Patents Assigned to Virginia Tech
  • Patent number: 10702326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices and methods for treating a lesion such as a vascular stenosis using non-thermal irreversible electroporation (NTIRE). Embodiments of the present invention provide a balloon catheter type NTIRE device for treating a target lesion comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned along the balloon that are electrically independent from each other so as to be individually selectable in order to more precisely treat an asymmetrical lesion in which the lesion extends only partially around the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., AngioDynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Neal, II, Paulo A. Garcia, Rafael V. Davalos, Peter Callas
  • Patent number: 10694972
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for monitoring lesion or treated area in a tissue during focal ablation or cell membrane disruption therapy. Provided herein are embodiments of an electrical conductivity sensor having an impedance sensor, where the impedance sensor can be configured to measure a low-frequency and a high-frequency impedance and a substrate, where the impedance sensor is coupled to the substrate. The substrate can be flexible. In embodiments, the impedance sensor can contain two or more electrical conductors. The electrical conductors can be in a bipolar configuration. The electrical conductors can be in a tetrapolar configuration. In embodiments, the electrical conductivity sensor can have two impedance sensors that can be coupled to the substrate such that they are orthogonal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Mohammad Bonakdar, Eduardo L. Latouche, Roop L. Mahajan, John L. Robertson, Christopher B. Arena, Michael B. Sano
  • Patent number: 10695783
    Abstract: An example system includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to generate at least one time-dependent acoustic data signal indicative of an acoustic signal generated by a thermal spray system performing a process associated with a plurality of process attributes. The example system includes a computing device including an acoustic data signal module and a control module. The acoustic data signal processing module may transform the at least one time-dependent acoustic data signal to a frequency-domain spectrum. The control module may determine a process attribute of the plurality of process attributes that deviates from a predetermined operating range by identifying at least one characteristic of the frequency-domain spectrum, selecting at least one component of the thermal spray system based on the process attribute, and controlling the thermal spray system to adjust the process attribute toward the predetermined operating range by sending a control signal to the at least one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing
    Inventors: Taylor K. Blair, Michael Cybulsky, Gary Pickrell, Benjamin Zimmerman, Romesh Batra, Matthew R. Gold
  • Publication number: 20200200229
    Abstract: An energy absorber comprising a first housing defining and interior space and a second housing disposed in the interior space. Also provided are a plurality of cords connecting the housing together. The cords are adapted to deform when said energy absorber undergoes an impact. The deformation permits the second housing to travel from a pre-impact position to a post-impact position within the interior space for a predetermined stroke length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Victor Perino, Javid Bayandor
  • Patent number: 10673328
    Abstract: An amount of charge transferred by a power converter is estimated by developing a signal that is a combination of signals representing an output voltage of a power converter and an inductor current of the power converter, charging a capacitor with a current proportional to that signal and comparing a voltage developed across the capacitor due to that charging to develop a signal for initiating a pulse to control input of power from a voltage source to the power converter. By using a signal developed in this way, response to both step-up and step-down transients can be improved and, in multi-phase embodiments, ripple cancellation problems such as noise susceptibility and loss of pulse generation can be entirely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Syed Bari, Fred C. Lee, Qiang Li
  • Patent number: 10661908
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing ice and frost on a surface comprising a wettable pattern on a surface. The pattern is wetted with water which is frozen into ice to create overlapping hygroscopic that cover the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Boreyko, Saurabh Nath, Caitlin Bisbano, Grady J. Iliff, Ryan Hansen, C. Patrick Collier
  • Patent number: 10658928
    Abstract: Various examples are provided related to switched-capacitor converters (SCCs) with multi resonant frequencies. In one example, a multi resonant SCC (MRSCC) includes a series of switches coupled between an input voltage and an output connection; a pair of diodes coupled across the output connection; and a resonant circuit coupled at a first end between first and second switches of the series of switches and at a second end between the pair of diodes. The resonant circuit can comprise a resonant tank including a first capacitor and a resonant inductor, and a resonant component in parallel with at least a portion of the resonant tank. The resonant component can be connected across the resonant tank or across the resonant inductor. The MRSCC topology can also be used with higher voltage conversion ratio converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Owen Jong, Qiang Li, Fred C. Lee
