Patents Issued in July 10, 2018
  • Patent number: 10016094
    Abstract: A food grilling rack provides a frame defined by a plurality of connected side walls forming a closed geometric shape. The frame includes a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. The lower sheet is attached to at least some of the side walls. An upper sheet of material is supported (e.g., removably) above the sheet of corrugated material. There are a plurality of openings in the upper sheet of material, each opening being vertically aligned with a lowest portion of a trough. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pair of flanged members attached to a lower corrugated sheet that provides multiple troughs, each trough having a lowest portion. A sheet with openings slides into the frame aligning the openings with the lowest part of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Metal Fusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman R. Bourgeois, Barbara Bourgeois, Michael P. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 10016095
    Abstract: A salad spinner includes an outer bowl configured to hold an inner basket. The bowl and basket are each configured with a central post supported by a base structure having a pillar and a piston. A helical screw positioned within the pillar engages a drive shaft within the piston in order to rotate the drive shaft as the piston moves upward and downward with respect to the pillar. A spring biases the piston in the upward position to enable reciprocal telescoping movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Hauser, Jennifer K. Cotter, Cole Dalton
  • Patent number: 10016096
    Abstract: The kitchen utensil includes a container and a handle. The outer upper perimeter of the container bears an extending retaining bracket provided with at least one opening for the engagement and reception of a hook-shaped end of a latching tab of the handle. The handle also bears a latch mounted slidingly and able to occupy at least an unlocked position and a locked position in which it is pushed back under the action of a return, to extend, on the opposite side relative to the latching tab, under the retaining bracket of the container. The latch is mounted sliding on the handle in a direction forming an acute angle relative to the plane of the retaining bracket so as to tighten toward the retaining bracket under the action of the return to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: CRISTEL
    Inventors: Paul Dodane, Emmanuel Brugger, Pascal Drouville
  • Patent number: 10016097
    Abstract: A dispenser assembly for dispensing a liquid product includes a bottle configured to store the product, a venting pump connected to the bottle and configured to control dispensing of the product from the bottle, a mounting component, and an enclosure connected to the mounting component and engaging the bottle, wherein the enclosure is movable relative to the mounting component between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and wherein the bottle is selectively removable from the enclosure when the enclosure is in the open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Vi-Jon, Inc.
    Inventors: Donna M. Santoro, Andy Lee Kirkpatrick, Kacey James Kreuter, Stephen John Kocis, Lesley S. Corker, Stephen Joel Zwonitzer, Russell Kroll, Randal Porter
  • Patent number: 10016098
    Abstract: A personal care article is disclosed having a first compliant personal care composition in a first zone and a second compliant personal care composition in a second zone such that the first and second zones are defined by one or more barriers. Methods for increasing lather are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Edward Dewey Smith, III, Shawn David McConaughy
  • Patent number: 10016099
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a housing defining an interior space configured to receive the roll of sheet product therein, and a roll support positioned within the interior space and configured to rotatably support the roll of sheet product. The housing includes a dispensing gap in communication with the interior space and configured to allow a tail portion of the roll of sheet product to extend therethrough and out of the interior space, and a drainage gap in communication with the interior space and configured to allow a liquid to drain therethrough and out of the interior space. The drainage gap is spaced apart from the dispensing gap and positioned below the dispensing gap. A related method of protecting a roll of sheet product within a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Michael Cittadino, Chevis James Watkinson, Timothy Andrew Robertson, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Stuart Elizabeth Mullens
  • Patent number: 10016100
    Abstract: A portable urinal device including a rectangular container and a moveable cone-shaped receptacle. The rectangular container has a moveable lid, a top side, a rear side, an interior front top chamber, an interior rear top chamber, and an interior bottom chamber. A water sprayer is medially located on the moveable lid of the rectangular container and is housed in the interior top front chamber. A water pump operated by an external electrical input is connected to the water sprayer. The moveable cone-shaped receptacle has a funnel and flexible hose. The moveable cone-shaped receptacle is stored in the interior top front chamber, and the flexible hose is attached to the interior bottom chamber. Lastly, each of a drain, drain hose connection and an electrical input device is located on the rear side of the rectangular container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Andrei Juc
  • Patent number: 10016101
