Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Dormer

Kenneth J. Dormer 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: 8740872
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for targeted delivery of permanently-acting or temporarily-acting neurotoxins, neurosuppressants, or other compounds having a neurologic effect to specific locations of the heart, including for example, but not limited to, nodes of the cardiac autonomic nervous system such as the atrial ganglionated plexi (GP). Chemical ablation of the atrial GP as described herein via magnetically-targeted magnetically-susceptible nanoparticles can effectively suppress GP activity and atrial fibrillation related, thereto without permanent damage to either myocardium or intrinsic CANS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Dormer, Sunny S. Po, Benjamin J. Scherlag, Carey N. Pope
  • Publication number: 20120095442
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for targeted delivery of permanently-acting or temporarily-acting neurotoxins, neurosuppressants, or other compounds having a neurologic effect to specific locations of the heart, including for example, but not limited to, nodes of the cardiac autonomic nervous system such as the atrial ganglionated plexi (GP). Chemical ablation of the atrial GP as described herein via magnetically-targeted magnetically-susceptible nanoparticles can effectively suppress GP activity and atrial fibrillation related, thereto without permanent damage to either myocardium or intrinsic CANS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Dormer, Sunny S. Po, Benjamin J. Scherlag, Carey N. Pope
  • Patent number: 7819795
    Abstract: A system and method for affecting the function of a mammalian ear. The system and method uses an oscillating magnetic field to move nanospheres comprised of single-domain nanoparticles. In a preferred embodiment a receiving assembly detects sound waves and transmits the sound waves to a processor. The processor drives an electromagnetic coil in response to the detected sound waves. The electromagnetic coil transmits a signal that causes vibration of the nanoparticles and the tissues within which the nanoparticles are implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignees: NanoBioMagnetics, Inc., The Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Charles E. Seeney, Kenneth J. Dormer
  • Patent number: 7723311
    Abstract: A system for introducing a bioactive substance into a target cell within a body. The bioactive substance is transported to the target cell using a superparamagnetic nanoparticle and a controllable magnetic field generator that is capable of moving the nanoparticle to the target cell through the body in three dimensions. The nanoparticle may be covered with a biocompatible shell that forms a covalent bond with the bioactive substance. In an alternative embodiment, the bioactive substance and a plurality of nanoparticles are supported by a bioerodable matrix that forms a nanosphere. The nanosphere may be moved into the target cell using an external magnetic field that is controllable to move the nanosphere in three dimensions through the body and the bioactive substance is released from the nanosphere once inside the target cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Charles E. Seeney, Kenneth J. Dormer, Richard D. Kopke
  • Publication number: 20090253951
    Abstract: A floating mass transducer for assisting hearing in a person is provided. Inertial vibration in the floating mass transducer (100) produces vibrations in the inner ear. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating mass transducer comprises a magnet assembly (12) and a coil (14) secured inside a housing (10) which is attached to bone within the middle ear. The coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet. The magnet assembly and coil are configured such that conducting alternating electrical current through the coil results in vibration of the magnet assembly and coil relative to one another. The vibration is caused by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the magnet assembly and coil. Because the coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet assembly, the vibrations of the coil cause the housing to vibrate. The floating mass transducer may generate vibrations in the inner ear by being attached to the skull or through a mouthpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: VIBRANT MED-EL HEARING TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Ball, Kenneth J. Dormer, Jack Van Doren Hough, Gordon L. Richard, Christopher A. Julian
  • Patent number: 7344491
    Abstract: A system and method for affecting the function of a mammalian ear. The system and method uses an oscillating magnetic field to move nanospheres comprised of single-domain nanoparticles. In a preferred embodiment a receiving assembly detects sound waves and transmits the sound waves to a processor. The processor drives an electromagnetic coil in response to the detected sound waves. The electromagnetic coil transmits a signal that causes vibration of the nanoparticles and the tissues within which the nanoparticles are implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nanobiomagnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Seeney, Kenneth J. Dormer
  • Publication number: 20020183587
    Abstract: A bio-magnetic system for moving a constituent of a human body includes at least one magnetically responsive member having an attachment mechanism including collagen which is bound with an epithelium of a moveable constituent in the human body. A bio-magnetic drive system for moving a constituent of a human body includes a plurality of magnetic microbeads connected in vivo to a moveable constituent of a human body, and it also includes a magnetic field source disposed in operative association with the microbeads but remote from the microbeads and the moveable constituent to provide a magnetic field to move the microbeads. A method for moving a constituent in a human body includes transmitting a signal to interact with a plurality of microbeads connected to a constituent in a human body such that the connected microbeads and constituent in the human body move in response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Dormer
  • Patent number: 6436028
