Patents Issued in January 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9532702
    Abstract: A cutlery drawer for a dishwasher includes a frame extendably supported within a washing tub and a plurality of inserts which are movably disposed on the frame and are configured to hold dishware items to be washed. The plurality of inserts include a horizontally displaceable disposed on the frame so as to be horizontally displaceable in a direction perpendicular to a direction of withdrawal of the cutlery drawer and a vertically displaceable insert disposed on the frame so as to be vertically displaceable. The horizontally displaceable insert has longitudinal sides extending in the direction of withdrawal of the cutlery drawer and is disposed on the frame so as to be vertically displaceable at one of the longitudinal sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Wegener, Cornelius Wolf
  • Patent number: 9532703
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for providing treatment to a target site are described. The system may include a guide assembly, an expandable support device coupled with the distal end of the guide assembly, and an operative member disposed on the expandable support device. The expandable support device may be configured to transition between a collapsed and expanded configuration. The expandable support device may be supported by one or more flexible supports aligned in parallel with an axis about which the expandable support device collapses and/or multiple splines arranged in a pattern configured to promote transitioning of the expandable support device between an expanded and collapsed configuration. The guide assembly may be configured to provide torque to the expandable support device. The operative member can include multiple electrodes arranged in parallel to the axis about which the expandable support device collapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Hillary K. Huszar, David S. Utley, Eric J. Gwerder, Robert C. Haggerty, Gilbert Mata, Jr., Felicia P. Sein-Lwin
  • Patent number: 9532704
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for safe, easy and cost effective means of placing and verifying proper placement of nasogastric and nasoenteric feeding tubes. Specifically, an integrated feeding device including a tube operable to deliver a nutritional and/or medicinal substance to the gastrointestinal tract, an optical system including a light source, flexible optical fibers or a camera, and a lens, and a steering system is disclosed. The components of the system, namely the optical system and the steering system, may be integrated into the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
    Inventors: John Fang, Mark Adams, Dylan McCreedy, Tim Nieman, Omar Galiano, Brett Richins, Shawn Andrus
  • Patent number: 9532705
    Abstract: In a method and a system for contact-free magnetic navigation of a magnetic body in a work space that is at least partially filled with a fluid, a thickening agent is added to the fluid. The use of a thickening agent as an additive for such a fluid is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Foertsch, Henrik Keller
  • Patent number: 9532706
    Abstract: A speculum includes a first blade member and a second blade member, each of the first and second blade members having a distal end and an opposing proximal end. A portable illuminator having a light source and at least one battery includes a switch that is accessible through a slit or similar feature in the speculum. According to at least one version, the switch includes an extending tab portion that can extend through the slit or the end of a handle portion of the speculum to enable illumination. In another version, the portable illuminator can be attached to an articulation mechanism that is configured for moving the first and second blade members in relation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. McMahon, Robert L. Vivenzio, Roger P. Bonenfant, Allan I. Krauter, Dale C. Saddlemire
  • Patent number: 9532707
    Abstract: A lens frame unit includes a lens frame body that houses an optical member, a heat transfer unit that covers at least part of the lens frame body, a heat-generating unit, a temperature measurement unit that measures temperature and a same single electrical wiring board on which the heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit are mounted. The heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit are arranged on the electrical wiring board so as to be separated from each other, and the electrical wiring board is disposed such that the heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit are in contact with the heat transfer unit. Thermal resistance between closest positions of the heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit is greater than thermal resistance between the heat-generating unit and the heat transfer unit, and between the temperature measurement unit and the heat transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuta Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9532708
    Abstract: An electronically controlled fixation light system is described for ophthalmic systems. The ophthalmic system can include an ophthalmic imaging device that generates an image of a portion of an imaged eye, a fixation light controller that includes an input module, configured to receive an input in relation to the image generated by the ophthalmic imaging device, and a control signal generator that generates an electronic fixation light control signal in response to the received input, and a fixation light source, configured to receive the fixation light control signal, and to generate a fixation light according to the received fixation light control signal. A surgeon can image a portion of an eye with the imaging device, determine a misalignment of the imaged eye relative to the imaging device based on the image, and control the fixation light with an electronic control signal to reduce the determined misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ALCON LENSX, INC.
