Patents Issued in December 1, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160346534
    Abstract: Systems and method may be used for interfacing with a patient. Systems may include a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a processor. The processor may determine a relative impedance difference between a first electrode and a second electrode, and apply a sub-therapeutic stimulation pulse to one of the first and second electrodes to adjust the relative impedance difference therebetween. Systems may include a processor capable of one or both of providing therapeutic stimulation to a patient via at least one electrode, and receiving electrical signals indicative of the patient's physiological activity. In some examples, the processor may simultaneously provide therapeutic stimulation to a patient and receive electrical signals from the patient indicative of the patient's physiological activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Isaacson, Timothy J. Denison, Kunal J. Paralikar, Scott R. Stanslaski
  • Publication number: 20160346535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcurrent generator capable of generating microcurrents by utilizing a gap between different metals and obtaining a healing effect by using the generated microcurrents. The present invention relates to a configuration of generating microcurrents by forming a gap (G) between a first metal (10) and a second metal (20) made from different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Chun Gi KIM
  • Publication number: 20160346536
    Abstract: Cells that are in the process division are vulnerable to damage by AC electric fields that have specific frequency and field strength characteristics. The selective destruction of rapidly dividing cells can therefore be accomplished by imposing an AC electric field in a target region for extended periods of time at particular frequencies with particular filed strengths. Some of the cells that divide while the field is applied will be damaged, but the cells that do not divide will not be harmed. This selectively damages rapidly dividing cells like bacteria, but does not harm normal cells that are not dividing. Since the vulnerability of the dividing cells is strongly related to the alignment between the long axis of the dividing cells and the lines of force of the electric field, improved results can be obtained when the field is sequentially imposed in different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Yoram Palti, Moshe Giladi
  • Publication number: 20160346537
    Abstract: A method for delivering energy as a function of degree coupling may utilize an external unit configured for location external to a body of a subject and at least one processor associated with the implant unit and configured for electrical communication with a power source. The method may determine a degree of coupling between the primary antenna and a secondary antenna associated with the implant unit, and regulate delivery of power to the implant unit based on the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Adi Mashiach
  • Publication number: 20160346538
    Abstract: A control device of an electrostimulator is used in the electrostimulator including an electrode and an angular velocity sensor. The control device includes a controller that controls electrostimulation which is output from the electrode and a storage that stores a first threshold value and a second threshold value. The first threshold value is greater than the second threshold value. The controller causes the electrode to output electrostimulation based on a state in which angular velocity reaches one threshold value of the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and then, reaches the other threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: SACHIKO ATSUMI, TADASHI ARIMURA, HIROYUKI KAIZO
  • Publication number: 20160346539
    Abstract: A control device of an electrostimulator is used in the electrostimulator including an electrode, an angular velocity sensor, and a notifier. The control device includes a controller that controls electrostimulation which is output from the electrode and that counts the number of times of movements as the number of times of the reciprocating movements of the target site; and a storage that stores preset information. The storage stores a first threshold value and a second threshold value. The controller causes the notifier to display movement information including the number of times of the movements, based on a state in which an angular velocity reaches the second threshold value after reaching the first threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: SACHIKO ATSUMI, TADASHI ARIMURA, HIROYUKI KAIZO
  • Publication number: 20160346540
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation to an agonist/antagonist muscle pair to move a limb about a joint includes generating a first pattern of neuromuscular electrical stimulation pulses for output through a first channel to a first pair of electrodes and generating a second pattern of neuromuscular stimulation pulses for output through a second channel to a second pair of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes are attached to the agonist muscle of the agonist/antagonist muscle pair, and the second pair of electrodes are attached to the antagonist muscle. A first pattern of electrical stimulation pulses is transmitted through the first pair of electrodes to the agonist muscle at a first intensity level to initiate contraction of the agonist muscle, and then at a second intensity level which is less than the first intensity level to continue contraction of the agonist muscle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Yorick Wijting, Jeffrey K. Pohl
  • Publication number: 20160346541
