Patents Issued in March 7, 2017
  • Patent number: 9585536
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a steam generation system for producing steam from liquid, a liquid distribution system for storing liquid and delivering the liquid to the steam generation system, a steam delivery system for delivering steam to a surface to be cleaned, and a vacuum collection system which can be operated concurrently with the other systems. The surface cleaning apparatus can comprise an upper housing mounted to a lower cleaning foot which is adapted to be moved across a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Yun Pi, Gang Huang
  • Patent number: 9585537
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher which comprises: a washer main body in which a washing basin is provided to form a space in which dishes are washed; multiple fixed jet nozzles which are fixed to the inner wall of the washing basin and jet water for washing toward the dishes at a fixed position; and a horizontally arranged cylindrical rotating rack rotatably disposed in the washing bath, wherein the inner space thereof is split into multiple dish mounting portions where the dishes can be mounted and the rotating rack rotates along the periphery of the multiple fixed jet nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Dae Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 9585538
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine includes a tub having an interior that holds a first liquid and a booster tank that includes a housing and at least one heater disposed within the housing. The booster tank is at least partially disposed within the interior of the tub such that at least a portion of the booster tank is at least partially submerged within the first liquid, whereby the first liquid is heated by the booster tank. A dishwashing machine includes a tub containing a liquid therein and a wash pump assembly that includes a pump housing; an inlet in the pump housing; an outlet in the pump housing; and a pump having a motor that pumps the liquid from the tub through the pump housing via the inlet to a device that sprays the liquid within a dishwasher via the outlet. The liquid is heated by means of a heater which is disposed either in proximity to the inlet, in proximity to the outlet, and/or in the spray device before the liquid is pumped out of the spray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Jackson WWS, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Calhoun, Paul Wells
  • Patent number: 9585539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an automatic cleaning device, in particular an industrially usable dishwasher or cleaning and disinfection device with a man-machine interface and a display with buttons. Symbols for the operation and/or an ongoing process are illustrated on the man-machine interface. An interaction of an operator with the man-machine interface is effected via buttons. Depending on the requirements of the operator, context-sensitive help is retrieved via a retrieval, said help accessing a stored information supply comprising image formats, PNG formats, drawings, maintenance lists, spare parts lists and/or databases, which are offered to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: MEIKO MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Dirschus, Philipp Huber
  • Patent number: 9585540
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a spray detection sensor and a variable speed pump. Based upon signals from the spray detection sensor, a speed of the variable speed pump is changed. By changing the speed of the variable speed pump, a trajectory of wash fluid from a spray assembly of the dishwasher appliance is also changed such that the wash fluid is directed towards a detergent dispenser of the dishwasher appliance. A related method for operating a dishwasher appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Edward Hodapp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9585541
    Abstract: A stabilizer for glassware in an automatic dishwasher has an inside to contact the item of glassware and an outside opposite the inside. A resilient mesh is selectably mountable on an item of glassware to at least partially encircle an outer circumference of the item of glassware to removably retain the item of glassware in the automatic dishwasher. The mesh includes a longitudinal axis defined by the mesh, and channels open on the inside to channel water from between the stabilizer and the item of glassware under an influence of gravity to prevent an accumulation of water in the stabilizer or between the stabilizer and the item of glassware. At least one permanent magnet is affixed to the resilient mesh to selectively magnetically attach the stabilizer and the item of glassware to an adjacent magnetically responsive object disposed in the dishwasher to thereby stabilize the item of glassware in the dishwasher and to cushion the item of glassware from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Michael John Babcock
  • Patent number: 9585542
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging device connected to a first communication network, and a first server device connected to the first communication network, and each of the imaging device and the first server device includes a first logical port that is used to transfer video data, a second logical port that is used to transfer data other than the video data, a measuring unit that measures a data transfer amount of the second logical port, and a band control unit that controls transfer bands of the first logical port and the second logical port according to the data transfer amount measured by the measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Ozaki, Yugo Koizumi, Daisuke Sano, Ken Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9585543
    Abstract: A device and system for monitoring the status of a battery in an in-vivo imaging device, prior to use of the in-vivo imaging device. The device may include a frame counter for counting the number of frames captured and may include monitoring the voltage of the battery. A warning signal is generated if it is determined that the battery is faulty prior to use. The warning signal can be generated by the device and/or by a receiver which receives data from the in-vivo imaging device and/or a by workstation which receives the data from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GIVEN IMAGING LTD.
