Patents by Inventor James Singleton

James Singleton 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).

  • Patent number: 8682443
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-destructive method of inspecting a bond, particularly a braze bond, in a hermetic package. The invention involves a unique hermetic package design adapted for ultrasonic inspection and a method of inspecting the package. This package and non-destructive inspection process are particularly useful in implantable neural stimulators such as visual prostheses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Boozarjomehr Faraji, Kevin Jun Ha, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Robert J Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8639344
    Abstract: Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jay Greenberg, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, James Singleton Little, Brian V. Mech, Mark Humayun, Dilek Guven, Anne-Marie de Merlier Ripley
  • Publication number: 20140012356
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-destructive method of inspecting a bond, particularly a braze bond, in a hermetic package. The invention involves a unique hermetic package design adapted for ultrasonic inspection and a method of inspecting the package. This package and non-destructive inspection process are particularly useful in implantable neural stimulators such as visual prostheses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Boozarjomehr Faraji, Kevin Jun Ha, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Robert J. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8588937
    Abstract: An electrode array attached to neural tissue, such as the retina, necessarily has graded pressure exerted on the tissue, with higher pressure near the attachment point. Greater pressure improves contact between the electrodes and neural tissue while too much pressure may damage neural tissue. Hence it is advantageous to obtain equal pressure across the array field. In the present invention a central attachment point in the electrode field applies the most even pressure. Further, multiple and selective attachment points may be additionally provided on an electrode array allowing a surgeon to select the attachment points providing the best electrode tissue contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Mark S. Humayun, James Singleton Little, Jordan Matthew Neysmith
  • Patent number: 8554328
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-destructive method of inspecting a bond, particularly a braze bond, in a hermetic package. The invention involves a unique hermetic package design adapted for ultrasonic inspection and a method of inspecting the package. This package and non-destructive inspection process are particularly useful in implantable neural stimulators such as visual prostheses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Boozarjomehr Faraji, Kevin Jun Ha, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Robert J. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8510939
    Abstract: Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, and cortical stimulation, and many related purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Matthew J. McMahon, James Singleton Little, Kelly H. McClure, Brian V. Mech, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Jordan M. Neysmith
  • Patent number: 8489193
    Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array, which comprises: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a partial or entire coating of the base and top layer by a soft polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Daomin Zhou, Robert J. Greenberg, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, Boon-Khai Ng, James Singleton Little, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Satinderpall Singh Pannu, James Courtney Davidson, Phillipe John Tabada
  • Patent number: 8423151
    Abstract: In electrically stimulating neural tissue it is important to prevent over stimulation and unbalanced stimulation which would cause damage to the neural tissue, the electrode, or both. It is critical that neural tissue in not subjected to any direct current or alternating current above a safe threshold. Further, it is important to identify defective electrodes as continued use may result in neural and further electrode damage. Systems and stimulator control mechanisms to prevent damage to neural tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jay Greenberg, Kelly Hobart McClure, James Singleton Little, Rongqing Dai, Arup Roy, Richard Agustin Castro, John Reinhold, Kea-Tiong Tang, Sumit Yadav, Chunhong Zhou, Dao Min Zhou, Pishoy Maksy
  • Patent number: 8412339
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device comprises an electrically non-conductive substrate; a plurality of electrically conductive vias through said electrically non-conductive substrate; a flip-chip circuit attached to said electrically non-conductive substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a first subset of said plurality of electrically conductive vias, wherein said flip-chip circuit contains one or more stacks or a folded stack; a wire bonded circuit attached to said electrically non-conductive substrate and electrically connected to a second subset of said electrically conductive vias; and a cover bonded to said electrically non-conductive substrate, said cover, said electrically non-conductive substrate and said electrically conductive vias forming a hermetic package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Ok, Robert J. Greenberg, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Rongqing Dai, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, Kelly H. McClure
  • Patent number: 8406887
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device includes an electrically non-conductive substrate with electrically conductive vias. A flip-chip circuit is attached to the substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a first subset of the vias. The flip-chip circuit can contain one or more stacks or a folded stack. A wire-bonded circuit is also attached to the substrate and electrically connected to a second subset of the vias. A cover is bonded to the substrate. The cover, substrate, and vias form an improved hermetic package for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Ok, Robert J. Greenberg, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Rongqing Dai, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, Kelly H. McClure
  • Patent number: 8391987
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-destructive method of inspecting a bond, particularly a braze bond, in a hermetic package. The invention involves a unique hermetic package design adapted for ultrasonic inspection and a method of inspecting the package. This package and non-destructive inspection process are particularly useful in implantable neural stimulators such as visual prostheses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Boozarjomehr Faraji, Kevin Jun Ha, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Robert J. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8374698
