and an indicator of a disease is generated responsive to the extracted features. The indicator can be stored, displayed, or transmitted. The first and second x-ray sources can be the same or different x-ray sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Foos, Samuel Richard, Xiaohui Wang
  • Patent number: 9427204
    Abstract: In a C-arm system and a method for image acquisition of an x-ray projection image, wherein the projection region of the subject that is to be images is larger than the maximum projection region covered by a stationary x-ray beam, and to generate a complete exposure of the entire projection region to be imaged, at least two individual projection exposures are generated and combined. The generation of the at least two individual exposures takes place with a focus that is stationary relative to the subject and with a modified spatial angle of the emitted x-ray beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer Graumann