MIDMARK CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140058213 | Vital Signs Monitor for Controlling Power-Adjustable Examination Table - The present invention pertains to devices and methods for increasing the ease of data gathering and efficiency of information flow in a clinical setting. The devices of the present invention comprise medical examination tables, dental examination chairs and vital signs monitors, all of which further comprise integrated hardware and software that allow these devices to effectively collect and communicate data in a manner that allows for greater ease of use of these devices and subsequent increased efficiency in the clinical space on the part of the clinician. The medical examination tables and dental examination chairs of the present invention preferably include at least one load sensor for measuring a subject's weight when the subject is seated thereon. The methods of the present invention are directed at using the aforementioned devices to increase ease of data collection and efficiency of care delivery within a space in which the devices are used. | 02-27-2014 |
20130247300 | Medical Examination Table With Integrated Scale - An examination table including an integrated scale with automatic taring, weight capture in the presence of patient motion, and automatic table height adjustment. The examination table includes a controller that periodically tares the integrated scale when a patient is not on the table so that the scale is ready to measure the weight of a patient without manual taring by the table operator. When a patient is on the table, the controller detects the presence of patient motion based on signals from load sensors, and captures weights for patients experiencing uncontrolled motion or tremors by averaging and comparing sampled weight values over predetermined periods of time. To insure that the patient is fully supported by the examination table before weighing the patient, the controller automatically adjusts the height of the examination table support surface so that the patient's feet are not touching the floor prior to weighing the patient. | 09-26-2013 |
20130069549 | LED Light For Examinations And Procedures - A light is provided having a base unit, an arm extending from the base unit, and a lamp head coupled to the arm. The lamp head includes an LED configured to provide light based on an input drive current, an optical mixing element configured to collect the light produced by the LED and a zoom lens configured to adjust an output size of a spot generated by the light collected in the mixing element. A controller receives DC power from the base unit through the arm. The controller is configured to set the input drive current for the LED to control an output light density of the spot in response to an operator selected input and configured to adjust the output light density of the spot in response to a change in the size of the spot. | 03-21-2013 |
20120243766 | IMAGE EVALUATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method and system for evaluating images, such as x-ray image, to provide feedback that can be used for subsequent image acquisition. The feedback may be used to adjust the positioning of a patient with respect to an image capture device, or a setting of the image capture device. The image capture device may be part of a dental x-ray imaging system that generates an x-ray image of the patent and provides the image to a collector service. The image is evaluated by the collector service for positioning errors and other operator correctable issues that may have had an impact on the image quality. A report that includes feedback regarding the operator correctable issues, as well as suggested corrective action, is generated and provided to the imaging system operator. | 09-27-2012 |
20120062011 | BRUSHLESS DC MOTOR STARTS FOR A BARRIER FREE MEDICAL TABLE - A boot-strap capacitor pre-charge algorithm prevents unwanted motions in an examination table using a brushless direct current motor. The motor is supplied with power by a motor drive circuit which includes a high-side transistor coupled to a high-side gate driver, a low-side transistor coupled to a low-side gate driver, and a boot-strap capacitor coupled with the high-side gate driver. A control panel is provided that communicates with a motor controller. When the motor controller receives an indication that the motor is to be started, the motor controller activates a low-side gate driver to switch on the low-side transistor, thereby causing the boot-strap capacitor to charge. The motor controller then deactivates the low-side gate driver to switch off the low-side transistor and activates the high-side gate driver to switch on the high-side transistor, causing a voltage to be supplied to a stator of the first motor and/or second motor. | 03-15-2012 |
