Patents by Inventor Larry C. Heaton, II

Larry C. Heaton, II 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: 11839469
    Abstract: A medical device such as an oximeter includes a marking feature. In an implementation, a marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on a location of where a measurement was taken by the device. In an implementation, the marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on an oxygen saturation measurement obtained by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash
  • Patent number: 11737741
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor with an oximeter sensor at its tip and a force sensor coupled to the retractor. The retractor system also includes a system unit which can send signals to and receive signals from the oximeter sensor via optical fibers. The oximeter sensor measures oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor, and the force sensor measures an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor. Another retractor system has a closed loop control arrangement with a positioning mechanism which moves the retractor based on measurements of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 11672519
    Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 11564601
    Abstract: An oximeter measures oxygen saturation for two or more different tissue depths and shows these results on a screen. A probe of the oximeter has multiple different distances between source and detector sensors. One probe implementation has fixed sensor positions. Other implementations include sensors on a moveable platform or openings to accept sensors, which allow a user to vary a distance between sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 11457812
    Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 11457844
    Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 11179074
    Abstract: A sensor probe has a sensor unit which is embedded in a sheath member which is suturable. The sheath member allows the sensor unit to be sutured and secured to any tissue even in a wet or moist environment. The sensor probe in accordance with the present invention is particularly useful as an intraoral sensor probe for measuring oxygen saturation of a flap tissue inside the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller
  • Patent number: 10835227
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor with an oximeter sensor at its tip and a force sensor coupled to the retractor. The retractor system also includes a system unit which can send signals to and receive signals from the oximeter sensor via optical fibers. The oximeter sensor measures oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor, and the force sensor measures an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor. Another retractor system has a closed loop control arrangement with a positioning mechanism which moves the retractor based on measurements of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 10751144
    Abstract: A medical device such as an oximeter includes a marking feature. In an implementation, a marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on a location of where a measurement was taken by the device. In an implementation, the marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on an oxygen saturation measurement obtained by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash
  • Patent number: 10709367
    Abstract: An oximeter measures oxygen saturation for two or more different tissue depths and shows these results on a screen. A probe of the oximeter has multiple different distances between source and detector sensors. One probe implementation has fixed sensor positions. Other implementations include sensors on a moveable platform or openings to accept sensors, which allow a user to vary a distance between sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 10674947
    Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Thus, embodiments of the invention can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 10675013
    Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 10368749
    Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 10335070
    Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 9901403
    Abstract: A medical device such as an oximeter includes a marking feature. In an implementation, a marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on a location of where a measurement was taken by the device. In an implementation, the marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on an oxygen saturation measurement obtained by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash
  • Patent number: 9737213
    Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 9636096
    Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 9486196
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor with an oximeter sensor at its tip and a force sensor coupled to the retractor. The retractor system also includes a system unit which can send signals to and receive signals from the oximeter sensor via optical fibers. The oximeter sensor measures oxygen saturation of a tissue being refracted by the retractor, and the force sensor measures an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor. Another retractor system has a closed loop control arrangement with a positioning mechanism which moves the retractor based on measurements of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 9339221
    Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Thus, embodiments of the invention can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 8938279
    Abstract: An oximeter measures oxygen saturation for two or more different tissue depths and shows these results on a screen. A probe of the oximeter has multiple different distances between source and detector sensors. One probe implementation has fixed sensor positions. Other implementations include sensors on a moveable platform or openings to accept sensors, which allow a user to vary a distance between sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: VioOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao