Patents by Inventor Robert V. Duncan
Robert V. Duncan 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: 11746013Abstract: An apparatus and method of separation of LOX and other commercially valuable components, such as LAr from liquefied air, which consists primarily of LN2. Strong magnetic field gradient and gravity are used to separate LOX from liquefied air, based upon the different magnetic properties of LOX and LN2. The apparatus and method employ a magnetic field gradient to levitate the LN2 and LAr diamagnetic components of liquid air while accelerating the paramagnetic LOX component toward the bottom to achieve oxygen separation. In other embodiments, a leak valve system can be used.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Texas Tech University SystemInventor: Robert V. Duncan
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Publication number: 20230100974Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for breaking up mucus in a lung comprising: a chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a pressure oscillating unit in fluid communication with the chamber for supplying and vacuuming air into/out of the chamber, wherein the pressure oscillating unit creates ultrasound waves; a control unit for selecting a positive air pressure or a negative air pressure from the pressure oscillating unit, a fluid container in fluid communication with the chamber; a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the chamber; and an outlet connected to the chamber to send respiration gas to a patient, ultrasonic waves in the respiration gas are capable of breaking up mucus in the lung.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Robert V. Duncan, Annette L. Sobel, Cuikun Lin, Christopher Carty, Robert Baca, Moses Trevor Dardik
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Patent number: 11197707Abstract: A method of cooling a material including the steps of (i) providing a cryotherapy instrument, (ii) positioning a portion of the cryotherapy instrument adjacent the material to be cooled, and (iii) circulating a cryogenic fluid through the cryotherapy instrument under physical conditions near a critical point of a liquid-vapor system for the cryogenic fluid. The critical point defines a point in a phase diagram of the liquid-vapor system where molar volumes are substantially equivalent for liquid and gas, whereby vapor lock associated with cooling of the cryotherapy instrument is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: ADAGIO MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Peter J. Littrup, Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Pramod Kerkar, Sergey T. Boldarev
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Publication number: 20190169026Abstract: An apparatus and method of separation of LOX and other commercially valuable components, such as LAr from liquefied air, which consists primarily of LN2. Strong magnetic field gradient and gravity are used to separate LOX from liquefied air, based upon the different magnetic properties of LOX and LN2. The apparatus and method employ a magnetic field gradient to levitate the LN2 and LAr diamagnetic components of liquid air while accelerating the paramagnetic LOX component toward the bottom to achieve oxygen separation. In other embodiments, a leak valve system can be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Texas Tech University SystemInventor: Robert V. Duncan
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Publication number: 20190117288Abstract: A method of cooling a material including the steps of (i) providing a cryotherapy instrument, (ii) positioning a portion of the cryotherapy instrument adjacent the material to be cooled, and (iii) circulating a cryogenic fluid through the cryotherapy instrument under physical conditions near a critical point of a liquid-vapor system for the cryogenic fluid. The critical point defines a point in a phase diagram of the liquid-vapor system where molar volumes are substantially equivalent for liquid and gas, whereby vapor lock associated with cooling of the cryotherapy instrument is avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: ADAGIO MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: PETER J. LITTRUP, ALEXEI V. BABKIN, ROBERT V. DUNCAN, PRAMOD KERKAR, SERGEY T. BOLDAREV
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Patent number: 10159522Abstract: A device for freezing body tissue, the device having a main driving system capable of generating nitrogen under physical conditions near a critical point of a liquid-vapor system for the nitrogen. The critical point defines a point in a phase diagram of the liquid-vapor system where molar volumes are substantially equivalent for liquid and gas and the physical conditions include a pressure of about 33.5 atm.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: ADAGIO MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Peter J. Littrup, Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Pramod Kerkar, Sergey T. Boldarev
