Patents Issued in April 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 9949602
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a base including a motor assembly and a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates around the motor assembly about an axis of rotation, the wheel extends radially outward from the motor assembly, and a portion of the motor assembly intersects a plane defined by the wheel perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Charles J. Morgan, Victor B. McClearen, Ernest M. Chavana, Jr., Bruce M. Kiern, Charles A. Liter, George V. Hibbs, Dennis T. Lamb, Timothy Kolody, Christopher M. Paterson
  • Patent number: 9949603
    Abstract: A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner are provided. The nozzle may include a main nozzle; at least one movable nozzle rotatably coupled to the main nozzle; and a rotary cleaner provided inside of the main nozzle and the movable nozzle that cleans a floor surface using a rotary motion. The rotary cleaner may include a main shaft rotatably provided inside of the main nozzle, and at least one auxiliary shaft provided inside of the movable nozzle and connected to the main shaft. The at least one auxiliary shaft may rotate using a rotational force transmitted from the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seongjun Kim, Jinwoo Lee, Seogyong Kim
  • Patent number: 9949604
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a vacuum cleaner having a motor and an agitator includes a belt coupled to the motor and the agitator to drive the agitator, and a belt tensioner operable to selectively tension the belt. The belt tensioner includes an arm movable relative to the belt, a shaft coupled to the arm, a pulley rotatably coupled to the shaft, a bearing positioned substantially within the pulley and around a portion of the shaft, and a member fixed to the pulley to retain the bearing within the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Quinn, John Bantum, Michael Wright, Rafael Davila, Yiping Guan
  • Patent number: 9949605
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, the cleaner head including a main body having an air inlet and an air outlet, an agitator supported for rotation with respect to the main body about a rotational axis, and a collector for collecting strands of hair. The collector is supported by the main body and arranged such that strands of hair drawn through the air inlet wrap around at least part of the collector. The collector is movable with respect to the main body between a hair collecting position in which the agitator is rotatable with respect to the collector and a hair removal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David Andrew Isley, Gerard Matthew Shevlin
  • Patent number: 9949606
    Abstract: A dust collecting apparatus in which, when a filter cover is attempted to be closed in a state in which the filter is not installed, the filter cover is prevented from closing by a simple configuration, and a vacuum cleaner having the same. The dust collecting apparatus includes a filter, a cover including a filter installation part in which the filter is installed and a catching rib which is provided at the filter installation part, and a filter cover which covers an upper portion of the cover, and the filter cover includes a closing prevention rib which is restricted by the catching rib so as to prevent the filter cover from closing when the filter is not installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Gyun Han, Jun Hoo Choe
  • Patent number: 9949607
    Abstract: A self-propelled surface cleaning machine is proposed, including a floor cleaning device, a steerable front wheel, a steering device associated with the front wheel, a rear wheel device having at least one left rear wheel and at least one right rear wheel, a first drive device for driving the front wheel, a second drive device for driving the rear wheel device and a differential device for the rear wheel device that allows different speeds of rotation for the at least one left rear wheel and the at least one right rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Merz, Frank Nonnenmann, Michael Oesterle, Bernd Noller
  • Patent number: 9949608
    Abstract: An autonomous cleaning apparatus includes a chassis, a drive system disposed on the chassis and operable to enable movement of the cleaning apparatus, and a controller in communication with the drive system. The controller includes a processor operable to control the drive system to steer movement of the cleaning apparatus. The autonomous cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning head system disposed on the chassis and a sensor system in communication with the controller. The sensor system includes a debris sensor for generating a debris signal, a bump sensor for generating a bump signal, and an obstacle following sensor disposed on a side of the autonomous cleaning apparatus for generating an obstacle signal. The processor executes a prioritized arbitration scheme to identify and implement one or more dominant behavioral modes based upon at least one signal received from the sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg W Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Mark J. Chiappetta, Joseph L. Jones
  • Patent number: 9949609
    Abstract: Water dispersible nonwoven substrates in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin. The nonwoven substrate can include staple fibers to a lesser extent than the individualized bast fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven substrate is formed into a web in a wet or a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a water dispersible nonwoven substrate. The nonwoven substrate can be a tissue or a wet wipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Charles Baer, Joseph H. Miller
