Oh, patents! Exoskeleton vest (2)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) are one of the leading causes of work-related injury, in the US.  Every year, approximately, 600,000 MSDs are reported serious enough to cause time-off-work.  Work on assembly lines, or in the construction industry, exposing workers to highly repetitive motion, awkward positions, vibrations and contact stress, are prime examples of work conditions conducive to MSDs.

Industrial uses of exoskeletons precisely address the issues of MSDs. For example, products such as the Ekso Bionics Eksovest provide robotic, upper body, strength to the worker, on such tasks as power tool use for drilling, cutting and grinding, in a raised arm position. 

The goal of the exoskeleton Eksovest invention is to transfer, to the vest, both the weight of tools and the weight of arms raised overhead for prolonged periods of time. The transfer of weight to the vest, decreasing the weight borne by the worker’s body, thus decreases fatigue, which in turn results in an increase in time on task. Most importantly, use of exoskeleton arm support, for power tool use in above-eye-level arm positions, also prevents injury to muscles and to the worker’s own skeleton. The weight of the power tool travels from hands through the exoskeleton arm supports, down the spine of the vest to a hip belt, or to a surface where the robotic arms might optionally be attached. 

The marketed Eksovest product is adjustable to workers' height (ranging from 5' to 6'.4), lightweight (9.5 lbs) and easy to put on, and to take-off.  It also provides 5 to 15 lbs lift assistance. 

Many aspects of the Eksovest invention are patented. Torque assistance to the worker’s arm is recited in the following family of 5 patents:

• EP3189945 (A1) ― 2017-07-12- Exoskeleton and method of providing an assistive torque to an arm of a wearer 
• CA2952403 (A1) ― 2017-06-22 - Exoskeleton and method of providing an assistive torque to an arm of a wearer 
• JP2017159442 (A) ― 2017-09-14 - Exoskeleton and method of providing assistive torque to arm of wearer
• KR20170074814 (A) ― 2017-06-30 - Exoskeleton and method of providing an assistive torque to an arm of a wearer
• US2017173783 (A1) ― 2017-06-22 - Exoskeleton and method of providing an assistive torque to an arm of a wearer 

The abstract of this invention is included below, together with a patent front view drawing of the vest, showing the arms attached to the vest’s spine, on each side of a bar.  The included video advertises the Ekso Bionics Eksovest. 

An exoskeleton (100) includes a first link (215, 216) that pivots in a transverse plane about a first vertical axis and a second link (220, 221) that pivots in a transverse plane about a second vertical axis. The second link (220, 221) is coupled to the first link (215, 216). An arm support assembly (230, 231) is coupled to the second link and pivots about a horizontal axis. The arm support assembly (230, 231) includes a spring (410) that generates an assistive torque that counteracts gravity. The arm support assembly (230, 231) provides the assistive torque to an arm of a wearer to support the arm of the wearer. The arm support assembly (230, 231) further includes a cam profile (400) and a cam follower (405). Contact between the spring, cam follower and cam profile determines an amount of the assistive force provided by the arm support assembly (230, 231). A cuff is coupled to the arm support assembly (230, 231) and the arm of the wearer. [Abstract US2017173783] 

References

Ekso Bionics

https://eksobionics.com/eksoworks/ 

Department of Labor – OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910 – Ergonomics Program – Final Rule – Nov. 14, 2000. 

https://www.osha.gov/FedReg_osha_pdf/FED20001114.pdf

Oh, patents! Exoskeletons

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

For humans, an exoskeleton (with the Greek prefix exo-, meaning “outer”, in contrast to the prefix endo- meaning “inner”) is a robotic brace, suit or vest, designed to support a person’s own endoskeleton, or parts thereof.  Exoskeleton applications exist both in medicine and industry. The research is also funded by the US Arny.

In industry, for example at the Ford Motor Company assembly line, robotic exoskeleton vests called Eksovests are used to assist workers who have to perform repetitive overhead movement with their arms. 

In the construction industry, metal exosuits, such as for example the Ekso Works Industrial Exoskeleton, are used to give workers robotic upper body strength for lifting and carrying heavy loads, or for operating power tools.

