Patents by Inventor Michelle Espy

Michelle Espy 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: 20070252595
    Abstract: Using resonant interactions to directly and tomographically image neural activity in the human brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques at ultra-low field (ULF), the present inventors have established an approach that is sensitive to magnetic field distributions local to the spin population in cortex at the Larmor frequency of the measurement field. Because the Larmor frequency can be readily manipulated (through varying Bm), one can also envision using ULF-DNI to image the frequency distribution of the local fields in cortex. Such information, taken together with simultaneous acquisition of MEG and ULF-NMR signals, enables non-invasive exploration of the correlation between local fields induced by neural activity in cortex and more ‘distant’ measures of brain activity such as MEG and EEG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Petr Volegov, Andrei Matlachov, John Mosher, Michelle Espy, Robert Kraus
  • Publication number: 20050234329
    Abstract: An apparatus measures electromagnetic signals from a weak signal source. A plurality of primary sensors is placed in functional proximity to the weak signal source with an electromagnetic field isolation surface arranged adjacent the primary sensors and between the weak signal source and sources of ambient noise. A plurality of reference sensors is placed adjacent the electromagnetic field isolation surface and arranged between the electromagnetic isolation surface and sources of ambient noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Kraus, Michelle Espy, Andrei Matlachov, Petr Volegov
  • Publication number: 20020113588
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved magnetometer to efficiently evaluate subsurface characteristics of conductive material without destroying the material. A white noise generator drives an induction coil to induce measurable currents in a work piece at multiple frequencies. Multiple super conducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) measure the magnetic filed created by the currents. The SQUIDs are housed in a liquid nitrogen Dewar. The SQUIDs are aligned along a Josephson junction and are manufactured on a single substrate. A mover moves the work piece adjacent the super conducting quantum interference devices. A computer analyzes the measured data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Michelle A. Espy, John C. Mosher, Robert H. Kraus