Patents Issued in August 13, 2019
  • Patent number: 10376201
    Abstract: A control method causes the processor to execute: excluding one or more pieces of first vibration data from a plurality of pieces of vibration data stored in the memory, wherein the plurality of pieces of vibration data are acquired within one period, wherein vibration times associated with the one or more pieces of first vibration data are included in an operation period in which the user performed the operation with respect to the information terminal device, and wherein the operation period is specified based on the time in the log information stored in the memory; and updating the threshold value using at least one piece of vibration data in the plurality of pieces of vibration data from which the one or more pieces of first vibration data are excluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kozo Nishimura, Masaaki Harada, Tomohiko Kitamura, Hiroko Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 10376202
    Abstract: A sleep apnea treatment/anti-snoring device optionally having controlled positive air-flow using a micro-blower to maintain an individual's upper airway unobstructed (pharynx area). Optionally the device includes a lower jaw mandibular advancement component. The device has built-in sensors, microprocessor and other items required for data acquisition and transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Real 3D Polymers Group LLC
    Inventors: Nidhi Shah, Sureshkumar Shah, Dinesh Shah, Shail Chokhavatia
  • Patent number: 10376203
    Abstract: A pain measurement and diagnostic system (PMD) for bioanalytical analysis of pain matrix activity and the autonomic nervous system to diagnose and validate patient treatments, health status and outcomes. The PMD is implemented using medical devices for measuring and reporting objective measurements of pain through patient monitoring and analyzing related biological, psychological, social, environmental, and demographic factors that may contribute to and effect physiological outcomes for patients and through the integrated and iterative analysis improve diagnosis of pain, the evaluation of related disease states, health status, and treatment options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Deborah Dullen
  • Patent number: 10376204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assessing thermoalgesic and vibratory sensitivity, including a first unit (1) configured to apply, to localized points of the patient, a plurality of stimuli comprising vibrations and temperature changes, a second unit (2) for gathering data communicating with the first unit, wherein the communication between the first unit (1) and the second unit (2) takes place by means of a two-way wireless transmission means. The invention also relates to a method for assessing vibratory, thermal and thermoalgesic sensitivity using the device according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Ariel Andres Odriozola Orlandi
  • Patent number: 10376205
    Abstract: An electronic tuning fork device including a control unit including a processor, electrically connected to an input unit and the display component, wherein the processor is configured to generate a first square wave signal and determine a gain parameter according to a predetermined mode, wherein the gain parameter is a value selected from between a predetermined maximum value and a predetermined minimum value, a frequency divider electrically connected to the processor, configured to down-convert the first square wave signal and output a second square wave signal, a first waveform conversion circuit, electrically connected to the processor, configured to convert the first square wave signal into a first sine wave signal, a second waveform conversion circuit, electrically connected to the frequency divider, configured to convert the second square signal into a second sine wave signal, a mixer, electrically connected to the first and second waveform conversion circuits, configured to mix the first sine wave sig
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE PRECISION INSTRUMENTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Jean Marie Binier
  • Patent number: 10376206
    Abstract: A surgical procedure to insert an implant into the body of a patient may impinge upon or run the risk of damaging neural tissue during the insertion procedure. To reduce this risk, the implant and instrumentation used during the implantation procedure can be modified or adapted for use as neuromonitoring probes to determine whether a nerve is in close proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SI-Bone Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Sand, Scott A. Yerby
  • Patent number: 10376207
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) and a method for generating a model output x(ti) describing a circadian rhythm of a person (P) at a time ti. In a preferred embodiment, a light sensor providing the photic exposure (L(ti)) and an activity signal (A(ti)) indicating the current level of activity of the person (P) at the time ti based on motion measurements (via an accelerometer) are used to calculate a wakefulness variable (?) that indicates if the person (P) is awake or sleeping. The wakefulness variable is then used to determine a driving term (N(t)) for a driven oscillator model (135) which simulates the model output x(t) under the joint influence of light and activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Xavier Louis Marie Antoine Aubert, Henning Maass, Guido Josef Muesch
  • Patent number: 10376208