  • Patent number: 10643153
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training and deploying machine-learned identification of radio frequency (RF) signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy James O'Shea
  • Publication number: 20200103949
    Abstract: Procedures are described for enhancing target system execution integrity determined by power fingerprinting (PFP): by integrating PFP into the detection phase of comprehensive defense-in-depth security; by deploying a network of PFP enabled nodes executing untrusted devices with predefined inputs forcing a specific state sequence and specific software execution; by embedding module identification information into synchronization signaling; by combining signals from different board elements; by using malware signatures to enhance PFP performance; by automatic characterization and signature extraction; by providing secure signature updates; by protecting against side-channel attacks; performing real-time integrity assessment in embedded platform by monitoring their dynamic power consumption and comparing it against signatures from trusted code, including pre-characterizing power consumption of the platform by concentrating on trace sections carrying the most information about the internal execution status; by u
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Reed, Carlos R. Aguayo Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10572830
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training and deploying machine-learned compact representations of radio frequency (RF) signals. One of the methods includes: determining a first RF signal to be compressed; using an encoder machine-learning network to process the first RF signal and generate a compressed signal; calculating a measure of compression in the compressed signal; using a decoder machine-learning network to process the compressed signal and generate a second RF signal that represents a reconstruction of the first RF signal; calculating a measure of distance between the second RF signal and the first RF signal; and updating at least one of the encoder machine-learning network or the decoder machine-learning network based on (i) the measure of distance between the second RF signal and the first RF signal, and (ii) the measure of compression in the compressed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy James O'Shea
  • Patent number: 10561964
    Abstract: Hydrophobic particles such as coal and hydrophobized mineral fines can be readily separated from hydrophilic impurities by forming agglomerates in water using a hydrophobic liquids such as oil. The agglomerates of hydrophobic particles usually entrap large amounts of water, causing the moisture of the recovered hydrophobic particles to be excessively high. This problem can be overcome by dispersing the hydrophobic agglomerates in a hydrophobic liquid that can be readily recycled. The dispersion can be achieved using specially designed apparatus and methods that can create a turbulence that can help destabilize the agglomerates in a recyclable hydrophobic liquid and facilitate the dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Roe-Hoan Yoon, Gerald Luttrell, Nikhil Gupta
  • Patent number: 10562038
    Abstract: Fine coal is cleaned of its mineral matter impurities and dewatered by mixing the aqueous slurry containing both with a hydrophobic liquid, subjecting the mixture to a phase separation. The resulting hydrophobic liquid phase contains coal particles free of surface moisture and droplets of water stabilized by coal particles, while the aqueous phase contains the mineral matter. By separating the entrained water droplets from the coal particles mechanically, a clean coal product of substantially reduced mineral matter and moisture contents is obtained. The spent hydrophobic liquid is separated from the clean coal product and recycled. The process can also be used to separate one type of hydrophilic particles from another by selectively hydrophobizing one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Roe-Hoan Yoon, Mert Kerem Eraydin
  • Patent number: 10568104
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for telecommunications spectrum sharing between multiple heterogeneous users, which leverage a hybrid approach that includes both distributed spectrum sharing, spectrum-sensing, and use of geo-reference databases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: FEDERATED WIRELESS, INC., VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ashwin Amanna, Joseph Mitola, III, Thomas Charles Clancy, Jeffrey H. Reed, Robert McGwier, Avik Sengupta, Akshay Kumar
  • Patent number: 10543639
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three dimensional object includes steps of: providing a digital description of the object as a set of voxels; sequentially creating an actual set of voxels corresponding to the digital set of voxels. At least one voxel comprises a polymer derived from: polyol and an ionic monomer. The calculated charge density of the resulting polymer is 0.01 to 0.7 mEq/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc
    Inventors: Travis Kyle Hodgdon, Timothy E Long, Allison M Pekkanen, Abby Rebecca Whittington, Christopher Bryant Williams, Callie Elizabeth Zawaski, Douglas M Graham, Corey J Kenneally, Freddy Arthur Barnabas, Andre Stevenson
  • Patent number: 10541765
    Abstract: One or more processors control processing of radio frequency (RF) signals using a machine-learning network. The one or more processors receive as input, to a radio communications apparatus, a first representation of an RF signal, which is processed using one or more radio stages, providing a second representation of the RF signal. Observations about, and metrics of, the second representation of the RF signal are obtained. Past observations and metrics are accessed from storage. Using the observations, metrics and past observations and metrics, parameters of a machine-learning network, which implements policies to process RF signals, are adjusted by controlling the radio stages. In response to the adjustments, actions performed by one or more controllers of the radio stages are updated. A representation of a subsequent input RF signal is processed using the radio stages that are controlled based on actions including the updated one or more actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James O'Shea, Thomas Charles Clancy, III
  • Patent number: 10537379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical treatment of diseases and disorders, as well as the field of biomedical engineering. Embodiments of the invention relate to the delivery of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) through the vasculature of organs to treat tumors embedded deep within the tissue or organ, or to decellularize organs to produce a scaffold from existing animal tissue with the existing vasculature intact. In particular, methods of administering non-thermal irreversible electroporation (IRE) in vivo are provided for the treatment of tumors located in vascularized tissues and organs. Embodiments of the invention further provide scaffolds and tissues from natural sources created using IRE ex vivo to remove cellular debris, maximize recellularization potential, and minimize foreign body immune response. The engineered tissues can be used in methods of treating subjects, such as those in need of tissue replacement or augmentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Sano, Rafael V. Davalos, John L. Robertson, Paulo A. Garcia, Robert E. Neal
  • Patent number: 10527708
    Abstract: A method for estimating the location of a wireless terminal is disclosed that is based on using: the known location of one or more devices, empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal to the devices, and empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal (which is at an unknown location) relative to other wireless terminals that are also at unknown locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Polaris Wireless, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Douglas Gordon, Sayed Reza Monir Vaghefi, R. Michael Buehrer
  • Patent number: 10507238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to infectious DNA clones, infectious chimeric DNA clones of porcine circovirus (PCV), vaccines and means of protecting pigs against viral infection or postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) caused by PCV2. The new chimeric infectious DNA clone and its derived, avirulent chimeric virus are constructed from the nonpathogenic PCV1 in which the immunogenic ORF gene of the pathogenic PCV2 replaces a gene of the nonpathogenic PCV1, preferably in the same position. The chimeric virus advantageously retains the nonpathogenic phenotype of PCV1 but elicits specific immune responses against the pathogenic PCV2. The invention further embraces the immunogenic polypeptide expression products. In addition, the invention encompasses two mutations in the PCV2 immunogenic capsid gene and protein, and the introduction of the ORF2 mutations in the chimeric clones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC., IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Xiang-Jin Meng, Martijn Fenaux, Patrick G. Halbur
  • Publication number: 20190366533
    Abstract: An articulated multi-link robotic tail (MLRT) system is provided comprising a rigid housing, an actuation unit coupled to the rigid housing, and an MLRT having a proximal end that is coupled to the rigid housing and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The MLRT comprises N segments, where N is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to one. Each segment comprises i links, where i is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to two. Each link is mechanically coupled to an actuator of the actuation unit and capable of being actuated by the actuator to which it is mechanically coupled to adjust a pitch, yaw and roll of the MLRT. The articulated MLRT system is well suited for being integrated with a mobile robot to assist in stabilizing and maneuvering the mobile robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Pinhas Ben-Tzvi, Wael Saab, William Rone, Yujiong Liu
  • Patent number: 10471254
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating aberrant cells such as cancer cells through administration of a train of electrical pulses is described. The pulse length and delay between successive pulses is optimized to produce effects on intracellular membrane potentials. Therapies based on the system and method produce two treatment zones: an ablation zone surrounding the electrodes within which aberrant cells are non-selectively killed and a selective treatment zone surrounding the ablation zone within which target cells are selectively killed through effects on intracellular membrane potentials. As a result, infiltrating tumor cells within a tumor margin can be effectively treated while sparing healthy tissue. The system and method are useful for treating various cancers in which solid tumors form and have a chance of recurrence from microscopic disease surrounding the tumor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Sano, Christopher B. Arena, Scott S. Verbridge, Rafael V. Davalos