Patents Issued in August 1, 2017
  • Patent number: 9717417
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to apparatuses and techniques for non-invasive optical imaging that acquires a plurality of images corresponding to both different times and different frequencies. Additionally, alternatives described herein are used with a variety of tissue classification applications, including assessing the presence and severity of tissue conditions, such as burns and other wounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SPECTRAL MD, INC.
    Inventors: John Michael DiMaio, Wensheng Fan, Jeffrey E. Thatcher, Weizhi Li, Weirong Mo
  • Patent number: 9717418
    Abstract: A micro-camera catheter device is disclosed having at least one light source disposed on a distal end of a catheter. The light source is capable of propagating a predetermined wavelength of light with a wavelength greater than approximately 700 nanometers onto a target. The device further includes a lens system disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said lens system configured to receive light reflected from the target. The device further includes a non-linear optical media disposed about the lens system configured to reduce the wavelength of light reflected from the target. The device also includes a silicon-based solid state imaging device disposed behind the non-linear optical media configured to receive light from the non-linear optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Sarcos LC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, David P. Marceau
  • Patent number: 9717419
    Abstract: A plug that is engaged with a receptacle for light emission of a light source unit that emits a light beam having a flat-shaped cross section and an optical fiber having a burr defect in a part of an outer peripheral portion of an incidence end surface on which the light beam is incident are included. The plug is attached to an incidence end portion of the optical fiber in an arrangement in which the burr defect is located in a short axis direction of a cross section on the incidence end surface of the light beam incident on the incidence end surface in a state in which the plug is engaged with the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kaku Irisawa
  • Patent number: 9717420
    Abstract: Implantable apparatuses or biosensors for facilitating imaging-based diagnoses and methods thereof are disclosed. An implantable apparatus is configured to exhibit a form when subjected to a first physical parameter indicative of a first physiological state, and a second form when subjected to a second physical parameter indicative of a second physiological state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Boris Leschinsky
  • Patent number: 9717421
    Abstract: In one example, this disclosure is directed to a kit for intravascular implantation of an implantable medical device within a patient, the kit comprising an elongated outer sheath forming an inner lumen with a distal opening, the outer sheath sized to traverse a vasculature of the patient, and an elongated inner sheath with an enlarged distal portion, wherein the enlarged distal portion is configured to substantially fill the inner lumen and close-off the distal opening of the outer sheath. The enlarged distal portion is slidable relative to the outer sheath. The inner sheath further includes a tether with a helical element that is remotely controllable from a proximal end of the inner sheath to release the implantable medical device from a distal portion of the outer sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Griswold, James Calvin Allan, Rudolph A. Beasley, William Berthiaume, Arvind K. Srinivas, Don H. Tran, Suruchi Anand, Martha A. Barajas-Torres, Matthew S. Poole, Steven L. Waldhauser
  • Patent number: 9717422
    Abstract: An intravascular sensor system including an array of pressure and/or temperature sensors for detecting pressure and/temperature. In one example, the sensors are interrogated with an optical catheter. In this example, the swept source is able to acquire both image and pressure/temperature data of a patient's vessel or artery. In another example, the intravascular pressure sensor system has a sheath embedded with pressure sensors in the sheath wall. Other examples include the process of making and using the intravascular pressure sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dale C. Flanders
  • Patent number: 9717423
    Abstract: Methods for heart rate measurement based on pulse oximetry are provided that can tolerate some degree of relative displacement of a photoplethysmograph (PPG) heart rate monitor device. In some methods, artifact compensation based on a reference signal is performed on the PPG signal data to remove artifacts in the signal that may be caused, for example, by changes in ambient light and/or motion of a person wearing the monitor device. The reference signal used for artifact compensation may be generated using an LED of a complementary wavelength to that of the LED used to generate the PPG signal, or by driving an LED at a lower current than the current applied to generate the PPG signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Vitali Loseu, Sourabh Ravindran
  • Patent number: 9717424
    Abstract: Characterization of a fitness monitor based on its operation enables a processor to account for variations in device operating modes and biometric characteristics of the user. The fitness monitor includes an emitter (e.g., LED) for transmitting light toward skin of the user, a receiver (e.g., photodiode) for receiving a reflection of the transmitted light, a photometric front end for generating a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal based on the received reflection, and a processor configured to select an intensity level for the emitter based on a comparison of a determined component of the PPG signal and a reference value. The reference value, which may characterize the fitness monitor based on a determined variability or range of the PPG signal, may be utilized by the processor to improve or maintain the signal quality of the PPG signal to enable determination of a cardiac component and/or reduction of power consumption by the fitness device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventor: Christopher J. Kulach
  • Patent number: 9717425
    Abstract: A noninvasive physiological sensor for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient can include a bump interposed between a light source and a photodetector. The bump can be placed in contact with body tissue of a patient and thereby reduce a thickness of the body tissue. As a result, an optical pathlength between the light source and the photodetector can be reduced. In addition, the sensor can include a heat sink that can direct heat away from the light source. Moreover, the sensor can include shielding in the optical path between the light source and the photodetector. The shielding can reduce noise received by the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Massi Joe E. Kiani, Marcelo Lamego, Sean Merritt, Cristiano Dalvi, Hung Vo, Johannes Bruinsma, Jeroen Poeze, Ferdyan Lesmana, Greg Olsen
  • Patent number: 9717426
    Abstract: The circuitry of an optical receiver reduces the ambient DC component and the pleth DC component to leave a pleth signal with substantially only a pleth AC component. The circuitry also provides gain control and can provide transmit power control to change the range of the pleth AC component to occupy a desired input range of an analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ajit Sharma, Sriram Narayanan, Srinath Mathur Ramaswamy, Arup Polley, Seung Bae Lee, Wen Li
  • Patent number: 9717427
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device, comprising a heart rate sensor to determine a heart rate of the user, a motion sensor to detect motion of a user, the motion sensor operated in an initial calibration phase during which the heart rate sensor is detecting the heart rate of the user, and the motion sensor is detecting the motion of the user, the calibration phase being used to compute a correspondence between motion of the user and the heart rate of the user, the motion sensor being operated in a low power phase during which the heart rate sensor is powered down, and a processor configured to run a heart rate estimation module configured to calculate an estimated heart rate of the user based upon the motion of the user and the correspondence between the heart rate of the user and the motion of the user determined in the calibration phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Ilya Kelner
  • Patent number: 9717428
    Abstract: Devices and methods provide for the sensing of physiological signals during stimulation therapy by preventing stimulation waveform artifacts from being passed through to the amplification of the sensed physiological signal. Thus, the sensing amplifier is not adversely affected by the stimulation waveform and can provide for successful sensing of physiological signals. A common mode voltage is applied to the stimulation electrodes while sensing during a recharge period where the common mode voltage approximates the stimulation pulse being received at the sensing electrodes. This common mode voltage is determined based on measuring a common mode signal for at least one of the inputs of the amplifier or by deriving the proper common mode from monitoring the output signal of the amplifier to observe the elimination of artifacts during stimulation. Blanking switches may be used to blank the sensing of the peak of the recharge period should that peak be relatively large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Peng Cong, Timothy J. Denison, Forrest C. M. Pape, Wesley A. Santa, Jalpa S. Shah, Scott R. Stanslaski
  • Patent number: 9717429
    Abstract: A method of generating a cardiac electrophysiology map includes receiving a reference biological signal and an electrical signal indicative of electrical activity at a location on a patient's heart. Using a graphical user interface, a practitioner designates at least two trigger point icons, one upward-pointing and one downward-pointing, on a graphical representation of the reference biological signal (e.g., a waveform). By pairing one upward-pointing icon with one downward-pointing icon, a plurality of triggering criteria are defined. Electrophysiology data points are captured and/or added to the electrophysiology map when the triggering criteria are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Don Curtis Deno
  • Patent number: 9717430
    Abstract: An electrocardiogram (ECG) signal processing system is provided. The ECG signal processing system comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an input analog ECG signal into a digital ECG signal, and a digital signal processing engine (DSPE) coupled to the ADC to receive the digital ECG signal. The DSPE is configured to decompose and reconstruct the digital ECG signal. A dynamic system clock source is coupled to the ADC and the DSPE for dynamic signal sampling, the dynamic system clock source clocking the ADC and the DSPE at a first frequency f1 to detect one or more first parameters of the input analog ECG signal and at a second frequency f2 to detect one or more second parameters of the input analog ECG signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Agency of Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Xin Liu, Jun Zhou
  • Patent number: 9717431
    Abstract: A differential voltage measuring system includes two electrodes that are connected to a patient at an input and make available a respective measurement contact at an output. A shunt resistor is connected in series with the second electrode. A first amplifier circuit has a first input for a first signal from the first electrode, a second input for a second signal from the second electrode, and an output. A second amplifier circuit has a first input that is connected in series with the shunt resistor, a second input that is connected in parallel with the shunt resistor, and an output. A first signal detection unit is provided at the output of the first amplifier circuit, and a second signal detection unit is provided at the output of the second amplifier circuit. The second signal detection unit detects the signal from the second amplifier circuit as a measurement variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Batzer, Peter Greif, Harald Karl
  • Patent number: 9717432
    Abstract: Physiological monitoring can be provided through a wearable monitor that includes a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a removable reusable monitor recorder. A pair of flexile wires is interlaced or sewn into a flexible backing, serving as electrode signal pickup and electrode circuit traces. The wearable monitor sits centrally on the patient's chest along the sternum, which significantly improves the ability to sense cutaneously cardiac electric signals, particularly those generated by the atrium. The electrode patch is shaped to fit comfortably and conformal to the contours of the chest approximately centered on the sternal midline. To counter the dislodgment due to compressional and torsional forces, non-irritating adhesive is provided on the underside, or contact, surface of the electrode patch, but only on the distal and proximal ends. Interlacing the flexile wires into the flexile backing also provides structural support and malleability against compressional, tensile and torsional forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Bardy Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Felix, Jon Mikalson Bishay, Gust H. Bardy
  • Patent number: 9717433
    Abstract: Physiological monitoring can be provided through a lightweight wearable monitor that includes two components, a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a reusable monitor recorder that removably snaps into a receptacle on the electrode patch. The wearable monitor sits centrally on the patient's chest along the sternum oriented top-to-bottom. The placement of the wearable monitor in a location at the sternal midline, with its unique narrow “hourglass”-like shape, significantly improves the ability of the wearable monitor to cutaneously sense cardiac electrical potential signals, particularly the P-wave and the QRS interval signals indicating ventricular activity in the ECG waveforms. In particular, the ECG electrodes on the electrode patch are tailored to be positioned axially along the midline of the sternum for capturing action potential propagation in an orientation that corresponds to the aVF lead used in a conventional 12-lead ECG that is used to sense positive or upright P-waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Bardy Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Felix, Jon Mikalson Bishay, Gust H. Bardy
  • Patent number: 9717434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a perfusion cannula for placement of an access, having a cannula wall and a perfusion lumen which is surrounded by the cannula wall and in which a fluid flow can flow through the perfusion cannula, wherein the perfusion cannula furthermore comprises at least one sensor lumen and at least one sensor device, in particular an ECG sensor, which is arranged at least partially in the sensor lumen. As a result, it is possible to provide a particularly reliable perfusion cannula with improved functionality and for reliable handling, in particular in conjunction with an extracorporeal lung support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Novalung GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Gorhan, Thomas Hartig
  • Patent number: 9717435
    Abstract: A portable medical device having an intravenous line flow sensor integrated into a cable. The portable medical device may be a defibrillator having an ECG or electrode cable couple to ECG or electrode leads. The flow sensor may be integrated into the ECG or electrode cable. The portable medical device uses the flow sensor to capture and store information about fluids delivered to a patient being treated with the portable medical device. The information may include total volume provided, flow rate, and the like. The information may then be used to evaluate the treatment provided to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Walker, Barry D. Curtin