    Abstract: A nerve mapping system includes a plurality of electrodes, a sensor, and a processor in communication with each of the plurality of electrodes and the sensor. Each electrode is disposed on the distal end portion of one or more elongate medical devices configured to extend within an intracorporeal treatment area of a subject. The sensor is in communication with a muscle of a subject, and is configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a monitored response of the muscle. The processor receives an indication of the location of each electrode and an indication of a magnitude of the monitored muscular response. Using these parameters, the processor determines a distance to the nerve from the location of each of the plurality of electrodes, and constructs a virtual model of the nerve using the determined distance to the nerve at each of the plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Innovative Surgical Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Wybo
  • Patent number: 10376209
    Abstract: A method of locating a nerve within an intracorporeal space includes advancing a distal end portion of a stimulator toward an anatomical target within the intracorporeal space, and periodically applying a first electrical stimulus from a first electrode disposed on a central axis of the stimulator. If a muscular response to the first electrical stimulus is detected, a locating electrical stimulus is then applied from a plurality of locations offset from the central axis of the stimulator, and a magnitude of the response of the muscle is monitored. A distance between the nerve and each of the plurality of locations is determined from the magnitude of the muscular response, and from a magnitude of the locating electrical stimulus provided at each of the plurality of locations. The location of the nerve is then triangulated from the determined distance at each of the plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Innovative Surgical Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Wybo
  • Patent number: 10376210
    Abstract: Mouth guards having electrodes, sensors, and/or accelerometers for determining one or more physiological conditions of a subject. Processing circuitry receives the outputs of the electrodes, sensors, and/or accelerometers. Optionally, at least a portion of the processing circuitry can be positioned within a helmet that is worn by a subject. The mouth guard can optionally be tethered to the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
    Inventors: Anthony J. Paris, Jennifer M. Brock, John A. Lund
  • Patent number: 10376211
    Abstract: A method for continuously detecting body physiological information trajectories through the use of a personal wearable device. Through short-distance wireless transmission, a smartphone or a computer first transmits basic information, including a personal ID of a user of the device, a device ID, an ID of the smartphone or the computer, and communication links, to a remote medical data center. In this case, the device continuously detects body physiological information which can be transmitted to the remote medical data center. Corrective body physiological information data of the user is measured and transmitted to the remote medical data center. The remote medical data center processes the data and periodic pulse volume curves. The remote medical data center then transmits the numeral data converted from periodic pulse volume curves back to the personal wearable device and continuously constructs a periodic trajectory of detected personal body physiological information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventors: Jean Fuh, Pei Chin Chen, Martin M. T. Fuh
  • Patent number: 10376212
    Abstract: A muscle fatigue output device is provided with a myoelectric measurement unit that acquires myoelectricity of a user, and a main control unit that determines fatigue of a muscle of the user on the basis of the myoelectricity. The main control unit (a) uses the myoelectricity to acquire a value for a frequency characteristic of the myoelectricity, (b) uses the myoelectricity to acquire a value for an amplitude characteristic of the myoelectricity, (c) acquires a ratio between the value for the frequency characteristic and the value for the amplitude characteristic as an index for the fatigue of the muscle of the user, and (d) outputs information regarding the fatigue of the muscle of the user, on the basis of the index for the fatigue of the muscle of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeffry Fernando, Jun Ozawa, Mototaka Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 10376213
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a sensor insertion tool (SIT) that provides a motive force for insertion of an analyte sensor into/through skin. A SIT may be releasably locked to one or more components of a sensor insertion system, such that components of the sensor insertion system remain securely coupled during sensor insertion. A SIT may include a release member that unlocks or uncouples the SIT and the other components after sensor insertion. In various embodiments, a SIT may be a component of a sensor insertion system configured for assembly by an end user, a health care professional, and/or a caretaker prior to sensor insertion, and may act in cooperation with other sensor insertion system components. Additional components and methods of assembly and use are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: WAVEFORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Bruce, David Kreitlow, Isaac Federiuk, Ryan Polcin, Dennis Slomski, Eric Ward, Mihai Resch
  • Patent number: 10376214
