Patents by Inventor Richard James Black
Richard James Black 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: 11471135Abstract: A biopsy needle has a central axis and includes one or more sensing regions, each sensing region formed by a plurality of sensing optical fibers located over a particular extent of said central axis and inside the outer shell of the needle. The sensing optical fibers are coupled to a wavelength interrogator. A steerable catheter has a central axis and outer shell, the outer shell coupled to a plurality of optical fibers in sensing regions and actuation regions, the sensing regions formed over particular extents of the central axis by bonding gratings to the inner surface of the outer shell, and the actuation regions formed by coupling optical energy into shape memory alloys bonded to the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yong-Lae Park, Richard James Black, Behzad Moslehi, Mark R. Cutkosky, Santhi Elayaperumal, Bruce Daniel, Alan Yeung, Vahid Sotoudeh
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Publication number: 20190192124Abstract: A biopsy needle has a central axis and includes one or more sensing regions, each sensing region formed by a plurality of sensing optical fibers located over a particular extent of said central axis and inside the outer shell of the needle. The sensing optical fibers are coupled to a wavelength interrogator. A steerable catheter has a central axis and outer shell, the outer shell coupled to a plurality of optical fibers in sensing regions and actuation regions, the sensing regions formed over particular extents of the central axis by bonding gratings to the inner surface of the outer shell, and the actuation regions formed by coupling optical energy into shape memory alloys bonded to the outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yong-Lae PARK, Richard James BLACK, Behzad MOSLEHI, Mark R. CUTKOSKY, Santhi ELAYAPERUMAL, Bruce DANIEL, Alan YEUNG, Vahid SOTOUDEH
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Patent number: 10238370Abstract: A biopsy needle has a central axis and includes one or more sensing regions, each sensing region formed by a plurality of sensing optical fibers located over a particular extent of said central axis and inside the outer shell of the needle. The sensing optical fibers are coupled to a wavelength interrogator. A steerable catheter has a central axis and outer shell, the outer shell coupled to a plurality of optical fibers in sensing regions and actuation regions, the sensing regions formed over particular extents of the central axis by bonding gratings to the inner surface of the outer shell, and the actuation regions formed by coupling optical energy into shape memory alloys bonded to the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: INTELLIGENT FIBER OPTIC SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Yong-Lae Park, Richard James Black, Behzad Moslehi, Mark R. Cutkosky, Santhi Elayaperumal, Bruce Daniel, Alan Yeung, Vahid Sotoudeh
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Patent number: 9823137Abstract: A thermal protection system (TPS) test plug has optical fibers with FBGs embedded in the optical fiber arranged in a helix, an axial fiber, and a combination of the two. Optionally, one of the optical fibers is a sapphire FBG for measurement of the highest temperatures in the TPS plug. The test plug may include an ablating surface and a non-ablating surface, with an engagement surface with threads formed, the threads having a groove for placement of the optical fiber. The test plug may also include an optical connector positioned at the non-ablating surface for protection of the optical fiber during insertion and removal.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard James Black, Joannes M. Costa, Behzad Moslehi, Livia Zarnescu
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Publication number: 20150190123Abstract: A biopsy needle has a central axis and includes one or more sensing regions, each sensing region formed by a plurality of sensing optical fibers located over a particular extent of said central axis and inside the outer shell of the needle. The sensing optical fibers are coupled to a wavelength interrogator. A steerable catheter has a central axis and outer shell, the outer shell coupled to a plurality of optical fibers in sensing regions and actuation regions, the sensing regions formed over particular extents of the central axis by bonding gratings to the inner surface of the outer shell, and the actuation regions formed by coupling optical energy into shape memory alloys bonded to the outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: INTELLIGENT FIBER OPTIC SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Yong-Lae PARK, Richard James BLACK, Behzad MOSLEHI, Mark R. CUTCOSKY, Santhi Elayaperumal, Bruce DANIEL, Alan YEUNG, Vahid SOTOUDEH
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Patent number: 8649847Abstract: A biopsy needle has a central axis and includes one or more sensing regions, each sensing region formed by a plurality of sensing optical fibers located over a particular extent of said central axis and inside the outer shell of the needle. The sensing optical fibers are coupled to a wavelength interrogator. A steerable catheter has a central axis and outer shell, the outer shell coupled to a plurality of optical fibers in sensing regions and actuation regions, the sensing regions formed over particular extents of the central axis by bonding gratings to the inner surface of the outer shell, and the actuation regions formed by coupling optical energy into shape memory alloys bonded to the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yong-Lae Park, Richard James Black, Behzad Moslehi, Mark R. Cutkosky, Santhi Elayaperumal, Bruce Daniel, Alan Yeung, Vahid Sotoudeh
