Patents Issued in October 17, 2017
  • Patent number: 9788676
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a juicer having a housing and a juice extracting screw assembly. In one implementation, the juice extracting screw assembly may include a juice extracting screw and a strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Coway Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Jung Jeong, Eui Seong Jeong, Yeon Soo Seong
  • Patent number: 9788677
    Abstract: A heating article includes a substrate having two opposite surfaces, at least one of which is opaque, and a heat-stable coating arranged on the opaque surface. The heat-stable coating includes an at least two-color decoration having continuous tones and being provided in the form of a continuous or discontinuous layer. A method for manufacturing such an article includes applying a decoration composition on the opaque surface of the article to form a moist decoration layer, and then heating the moist decoration layer to form a decoration having the form of one of a continuous or discontinuous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Stephanie Le Bris, Pierre-Jean Muller, Jean-Luc Perillon
  • Patent number: 9788678
    Abstract: A heating cooker includes a housing having a heating chamber defined therein, cooking dish support sections respectively provided on mutually opposed inner wall surfaces of the heating chamber to support opposite ends of a cooking dish in one of a plurality of vertically spaced support positions, a steam generating unit, and a steam ejecting portion having a single discharge port formed in an inner wall surface of the heating chamber and a steam passageway provided to guide the steam to the discharge port. The steam ejecting portion ejects the steam into the heating chamber through the discharge port. The single discharge port is provided in the inner wall surface confronting a space between the cooking dish supported in an uppermost support position of the cooking dish support sections and a ceiling surface of the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Abe, Yuji Hayakawa, Masaki Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9788679
    Abstract: A steam generator system for a cooking appliance includes an in-line heating element coupled to a heating tube, wherein water from a water reservoir is gravitationally fed into the heating tube for heating by the in-line heating element to produce a hot water and steam mixture. A first supply line is coupled to the heating tube to carry the mixture to a separator without the need for moving or complex pump parts. The separator separates steam and hot water from the mixture of the two. A second supply line is coupled to the separator at a first end and opens into the cooking cavity of the cooking appliance at a second end. The second supply line is configured to supply steam separated at the separator to the cooking cavity via a steam outlet disposed in the cooking cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Donarski, Nicholas E. Crow, Jason Schneemann
  • Patent number: 9788680
    Abstract: A cookware immersion device used in conjunction with a cooking pot having an upstanding wall thereabout with an open top to receive cooking liquid and food items therein. The device comprises a structure inserted within the open top of the cooking pot to press the food items down within the cooking fluid. A mechanism is for locking the structure in place against an inner surface of the wall of the cooking pot, so as to retain all of the food items within the cooking liquid in the cooking pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: John Giugliano
  • Patent number: 9788681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a beverage by centrifugation of a capsule, by: Recognizing the type of the capsule inserted in the centrifuging brewing device, and/or its ingredients; Selecting accordingly a recipe comprising at least two sets of target values for parameters of the centrifuging brewing device, each set being associated to a specific condition; Controlling the parameters of the centrifuging brewing device so as to reach the target values of the set associated to the specific condition that is currently met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Peter Siegrist
  • Patent number: 9788682
    Abstract: A single cup capsule brewing machine which incorporates a device for automatically brewing and dispensing single cups of coffee, or other beverages, the device containing a receptacle for receiving a single serve capsule, a housing for raising or lowering onto the capsule, and process the capsule during various sequences of operation of the brewing machine, an upper housing raising or lowering onto the capsule to attain sequential piercing of the capsule through an inlet probe and then an outlet probe, and for preparing a hot beverage for individual consumption, and then a lower housing that moves along an arc to provide for alignment of the capsule for a brewing cycle, or for shifting forwardly for interconnection of a capsule in preparation of a brewing cycle, or for shifting the capsule rearwardly for its disposal after performance of a brewing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Newco Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Brandsma, Joseph P. Webster
  • Patent number: 9788683
    Abstract: An infusion device for making beverages using cartridges, such as capsules or pods, containing at least one food substance, comprising an infusion unit (3) comprising at least two parts, at least one of which is able to move between a home position and an operating position, at least one insertion section (34) for inserting the cartridge (2) in the device (1), from which the cartridge (2) can then be fed to a first standby zone (8), at least one check and control unit (35) for device (1) operation, and second retaining means (36) positioned between the insertion section (34) and the first standby zone (8), the second retaining means in turn being able to move between a first position in which they can retain a cartridge (2) and a second position in which they allow the cartridge (2) to advance, the second retaining means (36) being able to move as one with the mobile part (4) and comprising at least one mobile element (38) removably coupled to the mobile part (4) of the unit (3), and means for uncoupling the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caffitaly System S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Degli Esposti Venturi
  • Patent number: 9788684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preparing an aromatized beverage capable of extracting aromas from a powder pod containing them, said device having: a first part (1-1), and a second part (1-2) of a same longitudinal axis (XX?), and first means for coaxial horizontal relative translation and/or rotation displacement (XX?) of said first male part and second female part, and a third part (4) delimiting an initial insertion compartment (6) and a discharge compartment (7) between said first and second parts in an open position with maximum separation, said third part having an orifice (4b), able to be crossed by at least one of both first and second parts, said third part being able to pivot in a synchronized way with a said relative translation and/or rotation of both first and second parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TECHNOPOOL SARL
    Inventor: Christian Ferrier
  • Patent number: 9788685
    Abstract: A beverage forming method and system in which a carafe is positionable at a carafe receiving area of a beverage forming machine with a lid of the carafe in an open position or a closed position. The carafe may be positioned at the carafe receiving area in any one of multiple rotational positions within a range of 45 to 180 degrees, and the machine may detect whether the lid is open or not for any of the rotational positions. A drip tray may receive waste liquid into two different waste liquid receiving areas, and may detect the presence of liquid for different volumes received into the respective areas. Holes or other opening in the drip tray may be configured to receive liquid flowing down a side surface of a carafe when the liquid reaches a periphery of the carafe base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolas Kastor
  • Patent number: 9788686
    Abstract: Electrically operated coffee machine, in particular espresso machine or fully automatic coffee machine, having a steam output device that can include a steam lance wherein the steam lance can include a milk inflow which is configured to supply milk into a steam output channel of the steam lance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: WMF Group GmBH
    Inventor: Alexander Schlee
  • Patent number: 9788687
    Abstract: One variation of a system for cooking food includes: a griddle module including a lower plate configured to receive a food product and an upper plate arranged over the lower plate and configured to contact the food product; a set of induction stations, each induction station including a lower coil configured to inductively couple to the lower plate when the griddle module is arranged in the induction station and an upper coil configured to inductively couple to the upper plate when the griddle module is arranged in the induction station; a hub configured to support the lower plate and the upper plate between the upper and lower coils of the induction stations and to sequentially position the griddle module through the set of induction stations; and a controller configured to drive the upper and lower coils to heat the food product between the lower plate and the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Momentum Machines Company
    Inventors: Steven Frehn, Alexandros Vardakostas, Michael Balsamo, Noe Esparza, Matthew Williams
  • Patent number: 9788688
    Abstract: A combination barbeque and smoker apparatus, fabricated of stainless steel, which includes an open vessel portion, having a plurality of walls and a floor portion; a cover moveable from an open position to a closed position covering the open end of the vessel to define an enclosed space; a metal grill positioned on the open end of the vessel upon which meat would rest to barbeque or smoke; a continuous pipe positioned in a space between an inner vessel wall and an outer vessel wall, in a pattern along the rear and side walls of the vessel, the pipe receiving pressurized natural gas from a gas source, such as a pressurized tank; a plurality of openings in the upper wall of the continuous pipe for releasing pressurized gas through the openings; and a device for igniting the gas exiting the openings for defining a source of heat along the length of the pipe into the cover space when the cover is in the closed position for receiving and directing heat downward onto meat resting on the metal grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Salvador Ficarra
  • Patent number: 9788689
    Abstract: A cooking device having a liquid containing well in a center surrounded by a connected flange positioned or formed at an angle to the well for draining liquid into the well, and has a controllable flame directed to said well. A collapsible stand has a frame that holds the cooking device and the source of the flame, and has articulated legs selectively collapsible alongside the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Fryin' Saucer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Bizal, John Joseph Egart
  • Patent number: 9788690
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus is described including: at least one grill element including a cooking surface for supporting foodstuffs which in use are heated on the cooking surface; and a cleaning device for cleaning at least a portion of the cooking surface, the cleaning device including a surface cleaning element and a movement mechanism, the movement mechanism being arranged to move the cleaning element across the cooking surface; and at least one motor for driving the movement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Marian Silviu Rosian
  • Patent number: 9788691
    Abstract: An electric mixer can include a motor, an interchangeable paddle assembly, and a mounting plate. The mounting plate attaches to the top of a cooking vessel and includes a pair of clamping plates adapted to span a diameter of various size cooking vessels. The motor is attached to the mounting plate and is operably connected to the paddle assembly providing power to rotate the paddle and stir the contents of the cooking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph Bender
  • Patent number: 9788692
    Abstract: A dual panel shower curtain (30) having an outer panel (32) and an inner panel (34) that may be partially attached to each other with attachments (52) that are preferably arranged in a vertical grid pattern on an upper portion (72) of the dual panel shower curtain (30). Lower portions (74) of the outer panel (32) and the inner panel (34) are not attached to each other, thereby allowing the lower portions (74) of the outer panel (32) and the inner panel (34) to straddle the front wall (20) of the bathtub shower enclosure (10). An additional feature of an embodiment is offset apertures (48) and/or offset attachments (52) to create vertical channels (56) between the outer panel (32) and the inner panel (34) through which air can travel more freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas C. Chenoweth
  • Patent number: 9788693
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric orifice cleaning brush including a brush head, a brush head mounting platform onto which the brush head is detachably mounted, and a motor holder for supporting the brush head mounting platform and accommodating a motor. The brush head includes a bristle implanting portion in the shape of a truncated cone and comprising a center region and bristles formed in bristle bindles. The bristle bindles are disposed outside the center region of the bristle implanting portion and are radially distributed in an evenly spaced manner. By means of the present disclosure, a complete cleaning of an orifice of a human body can be achieved, and damages to the orifice can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Zensun (Shanghai) Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mingdong Zhou
  • Patent number: 9788694
    Abstract: A dispensing container for dispensable wipes generally comprises a base at least partially defining an internal compartment for storing the wipes and a dispensing partition connected to the base. The dispensing partition comprises a flexible material having an aperture defined therein through which the wipes are individually removable. The dispensing partition is configured to move from a first position to a second position when one of the wipes is removed from the container through the aperture. The dispensing partition is biased towards the first position, and is at least partially inverted from the first position when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert M. Hill, Kevin Christopher Possell, Christopher Martin Pieper
  • Patent number: 9788695
    Abstract: An implement head cleaning system which includes apparatuses and methods of cleaning an implement head. An implement head cleaner including an implement head cleaning base having a base bottom configured for placement on a support surface and having an air flow chamber disposed in a base top covered by an air flow inlet plate which directs an air flow through one or more air inlet aperture elements to egress through an air outlet toward an air flow generator. Materials entrained in material entrainment elements carried by the implement head can be removed by moving the material entrainment elements over the air flow inlet plate through the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: NoCo Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Wood
  • Patent number: 9788696
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaner head (100) comprising a bottom sole (10) and wheels (30, 35) defining the ground clearance of the bottom sole and comprising at least one suction duct (20) open toward the ground and converging from an outer edge of the bottom sole (10) toward a suction orifice (15) connected to the vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the suction head comprises a sealing skirt (40) arranged around the periphery of the bottom sole (10), and in that the sealing skirt (40) has at least one opening (45) positioned opposite said at least one suction duct (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Guinot, Alain Soen
  • Patent number: 9788697
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a cyclonic separating apparatus including a dirty air inlet, a main body connected to the cyclonic separating apparatus and a motor and fan unit for generating an airflow through the cyclonic separating apparatus from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, wherein the cyclonic separating apparatus includes at least a first cyclonic cleaning stage and an elongate filter arranged fluidly downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage, the elongate filter being housed in a duct at least partially surrounded by the first cleaning stage, and wherein the filter comprises an inlet portion and a filter portion defining a generally tubular filter chamber, the inlet portion including one or more radially facing inlets to permit air to flow into the inlet portion in a radial direction from where the air flows from the inlet portion to the filter chamber in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Michael James Peace
  • Patent number: 9788698
