Patents Issued in March 20, 2018
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Patent number: 9918642Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure measuring device (1) for measuring pressure in a biological system, comprising a flexibly or resiliently designed measuring cell holder (3), wherein, in the measuring cell holder (3), there are at least two FBG sensors (4) which are arranged at a distance from one another. The measuring cell holder (3) can comprise a plurality of layers (5, 6) into which the FBG sensors (4) can be integrated.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Fibragg Diagnostics GmbHInventors: Raoul Hecker, Thomas Barz, Markus Melloh
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Patent number: 9918643Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for examining a blood vessel wall. The blood vessel wall is illuminated with near-infrared light. Reflected near-infrared light from the blood vessel wall is received. A reflectance spectrum based on the reflected near-infrared light from the blood vessel wall is determined. Whether the reflectance spectrum is indicative of a presence of a lipid core plaque (LCP) by applying an LCP classifier to the reflectance spectrum is determined. A thickness of an LCP cap is determined by applying an LCP cap thickness classifier to the reflectance spectrum if the reflectance spectrum is indicative of the presence of the LCP. Indicia of the thickness of the LCP cap are displayed.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: InfraReDx, Inc.Inventors: Sean P. Madden, Joel S. Raichlen
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Patent number: 9918644Abstract: The blood circulation in a body part may be affected by various factors such as burns, vibration, smoking, drugs, physical activity, adhesion, medical treatment, acupuncture, light therapy, ambient temperature, injuries such as sprains and broken bones, diseases and various foodstuffs. The invention relates to a method for examining the surface temperature of a body part due to such factors. The method according to the invention comprises an initial period in which the body part is positioned in a background screen and photographed with a thermographic camera, an exposure period in which body part is exposed to a refrigerant for a predetermined exposure time, a recovery period in which body part is repositioned in the background screen and photographed or filmed with a thermographic camera. The invention also relates a system for examination of the surface temperature of a body part according to the method.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Performance in Cold ABInventor: Anders Linné
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Patent number: 9918645Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for measuring a change in blood pressure caused by respiration control. A number of respirations per minute is measured based on a heart rate when a respiration exercise begins. Respiration of a subject is induced until the number of respirations per minute reaches a predetermined number of respirations per minute. A pulse transit time is calculated during the respiration exercise, a blood pressure value associated with the pulse transit time is calculated, and the blood pressure value is outputted.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Sun-Tae Jung, Jae-Geol Cho
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Patent number: 9918646Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method including obtaining a plurality of heart rate measurements of the user over a period of time; obtaining motion data of the user over the period of time; analyzing the motion data of the user to determine for each of the plurality of heart rate measurements, a corresponding work rate measurement; determining, for each of the plurality of heart rate measurements, a first confidence level; determining, for each corresponding work rate measurement, a second confidence level; and estimating a first energy expenditure rate using the plurality of heart rate measurements; estimating a second energy expenditure rate using the plurality of work rate measurements; and estimating a weighted energy expenditure rate of the user by combining the first energy expenditure rate weighted by the first confidence level and the second energy expenditure rate weighted by the second confidence level.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander Singh Alvarado, Hung A. Pham, Richard Channing Moore, III, Karthik Jayaraman Raghuram, Umamahesh Srinivas, Xing Tan
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Patent number: 9918647Abstract: A biometric information detecting apparatus is provided. The biometric information detecting apparatus includes a fixing unit disposed on a lower structure, and a pressure pulse wave measuring unit that is supported by the fixing unit and separate from the lower structure. An optical pulse wave measuring unit is disposed on the pressure pulse wave measuring unit. The optical pulse wave measuring unit may contact a surface of a subject's body. A pressure pulse wave of the subject's body may be measured by the pressure pulse wave measuring unit and an optical pulse wave of the subject's body may be measured by the optical pulse wave measuring unit, at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jaemin Kang, Younho Kim, Sangyun Park, Hyoyoung Jeong
