Patents Issued in April 25, 2017
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Patent number: 9629989Abstract: Bioprinting station (1) comprising:—a Bioprinting device (4) adapted to deposit a pattern of biological material (2) onto an area of interest (3a) of a substrate (3),—an imaging system (15) adapted to acquire an image of the substrate (3) and to reveal on the acquired image the area of interest (3a) with respect to a remaining part (3b) of the substrate (3), the acquired image of the substrate (3) being processed so as to detect the revealed area of interest (3a) on the acquired image and to determine the pattern corresponding to the area of interest (3a) detected on the acquired image.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM)Inventors: Fabien Guillemot, Sylvain Catros, Virginie Keriquel, Jean-Christophe Fricain
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Patent number: 9629990Abstract: A surgical preparation applicator device has a pre-loaded container of surgical preparation liquid, the container having a front closure at its front end. The container is received in an applicator body which includes a tubular receiving structure, movable from an initial position to an open position whereby a cutter of the applicator body opens the front closure to allow liquid to flow forwardly to an applicator pad. The applicator body defines a flow path between the container and the applicator pad. The container has separate chambers containing different component liquids of the surgical preparation liquid. The chambers are separated by an internal wall and being side-by-side, each having a front opening at the front end of the container with the front closure closing off both front openings.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Rieke CorporationInventor: Brian Robert Law
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Patent number: 9629991Abstract: Disclosed herein are unique needle cartridges for use with transdermal microneedling devices that generate and emit low energy RF signals to, and prevent backflow of liquid(s) from, the skin of a patient. One embodiment may comprise a base portion and a sleeve coupled to the base portion. Such an embodiment may also comprise an RF needle capsule disposed within the housing, and having a needle unit comprising at least one needle on an end thereof. Also, the needle cartridge comprises a drive shaft disposed through the base portion and coupled to the needle unit, and configured to be driven reciprocally along a longitudinal axis of the base portion and thereby move the RF needle capsule reciprocally such that the needles of the needle unit extend beyond and retract within the housing. Such RF needle cartridges further include an absorbing barrier disposed within the housing to prevent the backflow of liquid(s) from the needle unit by absorbing such liquid(s).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Eclipse Aesthetics, LLCInventors: Thomas Michael O'Brien, III, John Tepper
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Patent number: 9629992Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.Inventors: Edgardo C. Halili, Eric M. Lorenzen, Matthew William Yavorsky
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Patent number: 9629993Abstract: A tubing adapter for interconnection with a least one tubing section of a medical device, a dialysis fluid tubing system including such a tubing adapter, a medical device including such a dialysis fluid tubing system, and a method for avoiding a pressure within a dialysis fluid tubing system that is below a minimum pressure are described.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbHInventor: Juergen Klewinghaus
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Patent number: 9629994Abstract: A medical connector is described which is formed by a body having an inlet port, an outlet port through a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path between the inlet port and the at least one outlet ports. A retractable post extends through the fluid path in the male luer sealing a tip of the male luer thereby closing the fluid path when the connector in not activated. There is a seal between the retractable post and the body that forms a fluid volume within a portion of the cavity. The fluid path passes through the fluid volume. When actuated, the retractable post is forced away from the tip of the male luer, thereby opening the fluid path through the medical connector and decreasing the fluid volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.Inventors: George M. Mansour, Matthew P. Fried
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Patent number: 9629995Abstract: Provided is a biological membrane including at least one ring-like polypeptide, where the at least one of the ring-like polypeptide is not a membrane protein, a surface being associated with at least one ring-like polypeptide capable of integration into a cell membrane, an electrode including said surface and electronically and biomedical devices including the electrodes for recording and stimulating cell activity.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.Inventors: Micha Spira, Oded Shoseyov
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Patent number: 9629996Abstract: An implantable medical lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The lead also includes first and second contacts located at the proximal portion of the lead body, and includes first and second electrodes located at the distal portion of the lead body. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the first contact and the second electrode is electrically coupled to the second contact. The first contact has a proximal end and a distal end and the second contact has proximal end and a distal end. The second contact is radially spaced apart from the first contact. The contacts do not extend around the lead body. This disclosure also relates to an implantable lead extension and to an implantable signal generator having connectors configured to receive the present lead.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: John E. Kast, James A. Zimmerman, Craig S. Pilarski, William C. Phillips, Thomas I. Miller, Mary L. Boatright
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Patent number: 9629997Abstract: The subject invention provides devices and methods for alleviating discomfort associated with neuroma formation. The devices and methods of the invention effectively use the body's natural response of reconstructing implanted biomaterials to minimize the size of, isolate, and protect a neuroma. In preferred embodiments, the subject device is a cylindrical cap, wherein the internal chamber of the cylindrical cap physically partitions the nerve to enable an arrangement of nerve fibers (as opposed to haphazardly arranged nerve fibers often produced in neuromas). In addition, the cap's material remodels into a tissue cushion after implantation, which protects the neuroma from being stimulated and inducing pain.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: AXOGEN CORPORATIONInventors: Curt Deister, Crystal Simon
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Patent number: 9629998Abstract: Implantable medical leads and implantable lead extensions include a shield. The implantable medical lead is coupled to the implantable lead extension. Stimulation electrodes of the implantable medical lead contact stimulation connectors within a housing of the implantable extension to establish a conductive pathway for stimulation signals from filars of the implantable extension to filars of the implantable medical lead. Continuity is established between the shield of the implantable medical lead and the implantable extension by providing a radio frequency conductive pathway within the housing. The radio frequency conductive pathway extends from a shield of the implantable extension to a shield connector that contacts a shield electrode of the implantable medical lead. The radio frequency conductive pathway may have various forms such as a jumper wire or an extension of the shield within the implantable extension.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: MEDTRONICS, INC.Inventors: James M. Olsen, Bruce R. Mehdizadeh, Michael J. Kern
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Patent number: 9629999Abstract: An implantable device including a proximal end, a distal end, an elongate electrically conductive component arranged between the proximal end and the distal end, and a contact pole electrically connected to the elongate electrically conductive component. The contact pole is arranged in a region of the distal end to electrically contact bodily tissue adjacent to the contact pole during operation of the implantable device. The elongate electrically conductive component includes a sub-component connected in series with remaining portions of the elongate electrically conductive component. The sub-component includes a capacitive component, an inductive component and a magneto-resistive component, which are arranged to cause a reduction of a resistivity of the magneto-resistive component that leads to a shift of a resonance frequency of the sub-component.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: BIOTRONIK SE & CO. KGInventors: Jens Rump, Michael Friedrich
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Methods and apparatus for fabricating leads with conductors and related flexible lead configurations
Patent number: 9630000Abstract: MRI/RF compatible leads include at least one conductor, a respective conductor having at least one segment with a multi-layer stacked coil configuration. The lead can be configured so that the lead heats local tissue less than about 10 degrees Celsius (typically about 5 degrees Celsius or less) or does not heat local tissue when a patient is exposed to target RF frequencies at a peak input SAR of at least about 4 W/kg and/or a whole body average SAR of at least about 2 W/kg. Related leads and methods of fabricating leads are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignees: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation, MRI Interventions, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Bottomley, Parag V. Karmarkar, Justin M. Allen, William A. Edelstein, Peter Piferi, Brian Gore -
Patent number: 9630001Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the growth, development and repair of bone, cartilage or other connective tissue. Devices and stimulus waveforms are provided to differentially modulate the behavior of osteoblasts, chondrocytes and other connective tissue cells to promote proliferation, differentiation, matrix formation or mineralization for in vitro or in vivo applications. Continuous-mode and pulse-burst-mode stimulation of cells with charge-balanced signals may be used. Bone, cartilage and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by nitric oxide release through electrical stimulation and may be modulated through co-administration of NO donors and NO synthase inhibitors. Bone, cartilage and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by release of BMP-2 and BMP-7 in response to electrical stimulation to promote differentiation of cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: MEDRELIEF INC.Inventors: James W. Kronberg, Timothy Ganey, Stephen L. Gordon