    Abstract: A device for nerve stimulation therapy that includes at least one current generator, a housing having an outer surface and defining an interior cavity. The current generator includes a power supply and at least one current regulator, the and is configured to supply therapeutic current for a therapy interval. The device includes at least two leads electrically connected to the current generator and coupled to an associated electrode at least one electrode. The electrode has an insertion tip defined at the end of the electrode opposed to the lead such that the wherein the connection between the insertion tip and a central section of the electrode defines an angle that is not equal to 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Renee Bennett
  • Publication number: 20160346542
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating medical disorders, such as migraine or other primary headaches, or fibromyalgia, by noninvasive electrical stimulation of a vagus nerve, used in conjunction with the measurement of evoked potentials (EPs). The system comprises a stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck to apply electrical impulses sufficient to stimulate a cervical vagus nerve, scalp electrodes that are used to measure EPs that are evoked by that stimulation, feedback or biofeedback circuits to vary the stimulation based upon EP characteristics, and other sensory stimulation modalities that produce EPs. The system is preferably used to optimize the placement of the stimulator, to test whether a patient is a suitable candidate for treatment using vagus nerve stimulation, and to select the stimulation parameters that optimized acute or chronic treatment, e.g., by correcting an EP habituation deficit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico
  • Publication number: 20160346543
    Abstract: A system is provided for a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve or Electrical Muscle Stimulation. The system generally includes at least two electrodes carried on a single substrate adapted to be disposed in electrical contact with a body surface, and an electrical stimulation unit configured to deliver electrical pulses to muscle groups or nerve endings adjacent a body surface that is in electrical contact with the at least two electrodes. The electrical stimulation unit includes an on-board controller configured for controlling the stimulation unit to deliver electrical pulses for pain relief and/or muscle relaxation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Eric Ye Chen
  • Publication number: 20160346544
    Abstract: A bipolar cortical stimulator comprises a handheld housing including one or more batteries for powering the bipolar cortical stimulator and stimulator element extending from the housing. The bipolar cortical stimulator further includes a circuit board disposed within the housing for controlling operation of the stimulator element and powered by the one or more batteries. A plurality of controls extend from the housing and are operatively connected to the circuit board to control one or more parameters of the stimulator element. A digital display is disposed within the housing for displaying the one or more parameters of the stimulator element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Richard W. BYRNE
  • Publication number: 20160346545
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of applying transdermal electrical stimulation (TES) to a subject to enhance a concurrent sensory experience, by applying the TES to the subject's head or head and neck from two or more electrodes that are coupled to a neurostimulator. The apparatuses and methods described herein be configured to apply an ensemble current waveform between the two or more electrodes, wherein the ensemble current waveform comprises a series of component waveforms that are sequentially applied, and wherein each component waveform is different from a component waveform immediately before it and wherein transitions between the component waveforms temporally correlates with transitions in the sensory experience. Also described herein are apparatuses and methods for applying TES to a subject's face or face and neck, wherein one end of the TES applicator (e.g., strip electrode) contacts the subject's cheek and/or mastoid. Finally, user interfaces for controlling TES are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Sumon K. PAL, William J. TYLER, Jonathan D. CHARLESWORTH, Isy GOLDWASSER, Daniel Z. WETMORE, Jason EGNAL, Anil THAKUR
  • Publication number: 20160346546
    Abstract: An example of a system may include an electrode arrangement and a neuromodulation device configured to use electrodes in the electrode arrangement to generate a neuromodulation field. The neuromodulation device may include a neuromodulation generator, a neuromodulation control circuit and a storage. The storage may include a stochastically-modulated neuromodulation parameter set and the stochastically-modulated neuromodulation parameter set may include at least one stochastically-modulated parameter. The controller may be configured to control the neuromodulation generator using the stochastically-modulation parameter set to generate the neuromodulation field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Changfang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160346547
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for targeted treatment of a variety of conditions, particularly conditions that are associated with or influenced by the nervous system, such as pain. Targeted treatment of such conditions is provided with minimal deleterious side effects, such as undesired motor responses or undesired stimulation of unaffected body regions. This is achieved by directly neuromodulating a target anatomy associated with the condition while minimizing or excluding undesired neuromodulation of other anatomies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Eyad KISHAWI, Mir A. IMRAN, Brian J. MOSSOP, Jeffery M. KRAMER, Richard W. O'CONNOR
  • Publication number: 20160346548
