Patents by Inventor Nicholas E. Scianmarello
Nicholas E. Scianmarello 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).
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Patent number: 12025858Abstract: A contact lens fluid delivery device having a liquid reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator is described. Other eye hydration and variable dioptric power contact lenses are described herein. Also described are implantable liquid delivery apparatuses having a liquid storage reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator. These devices and apparatuses are useful for specific, targeted delivery of therapeutic liquids within a subject. In some embodiments, the devices incorporate actuation chambers which provide a driving force releasing the fluid into the targeted area e.g., the eye. The actuation chambers described herein can contain phase change materials or osmotic chambers or a combination thereof to drive the release of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Charles M. T. DeBoer, Mark S. Humayun
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Patent number: 12004996Abstract: A microfluidic flow restrictor that uses micron-sized beads to impede flow is described. The flow rate can be adjusted by adding or removing the beads using injection needles through self-sealing ports, one injection needle injecting or aspirating beads and another injection needle pushing or pulling fluid from outside of a bead trap within the flow restrictor. In alternative embodiments, the beads or other filler material can be trapped in a manifold bead trap such that they block a subset of fluid channels of the flow restrictor, allowing fluid to flow freely through the rest of the fluid channels. The flow restrictor can be integrated with a contact lens or implantable medical device for use in dispensing liquid therapeutic agents at flow rates of microliters per minute or moving body fluids at a controlled rate from one part of the body to another.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Aubrey M. Shapero, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20230337906Abstract: A lacrimal tear flow measurement device, and methods of manufacture and use, are described that includes a polymer microcapillary tube or similar structure having at least one end coated on the outside with soft silicone rubber and one end treated on the inside to be hydrophobic. The hydrophobic end keeps liquid from escaping or entering that end while allowing air to pass. The rest of the tube's insides may be hydrophilic or a neutral hydrophobe. As a Schirmer's test strip replacement, the entrance end of the device can be touched to the lacrimal lake of a patient's eye to collect suck up, or merely collect, tear fluid within the collection tube for weighing, volume measurement, or other analysis. Long-term collection devices for wear between doctors' visits can have a bypass channel allowing liquid to flow back onto the eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Mark S. Humayun
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Patent number: 11730358Abstract: A lacrimal tear flow measurement device, and methods of manufacture and use, are described that includes a polymer microcapillary tube or similar structure having at least one end coated on the outside with soft silicone rubber and one end treated on the inside to be hydrophobic. The hydrophobic end keeps liquid from escaping or entering that end while allowing air to pass. The rest of the tube's insides may be hydrophilic or a neutral hydrophobe. As a Schirmer's test strip replacement, the entrance end of the device can be touched to the lacrimal lake of a patient's eye to collect suck up, or merely collect, tear fluid within the collection tube for weighing, volume measurement, or other analysis. Long-term collection devices for wear between doctors' visits can have a bypass channel allowing liquid to flow back onto the eye.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20230165710Abstract: An ophthalmic liquid delivery apparatus includes a bulbar conjunctiva contacting surface, a palpebral conjunctiva contacting surface which is opposite the bulbar conjunctiva contacting surface, a therapeutic storage reservoir, and at least one fluid delivery port. In addition, a fill system for a liquid filled device includes a liquid feed tube, a plug rod feed tube, a junction port for the liquid feed tube and plug rod feed tube to meet, a needle output to temporarily interface with an ophthalmic liquid delivery device during the filling and plug step, and a cutting tool to cut the plug rod once the device is filled.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2022Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Nicholas E. SCIANMARELLO, Mark S. HUMAYUN, Yu-Chong TAI, Andrew URAZAKI
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Publication number: 20230069775Abstract: A microfluidic flow restrictor that uses micron-sized beads to impede flow is described. The flow rate can be adjusted by adding or removing the beads using injection needles through self-sealing ports, one injection needle injecting or aspirating beads and another injection needle pushing or pulling fluid from outside of a bead trap within the flow restrictor. In alternative embodiments, the beads or other filler material can be trapped in a manifold bead trap such that they block a subset of fluid channels of the flow restrictor, allowing fluid to flow freely through the rest of the fluid channels. The flow restrictor can be integrated with a contact lens or implantable medical device for use in dispensing liquid therapeutic agents at flow rates of microliters per minute or moving body fluids at a controlled rate from one part of the body to another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Aubrey M. Shapero, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Mark S. Humayun
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Patent number: 11523939Abstract: A microfluidic flow restrictor that uses micron-sized beads to impede flow is described. The flow rate can be adjusted by adding or removing the beads using injection needles through self-sealing ports, one injection needle injecting or aspirating beads and another injection needle pushing or pulling fluid from outside of a bead trap within the flow restrictor. In alternative embodiments, the beads or other filler material can be trapped in a manifold bead trap such that they block a subset of fluid channels of the flow restrictor, allowing fluid to flow freely through the rest of the fluid channels. The flow restrictor can be integrated with a contact lens or implantable medical device for use in dispensing liquid therapeutic agents at flow rates of microliters per minute or moving body fluids at a controlled rate from one part of the body to another.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Aubrey M. Shapero, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20220080220Abstract: An ophthalmic device for illuminating an interior region of a patient's eye includes a polymeric, at least partially transparent body having a first surface contoured to substantially conform to an ocular surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface; a light source; and an optical element for directing light through the first surface such that, with the first surface in contact with a corneal surface of the patient's eye, a portion of interior region of the patient's eye illuminated by the light source is visible through the first and second surfaces. In certain embodiments, the light source is sufficient to illuminate the retina so that an ophthalmic surgeon may view the eye during an evaluation or surgical procedure without the need for invasive probes, cameras, or other equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Nicholas E. SCIANMARELLO, Mark S. HUMAYUN, Yu-Chong TAI, Andrew URAZAKI
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Patent number: 11051977Abstract: An eye treatment apparatus is described. The apparatus includes an annular body that has a hollow optical zone in its center. An inner perimeter of the annular body surrounds the optical zone. The inner perimeter has a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the eye's cornea. An outer perimeter of the annular body has a diameter such that the annular body can extend to underneath the eye lid in an open eye position when the eye treatment apparatus is in operation. In this way, the apparatus can be worn on the eye, where the hollow optical zone substantially corresponds to the cornea and does not interfere with the field of vision. The annular body also includes a storage chamber that stores therapeutic liquid for an eye. An outlet is coupled with the storage chamber such that, in operation, the therapeutic liquid can be dispensed to the eye.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Colin A. Cook, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20200409177Abstract: A contact lens fluid delivery device having a liquid reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator is described. Other eye hydration and variable dioptric power contact lenses are described herein. Also described are implantable liquid delivery apparatuses having a liquid storage reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator. These devices and apparatuses are useful for specific, targeted delivery of therapeutic liquids within a subject. In some embodiments, the devices incorporate actuation chambers which provide a driving force releasing the fluid into the targeted area e.g., the eye. The actuation chambers described herein can contain phase change materials or osmotic chambers or a combination thereof to drive the release of fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Charles M.T. DeBoer, Mark S. Humayun
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Patent number: 10768444Abstract: A contact lens fluid delivery device having a liquid reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator is described. Other eye hydration and variable dioptric power contact lenses are described herein. Also described are implantable liquid delivery apparatuses having a liquid storage reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator. These devices and apparatuses are useful for specific, targeted delivery of therapeutic liquids within a subject. In some embodiments, the devices incorporate actuation chambers which provide a driving force releasing the fluid into the targeted area e.g., the eye. The actuation chambers described herein can contain phase change materials or osmotic chambers or a combination thereof to drive the release of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Charles M. T. DeBoer, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20200260946Abstract: A lacrimal tear flow measurement device, and methods of manufacture and use, are described that includes a polymer microcapillary tube or similar structure having at least one end coated on the outside with soft silicone rubber and one end treated on the inside to be hydrophobic. The hydrophobic end keeps liquid from escaping or entering that end while allowing air to pass. The rest of the tube's insides may be hydrophilic or a neutral hydrophobe. As a Schirmer's test strip replacement, the entrance end of the device can be touched to the lacrimal lake of a patient's eye to collect suck up, or merely collect, tear fluid within the collection tube for weighing, volume measurement, or other analysis. Long-term collection devices for wear between doctors' visits can have a bypass channel allowing liquid to flow back onto the eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20190374381Abstract: An eye treatment apparatus is described. The apparatus includes an annular body that has a hollow optical zone in its center. An inner perimeter of the annular body surrounds the optical zone. The inner perimeter has a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the eye's cornea. An outer perimeter of the annular body has a diameter such that the annular body can extend to underneath the eye lid in an open eye position when the eye treatment apparatus is in operation. In this way, the apparatus can be worn on the eye, where the hollow optical zone substantially corresponds to the cornea and does not interfere with the field of vision. The annular body also includes a storage chamber that stores therapeutic liquid for an eye. An outlet is coupled with the storage chamber such that, in operation, the therapeutic liquid can be dispensed to the eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Colin A. Cook, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20190358082Abstract: A microfluidic flow restrictor that uses micron-sized beads to impede flow is described. The flow rate can be adjusted by adding or removing the beads using injection needles through self-sealing ports, one injection needle injecting or aspirating beads and another injection needle pushing or pulling fluid from outside of a bead trap within the flow restrictor. In alternative embodiments, the beads or other filler material can be trapped in a manifold bead trap such that they block a subset of fluid channels of the flow restrictor, allowing fluid to flow freely through the rest of the fluid channels. The flow restrictor can be integrated with a contact lens or implantable medical device for use in dispensing liquid therapeutic agents at flow rates of microliters per minute or moving body fluids at a controlled rate from one part of the body to another.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Aubrey M. Shapero, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Mark S. Humayun
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Patent number: 10342698Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, DOHENY EYE INSTITUTEInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Karthik Murali, Mark S. Humayun, Ramiro Magalhaes Ribeiro
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Publication number: 20190025610Abstract: A contact lens fluid delivery device having a liquid reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator is described. Other eye hydration and variable dioptric power contact lenses are described herein. Also described are implantable liquid delivery apparatuses having a liquid storage reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator. These devices and apparatuses are useful for specific, targeted delivery of therapeutic liquids within a subject. In some embodiments, the devices incorporate actuation chambers which provide a driving force releasing the fluid into the targeted area e.g., the eye. The actuation chambers described herein can contain phase change materials or osmotic chambers or a combination thereof to drive the release of fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Charles M. T. DeBoer, Mark S. Humayun
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Patent number: 10031348Abstract: A contact lens fluid delivery device having a liquid reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator is described. Other eye hydration and variable dioptric power contact lenses are described herein. Also described are implantable liquid delivery apparatuses having a liquid storage reservoir connected to a channel with a flow regulator. These devices and apparatuses are useful for specific, targeted delivery of therapeutic liquids within a subject. In some embodiments, the devices incorporate actuation chambers which provide a driving force releasing the fluid into the targeted area e.g., the eye. The actuation chambers described herein can contain phase change materials or osmotic chambers or a combination thereof to drive the release of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Charles M. T. DeBoer, Mark S. Humayun
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Publication number: 20170348147Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California, Doheny Eye InstituteInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Karthik Murali, Mark S. Humayun, Ramiro Magalhaes Ribeiro
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Patent number: 9763825Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California, Doheny Eye InstituteInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Karthik Murali, Mark S. Humayun, Ramiro Magalhaes Ribeiro
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Publication number: 20170071785Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes a small molecule generator, a small molecule diffusor, and a cannula that connects the two. The small molecule generator includes an electrolyte reservoir and a set of electrodes. A first portion of the electrolyte reservoir is impermeable to a predetermined class of small molecules. A second portion of the electrolyte reservoir is permeable to the small molecules. The set of electrodes is disposed inside the electrolyte reservoir and is configured to facilitate electrolysis of the small molecules based on an electric power application to the set of electrodes and on presence of electrolyte inside the electrolyte reservoir. At least a portion of the small molecule diffusor is permeable to the small molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicants: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California, Doheny Eye InstituteInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Nicholas E. Scianmarello, Karthik Murali, Mark S. Humayun, Ramiro Magalhaes Ribeiro