Patents by Inventor Joo Ha Hwang
Joo Ha Hwang 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).
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Publication number: 20240041358Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to relates to systems and methods for evaluating tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy. In one embodiment, for example, a system for treating a patient comprises an ultrasound source configured to deliver HIFU energy to a target tissue mass of the patient and a function generator operably coupled to the ultrasound source for initiating a pulsing protocol for delivering the HIFU energy. The system further comprises a controller configured to perform operations comprising applying HIFU energy to induce cavitation in the target tissue mass and cause a biomarker to be released, comparing a baseline concentration of the biomarker from a first fluid sample to a concentration of the biomarker in a second fluid sample within 2 hours after applying HIFU, and repeating the applying and comparing until the concentration of the biomarker in the fluid sample falls below a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: John R. Chevillet, Tatiana D. Khokhlova, George R. Schade, Joo Ha Hwang, Muneesh Tewari
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Publication number: 20210038135Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to relates to systems and methods for evaluating tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy. In one embodiment, for example, a system for treating a patient comprises an ultrasound source configured to deliver HIFU energy to a target tissue mass of the patient and a function generator operably coupled to the ultrasound source for initiating a pulsing protocol for delivering the HIFU energy. The system further comprises a controller configured to perform operations comprising applying HIFU energy to induce cavitation in the target tissue mass and cause a biomarker to be released, comparing a baseline concentration of the biomarker from a first fluid sample to a concentration of the biomarker in a second fluid sample within 2 hours after applying HIFU, and repeating the applying and comparing until the concentration of the biomarker in the fluid sample falls below a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: John R. Chevillet, Tatiana D. Khokhlova, George R. Schade, Joo Ha Hwang, Muneesh Tewari
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Publication number: 20190117243Abstract: Apparatus and method for improved cavitation-induced drug delivery is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for delivering a treatment composition to a target tissue using ultrasound includes: directing ultrasound waveforms toward the target tissue of a patient; generating ultrasound shock fronts at the target tissue of a patient; generating a cavitation inside the target tissue of a patient by the ultrasound shock front; and delivering the treatment composition to the patient. Absorption of the treatment composition by the target tissue is increased by the cavitation inside the target tissue. In some embodiments, the treatment composition may be delivered within a time period of +/?1 week from generating the cavitation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: University of WashingtonInventors: Tatiana Khokhlova, Vera Khoklova, Oleg A. Sapozhnikov, Wayne Kreider, Adam D. Maxwell, Joo Ha Hwang
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Patent number: 9743909Abstract: A method for imaging a cavitation bubble includes producing a vibratory wave that induces a cavitation bubble in a medium, producing one or more detection waves directed toward the induced cavitation bubble, receiving one or more reflection waves, identifying a change in one or more characteristics of the induced cavitation bubble, and generating an image of the induced cavitation bubble using a computing device on the basis of the identified change in the one or more characteristics. The one or more received reflection waves correspond to at least one of the one or more produced detection waves reflection from the induced cavitation bubble. The identified change in one or more characteristics corresponds to the one or more received reflection waves.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for CommercializationInventors: Oleg A. Sapozhnikov, Michael R. Bailey, Joo Ha Hwang, Tatiana D. Khokhlova, Vera Khokhlova, Matthew O'Donnell, Tong Li
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Patent number: 9700742Abstract: Methods and systems for non-invasive treatment of tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound (“HIFU”) therapy. A method of non-invasively treating tissue in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include positioning a focal plane of an ultrasound source at a target site in tissue. The ultrasound source can be configured to emit HIFU waves. The method can further include pulsing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound source toward the target site, and generating shock waves in the tissue to induce boiling of the tissue at the target site within milliseconds. The boiling of the tissue at least substantially emulsifies the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Michael S. Canney, Michael R. Bailey, Lawrence A. Crum, Vera A. Khokhlova, Tatiana D. Khokhlova, Wayne Kreider, Joo Ha Hwang, Oleg A. Sapozhnikov
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Publication number: 20170071515Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of performing a liquid molecular biopsy on a subject using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy. The present disclosure also provides methods of diagnosing a disease or a risk of a disease, such as a cancer, in a subject. The present disclosure further provides methods of treating one or more tissue masses (e.g., nodules, tumors, cysts, lesions, cells of unknown significance etc.) in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods are non-invasive or minimally invasive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: John R. Chevillet, Tatiana D. Khokhlova, George R. Schade, Joo Ha Hwang, Muneesh Tewari
