Patents by Inventor Terry O. Herndon

Terry O. Herndon 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: 11590332
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microneedling device and a method for the microneedling of human or animal tissue. The method comprises the following steps; (a) providing a microneedling device having an electrically conductive microneedle and an electrically conducting nosepiece assembly spaced apart from the electrically conductive microneedle and acting as a counter electrode; (b) placing the electrically conductive microneedle and nosepiece assembly into contact with the tissue to be microneedled; (c) measuring the electrical impedance between the microneedle tip and the nosepiece or the current through the microneedle motor; (d) commencing insertion of the microneedle and moving the microneedle toward the tissue surface; (e) starting a step counter when the impedance reduces or the microneedle motor current increases; (f) incrementing the step counter with every step of the vertical drive motor until the step count reaches the prespecified value thereby controlling the depth of the hole microneedled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Path Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: Terry O. Herndon, Thiruvallur R. Gowrishankar
  • Publication number: 20200330737
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microneedling device and a method for the microneedling of human or animal tissue. The method comprises the following steps; (a) providing a microneedling device having an electrically conductive microneedle and an electrically conducting nosepiece assembly spaced apart from the electrically conductive microneedle and acting as a counter electrode; (b) placing the electrically conductive microneedle and nosepiece assembly into contact with the tissue to be microneedled; (c) measuring the electrical impedance between the microneedle tip and the nosepiece or the current through the microneedle motor; (d) commencing insertion of the microneedle and moving the microneedle toward the tissue surface; (e) starting a step counter when the impedance reduces or the microneedle motor current increases; (f) incrementing the step counter with every step of the vertical drive motor until the step count reaches the prespecified value thereby controlling the depth of the hole microneedled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Path Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: Terry O. Herndon, Thiruvallur R. Gowrishankar
  • Publication number: 20170188913
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for extraction of bodily fluids from tissue by creating microscopic openings in the outermost layers of the skin and drawing out the fluid. One embodiment of the invention is a cylindrical hollow member, made of electrically conducting material, with sharpened edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Terry O. Herndon, Thiruvallur R. Gowrishankar
  • Publication number: 20170188925
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for extraction of bodily fluids from tissue by creating microscopic openings in the outermost layers of the skin and drawing out the fluid. One embodiment of the invention is a cylindrical hollow member, made of electrically conducting material, with sharpened edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Terry O. Herndon, Thiruvallur R. Gowrishankar
  • Patent number: 9022949
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Path Scientific, LLC
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Publication number: 20140094808
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Path Scientific, LLC
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Patent number: 8636748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Path Scientific, LLC
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Patent number: 8241229
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Path Scientific, LLC, Galderma Pharma S.A.
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Patent number: 8150505
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that creates a number of microconduits, i.e., small holes in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of human skin tissue, to provide a pathway therethrough, which can be used, for example, for transdermal drug delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: Path Scientific, LLC, Galderma Pharma S.A.
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Publication number: 20110046626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Publication number: 20110046507
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: TERRY O. HERNDON
  • Publication number: 20110040237
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: TERRY O. HERNDON
  • Patent number: 7848799
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for formation of microconduits in tissue, particularly using an impedance sensing drill to form microconduits. One embodiment of the invention is an impedance sensing drill comprising a drilling assembly, a control module, mechanically connected to the drilling assembly for controlling the depth of drilling by the drilling assembly; and a sensor, electrically connected to the drilling assembly and control module for detecting a change in an electrical impedance of a material being drilled. Another embodiment is a method of forming a microconduit in a material, which comprises the steps of drilling into the material, monitoring an electrical impedance of the material, and stopping the drilling into the material when a change in the impedance is detected, thereby forming microconduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Path Scientific, LLC, Galderma Pharma S.A.
