Patents by Inventor Joseph P. Fitch
Joseph P. Fitch 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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Patent number: 9422586Abstract: A method of rapid, genome and proteome based identification of unknown pathogenic or non-pathogenic organisms in a complex sample. The entire sample is analyzed by creating millions of emulsion encapsulated microdroplets, each containing a single pathogenic or non-pathogenic organism sized particle and appropriate reagents for amplification. Following amplification, the amplified product is analyzed.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Billy W. Colston, Jr., Joseph P. Fitch, Benjamin J. Hindson, J. Chance Carter, Neil Reginald Beer
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Patent number: 8338166Abstract: A system for identifying all of the known and unknown pathogenic or non-pathogenic organisms in a sample. A droplet generator creates droplets from the sample. The droplets constitute sub-nanoliter volume reactors containing the organism sized particles. A lysis device performs lysis of the organisms to release the nucleic acids. An amplifier amplifies the nucleic acids. A fractionater releases the nucleic acids from the droplets. A parallel analyzer identifies all of the known and unknown pathogenic or non-pathogenic organisms in the sample.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Neil R. Beer, Benjamin J. Hindson, Billy W. Colson, Jr., Joseph P. Fitch
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Publication number: 20100055677Abstract: A method of rapid, genome and proteome based identification of unknown pathogenic or non-pathogenic organisms in a complex sample. The entire sample is analyzed by creating millions of emulsion encapsulated microdroplets, each containing a single pathogenic or non-pathogenic organism sized particle and appropriate reagents for amplification. Following amplification, the amplified product is analyzed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2007Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Billy W. Colston, JR., Joseph P. Fitch, Benjamin J. Hindson, J. Chance Carter
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Publication number: 20080166793Abstract: A system for identifying all of the known and unknown pathogenic or non-pathogenic organisms in a sample. A droplet generator creates droplets from the sample. The droplets constitute sub-nanoliter volume reactors containing the organism sized particles. A lysis device performs lysis of the organisms to release the nucleic acids. An amplifier amplifies the nucleic acids. A fractionater releases the nucleic acids from the droplets. A parallel analyzer identifies all of the known and unknown pathogenic or non-pathogenic organisms in the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Neil R. Beer, Benjamin J. Hindson, Billy W. Colson, Joseph P. Fitch
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Patent number: 6575965Abstract: A medical device is constructed in the basic form of a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a proximal end providing for a user to control the manipulation of the distal end within the body. A fiberoptic cable is disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter and a proximal end for external coupling of laser light energy. A laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter is connected to receive light from the distal end of the fiber optic cable and may include a photo-voltaic cell and an electromechanical motor or a heat-sensitive photo-thermal material. An electronic sensor is connected to receive electrical power from said distal end of the fiberoptic cable and is connected to provide signal information about a particular physical environment and communicated externally through the fiberoptic cable to the proximal end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Joseph P. Fitch, Dennis L. Matthews, Karla G. Hagans, Abraham P. Lee, Peter Krulevitch, William J. Benett, Robert E. Clough, Luiz B. DaSilva, Peter M. Celliers
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Publication number: 20020045890Abstract: This invention is a catheter-based device for generating an ultrasound excitation in biological tissue. Pulsed laser light is guided through an optical fiber to provide the energy for producing the acoustic vibrations. The optical energy is deposited in a water-based absorbing fluid, e.g. saline, thrombolytic agent, blood or thrombus, and generates an acoustic impulse in the fluid through thermoelastic and/or thermodynamic mechanisms. By pulsing the laser at a repetition rate (which may vary from 10 Hz to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus or treating vasospasm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Applicant: The Regents of the university o f CaliforniaInventors: Peter Celliers, Luiz Da Silva, Michael Glinsky, Richard London, Ducan Mailland, Dennis Matthews, Joseph P. Fitch
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Patent number: 6370757Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading deposit material, such as an embolic coil, into a shape memory polymer (SMP) gripping/release mechanism. The apparatus enables the application of uniform pressure to secure a grip by the SMP mechanism on the deposit material via differential pressure between, for example, vacuum within the SMP mechanism and hydrostatic water pressure on the exterior of the SMP mechanism. The SMP tubing material of the mechanism is heated to above the glass transformation temperature (Tg) while reshaping, and subsequently cooled to below Tg to freeze the shape. The heating and/or cooling may, for example, be provided by the same water applied for pressurization or the heating can be applied by optical fibers packaged to the SMP mechanism for directing a laser beam, for example, thereunto. At a point of use, the deposit material is released from the SMP mechanism by reheating the SMP material to above the temperature Tg whereby it returns to its initial shape.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Abraham P. Lee, William J. Benett, Daniel L. Schumann, Peter A. Krulevitch, Joseph P. Fitch
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Publication number: 20010047579Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading deposit material, such as an embolic coil, into a shape memory polymer (SMP) gripping/release mechanism. The apparatus enables the application of uniform pressure to secure a grip by the SMP mechanism on the deposit material via differential pressure between, for example, vacuum within the SMP mechanism and hydrostatic water pressure on the exterior of the SMP mechanism. The SMP tubing material of the mechanism is heated to above the glass transformation temperature (Tg) while reshaping, and subsequently cooled to below Tg to freeze the shape. The heating and/or cooling may, for example, be provided by the same water applied for pressurization or the heating can be applied by optical fibers packaged to the SMP mechanism for directing a laser beam, for example, thereunto. At a point of use, the deposit material is released from the SMP mechanism by reheating the SMP material to above the temperature Tg whereby it returns to its initial shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2000Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Abraham P. Lee, William J. Benett, Daniel L. Schumann, Peter A. Krulevitch, Joseph P. Fitch