    Inventors: Tibor Juhasz, Guy Holland, Ferenc Raksi
  • Patent number: 9532709
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, the processes and systems disclosed allow a user of a mobile device to determine their distance from an object. The object may be an image of a pattern having a known size. The image may be displayed on a computer screen or other suitable medium such as a printed sheet. According to one or more embodiments, the disclosed processes and systems aid in determining or guiding a user to a distance at which an eye examination is conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: JAND, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Carrafa, Molly Rhodes
  • Patent number: 9532710
    Abstract: A fundus camera with an OCT measurement module, in which, after the focusing objective, a mirror switches the light to be detected either to the OCT measurement module or an image detector. This design also renders it possible to carry out a method for improved focusing in order to improve the recording quality of the individual modalities. Furthermore, the multimodal measuring instrument distinguishes itself by an operating concept according to the invention. Such combination instruments are advantageous in that, as a result of the reduction from two instruments to one, less space is required than in the case of two separate instruments. Furthermore, reseating of the patient is avoided if recordings or measurements of different modalities should be made for one and the same patient, as a result of which the procedures in the medical practices and clinics can be influenced positively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Detlef Biernat, Markus Strehle, Axel Waldheim, Dietrich Martin, Martin Hacker, Eberhard Hagen, Martin Kühner, André Meyer
  • Patent number: 9532711
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for measuring affective bandwidth of a subject (e.g., a human) and determining depression determination of the subject. The affective bandwidth measurement may include the following operations. For example, the subject may watch positive neutral and negative pictures for 8-10 seconds, respectively. Information for all fixation points may be obtained using an eye movement tracking device. Pupil diameter sizes of the subject while watching the positive, neutral and negative picture tasks may be calculated, and the affective bandwidth may be calculated. The affective bandwidth may include positive affective bandwidth (positive-neutral), negative affective bandwidth (negative-neutral) and positive-negative affective bandwidth (positive-negative) of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Beijing University of Technology
    Inventors: Mi Li, Shengfu Lv, Gang Wang, Ning Zhong
  • Patent number: 9532712
    Abstract: An ophthalmoscope having a laser device for laser irradiation of an eye, in particular for performing a photocoagulation on fundus of the eye of the eye, includes an illuminator for illuminating the eye as well as a camera for acquiring an image of the eye. The illuminator is adapted to generate visible and infrared lights. The ophthalmoscope further includes a control unit adapted to trigger the illuminator for generating a light pulse of visible light and to read out from the camera a control image of the eye acquired by the camera during the light pulse. The ophthalmoscope is configurable to acquire an image of an eye and perform a laser treatment of an eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: OD-OS GmbH
    Inventors: Ben Liesfeld, Winfried Teiwes, Ulrike Weber, Kay-Uwe Amthor, Stephan Kirsch
  • Patent number: 9532713
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-resolution retinal imaging method and device notably comprising an emission source (LSr) for emitting a light beam for the illumination of the retina of an eye (10) of a subject, a detection device (12) capable of detecting spatial-frequency structures of 250 cycles/mm measured in the plane of the retina, an optical imaging system (16) allowing for the formation of an image of at least a part of the retina on the detection device (12), a device (15) for measuring optical defects with an analysis plane of the optical defects, a correction device (14) comprising a correction plane and intended to correct, in said correction plane, the light rays from said emission source (LSr) and backscattered by the retina as a function of the optical defects measured by the measurement device (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Imagine Eyes
    Inventors: Xavier Levecq, Barbara Lamory
  • Patent number: 9532714
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for imaging, recognizing, and tracking of a user's eye that is wearing a HWC. Aspects further relate to the processing of images reflected from the user's eye and controlling displayed content in accordance therewith. Aspects further relate to determining health conditions of the user based on eye imaging technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Osterhout Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Border, John Haddick, Joseph Bietry
  • Patent number: 9532715
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for imaging, recognizing, and tracking of a user's eye that is wearing a HWC. Aspects further relate to the processing of images reflected from the user's eye and controlling displayed content in accordance therewith. Aspects further relate to determining health conditions of the user based on eye imaging technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Osterhout Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Border, John Haddick, Joseph Bietry
  • Patent number: 9532716
    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: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hello Inc.
