Patents Issued in May 21, 2024
  • Patent number: 11986132
    Abstract: A method for controlling a toilet air heating device includes: in response to a start instruction, controlling an air heating wire component to heat, controlling an air heating fan to blow air, controlling a drive motor to drive an internal air duct to extend out along an extension direction of an external air duct, and controlling an auxiliary heater to heat, wherein an air heating wire component controller controls the air heating wire component while a master controller controls the air heating fan, the drive motor, and the auxiliary heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Kohler Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Desheng Liao
  • Patent number: 11986133
    Abstract: A system and a method for a seat apparatus (100, 400) comprising a base (102); a seat (106), wherein the seat (106) is moveably connected to the base (102) such that the seat (106) is rotatable relative to the base (102); a locking assembly (300, 500) associated with the seat (106), the locking assembly (300, 500) configured to lock the seat (106) in one or more positions relative to the base (102); the locking assembly (300, 500) comprising a trigger (302, 502) that is manually actuable by a user; wherein the seat (106) is unlocked when the trigger (302, 502) is actuated, to allow the seat (106) to rotate relative to the base (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: STUDIO DOOZY LIMITED
    Inventor: Emily Tang
  • Patent number: 11986134
    Abstract: To dispense a predetermined length of a sheet hygienically. In a sheet dispensing device, a sheet feeding mechanism feeds out a predetermined length for use of a sheet from a sheet dispensing port, and at this time, a part, of the sheet, located upstream of the sheet dispensing port in terms of a feeding direction of the sheet is held by a driving roller and a driven roller. The driven roller is biased by leaf springs to be pressed toward the driving roller. Consequently, the sheet is dispensed while hanging down from the sheet dispensing port. When a user pulls down the hanging sheet while holding it, the sheet is cut from the vicinity of a held part, so that the user can take the predetermined length for use of the sheet hygienically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: MATSUO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Motoi Matsuo, Yuji Sekitomi, Mikiya Ichikawa, Kazushi Akutsu, Noriyuki Heike
  • Patent number: 11986135
    Abstract: The present invention is a washing device with a handle, tensioning member, and loofah. The tensioning member is rotatably attached to the handle by means of a pivot. A plurality of capture features extend from the tensioning member, around which a rope of the loofah is configured to removably attach the loofah to the handle. The tensioning member is rotated away from the handle to expose the capture features, and is rotated towards the handle to create tension is the rope, which secures the loofah to the handle. The loofah further comprises a sponge portion which is configured against a loofah plate at a washing end of the handle. The washing device is used to wash oneself by grasping a handle portion of the handle and using the washing end of the handle with the loofah attached to wash oneself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Vive Health LLC
    Inventor: Juan Lopez
  • Patent number: 11986136
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a fluid delivery system for mopping a floor surface after sweeping debris from the floor surface. The surface cleaning apparatus can have a brushroll, a collection bin that receives dirt and liquid swept by the brushroll, and a cleanout member configured to empty the collection bin and mechanically remove dirt and liquid accumulated on one or more internal surfaces of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Pruiett, Jacob Resch, James Theodore Hotary, Guoshun Wang
  • Patent number: 11986137
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile robot, including: a mop module having a pair of spin mops, which rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise, and a mop motor configured to provide a driving force to the pair of spin mops; a sweep module disposed forward of and spaced apart from the mop module, and having a collecting part, which forms a collecting space to store foreign materials, a sweeping part configured to introduce foreign materials into the collecting space while rotating, and a sweeping motor configured to provide a driving force to the sweeping part; a body, on which the mop module and the sweep module are disposed; and a first floor sensor disposed forward of the sweep module, and configured to sense reflectance of light reflected from a floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaewon Jang, Seunglok Ham, Yeongjae Lee
  • Patent number: 11986138
    Abstract: A robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a body including a suction motor for generating a suction force; a traveling part for moving the body; and a control part for, in response to sensing of a preconfigured input signal, recognizing a position of the body in a cleaning area and determining a start position on the basis of the recognized position. The control part sets an imaginary boundary having a predetermined size with reference to the determined start position, and when a travel route having a preconfigured pattern is set in the boundary, controls the travelling part and the suction motor to perform a cleaning operation while travelling along the travel route in a first direction and then perform a cleaning operation while travelling along the travel route in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jinwoo Han
  • Patent number: 11986139
    Abstract: An extraction cleaner includes a steam delivery system, a liquid delivery system, and a recovery system, and includes multiple cleaning modes, including a first cleaning mode in which components of the steam delivery system, liquid delivery system, and recovery system are active, a second cleaning mode in which components of the delivery system and recovery system are active, and a third cleaning mode in which components of the steam delivery system are active. Methods for operating an extraction cleaner are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell J. DeJonge, Ryan J. Alt, Steve M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11986140
    Abstract: A cleaning device and method of cleaning are provided. The cleaning device includes a power source and a pump in selective electrical communication with the power source. A storage container is provided. A valve assembly is disposed in the storage container and in fluid communication with the pump, the valve assembly being configured to selectively flow cleaning fluid from a first portion and a second portion of the storage container. A cleaning element having a spray nozzle is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph K. Patterson, Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, Christopher Joseph Carballo
  • Patent number: 11986141
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dishwasher includes: linking the dishwasher to an air quality detection device provided at an outside of the dishwasher, receiving information regarding activation of an auto open door (AOD) function of the dishwasher, determining whether a quality of indoor air input from the air quality detection device is within a set range, based on determining that the quality of the indoor air deviates from the set range, recommending a user of the dishwasher to deactivate the AOD function of the dishwasher, maintaining or deactivating the AOD function of the dishwasher based on a command input from the user, and washing a washing target in the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jang Yeal Choi
  • Patent number: 11986142
    Abstract: An inlet assembly (T) and a washing device (C), particularly a dishwasher, are provided. The inlet assembly (T) comprises at least one body (1) having a first opening (1a); a connection area (1b) on the body (1), and a hole; a cover assembly (2), at least a part of which is inserted into the body (1) through the first opening (1a), and including a cover body (2a) closing the first opening (1a), a water inlet section (2b) extending from one side of the cover body (2a), a second opening (2d) on the water inlet section (2b), allowing air to enter the water inlet section (2b), a condensation section (2e), formed as a chamber, extending into the body (1), and located on the other part of the cover body (2a), and a third opening (2f) on a part of the cover body (2a) where the condensation section (2e) is situated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
    Inventor: Gurkan Oznazli
  • Patent number: 11986143
    Abstract: A water softener for a dishwasher includes a tank body having a regeneration tank that accommodates brine, an exchange tank that accommodates an ion exchange resin, and a flow path configured to supply water to the regeneration tank and the exchange tank. The water softener further includes a regeneration inlet in communication with the regeneration tank, an exchange inlet in communication with the exchange tank, and a switching valve mounted at the tank body and configured to open and close the regeneration inlet and the exchange inlet to switch the flow path. The switching valve includes a head configured to open and close the regeneration inlet and the exchange inlet. A sealing protrusion protrudes toward the head from a circumference of the regeneration inlet and is configured to contact the head to seal the regeneration inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jinhong Kim, Minkyu Ko
  • Patent number: 11986144
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation. The dishwasher including a lower dish rack and an upper dish rack located above the lower dish rack and having an opening overlying the portion of the lower dish rack and a repositionable tray carried by the upper dish rack and movable between a first position and a second position relative to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Fabio Cardano, Umit Can Koralay, Giuseppina Arresta, Mark Steven Feddema, Hrushikesh Chandrakant Prabhu
  • Patent number: 11986145
    Abstract: A kit comprising a hand vacuum cleaner and a floor standing docking station for the hand vacuum cleaner. When the hand vacuum cleaner is docked with the floor standing docking station and the openable door of the hand vacuum cleaner is opened, dirt collected in the dirt collection region of the hand vacuum cleaner is transferrable to the dirt collection chamber of the floor standing docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 11986146
    Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner is provided, comprising: a dust-air separating unit, an airflow generating unit, a battery pack assembly, and a handle; the dust-air separating unit is provided with a dust suction port that defines a longitudinal axis extending along a front-rear direction; the airflow generating unit is provided with an air inlet side and an air outlet side, and the air inlet side communicates with the dust-air separating unit; an outer wall of the handheld vacuum cleaner is provided with an air outlet penetrating therethrough, the air outlet port and the air outlet side are connected by an air outlet channel, and the air outlet port is arranged at least partially exceeding forward beyond the airflow generating unit in the dust-air suction direction located along the longitudinal axis. When using the vacuum cleaner, the service life of the motor is lengthened and the user experience is better.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: DREAME TECHNOLOGY (TIANJIN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hao Yu