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Patent number: 9630002Abstract: Embodiments of dermatological cell treatment are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Inventor: Jongju Na
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Patent number: 9630003Abstract: A device (10, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) is used to apply an electric pulse or spike to a patient to treat the patient. The device can have a series of preset treatments programmed therein. A user can select a treatment from menus displayed on a display (100). The impedance of the skin and underlying tissue to be treated can be measured prior to the treatment to locate active areas on the skin for treatment. A variety of probes can be used with the device, with the device automatically detecting the type of probe attached. Multiple electrodes can be used on the probe, which allows the active areas in contact with the probe to be identified prior to treatment to allow the treatment to concentrate on the active areas.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: HTK ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Thomas C. Thompson, Martyn S. Abbott, Gary L. Byars, Garnet E. Dupuis, Vladimir P. Tepin
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Patent number: 9630004Abstract: Various methods and devices for providing transdermal electrical stimulation therapy to a patient are provided. In certain variations, a method may include positioning a stimulator electrode over a glabrous skin surface overlying a target nerve of a subject. Electrical stimulation may be delivered through or across the glabrous skin surface to the target nerve to stimulate the target nerve, while remaining safe and tolerable to the patient. Electrical stimulation may be delivered at frequencies that may be painful or intolerable when applied over non-glabrous surfaces of the body. Various applicators or devices for providing transdermal electrical stimulation therapy are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: EMKinetics, Inc.Inventors: Amit Rajguru, Daniel R. Burnett
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Patent number: 9630005Abstract: A method for providing electrical stimulation to a user as a user performs a set of tasks during a time window, the method comprising: providing an electrical stimulation treatment, characterized by a stimulation parameter and a set of portions, to a brain region of the user in association with the time window; for each task of the set of tasks: receiving a signal stream characterizing a neurological state of the user; from the signal stream, identifying a neurological signature characterizing the neurological state associated with the task; and modulating the electrical stimulation treatment provided to the brain region of the user based upon the neurological signature, wherein modulating comprises delivering a portion of the set of portions of the electrical stimulation treatment to the brain region of the user, while maintaining an aggregate amount of the stimulation parameter of the treatment provided during the time window below a maximum limit.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Halo Neuro, Inc.Inventors: Brett Wingeier, Daniel S. Chao, Lee Von Kraus, Amol Sarva, Sophia Sanchez
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Patent number: 9630006Abstract: A prosthetic hearing implant kit is disclosed. The prosthetic hearing implant kit comprises internal components configured to be implanted in a recipient and comprises an internal coil; external components configured to be worn by the recipient and comprises an external coil adapted to be inductively coupled with said internal coil; and an alert system having a second external coil and adapted to receive an external alarm and to transmit signals to said implanted components via said external coil for providing the recipient with a corresponding alarm indication.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Brian Gordon, Roger Leigh, Tadeusz Jurkiewicz, Kiangkai Tankongchumruskul
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Patent number: 9630007Abstract: The invention is related to a totally implantable cochlear implant having a transducer which is a piezoelectric vibration energy harvester to be mounted on the ossicular chain or the tympanic membrane to detect the frequency of oscillations and generate the required voltage to stimulate the relevant auditory nerves. The invention enables patients' continuous access to sound, since it eliminates the outside components of conventional cochlear implants. The invention also eliminates the problem of battery need, since the transducer generates voltage required to stimulate auditory nerves from the vibrations of ossicular chain. The transducer is fabricated using Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques. The invention incorporates of two main parts, a transducer acting both as a frequency detector and an energy harvester, and electrodes to stimulate the auditory nerve inside the cochlea.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Inventors: Haluk Kulah, Nebil Goksu, Levent Beker
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Patent number: 9630008Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods and systems for attenuating artifacts in single channel cochlear implants. Both high and low frequency artifacts can be attenuating using embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems. In some embodiments, low-pass filters, impedance balancing, and DC artifact estimation can be used, alone or in combination, to attenuate or completely remove artifacts in single channel cochlear implants.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE PROVOST, FELLOWS AND SCHOLARS OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLINInventors: Myles McLaughlin, Alejandro Lopez Valdes, Richard Reilly, Fan-Gang Zeng
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Patent number: 9630009Abstract: Methods, systems, and computing devices for fitting bilateral hearing prostheses. An example method includes sending a signal to a first hearing prosthesis and a second hearing prosthesis. The signal causes the first hearing prosthesis to deliver a first stimulus to a body part in a left auditory pathway of a user. The signal also causes the second hearing prosthesis to deliver a second stimulus to a body part in a right auditory pathway of the user. The first stimulus and the second stimulus cause the user to perceive a sound and are delivered simultaneously. The method also includes receiving an indication of a perception of the sound by the user. The method further includes determining an adjustment to at least one of the first stimulus or the second stimulus based on the perception of the sound by the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Zachary M. Smith
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Patent number: 9630010Abstract: One or more temporal stimulation parameters of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are selected to substantially modulate one or more target physiological functions without substantially modulating one or more non-target physiological functions. In one embodiment, a stimulation duty cycle is selected such that VNS is delivered to the cervical vagus nerve trunk to modulate a cardiovascular function without causing laryngeal muscle contractions.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignees: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc., Duke UniversityInventors: Paul B. Yoo, Warren M. Grill, Juan Gabriel Hincapie Ordonez
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Patent number: 9630011Abstract: Methods and devices to treat discogenic lumbar back pain are disclosed. Electrodes are implanted within the anterior epidural space of the patient. A pulse generator that is connected to the electrodes delivers electrical impulses to sympathetic nerves located within the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) of the lumbar spine and outer posterior annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. In alternate embodiments, energy directed to nerves in the PLL may be from light or mechanical vibrations, or the nerves may be cooled. The electrodes may also be used diagnostically to correlate spontaneous nerve activity with spinal movement, fluctuations in autonomic tone and the patient's experience of pain. The electrodes may also be used to generate diagnostic evoked potentials. The diagnostic data are used to devise parameters for the therapeutic nerve stimulation. Automatic analysis of the data may be incorporated into a closed-loop system that performs the nerve stimulation automatically.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Inventor: John D Lipani
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Patent number: 9630012Abstract: A stimulator and a method for the treatment of intractable pain syndromes by electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is disclosed. An example method includes positioning a first pair of implantable electrodes to a dura matter in an epidural space proximate to a subject's spinal cord at predetermined locations, positioning a second pair of implantable electrodes to the dura matter in the epidural space proximate to the subject's spinal cord at predetermined locations, and transmitting signals of first and second frequencies through the first and second pairs of implantable electrodes respectively, so that the signals of the first and second frequencies interfere with each other to produce at least one beat signal proximate to the subject's spinal cord. The at least one beat signal has a frequency within a range of more than 250 Hz to about 15,000 Hz.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Meagan Medical, Inc.Inventor: William J. Carroll
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Patent number: 9630013Abstract: Methods and devices for providing noninvasive electrotherapy and electrical stimulation are described herein. In one aspect, a device for noninvasive electrotherapy includes wireless communication circuitry configured to receive pulse generation control signals wirelessly transmitted from a computing device. The device can include pulse generation circuitry configured to deliver electrical waveforms according to instructions encoded in the pulse generation control signals. The computing device can include a cellular telephone device, a portable media player, a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, or an internet access device.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: EMPI, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Jerome Bachinski, Michael Moore, Joseph Winn, Jay Dave, David Orr, Dain Silvola
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Patent number: 9630014Abstract: The technology disclosed herein relates to a system and method for analyzing medical device programming parameters. One aspect of the current technology is a method where an overall performance metric is detected for a cardiac medical device that is outside of a threshold at a first cardiac location in a patient. Processing circuitry identifies a first operating condition and sensing circuitry measures a first sensor response during the first operating condition. An adjustment is proposed to one or more programming parameters of the medical device based on the performance metric, the first operating condition, and the sensor response to the operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Viktoria A. Averina, Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Qi An
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Patent number: 9630015Abstract: Implantable devices and/or sensors can be wirelessly powered by controlling and propagating electromagnetic waves in a patient's tissue. Such implantable devices/sensors can be implanted at target locations in a patient, to stimulate areas such as the heart, brain, spinal cord, or muscle tissue, and/or to sense biological, physiological, chemical attributes of the blood, tissue, and other patient parameters. The propagating electromagnetic waves can be generated with sub-wavelength structures configured to manipulate evanescent fields outside of tissue to generate the propagating waves inside the tissue. Methods of use are also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Ada Shuk Yan Poon, Alexander Jueshyan Yeh, Yuji Tanabe, John Ho, Sanghoek Kim
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Patent number: 9630016Abstract: A defibrillator includes: an impedance measuring section which is configured to obtain an impedance measurement value between a living body of a rescue target and electrodes; a controller which is configured to detect a kind of the electrodes, and which, based on the detected kind of the electrodes, is configured to perform determination of whether the impedance measurement value is to be output or not; and an outputting section which, based on the determination, is configured to output the impedance measurement value.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATIONInventors: Tsutomu Wakabayashi, Satoshi Hayashi
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Patent number: 9630017Abstract: A system for minimizing adverse effects to an implanted medical device (IMD) can include an automated external defibrillator and an IMD safety control. The automated external defibrillator can have a shock function having the potential to adversely affect a treatment provided by and/or the operation of the implanted medical device. The implanted medical device can be embedded within a living body, referred to as an implantee. The implanted medical device can include wireless communication capabilities. The IMD safety control can be coupled to the automated external defibrillator and can be configured to disable performance of the shock function upon the implantee when the shock function is activated and enable performance of the shock function upon resolution by an operator of the automated external defibrillator. The IMD safety control can be capable of wireless communication with the implanted medical device.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Inventor: Brian K. Buchheit
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Patent number: 9630018Abstract: Techniques for controlling charging of a high voltage therapy energy storage component are provided to reduce any undesirable impact from charging during unusual operating conditions. Unusual operating conditions may be caused by any of a number of external factors, including saturation of charging transformer core, circuit failures, capacitor mismatches, or the like, which may result in an unexpected power supply voltage drop or abnormally high currents through device components. An implantable medical device may comprise a power source, a therapy module that includes at least one energy storage component, and a charging module coupled between the power source and the therapy module. The charging module is configured to obtain a measurement representative of an average power drawn from the power source and to terminate charging of the at least one energy storage component based at least on the measurement representative of an average power drawn from the power source.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Lonny V. Cabelka, Mark A. Maass
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Patent number: 9630019Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus for performing deep brain stimulation with an electromagnetic field. The includes an electrode assembly having multiple electrodes and a phased array system for driving the electrodes to generate the electromagnetic field. By controlling delays within the phased array system, the generated electromagnetic field can be steered to a desired region of the brain.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: UCL BUSINESS PLCInventors: Virgilio Valente, Andreas Demosthenous, Richard Bayford
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Patent number: 9630020Abstract: An electromedical device comprising an operating head which has a depression chamber provided with an opening and connected to a vacuum pump. A pair of rollers are placed in the depression chamber and are connected to an electrical motor for rotating the rollers. The electromedical device further comprises a generator of pulsed electric current and an electromagnetic transducer, which is connected to the generator such as to transform the pulsed electric current into a pulsed magnetic field that crosses the opening of the depression chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: MANTIS SRLInventor: Franco Missoli
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Patent number: 9630021Abstract: Systems and methods for using antiprotons for terminating unwanted or undesirable cells which can be used in the treatment of conditions caused by the existence and/or proliferation of such undesirable cells. Such conditions include cardiovascular ailments, Parkinson's disease, wet macular degeneration, endocrine disorders, dermatological ailments, and cancer. Because of the unique nature of antiprotons and their annihilation characteristics, the preferred antiproton delivery device (1010, 1015, 1030) embodiments further incorporate detector arrays (1050a), capable of detecting characteristic emissions in the course of treatment.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: HBAR TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: Gerald Peter Jackson
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Patent number: 9630022Abstract: A method and a system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy through the artificial container to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignees: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC., DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Frederic Avery Bourke, Jr., Tuan Vo-Dinh
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Patent number: 9630023Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for developing a dynamic scheme for Gamma Knife radiosurgery based on the concept of “dose-painting” to take advantage of robotic patient positioning systems on the Gamma Knife C and Perfexion units. The spherical high dose volume created by the Gamma Knife unit will be viewed as a 3D spherical “paintbrush”, and treatment planning is reduced to finding the best route of this “paintbrush” to “paint” a 3D tumor volume. Under the dose-painting concept, Gamma Knife radiosurgery becomes dynamic, where the patient is moving continuously under the robotic positioning system.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: STC.UNMInventors: Shuang Luan, Nathan Swanson, Lijun Ma
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Patent number: 9630024Abstract: There is disclosed a radiation treatment planning system for preparing treatment planning information for carrying out radiation treatment. The apparatus includes an input unit with which an operator inputs a prescription dose and an irradiation angle; an arithmetic unit which prepares the treatment planning information by determining irradiation conditions in such a manner as to bring a dose distribution calculated based on the result of the input from the input unit closer to the prescription dose, and a display unit which displays the treatment planning information. The arithmetic unit sets, per point for radiation irradiation, an index representing the degree of demand for irradiation amount suppression, the degree of demand determined by the radiation irradiation point, and the arithmetic unit further determines the irradiation conditions using the index.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shusuke Hirayama, Rintaro Fujimoto
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Patent number: 9630025Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for planning and delivering radiation treatments by modalities which involve moving a radiation source along a trajectory relative to a subject while delivering radiation to the subject. In some embodiments the radiation source is moved continuously along the trajectory while in some embodiments the radiation source is moved intermittently. Some embodiments involve the optimization of the radiation delivery plan to meet various optimization goals while meeting a number of constraints. For each of a number of control points along a trajectory, a radiation delivery plan may comprise: a set of motion axes parameters, a set of beam shape parameters and a beam intensity.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AGInventor: Karl Otto
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Patent number: 9630026Abstract: The present invention relates to a data processing method for determining control data for controlling beam positions which beam positions describe positions which a treatment beam has or would have if emitted by a beam source, the treatment beam being for treating a treatment body part of a patient, said method constituted to be performed by a computer and comprising the steps of: • providing treatment data which comprise data on a position of the treatment body part; • providing condition data which describe: constraints on the beam positions and/or constraints on positional changes of the beam positions, wherein said constraints allow for at least a part of the beam positions to lie not in a common plane; • providing an arrangement of the beam positions on the basis of the treatment data which arrangement fulfils the condition data; • determining control data for controlling a change of a relative position of the beam source relative to the treatment body part for changing the beam positions and for controType: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Brainlab AGInventors: Stephan Froehlich, Franz Gum, Kajetan Berlinger
