Patents Issued in January 29, 2019
  • Patent number: 10188335
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the separation of blood within a device to form plasma or serum. In some embodiments, the present invention generally relates to the removal of fluids, such as blood, contained within a device. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for receiving blood from a subject and processing the blood to form plasma or serum. For example, a device may be applied to the skin of a subject to receive blood from the subject and pass the blood through a separation membrane, which separates the blood into plasma and a portion concentrated in blood cells. As another example, blood or plasma may be allowed to clot within the device and serum (the unclotted portion of the blood) may be withdrawn from the device. The device may contain, in some cases, a vacuum source such as a pre-packaged vacuum to facilitate receiving of blood and/or passage of the blood through the separation membrane to produce plasma or serum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seventh Sense Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramin Haghgooie, Donald E. Chickering, III, Shawn Davis, Mark Michelman, Howard Bernstein, Kristin Horton
  • Patent number: 10188336
    Abstract: A puncture needle sensor manufacturing method includes applying an insulation layer to a metal sheet and applying spaced apart stripe-shaped electrodes on the insulation layer after the insulation layer is applied on the metal sheet. The manufacturing method also includes cutting the metal sheet to produce a plate-shaped body that includes at least two of the electrodes. The plate-shaped body is press-worked to form the plate-shaped body into a tubular body, and a pointed, beveled end portion is formed at the distal end of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideo Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 10188337
    Abstract: A data processing method comprises, under program control of test instructions programmed in a mobile computing device, generating and causing displaying on a display device of the mobile computing device, a prompt associated with a first task that tests a feature of a human cognitive domain; in conjunction with causing displaying the prompt, by the test instructions, reading a system clock of the mobile computing device and storing a first time stamp value indicating when the prompt was displayed; by the test instructions, obtaining input via the mobile computing device comprising a response to the prompt; in conjunction with obtaining the input, by the test instructions, reading the system clock of the mobile computing device and storing a second time stamp value indicating when the input comprising the response was detected; by the test instructions, repeating the generating and causing displaying, the obtaining, and the storing the first time stamp value and the second time stamp value, for a plurality of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SAVONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Mylea Marie Charvat, Devin Seto
  • Patent number: 10188338
    Abstract: A reliable content evaluation method and system are disclosed. The system includes a brainwave detector, a bio signal detector, a first controller, and a second controller. The brainwave detector detects a brainwave signal of a subject provided with content and outputs a result. The bio signal detector detects bio signals of the subject and outputs a result. The first controller can modify the brainwave and the bio signals to a signal level available for the second controller. The second controller detects change of the brainwave signal and the bio signal through an analysis of the brain wave signal and the bio signal from the first controller. Then, the second controller determines at least one of a degree of engagement and an emotional reaction of the subject to the content, using changes in the brainwave signal and the bio signal, and evaluates the content using the determined results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NHN Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Soon Shin
  • Patent number: 10188339
    Abstract: A urine handling system capsule for releasing an oil mixture in the lumen of a urine handling system, the capsule comprising a capsule wall defining a space filled with an oil mixture, wherein the oil mixture comprises 90-100% of an oil selected from the group consisting of silicone fluids and mineral oils or a mixture thereof, and having a viscosity of at most 600 cSt, and wherein the capsule wall is made of a water-soluble material. A urine measurement system comprising an oil mixture arranged in the luminal space of the measurement system. A method for inhibiting impairment of functionality and measurement accuracy in a urine measurement system comprising applying an oil mixture to the inner surfaces of the urine measurement system. Use of an oil mixture in treatment of luminal surfaces of a urine handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: OBSERVE MEDICAL APS
    Inventors: Mikael Charlez, Mikael Lofgren
  • Patent number: 10188340
    Abstract: A handheld, conforming capacitive sensing apparatus configured to measure Sub-Epidermal Moisture (SEM) as a mean to detect and monitor the formation of pressure ulcers. The device incorporates an array of electrodes which are excited to measure and scan SEM in a programmable and multiplexed manner by a battery-less RF-powered chip. The scanning operation is initiated by an interrogator which excites a coil embedded in the apparatus and provides the needed energy burst to support the scanning/reading operation. Each electrode measures the equivalent sub-epidermal capacitance corresponding and representing the moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: Bruin Biometrics, LLC, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Majid Sarrafzadeh, William Kaiser, Alireza Mehrnia, Barbara M. Bates-Jensen, Frank Wang, Michael Flesch, Joseph Boystak, Yeung Lam
