Patents Issued in April 6, 2021
  • Patent number: 10966842
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the removal of bone implant tips from within a bony structure in a body. The device or method includes a shaft with an internal grasping feature capable of being inserted while remaining in an un-expanded, un-deployed state. This permits a surgeon or operator to insert the device while in a small profile state, avoiding or reducing damage to adjacent bone tissue during insertion. Upon insertion of the shaft to the proper position within a patient's bone, the grasping feature may then be expanded or deployed from the distal end of the shaft by a surgeon or operator using an actuator in a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft. Following deployment, the grasping feature may be used to manipulate and/or remove a bone implant tip from a patient's bone tissue. Embodiments of the grasping feature include one or more hooks, wires, articulating fingers, and/or net-based designs formed of metal, polymer, composite, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Sloan Austin Kulper, Erica Ann Boles, Xinshuo Christian Fang, Ka Li Frankie Leung, Weijia William Lu
  • Patent number: 10966843
    Abstract: Implant inserters and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for delivering a fusion cage or other implant to a spinal disc space and for rotating or articulating the implant within the disc space. An exemplary instrument can include a slider that is slidably mounted to a body to define an implant clamp. A locking mechanism can allow the slider to be quickly disassembled from the body and for fast and convenient loading and unloading of an implant to the instrument. An actuation knob can be moved between a first position in which the implant is locked from rotating relative to the instrument and a second position in which the implant is retained to the instrument but allowed to rotate relative to the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Koki Saito
  • Patent number: 10966844
    Abstract: A sliding assembly may include a supporting frame having a proximal end and a distal end, a sliding frame partially inserted to the supporting frame, and a supporting member disposed between the supporting frame and the sliding frame to prevent the supporting frame from directly contacting the sliding frame, wherein the sliding frame is configured to move relative to the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byungjune Choi, Se-Gon Roh, Youn Baek Lee, Jeonghun Kim, Jongwon Lee, Hyun Do Choi
  • Patent number: 10966845
    Abstract: A prosthetic liner for use with a prosthetic assembly that acts as the interface between the residual limb of an amputee and the socket assembly. The prosthetic liner comprises an outer textile with variable stretch characteristics due to the knit construction and stitching and an interior gel layer. The distal region of the liner textile has less stretch than does the intermediate region or proximal region and is stitched together to form a unitary liner. The liner advantageously minimizes a condition referred to as “pistoning” wherein the distal most portion of the residual limb ascends and descends in the lower portion of the socket creating an unhealthy condition for the residual limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Alps South Europe, S.R.O.
    Inventors: Aldo Laghi, Nathaniel Vint
  • Patent number: 10966846
    Abstract: An endovascularly deployed prosthetic includes a portion for being positioned within an ascending aorta. The prosthesis includes a replacement aortic valve on a proximal end thereof. The prosthesis includes an increased diameter portion that seals against the aorta at a more distal portion, and a pair of conduits extend from the increased diameter portion to the coronaries for fluidly coupling the coronaries to the prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Aortis Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Ali Shahriari
  • Patent number: 10966847
    Abstract: A medical device suitable for location in a body lumen is movable between a first loaded configuration and a second loaded configuration. The device has an unloaded configuration which is intermediate the first loaded configuration and the second loaded configuration. The device can be a stent for deployment in a blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Veryan Medical Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Heraty, Liam Mullins, Paul Gilson, Martin G. Burke
  • Patent number: 10966848
    Abstract: Medical devices and method for manufacturing medical devices are discloses. An example medical device may include a medical device body formed from one or more multi-melting point polymeric filaments. Each of the filaments may include a polymeric blend comprising a first block polymer and a second polymer. The polymeric blend may have a first melting point and a second melting point less than the first melting point. The medical device body may be heat set at a temperature within 10° C. of the second melting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Fredrickson, Mark W. Boden, Emma Boutcher
  • Patent number: 10966849