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Patent number: 8257991Abstract: A sensor for force is formed from an elastomeric cylinder having a region with apertures. The apertures have passageways formed between them, and an optical fiber is introduced into these passageways, where the optical fiber has a grating for measurement of tension positioned in the passageways between apertures. Optionally, a temperature measurement sensor is placed in or around the elastomer for temperature correction, and if required, a copper film may be deposited in the elastomer for reduced sensitivity to spot temperature variations in the elastomer near the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yong-Lae Park, Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Mark R. Cutkosky, Kelvin K. Chau
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Patent number: 7903907Abstract: A sensor for force is formed from an elastomeric cylinder having a region with apertures. The apertures have passageways formed between them, and an optical fiber is introduced into these passageways, where the optical fiber has a grating for measurement of tension positioned in the passageways between apertures. Optionally, a temperature measurement sensor is placed in or around the elastomer for temperature correction, and if required, a copper film may be deposited in the elastomer for reduced sensitivity to spot temperature variations in the elastomer near the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yong-Lae Park, Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Mark R. Cutkosky, Kelvin K Chau
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Patent number: 6895132Abstract: A fiber optic sensor comprises two independent fibers having Bragg gratings which are coupled to commutating broadband optical sources through splitters and wavelength discriminators. The ratio of detected optical energy in each of two detectors examining the wave intensity returned to a wavelength discriminator coupled with the characteristic of the wavelength discriminator determines the wavelength returned by the grating. In another embodiment, tunable filters are utilized to detect minimum returned wave energy to extract a sensor wavelength Reference to the original grating wavelength indicates the application of either temperature or strain to the grating. In another embodiment, a plurality of Bragg grating sensor elements is coupled to sources and controllers wherein a dimensional change in a fiber having a Bragg grating is detected using a measurement system comprising broad-band sources, optical power splitters, a high-sensitivity wavelength discriminator, optical detectors, and a controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: IFOS, Inc.Inventors: Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Herbert John Shaw, Keiichiro Toyama
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Patent number: 6788835Abstract: A fiber optic sensor comprises two independent fibers having Bragg gratings which are coupled to commutating broadband optical sources through splitters and wavelength discriminators. The ratio of detected optical energy in each of two detectors examining the wave intensity returned to a wavelength discriminator coupled with the characteristic of the wavelength discriminator determines the wavelength returned by the grating. In another embodiment, tunable filters are utilized to detect minimum returned wave energy to extract a sensor wavelength Reference to the original grating wavelength indicates the application of either temperature or strain to the grating. In another embodiment, a plurality of Bragg grating sensor elements is coupled to sources and controllers wherein a dimensional change in a fiber having a Bragg grating is detected using a measurement system comprising broad-band sources, optical power splitters, a high-sensitivity wavelength discriminator, optical detectors, and a controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: IFOS, Inc.Inventors: Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Herbert John Shaw, Keiichiro Toyama
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Publication number: 20040028310Abstract: A fiber optic sensor comprises two independent fibers having Bragg gratings which are coupled to commutating broadband optical sources through splitters and wavelength discriminators. The ratio of detected optical energy in each of two detectors examining the wave intensity returned to a wavelength discriminator coupled with the characteristic of the wavelength discriminator determines the wavelength returned by the grating. In another embodiment, tunable filters are utilized to detect minimum returned wave energy to extract a sensor wavelength Reference to the original grating wavelength indicates the application of either temperature or strain to the grating. In another embodiment, a plurality of Bragg grating sensor elements is coupled to sources and controllers wherein a dimensional change in a fiber having a Bragg grating is detected using a measurement system comprising broad-band sources, optical power splitters, a high-sensitivity wavelength discriminator, optical detectors, and a controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Herbert John Shaw, Keiichiro Toyama
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Publication number: 20040028311Abstract: A fiber optic sensor comprises two independent fibers having Bragg gratings which are coupled to commutating broadband optical sources through splitters and wavelength discriminators. The ratio of detected optical energy in each of two detectors examining the wave intensity returned to a wavelength discriminator coupled with the characteristic of the wavelength discriminator determines the wavelength returned by the grating. In another embodiment, tunable filters are utilized to detect minimum returned wave energy to extract a sensor wavelength Reference to the original grating wavelength indicates the application of either temperature or strain to the grating. In another embodiment, a plurality of Bragg grating sensor elements is coupled to sources and controllers wherein a dimensional change in a fiber having a Bragg grating is detected using a measurement system comprising broad-band sources, optical power splitters, a high-sensitivity wavelength discriminator, optical detectors, and a controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Herbert John Shaw, Keiichiro Toyama
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Patent number: 6597822Abstract: A fiber optic sensor comprises two independent fibers having Bragg gratings which are coupled to commutating broadband optical sources through splitters and wavelength discriminators. The ratio of detected optical energy in each of two detectors examining the wave intensity returned to a wavelength discriminator coupled with the characteristic of the wavelength discriminator determines the wavelength returned by the grating. In another embodiment, tunable filters are utilized to detect minimum returned wave energy to extract a sensor wavelength. Reference to the original grating wavelength indicates the application of either temperature or strain to the grating. In another embodiment, a plurality of Bragg grating sensor elements is coupled to sources and controllers wherein a dimensional change in a fiber having a Bragg grating is detected using a measurement system comprising broad-band sources, optical power splitters, a high-sensitivity wavelength discriminator, optical detectors, and a controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1999Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: IFOS, Inc.Inventors: Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Herbert John Shaw, Keiichiro Toyama
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Patent number: 6038359Abstract: New elements mode-converting two-mode grating and mode-filtering two-mode coupler are disclosed and used as elements in a system for communications, add-drop filtering, and strain sensing. Methods of fabrication for these new two-mode gratings and mode-filtering two-mode couplers are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Intelligent Fiber Optic SystemsInventors: Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Herbert John Shaw
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Patent number: 6011881Abstract: A tunable filter comprises either an internal or an external grating proximal to a variable index of refraction material. This variable index of refraction material may vary upon the application of an external electrical potential or the application of a change in temperature of the polymer. Additionally, the grating may comprise a periodic modulation of the index of refraction, this periodic modulation comprising an isoplanar modulation of the index of refraction at an angle to the central axis of the waveguide, thereby causing conversion of fundamental mode waves to second mode waves, and by reciprocity, conversion of second mode waves to fundamental mode waves.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Ifos, Intelligent Fiber Optic SystemsInventors: Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Herbert John Shaw
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Patent number: 5940556Abstract: New elements mode-converting two-mode grating and mode-filtering two-mode coupler are disclosed and used as elements in a system for communications, add-drop filtering, and strain sensing. Methods of fabrication for these new two-mode gratings and mode-filtering two-mode couplers are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: IFOSInventors: Behzad Moslehi, Richard James Black, Herbert John Shaw
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Patent number: 5710848Abstract: A tapered optical fiber component is provided that has an optical fiber with a cladded region. An optical core passes through the cladded region. The cladded region has a tapered extended first region drawn down in diameter to form an effective area region that has a predetermined effective area. The tapered extended first region is formed to adiabatically concentrate an optical signal for propagation through the effective area region of reduced diameter. The power density of the optical signal propagating through the effective area region is increased as an inverse function of the effective area.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique de MontrealInventors: Patrick Dumais, Suzanne Lacroix, Francois Gonthier, Richard James Black, Jacques Bures