  • Patent number: 10188341
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting errors when practicing fluency shaping exercises, are presented. The method includes receiving a set of initial energy levels; setting a set of thresholds to their respective initial values; receiving a voice production of a user practicing a fluency shaping exercise; analyzing the received voice production to compute a set of energy levels composing the voice production; detecting based on the computed set of energy levels, the set of initial energy levels, and the set of a threshold of at least one speech-related error, wherein the detection of the at least one speech-related error is respective of the fluency shaping exercise being practiced by the user; and upon detection of the at least one speech-related error, generating a feedback indicating the at least one detected speech-related error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Novotalk, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Rot, Lilach Rothschild, Smadar Lerner
  • Patent number: 10188342
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices and systems for transcranial stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
    Inventors: Michael R. Boyle, Flavio Frohlich
  • Patent number: 10188343
    Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Cardionomic, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Goedeke, Mark A. Christopherson, David J. Serdar, Steven C. Christian
  • Patent number: 10188344
    Abstract: A system capable of designing an optimum administration form of a magnetic drug is provided. The system determines first information about an side-effect-related organ on which a magnetic drug produces a side effect, based on equipment analysis information after administering the magnetic drug; further determines second information about a drug-efficacy-related organ in which drug efficacy of the magnetic drug should be demonstrated; evaluates the administration form of the magnetic drug based on the first information and the second information; corrects the administration form of the magnetic drug based on an evaluation result; and outputs information of the corrected administration form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ishikawa, Haruki Eguchi
  • Patent number: 10188345
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing biofeedback during a meditation exercise are disclosed. In one aspect, the wearable device includes one or more biometric sensors and a user interface. The method may involve prompting the user, via the user interface, to perform a meditation exercise, the meditation exercise being associated with a target physiological metric related to the physiology of the user. The method may involve measuring, based on output of at least one of the one or more biometric sensors, a physiological metric of the user during the meditation exercise. The method may involve determining a performance score indicating the user's performance during the meditation exercise based on comparing the measured physiological metric with the target physiological metric. The method may involve providing, via the user interface, based on the performance score, feedback information indicative of the user's performance during the meditation exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Subramaniam Venkatraman, Alexandros Pantelopoulos
  • Patent number: 10188346
    Abstract: A device, system and method for monitoring cubital tunnel syndrome (“CuTS”). The device comprises a body configured to be worn by a user, sensors, a processor, a vibration mechanism, and a power source. The sensors monitor a position of the user's hand to prevent CuTS. The processor of the device is configured to determine if the user's hand is in a CuTS position and the processor is configured to generate an alert signal to alert the user to the CuTS position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Focal Wellness, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Erman
  • Patent number: 10188347
    Abstract: Athletic activity may be tracked and monitored while providing encouragement and maintaining an individual's interest in continuing to perform athletic activity. For example, energy expenditure values and energy expenditure intensity values may be calculated based on the duration and type of activity performed by an individual. These values and other movement data may be displayed on an interface in a manner to motivate the individual and maintain the individual's interest. Other individuals (e.g., friends) may also be displayed on an interface through which a user's progress is tracked. This may allow the user to also view the other individuals' progress toward completing an activity goal and/or challenge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina S. Self, Kristen L. White
  • Patent number: 10188348
    Abstract: A physiological monitor has a sensor port configured to attach and communicate with a sensor. A processor board is in communications with the sensor port and has a board digital signal processor (DSP). Firmware residing on the processor board is executable by the board DSP so as to calculate physiological parameters in response to a sensor signal received from the sensor. Upgrade tools are individually attachable to the sensor port in lieu of the sensor so as to designate to the processor board which of the physiological parameters, if any, to calculate when the sensor is attached to the sensor port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Phillip B. Trinh
  • Patent number: 10188349
