Patents by Inventor Robert Westervelt

Robert Westervelt 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).

  • Publication number: 20210204833
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a physical parameter of a subject is provided. The system may include a casing with a sensor coupled to the casing. The sensor may be configured to detect a physical parameter of the subject. The physical parameter may include a chemical parameter of the subject. The system includes an endoscopic clip coupled to the casing and may include a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal via a wireless medium. The signal encodes the physical parameter of the subject detected by the sensor and the wireless transmitter is electronically connected to the endoscopic clip. The system may further include a monitor configured to communicate with the wireless transmitter for receiving the signal encoding the physical parameter of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher C. Thompson, Robert Westervelt, Alex Nemiroski, Keith L. Obstein
  • Publication number: 20170181662
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a physical parameter of a subject is provided. The system may include a casing with a sensor coupled to the casing. The sensor may be configured to detect a physical parameter of the subject. The physical parameter may include a chemical parameter of the subject. The system includes an endoscopic clip coupled to the casing and may include a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal via a wireless medium. The signal encodes the physical parameter of the subject detected by the sensor and the wireless transmitter is electronically connected to the endoscopic clip. The system may further include a monitor configured to communicate with the wireless transmitter for receiving the signal encoding the physical parameter of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher C. Thompson, Robert Westervelt, Alex Nemiroski, Keith L. Obstein
  • Patent number: 9615745
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a physical parameter of a subject is provided. The system may include a casing with a sensor coupled to the casing. The sensor may be configured to detect a physical parameter of the subject. The physical parameter may include a chemical parameter of the subject. The system includes an endoscopic clip coupled to the casing and may include a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal via a wireless medium. The signal encodes the physical parameter of the subject detected by the sensor and the wireless transmitter is electronically connected to the endoscopic clip. The system may further include a monitor configured to communicate with the wireless transmitter for receiving the signal encoding the physical parameter of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: The Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Inventors: Christopher C. Thompson, Robert Westervelt, Alex Nemiroski, Keith L. Obstein
  • Publication number: 20160271314
    Abstract: A miniaturized, integrated, microfluidic device pulls materials bound to magnetic particles from one laminar flow path to another by applying a local magnetic field gradient. The device removes microbial and mammalian cells from flowing biological fluids without any wash steps. A microfabricated high-gradient magnetic field concentrator (HGMC) is integrated at one side of a microfluidic channel. When magnetic particles are introduced into one flow path, they remain limited to that flow path. When the HGMC is magnetized, the magnetic beads are pulled from the initial flow path into the collection stream, thereby cleansing the fluid. The microdevice allows large numbers of beads and materials to be sorted simultaneously, has no capacity limit, does not lose separation efficiency as particles are removed, and is useful for cell separations from blood and other biological fluids. This on-chip separator allows cell separations to be performed in the field outside of hospitals and laboratories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Donald INGBER, Shannon XIA, Tom P. HUNT, Robert WESTERVELT
  • Publication number: 20130018235
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a physical parameter of a subject is provided. The system may include a casing with a sensor coupled to the casing. The sensor may be configured to detect a physical parameter of the subject. The physical parameter may include a chemical parameter of the subject. The system includes an endoscopic clip coupled to the casing and may include a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal via a wireless medium. The signal encodes the physical parameter of the subject detected by the sensor and the wireless transmitter is electronically connected to the endoscopic clip. The system may further include a monitor configured to communicate with the wireless transmitter for receiving the signal encoding the physical parameter of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher C. Thompson, Robert Westervelt, Alex Nemiroski, Keith L. Obstein
  • Patent number: 8262885
    Abstract: Dielectrophoretic (DEP) tweezers apparatus and methods for various applications, including particle trapping. Two electrodes are disposed on or otherwise constitute an elongated object forming a tip. A voltage is applied across these electrodes to produce a non-uniform electromagnetic field proximate to the tip thereby creating a dielectrophoretic trap. Once trapped, a particle may be moved to desired locations via manipulation of the elongated object or the medium in which the particle is located. Multiple DEP tweezers apparatus may be arranged to form arrays of tips capable of respectively generating local electromagnetic fields confined to the tips. Such DEP arrays may be employed in nanofabrication processes involving nanolithography or nano-manipulation, as well as data storage and retrieval applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Thomas Hunt, Robert Westervelt, Ania Bleszynski
