Patents by Inventor John Allison

John Allison 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: 20260133431
    Abstract: A contact-type eye imaging apparatus including a light source, a light transmission structure optically coupled to the light source and positioned to emit light in a direction of a patient eye defining an illumination path, one or more optical lenses defining an imaging path, and a first polarizer positioned in the imaging path. Light emitted by the light transmission structure may be subsequently polarized, defining polarized illumination light. The first polarizer may be configured to at least partially cross-filter specularly reflected polarized illumination light from the patient eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Applicant: Natus Acquisition II, LLC
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Willem Crone, John Allison
  • Publication number: 20260083491
    Abstract: A point of incision is created within tissue, the tissue having a temporoparietal fascia-deep temporoparietal fascia layer (TPF-sDTF) beneath skin and a temporal branch of a target nerve extending along a portion of the TPF-sDTF, the point of incision being laterally displaced from the target nerve. A cryogenic probe having a distal tip extending from an elongated body is inserted into the point of incision. The TPF-sDTF is bluntly dissected using the cryogenic probe such that a treating portion of the cryogenic probe is directly adjacent to a first treatment portion of the target nerve. The cryogenic probe is activated to create a first treatment zone at the first treatment portion of the target nerve to cause a therapeutic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2025
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Applicant: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventor: John Allison
  • Publication number: 20260033986
    Abstract: Embodiments include a cryogenic device for alleviating pain by cryogenically treating a nerve, the cryogenic device including a handpiece; a needle coupled to a distal end of the handpiece, the needle including a needle lumen, the needle being configured for insertion into a skin of a patient along an insertion axis at a site laterally displaced from a treatment zone proximate to the nerve. The needle is configured to resiliently bend after insertion away from the insertion axis, such that at least a portion of the needle is adapted to traverse a skin layer laterally toward the treatment zone. The device includes a cooling fluid supply tube extending distally into the needle lumen; and a cooling fluid source, wherein the cooling fluid source is coupled to the cooling fluid supply tube to direct cooling fluid into the needle lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2025
    Publication date: February 5, 2026
    Applicant: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Jwala Karnik, Jason Reynolds, John Allison, Clint Carnell
  • Patent number: 12521161
    Abstract: A point of incision is created within tissue, the tissue having a temporoparietal fascia-deep temporoparietal fascia layer (TPF-sDTF) beneath skin and a temporal branch of a target nerve extending along a portion of the TPF-sDTF, the point of incision being laterally displaced from the target nerve. A cryogenic probe having a distal tip extending from an elongated body is inserted into the point of incision. The TPF-sDTF is bluntly dissected using the cryogenic probe such that a treating portion of the cryogenic probe is directly adjacent to a first treatment portion of the target nerve. The cryogenic probe is activated to create a first treatment zone at the first treatment portion of the target nerve to cause a therapeutic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventor: John Allison
  • Patent number: 12458530
    Abstract: Embodiments include a cryogenic device for alleviating pain by cryogenically treating a nerve, the cryogenic device including a handpiece; a needle coupled to a distal end of the handpiece, the needle including a needle lumen, the needle being configured for insertion into a skin of a patient along an insertion axis at a site laterally displaced from a treatment zone proximate to the nerve. The needle is configured to resiliently bend after insertion away from the insertion axis, such that at least a portion of the needle is adapted to traverse a skin layer laterally toward the treatment zone. The device includes a cooling fluid supply tube extending distally into the needle lumen; and a cooling fluid source, wherein the cooling fluid source is coupled to the cooling fluid supply tube to direct cooling fluid into the needle lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Jwala Karnik, Jason Reynolds, John Allison, Clint Carnell
  • Patent number: 12213736
    Abstract: An eye-imaging apparatus including red, green, and blue light sources, one or more optical lenses, a light guide cable to transmit light from the light source, a one-chip color image sensor including a shutter, the color image sensor being operable to measure red, green, and blue light in the imaging path and transmit measured colored light in respective red, green, and blue channels. The red, green, and blue light sources are sequentially flashed in synchronization with the operation of the image sensor and the color image sensor captures red, green, and blue images in synchronization with the flashed color. The color image sensor transmits the colored images on respective color channels one at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Willem Crone, John Allison
  • Publication number: 20240156505
    Abstract: A cryogenic needle of a cryogenic system is coupled to a heater. While the needle is inserted into target tissue beneath skin, the heater provides heat to protect the skin. Power supplied to the heater is used to interpolate performance of the needle and/or operating parameters of the cryogenic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Ronald Williams, John Allison, Jesse Rosen
  • Publication number: 20240091056
    Abstract: A method in which a nerve associated with a spasticity in a limb of a patient may be identified. The cryogenic cooling needle may be inserted through a skin surface. The cryogenic cooling needle may be positioned to a target tissue such that the distal end of the cryogenic cooling needle is proximate to the nerve by bending the needle, wherein the needle has varying stiffness at a proximal portion and a distal portion. A treatment cycle may be delivered to a target tissue proximate to the nerve, the treatment cycle may comprise a cooling phase wherein cooling fluid flows into the lumen so that liquid from the cooling fluid flow vaporizes within the lumen to provide cooling to the nerve so as to treat spasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Jwala Karnik, John Allison, Clint Carnell
  • Publication number: 20240074660
    Abstract: An eye-imaging apparatus including red, green, and blue light sources, one or more optical lenses, a light guide cable to transmit light from the light source, a one-chip color image sensor including a shutter, the color image sensor being operable to measure red, green, and blue light in the imaging path and transmit measured colored light in respective red, green, and blue channels. The red, green, and blue light sources are sequentially flashed in synchronization with the operation of the image sensor and the color image sensor captures red, green, and blue images in synchronization with the flashed color. The color image sensor transmits the colored images on respective color channels one at a time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Willem Crone, John Allison
  • Patent number: 11864833
    Abstract: An eye-imaging apparatus and system is described including circular fiber array ends arranged at skewed angles relative to the optical axis of the imaging path, a light intensity distribution converter along the illumination path to convert a bell-shaped distribution into a top-hat distribution, an image sensor, and high frequency response light source(s) operating in flash illumination mode in synchronization with the image sensor. As a result, unnecessary exposure of illumination light to a patient eye is minimized while the illumination light can span a wide enough coverage range with desired intensity and spectral distribution to cover the desired angular field of view and spectral range on a retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Willem Crone, John Allison
  • Patent number: 11865038
    Abstract: A method in which a nerve associated with a spasticity in a limb of a patient may be identified. The cryogenic cooling needle may be inserted through a skin surface. The cryogenic cooling needle may be positioned to a target tissue such that the distal end of the cryogenic cooling needle is proximate to the nerve by bending the needle, wherein the needle has varying stiffness at a proximal portion and a distal portion. A treatment cycle may be delivered to a target tissue proximate to the nerve, the treatment cycle may comprise a cooling phase wherein cooling fluid flows into the lumen so that liquid from the cooling fluid flow vaporizes within the lumen to provide cooling to the nerve so as to treat spasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Jwala Karnik, John Allison, Clint Carnell
  • Patent number: 11857261
    Abstract: A prism array light redistribution apparatus for an eye imaging system including light transmitting fibers, light receiving fibers, and a micro prism array optically coupled to bridge the light transmitting fibers and the light receiving fibers, configured to receive light having a bell-shaped angular distribution from the light transmitting fibers and refract light emitted by the light transmitting fibers to enter the light receiving fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Willem Crone, John Allison
  • Patent number: 11857239
    Abstract: A cryogenic needle of a cryogenic system is coupled to a heater. While the needle is inserted into target tissue beneath skin, the heater provides heat to protect the skin. Power supplied to the heater is used to interpolate performance of the needle and/or operating parameters of the cryogenic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fourkas, Ronald Williams, John Allison, Jesse Rosen
  • Publication number: 20230218434