20120060290 | BRUSHLESS DC MOTOR BRAKING FOR A BARRIER FREE MEDICAL TABLE - A braking action of movement of a support surface on an examination may be accomplished with a motor. The examination table includes a base, a support surface moveable with respect to the base, and a motor having a rotor and a stator. The motor is coupled to the support surface and configured to move the support surface. A motor controller of the examination table is in electrical communication with the motor. The motor controller is configured to brake the movement of the support surface by terminating power to a plurality of windings of the stator of the motor for a predetermined amount of time, and, selectively activating a subset of windings of the plurality of windings of the stator for a predetermined amount of time. | 03-15-2012 |
20120042451 | EXAMINATION TABLE WITH MOTION TRACKING - An examination table includes a support surface movable with respect to a base. The support surface includes a seat portion and a backrest portion. A first motor drives the support surface with respect to the base, and a second motor drives the backrest portion pivotally with respect to the seat portion. A control system includes a control panel and first and second Hall-effect sensors for detecting rotations of the respective first and second motors to determine the current positions of the support surface and the backrest portion. The control system executes a movement algorithm for moving the support surface and the backrest portion to a desired position from the current position. The control system also executes a calibration algorithm for calibrating position tracking of the support surface and the backrest portion. | 02-23-2012 |
20120039445 | Modular Fixed Beam-Limiting Device For Intraoral X-Ray System - A modular beam-limiting device for use with an x-ray machine includes a base portion and an attachment portion. The base portion includes at least one magnet. The attachment portion includes at least one magnet. The base portion is adapted to be received on an x-ray tubehead housing. The attachment portion is selectively removably couplable to said base portion. The modular beam-limiting device may further include a magnetic field modulator, which is operable to shape a magnetic field; an insert for configuring a size, a shape, or an orientation of an aperture of the beam-limiting device; or an adapter for increasing an axial length of the beam-limiting device. | 02-16-2012 |
20120011654 | TABLE BACK FOR EXAMINATION TABLE - An examination table includes a base portion and a table portion with a support surface having a backrest member. The backrest member includes an upper structural frame panel defining a first outer periphery, and a lower structural frame panel defining a second outer periphery. A plurality of fastener-less clinch joints is formed along the first outer periphery and the second outer periphery, thereby permanently coupling the upper structural frame panel and the lower structural frame panel. The backrest member may also include an upholstery layer substantially covering the upper structural frame panel, the first outer periphery, and the second outer periphery. | 01-19-2012 |
20110079185 | Grille For Veterinary Procedure Tables - A veterinary procedure table includes an animal support member upon which an animal may be placed during the performance of a veterinary procedure. A basin associated with the animal support member is adapted to receive fluid material that may be generated during the performance of the veterinary procedure. The veterinary procedure table further includes a grille associated with the animal support member. The grille includes a frame and a plurality of elongate rods rotatably coupled to the frame. In one embodiment, at least one rod is fixed against rotation. | 04-07-2011 |
20100110689 | Articulating Joint For Dental or Medical Lights - An articulating joint for supporting a medical or dental light having a first mounting post rotatably couples the light to a support structure having a second mounting post. The articulating joint includes a joint body having first and second terminal ends. A first bearing and a first brake are located proximate the first end for receiving and frictionally engaging the first mounting post. The joint body may further include a second bearing and a second brake proximate the second end for receiving and frictionally engaging the second mounting post. The articulating joint further includes a cover that is removably coupled to the joint body over at least the first bearing and the first brake. | 05-06-2010 |
20100109410 | Patient Chair With Locking Assembly - A patient chair for use in a dental operatory or the like generally comprises a base, a chair frame supported by the base, and a seatback support coupled to the chair frame. The seatback support is slidably movable relative to the chair frame. To provide a desired connection or fit between components, a locking assembly is configured to apply a clamping force between the seatback support and the chair frame. | 05-06-2010 |
