Patents by Inventor Douglas Chinn

Douglas Chinn 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).

  • Publication number: 20060241441
    Abstract: A holder for a conventional high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe to be interfaced with a stepper atop a conventional tripod, or the like, to enable a physician/surgeon to image and visually inspect the rectal and prostate areas of a patient for signs of cancer and other abnormalities so that a treatment plan can be outlined and implemented. The probe holder includes a base, a pair of wall members detachably connected to one another at the front end of the base, and a pair of stand members detachably connected to one another at the rear end of the base. A first opening is formed between the pair of wall members to enclose and reliably support the proximal end of the probe. A second opening is formed between the pair of stand members to enclose and reliably support the distal end of the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventor: Douglas Chinn
  • Publication number: 20060118127
    Abstract: A tissue protective system and method having particular application in thermoablative surgical therapies where heat or cold is used to create a kill zone for treating cancer cells as well as malignant or benign tumors in a targeted internal tissue area (e.g., the prostate) of a patient while sparing an adjacent benign internal tissue area (e.g., a neurovascular bundle). One of a hollow sheath or a balloon that is carried by a balloon catheter is located within an access opening that is made by a needle trocar inserted between the targeted tissue area in need of treatment and the benign tissue area to be protected in order to hold the protected tissue area off the targeted tissue area and away from the lethal temperature of the kill zone. The balloon of the balloon catheter is inflated in the access opening via a balloon channel which runs longitudinally through the catheter. At least one temperature sensor is mounted on the balloon and responsive to the temperature near the benign tissue area to be protected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventor: Douglas Chinn
  • Patent number: 6245849
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating ceramic microstructures, i.e., microcomponents of micron or submicron dimensions. A polymer composition is prepared containing a polymer, typically a thermally or chemically curable polymer, and nanometer size (1 to 1000 nm in diameter) ceramic particles. A mold, such as a lithographically patterned mold, preferably a LIGA mold, is filled with the polymer composition and the polymer is then cured or otherwise hardened. The elevated segments of the mold are then removed. The surface-attached ceramic microstructures so provided may then be removed from the substrate and, if desired, pyrolyzed and sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Alfredo Martin Morales, Z. John Zhang, Douglas Chinn