    Abstract: A person support apparatus includes sensors for monitoring aspects of a person positioned thereon. The outputs from the sensors are used to distinguish between new and prior occupants of the support apparatus, automatically zero an integrated scale system, distinguish between objects and humans on the support apparatus, determine if a person is sleeping or awake, monitor and characterize movement levels of the person, record a log of likely events regarding a support surface of the apparatus, propose identifications of objects added to or removed from the support surface, record force outputs, and/or other purposes. A person's sleep state may also be obtained and forwarded to a remote location. The sleep state data may be used to mute and/or control alerts or indicators, and/or to predict when a person is going to wake up and likely exit the support apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Hayes, David Terrance Becker, Annie Désaulniers, Aaron Douglas Furman, Brandon J. Buckingham, Michael W. Steffler, Richard A. Derenne, Joshua Elmer Mix
  • Patent number: 10376215
    Abstract: A smart toilet with a function of human blood pressure detection, the smart toilet includes a toilet base. The smart toilet further includes a body connected to the toilet base. The body is provided with a controller and a human blood pressure detection module, a display or voice prompt module, a key input module for sending back operation information of the user to the controller, and a power supply module for supplying power, which are electrically connected to the controller respectively. The controller processes the electrical signal transmitted by the human blood pressure detection module to obtain the blood pressure value of the human body, and controls the display or voice prompt module to output the blood pressure value. The human blood pressure can be conveniently and rapidly detected while the users use the toilet every day, so that abnormal blood pressure can be discovered early.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ZHONGSHAN MEITU PLASTIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wenhui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10376216
    Abstract: Device for contactless monitoring of a patient's vital signs in the form of a measuring mat comprising at least one measuring element. The measuring element comprises a piezoelectric sensor with a first and a second conductive electrode and a piezoelectric element. Near the piezoelectric sensor is a third conductive electrode. The exertion of a mechanical force on the cover of the measuring element results in a change in the distance between at least one of the electrodes of the piezoelectric sensor and the third conductive electrode. This change in distance is expressed as a difference in the detected parameter corresponding to a change in the patient's vital signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: LINET SPOL. S R.O.
    Inventors: Vladimir Kolar, Libor Seidl
  • Patent number: 10376217
    Abstract: A positioning unit includes a projector and a control unit and enables a particularly quick and precise positioning of a patient. In an embodiment, the control unit affects a control of the projector as a function of a protocol for a recording of an image of the patient such that the positioning unit is designed for the planar projection of a figure as a positioning aid on the patient couch. An immediately apparent area on the patient couch is then specified by the figure projected in a planar fashion, relative to which the patient can be positioned. The control unit can be used both to temporally control the projection process and also to control the figurative properties of the positioning aid. Furthermore, the control unit can include a device for calculating a control signal so that the control unit brings about control of the projector with the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernhard Schmidt, Martin Sedlmair
  • Patent number: 10376218
    Abstract: A device for gathering data has first and second electrodes. The first electrode is coupled to a surface of interest, and the second electrode is coupled to “everything else” or “the air”. The first electrode is shielded from the second, and from most sources of parasitic capacitance, by a shield that is driven by an active driver that drives the shield to track, and ideally to match, the instantaneous potential of the electrode. The second electrode is likewise shielded in a similar way from most sources of parasitic capacitance. These shields likewise help to limit the extent to which RFI from the device electronics couples with either of the electrodes. In this way the sensing device achieves a markedly better signal-to-noise ratio at frequency bands of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PROTEUS DIGITAL HEALTH, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Zdeblick, James Hutchison, Lawrence Arne
  • Patent number: 10376219
    Abstract: A monitoring device for the circulation of a patient includes sensors for recording data, an input unit for inputting patient specific data and a connected a data recording and analysis device configured to determine the right atrial pressure (RAP), the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the cardiac output (CO) and to determine the mean systemic filling pressure (Pms) and to determine the cardiac efficiency (Eh) therefrom. A device records a pressure value (Pps,char) characterizing the pressure assistance during positive-pressure ventilation. The data recording and analysis device is configured to determine a pressure-corrected mean systemic filling pressure (Pmsp) and a pressure-corrected cardiac efficiency (Ehp) by the difference from the right atrial pressure (RAP) and the pressure value (Pps,char) characteristic of the pressure assistance being used instead of the right atrial pressure (RAP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DRÄGERWERK AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Michael Imhoff, Ernst-Wilhelm Schubert, Doreen Werner
  • Patent number: 10376220