    Abstract: Systems and method may be used for interfacing with a patient. Systems may include a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a processor. The processor may be configured to receive sense signals from electrodes and to determine the reliability of the received signal. A test tone signal comprising a test tone frequency may be applied, and the magnitude of the test tone frequency may be analyzed in the received signal. If it is determined that the magnitude of the test tone frequency is below a threshold, the system may take action, such as lowering the gain on an amplifier. Stimulation signals may be applied to the patient at a stimulation frequency simultaneously with one or both of receiving sense signals and providing the test tone signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy J. Denison, Pedram Afshar, Scott R. Stanslaski
  • Publication number: 20160346549
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for recording the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicants: CYBERONICS, INC., EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell
  • Publication number: 20160346550
    Abstract: A method and external control device for providing therapy to a patient using first and second electrodes implanted within the patient is provided. A train of electrical multi-phasic pulses is generated. A first electrical current is sourced from the second electrode and at least a portion of the first electrical current is sunk to the first electrode during a stimulation phase of each multi-phasic pulse, thereby therapeutically stimulating a first tissue region adjacent the first electrode. A second electrical current is sourced from the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrical current is sunk to the second electrode during a charge recovery phase of each multi-phasic pulse, thereby recovering at least a portion of the charge that had been injected into the patient during the stimulation phase of each multi-phasic pulse, and therapeutically stimulating a second tissue region adjacent the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Rafael Carbunaru, Kerry Bradley
  • Publication number: 20160346551
    Abstract: Methods of threshold testing and setting a voltage on an artificial pacemaker based on the output of a plethymograph, such as an oximeter, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by determining blood volume in a limb or area of the body, and its change over time. As voltage is decreased in the pacemaker, a change in blood volume of the limb being measured by the oximeter is determined. This change can be a change in how often the blood volume level rises to its peak level and/or the blood volume level no longer rises substantially. Such changes, or lack thereof, can be based on a backup heart rate or no heart rate at all. Once the threshold voltage is determined where the artificial pacemaker ceases to cause a heartbeat, the voltage of the pacemaker can be set accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Vladimir Fridman, Cesare Saponieri
  • Publication number: 20160346552
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a stimulus circuit, a switch circuit, and a control circuit. The stimulus circuit is configured to provide electrical pulse stimulation to the plurality of electrodes. The switch circuit is configured to electrically couple different combinations of the electrodes to the stimulus circuit. The control circuit is to configure a stimulation vector that includes a first vector electrode and a plurality of other electrodes electrically coupled together to form a second combined vector electrode. The control circuit includes a capture detection sub-circuit configured to determine individual capture stimulation thresholds between the first vector electrode and each single electrode of the combined vector electrode. The control circuit is configured to determine a capture stimulation threshold of the stimulation vector using the determined individual capture thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: David J. Ternes, William J. Linder, Sunipa Saha, David L. Perschbacher
  • Publication number: 20160346553
    Abstract: A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system includes a lead-extension body, terminals, and a connector. The connector includes a contact housing and a gasket housing. Multiple connector contacts are disposed in the contact housing and are coupled to the terminals. A retention member is disposed along one end of the contact housing and is receivable by a retention socket defined in the gasket housing. A deformable gasket is disposed in the retention socket. A lumen extends through the connector and is suitable for receiving an electrical stimulation lead. The received lead is retained in the lumen by using the retention member to compress the gasket along a longitudinal length of the connector. The longitudinal compression of the gasket causes a corresponding radial expansion of the gasket, which retains the electrical stimulation lead within the lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: James Robert Black
  • Publication number: 20160346554
    Abstract: A vented set screw is used to secure a connection between an implantable medical device and an implantable lead. The vented set screw includes one or more venting channels that allow liquid and/or gas to flow out of the implantable medical device when the implantable lead is being inserted into the implantable medical device and secured during an implantation procedure. This prevents pressure from building up at the connection, thereby ensuring proper performance of sensing and/or therapy delivery functions of the implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Swanson, John M. Edgell, Nick A. Youker, Scott Dahl, Kevin P. Rodby
  • Publication number: 20160346555