  • Patent number: 8199359
    Abstract: A system and method for trapping in electrophotographic color printing and related technologies for printing or display in which the final image is an overlay of multiple components subject to alignment errors. Trapping is based on the cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) planes. There are four steps as follows: detect object edges on each of the four color planes; detect coincident and opposing edge transitions on each pair of planes (CM, CK, and KM); determine which plane to trap, i.e., to extend object across edge; and generate trap on that plane using a simple trap generation rule and a single trap generation rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Lakhbir Gandhi, Robert Westervelt, Kenneth A. Schmidt, Dongpei Su, Alfred Abkarian, Mark Raley
  • Patent number: 8021532
    Abstract: Dielectrophoretic (DEP) tweezers apparatus and methods for various applications, including particle trapping. Multiple electrodes (e.g., two or three) are disposed on or otherwise constitute an elongated object forming a tip. Exemplary electrode configurations include, but are not limited to, coaxial and triaxial arrangements. A voltage is applied across these electrodes to produce a non-uniform electromagnetic field proximate to the tip thereby creating a dielectrophoretic trap. Once trapped, a particle may be moved to desired locations via manipulation of the elongated object or the medium in which the particle is located. Multiple DEP tweezers apparatus may be arranged to form arrays of tips capable of respectively generating local electromagnetic fields confined to the tips. Such DEP arrays may be employed in nanofabrication processes involving nanolithography or nano-manipulation, as well as data storage and retrieval applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Thomas Hunt, Robert Westervelt, Ania Bleszynski, Jonathan Aguilar, Keith Brown
  • Patent number: 7827563
    Abstract: A system for enabling client software applications to interface with peripheral devices over a network. An application connection layer interfaces with a programming language of a client software application. A simple object access protocol (SOAP) client processor communicates with the application connection layer and a client software application using the application connection layer. The SOAP client processor includes an eXtensible mark-up language (XML) processor for converting data provided in XML format to a form usable by the client software application. A transport layer for interfaces with the SOAP processor and peripheral devices connected to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Westervelt, Jayant Bhatt, Alan Curtis, Stephen Alan Schwartz, Arturo Becerra
  • Publication number: 20100255556
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for manipulating, detecting, imaging, and/or identifying particles, fluids, or other objects via electromagnetic fields, including methods and apparatus for identifying, sorting, splitting, coalescing, and/or reacting such particles, fluids, or other objects. Certain aspects of the invention are generally directe to methods and devices for producing electric or magnetic fields, e.g., from one or more field-generating components (200) (for example, arranged in an array), to control or manipulate a particle, fluid, or other object. For example, a fluidic droplet may be identified, sorted, separated, split, fused or coalesced, mixed, charged, sensed, determined, etc., using various systems and methods as described herein. In some cases, a particle, a fluidic species (e.g., a droplet), or another object may be contained or constrained by one or more layers of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Thomas Hunt, David Issadore, Robert Westervelt
  • Publication number: 20100006439
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manipulation, detection, imaging, characterization, sorting and/or assembly of biological or other materials, involving an integration of CMOS or other semiconductor-based technology and microfluidics. In one implementation, various components relating to the generation of electric and/or magnetic fields are implemented on an IC chip that is fabricated using standard protocols. The generated electric and/or magnetic fields are used to manipulate and/or detect one or more dielectric and/or magnetic particles and distinguish different types of particles. A microfluidic system is fabricated either directly on top of the IC chip, or as a separate entity that is then appropriately bonded to the IC chip, to facilitate the introduction and removal of cells in a biocompatible environment, or other particles/objects of interest suspended in a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Donhee Ham, Robert Westervelt, Thomas Hunt, Yong Liu, Hakho Lee
  • Publication number: 20090220968
    Abstract: Irradiation methods and apparatus configured to deliver power, via electromagnetic fields at a variety of frequencies and power levels, in a localized fashion to a target area. In one example, an electromagnetic field generator is disposed on a substrate and configured to deliver power via electromagnetic energy to a thin region proximate to (above) a surface of the substrate, wherein electromagnetic field intensity decreases significantly beyond the thin region. Such methods and apparatus are particularly useful in a wide variety of processes involving chemical and/or physical interactions in connection with a sample of interest located in the thin region. In different aspects, irradiator apparatus may be configured as disposable devices, and/or used in combination with one or more microfluidic or sensing components, for a variety of medical/laboratory/diagnostic methods and instrumentation implementations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David Issadore, Thomas Hunt, Kristi Adamson, Robert Westervelt, Rick Rogers