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Patent number: 9630027Abstract: In a beam transport system, based on a beam temporal-variation related amount that has been calculated by a beam analyzer and that is a beam-position temporal variation amount or a beam diameter at a beam profile monitor, an optical parameter calculator calculates a start-point momentum dispersion function that is a momentum dispersion function (?, ??) of a charged particle beam at a start point in design of the beam transport system that is set on a beam trajectory of the accelerator; and calculates optical parameters using, as an initial condition, the start-point momentum dispersion function and a beginning condition at an irradiation position at the time of detecting profile data.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kazushi Hanakawa, Kengo Sugahara, Shuhei Odawara
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Patent number: 9630028Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which utilizes one or more transducer arrays affixed to the head of a patient to diagnose and treat stroke victims. The transducer headset produces a two or three dimensional image of the vasculature inside the cranium, preferably assisted by a microbubble contrast agent. A vascular flow map is produced by the system which may be diagnosed for signs of a blood clot. If a blood clot is detected, a therapeutic beam is transmitted while the contrast agent is present to break up the blood clot by the disruption of microbubbles. The headset may also be used in a monitoring application to detect the recurrence of blood clots in a stroke victim.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Theodore J. Browning, William Shi, Jeffry E. Powers, Michalakis Averkiou, Thomas Gauthier
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Patent number: 9630029Abstract: A focused ultrasonic transducer navigation system attaches to a patient and includes a housing that contains an ultrasonic device. An alignment system moves the housing, and moves the ultrasonic device within the housing, so a focal point of ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic device is aligned in x, y, and z planes with a target location in the patient. The alignment system realigns the focal point of the ultrasonic device with the same patient target location over multiple therapy sessions eliminating repeated use of an MRI system for repeatedly realigning the ultrasonic device.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: BRAINSONIX CORPORATIONInventors: Walter William Wurster, Michael Allen Gustafson, Elaine Patrice Pelletier, Richard Alan Waltz
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Patent number: 9630030Abstract: A method and system for reducing vascular plaque non-invasively including imaging at least a portion of a mammalian body to produce an image; determining the location of at least one vascular plaque in said image; ascertaining the location of the base of said vascular plaque, said location of base being the target location; precisely determining the relative position of said target location with respect to the cardiac rhythm in the body; delivering a beam of ultrasound energy waves from a source to the relative position to elevate temperature of said target location in a pre-determined manner; monitoring the temperature of the target location; and discontinuing delivery of ultrasound energy waves when said target location achieves a predetermined set temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL CARDIO CORPORATIONInventors: Yolande Appelman, Pieter A. Doevendans, J. Donald Knight
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Patent number: 9630031Abstract: Lightweight, flexible protective fabrics for protecting a person, animal or other object from hot burning materials, hot high heat capacity and/or hot corrosive materials, such as hot molten metal, hot oily liquids (e.g., heating oil), hot gels, hot solids, hot sparks, and hot acids. The lightweight protective fabrics can be used to protect a person, animal or other object from hot molten metals, such as liquid metal zinc heated to a temperature of about 950° F. (510° C.) or greater, hot molten aluminum heated to a temperature of about 1150° F. (620° C.) or greater, burning phosphorus at temperature of about 1550° F. (843° C.) or greater, hot solid iron having a temperature of about 500° F. (260° C.) or greater, hot heating oil having a temperature of about 500° F. (260° C.) or greater, and hot hydrochloric acid having a temperature of about 300° F. (150° C.) or greater.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: CHAPMAN THERMAL PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Tyler M. Thatcher
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Patent number: 9630032Abstract: A pressurized gas cylinder holder for a respirator includes a holding part (15) and at least one tightening strap for fastening a pressurized gas cylinder to a holding part (15). Pressurized gas cylinders with different external diameters are able to be fastened to the pressurized gas cylinder holder with an identical longitudinal axis. The holding part (15) has at least two support elements (19) as separate components in addition to the rest of the holding part (15) for supporting the pressurized gas cylinder and at least four fixing devices (20) formed on the holding part (15) for the at least two support elements (19). The support elements (19) may be fastened to different fixing devices (20) for adaptation to pressurized gas cylinders (9) with a different external diameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaAInventors: Jürgen Unger, Axel Bahr