    Abstract: A stand-on physiological sensor (e.g. floormat) measures vital signs and various hemodynamic parameters, including blood pressure and ECG waveforms. The sensor is similar in configuration to a common bathroom scale and includes electrodes that take electrical measurements from a patient's feet to generate bioimpedance waveforms, which are analyzed digitally to extract various other parameters, as well as a cuff-type blood pressure system that takes physical blood pressure measurements at one of the patient's feet. Blood pressure can also be calculated/derived from the bioimpedance waveforms. Measured parameters are transmitted wirelessly to facilitate remote monitoring of the patient for heart failure, chronic heart failure, end-stage renal disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and other degenerative diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Banet, Marshal Singh Dhillon, Susan Meeks Pede, Lauren Nicole Miller Hayward, Arthur Deptala, Jonas Dean Cochran
  • Patent number: 10188350
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device is provided. The mobile electronic device includes at least one processor, a display module electrically connected with the at least one processor, a communication module electrically connected with the at least one processor, a portable electronic device housing configured to house at least a part of the display module, the at least one processor, and the communication module, and a Heart Rate (HR) sensor (e.g., a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) sensor) which is placed on one surface of the housing and has at least its part exposed to an outside, and which is electrically connected with the at least one processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Hoon Lee, Min-Woo Park, Seung-Ki Choi
  • Patent number: 10188351
    Abstract: An authentication apparatus includes one or more processors configured to temporally implement a neural network, used to extract a feature value from hidden nodes, that is connected to input nodes to which an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is input so as to share a weight set with the input nodes, and to match the ECG signal and the extracted feature value to a user for registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chisung Bae, Jin Woo Shin, Sung-Soo Ahn, Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 10188352
    Abstract: There is provided a acne-affected skin determination method including: setting an upper region and a lower region so as to vertically divide the face of a subject into two regions; acquiring a measurement value of the amount of moisture in the lower region; acquiring a measurement value of the amount of moisture in the upper region; calculating a target moisture value indicating the level of the amounts of moisture distributed in one of the upper region or the lower region and a reference moisture value indicating the level of the amounts of moisture distributed in a reference region including the other of the upper region and the lower region, based on the measurement values of the amounts of moisture in the upper region and the lower region; obtaining the degree of change in moisture of the target moisture value with respect to the reference moisture value; and determining the ease of generation of acne in the face of the subject based on the obtained degree of change in moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoko Yoshida, Noriko Ohira
  • Patent number: 10188353
    Abstract: A system for monitoring autonomic health may include an autonomic nerve stimulation (ANS) dose delivery system and a response extractor. The response extractor may be configured to record physiological parameter values including first population data that includes evoked response (ER) values corresponding to evoked physiological responses, and second population data that includes reference values that include no effect (NE) values corresponding to times without a physiological response. The response monitor may calculate evoked response metrics (ERMs) using the first and second population data where each of the ERMs may be dependent on background autonomic activity. The response extractor may analyze the ERMs to provide ERM analysis, and provide an indication of autonomic health using the ERM analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Stolen, Stephen B. Ruble, Rahul Agarwal, Nicholas Wold
  • Patent number: 10188354
    Abstract: For each biological information, a caution level range and a warning level range as to the biological information value are stored. When the acquired biological information value of the biological information of a patient falls within the caution level range, a notice of the status of the patient is given to a first notice destination. When the aforementioned biological information value falls within the warning level range, the notice of the status of the patient is given to a second notice destination. Thus, by switching the notice destinations based on the status of the patient, it is possible to provide a patient status notification device or the like that can appropriately and promptly perform notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Murai, Jun Tomikawa, Sota Nishiura
  • Patent number: 10188355
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method and system to improve fat suppression and reduce motion and off-resonance artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by using a background-suppressed, reduced field-of-view (FOV) radial imaging. The reduction of such artifacts provides improved diagnostic image quality, higher throughput of MRI scans for the imaging center, and increased patient comfort. By using a small FOV radial acquisition that only encompasses the structures of interest, structures that cause motion artifacts, such as the anterior abdominal wall, bowel loops, or blood vessels with pulsatile flow, are excluded from the image. According to an embodiment, combining a small FOV radial acquisition with one or more background-suppression techniques minimizes the impact of artifacts caused by anatomy outside of the FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Northshore University Healthsystem
