Patents by Inventor Nicholas MacKinnon

Nicholas MacKinnon 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: 11653874
    Abstract: A surface of the tissue is illuminated with light having a known wavelength spectrum capable of materially penetrating the tissue. The light remitted from the tissue in response to the illumination is separated into at least two distinguishable polarization components. The intensity of the illumination light remitted from the tissue is measured over a hyperspectral range of wavelengths for the at least two distinguishable polarization components. Based on the preceding measurements and a degree of linear polarization of the remitted light, data representative of the three-dimensional location and one or more characteristics of an abnormal portion of the tissue are produced. Further, the masking effect of melanin may be eliminated to obtain accurate estimations of an anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ACCELERITAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel L. Farkas, Fartash Vasefi, Nicholas MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 11098877
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are provided for improving the quality of illumination from a luminaire. The apparatus, methods and systems provide quantum dots, methods and apparatus for stimulating device light emission from quantum dots, sensors, and controllers to adjust quality of illumination from a luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NANO-LIT TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Sarah Morgan, Nicholas MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20210174505
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing a portion of biological tissue. This invention comprises a smartphone and tablet deployable mobile medical application that uses device sensors, internet connectivity and cloud-based image processing to document and analyze physiological characteristics of hand arthritis. The application facilitates image capture and performs image processing that identifies hand fiduciary features and measures hand anatomical features to report and quantify the progress of arthritic disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Fartash Vasefi, Manuka Shanil Gunasekara
  • Patent number: 10872408
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing a portion of biological tissue. This invention comprises a smartphone and tablet deployable mobile medical application that uses device sensors, internet connectivity and cloud-based image processing to document and analyze physiological characteristics of hand arthritis. The application facilitates image capture and performs image processing that identifies hand fiduciary features and measures hand anatomical features to report and quantify the progress of arthritic disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: ETREAT MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Fartash Vasefi, Manuka Shanil Gunasekara
  • Publication number: 20200284977
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are provided for improving the quality of illumination from a luminaire. The apparatus, methods and systems provide quantum dots, methods and apparatus for stimulating device light emission from quantum dots, sensors, and controllers to adjust quality of illumination from a luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Sarah MORGAN, Nicholas MACKINNON
  • Patent number: 10598851
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are provided for improving the quality of illumination from a luminaire. The apparatus, methods and systems provide quantum dots, methods and apparatus for stimulating device light emission from quantum dots, sensors, and controllers to adjust quality of illumination from a luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NANO-LIT TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Sarah Morgan, Nicholas Mackinnon
  • Publication number: 20180182091
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing a portion of biological tissue. This invention comprises a smartphone and tablet deployable mobile medical application that uses device sensors, internet connectivity and cloud-based image processing to document and analyze physiological characteristics of hand arthritis. The application facilitates image capture and performs image processing that identifies hand fiduciary features and measures hand anatomical features to report and quantify the progress of arthritic disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Fartash Vasefi, Manuka Shanil Gunasekara
  • Patent number: 9523983
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobility aid which uses one or more sensors, processors, motors, and drive wheels to maintain a distance between the mobility aid and a user which conforms to preset parameters as the user walks without touching the walker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Chamberlain, Nicholas MacKinnon, Sean O'Rourke
  • Publication number: 20160299502
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobility aid which uses one or more sensors, processors, motors, and drive wheels to maintain a distance between the mobility aid and a user which conforms to preset parameters as the user walks without touching the walker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Chamberlain, Nicholas MacKinnon, Sean O'Rourke
  • Publication number: 20160216443
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems are provided for improving the quality of illumination from a luminaire. The apparatus, methods and systems provide quantum dots, methods and apparatus for stimulating device light emission from quantum dots, sensors, and controllers to adjust quality of illumination from a luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Sarah MORGAN, Nicholas MACKINNON
  • Publication number: 20150374309
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing a portion of biological tissue. A surface of the tissue is illuminated with light having a known wavelength spectrum capable of materially penetrating the tissue. The intensity of the illumination light remitted from the tissue in response to the illumination over a known measurement window is measured over a hyperspectral range of wavelengths for at least two distinguishable polarization components. Based on a model of the response of the tissue and the preceding measurements, data representative of the location and one or more characteristics of an abnormal portion of the tissue are produced. A method is provided to eliminate the masking effect of melanin to obtain accurate estimations of an anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel L. Farkas, Fartash Vasefi, Nicholas MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20150018645