    Abstract: Discrete cofired feedthrough filters are provided for medical implanted device applications. A plurality of discrete vertical feedthrough filter elements are respectively associated with a plurality of signal wires or pins otherwise supported by an insulating feedthrough and a ferrule. The resulting discrete device comprises a single-element device which is cheaper to make, and which reduces cross-talk between adjacent signal wires/pins while otherwise accommodating changes in feedthrough pitch without having to redesign the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: AVX Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew P. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20160346556
    Abstract: Materials and systems that enable high efficiency conversion of mechanical stress to electrical energy and methods of use thereof are described herein. The materials and systems are preferably used to provide power to medical devices implanted inside or used outside of a patient's body. For medical devices, the materials and systems convert electrical energy from the natural contractile and relaxation motion of a portion of a patient's body, such as the heart, lung and diaphragm, or via motion of body materials or fluids such as air, blood, urine, or stool. The materials and systems are capable of being bent, folded or otherwise stressed without fracturing and include piezoelectric materials on a flexible substrate. The materials and systems are preferably fashioned to be generally conformal with intimate apposition to complex surface topographies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Marvin J. Slepian, Canan Dagdeviren, John A. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20160346557
    Abstract: A system for identifying potential portions of a body in which electrical stimulation to treat a condition or disorder affects at least one symptom of the condition or disorder, stimulation effect, or side effect performs the following acts: obtaining, for each of multiple stimulation instances, an estimation of a region of the body stimulated during the stimulation instance and a score for each of at least one symptom, stimulation effect, or stimulation side effect; and determining, for each of multiple portions of the body using the scores and the estimates in a permutation test, a likelihood that stimulation of that portion of the body affects at least one symptom, stimulation effect, or stimulation side effect. In other embodiments, the system sets up a relationship between the outcomes of stimulation and influence of a particular part of the body on the outcome, and derives this influence using a pseudoinverse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Hemant Bokil
  • Publication number: 20160346558
    Abstract: A method and medical device for detecting a cardiac event that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes forming a first sensing vector sensing a first interval and a second sensing vector simultaneously sensing a second, determining, for each of the first interval and the second interval, whether each beat of the plurality of beats is one of a match beat and a non-match beat, determining whether each beat of the plurality of beats is one of a high confidence beat and a low confidence beat, determining, for each of the first interval and the second interval, the number of beats determined to be both a non-match beat and a high confidence beat is greater than a non-match threshold, and determining whether to deliver therapy for the cardiac event in response to identifying of each of the first interval and the second interval as being one of shockable and not shockable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Xusheng ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20160346559
    Abstract: Medical devices include patient modules and displays, which are all electrically coupled together. The patient modules include a defibrillation therapy module and optionally a monitoring module. The defibrillation therapy modules have circuitry that can discharge electric, defibrillation shock through defibrillation electrodes. Some of these medical devices treat patients with defibrillation shock therapy and can also monitor various patient parameters. The displays have a tactile user interface that can include a touch screen in some examples. The tactile user interface translates any received tactile input into an instruction for the patient module. Some specific examples of the disclosed medical devices are defibrillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: JOHN C. DAYNES
  • Publication number: 20160346560
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to the field of medical diathermy and addresses issues of incidental undesired radiation in the prior art. The invention uses a multitude of pairs of intentional radiators with each pair driven with an identical but out-of-phase signal. The pairs or radiators are spaced near the target tissue in close proximity to the target but sufficiently distant from each other so as not to cancel the nearby tissue heating effects. Local heating of tissue is achieved by the high electric and magnetic field intensities coupling and inducing electric currents in conductive tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Robert M. Unetich, James A. Eastburn, Michael J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160346561
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for rejuvenating a region of skin or mucosal tissue, comprising: a pulsed electromagnetic frequency generator; a plurality of electrodes in communication with the pulsed electromagnetic frequency generator and an RF tissue diathermy device. The electrodes apply the pulsed electromagnetic power and the RF tissue diathermy to the tissue, heating it such that one portion of the region of mucosal tissue is maintained at a predetermined temperature range T1 while another portion of the region of mucosal tissue is at least temporarily maintained at predetermined temperature range T2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: VENUS CONCEPT LTD.
