Patents by Inventor Mark E. Schafer
Mark E. Schafer 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: 20150283277Abstract: A portion of a treatment device for treating bacteria may be coupled with the bacteria through direct or indirect contact. Mechanical stress energy and electromagnetic energy are generated with the treatment device, and are transmitted from the treatment device to the bacteria during the coupling. The bacteria are treated with both the mechanical stress energy and the electromagnetic energy to produce a killing effect on the bacteria. A treatment device may include a mechanical stress energy emitting portion, an electromagnetic energy emitting portion, and a contacting portion for coupling into direct or indirect contact with the bacteria and transmitting mechanical stress energy to the bacteria during the coupling. The mechanical stress energy emitting portion and the electromagnetic energy emitting portion are operable to treat the bacteria with a combination of mechanical stress energy and electromagnetic energy to produce a killing effect on the bacteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Tessie Brown McNeely
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Publication number: 20150217142Abstract: A treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the device to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the device includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the device. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source, and the faceplate transfers the ultrasound and light energy into the tissue or into an element which transmits these energies into the tissue. A controller operates the ultrasound transducer and light source in a pulsed manner to produce discrete pulses of energy, so as to provide higher amplitude energy treatments without negatively impacting heat generation of the device or the benefits of co-locating both types of energy treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventor: Mark E. Schafer
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Publication number: 20150187349Abstract: Flextensional transducers and methods of using flextensional transducers. The transducer includes a piezoelectric element and may include at least one endcap coupled with the piezoelectric element. The endcap may have an outer portion formed of a first material and an inner portion formed of a second material having a greater flexibility than the first material. The endcap may be coupled with an annular piezoelectric element near either its outer circumference or its inner circumference. The piezoelectric element may be a planar disk or have a curved bowl-shape. The transducer may be coupled with, and at least partially restrained by, a support structure. The transducer may also be configured to permit light to pass therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventor: Mark E. Schafer
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Publication number: 20150182762Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Brady Aller
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Patent number: 8979775Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Photosonix Medical, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Brady Aller
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Patent number: 8858518Abstract: Described are embodiments of a canister, system, and method of filtering fat. Embodiments include a sidewall that defines a volume, a filter with a screen, a first port, a second port, and at least one vane which allows for manual agitation of lipoaspirate within the volume. The first port is used to draw fluid from below the filter, forcing excess fluid in the lipoaspirate to be quickly extracted. The vane allows the lipoaspirate to be repeatedly drawn over the filter to aide in removing of liquids from fat in the lipoaspirate. The treated fat may then be removed from the volume through an outlet port and reinjected into a patient.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Wayne A. Siebrecht, Constantino G. Mendieta, Kevin J. Hight, Adnan I. Merchant
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Publication number: 20140121569Abstract: A surgical device includes a probe having a proximate end configured to connect to an ultrasonic driver assembly that generates ultrasonic vibrational energy, and a shaft for conducting the ultrasonic vibrational energy from the proximate end to a distal end. The device also includes a canula located at least partially over the distal end of the probe. A material is interposed between the probe and the canula for converting the ultrasonic vibrational energy into heat energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Solta Medical, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Kelly Ammann, Kevin J. Hight
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Publication number: 20140058296Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Sonic Tech, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Brady Aller
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Patent number: 8574174Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Sonic Tech, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Brady Aller
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Patent number: 8518681Abstract: Described are embodiments that employ ultrasonic energy to selectively lyse larger adipose cells in a suspension containing adipose cells of different sizes resulting in a suspension in which the only viable cells are the small adipose cells and stem cells. Embodiments provide for generating an acoustic standing wave field of sufficient intensity and proper geometry, that high shear stress is induced on the cell membranes of cells larger than a predetermined size. The remaining small adipose cells can be physically separated from the suspension after the suspension is subjected to the acoustic standing wave field.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Sound Surgical Technologies LLCInventor: Mark E. Schafer
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Publication number: 20130012927Abstract: Described are embodiments that employ ultrasonic energy to selectively lyse larger adipose cells in a suspension containing adipose cells of different sizes resulting in a suspension in which the only viable cells are the small adipose cells and stem cells. Embodiments provide for generating an acoustic standing wave field of sufficient intensity and proper geometry, that high shear stress is induced on the cell membranes of cells larger than a predetermined size. The remaining small adipose cells can be physically separated from the suspension after the suspension is subjected to the acoustic standing wave field.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Sound Surgical Technologies LLCInventor: Mark E. Schafer
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Publication number: 20120271254Abstract: Described are embodiments of a canister, system, and method of filtering fat. Embodiments include a sidewall that defines a volume, a filter with a screen, a first port, a second port, and at least one vane which allows for manual agitation of lipoaspirate within the volume. The first port is used to draw fluid from below the filter, forcing excess fluid in the lipoaspirate to be quickly extracted. The vane allows the lipoaspirate to be repeatedly drawn over the filter to aide in removing of liquids from fat in the lipoaspirate. The treated fat may then be removed from the volume through an outlet port and reinjected into a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Wayne A. Siebrecht, Constantino G. Mendieta, Kevin J. Hight, Adnan I. Merchant
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Publication number: 20120238917Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: SOUND SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mark E. Schafer, Brady Aller
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Patent number: 8206326Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Sound Surgical Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark E. Schafer, Brady Aller
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Publication number: 20110313345Abstract: Described are embodiments of methods and devices for removing adipose tissue from a surgical site or location in a patient's body. The embodiments include a device that is used for infiltration, ultrasound, and aspiration of the surgical site. The device includes a cannula which serves to provide infiltration, conduct ultrasonic energy from an ultrasound generating device, and also provide a conduit for aspiration to a fluid system used for infiltration and collection of fluids. Embodiments provide for a fixed amount of infiltration fluid to be injected into the surgical site in specific ratio with the amount of lipoaspirate to be removed. The fixed amount of ultrasonic energy, both in amplitude and time, is delivered to the surgical site commensurate with the amount of infiltration and aspiration. The device also includes, in embodiments, a guide that limits the depth to which the cannula can be inserted into a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: Sound Surgical Technologies LLCInventor: Mark E. Schafer
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Publication number: 20110166551Abstract: Described are embodiments that employ ultrasonic energy to selectively lyse larger adipose cells in a suspension containing adipose cells of different sizes resulting in a suspension in which the only viable cells are the small adipose cells and stem cells. Embodiments provide for generating an acoustic standing wave field of sufficient intensity and proper geometry, that high shear stress is induced on the cell membranes of cells larger than a predetermined size. The remaining small adipose cells can be physically separated from the suspension after the suspension is subjected to the acoustic standing wave field.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: SOUND SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: Mark E. Schafer
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Publication number: 20090227909Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: SONIC TECH, INC.Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Brady Aller
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Patent number: 6684705Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and an apparatus for detecting anomalies in a wooden member. The apparatus includes a first roller device comprising a first array of transducers, and a second roller device comprising a second array of transducers. A first transducer in the first array of transducers communicates with more than one transducer in the second array of transducers. The apparatus may be designed such that the wooden member may pass between the first roller device and the second roller device. In addition, the first array of transducers and the second array of transducers maintain an orientation perpendicular to the moving direction of the wooden member as the first roller device and the second roller device roll along the wooden member. Each of the transducers operate in an ultrasonic frequency range. Also, each transducer in the first array of transducers is acoustically isolated from each other transducer.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Raymond W. McIntyre, Michael K. Knauer
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Patent number: 6467352Abstract: Ultrasonic techniques are applied to the measurement of wooden members to detect splitting during sawing operations and thereby allow modification of a sawing technique or change in saw cut placement.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignees: Percepton, Inc., The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Mark E. Schafer, Robert J. Ross
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Patent number: D669992Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Sound Surgical Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark E. Schafer, Adnan I. Merchant, Kristen E. Matteson, Serena Ann Chase, David J. Wesley, David B. Mogill, Arjun K. Joseph, Daniel J. Massam, Kailyn N. Lynch