Patents by Inventor Rafael A Sierra

Rafael A Sierra 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: 20220378516
    Abstract: A system can include a module to measure mobility, such as pre-operative pelvic mobility, for surgical planning. The module can include one or more inertial sensors that can be positioned relative to the anatomy of a patient. Hip navigation systems can guide an acetabular cup to patient-specific target angles, based in part, on the pre-operative pelvic mobility of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Rafael Sierra, Orian Bortz, Steven DeVincentis, James Gannoe
  • Patent number: 10716677
    Abstract: A method of anatomically positioning screw holes in an acetabular implant that can be used in surgery, such as a total hip arthroplasty. In some examples the method can be used to position holes in a shell of the implant. The method can include, for example, obtaining anatomic data including data defining an arch of bone behind an acetabulum of the living being, the arch of bone extending from a superior anterior portion to an inferior posterior portion of the acetabulum. The method can further include positioning a first series of holes along a first arched line within the acetabular shell, the first arched line determined based on the anatomic data for the arch of bone proximate the acetabulum of the living being.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lewallen, Rafael Sierra, Jacob Macke, Aaron P. Smith, Robert D. Krebs
  • Patent number: 10305244
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with the capability of switching between a modelocked pulse operating mode and an amplification operating mode. The operating modes are carried out through the application of a time-dependent bias voltage, having waveforms as described herein, to an electro-optical device positioned along the optical axis of the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: CYNOSURE, LLC
    Inventors: Rafael A. Sierra, Mirko Georgiev Mirkov
  • Publication number: 20180344466
    Abstract: A method of anatomically positioning screw holes in an acetabular implant that can be used in surgery, such as a total hip arthroplasty. In some examples the method can be used to position holes in a shell of the implant. The method can include, for example, obtaining anatomic data including data defining an arch of bone behind an acetabulum of the living being, the arch of bone extending from a superior anterior portion to an inferior posterior portion of the acetabulum. The method can further include positioning a first series of holes along a first arched line within the acetabular shell, the first arched line determined based on the anatomic data for the arch of bone proximate the acetabulum of the living being.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: David Lewallen, Rafael Sierra, Jacob Macke, Aaron P. Smith, Robert D. Krebs
  • Publication number: 20180026417
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with the capability of switching between a modelocked pulse operating mode and an amplification operating mode. The operating modes are carried out through the application of a time-dependent bias voltage, having waveforms as described herein, to an electro-optical device positioned along the optical axis of the resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Rafael A. Sierra, Mirko Georgiev Mirkov, Daniel Hohm, John Robertson, Christian Hoffman, R. Shaun Welches
  • Patent number: 9780518
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with the capability of switching between a modelocked pulse operating mode and an amplification operating mode. The operating modes are carried out through the application of a time-dependent bias voltage, having waveforms as described herein, to an electro-optical device positioned along the optical axis of the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CYNOSURE, INC.
    Inventors: Rafael A. Sierra, Mirko Georgiev Mirkov
  • Publication number: 20150180193
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with the capability of switching between a modelocked pulse operating mode and an amplification operating mode. The operating modes are carried out through the application of a time-dependent bias voltage, having waveforms as described herein, to an electro-optical device positioned along the optical axis of the resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Rafael A. Sierra, Richard Shaun Welches, Mirko Georgiev Mirkov, Daniel Hohm
  • Patent number: 8561440
    Abstract: A slide bolt lock for locking a pivoting garage door to a garage door frame includes a backing plate has a door mount adapted to fix the backing plate to the door. The backing plate includes a pair of opposed risers, each of which has an aperture therein. The backing plate further includes a lock socket. A rigid slide bolt is slidably and pivotally captured within the apertures of each riser and further includes fixed thereto a lock cover. The slide bolt and the lock cover are slidable between an extended position and a retracted position. The lock cover includes a lock mechanism adapted to selectively and lockingly engage the lock socket of the backing plate when the slide bolt is in the extended position, wherein the lock cover substantially covers the backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Rafael Sierra
  • Patent number: 7770422
    Abstract: A lock for engaging a U-shaped staple is disclosed. The lock includes a cylindrical cover that has a front face open at a key hole aperture, a continuous annular side wall, and a rear side that is open at least at a staple slot. A lock cylinder assembly is housed within the interior space of the cylindrical cover and has a key slot in a front face thereof. A barrel is rotatably captured within a cylinder, such that the barrel is only rotatable within the cylinder when a properly-shaped key is inserted into the key slot. The barrel includes a cam follower that rotates between a locked position and an unlocked position. A bolt assembly is fixed at a proximal end to the cam follower and adapted so that a bolt thereof at least partially traverses the staple slot when the cam follower is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Rafael Sierra
  • Publication number: 20060247609
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treatment, such as skin rejuvenation treatment, using non-uniform laser radiation. A high-intensity portion of the laser radiation causes collagen destruction and shrinkage within select portions of the treatment area, while a lower-intensity portion of the radiation causes fibroblast stimulation leading to collagen production across other portions of the treatment area. An output beam from a laser source, such as an Nd:YAG laser, is coupled into an optical system that -modifies the beam to provide a large-diameter beam having a non-uniform energy profile, comprised of a plurality of high-intensity zones surrounded by lower-intensity zones within the treatment beam. The higher-intensity zones heat select portions of the target tissue to temperatures sufficient for a first treatment (e.g. collagen shrinkage), while the lower-intensity zones provide sufficient energy for a second treatment (e.g. stimulated collagen production).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Mirko Mirkov, Rafael Sierra, George Cho
  • Publication number: 20060161142
    Abstract: Lasers capable of lasing at at least two wavelengths are provided having a lasing medium which is capable of lasing at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength. An output coupler is positioned along a longitudinal axis at a first end of the lasing medium and a first mirror, movable beam block shutter and second mirror are positioned sequentially along the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium at a second end of the lasing medium. The first mirror is highly reflective at a first wavelength, and the second mirror is highly reflective at a second wavelength while being transparent at the first wavelength. The beam block shutter is movable between a first position along the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium and between the first and second mirrors and a second position away from the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: Cynosure, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael Sierra, Eric Koschmann, Joseph Day, Evan Sherr, James Boll
  • Patent number: 7018396
    Abstract: A method of selectively enhancing photothermal sebaceous gland disruption and treatment of acne is disclosed. The method provides for alleviation of the acne symptoms as well as preventing acne recurrence and new acne from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: New England Medical Center Hospitals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael A. Sierra, Mirko Mirkov, Kathleen I. McMillan, Jennifer R. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6692517
    Abstract: A method for the reduction in healing time for a wound on the skin of a mammalian patient. The method comprises the steps of providing an optical radiation apparatus with a handpiece communicating therewith, energyzing the optical radiation apparatus to provide a beam of light, and directing the light beam onto a wound or surgical site of a patient. The beam has a wavelength range of about 530 nm to 1000 nm and the beam has a fluence range of from 2 J/cm2 to 5 J/cm2. The beam is preferrably generated by a pulse dye laser apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Cynosure, Inc.
