Patents by Inventor Kirk Shung
Kirk Shung 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: 20240159715Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, algorithm and/or device (collectively, “system”) for non-contact or contactless ultrasound viscoelastic spectroscopy measures the viscoelastic properties of soft matter through exerting modulated ultrasound pressure waves, so called stress signals and measuring the material deformation, so called strain imaging, over a wide range of frequencies, and may be applied to various fields including but not limited to material science, polymer designing, tissue engineering, cancer drug development and/or biological tissue assessment for disease diagnosis and prognosis. By measuring the elastic and viscous moduli, the phase difference between them, and Poisson's ratio over a wide range of frequencies, this allows for non-destructive tests on soft matter such as biological tissue, by ultrasound probes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2022Publication date: May 16, 2024Inventors: Payam Eliahoo, BO Han, Richard Leahy, Kirk Shung
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Patent number: 11504427Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions, including products of manufacture and kits, and methods, for remotely-controlled and non-invasive manipulation of intracellular nucleic acid expression, genetic processes, function and activity in live cells, e.g., adding functions or changing or adding specificities for immune cells, for monitoring physiologic processes, for the correction of pathological processes and for control of therapeutic outcomes. In alternative embodiments, provided are ultrasound-based thermal or mechanical stimulations, and thermo- or mechano-sensitive protein, either synthetically engineered or natively (endogenously) occurring, integrated to control the production of intracellular nucleic acid and gene expression, e.g., for the expression of biological-active proteins, which can be used, in alternative embodiments, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Yingxiao Wang, Shu Chien, Yijia Pan, Yiqian Wu, Shaoying Lu, Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20200363399Abstract: A method of determining invasion potential of a tumor cell includes exposing a tumor cell to an activity sensor; after exposing the tumor cell to the activity sensor, stimulating the tumor cell to cause a response in the cell that is reported by the activity sensor; detecting the level of response after stimulation of the tumor cell; and determining the invasion potential of the tumor cell based on the response. A system for determining the invasion potential of a tumor cell includes a sample stage that supports the tumor cell; a stimulator that focuses energy on the tumor cell to stimulate the tumor cell; and an imaging apparatus that observes an effect of the beam on the tumor cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Robert H. Chow, Jae Youn Hwang, Nan Sook Lee, K. Kirk Shung, Andrew C. Weitz
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Publication number: 20200108145Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are compositions, including products of manufacture and kits, and methods, for remotely-controlled and non-invasive manipulation of intracellular nucleic acid expression, genetic processes, function and activity in live cells, e.g., adding functions or changing or adding specificities for immune cells, for monitoring physiologic processes, for the correction of pathological processes and for control of therapeutic outcomes. In alternative embodiments, provided are ultrasound-based thermal or mechanical stimulations, and thermo- or mechano-sensitive protein, either synthetically engineered or natively (endogenously) occurring, integrated to control the production of intracellular nucleic acid and gene expression, e.g., for the expression of biological-active proteins, which can be used, in alternative embodiments, for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Yingxiao WANG, Shu CHIEN, Yijia PAN, Yiqian WU, Shaoying LU, Kirk SHUNG
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Patent number: 10182791Abstract: A multimodality imaging system including ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT), photoacoustic (PA) imaging, florescence imaging and endoscopic catheter for imaging inside the gastrointestinal tract with real-time automatic image co-registration capability, including: an ultrasound subsystem for imaging; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, a PA microscopy or tomography subsystem for imaging and a florescence imaging subsystem for imaging. An invasive interventional imaging device is included with an instrumentality to take a tissue biopsy from a location visible on the ultrasound subsystem for imaging, on the optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, photoacoustic (PA) subsystem for imaging and florescence subsystem for imaging. The instrumentality takes a tissue biopsy from a visible location simultaneously with the visualization of the tissue about to be biopsied so that the tissue biopsy location is visualized before, during and after the biopsy.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Qifa Zhou, Xiang Li, Jacques Van Dam, K. Kirk Shung, Thomas Cummins, Zhongping Chen, Jiawen Li, Teng Ma
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Patent number: 10106397Abstract: In some aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus includes an XYZ control stage and an acoustic transducer coupled with the XYZ control stage. The acoustic transducer includes a multi-foci Fresnel lens having multiple focal spots.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Eun Sok Kim, Youngki Choe, Jonathan W. Kim, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20180143180Abstract: A method of determining invasion potential of a tumor cell includes exposing a tumor cell to an activity sensor; after exposing the tumor cell to the activity sensor, stimulating the tumor cell to cause a response in the cell that is reported by the activity sensor; detecting the level of response after stimulation of the tumor cell; and determining the invasion potential of the tumor cell based on the response. A system for determining the invasion potential of a tumor cell includes a sample stage that supports the tumor cell; a stimulator that focuses energy on the tumor cell to stimulate the tumor cell; and an imaging apparatus that observes an effect of the beam on the tumor cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2017Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Robert H. CHOW, Jae Youn HWANG, Nan Sook LEE, K. Kirk SHUNG, Andrew C. WEITZ
