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: 11839469Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash
-
Patent number: 11737741Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 11672519Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 11564601Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 11457812Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 11457844Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 11179074Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller
-
Patent number: 10835227Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 10751144Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash
-
Patent number: 10709367Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 10674947Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 10675013Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 10368749Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 10335070Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 9901403Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash
-
Patent number: 9737213Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 9636096Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 9486196Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 9339221Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
-
Patent number: 8938279Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: VioOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao