Patents Issued in May 30, 2017
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Patent number: 9661998Abstract: A scanning endoscope includes: an optical fiber that guides illumination light for illuminating an object from a proximal end thereof and emits the illumination light from a distal end thereof; an actuator portion provided on a side portion of the optical fiber, for causing the distal end of the optical fiber to oscillate; a holding portion provided on a more proximal end side of the optical fiber than the actuator portion, for holding the optical fiber so as to allow the distal end of the optical fiber to oscillate with the actuator portion; a vibration-absorbing member formed so as to cover a circumference of a part of the optical fiber, the part being located on a more proximal end side than the holding portion and adjacent to the holding portion; and an outer cover that covers a circumference of at least a part of the vibration-absorbing member.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Masahiro Yoshino
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Patent number: 9661999Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor of the present invention includes a reservoir configured to store a solution, a fluid supply section configured to supply the solution into the reservoir, a fluid discharge section configured to discharge the solution from the reservoir, a recessed pool section fixed inside the reservoir and having a bottom surface positioned below an opening section in a gravitational direction, and a concentration meter including a permeable membrane having a first surface exposed inside the pool section, at least a part of the first surface being positioned below the opening section in the gravitational direction, an accommodation section having a container shape and including a part of a second surface of the permeable membrane as an inner surface, the second surface being on an opposite side to the first surface, internal liquid accommodated in the accommodation section, and an electrode accommodated in the accommodation section.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Hiromasa Akahori, Hideto Onishi
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Patent number: 9662000Abstract: A visualization apparatus and a system for enhancing hand-eye coordination during a medical procedure are provided. The visualization apparatus includes an elongate support member, a head member, an operating head element, and a processor. The head member connected to the elongate support member at a predetermined angle includes an angled wall for mounting a reflector. The operating head element connected to an upper end of the head member mounts and supports an objective lens. The objective lens focuses light from an operating field to a reflector to create an image of the operating field. An eyepiece lens accommodated in the elongate support member or the head member magnifies the created image. The processor operatively communicating with an image receiver processes and transmits the magnified image to a viewer. The orientation of the magnified image on the viewer is similar to the orientation of the operating field, thereby enhancing hand-eye coordination.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: HANKOOKIN, INC.Inventors: James Jiwen Chun, Andrew Youngho Chun, Angela Soyoung Chun, Jennifer Miseong Chun
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Patent number: 9662001Abstract: A laryngoscope insertion section comprising a tube guide including at least an inferior tube guiding member and a superior tube guiding member, wherein the thickness of the insertion section in a first region is less than the external diameter of the largest diameter endotracheal tube in an operating range of endotracheal tube sizes plus the thickness of the inferior tube guiding member plus the thickness of the superior tube guiding member. Typically, the insertion section comprises an elongate member and the tube guide is lateral of the elongate member. Typically, an endotracheal tube is retained within the tube guide in flexural tension.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Aircraft Medical LimitedInventors: Matthew John Ross McGrath, Morgan James Walker
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Patent number: 9662002Abstract: An endoscopic portal protective shield assembly has an elongate portal shaft and an elongated protective shield. The elongate portal shaft has a viewing portal. The shaft has a slotted tubular body with interior surfaces. The shaft has a distal end and a proximal end and a slotted opening at the distal end extending partially along the slotted tubular body toward the proximal end. The elongated protective shield has a longitudinal shield body, a proximal end and a distal end. The protective shield is configured to be slid into the slotted opening of the tubular body with an interior portion of the longitudinal shield body being inserted inside the tubular body while maintaining the viewing portal open.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Kaixuan Liu, Zsolt Csernatoni
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Patent number: 9662003Abstract: A surgical device including a seal anchor that includes leading and trailing portions. A plurality of ports longitudinally extends between the leading and trailing portions. The ports are adapted and configured to receive surgical objects therein. At least one of the surgical objects is a viewing instrument including a viewing portion. During a surgical procedure, surgical objects inserted in the other ports are selectively positionable with respect to the viewing instrument.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Mark Russo
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Patent number: 9662004Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasive glucose monitoring includes a first light source for emitting at least one ray of first light; a first beam splitter with a focusing function; a set of photo detectors for measuring optical rotatory distribution (ORD) information and absorption energy information of the first light reflected from the eyeball and transmitted through the first beam splitter to the set of photo detectors, and the first light emitted from the first light source being transmitted to the set of photo detectors by the first beam splitter and the eyeball to form an optical path; a processing unit receiving and processing the ORD information and the absorption energy information to obtain glucose information; and an eye positioning device including a second beam splitter disposed on the optical path between the first beam splitter and the eyeball and a camera for receiving image information transmitted from the second beam splitter.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Taiwan Biophotonic CorporationInventors: Yu-Tang Li, Chang-Sheng Chu, Chih-Hsun Fan, Shuang-Chao Chung, Ming-Chia Li, Jyh-Chern Chen, Kuo-Tung Tiao