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9532717
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing the presence of a vulvovaginal disorder is provided. The method uses a source of cross-polarized light to detect subsurface irritation in the vulvovaginal area. The presence of subsurface irritation is then used to diagnose the presence of a vulvovaginal disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Miranda Aref Farage
  • Patent number: 9532718
    Abstract: A novel contrast mechanism for diagnosing diseased tissue using Ultrasound, Doppler Ultrasonography, Optical Coherence Tomography, or optical Doppler tomography coupled with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Jung-Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 9532719
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscope apparatus includes a light source that radiates excitation light and reference light onto an examination target; a fluorescence-image generating portion that generates a fluorescence image by capturing fluorescence generated at the examination target due to irradiation with the excitation light; a reference-image generating portion that generates a reference image by capturing return light that returns from the examination target due to irradiation with the reference light; a division-image generating portion that generates a division image by dividing the fluorescence image generated by the fluorescence-image generating portion by the reference image generated by the reference-image generating portion; and a corrected-image generating portion that generates a corrected image based on the division image and the fluorescence image, wherein the corrected-image generating portion generates a corrected image in which a region that has relatively high luminance and that the division image
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromi Shida
  • Patent number: 9532720
    Abstract: A CPU acquires factor information for a degree of arteriosclerosis, stores a plurality of pseudo blood flow waveforms, generates a waveform estimated as a blood flow waveform by compositing the plurality of pseudo blood flow waveforms based on the factor information, decomposes a pulse waveform into waveforms of an ejected wave and a reflected wave using the pulse waveform and the waveform estimated as the blood flow waveform, and calculates an index of the degree of arteriosclerosis from a relationship between the ejected wave and the reflected wave obtained by decomposing the pulse waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Fujii, Tatsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9532721
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to provide a patient care recommendation. The systems and methods receive patient information and a plurality of patient physiological signals that are related to a patient. The systems and methods are then operable to produce at least one derived patient signal from at least one of the plurality of patient physiological signals. The systems and methods use the patient information, at least one of the plurality of patient physiological signals, and the at least one derived patient signal to provide at least one patient care recommendation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by The Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Andriy Batchinsky, Leopoldo C. Cancio, Jose Salinas
  • Patent number: 9532722
    Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes an inflatable cuff, a gas reservoir containing a compressed gas, and a sensor. When the inflatable cuff is coupled to a wearer, the gas reservoir supplies gas to the inflatable cuff to inflate the inflatable cuff via gas pathways. As the inflatable cuff inflates, a patient monitor can receive blood pressure data from the sensor and use the blood pressure data to determine the blood pressure of the wearer. The patient monitor can also receive blood pressure data during deflation of the inflatable cuff to determine the blood pressure of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MASIMO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcelo Lamego, Massi Joe E. Kiani, Ken Lam, Cristiano Dalvi, Hung Vo
  • Patent number: 9532723
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which a function adaptive to a situation can be provided by detecting a blood flow rate in a wrist having a watch type mobile terminal worn thereon. The present invention includes a display, a band configured to be worn on a wrist of a user, a sensing unit configured to measure a blood flow rate in the wrist having the band worn thereon, and a controller controlling the display to display a running screen of a prescribed function if a variation of the measured blood flow rate is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngsik Kim, Hongjo Shim
  • Patent number: 9532724
    Abstract: Devices and methods obtain and use endovascular electrograms in a number of clinical applications and settings. In one embodiment, a method for locating an indwelling medical device within a vasculature of a patient includes identifying an endovascular ECG waveform complex from an endovascular ECG signal associated with the indwelling medical device, then calculating an absolute value of the energy of the endovascular ECG waveform complex over a predetermined segment thereof. A position of the medical device within the vasculature is then determined by observation of the absolute value of the energy of the predetermined segment of the endovascular ECG waveform complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sorin Grunwald