    Inventors: Semion Khait, Ido Bettesh
  • Patent number: 9585544
    Abstract: A scanning endoscope system includes a fiber, a first actuator that is provided laterally of the fiber to swing the fiber, a second actuator that is arranged at a position opposite to the first actuator with the fiber intervened in between to swing the fiber, and a driver unit that outputs, to the first actuator, a first drive signal having either a first waveform such that a minimum value of a voltage value, which varies periodically with a positive voltage value as a center, is not less than zero, or a second waveform such that a maximum value of a voltage value, which varies periodically with a negative voltage value as a center, is not more than zero, and configured to output, to the second actuator, a second drive signal having the same waveform as the first drive signal and different phase from the first drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Sakai, Yoshinari Okita
  • Patent number: 9585545
    Abstract: A disposable suction valve is provided. In some embodiments, the disposable suction valve may include a stem providing an air passage through the stem, a spring, a spring stanchion cup, and a boot. A method for manufacturing a disposable suction valve may include several steps. A stem and spring stanchion cup are molded, and a bottom end of the stem is placed through the center of a spring. The bottom end of the stem is placed through a stem opening in the spring stanchion cup, and the tabs or the spring stanchion cup are placed into recessed apertures of the stem. The boot may be over-molded on the spring stanchion cup or molded and placed onto the spring stanchion cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medivators Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Anderson, Christopher Steven Adams, Don Byrne
  • Patent number: 9585546
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments illustrated provide the discovery of systems, methods, and apparatuses of endoscope stabilization devices for use with, for example, slim scopes, so as to provide, for example, a flexible outer structure capable of bending and holding a fixed position so as to provide, for example, support to make cannulation with a slim scope and target anatomy easier and more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Vihar C. Surti, John Crowder Sigmon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9585547
    Abstract: An endoscope sheath is provided comprising a sheath tube extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the sheath tube is configured to receive at least a portion of an endoscope; a hub connected to the proximal end of the sheath tube; and a hub adapter engaging the hub and configured to engage the endoscope, wherein the sheath tube can rotate about the longitudinal axis without rotation of the hub adapter, and wherein the sheath tube is restricted from moving axially along the longitudinal axis relative to the hub adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.
    Inventors: Ming J. Cheng, John P. Flynn
  • Patent number: 9585548
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical scattering element suitable for dispersing or scattering light transmitted by optical device by Mie scattering. The optical scattering element comprises a phase-separated or porous borosilicate glass having dispersed phase particles with a particle size of 200 to 500 nanometers or pores with a size of 200 to 500 nanometers, at a number density of 108 to 1012 mm?3. The optical scattering element can be prepared by subjecting a borosilicate glass to a controlled heat treatment to induce phase separation, and then optionally leaching out one of the phases with an acid leach. The optical scattering element can be, for example, attached to an end of an optical fiber or bundle of optical fibers. The invention also relates to a method of dispersing or scattering light by transmitting the light through the optical scattering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SCHOTT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William H. James, III, Elizabeth Chase, Mark J. Davis, Paula Vullo, Sally Pucilowski, Eric Hector Urruti
  • Patent number: 9585549
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DENTAL SMARTMIRROR, INC.
