Patents by Inventor Ian W. Hunter

Ian W. 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: 20250121136
    Abstract: A device for administering needle-free subcutaneous treatment to a patient comprises an actuator configured to deliver a plurality of volumes of a treatment at a plurality of locations on a body of the patient; at least one imaging device configured to detect a movement of the needle-free device from a first location on the body of the patient to a second location on the body of the patient; and a processor configured to determine the second location on the body of the device relative to the first location from the movement of the needle-free device relative to the first location on the body, the processor further configured to determine a volume of the plurality of volumes of the treatment to deliver to the body of the patient at the second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Patrick Armand Anquetil, Ian W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 12170468
    Abstract: An electric drive system including: a rotary motor system including a hub assembly, a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, and a third rotating assembly, wherein the hub assembly defines a rotational axis about which the first rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly, and the third rotating assembly are coaxially aligned and are capable of independent rotational movement independent of each other; a multi-bar linkage mechanism connected to each of the first and third rotating assemblies and connected to the hub assembly and constraining movement of the hub assembly so that the rotational axis of the hub assembly moves along a defined path that is in a transverse direction relative to the rotational axis and wherein the multi-bar linkage mechanism causes the rotational axis of the hub assembly to translate along the defined path in response to relative rotation of the first rotating assembly and the third rotating assembly with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Indigo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Timothy A. Fofonoff, Peter Madden, Dean Ljubicic, Thomas Moriarty, Scott T. Purchase
  • Publication number: 20240238524
    Abstract: An injector system includes an injector configured to deploy a dose of a treatment to a patient as an injection event, a gyroscope configured to monitor an orientation of the injector during the injection event, and a processor configured to perform steps of detecting that an actuator of the injector has deployed the dose in the injection event, monitoring a signal from the gyroscope during the injection event, determining an orientation of the injector during the injection event based on the signal from the gyroscope, determining whether the injection event was a treatment event including a successful delivery of the dose to the patient based on the orientation of the injector during the injection event, and transmitting information regarding the injection event to a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Philip, Patrick Armand Anquetil, Ian W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11977030
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of obtaining a derivative Raman spectrum using an excitation or Raman pump beam whose wavelength is modulated in any suitable manner such as, for example, stochastically. Shifting the wavelength of the input excitation by a small amount in approaches like SERDS can isolate the Raman scatter from other spectral artifacts and reduce the false detection rate. For example, an input excitation sequence can be correlated with the response of an individual pixel of a detector. From this, pixels that have captured Raman scattered photons can be separated from pixels capturing non-Raman photons. These techniques can be expanded to other fields and/or types of spectroscopies that utilize a dispersive element detector with time-dependent spectral features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael Zervas, Ian W Hunter
  • Patent number: 11892015
    Abstract: A method of performing wireless actuation by inductive heating of magnetic particles. The method provides a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming an interior area, the bladder configured to expand or retract so as to change an area of the interior area, (ii) a plurality of magnetic particles suspended in a fluid medium and disposed within the interior area, and (iii) a sleeve disposed on the outer surface of the bladder. The method excites the plurality of magnetic particles by application of an alternating magnetic field to which the particles reaction. The method causes, by the excited magnetic particles, a phase transition to the fluid medium within the interior area which causes the bladder to expand, such that the sleeve confining the bladder generates actuation from the expansion or retraction of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Seyed M. Mirvakili, Ian W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11571519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for just in time mixing of a solid or powdered formulation and its subsequent delivery to a biological body. In some embodiments, a powdered formulation is maintained in a first chamber of a plurality of chambers. A plurality of electromagnetic actuators are in communication with the plurality of chambers. The actuators, when activated, generate a pressure within at least the first chamber. The pressure results in mixing of the powdered formulation and a diluent in time for delivering into the biological body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, N. Catherine Hogan