In medicine, robotic exoskeletons bring much hope and/or an upright view of the world to victims of stroke, disease or accidents, in particular to patients, who for one reason or another cannot walk or experience great difficulty walking. For example, in pediatric medicine, robotic exoskeleton braces exist for children with cerebral palsy. The robotic braces provide motorized knee extension in view of alleviating the children’s crouch (or flexed- knee) gait, which otherwise risks preventing them from walking in adulthood.  Post-stroke victims also benefit from robotic exoskeleton training for gait rehabilitation, using such exoskeletons as the H2. 

For a very high price ($40,000), exoskeleton suits, such as SuitsX, a spinoff developed at UC Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory, also enable paraplegic patients to walk, offering an opportunity to stand up and see others eye to eye, to stretch and extend limbs in view of avoiding sores and other wheelchair side effects. Finally, in geriatric medicine, exoskeletons such as Superflex, an SRI International spinoff, are designed to enhance elderly mobility, and to effectively compete with walkers.  

As one of several companies developing exoskeletons, Ekso Bionics has an extensive portfolio of patented technologies. In particular, the US patent application, US20130231595A1, titled  Human Machine interface for human exoskeleton recites a robotics invention addressing mobility. A robotics invention that notably addresses how the exoskeleton can be driven by sensors which read and anticipate the user's movements, in contrast to exoskeletons which are activated manually with onboard buttons, or joysticks. For Ekso Bionics, robotic sensing of the user's movement (in turn actuating the robotic exoskeleton) vs manual control, is really what enhances the experience of walking.

The abstract of this patent application is included below, together with figure 1 of the patent drawings, showing a user coupled to an exoskeleton equipped with robotic walking asistance.   

A powered exoskeleton configured to be coupled to lower limbs of a person is controlled to impart a movement desired by the person. The intent of the person is determined by a controller based on monitoring at least one of positional changes in an arm portion of the person, positional changes in ahead of the person, an orientation of a walking aid employed by the person, a contact force between a walking aid employed by the person and a Support Surface, a force imparted by the person on the walking aid, a force imparted by the person on the walking aid, a relative orientation of the exoskeleton, moveable components of the exoskeleton and the person, and relative velocities between the exoskeleton, moveable components of the exoskeleton and the person.

          [Abstract US20130231595A1] 

References

Ekso bionics

www.eksobionics.com
Ekso Bionics - EksoWorks, EksoVest,  EksoZeroG, 
https://eksobionics.com/eksoworks/

Ford Pilots exoskeletons to lessen the chance of worker fatigue and injury

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2017/11/09/ford-exoskeleton-technology-pilot.html

Thilmany, J. (Feb. 15, 2018) Exoskeletons for construction workers are marching on site

https://constructible.trimble.com/construction-industry/exoskeletons-for-construction-workers-are-marching-on-site

Knight, W. (July 16, 2017) The Exoskeletons are coming

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/539251/the-exoskeletons-are-coming/   

Brewster, S. (June 3, 2016) The elderly may toss their walkers for this robotic suit. MIT Technology Review.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601420/the-elderly-may-toss-their-walkers-for-this-robotic-suit/

NIH Robotic exoskeleton offers potential new approach to alleviating crouch gait in children with cerebral palsy

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/robotic-exoskeleton-offers-potential-new-approach-alleviating-crouch-gait-children-cerebral-palsy

NIH Director’s Laboratory – Robotic exoskeleton could be right step forward for kids with cerebral palsy

https://directorsblog.nih.gov/tag/robotic-exoskeleton/

Bortole, A., Venkatakrishnan,A.,  Zhu, F., Moreno, J. C., Francisco, G.E., Pons, J. L., & J.L. Contrerasa-Vidal (2015)

The H2 robotic exoskeleton for gait rehabilitation after stroke: early findings from a clinical study. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2015; 12: 54.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4469252/

Brewster, S. (Feb. 1, 2016) This $40,000 Robotic Exoskeleton Lets the Paralyzed Walk. MIT Technology Review.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/546276/this-40000-robotic-exoskeleton-lets-the-paralyzed-walk/#comments

Oh, patents! Benoît Systèmes Acti'Tab (3)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The most recently patented Benoît Systèmes wheelchair accessory is an add-on tray table, marketed as the Acti'Tab. The Acti'Tab invention is recited in the French patent FR3050638 A1, titled Système a tablette pour fauteuil roulant, et fauteuil roulant equipé d'un tel systeme (Tray table system for wheelchairs, and wheelchair equipped with such a system). 