    Inventors: George Cho, Horace Furumoto, Rafael A Sierra
  • Publication number: 20030050678
    Abstract: A method of selectively enhancing photothermal sebaceous gland disruption and treatment of acne is disclosed. The method provides for alleviation of the acne symptoms as well as preventing acne recurrence and new acne from occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Rafael A. Sierra, Mirko Mirkov, Kathleen I. McMillan, Jennifer R. Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20020087207
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for the prevention of a scar on the skin of a patient after the beginning healing of a wound or surgical site on that patient. The method comprises the steps of providing an optical radiation apparatus with a handpiece communicating therewith, energyzing the optical radiation apparatus to provide a beam of light, directing the light beam onto a wound or surgical site of a patient after 2 days and before 2 months from the date of injury or surgical procedure to the patient. The beam has a wavelength range of about 530 nm to 1000 nm and the beam has a fluence range of from 2J/cm2 to 12J/cm2. The beam is preferrably generated by a pulsed dye laser apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: George Cho, Horace Furumoto, Rafael A. Sierra
  • Publication number: 20020004673
    Abstract: A method for the reduction in healing time for a wound on the skin of a mammalian patient. The method comprises the steps of providing an optical radiation apparatus with a handpiece communicating therewith, energyzing the optical radiation apparatus to provide a beam of light, and directing the light beam onto a wound or surgical site of a patient. The beam has a wavelength range of about 530 nm to 1000 nm and the beam has a fluence range of from 2J/cm2 to 5J/cm2. The beam is preferrably generated by a pulse dye laser apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: George Cho, Horace Furumoto, Rafael A. Sierra
  • Patent number: 6210426
    Abstract: A method for the prevention of a scar on the skin of a patient after the beginning healing of a wound or surgical site on that patient. The method comprises the steps of providing an optical radiation apparatus with a handpiece communicating therewith, energizing the optical radiation apparatus to provide a beam of light, directing the light beam onto a wound or surgical site of a patient after 2 days and before 2 months from the date of injury or surgical procedure to the patient. The beam has a wavelength range of about 530 nm to 1000 nm and the beam has a fluence range of from 2 J/cm2 to 12 J/cm2. The beam is preferrably generated by a pulsed dye laser apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Cynosure Inc
    Inventors: George Cho, Horace Furumoto, Rafael A Sierra
  • Patent number: 5598426
    Abstract: A flashlamp-excited dye laser generates a pulsed output beam having a long pulse duration. The laser includes a pulse forming circuit which generates an excitation pulse having an amplitude which generally increases in coordination with the lasing threshold for the flashlamp-excited dye laser. The flashlamp-excited dye laser is driven with the pulse to produce a pulsed output beam of laser radiation of at least 500 microseconds in duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Candela Laser Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Hsia, Rafael A. Sierra
  • Patent number: 5530553
    Abstract: A fiber optic probe comprises a pair of substantially parallel optical fibers separated by a gap and positioned in a centrifuge tube which contains a stratified medium. The pair of fibers includes a transmit fiber for directing light from a light source into a substantially undisturbed portion of the stratified medium disposed in the gap. Light traversing the portion of the stratified medium in the gap is collected by a receive fiber and provides an indication of a light property of the portion of the stratified medium disposed in the gap. The pair of fibers are adapted to be moved in the stratified medium without significantly disturbing the stratification of the medium. As the fibers are moved, light property measurements can be obtained in other substantially undisturbed portions of the stratified medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Candela Laser Corp.
    Inventors: James C. Hsia, Rafael A. Sierra, Michael G. Clancy
  • Patent number: 5371600
    Abstract: A fiber optic probe comprises a pair of substantially parallel optical fibers separated by a gap and positioned in a centrifuge tube which contains a stratified medium. The pair of fibers includes a transmit fiber for directing light from a light source into a substantially undisturbed portion of the stratified medium disposed in the gap. Light traversing the portion of the stratified medium in the gap is collected by a receive fiber and provides an indication of a light property of the portion of the stratified medium disposed in the gap. The pair of fibers are adapted to be moved in the stratified medium without significantly disturbing the stratification of the medium. As the fibers are moved, light property measurements can be obtained in other substantially undisturbed portions of the stratified medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Candela Laser Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Hsia, Rafael A. Sierra, Michael G. Clancy