Patents Issued in June 27, 2017
  • Patent number: 9687124
    Abstract: A multi-purpose free standing floor rack designed to hold a plurality of items in the bathroom and consists of a vertical upright standing frame, two u-shaped openings as the base for support and are configured for conveniently storing magazines or tablets. A u-shaped opening and a wire mesh basket attached in the middle portion. A wire mesh shelf attached at the bottom and in the middle to store extra rolls of toilet paper or a cell phone. A protruding rod attached between the middle and the top portion that holds the roll of toilet paper in use. A concaved round plate attached on the top for holding a cup of coffee or other beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: David Wray Riggs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9687125
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser includes a housing for accommodating a source of a sheet product and a dispenser opening for dispensing the sheet product. The dispenser opening is provided in a rotatable dispensing member. Rotation of the rotatable dispensing member is restricted to one rotating axis. The dispenser opening is offset from the rotating axis of the rotatable member. Rotation of the rotatable dispensing member results from a lateral force applied by a pulled sheet product strip onto the dispenser opening such that the dispenser opening moves as far as possible into a pulling direction so as to minimize an angle between the pulling direction and a dispensing direction of the dispenser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SCA TISSUE FRANCE
    Inventors: Julien Marietta-Tondin, Gilles Cattacin, Yves Stoeffler
  • Patent number: 9687126
    Abstract: The invention is a series-operation seat-lifting and flush system applicable to conventional residential gravity-powered flap-released water-tank toilets. The system first lifts the seat with a hydraulic cylinder and then lowers the seat and flushes the toilet by venting the hydraulic cylinder to a mechanism connected to the flush-flap. Operation of a closed-fluid-circuit floor-trigger causes water to be diverted from the existing source of water to drive the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: John P. Waikas, II
  • Patent number: 9687127
    Abstract: Provided is a self-propelled vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing that has an net formed on a lower surface and an exhaust port formed at one of left and right sides at a rear part and that can be self-propelled; and a dust-catching part provided between the inlet and the exhaust port through a ventilation path, wherein the dust-catching part includes a dust box disposed at the side of the net and an electrically powered fan disposed at the side of the exhaust port, the dust box and the electrically powered fan being configured to be separable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Oka
  • Patent number: 9687128
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a separating and collection assembly defining a collection chamber which receives debris and has a debris outlet, and a debris ejector reciprocally moveable within the collection chamber for ejecting debris through the debris outlet. A retractable push rod can be used to displace the debris ejector relative to the debris outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Gang Fan, Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 9687129
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes: a suction module configured to suck dust-included air; a cyclone module configured to separate dust from the dust-included air sucked through the suction module, and having a dust discharge opening; a first air flow guide and a second air flow guide spaced apart from each other, and connecting the suction unit to the cyclone unit; a dust box detachably coupled to the dust discharge opening of the cyclone module, and provided between the first and second air flow guides; a drive module provided between the first and second air flow guides; and a dust compressor provided in the dust box, and mechanically coupled to the drive module when the dust box is mounted to the cyclone module, and formed to be rotatable bi-directionally based on a driving force from the drive module such that dust collected in the dust box is pressed to have a deceased volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hwang Kim, Jongsu Kim, Sungil Park
  • Patent number: 9687130
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a control method of a cleaning robot. The method includes steps of moving the cleaning robot according to a first direction; keeping moving the cleaning robot according to the first direction when a light detector of the cleaning robot detects a light beam; moving the cleaning robot for a predetermined distance and then stopping the cleaning robot when the light detector does not detect the light beam; and moving the cleaning robot in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MSI COMPUTER (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: You-Wei Teng, Shih-Che Hung, Yao-Shih Leng
  • Patent number: 9687131
    Abstract: A self-propelled floor cleaning device includes a manually controlled or program-controlled first cleaning vehicle, which moves across a treatment path across a surface, which is to be cleaned, including a first cleaning device for carrying out a dry cleaning step. A second cleaning vehicle, including a second cleaning device for carrying out a wet cleaning step, is coupled to the first cleaning vehicle such that the second cleaning vehicle follows the first cleaning vehicle on the treatment path thereof. The second cleaning vehicle can be connected to the first cleaning vehicle via a releasable mechanical coupling. However, it can also be in operative connection with the first cleaning vehicle via only a data transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Nazli Eidmohammadi, Sabrina Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9687132
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus, particularly an autonomously mobile floor cleaning device, has a chassis and wheels, wherein at least one wheel is driven, and the driven wheel is connected to the chassis via a suspension element that supports the wheel and is movable relative to the chassis. In order to create an alternative mobile apparatus for negotiating an obstacle, the wheel for support on a subsurface over which the mobile apparatus can travel is influenced by a spring exerting a spring force and can be retracted and extended relative to the chassis with the aid of the suspension element, wherein the spring force is adjustable independently of an increase or decrease in the spring force caused by such extension or retraction, and in particular may be increased as the wheel is extended farther.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Patrick Schlischka
  • Patent number: 9687133
    Abstract: A pressing spray mop includes a mop rod, a mop head, a water tank seat, a spray mechanism installed at the water tank seat, and a water tank installed on the water tank seat. The water tank seat includes a hollow housing, and two support half casings encapsulating the spray mechanism after having been joggled and placed in the hollow housing, and forming a movement space corresponding to a water drawing member of the spray mechanism. The hollow housing includes a through connecting hole disposed correspondingly to the movement space. The mop rod includes a rod body, a penetration opening disposed on the rod body, and a pressing pin extended into the movement space via the through connecting hole. The pressing pin is driven and displaced by the mop rod in the movement space and presses the water drawing member to cause the spray mechanism to perform spraying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: JIAXING JACKSON TRAVEL PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xue Lin Zhu, Jing Li
  • Patent number: 9687134
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a door with at least a first part and a second part. The first part may be pivotally mounted to the dishwasher. The second part may be configured to be coupled to the first part for cooperative pivoting of the first part and the second part in one mode of operation. The second part may also be configured to move independently of the first part in another mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Baldwin, Rexford W. Cordill, Marcus R. Fischer, Mike S. Hemry, Saadat Hussain, Duane M. Kobos, Justin D. McIver, Demetrius J. Schaaf, Bryan M. Topp, Barry E. Tuller, Ameresh B. Viswanathan, Anthony B. Welsh, Elizabeth A. Moit, Brett Dibkey
  • Patent number: 9687135
    Abstract: An automatic dishwasher with a tub that at least partially defines a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system that supplies liquid to the treating chamber, and a pump assembly that fluidly couples the treating chamber to the liquid spraying system and where the pump assembly includes a housing having an inlet, a recirculation outlet, and a drain outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney M. Welch, Jordan R. Fountain
  • Patent number: 9687136
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dishwasher appliance and a diverter for a dishwasher appliance. The diverter uses a turbine powered by a flow of fluid from a pump to switch between different outlet ports. In a dishwasher appliance, fluid from the pump that, e.g., supplies one or more spray assemblies can be used to cause the diverter to switch between different fluid outlets and the different spray assemblies or other fluid-using elements. A separate motor to power the diverter or cycling of the pump to change the position of the diverter is not required, which allows a savings in energy usage, costs, and space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Charles Boyer
  • Patent number: 9687137
    Abstract: A diverter for a dishwasher appliance that can be used to provide more options for directing fluid among various spray arms or spray devices in a dishwasher appliance. The diverter can be used e.g., to select between fluid delivery to both the upper and lower spray arm assemblies or to both the upper and middle spray arm assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Kyle Edward Durham
  • Patent number: 9687138
    Abstract: An apparatus for introducing scale remover to a dishwasher for enabling a descaling or cleaning agent to the introduced to a dishwasher and its conduits in a manner which optimized cleaning efficacy is configured to be connected to a conventional dishwasher between the dishwasher and its water input line. A diverter having an output that is connected to the dishwasher's input conduit combines the conventional water input conduit from the water input line and a container output conduit connected to a fluid container containing a conventional descaling solution. In use, a user would actuate the apparatus for introducing scale remover to a dishwasher to cause descaling solution in the fluid container to be directed into the dishwasher input conduit and the dishwasher. Once empty, a water shut off valve controlling the water input line is opened and the dishwasher is turned on to run a normal cleaning cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventors: Frederick Keiner, Patricia Keiner
  • Patent number: 9687139
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of dispensing a plurality of treating compositions into a multistage automatic washing machine, as well as a dispensing device comprising an associated reservoir for collection of wash liquor and at least two chambers containing a treating composition. Said chambers are activated in response to an input from a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Limited
    Inventors: Shauna McKenna, Edmund Pedley, David Thomas, John Wasonga
  • Patent number: 9687140
    Abstract: An endoscope, endoscopic system and method for filling a medical display with a medical image involving sizing the medical image so that it covers at least one of the dimensions of the medical display. Automatically sizing the medical image to fit either the vertical, horizontal, or corner-to-corner dimensions of the surgical display, the sizing of the image involving adjusting the image size to account for changing zoom factors, endoscopes and imaging conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc R. Amling
  • Patent number: 9687141
    Abstract: A medical device for carrying out internal examination, such as laryngoscopes, has a body including a transmitter and receiver, and a blade portion including a receiver and transmitter. The transmitters and receivers are used to provide an indication of whether or not a particular blade portion has already been attached to a body portion previously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: AIRCRAFT MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew J. R. McGrath
  • Patent number: 9687142
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direct visual rhizotomy using an elongated tubular sheath. The sheath includes: a proximal end configured to removably receive a cannula; a distal end; a horizontal shaft having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a first cut-away generally defining a first plane at the distal end, the first cut-away characterized by a first angle relative to a vertical plane; and a second cut-away generally defining a second plane at the distal end, the second cut-away characterized by a second angle relative to a horizontal plane. The sheath further includes an endoscope camera disposed at the distal end, the camera having a line of sight substantially orthogonal to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Phoenix Spine Surgery Center, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Lieberman, Yani Deros, Matthew James Ibarra, Kirsten Rutherford, John B. Kinnard, Craig C. Ovans
  • Patent number: 9687143
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ophthalmic photography device for capturing an eye including: a first photography optical system that captures a first image of the eye by capturing the eye by performing a first type of photography; a second photography optical system that captures a second image of the eye by capturing the eye by performing a second type of photography; a third photography optical system that captures a front image of the eye by capturing the eye using a third type of photography; and a controller for acquiring a first front image when the first image is acquired, and acquiring a second front image different from the first front image when the second image is acquired; and for detecting the amount of positional deviation between the first and second front images, and correlating the first image to the second image based on the amount of positional deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norimasa Satake, Tetsuya Kanou
  • Patent number: 9687144
    Abstract: A method for photographing a fundus image includes: acquiring photographing condition data on a first captured image being a cell image of a fundus as reference data for follow-up image capture related to the cell image, and storing the photographing condition data; and selecting, based on an operation input from an examiner, reference data for the follow-up image capture from one or more pieces of the reference data stored in advance, and reproducing a photographing condition in accordance with the selected reference data to newly acquire the cell image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naohisa Shibata, Yuji Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanebuchi, Yuki Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 9687145
    Abstract: An excitation force (internal or external) and phase-sensitive optical coherence elastography (OCE) system, used in conjunction with a data analyzing algorithm, is capable of measuring and quantifying biomechanical parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The method was approbated and demonstrated on an example of the system that combines a pulsed ultrasound system capable of producing an acoustic radiation force on the crystalline lens surface and a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the lens displacement caused by the acoustic radiation force. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. The noninvasive measurement method also utilizes phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence elastography (PhS-SSOCE) to distinguish between tissue stiffness, such as that attributable to disease, and effects on measured stiffness that result from external factors, such as pressure applied to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Kirill V. Larin, Jiasong Li, Manmohan Singh, Chen Wu, Salavat Aglyamov
  • Patent number: 9687146
    Abstract: An adaptive optical apparatus includes: a correction unit configured to correct a wavefront aberration of an eye to be examined; a detection unit configured to detect that an eyelid of the eye to be examined is closed or the eyelid of the eye to be examined is open, by using return light from the eye to be examined irradiated by measurement light; and a control unit configured to control the correction unit according to a detection result from the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kei Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9687147
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography device includes an OCT optical system; a processor. The processor executes: an image generation processing of processing first OCT signals, and generating, based on the first OCT signals, a three-dimensional motion contrast image which is obtained by imaging a moving object in the scanning position; a Doppler shift detection processing of detecting Doppler shift in a scanning position specified on the three-dimensional motion contrast image, the plurality of second OCT signals being detected at timings different from the timings when the plurality of first OCT signals are detected; and a velocity obtaining processing of obtaining an absolute velocity of the moving object based on the Doppler shift detected by the Doppler shift detection processing and a three-dimensional structure of the test subject obtained from the three-dimensional motion contrast image generated by the image generation processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Furuuchi, Masaaki Hanebuchi, Masakazu Endo, Hajime Namiki, Naoki Takeno
  • Patent number: 9687148
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ophthalmological apparatus capable of displaying a plurality of fundus tomographic images. A photographing apparatus includes a fundus imaging unit adapted to capture a fundus image of a subject's eye, a scanning unit adapted to scan a desired position of the fundus of the subject's eye to capture tomographic images of the subject's eye, a measuring unit adapted to measure movement amounts of the fundus of the subject's eye by performing pattern matching between a plurality of feature points in the acquired fundus image and feature points in another fundus image newly acquired at a different time, and a control unit adapted to control the scanning unit based on the measured movement amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Makihira
  • Patent number: 9687149
    Abstract: The slit lamp microscope comprises: a supporting base capable of precisely horizontally moving with respect to a frame; a supporting section extended upward from the supporting base; a slit light unit attached to a front end part of the supporting section, the slit light unit accommodating a slit lamp which emits a slit light downward; a mirror unit attached to a vertical middle part of the supporting section, the mirror unit having a reflecting mirror, which reflects the slit light from the slit light unit toward an eye of an examinee; and a microscope unit for observing the eye of the examinee. A slit lamp power cable, which supplies electric power to the slit lamp and which is extended from the supporting base, is provided in a hollow part of the supporting section and connected to the slit lamp in the slit light unit without being exposed outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TAKAGI SEIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nara
  • Patent number: 9687150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance (301) comprising means (302) for obtaining at least one piece of information about at least one food (303) with which the household appliance (301) is interacting, and further configured for transmitting (304) the piece of information to a biometric monitoring system (101, 601) of a user (201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Whirpool EMEA SpA
    Inventors: Filippo Matarazzi, Carlo Filippo Ratti, Marco Maria Pedrazzo
  • Patent number: 9687151
    Abstract: The embodiments herein discloses a device with simultaneous X-ray and infrared acquisition and processing systems for an enhance breast imaging. The device has a positioning assembly housed inside a closed chamber and provided with the Infrared and X-ray imaging systems to simultaneously capture an infra red image and an X-ray image of the breast under examination. A patient support table with an opening is provided to enable a patient to lie in a prone position without compressing a breast during imaging. The device is used to correlate anatomical and physiological characteristics and post process analysis of a breast tissue thereby reducing a number of to false positive results. Further the device helps in focusing on a suspected area in a follow-up procedure and aids post processing treatment like targeted biopsy and targeted radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TUSCANO EQUIPMENTS PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventors: Kannan Neelakanta, Jayanthi Anand, Sudhan Chandrasekaran, Rajendran Cherukandath, Jayaraman Kiruthi Vasan
  • Patent number: 9687152
    Abstract: A multiphoton microscope is provided. The microscope includes: an excitation source for providing an optical excitation beam at an excitation wavelength ?; a scanner for scanning the excitation beam on a sample; an objective for irradiating the sample with the excitation beam scanned by the scanner and for collecting an emission beam from the sample; a first detector for detecting a plurality of multiphoton signals; and an emission light path allowing transmission from the objective to the first detector a wavelength band limited to greater than or equal to ?/2 and less than ?, wherein the plurality of multiphoton signals have wavelengths within the wavelength band; wherein the plurality of multiphoton signals com-prises a first multiphoton signal and a second multiphoton signal of different types. Fast image capture rate multiphoton microscopes for in vivo imaging, as well as photothermolysis methods using the microscopes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Britisg Columbia Cancer Agency Branch
    Inventors: Haishan Zeng, Harvey Lui, David McLean, Anthony Lee, Hequn Wang, Shuo Tang
  • Patent number: 9687153
