Patents Issued in October 31, 2017
  • Patent number: 9801522
    Abstract: A dish washer including a sump unit disposed below a wash tub and configured to collect water, and an upper nozzle, a lower nozzle, and a subsidiary nozzle configured to spray water received from the sump unit onto dishes/cutlery contained in at least one rack. The sump unit includes a circulating pump configured to pump water collected in the sump unit, and a distributing element configured to allow water pumped by the circulating pump to be sprayed through any one of the lower nozzle and the subsidiary nozzle, and to be sprayed selectively through the upper nozzle. Accordingly, it is possible to independently perform an intensive wash mode of spraying water only through the subsidiary nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeon Suk Wee, Byung Sam Yoo
  • Patent number: 9801523
    Abstract: A spray device assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided including an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube extends along an axial direction and defines an outer tube orifice extending along a length of the outer tube. The inner tube also extends along the axial direction and is rotatably positioned at least partially within an opening of the outer tube. Moreover, the inner tube defines an inner tube orifice extending along a length of the inner tube. The outer tube orifice and inner tube orifice together define a nozzle where the outer tube orifice and the inner tube orifice overlap, the nozzle configured to move along the outer tube orifice as the inner tube and the outer tube are rotated relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramasamy Thiyagarajan
  • Patent number: 9801524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a body; a washing cabin that is disposed on the body and wherein the washing process is performed; a door that almost completely closes the washing cabin and that has a closed position perpendicular to the floor and an open position almost parallel to the place where access to the washing cabin is provided, and a dosing unit that is disposed on the door, wherein the liquid/gel detergent can be filled and that enables the detergent to be transferred to the washing cabin during the washing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Ugur Kan, Cumhur Ayvazoglu
  • Patent number: 9801525
    Abstract: A method for assembling a cover glass in an endoscope and an endoscope with a cover glass. To assemble a cover glass in an endoscope, an uncoated cover glass is soldered into an intermediate ring, the cover glass soldered into the intermediate ring is provided with a coating, and the intermediate ring provided with the coated cover glass is joined into a sheath of the optical system of the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Eisenkolb, Stefan Heseler, Martin Lehmann
  • Patent number: 9801526
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is inserted through a guide tube. A telemanipulation system moves the distal end of the surgical instrument in all six Cartesian degrees of freedom independently of any guide tube movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Q. Larkin, Thomas G. Cooper, Catherine Mohr
  • Patent number: 9801527
    Abstract: Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Gearbox, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9801528
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a guidewire that has good operability and that can perform procedures efficiently. [Solution to Problem] A guidewire is for guiding insertion of a medical appliance into a subject. The guidewire includes an inserting portion and an observation optical system. The inserting portion has a first part and a second part that has higher flexibility than the first part, and the inserting portion is to be inserted into the subject. The observation optical system is provided to the inserting portion, and the observation optical system is provided for observing inside the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakatate, Hitoe Ilkura
  • Patent number: 9801529
    Abstract: A medical device such as an endoscope, a laparoscope, or other device including an entry guide uses outriggers or arms that are mounted on the distal end of the entry guide and rotationally deployed to provide separation of instruments when the entry guide reaches a work site. Deployment can be implemented with as few as one cable or actuator to operate the arms. This mechanism may achieve working separation in a short axial length without complicating instrument channels that may be used for other instruments introduced through the entry guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9801530
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus, comprising: an image pickup device; a detection device that detects whether or not an image region at which a part of an object region is edged along a direction parallel to the scan lines in a state that is different to a case where a plurality of the scan lines are simultaneously exposed exists in a frame image due to differences of exposure timings for each of the scan lines based on an image feature amount in the frame image that is obtained from the image data for each of the scan lines that is outputted from the image pickup device; and an exposure control device that lengthens an exposure time of each of the scan lines by the image pickup device in comparison to a case where the detection device does not detect the image region, if the detection device detects the image region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kagaya, Masayuki Takahira, Shingo Masuno, Masanobu Uchihara
  • Patent number: 9801531
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes an image acquisition section, an attention area setting section, and a dimming control section. The image acquisition section acquires a captured image that includes an object image. The attention area setting section sets an attention area within the captured image based on information from the endoscope system. The dimming control section performs a dimming control process that controls the intensity of illumination light based on the attention area set by the attention area setting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Morita, Seigo On, Jumpei Takahashi, Naoya Kuriyama, Keiji Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9801532
    Abstract: A medical instrument for endoscopic procedures that is provided with a hollow shaft, such that at least two channels are configured in the shaft and the channels can be coupled on the proximal end with supply conduits. To create a medical instrument of the aforementioned type which is of simple structure and ensures secure connect ability, it is proposed according to the invention that the proximal end of at least one first channel positioned in the shaft and the distal end at least one supply conduit that is to be coupled with this first channel are configured with respect to their geometric structural design in such a way that this first channel and the corresponding supply conduit can be coupled only with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefano Bettocchi
  • Patent number: 9801533
    Abstract: The present invention provides a healing abutment for attachment to a dental implant with marking locations thereon. The marking locations either lack or have markers that provide a binary code system for retrieving unique information about the healing abutment and the underlying implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet 3I, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Amber, Stephan S. Porter, Theodore M. Powell
  • Patent number: 9801534
    Abstract: An extendable intubation device is disclosed that includes a tube assembly having a plurality of elongated tubes. Within the assembly, a base tube is coupled with an extension tube to maintain a continuous fluid pathway along the tube assembly during a fore-and-aft movement of the extension tube relative to the base tube. The extendable intubation device can include a camera system to allow a user (e.g. physician) to visually monitor the advancement of the distal end of the extension tube into the trachea of the patient. The camera system can include a sensor portion attached to the distal end of the extension tube and a monitor portion. A conductive wire connects the sensor portion to the monitor portion. The monitor portion of the camera system can be provided as an eyepiece at the proximal end of the intubation device and/or as a stand alone display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Jonathan Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 9801535
    Abstract: An introducer for an endotracheal tube (50) has a bendable rod (10) with a video camera (15) and light source (16) mounted at its patient end (12) and connected by a cable (17) to an electrical connector (2) fixed at the machine end of the rod. The connector (2) has a narrow profile to allow the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid over it. In use, the camera (15) is connected to a video display (4) via a cable (5) and a mating connector (6), the rod (10) is bent to the desired shape and inserted into the trachea. The mating connector (6) is then disconnected to enable the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid to the correct position in the trachea along the rod (10) and over the connector (2) mounted at the machine end of the rod. The rod (10) is then removed to leave the tube (50) in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Smiths Medical International Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Stratton Turnbull
  • Patent number: 9801536
    Abstract: A polarization-based colposcopy apparatus includes a polarization exchanging beam splitter pair oriented so that s- and p-polarizations are exchanged. An optical flux from a specimen is directed through the pair, and orthogonal components thereof are alternately or selectively coupled to an array detector. The detected images are processed based on image correlations to reveal specimen structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Amir Gandjbakhche, Victor Chernomordik, Moinuddin Hassan, Alexander Sviridov, Zachary Ulissi, Paul D. Smith, Albert C. Boccara
  • Patent number: 9801537
    Abstract: An eye fundus image photographing device and method that can acquire images of higher quality. The eye fundus image photographing device photographs a wide-angle eye fundus image on an appropriate exposure condition with respect to a peripheral area different from an optic disk region of an eye fundus area and detects the optic disk region from the wide-angle eye fundus image. Moreover, based on the detection result of the optic disk region, the eye fundus image photographing device photographs a narrow-angle eye fundus image which assumes an area of the optic disk region as an object, on an appropriate exposure condition with respect to the area of the optic disk region. Further, the eye fundus image photographing device generates a synthetic eye fundus image of a high dynamic range by synthesizing the wide-angle eye fundus image and the narrow-angle eye fundus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9801538
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing portable wavefront aberrometer data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a mobile computing device, image data captured by a light detector of the mobile computing device, the image data corresponding to light reflected from an eye of a patient and passed through a portable wavefront aberrometer coupled to the mobile computing device. The method further includes processing the image data to compute a patient-specific parameter associated with the patient, and transmitting the patient-specific parameter to one or more of the mobile computing device or a computing device associated with a medical provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SMART VISION LABS, INC.
    Inventor: Yaopeng Zhou
  • Patent number: 9801539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an Ocular Videography System for tracking eye movements of an animal, in particular rats, comprising a camera system suitable of being positioned on the head of an animal to track eye movements of at least one eye of the animal, a head mount on which the camera system is fixed or fixable, wherein, at least one image sensor as well as at least one decoder, for decoding a signal detected by the image sensor, each being comprised by the camera system, and wherein the camera system, and in particular a camera of the camera system, is designed in such a way that it detects a movement of the eye and/or a movement of the head of the animal in a vertical and/or horizontal and/or a torsional direction to an optical axis of the camera system and/or of the optical axis of the animal's eye without interfering with the animal's natural motion dynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: STIFTUNG CAESAR—CENTER OF ADVANCED EUROPEAN STUDIES AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Jason Kerr, Damian Haydon Wallace, Juergen Sawinski, David Greenberg
  • Patent number: 9801540
    Abstract: System and method directed towards providing full and even illumination of a patient's retina through lighting integrated into a handheld fundus lens. By integrating the lighting, the method and system reduces and even eliminate many lens artifacts and reflections. By increasing the accuracy, quality, and field of view 10 afforded during clinical examination of the retina, the method and system will allow practitioners to make more accurate diagnoses and will increase safety during retinal surgical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Yates
  • Patent number: 9801541
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for remote monitoring. In some example implementations, there is provided a method. The method may include receiving, at a remote monitor, a notification message representative of an event detected, by a server, from analyte sensor data obtained from a receiver monitoring an analyte state of a host; presenting, at the remote monitor, the notification message to activate the remote monitor, wherein the remote monitor is configured by the server to receive the notification message to augment the receiver monitoring of the analyte state of the host; accessing, by the remote monitor, the server, in response to the presenting of the notification message; and receiving, in response to the accessing, information including at least the analyte sensor data. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Mensinger, Eric Cohen, Phil Mayou, Eli Reihman, Katherine Yerre Koehler, Rian Draeger, Angela Marie Traven
  • Patent number: 9801542
    Abstract: A heart monitoring system for a person includes one or more wireless nodes; and wearable appliance in communication with the one or more wireless nodes, the appliance monitoring vital signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bao Tran, Ha Tran
  • Patent number: 9801543
    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 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 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: 9801544
    Abstract: Disclosed are a monitor subject monitoring apparatus, a monitor subject monitoring method, and a monitor subject monitoring system configured to determine a first body state of a subject, based on an image data of the subject, and to determine a second body state of the subject, based on physiological data of the subject, wherein the subject monitoring apparatus, the subject monitoring method and the subject monitoring system are operable, when it is determined that one of the first and second body states of the subject is not abnormal, to re-perform a corresponding one of the determinations, and then determine whether or not a notification indicating that the subject is in an abnormal state should be issued, based on a result of the re-performed determination about the one of the first and second body states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshio Norita
  • Patent number: 9801545
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing data communication in medical systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Fennell, Mark Kent Sloan
  • Patent number: 9801546
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a method of diagnosing and treating a sacroiliac joint of a patient comprising: a) delivering a first member into the ilium via a first posterior approach; b) delivering a second member into the sacrum via a second posterior approach; and c) diagnosing an ailment of the sacroiliac joint by: manipulating the first member relative to the second member; or identifying joint movement via a sensor positioned in or near the sacroiliac joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: JCBD, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Jeffrey Donner, Christopher Thomas Donner, Natalie Victoria Donner
  • Patent number: 9801547
    Abstract: An activity monitoring device and associated methods for using and interfacing with the activity monitoring device are provided. In one example, the activity monitoring device includes a housing configured for attachment to a body part of a user. Also included ins a display screen attached to the housing and a sensor for capturing physiological conditions of the user. The sensor is disposed along a surface of the housing so that the sensor is proximate to the body part, the body part having at least some exposed skin. The activity monitoring device also includes memory for storing the captured physiological conditions, and a processor for examining the captured physiological conditions. At a particular time, the processor automatically selects an application to execute from a plurality of applications based on characteristics of the captured physiological conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelten Gee Jao Yuen, James Park, Eric Nathan Friedman, Mark Manuel Martinez, Andrew Cole Axely
  • Patent number: 9801548
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing depth sectioned fluorescence imaging of a turbid sample including a fluorescent turbid medium, uses an apparatus for quantitative modulated fluorescence imaging, the apparatus including projection optics with a first optical axis, to expose the turbid sample to a periodic pattern of excitation radiation to provide depth-resolved discrimination of fluorescent structures within the turbid medium; an image capture module, including a second optical axis and a detection beam path, to receive a data image from the sample; and a signal processor to transform the data image from the sample, spatially filter the transformed data image from the sample, and reconstruct the filtered, transformed data image from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bruker Biospin Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Feke, Laurie L. Voci
  • Patent number: 9801549
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for finding a functional tissue area in a tissue region. The apparatus has a measurement illuminating device suitable for emitting measurement illumination to the tissue region and a camera which can capture light reflected by the tissue region. The camera has a green channel and/or a blue channel wherein there is a change in an optical property of the light reflected by the tissue region during the stimulation thereof which is undertaken at least intermittently. An evaluation unit captures the change in the optical property only by a signal of the green channel and/or of the blue channel of the camera. A display unit can display an output signal of the evaluation unit for the functional tissue area in the tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Technische Universitaet Dresden Institut fuer Biomedizinische Technik, Technische Universitaet Dresden Klinik und Poliklinik fuer Neurochirurgie
    Inventors: Gerald Panitz, Christoph Hauger, Marco Wilzbach, Roland Guckler, Tobias Meyer, Martin Oelschlaegel, Ute Morgenstern, Stephan B. Sobottka, Gabriele Schackert
  • Patent number: 9801550
    Abstract: A mobile, hand-held communication device with a digital touch screen display and a camera for acquiring an image of the human body is programmed to function as a digital anthropometer. The user digitizes anatomical landmarks on the displayed image to quickly obtain linear measurements which are used with a known morphological relationship to make an anatomical prediction for clothing measurement, body composition and postural displacement with accuracy and without external equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph Ralph Ferrantelli
  • Patent number: 9801551
    Abstract: A vision system that may be used in a catheter or similar guiding instrument includes receptors distributed in an annular area. Each of the receptors has a field of view covering only a portion of an object environment, and the field of view of each of the receptors overlaps with at least one of the fields of view of the other receptors. A processing system can receive image data from the receptors and combine image data from the receptors to construct a visual representation of the entirety of the object environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Sugical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Herzlinger, Giuseppe Maria Prisco, Vincent Duindam, David Q. Larkin
  • Patent number: 9801552
    Abstract: A physiological signal processing system for a physiological waveform that includes a cardiovascular signal component provides a variable high pass filter that is responsive to the physiological waveform, and that is configured to high pass filter the physiological waveform in response to a corner frequency that is applied. A heart rate metric extractor is responsive to the variable high pass filter and is configured to extract a heart rate metric from the physiological waveform that is high pass filtered. A corner frequency adjuster is responsive to the heart rate metric extractor and is configured to determine the corner frequency that is applied to the variable high pass filter, based on the heart rate metric that was extracted. Analogous methods may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Douglas Romesburg
  • Patent number: 9801553
    Abstract: A system is disclosed including a measuring device comprising sensors configured to collect data from a user based on the sensor being at least one of in contact with and proximate to a section of skin of the user, a stress feature analyzer configured to determine a cardiovascular activity feature of the user, a skin conductance feature of the user, movement of the user, and skin temperature of the user based on the data collected with the measuring device, and a stress classifier configured to classify and report stress experienced by the user based on at least one of one feature selected from the cardiovascular activity feature and the skin conductance feature, and two features including a combination of the cardiovascular activity feature and the skin conductance feature, wherein when the skin temperature of the user exceeds a defined threshold, the stress classifier ceases to classify the stress experienced by the user. A method and a non-transitory processor readable storage medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Design Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: George Chadderdon, III, Brent Winslow, Sara Dechmerowski, David Jones
  • Patent number: 9801554
    Abstract: A noninvasive light sensor for detecting heart beat signals has a circular support member engageable circumferentially with a body part of a person. There are a plurality of light emitters and light detectors located around a circumference of the circular support member for respectively emitting light signals into different areas of tissue surrounding the body part, and receiving reflected light signals from the different areas of tissue surrounding the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Well Being Digital Limited
    Inventors: Chor Tin Ma, Kai Kin Chan, Ming Yip Wong, Kai Wai Yeung, Fo Chau
  • Patent number: 9801555
    Abstract: According to one implementation, the system includes, a capturing unit, a deforming unit, and a generating unit. The capturing unit captures a dynamic state of a thoracic portion to generate a plurality of frame images. The deforming unit sets a reference point in a position corresponding to each other among the plurality of generated frame images. The deforming unit extracts a lung field region from each of the frame images. The deforming unit deforms a shape of the lung field region so that a distance from the set reference point to an outline of an outer side of the lung field region becomes a certain distance. The generating unit analyzes a dynamic state in the lung field region and generates an analysis result image showing a result of the analysis in a corresponding position in the deformed lung field region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Sho Noji
  • Patent number: 9801556
    Abstract: A patient monitor capable of measuring microcirculation at a tissue site includes a light source, a beam splitter, a photodetector and a patient monitor. Light emitted from the light source is split into a reference arm and a sample arm. The light in the sample arm is directed at a tissue site, such as an eyelid. The reflected light from the tissue site is interfered with the light from the reference arm. The photodetector measures the interference of the light from both the sample arm and the reference arm. The patient monitor uses the measurements from the photodetector to calculate the oxygen saturation at the tissue site and monitor the microcirculation at the tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventor: Massi Joe E. Kiani
  • Patent number: 9801557
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for performing procedure on tissue with flow monitoring using flow sensors. The devices include an elongated member, and at least one flow sensor disposed on the elongated member. The flow sensor includes at least one temperature sensor and at least one heating element having a cavity. At least a portion of the at least one temperature sensor is housed in the cavity. A temperature measurement of the temperature sensor provides an indication of the flow rate of a fluid proximate to the flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MC10, Inc.
    Inventors: Roozbeh Ghaffari, Stephen Lee, John Work, John A. Wright, Jr., Lauren Klinker
  • Patent number: 9801558
    Abstract: Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) cause a large number of deaths annually. Ruptures occur even in people who are already diagnosed with AAA and are being monitored. The reason is that the interval between tests is too long because of the need to visit a pathological facility with imaging equipment. It is preferable to estimate the progress of AAA frequently, once detected, in a non-invasive manner, preferably at the subject's home, without the need for the subject to visit a pathological facility. A device is disclosed for detecting a state of a vascular pathology of a subject, comprising a sensor signal unit (103) for providing a signal representative of a blood volume in a body part of a subject, a comparator (107) for comparing the sensor signal with a reference signal, and a user interface (109) for conveying a result based on the comparison to a user of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Geert Gui Georges Morren
  • Patent number: 9801559
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a neural probe comprises a substrate comprising elongated shanks for penetrating neural tissue, each comprising a proximal end and a distal end; at least one optical source integral to the neural probe for illuminating the neural tissue; and microelectrodes located proximate the distal end of the elongated shanks for monitoring neuronal activity. In certain embodiments, a method of monitoring neuronal activity comprises implanting the neural probe into a test subject such that the elongated shanks protrude into neural tissue of the test subject; illuminating the neural tissue with the at least one optical source; and measuring neuronal activity in response to illuminating the neural tissue. In certain embodiments, a device comprises a semiconductor chip; at least one optical source integral to the semiconductor chip; and sensor elements integral to the semiconductor chip for collecting data responsive to light emitted from the at least one optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DIAGNOSTIC BIOCHIPS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Jamieson, Jennette Mateo
  • Patent number: 9801560
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an ophthalmic device capable of monitoring neural frequencies and correlating the measured frequencies them to specific brain activity/functions. In some embodiments, profiles specific to the user of the ophthalmic device can be pre-programmed to tailor a brain activity/function profiles according to a user. Based on the determined brain activity/function from the correlation, a signal may be generated to provide feedback to the user. The signal may be transmitted to the user in one or more form. For example, the signal may be outputted to a wireless device in wireless communication with the ophthalmic device, and/or through an audible signal projected by an acoustic element, and/or a visual signal projected using a photon emitter, both which may be included in the ophthalmic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Braxton Pugh
  • Patent number: 9801561
    Abstract: The system and method provide for electrocardiogram analysis and optimization of patient-customized cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapy delivery. An external medical device includes a housing and a processor within the housing. The processor can be configured to receive an input signal for a patient receiving chest compressions and to select at least one filter mechanism and to apply the filter mechanism to the signal to at least substantially remove chest compression artifacts from the signal. A real time dynamic analysis of a cardiac rhythm is applied to adjust and integrate CPR prompting of a medical device. Real-time cardiac rhythm quality is facilitated using a rhythm assessment meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Ronald Eugene Stickney, Robert G. Walker, Daniel Piraino, Isabelle Banville, Fred Chapman
  • Patent number: 9801562
    Abstract: The disclosure herein provides cardiac monitoring and diagnostic system, methods, and devices. A cardiac diagnostic system for detecting potential indicators of cardiac disease comprises: a cardiac monitoring device comprising at least one electrode configured to detect an analog electrical cardiac signal of a user; a cardiac signal filter configured to convert the analog electrical cardiac signal to digital electrocardiogram data; an atypical cardiac sequence detector configured to detect atypical cardiac patterns in the electrocardiogram data that are potentially indicative of cardiac disease; and a notification transmitter configured to generate an alert when a detected atypical cardiac pattern is determined to be indicative of cardiac disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
    Inventor: Anders Host-Madsen
  • Patent number: 9801563
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes system and methods for detecting and amplifying weak magnetic fields generated by anatomical structures. The disclosure describes an implantable magnetic reporter system. The magnetic reporter system includes a magnetic reporter. The magnetic reporter includes a platform coupled to a support structure by a plurality of torsional flexures. A magnet is disposed on the platform, and the magnet and platform rotate when exposed to a magnetic field. The rotation of the magnet generates a stronger magnet field that is detectable external to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan J. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 9801564
    Abstract: A system and method for determining physiological parameters based on electrical impedance measurements is provided. One method includes obtaining electrical measurement signals acquired from a plurality of transducers coupled to a surface of an object and spatially pre-conditioning the obtained electrical measurement signals. The method also includes performing multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) analog to information conversion (AIC) of the spatially pre-conditioned electrical measurement signals to correlate the spatially pre-conditioned electrical measurement signals to separate the electrical measurement signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Amit Satish Gore, Jeffrey Michael Ashe, Emad Andarawis Andarawis
  • Patent number: 9801565
    Abstract: In a breast imaging method, magnetic resonance data are acquired of one or both breasts of a subject (16) using a breast coil (20, 20?) coupled with said one or both breasts. The acquiring employs at least four independent channels (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46; 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) per breast. The acquired magnetic resonance data are processed to generate at least one of (i) an image, (ii) a spectrum, and (iii) elasticity data. The at least four independent channels per breast are suitably embodied as a dual breast coil (20) including left breast conductors (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) defining at least four independent left breast acquisition channels (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) and right breast conductors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) defining at least four independent right breast acquisition channels (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Srirama V. Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 9801566
    Abstract: A system and apparatus taught to determine the identification and selected information relating to surgical instruments near a reader. The information can be stored on a member operable to transmit the information to a reader at a selected time. The information can be used in a navigation system to assist in navigation of the instrument relative to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Verard, Robert Teichman
  • Patent number: 9801567
    Abstract: First RGB image signals are inputted. A first B/G ratio and a first G/R ratio are calculated. The first B/G ratio and the first G/R ratio are converted into a second B/G ratio and a second G/R ratio, respectively, through a color information conversion process. Owing to the color information conversion process, a difference between first and second observation areas in a second signal ratio space formed by the second B/G ratio and the second G/R ratio is greater than a difference between the first and second observation areas in a first signal ratio space formed by the first B/G ratio and the first G/R ratio, and a difference between the first and third observation areas in the second signal ratio space is greater than a difference between the first and third observation areas in the first signal ratio space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Kuramoto, Makoto Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 9801568
    Abstract: A method for acquiring gait parameters of an individual is disclosed. The method includes capturing calibration images from foot marker placed on feet or shoes of an individual while an individual is standing still, the calibration images are obtained from a camera worn by the individual, capturing subsequent time-varying images from the foot markers while the individual is walking, and comparing the calibration images to the subsequent time-varying images by a processing unit that is coupled to the camera to determine changes between the initial relative image size of the foot markers and the time-varying images of the foot markers as a function of time to analyze gait of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Babak Ziaie, Albert Kim, Junyoung Kim, Shirley Rietdyk
  • Patent number: 9801569
    Abstract: This method for detecting activity (A) of a physical system carrying a motion sensor comprises the following steps: extracting (100) a sequence (M) of measurements provided by the motion sensor; deducing (102) therefrom an observation sequence (O) calculated on the basis of the measurement sequence (M); determining (104) the activity (A) of the physical system in the form of a sequence of states corresponding to the observation sequence, using a statistical model of components of the observation sequence in view of a plurality of possible predetermined states of the physical system. At least one component of the observation sequence (O) is calculated on the basis of a reference value ({circumflex over (?)}) of a vector representing a reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, MOVEA
    Inventor: Pierre Jallon
  • Patent number: 9801570
    Abstract: Generally, a method performed by one or more processing devices includes generating a graphical user interface that when rendered on a display of the one or more processing devices renders a visual representation of an environment and a visual representation of an object in the environment; retrieving an auditory stimulus with one or more auditory attributes indicative of a location of a virtual target in the environment; receiving information specifying movement of the object in the environment; determining, based on the movement of the object, a proximity of the object to the virtual target; adjusting, based on the proximity, one or more values of the one or more auditory attributes of the auditory stimulus; and causing the one or more processing devices to play the auditory stimulus using the adjusted one or more values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventors: Daniel B. Polley, Kenneth E. Hancock
  • Patent number: 9801571
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing data processing and control for use in a medical communication system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Alan Hayter