    Inventors: Oded RON EDOUTE, Orit RON EDOUTE, Itzhak KREMIN, Vadim POLYAKOV, Boris VAYNBERG
  • Publication number: 20160346562
    Abstract: A coil device for transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment, that generates an overcurrent uniformly across a wide range inside the head of a patient. The coil device includes a winding frame and a coil. A cylindrical surface of the winding frame has: an inner surface section arranged near the cranial surface during use; and an outer surface section forming a convex curved surface protruding towards the outside of the cylindrical surface, relative to a first direction parallel to a neutral axis and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The neutral axis draws a convex curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicants: OSAKA UNIVERSITY, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Youichi SAITOH, Masaki SEKINO, Momoko SUYAMA, Keita YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160346563
    Abstract: Embodiments of a photoarray system are provided. In one embodiment, a photoarray system includes a control system; a lixel array comprising a plurality of lixels each comprising at least one radiation source that is individually controllable by the control system to emit radiation; and a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensor modules distributed amongst the plurality of radiation sources, each of the sensor modules configured to communicate respective local readings to the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas A.D. Burgmann
  • Publication number: 20160346564
    Abstract: Embodiments of a photoarray system are provided. In one embodiment, a photoarray system includes an array of lixels, each lixel comprising at least one electrical component supported on a respective platform, each lixel in the array electrically interconnected with at least one adjacent lixel via one or more flexible wires; and heat sink structure supported on each of the platforms for dissipating heat generated by the at least one electrical component, the heat sink structure incorporating strain resistance structure interfacing with, and imparting strain resistance to, the one or more flexible wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: STRONACH MEDICAL GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas A.D. Burgmann
  • Publication number: 20160346565
    Abstract: A flexible, therapeutic wound dressing assembly is provided for placement on or in a patient, to absorb biological fluids, to protect a wound, and to deliver therapeutic electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to the patient. The therapeutic wound dressing assembly comprises a wound dressing with at least an optical layer and an outer protective layer and an EMR delivery system with at least one EMR source that emits non-ultraviolet, therapeutic EMR having intensity sufficient to activate desired therapeutic properties within the patient, at least one electronic module that controls EMR output the EMR sources. The EMR output comprises at least one of wavelength, intensity, fluence, frequency, duty cycle, and treatment pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Nathaniel L.R. Rhodes, Mitchell D. Barneck, James P. Allen, Martin de la Presa
  • Publication number: 20160346566
    Abstract: A method for estimating a dose gradient of the parameters of a beam of ionizing particles, the dose being deposited by the beam in a voxel of a meshed phantom of a patient, each mesh cell comprising voxels of one and the same material, the parameters of the beam comprising a fluence parameter and geometric parameters, the method comprises the determination of the analytic function for the gradient of the dose, deposited per mesh cell, of the parameters of the beam; and the determination of the estimation of the gradient of the dose in the voxel. Certain procedures for estimating the dose deposited are described. Developments deal with configurations having several independent of partially dependent irradiating beams, optimizations of the treatment plan using cost functions and the management of beams moving along trajectories. The use of servo-controlled robotic arms or of other mobile systems during irradiation is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: David MERCIER, Ming-Chao YANG
  • Publication number: 20160346567
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a particle beam treatment system that can realize the reduction of treatment time for a specific patient, compared with treatment time in a conventional type. A control unit of a control system controls a beam routing system and irradiation devices so as to maintain the occupation of an accelerator when a certain treatment room of plural treatment rooms once occupies the accelerator except intentional operation to release the occupation of the accelerator or the occurrence of system failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Naofumi ISHIGURO, Isao FURUSE, Tomoaki HIRANE, Haruki ARITA