The Benoît Systèmes Acti'Tab tray table resolves prior art issues in wheelchair tray table designs, as it is both height-adjustable and tiltable. The Acti'Tab tray table was designed tiltable to facilitate reading. When it is raised, the Acti'Tab tray table facilitates dining. When it is lowered, it is designed to rest on the user's knees, therefore avoiding cantilevered stress on the hinge, As a result, the Acti'TAb tray table is designed to support far more weight, and the user is thus able to carry heavier objects, using the tray table.

The English version of the tray table patent abstract is included below, together with the patent Figure drawing No. 9, showing a wheelchair equipped with the tray table accessory, in a titled position. The marketed Acti'Tab is shown above, also in a tilted position to facilitate reading. 

The invention relates to a tray table system (1) for a wheelchair (F), comprising a tray table (2) and connecting means for connecting the tray table to the wheelchair (F) such that it can move between a use position and a non-use position, which means comprise: an arm (3); first intermediate connecting means (4) for connecting the tray table (2) to the arm (3) such that it can move between the use position and the non-use position; and second intermediate connecting means (5) for connecting the arm (3) to the wheelchair (F) and, when the tray table (2) is in the use position, for allowing the arm (3) to move down under the effect of gravity, over a travel such that the tray table (2) comes to rest on at least one knee of the person seated in the wheelchair (F).

[Abstract FR3050638]

References

Benoît Systèmes 
http://www.benoitsystemes.com/
Benoît Systèmes Acti'tab
http://www.benoitsystemes.com/image/fichierUpload/ActitabDocFr%20.pdf
Benoît Systèmes - Power Packs
http://www.benoitsystemes.com/kangouroo2.html

Oh, patents! Blended reality mirror

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Mirror, mirror on the wall, what shall I wear today?

Now, everyone will be able to seek counsel from a blended reality mirror!

What is blended reality? In this scenario, blended reality combines the images reflected by the mirror with images transmitted through the mirror, functioning as a display. Thus, users might see themselves in a setting  (e.g.; at the beach or in a restaurant) other than their current location. Alternatively, users might see themselves wearing clothes other than the ones actually worn.

The challenge of combining both reflected and transmitted images, so that users can view them in a blended reality experience, is the problematic situation addressed in the patent US9858719, titled Blended reality systems and methods, assigned to Amazon Technologies Inc. In particular, this invention seeks to resolve such issues as the superimposition of reflected images on a transmitting display, which often results in what is termed “ghosting”. Conversely, the invention also resolves the impossibility of reflecting transmitted images.  Thus, the patent recites the systems and methods designed to blend both reflected and transmitted realities, so that both are accessible to users in an augmented reality (AR) experience.

Succinctly, the mirror/display device controls all the undesirable effects of superpositioned images, by controlling the amount of light transmitted and reflected, according to proprietary algorithms, that include the recognition and extraction of scanned (camera) data. For example,  the mirror/display device can selectively: darken the image of the room (preventing reflection), illuminate the user (to promote reflection), and/or project images onto the darkened areas where the user would have seen a reflection of the room and its objects.

The abstract of this invention is included below, together with a blended reality illustration, extracted from the patent. The illustration shows how the reflection of the room has been obliterated to allow for the display of a beach scene, and conversely how the user has been identified in the flow of scanned images (as an outline in the darkened room captured data) which is then illuminated so that  it can be reflected in the transmitted scene, as the user.

Systems and methods are provided for generating a blended reality view to a user, the blended reality view combining images reflected by a mirror with images transmitted from a screen behind the mirror. Systems for generating blended reality views can include a display device with a screen positioned behind a mirror. The display device can generate a pattern of illumination and non-illumination on the screen so that the illuminated portions of the screen substantially transmitted through the mirror. Projectors can be used to illuminate objects in front of the mirror so that the illuminated objects are reflected by the mirror. In combination, the portions of the screen transmitted through the mirror and the illuminated objects reflected by the mirror can provide a blended reality 
view to a user viewing the mirror. [Abstract US9858719]

The bottom line is that when you stand in front of a blended reality mirror, you will no longer see a mirror image! The youtube video included below provides a glimpse of the blended mirror reality in the dressing room. 

Happy Father’s day to everyone! 

Reference

CNN - Amazon smart mirror patent

http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/03/technology/amazon-smart-mirror-patent/index.html 

European Inventor Awards - The 2018 Jury

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Composed of leading scientists, science and technology professionals, industrialists, inventors,  and former EPO Award winners, the 2018 European Inventor Awards Jury --for the first time in 12 years, since the inception of the program in 2006-- awarded more trophies to women scientists.