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Publication number: 20100100119
    Abstract: Devices for applying an intermittent pressure to a skin surface are provided. The device includes a housing, a drive mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing, and a pressing portion operatively coupled to the drive mechanism. The pressing portion may include at least one pressing element configured for applying pressure to the surface. The pressing portion is configured to be driven by the drive mechanism between a first configuration having a maximum extension and a second configuration having a minimum extension. The difference between the maximum and minimum extensions is greater than or equal to 0.025 inches. The pressing portion may include a series of rollers to press and squeeze the skin and underlying vein, to create a pumping action, thus pressurizing the vein. The vein expands and presses upward against the skin, thus becoming more visible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Patent number: 7597692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microscission methods and devices used for the manipulation or modification of the body tissue by the formation of microconduits in a tissue. The term “microconduit” refers to a small opening, channel, or hole into, or through, a tissue, that allows transfer of materials by liquid flow, and by electrophoresis, the microconduit being formed upon impact of a plurality of accelerated microparticles with the surface of the tissue. This process of “microscission” comprises forming at least one microconduit in tissue including the steps of: accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of tissue surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the tissue surface; and directing the microparticle towards the region of tissue surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the tissue and form a microconduit in the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Weaver, R. Rox Anderson, Terry O. Herndon
  • Publication number: 20090221893
    Abstract: A blood glucose measuring device is equipped with a drill device, attachment assembly, and disposable sensing and measurement assembly. The attachment assembly contains an attachment ring that connects to the drill device and is used to hold the disposable sensing and measurement assembly. A detach actuating cam and output shaft are attached to the drill device. Spring tongs are attached to the output shaft by a compression ring further clamp to an end cap. A skin penetrator is attached to the end cap. The disposable sensing and measurement assembly is enclosed in a disposable case. An outer telescoping anti-bend tube is attached to the end cap. An inner anti-bend capillary sensor tube contains analyte sensors and is attached to the disposable case. The electrical conductors for the analyte sensor electrodes are attached to the capillary sensor tube and thus to the disposable case. An impedance sensing electrode on the bottom of the case provides electrical contacts to the skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: PATH SCIENTIFIC, LLC
    Inventor: Terry O. Herndon
  • Publication number: 20080275378
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that creates a number of microconduits, i.e., small holes in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of human skin tissue, to provide a pathway therethrough, which can be used, for example, for transdermal drug delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: TERRY O. HERNDON
  • Publication number: 20040204700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microscission methods and devices used for the manipulation or modification of the body tissue by the formation of microconduits in a tissue. The term “microconduit” refers to a small opening, channel, or hole into, or through, a tissue, that allows transfer of materials by liquid flow, and by electrophoresis, the microconduit being formed upon impact of a plurality of accelerated microparticles with the surface of the tissue. This process of “microscission” comprises forming at least one microconduit in tissue including the steps of: accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of tissue surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the tissue surface; and directing the microparticle towards the region of tissue surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the tissue and form a microconduit in the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: James C. Weaver, R. Rox Anderson, Terry O. Herndon
  • Patent number: 6706032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices used for the formation of microconduits in a tissue. The term “microconduit” refers to a small opening, channel, or hole into, or through, a tissue, that allows transfer of materials by liquid flow, and by electrophoresis, the microconduit being formed upon impact of a plurality of accelerated microparticles with the surface of the tissue. A method is described for forming at least one microconduit in tissue including the steps of: accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of tissue surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the tissue surface; and directing the microparticle towards the region of tissue surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the tissue and form a microconduit in the tissue. According to an embodiment, microparticles are accelerated by being hit with a moving, solid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Weaver, R. Rox Anderson, Terry O Herndon, T. R. Gowrishankar, Elizabeth A. Gift, Salvador Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20020065533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices used for the formation of microconduits in a tissue. The term “microconduit” refers to a small opening, channel, or hole into, or through, a tissue, that allows transfer of materials by liquid flow, and by electrophoresis, the microconduit being formed upon impact of a plurality of accelerated microparticles with the surface of the tissue. A method is described for forming at least one microconduit in tissue including the steps of: accelerating a plurality of microparticles to a velocity that causes the microparticles to penetrate a region of tissue surface upon impingement of the microparticles on the tissue surface; and directing the microparticle towards the region of tissue surface, thereby causing the microparticles to penetrate the tissue and form a microconduit in the tissue. According to an embodiment, microparticles are accelerated by being hit with a moving, solid surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: James C. Weaver, R. Rox Anderson, Terry O. Herndon, T. R. Gowrishankar, Elizabeth A. Gift, Salvador Gonzalez