    Inventors: Gidon Oded Elazar, Dan Zidkiahu Harkabi
  • Patent number: 9585550
    Abstract: There is disclosed medical apparatus of the type for use in surgery such as transanal endoscopic microsurgery, as well as methods of providing access to, inspecting and enabling surgery within a body passage. In one embodiment of the invention, medical apparatus in the form of a rectal expander (10) is disclosed, the expander (10) being adapted for location at least partly within a body passage such as the rectum (12) of a patient (14), the expander (10) having a leading end (18) and an access area in the form of an opening (20) for access from the expander (10) into the rectum (12), at least part of the opening (20) being spaced from the leading end (18), and the expander (10) being controllably movable between collapse and expansion positions, for expanding the rectum (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: University of Dundee
    Inventors: Eric Abel, James R. Hewit, Alan P. Slade, Zhigang Wang
  • Patent number: 9585551
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adjustable bite block for positioning within a person's mouth and maintaining the mouth in an open position. The adjustable bite block comprising at least one band of curved material comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions configured to be coupled to one another so as to define a closed loop with an opening defined therethrough, wherein the first and second portions are further configured to be selectively adjusted relative to one another so as to adjust a radial dimension of the loop, and wherein the band is configured to be positioned within the person's mouth such that at least a portion of the loop maintains the person's mouth in an open position. Embodiments of the adjustable bite block may use snap tabs spaced along the band or a ratchet mechanism for adjustment of the radial dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED STATES ENDOSCOPY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Cushner, Ali H. Duman, Christopher R. Stebbins, Kenneth E. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 9585552
    Abstract: A device for measuring the objective ocular refraction of a patient for a plurality of visual ranges, which includes a variable proximity optical sight system capable of selectively generating a first target and a second target and an image-capturing device having an optical measurement axis intended for being aligned with a line of sight of the patient, the image-capturing device being capable of capturing a first ocular refraction image when the first target is activated and a second ocular refraction image when the second target is activated. The image-capturing device and the optical sight system are arranged such that the optical measurement axis and the optical sight axis are arranged such that the optical measurement axis and the optical sight axis are contained in a single plane and the optical measurement axis is tilted at an angle alpha between +5 degrees and +85 degrees relative to the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)
    Inventors: Konogan Baranton, Benjamin Rousseau, Fabien Divo, Guilhem Escalier
  • Patent number: 9585553
    Abstract: A wavefront sensor includes a light source configured to illuminate a subject eye, a detector, a first beam deflecting element configured to intercept a wavefront beam returned from a subject eye when the subject eye is illuminated by the light source and configured to direct a portion of the wavefront from the subject eye through an aperture toward the detector and a controller, coupled to the light source and the beam deflecting element, configured to control the beam deflecting element to deflect and project different portions of an annular ring portion of the wavefront from the subject eye through the aperture and further configured to pulse the light source at a firing rate to sample selected portions of the annular ring at the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CLARITY MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Bradford Chew, William Shea
  • Patent number: 9585554
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus, comprising: a tomographic image acquiring unit for acquiring a tomographic image of a retina; an instruction unit for instructing for a change in the positions of display forms indicating a plurality of regions in one of the display forms indicating a plurality of layer boundaries of a retina; and a display control unit for causing the display unit to display respective display forms indicating the plurality of layer boundaries in positions corresponding to the plurality of layer boundaries in the tomographic image in an overlapped state, and in a case of instructing for the change in the position of at least one of display forms, for causing the display unit to display the display form instructed with the display form different from other display forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Krzysztof Marek Piotrowski, Yukio Sakagawa
  • Patent number: 9585555
    Abstract: In an OCT apparatus for obtaining a tomogram using optical interference between signal light and reference light, a first distance between a specific image and a coherence gate is obtained from a first tomogram obtained by imaging. The coherence gate is moved by a set moving distance along a predetermined moving direction. The positional relationship between the specific image and the coherence gate is determined based on the position of the specific image in a second tomogram obtained by imaging after movement of the coherence gate and the position of the specific image in the first tomogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomasz Dziubak, Takashi Naba
  • Patent number: 9585556