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Publication number: 20150119763Abstract: Methods and systems for non-invasive treatment of tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound (“HIFU”) therapy. A method of non-invasively treating tissue in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include positioning a focal plane of an ultrasound source at a target site in tissue. The ultrasound source can be configured to emit HIFU waves. The method can further include pulsing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound source toward the target site, and generating shock waves in the tissue to induce boiling of the tissue at the target site within milliseconds. The boiling of the tissue at least substantially emulsifies the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Michael S. Canney, Michael R. Bailey, Lawrence A. Crum, Vera A. Khokhlova, Tatiana D. Khokhlova, Wayne Kreider, Joo Ha Hwang, Oleg A. Sapozhnikov
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Patent number: 8876740Abstract: Methods and systems for non-invasive treatment of tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound (“HIFU”) therapy. A method of non-invasively treating tissue in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include positioning a focal plane of an ultrasound source at a target site in tissue. The ultrasound source can be configured to emit HIFU waves. The method can further include pulsing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound source toward the target site, and generating shock waves in the tissue to induce boiling of the tissue at the target site within milliseconds. The boiling of the tissue at least substantially emulsifies the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Michael S. Canney, Michael R. Bailey, Lawrence A. Crum, Vera A. Khokhlova, Tatiana D. Khokhlova, Wayne Kreider, Joo Ha Hwang, Oleg A. Sapozhnikov
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Publication number: 20110251528Abstract: Methods and systems for non-invasive treatment of tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound (“HIFU”) therapy. A method of non-invasively treating tissue in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include positioning a focal plane of an ultrasound source at a target site in tissue. The ultrasound source can be configured to emit HIFU waves. The method can further include pulsing ultrasound energy from the ultrasound source toward the target site, and generating shock waves in the tissue to induce boiling of the tissue at the target site within milliseconds. The boiling of the tissue at least substantially emulsifies the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONInventors: Michael S. Canney, Michael R. Bailey, Lawrence A. Crum, Vera A. Khokhlova, Tatiana D. Khokhlova, Wayne Kreider, Joo Ha Hwang, Oleg A. Sapozhnikov
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Patent number: 7952718Abstract: Mechanically robust minimal form factor OCT probes suitable for medical applications such as needle biopsy, intraluminal and intravascular imaging are achieved in part by employing compound lenses with some or all of the optical elements, including an optical fiber, to be thermally fused in tandem. To achieve a desired working distance without increasing a diameter of the optics assembly, a spacer can be disposed between the optical fiber and focusing optics. The compound lens configuration can achieve higher transverse resolution compared to a single lens at a desired working distance without increasing the probe diameter. In exemplary needle biopsy embodiments, the optical assembly is encapsulated in a glass housing or metal-like housing with a glass window, which is then selectively passed through a hollow needle. Esophageal imaging embodiments are combined with a balloon catheter. Circumferential and three-dimensional spiral scanning can be achieved in each embodiment.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Xingde Li, Xiumei Liu, Joo Ha Hwang
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Publication number: 20090323076Abstract: Mechanically robust minimal form factor OCT probes suitable for medical applications such as needle biopsy, intraluminal and intravascular imaging are achieved in part by employing compound lenses with some or all of the optical elements, including an optical fiber, to be thermally fused in tandem. To achieve a desired working distance without increasing a diameter of the optics assembly, a spacer can be disposed between the optical fiber and focusing optics. The compound lens configuration can achieve higher transverse resolution compared to a single lens at a desired working distance without increasing the probe diameter. In exemplary needle biopsy embodiments, the optical assembly is encapsulated in a glass housing or metal-like housing with a glass window, which is then selectively passed through a hollow needle. Esophageal imaging embodiments are combined with a balloon catheter. Circumferential and three-dimensional spiral scanning can be achieved in each embodiment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: University of WashingtonInventors: Xingde Li, Xiumei Liu, Joo Ha Hwang
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Patent number: 7591996Abstract: Selective occlusion of a blood vessel is achieved by selectively damaging endothelial cells at a target location in the blood vessel, resulting in the formation of a fibrin clot proximate to the damaged endothelial cells. Additional fibrinogen can then be introduced into the blood vessel if occlusion is not achieved, as the fibrinogen is converted to fibrin by enzymes released by the exposed thrombogenic tissue and activated platelets. Endothelial cells are selectively damaged using thermal effects induced by ultrasound, by mechanical effects induced by ultrasound, or by mechanical effects produced by a tool introduced into the blood vessel (such as a catheter-based tool). A particularly preferred technique for selectively damaging endothelial cells involves introducing an ultrasound activatable agent into the blood vessel, and causing cavitation in that agent using pulses of high-intensity focused ultrasound having a duration insufficient to induce thermal damage in adjacent perivascular tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Joo Ha Hwang, Andrew Brayman