Patents by Inventor Robert Langer

Robert Langer 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: 8968274
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled substance delivery device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, a delivery device or related device may be placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. The concentration of a substance in the fluid to be delivered may be modified by a remote control signal. In selected embodiments, an acoustic control signal may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Leroy E. Hood, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8962316
    Abstract: Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Ed Harlow, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8936590
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled reaction device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to various embodiments, a reaction device is placed in an environment in order to perform a chemical reaction in an environment. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, an acoustic control signal may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Leroy E. Hood, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8906687
    Abstract: Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Ed Harlow, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8900865
    Abstract: Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Ed Harlow, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8882747
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled substance delivery device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, a delivery device or related device may be placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. The concentration of a substance in the fluid to be delivered may be modified by a remote control signal. In selected embodiments, a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Leroy E. Hood, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140314826
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting bacterial attachment to a surface, the method comprising forming the surface from a polymer, or applying a polymer to the surface, wherein the polymer is a homopolymer formed from a (meth) acrylate or (meth) acrylamide monomer or a copolymer formed from one or more (meth) acrylate or (meth) acrylamide monomers, wherein the (meth) acrylate or (meth) acrylamide monomers are of formula (I) or (II): [H2C?CR?—C(?O)—O—]nR??(I) [H2C?CR?—C(?O)—NH—]nR??(II) wherein n is 1, 2 or 3, R? is independently H or CH3, R is an organic group having a total of from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, wherein the organic group includes an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon moiety and wherein the organic group does not include any hydroxyl groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
    Inventors: Paul Williams, Morgan Russell Alexander, Martyn Christopher Davies, Robert Langer, Daniel Griffith Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140312135
    Abstract: In an aspect, an eating utensil includes a controllable odorant emitter for delivering an odorant to a person who is eating or drinking from the eating utensil. The odorant may be delivered orthonasally or retronasally. The odorant may be used to stimulate or suppress appetite. In an aspect, a controllable odorant emitter is provided in an attachment that may be removably secured to an eating utensil. Related methods and systems for delivering odorant in connection with use of an eating utensil are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Dennis J. Rivet, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140303660
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a handheld or hand operated surgical instrument. The instrument includes an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a handle portion. The instrument includes a working tip coupled to the elongated member. The instrument includes a sensor configured to detect a user-imparted hand tremble motion. The instrument includes a flexible beam element of the elongated member located in-between the handle portion and the working tip, and configured to reversibly bend, extend, or rotate with respect to the longitudinal axis. The instrument includes an actuator physically coupled to the flexible beam element and configured to reversibly bend, extend, or rotate the flexible beam element with respect to the longitudinal axis. The instrument includes a controller configured to stabilize the working tip by activating the actuator in a manner responsive to the detected user-imparted hand tremble motion in at least one degree of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8855907
    Abstract: A device may include a determination module for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling a hybrid vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module for transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle to an off-site entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Searete LLC
    Inventors: Philip A. Eckhoff, William H. Gates, III, Peter L. Hagelstein, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Erez Lieberman, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Michael Schnall-Levin, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140296978
    Abstract: Breast implants including sensor modules and related methods are described herein. Breast implants include those with: a shell configured to be substantially filled with a viscous material; a plurality of projections extending from an external surface of the shell, the projections forming a plurality of compartments adjacent to the external surface of the shell; at least one fluid-permeable cover attached to the projections, the cover completely enveloping the shell and the plurality of projections; a plurality of sensor modules attached to the shell, each of the sensor modules oriented to detect one or more analytes in a fluid within one of the plurality of compartments, wherein each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a unique identifier; and at least one power source operably attached to the plurality of sensor modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20140296663
    Abstract: Breast implants including sensor modules and related methods are described herein. Breast implants include those with: a shell configured to be substantially filled with a viscous material; at least one fluid-permeable cover, the cover completely enveloping the shell; and a plurality of sensor modules attached to the shell and positioned at a distance from each other, each of the sensor modules oriented to detect one or more analytes in a fluid between the shell and the cover, wherein each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a unique identifier and is configured to utilize energy transmitted from an external source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8845740
    Abstract: Prosthetic artificial joints are described, including hip, knee and shoulder joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8845741
    Abstract: Prosthetic artificial joints are described, including hip, knee and shoulder joints. In some embodiments, an artificial joint prosthesis includes: a bone-facing surface of a artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; a first component of the artificial joint prosthesis including a contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis, the first component fabricated from at least one polymer and a plurality of magnetic particles; and a second component of the artificial joint prosthesis including at least one magnet configured to create a magnetic field within the artificial joint, the at least one magnet positioned to form a magnetic field directed to influence a location of debris including the magnetic particles in the joint to a position distinct from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Seavete LLC
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8845739
    Abstract: Prosthetic artificial joints are described, including hip, knee and shoulder joints. In some embodiments, a artificial joint prosthesis includes: a bone-facing surface of a artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; a non-contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to deflect synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and a mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure, the mechanism operable to move the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20140288647
    Abstract: Breast implants including sensor modules and related methods are described herein. Breast implants include those with: a shell configured to be substantially filled with a viscous material; a plurality of projections extending from an external surface of the shell, the projections forming a plurality of compartments adjacent to the external surface of the shell; at least one fluid-permeable cover attached to the projections, the cover completely enveloping the shell and the plurality of projections; and a plurality of sensor modules attached to the shell and positioned at a distance from each other, each of the sensor modules oriented to detect one or more analytes in a fluid within one of the plurality of compartments, wherein each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a unique identifier and is configured to utilize energy transmitted from an external source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20140277519
    Abstract: Artificial joint prosthetic components including synovial fluid deflection structures are described. Embodiments of artificial joint prosthesis include those with: a bone-facing surface of a artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; a non-contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; and at least one fluid deflection structure positioned on the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to deflect synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20140257496
    Abstract: Artificial joint prostheses, including hip, knee and shoulder joints, are described. In some aspects, an artificial joint prosthesis includes: a bone-facing surface of an artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; a non-contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; at least one fluid deflection structure attached to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to direct a flow of synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and at least one particle retaining structure positioned to contact the directed flow of synovial fluid and configured to retain particles present within the synovial fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20140257497
    Abstract: Prosthetic artificial joints are described, including hip, knee and shoulder joints. In some embodiments, a artificial joint prosthesis includes: a bone-facing surface of a artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; a non-contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to deflect synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and a mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure, the mechanism operable to move the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Publication number: 20140257498
    Abstract: Prosthetic artificial joints are described, including hip, knee and shoulder joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Daniel Hawkins, Roderick A. Hyde, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Terence Myckatyn, Parag Jitendra Parikh, Dennis J. Rivet, Joshua S. Shimony, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene