Patents Issued in November 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9820602
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a steam heating boiler, which can be implemented by combining steam table and steam cabinet; said boiler includes a hollow upper groove thereabove and a hollow bottom groove therebelow; the top opening of said upper groove is sealed, and the volume of the hollow bottom groove protruded downwardly from the lower part of the said upper groove, the upper part of said bottom groove communicated with the lower part of the upper groove, and the lower part of said bottom groove is sealed, so that water can flow freely inside the upper groove and bottom groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Rong-Kuan Chang
  • Patent number: 9820603
    Abstract: A cooking environment is described for allocating power between multiple cooking systems and providing a calculated amount of energy to a cooking system. The cooking systems can each include a receptacle and a heating/cooling element to heat a product within the receptacle. A controller can receive requests for power from the cooking systems. Based on the requests for power, the controller allocates an amount of time within a time period in which the heating/cooling elements of each cooking system receive electrical energy. The controller can also allocate specific intervals within the time period in which the heating/cooling elements receive electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: STARBUCKS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Singer, Chris Doughty, Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Frank Roth
  • Patent number: 9820604
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a funnel liquid shield and sensor for use in brewing funnels of a beverage making apparatus. The liquid shield is moveably attached to the funnel. The sensor detects at least one of a presence and absence of liquid in the funnel and is used to provide a signal to at least one of lock or unlock the funnel from the beverage making apparatus or provide a signal corresponding to the condition of liquid in the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Jason M. Banning, Jamie D. Ratterman
  • Patent number: 9820605
    Abstract: A coffee machine for producing and dispensing coffee-based beverages is disclosed, including a hydraulic pump and at least one dispensing device comprising a filter unit apt to contain ground coffee. A hydraulic circuit brings the hydraulic pump into fluid communication with a supply unit of the dispensing device. The hydraulic circuit includes a supply duct which supplies hot water under pressure to the supply unit. A system for controlling the dispensing pressure includes a control unit, a pressure sensor, and a hydraulic variable-flow valve. The variable-flow valve is actuated by an electronic drive controlled electronically by the control unit in order to regulate the flow rate of water output as a function of a detected dispensing pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GRUPPO CIMBALI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Coccia
  • Patent number: 9820606
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine includes a capsule holder for holding a capsule, a fluid conduction system, a brewing head having an aperture for receiving the capsule holder, and an injection support connected to the fluid conduction system, an injection plate supported by the support, including an upper surface connected to the fluid conduction system through the support. The injection plate includes at least one channel independent from the fluid conducting channel connecting its upper and lower surfaces, the channel being suitable for circulating fluid at least from the lower surface towards the upper surface of the injection plate, the channel further including at least one piercing element having a base attached to the injection plate and an apex directed towards the lower surface of the injection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Talon, Michael Ayoub
  • Patent number: 9820607
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for brewing a beverage from precursor particulates. The apparatus comprises a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid into a brewing basket. The liquid delivery system comprises a showerhead disposed above at least a portion of the brewing basket. The showerhead has a plurality of outlet openings through which liquid flows outward from the showerhead into the brew basket. At least two of the outlet openings are oriented to direct the flow of liquid out of the showerhead at least in part transversely of the brew basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Warner Marschke, Kurt Ryan Rottier, Daniele Rosati, John S Reback, Dave William Everett
  • Patent number: 9820608
    Abstract: Disclosure of a flipping device for cooking foods in an oven at home or at a commercial location resulting in a uniform cooking of the food as well as retaining a juicy texture uniformly within the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Gwendolyn Kessell
  • Patent number: 9820609
    Abstract: A waffle iron plate for forming a waffle having multiple scores, the plate comprising a base having a front surface and at least two spaced-apart ribs extending from the front surface of the base and configured to form the scores, whereby the waffle may be folded along the scores so as to have a bottom portion and two side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE FAST FAMILY TRUST
    Inventors: Brian J. Fast, Ryan Adams
  • Patent number: 9820610
    Abstract: A barbecue support assembly for supporting an elongate skewer at one or more preselected heights above a barbecue grill. The barbecue support assembly includes one or more body elements having one or more parts thereof positionable substantially at one of the preselected heights. Also the part includes one or more apertures in which an end of the skewer is receivable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Balcerzak, Walter Grassi
  • Patent number: 9820611
    Abstract: A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet of material is supported (e.g., removably) above the sheet of corrugated material. There are a plurality of openings in the upper sheet of material, each opening being vertically aligned with a lowest portion of a trough. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pair of flanged members attached to a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. A sheet with openings slides into the frame aligning the openings with the lowest part of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Metal Fusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman R. Bourgeois, Barbara Bourgeois, Michael P. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 9820612
    Abstract: A barbeque grill scraper and related methods of use that utilize a scraping end formed of a heat-responsive material to remove char and other debris from the grilling surface. The grill scraper includes a conformable scraping edge formed of the heat-responsive material. As the conformable scraping edge is drawn back and forth along the heated grilling surface, a combination of pressure applied by a user as well as the heat of the grill surface results in the formation of individual grooves along the conformable scraping edge, wherein each groove is formed to match an upper profile of the grilling surface. Over time, the grooves fully conform to the upper profile of the grilling surface such that an entire cooking surface can be scraped clean of char and debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: THOMPSON BROTHERS & COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan A. Thompson, Joshua J. Thompson, Jason S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9820613
    Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides an oil monitoring device designed primarily to monitor, measure, and display measurement parameters for a containment tank of fresh or waste oil. The monitoring device can be positioned on the containment tank of fresh or waste oil, or can be positioned proximate to the containment tank, as long as the monitoring device remains in communication with the containment tank. The monitoring device comprises a real-time level sensor that is in communication with the containment tank of cooking oil. The level sensor measures usage and collection volumes, as well as filtration status of the containment tank in real-time and displays the information to a user via a display. Furthermore, the monitoring device comprises alarms to alert users of specific oil levels. The monitoring device can either be a stand-alone device or be linked to a computer program to function as a data management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Frontline International, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Palazzo, Giovanni Brienza, Maxwell Lee Palazzo, Ryan M. Mullen
  • Patent number: 9820614
    Abstract: A welding ground detection system and method are provided. In one embodiment, a switch actuator is interconnected to a grounding device and operatively associated with a switch. The switch is electrically connected to an electrical circuit that is operatively associated with the welding equipment. The switch is normally in an open state in which the switch opens the electrical circuit, thereby preventing welding. Upon connection of the grounding device to a workpiece, the switch actuator actuates the switch to a closed state, thereby permitting welding. In one embodiment, detection of a voltage, a current, a resistance, or an impedance of a ground connection is not required to actuate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Johnny W. Dingler
  • Patent number: 9820615
    Abstract: An automatic dosing device is disclosed which comprises a frame on which are disposed a flavoring unit, a flavoring receiving unit and a control unit. The flavoring unit comprises a solid flavoring mechanism and a liquid flavoring mechanism, the solid flavoring mechanism comprising a solid flavoring module and a first drive device, the solid flavoring module being detachably connected to the first drive device, the liquid flavoring mechanism comprising a liquid flavoring module and a second drive device, the liquid flavoring module being detachably connected to the second drive device. Both the first and second drive devices are fixed on the frame and are connected with the control unit, respectively; the flavoring receiving unit receives flavorings from the solid flavoring mechanism and the liquid flavoring mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Zhuhai Unilink Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuqiang Jin, Jiandong Huang, Feng Wang, Haiming Du
  • Patent number: 9820616
    Abstract: A plastic storage container assembly is disclosed comprising a storage container configured to receive a locking lid is disclosed. The storage container is comprised of a base, a generally curvilinear sidewall, a locking ledge and a resting ledge and handles. The sidewall has an inner surface and an outer surface and extends upwardly from the base. The sidewall terminates in a continuous curvilinear upper rim that has a generally parabolic profile and defines a terminal edge of the sidewall. The locking ledge traverses the outer surface of the sidewall and is defined by an outwardly projecting step in the sidewall. The locking ledge is disposed below the terminal edge of the sidewall. The resting ledge is disposed below the terminal edge of the sidewall. The storage container includes upwardly projecting first and second handles defining opposed sides of an upper extent of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Paul Goldfarb, Kieron Hiuhon Tse, Nicolsson Fernandes
  • Patent number: 9820617
    Abstract: A method and device for hanging a storage bag having a re-sealable mechanical seal having a clip with a generally elongate enclosure of the storage bag proximate the re-sealable mechanical seal. The clip arms are flexibly connected to a living hinge for enclosure of a storage bag which may be slid into and out of the rack via the interiorly positioned opposing parallel rails by contact between the lower side of the clip arms and the upper surface of the opposing rails. The clip arms and opposing parallel rails of the rack may be configured with recesses or ridges to lock the position of the clips within the rack during use. A top carrier aperture allows insertion of a carrier rod allowing multiple racks to be adjacently positioned. The rack may be configured with a fastener aperture to allow attachment of the rack to other structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: John David Utter