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Patent number: 9918649Abstract: A method and system for mapping an anatomical structure includes sensing activation signals of intrinsic physiological activity with a plurality of mapping electrodes disposed in or near the anatomical structure, each of the plurality of mapping electrodes having an electrode location. A vector field map which represents a direction of propagation of the activation signals at each electrode location is generated to identify a signature pattern and a location in the vector field map according to at least one vector field template. A target location of the identified signature pattern is identified according to a corresponding electrode location.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.Inventors: Pramodsingh H. Thakur, Shibaji Shome, Shantha Arcot-Krishnamurthy, Allan C. Shuros, Barun Maskara, Sunipa Saha
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Patent number: 9918650Abstract: A wearable EEG monitor for continuously monitoring the EEG of a user through capacitive coupling to an ear canal of a user comprises an ear insert (1) for positioning within the human ear canal, comprising at least two capacitive electrodes (16) for recording a signal. The electrodes are coated with a dielectricum for electrical insulation. The electrodes are connected to an amplifier (17). The amplifier has an input impedance matched to the impedance of the electrodes. The invention further provides a method of monitoring brain waves.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: WIDEX A/SInventors: Soren Kilsgaard, Mike Lind Rank, Michael Ungstrup, Morten Holm Jensen, Preben Kidmose
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Patent number: 9918651Abstract: Periodic electrical signal data, such as electrocardiogram signal data, is collected, analyzed, and transformed into compacted, multi-dimensional matrix that makes it easier for healthcare professionals to analyze the health condition of a patient. The electrical signal data, characterized by periodic deflection elements that collectively form a periodic signal complex, is analyzed to determine peaks of deflection elements, where peaks can vary greatly, but in ways not readily visible on standard electrocardiograms. The techniques create and display the multi-dimensional matrix from aligning identified peaks, so that the matrix can be readily overlayed with an automatically-identified signal pattern indicative of one or more of an arrhythmia, a precursor to an arrhythmia, a cardiac event, and/or a precursor to a cardiac even.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: Jimo Borjigin, Duan Li
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Patent number: 9918652Abstract: A method may include storing electrical measurement data and geometry. One or more boundary conditions can be determined based on supplemental information associated with at least one selected location associated an anatomic envelope within a patient's body. Reconstructed electrical activity can be computed for a plurality of locations residing on the anatomic envelope within the patient's body based on the electrical data and the geometry data, the least one boundary condition being imposed to improve the computing.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Cadioinsight Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Qingguo P. Zeng, Ping Jia, Charulatha Ramanathan
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Patent number: 9918653Abstract: The invention relates to electrophysiology catheter systems and their use, such as in an MRI environment, and in particular to analysis of electric signals from such. An electrophysiology (EP) catheter with a plurality of electrically isolated electrode segments arranged in longitudinally spaced bands around the catheter is used to detect electric signals. A workstation receives the electrical signals which are then processed by a processing unit. Electric signals from electrode segments can be used to determine roll angle information of the catheter in relation to patient anatomy by determining signals from electrode segments in contact with tissue. Also, electric signals can be used to extract a reference signal that can be used to correct for gradient induced artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Oliver Lips, Bernd David, Sascha Krueger, Steffen Weiss
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Patent number: 9918654Abstract: A muscle assessment protocol can include: attaching one or more surface electromyometry (sEMG) sensors to the skin of a subject to be operably coupled with one or more muscles; operably coupling the one or more sEMG sensors to a computing system; performing the predetermined muscle activity of a muscle assessment protocol that includes a frequency-based, amplitude-adjusted root mean square protocol; monitoring/recording sEMG data of the one or more muscles during the predetermined muscle activity; and providing the sEMG data to the subject such that the subject can improve muscle performance for the predetermined muscle activity by using the sEMG data. The muscle activity includes static or dynamic muscle use. The predetermined muscle activity can be provided to the subject by the computing system.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: SOMAXIS INCORPORATEDInventors: Alexander B Grey, Violetta Georgiou, Abhishek Belani