  • Patent number: 11986147
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes a light source apparatus configured to generate first/second illumination light, an image pickup apparatus, a switching instruction device configured to be able to set one of a first observation mode in which an image obtained by image pickup of an object illuminated with the first illumination light is displayed and a second observation mode in which an image obtained by processing a color/pattern of an image obtained by image pickup of the object illuminated with the second illumination light is displayed and a processor configured to calculate a feature value indicating movement of a distal end portion of an endoscope and disable an instruction for setting the second observation mode when the feature value is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Risa Arai, Daiki Ariyoshi
  • Patent number: 11986148
    Abstract: An invasive interventional device or probe for use in an interventional medical procedure includes a control handle operably connected to an imaging system and an insertion tube. The body having an exterior cross-sectional shape and defining an interior with an interior cross-sectional shape. The body is formed with a pair of opposed side panels, a pair of opposed end panels joining opposite ends of the pair of side panels, a top panel disposed over and joined to the pair of side panels and the pair of end panels and a bottom panel located opposite the top panel and joined to the pair of side panels and the pair of end panels with one or more control elements disposed on the body that control the operation of the interventional device. In addition, the exterior cross-sectional shape of the body conforms to a space defined within a hand in a relaxed grip position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventor: Birger Løype
  • Patent number: 11986149
    Abstract: A packaged image sensor includes a first pipe and a second pipe, wherein the first pipe with a shorter length is initially encapsulated with an image sensor and a light-emitting element to define a relative position between the first pipe and the image sensor. The second pipe is connected to the first pipe and then is encapsulated in a second encapsulation process. The abovementioned packaged image sensor is easy to manufacture. An endoscope including the abovementioned packaged image sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: MEDIMAGING INTEGRATED SOLUTION, INC.
    Inventors: Chu-Ming Cheng, Shangyi Wu
  • Patent number: 11986150
    Abstract: Apparatus for endoscopically retracting tissue, the apparatus comprising a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope; a balloon movably mounted to the sleeve; and at least one connector extending from the balloon and configured to be secured to tissue which is to be retracted; wherein the balloon is configured to be moved relative to the sleeve in order to retract the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignees: Lumendi Ltd., Cornell University
    Inventors: Peter Johann, Sergey Kantsevoy, Jeffrey Milsom, Sameer Sharma
  • Patent number: 11986151
    Abstract: The endoscope has an insertion portion, an imaging unit, and a member formed in a given dimension. The insertion portion has an apical portion, an actively curvable portion, and a treatment device channel. The actively curvable portion is located on the proximal side of the apical portion. The treatment device channel is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. The insertion portion is formed of resin. One or more radiopaque members, formed of knowns dimensions, are coated on a surface of the insertion portion or placed in, buried or covered laterally in the insertion portion. The X-ray transmittance of the radiopaque members is different from the X-ray transmittance of the resin forming the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ashizuka, Sergey A. Bukesov, Kester J. Batchelor
  • Patent number: 11986152
    Abstract: Provided is an endoscope cap or the like with an elevator which is easily attached to and detached from the distal end of an endoscope. An endoscope cap attachable to and detachable from an endoscope including a lever pivotally provided at a distal end of an insertion part of an endoscope and a pivot part causing the lever to pivot comprises: a cylindrical cover; and an elevator which is pivotally supported at the inside of the cover, is connected to the lever when the endoscope is attached to the cover, and pivots in response to pivoting of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitsugu Hosogoe
  • Patent number: 11986153
    Abstract: An insertion assist device for an endoscope includes a grip, an operation portion, a liquid storage, and a tubular member. The grip includes a channel through an inside of which an insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted. The operation portion is configured to advance the insertion section by moving forward relative to the grip. The liquid storage is provided on an interior portion of the grip and configured to store a liquid. The tubular member is provided on an interior portion or an exterior portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, is connected to the liquid storage at one end of the tubular member, and is configured to guide the liquid toward another end of the tubular member opposite to said one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Sakai, Tetsuhide Takeyama
  • Patent number: 11986154
    Abstract: An optical transducer for endoscope includes an optical device, a ferrule including an opaque first holding member including a first principal surface, a second principal surface, and a through-hole, and a transparent second holding member including a third principal surface and a fourth principal surface, the third principal surface of the second holding member abutting on the second principal surface, the optical device being bonded to the fourth principal surface, the third principal surface including a recess including an opening and having a bottom, the recess having the bottom communicating with the through-hole, and an optical fiber provided in the recess through the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kosuke Kawahara
  • Patent number: 11986155
    Abstract: There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-viewing element endoscope, the tip section comprising: two or more side-pointing viewing elements positioned at or in proximity to a distal end of said tip section, wherein each of said two or more side-pointing viewing elements having a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the field of view provided by the two or more side-pointing viewing elements covers a front and side views; a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: EndoChoice, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Levy, Yaniv Kirma, Moshe Levi
  • Patent number: 11986156
    Abstract: A system includes an endoscope including a scope and an image sensor. The image sensor is configured to capture medical image data that includes effective image portion data and a mechanical vignetting portion data, the mechanical vignetting portion data of the medical image data being generated due to mechanical vignetting caused by a difference in the image sensor which generates the medical image data and the scope. There is also circuitry configured to determine evaluation information from image data which is from the effective image portion data, and execute a control process to at least partially control at least one of an autofocus processing, and an auto white balance processing on the endoscope on the basis of the evaluation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Kawai, Kiyoshi Hosono
  • Patent number: 11986157
    Abstract: A steering system for a medical device may include a first drive member having a central longitudinal axis; a central shaft extending through the first drive member; a control knob coupled to the first drive member; a braking knob coupled to the central shaft and including a first protrusion; and a brake shoe member coupled to the central shaft between the control knob and the braking knob. The first protrusion may be positioned within a first channel of the brake shoe member; the first protrusion may be configured to engage the brake shoe member to move a first arm of the brake shoe member radially outward towards a wall of the control knob when the braking knob is rotated in a first direction; and the first arm may be configured to move away from the wall when the braking knob is rotated in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Golden, Evan Wilder, Colby Harris, Michael McBrien
  • Patent number: 11986159
    Abstract: A device for visualizing and providing suction for a surgical procedure in an ear includes a handle, a main shaft extending from the handle, an imaging sensor at a distal end of the main shaft, a light source at the distal end of the main shaft, a first suction tube extending along a proximal portion of a first side of the main shaft, a second suction tube extending along a proximal portion of a second side of the main shaft, and a first suction component. The first suction component includes a first suction shaft, a first thumb depress member coupled with a proximal end of the first suction shaft, a first spring disposed over a proximal portion of the first suction shaft, and a first suction tubing for connecting the first suction shaft or the first thumb depress member with the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: 3NT Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Bendory, Ehud Bendory, Tal Shchory, Gil Hefer
  • Patent number: 11986160
    Abstract: Pulsed hyperspectral imaging without input clock or data transmission clock is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm; electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 565 nm to about 585 nm; or electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Cllag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11986161
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to detachable endoscope shafts assemblies including detachable endoscope shafts. In one implementation, an endoscope assembly comprises: an endoscope housing comprising a distal connector including first circuitry configured to receive one or more image signals or supply power from the endoscope housing; and a detachable endoscope shaft comprising: a distal segment configured to be inserted in a patient cavity; an attachment segment proximal to the distal segment, the attachment segment configured to be removably coupled to an instrument or adapter; and a proximal connector configured to removably and electrically couple to the distal connector, the proximal connector including second circuitry configured to electrically couple to the first circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: RESNENT, LLC
    Inventors: Willard S. Noyes, Benjamin Joseph Gray
  • Patent number: 11986162