20100109407 | Device With A Limit Switch And Trunnion - Dental devices with cylinders, trunnions, and limit switches, and a method are provided. The dental devices include a cylinder and a trunnion having a cavity and an outer surface. A portion of the cylinder is slidably mounted within the cavity of the trunnion, and a portion of the cylinder protrudes out of the trunnion. The limit switch is coupled to the outer surface of the trunnion, with the limit switch is operable to contact the cylinder. Separation of the limit switch and the cylinder causes actuation of the limit switch, and the actuation of the limit switch inhibits a downward movement of the device. Alternatively, the limit switch may be coupled to the portion of the cylinder that protrudes out of the trunnion, with the limit switch operable to contact the trunnion. As such, separation of the limit switch and the trunnion causes actuation of the limit switch. | 05-06-2010 |
20100109405 | Dental Chair - A dental chair for supporting a patient during examination and the performance of procedures on the patient includes a patient support having a seat and a back, a base adapted to engage a floor surface, and a lift arm. The lift arm has a first end pivotally coupled to support structure at a first, terminal end of the base for rotation about a pivot axis defined by the support structure. A second end of the lift arm is coupled to the patient support. | 05-06-2010 |
20100107323 | Device With An Electric Field Sensor, Control Circuitry, And A Solenoid - A device such as a dental cuspidor or a dental delivery unit, with an electric field sensor, control circuitry, and a solenoid. The control circuitry is in electronic communication with the electric field sensor, and the solenoid is in electronic communication with the control circuitry. The electric field sensor has capacitive sensing and is operable to detect a change in capacitance. The control circuitry is operable to receive a signal from the electric field sensor indicative of a detected change in capacitance. The control circuitry is operable to actuate the solenoid in response to receiving the signal from the electric field sensor. A method is also provided. | 05-06-2010 |
20090255483 | VETERINARY PROCEDURE TABLE - A veterinary procedure table includes a vertically extending frame and an animal support assembly upon which an animal may be placed during the performance of a veterinary procedure. An equipment support is secured to the animal support assembly or the vertically extending frame. The equipment support adjustably supports a device or surgical tool used during veterinary procedures performed on an animal placed on the animal support assembly. In one embodiment, a video display is associated with the vertically extending frame for viewing of a particular region on the animal. | 10-15-2009 |
20090079251 | FLOATING BEARING AND CLAMP SYSTEM FOR PATIENT PROCEDURES CHAIR MOUNTING AND POSITIONING POSTS - The headrest and side rails of a patient procedures chair are mounted on posts which are slidably received in elongated, self-aligning or floating plastic bearings. With this construction, any misalignment of the posts due to manufacturing tolerances will be accounted for as the bearings readjust themselves. Clamping devices engage the bearings and cause deformation to increase the frictional engagement of the bearings with the posts to the point where the posts are locked into place. In this regard, actuation of the clamps is accomplished by large knobs that protrude from the back of the chair for ready accessibility. | 03-26-2009 |
20090044762 | GRILLE FOR VETERINARY PROCEDURE TABLES - A veterinary procedure table includes an animal support member upon which an animal may be placed during the performance of a veterinary procedure. A basin associated with the animal support member is adapted to receive fluid material that may be generated during the performance of the veterinary procedure. The veterinary procedure table further includes a grille associated with the animal support member. The grille includes a frame and a plurality of elongate rods rotatably coupled to the frame. In one embodiment, at least one rod is fixed against rotation. | 02-19-2009 |
20080299003 | PORTABLE STERILIZING APPARATUS FOR SURGICAL AND DENTAL INSTRUMENTS - A portable steam sterilizer for surgical instruments includes a tray configured to hold the instruments and a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes a cavity portion and a handle portion. The cavity portion includes a set of walls and is configured to releasably receive the tray, while the handle portion is coupled to the tray for selectively inserting and removing the tray respectively into and from within the cavity portion. The handle portion is sealingly engageable with the cavity portion to thereby define the pressure chamber. A steam inlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a source of steam to selectively permit steam to flow from the source of steam and into the pressure chamber. A steam outlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a steam management assembly to selectively permit steam to flow from the pressure chamber and into the steam management assembly. | 12-04-2008 |
20080267817 | WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR STERILIZER - A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body of the container may include a base while the lid may include a wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base. | 10-30-2008 |