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Patent number: 9918655Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for measuring the internal pressure of an examination object, in particular the internal pressure of a blood vessel, by use of a magnetic pressure measurement device (60, 70) introduced into the examination object, which apparatus comprises: —magnetic field generating means comprising magnetic field signal generator units (130) and magnetic field coils (136a, 136b, 136c) for generating a magnetic field for influencing the magnetization of the magnetic pressure measurement device (60, 70), receiving means comprising at least one signal receiving unit (140) and at least one receiving coil (148) for acquiring detection signals, which detection signals depend on the changes in magnetization of the magnetic pressure measurement device (60, 70) caused by the magnetic field and on the changes of the physical properties of the magnetic pressure measurement device caused by the internal pressure of the examination object, and evaluation means (153) for evaluating theType: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Koninklijke Philip N.V.Inventors: Bernhard Gleich, Ingo Schmale
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Patent number: 9918656Abstract: An implantable magnetic relaxation sensor is provided that comprises superparamagnetic nanoparticies functionalized with one or more agents that bond with a biomarker of interest. The sensor is configured for minimally-invasive implantation into a human or animal, and is configured to indicate the implanted sensor's cumulative exposure to the biomarker of interest by analysis using magnetic resonance relaxometry.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Michael J. Cima, Paul Huang, Yibo Ling, Terrence Pong, Christophoros C. Vassiliou
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Patent number: 9918657Abstract: A method for determining the 3D location and orientation of a fiducial reference comprises disposing the fiducial reference so as to render a part of the fiducial reference observable by a tracker; obtaining from the tracker scan data of the part of the fiducial reference that is observable by the tracker; obtaining predetermined geometric information about location points on the fiducial reference, the geometric information containing three-dimensional coordinates of the location points relative to the structure of the fiducial reference; identifying within the scan data at least three location points having coordinates in the predetermined geometric information; and determining from the scan data and the coordinates of the three identified location points in the predetermined geometric information the 3D location and orientation of the fiducial reference.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Navigate Surgical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ehud (Udi) Daon, Martin Gregory Beckett, Alvaro Andres Medina Rodriguez
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Patent number: 9918658Abstract: An assembly of a patient specific instrument and tracking system comprises a patient specific instrument having a body with a patient specific contact surface negatively shaped relative to a corresponding surface of a bone for complementary contact therewith. An inertial sensor unit with a preset orientation is connected to the body in a planned connection configuration, such that a geometrical relation between the contact surface and the inertial sensor unit is known. A tracking system has a tracking processor connected to the inertial sensor unit, a user interface, and bone orientation data related to the patient specific contact surface, the tracking processor producing orientation tracking data for the bone using the geometrical relation and the bone orientation data when the preset orientation of the inertial sensor unit is initialized, to output the orientation tracking data on the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: ORTHOSOFT INC.Inventors: Jeffrey A. McCaulley, Louis-Philippe Amiot
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Patent number: 9918659Abstract: A medical tracking system comprises a fiducial apparatus that includes a sensor docking feature configured to mate with a mating portion of a sensor device. The sensor docking feature retains the mating portion in a known configuration. The fiducial apparatus also includes at least one imageable fiducial marker and a surface configured for attachment to an anatomy of a patient.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Prashant Chopra, Vincent Duindam, Tao Zhao, John A Cole
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Patent number: 9918660Abstract: In a method for correcting respiratory influences on recordings of an examination object by operation of a magnetic resonance apparatus, an external respiratory signal is determined, an internal respiratory signal is determined, a correlation signal is determined, at least one reliability range of the correlation signal is determined, a fit function in at least one reliability range of the correlation signal is determined, and the recordings subject to respiratory influences of the examination object are corrected based on the determined fit function.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Mario Zeller
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Patent number: 9918661Abstract: An apparatus for collecting volatile compounds in human breath. The apparatus includes a device for discriminating between alveolar and non-alveolar portions of exhaled breath, a device for measuring volume of exhaled breath, a chamber with a piston or similar compressible device with clean internal services designed to collect a precise volume of alveolar breath, a pump to draw the exhaled breath from the chamber through at least one sorbent tube, a subsystem for introducing a clean gas into the chamber to expand it and for purging the tubing of the system, and a subsystem for selectively collecting a room air sample. A manifold is provided in the apparatus for receiving sorbent tubes and comprises an input block and output block, and a locking lever for actuating the input and output blocks linearly towards and away from each other and selectively locking them in a fully closed position.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Picomole Instruments, Inc.Inventors: John Cormier, Chris Purves, Jacques Vautour, Denis Dufour
