Patents by Inventor Mark P. Bendett

Mark P. Bendett 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: 8985119
    Abstract: A nerve-stimulation device and method using light to provide a source of precise stimulation on one or more nerve fibers. In some embodiments, this simulation is provided through a device and method wherein a laser- or LED-light-generating source is operatively coupled to an optical fiber, which in turn is coupled to a plug in the end of a holder in a sheath. Light is then passed from the light source through the optical fiber to the holder and out a selected optical tip on the sheath to provide an efficacious amount of light to simulate nerves. In some embodiments, the device is constructed from non-magnetic material such as glass, plastic or ceramics. In some embodiments, the light emanating from the optical tip can be controlled manually or automatically. Some embodiments omit the fiber and use light directly from the laser diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Webb, Charles E. Hamilton, Heather A. Ralph, Mark P. Bendett, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8968376
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Andrew Xing, Mark P. Bendett, Matthew D. Keller, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8929973
    Abstract: Medical researchers use various optical devices for diagnosis, detection, treatment, and therapy. In some embodiments, they do not have the equipment necessary to determine how much light is emitted by the optical device or how far it penetrates tissue. The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for characterizing light from an optical device by using a tissue phantom. The method includes coupling light from an optical source into a device, transmitting the light through a tissue phantom, detecting a transmitted light, optionally electrically processing the detected output, and displaying the corresponding optical characterization. In some embodiments, the apparatus obtains input light from an optical source, and may include a tissue phantom, an optical detector, an electrical processing unit, and a display for displaying the corresponding optical characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Webb, Heather A. Ralph, Mark P. Bendett
  • Patent number: 8864806
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Andrew Xing, Mark P. Bendett, Matthew D. Keller, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8792978
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for optical- or optical-and-electrical stimulation of e.g., auditory nerve pathways, for example spiral ganglion in the cochlea or neurons in the cochlear nerve. Several configurations for guiding and directing the optical stimulation are disclosed. Several configurations for guiding and directing the electrical field (used in some embodiments, for sensitization) in and through the destination tissue to which the optical stimulation is directed are disclosed. In some embodiments, and array of IR VCSELs emit stimulation light, in particular to tissue in the cochlea for restoring hearing. In some embodiments, an electrical signal is also applied in a manner that reduces the amount of light in a pulse that is otherwise needed to elicit a NAP. In some embodiments, a heat dissipater is used to spread the heat generated by operation of the lasers and their circuits, to avoid heat damage to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Andrew Xing, Mark P. Bendett, Matthew D. Keller, Bryan J. Norton, James M. Owen, Shuming Yuan, Robert W. Royse, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8784461
    Abstract: A hand-held self-contained nerve-stimulation device and method using light to provide a source of precise stimulation on one or more nerve fibers. In some embodiments, this simulation is provided through a device and method wherein a laser- or LED-light source is mounted to the handpiece. Light is passed from the light source through optical tip to simulate nerves. In some embodiments, the device is constructed from non-magnetic material such as glass, plastic or ceramics. In some embodiments, the light emanating from the optical tip can be controlled manually or automatically. In some embodiments, the handpiece contains a self-contained power source, such as batteries. In some embodiments, the handpiece is at least in part, activated by remote control in order to prevent moving the handpiece during activation. Some embodiments include a unit operable to sense a response of nerve stimulation and to suppress a laser-ablation surgery operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Webb, Charles I. Miyake, Mark P. Bendett, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20140052221
    Abstract: A hand-held self-contained nerve-stimulation device and method using light to provide a source of precise stimulation on one or more nerve fibers. In some embodiments, this simulation is provided through a device and method wherein a laser- or LED-light source is mounted to the handpiece. Light is passed from the light source through optical tip to simulate nerves. In some embodiments, the device is constructed from non-magnetic material such as glass, plastic or ceramics. In some embodiments, the light emanating from the optical tip can be controlled manually or automatically. In some embodiments, the handpiece contains a self-contained power source, such as batteries. In some embodiments, the handpiece is at least in part, activated by remote control in order to prevent moving the handpiece during activation. Some embodiments include a unit operable to sense a response of nerve stimulation and to suppress a laser-ablation surgery operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Webb, Charles I. Miyake, Mark P. Bendett, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8652187