    Abstract: The present invention, herein is a method and apparatus that significantly limits the effect of high frequency (“HF”) interferences on acquired electro-physiological signals, such as the EEG and EMG. Preferably, this method comprises of two separate electronic circuitries and steps or electronics for processing the signals. One circuit is used to block the transmission of HF interferences to the instrumentation amplifiers. It is comprised of a front-end active filter, a low frequency electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) shield, and an isolation barrier interface which isolates the patient from earth ground. The second circuit is used to measure the difference in potential between the two isolated sides of the isolation barrier. This so-called “cross-barrier” voltage is directly representative of the interference level that the instrumentation amplifier is subjected to. This circuit is used to confirm that the acquired signals are not corrupted by the interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NeuroWave Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V Saliga, Stéphane Bibian, Tatjana Zikov
  • Patent number: 10376221
    Abstract: Cardiac electrograms are recorded in a plurality of channels. Beats are classified automatically into respective classifications according to a resemblance of the morphologic characteristics of the beats to members of a set of templates. Respective electroanatomic maps of the heart are generated from the classified beats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Ofra Iyun, Noga Salomon, Galia Givaty, Eliran Guzi, Vladimir Rubinstein, Meir Bar-Tal, Morris Ziv-Ari
  • Patent number: 10376222
    Abstract: A system comprising: at least one platform configured for, in use, having a person on it, said platform comprising a plurality of sensors configured for capturing information of forces/pressures applied by the feet of the person or of the position of the person's feet; means for, from said captured information, respectively extracting either a center of pressure or the position of the feet; at least one reference signal disposed at a known location with respect to said platform; at least one sensor which, in use, is connected to the body of the person situated on said platform, the sensor being configured for capturing said at least one reference signal; processing means for extracting information from said at least one captured reference signal and for estimating the position and/or orientation of said at least one sensor; processing means for estimating the position and/or orientation of the body of said person; processing means for calculating a stability index from said position and/or orientation of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Pierre Barralon
  • Patent number: 10376223
    Abstract: Provided is a living-body information measurement device including a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element each that emits different light in wavelength, a light receiving element that receives the light emitted from the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element, a control unit that controls an emission period of each of the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element so that the number of times of emission of the second light emitting element per unit time is less than the number of times of emission of the first light emitting element per unit time, and a measuring unit that measures plural living-body information based on the light received in the light receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Umekawa, Kazuhiro Sakai, Manabu Akamatsu, Tomoaki Kojima
  • Patent number: 10376224
    Abstract: A system for analysis of the upper airway has at least two sensors are provided along a flow path leading to the mouth and/or nose of a user. A relation is derived between the two sensor signals, and this is interpreted to detect at least the presence of upper airway obstructions, and preferably also the location and/or extent of such obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ronaldus Maria Aarts, Joachim Kahlert, Michel Paul Barbara Van Bruggen, Okke Ouweltjes
  • Patent number: 10376225
    Abstract: A scanning X-ray imaging device (100) is proposed. The device may be specifically adapted for mammography applications. The device comprises an X-ray source (110), an X-ray line detector (150), a field limiter arrangement (170) and an observation volume (135). The field limiter arrangement (170) comprises at least two variable shield plates (174, 175) enclosing an opening (176) and a displacing mechanism (177). The shield plates may be displaced with respect to a center axis of an X-ray beam (115) by means of the displacing mechanism such as to vary at least one of a cross-section and a location of the opening (176) between the field plates (174, 175) through which at least a part of the X-ray beam (115) is transmitted. The shield plates may be displaced independently from each other by means of the displacing mechanism (177).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Per Mattias Myrman
  • Patent number: 10376226
    Abstract: A method of in vivo monitoring the condition of an internal body repair in which an imageable, non-absorbable repair device having non-absorbable, particulate imaging material substantially uniformly dispersed therein has been surgically inserted, including: in vivo sensing of dimensional deformation of or imaging material concentration changes in said repair device during the post-surgical healing process; comparing the sensed values with a previously developed correlation between said sensed values and the values at which failure occurs of comparable repair devices; wherein said sensed values relative to the repair device's failure values, considered in conjunction with the anticipated time for complete healing of said repair, provides information as to the condition of the repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: S. Jackson, Inc.