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Patent number: 9918662Abstract: A method for detecting deviation from a preferred cervical spine posture when using a mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device uses a front-facing camera to capture images of the user and apply a nostril tracking algorithm to the images. The nostril tracking algorithm is used in real-time to measure displacement of the user's nostrils and correlate the nostril displacement to a cervical spine flexion angle. The user's cervical spine flexion angle is communicated using an alarm device, such as a row of lights, which allows the user to monitor and correct their posture and avoid potential injury.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Inventor: Victoria Anna Breitner
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Patent number: 9918663Abstract: A method of operating a wearable includes receiving an inertial movement from an inertial measurement sensor disposed on a user. The inertial measurement is indicative of a movement of the user from a first pose to a second pose away from the first pose. The method also includes determining a movement vector defining the movement of the user from the first pose to the second pose based on the inertial measurement. The movement vector is relative to the first pose. The method also includes determining whether the movement vector satisfies a threshold movement vector. When the movement vector satisfies a threshold movement vector, the method includes instructing at least one actuator to apply a feedback response on the user.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Inventor: Wamis Singhatat
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Patent number: 9918664Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and processes for monitoring attributes of a user's physical activity (e.g., workout) or inactivity, and to user interfaces (e.g., an activity indicator) for displaying the same. In some examples, a device determines whether physical activity corresponds to a first type based on a first set of criteria, and whether physical activity corresponds to a second type based on a second set of criteria. In some examples, the device controls an inactivity timer that measures user's inactivity. In some examples, the device displays a first visual representation of an attribute or amount of a first type of physical activity, and a second visual representation of an attribute or amount of a second type. In some examples, the device displays a third visual representation of an attribute or amount of a third type of activity. In some examples, the third visual representation corresponds to user's inactivity.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Jay Blahnik, Gary Ian Butcher, Kevin Will Chen, David Chance Graham, Daniel S. Keen, Justin Shane Rushing, T. Allan Shortlidge, Anton M. Davydov, Alan C. Dye, Jonathan P. Ive, Zachery Kennedy, Zachury Minjack, Dennis S. Park, Brian Schmitt
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Patent number: 9918665Abstract: A transdermal permeant delivery of at least one permeant composition into a tissue membrane of a subject including a disposable substrate having at least a portion of a bottom surface of a first release liner connected to an upper surface of the substrate and a patch having a backing layer and a reservoir that is selectively removable from the top surface of the first release liner. In a connected position, a first portion of the backing layer of the patch is releaseably mounted to a top surface of the first release liner in spaced registration with a poration area of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Nitto Denko CorporationInventors: Stuart McRae, Wendy E. Bowerman, Stephen Wilson Braun, Regina Spiehl, Bernadette Messier, David Farquhar, Erin Koch Henkel, Jeremiah Peter O'Leary, Mark James Fisher, Uros Kascak, Loren J. Lantz, Zoran Novakovic, Jonathan Eppstein
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Patent number: 9918666Abstract: A system and method for signal processing to remove unwanted noise components including: (i) wavelength-independent motion artifacts such as tissue, bone and skin effects, and (ii) wavelength-dependent motion artifact/noise components such as venous blood pulsation and movement due to various sources including muscle pump, respiratory pump and physical perturbation. Disclosed are methods, analytics, and their uses for reliable perfusion monitoring, arterial oxygen saturation monitoring, heart rate monitoring during daily activities and in hospital settings and for extraction of physiological parameters such as respiration information, hemodynamic parameters, venous capacity, and fluid responsiveness. The system and methods disclosed are extendable to include monitoring platforms for perfusion, hypoxia, arrhythmia detection, airway obstruction detection and sleep disorders including apnea.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Rasoul Yousefi, Mehrdad Nourani
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Patent number: 9918667Abstract: A universal electrochemical micro-sensor can be used either as a biosensor or an environmental sensor. Because of its small size and flexibility, the micro-sensor is suitable for continuous use to monitor fluids within a live subject, or as an environmental monitor. The micro-sensor can be formed on a reusable glass carrier substrate. A flexible polymer backing, together with a set of electrodes, forms a reservoir that contains an electrolytic fluid chemical reagent. During fabrication, the glass carrier substrate protects the fluid chemical reagent from degradation. A conductive micromesh further contains the reagent while allowing partial exposure to the ambient biological or atmospheric environment. The micromesh density can be altered to accommodate fluid reagents having different viscosities. Flexibility is achieved by attaching a thick polymer tape and peeling away the micro-sensor from the glass carrier substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Olivier Le Neel, Suman Cherian, Calvin Leung
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Patent number: 9918668Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data are disclosed, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. The sensor can be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. Reference data resulting from benchtop testing an analyte sensor prior to its insertion can be used to provide initial calibration of the sensor data. Reference data from a short term continuous analyte sensor implanted in a user can be used to initially calibrate or update sensor data from a long term continuous analyte sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: DexCom, Inc.Inventors: Jack Pryor, Apurv Ullas Kamath, Paul V. Goode, Jr., James H. Brauker
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Patent number: 9918669Abstract: A nerve integrity monitoring device includes a control module and a physical layer module. The control module is configured to generate a payload request. The payload request (i) requests a data payload from a sensor in a wireless nerve integrity monitoring network, and (ii) indicates whether a stimulation probe device is to generate a stimulation pulse. The physical layer module is configured to (i) wirelessly transmit the payload request to the sensor and the stimulation probe device, or (ii) transmit the payload request to a console interface module. The physical layer module is also configured to, in response to the payload request, (i) receive the data payload from the sensor, and (ii) receive stimulation pulse information from the stimulation probe device. The data payload includes data corresponding to an evoked response of a patient. The evoked response is generated based on the stimulation pulse.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Richard L. Brown, John G. Pollock, Kevin L. McFarlin, Randal C. Schulhauser
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Patent number: 9918670Abstract: A method includes receiving heartbeat data of a patient and receiving activity data of the patient. The activity data includes one or more activity values that are related to an activity level of the patient and that are measured independently of the heartbeat data. The method further includes determining a value of a weighting factor based on the activity data. The method also includes determining modified heartbeat data by applying the weighting factor to at least a portion of the heartbeat data. The method also includes detecting a seizure event based on the modified heartbeat data.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventor: Shivkumar Sabesan
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Patent number: 9918671Abstract: A sweat measuring device (1) comprising a sweat impermeable panel (40) and an adhesive skirt on one side thereof extending about its periphery to enable the panel to be secured to a user's skin is provided. The device covers a known area of a user's skin and traps sweat (42) produced by the skin under the panel. The panel (40) defines a reservoir in which sweat can accumulate and calibrations which may be associated with the reservoir to express the total sweat produced by the user as a function of the volume of sweat in the reservoir. The panel may be relatively stiff; formed by a plastics member and the skirt may extend integrally from the panel or be provided by an adhesive patch which covers the panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Stellenbosch UniversityInventors: Filippo Macaluso, Kathy Helen Myburgh
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Patent number: 9918672Abstract: Various methods may apply iodine on a test area of a subject and allow the applied iodine to dry. Sweating may be triggered in the test area. Triggering sweating may include introducing acetylcholine (ACh) using iontophoresis into dermis within an iontophoresis area. An indirect response to introduction of the ACh may be monitored. Monitoring the indirect response may include applying starch tape over the iodine-painted test area to monitor sweat production from individual sweat glands (SGs) outside of the iontophoresis area, wherein sweat production for each functional SG results in a sweat spot on the starch tape, and taking a series of digital images, using a digital camera, of the starch tape when the individual SGs are producing sweat and causing sweat spots on the starch tape. The digital images of sweat spots may be analyzed to analyze sweat production from the individual SGs.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Daniel L.M. KennedyInventor: Daniel L. M. Kennedy
