Patents by Inventor Qifa Zhou
Qifa Zhou 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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Publication number: 20250072867Abstract: A modular acoustic sensor assembly and method of forming the same is disclosed comprising: a two-dimensional acoustic sensor array; an electrically conducting and acoustically attenuating interposer; an assembly connection layer; and a first routing subassembly, wherein at least one electrical routing plane of the interposer is substantially parallel to a principal electrical routing plane of the routing substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: Qifa Zhou, Robert G. Wodnicki, Yizhe Sun
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Publication number: 20240149077Abstract: Retinal disease is responsible for many instances of vision impairment. Often, individuals with vision impaired due to retinal disease continue to have functioning retinal neurons. Thus, systems, methods, and devices to stimulate retinal neurons may restore sight for vision-impaired individuals. Systems, methods, and devices provided herein direct ultrasound energy into retinal neurons and modulate phase and amplitude of ultrasound energy in time and space domains in order to variously stimulate various retinal neurons, generating neural responses consistent with visual reproduction of intended images.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2022Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Mark S. Humayun, Qifa Zhou, Xuejun Qian, Biju Thomas, Gengxi Lu
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Publication number: 20240058625Abstract: Present implementations can include a high-precision neural stimulation device with a high voltage ASIC with an array of transmit control cells, a 2D array of ultrasound transducers, and a coupling for interfacing the high voltage ASIC to the 2D array, where the high voltage ASIC is disposed to receive and store programmable voltage levels. A contact lens structure can include the high-precision neural stimulation device and one or more fluid channels at least partially surrounding the high-precision neural stimulation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Qifa Zhou, Mark S. Humayun, Gengxi Lu
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Publication number: 20220079559Abstract: A modular array includes modular array includes one or more array modules. Each array module includes one or more transducer arrays, where each of the one or more transducer arrays includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a conducting interposer arranged and configured to provide acoustic absorbing backing for the one or more transducer arrays; and one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The conducting interposer and the one or more ASICs are in electrical contact with each other at a first direct electrical interface. Additionally, the conducting interposer and the one or more transducer arrays are in electrical contact with each other at a second direct electrical interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicants: University of Southern California, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Robert G. Wodnicki, Qifa Zhou, Thomas Matthew Cummins, Douglas N. Stephens, Katherine W. Ferrara
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Patent number: 11134918Abstract: A modular array includes modular array includes one or more array modules. Each array module includes one or more transducer arrays, where each of the one or more transducer arrays includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a conducting interposer arranged and configured to provide acoustic absorbing backing for the one or more transducer arrays; and one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The conducting interposer and the one or more ASICs are in electrical contact with each other at a first direct electrical interface. Additionally, the conducting interposer and the one or more transducer arrays are in electrical contact with each other at a second direct electrical interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignees: University of Southern California, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Robert G. Wodnicki, Qifa Zhou, Thomas Matthew Cummins, Douglas N. Stephens, Katherine W. Ferrara
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Publication number: 20200046320Abstract: A modular array includes modular array includes one or more array modules. Each array module includes one or more transducer arrays, where each of the one or more transducer arrays includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a conducting interposer arranged and configured to provide acoustic absorbing backing for the one or more transducer arrays; and one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The conducting interposer and the one or more ASICs are in electrical contact with each other at a first direct electrical interface. Additionally, the conducting interposer and the one or more transducer arrays are in electrical contact with each other at a second direct electrical interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2017Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicants: University of Southern California, Regents of the University of California, DaavisInventors: Robert G. WODNICKI, Qifa ZHOU, Thomas Matthew CUMMINS, Douglas N. STEPHENS, Katherine W. FERRARA
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Patent number: 10182791Abstract: A multimodality imaging system including ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT), photoacoustic (PA) imaging, florescence imaging and endoscopic catheter for imaging inside the gastrointestinal tract with real-time automatic image co-registration capability, including: an ultrasound subsystem for imaging; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, a PA microscopy or tomography subsystem for imaging and a florescence imaging subsystem for imaging. An invasive interventional imaging device is included with an instrumentality to take a tissue biopsy from a location visible on the ultrasound subsystem for imaging, on the optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, photoacoustic (PA) subsystem for imaging and florescence subsystem for imaging. The instrumentality takes a tissue biopsy from a visible location simultaneously with the visualization of the tissue about to be biopsied so that the tissue biopsy location is visualized before, during and after the biopsy.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Qifa Zhou, Xiang Li, Jacques Van Dam, K. Kirk Shung, Thomas Cummins, Zhongping Chen, Jiawen Li, Teng Ma
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Patent number: 9480458Abstract: An ultrasonic positioning method for real time measuring the distance between the epidural needle and the epidural space is provided. The ultrasonic positioning method at least includes a puncturing step; an advancing step; a positioning step for simultaneous detecting reflected ultrasonic signals from the ligamentum flavum (LF) and dura mater (DM); a replacement step for removing the ultrasound needle transducer and putting an injecting catheter; and an injection step for injecting an anesthetic into the epidural space via the injecting catheter.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: NATIONAL YANG-MING UNIVERSITYInventors: Hui-Hua Chiang, Shih-Pin Lin, Chien-Kun Ting, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung
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Publication number: 20160242737Abstract: A multimodality imaging system including ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT), photoacoustic (PA) imaging, florescence imaging and endoscopic catheter for imaging inside the gastrointestinal tract with real-time automatic image co-registration capability, including: an ultrasound subsystem for imaging; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, a PA microscopy or tomography subsystem for imaging and a florescence imaging subsystem for imaging. An invasive interventional imaging device is included with an instrumentality to take a tissue biopsy from a location visible on the ultrasound subsystem for imaging, on the optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem for imaging, photoacoustic (PA) subsystem for imaging and florescence subsystem for imaging. The instrumentality takes a tissue biopsy from a visible location simultaneously with the visualization of the tissue about to be biopsied so that the tissue biopsy location is visualized before, during and after the biopsy.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2014Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Qifa Zhou, Xiang Li, Jacques Van Dam, K. Kirk Shung, Thomas Cummins, Zhongping Chen
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Publication number: 20140243712Abstract: Systems and methods are described providing for the use of ultrasound energy to effect the dislodging of one or more blood clots inside blood vessels. Such clots can include those inside retinal vessels, especially in patients with central retinal vein occlusion. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for any retinal arterial or venous occlusion. In exemplary embodiments, a small probe can be inserted into the eye of a patient and placed over the retinal vessels. Acoustic streaming created by the probe can be directed to an area or region including targeted blood vessels, resulting in increased flow in one or more retinal veins and facilitating or effecting mechanical dislodging of one or more blood clots in the targets blood vessels. Exemplary embodiments can utilize ultrasonic energy produced at a frequency of approximately 44 MHz to 46 MHz with pulse repetition frequencies of approximately 100 Hz to 100 kHz.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Doheny Eye InstituteInventors: Mark Humayun, Xiaochen Xu, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung, Hossein Ameri, Gerald Chader
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Patent number: 8764666Abstract: An imaging probe for a biological sample includes an OCT probe and an ultrasound probe combined with the OCT probe in an integral probe package capable of providing by a single scanning operation images from the OCT probe and ultrasound probe to simultaneously provide integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasound imaging of the same biological sample. A method to provide high resolution imaging of biomedical tissue includes the steps of finding an area of interest using the guidance of ultrasound imaging, and obtaining an OCT image and once the area of interest is identified where the combination of the two imaging modalities yields high resolution OCT and deep penetration depth ultrasound imaging.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Zhongping Chen, Jiechen Yin, Qifa Zhou, Changhong Hu, Hao-Chung Yang, Huihua Kenny Chiang, Kirk K. Shung
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Patent number: 8684935Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed providing for the use of ultrasound energy to measure blood flow within blood vessels by Doppler velocity measurement. Directional high-frequency pulsed-wave Doppler measurements can be made with a suitable ultrasonic needle transducers for in vivo measuring of blood flow. A needle probe can include a ultrasonic material such as PMN-PT. Such blood flow measurements can be made in any part of the body, e.g., in the central retinal vein and branch retinal veins.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Doheny Eye InstituteInventors: Mark S. Humayun, Xiaochen Xu, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung, Hossein Ameri, Gerald Chader
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Publication number: 20110106052Abstract: An ultrasonic positioning device for real time measuring the distance between the epidural needle and the epidural space is provided. The ultrasonic positioning device at least includes an epidural needle having a hollow interior; an ultrasound needle transducer disposed in the hollow interior of the epidural needle and connected to an ultrasonic driving device; and a loss-of-resistance checking syringe connected to the epidural needle so as to confirm whether the epidural needle is inserted into the epidural space.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Huihua Kenny CHIANG, Shih-Pin LIN, Chien-Kun TING, Qifa ZHOU, K. Kirk SHUNG
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Publication number: 20110098572Abstract: An imaging probe for a biological sample includes an OCT probe and an ultrasound probe combined with the OCT probe in an integral probe package capable of providing by a single scanning operation images from the OCT probe and ultrasound probe to simultaneously provide integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasound imaging of the same biological sample. A method to provide high resolution imaging of biomedical tissue includes the steps of finding an area of interest using the guidance of ultrasound imaging, and obtaining an OCT image and once the area of interest is identified where the combination of the two imaging modalities yields high resolution OCT and deep penetration depth ultrasound imaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Zhongping Chen, Jiechen Yin, Qifa Zhou, Changhong Hu, Hao-Chung Yang, Huihua Kenny Chiang, Kirk K. Shung
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Publication number: 20080319319Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed providing for the use of ultrasound energy to measure blood flow within blood vessels by Doppler velocity measurement. Directional high-frequency pulsed-wave Doppler measurements can be made with a suitable ultrasonic needle transducers for in vivo measuring of blood flow. A needle probe can include a ultrasonic material such as PMN-PT. Such blood flow measurements can be made in any part of the body, e.g., in the central retinal vein and branch retinal veins.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: DOHENY EYE INSTITUTEInventors: Mark S. Humayun, Xiaochen Xu, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung, Hossein Ameri, Gerald Chader
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Publication number: 20080262512Abstract: Systems and methods are described providing for the use of ultrasound energy to effect the dislodging of one or more blood clots inside blood vessels. Such clots can include those inside retinal vessels, especially in patients with central retinal vein occlusion. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for any retinal arterial or venous occlusion. In exemplary embodiments, a small probe can be inserted into the eye of a patient and placed over the retinal vessels. Acoustic streaming created by the probe can be directed to an area or region including targeted blood vessels, resulting in increased flow in one or more retinal veins and facilitating or effecting mechanical dislodging of one or more blood clots in the targets blood vessels. Exemplary embodiments can utilize ultrasonic energy produced at a frequency of approximately 44 MHz to 46 MHz with pulse repetition frequencies of approximately 100 Hz to 100 kHz.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: DOHENY EYE INSTITUTEInventors: Mark S. Humayun, Xiaochen Xu, Qifa Zhou, K. Kirk Shung, Hossein Ameri, Gerald Chader