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Patent number: 9662005Abstract: In pattern matching for detecting a positional difference between tomographic images of an eye to be examined, a target within the eye to be examined which causes a reduction in the similarity even though there is no positional difference, is selectively excluded.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Manabu Wada
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Patent number: 9662006Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of an eye of a patient are provided. Exemplary techniques involve obtaining a first induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a first accommodation state of the eye, obtaining a second induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a second accommodation state of the eye, and determining a natural metric of the eye based on the first and second induced metrics. An induced metric may include a pupil size or a spherical aberration. Techniques can also include determining a target metric for the eye base on the natural metric, determining whether an actual metric of the eye meets the target metric, obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of the eye if the actual metric meets the target metric, and determining a treatment for the eye based on the ocular aberration measurement.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: AMO Development, LLCInventors: Guang-ming Dai, Leander Zickler
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Patent number: 9662007Abstract: Provided is an ophthalmologic apparatus, which is configured to perform observation and photographing of an eye to be examined via an objective lens, and which allows the observation or the like of the eye to be examined irrespective of a posture of an examinee. The ophthalmologic apparatus includes: a main body part including an optical system and the objective lens that are configured to perform the observation and the photographing; a stand part configured to support the main body part with respect to an installation surface; a chin rest part configured to place a chin of an examinee thereon; and a forehead rest configured to bring a forehead of the examinee into abutment therewith. In the ophthalmologic apparatus, the chin rest part, the forehead rest, and the objective lens can be integrally changed in elevation angle with respect to the stand part.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuhiro Watanabe, Hidero Matsumoto, Tetsuya Sekine
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Patent number: 9662008Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
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Patent number: 9662009Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that utilize a ferrofluid-impregnated medium to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging probe can include a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion; an optical fiber positioned within the housing, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within the distal portion of the housing; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including a ferrofluid-impregnated medium (FIM) and an electrically energizable coil positioned within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: NOVARTIS AGInventor: Barry L. Wheatley
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Patent number: 9662010Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical system for inspecting an eye, having an OCT system which is configured to generate a measurement beam, which is incident on an object region in a converging manner to form a measurement focus. The OCT system has a beam expander which is disposed along the measurement beam between the scanning system and the objective lens and generates an intermediate focus between the scanning system and the objective lens. The OCT system is configured to generate different values of a beam waist diameter of the beam waist by means of controlling the controllable beam expansion of the beam expander. At the different values of the beam waist diameter, an axial beam waist position of the beam waist is substantially identical.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AGInventors: Christoph Hauger, Artur Högele
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Patent number: 9662011Abstract: Provided is an ophthalmologic apparatus including: a scanning unit for scanning a measuring beam on a fundus of an eye to be inspected; an adjustment unit for performing focus adjustment for a plurality of image acquiring planes provided along an optical axis of the measuring beam projected on the fundus; a correction unit for correcting an aberration generated in the eye; an image acquiring unit for acquiring images for the plurality of image acquiring planes; and a calculation unit for calculating, in correspondence to a diopter of the eye, a focus displacement amount when an image of a first image acquiring plane is obtained and when an image of a second image acquiring plane at a predetermined distance away from the first image acquiring plane in the optical axis direction is obtained. The adjustment unit performs the focus adjustment in accordance with a calculation result in the calculation unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuhiro Matsumoto
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Patent number: 9662012Abstract: The invention is directed to quantification of the effects of drugs on a patient using pupillometric measures. Apparatus and processes for obtaining control and patient measures and deriving relationships from same are provided. The methods of the invention provide doctor quantitative feedback on patient symptoms and on the effects of a drug or dosage of same on a patient, as well as provide assessment capability to patients and law enforcement.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventor: Robert A. Hirsh
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Patent number: 9662013Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ophthalmic microscope includes an illumination system, a pair of light-receiving systems, and a first mechanism. The illumination system is configured to irradiate a subject's eye with illumination light. Each of the light-receiving systems includes a first objective lens and a first imaging device, and is configured to guide return light of the illumination light returning from the subject's eye to the first imaging device through the first objective lens. The objective optical axes of the light-receiving systems are not parallel to each other. The first mechanism is configured to move the light-receiving systems relative to each other to change an angle formed by the objective optical axes of the light-receiving systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCONInventors: Yasufumi Fukuma, Kazuhiro Oomori, Satoshi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9662014Abstract: A retinal imaging device includes a camera, a light source, a projector, an I/O device and a computer. The projector emits two sets of light rays, such that one set of rays lies on an exterior surface of a first cone, and the other set of rays lie on an exterior surface of a second cone. The user adjusts the position of his or her eye relative to the camera, until the rays form a full, undistorted target image on the retina. This full, undistorted image is only seen when the pupil of the eye is positioned in the intersection of the first and second cones, and the eye is thus aligned with the camera. The user provides input, via the I/O device, that the user is seeing this image. The computer then instructs the camera to capture retinal images and the light source to simultaneously illuminate the retina.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Tristan Swedish, Karin Roesch, Ramesh Raskar
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Patent number: 9662015Abstract: A system provides assignment of a wearable device user identifier to a wearable device user. A wearable device has one or more sensors that detect or measure wearable device user information selected from of at least one of, a wearable device user's activities, behaviors and habit information, and a wearable device user's health. The wearable device includes a communication system, and a pathway system. A telemetry system has a database of wearable device user profiles. The telemetry system includes a processor and a wearable device user database. The processor has at least one of, access to the wearable device user database, at least partially creates the wearable device user database and at least partially determines a wearable device user profile. A wearable device user identifier of a wearable device user is assigned to the wearable device user before or after the wearable device user receives the wearable device.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Hello Inc.Inventors: James Proud, Bryan Fan, Robert Shook, Joaquin Fernandez
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Patent number: 9662016Abstract: A method for automatically adding a first sensor device to a first personal area network in a healthcare application includes receiving a signal with out-of-band pairing data at the first sensor device. The first sensor device is disposed on a patient's body. The out-of-band pairing data is injected into the patient's body by a second sensor device disposed on the patient's body. Pairing data is extracted from the received signal at the first sensor device. Using the pairing data, the first sensor device is added to the first personal area.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.Inventors: Steven D. Baker, Robert J. Kahlke
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Patent number: 9662017Abstract: A method for operating a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system including generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy that includes a patient's heart to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data and generating slice select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the volume of patient anatomy. The method also includes acquiring a plurality of slices of an image of the volume of patient anatomy within a plurality of cycles representing time period between successive beats of the patient's heart. The method also includes causing, by a control processor, accelerated acquisition of two or more slices of the plurality of slices within a quiescent phase of each of the plurality of cycles. The method further includes applying, by the control processor, one or more saturation areas proximate to a target volume of the patient anatomy.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Northshore University HealthsystemInventors: Shivraman Giri, Robert R. Edelman, Xiaoguang Lu, Carmel Hayes
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Patent number: 9662018Abstract: Surgical visualization devices are provided which include a substrate having at least one imaging device and a plurality of fasteners coupled thereto for attaching the substrate to patient tissue. Systems and methods utilizing the surgical visualization devices are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Joshua Stopek
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Patent number: 9662019Abstract: An apparatus for performing an endoscopic procedure for detecting cancerous tissue includes a detection probe for detecting the cancerous tissue. The detection probe includes a first fiber for emitting an ultraviolet light beam having an orthogonal function applied thereto and a second fiber for receiving emissions from tissues responsive to the ultraviolet light beam emitted for the first fiber. An ultraviolet emission source generates the ultraviolet light beam. Orthogonal function circuitry applies the orthogonal function twist to the ultraviolet light beam. Detection circuitry detects fluorescence and orthogonal function within the emissions from the tissues received over the second fiber.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: NXGEN PARTNERS IP, LLCInventors: Solyman Ashrafi, Roger Linquist, Nima Ashrafi
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Patent number: 9662020Abstract: An acoustic wave detector that detects an acoustic wave from a subject, an optical fiber that guides light emitted from a light source to a probe body, and a light guide member that guides light from a light entrance end, which is optically coupled to the optical fiber, to a light exit end, which is located in the vicinity of the acoustic wave detector, are provided. The light guide member is secured in the probe body with a securing material provided at least partially around the light guide member. The conditional expression below is satisfied: sin?1(n2/n1)×(180°/?)<90°??i where n1 is a refractive index of the light guide member, n2 is a refractive index of the securing material, and ?i is a spread angle of incoming light from the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Kaku Irisawa, Takeya Abe
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Patent number: 9662021Abstract: A system is provided for the transmission of in vivo arterial pressure, the system comprising: an a pressure sensor whereby in vivo arterial pressure data is collected; a wireless transmitter, whereby the in vivo arterial pressure data is transmitted to be received disposed externally to a patient in which the system is disposed; a stent body, the stent body having an integral antenna, and a power source, whereby power is supplied to the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Eric Y. Chow, Brooke Beier, William J. Chappell, Pedro P. Irazoqui
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Patent number: 9662022Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for extracting photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal (i.e., a cardiac signal) on a continuous basis from a time-series signals obtained from video images captured of a subject being monitored for cardiac function in a non-contact remote sensing environment involves the following. First, a time-series signal obtained from video images captured of a region of exposed skin where a photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal of a subject of interest can be registered. A sliding window is then used to define consecutive sequential segments of the time-series signal for processing. Each of the consecutive time-series signal segments is detrended such that low frequency variations and non-stationary components are removed. The detrended signals are processed to obtain, for each segment, a PPG signal. The PPG signal segments are then stitched together using a stitching method, as disclosed herein, to obtain a continuous PPG signal for the subject.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Survi Kyal, Lalit Keshav Mestha, Beilei Xu
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Patent number: 9662023Abstract: Disclosed embodiments pertain to the measurement of heart rate in the presence of motion and noise. Spectral peaks in measurements by an optical sensor are compared with spectral peaks obtained from a motion sensor signal measurements, to obtain a fundamental frequency in the optical sensor signal, where the fundamental frequency is associated with a user's heart rate. A first heart rate may be estimated based on the fundamental frequency. A variety of quality metrics may be determined for the first heart rate estimate. A second estimated heart rate may be determined based by processing a frequency domain representation of the optical sensor signal based on a frequency domain representation of the motion sensor signal. One or more of the previously determined quality metrics may be dynamically adjusted based on a comparison of first and second estimated heart rates.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Ramin Samadani, Carlos Manuel Puig, Russel Allyn Martin, Victor Kulik
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Patent number: 9662024Abstract: A biomedical electrode structure is presented. The electrode structure comprises a contact member having a tissue interfacing face for contacting a tissue surface, and an opposite electrical coupling face; at least a first electrically conductive surface disposed within said tissue interfacing face, and being configured to electrically couple to a portion of the contacted tissue; and at least two electrical connectors mounted in a spaced apart relationship on said electrical coupling face and electrically coupled to different regions of said electrically conductive surface for allowing measurement of at least one electrical property of at least a portion of said at least first electrically conductive surface residing therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: NEW N.I. MEDICAL (2011) LTD.Inventors: Aviad Livneh, Evgeny Granov, Igor Granov
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Patent number: 9662025Abstract: Circuits and circuit systems to record activity (e.g., peripheral nerve activity) are provided. The circuits advantageously have good noise characteristics (e.g., low noise), as well as low power consumption and low area. A circuit can be implantable (e.g., in a human subject). Methods of designing, manufacturing, and using such circuits and circuit systems are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: The Florida International University Board of TrusteesInventors: Adeline Zbrzeski, Ranu Jung
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Patent number: 9662026Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional electrode having high cell affinity and capacitive coupling, comprising a pillar portion and a spherical portion, wherein the diameter of the spherical portion is larger than that of the pillar portion, and the carbon nanotubes are coated on the spherical portion, and pillar portion and the spherical portion are made of material selected from metal materials. The present invention may be used for developing biological probes having high cell affinity and capacitive coupling so as to provide high accuracy for measurement of neural cells or electrocardiograms and prevent from distortion.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: National Tsing Hua UniversityInventors: I-An Pan, Tri-Rung Yew, Hsin Chen, Yung-Jen Chuang