    Inventors: Janko Jackson, Stephen L. Jackson, Crayton G. Toney
  • Patent number: 10376227
    Abstract: A dental x-ray sensor holder 10 for securing an x-ray sensor 1 to a holder using suction created between the sensor and a backing plate 3 of the sensor holder. The dental x-ray sensor holder generally includes a bite block 2 with a first end and a second end, a backing plate 3 affixed to or formed contiguously with the second end of the bite block, and an opening 17 to a cavity 20 in the holder, wherein said cavity 20 leads an evacuation chamber 14 for creating a vacuum between the holder and an X-ray sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventor: Tod Brenner
  • Patent number: 10376228
    Abstract: The invention concerns an X-ray detection device comprising an X-ray sensing member and an X-ray energy filter comprising an attenuation member configured to attenuate low-energy X-rays to a greater extent than high-energy X-rays in a beam or field of X-radiation directed towards the X-ray sensing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: RTI Group AB
    Inventor: Lars Herrnsdorf
  • Patent number: 10376229
    Abstract: A computed tomographic mammography system is provided with, as an X-ray tube 1A, a transmission type X-ray tube including a target 2 which includes a target layer 2a that generates X-ray upon irradiation of an electron beam and a supporting substrate 2b through which the X-ray generated upon irradiation of the electron beam to the target layer 2a passes, an electron emission source 3 for emitting an electron beam toward the target layer 2a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Miki Tamura, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10376230
    Abstract: Breast density measurements are used to perform Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification during breast cancer screenings. The accuracy of breast density measurements can be improved by quantitatively processing digital mammographic images. For example, breast segmentation may be performed on a mammographic image to isolate the breast tissue from the background and pectoralis tissue, while a breast thickness adjustment may be performed to compensate for decreased tissue thickness near the skin line of the breast. In some instances, BI-RADS density categorization may consider the degree to which dense tissue is dispersed throughout the breast. A breast density dispersion parameter can also be obtained using quantitative techniques, thereby providing objective BI-RADS classifications that are less susceptible to human error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: iCad, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Wehnes, Arunkumar Gururajan, James Monaco, Ronald Larcom, James H. Pike
  • Patent number: 10376231
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of reducing the x-ray dose of a patient in an x-ray system, comprising defining a region of interest of the patient, obtaining at least two tracking images of a tracking element taken with at least one camera having a known positional relationship relative to an x-ray source and/or sensor, determining any movement of the tracking element between the acquisition of at least two tracking images, adjusting the collimator of the x-ray source to compensate for any movement of the tracking element between the acquisition of the at least two tracking images, providing that the field of exposure of the x-ray source is confined to the region of interest and obtaining at least one x-ray image of the region of interest after the adjustment of the collimator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: 3Shape A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Öjelund
  • Patent number: 10376232
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically controlling the exposure in an X-ray imaging of a moving object to be irradiated. An embodiment of the method includes generating X-ray images at different times with a predeterminable pulse width of X-ray radiation; determining at least one moving image region from at least two of the generated X-ray images; determining at least one moving edge of the moving image region; selecting at least one pixel of the edge; determining the time dependence of the intensity of the pixel from the generated X-ray images; evaluating the time dependence of the intensity; and changing the pulse width in accordance with the evaluation. Alternatively, the spatial dependency of the intensity can also be evaluated close to the edge. Advantages of ensuring an optimum image quality and reducing negative influences of a sub-optimum parameter selection are realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Ertel
  • Patent number: 10376233
    Abstract: In viscoelastic imaging with ultrasound, the shear wave speed or other viscoelastic parameter is measured by tracking at the ARFI focal or other high-intensity location relative to the ARFI transmission. Rather than tracking the shear wave, the tissue response to ARFI is measured. A profile of displacements over time or a spectrum thereof is measured at the location. By finding a scale of the profile resulting in sufficient correlation with a calibration profile, the shear wave speed or other viscoelastic parameter may be estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Yassin Labyed, Liexiang Fan
  • Patent number: 10376234
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus (20) for imaging a specular object (such as a biopsy needle) and a target anatomy in a tissue, whereby the specular object remains visible even when its location deviates from a target plane (21) including the target anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon, Jin Chang, Allison Arden Daniels, Ameet Kumar Jain
  • Patent number: 10376235
    Abstract: A needle guide system is provided. The needle guide system includes a puncture device, an ultrasound transducer, a first orientation detector, a second orientation detector, a proximity detector and a processor. The ultrasound transducer is configured to obtain an ultrasound image. The first orientation detector is disposed on the puncture device, and the second orientation detector is disposed on the ultrasound transducer. The proximity detector is disposed on at least one of the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer, configured to obtain a relative distance between the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer. The processor is configured to obtain a spatial relationship between the puncture device and the ultrasound transducer by using the first orientation detector, the second orientation detector, and the proximity detector, and predict a trajectory of the puncture device in the ultrasound image according to the spatial relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, National Taiwan University Hospital
    Inventors: Wan-Hsin Hsieh, Hui-Hsin Lu, Chih-Yuan Wang
  • Patent number: 10376236