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Patent number: 9918673Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to systems, devices, and methods for tracking abdominal orientation and activity for purposes of preventing or treating conditions of pregnancy or other types of medical conditions. In certain specific embodiments, the system, device, or method relates to identifying abdominal orientation risk values, calculating and updating a cumulative risk value, comparing the cumulative risk value to a threshold, and outputting a warning when the cumulative risk value crosses the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Smart Human Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Dugan
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Patent number: 9918674Abstract: The disclosure provides a wireless biometric monitoring system that may be capable of acquiring, compiling, analyzing, and transmitting biometric data in near real time/real time. The system may utilize either the most up-to-date Bluetooth protocol (currently Bluetooth Smart) or a similar wireless protocol. The system may further integrate through this wireless protocol with peripheral devices to expand the measurement capacity of the system. In embodiments, the system may be capable of monitoring multiple biometric responses including, but not limited to: skin temperature, core temperature, respirations, heart rate, predicted tidal volume, chest wall movement, abdominal movement in conjunction with inspiration, abdominal movement in conjunction with expiration, HRR (heart rate reserve), HRV (heart rate variability), body position relevant to perpendicular, shoulder position relevant to hip position, general body posture, up time, down time, and malfunctions.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Inventors: Phillip Bogdanovich, Craig Weller
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Patent number: 9918675Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
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Patent number: 9918676Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventor: David C. Hacker
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Patent number: 9918677Abstract: This invention relates generally to systems and methods for optimizing the performance and minimizing complications related to implanted sensors, such as pressure sensors, for the purposes of detecting, diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease in a medical patient. Systems and methods for anchoring implanted sensors to various body structures is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.Inventors: Neal L. Eigler, Brian M. Mann, James S. Whiting, Werner Hafelfinger
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Patent number: 9918678Abstract: A physiological monitoring system features a Floormat and Handheld Sensor connected by a cable. A user stands on the Floormat and grips the Handheld Sensor. These components measure time-dependent physiological waveforms from a user over a conduction pathway extending from the user's hand or wrist to their feet. The Handheld Sensor and Floormat use a combination of electrodes that inject current into the user's body and collect bioelectric signals that, with processing, yield ECG, impedance, and bioreactance waveforms. Simultaneously, the Handheld Sensor measures photoplethysmogram waveforms with red and infrared radiation and pressure waveforms from the user's fingers and wrist, while the Floormat measures signals from load cells to determine ‘force’ waveforms to determine the user's weight, and ballistocardiogram waveforms to determine parameters related to cardiac contractility.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: TOSENSE, INC.Inventors: Matthew Banet, Marshal Singh Dhillon, Susan Meeks Pede, Lauren Nicole Miller Hayward, Arthur Deptala, Jonas Dean Cochran
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Patent number: 9918679Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a sonification output for presenting information about physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation and heart rate parameters in discrete auditory events. In a preferred embodiment, each event comprises two sounds. The first is a reference sound that indicates the desired target state for the two parameters and the second indicates the actual state. Heart rate is preferably represented by amplitude modulation. Oxygen saturation is preferably represented by a timbral manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, NEW TECHNOLOGY SOUNDINGS, LLC, TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGEInventors: Petr Janata, Beau Sievers, William H. Edwards
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Patent number: 9918680Abstract: The present invention relates to structural analysis of the optic nerve head (ONH). In one approach, a 3D volume of intensity data which includes the optic nerve head is acquired using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. The vitreoretinal interface (VRI) and the optic disc margin are identified from the 3D data. The minimum area of a surface from the optic disc margin to the VRI is determined. This minimum area can be displayed as an image or in the alternative, a value corresponding to this minimum area can be displayed. The minimum area measurement provides relevant clinical information to determine the health of the eye.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.Inventors: Matthew J. Everett, Jonathan D. Oakley
