Patents by Inventor Robert D. Black

Robert D. 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).

  • Patent number: 10537467
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SCION NEUROSTIM, LLC
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 10478331
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for delivering one or more thermal waveforms to the vestibular system and/or the nervous system of a patient. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a vestibular stimulation device configured both to generate a prescription for delivering one or more thermal waveforms and to deliver the prescribed thermal waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Scion NeuroStim, LLC
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20180289960
    Abstract: A method of neurostimulation includes delivering an electrical signal to a plurality of electrodes (215A, 215B) connected to a patient. The electrical signal is characterized by an amplitude and a carrier frequency. The method includes modulating an electrical signal based on an audio waveform. In some cases, the modulation may include modulating at least one of an amplitude and a carrier frequency based on the audio waveform. A neurostimulation device (200) comprising first and second electrodes is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20180264265
    Abstract: A method of neurostimulation may include delivering an electrical signal to a plurality of electrodes connected to a patient. The electrical signal may include a plurality of spaced-apart packets of electrical pulses. The method may include modulating at least one of a quantity of the plurality of electrical pulses within ones of the plurality of packets of electrical pulses, a width in time of the plurality of electrical pulses within ones of the plurality of packets of electrical pulses, an amplitude in voltage of the plurality of electrical pulses within ones of the plurality of packets of electrical pulses, a separation in time between adjacent ones of the plurality of electrical pulses within ones of the plurality of packets of electrical pulses, and a separation in time between adjacent ones of the plurality of packets of electrical pulses to modulate the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20180250511
    Abstract: A method of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) may include delivering an electrical signal via transdermal electrical stimulation using a plurality of electrodes connected to a patient. The electrical signal may include an amplitude and a carrier frequency. The method may include modulating at least one of the amplitude and the carrier frequency based on a modulation waveform to modulate the electrical signal, the modulation waveform may include a modulation frequency that is less than the carrier frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20180193641
    Abstract: A method of neurostimulation may include delivering a modulated electrical signal to a patient through galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and delivering a time varying thermal waveform to the patient through caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) simultaneous with the delivery of the modulated electrical signal through GVS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20180008457
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 9861519
    Abstract: A device for delivering caloric vestibular stimulation to an individual, includes: (a) an earpiece configured to be at least partially insertable into the ear canal of the individual for delivering a first thermal stimulus; (b) an input unit for receiving a user input indicating efficacy of said first thermal stimulus, and (c) a controller operatively associated with said earpiece and said input unit for: (i) controlling said earpiece to provide said first thermal stimulus, and (ii) receiving a signal corresponding to the user input and generating a control signal to control the earpiece and delivering a subsequent thermal stimulus different from said first thermal stimulus. In some embodiments, each thermal stimulus is an actively controlled time varying waveform stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Scion NeuroStim, LLC
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 9849026
    Abstract: A device for delivering caloric vestibular stimulation to an individual, includes: (a) an earpiece configured to be at least partially insertable into the ear canal of the individual for delivering said caloric vestibular stimulation; (b) a power supply operatively associated with said earpiece; and (c) a controller operatively associated with said power supply and said earpiece for configuring said caloric vestibular stimulation as at least a first and second time-varying waveform. Preferably, the waveforms are actively controlled waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Scion NeuroStim, LLC
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 9655772
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Scion Neurostim, LLC
    Inventors: Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20170135854
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for delivering one or more thermal waveforms to the vestibular system and/or the nervous system of a patient. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a vestibular stimulation device configured both to generate a prescription for delivering one or more thermal waveforms and to deliver the prescribed thermal waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 9532900
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SCION NEUROSTIM, LLC
    Inventors: Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 9526653
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for delivering one or more thermal waveforms to the vestibular system and/or the nervous system of a patient. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a vestibular stimulation device configured both to generate a prescription for delivering one or more thermal waveforms and to deliver the prescribed thermal waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Scion Neurostim, LLC.
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20160346117
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 9358377
    Abstract: A low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy device having a spatiotemporal radiation profile includes an elongated body having a radioactive material in a spatial pattern to provide a spatial radiation profile with a radiation intensity that varies along a length of the elongated body. The radioactive material includes at least first and second radioisotopes having at least first and second respective decay profiles that together provide a temporal radiation profile that is different from the first and second decay profiles. The spatial radiation profile and the temporal radiation profile form a net spatiotemporal radiation profile configured to provide a radiotherapy plan for a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Civatech Onocology
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Jeffrey C. Leung
  • Patent number: 9314371
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Scion Neurostim, LLC
    Inventors: Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers, Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 9283111
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Scion NeuroStim, LLC
    Inventors: Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20150320591
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulation system for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) a conduit configured to deliver a fluid to calorically stimulate an ear canal of a subject; and (b) a fluid control unit comprising a controller configured to control a flow of the fluid to the conduit and/or to control a caloric profile of the fluid such that a temperature of the fluid changes through time when the fluid is being delivered to the ear canal via the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20150320592
    Abstract: The present provides devices, systems and methods useful for stimulating the vestibular and/or nervous systems of an individual with a gas or mixture of gases that has been cooled, heated and/or humidified to produce one or more time-varying thermal waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Lesco L. Rogers, Lanty L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9180310
    Abstract: Methods of forming a low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy device include depositing a solution comprising a soluble form of a radioactive material on a substrate. A water-insoluble form of the radioactive material is formed on the substrate by chemical precipitation and/or thermal decomposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Civatech Oncology
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, David Wagner, Claudia Black