Patents by Inventor Michael P. H. Lau

Michael P. H. Lau 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: 20230363687
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting fetal peaks in a maternal ECG signal includes steps of receiving the maternal ECG signal and preprocessing the maternal ECG signal wherein preprocessing includes removal of mECG R-peaks to form a process ECG signal that includes both fetal and noise peaks. Both fetal and noise peaks are detected using a peak detection algorithm which yields an array of peaks Xk×1. Permutations of all peak differences are calculated by subtracting elements of Xk×1 from its transpose Xk×1T to form a matrix Mk×k. Characteristically, elements in the matrix Mk×k corresponds to different sample periods that are used to determine peak positions. An array of periods denoted an array LP×1 is calculated. A 3-dimensional matrix GP×k×k is constructed by dividing Mk×k by each element of LP×1. An optimal Mk×k is determined by finding the Mk×k in the 3-dimensional matrix GP×k×k that has it's first row with the most elements near a whole number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Hung V. Cao, Tai N. Le, Michael P.H. Lau, Tim Etchells, Daniel Jilani
  • Patent number: 11311227
    Abstract: A system for assessing and monitoring a fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate in a pregnant mother comprises wearable mechanical-electronic sensors, e.g., embedded in a wrist or arm band, which can measure mechanical pulse signals from the mother, and an abdomen patch which can measure the combined ECG signals of the fetus and mother. In another embodiment, the sensors in the wrist or arm band measure the combined fetal/maternal ECG signals, and the mother's mechanical pulse signals. By signal processing and gating out the maternal ECG signals as correlated with the mechanical maternal pulse signals, the fetal ECG and heart rate can be measured and monitored. These measurements may be displayed on the wrist or arm band device, or wirelessly through a remote device, mobile phone or computer. Sensors in the abdominal patch may also measure uterine electromyogram, uterine contractions, and fetal movements, to be correlated with the fetal ECG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Sensoriis, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. H. Lau, Hung V. Cao
  • Publication number: 20200345287
    Abstract: A method and system for assessing a mental fitness state of a person using objective physiologic signals from the person includes arranging one or more sensors in proximity to the person's head to measure at least one electroencephalogram (EEG) signal of the person, and analyzing the at least one EEG signal by computing a power in the EEG signal in an EEG signal band; determining a characteristic of the computed power that, for the EEG signal band, is indicative of an emotional or cognitive state of the person; and assessing a mental fitness state of the person based on the determined characteristic. An assessment output is generated which reports the assessed mental fitness state of the person. In at least one implementation, the EEG signal contains oscillating theta waves, and a variance in timing of maximum power occurring in the theta waves around a determined average latency is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michael P. H. Lau, Gráinne Máire McLoughlin
  • Publication number: 20200155027
    Abstract: A system for assessing and monitoring a fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate in a pregnant mother comprises wearable mechanical-electronic sensors, e.g., embedded in a wrist or arm band, which can measure mechanical pulse signals from the mother, and an abdomen patch which can measure the combined ECG signals of the fetus and mother. In another embodiment, the sensors in the wrist or arm band measure the combined fetal/maternal ECG signals, and the mother's mechanical pulse signals. By signal processing and gating out the maternal ECG signals as correlated with the mechanical maternal pulse signals, the fetal ECG and heart rate can be measured and monitored. These measurements may be displayed on the wrist or arm band device, or wirelessly through a remote device, mobile phone or computer. Sensors in the abdominal patch may also measure uterine electromyogram, uterine contractions, and fetal movements, to be correlated with the fetal ECG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Michael P.H. Lau, Hung V. Cao
  • Patent number: 10575747
    Abstract: A system for the assessment and monitoring of the fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate in a pregnant mother comprises wearable mechanical-electronic sensors, e.g., embedded in a wrist or arm band, which can measure the mechanical pulse signals from the mother, and an abdomen patch which can measure the combined ECG signals of the fetus and mother. The wrist or arm unit and the abdominal patch unit communicate wirelessly. By signal processing and gating out the maternal ECG signals as correlated with the mechanical maternal pulse signals, the fetal ECG and heart rate can be measured and monitored. These measurements may be displayed on the wrist or arm band device, or wirelessly through a remote device, mobile phone or computer. Electronic-mechanical sensors can also be embedded in the abdominal patch to measure uterine electromyogram (EMG), uterine contractions and fetal movements, to be correlated with the fetal ECG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sensoriis, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. H. Lau, Hung V. Cao
  • Publication number: 20190096279