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Patent number: 9630033Abstract: A method of handling fall protection systems (2) in association with towers, pylons and masts includes climbing a tower (5), securing a guide channel (10) to a top portion (6) of the tower, extending a fall protection guide line (20) through the guide channel, connecting a first end (3) of a fall protection system (2) to a first end (21) of the guide line (20), extending the fall protection system (2) through the secured guide channel (10) by pulling a second end (22) of the guide line, securing the first end (3) of the fall protection system to a ground (G) level fixing point (8) and securing a second end (4) of the fall protection system to personal protection equipment worn by a worker. An assembly (1) for handling fall protection systems in association with towers, pylons and masts is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: ANCSAFE ABInventor: Kaj Jansson
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Patent number: 9630034Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an emergency descent system according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise a cable connector non-slidably connected to an emergency escape cable and a housing connected to the cable connector and configured to enclose a controlled descent system and at least a portion of a length of rope. The housing may comprise an outer protective layer, an inner wall section substantially enclosed by the outer protective layer forming an open interior portion, and a cover configured to be selectively attached to an upper portion of the outer protective layer. The cover may be configured to be selectively attached to an upper portion of the outer protective layer. The cover may be configured to cover at least a portion of the controlled descent system and protect the open interior portion from environmental conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: AHS Rescue, LLCInventor: Dale Stewart
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Patent number: 9630035Abstract: A transport device and a transport method is provided for a container treatment plant. The transport device comprises at least one transporter for transporting containers to or away from a treatment station of the container treatment plant, wherein at least one transporter is positioned displaceable in relation to another one of the transporters to provide a closeable spatial separation between the at least one displaceable transporter and the other transporter.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: KRONES AGInventors: Peter Muehlstein, Johann Huettner
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Patent number: 9630036Abstract: A safety cabinet is disclosed which includes an enclosure having a double-wall construction and at least one door to selectively seal the enclosure. The safety cabinet includes a latch system for selectively retaining the door(s) in a closed position to cover the enclosure. The safety cabinet can be used to store, for example, flammable liquids, flammable waste, corrosives, pesticides, or combustible waste. The latch system includes fusible links that fuse when exposed to high ambient temperatures and cause the latch system to further engage the enclosure, thereby promoting the interlocking relationship between the door(s) and the enclosure when the safety cabinet is exposed to threshold high ambient temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Justrite Manufacturing Company LLCInventors: Brandon Gene Strum, Ronald Frank Auer
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Patent number: 9630037Abstract: An air cleaning system (10) is disclosed comprising a fire protection system. The fire protection system comprises at least one of (i) a spark arrestor (21), (ii) a particle feeder (31), (iii) a fire detection system; and (iv) a fire extinguishing system. A preferred spark arrestor comprises a particle pre-separator (22). A preferred particle pre-separator has a core-and-vane assembly that prevents air traveling through the particle pre-separator from traveling in a straight line.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: PLYMOVENT GROUP B.V.Inventors: Stefan Berghuijs, Jeroen Crezee, Cees Knijn
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Patent number: 9630038Abstract: A drilling and through-wall fire extinguishing device comprises a main water turbine, a forward and reverse commutator, a reducing sleeve, a hollow drill bit, a handwheel booster, a guide rail, a water separator, a vice water turbine and a high pressure water pump. The handwheel booster is connected with the main water turbine, the main water turbine is drivingly connected with the hollow drill bit through the forward and reverse commutator, the reducing sleeve is arranged between the hollow drill bit and the forward and reverse commutator, and the main water turbine and the forward and reverse commutator are fixed on the guide rail; and fire-fighting pressure water is fed by the water separator, a first water outlet of the water separator is communicated with the main water turbine, a second water outlet is communicated with the vice water turbine, and the vice water turbine is drivingly connected with the high pressure water pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Inventor: So Chan