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).

  • Publication number: 20090250602
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power cords or lead wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Steven R. Widener, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20090180962
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program product include: (i) administering a fluorescent analyte to a subject; (ii) repetitively emitting excitation light from an implanted sensor over a desired monitoring period; (iii) detecting fluorescence intensity in response to the excitation light using the implanted sensor that outputs the excitation light; and (iv) using data associated with the detected fluorescence intensity to perform at least one of: (a) calculate the concentration or dose of the analyte received proximate to the implanted sensor site; (b) evaluate the pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic activity of the fluorescent analyte; (c) confirm Ab attachment to a tumor site; (d) monitor a non-target site to confirm it is not unduly affected by a therapy; (e) monitor for changes in cellular properties; (f) use the calculated dose or concentration data to adjust or customize a therapeutic amount of the analyte administered to the subject; (g) confirm micelle concentration at a target site and then sti
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Natasha Bolick
  • Patent number: 7557353
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Steven R. Widener, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20090121144
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation internal dosimeters with MOSFETs into a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The MOSFETs can be unpowered during irradiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Steven R. Widener, John Carroll, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Patent number: 7510699
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program product include: (i) administering a fluorescent analyte to a subject; (ii) repetitively emitting excitation light from an implanted sensor over a desired monitoring period; (iii) detecting fluorescence intensity in response to the excitation light using the implanted sensor that outputs the excitation light; and (iv) using data associated with the detected fluorescence intensity to perform at least one of: (a) calculate the concentration or dose of the analyte received proximate to the implanted sensor site; (b) evaluate the pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic activity of the fluorescent analyte; (c) confirm Ab attachment to a tumor site; (d) monitor a non-target site to confirm it is not unduly affected by a therapy; (e) monitor for changes in cellular properties; (f) use the calculated dose or concentration data to adjust or customize a therapeutic amount of the analyte administered to the subject; (g) confirm micelle concentration at a target site and then sti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Natasha Bolick
  • Patent number: 7491942
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation internal dosimeters with MOSFETs into a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The MOSFETs can be unpowered during irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Steven R. Widener, John Carroll, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Patent number: 7479108
    Abstract: A method for obtaining data using an implantable sensor unit in a body of a patient includes: implanting the sensor unit in the body; conducting an imaging procedure on the body such that the sensor unit in the body serves as a fiducial marker; detecting a parameter using the sensor unit in the body; and transmitting data associated with the detected parameter from the sensor unit to a remote receiver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rini, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20090018403
    Abstract: An implantable biocompatible sensor unit includes a sensor body of a biocompatible material configured for in vivo placement proximate a tumor treatment site. The sensor body includes at least one sensor element are configured to provide data corresponding to treatment of the tumor treatment site. The sensor body further includes a transmitter coil and associated electronic components configured for wireless transmittal of the data to a spatially remote receiver. In addition, the sensor body includes a high-atomic weight member that is configured to be detectable by an imaging modality. The sensor unit is configured to be inductively powered to wirelessly transmit the data to the remote receiver while remaining implanted proximate the tumor treatment site. Related medical systems and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Gregory Glenwood Mann
  • Publication number: 20080228049
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed wherein labeled binding molecules can be provided in vivo to tissue having biomolecules that specifically bind the labeled binding molecule. A first optical radiation is emitted into the tissue in vivo to excite the labeled binding molecule bound to the biomolecule in vivo. A second optical radiation that is emitted by the excited labeled binding molecule, in response to the excitation thereof, can be detected in vivo. Related telemetric-circuits and apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Robert D. Black
  • Patent number: 7378056
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed wherein labeled antibodies can be provided in vivo to tissue having antigens that specifically bind the labeled antibody. A first optical radiation is emitted into the tissue in vivo to excite the labeled antibody bound to the antigen in vivo. A second optical radiation that is emitted by the excited labeled antibody, in response to the excitation thereof, can be detected in vivo. Related telemetric circuits and compositions of matter are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20080089735
    Abstract: A cover for the head of a foam brush of the type that expels foam from the head thereof includes a bag and a closure device. The bag has a continuous scrubbing surface and a side wall joined together to form an interior cavity, The bag has a mouth for allowing ingress into the interior cavity and has a plurality of foam discharge holes in side wall thereof for allowing foam to pass therethrough. The closure device is configured to close the mouth of the bag when the head of a brush is received in the interior cavity and to removably secure the bag to the head of the brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Maureen Lefebure
  • Patent number: 7011814
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products monitor in vivo detected radiation in a target localized site within a subject, over a selected time period, to do one or more of: (a) quantify a radiation dose received at a local site; (b) assess bioreceptiveness to a particular treatment time or type; (c) evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a radiolabeled analyte corresponding to a non-radiolabeled analyte; (d) monitor or evaluate metabolic activity; or (e) evaluate a tumor prior to or after a therapeutic treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Suddarth, Charles W. Scarantino, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20040197267
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program product include: (i) administering a fluorescent analyte to a subject; (ii) repetitively emitting excitation light from an implanted sensor over a desired monitoring period; (iii) detecting fluorescence intensity in response to the excitation light using the implanted sensor that outputs the excitation light; and (iv) using data associated with the detected fluorescence intensity to perform at least one of: (a) calculate the concentration or dose of the analyte received proximate to the implanted sensor site; (b) evaluate the pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic activity of the fluorescent analyte; (c) confirm Ab attachment to a tumor site; (d) monitor a non-target site to confirm it is not unduly affected by a therapy; (e) monitor for changes in cellular properties; (f) use the calculated dose or concentration data to adjust or customize a therapeutic amount of the analyte administered to the subject; (g) confirm micelle concentration at a target site and then sti
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Natasha Bolick
  • Patent number: 6717154
    Abstract: Methods for quantifying the irradiation dose received by an item or items, such as food items and medical items, undergoing irradiation-based sterilization, includes the steps of monitoring a selected electronic parameter associated with an economic single use sensor positioned adjacent the item or items and telemetrically relaying data associated with the monitored electronic parameter to a computer. The computer includes a computer program which is configured to determine the radiation dose received by the item or items by correlating the value of the monitored electronic parameter to a corresponding amount of radiation associated with the value. Related sensors and systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Steven R. Widener
  • Publication number: 20030181794
    Abstract: An in vivo implantable sensor unit includes a glass sensor housing defining an elongated chamber. Sensor electronics are disposed in the chamber. The sensor electronics are adapted to wirelessly transmit data. The sensor unit is configured to wirelessly transmit data from an in vivo position to a remote receiver over a period of at least four weeks and the sensor housing is adapted to provide a hermetic seal about the sensor electronics for a period of at least four weeks. The hermetic seal is such that under a helium mass spectrometer leak detection test the sensor housing has a leak rate that is less than about 10−8 atm-cc/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rini, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20030125616
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning disposable single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive means onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be minimally obtrusive and operate without the use of externally extending power chords or lead wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Steven R. Widener, Phillip M. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20030012731
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products monitor in vivo detected radiation in a target localized site within a subject, over a selected time period, to do one or more of: (a) quantify a radiation dose received at a local site; (b) assess bioreceptiveness to a particular treatment time or type; (c) evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a radiolabeled analyte corresponding to a non-radiolabeled analyte; (d) monitor or evaluate metabolic activity; or (e) evaluate a tumor prior to or after a therapeutic treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Steven Suddarth, Charles W. Scarantino, Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20020102212
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed wherein labeled antibodies can be provided in vivo to tissue having antigens that specifically bind the labeled antibody. A first optical radiation is emitted into the tissue in vivo to excite the labeled antibody bound to the antigen in vivo. A second optical radiation that is emitted by the excited labeled antibody, in response to the excitation thereof, can be detected in vivo. Related telemetric circuits and compositions of matter are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Robert D. Black
  • Publication number: 20020040968
    Abstract: Methods for quantifying the irradiation dose received by an item or items, such as food items and medical items, undergoing irradiation-based sterilization, includes the steps of monitoring a selected electronic parameter associated with an economic single use sensor positioned adjacent the item or items and telemetrically relaying data associated with the monitored electronic parameter to a computer. The computer includes a computer program which is configured to determine the radiation dose received by the item or items by correlating the value of the monitored electronic parameter to a corresponding amount of radiation associated with the value. Related sensors and systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Robert D. Black, Gregory Glenwood Mann, Steven R. Widener
  • Patent number: 5508613
    Abstract: In Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and microscopy, noise from the receiver coil of the probe limits sensitivity. This noise may be reduced by cooling the receiver coil. Noise may be even further reduced by use of a superconducting receiver coil. However, high temperature superconductors must be maintained at temperatures significantly below the critical temperature, typically in the range of 10-60 K for proper performance. The invention provides an apparatus for cooling an NMR receiver coil to a desired temperature using a closed circuit refrigeration system. A cold fluid is circulated to a heat exchanger which is in thermal contact with a thermally conductive substrate having low magnetic susceptibility. The receiver coil is deposited on a portion of the substrate located distally from the heat exchanger. In the preferred embodiment, the substrate is sapphire and the receiver coil is a superconductive oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignees: Conductus, Inc., Robert Black
    Inventors: Vincent Kotsubo, Robert D. Black