    Abstract: A chair assembly including a toilet seat, a chair seat lid and a backrest. The toilet seat, the lid and the backrest are connected relative to one another such that they are positionable in alternative chair and toilet-use modes. The lid is behind the generally upright backrest when the assembly is in the toilet-use mode and is on the toilet seat when the assembly is in the chair mode. The assembly can have self-supporting legs whereby it can form a standalone chair remote from the toilet. When in a male urination mode, the toilet seat is lifted and the backrest is in a lifted, generally horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Albi Design I LLC
    Inventors: Aryeh Leib Schottenstein, Marcy Elizabeth Kelly
  • Patent number: 10016102
    Abstract: A suction apparatus, a glass-wiping device and a run control method thereof. The suction apparatus comprises a suction cup unit (1). The suction cup unit (1) comprises an inner suction cup (11) and an outer suction cup (12). The inner suction cup (11) is arranged on the inside of the outer suction cup (12). A chamber on the inside of the inner suction cup (11) forms an inner negative pressure chamber (13) via vacuum suction. A chamber between the inner and outer suction cups (11 and 12) forms an outer negative pressure chamber (14) via vacuum suction. The outer negative pressure chamber (14) is connected to a vacuum detection unit. The vacuum detection unit comprises a distensible piece (20) and a distension-sensing piece (21). The distensible piece (20) is sealedly connected onto an opening on the top end of the outer negative pressure chamber (14). The distensible piece (20) has arranged thereon the distension-sensing piece (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ecovacs Robotics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaoming Lv
  • Patent number: 10016103
    Abstract: An air-releasing valve for use in a suction apparatus and a suction robot having the air-releasing valve are provided. The air-releasing valve comprises an activation unit and an air-releasing valve retaining base (3). An air-releasing hole (11) in communication with a negative pressure chamber (18) of the suction apparatus is provided on the air-releasing valve retaining base (3). The activation unit is provided on the air-releasing valve retaining base (3) and is movable relative to the air-releasing valve retaining base (3) to open the air-releasing hole (11). A switch (4) is provided on the air-releasing valve retaining base (3). The activation unit opens the air-releasing hole (11) and triggers the switch (4) to shut off a vacuuming apparatus (14) of the suction apparatus simultaneously. The air-releasing valve is capable of rapidly releasing air from the suction apparatus and shutting off the vacuuming apparatus (14) in a timely manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ecovacs Robotics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fei Zhou, Xiaoming Lv, Linqiang Feng
  • Patent number: 10016104
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has an air treatment member having an air inlet passage which comprises a handle for the air treatment member and a door lock of the air treatment member wherein, when a user's hand is holding the air treatment member by the air treatment member handle, the door release actuator is operable by the same hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 10016105
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner comprises a main body and a removably mounted air treatment member. The air treatment member has an air flow passage which comprises a handle for the air treatment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 10016106
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner may have a first stage cyclone having a first stage cyclone chamber and a second stage cyclone downstream from the first stage cyclone and at least substantially nested in the first stage cyclone. A screen is positioned laterally outwardly from the second stage cyclone and defines a passage positioned between an inner side of the screen and the outer wall of the second stage cyclone. The screen extends axially at least about 70% of a length of the second stage cyclone chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 10016107
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises: (a) a cleaning head having a front, a rear, two opposed sides extending between the front and the rear, a bottom and a dirty air inlet; (b) an airflow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet; (c) a suction motor and an air treatment member positioned in the airflow path; (d) an upright section moveably mounted with respect to the cleaning head between a storage position and a rearward in-use position; and, (e) the upright section also pivotally mounted for movement sideways with respect to the cleaning head between a centered position and a sideways position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventor: Jason Boyd Thorne
  • Patent number: 10016108
    Abstract: An agitator assembly for a cleaning apparatus including an agitator having a body with first and second ends, and a first alignment formation and a first securing formation at or adjacent the first end; and a drive member operable to impart rotation about a drive axis, and a second alignment formation adapted to cooperate with the first alignment formation, and a second securing formation adapted to engage the first securing formation. Relative axial movement of the agitator in a first direction towards the drive member causes contact between the first and second alignment formations. Further relative axial movement of the agitator in the first direction causes relative rotation between the agitator and drive member and yet further relative axial movement of the agitator in the first direction causes engagement between the first and second securing formations, substantially to prevent further relative rotational movement between the agitator and drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Edward Thomas George Barrett
  • Patent number: 10016109