    Abstract: A disposable tubular end cap for a dermoscope for examining the skin of an animal. The end cap has one end for receiving light from and transmitting light to the dermoscope, a removable calibration target disposed at the other end having optical characteristics similar to a standard skin type, and an identifier disposed on the end cap. The identifier uniquely identifies the end cap and associates it with both data regarding light emitted from the skin of an animal and calibration data derived from the calibration target. Animal tissue may be examined to identify lesions using a plurality of wavelengths and a plurality of polarizations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Farkas, Nicholas MacKinnon, Fartash Vasefi
  • Publication number: 20070274077
    Abstract: Illumination exposure control systems comprising reflective pixelated spatial light modulators that reflect substantially all of the light impinging on them into at least two different light paths. At least one of the light paths acts as a propagating light path and transmits the light beam out of the lighting system. At least one other light path acts as a non-propagating light path and prevents the light beam from being transmitted out the system. The illumination exposure control systems provide high speed of exposure actuation and precision control of exposure duration and frequency or exposure sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20060170994
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and the like for measuring, encoding and displaying of object color for digital imaging, to control the apparent color of an item under different lighting or display conditions. The present invention helps provide accurate color for such items, both on the internet and in other situations, and can, if desired, determine whether a display screen is accurately displaying the color and also correct the image on the screen if it is not accurate. Also, probes suitable for taking accurate measurements of the intrinsic color characteristics, or intrinsic wavelength-dependent response, of an object, and software or databases that provide information for a variety of lighting situations and light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20050251230
    Abstract: Computer-controlled illumination systems that can be used to select a variety of wavelengths of light and intensities of such wavelengths suitable for the activation of various kinds of photodynamic drugs, for various types of phototherapy. If desired, the systems can work interactively with a measurement system to measure the quantity of some types of photodynamic drugs present in a tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20050234302
    Abstract: Color endoscopes, light sources and endoscopy systems, etc., that have good dynamic range and/or resolution while reducing the size and cost of the endoscopes. The endoscopes achieve this, in part, by using a black and white (grayscale or monochromatic) sensor at the tip of the endoscope instead of a color sensor. The endoscope uses a light system that precisely and specifically illuminates the tissue one color at time, captures the image in grayscale, then uses a computer to associate the image with the color. Certain aspects of the invention apply to imaging systems in addition to endoscopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20050228231
    Abstract: The apparatus and methods herein provide light sources and endoscopy systems that can improve the quality of images and the ability of users to distinguish desired features when viewing tissues by providing methods and apparatus that improve the dynamic range of images from endoscopes, in particular endoscopes that have dynamic range limited because of small image sensors and small pixel electron well capacity, and other optical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20050213092
    Abstract: The apparatus and methods herein provide light sources and spectral measurement systems that can improve the quality of images and the ability of users to distinguish desired features when making spectroscopy measurements by providing methods and apparatus that can improve the dynamic range of data from spectral measurement systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20050213181
    Abstract: Illumination exposure control systems comprising reflective pixelated spatial light modulators that reflect substantially all of the light impinging on them into at least two different light paths. At least one of the light paths acts as a propagating light path and transmits the light beam out of the lighting system. At least one other light path acts as a non-propagating light path and prevents the light beam from being transmitted out the system. The illumination exposure control systems provide high speed of exposure actuation and precision control of exposure duration and frequency or exposure sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Nicholas MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20050145802
    Abstract: A fiber optic switching system which includes an optical switch having a movable actuator and a light fiber coupled to the actuator which terminates at an end target surface thereof for conducting excitation light from a light source to the optical switch mechanism. A flexible film or other surface whose response is conditioned to provide at least two different fluorescent surfaces is positioned such that an end surface of the actuator abuts or is placed in close proximity to the film throughout its movement from one position to another. A detector detects light emitted from the film. The actuator is movable so as to direct excitation light from the light fiber from the one fluorescent surface of the film to another and the detector detects light emitted from the film so as to determine which fluorescent surface of the film from which light has been emitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventor: Nicholas MacKinnon