  • Patent number: 9717436
    Abstract: System, assembly and method are provided to facilitate reconstruction of cardiac information representing a complex rhythm disorder associated with a patient's heart to indicate a source of the heart rhythm disorder. The complex rhythm disorder can be treated by application of energy to modify the source of the rhythm disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Topera, Inc., The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Sanjiv Narayan, Ruchir Sehra
  • Patent number: 9717437
    Abstract: A method and medical device for determining a cardiac event that includes sensing a cardiac signal, determining a predetermined number of sensed cardiac events in response to the sensed cardiac signal, determining a plurality of sensed event windows in response to the predetermined number of the sensed cardiac events, determining, for each of the plurality of sensed event windows, whether a number of paced events is less than a paced event threshold, determining whether intervals within the sensed event windows having a number of paced events less than the paced event threshold are greater than an interval threshold, determining an interval difference factor for each of the plurality of windows having intervals less than the interval threshold, and determining the cardiac event in response to the interval difference factors determined for each of the plurality of windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Cao, Paul J DeGroot
  • Patent number: 9717438
    Abstract: A medical device and method for detecting a ventricular arrhythmia event is disclosed. The medical device includes input circuitry configured to receive an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, processing circuitry coupled to the input circuitry and configured to identify at least one fiducial point of a first heartbeat signature and at least fiducial point of a second heartbeat signature of the ECG signal, and feature extraction circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry. The feature extraction circuitry is configured to determine at least one difference between the at least one fiducial point of the first heartbeat signal and the at least one fiducial point of the second heartbeat signal. Machine learning circuitry is coupled to the feature extraction circuitry and is configured to select a ventricular arrhythmia class based on the at least one difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Khalifa University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Nourhan Yahya Bayasi, Temesghen Tekeste Habte, Hani Hasan Mustafa Saleh, Ahsan Habib Khandoker, Mohammed Ismail Elnaggar
  • Patent number: 9717439
    Abstract: The temporal correlation between a bioelectrical brain signal of a patient and patient motion data, such as a signal indicative of patient motion or a patient posture indicator, is displayed by a display device. In some examples, the patient posture indicator comprises a graphical representation of at least a portion of a body of the patient. In some examples, the temporal correlation between a bioelectrical brain signal, a signal indicative of patient motion, and a signal indicative of cardiac activity of the patient is displayed by the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 9717440
    Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding neural and/or electromyographic signals are provided. A system can include at least one single channel decoder. Optionally, the system can include a demixer in operable communication with the single channel decoders. Each single channel decoder can include a filter to attenuate noise and sharpen spikes in the neural and/or electromyographic signals, a detection function to identify spikes, and a demodulator to get a real-time estimate of motor intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Mohamed Abdelghani, Ranu Jung, James J. Abbas, Kenneth Horch
  • Patent number: 9717441
    Abstract: An automatic process of predictive determination of the position and movements of the skin of a subject in a zone of interest, with the subject breathing freely or in an assisted manner, includes preliminarily acquiring multiple configurations of the skin profile in axial planes, at given successive times, in different respiratory positions, and for each axial plane, constructing at least one deformable digital model starting from different skin profiles, then noting, in a repetitive manner, the actual position of a point on the skin at the level of each axial plane, whose position is significantly modified during inhalation and exhalation phases, and providing, essentially in real time, a simulation of the skin profile in each axial plane, as a function of the actual position noted, and an evolving three-dimensional representation of the skin at the level of the zone of interest, by interpolation between the different axial planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE SUR LES CANCERS DE L'APPAREIL DIGESTIF—IRCAD (ASSOCIATION REGIE PAR LES ARTICLES 21 A 79 DU CODE CIVIL ET LOCAL ET INSCRITE AU REGISTRE DES ASSOCIATIONS DU TRIBUNAL D'INSTANCE DE STRASBOURG)
    Inventors: Luc Soler, Jacques Marescaux, Stephane Nicolau, Alexandre Hostettler
  • Patent number: 9717442