    Abstract: An improved vacuum attachment is a vacuum attachment with feathers featuring perforated vacuum tubing for its shaft, from the bottom of the attachment to the top of the feather, which provides evenly channeled suction power and thus more-gentle when vacuuming the feather agitated dust particles on delicate items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Ken Eldred
  • Patent number: 10016110
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner operable to separate debris from an air stream. The vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclonic separator and a second cyclonic separator having an inlet configured to receive the air stream from the first cyclonic separator. The inlet of the second cyclonic separator directs the air steam in an inlet flow direction from an upper end of the first housing toward a lower end of the first housing and along a longitudinal axis into the second cyclonic separator. The inlet of the second cyclonic separator has an inlet cross-sectional area for flow of the air stream measured normal to the longitudinal axis that decreases in the inlet flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Sergey V. Makarov
  • Patent number: 10016111
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a dirt-separation stage and a vacuum motor for moving air through the dirt-separation stage. The vacuum motor includes an impeller driven by an electric motor. The impeller is then located upstream of the dirt-separation stage, the electric motor is located downstream of the dirt-separation stage, and at least part of the air discharged from the dirt-separation stage is used to cool the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Charles Geoffrey Box, Mark Andrew Johnson
  • Patent number: 10016112
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system including a recovery tank sub-assembly, a vacuum fan sub-assembly, a solution tank sub-assembly, wherein the solution tank sub-assembly preferably includes a secondary electrochemical cell, a solution flow sub-assembly, a control console sub-assembly, a frame and wheel sub-assembly and/or a frame and transaxle sub-assembly, a scrub head sub-assembly, a scrub head lift sub-assembly, a squeegee sub-assembly, a solution flow sub-assembly, and an intelligent system associated with at least one of the above-identified sub-assemblies, wherein the intelligent system at least one of selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and analyzes data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine assembly, and at least one of controllably communicates and disseminates such data with at least one of another system and user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Cleaning Equipment Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nai Pong Simon Chen
  • Patent number: 10016113
    Abstract: A riding floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system including a main frame sub-assembly, a steering and drive wheel sub-assembly, a solution tank sub-assembly, a recovery tank sub-assembly, a recovery tank cover sub-assembly, a control panel sub-assembly, a main controller sub-assembly, a seat and detergent system sub-assembly, a battery sub-assembly, a scrub head sub-assembly, a scrub head lift sub-assembly, a squeegee sub-assembly, a solution and detergent sub-assembly, and an intelligent system associated with at least one of the above-identified sub-assemblies, wherein the intelligent system selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and/or analyzes data associated with components of the riding floor cleaning machine, and controllably communicates and/or disseminates such data with another system and/or user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Cleaning Equipment Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nai Pong Simon Chen
  • Patent number: 10016114
    Abstract: To provide a cleaning tool exhibiting excellent usability. The present invention relates to a cleaning tool comprising a cleaning sheet, and a holding tool for holding said cleaning sheet. The cleaning sheet is provided with: a brush part capable of cleaning an object to be cleaned; a base part; and insertion parts for the holding tool. The brush part is formed from: a first brush part provided to one side of the base part; and a second brush part provided to another side of the base part. The first brush part and the second brush part are provided with a first region and a second region which each have different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomokazu Suda
  • Patent number: 10016115
    Abstract: A lifting device for displacing a receiver for items to be washed in a dishwasher from an initial position into an end position, or vice versa, includes a blocking device configured to automatically block the receiver for items to be washed in at least one intermediate position between the initial position and the end position. The blocking device includes an actuating element which, when actuated, is configured to unlock the blocking device such that the receiver for items to be washed can be displaced from the initial position to the end position, or vice versa, only for so long as the actuating element remains actuated to unlock the blocking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Gerstner, Ersin Isbilen, Thomas Steck
  • Patent number: 10016116
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging unit; a drive signal generation unit configured to generate and output a plurality of drive signals for driving the imaging unit; a differential converter configured to convert one of the plurality of drive signals into a differential signal; a pair of signal lines configured to transmit the differential signal and configured such that impedance matching does not occur at a terminal of one of the pair of signal lines; and an adjustment unit configured to send a detecting signal to the one of the pair of signal lines, and to adjust characteristics of at least one of the plurality of drive signals based on a time period from when the detecting signal is sent until the detecting signal is reflected and returned from the terminal of the one of the pair of signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 10016117