    Abstract: Embodiments include a cryogenic device for alleviating pain by cryogenically treating a nerve, the cryogenic device including a handpiece; a needle coupled to a distal end of the handpiece, the needle including a needle lumen, the needle being configured for insertion into a skin of a patient along an insertion axis at a site laterally displaced from a treatment zone proximate to the nerve. The needle is configured to resiliently bend after insertion away from the insertion axis, such that at least a portion of the needle is adapted to traverse a skin layer laterally toward the treatment zone. The device includes a cooling fluid supply tube extending distally into the needle lumen; and a cooling fluid source, wherein the cooling fluid source is coupled to the cooling fluid supply tube to direct cooling fluid into the needle lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Jwala Karnik, Jason Reynolds, John Allison, Clint Carnell
  • Publication number: 20230207302
    Abstract: A time-of-flight, TOF, mass spectrometer, MS, comprising: an ion source for supplying a group of ions, including a first ion having a first mass-to-charge ratio m1/z1, a second ion having a second mass-to-charge ratio m2/z2 and a third ion having a third mass-to-charge ratio m3/z3 wherein m3/z3>m2/z2>at a time t0; a first set of electrodes, including a first electrode, and a second set of electrodes, including a first electrode and an Nth electrode, wherein the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes are mutually spaced apart by a gap therebetween; an ion detector for detecting the ions; a set of power supplies, including a first power supply, electrically coupled to the first set of electrodes and to the second set of electrodes; and a controller configured to control the set of power supplies to apply respective potentials to the first set of electrodes and the second set of electrodes; wherein the controller is configured to control the set of power supplies to: provide a first subst
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: John ALLISON, Dimitris PAPANASTASIOU, Alexander LEKKAS
  • Patent number: 11642241
    Abstract: Embodiments include a cryogenic device for alleviating pain by cryogenically treating a nerve, the cryogenic device including a handpiece; a needle coupled to a distal end of the handpiece, the needle including a needle lumen, the needle being configured for insertion into a skin of a patient along an insertion axis at a site laterally displaced from a treatment zone proximate to the nerve. The needle is configured to resiliently bend after insertion away from the insertion axis, such that at least a portion of the needle is adapted to traverse a skin layer laterally toward the treatment zone. The device includes a cooling fluid supply tube extending distally into the needle lumen; and a cooling fluid source, wherein the cooling fluid source is coupled to the cooling fluid supply tube to direct cooling fluid into the needle lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Pacira CryoTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Jwala Karnik, Jason Reynolds, John Allison, Clint Carnell
  • Publication number: 20230077076
    Abstract: A prism array light redistribution apparatus for an eye imaging system including light transmitting fibers, light receiving fibers, and a micro prism array optically coupled to bridge the light transmitting fibers and the light receiving fibers, configured to receive light having a bell-shaped angular distribution from the light transmitting fibers and refract light emitted by the light transmitting fibers to enter the light receiving fibers
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Willem Crone, John Allison
  • Patent number: 11547296
    Abstract: A prism array light redistribution apparatus for an eye imaging system including light transmitting fibers, light receiving fibers, and a micro prism array optically coupled to bridge the light transmitting fibers and the light receiving fibers. The array may be further configured to receive light having a bell-shaped angular distribution from the light transmitting fibers and refract the received light to enter the light receiving fibers such that a square-shaped angular distribution of light emits from a light emitting end of the light receiving fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Willem Crone, John Allison
  • Patent number: 11547870
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment planning using four dimensional imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: ACCURAY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jay B. West, John Allison, John R. Dooley, Calvin R. Maurer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11426071
    Abstract: An eye-imaging apparatus and system is described including arrayed optical fibers having a high numerical aperture and circular fiber array ends arranged at skewed angles relative to the optical axis of the imaging path. Circular fiber array ends are arranged to emit the illumination light into an eye at a skewed angle and a light intensity distribution converter along the illumination path to convert a bell-shaped distribution into a top-hat distribution. As a result, illumination uniformity on the retina of the eye is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Willem Crone, John Allison