  • Patent number: 9532725
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft with a plurality of electrodes coupled thereto and a processor coupled to the catheter shaft. The processor may be capable of collecting a set of signals from the plurality of electrodes and generating a data set from at least one of the set of signals. The data set may include at least one known data point and one or more unknown data points. The processor may also be capable of interpolating at least one of the unknown data points by conditioning the data set, assigning an interpolated value to at least one of the unknown data points, and assigning a confidence level to the interpolated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob I. Laughner, Shibaji Shome, Scott A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9532726
    Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable wireless electrocardiogram sensor device, including: a cylindrical capsule provided with four recesses on a lateral surface thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof at equal intervals; electrodes installed on upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical capsule and configured to measure electrocardiogram; a wireless electrocardiogram sensor module installed inside the capsule; a data transceiving antenna wound around two recesses symmetrical at a center; and a coil for charging wound around the remaining two recesses in a direction vertical to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION KEIMYUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yoon Nyun Kim, Jong Ha Lee, Hee Jun Park, Hyoung Seob Park, Chang Sik Son
  • Patent number: 9532727
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for illuminating the interior of a medical imaging device is provided. The method and apparatus may convey information to the patient within the scanning tube via the use of different colors or brightness of illuminating light and images and/or text may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mark Douglas Herold, Daniel David Judkins
  • Patent number: 9532728
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus stores data for a series of images associated with a range including a heart and diaphragm of an object. A temporal change in a moving amount of the diaphragm and a temporal change in a moving amount of the heart are generated from the series of images, and a ratio of (a) the moving amount of the heart to (b) the moving amount of the diaphragm is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigehide Kuhara, Ayako Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 9532729
    Abstract: A magnetic device includes a substrate and an array including a plurality of magnetic particles, in which a magnetic dipole moment direction of each magnetic particle in a majority of the magnetic particles in the array alternates with respect to a magnetic dipole direction of a directly adjacent magnetic particle or directly adjacent magnetic particles in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph Weissleder, Hakho Lee, David Issadore
  • Patent number: 9532730
    Abstract: A system for assisting in a surgical process, comprising: (a) a surgical device taken from a group consisting of a surgical tool and a surgical implant; (b) a positional sensor carried by the surgical device, the positional sensor including a wireless transmitter and associated circuitry for transmitting sensor data from the transmitter; and (c) a computer system including a wireless receiver and signal conditioning circuitry and hardware for converting sensor data received by the wireless receiver into at least one of (i) audio feedback of positional information for the surgical device and (ii) visual feedback of positional information for the surgical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventor: Ray C. Wasielewski
  • Patent number: 9532731
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for monitoring the respiration of a subject, the apparatus comprising a sensor for measuring the concentration of a specified gas in air exhaled by the subject and a processor configured to provide an output indicating the concentration of the specified gas in a selected portion of the exhaled air, the selected portion of the exhaled air corresponding to air from a specific part of the respiratory system of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Josephus Arnoldus Henricus Maria Kahlman, Teunis Johannes Vink
  • Patent number: 9532732
    Abstract: The present document describes an apparatus and method for identifying and characterizing a problem of a knee joint. In accordance with an embodiment, the method comprises receiving biomechanical data from sensors and generating a biomechanical profile based on the biomechanical data, the biomechanical data being representative of a movement of the knee joint. The method also involves, in a processing device, classifying the biomechanical profile of the knee joint in one of multiple classes of knee joint problems by applying a pattern recognition technique to a normative biomechanical profile associated to the one of the multiple classes, each one of the multiple classes corresponding to at least one knee joint problem; based on the classifying, identifying the problem as comprising the at least one knee joint problem of the one of the multiple classes; and archiving the problem identified in a storing device to make the problem accessible during consultation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Emovi Inc.
    Inventors: Neila Mezghani, Jacques De Guise, Guy Grimard, David Baillargeon, Youssef Ouakrim, Gérald Parent, Alexandre Fuentes, Patrick Lavigne, Pierre Ranger
  • Patent number: 9532733
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a pose of a subject. A first signal is transmitted from a first transceiver to the first transponder, resulting in the first transponder sending a second signal. The subject is placed onto a surface of a platform having the first radio-frequency transceiver and a second radio-frequency transceiver. The first radio-frequency transponder is placed on an upper extremity of the subject. A second radio-frequency transponder is placed on a lower extremity of the subject. A third signal is transmitted from the second transceiver to the second transponder, resulting in the second transponder sending a fourth signal. The second signal is received by the first transceiver. The fourth signal is received by the second transceiver. A pose of the subject is determined based on receiving the second signal and the fourth signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Hyman D. Chantz
  • Patent number: 9532734
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and/or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Hoffman, Kwamina Crankson, Jason Nims, Michael Levi Orenstein, Kristen Laina White
  • Patent number: 9532735
    Abstract: A system for and a method of wirelessly monitoring one or more patients can include transmitting ultra-wideband pulses toward the one or more patients, receiving ultra-wideband signals, and sampling the ultra-wideband signals. Sampling the ultra-wideband pulses can be performed with a sample rate that is less than the Nyquist rate. Impulse response can be estimated and/or recovered by exploiting sparsity of the impulse response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Furrukh Sana, Tarig Ballal Khidir Ahmed, Tareq Al-Naffouri, Ibrahim Hoteit
  • Patent number: 9532736
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is to be operated by a user with tinnitus. The portable electronic device is used to determine a primary phase cancellation tone that corresponds to the user's primary tinnitus, and a secondary phase cancellation tone that corresponds to the user's secondary. The portable electronic device outputs the primary and secondary phase cancellation tones at an output device based on input from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Charles Paul Rush
  • Patent number: 9532737
    Abstract: Analyte monitoring systems, devices, and methods associated with analyte monitoring devices, and devices incorporating the same are provided. Various graphical user interfaces (GUI) and navigation flows are provided for performing various features, activities, functions, etc., associated with the analyte monitoring device or system. Intuitive navigation is provided to enhance the interpretation of analyte measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Jai Karan, Annie Tan, Marc B. Taub, Timothy C. Dunn, Joel Goldsmith, Christine M. Neuhaus, Stephen A. Rossi
  • Patent number: 9532738
    Abstract: A sensor is described for sensing a substance such as for example glucose. The sensor is implantable in the body of a living creature. The sensor comprises a photonic integrated circuit, e.g. silicon-photonics, based radiation processor for spectrally processing radiation interacting with the sample. A continuous monitoring system also is described using such a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITEIT GENT, IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Danaë Delbeke, Roel Baets, Wim Bogaerts, Eva Maria Paula Ryckeboer
  • Patent number: 9532739
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to guiding medical care based on detected gastric function. For example, gastric acid stimulant or suppressant is administered, and then a change in the gastric juice H+ concentration is measured. This change is compared to a guidance H+ concentration differential indicative of relatively healthy gastric function. Medical care is guided based on a relatively healthy gastric function if the measured H+ concentration differential is equal to or exceeds the guidance H+ concentration differential, while medical care is guided based on a relatively unhealthy gastric function if the measured H+ concentration differential is less than the guidance H+ concentration differential. Disclosed embodiments implementing this procedure include, but are not limited to, methods, apparatus, processors, computer programs, and computer-readable mediums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GRAVITAS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Elliott Bennett-Guerrero
  • Patent number: 9532740
    Abstract: An oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in blood is correctly acquired without lowering a frame rate. A subject body illuminated with white light W is imaged by a color CCD to obtain signals Bs1, Gs1 and Rs1. The subject body is illuminated with blue narrow band light BN of which absorption coefficient is changed by a change in the oxygen saturation level of the hemoglobin in blood, and imaged by the color CCD to obtain signals Bs2, Gs2 and Rs2. The signal Bs2 is divided by the signal Gs1 to determine a normalized signal Bs2/Gs1. The oxygen saturation level of blood vessels of the surface of body tissue is obtained according to the normalized signal Bs2/Gs1. The oxygen saturation level is visualized in a pseudo color, to form an oxygen saturation level image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Saito, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Takayuki Iida
  • Patent number: 9532741
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biointerface membrane for use with an implantable device that interferes with the formation of a barrier cell layer including; a first domain distal to the implantable device wherein the first domain supports tissue attachment and interferes with barrier cell layer formation and a second domain proximal to the implantable device wherein the second domain is resistant to cellular attachment and is impermeable to cells. In addition, the present invention provides sensors including the biointerface membrane, implantable devices including these sensors or biointerface membranes, and methods of monitoring glucose levels in a host utilizing the analyte detection implantable device of the invention. Other implantable devices which include the biointerface membrane of the present invention, such as devices for cell transplantation, drug delivery devices, and electrical signal delivery or measuring devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Brauker, Mark C. Shults, Mark A. Tapsak
  • Patent number: 9532742
    Abstract: A fluid collection assembly and method for use thereof is provided including a barrel with a plunger rod slidably inserted is disclosed. The assembly and method are particularly useful in the collection of arterial blood. The plunger rod includes a proximal portion, a distal portion with a stopper, and a breakable connector between the proximal and distal portions. In use, the assembly is primed with a liquid anticoagulant, the breakable connection is broken, and a fluid sample is collected with the arterial pressure causing the distal portion of the plunger rod to travel in a proximal direction along the barrel and contact an annular flange extending within the barrel. After collection, a tip cap can be applied to the assembly to prevent any spillage of the fluid sample during handling, storage, and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Lee Hoong Sim, Lim Kiang Heng
  • Patent number: 9532743
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting tissue hardness of a living body includes a housing, a cap, a bottom cover, a driving module, a buffering module, a spring pipeline, a push-rod and a detecting module, and the driving module includes a firing spring and a restoring spring, and the two springs have different rigidities so as to form a reciprocating structure of the firing mechanism. After the detecting module of a firing mechanism is triggered, the resilience of the restoring spring compresses the firing spring back to its firing length, so as to restore its position by a single driving point and allow users to complete the firing operation by one hand and simplify the operation of doctors to improve convenience and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Kuang Tai Metal Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng Hsin Chuang, Wen Chen Huang, Tsan Hsiu Li
  • Patent number: 9532744
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a methodology of determining the concentration of the types of melanin, either eumelanin or pheomelanin, in the skin wherein the process for such determination is non-invasive and based on digital signal and image analysis of hyperspectral sensing and multi-spectral data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PETRONAS SDN BHD
    Inventors: Ahmad Fadzil Mohamad Hani, Hermawan Nugroho
  • Patent number: 9532745
    Abstract: A system to prompt a subject to consciously alter one or more physiological parameters during childbirth-related contractions includes an imaging subsystem, a contraction sensor, and various computer program modules. The computer program module are configured to determine a physiological parameter, contraction information, a target action rate, and cues based thereon. The physiological parameter may include a breathing rate. The target action rate may include a target breathing rate. The cues may include breathing cues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Vincent Jeanne
  • Patent number: 9532746
