Patents by Inventor Scott L. Ferguson

Scott L. Ferguson 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: 9516394
    Abstract: The present invention relates to telemetry methods and systems and more particularly, to telemetry network connectivity systems, devices and methods. In accordance with various embodiments, a suite of software components configured to provide machine-to-machine network connectivity includes a configurable device translation server module, a complex message constructor and at least one database. In some embodiments the suite of software components, specifically the complex message constructor, may be configured to authenticate commands between an interface and the device translation server. Additionally, the suite of software components, specifically the complex message constructor, may be configured to manage messages between the interface and the device translation server. Managing messages may include initiating alerts and notifications based on a comparison of programming and substantially synchronous and stored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Inilex, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil De Carlo, Scott L. Ferguson, Paul Reeder
  • Publication number: 20110016514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to telemetry methods and systems and more particularly, to telemetry network connectivity systems, devices and methods. In accordance with various embodiments, a suite of software components configured to provide machine-to-machine network connectivity includes a configurable device translation server module, a complex message constructor and at least one database. In some embodiments the suite of software components, specifically the complex message constructor, may be configured to authenticate commands between an interface and the device translation server. Additionally, the suite of software components, specifically the complex message constructor, may be configured to manage messages between the interface and the device translation server. Managing messages may include initiating alerts and notifications based on a comparison of programming and substantially synchronous and stored information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Phil De Carlo, Scott L. Ferguson, Paul Reeder
  • Publication number: 20110016199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to telemetry methods and systems and more particularly, to telemetry network connectivity systems, devices and methods. In accordance with various embodiments, a suite of software components configured to provide machine-to-machine network connectivity includes a configurable device translation server module, a complex message constructor and at least one database. In some embodiments the suite of software components, specifically the complex message constructor, may be configured to authenticate commands between an interface and the device translation server. Additionally, the suite of software components, specifically the complex message constructor, may be configured to manage messages between the interface and the device translation server. Managing messages may include initiating alerts and notifications based on a comparison of programming and substantially synchronous and stored information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Phil De Carlo, Scott L. Ferguson, Paul Reeder
  • Patent number: 7361173
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott L. Ferguson, Milton Waner
  • Patent number: 6875179
    Abstract: A device to guide the placement of the catheter needle more accurately by placing the needle with a mechanical firing mechanism. The device is an integrated handheld unit comprising an ultrasonic probe with a miniature display and a mechanical firing mechanism that holds the catheter needle and deploys it into the target. The device is connected to an external ultrasound machine which provides the imaging for the device. The display provides a graphical user interface to assist in alignment with the target. The depth of placement of the catheter is set by moving a horizontal indicator over the target display using thumb switches on the handle of the device. The thumb switches are connected to a servo motor or the like that adjusts the angle at which the catheter is deployed. The servo motor simultaneously adjusts the distance of the catheter from the skin of the patient to compensate for the change in the length of the path to the target caused by the change in deployment angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Scott L. Ferguson, Gal Shafirstein, Milton Waner
  • Patent number: 6872203
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott L. Ferguson, Milton Waner
  • Patent number: 6780177
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a themally conductive tip containing an electrical resistance heating element. The thermally conductive tip is mounted on the end of a fiber that contains the electrical power leads and other electrical leads connecting to monitoring devices associated with the tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott L. Ferguson, Milton Waner
  • Publication number: 20040044336
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a themally conductive tip containing an electrical resistance heating element. The thermally conductive tip is mounted on the end of a fiber that contains the electrical power leads and other electrical leads connecting to monitoring devices associated with the tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott L. Ferguson, Milton Waner