  • Publication number: 20090219647
    Abstract: Dielectrophoretic (DEP) tweezers apparatus and methods for various applications, including particle trapping. Two electrodes are disposed on or otherwise constitute an elongated object forming a tip. A voltage is applied across these electrodes to produce a non-uniform electromagnetic field proximate to the tip thereby creating a dielectrophoretic trap. Once trapped, a particle may be moved to desired locations via manipulation of the elongated object or the medium in which the particle is located. Multiple DEP tweezers apparatus may be arranged to form arrays of tips capable of respectively generating local electromagnetic fields confined to the tips. Such DEP arrays may be employed in nanofabrication processes involving nanolithography or nano-manipulation, as well as data storage and retrieval applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Thomas Hunt, Robert Westervelt, Ania Bleszynski
  • Publication number: 20090211910
    Abstract: Dielectrophoretic (DEP) tweezers apparatus and methods for various applications, including particle trapping. Multiple electrodes (e.g., two or three) are disposed on or otherwise constitute an elongated object forming a tip. Exemplary electrode configurations include, but are not limited to, coaxial and triaxial arrangements. A voltage is applied across these electrodes to produce a non-uniform electromagnetic field proximate to the tip thereby creating a dielectrophoretic trap. Once trapped, a particle may be moved to desired locations via manipulation of the elongated object or the medium in which the particle is located. Multiple DEP tweezers apparatus may be arranged to form arrays of tips capable of respectively generating local electromagnetic fields confined to the tips. Such DEP arrays may be employed in nanofabrication processes involving nanolithography or nano-manipulation, as well as data storage and retrieval applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Thomas Hunt, Robert Westervelt, Ania Bleszynski, Jonathan Aguilar, Keith Brown
  • Publication number: 20090168162
    Abstract: Microscopy methods and apparatus for manipulation, detection, imaging, characterization, sorting and/or assembly of biological or other materials, involving an integration of CMOS or other semiconductor-based technology and microfluidics in connection with a microscope. In one implementation, a microscope including optics and a stage is outfitted with various components relating to the generation of electric and/or magnetic fields, which are implemented on an IC chip. A microfluidic system is fabricated either directly on top of the IC chip, or as a separate entity that is then appropriately bonded to the IC chip, to facilitate the introduction and removal of cells in a biocompatible environment, or other particles/objects of interest suspended in a fluid. The patterned electric and/or magnetic fields generated by the IC chip can trap and move biological cells or other objects inside the microfluidic system to facilitate viewing via the microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Donhee Ham, Robert Westervelt, Thomas Hunt, Yong Liu, Hakho Lee
  • Publication number: 20080007752
    Abstract: A system and method for trapping in electrophotographic color printing and related technologies for printing or display in which the final image is an overlay of multiple components subject to alignment errors. Trapping is based on the cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) planes. There are four steps as follows: detect object edges on each of the four color planes; detect coincident and opposing edge transitions on each pair of planes (CM, CK, and KM); determine which plane to trap, i.e., to extend object across edge; and generate trap on that plane using a simple trap generation rule and a single trap generation rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Lakhbir Gandhi, Robert Westervelt, Kenneth Schmidt, Dongpei Su, Alfred Abkarian, Mark Raley
  • Publication number: 20060106945
    Abstract: A system for enabling client software applications to interface with peripheral devices over a network. An application connection layer interfaces with a programming language of a client software application. A simple object access protocol (SOAP) client processor communicates with the application connection layer and a client software application using the application connection layer. The SOAP client processor includes an eXtensible mark-up language (XML) processor for converting data provided in XML format to a form usable by the client software application. A transport layer for interfaces with the SOAP processor and peripheral devices connected to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Westervelt, Jayant Bhatt, Alan Curtis, Stephen Schwartz, Arturo Becerra
  • Publication number: 20060020371
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manipulation, detection, imaging, characterization, sorting and/or assembly of biological or other materials, involving an integration of CMOS or other semiconductor-based technology and microfluidics. In one implementation, various components relating to the generation of electric and/or magnetic fields are implemented on an IC chip that is fabricated using standard protocols. The generated electric and/or magnetic fields are used to manipulate and/or detect one or more dielectric and/or magnetic particles and distinguish different types of particles. A microfluidic system is fabricated either directly on top of the IC chip, or as a separate entity that is then appropriately bonded to the IC chip, to facilitate the introduction and removal of cells in a biocompatible environment, or other particles/objects of interest suspended in a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Donhee Ham, Robert Westervelt, Thomas Hunt, Yong Liu, Hakho Lee