Patents by Inventor F. Neal Hunter

F. Neal Hunter 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: 20240075312
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Biological effects may include upregulating and downregulating inflammatory immune response molecules within a target tissue. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Adam Cockrell, Jacob Kocher, David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Rebecca McDonald
  • Publication number: 20240024699
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20230398372
    Abstract: Modulated light therapy devices for treatment of dermatological disorders of the scalp are provided. An exemplary device includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) supporting at least one light emitting device having an emitter height. The FPCB includes multiple interconnected panels and bending regions defined in and between at least some of the interconnected panels as to allow the FPCB to be configured in a concave shape to cover at least a portion of a cranial vertex of the patient. At least one light-transmissive layer proximate to the FPCB is configured to transmit (e.g., incoherent) light emissions generated by at least one light emitting device. At least one standoff is configured to be arranged between the FPCB and the scalp of the patient, wherein the at least one standoff includes a standoff height that exceeds the emitter height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: F. Neal Hunter, Nathan Stasko, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20230302293
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an antiinflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 11752359
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KNOW Bio, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 11712578
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KNOW Bio, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 11684798
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: KNOW Bio, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20220280807
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating central nervous system disorders by administering light to a user are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices are positioned away from the user, and in other embodiments, the devices are attached to the user. In some embodiments, the light is applied through the users skin, and in other embodiments, through an implanted or percutaneous device. Representative central nervous system disorders include cognitive, motor, and behavioral disorders. Where these disorders include an inflammatory component, light is administered at wavelengths which decrease inflammation in the brain. Where these disorders are caused by poor vascularization, light is administered at wavelengths which improve vascularization in the brain. The methods also include repairing damage to the blood brain barrier, and can be used to more effectively administer drugs, such as anticancer drugs, to the brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Antony van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, David Emerson, Cui Cui Bao
  • Publication number: 20220212031
    Abstract: Devices and systems for impinging light on tissue to induce one or more biological effects and, more particularly, illumination devices and related systems for implementing therapeutic treatments of light are disclosed. Systems may include illumination devices that are configured to provide phototherapy for a variety of medical indications and/or health-related benefits. Illumination devices may be connected to systems that administer and/or monitor multiple illumination devices across multiple geographic regions to compile regional and/or global information related to phototherapeutic usage. Certain aspects relate to system elements, such as local devices and/or servers that are capable of generating treatment protocols for illumination devices based on diagnostic information. After treatment protocols are implemented by illumination devices, administered treatment information along with location information may be provided to the local devices and/or servers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: F. Neal Hunter, John A. Demos
  • Publication number: 20220023660
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210379400
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210370088
    Abstract: Modulation of foreign body responses in living tissue, and more particularly, devices and related methods for light-based modulation of foreign body responses in living tissue are disclosed. Light sources are disclosed that provide light with characteristics for modulation of foreign body responses that may be elicited by percutaneous and/or subcutaneous devices, including medical devices and other consumer electronic devices. Light delivery structures are disclosed that propagate light from the light sources to irradiate associated subcutaneous tissues. Modulation of foreign body responses may include inhibiting collagen and fibrous tissue generation, modulating inflammation and healing, and/or increasing nitric oxide production and/or release. By modulating foreign body responses associated with percutaneous and/or subcutaneous devices, performance characteristics and lifetimes of such devices may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Michael John Bergmann, Mark Tapsak, David T. Emerson, F. Neal Hunter, Andrew P. Gaudet de Lestard
  • Patent number: 11147984
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: KNOW Bio, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210290970
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: F. Neal Hunter, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210290971
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Biological effects may include upregulating and downregulating inflammatory immune response molecules within a target tissue. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Adam Cockrell, Jacob Kocher, David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Rebecca McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210290974
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, F. Neal Hunter, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210290975
    Abstract: Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: F. Neal Hunter, Antony Paul van de Ven, Nathan Stasko, David T. Emerson, Michael John Bergmann, Thomas Matthew Womble, Adam Cockrell, Rebecca McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210138259
    Abstract: Methods and related devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, stimulating enzymatic generation of nitric oxide to increase endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores of nitric oxide, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices and methods for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and targeted tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan Stasko, David T. Emerson, Adam Cockrell, F. Neal Hunter, Michael John Bergmann, Rebecca McDonald, Nicholas William Medendorp, JR., Gerald H. Negley, Katelyn P. Reighard
  • Publication number: 20210128936
    Abstract: Methods and related devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, stimulating enzymatic generation of nitric oxide to increase endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores of nitric oxide, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices and methods for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and targeted tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan Stasko, David T. Emerson, Adam Cockrell, F. Neal Hunter, Michael John Bergmann, Rebecca McDonald, Nicholas William Medendorp, JR., Gerald H. Negley, Katelyn P. Reighard
  • Publication number: 20210128935
    Abstract: Methods and related devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, stimulating enzymatic generation of nitric oxide to increase endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores of nitric oxide, and inducing an anti-inflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices and methods for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and targeted tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan Stasko, David T. Emerson, Adam Cockrell, F. Neal Hunter, Michael John Bergmann, Rebecca McDonald, Nicholas William Medendorp, JR., Gerald H. Negley, Katelyn P. Reighard