    Abstract: Systems for imaging a sample are provided. The system includes an OCT imaging portion having an associated OCT path defined by one set of optical elements between an OCT signal delivery optical fiber and the sample; an image capture portion having an associated image capture path defined by a second set of optical elements between an image capture device and the sample; and an illuminator portion having an associated illumination path defined by a third set of optical elements between an illumination source and the sample. The OCT path, the image capture path, and the illuminator path have at least one optical element in common, and the respective paths differ from each other by at least one optical element. The illumination path includes a multi-wavelength source of optical radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Bradley A. Bower, Robert H. Hart, Pete Huening
  • Patent number: 9585557
    Abstract: A tracking and display system for an eye of a person is incorporated into eyewear having at least one lens and being positionable in front of the eye or eyes with attachment hardware. A circuit with a power source is fixed with the eyewear and includes at least one multispectral LED adapted to project light towards the eye and at least one multispectral light detector adapted to receive light reflected from the eye. As such, movement, anatomy and physiology of the eye are determined according to an organized pattern of projected light reflected and received by the at least one detector. To display an image, light from the at least one multispectral LED is conveyed by at least one optical fiber to an eye-facing surface of a lens of the eyewear and then onto the retina of the person's eye to form a visible heads-up display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Alvin Spivey
  • Patent number: 9585558
    Abstract: Described herein is the use of a visible near infrared (VNIR) hyperspectral imaging system as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Also described herein is the use of a VNIR hyperspectral imaging system in high throughput screening of potential therapeutics against AD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Robert Vince, Swati Sudhakar More
  • Patent number: 9585559
    Abstract: An accessory frame for selectively coupling components to an optical microscope for imaging of a subject is provided. The optical microscope has a body including an undercarriage. The accessory frame includes a mounting plate that attaches to the undercarriage of the microscope. The mounting plate includes a first attachment port and a second attachment port. The first attachment port is configured to couple a first optical assembly in an optical path of the microscope between an objective lens of the microscope and the subject. The second attachment port is configured to couple a second optical assembly to the microscope body with at least a portion of the optical path of the second optical assembly being outside of the optical path of the microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete Huening, Eric L. Buckland, Robert H. Hart
  • Patent number: 9585560
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an information acquiring unit configured to acquire information indicating a shape of a plurality of regions in at least one layer in a tomographic image including a plurality of layers in an eye fundus of an eye to be examined and a determination unit configured to determine whether an anomaly is present in the plurality of regions based on the information indicating the shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Iwase
  • Patent number: 9585561
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical microscope can include a first light source configured to project a first light beam at an observer's eye. The microscope can include a first wavefront sensor. The first wavefront sensor can be configured to determine aberrations in the first reflection wavefront of a reflection of the first light beam. The microscope can include adaptive optical element(s). The adaptive optical element(s) can be controlled to modify the phase of incident light. The microscope can include a computing device in communication with the first wavefront sensor and the adaptive optical element(s). The computing device can be configured to generate the control signal to compensate for the aberrations and to provide the control signal to the adaptive optical element(s). A second light source and second wavefront sensor can be provided to compensate for aberrations of a subject's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Alexander N. Artsyukhovich
  • Patent number: 9585562
    Abstract: A method for integrating a medical device into a medical facility network by equipping the medical device with wireless communication device is disclosed. The medical device is provided into a medical treatment area within wireless range of the medical facility network. The medical facility network is configured to detect the medical device upon entry into the medical treatment area. The medical facility network is configured to thereafter transmit an initialization signal to the medical device. A system for integrating medical devices, a medical device capable of integration, and a medical facility network are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Andrew Sobie
  • Patent number: 9585563
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for remote monitoring. In some example implementations, there is provided a method. The method may include receiving, at a remote monitor, a notification message representative of an event detected, by a server, from analyte sensor data obtained from a receiver monitoring an analyte state of a host; presenting, at the remote monitor, the notification message to activate the remote monitor, wherein the remote monitor is configured by the server to receive the notification message to augment the receiver monitoring of the analyte state of the host; accessing, by the remote monitor, the server, in response to the presenting of the notification message; and receiving, in response to the accessing, information including at least the analyte sensor data. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Mensinger, Eric Cohen, Phil Mayou, Eli Reihman, Katherine Yerre Koehler, Rian Draeger, Angela Marie Traven
  • Patent number: 9585564
    Abstract: A dive computer system that utilizes a direct skin temperature measurement is provided. The dive computer system includes a measurement device that includes a temperature sensor and is attached to a strap. The strap is placed around a diver's chest and configured to measure the diver's skin temperature. The skin temperature is wirelessly transmitted to a dive computer that utilizes a dive algorithm to determine compartment inert gas saturation and desaturation. The dive algorithm determines an updated skin perfusion factor that is in turn utilized to determine an updated half time for the skin compartment for inert gas desaturation and a pressure tolerance for the skin compartment for inert gas saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Reima K. Holopainen, Jari M. A. Tiira
  • Patent number: 9585565
    Abstract: A method for automating physiologic alerts and derived parameters with trending heuristics includes receiving at a mobile patient monitor interface, a first input expression indicative of a first parameter source for first patient parameters from a first medical device from a user. The method further includes receiving, at the mobile patient monitor interface, a second input expression indicative of a second parameter source for second patient parameters from a second medical device from a user. The method further includes applying, at the mobile patient monitor interface, a smoothing operator to the first input expression and the second input expression. The method further includes evaluating, at the mobile patient monitor interface, a complex expression of the first patient parameters and the second patient parameters based on the smoothing operator to initiate display of at least one parameter, derived parameter, trend, or alert on a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Tony C. Carnes
  • Patent number: 9585566
    Abstract: A measurement system may comprise a sensor wire and a transceiver unit. The sensor wire may comprise an insertable portion configured to be inserted in a blood vessel of a patient's body and a sensor disposed within the insertable portion at a distal end of the sensor wire. The sensor is configured to measure a parameter when inserted inside the patient. The transceiver unit may comprise: a housing adapted to be connected to a proximal end of the sensor wire; and a first communication module within the housing adapted to wirelessly communicate by a communication signal with an external second communication module in order to transfer information to the external second communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL COORDINATION CENTER BVBA
    Inventors: Magnus Samuelsson, Sauli Tulkki
  • Patent number: 9585567
    Abstract: An imaging work station (20) includes one or more processors programmed to receive (170) an image depicting a distribution of a radiotracer in a brain or other region of interest. The radiotracer includes at least one of [18F]-Flutemetamol, [18F]-Florbetaben, and [18F]-Florbetapir which highlights amyloid deposits. The image and a template or an MRI image of the region of interest which includes a segmented anatomical feature, such as gray matter, are registered (180) to a common space. A volume representation of the image which depicts the distribution of the radiotracer in the segmented gray matter and suppresses the radiotracer outside of the segmented anatomical feature in white matter is extracted (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Frank Olaf Thiele, Fabian Wenzel
  • Patent number: 9585568
    Abstract: Embodiments presented herein provide apparatus and methods for imaging-assisted determination of pressure gradient of blood flow across a valve orifice in a cardiovascular circuit without the use of velocity data measured at the valve orifice. An embodiment of the methods comprise creating an image of a valve orifice, creating a planimeter slice from the image of the valve orifice including a trace of the perimeter of the valve orifice, determining the valve orifice area by determining the area contained within the trace, determining the instantaneous flow rate through the valve orifice based on bulk flow data away from the valve, and determining the instantaneous pressure gradient across the valve orifice from the valve orifice area and the instantaneous flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Steven D. Wolff
  • Patent number: 9585569
    Abstract: A view point is set inside a hollow organ, a clip plane crossing an internal cavity of the hollow organ is set in a position spaced apart in a visual line direction from the view point, a field of view from the view point is divided into a first field-of-view range in which the inside of the hollow organ is viewed and a second field-of-view range other than the first field-of-view range, a projection image is acquired using a template which is defined so that an inner wall surface of a large intestine is able to be drawn in the first field-of-view range, a projection image is acquired using a template which is defined so that a contact surface with the inner wall surface of the air region of the large intestine is able to be drawn in the second field-of-view range, and the projection images are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Itai
  • Patent number: 9585570
    Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus is used which includes: a laser medium; a temperature controlling unit for controlling a temperature of the laser medium; an excitation unit for exciting the laser medium; a control unit for controlling the temperature controlling unit and the excitation unit; a probe for receiving acoustic waves that are generated when an object is irradiated with a laser beam from the laser medium; and a processing unit for acquiring characteristic information relating to the object from the acoustic waves, wherein the control unit does not operate the excitation unit until the temperature of the laser medium falls within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9585571
    Abstract: A method and an implantable medical system for monitoring respiratory parameters, and a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium which can be used in particular for monitoring, especially for remote monitoring of the health condition of a patient with cardiac insufficiency that provides an improved method for determining the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system with consideration for stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jens Kirchner
  • Patent number: 9585572
    Abstract: Devices and systems for determining fractional flow reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3DT Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Ghassan S. Kassab
  • Patent number: 9585573
    Abstract: Provided is a method for estimating blood pressure using a variable characteristic ratio. In the method, a pressure wave detected at a measurement body part of a subject is obtained to calculate a characteristic ratio of the subject based on a correlation between the characteristic ratio used to determine blood pressure at a measurement body part and the shape of the pressure wave detected at the measurement body part. The blood pressure at the measurement body part of the subject is estimated using the calculated characteristic ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Chan Kim, Youn-ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9585574
    Abstract: In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the powerful magnetic fields can interfere with, damage, cause premature failure in, and attract certain non-MR safe instruments. Electromagnetic ally sensitive components are eliminated in favor of MR safe components, such as ceramic piezoelectric components and bi-metallic components. Instruments that previously had to be kept a safe distance away from the main magnet (12), e.g., beyond the 5 Gauss line, while a patient was being scanned are now allowed near the patient without fear of damage to the instrument (40) or danger to the patient and medical staff or the MRI device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Mark Nelson
  • Patent number: 9585575
    Abstract: Elicited MRI signals are processed into MR image data in conjunction (a) with use of an initial spatially-selective RF tag pulse (tag-on) and (b) without use of an initial spatially-selective NMR RF tag pulse (tag-off) in respectively corresponding data acquisition subsequences. Multi-dimensional tag-on and tag-off data acquisition subsequences are used for each of plural time-to-inversion (TI) intervals without using an injected contrast agent. Acquired image data sets are subtracted for each TI interval to produce difference values as a function of time representing blood perfusion for the ROI that differentiates between normal, ischemic and infarct tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Xiangzhi Zhou, Tsutomu Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9585576
    Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes an imaging data acquiring unit and a blood flow information generating unit. The imaging data acquiring unit acquires imaging data from an imaging region including myocardium, without using a contrast medium, by applying a spatial selective excitation pulse to a region including at least a part of an ascending aorta for distinguishably displaying inflowing blood flowing into the imaging region. The blood flow information generating unit generates blood flow image data based on the imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Shigehide Kuhara
  • Patent number: 9585577
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for measuring stroke volume from a patient using a transbrachial electro-velocimetry waveform measured using an impedance sensor together with a motion waveform measured using a motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SOTERA WIRELESS, INC.
    Inventors: Matt Banet, Isaac Henry, Donald Bernstein
  • Patent number: 9585578
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for noninvasively assessing intracranial pressure by controllably osculating at least a portion of a subject's ocular globe while applying a force sufficient to collapse an intraocular blood vessel and correlating the collapse pressure to intracranial pressure. Also provided are ophthalmic components useful in ophthalmic imaging applications, such as retinal, corneal, and pupil imaging. The components may include an optical contact surface that has a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of a subject's cornea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Third Eye Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Fuller, William Lai
  • Patent number: 9585579
    Abstract: A system and method for non-invasively generating a report of cardiac electrical activities of a subject includes determining, using cardiac electrical activation information, equivalent current densities (ECDs). The ECDs are assembled into time-course ECD information and a spectrum of the time-course ECD information is analyzed to determine peaks for spectral characteristics of atrial fibrillation (AF). The spectral characteristics of AF are correlated with potential electrical sources of the AF and a report is generated indicating the potential electrical sources of the AF spatially registered with the medical imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Bin He, Zhaoye Zhou
  • Patent number: 9585580
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining information indicative of cardiac malfunctions and abnormalities includes a processing device (402) configured to extract, from a signal indicative of electromagnetic phenomena related to cardiac activity, a first wave pattern repeating on a heart-beat rate and, from a signal indicative of cardiovascular motion, a second wave pattern repeating on the heart-beat rate. The processing device is configured to form timing data such that each timing value of the timing data is indicative of a time period from a reference point of the first wave pattern belonging to one heart-beat period to a reference point of the second wave pattern belonging to the same heart-beat period. The processing device is configured to determine, at least partly on the basis of the timing data, an indicator of cardiac malfunction and abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TURUN YLIOPISTO
    Inventors: Juhani Airaksinen, Tero Koivisto, Joona Marku, Ari Paasio, Mikko Pankaala, Kati Sairanen, Tuomas Valtonen, Peter Virta
  • Patent number: 9585581
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying changes in a state or activity is described. A real-time event monitoring application, implemented in a hardware processor, computes features over varying sampling periods, which are stored in cascading buffers. The various sampling periods enable determination of trends of a computed feature, comparison of the trends of the computed feature with trends of other features, normalization of the computed feature based on the same or different features at the same or different time scales, scaling of the normalized computed feature relative to other features at the same or different time scale, and identification of a change in state or activity based on a scaled normalized computed feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DAQRI, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Mullins, Teresa Ann Nick, Laura Berman, Arye Barnehama, Eric Douglas Lundquist
  • Patent number: 9585582
    Abstract: A system for determining the Q and J points of an electrocardiogram (ECG) combines a WLT-based Q, J detection algorithm with signal quality assessment for lead selection. A Q, J detector (24) receives a beat-cycle waveform for the beat under consideration from each of a plurality (N) of ECG leads, and assesses signal quality for each lead using signal quality assessor (SQA) components 261, 262 . . . 26N. The leads with “good” signal qualities are employed for a multichannel waveform length transform (WLT), which yields a combined waveform length signal (CWLS). The Q and J points are then determined from the CWLS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Wei Zong, Jyh-Yun John Wang, Stephen Scott Kresge, Haisheng Lu
  • Patent number: 9585583
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring signals representative of muscle activity are provided. One method includes detecting an ECG signal through a plurality of electrodes. The ECG signal includes a plurality of ECG sample signals, and each ECG sample signal is a bipolar signal associated with two of the plurality of electrodes and includes a cardiac signal component and a myographic signal component. The method further includes filtering each of the ECG sample signals to remove at least a portion of the cardiac signal component and generate a combined myographic power signal for the two of the plurality of electrodes with which the ECG sample signal is associated. Each combined myographic power signal represents a myographic potential between the two electrodes. The method further includes calculating individual myographic power signals for each of the plurality of electrodes by applying the combined myographic power signals within a covariance matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: MORTARA INSTRUMENT, INC.
    Inventor: David W. Mortara
  • Patent number: 9585584
    Abstract: A physiological signal monitor having retractable wires may include a housing, a patch and a cradle. The housing may be adapted to carry a memory, a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and a processor in data communication with the memory. The patch may include a first side adapted to be secured to a patient and an opposing second side. The cradle connects to the second side of the patch and may be adapted to carry the housing. The cradle may include a wire retractor, a first electrical pad adapted to contact the first electrical contact, a second electrical pad adapted to contact the second electrical contact, a first sensing connector, a second sensing connector, a first wire connecting the first electrical pad to the first sensing connector, and a second wire connecting the second electrical pad to the second sensing connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medicomp, Inc.
    Inventors: Monte Marek, Sara England, Anthony Balda, George Koos
  • Patent number: 9585585
    Abstract: An electrode pad includes: a conductor layer; and an adhesive gel layer which is stacked on one surface of the conductor layer, the adhesive gel layer which contains 0.1 wt % or more of SnCl2.2H2O, and which has a pH of 3 to 6. The conductor layer may a conductive metal layer. The conductor layer may include a tin foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryugo Odaka, Michio Kanemoto, Takeshi Akiyama, Hideo Ozawa, Tsutomo Wakabayashi, Satoshi Hayashi, Masakazu Yoshida, Shigehiro Nishiwaki