Patents by Inventor Steven M. Blair

Steven M. Blair 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: 20230248937
    Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 11672944
    Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 11563078
    Abstract: Ultra-compact inductor devices for use in integrated circuits (e.g., RF ICs) that use 3-dimensional Dirac materials for providing the inductor. Whereas inductors currently require significant real estate on an integrated circuit, because they require use of an electrically conductive winding around an insulative core, or such metal deposited in a spiral geometry, the present devices can be far more compact, occupying significantly less space on an integrated circuit. For example, an ultra-compact inductor that could be included in an integrated circuit may include a 3-dimensional Dirac material formed into a geometric shape capable of inductance (e.g., as simple as a stripe or series of stripes of such material), deposited on a substantially non-conductive (i.e., insulative) substrate, on which the Dirac material in the selected geometric shape is positioned. Low temperature manufacturing methods compatible with CMOS manufacturing are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Berardi Sensale Rodriguez, Ashish Chanana, Steven M Blair, Vikram Deshpande, Michael A Scarpulla, Hugo Orlando Condori, Jeffrey Walling
  • Publication number: 20210288136
    Abstract: Ultra-compact inductor devices for use in integrated circuits (e.g., RF ICs) that use 3-dimensional Dirac materials for providing the inductor. Whereas inductors currently require significant real estate on an integrated circuit, because they require use of an electrically conductive winding around an insulative core, or such metal deposited in a spiral geometry, the present devices can be far more compact, occupying significantly less space on an integrated circuit. For example, an ultra-compact inductor that could be included in an integrated circuit may include a 3-dimensional Dirac material formed into a geometric shape capable of inductance (e.g., as simple as a stripe or series of stripes of such material), deposited on a substantially non-conductive (i.e., insulative) substrate, on which the Dirac material in the selected geometric shape is positioned. Low temperature manufacturing methods compatible with CMOS manufacturing are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Berardi Sensale-Rodriguez, Ashish Chanana, Steven M. Blair, Vikram Deshpande, Michael A. Scarpulla, Hugo Orlando Condori, Jeffrey Walling
  • Publication number: 20210267573
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring changes in smart hydrogel microresonator structures positioned in an in vivo or other environment, having an acoustic resonance frequency in an ultrasound range. The system includes a smart hydrogel microresonator structure positioned within the environment configured to exhibit a change in resonance frequency in response to interaction with one or more predefined analytes in the environment. The system includes an ultrasound transducer for querying the smart hydrogel microresonator structure at or near its resonance frequency. The system also includes a computer system configured to receive ultrasound data as provided by query of the smart hydrogel microresonator structure and to determine changes in resonance frequency, amplitude or intensity of the ultrasound query wave, or mean grayscale value (MGV) associated with the ultrasound data of the smart hydrogel microresonator structure due to the change in resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher F. Reiche, Florian Solzbacher, Navid Farhoudi, Steven M. Blair, Jules J. Magda, Lars B. Laurentius, Prattay Deepta Kairy
  • Publication number: 20210103080
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for blocking, attenuating, or filtering neuroactive wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and reducing or preventing the symptoms affiliated with exposure to those wavelengths. Nanoparticles of a predetermined composition, size, and structure are dispersed in a host medium to create an optical notch filter, thereby attenuating only a narrow range of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Pradeep Kasinadhuni, Steve McDaniel, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 10914877
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for blocking, attenuating, or filtering neuroactive wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and reducing or preventing the symptoms affiliated with exposure to those wavelengths. Nanoparticles of a predetermined composition, size, and structure are dispersed in a host medium to create an optical notch filter, thereby attenuating only a narrow range of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Pradeep Kasinadhuni, Steve McDaniel, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Publication number: 20200192011
    Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 10605970
    Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Publication number: 20190310405
    Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 10359552
    Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Publication number: 20190154894
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for blocking, attenuating, or filtering neuroactive wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and reducing or preventing the symptoms affiliated with exposure to those wavelengths. Nanoparticles of a predetermined composition, size, and structure are dispersed in a host medium to create an optical notch filter, thereby attenuating only a narrow range of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Pradeep Kasinadhuni, Steve McDaniel, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 10281627
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for blocking, attenuating, or filtering neuroactive wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and reducing or preventing the symptoms affiliated with exposure to those wavelengths. Nanoparticles of a predetermined composition, size, and structure are dispersed in a host medium to create an optical notch filter, thereby attenuating only a narrow range of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Pradeep Kasinadhuni, Steve McDaniel, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 10234608
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for blocking, attenuating, or filtering neuroactive wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and reducing or preventing the symptoms affiliated with exposure to those wavelengths. Nanoparticles of a predetermined composition, size, and structure are dispersed in a host medium to create an optical notch filter, thereby attenuating only a narrow range of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Pradeep Kasinadhuni, Steve McDaniel, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Publication number: 20170336545
    Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 9764157
    Abstract: An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 9759848
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for reducing the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 620 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 9606277
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for reducing the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to melanopsin ganglion cells in a retina over the action potential spectrum of the melanopsin cells of the human eye and a visual spectral response of the human eye. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the melanopsin cells and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Bradley Jay Katz
  • Patent number: 9518288
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for detection of methylation based on quantitative arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Alexander M. Chagovetz, Steven M. Blair, Randy L. Jensen, Bryan J. Lowder
  • Publication number: 20160355869
    Abstract: Devices and methods relating to biological assays are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a detection-enhancement element for a biological assay can include a substrate, a metallic layer on at least one surface of the substrate and including at least one nanocavity, a transparent film positioned between the substrate and the metallic layer; and capture molecules within the at least one nanocavity. The nanocavities are configured to enhance signals that are representative of the presence or amount of one or more analytes in a sample or sample solution, and may be configured to enhance the signal by a factor of about two or more or by a factor of about three or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steven M. Blair, Farhad Mahdavi, Yongdong Liu, James N. Herron