Patents Issued in October 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9775460
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a cooking chamber configured to hold a cooking medium therein, a lid configured to cover the cooking chamber, and a sealing member disposed between the lid and the cooking chamber to create a seal between the cooking chamber and the lid. The lid comprises a lid liner and a retaining member disposed on an inner surface of the lid, the retaining member configured to retain the sealing member adjacent to an edge of the lid. The sealing member comprises a lip portion comprising an upper leg and a lower leg, each disposed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the sealing member to substantially form a V shape at one longitudinal end of the sealing member, and a ridge portion comprising an upper ridge and a lower ridge, each disposed at an opposite longitudinal end of the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventor: Gary F. Summons
  • Patent number: 9775461
    Abstract: A cooking device is provided. The cooking device may include a cavity forming a space in which food may be received for cooking, a grill heater provided at one side of the cavity and having a plurality of heaters to heat the food, a food sensing device provided in the cavity to acquire information related to a size of the food received in the cavity, and a main controller to estimate the size of the food using information sensed by the food sensing device. The main controller may then operate a part or all of the plurality of heaters according to the estimated size of the food to perform a grill cooking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaekyung Yang, Youngmin Lee, Eunkyoung Yoon, Jinyul Hu, Heungsik Choi
  • Patent number: 9775462
    Abstract: An egg cooking insert can be used with a cooking device having a lower cooking plate and an upper cooking plate connected to the lower plate with a floating hinge, with the egg cooking insert including a base portion having an upper surface defining a cooking surface. A wall extends upwardly about a periphery of the upper surface to define a cavity above the cooking surface. The base portion may have a thickness greater than a thickness of the wall. A bottom surface of the base portion may be angled with respect to the cooking surface. A plurality of grooves may be formed in the bottom surface of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Casey A. Klock, Gerald J. McNerney, Jacob M. Levin
  • Patent number: 9775463
    Abstract: A device for preparing a beverage from a beverage ingredient contained in a receptacle by driving the receptacle in centrifugation is disclosed, along with methods for using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S. A.
    Inventors: Christian Jarisch, Zbynek Struzka, Stefan Etter, Alexandre Perentes
  • Patent number: 9775464
    Abstract: A rotisserie having a first support structure with a rotisserie motor affixed thereto, the rotisserie motor having a receptacle for receiving a spit rod. A second support structure defines a slot for receiving the spit rod. The first and second support structures are mounted to side shelves on a grill on opposite sides of a cooking grate. The side shelves each define at least one mounting aperture for retaining the support structures in upright positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: W.C. Bradley Co.
    Inventors: Brad Gillespie, Mark Edward Davis, Christopher J. Bennett, John R. Allen
  • Patent number: 9775465
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus and a cooking grate assembly therefor. The cooking grate assembly includes a food support grate which is positionable on a contoured emitter tray. The contoured emitter tray preferably has either a concave or a convex longitudinal shape. The food support grate is formed of a plurality of side-by-side food support ribs having bottoms which are shaped in a manner corresponding to the contoured shape of the emitter tray so that the bottoms of the ribs run longitudinally along the contoured upper surface of the emitter tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: W.C. BRADLEY CO.
    Inventor: Mallik Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9775466
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic stir-fryer comprising: a machine stand (1); a base (2) pivotably provided on the machine stand (1); a rotary shaft (211) providing rotary power and connected to a stir-frying rotary tank (22) containing foodstuffs; a stove unit (3) disposed on the base (2) and situated right below the stir-frying rotary tank (22); a tilting unit (4) pivotably disposed on the base (2); a receiving tank (5) provided in the machine stand (1) for receiving the cooked foodstuffs; a cleaning unit (6) assembled on the machine stand (1) and corresponding to the stir-frying rotary tank (22) after tilting by the tilting unit (4) for water cleaning the stir-frying rotary tank (22); a control unit (8) vertically disposed on the machine stand (1) and provided with an control panel (81) for controlling the operating time of the automatic stir-fryer and the temperature of the stove unit (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Jianhao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9775467
    Abstract: A food-processing device for blending and mixing food comprises a mixing vessel, a blade holder, and a motor base. The motor is a high power motor. The device has various safety features designed for the high power motor. The blade holder comprises a safety mechanism that prevents the motor base from operating without the mixing vessel covering the blade. On the surface of the motor base, it has raised area that is complementarily shaped with some recesses on the bottom of the blade holder to align the blade holder and the motor base. It also has a drainage hole that prevents the accumulation of liquid in the well of the motor base. The motor is mounted on the ceiling of the motor housing through a bracket with multiple dampers. The circuit of the motor has soft start and automatic turn off features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Capbran Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Colin Sapire
  • Patent number: 9775468
    Abstract: The device comprises a square metal base plate with an anchor post, a tine holder that fits over the base plate anchor post, and a plurality shaped tines of circular cross-section that are inserted into the tine holder. The shaped tines are inserted into the food to be cooked. A plurality of tines are inserted into a hole on the tine holder. The tine holder assembly is then set atop the anchor post on the base plate such that the food is positioned vertically. The device is then placed directly on top of the upper grill surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Charlie Adron Whitfield, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9775469
    Abstract: A kit for take-out pizza includes a container and a cover, wherein the pizza container includes a basin-shaped tray having slanted lateral sides that enable stacking a second tray on the first tray by having the slanted walls support a bottom of the second tray received into the slanted walls, and stop projections provided on lower inner portions of the lateral walls of the tray, which support the second tray to form a stack of trays and to define, within the lower tray, a chamber for housing a pizza to be transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Armando Rizzo
  • Patent number: 9775470
    Abstract: A sink accessory comprising a wire-form attachment structure and a supporting structure. The wire-form attachment structure is configured to be secured to a section of a divider of the sink to support the sink accessory. The attachment structure includes a base, a first leg, and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg. The supporting structure is coupled to and extends from one of the first and second legs. The supporting structure is also configured to extend offset from and adjacent to the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Niels J. Eilmus, Jason R. Miller
  • Patent number: 9775471
    Abstract: A temporary barrier for enclosing a bathing enclosure such as a bathtub-shower combination or simply a shower enclosure uses a frame that sits atop a front surface of the enclosure such as on the top of the bathtub and abuts each of the opposing outside walls of the enclosure. A pair of sliding shower doors is slidably disposed within the frame, or alternately, a pair of doors is pivotally attached within the frame, or one door pivotally attached with a fixed panel next to the pivoting door. A pair of tensioning mechanisms is attached, one each to each of the horizontal members of the frame, in order to securely wedge the frame between the outside walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: James Weatherly
  • Patent number: 9775472
    Abstract: A one piece shower drain pan, encapsulated in a water proof membrane, and the method of fabricating the one piece open drain shower pan, the method which includes providing extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam of the type which absorbs very little water; shaping the section of extruded polystyrene foam with a CNC router to obtain the desired slope in the floor; cutting a hole in the foam to produce the drain hole; cutting a curb from the XPS foam and gluing the foam to a pan base on the open sides. Splash walls are then cut from concrete wall board and glued to the sides having no curb, so that the glue serves as a bonding agent and provides a waterproof seal between the parts; after the glue has cured, spraying the entire pan assembly with a polyurethane or polyurea coating to completely encapsulate the entire pan with a waterproof membrane, which provides strength and rigidity and defines a one piece drain pan ready for installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Avery S. Herring
  • Patent number: 9775473
    Abstract: An illuminating soap module includes a shell defining a cavity for holding liquid soap. The shell may include one or more openings. The one or more openings may include a dispenser, a plug, a light module, and combinations thereof. The illuminating soap module is configured to illuminate upon a triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Vida Luminations, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Del Rosario
  • Patent number: 9775474
    Abstract: A body drying and personal inspection apparatus is provided for air drying and for providing the user with several inspection and data input devices. The apparatus comprises a base platform and an upright member with one or more handles to support the user. A blower assembly forces air through the base platform and through an elongated blower tube handled by the user. Further provided is an inspection camera coupled to the blower tube and a foot camera within the base platform, both used to capture images of the user's body while on the platform. A display and processing system is also provided that allows images to be processed and displayed, for input to be received via a user input device, and optionally for data to be transmitted to a third party over a network. The base platform also provides weight measuring capabilities for measuring the weight of the user thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Ernesto Holguin
  • Patent number: 9775475
    Abstract: A toilet seat and lid assembly comprising a toilet seat lid (also known as a cover) equipped with both fixed and movable grab area equipped with a lever or with a slide switch. The movable area of the grab or the slide switch integrates with the seat below through a latch. Lifting the lid by using the lever or sliding the switch, disconnects the lid from the seat and lifts only lid. Lifting the lid using the fixed grab area of the lid or without sliding the switch, does not disengage the seat and thus results in the lifting of the integrated seat and lid at the same time. Methods of using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Ned Falk
  • Patent number: 9775476
    Abstract: A robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The robot cleaner includes a body provided with a suction portion and a slope formed to be inclined at a lower end thereof, an auxiliary front wheel disposed at a rear side of the slope, a main wheel disposed at a rear side of the auxiliary front wheel and arranged such that a height of the main wheel is variable with respect to the body, and a driving unit to lower or raise the main wheel with respect to the body, wherein the driving unit lowers the main wheel when the auxiliary front wheel enters a stepped portion. The robot cleaner is capable of climbing up a higher stepped portion than in conventional cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaewon Jang, Sungil Park, Hwang Kim
  • Patent number: 9775477
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle having a rotatable member for picking up particles from a surface to be cleaned, and an external cleaning apparatus for removing articles entangled to the rotatable member. The nozzle includes a support surface provided on a radially projecting member of the rotatable member, and a cleaning member provided on the external cleaning apparatus. During rotation of the rotatable member, the cleaning member co-operates with the support surface to remove entangled articles from the rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Henrik Eriksson
  • Patent number: 9775478
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a power head, a collection drum, and a filter. The filter of the present invention is of rectangular cross section about the vertical axis, but is curved away from the power head under the blower along at least one horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventor: Douglas Schultz
  • Patent number: 9775479
    Abstract: An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning head may include a cyclone including a cyclone chamber and a longitudinal cyclone axis. The surface cleaning head may include a pre-motor filter chamber housing a pre-motor filter. The pre-motor filter may have an upstream face, a downstream face and a pre-motor filter axis that is generally parallel to the upstream and/or downstream face. The surface cleaning apparatus may have a suction motor having a first end, a second end, a suction motor inlet and a suction motor axis extending between the first and second ends. The cyclone axis may be oriented generally transverse to a forward direction of travel and the pre-motor filter axis may be generally parallel to the forward direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9775480
    Abstract: An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and a brush motor drivingly connected to a moveable brushing member and the brush motor may have a brush motor axis. The surface cleaning head may include a cyclone comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone may have a longitudinal cyclone axis. The surface cleaning head may have a suction motor having a first end, a second end and a suction motor axis extending between the first and second ends. The suction, cyclone and brush motor axes may be generally parallel. The cyclone chamber may have an air outlet end that is opposed to and faces an air inlet end of the suction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9775481
    Abstract: An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus can include a surface cleaning head having an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning head can include a cyclone assembly comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber. The cyclone chamber may have a longitudinal cyclone axis, a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet. The dirt collection chamber may be moveable between an in use position and an emptying position. The surface cleaning head may include a pre-motor filter chamber and a suction motor. At least one of the pre-motor filter and a pre-motor filter chamber may be visible when the dirt collection chamber is in the emptying position. An upper portion may be mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, and may include a drive handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9775482
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a separation/collection module with a housing and a cover pivotally mounted to the housing by a hinge. A filter assembly is carried by the cover and includes a filter media. When a user of the vacuum cleaner opens the cover, the filter media can be seen by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Phong H. Tran, Steve Butkiewicz
  • Patent number: 9775483
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a debris separator having a cyclonic separator including a cylindrical wall having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical wall located in within the housing, the cyclonic separator further including a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, an end wall at the first end of the cylindrical wall, and a debris outlet adjacent the second end of the cylindrical wall. The debris separator further includes a lid coupled to an upper end of the housing, a debris collection chamber located within the housing and in fluid communication with the debris outlet of the cyclonic separator, and a door coupled to a lower end of the housing to empty the debris collection chamber through the lower end of the housing. A portion of the cyclonic separator is removable from the housing through the lower end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Rukavina, Matthew Redinger, Juan Aviles, Richard Friend, William Nabors
  • Patent number: 9775484
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the suction motor is operable using current supplied from an energy storage member when the power cord is removed and operable using current supplied from an external source when the power cord is in electrical communication with the suction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 9775485
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaner includes a base that is movable over a surface to be cleaned, a collection chamber associated with the base, and a rotating top mounted coupled with the base for rotation relative to the base, where the top carries at least one sweeping element for sweeping dirt on the surface to be cleaned toward the collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Scholten, Michael T. Dillane, Tyler James Imhoff, Scott M. Rose, Adam Luedke
  • Patent number: 9775486
    Abstract: A resilient cleaning pad with a support body a portion of which is mechanically secured in a slit-like cavity of the cleaning pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Perry S. Dotterman, John J. Dyer, Arthur V. Lang, Robert J. Maki, Milind B. Sabade, DanLi Wang
  • Patent number: 9775487
    Abstract: The present invention relates to accessories. Specifically, the present invention relates to cleaning accessories such as jewelry that have small crevices, impressions, engravings, or other fine details that are difficult to reach and clean. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to polishing and drying the cleaned accessories by using an allotment of polishing compound and/or steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Clinton D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9775488
    Abstract: A dishwasher comprises: (a) a washing chamber for accommodating articles to be cleaned, and comprising in its lower portion a water-collecting sump floor (12); (b) a spray arm (22) rotatably supported at the sump floor; in accordance with the present invention the dishwasher further comprises (c) a sump member (28) which comprises an insert in the sump floor (12) and which comprises an integral spray arm support (24) which rotatably supports the spray arm (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Mats Lundberg, Luigi Salerno
  • Patent number: 9775489
    Abstract: A dishwasher has a tub that defines a treating chamber with an access opening. A door assembly selectively permits access to the treating chamber and may carry electronics for the dishwasher. Appropriately placed chamfered fins in a crown in the door aids in assuring a flush fit and finish in a front panel of the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mihir Ponkshe, Ajay Ram Narayana Pillai, Shivayogi Annigeri, Michael E. Gatt
  • Patent number: 9775490
    Abstract: The present invention relates to articles for cleaning hard surfaces and in particular to remove large particles and hairs from large surfaces. The articles comprise an adhesive having specific Theological properties that provide increased efficacy in capturing and trapping large particles and hairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michele Mazzeo, Italo Corzani, Rodrigo Rosati, Fabio Cinelli, Antonello Colaianni, Fabio Ciammaichella, Alessandra Massa, Hugh Joseph O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 9775491
    Abstract: A method for visualizing a 3D dental restoration on a 2D image of the mouth of a patient, the method including obtaining a 3D dental model of at least a part of the patient's oral cavity, designing the 3D dental restoration, obtaining the 2D image of the mouth of the patient, estimating a virtual camera comprising at least one virtual camera property corresponding to at least one physical camera property of the physical camera used to obtain the 2D image, viewing the 3D dental restoration using the virtual camera, determining the visible area of the 3D dental restoration, which is not overlapped by surrounding anatomic features when viewed with the virtual camera, imaging the visible area of the 3D dental restoration with the 2D image. This provides an image which with high accuracy gives the dentist and the patient a visual presentation of the final result of a dental treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: 3Shape A/S
    Inventors: Tais Clausen, Rune Fisker
  • Patent number: 9775492
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: first and second image sensors; a first communication controller configured to be connected to the first image sensor; a first clock generator that generates a first clock signal that is a reference for operation of the first communication controller; a second communication controller configured to be connected to the second image sensor; a second clock generator that generates a second clock signal that is a reference for operation of the second communication controller; a reference synchronization signal generator that generates a reference synchronization signal; and an imaging synchronization signal generator that generates an imaging synchronization signal which is a trigger for determining timings of imaging by the first and second image sensors, and outputs the imaging synchronization signal to the first and second communication controllers at a timing when a predetermined period of time has elapsed from a reference timing based on the reference synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Saeri Saito
  • Patent number: 9775493
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an endoscope capable of continuously grasping a direction which a distal end portion of an endoscope faces even when a bending operation is performed. The endoscope of the invention is provided with: a first image pickup optical system provided at a distal end of an insertion portion; a bending portion provided in a vicinity of a distal end portion of the insertion portion and configured to be bendingly operated by a proximal side operation; and a second image pickup optical system disposed on the bending portion and configured so that the distal end of the insertion portion is included within a field-of-view angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takafumi Kubo
  • Patent number: 9775494
    Abstract: An oblique-viewing objective optical system includes in order from an object side, a front-side lens group which includes a negative lens, an optical path converting element, an aperture stop, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the rear-side lens group includes a positive lens and a cemented lens having a positive refractive power, and the cemented lens includes in order from the object side a positive lens and a negative lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Takasugi
  • Patent number: 9775495
    Abstract: An operation device for an into-bore introduction device, includes: a projecting portion formed to project from a grasping section in a radial direction to a longitudinal axis of the grasping section, in a surface between a surface on which a bending operation knob is disposed and a surface on which operator's palm abuts to grasp the grasping section, in the grasping section; a pressing switch disposed on the projecting portion; and an inclined surface formed distantly by as much as a predetermined distance from the pressing switch, and in which an amount of the inclined surface to project outside in the radial direction is decreased on an insertion section side of the projecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fukuda, Yasuo Funakoshi, Kota Sugaya, Kenji Tajima, Yuki Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9775496
    Abstract: Transparent domes useful for covering at least a lens located on a scope's distal face, taking the form of a single layer membrane affixed to the distal end of the scope, a solid cap attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the scope, or an inflatable and deflatable balloon having an exterior wall for contacting at least the lens at the scope's distal face. Methods for performing diagnostic or diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within bodily cavities including collapsed intestines using transparent domes and scopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Visualization Balloons, LLC
    Inventor: Boris Reydel
  • Patent number: 9775497
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a light source device radiating at least one or more illumination lights having a predetermined wavelength band to a subject; a CCD picking up an image of a return light from the subject based on radiation of the illumination light from the light source device; an image processing section outputting a first image signal of a first wavelength band having a peak wavelength of spectral characteristic, between a wavelength band including a maximum value and a wavelength band at a minimum value with regard to an absorption characteristic of living tissue, after image pickup by the CCD; and an observation monitor performing image display on the basis of the first image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Igarashi, Tetsuo Nonami, Kenji Taira
  • Patent number: 9775498
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes a head portion, a connector portion and a CCU. The head portion includes a test signal generating portion configured to generate a first test pattern signal. The connector portion includes: a test signal generating portion configured to generate a second test pattern signal which is a same pattern signal as the first test pattern; a first comparison circuit configured to output a comparison result of comparing the first test pattern signal with the second test pattern signal; and a test signal generating portion configured to generate a third test pattern signal. The CCU includes: a test signal generating portion configured to generate a fourth test pattern signal which is a same pattern signal as the third test pattern; and a second comparison circuit configured to output a comparison result of comparing the third test pattern signal with the fourth test pattern signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Tsutsui, Fumiyuki Okawa, Hiroyuki Usami
  • Patent number: 9775499
    Abstract: An endoscope with an optical channel is held and positioned by a robotic surgical system. A capture unit captures (1) a visible first image at a first time and (2) a visible second image combined with a fluorescence image from the light at a second time. An image processing system receives (1) the visible first image and (2) the visible second image combined with the fluorescence image and generates at least one fluorescence image. A display system outputs an output image including an artificial fluorescence image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Scott, Wenyi Zhao, Brian D. Hoffman, John D. Stern, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 9775500
    Abstract: A medical device comprising an instrument head integral to the medical device having a distal portion, a light source internal to the instrument head coupled to a first channel, a first polarizing filter positioned within the first channel of the instrument head, a second polarizing filter positioned within the second channel for receiving reflected light from the light source, the reflected light received through a sensor axially aligned with the second channel is disclosed herein. The second channel may comprise a distal opening. The second channel may be configured to restrict light from entering the second channel other than by the distal opening. The first polarizing filter may be configured to polarize light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALMEDIA GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Harris
  • Patent number: 9775501
    Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion portion inserted through a living body, an illumination fiber arranged at a distal end of the insertion portion and irradiates the living body with illumination light, a detection fiber which detects return light from the living body, an actuator which swings a free end of the illumination fiber, and a ferrule which has a through-hole based on a diameter of the illumination fiber and is arranged between the illumination fiber and the actuator. The actuator has an actuator arranged at a first side face of the ferrule and an actuator arranged at a second side face of the ferrule that is different from a face point-symmetric to the first side face with respect to an axial direction of the illumination fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshino, Tomoki Funakubo, Atsuyoshi Shimamoto, Yasunobu Iga, Mitsuru Namiki
  • Patent number: 9775502
    Abstract: A laparascope and endoscope cleaning and defogging device with a port located horizontally that is used to warm the scope prior to insertion into the body cavity/surgical site. The scope punctures the initial membrane and enters the cavity between two bodies of absorbent material that contain fluid. The absorbent material is arranged such that the passage of a scope would be accommodated for different sizes of surgical scopes. A circuit board is located on the bottom of the chamber that has a design element used to warm the liquid to a temperature equal to or greater than the temperature of the proposed surgical environment. When the scope is located between the two absorbent bodies, the heat generated by the circuit board is transferred via the liquid and contacts the scope, warming it in preparation for surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Buffalo Filter LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Miller, William J. Kellner, Anthony L. Lizauckas, III, Gregory Pepe, Samantha Bonano
  • Patent number: 9775503
    Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor includes: a medicinal solution storage portion configured to store a medicinal solution; a sampling tube including a first end portion opened inside the medicinal solution storage portion, and a second end portion opened outside the medicinal solution storage portion; a first chamber, inside which the second end portion of the sampling tube is opened; a second chamber where an opening portion and a communication port communicated with the first chamber are formed; a constricted portion configured to connect the first chamber and the communication port; a first advancing/retreating portion configured to advance and retreat between a first position to block the constricted portion and a second position to open the constricted portion inside the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Inoue, Atsushi Kinoshima
  • Patent number: 9775504
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DENTAL SMARTMIRROR, INC.
    Inventors: Gidon Oded Elazar, Dan Zidkiahu Harkabi, Joshua Israel Wachspress
  • Patent number: 9775505
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laryngoscope insertion section having a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface, and a channel extending from the proximal end the channel having an inferior internal surface with a greater curvature than the curvature of the inferior surface. The insertion section is compatible with laryngoscope hardware optimized for indirect viewing, yet enables direct viewing. Additionally, the distance between the inferior and superior surfaces is at a maximum within the intermediate portion, and enables the dimensions of the proximal and distal portions to be minimized. Thus, the intermediate portion, which is located in the patient's oral cavity in use, is provided with greatest depth and therefore strength where the greatest forces are received, whereas the distal and proximal portions are of reduced dimensions to as to minimize trauma to the patient's airway and mouth areas, respectively, in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: AIRCRAFT MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Matthew John Ross McGrath, Peter Douglas Colin Inglis
  • Patent number: 9775506
    Abstract: A method of detecting, and classifying severity of, a retinal disease using retinal images includes at least one of receiving, retrieving or generating reference data that includes information concerning occurrences of key image features for each of a plurality of retinal disease and disease severity conditions; receiving a retinal image of an individual; processing the retinal image of the individual to identify occurrences of each of a plurality of distinguishable image features throughout at least a region of interest of the retinal image; identifying which ones of the identified occurrences of the plurality of distinguishable image features of the retinal image of the individual correspond to the key image features of the reference data; calculating, based on the identifying, a number of occurrences of each of the key image features in the retinal image of the individual; and determining at least one of a likelihood of a presence of a retinal disease or a likelihood of developing a retinal disease based o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Philippe M. Burlina, David E. Freund, Srihari Kankanahalli, Neil M. Bressler
  • Patent number: 9775507
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus obtains naked-eye wavefront aberration data of an examinee's eye measured by an aberration measuring unit, and calculates first corrected wavefront aberration data intended for a prescription with a first correction power based on the naked-eye wavefront aberration data and the first correction power and generates a first evaluation index based on the first corrected wavefront aberration data. The ophthalmic apparatus further calculates second corrected wavefront aberration data intended for a prescription with a second correction power different from the first correction power in at least one of spherical power, astigmatic power, and astigmatic axis angle based on the naked-eye wavefront aberration data and the second correction power, and generates a second evaluation index based on the second corrected wavefront aberration data. The ophthalmic apparatus then displays the first and second evaluation indexes selectively or in parallel on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazunari Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9775508
    Abstract: A computer-implementable method of analyzing tissues of a retina. A polarization-sensitive (PS-OCT) image data set of the retina is received from a polarization-sensitive device, each element in the polarization-sensitive image data set being associated with an intensity value ({I1, . . . , IL}) and a polarization direction ({P1, . . . , PL}). A likelihood score is determined for each element of the polarization-sensitive image data set based on the intensity value of the element and a degree of divergence (?*TP or D2) of the polarization direction associated with the element from a reference polarization direction (?*) associated with the polarization sensitive image data set, wherein the likelihood score indicates whether said element is drawn from a directionally polarized distribution or a depolarizing distribution, Elements of the polarization-sensitive image data set are classified using the determined likelihood scores to analyze tissues of the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Andrew Docherty, Barry James Drake
  • Patent number: 9775509
    Abstract: The automatic optometry analysis system for children includes a main control board for obtaining optometry data of a patient, and an upper computer connected with the main control board. The upper computer may carry out processing according to the optometry data obtained from the main control board, generate corresponding preliminary eyeglass prescription data, correct the preliminary eyeglass prescription data based on collected preset patient information, and generate a final eyeglass prescription suitable for the patient; wherein correction of the preliminary eyeglass prescription data based on the collected preset patient information includes the use of age-related correction coefficient to correct the preliminary eyeglass prescription data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hong Kong Fortune Technology Limited
    Inventors: Dan Lai Fung, Zhi Sheng Li, Geng Li