Patents by Inventor M. Nance Ericson
M. Nance Ericson 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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Patent number: 9044299Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device and method for treating recurrent corneal erosion. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of contacting an epithelium layer of a cornea with an array of glass micro-rods including a plurality of sharp features having a length that penetrates a Bowman's layer of the eye, wherein the plurality of sharp features of the array of glass micro-rods produces a plurality of punctures in the Bowman's layer of the eye that are of micro-scale or less. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and device for drug delivery. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods, wherein the sharp feature includes a treated surface for delivering a chemical compound to the eye.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Charles L. Britton, Jr., Brian R. D'urso, Edward Chaum, John T. Simpson, Justin S. Baba, M. Nance Ericson, Robert J. Warmack
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Publication number: 20140058424Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device and method for treating recurrent corneal erosion. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of contacting an epithelium layer of a cornea with an array of glass micro-rods including a plurality of sharp features having a length that penetrates a Bowman's layer of the eye, wherein the plurality of sharp features of the array of glass micro-rods produces a plurality of punctures in the Bowman's layer of the eye that are of micro-scale or less. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and device for drug delivery. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods, wherein the sharp feature includes a treated surface for delivering a chemical compound to the eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Charles L. Britton, JR., Brian R. D'urso, Edward Chaum, John T. Simpson, Justin S. Baba, M. Nance Ericson, Robert J. Warmack
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Patent number: 8591481Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device and method for treating recurrent corneal erosion. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of contacting an epithelium layer of a cornea with an array of glass micro-rods including a plurality of sharp features having a length that penetrates a Bowman's layer of the eye, wherein the plurality of sharp features of the array of glass micro-rods produces a plurality of punctures in the Bowman's layer of the eye that are of micro-scale or less. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and device for drug delivery. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods, wherein the sharp feature includes a treated surface for delivering a chemical compound to the eye.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, University of Tennessee Research FoundationInventors: Charles L. Britton, Brian R. D'Urso, Edward Chaum, John T. Simpson, Justin S. Baba, M. Nance Ericson, Robert J. Warmack
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Patent number: 8425596Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of removing scar tissue from an eye that includes inserting a device including an array of micro-rods into an eye, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature; contacting a scar tissue with the array of micro-rods; and removing the array of micro-rods and the scar tissue from the eye. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a medical device for engaging a tissue including and an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods that is connected to the cannula, wherein the sharp feature of the at least one micro-rod is angled from a plane that is normal to a face of the base of the array of glass micro-rods.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, University of Tennessee Research FoundationInventors: Charles L. Britton, Brian R. D'Urso, Edward Chaum, John T. Simpson, Justin S. Baba, M. Nance Ericson, Robert J. Warmack
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Publication number: 20090240217Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device and method for treating recurrent corneal erosion. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of contacting an epithelium layer of a cornea with an array of glass micro-rods including a plurality of sharp features having a length that penetrates a Bowman's layer of the eye, wherein the plurality of sharp features of the array of glass micro-rods produces a plurality of punctures in the Bowman's layer of the eye that are of micro-scale or less. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and device for drug delivery. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods, wherein the sharp feature includes a treated surface for delivering a chemical compound to the eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Charles L. Britton, Brian R. D'Urso, Edward Chaum, John T. Simpson, Justin S. Baba, M. Nance Ericson, Robert J. Warmack
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Publication number: 20090240271Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of removing scar tissue from an eye that includes inserting a device including an array of micro-rods into an eye, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature; contacting a scar tissue with the array of micro-rods; and removing the array of micro-rods and the scar tissue from the eye. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a medical device for engaging a tissue including and an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods that is connected to the cannula, wherein the sharp feature of the at least one micro-rod is angled from a plane that is normal to a face of the base of the array of glass micro-rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Charles L. Britton, Brian R. D'Urso, Edward Chaum, John T. Simpson, Justin S. Baba, M. Nance Ericson, Robert J. Warmack
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Patent number: 5965873Abstract: A spectrometer, comprises: a semiconductor having a silicon substrate, the substrate having integrally formed thereon a plurality of layers forming photo diodes, each of the photo diodes having an independent spectral response to an input spectra within a spectral range of the semiconductor and each of the photo diodes formed only from at least one of the plurality of layers of the semiconductor above the substrate; and, a signal processing circuit for modifying signals from the photo diodes with respective weights, the weighted signals being representative of a specific spectral response. The photo diodes have different junction depths and different polycrystalline silicon and oxide coverings. The signal processing circuit applies the respective weights and sums the weighted signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventors: Michael L. Simpson, M. Nance Ericson, William B. Dress, Gerald E. Jellison, David N. Sitter, Jr., Alan L. Wintenberg
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Patent number: 5862170Abstract: A method and apparatus for temperature measurement especially suited for low cost, low power, moderate accuracy implementation. It uses a sensor whose resistance varies in a known manner, either linearly or nonlinearly, with temperature, and produces a digital output which is proportional to the temperature of the sensor. The method is based on performing a zero-crossing time measurement of a step input signal that is double differentiated using two differentiators functioning as respective first and second time constants; one temperature stable, and the other varying with the sensor temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1996Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventors: Charles L. Britton, Jr., M. Nance Ericson
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Patent number: 5327029Abstract: A logarithmic current measurement circuit for operating upon an input electric signal utilizes a quad, dielectrically isolated, well-matched, monolithic bipolar transistor array. One group of circuit components within the circuit cooperate with two transistors of the array to convert the input signal logarithmically to provide a first output signal which is temperature-dependant, and another group of circuit components cooperate with the other two transistors of the array to provide a second output signal which is temperature-dependant. A divider ratios the first and second output signals to provide a resultant output signal which is independent of temperature. The method of the invention includes the operating steps performed by the measurement circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1993Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: M. Nance Ericson, James M. Rochelle