    Abstract: A robot floor cleaning system features a mobile floor cleaning robot and an evacuation station. The robot includes: a chassis with at least one drive wheel operable to propel the robot across a floor surface; a cleaning bin disposed within the robot and arranged to receive debris ingested by the robot during cleaning; and a robot vacuum configured to pull debris into the cleaning bin from an opening on an underside of the robot. The evacuation station is configured to evacuate debris from the cleaning bin of the robot, and includes: a housing defining a platform arranged to receive the cleaning robot in a position in which the opening on the underside of the robot aligns with a suction opening defined in the platform; and an evacuation vacuum in fluid communication with the suction opening and operable to draw air into the evacuation station housing through the suction opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Walter Morin, Harold Boeschenstein, Faruk Bursal, Chris Grace
  • Patent number: 9788699
    Abstract: A liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a main unit, a liquid pump, a flexible hose, and a hand tool. The main unit comprises a vacuum pump. The hand tool comprises a vacuum inlet port, an agitator, a spray nozzle, and a grip portion. The vacuum inlet port of the hand tool is operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: RUG DOCTOR, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Wall, Ann Marie Morrow, Walter Haug, Phuong Le, Charles Michael Ostendorf, Schubert Pereira, Ernest Matthew Chavana, Jr., Vincent Lau, Jason Edward Hill, Jason Tilk, Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, Craig Saunders, Paul Stephens
  • Patent number: 9788700
    Abstract: A liquid extraction cleaning device comprises a main unit, a liquid pump, a flexible hose, and a hand tool. The main unit comprises a vacuum pump. The hand tool comprises a vacuum inlet port, an agitator, a spray nozzle, and a grip portion. The vacuum inlet port of the hand tool is operatively connected to the vacuum pump via the hose passageway in a manner such that the vacuum pump is capable of drawing fluid through the vacuum inlet port and into the hose passageway. The spray nozzle is operatively connected to the liquid pump in a manner such that the liquid pump is capable of forcing liquid out of the spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: RUG DOCTOR, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Wall, Ann Marie Morrow, Walter Haug, Phuong Le, Charles Michael Ostendorf, Schubert Pereira, Ernest Matthew Chavana, Jr., Vincent Lau, Jason Edward Hill, Jason Tilk, Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, Craig Saunders, Paul Stephens
  • Patent number: 9788701
    Abstract: According to a nonwoven fabric substrate (1) for wiping sheet of the invention, ridges (2) and grooves (3) are alternately formed at positions corresponding to each other on both surfaces (1a, 1b), and apertures (4) are formed in the grooves (3). Each of the ridges (2) and the grooves (3) extend parallel to one side of the nonwoven fabric substrate (1). Each of the grooves (3) alternately includes an aperture portion (3h) which has a plurality of the apertures (4), and a non-aperture portion (3n) which has no aperture (4) and is longer than a distance between the nearest end portions of the adjacent apertures (4) in the aperture portion (3h). An arrangement pattern of the aperture portion (3h) and the non-aperture portion (3n) provided in the groove (3a) is different from an arrangement pattern of the aperture portion (3h) and the non-aperture portion (3n) provided in an adjacent groove (3b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taeko Hayase, Emiko Shirasaki, Minoru Wada
  • Patent number: 9788702
    Abstract: A dripping mop includes a mop head and a mop pole. A dripping control assembly is provided on the mop pole, and includes an inlet conduit, an outlet valve, an outlet conduit, a dripping on/off switch and a dripping limiting switch. The dripping on/off switch has an on state and an off state. In the on state, the mop pole receives a force and displaces towards the mop head to trigger the outlet valve, such that a cleaning liquid is constantly provided for dripping through the outlet conduit. In the off state, the mop pole in the on state again receives a force and displaces towards the mop head to close the outlet valve to suspend the dripping. The dripping limiting switch is rotatable relative to the mop pole, and restrains the mop pole from displacing towards the mop head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: JIAXING JACKSON TRAVEL PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xue Lin Zhu, Jing Li
  • Patent number: 9788703
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation having a tub that at least partially defines a treating chamber, a slidable dish holder, an electricity-consuming component having a rechargeable battery, and a battery charging system to recharge the rechargeable battery of the electricity-consuming component when the dish holder is in the treating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Eric M. Beidler, Paul E. Beshears, Jr., David H. Chen, Eric A. Gallagher, Antony M. Rappette, Elliott V. Stowe
  • Patent number: 9788704
    Abstract: A drying apparatus for domestic machines such as dishwashers, washing machines or the like, having a liquid drying agent, a tank for the liquid drying agent and a rotatable distributor element for distributing the drying agent, and also a drive for the distributor element, wherein provision is made of a tank inlet for the return flow of the drying agent and a tank outlet for the removal of the drying agent, is proposed, said drying apparatus being improved in terms of leakage safety compared with the prior art. This is achieved according to the invention in that at least one closure element for closing the tank inlet and/or the tank outlet in a liquid-tight manner is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SANHUA AWECO APPLIANCE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Kurt Wallerstorfer, Rudolf Lonski
  • Patent number: 9788705
    Abstract: A system for performing non-invasive networked medical procedures including a number of in vivo medical devices, a communication path between at least two of the devices, an ex vivo control unit to control the behavior of the devices, and a wireless communication path between the control unit and at least one of the devices. An associated method for performing non-invasive networked medical procedures is also provided. Further included is a simulation method that utilizes accurate electromagnetic field simulations, using a software based test bench, to determine the maximum allowable transmitted power levels from in vivo devices to achieve a required bit error rates (BER) at an in vivo or ex vivo node (receiver) while maintaining the specific absorption rate (SAR) under a required threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Richard D. Gitlin, Gabriel E. Arrobo, Thomas P. Ketterl
  • Patent number: 9788706
    Abstract: A sheath for a medical instrument includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal face. The elongate body may be configured to axially extend from a first length to a second length greater than the first length. The sheath may include a first hollow lumen extending from a first end proximate the proximal end to a second end proximate the distal face, and a second hollow lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal face. The second lumen may be open at the distal face. The sheath may also include a transparent window positioned at the second end of the first lumen to seal the first lumen at the second end. The transparent window may be configured to transmit light therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Smith, Barry Weitzner, Robert B. DeVries
  • Patent number: 9788707
    Abstract: A handle for a medical device comprises a proximal segment defining a proximal lumen extending therethrough and sized and shaped to receive an endoscopic medical device therein. A medial segment is received within a distal portion of the proximal segment and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter thereof. A medial lumen extends through the proximal segment and is open to the proximal lumen. A distal segment is received within a distal portion of the medial segment and defines a distal lumen extending therethrough open to the medial lumen. The distal segment has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the medial segment. The medial segment includes a first movement limiting mechanism limiting movement of an endoscopic medical device inserted therethrough along an axis of the distal lumen and a second movement limiting mechanism limiting advancement of an endoscope attached to the distal body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Tinkham, Robert Devries, Michal Weisman, Shawn Ryan, Daniel Bacon
  • Patent number: 9788708
    Abstract: An ingestible image scanning pill captures high resolution images of the GI tract as it passes through. Images communicated externally have exact location determination. Image processing software discards duplicate information and stitches images together, line scan by line scan, to replicate a complete GI tract as if it were stretched out in a straight line. A fully linear image is displayed to a medical professional as if the GI tract had been stretched in a straight line, cut open, laid flat out on a bench for viewing—all without making any incisions in a live patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Innurvation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arneson, William R. Bandy, Kevin J. Powell, Kenneth E. Salsman, Devon Tirpack
  • Patent number: 9788709
    Abstract: An endoscope system comprising an image signal acquisition unit acquiring an image signal by imaging a subject, and an irregularity image generation unit generating an irregularity image by extracting information of irregularities on the subject, the irregularity image generation unit includes a microstructure image generation section generating a microstructure image as the irregularity image by extracting a microstructure of a body tissue surface layer from the image signal, the image signal including image signals of a plurality of colors having information of different wavelength components, the microstructure image generation section includes a first brightness signal generation section generating a brightness signal showing an average brightness of the subject based on the image signals of the plurality of colors, and a first image generation section generating the microstructure image by extracting a pixel region, in which a pixel value exceeds a fixed threshold value, of the brightness signal as a mic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Satoshi Ozawa, Takayuki Iida
  • Patent number: 9788710
    Abstract: Violet narrowband light Vn and green narrowband light Gn produced by a light source device are supplied to a complementary color type endoscope, and simultaneously applied to an observation object. In a complementary color type imaging device, first mixed pixels and second mixed pixels, which sense both of the violet narrowband light Vn and the green narrowband light Gn, are read out. The light amount ratio Z of the violet narrowband light Vn to the green narrowband light Gn is set in such a range as to make the light amount of the violet narrowband light Vn larger than the light amount of the green narrowband light Gn, and make a signal value of the second mixed pixel higher than a signal value of the first mixed pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 9788711
    Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor includes: an endoscope housing portion; a medicinal solution tank in which a medicinal solution is stored; a medicinal solution transfer portion that transfers the medicinal solution from the medicinal solution tank to the endoscope housing portion; a comparison portion that compares the concentration of the medicinal solution and a first reference concentration; a first adjustment portion that increases a reaction rate of the medicinal solution in a state in which the concentration of the medicinal solution is lower than the first reference concentration; and a control portion to which the comparison portion and the first adjustment portion are connected, and which drives the first adjustment portion in a case where the comparison portion determines that the concentration of the medicinal solution is lower than the first reference concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihisa Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9788712