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device includes an electrically non-conductive substrate with electrically conductive vias. A flip-chip circuit is attached to the substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a first subset of the vias. The flip-chip circuit can contain one or more stacks or a folded stack. A wire-bonded circuit is also attached to the substrate and electrically connected to a second subset of the vias. A cover is bonded to the substrate. The cover, substrate, and vias form an improved hermetic package for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Ok, Robert J. Greenberg, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Rongqing Dai, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, Kelly H. McClure
  • Publication number: 20130030508
    Abstract: An electrode array attached to neural tissue, such as the retina, necessarily has graded pressure exerted on the tissue, with higher pressure near the attachment point. Greater pressure improves contact between the electrodes and neural tissue while too much pressure may damage neural tissue. Hence it is advantageous to obtain equal pressure across the array field. In the present invention a central attachment point in the electrode field applies the most even pressure. Further, multiple and selective attachment points may be additionally provided on an electrode array allowing a surgeon to select the attachment points providing the best electrode tissue contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Mark S. Humayun, James Singleton Little, Jordan Matthew Neysmith
  • Publication number: 20120239126
    Abstract: A visual prosthesis which includes a hermetic package and flexible circuit electrode array is disclosed. The hermetic package includes electrode drivers and contacts. The flexible circuit electrode array includes a polymer base layer, metal traces, including electrodes suitable to stimulate visual neural tissue and bond pads bonded to contacts on the hermetic package, all deposited on the polymer base layer, a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and deposited on the metal traces, a partial or an entire coating of the polymer base layer and of the polymer top layer by a soft polymer that is softer than the polymer base layer; and the polymer base layer and the polymer top layer contain a plurality of aligned holes to facilitate bonding of the soft polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: David Daomin Zhou, Robert J. Greenberg, Jordan Matthew Nevsmith, Boon-Khai Ng, James Singleton Little, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Satinderpall Singh Pannu, James Courtney Davidson, Phillipe John Tabada
  • Publication number: 20120192416
    Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jordan Matthew Neysmith, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Brian V. Mech, Robert J. Greenberg, Qingfang Yao, Dao Min Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120185015
    Abstract: The present application deals generally with the stimulation of neural tissue by electronic means and specifically with controlling the level of electrical stimulation in order to prevent damage to the neural tissue. Methods presented in the disclosure include detecting current leakage via electrode impedance measurement, electrode capacitance measurement, and testing the electrode response to a test current pulse. Apparatus presented in the disclosure include circuitry and systems capable of performing the methods disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Jay Greenberg, Kelly Hobart McClure, James Singleton Little, Rongqing Dai, Arup Roy, Richard Agustin Castro, John Reinhold, Kea-Tiong Tang, Sumit Yadav, Chunhong Zhou, Dao Min Zhou, Pishoy Maksy
  • Patent number: 8209023
    Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array and method of fabrication having a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on the polymer base layer, including electrodes to stimulate tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and metal traces; and a coating of the base and top layer by a soft polymer. A method of preparing a flexible circuit electrode array, comprising: providing a first soft polymer layer; depositing a first a base layer on the first soft polymer layer; providing a metal thin film on the base layer; depositing a top polymer layer on the metal thin film; providing holes in the top polymer layer; depositing a second soft polymer layer on the top polymer layer; providing holes in the second soft polymer layer for bond pads and electrodes; and preparing electrodes in the provided holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Daomin Zhou, Robert J. Greenberg, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, Boon-Khai Ng, James Singleton Little, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Satinderpall Singh Pannu, James Courtney Davidson, Phillipe John Tabada, Melody Tabada, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20120150270
    Abstract: The invention involves a flexible circuit electrode array device comprising: a polymer layer; wherein the polymer layer includes one or more metal traces, an electrode array; one or more bond pads; and the electrode array is located on the opposite side of the polymer layer. The invention further involves a method for backside processing of a flexible circuit electrode device, comprising: applying polymer film on a substrate; processing the front side; releasing the polymer film from substrate; flipping over the polymer film and fixing it onto the substrate; processing the backside; and final releasing of the polymer film from the substrate. The invention further involves a method for backside processing of a flexible circuit electrode device, comprising: processing the front side without releasing the polymer; processing the backside by sacrificial substrate method, or by laser drilling method; and releasing the polymer film from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Qingfang Yao, Jordan Matthew Nevsmith, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Robert J. Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20120136415
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-destructive method of inspecting a bond, particularly a braze bond, in a hermetic package. The invention involves a unique hermetic package design adapted for ultrasonic inspection and a method of inspecting the package. This package and non-destructive inspection process are particularly useful in implantable neural stimulators such as visual prostheses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Boozarjomehr Faraji, Kevin Jun Ha, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Robert J. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8180460
    Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Matthew Nevsmith, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James Singleton Little, Brian V. Mech, Robert J. Greenberg, Qingfang Yao, Dao Min Zhou