Patents by Inventor Michael John Estes

Michael John Estes 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).

  • Publication number: 20230417608
    Abstract: A scanner arrangement for a temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface is disclosed. The scanner arrangement includes a first temperature sensor and a reference assembly. The reference assembly includes an opening including a reference surface, a second temperature sensor in contact with and for measuring the temperature of the reference surface, and a heater for heating the reference surface in accordance with control signals from a controller. The first temperature sensor has a field of view covering a portion of the measured surface and the reference surface. In embodiments, the temperature measurement system is integrated into a photo-thermal treatment unit providing a cooling air stream and laser energy, controlled by the controller. The opening and reference surface cooperate such that the reference surface is protected from direct exposure to the cooling air stream and the laser energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Estes, Henrik Hofvander, Aubrey Jean Eck
  • Patent number: 11754450
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Publication number: 20220357218
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Publication number: 20220280808
    Abstract: A method for operating an energy source within an energy-based treatment system for dermatological procedures. The method includes: 1) administering at least a first energy pulse from the energy source at a first parameter setting to a first treatment location; 2) measuring a peak epidermal temperature (PET) at the first treatment location, following administration of the at least one energy pulse; 3) providing an audio output of the PET so measured; and 4) according to the audio output of the PET, determining whether to adjust the energy source from the first parameter setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Accure Acne LLC
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes, Aubrey Jean Eck
  • Patent number: 11391634
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Publication number: 20220202469
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of performing a photo-thermal dermatological procedure without use of an injectable anesthetic. The method includes applying a topical anesthetic to a treatment area of skin, measuring a surface temperature of the treatment area of skin, and passing a stream of cold air over the area of skin such that the surface temperature of the treatment area of skin is maintained between 0 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius for a duration of at least 30 seconds. The method further includes administering a photo-thermal energy dose to the area of skin after the duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Aubrey Jean Eck, Michael John Estes, Henrik Hofvander
  • Publication number: 20220203114
    Abstract: An energy-based dermatological treatment system includes a temperature sensor for obtaining a first temperature measurement associated with a first treatment area. The system also includes a processing module for receiving the first temperature measurement and generate a temperature map based on the first temperature measurement. The system further includes a control module for setting a parameter of a first treatment pulse based on the first temperature map, and an energy source configured to deliver the first treatment pulse to the first treatment area. In an embodiment, the first temperature sensor is a contactless temperature sensor. In another embodiment, a second temperature measurement of a second treatment area to generate an updated temperature map based on the first and second temperature measurements. A parameter of a second treatment pulse is set according to the updated temperature map, and the second treatment pulse is delivered to the second treatment area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Accure Acne, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes, Aubrey Jean Eck
  • Publication number: 20210396603
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Accure Acne LLC
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Patent number: 10948184
    Abstract: A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) optical head includes a housing configured for attachment to a sight tube attached to a wall of a process chamber. The TDLAS optical head further includes optics within the housing for transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving a laser beam within a process chamber through the sight tube. The TDLAS optical head further includes a photo sensor in the housing positioned to receive light emitted by combustion within the process chamber to which the housing is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: OnPoint Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard P Masterson, Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey
  • Publication number: 20200256747
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Accure Acne LLC
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Michael John Estes
  • Publication number: 20190301737
    Abstract: A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) optical head includes a housing configured for attachment to a sight tube attached to a wall of a process chamber. The TDLAS optical head further includes optics within the housing for transmitting, receiving, or transmitting and receiving a laser beam within a process chamber through the sight tube. The TDLAS optical head further includes a photo sensor in the housing positioned to receive light emitted by combustion within the process chamber to which the housing is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: John Zink Company, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard P. Masterson, Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey
  • Patent number: 10371378
    Abstract: A method of monitoring blockage of a sight tube attached to a wall of a process chamber, the sight tube being operatively associated with a TDLAS optical head with a window between the sight tube and the TDLAS optical head. The method includes the steps of providing a photo sensor in the TDLAS optical head, the photo sensor being positioned to receive light emitted by a light emitting process within the process chamber. An emission signal produced by light emitted by the light emitting process within the process chamber being received by the photo sensor is monitored. A determination is made if the emission signal is degrading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: John Zink Company, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard P Masterson, Michael John Estes, Andrew D Sappey
  • Publication number: 20160313003
    Abstract: A method of monitoring blockage of a sight tube attached to a wall of a process chamber, the sight tube being operatively associated with a TDLAS optical head with a window between the sight tube and the TDLAS optical head. The method includes the steps of providing a photo sensor in the TDLAS optical head, the photo sensor being positioned to receive light emitted by a light emitting process within the process chamber. An emission signal produced by light emitted by the light emitting process within the process chamber being received by the photo sensor is monitored. A determination is made if the emission signal is degrading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Bernard P Masterson, Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey
  • Patent number: 9366621
    Abstract: A method of monitoring combustion properties in an interior of a furnace is described. A beam of light is projected through a pitch optic including a pitch collimating lens residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch collimating lens projects the beam through a penetration into the boiler interior. The beam of light projected by the pitch collimating lens is reflected from at least one in-furnace retro-reflector, and received with a catch optic substantially identical to the pitch optic residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch optic and the catch optic may be embodied in the same pitch/catch optic. The pitch collimating lens may also be steered toward another of the at least one in-furnace retro-reflectors. Combustion properties may be calculated for each retro-reflector based on retro-reflector zones within the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Zolo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Howell, Bernard Patrick Masterson, Rod Harris, David Giltner, Atilio Jobson, Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey
  • Publication number: 20150109618
    Abstract: A method of monitoring combustion properties in an interior of a furnace is described. A beam of light is projected through a pitch optic including a pitch collimating lens residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch collimating lens projects the beam through a penetration into the boiler interior. The beam of light projected by the pitch collimating lens is reflected from at least one in-furnace retro-reflector, and received with a catch optic substantially identical to the pitch optic residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch optic and the catch optic may be embodied in the same pitch/catch optic. The pitch collimating lens may also be steered toward another of the at least one in-furnace retro-reflectors. Combustion properties may be calculated for each retro-reflector based on retro-reflector zones within the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: ZOLO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Howell, Bernard Patrick Masterson, Rod Harris, David Giltner, Atilio Jobson, Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey
  • Patent number: 8786856
    Abstract: A method of monitoring combustion properties in an interior of a boiler of the type having walls comprising a plurality of parallel steam tubes separated by a metal membrane. First and second penetrations are provided in the metal membrane between adjacent tubes on opposite sides of the boiler. A beam of light is projected through a pitch optic comprising a pitch collimating lens and a pitch relay lens, both residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch relay lens projects the beam through a penetration into the boiler interior. The beam of light is received with a catch optic substantially identical to the pitch optic residing outside the boiler interior. The strength of the collimated received beam of light is determined. At least one of the pitch collimating lens and the catch collimating lens may then be aligned to maximize the strength of the collimated received beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zolo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey, Henrik Hofvander, Allen Molitoris, Bernard Patrick Masterson, Pei Huang
  • Publication number: 20110300492
    Abstract: A method of monitoring combustion properties in an interior of a boiler of the type having walls comprising a plurality of parallel steam tubes separated by a metal membrane. First and second penetrations are provided in the metal membrane between adjacent tubes on opposite sides of the boiler. A beam of light is projected through a pitch optic comprising a pitch collimating lens and a pitch relay lens, both residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch relay lens projects the beam through a penetration into the boiler interior. The beam of light is received with a catch optic substantially identical to the pitch optic residing outside the boiler interior. The strength of the collimated received beam of light is determined. At least one of the pitch collimating lens and the catch collimating lens may then be aligned to maximize the strength of the collimated received beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ZOLO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey, Henrik Hofvander, Allen Molitoris, Bernard Patrick Masterson, Pei Huang