  • Patent number: 9949610
    Abstract: A personal dishwasher washes and dries a dish that is manually or mechanically moved through a dishwasher chamber or is manually placed in and manually removed from the chamber. Pressurized water, possibly containing soap, wetting agent, etc., may be added to the wash water. Steam may be used to for cleaning and/or disinfecting. Ultraviolet light may be used for disinfecting. The dishwasher chamber may be enlarged to pass larger dishes, bowls, glassware, etc. for washing. A method of washing dishes, comprising inserting a dish manually into a dishwasher, passing the dish through the dishwasher, and withdrawing the dish. A method of washing a dish, comprising inserting a single dish into a dishwasher, directing fluid under pressure at the dish, directing air flow at the dish, and withdrawing the dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Martin A. Alpert
  • Patent number: 9949611
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a sealed tub for accepting articles to be washed. A liquid circulation circuit sprays a pressurized liquid (e.g. water, detergent, solvent) around the articles to clean them. The liquid circulation circuit is in thermal contact with a hot side of a thermoelectric device. A heat sink is in thermal contact with both a cold side of the thermoelectric device and a heat sink charging circuit. A liquid is successively directed one or more times through the liquid circulation circuit with the thermoelectric device powered on, and then directed one or more times through the heat sink charging circuit with the thermoelectric device powered off. Finally, the liquid is discharged from the tub after having its temperature lowered by heat exchange to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventor: Kyle R. Gluesenkamp
  • Patent number: 9949612
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing substances, such as cleaning, washing, or dishwashing agents, in household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, or the like, having a dispensing unit having control means to control dispensing of the substances, and a tank receptacle, a tank for stocking the substances, the tank being embodied as a replaceable unit connectable to the tank receptacle, at least one connection for data transmission between the dispensing unit and the tank, at least one connection for data transmission between the household appliance and the tank and/or the dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Rudolf Lonski
  • Patent number: 9949613
    Abstract: A dishwasher for cleaning utensils comprising a tub, a spray system, and a rack having a wireframe body, a set of fixed tines disposed on the bottom, and a set of slidably adjustable tines arranged in pairs and adjustable relative to the fixed set of paired tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Walter T. Blanchard, David H. Chen, Daniel Fry
  • Patent number: 9949614
    Abstract: The dial unit includes a dial including a shaft and being rotatable around the shaft, a detector to detect a rotation amount of the dial, a rotator engaged with the dial and rotatable together with the dial. The dial unit includes a rotation transmission member to keep the dial and the rotator separated from each other before the rotation angle of the dial reaches a first angle and to transmit rotation of the dial to the rotator when the rotation angle exceeds the first angle. The dial unit includes an elastic member which is shaped as a coil-shaped portion and contains the rotator inside the coil-shaped portion. The elastic member applies to the rotator a torque in an opposite direction to a rotational direction of the rotator when the rotator rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Hino
  • Patent number: 9949615
    Abstract: A system for preventing inadvertent actuation of a medical device. The system includes an elongate tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The lumen is configured to receive a medical device configured to transition between an actuated state and an inactive state. The device further includes a detection system configured to determine a position of a distal end of the medical device relative to the distal end of the elongate tube. The detection system includes a transmitting element and a receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Zappia, Brian MacLean
  • Patent number: 9949616
    Abstract: An endoscope and a treatment tool which are inserted into an outer tube can move back and forth in interlock with each other, and an operation part of the treatment tool can be prevented from interfering with a proximal end of the endoscope when inserting the treatment tool into the outer tube. An endoscopic surgery device satisfies the following expressions: Lt?Ls<Lh, and Lh?Ls1+Ls+t, where Lt is a length of the outer tube, Ls is a length of a hard part of the insertion part of the endoscope, Lh is a length of a hard part of the insertion part of the treatment tool, Ls1 is a minimum projection length of a distal end of the insertion part of the treatment tool with respect to a distal end of the insertion part of the endoscope, and t is an allowance amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takumi Dejima
  • Patent number: 9949617
    Abstract: The invention provides an endoscope having a lens holder, wherein the lens holder includes a body containing a sintered feedstock and machined surfaces. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing the endoscope which includes the steps of molding a metal blank by a MIM process, wherein the metal blank is “near net shape” and has a sprue, a post, and optionally an outer shell, machining the inner surfaces and then the outer surfaces of the metal blank to form a lens holder, installing a lens in the lens holder, and assembling the lens holder having the lens into the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Kin Ming Kwan
