Patents by Inventor Christopher Nelson Davis
Christopher Nelson Davis 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: 11844650Abstract: A thermoacoustic measurement probe includes an open-ended hollow radio-frequency (RF) waveguide; at least two RF feeds positioned within the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, wherein each RF feed is configured to provide RF energy; and a thermoacoustic transducer, wherein the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, in the form of a sleeve, surrounds and is mechanically joined to the thermoacoustic transducer.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2023Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignees: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc., Duke UniversityInventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Paolo Maccarini, Idan Steinberg, Michael M. Thornton
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Patent number: 11730374Abstract: A radio frequency applicator for a thermoacoustic imaging system is disclosed. The applicator includes, a waveguide with an internal radio frequency source, wherein the waveguide has an opening, an electromagnetic matching layer coupled to the waveguide and proximate to the opening, and an acoustic absorbing layer that is coupled to the matching layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Jordan Sengenberger, Christopher Nelson Davis, Christopher Bull, Charlton Chen, Jang Hwan Cho, Idan Steinberg, Michael M. Thornton
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Patent number: 11619613Abstract: A thermoacoustic measurement probe may include an open-ended hollow radio-frequency (RF) waveguide; and a thermoacoustic transducer, wherein the open-ended hollow RF waveguide, in the form of a sleeve, surrounds and is mechanically joined to the thermoacoustic transducer.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignees: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc., Duke UniversityInventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Paolo Maccarini, Idan Steinberg, Michael M. Thornton
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Patent number: 11456518Abstract: A method for manufacturing a radio frequency (RF) applicator which includes covering a ceramic insert with a coating, wherein the ceramic insert has dimensions that substantially match an internal volume of an open-ended, hollow waveguide, and wherein the ceramic insert has a recess therein configured to accept a radio frequency emitter, heating the waveguide to a temperature that is above a melting point of the coating, placing the coated ceramic insert into the internal volume of the heated waveguide, wherein the internal volume is completely filled except for the recess, and cooling the waveguide, ceramic insert, and coating to a temperature below the melting point of the coating so that the coating solidifies and fills gaps between facing surfaces of the insert and the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Charlton Chen, Michael M. Thornton
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Patent number: 11369272Abstract: An RF applicator has an open-ended waveguide having an aperture and a dielectric cone extending through the aperture and is electrically connected to an RF source that is configured to generate RF energy pulses. A top fin is mounted to an inner top surface of the waveguide and comprises a conductive material, is electrically connected to the RF source, and has dimensions configured to optimize a bandwidth that the RF applicator applies to tissue. A bottom fin is mounted to an inner bottom surface of the waveguide and comprises a conductive material electrically isolated from the RF source, with dimensions configured to optimize a bandwidth that the RF applicator applies to tissue. A dielectric cone is inserted into the waveguide. A filler material between inner surfaces of the waveguide and the solid dielectric cone can fill gaps and has a dielectric constant similar to the dielectric cone.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Paolo Maccarini
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Patent number: 11337676Abstract: A method and system for optimizing RF energy delivery to a tissue ROI with a thermoacoustic system includes directing with a RF applicator, RF energy pulses into the tissue ROI having an object of interest and a reference separated by a boundary; detecting with a thermoacoustic transducer, a multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at the boundary in response to the RF energy pulses and processing the multi-polar acoustic signal to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude; detecting with the thermoacoustic transducer, an artifact multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at a location other than the boundary and processing it to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude; utilizing an electromagnetic model coupled with a model of patient anatomy to place dielectric or conducting materials near the thermoacoustic transducer or the RF applicator to optimize a signal-to-noise ratio of the multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at the boundary or minimize the artifact multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at aType: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Amanda Margaret Barnes, Christopher Nelson Davis, Michael M. Thornton
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Patent number: 11304606Abstract: A method and system for enhancing radio frequency energy delivery to a tissue region of interest. The method and system direct with a radio frequency (RF) applicator, one or more RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest, the tissue region of interest comprising an object of interest and at least one reference that are separated by at least one boundary; detect with an acoustic receiver, at least one bipolar acoustic signal generated in the tissue region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses and processing the at least one bipolar acoustic signal to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof; adjust the RF applicator to maximize the peak-to-peak amplitude of bipolar acoustic signals generated in the tissue region of interest in response to RF energy pulses generated by the adjusted RF applicator; and direct with the adjusted RF applicator, one or more RF energy pulses into the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Jang Hwan Cho, Paul A. Picot, Michael M. Thornton
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Patent number: 11172829Abstract: A thermoacoustic transducer integrating at least one piezoelectric element having a first surface and a second surface, a potential electrode that is electrically connected to the second surface, a ground electrode that is electrically connected to the first surface, a switch electrically connected to both the potential electrode and the ground electrode, a timer configured to match a pulse emanating from a radio-frequency emitter, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are electrically connected through an impedance when the switch is in an active state, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are not electrically connected when the switch is in an inactive state; and a housing accommodating the at least one piezoelectric element, potential electrode, ground electrode, and switch.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2021Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Zackary Marc Mumm, Christopher Nelson Davis, Michael M. Thornton, Jang Hwan Cho
