Patents by Inventor Nathan B. Ball

Nathan B. Ball 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: 10326347
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Nathan B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20160197542
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Nathan B. Ball
  • Patent number: 9308326
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Nathan B. Ball
  • Patent number: 8992466
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Nathan B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20150005701
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Nathan B. Ball
  • Patent number: 8328755
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Nathan B. Ball
  • Patent number: 8172790
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device includes a chamber (900) for holding the substance to be injected, a nozzle (910) in fluid communication with the chamber, and a drug reservoir (950) for storing the substance to be transferred to the chamber. The needle-free transdermal transport device also includes a controllable magnet and coil electromagnetic actuator (242) in communication with the chamber. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a force. The force then causes a needle-free transfer of the substance from the chamber to the biological body. The force is variable responsive to variations in the received input during actuation. The actuator draws the substance from the drug reservoir or alternatively, the substance can be pressurized from the drug reservoir into the chamber by a pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Andrew J. Taberner, Nathan B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20110257626
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Nathan B. Ball
  • Patent number: 7833189
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device for transferring a substance across a surface of a biological body includes a reservoir for storing the substance, a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a controllable electromagnetic actuator in communication with the reservoir. The actuator, referred to as a Lorentz force actuator, includes a stationary magnet assembly and a moving coil assembly. The coil assembly moves a piston having an end portion positioned within the reservoir. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a corresponding force acting on the piston and causing a needle-free transfer of the substance between the reservoir and the biological body. The magnitude, direction and duration of the force are dynamically controlled (e.g., servo-controlled) by the electrical input and can be altered during the course of an actuation cycle. Beneficially, the actuator can be moved in different directions according to the electrical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Andrew J. Taberner, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Nathan B. Ball
  • Publication number: 20100016827
    Abstract: A needle-free transdermal transport device includes a chamber (900) for holding the substance to be injected, a nozzle (910) in fluid communication with the chamber, and a drug reservoir (950) for storing the substance to he transferred to the chamber. The needle-free transdermal transport device also includes a controllable magnet and coil electromagnetic actuator (242) in communication with the chamber. The actuator receives an electrical input and generates in response a force. The force then causes a needle-free transfer of the substance from the chamber to the biological body. The force is variable responsive to variations in the received input during actuation. The actuator draws the substance from the drug reservoir or alternatively, the substance can be pressurized from the drug reservoir into the chamber by a pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Brian D. Hemond, Dawn M. Wendell, Nora Catherine Hogan, Andrew J. Taberner, Nathan B. Ball