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Patent number: 9918681Abstract: The invention comprises a virtual window system that creates a visual coherency between the image of the patient and his or her anatomy and the patient by aligning the image of the patient anatomy on the display to the patient and presenting the image to the user that feels as if the user is looking directly into the patient through the display. The invention is designed to also display medical devices, such as a minimally invasive tool. The system substantially unifies the coordinate systems of the patient, the medical device, the display, and the physician's hands. The invention creates a visual coherency between the motion of the medical device in the image and the motion of the physician's hands manipulating the device. This invention also creates a visual coherency between the motion of the image in the display and of that display.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Auris Surgical Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Dan Wallace, Greg Stahler, Jaime Waydo, Aaron Grogan
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Patent number: 9918682Abstract: A catheter tip-end rotation angle calculation apparatus includes a movement restriction unit, of a tube shape, that is configured to be penetrated from a first hole to a second hole of a catheter on tip end and opposite sides, and restricts movement of the catheter to an insertion direction by causing the catheter to pass through from the first hole to the second hole, first and second rotation angle measurement units that measure first and second rotation angles of the catheter at the first and second holes, a catheter insertion length measurement unit that measures a catheter insertion length, and a catheter tip-end rotation angle calculation unit that calculates a rotation angle of the catheter tip end by using an angle difference between the first and second rotation angles, the catheter insertion length, and a distance between the first and second holes.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Toru Nakada, Kazuki Kozuka, Taichi Sato
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Patent number: 9918683Abstract: A method of making a device having a component with a planar surface bonded to a supporting frame with openings therein by an adhesive layer cured by actinic rays, wherein part of the adhesive layer lies in the shadow of opaque portions of the supporting frame, involves bringing the component and supporting frame together with a layer of adhesive applied between them. The part of the adhesive layer in the shadow of the opaque portions is cured by directing actinic rays obliquely through the openings so that they are reflected internally into the part of the adhesive layer in the shadow of the opaque portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: TELEDYNE DALSA, INC.Inventor: Anton Petrus Maria Van Arendonk
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Patent number: 9918684Abstract: A mobile fluoroscopic imaging system having a portable radiation source capable of emitting radiation in both single and, alternatively, pulse emissions and adapted to move in all degrees of freedom; a portable detector operable to detect radiation from the radiation source, wherein the detector is adapted to move independently of the radiation source in all degrees of freedom; the radiation source and detector each comprises an alignment sensor in communication with a computer; the computer is in communication with the radiation source and the detector; the position, distance and orientation of the radiation source and the detector are established by the computer; and the computer sends an activation signal to the radiation source to indicate when radiation may be emitted. Preferably, the radiation source is prevented from emission of radiation until the detector and the radiation source have achieved predetermined alignment conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Inventor: Terry L Ancar
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Patent number: 9918685Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains a plurality of medical image groups in which respective motions of a part inside a subject have been photographed in time series and executes certain processing on the acquired medical image groups. The processing circuitry analyzes the motions in the respective medical image groups. The processing circuitry generates a medical image in which the motions in the respective medical image groups substantially match with each other based on the analyzed motions.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Megumu Fujiwara, Masahiro Ozaki, Yasuko Fujisawa, Manabu Hiraoka, Tatsuo Maeda, Tatsuya Kimoto
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Patent number: 9918686Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide automated systems and methods for segmentation of fibro-glandular (FG) tissue in digital mammography. A classifier is trained for breast density without the prior knowledge for FG tissue. The classifier is then used for feature selection, where the selected features are fed into a fuzzy logic module, and an adaptive threshold is obtained. Post-processing is performed on the image in order to reduce regions which may have been misclassified during the FG segmentation.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Rami Ben-Ari, Aviad Zlotnick
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Patent number: 9918687Abstract: An X-ray CT system (1000) includes a CT scanner (300) which obtains diagnostic images of a patient, a chemical liquid injector (100) which injects a chemical liquid into a patient whose images are obtained, an operation device (400), I/Fs (320, 421) for transmitting and receiving data between the CT scanner (300) and the operation device (400) and I/Fs (120, 420) for transmitting and receiving data between the chemical liquid injector (100) and the operation device (400). The operation device includes an input section used to set an injection condition for the chemical liquid by the chemical liquid injector (100) and an imaging condition by the CT scanner (300), a control section for controlling operation of the chemical liquid injector (100) and operation of the CT scanner (300) in accordance with the setting and a display section (450) for displaying information relating to the setting of the injection condition and the imaging condition and an obtained image.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: NEMOTO KYORINDO CO., LTD.Inventor: Shigeru Nemoto