    Inventors: Shivraman Giri, Robert R. Edelman, Ioannis Koktzoglou
  • Patent number: 10188356
    Abstract: A radiation system includes a first ring, a radiation source capable of providing radiation suitable for treating a patient, the radiation source secured to the first ring, a second ring located behind the first ring, and an imager secured to the second ring. A radiation system includes a first device having a radiation source capable of generating a radiation beam suitable for treating a patient, and a second device having imaging capability, wherein the first device is oriented at an angle that is less than 180° relative to the second device. A radiation system includes a structure having a first opening, a radiation source rotatably coupled to the structure, an imaging device rotatable relative to the structure, and a processor for controlling a rotation of the radiation source and a rotation of the imaging device, wherein the radiation source is rotatable relative to the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Guertin, Richard H. Stark, Raymond D. McIntyre, Steven W. Prince, Stanley Mansfield, George A. Zdasiuk
  • Patent number: 10188357
    Abstract: A support unit (200), a support device (100) and an emission tomography device using the support device (100) are provided. The support unit (200) comprises: a support body (210), in which an accommodation space (220) that penetrates through the support body is provided, comprising multiple support positions (230A, 230B) that are distributed along a circumferential direction of the accommodation space (220); and multiple fastening means (240A, 240B), connected to at least some of the multiple support positions. At least some of the multiple fastening means (240A, 240B) can move between a contraction position and an extension position along a radial direction of the accommodation space (220). The fastening means (240A, 240B) are used to fasten detectors of the emission tomography device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DONGGUAN SONGSHAN LAKE SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY SCI. & TECH. PARK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han Shi, Jianfeng Xu, Qiyu Peng
  • Patent number: 10188358
    Abstract: A medical imaging system is provided. Imaging detector columns are installed in a gantry to receive imaging information about a subject. Imaging detector columns can extend and retract radially as well as be rotated orbitally around the gantry. The system can automatically adjust setup configuration and an imaging operation based on subject shape estimation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ilan Levin, Yaron Hefetz, Avi Bar-Shalev, Avishai Ofan
  • Patent number: 10188359
    Abstract: Disclosed are an intra-oral sensor, a cradle, and an intra-oral sensing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intra-oral sensor, a cradle, and an intra-oral sensing system, in which the intra-oral sensor can transmit projection data, can be charged with driving power, and can be sterilized at the same time when mounting the intra-oral sensor in the cradle, and can output the projection data including an identifier therein, thereby enabling an operator to easily recognize which part in a set of teeth is represented by image data corresponding to the projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: Rayence Co., Ltd., VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keun Young Kim, Tae Woo Kim, Sung Il Choi
  • Patent number: 10188360
    Abstract: A videofluoroscopy accessory device adapted to securely and removably attach to an X-ray head of a fluoroscopy system or device. The videofluoroscopy accessory device on the current invention provides a platform for enhancing and supplementing the surgical environment with additional accessories. The accessories that could be used with the present invention include but are not limited to lights, cameras, microphones, and other medical equipment/tools for optimizing the surgical environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Eric K. Groteke, Glen C. Pettersen
  • Patent number: 10188361
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a multi-modality visualization of a patient includes receiving one or more image datasets. Each image dataset corresponds to a distinct image modality. The image datasets are segmented into a plurality of anatomical objects. A list of clinical tasks associated with displaying the one or more image datasets are received. A machine learning model is used to determine visualization parameters for each anatomical object based on the list of clinical tasks. Then, a synthetic display of the image datasets is created by presenting each anatomical object according to its corresponding visualization parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Geiger, Shaohua Kevin Zhou, Carol L. Novak, Daguang Xu, David Liu
  • Patent number: 10188362
    Abstract: An X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus includes: an image generation element that generates the fluoroscopic images of the subject; an image processing element that executes an image processing to superimpose a plurality of fluoroscopic images that the image generation element continuously generates, and generates and displays the image denoting the movement locus of the marker that denotes the location of a stent introduced inside a body of the subject; and a region-of-interest setting element that set up the region-of-interest includes the movement locus relative to the superimposed image, in which the fluoroscopic images are superimposed one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shota Sato, Takihito Sakai
  • Patent number: 10188363