  • Publication number: 20160346568
    Abstract: A method of treating vaginal tissue atrophy in a female subject, the method including the steps of engaging an energy delivery element with tissue in or around the subject's vagina; applying energy to the tissue from the energy delivery element; and increasing blood flow to internal vaginal tissue to an increased level above a baseline level of blood flow to the internal vaginal tissue, the increased level of blood flow to the internal vaginal tissue persisting after the applying step ceases. The invention also provides devices for performing this therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Holly Elizabeth ROCKWEILER, Ryan Taylor KRONE, Jonathan Daniel STEINBERGER, Kathryn OLSON
  • Publication number: 20160346569
    Abstract: An automobile safety glass breaker tool is held against an automobile safety glass window and fired to break the window. The tool is armed by sliding a firing pin piston to the rear against a spring and fired by releasing the firing pin piston. The firing pin piston hits a 22 blank cartridge to fire the blank cartridge. The blank cartridge drives a striker piston forward, and a striker point on the striker piston impacts and shatters the automobile safety glass window. The striker point is limited to reach about 0.6 inches forward and out of the tool to prevent injury to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Larry Goodman
  • Publication number: 20160346570
    Abstract: A scaffolding safety device is mountable to a scaffolding structure having a pair of spaced apart vertical structures and a platform horizontally extending therebetween for supporting a worker. The device comprises an elongate body, a pair of connectors and a safety line. The elongate body defines opposite longitudinal ends and each connector is positioned at or near a respective longitudinal end for being connected to a respective one of the spaced apart vertical structures thereby providing the elongate body to be horizontally disposed between the spaced apart vertical structures. The safety line comprises resilient material mounted at each longitudinal end thereof to or near a respective one of the longitudinal ends of the elongated body for horizontally and slackingly extending along a least a portion of the longitudinal length of the elongated body. The safety line provides for connecting a safety harness worn by the worker thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew Philip ANSON, Benjamin Buchanan ANSON
  • Publication number: 20160346571
    Abstract: A convertible suspension/seat harness is readily converted from a suspension to a seat harness and can receive a yolk for chest harness conversion. The harness includes a waist belt portion having a pair of elongated leg straps terminating at a fastening mechanism. A pair of minor straps terminates at a mating fastening mechanism adapted to mate with corresponding fastening mechanisms of the elongated leg straps to convert the harness to a suspension harness configuration. A pair of secondary straps has a secondary mating fastening mechanism adapted to mate with corresponding fastening mechanisms of the elongated leg straps to convert the harness to a seat harness configuration. A yolk is provided for attachment to the harness to yield a chest harness configuration creating a Class III style harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Hans Huber, Christian Benz, Michael Meng, Dimitrios Takidis
  • Publication number: 20160346572
    Abstract: A clutch lock mechanism for a retractable lanyard includes a pivotal pawl with an engagement end and a sperrad or sperrad ring having teeth which face toward the engagement end of the pawl. One of the sperrad and the pawls are circumferentially fixed, and the other moves relative to the former. The pawl is pivotal movable between an engagement position in which the pawl engagement end within an annular ring defined on one side by the tips of the sperrad teeth and on the other side by the roots of the sperrad teeth and a non-engagement position in which the pawl engagement end is not within the engagement zone. The sperrad and the pawl are in contact with each other, such that, as one moves relative to the other, the engagement end of the pawl is positively moved into the engagement zone without the need to rely on centrifugal forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Gary E. Choate, Dan Henn
  • Publication number: 20160346573