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for navigating an instrument relative to a patient that can be near a field distorting feature. A localizer can generate an electromagnetic field that is sensed by a tracking device to determine a location of the tracking device with the sensed electromagnetic field. The system and related method can assist in determining whether a navigation field is distorted near a tracking device of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Jacobsen, Andrew Bzostek, Steven L. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 9717443
    Abstract: A method of identifying a site for a perineal incision on a patient includes inserting a distal end portion of an intra-urethral probe into a urethra of the patient, and guiding the distal end portion of the intra-urethral probe along a length of the urethra no farther than a junction in the urethra. The method additionally includes transmitting a signal from the distal end portion of the intra-urethral probe through the urethra, and sensing the signal at a location on a perineal skin surface, where the location correlates with the junction in the urethra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Coloplast A/S
    Inventors: Neal Poucher, Fernando El-Hage, Deborah Kidder
  • Patent number: 9717444
    Abstract: A non-invasive device for measuring concentration levels of optically active substances, such as glucose, by determination of polarization plane turn angle in the infrared spectrum. Instant embodiments, measuring optical polarization shift, include a narrow-band optical source having a first linear polarizer; substantially illuminated by the source, a sample stage capable of temporarily immobilizing a sample; proximate to the sample stage and within a predetermined angular range with respect to the source illumination of the sample, a narrow-band optical detector capable of detecting polarization angles from the illuminated sample; and in conjunction with the source and the detector, a linear polarization angle comparator for comparing a polarization of the source with a polarization maxima region measured by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Bosin, Seva Brodsky, Leonid Pasichnyk
  • Patent number: 9717445
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for, among others, tracking sensor insertion locations in a continuous analyte monitoring system. Data gathered from sensor sessions can be used in different ways, such as providing a user with a suggested rotation of insertion locations, correlating data from a given sensor session with sensor accuracy and/or sensor session length, and providing a user with a suggested next insertion location based upon past sensor accuracy and/or sensor session length at that location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Yerre Koehler, Leif N. Bowman, Rian Draeger, Laura Dunn, Eli Reihman
  • Patent number: 9717446
    Abstract: A method for non-invasive determination of oxygen saturation of blood within a deep vascular structure of a human or animal patient comprising locating on skin of the patient in a vicinity of the deep vascular structure of interest emitter and receiver elements of a light oximeter device, wherein optimal location of said elements is achieved through matching of a plethysmography trace obtained from the oximeter device to known plethysmography characteristics of the deep vascular structure of interest, wherein the emitter element emits light at wavelengths of from about 1045 nm to about 1055 nm and from about 1085 nm to about 1095 nm, and wherein oxygen saturation is determined from a ratio of light absorbed at these two wavelengths by haemoglobin in blood within the vascular structure of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL (MELBOURNE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Barry Dixon, Paul Randall Stoddart
  • Patent number: 9717447
    Abstract: A device includes a first sensor coupler that is configured to receive a first input signal from a first sensor. The first input signal corresponds to a first physiological parameter and is based on optical excitation of a tissue. The device includes a processor coupled to the first sensor coupler. The processor is configured to generate an output signal based on the first input signal. The first physiological parameter is encoded in the output signal. The output signal differs from the first input signal. The device includes an output coupler configured to communicate the output signal to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nonin Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Larsen, Timothy L. Johnson, Scott Everett Blomberg, Charles U. Smith, Jayant Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 9717448
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for continuous transdermal monitoring (“CTM”) are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of a continuous transdermal monitoring system comprises a sensor package. The sensor package may include a pulse oximetry sensor having a plurality of light detectors arranged as an array. One exemplary method for continuous transdermal monitoring begins by positioning a pulse oximetry sensor system, similar to the system described immediately above, adjacent to a target tissue segment. Then, the method continues by detecting a light reflected by the target tissue segment. Then, the method continues by transmitting a pulse oximetry reading(s), based at least in part on the light reflected by the target tissue segment, of the target tissue segment. Then, the method continues by analyzing the pulse oximetry reading(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: James Tyler Frix, Andrew Johnson, James Mitchell Frix, Robert Andrew Taylor