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to medical devices with electrical connectors. In one embodiment, a medical device may include a medical connector having one or more contacts configured to enable communication between the medical device and a medical monitor according to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. The medical connector may also include an interface region disposed at least partially about the one or more contacts. The interface region may be configured to physically couple to a mating connector of the medical monitor. Additionally, the interface region may include a geometry or a dimension that does not comply with the USB standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Daniel Lisogurski, Friso Schlottau, Jonathan Snyder, Saba Bakhshi Khayani, Andy S. Lin
  • Patent number: 10016118
    Abstract: An endoscope guide tube includes a tube member including a live part, the tube member being constructed by including a tube body that makes up an outer layer and a braid that braids, into a tubular form, wound metal members and insulating members wound in a direction opposite to a winding direction of the metal members, a connection member provided with a first contact connecting ends of the metal members and a second contact connecting ends of the metal members, at least one of a first contact side conduction detection section that detects that the live part contacts the metal members and a second contact side conduction detection section, and a signal output section that outputs a notification signal to a notification section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yutaka Konomura
  • Patent number: 10016119
    Abstract: Provided is an objective optical system composed of, in order from an object side, a first and a second groups, the first group including: a positive and single lens having a flat surface on an object side and a convex surface directed toward an image plane; a positive and single lens having a convex surface directed toward an object; a positive lens in which a convex lens having a flat surface directed toward the object and a negative lens are cemented, and the second group including: a lens in which a negative lens and a double-convex lens are cemented; a lens in which a lens having a concave surface directed toward the object and a lens having a convex surface directed toward the object are cemented; a negative lens in which a negative lens, a positive lens, and a negative lens are cemented; and a positive and compound lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Tadashi Hirata
  • Patent number: 10016120
    Abstract: A curvature sensor is to be mounted along detection target to allow a curvature of the detection target. The sensor includes a light source, a light guide to guide light from the light source and sensing parts having light absorbability. The sensing parts include absorption bands having different intrinsic absorption patterns and characteristic absorption bands having intrinsic characteristic absorption patterns in the absorption bands. A light detector allows residual light not absorbed by the characteristic absorption bands to be detected, the residual light being included in light of bands corresponding to the characteristic absorption bands and radiated to the sensing parts from the light source. A calculator computes a curvature of the detection target based on a rate of change in the residual light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromasa Fujita, Ken Sato
  • Patent number: 10016121
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer element includes a plurality of electrostatic capacitance type ultrasound cells each having a lower electrode portion and a membrane including an upper electrode portion that are oriented and disposed via a cavity circular in plan view, and a thickness of the cavity monotonously decreases in a curved manner toward an outer circumferential portion from a center portion of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Matsumoto, Kazuhisa Karaki, Mamoru Hasegawa, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 10016122
    Abstract: A surgical headlight system includes an adjustable headband, a light assembly mounted to the headband, a motor assembly mounted to the headband and the light assembly, and electronic controller having a wireless transceiver therein, a power control circuit for varying electrical power delivered to a light source of the light assembly, a power source in electrical communication with the light assembly, the motor assembly, and the wireless transceiver, and a sterilizable wireless controller configured to transmit instructions to the wireless transceiver, the instructions causing the electronic controller to one or more of actuate at least one motor of the motor assembly to alter an orientation of the light assembly, adjust a diameter of an aperture of the light assembly, adjust a spacing between one or more condensing lenses and an objective lens, or operate the power control circuit to increase or decrease electrical power delivered to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Jay S. Orringer, M.D., A Professional Corporation
    Inventors: Jay S. Orringer, JoLynne V. Orringer, Jordan H. Orringer, Thomas V. Root, Michael A. Cook
  • Patent number: 10016123