    Abstract: A medical imaging device that includes: a press plate that presses a breast; an emitter that radiates radiation onto the breast; an acquisition section that acquires various information indicating a type of an acoustic matching member inserted between the press plate and the breast in cases in which ultrasound imaging of the breast is performed; and a setting section that sets a tube voltage of the emitter to a first tube voltage, in cases in which radiographic imaging of the breast is performed alone, and that sets the tube voltage of the emitter to a second tube voltage that is different from the first tube voltage, by employing the various information acquired by the acquisition section, in cases in which radiographic imaging and ultrasound imaging of the breast are performed consecutively with the acoustic matching member still inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahisa Arai, Tomonari Sendai, Takeyasu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10188364
    Abstract: To facilitate handling of an X-ray imaging system capable of selecting plural radiation imaging apparatuses, a radiation imaging control apparatus manages configuration information indicating whether a first communication unit of an X-ray imaging unit operates as a master unit or a slave unit, and transmits the configuration information to the X-ray imaging unit. The X-ray imaging unit selects whether to operate as the master unit or the slave unit according to the transmitted configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Nishii
  • Patent number: 10188365
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus including an X-ray source configured to radiate X-rays; a collimator configured to adjust an irradiation region of X-rays radiated from the X-ray source; an image acquirer configured to acquire an image by imaging an object; and a controller configured to detect, in the image, a marker projected on the object by the collimator, and to determine a source to object distance (SOD) based on a location of the marker in the image, wherein the SOD comprises a distance between the X-ray source and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho-jun Lee, Seung-hoon Kim, Il-hwan Park
  • Patent number: 10188366
    Abstract: The present invention provides a digital X-ray image system, an X-ray irradiation controlling device, and a method therefor in order to find out a main-shot condition for obtaining a main-shot radiograph signal on the basis of a radiograph signal (for example, a reference pixel value) outputted in response to a pre-shot condition using specific characteristics between a radiograph signal (pixel value) and a radiograph condition. The X-ray irradiation controlling device includes: a pre-shot radiography condition determiner determining a radiography condition; a reference pixel value acquirer acquiring a reference pixel value from a pre-shot radiograph obtained under the pre-shot radiography condition; an interrelation acquirer acquiring interrelation between a radiography condition and a radiograph signal on the basis of the reference pixel value; and a main-shot radiography condition determiner determining a main-shot radiography condition using the interrelation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Rayence Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In Jae Beak
  • Patent number: 10188367
    Abstract: Ultrasound image processing method and ultrasound diagnostic device using the method, the method including: acquiring frame signals generated at different time points; generating, by using the frame signals, a first motion map composed of pixel areas each having a motion, the motion indicating an inter-frame signal change and calculated from corresponding pixel areas of the frame signals; holding a second motion map and creating a third motion map by performing a calculation using motions in the first and second motion maps; and adding emphasis to a frame signal by using the third motion map and generating an ultrasound image from the frame signal. In the method, after the calculation using motions, the third motion map is held in place of the second motion map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuya Takagi
  • Patent number: 10188368
    Abstract: A medical device that includes an array of ultrasound elements and an integrated circuit, proximal to the ultrasound elements, having a thickness of less than 40 ?m, and having an array of ultrasound element driving-and-receiving contacts, matching the array of ultrasound elements and collectively electrically connected to each of the ultrasound elements. The integrated circuit also having a set of input-output signal contacts, the set being collectively switchable into contact with any one of a set of predefined blocks of driving-and-receiving contacts, and a set of control contacts, wherein inputs received by the control contacts collectively command some aspect of chip operation. The medical device further includes a set a protective covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Andreas Hadjicostis
  • Patent number: 10188369
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging methods and apparatus that allow for multiple modes of imaging using a single ultrasound transducer having a plurality of transducer elements. In an embodiment, there is provided an ultrasound imaging machine that is: operable in a first imaging mode in which the plurality of transducer elements are activated; and operable in a second imaging mode different from the first imaging mode, and in the second imaging mode, a subset of the plurality of transducer elements are activated so that ultrasound signals are steered from the subset of the plurality of transducer elements, where any remaining transducer elements of the plurality of transducer elements not part of the subset are inactive when operating in the second imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Clarius Mobile Health Corp.