  • Patent number: 9717449
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor data are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for calibration of a continuous analyte sensor. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for classification of a level of noise on a sensor signal. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for determining a rate of change for analyte concentration based on a continuous sensor signal. In some embodiments, systems and methods for alerting or alarming a patient based on prediction of glucose concentration are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Apurv Ullas Kamath, John Michael Dobbles, Aarthi Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 9717450
    Abstract: Generally, embodiments of the invention relate to analyte determining devices (e.g., electrochemical analyte monitoring systems) that include an indicator element that provides information relating to service history of the analyte determining devices, including, for example, previous use of the analyte determining devices. Also provided are systems and methods of using the, for example electrochemical, analyte determining devices in analyte monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Zenghe Liu, Benjamin J. Feldman, Brian Cho
  • Patent number: 9717451
    Abstract: A device includes a plurality of skin penetrating devices for delivering or withdrawing a substance through the skin of a patient. The device has a support formed with a top and bottom end and a plurality of channels extending axially through the support. A plurality of the skin penetrating members is positioned in the channels with a tip extending from the bottom end of the support. A coupling member is attached to the support for coupling with a fluid supply and directing the fluid to the skin penetrating members. The skin penetrating members have a length of about 100 microns to about 2000 microns and are about 30 to 50 gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: James Down, Noel G. Harvey, Frank E. Martin, Ronald J. Pettis, Alexander G. Lastovich
  • Patent number: 9717452
    Abstract: A method of controlling lancing speed of a lancing structure of a portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes providing an elongated lancet structure having a skin piercing end and a blood transport portion adjacent the skin piercing end. The skin piercing end when displaced makes an incision at a skin site to produce an amount of bodily fluid from the skin site and in which the blood transport portion transports the amount of bodily fluid away from the skin site for use by a measurement system in making a physiological measurement. A spring-driven motor assembly is operatively connected to the lancet structure. The spring-driven motor assembly displaces the lancet structure toward the skin site to make the incision for producing the amount of bodily fluid and retracts the lancet structure to carry the amount of bodily fluid away from the skin cite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Roe, Chris Fruhauf, Max Chen
  • Patent number: 9717453
    Abstract: Methods, systems and kits for the identification, assessment and/or treatment of a subject having multiple sclerosis are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BIOGEN IDEC MA INC.
    Inventors: Diego Cadavid, David Erlanger, John DeLuca, Ralph Benedict, Frederick W. Foley, Jeffrey A. Wilken
  • Patent number: 9717454
    Abstract: The present system is directed in various embodiments to devices, systems and methods for detection, evaluation and/or monitoring olfactory dysfunction by measuring and determining the patient's olfactory detection threshold for the left and the right nostril. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for detecting an asymmetric differential in a patient's olfactory detection threshold (left vs right nostril) which, when present, may be used as a tool to screen, detect, diagnose and/or monitor relative olfactory deterioration resulting from Alzheimer's disease. A preferred embodiment comprises cascading aromas by serially administering more than one pure odorant to the patient's nostrils, left vs right, with measurement of the time, or numbers of breaths, required to cognitively notice the pure odorants' presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Inspired Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory B. Mills
  • Patent number: 9717455
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that may include a substrate that may have a surface, a channel of a volume that may be defined, at least in part, by the substrate, wherein the channel may have a first end and a second end, a valve may be coupled to the channel at the first end, wherein the valve may be configured to allow a fluid to pass into the channel when the valve is open, and a continuity detector, which may be coupled to the channel at the second end, wherein the continuity detector may be activated when the fluid contacts the continuity detector, wherein the continuity detector may further be configured to provide a signal to close the valve and remove the fluid from the channel. A method for calculating a rate of flow of a fluid collected from a bodily surface into a body-worn device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Michael Manion, Benjamin William Millar, George Charles Peppou