    Abstract: A method of inserting a treatment tool includes: making a puncture needle project from a first channel of an endoscope and puncturing an upper digestive tract to place a distal end of a needle tube of the puncture needle inside a biliary tract while observing an ultrasound image; inserting a guide wire into the biliary tract via the needle tube and making a distal end of the guide wire extend out from a duodenal papilla into a duodenum; placing a distal end portion of the endoscope in vicinity of the duodenal papilla while keeping the distal end of the guide wire extending out from the duodenal papilla while observing a captured image; pulling the guide wire extending out from the duodenal papilla into a second channel having a raised angle of the treatment tool larger than that of the first channel; and inserting the treatment tool inside the biliary tract via the guide wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeharu Nakazato
  • Patent number: 10016124
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data processing method is used for processing collected data acquired with respect to each A-line by swept-source OCT using a wavelength sweeping light source having a predetermined wavelength sweeping range. The data processing method detects a reference signal assigned in advance to a clock, the wavenumber of which linearly varies along the time axis, in a predetermined wavelength position within the predetermined wavelength sweeping range. Then, the data processing method sequentially performs sampling of the collected data based on the clock with reference to the predetermined wavelength position where the reference signal detected is assigned. Further, the data processing method forms an image of a corresponding A-line based on the sampled collected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventor: Yoshikiyo Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 10016125
    Abstract: An apparatus for motion compensated modelling of a parameter of an eye, comprising: a first measuring means for measuring a plurality of position parameters of the eye with respect to an optical reference coordinate system of the apparatus; a second measuring means for measuring an interference signal at a plurality of optical reference coordinates, wherein the measurement of the plurality of position parameters and measurement of the interference signal are time synchronized; means for correcting the interference signal to account for a displacements of a parameter of the plurality of position parameters; and means for modelling the eye parameter based at least in part on the corrected interference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Daniel Boss, Michael Mrochen, Andrew Nolan, Pav Zakharov
  • Patent number: 10016126
    Abstract: A macular health measurement and storage system comprises a plurality of macular-pigment measurement machine for measuring macular pigment density in humans, a plurality of computers each of which is associated with a corresponding one the macular-pigment measuring machines, and a central host. The plurality of macular-pigment measurement machines include a device for receiving macular pigment data from a patient, at least one data transfer port, and at least one processor that enables the transfer of the macular pigment data from the transfer port. The plurality of computers include a first port coupled to the data transfer port of the corresponding macular-pigment measurement machine for receiving the macular pigment data. Each of the computers includes a second port for transferring patient data. The central host is coupled to the second ports on each of the plurality of computers. The central host includes a storage device for storing the patient data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ZeaVision LLC
    Inventors: Dennis L. Gierhart, Terry B. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 10016127
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an eye testing and image capture device for testing and examination of an eye comprising an image display device to display an image for viewing by an eye to be tested; an image capture device to capture an image of the eye; a beam splitter positioned to split light between the image capture device and the image display device; and a lighting array for illuminating the eye wherein the lighting array comprises a first array positioned at a first angle to the eye and a second array positioned at a second angle to the eye and the first array and second array comprise two or more different light types. The present invention also relates to a method of obtaining eye test data and one or more image of an eye as well as to a system and method of screening a patient using the device and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: INGENEUS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Richard Gordon Walmsley, David James Lockwood, Michael Andrew Coote
  • Patent number: 10016128
    Abstract: A vision testing system and a method of operating a data processing system for displaying an eye test pattern on a computer display to a patient during an eye examination are disclosed. The method includes causing the data processing system to display the eye test pattern in a chart region of a computer display controlled by the data processing system and characterized by a luminance in regions not displaying the eye test pattern. An intensity of light leaving the computer display is measured in a sensor region outside the chart region using a display luminance sensor. The luminance of the computer display is adjusted to provide a light level within a predetermined range of light levels based on the measured intensity of light. The data processing system can receive the measured intensity and adjust the display luminescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: David Evans
  • Patent number: 10016129
    Abstract: The present invention refers in general to the measurement of aberrations of the optical system of a living being, in particular a human. More specifically, the invention refers to methods and systems for reconstructing a wave front and/or for building a refractive error map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: COSTRUZIONI STRUMENTI OFTALMICI C.S.O. S.R.L.
