Patents by Inventor Steven Hackworth

Steven Hackworth 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: 8922065
    Abstract: A wireless energy transfer system includes a first energy transfer unit having at least one resonant frequency, a second energy transfer unit having the at least one resonant frequency, and a load. The first wireless energy transfer unit includes a first coil magnetically coupled to a first wireless energy transfer cell, and the second wireless energy transfer unit includes a second coil magnetically coupled to a second wireless energy transfer cell. The first coil receives first energy and through the magnetic coupling between the first coil and the first wireless energy transfer cell, the first wireless energy transfer cell is caused to generate second energy, wherein the second wireless energy transfer cell receives the second energy and through the magnetic coupling between the second wireless energy transfer cell and the second coil, the second coil is caused to provide third electromagnetic wave energy to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Mingui Sun, Steven Hackworth, Robert Sclabassi, Fei Zhang, Xiaoyu Liu
  • Patent number: 8421274
    Abstract: A wireless energy transfer system includes a first energy transfer unit having at least one resonant frequency, a second energy transfer unit having the at least one resonant frequency, and a load. The first wireless energy transfer unit includes a first coil magnetically coupled to a first wireless energy transfer cell, and the second wireless energy transfer unit includes a second coil magnetically coupled to a second wireless energy transfer cell. The first coil receives first energy and through the magnetic coupling between the first coil and the first wireless energy transfer cell, the first wireless energy transfer cell is caused to generate second energy, wherein the second wireless energy transfer cell receives the second energy and through the magnetic coupling between the second wireless energy transfer cell and the second coil, the second coil is caused to provide third electromagnetic wave energy to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Mingui Sun, Steven Hackworth, Robert Sclabassi, Fei Zhang, Xiaoyu Liu
  • Publication number: 20110101788
    Abstract: A wireless energy transfer system includes a first energy transfer unit having at least one resonant frequency, a second energy transfer unit having the at least one resonant frequency, and a load. The first wireless energy transfer unit includes a first coil magnetically coupled to a first wireless energy transfer cell, and the second wireless energy transfer unit includes a second coil magnetically coupled to a second wireless energy transfer cell. The first coil receives first energy and through the magnetic coupling between the first coil and the first wireless energy transfer cell, the first wireless energy transfer cell is caused to generate second energy, wherein the second wireless energy transfer cell receives the second energy and through the magnetic coupling between the second wireless energy transfer cell and the second coil, the second coil is caused to provide third electromagnetic wave energy to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Mingui Sun, Steven Hackworth, Robert Sclabassi, Fei Zhang, Xiaoyu Liu
  • Patent number: 7672732
    Abstract: An apparatus for powering an implant includes first energy interface elements, a removeably attachable holding device and a first energy source, such as a battery. An energy conversion circuit converts first energy into second energy which is transmitted within the body of the patient to the implant. Also, an apparatus for providing information to an implant that includes first energy interface elements and a housing that includes a processor operatively coupled to the first energy interface elements and an energy source operatively coupled to the processor. The processor is structured to generate an information signal and cause the signal to be transmitted within the body of the patient for delivery to the implant. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Mingui Sun, Robert J. Sclabassi, Daliang L. Li, Jun Zhao, Steven Hackworth
  • Publication number: 20090105782
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of diseases such as depression and epilepsy that do not require an onboard, implanted power supply. Power may be supplied from outside of the body by near-field inductive coupling with an external power supply provided in a support article (e.g., garment) worn by the patient. Power may also be supplied by providing an antenna for harvesting ambient RF energy and converting it into DC power. In addition, the methods and apparatus provide for remote, wireless programming of the parameters that specify the nature of current pulses provided to the vagus nerve by probes implanted in the body of the patient. The preferred stimulation profile is 1-2 milliamp pulses of 250 microseconds in duration at a frequency of 20 to 30 Hz, wherein the profile is repeatedly on for 30 seconds and off for 5 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Marlin H. Mickle, Steven A. Hackworth, Michael R. Lovell, Doreen K. Jacob, Theodora Bennett, Robert Cuda, Kathy Hoelzle, Eric Laurenson
  • Publication number: 20070228273
    Abstract: An apparatus for powering an implant includes first energy interface elements, a removeably attachable holding device and a first energy source, such as a battery. An energy conversion circuit converts first energy into second energy which is transmitted within the body of the patient to the implant. Also, an apparatus for providing information to an implant that includes first energy interface elements and a housing that includes a processor operatively coupled to the first energy interface elements and an energy source operatively coupled to the processor. The processor is structured to generate an information signal and cause the signal to be transmitted within the body of the patient for delivery to the implant. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Mingui Sun, Robert Sclabassi, Daliang Li, Jun Zhao, Steven Hackworth
  • Publication number: 20070191908
    Abstract: A method of stimulating a subject having a denervated muscle and a corresponding functional muscle that are responsible for producing actions, such as blinking, on first and second portions, respectively, of the subject's body. The method includes determining whether the functional muscle has contracted, generating a contraction signal if it is determined that it has contracted, and causing the denervated muscle to contract following the generation of the contraction signal. Also, an apparatus for stimulating such a subject including one or more sensing devices operatively associated with the functional muscle and one or more stimulating devices operatively associated with the denervated muscle. One or more of the sensing devices generates one or more first signals in response to activity indicating functional muscle contraction. The one or more stimulating devices are made to cause the denervated muscle to contract in response to the generation of the first signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Doreen Jacob, Susan Stepko, Steven Hackworth, Michael Lovell, Marlin Mickle, Michael Gorin
  • Publication number: 20070142872
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for providing deep brain stimulation for the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's Disease that do not require an onboard power supply that is implanted in the patient's body. Power may be supplied from outside of the body by, for example, near-field inductive coupling with an external power supply provided in, for example, a headgear worn by the patient. Power may also be supplied by providing an antenna for harvesting ambient energy, such as ambient RF energy, and converting it into DC power. In addition, the methods and apparatus provide for remote, wireless programming of the parameters that specify the nature of electrical pulses provided to the brain via probes implanted in the brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Marlin Mickle, Steven Hackworth
  • Publication number: 20060136007
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for providing deep brain stimulation for the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's Disease that do not require an onboard power supply that is implanted in the patient's body. Power may be supplied from outside of the body by, for example, near-field inductive coupling with an external power supply provided in, for example, a headgear worn by the patient. Power may also be supplied by providing an antenna for harvesting ambient energy, such as ambient RF energy, and converting it into DC power. In addition, the methods and apparatus provide for remote, wireless programming of the parameters that specify the nature of electrical pulses provided to the brain via probes implanted in the brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Marlin Mickle, Steven Hackworth