    Abstract: A method and system for assessing an influence of emotion and cognition components on a decision-making process includes positioning a plurality of sensors with respect to a person and using the plurality of sensors to measure a physiologic condition of the person. A computational device quantifies one or more parameters representative of an emotion state and a cognition or memory utilization effort of the person before and during a decision-making process based on a sensed physiologic condition of the person, and further determines a relative influence of emotion versus cognition or memory utilization effort in the decision-making process based on the one or more quantified parameters representative of the emotion state and cognition or memory utilization effort of the person. The sensors may be attached to or embedded in a headgear or headset that is placed on the person's head to measure the physiologic condition of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Michael P.H. Lau
  • Publication number: 20180110434
    Abstract: A system for the assessment and monitoring of the fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate in a pregnant mother comprises wearable mechanical-electronic sensors, e.g., embedded in a wrist or arm band, which can measure the mechanical pulse signals from the mother, and an abdomen patch which can measure the combined ECG signals of the fetus and mother. The wrist or arm unit and the abdominal patch unit communicate wirelessly. By signal processing and gating out the maternal ECG signals as correlated with the mechanical maternal pulse signals, the fetal ECG and heart rate can be measured and monitored. These measurements may be displayed on the wrist or arm band device, or wirelessly through a remote device, mobile phone or computer. Electronic-mechanical sensors can also be embedded in the abdominal patch to measure uterine electromyogram (EMG), uterine contractions and fetal movements, to be correlated with the fetal ECG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Michael P.H. Lau, Hung V. Cao
  • Publication number: 20170352283
    Abstract: A method and system affects the mental state of a user through cognitive or attention training by providing or displaying a first auditory or visual stimulus to a user, manipulating one or more features of the stimulus to provide or display a second auditory or visual image stimulus, and repeating the steps of manipulating features of the auditory or visual image stimulus to provide or display one or more additional auditory or visual image stimuli to the user. An electronic/computing device receives input from the user, such as EEG signal information, indicating the user's mental state which is evaluated to determine a mood of the user. In response to improvement in the user's mood, the user is rewarded with an additional selected auditory or visual image stimulus. Further, based on improvements in the user's mood, the manipulation of features and provision or display of the stimuli may be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: Michael P. H. Lau
  • Patent number: 9675819
    Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) targeting and treatment of tissue. In one embodiment, the system includes an HIFU applicator and a user interface with a touchscreen display for three-dimensional visualization of the tissue. Image frames displayed on the user interface depict real-time images of the tissue, including an image parallel to a feature of the applicator and an image orthogonal to the parallel image. Reference lines may be sketched using the touchscreen and displayed on the image frames. In one embodiment, tissue boundaries are detected and marked on the image frames, either by the user or automatically by the system. In another embodiment, the user interface includes a footswitch for the user to interact with the system. In another embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound imaging component configured to undock from the system for use as a stand-alone ultrasound imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Mirabilis Medica, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee David Dunbar, Jessica E. Parsons, Robert H. Pedersen, Tim Etchells, Gregory Paul Darlington, Michael P. H. Lau, Jens Ulrich Quistgaard
  • Patent number: 9144421
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating uterine tissue with ultrasound energy. The method manipulates the position of the patient's uterus to decrease its distance from an ultrasound therapy transducer while simultaneously engaging a partially filled bladder such that the bladder is compressed to force any bowel tissue out of an acoustic window between the patient's abdominal wall and uterus. Ultrasound energy is then applied to the uterine tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Mirabilis Medica Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. H. Lau, David P. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140276995
    Abstract: A stressed timed-release multilayer composite, comprising a first stressed layer, and a second layer and third layer that hold the first layer under said stress. The second and third layers are configured to at least partially change to release at least a portion of the stress of the first layer in response to the second layer and/or the third layer being at least partially changed. Also disclosed is a stressed timed-release bilayer composite, comprising a first stressed layer and a second layer that holds the first layer under said stress forming a first physical curvature of the composite, wherein one or both of the first and/or second layers are configured to at least partially change and thereby form a second physical curvature. A stressed timed-release multilayer core-shell fiber is further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael P.H. Lau, Leonard Pease