    Inventors: Laurent Pelissier, Kris Dickie, Nishant Uniyal
  • Patent number: 10188370
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an ultrasound imaging system and a method of calculating a perfusion parameter ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Xiaolin Gu, Vijay Thakur Shamdasani, Yinhui Deng, Xiaomin Li, Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 10188371
    Abstract: A phantom used in quality assurance and performance tests and/or in pre-purchase testing of ultrasound scanners is provided. The phantom includes a container, a boundary formed within the container, and a curved scanning surface. The container includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a wall mounted between the top surface and the bottom surface to form the container. The boundary is configured to hold a tissue mimicking material. The curved scanning surface is formed in the top surface in a direction towards an interior of the container. The curved scanning surface is shaped to support translation perpendicular to an image plane of an application end of an ultrasound transducer along at least a portion of an axis extending between a first location on the curved scanning surface and a second location on the curved scanning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ernest L. Madsen, Gary R. Frank
  • Patent number: 10188372
    Abstract: An instrument guide device comprises an elongated guide shaft having proximal and distal ends and including an instrument lumen for receiving therethrough a manually operated instrument having an instrument shaft. A distal bendable member is disposed at the distal end of the guide shaft and a proximal bendable member is disposed at the proximal end of the guide shaft. Actuation means extends between the distal and proximal bendable members and provides a bending of the distal bendable member controlled from the proximal bendable member. The proximal bendable member is controlled from the manually operated instrument to cause a corresponding bending of said distal bendable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Cambridge Endoscopic Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Woojin Lee
  • Patent number: 10188373
    Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a flexible tube, an optic fiber, and a wire having a pre-formed curve. The flexible tube may be disposed within the housing tube wherein a distal end of the flexible tube projects out from a distal end of the housing tube. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the housing tube, and the flexible tube. The wire may be disposed within the housing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Matthew N Zeid
  • Patent number: 10188374
    Abstract: A method for performing a laparoscopic procedure may include inserting a bag through an opening. The method may also include delivering tissue into the bag, sealing the bag, and inflating the bag to create an artificial pneumoperitoneum that extends the abdomen and provides additional working and viewing space. Further, the method may include carrying out a procedure on the tissue located in the inflated bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Atropos Limited
    Inventors: Kirk Anthony Shibley, Frank Bonadio, Trevor Vaugh, Shane Joseph MacNally, Lucy Dolores Halpin, Stephen Williams
  • Patent number: 10188375
    Abstract: Several unique intra-cardiac pressure vents, placement catheters, methods of placement and methods of treating heart failure are presented. The intra-cardiac pressure vents presented remain partially open under normal intra-cardiac pressures to allow sufficient flow from the left atrium to the right atrium to enable the relief of elevated left atrial pressure and resulting patient symptoms, and also limit the amount of flow from the right atrium to the left atrium by closing when the pressure in the right atrium exceeds the pressure in the left atrium by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Corvia Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward McNamara, David Celermajer, Stephen J. Forcucci, Hiroatsu Sugimoto, Matthew J. Finch
  • Patent number: 10188376
    Abstract: A surgical site retractor is configured to retract tissue, such as in an intercostal procedure. The retractor may be formed from non-radiopaque material for improved monitoring via X-ray imaging. The retractor may have a rigid retractor and a soft tissue retractor, where the rigid retractor has a plurality of legs and the soft tissue retractor extends between the legs to prevent soft tissue from extending between said legs. The retractor may have a bendable arm with an implement holder, such as distal cuff or clip adapted to resiliently hold an implement such as a tube of an elongated port-access device. A method involves partly installing the surgical site retractor, expanding the surgical site retractor, deploying the surgical implement from outside the body through the incision and into the patient, resiliently capturing the implement with the holder of the arm, and bending the arm to hold the implement in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Manouchehr A. Miraki, Kevin K. Dang
  • Patent number: 10188377
    Abstract: The present invention contemplates a hand-held and hand-operable stitching device capable of securely placing a single interrupted suture through a wound using sterile suturing material with a single squeeze of the device's arms. Operating substantially faster than a surgeon, the compact and lightweight device employs an intuitive stapler-like structure and a center assembly capable of closing a wound with traditional suturing material secured by anchors that remain on either side of the wound. The apparatus employs needle-suture units stored in a center assembly and deployed individually when the device is actuated. When actuated, an epicyclic gear train within a center assembly causes a needle-suture unit to rotate through a circular path through the tissue, bringing the edges of separated tissue together. The suture thread is then secured in its position with anchors and the needle is then disjointed from the suture thread with a blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Ruchi Patel, Giovanni Sanchez
