Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Howard

Douglas E. Howard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11957446
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for medical instrument navigation and targeting. In one aspect, a system includes a medical instrument having an elongate body and at least one sensor, a display, a processor, and a memory storing a model of a mapped portion of a luminal network and a position of a target with respect to the model. The processor may be configured to: determine, based on data from the at least one sensor, a position and orientation of a distal end of the medical instrument with respect to the model, and cause, on at least a portion of the display, a rendering of the model, the position of the target, and the position and orientation of the distal end of the medical instrument. The rendering may be based on a viewpoint directed at the target and different from a viewpoint of the medical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Hedyeh Rafii-Tari, Prasanth Jeevan, Douglas T. Boyd, Melissa A. Teran, Alexander James Sheehy, Nicolas E. Robert, Miroslav Drahos, Jeffery D. Howard, Andrew Esbenshade Zeldis, René Ango Mambembe
  • Patent number: 7867445
    Abstract: An explosives tester that can be used anywhere as a screening tool by non-technical personnel to determine whether a surface contains explosives. First and second explosives detecting reagent holders and dispensers are provided. A heater is provided for receiving the first and second explosives detecting reagent holders and dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Haas, Douglas E. Howard, Joel D. Eckels, Peter J. Nunes
  • Publication number: 20110002822
    Abstract: An explosives tester that can be used anywhere as a screening tool by non-technical personnel to determine whether a surface contains explosives. First and second explosives detecting reagent holders and dispensers are provided. A heater is provided for receiving the first and second explosives detecting reagent holders and dispensers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Haas, Douglas E. Howard, Joel D. Eckels, Peter J. Nunes
  • Patent number: 7285784
    Abstract: A real-time method and computer system for identifying radioactive materials which collects gamma count rates from a HPGe gamma-radiation detector to produce a high-resolution gamma-ray energy spectrum. A library of nuclear material definitions (“library definitions”) is provided, with each uniquely associated with a nuclide or isotope material and each comprising at least one logic condition associated with a spectral parameter of a gamma-ray energy spectrum. The method determines whether the spectral parameters of said high-resolution gamma-ray energy spectrum satisfy all the logic conditions of any one of the library definitions, and subsequently uniquely identifies the material type as that nuclide or isotope material associated with the satisfied library definition. The method is iteratively repeated to update the spectrum and identification in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mark S. Rowland, Douglas E. Howard, James L. Wong, James L. Jessup, Greg M. Bianchini, Wayne O. Miller
  • Patent number: 7064337
    Abstract: A portable gamma ray detection apparatus having a gamma ray detector encapsulated by a compact isolation structure having at least two volumetrically-nested enclosures where at least one is a thermal shield. The enclosures are suspension-mounted to each other to successively encapsulate the detector without structural penetrations through the thermal shields. A low power cooler is also provided capable of cooling the detector to cryogenic temperatures without consuming cryogens, due to the heat load reduction by the isolation structure and the reduction in the power requirements of the cooler. The apparatus also includes a lightweight portable power source for supplying power to the apparatus, including to the cooler and the processing means, and reducing the weight of the apparatus to enable handheld operation or toting on a user's person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mark S. Rowland, Douglas E. Howard, James L. Wong, James L. Jessup, Greg M. Bianchini, Wayne O. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040217296
    Abstract: A portable gamma ray detection apparatus having a gamma ray detector encapsulated by a compact isolation structure having at least two volumetrically-nested enclosures where at least one is a thermal shield. The enclosures are suspension-mounted to each other to successively encapsulate the detector without structural penetrations through the thermal shields. A low power cooler is also provided capable of cooling the detector to cryogenic temperatures without consuming cryogens, due to the heat load reduction by the isolation structure and the reduction in the power requirements of the cooler. The apparatus also includes a lightweight portable power source for supplying power to the apparatus, including to the cooler and the processing means, and reducing the weight of the apparatus to enable handheld operation or toting on a user's person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mark S. Rowland, Douglas E. Howard, James L. Wong, James L. Jessup, Greg M. Bianchini, Wayne O. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040195517
    Abstract: A real-time method and computer system for identifying radioactive materials which collects gamma count rates from a HPGe gamma-radiation detector to produce a high-resolution gamma-ray energy spectrum. A library of nuclear material definitions (“library definitions”) is provided, with each uniquely associated with a nuclide or isotope material and each comprising at least one logic condition associated with a spectral parameter of a gamma-ray energy spectrum. The method determines whether the spectral parameters of said high-resolution gamma-ray energy spectrum satisfy all the logic conditions of any one of the library definitions, and subsequently uniquely identifies the material type as that nuclide or isotope material associated with the satisfied library definition. The method is iteratively repeated to update the spectrum and identification in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mark S. Rowland, Douglas E. Howard, James L. Wong, James L. Jessup, Greg M. Bianchini, Wayne O. Miller
  • Patent number: 6351983
    Abstract: A portable, lightweight (approximately 25 kg) gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, including the entire vacuum system, can perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of all sample types in the field. The GC/MS has a conveniently configured layout of components for ease of serviceability and maintenance. The GC/MS system can be transported under operating or near-operating conditions (i.e., under vacuum and at elevated temperature) to reduce the downtime before samples can be analyzed on-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Haas, John F. Bushman, Douglas E. Howard, James L. Wong, Joel D. Eckels