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry sets a ROI in ultrasound image data that corresponds to at least one temporal phase and is among moving image data of two-/three-dimensional ultrasound image data acquired while using a region containing a tissue in motion as an image taking target. The processing circuitry obtains first position information of an estimated ROI based on movement information and second position information of an estimated ROI based on information other than the movement information, in ultrasound image data corresponding to the other remaining temporal phases within an acquisition period of the moving image data. The processing circuitry tracks the ROI, by obtaining position information combining the first and second position information based on an index related to reliability of the movement information, as position information of the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Abe
  • Patent number: 10376237
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes releasably attaching an image capture assembly to a distal portion of a TEE device. Next, the TEE device coupled to the image capture assembly is inserted into an oral cavity of the patient. With the image capture assembly releasably attached to the distal portion of the TEE device, image data of an esophagus of the patient captured by the image capture assembly is displayed. While viewing the display of image data, the TEE device coupled to the image capture assembly can be moved within the esophagus. With both the TEE device and the image capture assembly disposed within the esophagus, the image capture assembly is detached from the TEE device. With the image capture assembly detached from the TEE device, and with the TEE device disposed at least in part within the esophagus, the image capture assembly is removed from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Visura Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Marmor, Morgan Clyburn, C. Lance Boling
  • Patent number: 10376238
    Abstract: A method for customizing a probe grip of an ultrasound probe for a user is presented. The method includes printing the probe grip in a three-dimensional shape of the probe grip based on grip data corresponding to the user. Further, the method includes installing the printed probe grip on the ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Warren Lee
  • Patent number: 10376239
    Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a method of processing an ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a display configured to display a moving image consisting of a plurality of ultrasound images that are played back according to a time order together with at least one icon, corresponding to at least one piece of change information for changing a display of at least one of the plurality of ultrasound images, in association with the time order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-jin Park, Dae-woong Kang, Yea-chan Choi
  • Patent number: 10376240
    Abstract: In contrast agent imaging, a beamformer and transducer scan a region of a patient having contrast agents. A detector detects the contrast agents with at least two different contrast agent imaging techniques from ultrasound data resulting from the scanning. A processor compares responses of the contrast agents detected between the at least two different contrast agent imaging techniques and selects a relative contribution of the at least two different contrast agent imaging techniques. The selection is based on the comparing. Contrast agent imaging of the patient is performed using at least one of the contrast agent imaging techniques. The performance is based on the selected relative contribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Duncan, Xiaozheng Zeng, Ismayil M. Guracar
  • Patent number: 10376241
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying a 3D ultrasound image volume in a desired view orientation. A 3D ultrasound image can be acquired of an anatomical feature in a patient. The actual orientation of the anatomical feature can be determined in space. The 3D ultrasound image including the anatomical feature can be displayed such that the anatomical feature is positioned in a selected orientation that is different than the actual orientation, and in relation to a lighting model for generating lighting and shadowing on the anatomical feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: David Nigel Roundhill
  • Patent number: 10376242
    Abstract: Viscosity is included in the quantification by an ultrasound imaging system. The log of a spectrum of displacement as a function of time is determined for each of various locations subjected to a shear or other wave. Solving using the log as a function of location provides the complex wavenumber. Various viscoelastic parameters, such as loss modulus and storage modulus, are determined from the complex wavenumber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Yassin Labyed, Liexiang Fan
  • Patent number: 10376243
    Abstract: A method for ultrasound based heart rate detection in a heart rate monitoring system is provided that includes receiving a demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal, applying a bandpass filter to the demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal to remove a direct current (DC) component and out-of-band noise, wherein a filtered demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal is generated, rectifying the filtered demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal to generate a rectified filtered demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal, applying a low-pass filter to the rectified filtered demodulated Doppler ultrasound signal to filter out undesired components to leave a resulting signal corresponding to power shift due to heart rate, detecting peaks in the resulting signal, and computing a heart rate based on the detected peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sourabh Ravindran, Jonathon David Spaulding
  • Patent number: 10376244
    Abstract: Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when divers rise to the surface exposing the body to sudden changes in pressure, generating nitrogen bubbles in tissues, causing serious bodily injury and even death. Therefore, the present invention allows prevention of DCS with a method that detects the presence of bubbles in real time. The invention proposes a new method for bubble detection with a piezoelectric ring (PZT) and pill microphones (PM) placed around a divers thigh. The electrical signals from the piezoelectric ring (PZT) and microphones (PM) are the inputs to a pattern recognition algorithm used for determining the presence, amount and size of bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: University of Puerto Rico
    Inventors: Silvina Cancelos, Carlos Javier Marin, Andrés Saavedra
  • Patent number: 10376245
    Abstract: It is an object to estimate an ovulation date using less menstrual cycles of body temperatures while preventing decrease in estimation accuracy. An information processing device obtains the equation of a function that approximates the relationship between body temperature data and dates. The information processing device determines a low-temperature-phase reference body temperature, based on a plurality of days of body temperature data identified based on the date corresponding to a local minimum value in the function, and determines a high-temperature-phase reference body temperature, based on a plurality of days of body temperature data identified based on the date corresponding to a local maximum value in the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Rakuten, Inc.