  • Patent number: 9717456
    Abstract: A vessel locator apparatus (30) having a locator housing, and an elongated cavity defined in the locator housing, is described. The vessel locator apparatus include a superelastic wire (46) positioned at least partially in the elongated cavity, the superelastic having a proximal end and a distal end. The superelastic wire may have an elongated portion extending in a substantially longitudinal direction and a distal locator portion having an original shape configuration. The original shape configuration of distal locator portion may include a first curved segment, a second curved segment, an intermediate segment extending between the first curved segment and the second curved segment, and an end segment extending between the second curved segment and the distal end of the superelastic wire. A method of locating a vessel, such as a blood vessel, using a vessel locator apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL PUERTO RICO LLC
    Inventor: JyueBoon Lim
  • Patent number: 9717457
    Abstract: In an aspect, an accessory for an activity is provided, and includes an accessory housing, an impact detection device and a secondary module. The impact detection device includes at least one impact sensor selected from the group of sensors comprising an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The secondary module includes at least a battery configured for powering both the impact detection device and the secondary module. The impact detection device and secondary module together further include a microcontroller and a memory. The impact detection device is removably connectable to the secondary module and is connectable to another secondary module in another protective accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Gerardo Iuliano, Paul Norman Walker
  • Patent number: 9717458
    Abstract: A magnetic-flap optical sensor has an emitter activated so as to transmit light into a fingertip inserted between an emitter pad and a detector pad. The sensor has a detector responsive to the transmitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within fingertip so as to generate a detector signal. Flaps extend from the emitter pad and along the sides of a detector shell housing the detector pad. Flap magnets are disposed on the flap ends and shell magnets are disposed on the detector shell sides. A spring urges the emitter shell and detector shell together, so as to squeeze the fingertip between its fingernail and its finger pad. The flap magnets have opposite north and south orientations from the shell magnets, urging the flaps to the detector shell sides and squeezing the fingertip sides. These spring and magnet squeezing forces occlude the fingertip blood flow and accentuate a detector signal responsive to an active pulsing of the fingertip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Marcelo M. Lamego, Hung Vo, Cristiano Dalvi, Sean Merritt
  • Patent number: 9717459
    Abstract: Portable operatively simple touch screen apparatus uses testing methods and systems that are free of age and language constraints include special signal processing techniques that provide a temporal resolution highly sensitive for probing cognitive function. The embodiments include or make use of one or more modules implemented at least partially in a set of instructions in software and configured to measure user reaction times to visual stimulus on a touch screen device having a capacitive sensor touch-sensitive surface and a detector of audio waves resulting from touch on the touch-sensitive surface. The modules employ recordation of acoustic vibrations resulting from a user's touching a target location on the touch screen surface spaced from a touched starting location on that surface, in one embodiment, to measure temporal response to a visual stimulus placed at the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Anne Bibiana Sereno
  • Patent number: 9717460
    Abstract: Smart phones capable of detecting electrical impedances of and providing electronic pulse stimuli to acupuncture points located on a human body are disclosed. An example smart phone is equipped with a hardware diagnosis module and a hardware treatment module that function based on the principle of holography of protruding parts of the human body, in addition to having regular smart phone functions. The diagnosis module may receive electrical impedance data detected from protruding parts of a human body and determine the type of illness according to the analog electrical impedance data. The treatment module may generate electronic pulse stimuli on acupoints located on the human body (such as ears, hands and feet), thereby performing electronic acupuncture treatment. The example smart phone may also detect blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen value and blood glucose values of the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Mingde Zheng
  • Patent number: 9717461