    Inventors: Francesco Versaci, Franco Giannozzi, Gabriele Vestri, Silvano Pieri
  • Patent number: 10016130
    Abstract: An improved eye tracker system and methods for detecting eye parameters including eye movement using a pupil center, pupil diameter (i.e., dilation), blink duration, and blink frequency, which may be used to determine a variety of physiological and psychological conditions. The eye tracker system and methods operates at a ten-fold reduction in power usage as compared to current system and methods. Furthermore, eye tracker system and methods allows for a more optimal use in variable light situations such as in the outdoors and does not require active calibration by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Deepak Ganesan, Benjamin M. Marlin, Addison Mayberry, Christopher Salthouse
  • Patent number: 10016131
    Abstract: The invention relates to an eye tracking system (10) and a method for operating an eye tracking system (10) for determining if one of a left and a right eye of a user is dominant, wherein at least one image of the left and the right eye of the user is captured (S30), based on the at least one image and according to a predefined accuracy function a left accuracy score for the left eye (S34a) and a right accuracy score for the right eye (S34c) is determined and it is determined if one of the left and the right eye of the user is dominant in dependency of at least the left and the right accuracy score (S36). Thereby user-specific properties relating to his eyes can be provided and considered when performing eye tracking so that the robustness and accuracy of eye tracking can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIVE SENSORIK MBH
    Inventors: Kun Liu, Walter Nistico, Hao Qin
  • Patent number: 10016132
    Abstract: Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the global world. It is a multifactorial disease with several risk factors, of which intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most important. IOP measurements are used for glaucoma diagnosis and patient monitoring. IOP has wide diurnal fluctuation, and is dependent on body posture, so the occasional measurements done by the eye care expert in clinic can be misleading. We provide an implantable sensor, based on microfluidic principles, which in one example has 1 mmHg limit of detection, high sensitivity and excellent reproducibility. This sensor has an optical interface, which enables IOP to be read with, for example, a cell phone camera. The design, fabrication, along with the option of self-monitoring are promising steps toward better patient care and treatment for this devastating disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Yosef Mandel, Ismail E Araci, Stephen R Quake
  • Patent number: 10016133
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting the amount or concentration of an analyte in a medium in living organism. The system may include an analyte sensor module and a transmitter module, which may be separate and distinct components. The analyte sensor module and transmitter module may be at different locations but connected by one or more transmission elements. The analyte sensor may include indicator elements configured to exhibit a detectable property based on the amount or concentration of the analyte in proximity to the indicator elements. The analyte sensor may include sensor elements configured to generate a data signal based on the detectable property exhibited by the indicator elements. The transmission elements may be configured to convey data signals generated by the sensor elements from the analyte sensor module to the transmitter module. The transmitter module may include an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew DeHennis, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 10016134
    Abstract: A portable medical device for communication of medical data information has a medical device part that includes a first processor and first storage means, and means for executing one or more medical related functions, a communication device part comprising a second processor, second storage means, and communication means. The medical device part and the communication device part are connected allowing for exchange of data information according to a predetermined protocol. The exchange of communication may be under the control of the medical device part, but the functionalities of each device part otherwise is separated providing for easy interchangeability of the communication device part or the medical device part. Also disclosed is a method for communication of medical data information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Egesborg Hansen, Michael Eilersen, Niels Pryds Rolsted
  • Patent number: 10016135
    Abstract: A system for measuring and converting to an observer intelligible form an internal physiological parameter of a patient. The invention allows transcutaneous telemetry of intracranial pressure via a system which includes a patient implanted sensor module and an external processing module, optically coupled to the sensor module via an external coupling module. A sensor within the sensor module transduces the measured pressure and a near infrared emitter transmits the telemetry when interrogated by the external coupling module. A set of tuned inductor-crystal circuits comprised in part of a cylindrical crystal oscillator whose resonant frequency is sensed by a dipper circuit arrangement is provided. Power for the sensor module is derived inductively through rectification of a transcutaneously-applied high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field generated within the external coupling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Erich W. Wolf, II
  • Patent number: 10016136
    Abstract: An optical cannula configured for implantation in biological tissue or other samples provides minimal invasiveness while accessing image deep structures within the sample. The cannula has a stabilizer portion that is used to affix the cannula to the sample, and an extension portion that protrudes into the sample and is either formed by, or contains, an optical probe that images a target area within the sample to an object image provided to an external optical device. The cannula has an integrated coupler portion that detachably connects to a connector of the external device, providing removable and interchangeable connection to external optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OPTOMAK, INC.
    Inventors: Jonatan Labrie, Harold Dehez, Sead Doric
  • Patent number: 10016137
    Abstract: An optical detection method and system are provided. Sample light is delivered into an anatomical structure having a target voxel, whereby a portion of the sample light passing through the target voxel is scattered by the anatomical structure as signal light, and another portion of the sample light not passing through the target voxel is scattered by the anatomical structure as background light that is combined with the signal light to create a sample light pattern. The sample light pattern and the reference light having an M number of different phases are concurrently combined to respectively generate an M number of interference light patterns. The M number of interference light patterns are detected. M pluralities of values representative of spatial components of the respective M number of interference light patterns are generated, and a physiologically-dependent optical parameter of the target voxel is determined based on the M pluralities of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: HI LLC
    Inventors: Changhuei Yang, Adam Marblestone, Jamu Alford, Daniel Sobek, Christian Wentz
  • Patent number: 10016138
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method and a device for long-term monitoring of the arterial vascular stiffness and vascular calcification on a particular patient, wherein a characteristic variable for the arterial vascular stiffness is determined exclusively from the shape and/or the characteristic of at least one pressure pulse wave caused by a cardiac contraction as a function of time and is stored as a time series for the particular patient. In particularly preferred embodiments, the characteristic variable is represented as a trend and serves the physician as a basis for long-term monitoring of the arterial vascular stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10016139
    Abstract: The blood pressure measurement apparatus includes a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in a cuff and outputs a cuff pressure signal, and a pulse wave detection unit that detects a pulse wave in the cuff pressure signal. The pulse wave detection unit includes an analog HPF that extracts a high-frequency component from the cuff pressure signal, an A/D conversion unit, a signal storage unit that stores a signal obtained by performing A/D conversion on the cuff pressure signal detected at the time when the pressurizing pressure changes from increasing to decreasing, a subtraction unit that subtracts the signal stored by the signal storage unit from an output signal of the A/D conversion unit, and a digital HPF that extracts a high-frequency component from the output signal of the subtraction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Hironori Sato, Toshihiko Ogura
  • Patent number: 10016140
    Abstract: When employing a valve in a medical device in or near a bore of a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, MR-compatible materials are employed to minimize the susceptibility of the valve to the strong magnetic fields generated by the MR scanner. An MR-compatible actuator comprises a shame memory alloy (SMA) wire or member (12) that is actuated by application of a constant power signal. The constant power signal is supplied by a control circuit (50) that is generated using a power feedback signal derived from measured current and voltage feedback signals. Once the SMA member is actuated, the power signal can be reduced and pulse width modulated to maintain the SMA member in an active state, which in turn maintains the valve in a closed state until the power signal is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Francis Patrick O'Neill, Ronald Paul Consiglio
  • Patent number: 10016141
    Abstract: A system for measuring heart rate variability (HRV) comprising 3 sub-systems: a data collection sub-system, a data analysis sub-system, and an output sub-system. A patient is connected to a heart monitoring device such as an ECG and the data collection sub-system records the patients heart beats, and an ECG chart is produced from which the patient's HRV value is derived by the data analysis sub-system. The present invention obtains the HRV value through calculation of a new parameter called relative density (RD). In accordance with the inventive method, data points are generated from the peak interval data of measured heart beats and the HRV relative density parameter (RD) is calculated by correlation between two subsets of data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: LEV-EL DIAGNOSTICS OF HEART DISEASES LTD.
    Inventors: Jacob Levitan, Roi Kobo
  • Patent number: 10016142
    Abstract: Embodiments can include a nerve mapping and monitoring system that can include a multi-polar stimulation unit, an electrical connector, an instrument having a grid array, where the grid array can comprise a plurality of electrodes, where each of the plurality of electrodes can be configured to be stimulated by the multi-polar stimulation unit, a recording element, where the recording element can be configured to detect a muscle response elicited by the grid array, and a computer, where the computer can be configured to monitor the muscle response elicited by the grid array such that neural structures can be identified and avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SidewayStrategies LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Block, Hieu T. Ball
  • Patent number: 10016143
    Abstract: Self-correlation enhancements and implementations are described. In particular, certain examples demonstrate the use of a peak selector to identify peaks of a self-correlation function which serve as candidate cardiac rates for an implantable medical device. The approach may enable an alternative calculation of cardiac rate in an implantable medical device as a stand-alone rate detector or as a double-check of other rate calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Krzysztof Z. Siejko