    Inventor: Katsuhito Matsushima
  • Patent number: 10376246
    Abstract: Provided is a biomonitoring device that measures a parameter of a material expelled during use of a toilet by a user. Also provided is a biomonitoring mirror device that identifies a user, detects a febrile illness in a user, dispenses medications/supplements, connects to electrical device accessories in the bathroom, and provides an interactive user interface. Additionally provided is a system for measuring a parameter of a material expelled during use of a toilet by a user. Further provided is a method of determining a physiological parameter of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Toi Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Kashyap, Kevin D. Simmons, Thomas Reidemeister, Benjamin K. Yaffe, Rodolfo Camacho
  • Patent number: 10376247
    Abstract: A tissue-sample container assembly including a container defining a cavity configured to store a tissue sample and a lid connectable to the container to close the cavity. The lid has a receptacle adapted to contain a preserving agent, a seal forming at least a portion of a bottom of the receptacle, and a puncturing member arranged above the seal and actuatable to break the seal. A preserving agent is disposed in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Biopsafe ApS
    Inventors: Ole Jakobsen, Christoffer Bay, Jacob Ilskov
  • Patent number: 10376248
    Abstract: A dart for use in gathering a tissue sample from an animal is disclosed. The dart has an adapter base for fastening to an elongated dart delivery shaft. The adapter base has a distal threaded end. A dart tip is threaded onto the adapter base. The dart tip has a sharpened tubular end portion for entering through skin of an animal and a cylindrical chamber portion for receiving and holding at least part of a tissue sample. The chamber portion has a proximal portion adapted to be removably fastened to the distal threaded end of the adapter base and a distal portion merging with the sharpened tubular end portion, wherein the dart tip is configured to hold and retain the tissue sample received within the chamber portion while the dart tip is withdrawn from the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: TISSUEGRAB BIOPSY SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Musyl, Lianne McNaughton
  • Patent number: 10376249
    Abstract: A cervical tissue sample device for extracting cells from the cervix. A cervical tissue sample device includes a plunger slidably disposed along a longitudinal axis within a barrel. The plunger has a first end with a seal thereon and a second end which includes a plunger flange. A plurality of bristles extends longitudinally from the seal of the plunger. The barrel has a first end with an opening thereon such that the plurality of bristles is exposed therethrough when the plunger is depressed. An outer shroud is disposed about a perimeter of the first end of the plunger and configured to encapsulate the plurality of bristles therein when the plurality of bristles is disposed within the barrel. In this way, a user is able to collect a cervical tissue sample without utilizing a medical professional to extract the cells from the cervix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: David Samsami
  • Patent number: 10376250
    Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided for performing at least part of an assessment of a non-living body. The medical navigation system comprises a positioning device having a positioning arm with an end effector at the end of the positioning arm, an imaging device coupled to the end effector, and a controller electrically coupled to the positioning device and the imaging device. The controller has a processor coupled to a memory and a display. The controller is configured to generate a signal to move the positioning arm to position the imaging device through a range of motion to perform a scan of a surface of the body and receive and save as data in the memory signals generated by the imaging device during the range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Kai Michael Hynna, Joshua Lee Richmond, Alexander Gyles Panther, Thanh Vinh Vuong