    Abstract: A cylindrical indwelling medical device is formed by connecting a plurality of struts in a circumferential direction of the device in such a way to share a rib in an axial direction in neighboring struts to form annular or spiral columns of struts and connecting the columns of struts in the axial direction via links. Each strut has at least one set of strut pieces providing a bistable structure for supporting a load from reducing a diameter of the indwelling medical device and portions for inducing snap-through buckling deformation. load is in a direction preventing reverse snap-through buckling deformation to hold an expanded diameter state of the device. After the indwelling medical device with its diameter reduced has been introduced into a luminal organ and has expanded its diameter to indwell there, the device can resist sufficiently against the reduction in diameter, thus maintaining the expanded diameter state of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAGUCHI UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Minami
  • Patent number: 10966850
    Abstract: An implantable medical device deployment system is disclosed that employs both a sheath element and a constraint member to protect implantable medical devices during delivery in a body while providing simple, accurate, and reliable device deployment. The delivery system is configured so that loading and deployment forces are not directly related to device diameter, length, or design, thus allowing a more universal delivery system across various delivered device configurations and product lines. The deployment system can provide numerous benefits, include better protection for drug-coated implantable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Irwin, James D. Silverman
  • Patent number: 10966851
    Abstract: An orthopedic device comprises a main body defining an outer surface and a cuff extending from an end portion of the main body with frictional material disposed on an inner surface of the first cuff. A hinge is connected to the main body and terminates along the main body short of the cuff. The cuff is arranged to fold over the outer surface of the main body in a disengaged configuration, such that the outer surface of the first cuff is adjacently against the outer surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: OSSUR ICELAND EHF
    Inventors: Arni Thor Ingimundarson, Sindri Pall Sigurdsson, Cyril Chuzel
  • Patent number: 10966852
    Abstract: Provided with a sleeve supporter which can cover a surface of an region including an instep, a sole, a heel and an ankle of a foot and a belt-type supporter which is attached to the sleeve supporter and attachable to the foot on the sleeve supporter: the belt-type supporter is provided with an ankle belt, a plantar heel hold belt, an affected-part pressing belt and a posterior heel hold belt: the sleeve supporter is made of cloth having an extension larger than that of the belt-type supporter, yarns used therefor have a thickness 30 denier to 70 denier (both inclusive) and a clothing pressure thereof is 10 mmHg to 20 mmHg (both inclusive).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Noriomi Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 10966853
    Abstract: A shoulder and arm orthosis assembly for supporting at least one of a shoulder, arm, wrist and hand of a user. The orthosis assembly provides a sling with a shoulder strap, a wrist/hand orthosis, and a pillow support to hold the arm of the user away from the body. The sling has attached inner and outer portions that are configured to be detached and reattached with one another. The wrist/hand orthosis may be supported by the sling when the sling is closed and may be permitted to exit the sling when the sling is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Elizur Corporation
    Inventors: Dean G. Sotereanos, Joshua Cordle, James Grant, Darrell Seretti
  • Patent number: 10966854
    Abstract: A brace assists a user in regaining muscle mass during the back to work phase of joint injury recovery. The brace uses a resistance band that is attached to the upper arm and the lower arm of the brace. Proximate the arms' juncture point, a pair of gears is attached, one gear per arm with a gap between the gears. The gears rotate in lockstep with their respective arm. A variation piece has two sets of teeth, each set gearably mating with one of the gears so that rotation of the gears causes the variation piece to linearly extend and counter-rotation causes the variation piece to retract. A medial portion of the band is received by the variation piece so that as variation piece extends, it places additional tension on the band, which tension placement is reduced with variation piece retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Brice W Lockart
  • Patent number: 10966855
    Abstract: An orthosis comprises a first portion which comprises a polymer reinforced with a plurality of first fibres, and a second portion which is disposed around at least a section of a peripheral edge of the orthosis which comprises a polymer reinforced with a plurality of second fibres. The first portion has a higher tensile strength and is harder than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: THUASNE UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Timothy Cooney
  • Patent number: 10966856
    Abstract: A multi-layered composite material suitable for use in orthopedics includes a foam core layer bonded between two layers of thermoformable polymer material. The thermoformable material is heat formable within a target temperature range allowing for rapid heating and application to a patient such as in the form of a splint. While within the target temperature range, the composite material includes a dwell time sufficiently long to enable proper fitment and adjustment, yet not overly long requiring extended periods of holding the composite material in place. The composite material is very light yet extremely rigid and easily conformable to patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DJO, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Joseph
  • Patent number: 10966857
    Abstract: The present wrist brace includes an advantageous lacing configuration that provides a cast-like compression on a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand. Pulling the lacing mechanism equilibrates lace tension along the length of the wrist brace in a way that applies consistent compression to the patient's forearm and wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Medical Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Lee Gaylord
  • Patent number: 10966858
    Abstract: A support and corresponding system and method of using and producing the support, the support being for supporting a joint or body part of a wearer, the support having at least one rigid first support member, at least one fixing device for attaching the support to the wearer, and at least one second support member extending at an angle from the first support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: University of Strathclyde
    Inventors: Karyn Ross, Emma Henderson, Mark O'Hare, Nicola J. Cairns, Alejandra Aranceta Garza
  • Patent number: 10966859
    Abstract: A force distribution apparatus and method are presented. Various embodiments of the disclosed apparatus include a plurality of layers configured and oriented to be deployed on a subject in a manner that disperses forces and lowers peak pressures experienced by the subject when resting on a surface, which tends to minimize risks of deformation and local ischemia. An innovative combination of novel construction methods and material selections produce an apparatus that possesses an inherent three-dimensional shape despite being built from essentially flat components, while also retaining an ability to effectively distribute forces and reduce pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Invictus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Loring Gilmer, Thomas Craig Roberts, Samuel Alexander, George Martin Hutchinson, Daniel V. Mendez
  • Patent number: 10966860
    Abstract: A hose connection for an arrangement for collection of liquid from a patient is disclosed which connection comprises a first tubular member (1) to be in fluid connection with the patient and having one or more protrusions (3) arranged on an outer surface, and an outlet (2), and further comprises a collection bag (24) having an inlet to be connected to the outlet for collection of liquid coming through the first tubular member. The inlet comprises a second tubular member (5) being connected to the bag and adapted to receive and surround at least a part of said first tubular member. The second tubular member has one or more receiving means (6, 11) being engageable with the protrusions for providing a locked, but separable connection between the first and second tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNOMEDICAL A/S
    Inventors: Trygve Kalf Hansen, Michael James
  • Patent number: 10966861
    Abstract: An interactive enthalpy exchange system for infant care includes a pouch for receiving an infant, and a heat source arranged in the pouch. The heat source includes a first heat source and a second heat source different from the first heat source. Control circuitry is operatively coupled to the heat source, the control circuitry configured to control interactive enthalpy between the first heat source and the second heat source to maintain a temperature within the pouch at a prescribed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Swathi R. Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 10966862
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus for generating plasma by focusing a treatment laser beam to treat a treatment target portion of a patient's eye with the plasma includes: an irradiation optical system configured to irradiate the treatment laser beam to the patient's eye; a position adjusting unit configured to adjust a focusing position of the treatment laser beam in an optical axis direction with respect to a predetermined focusing reference position; an energy adjusting unit configured to adjust irradiation energy of the treatment laser beam; a storage unit configured to store evaluation information to evaluate a permissible combination of the focusing position and the irradiation energy with respect to the focusing position; and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate a combination of the focusing position adjusted by the position adjusting unit and the irradiation energy adjusted by the energy adjusting unit based on the evaluation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Abe, Seiki Tomita, Masato Kawai
  • Patent number: 10966863
    Abstract: A method is described of improving adhesion of an ocular implant to corneal tissue by forming an implant adhesive layer on the ocular implant, the implant adhesive layer having greater adhesive strength than a rest of the implant or by forming a corneal adhesive layer on a posterior surface of a posterior portion of the corneal tissue, the corneal adhesive layer having greater adhesive strength than a rest of the corneal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Eyeyon Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Ofer Daphna, Nahum Ferera, Dmitry Dubson
  • Patent number: 10966864
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for interfacing an ophthalmic surgical laser system with a patient's eye using a single-piece patient interface (PI). The PI includes a hollow shell, with an applanation lens and a flexible skirt at its lower end. Through channels are formed around the applanation lens to connect the spaces above and below the lens. When the PI is coupled to the laser system and the eye, the upper rim of the shell forms a seal with the laser system and the flexible skirt forms a seal with the eye. A vacuum is applied to the interior of the shell via a vacuum port on the laser system, and the vacuum is communicated to the space enclosed by the applanation lens, the skirt and the eye through the channels around the lens. A magnetic mechanism is also provided to hold the PI shell to the laser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: AMO Development, LLC
    Inventors: Jose L. Garcia, Roger W. Accurso, Daryl Wong, Zenon Witowski
  • Patent number: 10966865
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a femtosecond laser docking apparatus that includes a suction cone, with an upper frusto-conical portion and lower spherical portion, and a suction ring, with a mechanical stop and at least one contact and sealing surface. The mechanical stop engages the spherical portion of the suction cone to prevent it from being lowered further toward an eye, in a z-direction, beyond the mechanical stop. This disclosure provides a system for femtosecond laser ophthalmic surgery that includes a suction cone, with an upper frusto-conical portion and lower spherical portion, and a suction ring. This disclosure further provides a method for docking a femtosecond laser that includes positioning a suction ring on an eye, lowering a suction cone toward the eye until it engages the mechanical stop of the suction ring, and applying suction to seal the suction cone to the suction ring by a contact and sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Thimm, Thomas Deisinger
  • Patent number: 10966866
    Abstract: An instrument comprises a shaft assembly, a handpiece body, and a drive assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a plurality of coaxially arranged shafts and a tympanostomy tube. The shaft assembly further includes a flexible section. The shaft assembly extends distally from the handpiece body. The drive assembly is operable to drive the shafts of the shaft assembly in a predetermined sequence to deploy the tympanostomy tube. One or more of the shafts are configured to translate along the flexible section of the shaft assembly as a part of the predetermined sequence to deploy the tympanostomy tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TUSKER MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Nga K. Van, Mathew D. Clopp, Scott J. Baron, Thomas D. Gross
  • Patent number: 10966867
    Abstract: A push-in earplug including an elongate core and outer layer is disclosed. The outer layer includes a sound attenuating portion having a first average density and a stem portion having a second average density, and the second average density is greater than the first average density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James P. Endle, Jeffrey L. Hamer, Alan R. Seville, Kenneth F. Teeters
  • Patent number: 10966868
    Abstract: A hearing protection device is provided including a sound attenuating element and a stem extending from the sound attenuating element, wherein the stem comprises multiple curved segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Robert N. Falco
  • Patent number: 10966869
    Abstract: A wound care bandage for treating a wound is provided. The bandage includes an SIS layer to be placed on the wound surface and a cover to be placed over the wound. The bandage further includes a structure to provide a vacuum space. A method for promoting wound healing is further provided. The method includes applying the above-mentioned wound care bandage to the wound and creating a vacuum in the vacuum space to draw blood controllably from the wound into the SIS layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur C. Coffey
  • Patent number: 10966870
    Abstract: An inline storage-and-liquid-processing pouch for use with body fluids from a patient is presented that involves introducing body fluids into a first chamber in the storage-and-liquid-processing pouch and flowing air through a second chamber. The chambers are separated by a high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member. The air flow in the second chamber enhances liquid removal from the first chamber across the high-moisture-vapor-transfer-rate member. Other systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Daniel John Coulthard, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Patent number: 10966871
    Abstract: A vacuum bandage is provided for use with a wound having a wound surface. The bandage is connectable to a vacuum source and includes a wound dressing member having a wound contacting surface, a top surface, and a port configured for communication with the vacuum source. The wound dressing member further includes holes in the wound contacting surface configured for communication with the wound surface of the wound and a passageway between the port and each hole. The vacuum bandage further includes a pack adjacent to the top surface of the member. The pack may include an aperture positioned about the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lockwood, Robert Petrosenko
