Patents by Inventor Lan N. Pham

Lan N. Pham 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).

  • Soft robot to navigate the natural lumens of a living organism using undulatory locomotion generated by a rotating magnetic dipole field
    Patent number: 11464397
    Abstract: A system for propelling a magnetic robotic device through a human comprises a magnetic actuator device operable to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a magnetic robotic device comprising a compliant body and at least two permanent magnets supported by and spatially separated about the compliant body. A non-magnetic region can also be oriented between the at least two permanent magnets. The at least two permanent magnets can be alternating or non-alternating in polarity with each other. In response to application of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic actuator device and that is situated proximate the magnetic robotic device, the rotating magnetic field effectuates undulatory locomotion of the magnetic robotic device to propel the magnetic robotic device through a human, such as through a natural lumen. Further, the magnetic robotic device can optionally be supported by a catheter or endoscope to assist with propelling a distal end through a human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jacob J Abbott, Lan N. Pham
  • SOFT ROBOT TO NAVIGATE THE NATURAL LUMENS OF A LIVING ORGANISM USING UNDULATORY LOCOMOTION GENERATED BY A ROTATING MAGNETIC DIPOLE FIELD.
    Publication number: 20200100658
    Abstract: A system for propelling a magnetic robotic device through a human comprises a magnetic actuator device operable to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a magnetic robotic device comprising a compliant body and at least two permanent magnets supported by and spatially separated about the compliant body. A non-magnetic region can also be oriented between the at least two permanent magnets. The at least two permanent magnets can be alternating or non-alternating in polarity with each other. In response to application of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic actuator device and that is situated proximate the magnetic robotic device, the rotating magnetic field effectuates undulatory locomotion of the magnetic robotic device to propel the magnetic robotic device through a human, such as through a natural lumen. Further, the magnetic robotic device can optionally be supported by a catheter or endoscope to assist with propelling a distal end through a human.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jacob J Abbott, Lan N. Pham