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Publication number: 20210321873Abstract: A thermoacoustic transducer integrating at least one piezoelectric element having a first surface and a second surface, a potential electrode that is electrically connected to the second surface, a ground electrode that is electrically connected to the first surface, a switch electrically connected to both the potential electrode and the ground electrode, a timer configured to match a pulse emanating from a radio-frequency emitter, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are electrically connected through an impedance when the switch is in an active state, further wherein the potential electrode and the ground electrode are not electrically connected when the switch is in an inactive state; and a housing accommodating the at least one piezoelectric element, potential electrode, ground electrode, and switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Zackary Marc Mumm, Christopher Nelson Davis, Michael M. Thornton, Jang Hwan Cho
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Publication number: 20210244384Abstract: A method and system for optimizing RF energy delivery to a tissue ROI with a thermoacoustic system includes directing with a RF applicator, RF energy pulses into the tissue ROI having an object of interest and a reference separated by a boundary; detecting with a thermoacoustic transducer, a multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at the boundary in response to the RF energy pulses and processing the multi-polar acoustic signal to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude; detecting with the thermoacoustic transducer, an artifact multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at a location other than the boundary and processing it to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude; utilizing an electromagnetic model coupled with a model of patient anatomy to place dielectric or conducting materials near the thermoacoustic transducer or the RF applicator to optimize a signal-to-noise ratio of the multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at the boundary or minimize the artifact multi-polar thermoacoustic signal generated at aType: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Amanda Margaret Barnes, Christopher Nelson Davis, Michael M. Thornton
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Patent number: 11051699Abstract: A method and system for estimating fractional fat content of an object of interest. The method and system include a thermoacoustic imaging system comprising an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the region of interest and heat tissue therein and an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are able to process bipolar acoustic signals received by the acoustic receiver in response to RF energy pulses emitted into the region of interest using the RF applicator to determine a setting for the RF applicator that yields bipolar acoustic signals with at least one enhanced metric thereof, determine an impedance of the RF applicator used to yield acoustic bipolar signals with the enhanced at least one metric, and estimate fractional fat content of the object of interest using the determined impedance.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Jang Hwan Cho, Michael M. Thornton
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Publication number: 20200375531Abstract: A method for providing an image of a subject by utilizing an array of transmission elements in a thermoacoustic imaging apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Paul A. Picot
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Publication number: 20200303803Abstract: A method for manufacturing a radio frequency (RF) applicator which includes covering a ceramic insert with a coating, wherein the ceramic insert has dimensions that substantially match an internal volume of an open-ended, hollow waveguide, and wherein the ceramic insert has a recess therein configured to accept a radio frequency emitter, heating the waveguide to a temperature that is above a melting point of the coating, placing the coated ceramic insert into the internal volume of the heated waveguide, wherein the internal volume is completely filled except for the recess, and cooling the waveguide, ceramic insert, and coating to a temperature below the melting point of the coating so that the coating solidifies and fills gaps between facing surfaces of the insert and the waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Charlton Chen, Michael M. Thornton
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Publication number: 20200205669Abstract: A radio frequency applicator comprises an open-ended, hollow waveguide having an aperture therein. A solid insert is positioned within the waveguide. The solid insert has a recess formed therein that is aligned with the aperture. Filler material is provided between facing surfaces of the waveguide and the insert to fill gaps therebetween. A radio frequency (RF) source extends through the aperture and into the recess and is configured to generate RF energy pulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Charlton Chen, Michael M. Thornton
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Publication number: 20200196872Abstract: A method and system for estimating fractional fat content of an object of interest. The method and system include a thermoacoustic imaging system comprising an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the region of interest and heat tissue therein and an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are able to process bipolar acoustic signals received by the acoustic receiver in response to RF energy pulses emitted into the region of interest using the RF applicator to determine a setting for the RF applicator that yields bipolar acoustic signals with at least one enhanced metric thereof, determine an impedance of the RF applicator used to yield acoustic bipolar signals with the enhanced at least one metric, and estimate fractional fat content of the object of interest using the determined impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Jang Hwan Cho, Michael M. Thornton
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Patent number: 10682059Abstract: A radio frequency applicator comprises an open-ended, hollow waveguide having an aperture therein. A solid insert is positioned within the waveguide. The solid insert has a recess formed therein that is aligned with the aperture. Filler material is provided between facing surfaces of the waveguide and the insert to fill gaps therebetween. A radio frequency (RF) source extends through the aperture and into the recess and is configured to generate RF energy pulses.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Charlton Chen, Michael M. Thornton
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Publication number: 20200138298Abstract: A method and system for enhancing radio frequency energy delivery to a tissue region of interest. The method and system direct with a radio frequency (RF) applicator, one or more RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest, the tissue region of interest comprising an object of interest and at least one reference that are separated by at least one boundary; detect with an acoustic receiver, at least one bipolar acoustic signal generated in the tissue region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses and processing the at least one bipolar acoustic signal to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof; adjust the RF applicator to maximize the peak-to-peak amplitude of bipolar acoustic signals generated in the tissue region of interest in response to RF energy pulses generated by the adjusted RF applicator; and direct with the adjusted RF applicator, one or more RF energy pulses into the region of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.Inventors: Christopher Nelson Davis, Jang Hwan Cho, Paul A. Picot, Michael M. Thornton