Patents by Inventor Alvin Katz

Alvin Katz 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: 8082024
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for medical practitioners to detect the presence of abnormal cells including cancerous and pre-cancerous cells by using a transport capsule containing an imaging apparatus including UV sources and fluorescence detectors for obtaining images and fluorescence data of biological cells and tissue. The method includes the steps of scanning biological tissue using an ultra-violet (UV) source to obtain fluorescence data, transferring fluorescence data and/or images using a radio frequency (RF) or other suitable means to a personal computer (PC) system, analyzing the image and/or fluorescence data in the PC, identifying -tissues with precancerous and cancerous cells, and optionally determining their precise location, and assessing the accuracy of the calculated fluoroscopic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Robert R. Alfano, Alvin Katz, Scott Alfano
  • Patent number: 7986989
    Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for detecting cancerous, pre-cancerous and benign/normal tissue using phosphorescence or the combination of fluorescence and phosphorescence emission from the tissue excited in 280 to 340 nm range. In particular, the application describes methods using a ratio of intensity of fluorescence emission to intensity of phosphorescence emission to provide a rapid cancer, pre-cancer and benign detection method. Normal human breast and prostate tissue, excited in 270 to 300 nm range, express the emission signatures at 340 nm, 440 nm and 500 nm. Cancerous tissue shows only minor emissions at 500 nm, thus the ratio of 340 nm peak to 500 nm peak emission intensities provides information about malignancy of a tissue. Fiber optic based instrumentation can be used to collect the luminescence signal from an area of a tissue less than 1 mm in diameter and using the described method can be screened to determine the state of the tissue sample taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of the City University of New York
    Inventors: Robert R. Alfano, Aleksandra Alimova, Alvin Katz
  • Publication number: 20070083122
    Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for detecting cancerous, pre-cancerous and benign/normal tissue using phosphorescence or the combination of fluorescence and phosphorescence emission from the tissue excited in 280 to 340 nm range. In particular, the application describes methods using a ratio of intensity of fluorescence emission to intensity of phosphorescence emission to provide a rapid cancer, pre-cancer and benign detection method. Normal human breast and prostate tissue, excited in 270 to 300 nm range, express the emission signatures at 340 nm, 440 nm and 500 nm. Cancerous tissue shows only minor emissions at 500 nm, thus the ratio of 340 nm peak to 500 nm peak emission intensities provides information about malignancy of a tissue. Fiber optic based instrumentation can be used to collect the luminescence signal from an area of a tissue less than 1 mm in diameter and using the described method can be screened to determine the state of the tissue sample taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Research Foundation of the City University of New York
    Inventors: Robert Alfano, Aleksandra Alimova, Alvin Katz
  • Publication number: 20050215911
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for medical practitioners to detect the presence of abnormal cells including cancerous and pre-cancerous cells by using a transport capsule containing an imaging apparatus including UV sources and fluorescence detectors for obtaining images and fluorescence data of biological cells and tissue. The method includes the steps of scanning biological tissue using an ultra-violet (UV) source to obtain fluorescence data, transferring fluorescence data and/or images using a radio frequency (RF) or other suitable means to a personal computer (PC) system, analyzing the image and/or fluorescence data in the PC, identifying -tissues with precancerous and cancerous cells, and optionally determining their precise location, and assessing the accuracy of the calculated fluoroscopic images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: The City College of the University of New York
    Inventors: R. Alfano, Alvin Katz, Scott Alfano
  • Publication number: 20040176752
    Abstract: A system and method for exposing ocular tissue to a beam of electromagnetic radiation tuned to an NIR wavelength between about 1380 nm and about 1600 nm in the water absorption band. The laser energy is absorbed by the water, which in turn, transfers the energy to collagen molecules. The helical collagen molecules partially denature and then re-nature to form a weld across the region of the tissues to be joined. In a preferred embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation originates from a laser. The lasers may be Cr4+ doped crystals, Erbium fibers, and alloys of semiconductor laser diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Robert R. Alfano, Tapan K. Gayen, Steven A. McCormick, Richard B. Rosen, Alvin Katz, Howard E. Savage
  • Publication number: 20020095257
    Abstract: A system to detect eye disease in which monochromatic laser light is directed into the vitreous humor after passing through the front of the eye. A very sensitive detection system then detects the light scattered from the vitreous humor as it exits the eye. The light is scattered at a wavelength different from that of the laser in a manner known as Raman scattering. The wavelength of the Raman scattered photons are shifted by vibrational modes of the molecules, and this shift is a characteristic feature of the molecules interacting with the light. In this way, the Raman scattered light is essentially imprinted with a fingerprint of relevant molecules. As it exits the eye, this Raman scattered light can be separated from other types of scattered light and then routed to a detection system, wherein the results are calibrated against actual standards for the particular vitreous substances being analyzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Richard B. Rosen, Erik F. Kruger, Alvin Katz, Robert R. Alfano
  • Patent number: 6309085
    Abstract: A lamp support comprises a plurality of attachment ends affixed to a bottom surface of a base member to attach the base member of the lamp support to a stationary object, preferably, an emergency exit sign. A pair of stems, equipped with a pair of engaging members at one end, extend from an upper surface of the base members. The engaging members face each other at one end. The engaging members include a plurality of flexible teeth that interface with a plurality of rotational faces located in a pair of rotational apertures located in a housing. The housing is attached to the pair of stems by the engaging member, enabling the housing to rotate 360 degrees on an axis created by the stems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Best Lighting Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Alvin Katz, Richard Melbourne Haughton
  • Patent number: 6091985
    Abstract: A method of detecting cancer or precancerous conditions in a tissue or cell using fluorescence excitation spectroscopy. According to one embodiment of the method, a tissue is tested for cancer or a precancerous condition by exciting the tissue with substantially monochromatic light at 268 nm and then at 289 nm, with the resultant native fluorescence emitted from the tissue following each excitation being measured. A ratio of the fluorescence intensities, e.g., I.sub.289 /I.sub.268, is then calculated. If I.sub.289 /I.sub.268 is greater than 1.5, the tissue is cancerous or precancerous whereas if I.sub.289 /I.sub.268 is less than 1.5, the tissue is not cancerous or precancerous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Research Foundation of City College of New York
    Inventors: Robert R. Alfano, Singaravelu Ganesan, Alvin Katz, Yang Yuanlong
  • Patent number: 5769081
    Abstract: A method for detecting cancerous tissue using optical spectroscopy and Fourier analysis. According to a preferred embodiment, a tissue sample is illuminated with light at a wavelength of approximately 300 nm. Next, a fluorescence emission spectrum for the tissue sample is obtained by measuring the resultant fluorescence from the tissue sample over the spectral region from approximately 320 nm to approximately 580 nm. The phase and amplitude for the first three Fourier transform harmonics are then determined. The phase and amplitude determinations for one or more of the three harmonics are then compared to appropriate standards obtained from cancerous and non-cancerous tissue samples. The accuracy of the method can be improved further by comparing the phase and amplitude calculations for at least two harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of City College of New York
    Inventors: Robert R. Alfano, Alvin Katz, Yuanlong Yang
  • Patent number: D440336
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Best Lighting Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Alvin Katz, Richard Melbourne Haughton