Patents by Inventor Alfredo A. Sadun

Alfredo A. Sadun 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: 6769770
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically performing a visual field test for a patient. A visual field test pattern including a peripheral fixation point is displayed to the patient on an electronic display device and the patient's responses to the visual field test pattern are recorded. A visual field representation is generated from the patient's responses. The visual field representation is then used as an input into a variety of diagnostic processes. In one embodiment of the invention, a series of visual test patterns of varying contrast levels or colors are presented to a patient in order to construct a three-dimensional visual field representation wherein contrast sensitivity is plotted as the Z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fink, Alfredo A. Sadun
  • Patent number: 6578966
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically performing a visual field test for a patient. A visual field test pattern is displayed to the patient on an electronic display device and the patient's responses to the visual field test pattern are recorded. A visual field representation is generated from the patient's responses. The visual field representation is then used as an input into a variety of diagnostic processes. In one embodiment of the invention, a series of visual test patterns of varying contrast are presented to a patient in order to construct a three-dimensional visual field representation wherein contrast sensitivity is plotted against a Z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fink, Alfredo A. Sadun
  • Publication number: 20030020873
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically performing a visual field test for a patient. A visual field test pattern including a peripheral fixation point is displayed to the patient on an electronic display device and the patient's responses to the visual field test pattern are recorded. A visual field representation is generated from the patient's responses. The visual field representation is then used as an input into a variety of diagnostic processes. In one embodiment of the invention, a series of visual test patterns of varying contrast levels or colors are presented to a patient in order to construct a three-dimensional visual field representation wherein contrast sensitivity is plotted as the Z-axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fink, Alfredo A. Sadun
  • Publication number: 20020024634
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically performing a visual field test for a patient. A visual field test pattern is displayed to the patient on an electronic display device and the patient's responses to the visual field test pattern are recorded. A visual field representation is generated from the patient's responses. The visual field representation is then used as an input into a variety of diagnostic processes. In one embodiment of the invention, a series of visual test patterns of varying contrast are presented to a patient in order to construct a three-dimensional visual field representation wherein contrast sensitivity is plotted against a Z-axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fink, Alfredo A. Sadun
  • Patent number: 5763446
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, methods are provided for the treatment of visual loss and other neurological dysfunctions in AIDS patients employing agents capable of blocking TNF expression in the central nervous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Alfredo A. Sadun, Parkash S. Gill, Pravin U. Dugel, Michele Madigan
  • Patent number: 4826308
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting, characterizing and monitoring eye diseases and, particularly, optic nerve diseases, by determining the difference in relative brightness sensed by the two eyes. The method utilizes eyeglasses having a pair of cross-polarizing lenses selectively adjustable for blocking or admitting light into each eye. The patient observes an illuminated test object while looking through the eyeglasses at maximum luminance. By adjusting the relative polarization of the lenses for the eye in which the test object appears the brightest, while occluding the other eye, the amount of brightness sensed by that eye can be compared to the other eye. If there is a disparity in brightness-sense between the eyes within certain pre-established ranges, the nature of the eye disease can be detected and specifically characterized, and its progression or resolution can be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Alfredo A. Sadun
  • Patent number: 4818091
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting and monitoring the treatment of eye disease by determining the presence of visual field defects. The method utilizes eyeglasses having a pair of cross-polarizing lenses selectively adjustable for varying the amount of luminance of an Amsler grid as observed by the patient through the eyeglasses. By adjusting the relative polarization of the lenses separately for each eye until the patient is barely able to see the Amsler grid, the sensitivity of the patient's eyes to the presence of scotomas is greatly increased. By having patients record the presence of scotomas while observing the Amsler grid through the eyeglasses, it is possible to screen patients for visual loss associated with various eye diseases, such as atrophic SMD. Recording the existence of scotomas on a periodic basis enables an ophthalmologist to determine whether atrophic SMD may be advancing to hemorrhagic SMD requiring treatment to prevent permanent loss of central vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Alfredo A. Sadun, Michael Wall