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the use of optical coherence tomography for detection of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Thomas E. Milner
  • Patent number: 9687154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the 3D measurement of the skin surface and near-surface skin layers by means of a confocal sensor with integrated color camera arranged in a handheld device, wherein said handheld device being moved by an operator via a sensor head to the location of the skin to be examined and a color image of the skin surface then being captured, whereupon the sensor being automatically changed over to confocal operation during which an image stack is generated by the simultaneous capturing of a multitude of all pixels necessary to create a complete image, said stack consisting of confocal images extending into the interior of the skin, with the entire area extending axially into the skin interior being scanned layer by layer in Z direction, wherein after capturing the measuring data an evaluation is performed resulting in a 3D image of the topography of the skin to be generated, and, moreover, from the image stack captured sectional images of the skin and skin volume are computed down
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MIKROSKIN GMBH
    Inventors: Mark Weber, Juergen Valentin, Marcus Grigat
  • Patent number: 9687155
    Abstract: The present invention is a system, method and application for skin health visualization and quantification. The present invention is operable to process an image or video showing skin of a subject to determine characteristics of the skin through a quantitative measuring of parameters. The image or video is processed and analyzed a software application executed by a system incorporating a computer processor, data storage and display unit. A camera may further be integrated system. One or more filters applied to the image or video, to identify characteristics of the skin. A result of skin health results and overall skin health is generated. The image or video, skin health results and/or overall skin health may be displayed to a user. A visualization of amplifications or attenuations of skin health may further be displayed to a user. The invention may be wholly provided in a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MODIFACE INC.
    Inventor: Parham Aarabi
  • Patent number: 9687156
    Abstract: A needle device includes a hollow shaft, an elongated insert and an operating lever. The hollow shaft has a first distal end portion with a bevel, the elongated insert has a second distal end portion and is movably arranged within the hollow shaft, and the operating lever is shiftable between a first condition and a second condition. Furthermore, the operating lever is interconnected with the elongated insert such that the second distal end portion is located within the hollow shaft and proximally to the bevel when the operating lever is in the first condition, and that the second distal end portion is located outside the hollow shaft and distally to the bevel when the operating lever is in the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Waltherus Cornelis Jozef Bierhoff, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Franciscus Marinus Antonius Maria Van Gaal
  • Patent number: 9687157
    Abstract: A method of assessing tissue health comprises the steps of obtaining depth-resolved spectra of a selected area of in vivo tissue, and assessing the health of the selected area based on the depth-resolved structural information of the scatterers. Obtaining depth-resolved spectra of the selected area comprises directing a sample beam towards the selected area at an angle, and receiving an angle-resolved scattered sample beam. The angle-resolved scattered sample beam is cross-correlated with the reference beam to produce an angle-resolved cross-correlated signal about the selected area, which is spectrally dispersed to yield an angle-resolved, spectrally-resolved cross-correlation profile having depth-resolved information about the selected area. The angle-resolved, spectrally-resolved cross-correlation profile is processed to obtain depth-resolved information about scatterers in the selected area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Adam Wax, John W. Pyhtila
  • Patent number: 9687158
    Abstract: Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including a light source; a section generating a fluorescence image of an object; a section generating a reference image of the object; a section generating a corrected image in which emphasized are pixels of the reference image corresponding to pixels each having luminance value equal to or more than a first threshold value in the fluorescence image; a display unit displaying the reference image or the corrected image; a bleeding state determining section determining whether or not a bleeding region of the subject detected based on the reference image is more than a predetermined range; and a section switching between displaying the reference image on the display unit if the determining section determines that the region is not more than the range, and displaying the corrected on the image display if the determining section determines that the region is more than the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9687159
    Abstract: A patient monitoring system may generate a derivative signal from a physiological signal. The derivative signal may be filtered based on a pulse rate estimate associated with the physiological signal. A plurality of crossing points may be determined for the filtered derivative signal and translated to the derivative signal. A plurality of fiducial points may be determined for the derivative signal based on the plurality of crossing points. The plurality of fiducial points may be utilized to determine physiological information from the physiological signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James Ochs, Scott McGonigle
