Patents by Inventor Charles Shanks

Charles Shanks 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: 8439959
    Abstract: A full-body non-invasive laser scanner for mapping or measuring a patient's body and for treating a patient's body with laser energy comprises a patient support, one or more laser devices, a laser guidance system, a control center, and optionally feedback sensors. The patient support aids in maintaining body alignment during treatment, and the laser devices are moveably positioned on a laser guidance system such that they can be driven about a stationary patient. To map and contour a patient's body, the patient aligns himself on the patient support. With the control center, an operator chooses whether to map, contour, or map and contour the patient's body either manually or according to preprogrammed treatment protocols. The carriage assembly translates and the laser devices apply laser energy to the surfaces of the patient's body according to the chosen protocol. Feedback sensors provide data for mapping the contours of the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Erchonia Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Tucek, Charles Shanks
  • Publication number: 20120285294
    Abstract: A multiple generator elution system for selectively eluting from a plurality of parent-daughter generators according to an elution schedule it calculates taking into account supply data, demand data, and available activity in each of the generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Charles Shanks, Richard Cornell, David W. Bolenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20110087312
    Abstract: Low-level laser therapy is applied externally through the skin of the patient to targeted areas of a of a patient's body to treat diabetes or prediabetes. A patient is first diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, preferably by blood draws that measure insulin, A1C, or glucose levels. A therapeutic amount of laser energy to apply is determined from a patient's biological factors such as body mass index. The therapeutic amount of laser energy is applied one or more times over a two week time period. The patient is then retested for diabetes or prediabetes. If necessary, a new therapeutic amount of laser energy is determined according to any changes in the patient's diabetes or prediabetes diagnosis and any changes in the patient's biological factors. Adjusted treatments with low-level laser energy continue until the diabetes or prediabetes diagnosis is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: ERCHONIA CORPORATIN
    Inventors: Charles SHANKS, Ryan MALONEY, Steven C. SHANKS, Kevin B. TUCEK, Rodrigo NEIRA
  • Publication number: 20100324426
    Abstract: A full-body non-invasive laser scanner for mapping or measuring a patient's body and for treating a patient's body with laser energy comprises a patient support, one or more laser devices, a laser guidance system, a control center, and optionally feedback sensors. The patient support aids in maintaining body alignment during treatment, and the laser devices are moveably positioned on a laser guidance system such that they can be driven about a stationary patient. To map and contour a patient's body, the patient aligns himself on the patient support. With the control center, an operator chooses whether to map, contour, or map and contour the patient's body either manually or according to preprogrammed treatment protocols. The carriage assembly translates and the laser devices apply laser energy to the surfaces of the patient's body according to the chosen protocol. Feedback sensors provide data for mapping the contours of the patient's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ERCHONIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Tucek, Charles Shanks
  • Publication number: 20060229690
    Abstract: An improved hand-held laser device that automatically changes the pulse frequency while the laser beam is being generated. The device comprises one or more laser energy sources and a frequency controller to change the pulse frequency of the emitted laser light. In certain embodiments, the frequency change is predictable and can be defined by a formula. In other embodiments, the frequency change is unpredictable and is determined using a pseudo-random number generator algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Shanks, Charles Shanks, George Leger
  • Publication number: 20060058570
    Abstract: A radioactive member for use in brachytherapy comprising a molded elongate, bioabsorbable carrier material with spaced radioactive sources disposed therein, and methods for the manufacture thereof. The radioactive members may be used in the treatment of, for example, prostate cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Rapach, Kevin Helle, Charles Shanks, Jay Reed
  • Patent number: 6926189
    Abstract: An apparatus for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules includes a welding station having a welding position for welding closed one end of a tube, a rotatable platform having an outside edge, a tube holder positioned adjacent the outside edge, the tube holder movable between a loading position and the welding position, and a feed line positioned in overlying registry with the tube holder at the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Amersham Health AS
    Inventors: Charles Shanks, Kevin Helle, John Krewer, Robert Hallgren
  • Publication number: 20030150900
    Abstract: In a method for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules (100), each tube is loaded into a holder (52), brought to a welding station (80), has one end welded closed and is then released from the holder (52). A number of holders can be arranged on the periphery of a rotatable member (50), each holder being loaded with a tube at a first station, and then carrying the tube to a welding station (80) and an ejection station (90). The tubes can be loaded into the holders individually by means of an escapement mechanism (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Charles Shanks, Kevin Helle, John Krewer, Robert Hallgren
  • Patent number: 6474535
    Abstract: In a method for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules (100), each tube is loaded into a holder (52), brought to a welding station (80), has one end welded closed and is then released from the holder (52). A number of holders can 2 be arranged on the periphery of a rotatable member (50), each holder being loaded with a tube at a first station, and then carrying the tube to a welding station (80) and an ejection station (90). The tubes can be loaded into the holders individually by means of an escapement mechanism (40). The invention also extends to apparatus for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Nycomed Imaging AS
    Inventors: Charles Shanks, Kevin Helle, John Krewer, Robert Hallgren