[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9952-9953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3891]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing

AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Technology Transfer Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the 
United States Government and are available for licensing in the United 
States (U.S.) in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207, to achieve expeditious 
commercialization of results of federally funded research and 
development U.S. and foreign patent applications have been filed or are 
expected to be filed in the near future, to extend market coverage for 
companies, and may also be available for Licensing.

ADDRESSES: Licensing information may be obtained by contacting Suzanne 
Seavello Shope, J.D., Technology Licensing and Marketing Scientist, 
Technology Transfer Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), Mailstop K-79, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone 
(770) 488-8613; facsimile (770) 488-8615; e-mail [email protected]. 
Information related to the technologies listed below, may be obtained 
by contacting Kathleen Goedel, Technology Development Coordinator, 
Office of Research and Technology Transfer, National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS C-03, Cincinnati, OH 45226, 
telephone (513) 533-8686; facsimile (513) 533-8660; or e-mail 
[email protected]. A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement (available 
under Forms at http://www.cdc.gov/tto) will be required to receive 
copies of unpublished patent applications and other confidential 
information.

Method, Apparatus and System for Assessing Conditions (Local 
Positioning System)

Larry Alan Lee et al.

U.S. Patent Application No. 10/815,111 filed March 31, 2004
CDC Reference No. I-017-03/0--Research Tool
    Workers in many outdoor occupations move about frequently during a 
typical day of work. Certain workers, such as agricultural and 
construction workers are particularly mobile. The National Institute 
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) designed and developed a 
prototype exposure monitoring system which combines geographical 
location with up to four real-time sensors and outputs the information 
to a user-friendly interface. By linking worker location throughout the 
workday to exposure levels from real-time monitors, Local Positioning 
System (LPS) units with software processing of data identify and 
document where to focus exposure analysis and control efforts. Post-
processing of LPS data enables researchers, regulatory inspectors, and 
industry safety and health personnel to map exposure intensity and 
location, reveal hot spots to identify sources, and provide exposure 
intensity distributions.

Method and Apparatus for Cough Sound Analysis

William Travis Goldsmith et al.

U.S. Patent No. 6,436,057, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,269,992 
filed April 23, 1999
CDC Reference No. I-020-99/0--Research Tool
    A fast, simple, and reliable method and apparatus for recording 
cough sounds for diagnosing pulmonary disorders and diseases. This 
method uses signal analysis techniques to extract quantitative 
information from recorded cough sound pressure waves. The generated 
data can be used to diagnose pulmonary disorders and diseases as well 
as track the effectiveness of treatment regimes over time. The method 
can also be used to quickly and reliably screen individuals at risk of 
pulmonary disorders and diseases. A system according to one embodiment 
includes a mouthpiece connected to the proximal end of a tube. The 
distal end of the tube is connected to a flexible tube. A microphone is 
attached to the tube between the distal and proximal ends thereof for 
recording sound pressure waves. A calculated

[[Page 9953]]

cough sound index (CSI) can be used in diagnostic applications.

Auscultatory Training System

Walter McKinney, et al.

U.S. Patent Application No. 10/135,964 filed April 29, 2002, Canadian 
Application No. 2,382,786 filed April 22, 2002
CDC Reference No. I-037-00/0--Research Tool
    This auscultatory training apparatus includes a database of 
prerecorded physiological sounds (e.g., lung, bowel, or heart sounds) 
stored on a computer for playback. A user friendly, graphical interface 
software program is stored on the computer for use with a conventional 
computer mouse. The program allows a user to select prerecorded sounds 
for playback. In addition, the program is operable to generate an 
inverse model of the playback system in the form of a digital filter. 
The inverse model processes the selected sound to cancel the 
distortions of the playback system so that the sound is accurately 
reproduced. The program also permits the extraction of a specific sound 
component from a prerecorded sound so that only the extracted sound 
component is audible during playback. As well as a teaching tool to 
instruct the user on various body sounds, this invention could have 
applications as a diagnostic screening tool and as a telemedicine tool.

Imaging/Motorized Nail Press: Automated Instrumentation for the 
Assessment of Peripheral Vascular Function

Anne M. Brumfield, et al.

U.S. Patent Application No. 60/578,174 filed on June 8, 2004, Australia 
Patent Application No. 2004203059 filed on July 6, 2004, Canada Patent 
Application No. 2,474,841
CDC Reference No. I-028-02--Research Tool
    The nail press test has been used by clinicians to assess 
peripheral circulatory function. Following a ten second press of the 
fingernail, a visual determination of the rate of blood flow return is 
made, as evidenced by the return of color to the fingernail. Far from 
being standardized, the results of the test are qualitative and 
subjective. New instrumentation representing an automated version of 
the nail press has been built which utilizes a computer-controlled 
linear stepper motor to apply the desired force level. Blood volume and 
force measurements are acquired before, during and after the press. 
This non-invasive and painless test provides physiologically relevant 
data while standardizing the force application, press duration, and the 
criteria for determining the precise time of blood flow return.

    Dated: February 18, 2005.
James D. Seligman,
Associate Director for Program Services, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-3891 Filed 2-28-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P