Patents by Inventor Robert E. Lash
Robert E. Lash 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: 10149650Abstract: A method differentiates a blood vessel from a nonvascular tissue during a minimally invasive surgery using a device. A device may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 9901403Abstract: A medical device such as an oximeter includes a marking feature. In an implementation, a marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on a location of where a measurement was taken by the device. In an implementation, the marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on an oxygen saturation measurement obtained by the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash
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Patent number: 9854993Abstract: Devices detect and assist in the avoidance of blood vessels during a surgical procedure—to avoid rupturing these blood vessels. Devices may be any penetration sensor device (such as a dilator sensor device, hollow needle sensor device, or trocar sensor device) that penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 9814393Abstract: A bone oximeter probe includes an elongated member and a sensor head at an end of the elongated member to make measurements for a bone. The measurements can indicate the viability or nonviability of the bone. In an implementation, the probe is advanced through an incision in soft tissue, towards the underlying bone, and positioned so that the sensor head faces the bone to be measured. Optical signals are sent from the sensor head and into the bone. The bone reflects some of the optical signals which are then detected so that measurements for the bone can be made. Some of these measurements include an oxygen saturation level value, and a total hemoglobin concentration value of the bone.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Jimmy Jian-Min Mao, Robert E. Lash
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Patent number: 9737213Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Embodiments of the invention also include methods for inducing a temporary ischemic period in an intestine or mesentery tissue and analyzing changes in oxygen saturation of the tissue during the temporary ischemic period or during a recovery phase. The devices, systems, and methods can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Publication number: 20170215780Abstract: A device includes source and detector sensors. In a specific implementation, the device has two near detectors, two far detectors, and two sources. The two near detectors are arranged closer to the two sources than the two far detectors. A light-diffusing layer covers the two near detectors. The device may be part of a medical device that is used to monitor or measure oxygen saturation levels in a tissue. In a specific implementation, light is transmitted into the tissue and received by the detectors. An attenuation coefficient is first calculated for a shallow layer of tissue. The attenuation coefficient is then used to calculate an attenuation coefficient for a deep layer of tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash
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Patent number: 9706954Abstract: An oximeter probe includes sensor head with a probe face having one or more sensor structures to make measurements, a handle, and an elastic member connected between the handle and the base. A user can hold the handle while measurements are made and the elastic member permits the handle to flex relative to the sensor head with one or more sensor structures.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Scott Janis, Darius Eghbal
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Patent number: 9693729Abstract: A method differentiates a blood vessel from a nonvascular tissue during a minimally invasive surgery using a device. A device may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 9636096Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 9622694Abstract: A device includes source and detector sensors. In a specific implementation, the device has two near detectors, two far detectors, and two sources. The two near detectors are arranged closer to the two sources than the two far detectors. A light-diffusing layer covers the two near detectors. The device may be part of a medical device that is used to monitor or measure oxygen saturation levels in a tissue. In a specific implementation, light is transmitted into the tissue and received by the detectors. An attenuation coefficient is first calculated for a shallow layer of tissue. The attenuation coefficient is then used to calculate an attenuation coefficient for a deep layer of tissue.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash
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Patent number: 9579051Abstract: A sensor probe has a connector and the connector's corresponding receptacle on a console have security mechanisms that ensure that the connector and the receptacle are properly connected and mated. The connector and receptacle can have physical security features that block insertion of the connector into the receptacle if they are not aligned in a proper orientation. The console can also include a software security feature that allows optical measurements from the sensor probe only if the connector of the sensor probe and receptacle on the console are connected properly. An adapter can also be used to convert a conventional receptacle mounted on a console into a receptacle with security features.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash
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Patent number: 9486196Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor with an oximeter sensor at its tip and a force sensor coupled to the retractor. The retractor system also includes a system unit which can send signals to and receive signals from the oximeter sensor via optical fibers. The oximeter sensor measures oxygen saturation of a tissue being refracted by the retractor, and the force sensor measures an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor. Another retractor system has a closed loop control arrangement with a positioning mechanism which moves the retractor based on measurements of the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Publication number: 20160302705Abstract: A retractor has an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor. The tip includes one or more openings for at least one source and detector. A specific implementation is a spinal nerve root retractor with an oximeter sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash
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Patent number: 9445766Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for differentiating a blood vessel from a nonvascular tissue during a minimally invasive surgery using a device. A device may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 9380966Abstract: A retractor has an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue being retracted by the retractor. The tip includes one or more openings for at least one source and detector. A specific implementation is a spinal nerve root retractor with an oximeter sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash
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Patent number: 9351686Abstract: An oximeter probe includes sensor head with a probe face having one or more sensor structures to make measurements, a handle, and an elastic member connected between the handle and the base. A user can hold the handle while measurements are made and the elastic member permits the handle to flex relative to the sensor head with one or more sensor structures.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Scott Janis, Darius Eghbal
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Patent number: 9339221Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Thus, embodiments of the invention can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 9114226Abstract: Devices detect and assist in the avoidance of blood vessels during a surgical procedure, to avoid rupturing these blood vessels. Devices may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
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Patent number: 9066692Abstract: A connector of a sensor probe and its receptacle on a console have security mechanisms that ensure that the connector and the receptacle are properly connected and mated. The connector and receptacle can have physical security features that block insertion of the connector into the receptacle if they are not aligned in a proper orientation. The console can also include a software security feature that allows optical measurements from the sensor probe only if the connector of the sensor probe and receptacle on the console are connected properly. An adapter can also be used to convert a conventional receptacle mounted on a console into a receptacle with security features.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Jimmy Jian-min Mao, Robert E. Lash
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Patent number: 9060720Abstract: An oximeter tool includes a base with one or more sensor structures to make measurements, a handle, and a spring connected between the handle and the base. A user can hold the handle while measurements are made and the spring permits the handle to flex relative to the one or more sensor structures.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Scott Janis, Darius Eghbal