  • Patent number: 10966872
    Abstract: A system that may be adapted to distribute reduced pressure to a tissue site may include a dressing and a sealing member. The dressing may include a manifold layer, a storage layer, and a plurality of retainers. The manifold layer may be adapted to be positioned proximate the tissue site, and the storage layer may be positioned proximate the manifold layer. The plurality of retainers may be disposed in the storage layer. Each of the retainers may define a fluid communication channel through the storage layer. The retainers may be adapted to substantially preclude deformation of the storage layer into the fluid communication channels. The sealing member may be adapted to cover the dressing and to provide a fluid seal between the sealing member and the tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Luckemeyer, Timothy Mark Robinson, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Patent number: 10966873
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. First spools are rotated to unwind first elastic strands from a first unwinder in a machine direction. The first elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form an elastomeric laminate. Before the first elastic strands are completely unwound from the rotating first spools, second spools are rotated to unwind second elastic strands from a second unwinder. Subsequently, the advancement of the first elastic strands from the first unwinder is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first spools to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second spools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 10966874
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent article's chassis that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics. The elastics in the chassis may be oriented parallel or transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean LaVON, Uwe Schneider, Bret Darren Seitz, Sarah Marie Wade, Joseph Allen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 10966875
    Abstract: The current invention concerns a method and apparatus for stretching and repitching an elastic member for attachment to a moving substrate, the elastic member being stretchable in at least a longitudinal direction and said elastic member in an essential non-stretched condition comprising an initial length along said longitudinal direction, the method comprising the steps of: (1) providing the elastic member in essentially non-stretched condition to a set of repitching members with an initial supply pitch, said set of repitching members comprising at least a first repitching member and a second repitching member, and optionally one or more repitching members arranged between said first and said second repitching member; (2) receiving said elastic members arranged in non-stretched condition between said set of repitching members, whereby the distance between the first and the second repitching member corresponds to the initial length of the elastic member; (3) moving at least said first and said second repitchi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ONTEX BV
    Inventors: Thomas Heege, Michael Hochhausen
  • Patent number: 10966876
    Abstract: The methods herein relate to assembling an elastic laminate with a first elastic material and a second elastic material bonded between first and second substrates. During assembly, an elastic laminate may be formed by positioning the first and second substrates in contact with stretched central regions of the first and second elastic materials. The elastic laminates may include two or more bonding regions that may be defined by the various layers or components of the elastic laminate that are laminated or stacked relative to each other. In some configurations, a first plurality of ultrasonic bonds are applied to the elastic laminate to define a first bond density in the first bonding region, and a second plurality of ultrasonic bonds are applied to the elastic laminate to define a second bond density in the second bonding region, wherein the second bond density is not equal to the first bond density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Todd Douglas Lenser, Urmish Popatlal Dalal, Uwe Schneider, Todd Joseph Statt, Joerg Mueller, Melanie Acevedo
  • Patent number: 10966877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason Lee DeBruler, Andrew Price Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 10966878
    Abstract: A male incontinence guard having a fluid-impermeable backsheet, a fluid-permeable topsheet facing the user and an absorbent body arranged between the backsheet and the topsheet. The guard has a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis. The transverse axis divides the guard into an upper region and a lower region. The transverse axis extends between first and second lower corner points which define the two outermost points of the guard, which define a first width. The upper region has an inwardly recessed curvature portion extending between first and second upper corner points. The upper corner points define a second width such that the first width is greater than the second width. The corner points are connected by their respective outer side edges. A method for manufacturing a male incontinence guard is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ESSITY HYGIENE AND HEALTH AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Marcus Rudén, Peter Rönnberg, Stina Lindlöf