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Patent number: 6240630Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading deposit material, such as an embolic coil, into a shape memory polymer (SMP) gripping/release mechanism. The apparatus enables the application of uniform pressure to secure a grip by the SMP mechanism on the deposit material via differential pressure between, for example, vacuum within the SMP mechanism and hydrostatic water pressure on the exterior of the SMP mechanism. The SMP tubing material of the mechanism is heated to above the glass transformation temperature (Tg) while reshaping, and subsequently cooled to below Tg to freeze the shape. The heating and/or cooling may, for example, be provided by the same water applied for pressurization or the heating can be applied by optical fibers packaged to the SMP mechanism for directing a laser beam, for example, thereunto. At a point of use, the deposit material is released from the SMP mechanism by reheating the SMP material to above the temperature Tg whereby it returns to its initial shape.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1997Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Abraham P. Lee, William J. Benett, Daniel L. Schumann, Peter A. Krulevitch, Joseph P. Fitch
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Patent number: 6086599Abstract: A method and micro device for repositioning or retrieving miniature devices located in inaccessible areas, such as medical devices (e.g., stents, embolic coils, etc.) located in a blood vessel. The micro repositioning or retrieving device and method uses shape memory polymer (SMP) patches formed into mating geometries (e.g., a hoop and a hook) for re-attachment of the deposited medical device to a catheter or guidewire. For example, SMP or other material hoops are formed on the medical device to be deposited in a blood vessel, and SMP hooks are formed on the micro device attached to a guidewire, whereby the hooks on the micro device attach to the hoops on the medical device, or vice versa, enabling deposition, movement, re-deposit, or retrieval of the medical device. By changing the temperature of the SMP hooks, the hooks can be attached to or released from the hoops located on the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1999Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Abraham P. Lee, Joseph P. Fitch
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Patent number: 6059815Abstract: Microfabricated therapeutic actuators are fabricated using a shape memory polymer (SMP), a polyurethane-based material that undergoes a phase transformation at a specified temperature (Tg). At a temperature above temperature Tg material is soft and can be easily reshaped into another configuration. As the temperature is lowered below temperature Tg the new shape is fixed and locked in as long as the material stays below temperature Tg. Upon reheating the material to a temperature above Tg, the material will return to its original shape. By the use of such SMP material, SMP microtubing can be used as a retaining/release actuator for the delivery of material, such as embolic coils, for example, through catheters into aneurysms, for example. The microtubing can be manufactured in various sizes and the phase change temperature Tg is determinate for an intended temperature target and intended use. The SMP microtubing can be positioned around or within an end of a deposit material.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Abraham P. Lee, Joseph P. Fitch, Daniel L. Schumann, Luiz Da Silva, William J. Benett, Peter A. Krulevitch
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Patent number: 5919128Abstract: An endoscope which reduces the volume needed by the imaging part thereof, maintains resolution of a wide diameter optical system, while increasing tool access, and allows stereographic or interferometric processing for depth and perspective information/visualization. Because the endoscope decreases the volume consumed by imaging optics such allows a larger fraction of the volume to be used for non-imaging tools, which allows smaller incisions in surgical and diagnostic medical applications thus produces less trauma to the patient or allows access to smaller volumes than is possible with larger instruments. The endoscope utilizes fiber optic light pipes in an outer layer for illumination, a multi-pupil imaging system in an inner annulus, and an access channel for other tools in the center. The endoscope is amenable to implementation as a flexible scope, and thus increases the utility thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Joseph P. Fitch
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Patent number: 5912945Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the orientation of a device with respect to an x-ray source. In one embodiment, the present invention is coupled to a medical device in order to determine the rotational orientation of the medical device with respect to the x-ray source. In such an embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a scintillator portion which is adapted to emit photons upon the absorption of x-rays emitted from the x-ray source. An x-ray blocking portion is coupled to the scintillator portion. The x-ray blocking portion is disposed so as to vary the quantity of x-rays which penetrate the scintillator portion based upon the particular rotational orientation of the medical device with respect to the x-ray source. A photon transport mechanism is also coupled to the scintillator portion. The photon transport mechanism is adapted to pass the photons emitted from the scintillator portion to an electronics portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Luiz B. Da Silva, Dennis L. Matthews, Joseph P. Fitch, Matthew J. Everett, Billy W. Colston, Gary F. Stone
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Patent number: 5722989Abstract: A micro-mechanical system for medical procedures is constructed in the basic form of a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a near end providing for a user to control the manipulation of the distal end within the body. A fiberoptic cable is disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter and a near end for external coupling of laser light energy. A microgripper is attached to the distal end of the catheter and providing for the gripping or releasing of an object within the body. A laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter is connected to receive laser light from the distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to mechanically actuate the microgripper.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1997Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Joseph P. Fitch, Karla Hagans, Robert Clough, Dennis L. Matthews, Abraham P. Lee, Peter A. Krulevitch, William J. Benett, Luiz Da Silva, Peter M. Celliers
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Patent number: 4868773Abstract: A method and apparatus of digitally filtering an M-level signal decomposes the M-level signal into M-1 binary threshold signals by thresholding it at each value from 1 to M-1. The kth threshold signal has the value 1 at a given position if and only if the input signal is at least k at that position; otherwise it has the value 0. Filtering each of the MSTATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTThis invention was made with government support under Research Grant ECS-8306235 from the National Science Foundation. The government may have rights in this invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1987Date of Patent: September 19, 1989Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Edward J. Coyle, Neal C. Gallagher, Jr., Steven C. Bass, Joseph P. Fitch, Ronald G. Harber