Patents by Inventor David A. Kitchin
David A. Kitchin 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: 10805745Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines, George L. Coles, Jr., David A. Kitchin, Howard W. Francis, Ioan Lina
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Publication number: 20190215626Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines, George L. Coles, JR., David A. Kitchin, Howard W. Francis, Ioan Lina
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Patent number: 10277994Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines, George L. Coles, Jr., David A. Kitchin, Howard W. Francis, Ioan Lina
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Patent number: 9825701Abstract: An optical communications beacon receiver including a camera for capturing a plurality of beacon images. The plurality of beacon images includes a beacon signal transmitted from a beacon transmitter. The beacon receiver also including processing circuitry configured for determining the state of the beacon signal for each of the plurality of beacon images based on the known pattern, at least one beacon image of the plurality of beacon images includes a beacon on state and at least one beacon image of the plurality of beacon images includes a beacon off state, comparing the at least one beacon image including the beacon on state to the at least one beacon image including the beacon off state, and determining a beacon location based on the comparison of the at least one beacon image including the beacon on state to the at least one beacon image including the beacon off state.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Juan C. Juarez, Radha A. Venkat, Ricardo Luna, David A. Kitchin, Melissa E. Jansen, David W. Young, Katherine T. Souza, Joseph E. Sluz, David M. Brown, Ryan P. DiNello-Fass, Hala J. Tomey
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Publication number: 20170311101Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines, George L. Coles, Jr., David A. Kitchin, Howard W. Francis, Ioan Lina
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Patent number: 9743200Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Dawnielle Farrar, George L. Coles, Jr., David A. Kitchin, Howard W. Francis, Ioan Lina
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Publication number: 20160112124Abstract: An optical communications beacon receiver including a camera for capturing a plurality of beacon images. The plurality of beacon images includes a beacon signal transmitted from a beacon transmitter. The beacon receiver also including processing circuitry configured for determining the state of the beacon signal for each of the plurality of beacon images based on the known pattern, at least one beacon image of the plurality of beacon images includes a beacon on state and at least one beacon image of the plurality of beacon images includes a beacon off state, comparing the at least one beacon image including the beacon on state to the at least one beacon image including the beacon off state, and determining a beacon location based on the comparison of the at least one beacon image including the beacon on state to the at least one beacon image including the beacon off state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Juan C. Juarez, Radha A. Venkat, Ricardo Luna, David A. Kitchin, Melissa E. Jansen, David W. Young, Katherine T. Souza, Joseph E. Sluz, David M. Brown, Ryan P. DiNello-Fass, Hala J. Tomey
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Publication number: 20140323798Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYInventors: Dawnielle Farrar, George L. Coles, JR., David A. Kitchin, Howard W. Francis, Ioan Lina
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Patent number: 8194504Abstract: A hydrophone unit comprising a resilient central wire; a conductive wire coiled around the resilient central wire, said conductive wire being coated with a piezo material for generating an electrical signal in response to the presence of an acoustic vibration, wherein the resilient central wire is fabricated from spring steel, the conductive wire is a copper wire, the piezo material includes polyvinylidene difluoride; a layer of conductive material deposited on the piezo material-coated conductive wire, wherein the layer of conductive material comprises a silver ink; and a jacket of polyurethane.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: The John Hopkins UniversityInventors: David A. Kitchin, Charles W. Kerechanin, II, Juan I. Arvelo, Jr., Ronald W. Mitnick
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Publication number: 20110026366Abstract: A hydrophone array includes an inflatable shaped housing enclosing an interior space and formable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, a framework of compliant material disposed within the interior of the inflatable housing, and a plurality of hydrophones attached to the compliant material at respective positions, wherein said hydrophones are arranged in a predetermined geometric array when the shaped housing is in the expanded configuration. Also provided herein is a system and method for deploying the hydrophone array.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: David A. Kitchin, Charles W. Kerechanin, II, Juan I. Arvelo, JR., Ronald W. Mitnick
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Patent number: 7855934Abstract: A hydrophone deployment system including a hydrophone assembly, a container for enclosing the hydrophone assembly body in a coiled configuration, means for ejecting the hydrophone assembly from the container, a signal processing module for processing the electrical signals from the hydrophone units, and a transmitter module for converting said processed electrical signals and transmitting said converted signals to a remote receiver.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: David A. Kitchin, Charles W. Kerechanin, II, Charles B. Cooperman, Juan I. Arvelo, Jr., Ronald W. Mitnick
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Publication number: 20100246330Abstract: A hydrophone assembly includes at least four hydrophone units for converting an acoustic signal to an electrical signal, the hydrophone units being in a parallel, cylindrically symmetric spaced spatial relationship with each other, and at least one spacer element to maintain the hydrophone units fixed in the spatial relationship to each other, wherein the hydrophone units and spacer element are embedded in an encapsulant to form an elongated, flexible body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: David A. Kitchin, Charles W. Kerechanin, II, Charles B. Cooperman, Juan I. Arvelo, JR., Ronald W. Mitnick
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Patent number: 7719925Abstract: A hydrophone assembly includes at least four hydrophone units for converting an acoustic signal to an electrical signal, the hydrophone units being in a parallel, cylindrically symmetric spaced spatial relationship with each other, and at least one spacer element to maintain the hydrophone units fixed in the spatial relationship to each other, wherein the hydrophone units and spacer element are embedded in an encapsulant to form an elongated, flexible body.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: David A. Kitchin, Charles W. Kerechanin, II, Charles B. Cooperman, Juan I. Arvelo, Jr., Ronald W. Mitnick