  • Patent number: 9949618
    Abstract: A sleeve assembly is described for coupling a colonoscope insertion tube to an add-on tube. In some embodiments, the sleeve assembly defines an elongated lumen and comprises an inner sleeve sized to receive an insertion tube of a colonoscope, an outer sleeve encircling the inner sleeve, and one or more add-on tubes positioned between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. In some embodiments, at least the inner sleeve is collapsible to fit tightly over a colonoscope insertion tube received within the inner sleeve. In some embodiments, the inner sleeve is coupled to the outer sleeve at one or more locations along the length of the inner sleeve so that collapsing of the inner sleeve brings the outer sleeve radially closer to the inner sleeve, approximating the one or more add-on tubes to a colonoscope insertion tube received within the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Motus GI Medical Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Noam Hassidov, Boris Shtul, Eyal Kochavi, Tzach Arnon, Kobi Luleko, Dan Blecher
  • Patent number: 9949619
    Abstract: An endoscope according to the invention includes a distal end member of an endoscope main body, a guide groove provided in the distal end member from a proximal end side toward a distal end side, first and second concave sections provided at a proximal end and a distal end in the guide groove, a cover attached to the distal end member, and a convex section provided in the cover, the convex section sliding in the guide groove to selectively engage with the first concave section and the second concave section. The convex section engages with the first concave section to fix the cover to the distal end member. The convex section is slid along the guide groove and engages with the second concave section to fix the cover to the distal end member in a state in which the cover deviates to the distal end side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Iizuka
  • Patent number: 9949620
    Abstract: A support system for minimally invasive surgical instruments. A platform supports one or more minimally invasive surgical instruments that extend through a guide tube into a patient. The platform is supported by at least one support arm link that is coupled to a base a rotational joint. The rotational joint's axis of rotation is aligned with a point at which the guide tube enters the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene F. Duval, Thomas G. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9949621
    Abstract: A surgical sheath for use in endoscopic trans-nasal or intra-ocular surgery has an angle section joined to a conical section, with the conical section having a central axis not parallel to a central axis of the angle section. A body section is joined to the angle section, with the body section having a length at least twice the length of the angle section. The conical section, the angle section and the body section may be a flexible or compliant material. The sheath reduces collateral trauma to the tissues in the surgical pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SPIWay LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Chen, Aylin Kim, Cang Lam, Blake Hannaford, Randall A. Bly, Jeremy Ciporen, Kristen Moe, Louis Kim, Laligam Sekhar
  • Patent number: 9949622
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes an objective optical system OBL, an optical path splitting unit which splits an object image acquired by the objective optical system OBL into two optical images having a different focus, an image pickup element which acquires the optical images, and an image synthesis processing section which selects in a predetermined area an image with a relatively high contrast from the two optical images acquired, and generates a composite image, wherein the objective optical system OBL includes a first lens L1 having a negative refractive power which is nearest to object, and the endoscope system satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) and (2). 3<D_diff/im_pitch?100??(1) 0.005<D_diff/R1_r<1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Katakura
  • Patent number: 9949623
    Abstract: A control unit that includes a braking system for fixing the position of an endoscope tip is provided. The control system includes an up-down control knob and a right-left control knob. The brakes are engaged by rotating the control knob itself counter-clockwise from a free wheeling position. After the brakes have been engaged, a sufficient amount of force applied to the control knobs will move the endoscope tip slightly in the corresponding direction, allowing for fine tuning of tip position after braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: EndoChoice, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Lang, Stephan Wieth
  • Patent number: 9949624
    Abstract: A living body observation system includes: an illuminating light generation section configured to generate first light and second light; an image pickup section; a computation section configured to calculate a difference degree indicating a degree of difference between a luminance value of a first image obtained by picking up an image of return light of the first light and a luminance value of a second image obtained by picking up an image of return light of the second light in a same pixel; an enhancement processing section configured to enhance a contrast of the pixel in which the difference degree exceeds a threshold relative to a pixel in which the difference degree does not exceed the threshold; and an observation image creation section configured to create an observation image by using the first image after the process by the enhancement processing section and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9949625