    Abstract: A bio-magnetic system for moving a constituent of a human body includes at least one magnetically responsive member having an attachment mechanism including collagen which is bound with an epithelium of a moveable constituent in the human body. A bio-magnetic drive system for moving a constituent of a human body includes a plurality of magnetic microbeads connected in vivo to a moveable constituent of a human body, and it also includes a magnetic field source disposed in operative association with the microbeads but remote from the microbeads and the moveable constituent to provide a magnetic field to move the microbeads. A method for moving a constituent in a human body includes transmitting a signal to interact with a plurality of microbeads connected to a constituent in a human body such that the connected microbeads and constituent in the human body move in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Soundtec, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Dormer
  • Publication number: 20010027342
    Abstract: An attachment device for a middle ear implant includes a first loop adapted to mount over structure in a middle ear. A second loop is connected to the first loop and adapted to mount over an object for use in the middle ear. A related method includes sliding a loop along at least part of a middle ear ossicle or prosthesis such that an object connected to the loop is disposed adjacent the ossicle or prosthesis. A method of testing for a magnet in a middle ear of a patient includes: inserting a coil at least into an outer ear canal of the patient adjacent the middle ear having the magnet; selectably aiming the coil relative to the middle ear; driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each selected aiming; obtaining at least one indication in response to driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each selected aiming; and determining a functional or positional characteristic of the magnet from the obtained indication. This method can be implemented with a plurality of coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Dormer
  • Patent number: 6277148
    Abstract: An attachment device for a middle ear implant includes a first loop adapted to mount over structure in a middle ear. A second loop is connected to the first loop and adapted to mount over an object for use in the middle ear. A related method includes sliding a loop along at least part of a middle ear ossicle or prosthesis such that an object connected to the loop is disposed adjacent the ossicle or prosthesis. A method of testing for a magnet in a middle ear of a patient includes: inserting a coil at least into an outer ear canal of the patient adjacent the middle ear having the magnet; selectably aiming the coil relative to the middle ear; driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each selected aiming; obtaining at least one indication in response to driving the coil with an alternating current signal at each selected aiming; and determining a functional or positional characteristic of the magnet from the obtained indication. This method can be implemented with a plurality of coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Soundtec, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Dormer
  • Patent number: 5913815
    Abstract: A floating mass transducer for assisting hearing in a person is provided. Inertial vibration in the floating mass transducer (100) produces vibrations in the inner ear. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating mass transducer comprises a magnet assembly (12) and a coil (14) secured inside a housing (10) which is attached to bone within the middle ear. The coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet. The magnet assembly and coil are configured such that conducting alternating electrical current through the coil results in vibration of the magnet assembly and coil relative to one another. The vibration is caused by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the magnet assembly and coil. Because the coil is more rigidly secured to the housing than the magnet assembly, the vibrations of the coil cause the housing to vibrate. The floating mass transducer may generate vibrations in the inner ear by being attached to the skull or through a mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Symphonix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Ball, Kenneth J. Dormer, Jack Van Doren Hough, Gordon L. Richard, Christopher A. Julian
  • Patent number: 5015225
    Abstract: An implantable electromagnetic middle-ear bone-conduction hearing aid device is provided which is characterized by being carried entirely in the skull of the user, the absence of electrodes entering the middle-ear, and variability to meet a variety of pathological entities of the hearing impaired user. The device utilizes a sound processing component adapted to be positioned in the skull of the user and to extend from close proximity to the outside of the skull toward and within close proximity to the middle-ear of the user for receiving and converting sound into an electromagnetic signal and for transmitting the electromagnetic signal into the middle-ear of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack V. D. Hough, Kenneth J. Dormer, Kenneth E. Barton, Jr., Robert Y. Chow
  • Patent number: 4776322
    Abstract: An implantable electromagnetic middle-ear bone-conduction hearing aid device is provided which is characterized by being carried entirely in the skull of the user, the absense of electrodes entering the middle-ear, and variability to meet a variety of pathological entities of the hearing impaired user. The device utilizes a sound processing component adapted to be positioned in the skull of the user and to extend from close proximity to the outside of the skull toward and within close proximity to the middle-ear of the user for receiving and converting sound into an electromagnetic signal and for transmitting the electromagnetic signal into the middle-ear of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack V. D. Hough, Kenneth J. Dormer, Kenneth E. Barton, Jr., Robert Y. Chow
  • Patent number: 4352960
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transcutaneous coupling apparatus comprising a first member subcutaneously positioned in a user of the invention and also comprising a second member positioned supercutaneously, or outside the skin of the user. Rare-earth magnets are associated with the first and second members to magnetically secure the second member with the first member without significantly adversely affecting the user's skin intervening between the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Dormer, Gordon L. Richard
  • Patent number: RE32947
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transcutaneous coupling apparatus comprising a first member subcutaneously positioned in a user of the invention and also comprising a second member positioned supercutaneously, or outside the skin of the user. Rare-earth magnets are associated with the first and second members to magnetically secure the second member with the first member without significantly adversely affecting the user's skin intervening between the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Dormer, Gordon L. Richard