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Patent number: 9480458Abstract: An ultrasonic positioning method for real time measuring the distance between the epidural needle and the epidural space is provided. The ultrasonic positioning method at least includes a puncturing step; an advancing step; a positioning step for simultaneous detecting reflected ultrasonic signals from the ligamentum flavum (LF) and dura mater (DM); a replacement step for removing the ultrasound needle transducer and putting an injecting catheter; and an injection step for injecting an anesthetic into the epidural space via the injecting catheter.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: NATIONAL YANG-MING UNIVERSITYInventors: Hui-Hua Chiang, Shih-Pin Lin, Chien-Kun Ting, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20160242737Abstract: A multimodality imaging system including ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT), photoacoustic (PA) imaging, florescence imaging and endoscopic catheter for imaging inside the gastrointestinal tract with real-time automatic image co-registration capability, including: an ultrasound subsystem for imaging; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, a PA microscopy or tomography subsystem for imaging and a florescence imaging subsystem for imaging. An invasive interventional imaging device is included with an instrumentality to take a tissue biopsy from a location visible on the ultrasound subsystem for imaging, on the optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, photoacoustic (PA) subsystem for imaging and florescence subsystem for imaging. The instrumentality takes a tissue biopsy from a visible location simultaneously with the visualization of the tissue about to be biopsied so that the tissue biopsy location is visualized before, during and after the biopsy.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2014Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Qifa Zhou, Xiang Li, Jacques Van Dam, K. Kirk Shung, Thomas Cummins, Zhongping Chen
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Publication number: 20140316275Abstract: A high frequency ultrasonic transducer may include a plurality of adjacent ultrasonic transducer elements. The adjacent transducer elements may be sized and configured so as to resonate at a frequency that is at least 15 MHz. The adjacent transducer elements may collectively form an aperture that is substantially convex along a lateral dimension spanning the cascaded width of the adjacent transducer elements. The aperture may be substantially concave along an elevation spanning the height of each of the transducer elements. The ultrasonic transducer and an associated transmitter system may be configured so as to enable ultrasound that is radiated from the plurality of the transducer elements to be focused on and to scan across locations that are no more than 30 millimeters from the aperture and that span across a field of view of at least 50 degrees without movement of the ultrasonic transducer or tissue during the scanning.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Hyung Ham Kim, Jin Ho Chang, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20140243712Abstract: Systems and methods are described providing for the use of ultrasound energy to effect the dislodging of one or more blood clots inside blood vessels. Such clots can include those inside retinal vessels, especially in patients with central retinal vein occlusion. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for any retinal arterial or venous occlusion. In exemplary embodiments, a small probe can be inserted into the eye of a patient and placed over the retinal vessels. Acoustic streaming created by the probe can be directed to an area or region including targeted blood vessels, resulting in increased flow in one or more retinal veins and facilitating or effecting mechanical dislodging of one or more blood clots in the targets blood vessels. Exemplary embodiments can utilize ultrasonic energy produced at a frequency of approximately 44 MHz to 46 MHz with pulse repetition frequencies of approximately 100 Hz to 100 kHz.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Doheny Eye InstituteInventors: Mark Humayun, Xiaochen Xu, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung, Hossein Ameri, Gerald Chader
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Patent number: 8684935Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed providing for the use of ultrasound energy to measure blood flow within blood vessels by Doppler velocity measurement. Directional high-frequency pulsed-wave Doppler measurements can be made with a suitable ultrasonic needle transducers for in vivo measuring of blood flow. A needle probe can include a ultrasonic material such as PMN-PT. Such blood flow measurements can be made in any part of the body, e.g., in the central retinal vein and branch retinal veins.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Doheny Eye InstituteInventors: Mark S. Humayun, Xiaochen Xu, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung, Hossein Ameri, Gerald Chader
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Publication number: 20140087411Abstract: A method of determining invasion potential of a tumor cell includes exposing a tumor cell to an activity sensor; after exposing the tumor cell to the activity sensor, stimulating the tumor cell to cause a response in the cell that is reported by the activity sensor; detecting the level of response after stimulation of the tumor cell; and determining the invasion potential of the tumor cell based on the response. A system for determining the invasion potential of a tumor cell includes a sample stage that supports the tumor cell; a stimulator that focuses energy on the tumor cell to stimulate the tumor cell; and an imaging apparatus that observes an effect of the beam on the tumor cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Andrew C. Weitz, Nan Sook Lee, Jae Youn Hwang, Robert H. Chow, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20120143100Abstract: Compound ultrasonic transducers are disclosed that include multiple transducer elements configured to have overlapping or consecutive depths of focus in an axial direction. Embodiments of such transducers can be composed of a concentric disc- and one or more annular-type elements and each element has a different radius of curvature to produce multiple focal zones (depths-of focus) upon excitation. Exemplary embodiments include a concentric disc- and one annular-type elements, with each element has a different radius of curvature, which are referred to herein as a dual-focus therapeutic ultrasound transducer (DFTUT). Method of directing ultrasonic energy to a target area and thereby aligning ultrasonic focal zones (depths-of focus) are also disclosed. Two or more transducer elements can each be configured to produce a different focal zone at the target area, such as targeted tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Jong Seob Jeong, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20110106052Abstract: An ultrasonic positioning device for real time measuring the distance between the epidural needle and the epidural space is provided. The ultrasonic positioning device at least includes an epidural needle having a hollow interior; an ultrasound needle transducer disposed in the hollow interior of the epidural needle and connected to an ultrasonic driving device; and a loss-of-resistance checking syringe connected to the epidural needle so as to confirm whether the epidural needle is inserted into the epidural space.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Huihua Kenny CHIANG, Shih-Pin LIN, Chien-Kun TING, Qifa ZHOU, K. Kirk SHUNG
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Publication number: 20100256488Abstract: A high frequency ultrasonic transducer may include a plurality of adjacent ultrasonic transducer elements. The adjacent transducer elements may be sized and configured so as to resonate at a frequency that is at least 15 MHz. The adjacent transducer elements may collectively form an aperture that is substantially convex along a lateral dimension spanning the cascaded width of the adjacent transducer elements. The aperture may be substantially concave along an elevation spanning the height of each of the transducer elements. The ultrasonic transducer and an associated transmitter system may be configured so as to enable ultrasound that is radiated from the plurality of the transducer elements to be focused on and to scan across locations that are no more than 30 millimeters from the aperture and that span across a field of view of at least 50 degrees without movement of the ultrasonic transducer or tissue during the scanning.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Hyung Ham Kim, Jin Ho Chang, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20100171395Abstract: An ultrasonic array transducer having an array of piezoelectric elements may be made with a curvature which may enable the piezoelectric elements to control the way in which ultrasonic energy is focused by the transducer. A substrate that has a set of element electrodes on a surface of the substrate may be created. Each element electrode may be electrically isolated from the others and configured to correspond to the location of one of the piezoelectric elements. A piezoelectric component which includes piezoelectric material may be bonded to the substrate such that each element electrode is juxtaposed next to the piezoelectric component. The surface of the substrate and/or to the piezoelectric material may have the curvature while they are separated and prior to the bonding. The bonding may be performed in a manner that results in the array of piezoelectric elements having the curvature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Jonathan M. Cannata, Jay A. Williams, K. Kirk Shung
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Patent number: 7695784Abstract: Methods and systems are described for making posts and kerfs in an interdigital bonded composite. The desired alignment criteria for a plurality of posts and kerfs in a pair of slabs are determined, as well as the desired widths W of the posts and the desired widths K of the kerfs. The posts in the first slab are configured to be received into corresponding kerfs in the second slab, and vice versa, so that the pair of slabs can be interdigitated to generate a composite. At least one of an alignment post and an alignment kerf are created, in at least one of the slabs. The alignment posts and the alignment kerf are configured to allow the plurality of posts and kerfs to be correctly positioned and aligned, in accordance with the desired alignment criteria.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Jay A. Williams, Jonathan M. Cannata, Ruibin Liu, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20090240148Abstract: For noninvasive treatment of tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound, composite imaging and therapy acoustic techniques are described. Embodiments include an integrated multi-functional confocal array and a strategy to perform both imaging and therapy simultaneously with this array by using coded excitation techniques with/without a notch filter. An exemplary array embodiment includes a triple-row phased array with one array in the center row for imaging and two arrays in the outer rows for therapy. Different types of piezoelectric materials and stack configurations may be employed to maximize the respective therapy and imaging functionalities. Reflected therapeutic signals that would otherwise corrupt the quality of imaging signals received by the center-row array can be mitigated or removed by use of the coding and/or a notch filter when B-mode images are formed during therapy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Jong Seob Jeong, Jin Ho Chang, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20090203991Abstract: The apparatus and methods described herein enable an operator to simultaneously collect images and spectroscopic information from a region(s) of interest using a multiple modality imaging and/or spectroscopic probe, configured as a catheter, endoscope, microscope, or hand held probe. The device may incorporate, for example, an ultrasonic transducer and a fiber optic probe to translate images and spectra. The apparatus and methods may be used in any suitable cavity, for example, the vascular system of a mammal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2006Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicants: CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Thanassis Papaioannou, Qiyin Fang, Javier A. Jo, Laura Marcu, K. Kirk Shung