    Abstract: A differential or relative measurement between an orthogonal measurement vector and another measurement vector can be used to determine the location where fluid accumulation is occurring or the local change in such fluid accumulation. This can help diagnose or treat infection or hematoma or seroma at a pocket of an implanted cardiac rhythm management device, other implanted medical device, or prosthesis. It can also help diagnose or treat pulmonary edema, pneumonia, pulmonary congestion, pericardial effusion, pericarditis, pleural effusion, hemodilution, or another physiological condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Abhilash Patangay, Kent Lee
  • Patent number: 9532747
    Abstract: A system for non-invasively monitoring a stress level of a subject is presented. A sensor is configured to monitor an attribute of the subject. A housing is configured to removably attach to the subject, the housing includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor is configured to retrieve data from the sensor, and use the data retrieved from the sensor to determine a stress level of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents, a body of corporate of the State of Arizona
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. LaBelle, Jorge Tenorio, Kevin Uchimura, Benjamin Cantrill
  • Patent number: 9532748
    Abstract: With explosive penetration of portable electronic devices (PEDs) recent focus into consumer EEG devices has been to bring advantages including localized wireless interfacing, portability, and a low-cost high-performance electronics platform to host the processing algorithms to bear. However, most development continues to focus on brain-controlled video games which are nearly identical to those created for earlier, more stationary consumer EEG devices and personal EEG is treated as of a novelty or toy. According to embodiments of the invention the inventors have established new technologies and solutions that address these limitations within the prior art and provide benefits including, but not limited to, global acquisition and storage of acquired EEG data and processed EEG data, development interfaces for expansion and re-analysis of acquired EEG data, integration to other non-EEG derived user data, and long-term user wearability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Personal Neuro Devices Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Denison, Andrew Stephen Faulkner, Tony Gaitatzis, Arwen Moore, Chad Veinotte, Bruno Daoust, Elliott Alfred Loh
  • Patent number: 9532749
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an apparatus, a system, a device, a computer program product, and a method. A method embodiment includes a method implemented in an environment that includes a person interacting with an electronic device via a user interface. The method includes monitoring at least one of a movement or a position of an appendage of the person with respect to the user interface of the device. The method also includes determining if the monitored movement or position of the appendage of the person is indicative of a risk of a repetitive injury to the person. The method further includes implementing an action facilitating a reduction of the determined indicated risk of a repetitive injury to the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9532750
    Abstract: Contrast from dual energy CT images is removed without affecting other aspects of the image, including objects surrounded by contrast. Dual energy images are acquired during a study of a subject. First, a binary mask image (“Contrast localizer”) is produced to localize the contrast-enhanced areas and build sets of images with contrast-enhanced areas only (“Contrast images”) and complement images with contrast-enhanced areas removed (“Contrast complement images”) for both low and high x-ray beam energy image sets. Only the contrast images are used for dual energy contrast subtraction. Second binary mask image (“Subject localizer”) is produced to localize the objects under study. This mask image is used to reconstruct both low and high energy image sets with contrast selectively removed and subject present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Oleksandr P. Dzyubak, Andrew N. Primak, Cynthia H. McCollough
  • Patent number: 9532751
    Abstract: Described herein is an approach to determine a deflection of a portion of an imaging system tabletop located at iso-center utilizing a tabletop deflection determiner with a least a first portion located on a rotating gantry portion of the imaging system. In one non-limiting instance, an imaging system includes a rotating gantry portion (606) with an aperture defining an examination region, a tabletop (620) that supports a subject or object in the examination region, wherein the tabletop cantilevers into and deflects in the examination region, and a tabletop deflection determiner (622) that determines a deflection of the tabletop in the examination region, wherein a first portion (702, 706) of the tabletop deflection determiner is located on the rotating gantry portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mark Douglas Herold, Ted Alan Bremenour, John Carlon