  • Patent number: 10966879
    Abstract: A disposable diaper has front and rear waist regions, a crotch region, and an absorbent chassis. The absorbent chassis includes an absorbent structure and a pair of side flaps. Each of the side flaps has layered sheet materials and includes a distal edge, a cuff branch line between the side edge of the absorbent structure and the distal edge, a leg-opening elasticized area between the cuff branch line and the distal edge, and a leakage-barrier cuff branched from the cuff branch line and intersecting with the leg-opening elasticized area. The leakage-barrier cuff has a free edge parallelly-spaced from the cuff branch line. The distance from the cuff branch line to the distal edge is larger than from the cuff branch line to the free edge. The number of sheet material layers included in the leg-opening elasticized area is larger than in the leakage-barrier cuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Inoue, Shunsuke Takino, Hideaki Maki
  • Patent number: 10966880
    Abstract: Methods and tooling for making three-dimensional substrates and/or apertured substrates are provided. The three-dimensional substrates and/or apertured substrates may be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers and pants, for example. The methods and tooling may be used on an absorbent article manufacturing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jan Michael Trinkaus, Hans Adolf Jackels, Gueltekin Erdem, Uwe Schneider
  • Patent number: 10966881
    Abstract: An absorbent member is intended for insertion in diapers to boost the absorptive capacity. The construction increases the flow of fluid to the diaper, yet in preferred embodiments, blocks the reflow of fluid pressed of the diaper from reaching the wearer to reduce the propensity to cause or aggravate diaper rash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Gary F Hirsch
  • Patent number: 10966882
    Abstract: An absorbent article including an absorbent core sandwiched between a liquid-permeable topsheet and a liquid-impermeable backsheet, the article defining a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion, wherein the absorbent core includes an absorbent component enclosed by a core cover including an upper side and a lower side, and a sealing arrangement for joining the upper and lower sides, wherein the sealing arrangement includes two side seams extending along two side edges in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the core, wherein the sealing arrangement further includes at least one transversally oriented connecting sealing, the at least one connecting sealing joining the side seams, wherein the sealing arrangement further includes welding spots, wherein the sum of the area of the welding spots is constant along a direction of a transversal axis of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ESSITY HYGIENE AND HEALTH AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventor: Yasha Asayesh
  • Patent number: 10966883
    Abstract: An absorbent cores includes absorbent material enclosed a core wrap which comprises a liquid permeable substrate layer. The core contains from about 87% to about 100% of superabsorbent polymer and a tube-shaped swelling chamber having a length to width aspect ratio of less than or equal to about 5:1. The area of the core is at least twice the area of the swelling chamber, and the core contains a water responsive immobilizing agent to immobilize the superabsorbent polymer prior to water insult. The tube-shaped swelling chamber is a portion of the absorbent core containing superabsorbent polymer that is delimited by a plurality of continuous permanent seals that each join together overlapping portions of the core wrap and prevent superabsorbent polymer from moving across the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Christine Elisabeth Zipf, Andrea Peri
  • Patent number: 10966884
    Abstract: Absorbent cores comprising a core wrap which comprises a liquid permeable substrate layer, the core containing from about 87% to about 100% of superabsorbent polymer and having a funnel-shaped swelling chamber. The area of the core is at least twice the area of the swelling chamber, and the core contains a water responsive immobilizing agent to immobilize the superabsorbent polymer prior to water insult. The funnel-shaped swelling chamber is a portion of the absorbent core containing superabsorbent polymer and delimited by continuous permanent seals. Two permanent continuous seals form first opposing funnel wall segments, wherein first opposing funnel wall segments collectively comprise a first chamber angle about 20° to about 120°, the first chamber angle being the sum of angles formed by each first opposing wall segment with respect to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Christine Elisabeth Zipf, Andrea Peri
  • Patent number: 10966885
    Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a pair of leg cuffs with an raised section and an absorbent core comprising at least one channel at least partially oriented in the longitudinal direction of the article. The article may have a crotch width before use as measured between the proximal edges of the leg cuffs at the level of the crotch point of from to 70 mm to 200 mm, and a Relative Crotch Width Reduction (RCWR) of 32 mm/kg to 150 mm/kg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger, Blanca Arizti, Ernesto Bianchi, Hans Adolf Jackels, Carsten Heinrich Kreuzer, Rodrigo Rosati
