Patents by Inventor Michael N. Patena

Michael N. Patena 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: 8624158
    Abstract: A manipulation system controllably moves a head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with energy waves from the head. The manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Patent number: 8306079
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, Joseph S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Patent number: 7880114
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a base unit adapted to provide energy waves to an interaction region, the energy waves removing material from the structure. The base unit includes an energy wave generator and a head coupled to the energy wave generator. The head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the head. The manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the base unit in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Publication number: 20100078415
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Patent number: 7620085
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Philips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Publication number: 20080240178
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Estman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Patent number: 7379483
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit which irradiates an interaction region with laser light, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head includes a containment plenum which confines and removes material from the interaction region. The containment plenum includes a rubber seal which contacts the structure and which substantially surrounds the interaction region, thereby facilitating confinement and removal of material from the interaction region, and providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller transmits control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Patent number: 7180920
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Patent number: 7060932
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a laser manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the laser head. The laser manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the laser head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit and the laser manipulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Patent number: 7057134
    Abstract: A laser manipulation system controllably moves a laser head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with laser light from the laser head. The laser manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the laser head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the laser head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the laser head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The laser manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Publication number: 20040208212
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit. The controller is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit in response to user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Publication number: 20040182840
    Abstract: An apparatus processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus includes a laser base unit adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit includes a laser generator and a laser head coupled to the laser generator. The laser head is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus further includes a laser manipulation system which includes an anchoring mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and a positioning mechanism coupled to the anchoring mechanism and coupled to the laser head. The laser manipulation system is adapted to controllably adjust the position of the laser head relative to the structure. The apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the laser base unit and the laser manipulation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Ta-Chieh Huang, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman
  • Publication number: 20040182841
    Abstract: A laser manipulation system controllably moves a laser head relative to a surface of an inhabitable structure for irradiating the surface with laser light from the laser head. The laser manipulation system includes a positioning mechanism coupled to the laser head. The positioning mechanism includes a first-axis position system adapted to move the laser head along a first direction substantially parallel to the surface. The positioning mechanism further includes a second-axis position system coupled to the first-axis position system and adapted to move the laser head along a second direction substantially parallel to the surface. The laser manipulation system further includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism and releasably coupled to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Paul E. Denney, Jay R. Eastman, Paul M. Fallara, Andrew P. Joseph, John S. Phillips, Michael N. Patena, Tim Burnham, Paul Coleman