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope has a light source configured to emit normal light toward an object and a rotating filter configured to be positioned in the path of light that passes from the light source to an image sensor. The rotating filter has an optical band-pass filter and a ND filter. The electronic endoscope has further a rotation controller that synchronizes a light-path traverse-interval of the band-pass filter and a light-path traverse-interval of the ND filter with a field/frame interval; and an image generator that generates a normal image from broadband image-pixel signals and generates a spectral image from specific-band image-pixel signals. The image generator has a brightness adjuster that increases a brightness level of the spectral image. Then, the ND filter reduces an amount of light emitted from the light source to an amount of light that corresponds to an increased brightness of the spectral image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9949626
    Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor includes a control section and a flow liquid pump. The control section controls a plurality of electromagnetic valves to set a first drive state, in which the control section puts a first cleaning tube connected to a suction pipe sleeve of an endoscope into a sealed state, the control section puts a second cleaning tube connected to a forceps plug pipe sleeve of a forceps plug of the endoscope into an unsealed state, the control section controls an electromagnetic valve configured to switch a state of a connector plugging a suction cylinder of the endoscope to put the connector into a sealed state, the control section sets a state in which a fluid is supplied from the flow liquid pump to the first cleaning tube, and the control section halts supply of the fluid from the flow liquid pump to the second cleaning tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takaaki Komiya
  • Patent number: 9949627
    Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device may include a tubular member. The medical device may also include a handle assembly connected to the tubular member. The handle assembly may include a handle housing, and an illumination assembly. The illumination assembly may include an illumination unit housed within an interior of the handle housing. The illumination assembly may also include an illumination fiber operatively coupled to the illumination unit. The illumination unit may extend through the interior of the handle housing into an interior of the tubular member. The illumination unit may also include a heat sink coupled to the illumination unit. The heat sink may be configured to receive heat from the illumination unit, and dissipate the heat away from the illumination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oskin, Sujat Sukthankar, Brian C. MacLean, Roy Bromander, Thomas M. Zappia, Steven A. Olivieri
  • Patent number: 9949628
    Abstract: A method for setting the axis of rotation between a virtual maxillary model and a virtual mandible model to a virtual hinge axis representing the axis of rotation of the mandibular condyles includes the steps of, obtaining at least one 2D photograph of the face of a patient comprising at least one facial feature, obtaining a virtual dental model comprising the virtual maxillary model and the virtual mandible model representing at least a part of the dental situation of the patient, aligning the virtual dental model with the at least one facial feature, determining the virtual hinge axis based on the at least one 2D photograph, and setting the axis of rotation to the virtual hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: 3Shape A/S
    Inventors: Rune Fisker, Sven Nonboe
  • Patent number: 9949629
    Abstract: An optical assembly is configured for use with an endotracheal tube insertion device and includes a flexible member with an elongated body having a substantially cylindrical shape, a distal end, and a proximal end. An endotracheal tube is carried by the flexible member, and an endotracheal tube retention tab extends outwardly from the flexible member and is configured to allow the endotracheal tube to be positioned and retained therein. The endotracheal tube retention tab has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, defines a longitudinally extending channel, and includes an elongated slot formed therein. The elongated slot is configured to provide access to the channel and to facilitate removal of the endotracheal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Glenn P. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9949630
    Abstract: A method is provided for manipulating target tissue of a patient during a medical procedure. The method includes introducing a medical instrument system to a general site of target tissue. At least one characteristic of the target tissue is identified using an imaging device located in a working channel of the medical instrument system. The imaging device is removed from the working channel of the medical instrument system, and a medical instrument is inserted through the working channel of the medical instrument system. The target tissue is then manipulated using the medical instrument. A medical instrument system is also provided for manipulating target tissue of a patient during a medical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Alexander Kutikov, Thomas Fitzsimons
  • Patent number: 9949631
    Abstract: The teachings provided herein are directed to a methods and devices for treating a hemorrhoid in a subject in a manner that produces substantially less post-procedural pain in the subject, the method minimizing or avoiding a removing or a necrosis of a rectal tissue fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Gregory Piskun, Patrick Gutelius, Oleg Shikhman
  • Patent number: 9949632
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for abdominal surgery is disclosed. The system can have a scope coupled to an introducer. The system can have one or more end effectors that can be attached to the introducer and inserted into the abdomen through a small puncture through the patient's umbilicus. The end effector can have a surgical tool, such as a grasper. The system can have a manipulatable control arm that can be inserted into the abdomen through a small puncture through the patient's body wall. The end effector can be attached to the control arm and simultaneously or concurrently detached from the introducer or tray. The control arm can then manipulate the end effector to perform the surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Miret Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: John Avi Roop, Christopher Pell, Bryan Duggan
  • Patent number: 9949633
    Abstract: A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: WELCH ALLYN, INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. McMahon, Allan I. Krauter, Robert L. Vivenzio, Dale C. Saddlemire, Dominick Danna, Stephen W. Burnett, Daniel C. Briggs, Scott G. Spanfelner, Jon R. Salvati
  • Patent number: 9949634
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems are provided including a source of broadband optical radiation coupled to a sample arm of the OCT imaging system; a beam shaping optical assembly in the sample arm, the beam shaping optical assembly being configured to receive optical radiation from the source as a beam of optical radiation and to shape the spatial profile of the beam of optical radiation; a scan mirror assembly coupled to the beam shaping optical assembly; and objective lens assembly coupled to the beam shaping optical assembly. The beam shaping optical assembly includes a lens assembly configured to change a NA of the OCT system without changing a focus; to change a focus of the OCT system without changing a NA of the system; or to change both the NA and the focus of the OCT system responsive to a control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Andrew Murnan, Nestor O. Farmiga, Robert H. Hart, Christopher Saxer
  • Patent number: 9949635
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical apparatus includes an observation optical system, an illumination optical system, an interference optical system, and an image forming unit. The observation optical system is configured to observe an eye through an objective lens. The illumination optical system is configured to illuminate the eye through the objective lens. The interference optical system includes a reference optical path and a signal optical path which leads to the eye through the deflecting member located between the objective lens and the eye, and is configured to detect interference light based on light having passed through the signal optical path and returning from the eye and the reference light having passed through the reference optical path. The image forming unit forms an image of the eye based on a detection result obtained by the interference optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Michiko Nakanishi, Takefumi Hayashi, Hiroshi Akiyama, Masahiro Akiba, Makoto Fujino
  • Patent number: 9949636
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more surgical parameters of the eye over multiple sessions which are temporally spaced apart and between which the eye of the patient can have moved, said apparatus comprising: a camera for taking one or more images of the eye; a module for determining during a first session said at least one surgical parameter of the eye and its coordinates based on the image taken by said camera in a first coordinate system; a module for determining during a second session temporally spaced apart from said first session said at least one surgical parameter of the eye and its coordinates based on the image taken by said camera in a second coordinate system; a module for determining the eye motion in six degrees of freedom between said first and said second session and for determining a coordinate transformation based thereon; a module for transforming based on said determined eye motion said at least one surgical parameter of the eye and its coordinates from said first coordinate system int
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Oliver Kersting, Martin Grundig
  • Patent number: 9949637
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described herein for fluorescent imaging of a retina using a head-mountable device. The retina is illuminated by a head-mountable device (HMD) with light at an excitation wavelength of a fluorophore in the retina and imaged by the HMD at an emission wavelength of the fluorophore. The direction of gaze of a user of the HMD could be determined from the retinal image. The pattern of vasculature in the retinal image could be used to identify the user of the HMD. Information in the retinal image could be used to determine the medical state of the user and diagnose disease states. Fluorescent agents can be introduced into the vasculature of the wearer of the HMD to facilitate these or other applications of fluorescent imaging of the retina using the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Wong, Philipp Helmut Schmaelzle, Andrew Jason Conrad, Samuel D'Amico
  • Patent number: 9949638
    Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating the retina of an eye. The apparatus includes an illumination device and a lens system. The illumination device and the lens system combine to provide incident illumination from an apparent point source located within the lens system. The apparatus also includes an illumination transfer device. The illumination transfer device has two foci and the apparent point source of the lens system is provided at a first focus point of the illumination transfer device and an eye is accommodated at a second focus point of the illumination transfer device. The illumination transfer device transfers the incident illumination from the apparent point source into the eye to illuminate the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OPTOS PLC
    Inventors: Christopher David Creasey, Stuart Brian Milne, Andrew Fogg
  • Patent number: 9949639
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a data stream generator that generates a data stream associated with a monitored analyte level, and a radio frequency logic portion operatively coupled to the data stream generator, the radio frequency logic portion configured to generate a radio frequency data stream based on the data stream generated from the data stream generator, the radio frequency logic portion further including one or more finite state machines and a plurality of discrete digital logic circuits, the one or more finite state machines configured to control the plurality of digital logic circuits to generate the radio frequency data stream for wireless communication are provided. Systems and kits incorporating the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Mario Sicurello, Hung Dinh, Mark Kent Sloan
  • Patent number: 9949640
    Abstract: Provided are embodiments of systems for sensing health characteristics of a user using a floor mat including a set of health sensors integrated therewith. The set of health sensors including temperature sensors, body position sensors, and body fat sensors. A method including receiving, from the temperature sensors, temperature data corresponding to a sensed body temperature of the user, receiving, from the body position sensors, body position data corresponding to a sensed body position of the user, receiving, from the body fat sensors, body fat data corresponding to a sensed body fat of the user, and transmitting, to a computer workstation, health data corresponding to the temperature data, the body position data, and the body fat data for use in determining the body temperature, the body position, and the body fat of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Samantha J. Horseman
  • Patent number: 9949641
    Abstract: A wireless network having an architecture that resembles a peer-to-peer network has two types of nodes, a first sender type node and a second receiver/relay type node. The network may be used in a medical instrumentation environment whereby the first type node may be wireless devices that could monitor physical parameters of a patient such as for example wireless oximeters. The second type node are mobile wireless communicators that are adapted to receive the data from the wireless devices if they are within the transmission range of the wireless devices. After an aggregation process involving the received data, each of the node communicators broadcasts or disseminates its most up to date data onto the network. Any other relay communicator node in the network that is within the broadcast range of a broadcasting communicator node would receive the up to date data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
    Inventors: Guy A. Smith, Matthew T. Oswald, Matthew L. Brown, Matthew E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9949642
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided that allow the monitoring of analyte levels within analyte monitoring systems. The analyte monitoring systems can be in vivo systems and can include a sensor control device with a sensor and accompanying circuitry, as well as a relay device for communicating with the sensor control device and a reader device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Love, Jeffery M. Sicurello, Gary Hayter, Xuandong Hua, Mark Sloan, John Dinh, Glenn Berman
  • Patent number: 9949643
    Abstract: A method for automatically identifying and localizing anatomical regions of a left ventricle of a heart using a segment model, the method including receiving a volumetric MR image series of one or more time-points in a heart cycle with associated myocardial boundaries, representing the heart, performing a long-axis partitioning on each image of the volumetric image series, performing a short-axis partitioning volumetric image series, generating a polar map, wherein each image of the volumetric image series is mapped to a location on the polar map, wherein the location is characterized using the long-axis partitioning and the short-axis partitioning, and generating a mapping from the polar map to a voxel in an associated image of the volumetric image series representing an anatomical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rahil Garnavi, Xi Liang, Tanveer Fathima Syeda-Mahmood, Simon Frank Wail
  • Patent number: 9949644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsional vibration resonance frequency measuring method and a novel amplitude transformer for assessing the stability of dental implants. In one example, a torsional vibration resonance frequency measuring method includes installing an amplitude transformer on a dental implant, energizing a torsional vibration mode, gathering resonance signals, and analyzing a resonance frequency. In another example, an amplitude transformer for measuring torsional vibration resonance frequency in a dental implant, includes an anti-rotary horizontal double-winged component and a central bolt. The central bolt is configured to closely connect with the inner threads of the dental implant, such that the amplitude transformer can integrate with the dental implant sufficient to vibrate as an integral structure under energizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese People's Liberation Army
    Inventors: Dehua Li, Yulong Tang, Bing Li
  • Patent number: 9949645
    Abstract: A fluorescence imaging apparatus including: a processor comprising hardware, configured to: specify a processing condition to be used to process a fluorescence image in accordance with treatment-details information indicating specifics of a treatment to be performed on a biological tissue; in a case where a first processing condition is specified, identify a first fluorescence region in the fluorescence image having a predetermined first fluorescence intensity based on the first processing condition; in a case where a second processing condition is specified, identify a second fluorescence region in the fluorescence image having a predetermined second fluorescence intensity based on the second processing condition; and generate a superimposed image by superimposing the first fluorescence region or the second fluorescence region that is identified, with a return-light image at a region in the return-light image corresponding to the first fluorescence region or the second fluorescence region, respectively, that
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromi Shida, Yasushige Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9949646
    Abstract: The present document describes a pressure guidewire comprising a shaft tube, a tip portion and a fiber optic pressure sensor. The shaft tube comprises a middle section and a sensor housing extending distally relative to the middle section, the sensor housing having a distal end. The tip portion extends distally relative to the shaft tube. The pressure sensor is embedded in the sensor housing. The sensor housing defines a cavity, inside the sensor housing, which is distal relative to the pressure sensor and delimited at a proximal end thereof by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Claude Belleville
  • Patent number: 9949647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor and guide wire assembly (21) for intravascular measurements of physiological variables in a living body, comprising a core wire (22), a first coil (23), a jacket (24), and a second coil (25). The jacket (24) comprises a first end portion (24a), which is crimped onto the core wire (22) and over which a portion of the first coil (23) is threaded, and a second end portion (24b), which is crimped onto the core wire (22) and over which a portion of the second coil (25) is threaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL COORDINATION CENTER BVBA
    Inventors: Leif Smith, Ola Hammarström, Per Egnelöv, Dan Åkerfeldt
  • Patent number: 9949648
    Abstract: A blood pressure measurement system is configured to perform a calibration automatically when a calibration condition is satisfied. The calibration condition is based upon one or more parameters of pulse waves of a subject. The parameters may include pulse wave area; a time difference between systolic peak and reflected wave peak or dichrotic notch in the pulse wave and a shape of at least a portion of the pulse wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Luya Li, Rakesh Kumar Sethi, Ming Sun, Alexander Yuk Sit, Yong Liu
  • Patent number: 9949649
    Abstract: A biological information measurement device includes a device main body which includes a sensor, a processor, and a battery. The sensor acquires biological information of a user. The processor instructs the sensor to acquire the information at certain discrete times with a period, and processes the information. The battery supplies power to the sensor and the processor. The period is selected based on the biological information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Takei, Takeshi Mochimaru, Takahiro Kamijo
  • Patent number: 9949650
    Abstract: Approaches for assessing hemodynamic characteristics for an organ of interest are related. In one implementation, a fluid dynamics model may be provided with data derived from an anatomic imaging modality and blood flow information derived by ultrasound to derive the desired hemodynamic characteristics. In one such implementation, a fractional flow reserve is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Michael Edic, Robert Franklin Senzig, Kai Erik Thomenius, Steven James Gray, David Allen Langan, Prem Venugopal, Jeffrey Brian Fowlkes
  • Patent number: 9949651
    Abstract: A surgical system kit is described. The surgical system kit includes a peripheral electrode, a surgical access instrument configured to be placed in a surgical target site, and a control unit. The surgical access instrument has a body with a proximal end, and a distal end, two or more electrodes on the distal end at fixed locations and spaced apart a known distance. The control unit is configured to send a signal to the peripheral electrode, receive information indicative of a neural response from at least one electrode of the surgical access instrument, and interpret the information according to a nerve conduction velocity modality to measure the nerve conduction velocity through the segment of the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Corbett Stone, Robin Vaughan, Kabir Gambhir