  • Patent number: 10966886
    Abstract: Sanitary product disposal containers include an invertible container body having first and second ends, the container body including a first container wall having a first container wall exterior surface; a second container wall carried by the first container wall, the second container wall having a second container wall exterior surface; an end container wall extending between the first container wall and the second container wall generally at the first end of the container body; a concave sanitary product cavity formed by and between the first container wall, the second container wall and the end container wall generally at the first end of the container body; a container opening formed by and between the first container wall and the second container wall generally at the second end of the container body; and a container seal carried by the first container wall exterior surface of the first container wall and the second container wall exterior surface of the second container wall generally at the second end
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Shallan Alaura Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10966887
    Abstract: A removable cartridge configured to be inserted into a receiving channel. The cartridge includes an elongated body having a leading end, a trailing end, a top surface and a bottom surface. A button protrudes from the top surface of the elongated body and is positioned proximate the trailing end of the elongated body. When the cartridge is being inserted into the receiving channel, the button is compressed. After the cartridge is inserted into the receiving channel, the button releases into an opening that intersects with the receiving channel so as to lock the cartridge in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RX 1186, LLC
    Inventors: John Piccolo-Wignall, Douglas C. Fritz, James R. Osborn
  • Patent number: 10966888
    Abstract: A conveyance to carry humans, such as a wheelchair, is described having levers on each side of the wheelchair that are manually moved forward and backward to propel the conveyance. The levers are connected to a tooth clutch mechanism that allow the user to shift into forward, reverse or neutral, brake, and change mechanical advantage (gear ratio), all this without removing the user's hands from the drive levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Douglas G. Robins
  • Patent number: 10966889
    Abstract: A support apparatus configured to support a person is provided. The support apparatus includes a top surface including one or more predetermined areas, one or more conduits located inside the support apparatus which are located proximate to the one or more predetermined areas, and an air supply configured to provide air to the one or more conduits for delivering to the one or more predetermined areas. The air supply includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the air provided by the air supply, a cooling element, and a controller communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the cooling element. The controller determines whether the measured temperature of the air is higher than a predetermined temperature, and controls the cooling element to cool the air to the predetermined temperature if it is determined that the temperature of the air is higher than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David Lance Ribble, Varad Narayan Srivastava, David Lawrence Bedel
  • Patent number: 10966890
    Abstract: A warming device configured to warm an infant. The warming device includes a base that supports the infant and an overhead portion that includes an enclosure. An arm is coupled to the base and to the overhead portion. The arm supports the overhead portion above the base. A heating element is operated to generate heat to warm the infant. The overhead portion includes the heating element. A portion of the heat is dissipated into the overhead portion as a waste heat. A warming blanket has a stored state and a deployed state. In the stored state, the warming blanket is at least partially inside the overhead portion. In the deployed state, the warming blanket is outside the overhead portion. The warming blanket is designed to store the waste heat when the warming blanket is in the stored state and to warm the infant when in the deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Santhosh Kumar Ramchandran Nair, Sakthi Narasimhan T, Harry Edward Belsinger, Jr., Steven Mitchell Falk
  • Patent number: 10966891
    Abstract: A medical workstation mounting apparatus comprises an elongate body with front and rear faces and configured for attachment to a shelf of a medical workstation. The apparatus has a length, a depth, and a thickness which is the distance between the front and rear faces. A plurality of accessory receivers extend from the body. Each receiver comprises a pair of arms with a channel between them configured to receive a hook of an accessory. The maximum thickness of the apparatus is less than its maximum depth to ensure a slim profile and compact shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Keymed (Medical & Industrial Equipment) Ltd.
    Inventor: David A. Kitt