  • Publication number: 20230006522
    Abstract: An electric drive system including: a rotary motor system including a hub assembly, a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, and a third rotating assembly, wherein the hub assembly defines a rotational axis about which the first rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly, and the third rotating assembly are coaxially aligned and are capable of independent rotational movement independent of each other; a multi-bar linkage mechanism connected to each of the first and third rotating assemblies and connected to the hub assembly and constraining movement of the hub assembly so that the rotational axis of the hub assembly moves along a defined path that is in a transverse direction relative to the rotational axis and wherein the multi-bar linkage mechanism causes the rotational axis of the hub assembly to translate along the defined path in response to relative rotation of the first rotating assembly and the third rotating assembly with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Indigo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. HUNTER, Timothy A. Fofonoff, Peter Madden, Dean Ljubicic, Thomas MORIARTY, Scott T. Purchase
  • Patent number: 11508532
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for storage of energy (e.g., electrical energy). In some cases, devices including polyacetylene-containing polymers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: PolyJoule, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Timothy Manning Swager, Zhengguo Zhu
  • Publication number: 20220233055
    Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. BANIK, Dennis R. BOULAIS, Lucien A. COUVILLON, Albert C.C. CHIN, Ian W. HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20220212752
    Abstract: An electric powered bicycle includes front and rear wheels (102, 104) that swivel relative to a midframe (106). The midframe (106) includes a pedal driven generator-motor (108), and each wheel (102, 104) includes a motor-generator. The wheels (102, 104) may swivel to opposite sides of the midframe (106) about 180° to move into a collapsed configuration. Swivel may be on single axis joints (162, 168) with tilted swivel axes. In the collapsed configuration, the bicycle is suitable to be carried and stored and may also be utilized in a unicycle/exercycle configuration. By swiveling the wheels (102, 104) to the same side of the midframe (106) about 90°, the bicycle can be placed into other configurations including a walker, a rolling seat, and a chariot to carry packages or a person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventor: Ian W. Hunter
  • Publication number: 20220205959
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are acoustic spectrometers with broadband actuators and advanced system identification techniques for modeling the characteristic response of a gas. Benefits of the spectrometer devices and methods disclosed herein, which can include speed of sound measurements (or combined therewith), provide for more robust and less expensive solutions than previous technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nickolas Peter DEMAS, Ian W. HUNTER
  • Patent number: 11368076
    Abstract: An electric drive system including: a rotary motor system including a hub assembly, a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, and a third rotating assembly, wherein the hub assembly defines a rotational axis about which the first rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly, and the third rotating assembly are coaxially aligned and are capable of independent rotational movement independent of each other; a multi-bar linkage mechanism connected to each of the first and third rotating assemblies and connected to the hub assembly and constraining movement of the hub assembly so that the rotational axis of the hub assembly moves along a defined path that is in a transverse direction relative to the rotational axis and wherein the multi-bar linkage mechanism causes the rotational axis of the hub assembly to translate along the defined path in response to relative rotation of the first rotating assembly and the third rotating assembly with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Indigo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Timothy A. Fofonoff, Peter Madden, Dean Ljubicic, Thomas Moriarty, Scott T. Purchase
  • Patent number: 11324395
    Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Banik, Dennis R. Boulais, Lucien A. Couvillon, Albert C. C. Chin, Ian W. Hunter
  • Publication number: 20220136974
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of obtaining a derivative Raman spectrum using an excitation or Raman pump beam whose wavelength is modulated in any suitable manner such as, for example, stochastically. Shifting the wavelength of the input excitation by a small amount in approaches like SERDS can isolate the Raman scatter from other spectral artifacts and reduce the false detection rate. For example, an input excitation sequence can be correlated with the response of an individual pixel of a detector. From this, pixels that have captured Raman scattered photons can be separated from pixels capturing non-Raman photons. These techniques can be expanded to other fields and/or types of spectroscopies that utilize a dispersive element detector with time-dependent spectral features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael Zervas, Ian W Hunter
  • Patent number: 11278215
    Abstract: An acoustic system can track gas emissions by exploiting the nostril-accessible nasal pathways of an animal. Actuators and microphones used in the apparatus can be similar to those currently found in cell phones, which in turn make the acoustic apparatus small and rugged. The nostril geometry can be mapped using sound waves, similar to the mapping done by an acoustic rhinometer. Where acoustic rhinometers assume a constant speed of sound to measure changes in geometry, acoustic approaches as disclosed herein can assume constant geometry to measure changes in the speed of sound. Approaches disclosed here are particularly useful with any gas, such as (for example) methane, hydrogen, helium, etc. that has a speed of sound higher than other typical gaseous components of exhaled air, such as nitrogen, carbon-dioxide, oxygen, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nickolas Peter Demas, Ian W. Hunter
  • Publication number: 20220084758
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for storage of energy (e.g., electrical energy). In some cases, devices including polyacetylene-containing polymers are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: PolyJoule, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Timothy Manning Swager, Zhengguo Zhu
  • Publication number: 20210387573
    Abstract: A conventional vehicle typically behaves like a single rigid body with fixed characteristics defined during the design phase of the vehicle. The rigid nature of the conventional vehicle limits their ability to adjust to different operating conditions, thus limiting usability and performance. To overcome these limitations, a reactive vehicle may be used that includes a sensor and a reactive system. The sensor may monitor the position and/or orientation of an operator, the vehicle operating conditions, and/or the environment conditions around the vehicle. The reactive system may adjust some aspect of the vehicle based on the data acquired by the sensor. For example, the reactive system may include a video-based mirror with a field of view that changes based on the operator's movement. In another example, the reactive system may include an articulated joint that changes the physical configuration the vehicle based on the operator's movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Peter HINSON, Adam Wahab, Grant W. Kristofek, Ian W. HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20210355972
    Abstract: A method of performing wireless actuation by inductive heating of magnetic particles. The method provides a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface forming an interior area, the bladder configured to expand or retract so as to change an area of the interior area, (ii) a plurality of magnetic particles suspended in a fluid medium and disposed within the interior area, and (iii) a sleeve disposed on the outer surface of the bladder. The method excites the plurality of magnetic particles by application of an alternating magnetic field to which the particles reaction. The method causes, by the excited magnetic particles, a phase transition to the fluid medium within the interior area which causes the bladder to expand, such that the sleeve confining the bladder generates actuation from the expansion or retraction of the bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Seyed M. Mirvakili, Ian W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11143727
    Abstract: A nuclear magnet resonance (NMR) system probes samples using a stochastically pulsed radio-frequency magnetic field. The NMR system uses active shims to compensate for spatial inhomogeneity in the bias magnetic field applied by a small permanent magnet. The active shim, made of a flexible conductor, creates a magnetic field when current is passed through it. The magnetic field created by the active shim can compensate for a first, second or third order spherical harmonic spatial inhomogeneity. The NMR system may have an array of active shims, with each active shim compensating for a spherical harmonic spatial inhomogeneity. The array of active shims may be arranged within the NMR system so as to increase power efficiency. The NMR system can accommodate a standard NMR sample tube and can be used to measure nuclear spin density or acquire an NMR spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ashley Brown Raynal, Ian W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11120983
    Abstract: A miniature, low cost mass spectrometer capable of unit resolution over a mass range of 10 to 50 AMU. The mass spectrometer incorporates several features that enhance the performance of the design over comparable instruments. An efficient ion source enables relatively low power consumption without sacrificing measurement resolution. Variable geometry mechanical filters allow for variable resolution. An onboard ion pump removes the need for an external pumping source. A magnet and magnetic yoke produce magnetic field regions with different flux densities to run the ion pump and a magnetic sector mass analyzer. An onboard digital controller and power conversion circuit inside the vacuum chamber allows a large degree of flexibility over the operation of the mass spectrometer while eliminating the need for high-voltage electrical feedthroughs. The miniature mass spectrometer senses fractions of a percentage of inlet gas and returns mass spectra data to a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Brian D. Hemond, Harold F. Hemond