  • Patent number: 9820618
    Abstract: An article for facilitating and encouraging proper disposal of cooking oils includes an aesthetic body shaped in the appearance of at least a portion of a monkey having at least an open mouth; a mount for attaching the aesthetic body to a portion of a waste receptacle; a funnel disposed substantially within the open mouth of the monkey and leading to a cooking oil conduit, which is disposed substantially within the interior space of the aesthetic body and is provided at its distal end with internal threading that is sized and shaped to accept and dependently support a container for collecting cooking oil. At least one stabilizing means for holding a frying pan, skillet, sauce pot or the like in place about the open mouth of the monkey is provided. A solids screen and an air conduit ensure rapid and unimpeded flow through the conduit of cooking oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SALFIE Products, LLC
    Inventor: Louis K. Fiedler
  • Patent number: 9820619
    Abstract: A support member for a bathtub comprises a base and a plurality of flexible elements. The base includes an upper surface configured to be coupled to a bathtub. The plurality of flexible elements extend laterally outward from a side of the base and are configured to engage a lower portion of the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Cohen, Jeffrey F. Tempas, James N. Jaeckels, Darren R. Wojahn, Santosh R. Narasimhan, Adam W. Dwyer, Logan M. Tatem
  • Patent number: 9820620
    Abstract: A towel cover for drying hair and preventing frizz is provided. The towel cover includes a unitary sheet of fabric material having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The unitary sheet of fabric material is substantially rectangular. The opposing ends of the interior surface of the unitary sheet of fabric material may be folded to form a cavity. The cavity is configured to receive a towel. At least one fastener may be disposed along at least one edge of the interior surface of the unitary sheet of fabric material. The fastener secures the opposing ends of the interior surface to form the cavity. A towel may be positioned in the cavity between the opposing ends of the interior surface to surround an entire periphery of the towel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Heidi Wicker
  • Patent number: 9820621
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided wherein at least one of an upstream air plenum that is positioned upstream of the pre-motor filter, and a downstream air plenum that is positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter comprises an end wall spaced from the pre-motor filter and comprises a first portion having an air flow port and a second portion proximate the outer perimeter of the pre-motor filter, wherein the first portion and the second portion meet at a first juncture that extends at an angle to the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Nina Conrad, Dave Petersen, Tom Wajda
  • Patent number: 9820622
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclone separation device for separating particles from air and a cyclone vacuum cleaner (80). It has the objective to reduce noise without impairing the dirt separation performance. This is achieved an arrangement comprising a cyclone chamber (10), a dirt collecting chamber (50) arranged adjacent to the cyclone chamber (10) for collecting dirt particles separated from air, a dirt-duct (40) between the cyclone chamber (10) and the dirt collecting chamber (50) for allowing dirt particles to pass from the cyclone chamber (10) towards the dirt collecting chamber (50), and an air-guide (60) arranged adjacent to the dirt-duct (40) for reducing the momentum of the air in the dirt-duct (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Tseard Van Der Kooi, Michael Van Den Bosch, Peter Dam
  • Patent number: 9820623
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body; a suction device communicated with the cleaner main body; a wheel which may move the cleaner body; a motor for driving the wheel; a sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the cleaner main body about a rotation angle of the wheel; a memory in which a plurality of reference values about the sensor are stored; and a controller determining one reference value of the plurality of reference values and controlling the motor according to a size of an angle value detected from the sensor based on the determined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Gunho Ha
  • Patent number: 9820624
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head with a housing having a front end, a back end, a lower surface extending from the front end to the back end, and a suction opening through the lower surface. An agitator chamber is the suction opening, and a suction passage extends from the agitator chamber towards the back end. An agitator having a spindle and agitating devices is rotatably mounted to the housing. A cleaning member is movably mounted to the housing to move between a first position in which it does not engage the agitator, and a second position in which it engages the agitator to remove debris from the agitator during rotation of the agitator. A pedal extends from the back end of the housing and moves between a first pedal and a second pedal position to place the cleaning member in the second cleaning member position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Henrik Eriksson
  • Patent number: 9820625
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main body, a moving device to move the main body, and a control unit at the main body to recognize an area requiring cleaning. When the control unit recognizes the area requiring cleaning while in a standby state of the robot cleaner, the control unit controls the moving device so that the main body moves from a standby position to the area requiring cleaning to clean the area based on the control unit recognizing the area requiring cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Divya T P, Sumit Gautam, Dharshan Kumar
  • Patent number: 9820626
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head having a housing, supports extending downward from the housing to a support point, a suction opening, an agitator chamber above and in fluid communication with the suction opening, an agitator with a spindle rotatably mounted to the housing and one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle, a cleaning member movably mounted to the housing to move to a position where it engages the agitator to remove debris from the agitator during rotation of the agitator, and a pedal connected to the housing and movable to a position to place the cleaning member in the cleaning position. The pedal has an activation surface configured to receive an activation force from an operator, and the activation surface is configured such that application of the activation force on the pedal generates a moment force to bias the agitator away from the downward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Henrik Eriksson, Brian Vines
  • Patent number: 9820627
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a dispensing system for applying a treating agent stored on the vacuum cleaner to the surface to be cleaned. The dispensing system can include at least one container for storing a supply of liquid treating agent and a dispenser for dispensing the liquid treating agent to the surface to be cleaned. The dispenser can include a porous a diffusion media that is configured to diffuse the treating agent through the dispenser and onto the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Vito Caro, Jr., Alexander Joseph Reed
  • Patent number: 9820628
    Abstract: Improved mop base capable of using both surfaces of a normal mop arranged parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: T.T.S.s.r.l
    Inventor: Renato Zorzo
  • Patent number: 9820629
    Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering wash fluid to be recirculated by a circulation pump in a dishwasher appliance is provided. The filter assembly includes a first filter member and a second filter member. The first filter member defines a first filter panel and the second filter member defines a second filter panel. The first filter panel is spaced from the second filter panel along an axial direction of the filter assembly and is configured in series flow with the second filter panel. More particularly, the first and second filter panels are configured such that wash fluid is filtered by the first filter panel and by the second filter panel prior to being recirculated by the circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Ryan Ellis Leonard, Derek L. Watkins, Errin Whitney Gnadinger
  • Patent number: 9820630
    Abstract: When an air supply conduit is connected to an empty space portion inside an endoscope and air is fed to the empty space portion to perform a leak determination based on a change in the internal pressure of the endoscope which is caused by the air, a surface temperature of the endoscope that is measured by a temperature measurement portion is maintained at a temperature at the time that the leak determination starts, through energy supply control that irradiates far infrared rays onto a surface of the endoscope from a far-infrared ray irradiation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiko Tomita
  • Patent number: 9820631
    Abstract: An endoscope includes: an operation portion provided continuously with a proximal end of a rigid insertion portion having a longitudinal axis; an optical element disposed at a distal end part of the insertion portion so as to be rotationally movable around a first shaft perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second shaft parallel to the longitudinal axis; a single operation member disposed at the operation portion and swingable forward, backward, leftward, and rightward around a third shaft and a fourth shaft perpendicular to each other; a first transmission member that transmits a rotational force around the first shaft to the optical element by a tilting operation of the operation member around the third shaft; and a second transmission member that transmits a rotational force around the second shaft to the optical element by a tilting operation of the operation member around the fourth shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 9820632
    Abstract: An elongated optical guidewire assembly, such as for optically imaging a patient from within another catheter, can have a lead portion and a probe portion. A connector between the lead and probe portions can include a bore including first and second bore ends. The first bore end can include a substantially circular cross-sectional profile. The second bore end can include a substantially non-circular cross-sectional profile. The bore can be configured to receive the optical guidewire assembly at the first bore end and configured to deform the optical guidewire assembly at the second bore end such that probe and lead ends of the optical guidewire assembly are deformed into a substantially non-circular profile and located between the first and second bore ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Vascular Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Eberle
  • Patent number: 9820633
    Abstract: A flexible tubular portion of an endoscope includes a spiral tube portion. The spiral tube portion includes a closely wound portion to at least a part of which an initial tension is applied, and a sparsely wound portion provided at least at one end of the closely wound portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taro Iede
  • Patent number: 9820634
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient. The steering device comprises a flexible tube; a plurality of spaced-apart elements positioned along at least a portion of the tube; wherein the plurality of spaced-apart elements and the tube form a single integrated unit; and at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing through the spaced-apart elements and at least a portion passing within the tube. According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient, comprising: a flexible tube; at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing within the flexible tube; at least two spring-like sleeves; each spring-like sleeve at least partially enclosing a steering wire respectively; wherein the spring-like sleeve has a variable pitch along its length; such that the flexible tube comprises at least two portions having different bending properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: G.I. VIEW LTD.
    Inventors: Tal Simchony, Avraham Sinay, Ilia Krivoruk
  • Patent number: 9820635
    Abstract: In a bending tube for endoscope on which torsion preventing tab mechanisms are provided on the respective middle parts of first and second slots for bending located in an area from the proximal end of a bending tube body to a predetermined position on the distal end side (the torsion suppressing area), and the bending tube body being permitted to bend by the first and second slots for bending, the torsion preventing tab mechanism of at least any one of the first and second slots for bending arranged on the proximal end side of each of arrays (first and second arrays), other than the first and second slots for bending located at the most proximal end, among the first and second slots for bending arrayed in a same line, respectively, along a longitudinal direction of the bending tube body, is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Seto, Eijiro Sato, Takeru Kondo, Takashi Nara
  • Patent number: 9820636
    Abstract: The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Douglas P. Hart, Federico Frigerio, Davide M. Marini
  • Patent number: 9820637
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a substrate, on a first surface of which a light receiving section and a peripheral circuit section are formed, a multilayer wiring layer stacked on the first surface and including a plurality of metal layers and insulating layers, a translucent cover located on the multilayer wiring layer, and a side surface sealing member which extends from a peripheral section of a surface in the translucent cover to the substrate side while having a frame shape, and protects outer peripheral side surfaces of the multilayer wiring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takatoshi Igarashi, Noriyuki Fujimori
  • Patent number: 9820638
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed medical devices for illuminating and viewing a patient's internal body portion. The device may include an elongated flexible tube including a distal end and a proximal end. The tube defines a channel extending from the proximal end to an aperture at the distal end. An illumination device is housed within the channel and configured to emit a distally directed path of light. A light source is provided at the distal end of the flexible tube and configured to emit a laterally directed path of light. In one embodiment the light source is a organic light emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Cheng
  • Patent number: 9820639
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for scanning endoscope includes: a number-of-interpolations determination section that receives detection signals from a detector for sequentially sampling return light from a subject and determines a number of detection signals used in an interpolation process by an interpolation section based on distances between a coordinate position of a predetermined lattice point in pixel data of a raster scan system and sampling coordinate positions of the detection signals around the coordinate position of the predetermined lattice point; and the interpolation section that generates pixel data of the predetermined lattice point by using signals of the sampling coordinate positions, wherein a number of the signals is equal to the number of detection signals determined by the number-of-interpolations determination section near the sampling coordinate position corresponding to the coordinate position of the predetermined lattice point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichiro Koshika, Kazuma Kaneko, Masanori Sumiyoshi, Jun Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9820640
    Abstract: A camera system, particularly for minimally-invasive surgery, comprising an optics, wherein the optics is connected to at least one transparent film and the film is removable. Further, there is provided a method for cleaning a camera in minimally-invasive surgery wherein an optics of the camera is cleaned intracorporally by use of a cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUER LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Bahls, Florian Alexander Froehlich
  • Patent number: 9820641
    Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices for carrying out internal examination, such as laryngoscopes (1). The laryngoscope is provided with a camera element (7) within a channel (6) inside the blade (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: AIRCRAFT MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew J. R. McGrath
  • Patent number: 9820642
    Abstract: An airway intubation device having a one-piece molded body of biocompatible material with an ergonomically designed hand piece for left hand manipulation. The body includes a cap piece and linear-curved-linear insertion piece having a channel in one side thereof for insertion of an endotracheal tube. The channel has a wide entry portal disposed ahead of the hand piece so that a clinician may load the channel with a tube while the insertion piece is in the mouth of the patient without having to view the entry portal. The device includes illumination means and viewing means comprising an eye piece or a video display unit mounted to the cap piece so that a clinician can view the insertion of the tube between the vocal cords of a patient without contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: King Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John Adam Law, Michael Gross, George James Kovacs, Steve Carkner
  • Patent number: 9820643
    Abstract: Illumination can be evaluated for patient using a system including a housing, an adjustable light source mechanically coupled to the housing and configured to illuminate an object for viewing by the patient on an axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the object. A user-adjustable input coupled to the adjustable light source is to obtain information from a user indicative of a calibrated illuminance and a color property to be provided by the adjustable light source including providing a range of adjustable illuminance and color properties selectable by the user. The adjustable light source can be configured to provide light having an illuminance in excess of 300 lux, and the housing can be configured to provide a first specified distance between the adjustable light source and the object for viewing and to obstruct viewing of the light source directly by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Jasper Ridge Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Gustave Borden, Michele Klein
  • Patent number: 9820644
    Abstract: A monitor/display is used to display a vision test. A patient is spaced a predetermined distance from the monitor/display during the testing procedure, and individual, multiple LED housings are equally spaced about a center point of the monitor/display to direct light toward the patient during at least a portion of the test procedure. The light emanating from the individual housings is a diffuse, unfocused light to simulate glare, and the intensity of the light may be selectively altered. Conducting vision testing under glare conditions determines if there is any reduction or fall off in the patient's vision under such circumstances and provides an Indication of whether the patient may require cataract surgery or has another ocular problem. An assembly allows an existing vision testing system to be easily modified to provide glare light testing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: M&S TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Butler
  • Patent number: 9820645
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic apparatus for acquiring depth information of an eye including a light source; a measurement optical path guiding measurement light; a reference optical path generating reference light; and a detector generating a detection signal containing an interference signal of the measurement light via the measurement optical path and the reference light coming from the reference optical path; an actuator driving at least part of the interference optical system to vary an optical path length difference between the measurement optical path and the reference optical path; a standard optical system including optical members disposed corresponding to the optical path length differences in one of the measurement optical path and the reference optical path. Optical members guide part of the measurement light or the reference light to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Endo, Masaaki Hanebuchi, Yasuhiro Furuuchi
  • Patent number: 9820646
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus converts an intensity distribution of at least one of a plurality of regions of a tomographic image of an eye by using an amount of conversion which is greater than an amount of conversion used to convert an intensity distribution of another one of the plurality of regions, the tomographic image being obtained by performing tomographic imaging on the eye by using optical interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Uchida, Yukio Sakagawa, Krzysztof Marek Piotrowski
  • Patent number: 9820647
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention generally relate to systems and methods for eye imaging, and more particularly to measuring the size and position of the lens capsule and of the implanted intraocular lens. In one embodiment, a method for measuring the size and position of the lens capsule and of the implanted intraocular lens comprises generating and emitting one or more light beams at an angle adjacent to the eye, generating one or more eye images, and detecting the position and/or boundary of a lens capsule from its shadow casted by reflected light on the iris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABBOTT MEDICAL OPTICS INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Bor, Anthony W. Dennison, Michael Campos, Peter Patrick De Guzman
  • Patent number: 9820648
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a generation unit and a display control unit. The generation unit generates a subtraction image using a first region and a second region, the first region being a portion of a first fundus image acquired by performing autofluorescence imaging on a fundus of an eye to be inspected, the second region being a portion of a second fundus image acquired by performing autofluorescence imaging on the fundus of the eye to be inspected at a time different from that of the first fundus image and being at a position corresponding to the first region. The display control unit causes a display unit to display an image generated by superimposing information regarding the subtraction image at a position corresponding to the first and second regions on a fundus image acquired by performing autofluorescence imaging on the fundus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Ota, Tomoyuki Iwanaga, Manabu Wada
  • Patent number: 9820649
    Abstract: A three-dimensional tomographic image (B) is formed which is composed of a plurality of two-dimensional tomographic images obtained by scanning an ocular fundus. A contour of a certain 2D region (M1, M2, M3, M4) in the tomographic image is determined for each tomographic image, and the volume of a certain 3D region is calculated through correcting each area of the certain 2D region defined by the determined contour or its accumulated value using an image correction coefficient in accordance with the diopter of the subject's eye. Even for subjects' eyes of different diopters, the influence of the diopter correction is eliminated and a quantitative comparison of subjects' eyes of different diopters is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOWA COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nakagawa, Yoshihiro Kakutani, Masaharu Mizuochi
  • Patent number: 9820650
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus obtains a moving image of an eye area, identifies a region of blood cells in the obtained moving image, and determines the number of determined regions of blood cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihito Uji, Shigeta Arichika, Hiroshi Imamura
  • Patent number: 9820651
    Abstract: Devices, such as computer readable media, and methods, such as automated methods, for labeling and/or matching. Some of the devices and methods are particularly useful for anatomical labeling of human airway trees. Some of the devices and methods are particularly useful for matching branch-points of human airway trees from represented in two or more graphs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Juerg Tschirren, Milan Sonka, Joseph Reinhardt, Geoffrey McLennan, Eric Hoffman