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Patent number: 7697374Abstract: A hydrophone array includes an inflatable shaped housing enclosing an interior space and formable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, a framework of compliant material disposed within the interior of the inflatable housing, and a plurality of hydrophones attached to the compliant material at respective positions, wherein said hydrophones are arranged in a predetermined geometric array when the shaped housing is in the expanded configuration. Also provided herein is a system and method for deploying the hydrophone array.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: David A. Kitchin, Charles W. Kerechanin, II, Juan I. Arvelo, Jr., Ronald W. Mitnick
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Publication number: 20090207698Abstract: A hydrophone assembly includes at least four hydrophone units for converting an acoustic signal to an electrical signal, the hydrophone units being in a parallel, cylindrically symmetric spaced spatial relationship with each other, and at least one spacer element to maintain the hydrophone units fixed in the spatial relationship to each other, wherein the hydrophone units and spacer element are embedded in an encapsulant to form an elongated, flexible body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2006Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: David A. Kitchin, Charles W. Kerechanin, II, Charles B. Cooperman, Juan I. Arvelo, JR., Ronald W. Mitnick
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Publication number: 20090207697Abstract: A hydrophone array includes an inflatable shaped housing enclosing an interior space and formable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, a framework of compliant material disposed within the interior of the inflatable housing, and a plurality of hydrophones attached to the compliant material at respective positions, wherein said hydrophones are arranged in a predetermined geometric array when the shaped housing is in the expanded configuration. Also provided herein is a system and method for deploying the hydrophone array.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2006Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: David A. Kitchin, Charles W. Kerechanin, II, Juan I. Arvelo, JR., Ronald W. Mitnick
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Patent number: 7054229Abstract: An acoustic array comprising a plurality of nodes attached to two or more lines. Some or all of the nodes include an emitting transducer and a receiving hydrophone, and the balance include only a receiving hydrophone. Each emitting transducer has associated electronics comprising a high fidelity amplifier and a stored waveform input to the operational amplifier to drive the amplifier, the output of the amplifier exciting the transducer to emit a chirp having a hyperbolic frequency modulated (HFM) waveform. The frequency spectrum of the HFM chirp lies well below the resonant frequency of the transducer. The chirp emitted by a transducer in the node is received and processed by hydrophones in other nodes with a high fidelity representation of the chirp in a cross-correlation operation. Detected chirps are used to determine a range between the emitting and receiving nodes and a shape measurement of the array.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: David A. Kitchin, Walter S. Allensworth
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Publication number: 20050058022Abstract: An acoustic array comprising a plurality of nodes attached to two or more lines. Some or all of the nodes include an emitting transducer and a receiving hydrophone, and the balance include only a receiving hydrophone. Each emitting transducer has associated electronics comprising a high fidelity amplifier and a stored waveform input to the operational amplifier to drive the amplifier, the output of the amplifier exciting the transducer to emit a chirp having a hyperbolic frequency modulated (HMM) waveform. The frequency spectrum of the HEM chirp lies well below the resonant frequency of the transducer. The chirp emitted by a transducer in the node is received and processed by hydrophones in other nodes with a high fidelity representation of the chirp in a cross-correlation operation. Detected chirps are used to determine a range between the emitting and receiving nodes and a shape measurement of the array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventors: David Kitchin, Walter Allensworth
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Patent number: 6597631Abstract: An expandable platform for deploying sensors in a medium includes a housing and a structural member disposed inside the housing. A releasable restraint is connected to the structural member. Multiple arms are connected to the structural member. Each arm includes a material memory component that has a natural state, corresponding to a minimum energy state, in an extended configuration. The material memory component is energized by compacting the material memory component so that the arm fits within the housing. The material memory component is restrained in an energized state by the restraint, and naturally transforms toward the extended configurations under its own force when the restraint is released. A flexible cable external to the arms is connected to two or more arms, each at a tip portion of the arm. The tip portion is farthest from the structural member when the material memory component is in the extended configuration. Multiple sensors are connected to the cable.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2002Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: David A. Kitchin, Ronald W. Mitnick
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Publication number: 20020196707Abstract: An expandable platform for deploying sensors in a medium includes a housing and a structural member disposed inside the housing. A releasable restraint is connected to the structural member. Multiple arms are connected to the structural member. Each arm includes a material memory component that has a natural state, corresponding to a minimum energy state, in an extended configuration. The material memory component is energized by compacting the material memory component so that the arm fits within the housing. The material memory component is restrained in an energized state by the restraint, and naturally transforms toward the extended configurations under its own force when the restraint is released. A flexible cable external to the arms is connected to two or more arms, each at a tip portion of the arm. The tip portion is farthest from the structural member when the material memory component is in the extended configuration. Multiple sensors are connected to the cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventors: David A. Kitchin, Ronald W. Mitnick