  • Patent number: 9687160
    Abstract: A congenital heart disease monitor utilizes a sensor capable of emitting multiple wavelengths of optical radiation into a tissue site and detecting the optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood flowing within the tissue site. A patient monitor is capable of receiving a sensor signal corresponding to the detected optical radiation and calculating at least one physiological parameter in response. The physiological parameter is measured at a baseline site and a comparison site and a difference in these measurements is calculated. A potential congenital heart disease condition in indicated according to the measured physiological parameter at each of the sites or the calculated difference in the measured physiological parameter between the sites or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventor: Massi Joe E. Kiani
  • Patent number: 9687161
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for maintaining the calibration of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring devices. Phase components of pulse signals detected by the blood pressure monitoring device are compared to stored baseline phase component values. If the difference exceeds a threshold, the blood pressure monitoring device is recalibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Rakesh Sethi, Shannon Campbell
  • Patent number: 9687162
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for estimating blood constituent concentration of a user under low perfusion conditions using a spectrophotometry-based monitoring device; the method comprising: measuring a plurality of photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals; measuring a cardio-synchronous (CV) signal; detecting an instantaneous heart rate and determining a heart rate variability from the CV signal; selecting reliable projected PPG signals; estimating a value of said blood constituent concentration from the magnitude of said reliable projected PPG signals. The disclosed method requires diminished computational load compared to conventional methods based on frequency domain approach as FFT or DCT. The disclosure also pertains to a monitoring device for estimating blood constituent concentration in tissue under low perfusion of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA—RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Rolf Vetter, Leopoldo Rossini, Andrea Ridolfi, Josep Sola i Caros, Marc Correvon
  • Patent number: 9687163
    Abstract: Epileptogenic source localization methods and systems based on ECoG signals are provided for obtaining spatial and temporal relationships among epileptogenic zones. Seizure detection is based on an Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and temporal and spatial relationships among the detected epileptogenic zones are based on a steepest descent-based source localization method. Embodiments of the invention facilitate the epileptiform activity investigation and seizure dynamics study and further benefit the neurophysiology community in the surgical decision making of neurosurgeons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Yu Han, Wentai Liu, Yue-Loong Hsin
  • Patent number: 9687164
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a method and a system for signal analyzing and a processing module of the system. The signal analyzing system includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a processing module. The first electrodes transmit a plurality of first input signals. The second electrodes transmit a plurality of second input signals. The processing module generates a body electrical signal according to at least one of the plurality of first input signals and at least one of the plurality of second input signals, generates a first filtered signal corresponding to the plurality of first input signals, generates a second filtered signal corresponding to the plurality of second input signals, and generates a lead signal according to the body electrical signal, the first filtered signal and the second filtered signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Po-Wen Ku
  • Patent number: 9687165
    Abstract: In various examples, an apparatus includes an apparatus configured for implantation within a body of a patient. The apparatus, in some examples, includes a housing. At least one antenna extends from the housing, the antenna being flexible such that the antenna conforms to the body of the patient. In some examples, the apparatus includes at least three electrodes, wherein at least a first electrode is disposed on the antenna and at least a second electrode is disposed on the housing. The at least three electrodes are disposed in a non-linear configuration, allowing for differential processing of signals recorded by the at least three electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodolphe Katra, Niranjan Chakravarthy
  • Patent number: 9687166
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing a mapping procedure on body tissue are disclosed. An example mapping device for mapping a tissue surface includes an elongate shaft and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of splines and a plurality of electrodes disposed on at least some of the splines. The electrode assembly is capable of moving between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the electrode assembly may have a generally planar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Raj Subramaniam, Josef V. Koblish
  • Patent number: 9687167
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. A method of mapping electrical activity of a heart may comprise sensing a plurality of signals with a plurality of electrodes positioned within the heart. The method may further comprise separating the plurality of signals into a first group of signals and a second group of signals, and generating a data set that includes at least one known data point and one or more unknown data points. In some examples, the at least one known data point is generated based on the first group of signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob I. Laughner, Shibaji Shome, Scott A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9687168
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting electromyography of a deep muscle non-invasively are provided. An array of suitable surface electromyography electrodes is arranged in one or more rings encircling a part of the human body in which a deep muscle being investigated is located. The potential of at least selected electrodes relative to another electrode selected from a common reference electrode (mono-polar) and other electrodes (bi-polar) in the array is recorded and the data is processed in respect of the recorded potentials of at least some of said selected electrodes in order to determine (optionally using approximations or algorithms, or both) the contribution being made by at least the deep muscle being investigated. Typically, this is done mathematically by resolving the electromyography signals into their constituent components using a suitable technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: University of Cape Town, South African Medical Research Council
    Inventor: Lester Ryan John
  • Patent number: 9687169
    Abstract: A system for determining a conductance of an object includes a sensor configured to emit an electromagnetic field when an excitation signal is received, wherein the electromagnetic field interacts with the object when the object is positioned within the electromagnetic field. A signal processing circuit is coupled to the sensor and configured to provide an adjustable capacitance to the sensor to adjust a phase angle of a current flowing through the sensor, to generate a voltage measurement representative of a voltage across the sensor, and to generate a current measurement representative of the current flowing through the sensor. A controller is coupled to the signal processing circuit and configured to calculate an admittance of the sensor based on the voltage measurement and the current measurement, and to determine a conductance of the object based on the calculated admittance of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Feldkamp
  • Patent number: 9687170
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an imaging assembly located in a scan room and a controller coupled to the imaging assembly and located in a separate control room. A display is coupled to the controller and located in the scan room. The display is configured to display at least one graphical user interface relating to the set up of a patient and a scan for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam. An input device is also located in the scan room and is coupled to the display and the controller. The input device is configured to receive data regarding the set up of a patient and a scan for the MRI exam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sheila S. Washburn, David B. Ferguson, Michael R. Figueira, Thisath C. Kularatna, Donna M. Callan
  • Patent number: 9687171
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a trigger generating unit, a blood flow image generating unit and a control unit. The trigger generating unit acquires blood flow information of an object and generates a trigger based on the blood flow information. The blood flow image generating unit acquires imaging data with using the trigger and generates blood flow image data. The control unit controls so as to repeatedly perform a probe sequence for acquiring the blood flow information and an imaging sequence for acquiring the imaging data alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi Kitane
  • Patent number: 9687172
    Abstract: A system determines motion correction data for use in diffusion MR imaging using an RF signal generator and magnetic field gradient generator which sequentially acquire in a single first direction through a volume, first and second slice sets individually comprising multiple individual diffusion image slices. The first set of slices and the second set of slices are spatially interleaved within the volume, by providing in acquiring the second slice set, a low flip angle RF pulse successively followed by a non-diffusion image data readout magnetic field gradient for acquisition of data representing a two dimensional (2D) non-diffusion image used for motion detection of the first slice set successively followed by, a first diffusion imaging RF pulse followed by a first diffusion imaging phase encoding magnetic field gradient for preparation for acquiring data representing a diffusion image slice of the second slice set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: National Institute of Health (NIH), The United States of America, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Himanshu Bhat, Andre Jan Willem Van Der Kouwe, Matthew Dylan Tisdall, Keith Aaron Heberlein
  • Patent number: 9687173
    Abstract: A coil pad according to one embodiment is a coil pad that is placed between a receiving coil and a subject. The receiving coil is mounted on the subject and receives a magnetic resonance signal emitted from the subject. The coil pad includes a pad opening and a vibrating portion. The pad opening is aligned with a coil opening included in the receiving coil and forms a through-hole between the coil opening and the subject. The vibrating portion vibrates with a medium that transmits vibration being filled therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sadanori Tomiha