  • Publication number: 20140081295
    Abstract: An adhesive surface comprises at least a nanoparticle coating, a metallic coating, or a fiber with a micro/nano patterned topology. The adhesive surface is adhesive to tissue in a living body. The nanoparticle coating may be metallic. In some embodiments, the adhesive surface constitutes one or more elements of a bandage or surgical mesh, is a surface of a suture, or is sized, shaped, and configured for surgical application in a body. The surface or fiber may further comprise or be encased in a dissolvable coating, such as a polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, or sucrose. The fiber may have a surface that is patterned in topological relief, such as ridges in various orientations, cylindrical protrusions substantially normal the fiber surface, undulations of the fiber surface, or random asperities of the fiber surface. The patterning may be less than 700 nm or greater than 10 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Michael P.H. Lau, Leonard Pease
  • Publication number: 20140018708
    Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) targeting and treatment of tissue. In one embodiment, the system includes an HIFU applicator and a user interface with a touchscreen display for three-dimensional visualization of the tissue. Image frames displayed on the user interface depict real-time images of the tissue, including an image parallel to a feature of the applicator and an image orthogonal to the parallel image. Reference lines may be sketched using the touchscreen and displayed on the image frames. In one embodiment, tissue boundaries are detected and marked on the image frames, either by the user or automatically by the system. In another embodiment, the user interface includes a footswitch for the user to interact with the system. In another embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound imaging component configured to undock from the system for use as a stand-alone ultrasound imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Lee David Dunbar, Jessica E. Parsons, Robert H. Pedersen, Tim Etchells, Gregory Paul Darlington, Michael P.H. Lau, Jens Ulrich Quistgaard
  • Patent number: 8277379
    Abstract: A probe having a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer is positioned in a female patient. The HIFU transducer is deployed within the vagina of the patient outside of the cervix and uterine cavity and is configured to direct HIFU energy to a treatment site within the uterus of the patient. An imaging component positioned relative to the patient images a portion of the patient's uterus that includes the treatment site to help guide the delivery of the HIFU energy to the treatment site. A liquid medium may be infused into the uterine cavity of the patient where it is maintained during imaging and delivery of the HIFU therapy. The HIFU transducer produces a thermal heating of tissue at a focus within the treatment site to initiate necrosis of the tissue. The location of the focus is controlled in accordance with an image obtained by the imaging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Mirabilis Medica Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. H. Lau, Nelson Teng, Shahram Vaezy, Alexander Lebedev, Michael William Lau, Michael J. Connolly
  • Patent number: 8052604
    Abstract: A combined imaging/HIFU probe includes an imaging scan head, a HIFU transducer, and an outlet port that delivers a flow of fluid across the HIFU transducer. At least a portion of the body cavity is filled with fluid in which the probe is immersed. The fluid provides a coupling for transmission of ultrasound energy between the probe and the patient. A flow of fluid may also be used to flush obstructions from an area of tissue near the HIFU transducer. Further described herein is a cuff to help retain fluid in the body cavity, a regulator to regulate fluid flow with respect to the body cavity according to a desired fluid pressure, and a cover for the HIFU transducer that has at least one perforation defined therethrough to allow fluid to flow through the cover. Further disclosed herein are methods of deploying a combined imaging/HIFU probe in a body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mirabilis Medica Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. H. Lau, Gregory Paul Darlington, Michael J. Connolly, Zihong Guo
  • Publication number: 20090036773
    Abstract: A combined imaging/HIFU probe includes an imaging scan head, a HIFU transducer, and an outlet port that delivers a flow of fluid across the HIFU transducer. At least a portion of the body cavity is filled with fluid in which the probe is immersed. The fluid provides a coupling for transmission of ultrasound energy between the probe and the patient. A flow of fluid may also be used to flush obstructions from an area of tissue near the HIFU transducer. Further described herein is a cuff to help retain fluid in the body cavity, a regulator to regulate fluid flow with respect to the body cavity according to a desired fluid pressure, and a cover for the HIFU transducer that has at least one perforation defined therethrough to allow fluid to flow through the cover. Further disclosed herein are methods of deploying a combined imaging/HIFU probe in a body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: MIRABILIS MEDICA INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. H. Lau, Gregory Paul Darlington, Michael J. Connolly, Zihong Guo