Patents by Inventor Ta-Chieh Huang
Ta-Chieh Huang 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).
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Patent number: 8306079Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, Joseph S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
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Patent number: 8228501Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Patent number: 8215173Abstract: An ultrasonic testing method to identify a stuck joint between two workpieces utilizing an ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic (US) beams into the joint area and capture the associated US reflections. The method transmits two separate US beams fired in very close proximity to one another. The probe then captures a plurality of US reflections. The method looks for subtle variations in a high gain A-scan presentation of a high gain reflected beam, while using a low gain US beam to identify the particular region on the high gain A-scan presentation in which to look for signs of a stuck joint. Subtle variations within a particular region of the high gain A-scan presentation identify stuck joints. The method is applicable to metals and nonmetals and is not limited to fusion welding, but may also be used with solid state welds, brazed and soldered joints, and adhesively joined workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Inventors: Roger Spencer, Margarit Lozev, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Patent number: 8094303Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Publication number: 20110266262Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Publication number: 20110102789Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2011Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTERInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Patent number: 7880877Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Patent number: 7880114Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure. The base unit includes an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator. The head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head. The manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
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Patent number: 7864315Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E Denney, Jay R Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Publication number: 20100078415Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
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Publication number: 20100031750Abstract: An ultrasonic testing method to identify a stuck joint between two workpieces utilizing an ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic (US) beams into the joint area and capture the associated US reflections. The method transmits two separate US beams fired in very close proximity to one another. The probe then captures a plurality of US reflections. The method looks for subtle variations in a high gain A-scan presentation of a high gain reflected beam, while using a low gain US beam to identify the particular region on the high gain A-scan presentation in which to look for signs of a stuck joint. Subtle variations within a particular region of the high gain A-scan presentation identify stuck joints. The method is applicable to metals and nonmetals and is not limited to fusion welding, but may also be used with solid state welds, brazed and soldered joints, and adhesively joined workpieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventors: Roger Spencer, Margarit Lozev, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Publication number: 20090284739Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Patent number: 7620085Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Philips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
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Patent number: 7492453Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Publication number: 20090021731Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Publication number: 20080240178Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Estman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
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Patent number: 7379483Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
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Publication number: 20080067331Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Paul Denney, Jay Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Patent number: 7289206Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure including embedded material with laser light. The detection system includes a collimating lens positioned to receive light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes an optical fiber optically coupled to the collimating lens and a spectrometer optically coupled to the optical fiber. The spectrometer is adapted for analysis of the light for indications of the embedded material within the interaction region. The spectrometer includes an input slit adapted to receive light from the optical fiber. The input slit has a width selected to provide sufficient light transmittance and sufficient resolution. The spectrometer further includes an optical grating adapted to receive light from the input slit and to separate the light into a spectrum of wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang
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Patent number: 7286223Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes a focusing lens positioned to receive light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes an optical fiber optically coupled to the focusing lens to receive light from the focusing lens. The detection system further includes a spectrometer optically coupled to the optical fiber to receive light from the optical fiber. The spectrometer is adapted for analysis of the light for indications of the embedded material within the interaction region.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Ta-Chieh Huang