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Publication number: 20160228173Abstract: A device for freezing body tissue, the device having a main driving system capable of generating nitrogen under physical conditions near a critical point of a liquid-vapor system for the nitrogen. The critical point defines a point in a phase diagram of the liquid-vapor system where molar volumes are substantially equivalent for liquid and gas and the physical conditions include a pressure of about 33.5 atm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: ADAGIO MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Peter J. LITTRUP, Alexie V. BABKIN, Robert V. DUNCAN, Pramod KERKAR, Sergey T. BOLDAREV
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Patent number: 9408656Abstract: A method of cooling a material including the steps of (i) providing a cryotherapy instrument, (ii) positioning a portion of the cryotherapy instrument adjacent the material to be cooled, and (iii) circulating a cryogenic fluid through the cryotherapy instrument under physical conditions near a critical point of a liquid-vapor system for the cryogenic fluid. The critical point defines a point in a phase diagram of the liquid-vapor system where molar volumes are substantially equivalent for liquid and gas, whereby vapor lock associated with cooling of the cryotherapy instrument is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: ADAGIO MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Peter J. Littrup, Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Pramod Kerkar, Sergey T. Boldarev
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Publication number: 20140221991Abstract: A method of cooling a material including the steps of (i) providing a cryotherapy instrument, (ii) positioning a portion of the cryotherapy instrument adjacent the material to be cooled, and (iii) circulating a cryogenic fluid through the cryotherapy instrument under physical conditions near a critical point of a liquid-vapor system for the cryogenic fluid. The critical point defines a point in a phase diagram of the liquid-vapor system where molar volumes are substantially equivalent for liquid and gas, whereby vapor lock associated with cooling of the cryotherapy instrument is avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: CRYODYNAMICS, LLCInventors: PETER J. LITTRUP, ALEXEI V. BABKIN, ROBERT V. DUNCAN, PRAMOD KERKAR, SERGEY T. BOLDAREV
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Patent number: 8740891Abstract: A flexible multi-tubular cryoprobe, including a housing for receiving an inlet flow of near critical cryogenic fluid from a fluid source and for discharging an outlet flow of the cryogenic fluid. A plurality of fluid transfer tubes are securely attached to the housing. This includes a set of inlet fluid transfer tubes for receiving the inlet flow from the housing; and, a set of outlet fluid transfer tubes for discharging the outlet flow to the housing. Each of the fluid transfer tubes is formed of material that maintains flexibility in a full range of temperatures from ?200° C. to ambient temperature. Each fluid transfer tube has an inside diameter in a range of between about 0.10 mm and 1.0 mm and a wall thickness in a range of between about 0.01 mm and 0.30 mm. An end cap is positioned at the ends of the plurality of fluid transfer tubes to provide fluid transfer from the inlet fluid transfer tubes to the outlet fluid transfer tubes.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Endocare, Inc.Inventors: Alexei V. Babkin, Peter J. Littrup, Robert V. Duncan, William J. Nydam
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Patent number: 8591503Abstract: A gas-based cryotherapy probe is provided with a shaft having a closed distal end adapted for insertion into a body. A supply conduit is disposed longitudinally within the shaft for flowing gas towards the distal end, and a return conduit is disposed longitudinally within the shaft for flowing gas from the distal end. The gas is maintained at a lower pressure within the return conduit than in the supply conduit. A heat exchanger is disposed within the shaft in thermal communication with the supply conduit and return conduit to exchange heat from gas in the supply conduit to gas in the return conduit. A vacuum jacket is adapted to provide thermal isolation of the heat exchanger from the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Cryodynamics, LLCInventors: Peter J. Littrup, Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Pramod Kerkar, Sergey T. Boldarev
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Patent number: 8087256Abstract: The methods and systems using supercritical fluids for cooling of objects with high thermal emissions are disclosed. The unique thermodynamic properties of supercritical fluids combined with microchannel cooling technology allow effective absorption of the waste heat and exclude “vapor lock”, “boiling crisis”, and other deficiencies of conventional two-phase liquid cooling.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Cryomechanics, LLCInventors: Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Anatoly I. Efremov, Peter J. Littrup