    Abstract: A motion compensation system for tracking and compensating for patient motion during a medical imaging scan comprises an optical marker comprising an optically visible pattern and a mounting portion; a first optical detector positioned to digitally image the optically visible pattern along a first line of sight; a second optical detector positioned to digitally image the optically visible pattern along a second line of sight; a tracking engine configured to determine a pose of the object in six degrees of freedom by analyzing images from the first and second optical detectors; and a controller interface configured to generate tracking information based on the pose and to electronically transmit the tracking information to a scanner controller to enable compensation within a medical imaging scanner for object motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KINETICOR, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Yu, John Arthur Lovberg, Xiaojiang Jason Pan
  • Patent number: 9717462
    Abstract: A biological information measurement apparatus includes a phase/frequency comparison unit that outputs a deviation signal based on a phase difference between a biological signal and an oscillation signal; a variable loop filter that varies a cutoff frequency and a phase margin and that selectively blocks a signal of a predetermined frequency band contained in the deviation signal; and a voltage controlled oscillation unit that generates the oscillation signal in accordance with the deviation signal that has passed through the variable loop filter. The apparatus further includes a CPU that estimates a SN ratio of the biological signal and analyzes a phase difference/frequency difference between the biological signal outputted from the comparison unit and the oscillation signal. The CPU further changes a constant of the variable loop filter based on the SN ratio and the phase difference/frequency difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Hayashi, Yasushi Sato
  • Patent number: 9717463
    Abstract: A biological information measurement apparatus includes a phase/frequency comparison unit that outputs a deviation signal based on a phase difference between a biological signal and an oscillation signal; a loop filter; and a voltage controlled oscillation unit that generates the oscillation signal in accordance with the deviation signal that has passed through the loop filter. The apparatus further includes a CPU that estimates a SN ratio of the biological signal and analyzes a phase difference/frequency difference between the biological signal and the oscillation signal. A variable low pass filter is provided that selectively blocks a signal of a predetermined frequency band contained in the deviation signal that has passed through the loop filter and the CPU changes a cutoff frequency of the variable low pass filter based on the SN ratio and the phase difference/frequency difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Hayashi, Yasushi Sato
  • Patent number: 9717464
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for continuous transdermal monitoring (“CTM”) are disclosed. One exemplary method for CTM begins by monitoring an output signal from an accelerometer. The accelerometer output signal may indicate acceleration and deceleration of a body part of a user, such as the user's wrist. Based on the accelerometer output signal, it may be determined that the body part of the user has decelerated to a minimum, e.g., substantially zero. With a determination that the body part has decelerated to the minimum, e.g., substantially zero, or has not accelerated beyond the minimum, e.g., substantially zero, the method may determine a reading from a pulse oximeter associated with the accelerometer. Advantageously, the pulse oximetry reading, or a reading from other sensors associated with the accelerometer, may be optimally accurate as motion artifact may be minimized. The pulse oximetry reading may be recorded for later query and/or rendered for the benefit of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: James Tyler Frix, Andrew Johnson, James Mitchell Frix, Robert Andrew Taylor
  • Patent number: 9717465
    Abstract: A method and system for extracting important signal information is disclosed. The method examines a group of signals obtained from testing of a patient's nervous system and finds a signal area of interest. Once a cluster of signals that all have the area of interest is found—the system concludes that the area of interest is located and validated. Signals that are not within the cluster are rejected and the signals within the cluster are signal-averaged to yield a signal-averaged waveform. The signal averaged waveform represents the results of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Diopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurie A. Cox
  • Patent number: 9717466
    Abstract: A device for processing alarms includes a processor and a computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The operations include receiving a first alarm from a first diagnostic device and determining a location associated with a first user. When the location associated with the first user is determined to be proximate to a device, the operations further include presenting a first verbal alert indicating that the first diagnostic device is presenting the first alarm. When the location associated with the first user is determined to be not proximate to the device, the operations further include sending a first notification message to a first mobile device of the first user indicating that the first diagnostic device is presenting the first alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, Francisco Martinez, George Goehring