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Patent number: 9918688Abstract: A method for determining a tissue parameter of tissue that may be determined from passage of a contrast agent through the tissue based on a series of temporally consecutive two-dimensional digital subtraction angiography x-ray images showing propagation of the contrast agent in the tissue over time and a vascular system present in a region of the tissue includes locating at least some of the vessels of the vascular system by segmentation in the x-ray images. The method also includes assigning pixels showing segmented vessels an interpolation intensity determined by interpolation from intensities of at least some of the pixels bordering the segmented vessel, so that x-ray images from which vessels have been eliminated result. The method includes determining tissue parameters for at least some of the pixels of the series of x-ray images from which the vessels have been eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Yiannis Kyriakou
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Patent number: 9918689Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes a storage circuit and processing circuitry. The storage circuit stores correction data for emergency and/or correction data for normal time. The processing circuitry outputs a command to perform imaging of a patient and acquire radiographic data, and determines whether imaging time of the patient is in a first period during which temperature of an X-ray detector is stable or in a second period during which the temperature is not stable, before the imaging of the patient. In addition, the processing circuitry corrects the radiographic data by using the correction data for emergency when the imaging time is in the second period, and corrects the radiographic data by using the correction data for normal time when the imaging time is in the first period.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Keiji Matsuda
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Patent number: 9918690Abstract: In hemodynamic determination in medical imaging, the classifier is trained from synthetic data rather than relying on training data from other patients. A computer model (in silico) may be perturbed in many different ways to generate many different examples. The flow is calculated for each resulting example. A bench model (in vitro) may similarly be altered in many different ways. The flow is measured for each resulting example. The machine-learnt classifier uses features from medical scan data for a particular patient to estimate the blood flow based on mapping of features to flow learned from the synthetic data. Perturbations or alterations may account for therapy so that the machine-trained classifier may estimate the results of therapeutically altering a patient-specific input feature. Uncertainty may be handled by training the classifier to predict a distribution of possibilities given uncertain input distribution.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Lucian Mihai Itu, Tiziano Passerini, Saikiran Rapaka, Puneet Sharma, Chris Schwemmer, Max Schoebinger, Thomas Redel, Dorin Comaniciu
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Patent number: 9918691Abstract: A device (1) for determining image quality of a radiogram image includes: an acquiring module (10), which is configured to acquire the radiogram image; a segmentation module (20), which is configured to segment a thoracic bone structure on the acquired radiogram image into segmented thoracic bone structure contours and a tissue structure on the acquired radiogram image into segmented tissue structure contours; and a quality-determination module (30), which is configured to determine a image quality coefficient for the acquired radiogram image based on a comparison of a first position of the segmented thoracic bone structure contours with a second position of the segmented tissue structure contours.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Jens Von Berg, Stewart Young, Heike Carolus
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Patent number: 9918692Abstract: A distance between a radiation source standard point indicating a position of a radiation source and a photographic subject on a standard line passing through the radiation source standard point and a detector standard point indicating a position of a detector is measured, a distance between a first reference point positioned in a first direction which is directed towards the detector standard point from the radiation source standard point with respect to the detector standard point and the detector standard point is measured, a distance between a second reference point positioned in a direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the radiation source and the radiation source standard point is measured, and a subject thickness of the photographic subject is calculated by using the distances and a distance from the distance from the first reference point to the second reference point.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Takahiro Kawamura, Masahiko Yamada