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Patent number: 9662027Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining onset of ventricular arrhythmias using bounded-input bounded-output stability of QT interval (QTI) dynamics. The method of the present invention includes two parts. A first part of the method determines the dependence of each QTI on several prior QTIs and RR intervals (RRI). This determination is represented as an autoregressive model with exogenous input (ARX). A second part of the method determines the BIBO stability of the ARX model in the z-domain. The metrics associated with the first and second parts of the method are then used to predict onset of arrhythmia.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Natalia Trayanova, Xiaozhong Chen
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Patent number: 9662028Abstract: A method and system of predicting a hypotensive episode in a patient using one or more time varying hypotension specific biomarkers corresponding to physiological processes in the patient. Data derived from sensors or other measurement devices such as ECG sensors can be used to generate biomarkers. The biomarkers can then be used to generate an acute hypotension prediction classifier, or monitored factor, derived from a three dimensional temporal representation of two or more biomarkers. When the monitored factor exceeds a predetermined threshold the method and system trigger an alarm before an appearance of a hypotensive episode in the patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Kaunas University of TechnologyInventors: Alfonsas Vainoras, Zenonas Navickas, Mindaugas Balciunas, Arminas Ragauskas, Kristina Berskiene, Vytautas Petkus, Rimtautas Ruseckas
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Patent number: 9662029Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating an expected effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data is received as at least one ECG lead from a set of electrodes. A frequency spectrum representing the ECG data is generated via a Fourier transform. At least one predictor value is extracted from the calculated frequency spectrum. A fitness parameter, representing the expected effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization, is determined from at least the extracted predictor value.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic FoundationInventors: Mark Niebauer, Cristian Pasluosta, Niraj Varma
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Patent number: 9662030Abstract: Devices are described herein including mounts configured to removably mount electrodes and other elements of the devices to a garment (e.g., a close-fitting undergarment) of a wearer. The devices include at least two electrodes configured such that the electrodes are maintained in secure electrical contact with skin of the wearer when the device is so mounted. The devices can be mounted to garments at various locations on the torso of the wearer such that an electrocardiographic signal related to the electrical activity of the heart of the wearer can be extracted from voltage fluctuations between the at least two electrodes. Such devices can be used for continuous logging or other applications of the electrocardiographic signals of the wearer. Such logged electrocardiographic signals could be used to determine a medical or health state of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLCInventors: Florence Thng, Russell Norman Mirov, Sarel Kobus Jooste
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Patent number: 9662031Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a number of electrode assemblies (10), which can be applied to the skin surface (4) of an animal or human being and by means of which voltages and currents can be tapped from the skin surface (4), and comprising a flexible, in particular extendable, retaining element (6) formed by a planar or film-like molded part. According to the invention, the electrode assemblies (10) comprise a main body (1) and a number of pin electrodes (2) that protrude from the main body (1) in the same direction, the electrode assemblies (10) are fastened to the retaining element (6), and the main body (1) of the respective electrode assembly (10) is connected to the retaining element (6), wherein the pin electrodes (2) of all electrode assemblies (10) protrude in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Inventors: Christoph Guger, Guenter Edlinger
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Patent number: 9662032Abstract: A biosignal measuring apparatus and a method of measuring a biosignal is provided. A biosignal measuring apparatus includes a first interfacing unit including two or more first interfaces configured to detect first signals from a subject, a second interfacing unit including two or more second interfaces and a connecting unit, the second interfaces being configured to detect noise from the subject, the connecting unit being configured to connect the second interfaces, and a biosignal extracting unit configured to extract a biosignal of the subject from the first signals by using signals output from the second interfacing unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tak-hyung Lee, Byung-hoon Ko
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Patent number: 9662033Abstract: A method and system for visualization of electrophysiology information sensed by electrodes on a catheter, includes recording times of electrode signal acquisition, designating a reference electrode signal acquisition, assigning a relative time to each recorded time of electrode signal acquisition relative to the reference electrode signal acquisition, identifying the electrodes with signal acquisition, correlating assigned relative times to identified electrodes to generate a sequence of electrode signal acquisitions, and generating a visual representation of the sequence of electrode signal acquisitions generating a visual representation with a graphical image of the electrodes, wherein individual electrodes are visually marked to represent the sequence of electrode signal acquisitions.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.Inventor: Thomas Michael Severino
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Patent number: 9662034Abstract: An apparatus comprises an ERP testing system that is configured to administer an ERP test. The apparatus further comprises a computer in communication with the ERP testing system. The computer is operable to access a database of biomarkers. The computer is further operable to define at least one class set relating to biomarkers and at least one feature set relating to biomarkers. The computer is further operable to classify a test subject into at least one of the defined class sets based on information in the feature set relating to biomarkers of the test subject. The biomarker processing may be carried out in association with or completely independent of ERP testing.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Neuronetrix Solutions, LLCInventors: Kalford C. Fadem, Mauktik V. Kulkarni
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Patent number: 9662035Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for profiling evoked potentials in brain electrical activity which apply steady state response concepts to analysis of longer latency responses reflective of activity of brain regions beyond the brainstem, up to an including the cortex. The use of repeated stimuli within a single analysis window produces a quasi steady-state response and permits a high-resolution spectral analysis. Response amplitudes were measured at repetition rates from 80 to below 1 Hz, using trains of repeated tone-burst stimuli. An amplitude measure introduced and defined as the harmonic sum was incorporated into the spectral power of the response carried by both the fundamental frequency, and the harmonics thereof. Additionally, time ensemble averaging can be employed to improve signal to noise ratio.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignees: Intelligent Hearing Systems, University of Pittsburgh—of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: John David Durrant, Abreena Iris Tlumak, Rafael E. Delgado, John Robert Boston
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Patent number: 9662036Abstract: In a method for generating a tomographic image, at a first point in time, a first tomographic image is acquired of a layer of a patient and the region of cartilaginous tissue is determined in the first tomographic image. At a later second point in time a second tomographic image is acquired of the layer of the patient and the region of the cartilaginous tissue is determined in the second tomographic image. The tomographic image is generated from the first tomographic image and the second tomographic image, in which every pixel of the tomographic image is assigned a difference value between a corresponding pixel of the first tomographic image and a corresponding pixel of the second tomographic image. The validation number is determined by adding all the pixels in the region of the cartilaginous tissue in the tomographic image.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Inselspital-StiftungInventors: Timothy Hughes, Tallal Charles Mamisch
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Patent number: 9662037Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a spectrum acquisition unit, a resonance frequency acquisition unit and an imaging unit. The spectrum acquisition unit is configured to acquire frequency spectra of magnetic resonance signals from an object while changing a suppression effect or an enhancing effect of signals from a specific material. The resonance frequency acquisition unit is configured to obtain a resonance frequency of the specific material or another material based on an index representing a difference in intensities of signals from the specific material or the another material between the frequency spectra. The imaging unit is configured to perform imaging using a radio frequency pulse having a center frequency set to the resonance frequency of the specific material or the another material.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Naho Takahashi, Masao Yui
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Patent number: 9662038Abstract: Some injectors of the invention may include a fluid drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid (e.g., liquid, pneumatic, or both) to impart a sequence of forces to drive a delivery device (e.g., a syringe) to deliver a medical fluid (e.g., a contrast agent, a radiopharmaceutical, a drug, or a combination thereof). Some injectors may include a multimedia tube configured to pass a working fluid (e.g., air) and a light signal (e.g., infrared). Some injectors may include a peristaltic drive responsive to pressure of a working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLCInventors: Gary S. Wagner, Frank M. Fago, Peter Staats, Dane Battiato
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Patent number: 9662039Abstract: Systems and method for producing functional brain organization maps are provided. The method includes providing functional connectivity magnetic resonance image (fcMRI) data, a population atlas, a variation map indicative of inter-subject variability in the atlas. The method also includes initializing a subject map using the atlas, determining a reference signal for each functional connectivity network in the subject map using signals derived from the fcMRI data, computing correlations between the signals and reference signal of each functional connectivity network, and iteratively updating the subject map by reassigning locations in the subject brain when correlating with a functional connectivity network, updating at each iteration the reference signal using the subject map, the population atlas, the variation map, and the set of fcMRI data. The method further includes generating a report indicative of a functional brain organization for the brain of the subject using the subject map.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Hesheng Liu, Danhong Wang, Michael D. Fox
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Patent number: 9662040Abstract: A computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) apparatus and method. The CAD apparatus includes an area divider configured to divide a current image frame into a first area and a second area based on location of a region of interest (ROI) detected in a previous image frame. The CAD apparatus further includes a functional processor configured to perform different functions of the CAD apparatus for the first area and the second area.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hye Jin Kam, Ha Young Kim, Joo Hyuk Jeon
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Patent number: 9662041Abstract: An area of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of an area or volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of an imaging device. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: H. Toby Markowitz, Karl Evan Nowak, Mustafa Karamanoglu, Pooja Mehta, Ioana Fleming, David Scanlon, Michael Kryger, Sean T. Massa, Chad Giese, Victoria Interrante, Phillip Falkner
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Patent number: 9662042Abstract: The endoscope system includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, and an image pickup portion that picks up an image of inside of the subject; an image pickup information acquisition portion that acquires positional information of the image pickup portion; an insertion form information acquisition portion that acquires insertion form information of the insertion portion inside the subject; and a control portion that, on a stereoscopic model image that simulates a predetermined organ inside the subject, superimposes an insertion form image that is based on insertion form information that is acquired by the insertion form information acquisition portion, and based on positional information of the image pickup portion that is acquired by the image pickup information acquisition portion, also pastes an image pickup image that is picked up by the image pickup portion, and presents the resulting stereoscopic model image.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Syunya Akimoto, Jun Hasegawa
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Patent number: 9662043Abstract: This invention provides a novel nostril gauge system and methods for using the same, which allows the practitioner to measure the size of deformed nostrils resulting from any cause such as from a cleft lip and/or cleft palate, a traumatic injury, an infectious process, a prior surgical intervention, etc. The device allows for the expeditious and accurate measurement of the size/caliber of normal and deformed nostrils before any type of nasal reconstruction intended to correct asymmetric nostril openings (nares). The gauge includes a series of measured and accurately sized gauge steps that are readily used and result in a more precise nostril sizing. The gauge includes a plurality of spines, each having steps thereon correlating to different circumferential sizes. The gauge system is provided with printed size indicia that refers to each gauge step and facilitates the measuring process. In illustrative embodiments, the gauge body defines a loop with a plurality of gauge spines, arranged around its perimeter.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK CLINICInventors: Mitchell A. Stotland, Steven D. Reinitz
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Patent number: 9662045Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for generation of sleep quality information based on posture state data. The techniques may include obtaining posture state data sensed by a medical device for a patient, generating sleep quality information based on lying posture state changes indicated by the posture state data, and presenting the sleep quality information to a user via a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Jon P. Davis, Rajeev Sahasrabudhe, Shyam Gokaldas
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Patent number: 9662046Abstract: A lancing actuator (114) includes a drive element (118) for driving a lancing element, the drive element being guided within a housing (112), a combined compression and torsion element (120) which, by a relaxing movement thereof, is adapted to drive the lancing motion, a combined triggering and driving device (122) having an actuating element (124) and a locking device (126), wherein the actuating element has an initial state and an actuated state and is accessible from the outside of the housing, wherein, in the initial state, the drive element is locked in the locking device under a torsional stress exerted by the combined compression and torsion element, wherein the combined triggering and driving device is configured in a manner that, when the actuating element makes a movement along an actuation path from the initial state into the actuated state, a torque is exerted on the drive element which prevails over the torsional stress exerted by the combined compression and torsion element such that the drive eType: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: ROCHE DIABETES CARE, INC.Inventor: Ahmet Konya
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Patent number: 9662047Abstract: The present invention further relates to the selection of the specific filter combinations, which can provide sufficient information for multivariate calibration to extract accurate analyte concentrations in complex biological systems. The present invention also describes wavelength interval selection methods that give rise to the miniaturized designs. Finally, this invention presents a plurality of wavelength selection methods and miniaturized spectroscopic apparatus designs and the necessary tools to map from one domain (wavelength selection) to the other (design parameters). Such selection of informative spectral bands has a broad scope in miniaturizing any clinical diagnostic instruments which employ Raman spectroscopy in particular and other spectroscopic techniques in general.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Ishan Barman, Narahara Chari Dingari, Ramachandra Dasari, Michael Feld, Jonathan Feld, David Feld, Alison Hearn, Chae-Ryon Kong, Jeon Woong Kang
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Patent number: 9662048Abstract: A blood glucose meter having a test strip port and an adjustable lancet device disposed at the same end of the device body is disclosed. The device body further includes an enclosure at the proximal end of the device body which houses a test strip storage vial and which facilitates one-handed opening and closing of the vial to simplify access to test strips contained therein. The enclosure is further provided with a window which allows the reading of the lot numbers on the label of the test strip vial therein without necessitating removal of the vial. A data connector is also provided on the device body for communication access, such as to upload data from other devices or to download data to other devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Gregg R. Draudt, Dirk Ahlgrim, Jan Schminke, Mark Follman, José Colucci, Jr., Raymond Yao, Robert J. McCaffrey, Victor Chan