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Publication number: 20110040297Abstract: A flexible multi-tubular cryoprobe, including a housing for receiving an inlet flow of near critical cryogenic fluid from a fluid source and for discharging an outlet flow of the cryogenic fluid. A plurality of fluid transfer tubes are securely attached to the housing. This includes a set of inlet fluid transfer tubes for receiving the inlet flow from the housing; and, a set of outlet fluid transfer tubes for discharging the outlet flow to the housing. Each of the fluid transfer tubes is formed of material that maintains flexibility in a full range of temperatures from ?200° C. to ambient temperature. Each fluid transfer tube has an inside diameter in a range of between about 0.10 mm and 1.0 mm and a wall thickness in a range of between about 0.01 mm and 0.30 mm. An end cap is positioned at the ends of the plurality of fluid transfer tubes to provide fluid transfer from the inlet fluid transfer tubes to the outlet fluid transfer tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: ENDOCARE, INC.Inventors: Alexei V. Babkin, Peter J. Littrup, Robert V. Duncan, William J. Nydam
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Publication number: 20090113903Abstract: The methods and systems using supercritical fluids for cooling of objects with high thermal emissions are disclosed. The unique thermodynamic properties of supercritical fluids combined with microchannel cooling technology allow effective absorption of the waste heat and exclude “vapor lock”, “boiling crisis”, and other deficiencies of conventional two-phase liquid cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventors: Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Anatoly I. Efremov, Peter J. Littrup
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Publication number: 20090065637Abstract: A buoyancy system using double-sorb controllers for engine fueling and airship attitude control is disclosed. The buoyancy system is based on the use of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) payload that assists in buoyancy control and provides simultaneously a fuel for natural gas engines that propel the airship. The airship attitude correction is achieved by changing the amount of buoyant gas such as methane that is enclosed in the airship's baffles located forward and aft in the airship, and to the starboard and port if necessary for active roll control. The airship attitude control is provided by absorption or desorption of the natural gas using two double-sorb controllers. One of two double-sorb controllers is mounted forward and the other is mounted aft in the airship, so the differential absorption/desorption of natural gas is used to control the pitch of the airship. Each double-sorb controller consists of a thermally insulated external container connected with the LNG payload and natural gas engines.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Robert V. Duncan, Tillman Desawyer McCarson, JR., Anatoly I. Efremov
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Patent number: 7410484Abstract: A gas-based cryotherapy probe is provided with a shaft having a closed distal end adapted for insertion into a body. A supply conduit is disposed longitudinally within the shaft for flowing gas towards the distal end, and a return conduit is disposed longitudinally within the shaft for flowing gas from the distal end. The gas is maintained at a lower pressure within the return conduit than in the supply conduit. A heat exchanger is disposed within the shaft in thermal communication with the supply conduit and return conduit to exchange heat from gas in the supply conduit to gas in the return conduit. A vacuum jacket is adapted to provide thermal isolation of the heat exchanger from the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: CryoDynamics, LLCInventors: Peter J. Littrup, Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Pramod Kerkar, Sergey T. Boldarev
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Patent number: 5193909Abstract: The present invention is a quantitative method for measuring the total heat flux, and of deriving the total power dissipation, of a heat-fluxing object which includes the steps of placing an electrical noise-emitting heat-fluxing object in a liquid helium bath and measuring the superfluid transition temperature of the bath. The temperature of the liquid helium bath is thereafter reduced until some measurable parameter, such as the electrical noise, exhibited by the heat-fluxing object or a temperature-dependent resistive thin film in intimate contact with the heat-fluxing object, becomes greatly reduced. The temperature of the liquid helum bath is measured at this point. The difference between the superfluid transition temperature of the liquid helium bath surrounding the heat-fluxing object, and the temperature of the liquid helium bath when the electrical noise emitted by the heat-fluxing object becomes greatly reduced, is determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1992Date of Patent: March 16, 1993Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Robert V. Duncan