    Abstract: A device for determining the presence of abnormal fluid in a middle ear of a subject includes an elongated probe, a first light source housed within the elongated probe, and a second light source housed within the elongated probe. The elongated probe includes a distal end for inspection of an ear. The First light source is configured to convey an optical beam through a tympanic membrane associated with the middle ear of the subject, without puncturing the tympanic membrane. The second light source is configured to convey light through the distal end of the elongated probe and illuminate the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Rahul Seth, Matthew R. Ford, Andrew M. Rollins, Paul K. Krakovitz
  • Patent number: 9788713
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying an eye including a light source with light elements, a photodetector producing a signal representing images of the light elements and corresponding to locations on an ocular surface, an optical system directing light from the light elements reflected by the ocular surface onto the photodetector, a memory including code for processing the signal, and a processor for executing the code and outputting shape data for use in calculating a treatment plan for the eye. The code includes instructions for determining the shape data based on a combination of zonal reconstruction and polynomial fitting using the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: AMO Wavefront Sciences LLC.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Farrer
  • Patent number: 9788714
    Abstract: A system and method for using a virtual reality or an augmented reality environment for the measurement and/or improvement of human vestibulo-ocular performance can be implemented by combining a video camera based eye orientation sensor, a head orientation sensor, a display, and an electronic circuit that connects the eye sensor, head sensor, and display. The system and method can be operated in the range of frequencies between 0.01 Hertz and 15 Hertz. The system and method can use a Fourier transform to compute a gain and a phase. The system and method can be used for measuring vestibulo-ocular reflex, dynamic visual acuity, dynamic visual stability, kinetic visual acuity, retinal image stability, or foveal fixation stability in a non-clinical setting. The system and method can be completely portable, head-worn, and self-contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: IARMOURHOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Wesley W. O. Krueger
  • Patent number: 9788715
    Abstract: An optotype presenting apparatus that is capable of carrying out examinations accurately is provided. An optotype presenting apparatus includes a display and a controller. The display includes left eye optotype display regions and right eye optotype display regions. The left eye optotype display regions output light having a first polarization axis. The right eye optotype display regions output light having a second polarization axis orthogonal to the first polarization axis. The left eye optotype display regions and the right eye optotype display regions are alternately arranged along pixel lines. The controller is capable of displaying a plurality of optotypes selectively on the display. Further, the controller controls the display based on a type of an optotype displayed on the display to change display luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventor: Tomohiro Sakurada
  • Patent number: 9788716
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and a device of testing color blindness, which belong to the technical field of test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui Li
  • Patent number: 9788717
    Abstract: A method of reducing jitter error in a laser scanning system adapted to produce a scanned image including a number of lines of an object. The method includes the steps of providing a reference object arranged such that the scanned image produced by the laser scanning system includes a reference image of the reference object, processing the reference image to calculate an error arising from non-repeatable displacement of the lines of the reference image, and adjusting at least one operating parameter of the laser scanning system in response to the calculated error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: OPTOS PLC
    Inventor: Hind Azegrouz
  • Patent number: 9788718
    Abstract: A surgical microscope for imaging structures of an eye includes: a front optical unit, an illumination device which has an illumination-radiation-emitting illumination source and which illuminates the retina of the eye with an illumination spot via an illumination beam path which extends through the front optical unit, a camera and an adjustable camera optical unit disposed upstream thereof, an imaging beam path which extends through the front optical unit and the camera optical unit, and a control device which controls the camera optical unit and sets the latter in such a way that the retina of the eye in the region of the illumination spot is imaged on the camera. The control device varies a focusing state of the camera optical unit and, as a result thereof, records a plurality of images of the retina in the region of the illumination spot, the images being focused in different depth planes, and establishes a refractive value of the eye from these images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Artur Hoegele, Peter Reimer, Holger Matz, Joachim Steffen
  • Patent number: 9788719
    Abstract: In order to suppress a load on a subject when a fundus is irradiated with multiple beams, a fundus imaging apparatus for forming an image of a first area in the object, includes: a determination unit for determining a second area other than the first area in the object to be inspected; a detection unit for detecting moving of the object to be inspected on the basis of return light from the second area, which is irradiated with second light; a correction unit for correcting the first area on the basis of the detected moving; and a forming unit for forming an image of the object to be inspected on the basis of the return light from the corrected first area, which is irradiated with the first light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Makihira, Kazuhide Miyata, Koji Nozato
  • Patent number: 9788720
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for illuminating, imaging and treating the retina of an eye. The apparatus (10) comprises an illuminating device (16) including a planar light source capable of producing light in a plane, such that the illuminating device (16) is capable of illuminating a circumferential line on the retina (12) and a support structure, wherein the illuminating device (16) is pivotably mountable to the support structure and is rotatable about an axis (18) which lies substantially on the plane defined by the light source, such that, in use, the illuminating device (16) may be rotated about the axis (18) to illuminate an area of the retina (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: OPTOS PLC
    Inventors: Robert Wall, Dan Gray
  • Patent number: 9788721
    Abstract: Some examples include a secure low-power sensor platform able to be used for activity monitoring or other purposes. For instance, a sensor system may sense sparse signals using compressed sensing. As one example, compressed sensing may be used to obtain sparse signals from analog sensor signals received from one or more sensors. The data obtained by compressed sensing may be sent subsequently to a computing device to reconstruct the sensor signal. Examples herein enable lower power usage, lower cost, and lower weight than conventional devices, while also enabling processing advantages, such as less overall data to process and lower data storage utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BIOBIT, INC.
    Inventors: Rohit Mittal, Neeraj Jhanji
  • Patent number: 9788722
    Abstract: Individuals who suffer from certain kinds of medical conditions, particularly conditions that only sporadically exhibit measurable symptoms, can feel helpless in their attempts to secure access to medical care because, at least in part, they are left to the mercy of their condition to present symptoms at the right time to allow diagnosis and treatment. Providing these individuals with ambulatory extended-wear health monitors that record ECG and physiology, preferably available over-the-counter and without health insurance preauthorization, is a first step towards addressing their needs. In addition, these individuals need a way to gain entry into the health care system once a medically-actionable medical condition has been identified. Here, the ECG and physiology is downloaded and evaluated post-monitoring against medical diagnostic criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BARDY DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Gust H. Bardy, Jon Mikalson Bishay
  • Patent number: 9788723
    Abstract: In one implementation, an apparatus estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point is described, estimates temperature from a digital infrared sensor and determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer, or determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer and estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point; after which the estimated and/or determined information is transmitted to an external database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Arc Devices, LTD
    Inventors: Irwin Gross, Michael G. Smith, Mark Khachaturian, Martin Crawley, Steven Gerst, John Barrett, Michael Cronin, Derek Turnbull, Jason Bodnick
  • Patent number: 9788724
    Abstract: A remote interface system according to some embodiments includes one or more patient monitoring devices having one or more sensors for patient monitoring, one or more first processors to receive information from the sensors and generate patient data based thereon, a web server, a first communication system, and a first screen to display a representation of at least a first portion of the patient data, and a remote interface device including a second communication system, a second screen, one or more second processors, an application executed by the one or more second processors and configured to detect a presence of the first communication system, establish a communication link between the first and second communication systems, establish a reliable connection channel (e.g. secure websocket connection) with the web server, receive the patient data via the connection, and display at least a second portion of the patient data on the second screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Eric W. Brown, Dan M. Mihai, Frederick J. Geheb
  • Patent number: 9788725
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a medical image fusion apparatus and method. The medical image fusion apparatus comprises: a display unit configured to display a plurality of medical images in layers in one window on a screen, wherein the arrangement direction of the plurality of medical images is different from the extension direction of the plane on which each medical image exists; an operation detection unit configured to detect an operation of selecting the medical images to be fused from the plurality of medical images; and a fused image generation unit configured to generate a fused image of the medical images to be fused according to the selection operation, wherein the display unit is further configured to display the fused image in a predetermined region in the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Qilin Xiao, Yong Sun, Zengzi Zhang, Zhiliang Zhang, Yufei Li