  • Publication number: 20040044337
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for thermally destroying tumors in which heat is generated by electrical resistance heating conducted to the target tissue. Computerized scanning is used to optimize the geometry of a thermal probe. The probe has a metal tip heated by a remote laser. The metal tip is mounted on the end of a wave guide fiber for transmitting the laser radiation to the metal tip. The tip is coated with a thin layer of biocompatible ceramic to avoid coagulated tissue sticking to the tip. The tip has one or more thin, thermally-conductive elements which deploy in stages to coagulate the tumor. The conductive elements may be thin wires or blades. On one embodiment, the conductive elements are composed of a shape memory material that is folded against the tip at lower temperatures and deploys at selected higher temperatures. In another embodiment, the conductive elements are blades that are deployed mechanically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Gal Shafirstein, Scott L. Ferguson, Milton Waner
  • Publication number: 20040019280
    Abstract: An apparatus for the placement and monitoring of the position of an intraluminal indwelling catheter using an infrared (IR) signal encoded in the catheter and the detection of the IR signal by an IR optical detector. The IR signal may be encoded into the catheter by IR emitted from the catheter or IR reflected from the catheter. In the first category, the catheter is illuminated by IR radiation emitted from the distal end of the catheter, either by fiber optics or by a micro-diode. In the second category, the catheter is marked with regions of varying optical properties to form a pattern that is easily visualized and distinctive from nearby anatomical structures. One embodiment has a helical pattern in either one or more solid bands or a series of helically arranged dots. Other embodiments employ a pair of criss-crossing helical bands or zebra stripes. In addition to IR radiation, other electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Milton Waner, Scott L. Ferguson, Louis M. Fink, Vladimir P. Zharov
  • Publication number: 20030233046
    Abstract: A device to guide the placement of the catheter needle more accurately by placing the needle with a mechanical firing mechanism. The device is an integrated handheld unit comprising an ultrasonic probe with a miniature display and a mechanical firing mechanism that holds the catheter needle and deploys it into the target. The device is connected to an external ultrasound machine which provides the imaging for the device. The display provides a graphical user interface to assist in alignment with the target. The depth of placement of the catheter is set by moving a horizontal indicator over the target display using thumb switches on the handle of the device. The thumb switches are connected to a servo motor or the like that adjusts the angle at which the catheter is deployed. The servo motor simultaneously adjusts the distance of the catheter from the skin of the patient to compensate for the change in the length of the path to the target caused by the change in deployment angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Scott L. Ferguson, Gal Shafirstein, Milton Waner
  • Publication number: 20030187360
    Abstract: An apparatus for the placement and monitoring of the position of an intraluminal indwelling catheter using an infrared (IR) signal encoded in the catheter and the detection of the IR signal by an IR optical detector. The IR signal may be encoded into the catheter by IR emitted from the catheter or IR reflected from the catheter. In the first category, the catheter is illuminated by IR radiation emitted from the distal end of the catheter, either by fiber optics or by a micro-diode. In the second category, the catheter is marked with regions of varying optical properties to form a pattern that is easily visualized and distinctive from nearby anatomical structures. One embodiment has a helical pattern in either one or more solid bands or a series of helically arranged dots. Other embodiments employ a pair of crisscrossing helical bands or zebra stripes. In addition to IR radiation, other electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Milton Waner, Scott L. Ferguson, Louis M. Fink, Vladimir P. Zharov
  • Publication number: 20020115922
    Abstract: An apparatus for the placement and monitoring of the position of an intraluminal indwelling catheter using an infrared (IR) signal encoded in the catheter and the detection of the IR signal by an IR optical detector. The IR signal may be encoded into the catheter by IR emitted from the catheter or IR reflected from the catheter. In the first category, the catheter is illuminated by IR radiation emitted from the distal end of the catheter, either by fiber optics or by a micro-diode. In the second category, the catheter is marked with regions of varying optical properties to form a pattern that is easily visualized and distinctive from nearby anatomical structures. One embodiment has a helical pattern in either one or more solid bands or a series of helically arranged dots. Other embodiments employ a pair of criss-crossing helical bands or zebra stripes. In addition to IR radiation, other electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Milton Waner, Scott L. Ferguson, Louis M. Fink, Vladimir P. Zharov