  • Patent number: 10188378
    Abstract: Examples of a suture anchor having a small diameter and having a soft suture bridge or suture eyelet are described herein. The soft suture bridge/suture eyelet allows a repair suture to slide, which is desirable when tying knots. In some cases, the soft suture bridge/suture eyelet itself is made from a length of suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Lunn, Timothy Young, Mark Edwin Housman, John Slusarz, Paul Alexander Torrie, Wei Li Fan, Steven Astorino
  • Patent number: 10188379
    Abstract: A suture device with a composite end effector, the composite end effector including a suture with an unmodified fixation element at a distal end and an overlying attachment piece disposed over the proximal end of the unmodified fixation element. The resulting composite end effector has improved strength and avoids the need for affixation methods such as welding or chemical affixation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David C. Lindh, Sr., Jason Huff, Jesse G. Nawrocki, Jason T. Perkins, Robert Scogna, Dave Szabo, Tom Beake, Jonathan Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 10188380
    Abstract: Methods and devices for fixation of soft tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a suture anchor is provided having an elongate cylindrical body with proximal and distal ends and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The elongate body can be configured so that upon partial insertion into a bone hole, it is securely anchored within the bone hole and a suture extending through the inner lumen is freely slidable. It can also configured so that, upon further insertion into the bone hole, at least a portion of the elongate body compresses to lock the suture within the inner lumen such that the suture is prevented from sliding. In another embodiment, a suture anchor is provided having arms that have an open position for receiving a suture therebetween, and a closed position in which the suture is retained but allowed to slide freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Mitek, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10188381
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle, a cartridge configured to removably couple to the handle, an actuator movably coupled to the handle, and a lock operably coupled to the actuator. A first needle assembly and a second needle assembly of the cartridge are operably coupled to a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion, respectively, of the actuator when the cartridge is coupled to the handle. The first coupling portion is configured to transition the first needle assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration such that a first capture portion engages a first needle. The second coupling portion is configured to transition the second needle assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration such that a second capture portion engages the second needle. The lock is configured to selectively limit movement of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Dura Tap LLC
    Inventors: Mark F. Kurd, David Greg Anderson, Jaime E. Sarabia, Eric Buehlmann
  • Patent number: 10188382
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices may include dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is moveable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and/or the first jaw member. Also described herein are suture passers in which the tissue penetrator passing the suture travels in an approximately sigmoidal pathway, with the distal end of the tissue penetrator extending distally from one jaw of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ceterix Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Murillo, Christopher P. Bender, Mark Y. Hirotsuka, Michael J. Hendricksen, Justin D. Saliman, John G. McCutcheon
  • Patent number: 10188383
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are suture clip delivery devices that can be loaded with several flat, disk-shaped suture clips and can deploy the suture clips one after another onto respective sutures without reloading the device with additional suture clips. An exemplary device includes a handle portion with an actuation mechanism that is coupled to a shaft portion that holds and deploys the suture clips. The shaft portion includes a mandrel on which the suture clips are mounted and a retainer that restricts the suture clips from moving proximally when the actuation mechanism pulls the mandrel proximally, which causes a distal-most suture clip to slide off the mandrel and be deployed onto one or more suture. The mandrel and remaining suture clips can them move distally to prepare to deploy the next suture clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Manouchehr A. Miraki, Bryan A. Janish, Kevin K. Dang
  • Patent number: 10188384
    Abstract: A self-retaining suture having particular application for treating obstructive sleep apnea and use thereof. The suture includes rising an elongated suture body having a periphery and first and second tissue-penetrating ends each with a bi-curve needle, and a plurality of first retainers on a first segment and oriented to the first end, and a plurality of second retainers a second segment and oriented to the second end, and a retainer-free transition segment disposed between the pluralities of first and second retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Gross, Malcolm D. Paul