    Abstract: An endoscope comprises a handle and a shaft with an optical housing at the distal end of the shaft enclosing a camera sensor positioned so that its optical axis is at an angle with respect to a rotational axis of the shaft. The camera sensor is rotatable with the shaft relative to a proximal housing of the handle. A rotation sensor in the handle detects the rotational angle of the camera sensor with respect to the proximal housing. A processor can correct the angular orientation of an image from the image sensor, converting of a rotating variable field of view to a translating variable field of view. A processor can apply variable smoothing of the rotation of the displayed image so that smoothing during rotational deceleration is greater than smoothing during rotational acceleration. The shaft may be enclosed in a trocar that allows for a space between the shaft and trocar that can be used to carry irrigation fluid to or from a space at the end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Timothy D. Moreau, Alec W. Kulbacki, David Blumberg, Jr., Paul L. Adams, Gregg W. Rivinius, Steven L. Henning, Joshua Filgate
  • Patent number: 11986163
    Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion that is covered with an exterior tube with an outer diameter of 1 mm or less, an observation optical system that includes a rectangular image sensor fixed to a tip of the insertion portion and having a length of one side of 60% or less of the outer diameter of the insertion portion, an illumination fiber that is arranged between an inner surface of the exterior tube and an edge of the observation optical system and penetrates the exterior tube, a cable bundle that is connected to the image sensor and penetrates the exterior tube, and a connector that is connected to the cable bundle and the illumination fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiko Onobori, Kohei Iketani
  • Patent number: 11986164
    Abstract: An endoscopic system and method for its operation are disclosed. The system comprises a light source, an endoscope with a distal light entrance surface, an image sensor capturing images through the light entrance surface and a rinsing device for providing a rinsing fluid flow for rinsing the light entrance surface, the method including the steps of receiving a sensor signal from a sensor detecting a user input starting a rinsing operation of the rinsing device, and, upon receipt of the sensor signal, changing an illumination mode of the light source from a first illumination mode to a second illumination mode and/or changing the video capture from a first video capture mode to a second video capture mode. The second illumination and/or video capture mask undesirable visual artifacts which can occur when collecting images with a rolling shutter sensors while performing a liquid flush of the light entrance surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: KARL STORZ Endovision, Inc.
    Inventors: Dashiell Birnkrant, Michael Kloter, Marko Radosevic, Indrek-Toomas Polluks, Pirasanth Sivathasan, Tyrel Waagen
  • Patent number: 11986165
    Abstract: Co-manipulation robotic systems are described herein that may be used for assisting with laparoscopic surgical procedures. The co-manipulation robotic systems allow a surgeon to use commercially-available surgical tools while providing benefits associated with surgical robotics. Advantageously, the surgical tools may be seamlessly coupled to the robot arms using a disposable coupler while the reusable portions of the robot arm remain in a sterile drape. Further, the co-manipulation robotic system may operate in multiple modes to enhance usability and safety, while allowing the surgeon to position the instrument directly with the instrument handle and further maintain the desired position of the instrument using the robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Moon Surgical SAS
    Inventors: Nicolas Linard, Ehsan Basafa, David Paul Noonan
  • Patent number: 11986166
    Abstract: A method for detecting cancer involved lymph nodes. The method includes placing a pH-sensing paper inside a needle of an injection syringe, filling the injection syringe with a buffer solution, putting the pH-sensing paper in contact with lymphatic fluid of a lymph node by inserting the needle of the injection syringe inside the lymph node, putting the lymphatic fluid in interaction with the buffer solution by injecting the buffer solution into the lymph node utilizing the injection syringe, and detecting that the lymph node as a cancer involved lymph node if color of the pH-sensing paper is changed to an acidic-range pH color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: NANO HESGARSAZAN SALAMAT ARYA
    Inventors: Mohammad Abdolahad, Zohreh Sadat Miripour, Parisa Aghaee
  • Patent number: 11986167
    Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous real-time sweat sampling and analysis are disclosed. A sweat collection article and method of collecting sweat from a person's skin using the sweat collection article are provided. The sweat collection article includes: a sweat collecting tube placed adjacent to the person's skin, and at least one piece of flexible material that has an adhesive that adheres the article to the person's skin and is positioned to overlie one end of the tube. The second end of the sweat collecting tube is in fluid communication with an instrument such as a mass spectrometer that analyzes the sweat on a real-time basis. The systems and methods may further include a device for removing salt from the sweat that is arranged so that the sweat is transported to the device prior to being transported to the instrument for analyzing the sweat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Sean Harshman, Anthony Qualley, Amanda Bowman, Kraig Strayer, Rhonda Pitsch, Michael Brothers
  • Patent number: 11986168
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to using wet foam elution for removal of particles from swabs and wipes. This allow users to capture particles from surfaces and recover them by elution into small sample volumes for subsequent detection for human clinical, veterinary, food safety, pharmaceutical, outbreak investigations, forensics, biodefense and bioterrorism response, environmental monitoring, and other applications where collection of samples from surfaces and humans or animals is required. More specifically, the swabs or wipes are used to collect samples in the standard ways that commercially available swabs and wipes are in use today; from, for instance, food preparation surfaces in food plants, from production equipment in pharmaceutical facilities, for collection of dry powders during bioterrorism event response, and for collection of clinical samples such as nasal, throat, nasopharyngeal, and wounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVAPREP, LLC
    Inventors: Alec D. Adolphson, Ann K. Packingham, Andrew E. Page, David S. Alburty, Zachary A. Packingham, John D. Birkenholz, Michael F. Fischer
  • Patent number: 11986169
    Abstract: An intraosseous access system can include a needle that defines a lumen and a longitudinal axis about which the needle can be rotated during an insertion event. The needle can include a proximal end that remains at an exterior of a patient during use, a distal end that can be inserted through the skin of the patient into contact with a bone of the patient, and a distal tip at a distalmost point of the distal end of the needle that is positioned at the longitudinal axis of the needle. The system can further include an obturator sized to be received within the lumen of the needle that can inhibit material from entering the needle as the system is inserted into the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Piper Access, LLC
    Inventor: Jay Muse
  • Patent number: 11986170
    Abstract: A hybrid image based on different tissue specimen images is generated to compensate for blood and other fluids that interfere with imaging. Specimen is deposited into tray with fluid. X-ray and camera imaging devices acquire images of specimen and fluid. X-ray and optical images are processed for generation of hybrid image. Transparency modifications allow for multiple and different images to contribute to depiction of specimen edges or boundaries that would otherwise appear less clear in x-ray image due to interfering fluid. Transparency modifications in hybrid image also provide for sufficiently high transparency in certain optical image portions that would otherwise be opaque so that objects of interest depicted in x-ray image but not optical image are visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventor: Biao Chen
  • Patent number: 11986171
    Abstract: A device for soft tissue biopsy or excision for either handheld or stereotactic table use may comprise a work element configured to selectively open and close at least one articulable beak configured to penetrate tissue, or follow a central lumen of another device or over a wire in a longitudinal direction. Flush and vacuum tissue transport mechanisms may be incorporated. A single tube or an inner sheath and an outer sheath which may be co-axially disposed relative to a work element may be configured to actuate a beak or beaks and provisions for simultaneous beak closing under rotation may be incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Transmed7, LLC
    Inventors: James William Vetter, Eugene H Vetter
  • Patent number: 11986172
    Abstract: A device (1) for collecting samples of biological tissue, comprising a needle (3) and a cannula (4), positioned at a distal end (5) of the device (1) and coaxially arranged along an axis (A) and slidable with respect to each other along the axis (A); a covering sheath (6), surrounding the needle (3) and the cannula (4); and an actuating mechanism (7), positioned at a proximal end (8) of the device (1) and connected to the needle (3) and the cannula (4) for moving the needle (3) and the cannula (4) in the sheath (6); wherein the actuating mechanism (7) is connected to the needle (3) and the cannula (4) by respective flexible operation cables (10a, 10b), capable of transmitting axial forces in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: EUROMEDICAL S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giorgio Ramorino, Ilario Bonera
  • Patent number: 11986173
    Abstract: Introduced here is an ingestible device comprising a capsule having a central axis therethrough, at least one propulsion component, and at least one motor configured to supply motive power to the propulsion component(s). The propulsion component(s) may be disposed at locations radially offset from the central axis. Upon receiving input indicative of a request to alter a position and/or an orientation of the ingestible device, the motor(s) can supply motive power to some or all of the propulsion component(s) to cause movement of the ingestible device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Endiatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel V. Moyer, Torrey P. Smith, James G. Erd, Daniel A. Luebke, Kian L. Tuma
  • Patent number: 11986174
    Abstract: A medical instrument grip device consisting of an open tubular element of elastic material for an elongated medical instrument comprises an elongated element having a gripping area and a head element being attached to one of the ends of the elongated element. The tubular element is open in both longitudinal ends and is configured to switch between a rolled up state and a fully unrolled state. Further, the tubular element is configured such that the head element may be forced through the inner opening of the stretched tubular element being in its rolled up state and to create a tight fit around the gripping area when being in its unrolled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Tannlege E. Sundsdal Auensen AS
    Inventor: Elisabeth Sundsdal
  • Patent number: 11986175
    Abstract: A medical system includes a propellant source containing a propellant fluid, containers containing a material, and a shaft having a plurality of lumens, each of the plurality of lumens having a first opening at a proximal end of the shaft and a second opening at a distal end of the shaft. The plurality of lumens are fluidly coupled to one or more of the propellant source and at least one of the plurality of containers, and a first lumen surrounds, is coaxial with, or is side-by-side with, at least one other lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Fredrickson, Jennifer Whelehan, Matthew Laplaca, Lauren Lydecker
  • Patent number: 11986176
    Abstract: A trocar site closure clip includes a generally triangular central body, a pair of arms extending from the body, and an elongated support extending from the body between the arms. In use, the clip is advanced into a patient through a trocar, the trocar removed, then the clip partially retracted to engage and pierce the patients tissue. The biodegradable clip remains in the patients tissue, at least partially blocking the trocar site, and degrades over time as the patient heals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Cambron, Daniel S. Metzinger, Robert S. Keynton, Hares A. Patel, Dakota J. Waldecker
  • Patent number: 11986177
    Abstract: A tissue retention system to assist in maintaining adipose tissue on a patient in a displaced position during a medical procedure to provide access to a body region of the patient includes an anchor pad having a pad length and a pad width. The anchor pad may include a pad body with an adhesive surface thereon, the adhesive being configured to adhere to a patient's skin. The anchor pad also may include an opposing first attachment surface facing away from the adhesive surface. The tissue retention system also may include a tension member having a second attachment surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Stetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Blurton, Mark Buchanan
  • Patent number: 11986178
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a suture anchor is provided that includes one or more bone-engaging surfaces features and an external sidewall. The external sidewall can allow a suture coupled to the suture anchor and located between the anchor and bone to be movable relative to the suture anchor, even when the suture anchor is partially or fully disposed within a bone hole. Suture threaders and suture anchor drivers are also provided that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Medos International Sarl
    Inventors: Douglas Hester, Brian Otrando
  • Patent number: 11986179
    Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive suturing are disclosed. One suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes a proximal section a distal end, and an intermediate region therebetween. The device includes a suture head assembly having a suturing needle with a pointed end and a second end. The suturing needle is capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to deployment of guides that are adapted and configured to guide the needle around a circular path when advanced by a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald I. Brecher, John C. Meade, John Aho, Roger Baske, James H. Bleck, John F Carlson, Thomas Eagan, Michael J. Helander, James W. Murray, Ashley Perkins, Wayne A. Shakal, Jonathan Towle
  • Patent number: 11986180
    Abstract: An adjustable suture locking apparatus includes a lock pin, an outer tube, a handle, and an adjusting device. The lock pin is used to receive or fix a suture. The outer tube defines a receiving cavity. The lock pin is disposed at a distal end of the receiving cavity. The handle includes a fixing portion coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The adjusting device is disposed on the fixing portion. The adjusting device is coupled to a proximal end of the suture and operable to adjust tensioning or loosening of the suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: HANGZHOU VALGEN MEDTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weiwei Zhang, Tingchao Zhang, Xianzhang Zheng
  • Patent number: 11986181
    Abstract: A fastener delivery tool is disclosed. An example fastener delivery tool comprises a sheath assembly including a sheath and a position retention member and a retraction assembly including a cover and a retractor member. The cover includes a lumen extending therein. The fastener delivery tool also includes and a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the sheath assembly, the handle assembly including a housing and an actuation member. Further, the sheath assembly extends through the lumen of the cover and the retractor member is configured to move relative to the handle between a first position in which the sheath assembly is disposed within a distal portion of the cover and a second position in which the sheath assembly extends out of the distal portion of the cover. Additionally, actuation of the actuation member moves the retractor member from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: ROTATION MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Zenz-Olson, Nathaniel Tran
  • Patent number: 11986182
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a stapling assembly, and a restriction feature. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector being on a distal end of the shaft assembly and incudes a first second jaw. The stapling assembly is supported by one of the first jaw or the second jaw. The stapling assembly includes a wedge sled. The wedge sled is configured to move relative to the one of the first jaw or the second jaw to drive movement of one or more staples. The restriction feature is configured to releasably hold the wedge sled in a predetermined position within the stapling assembly while the stapling assembly is in a pre-fired configuration. At least a portion of the restriction feature is configured to respond to movement of the edge sled to release the restriction feature from the wedge sled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin M. Fiebig, Adam D. Hensel