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Andrew Xing, Mark P. Bendett, Matthew D. Keller, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8636726
    Abstract: An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low-OH optical fiber (˜100 ?m diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Wells, Mark P. Bendett, Matthias P. Savage-Leuchs, James M. Owen
  • Patent number: 8632577
    Abstract: An optical-signal vestibular-nerve stimulation device and method that provides different nerve stimulation signals to a plurality of different vestibular nerves, including at least some of the three semicircular canal nerves and the two otolith organ nerves. In some embodiments, balance conditions of the person are sensed by the implanted device, and based on the sensed balance conditions, varying infrared (IR) nerve-stimulation signals are sent to a plurality of the different vestibular nerves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark P. Bendett, James S. Webb
  • Patent number: 8551150
    Abstract: An optical-signal vestibular-nerve stimulation device and method that provides different nerve stimulation signals to a plurality of different vestibular nerves, including at least some of the three semicircular canal nerves and the two otolith organ nerves. In some embodiments, balance conditions of the person are sensed by the implanted device or external device, and based on the sensed balance conditions, varying laser nerve-stimulation signals are sent to a plurality of the different vestibular nerves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Webb, Mark P. Bendett, Heather A. Ralph, Jonathon D. Wells
  • Patent number: 8506613
    Abstract: A hand-held self-contained nerve-stimulation device and method using light to provide a source of precise stimulation on one or more nerve fibers. In some embodiments, this simulation is provided through a device and method wherein a laser- or LED-light source is mounted to the handpiece. Light is passed from the light source through optical tip to simulate nerves. In some embodiments, the device is constructed from non-magnetic material such as glass, plastic or ceramics. In some embodiments, the light emanating from the optical tip can be controlled manually or automatically. In some embodiments, the handpiece contains a self-contained power source, such as batteries. In some embodiments, the handpiece is at least in part, activated by remote control in order to prevent moving the handpiece during activation. Some embodiments include a unit operable to sense a response of nerve stimulation and to suppress a laser-ablation surgery operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Webb, Charles I. Miyake, Mark P. Bendett, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8498699
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignees: Lockheed Martin Company, Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Mark P. Bendett, James S. Webb, Charles A. Lemaire, Austin R. Duke, E. Duco Jansen, Peter E. Konrad, Anita Mahadevan-Jansen
  • Patent number: 8475506
    Abstract: An apparatus and method using an array of VCSELs operable to emit light at one or more wavelengths, pulse-repetition rates, pulse durations, pulse powers, pulse energies, and/or light-distribution spatial and/or temporal patterns, that are effective to stimulate or photostimulate human or other animal tissue, and in particular, nerve tissue. In some embodiments, the invention provides an implantable device that includes an array having a plurality of VCSELs in a spatial pattern suitable to stimulate or photostimulate a plurality of different areas of tissue (e.g., a plurality of different nerves). In some embodiments, the device is instead partially implantable. In some embodiments, the device is instead external to the body of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark P. Bendett, Jonathon D. Wells
  • Patent number: 8357187
    Abstract: An optical-signal vestibular-nerve stimulation device and method that provides different nerve stimulation signals to a plurality of different vestibular nerves, including at least some of the three semicircular canal nerves and the two otolith organ nerves. In some embodiments, balance conditions of the person are sensed by the implanted device, and based on the sensed balance conditions, varying infrared (IR) nerve-stimulation signals are sent to a plurality of the different vestibular nerves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark P. Bendett, James S. Webb
  • Patent number: 8353899
    Abstract: An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low —OH optical fiber (˜100 ?m diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Mark P. Bendett, Matthias P. Savage-Leuchs, James M. Owen
  • Patent number: 8317848
    Abstract: An optical-signal vestibular-nerve stimulation device and method that provides different nerve stimulation signals to a plurality of different vestibular nerves, including at least some of the three semicircular canal nerves and the two otolith organ nerves. In some embodiments, balance conditions of the person are sensed by the implanted device or external device, and based on the sensed balance conditions, varying laser nerve-stimulation signals are sent to a plurality of the different vestibular nerves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Webb, Mark P. Bendett, Heather A. Ralph, Jonathon D. Wells
  • Patent number: 8202268
    Abstract: An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low —OH optical fiber (˜100 ?m diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Mark P. Bendett, Matthias P. Savage-Leuchs, James M. Owen
  • Patent number: 8160696
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark P. Bendett, Jonathon D. Wells, James S. Webb, Charles A. Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20110295347
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Andrew Xing, Mark P. Bendett, Matthew D. Keller, Charles A. Lemaire