Among approximately 500 proposals, reduced by EPO experts to a pre-selection of 40, the Jury selects three finalists in each of the five European Inventor Award categories: Research, Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, Non-EPO Member Country, and Lifetime Achievement. A single winning inventor, or team of inventors, is then selected in each of the five categories. The public votes for the winning inventor, or team of inventors in the sixth Popular Award category, among the 15 finalists.  

The members of the Jury look for inventions that are both breakthrough and with a significant social and economic impact. 

The following short Youtube video shows the 2018 members of the European Inventor Awards Jury, in-action.  A hyperlinked list of the members of the 2018 Jury is also appended. 

• Eleni Antoniadou
• Thierry Breton – Chair of the jury
• António Campinos
• Jean-Marie Cavada
• Dora Groó 
• Pirkko Härkönen
• Wolfgang M. Heckl 
• Roger Highfield 
• Helen Lee 
• Francis Leyder 
• Mario Moretti Polegato 
• Adnane Remmal

References

Members of the 2018 European Inventor Awards Jury

http://www.epo.org/learning-events/european-inventor/jury.html

European Inventor Awards - The 2018 Trophy

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Each year, the EPO award winners receive a Miriam Irle-designed trophy, in the shape of a sail (with no English pun intended). 5000 years ago the power of the wind was harnassed in sailboats to promote trade and exploration. Thus, the trophy’s sail shape represents the spirit of innovation, each year celebrated anew at the EPO awards ceremony.

2018 trophy

The European Inventors’ Award trophy is not only symbolically loaded because of its shape, it is also, each year, manufactured locally in the country hosting the awards ceremony, using materials or a manufacturing process that is locally significant.  For example, when the awards ceremony took place in Venice, Italy, the 2017 trophy was manufactured using Murano glass. When the awards ceremony took place in Lisbon, Portugal, the 2016 trophy was manufactured using azulejo ceramic tile. This year is no exception, in Saint Germain-en Laye, France. Indeed, the selected manufacturing process, using computer-aided parametric design with 3D stereolithographic printing, is even re-emphasized, as it was previously selected in 2015, when the awards ceremony took place in Paris, France.   

The 2018 European Inventors’ Award displays an intricate double layer latticework, which can only be computer-generated using computer-assisted parametric design, molded and produced with 3D stereolithographic processes. Whether the intricate latticework selected is reminiscent of Gustave Eiffel’s famous tower (as it was for the 2015 trophy), or inspired by the fractal wonders of nature (as it is in 2018), the sail trophy is also awarded each year, as a work of art. In 2018 specifically, the trophy was awarded as a work of art celebrating the computer, and especially computer-generated art, including the computer-driven 3D stereolithographic printing process.

The YouTube video included below shows some of the manufacturing process invoked in the production of the 2018 trophies.

Incidentally, the 3D-stereolithographic printing process, used to manufacture the trophies, was invented by Charles W. Hull, who was the recipient of a European Inventor’s Award in the non-EPO country category, in 2014, in Berlin, Germany.

References

European Inventors’Award – The 2017 Trophy

https://patentsonthesolesofyourshoes.blogspot.com/2017/07/epo-inventor-awards-2017-trophy.html

European Inventors’Award – The 2016 Trophy

https://patentsonthesolesofyourshoes.blogspot.com/2016/06/epo-inventor-awards-2016-trophy.html

European Inventors’Award – The 2015 Trophy
https://patentsonthesolesofyourshoes.blogspot.com/2015/06/european-inventor-awards-2015-trophy.html

Charles W. Hull - 3D Systems – Our Story

https://www.3dsystems.com/our-story

Miram Irle

http://www.miriam-irle.com/

Oh, patents! Bombshell:The Hedy Lamarr Story

Much has been written about Hedy Lamarr, the glamorous Holywood star, and brilliant (patented) scientist. The most recent tribute has been put together by Alexandra Dean, in the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival award-winning documentary, titled Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story. 

Bombshell is based on four unreleased telephone interview audio-tapes of the famous actress and scientist, where she talks with Forbes journalist Fleming Meeks, about her unbelievable life. Thus, in many ways, Bombshell, is a documentary presenting:  “Hedy Lamarr in her own words” which are heard throughout the 1.5-hour documentary.

Who was Hedy Lamarr? Hedwig Eva Maria Keisler was born on Nov. 9, 1914, and died on Jan. 19, 2000. She was an Austrian Jewish immigrant, a "tyrolean beauty" by her own admission, with a dual career as Hollywood actress, and scientist-inventor.  

Bombshell has the great merit of making sense of the duality of her story, suggesting that her career as a Holywood beauty icon was incompatible with her brilliance as a scientist. A dissonance that, in turn, completely obscured the scope, and importance, of her invention, until the very end of her life. As one of the documentary voiceovers states: “You don’t get to be both Hedy Lamarr and smart”. 

Indeed, Hedy Lamarr’s face was selected as the model for the Disney character “Snow White” –as well as for Cat Woman. But it was only with the advent of WiFi, Bluetooth® and GPS technologies that she was credited for the brilliance of her contribution to secure radio communication signals, with a frequency hopping invention during, World War II. As the graphics animator, Jennifer Hom, who Google Doodled Hedy Lamarr, states in Bombshell, Hedy was also “the perfect underdog, a crime-fighter by night” whose accomplishments were unknown.

What did Hedy Lamarr invent? Hedy Lamarr invented radio frequency hopping to prevent the Axis forces during WWII from jamming the Allied British and American radio communications, particularly between ships and torpedos, though unlimited to horizontal communication. In other words, she invented a system for securing radio communication signals, using up to 88 different frequencies. Unless the enemy knew the hopping sequence, which changed, communication could no longer be jammed. 

To bring her invention to life, Hedy Lamarr collaborated with a well-known music composer called George Antheil, an expert in player piano synchronization (i.e.; using piano rolls to activate keys). The invention was recognized by the National Inventor’s Council in 1941.  Lamarr and Antheil then collaborated with an expert physicist, Pr. Sam Mackeown, at Cal Tech for the electronic implementation of the invention.  

The frequency hopping invention was thus patented and awarded to Hedy Keisler Markey and George Antheil. It is recited in the US patent, US2292387, titled Secret Communication System. Once awarded, the patent was donated to the US Navy, who rejected it, sending the glamorous and famous Hedy Lamarr, instead, to entertain the troops, and raise money, selling 25 million dollars worth of war bonds for the war effort. The patent was also subsequently seized, in 1942, by the US Government as enemy alien property. Hedy Lamarr was not yet an American citizen.

After the war, and her fundraising activity on behalf of the US Armed Forces, Lamarr went back to a successful acting career, also producing her own motion pictures and raising a family. She had been married a few times, including a first marriage to an Austrian arms manufacturing tycoon, which probably explains her interest in WWII weaponry.

By the 1960s, the frequency hopping communications invention was in use on all US Navy ships, in particular during the Cuban Missile Crisis, in 1962. But, none of the proceeds of the invention were ever distributed to Lamarr and Antheil, on the grounds that the patent had expired.  A fact that Lamarr and her biographers disputed,  using written evidence from an Army-commissioned contractor, who was given her patent to use as a blueprint in 1955, and who acknowledged her invention.

It was only in 1990, in an article titled Hedy Lamarr was also a brilliant inventor, written by Fleming Meeks (the Forbes journalist who supplied the four interview tapes for Bombshell ), that Hedy Lamarr, at age 76, received the first recognition for her work as an inventor, and her aspirations to change the course of World War II.

Hedy Lamarr then received accolades from the communications industry that recognized the use of frequency hopping in WiFi, Bluetooth® and GPS technologies, as well as from the military for use in satellite communications. The overdue accolades culminated in an award granted by Lockheed Martin, Milstar satellites and the US Navy, which was accepted by her son. However, the glamorous tide had turned for Lamarr, who was now living a very private and finally fully reconciled life.

Included below, the first sheet of drawings extracted from the Lamarr/Antheil patent, showing Figures 1-3. Figure I schematically illustrates the transmitting apparatus. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the receiving apparatus. Figure 3 schematically illustrates a starting circuit for simultaneously starting the transmitting and receiving motors.