    Abstract: Improvements in a lithium battery fire suppression water hose system is disclosed. The system uses a connection to a vehicle that allows first responders to connect to the vehicle and release fire suppressant material into the vehicle into a location that is most susceptible to fire. The connection is accessible from a port located on the exterior of the vehicle and may further include additional instructions. The connection does not simply dump material into the vehicle, but routs around internal components of the vehicle to distribution heads that are tuned to provide varying amounts of fire suppressing material to different parts of the vehicle and or battery compartment. The connection is pressurized by the vehicle or house to push water chemicals or other fire suppressing media. The system may distribute Nobel or other gases to remove or displace oxygen and starve the fire of oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Bradley Dean Carson, Dale Elliott Carson
  • Publication number: 20160346574
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a fire suppression system includes a high rate discharge system and a low rate discharge system. The low rate discharge system may comprise components that are capable of varying mass flow of a fire suppression agent in term of the ambient conditions of the aircraft structure. In this regard, the low rate discharge system may comprise a valve that is configured to sense at least one of the ambient pressure and ambient temperature of an aircraft structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: HARLAN HAGGE
  • Publication number: 20160346575
    Abstract: A flame arrester (FA1) having an inlet (12) and an outlet (32), a housing (13, 23, 33) between the inlet (12) and outlet (32), one or more baffle plates (14, 34) and a flame arrester element (20) located within the housing (13, 23, 33). The inlet (12) has a maximum diametric dimension (D12). A first baffle plate (14) is located downstream of the inlet (12) and the flame arrester element (20) is located downstream of the first baffle plate (14). A second baffle plate (34) is located downstream of the flame arrester element (20) and upstream of the outlet (32). The baffle plates (14, 34) are secured to the inner wall of the housing (13, 23, 33) and each has an aperture (15, 35). The aperture (15) of the first baffle plate (14) has a minimum diametric dimension of at least 0.75D12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Daomin HONG, Lewis Bingham, Peter Evans
  • Publication number: 20160346576
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flow rate measurement device (1) for a fire extinguishing apparatus (2) for detecting the flow rate of extinguishing agent or fresh water, comprising a control element (9) arranged on a control rod (11), which control element (9) has a substantially conical section (22), and furthermore comprising a housing (25) surrounding the control element (9), the control element (9) being received in the housing (25) so as to be displaceable in the axial direction (31) of the control rod (11). The control element (9) further comprises a cylindrical subsection (23) which is positioned downstream of the conical section (22) as viewed in the flow direction (15) of the fluid to be measured, in which cylindrical subsection (23) of the control element (9) there is furthermore provided at least one recess (27) which interrupts the shell surfaces (28, 29) of the conical section (22) and the cylindrical subsection (23) of the control element (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Rosenbauer International AG
    Inventor: Hannes HAMMER
  • Publication number: 20160346577
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol fire extinguishing device having improved heat resistance and vibration resistance, and designed to be installable in a moving object such as a vehicle, and an aerosol fire extinguishing agent for use in the same. The aerosol fire extinguishing agent is an aerosol fire extinguishing agent comprising an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent, and a reducing agent/binder, to which a fluororubber is added in an outer percentage of 0.5-5 wt %. The aerosol fire extinguishing agent is an aerosol fire extinguishing agent comprising 60-85 wt % of potassium nitrate, 10-26.7 wt % of dicyandiamide, and 5-13.3 wt % of phenolic resin, to which a fluororubber is added in an outer percentage of 0.5-5 wt %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Keita Ito
  • Publication number: 20160346578
    Abstract: The fire fighting apparatus is equipped with a tank containing an extinguishing agent, a pipeline to forward the extinguishing agent, and a device to spread the extinguishing agent, particularly a nozzle. The tank (10) is located in a lower space of the building; the pipeline to forward the extinguishing agent is ascending pipeline (15) fixed along the height of the building; there are pipe sections branching off the ascending pipeline (15) at specific heights; and there are local shut-off devices and tools to spread the extinguishing agent at the end of each pipe section. The tank (10) is equipped with a gas space and the extinguishing agent inside it is a foam composition comprising water, a foaming agent, and in the solution of these two, a non-combustible foaming and propellant gas diluted or emulgeated under overpressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Regional Energy and Environment Est.
    Inventor: Istvan Szocs
  • Publication number: 20160346579
    Abstract: An under bed fluid storage and pumping assembly for fire prevention and protection, which may be utilized in disaster relief housing that includes a first sprinkler system, is disclosed herein. In an example, the under bed fluid storage and pumping assembly includes a tank comprising a housing cavity and the fluid pumping assembly disposed within the housing cavity. In some examples, the housing cavity is formed on a top surface of a riser that extends above a platform to support a bed. In other examples, the housing cavity is formed below an opening on the platform. The housing cavity may include an embedded pump, a suction tube with an isolation valve, a discharge manifold with an isolation valve, a system pressure gauge, a system test control valve (which may be plumped back to tank through tubing and/or fittings), a pressure activated on/off switch, or the like, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Gary Ike
  • Publication number: 20160346580
    Abstract: A method for extinguishing objects or appliances, in which, once a fire signal has been detected at point in time t1, a first device (17) providing an extinguishing agent is triggered, for discharging a liquid synthetic extinguishing agent (14), via a separating device (8), a common conveying pipe (9) and at least one nozzle (10), and, once a second fire signal has been detected at point in time t2, a second device (18) providing an extinguishing agent is triggered for discharging water (3) or a water-based extinguishing agent via the separating device (8), the common conveying pipe (9) and the at least one nozzle (10) for extinguishing. A system is also provided for extinguishing objects or appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: MINIMAX GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joachim BOEKE, Wolfgang HABITZL, Volker BECHTLOFF
  • Publication number: 20160346581
    Abstract: An exercise machine is described. The exercise machine includes a frame formed by a pair of front legs pivotally connected with a pair of rear legs. The frame is movable between an expanded position (for use) where the pair of front legs are pivoted away from the pair of rear legs and a collapsed position (for storage) where the pair of front legs are pivoted toward the pair of rear legs. One or more swinging arms hang from and are pivotally connected with the frame. A swinging platform is connected with the swinging arms. Thus, a user can position a body part upon the swinging platform and perform an exercise by swinging the swinging platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Robson Lindsay Splane, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160346582
    Abstract: A modular kit of parts creates structures to store and suspend equipment used for physical fitness. A structure can be created that can store fitness equipment such as exercise balls, dumb bells, kettle bells and the like. Further, the structure can incorporate exercise bars, and can store and deploy such equipment as suspension straps, punching bags, heavy bags, yoga straps, which are suspended from multi axial pivoting anchors that afford no frictional resistance when the equipment is utilized for exercise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: RHODES WILKINSON
  • Publication number: 20160346583
    Abstract: Aspects relate to an energy harvesting device adapted for use by an athlete while exercising. The device may utilize a mass of phase-change material to store heat energy, the stored heat energy subsequently converted into electrical energy by one or more thermoelectric generator modules. The energy harvesting device may be integrated into an item of clothing, and such that the mass of phase change material may store heat energy as the item of clothing is laundered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Summer Schneider, Vikram Malhotra