References

Alexandra Dean on Hedy Lamarr (Interview)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2ILXKGK0VQ

Bombshell: the Hedy Lamarr Story
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/bombshell-hedy-lamarr-story-full-film/10248/

Brueck, H (April 30, 2017) The 'Most Beautiful Girl in the World' Was A Brilliant Inventor Who Changed Our Lives. Forbes Magazine
https://www.forbes.com/sites/hilarybrueck/2017/04/30/the-most-beautiful-girl-in-the-world-was-a-brilliant-inventor-who-changed-our-lives/#7887815c72ee

Google Doodle  (Nov. 9,2015)  Hedy Lamarr’s 101sr birthday

https://www.google.com/doodles/hedy-lamarrs-101st-birthday 

Meeks, F. (May 1990) Hedy Lamarr was also a brilliant inventor. Forbes Magazine

Shmavonian, K.  (Aug. 14, 2013) Thoughts On Innovation And Hedy Lamarr. Forbes Magazine

https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlshmavonian/2013/08/14/thoughts-on-innovation-and-hedy-lamarr/#63ea84d57089

Oh, patents! Benoît Systèmes Kitcool (2)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The Benoît Systèmes Kitcool was designed as a wheelchair accessory for the purposes of providing a stable reclined wheelchair position, conducive to relaxation for the wheelchair-enabled. For this purpose, the Kitcool was also specifically designed with the following specifications:

• installation  on any wheelchair
  
• swift, user-operated, mounting and unmounting of the accessory (otherwise, no  attendant technical skills required)
• absolute security of the tilting mechanism
• foldable for easy transportation or storage, in compliance with wheelchair manufacturer guidelines
• adjustable according to body types and relaxation positions
• usable on any type of ground surface
• normal and usual wheelchair function when not reclined
• easy toggle between reclined and upright positions

The Kitcool invention is recited in a family of patents:  FR2739019, 

WO/1997/010791,  AU7133996A, US6099021A and EP0959860A1, titled (in English) Accessory for supporting a wheelchair in a stable reclined position. 

The set of 8 patent figure drawings is included below.

Figures 1 to 6 (left) show the various positions of the wheelchair, from upright to reclining, and back to upright.

Figure 7 (right) shows the adjustable backrest and supporting pole, attached to the wheelchair handles, and to be connected to the inverted stabilizing “T” bar.

Figure 8 (right) shows a detail view of the mounting assembly, designed to attach the Kitcool to the wheelchair handles.

References

Benoit Systèmes (website)

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/entreprise2.html (English version)

lhttp://www.benoitsystemes.com/index.html

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/minotor.html 

Benoît Systèmes - Kitcool

http://www.benoitsystemes.com/kitcool2.html

European Patent Awards – The 2018 winners!

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The European Organization 2018 Award winners were announced on the occasion of the 2018 EPO Awards ceremony, held this day, in Saint Germain-en-Laye, France.

In the Industry category:  Agnès Poulbot and Jacques Barraud† [FR], inventors of the self-regenerating tire tread.

• EP2379352 (A1) ― 2011-10-26 - Tread with an improved drainage space 

In the Research category:  Jens Frahm {DE], inventor of real-time MRI

• EP0191431 (A2) ― 1986-08-20 - Method and device for rapid acquisition of spin resonance data for a space-resolved examination of an object.  
• EP0184840 (A1) ― 1986-06-18 - Arrangement for the spatially resolved inspection of a sample by means of magnetic resonance of spin moments.
• EP2699926 (A1) ― 2014-02-26 - Spatially encoded phase-contrast MRI

In the Small & Medium Business Enterprise category: Jane ní Dhulchaointigh [IE], inventor of the Sugru multi-purpose moldable glue

• EP2089465 (A1) ― 2009-08-19 - Room temperature curable silicone elastomer composition 

In the non-European Patent Organization country category: Esther Sans Takeuch [US], inventor of batteries to resent the heart

• EP1215175 (A1) ― 2002-06-19 - Preparation of epsilon-phase silver vanadium oxide (SVO) from gamma-phase SVO starting material  
• EP1816692 (A1) ― 2007-08-08 - Lithium/fluorinated carbon cell for high-rate pulsatile applications

In the Life-time achievement category:  Ursula Keller [CH], inventor of ultra-fast pulsed lasers

• EP2089465 (A1) ― 2009-08-19 - Room temperature curable silicone elastomer composition 

The popular vote:  Erik Loopstra [Netherlands] and Vadim Banine [RU[, inventors of Extreme Ultra Violet (EUV) lithography for smaller, more powerful microchips.

• EP2465012 (A1) ― 2012-06-20 - Lithographic apparatus and method
• EP2480936 (A1) ― 2012-08-01 -Source collector apparatus, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method  
• EP2170021 (A2) ― 2010-03-31- Source module, radiation source and lithographic apparatus

Congratulations to everyone!