Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Milner

Thomas E. Milner 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: 20190133688
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for treatment of occlusions, including coronary artery chronic total occlusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Marc D. FELDMAN, Thomas E. MILNER, Nitesh KATTA, Arnold ESTRADA, Meagan OGLESBY, Giles CABE, Mehmet CILINGIROGLU
  • Patent number: 10219780
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for in vivo imaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to a catheter that incorporates an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system and an Intravascular Ultrasound (“IVUS) system for concurrent imaging of luminal systems, such as imaging the vasculature system, including, without limitation, cardiac vasculature, peripheral vasculature and neural vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Castella, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Thomas E. Milner, David G. Rosenbaum
  • Publication number: 20180348134
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatus and methods to identify endometrial tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Marc D. FELDMAN, Thomas E. MILNER, Andrew G. CABE, Arnold D. ESTRADA
  • Publication number: 20180228552
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and apparatuses for an in vivo surgical device that uses tomographic imaging to guide the process of surgical incisions for cell, biologics and drug delivery; the image guided system guides the process of delivery with comprehensive real-time processing with the ability to seal the location of delivery and offer laser-tissue modification via a co-aligned tissue modification beam on tissue without tissue damage to adjacent critical or delicate structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas E. MILNER, Janet ZOLDAN, R.Y. Declan FLEMING, Nitesh KATTA, John RECTOR, Michael R. GARDNER, Arnold ESTRADA, Austin MCELROY, Marc D. FELDMAN
  • Patent number: 9687153
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the use of optical coherence tomography for detection of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Thomas E. Milner
  • Patent number: 9633277
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatus and methods for identifying bright spot indications observed through optical coherence tomography. The indications can be evaluated, for example, to link risk factors or other conditions to clinically relevant outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Research Development Foundation
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Jennifer E. Whedbee
  • Patent number: 9622706
    Abstract: A catheter for in vivo imaging comprising a monolithic outer sheath terminating in a monolithic atraumatic tip having a guidewire lumen. The catheter for in vivo imaging comprising a rotary drive shaft that passes through a central lumen of the monolithic outer sheath to impart rotary motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Dick, Thomas E. Milner, Daniel D. Sims
  • Patent number: 9606269
    Abstract: Provided herein are forward-imaging tunable lens systems and probes. A lens assembly is disclosed herein and comprises at least one tunable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Karthik Kumar, Jonathan C. Condit, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Thomas E. Milner, Xiaojing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9591961
    Abstract: The invention is a rotating tip catheter-imaging probe where electromagnetic energy is delivered to the distal end of a catheter and converted to mechanical energy using a light drive apparatus. The mechanical energy is then used to rotate a mirror that redirects light in fixed pattern on a sample. The rotating element of the light drive apparatus contains vanes, which rotate about an axis and positioned with bearings to minimize friction. A chamber encompasses the rotating element and is set to a vacuum pressure. The rotational speed of the catheter tip can be controlled by varying the optical power delivered to the vanes, the vacuum pressure in the chamber, or by a braking mechanism applied to the rotating element. The vanes may be shaped in a particular geometry to increase forces on the vanes from thermally driven gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. Kemp
  • Publication number: 20170045349
    Abstract: A polarization sensitive spectral interferometer apparatus and method for analyzing a sample by optical energy reflected from the sample. The polarization sensitive spectral interferometer apparatus and method determines polarization properties of the sample by optical energy reflected from the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. KEMP, Eunha KIM
  • Patent number: 9532718
    Abstract: A novel contrast mechanism for diagnosing diseased tissue using Ultrasound, Doppler Ultrasonography, Optical Coherence Tomography, or optical Doppler tomography coupled with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Jung-Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 9526425
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein is a system for optical coherence tomographic imaging of turbid (i.e., scattering) materials utilizing multiple channels of information. The multiple channels of information may encompass spatial, angle, spectral and polarization domains. More specifically, the embodiments disclosed herein is related to methods and apparatus for utilizing optical sources, systems or receivers capable of providing (source), processing (system) or recording (receiver) a multiplicity of channels of spectral information for optical coherence tomographic imaging of turbid materials. In these methods and apparatus the multiplicity of channels of spectral information that can be provided by the source, processed by the system, or recorded by the receiver are used to convey simultaneously spatial, spectral or polarimetric information relating to the turbid material being imaged tomographically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Jung-Hwan Oh, Eunha Kim, Karathik Kumar, Jonathan C. Condit, Robert Grant, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Jihoon Kim, Shaochen Chen, Li-Hsin Han
  • Publication number: 20160317076
    Abstract: Optical methods, devices, and systems for noninvasively detecting transient surface displacements in a neuron are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems provided may employ a phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer. In addition, surface displacements due to action potential propagation in neural tissues may be detected in some embodiments using back-reflected light. According to some embodiments, exogenous chemicals or reflect ion coatings are not required. Transient neural surface displacement of less than 1 nm in amplitude and 1 ms in duration may be detected and may be generally coincident with action potential arrival to the optical measurement site. The systems and methods may be used for noninvasive detection of various neuropathies such as retinal neuropathies. They may also be useful in detecting the effects of various pharmacological agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Taner Akkin, Thomas E. Milner, Digant P. Dave, H. Grady Rylander, III
  • Patent number: 9423237
    Abstract: A polarization sensitive spectral interferometer apparatus and method for analyzing a sample by optical energy reflected from the sample. The polarization sensitive spectral interferometer apparatus and method determines polarization properties of the sample by optical energy reflected from the sample. The method for analyzing a sample with a spectral interferometer identifies the tissue type of the sample by the polarization properties as a function of depth from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Eunha Kim
  • Publication number: 20160213393
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of ameliorating diastolic dysfunction may include positioning at least a distal end of a system for cutting a trabeculae carneae in a left ventricle of a human heart. The system may include an elongated member, a grip, an engaging portion, and a cutting device. A second end of the engaging portion may turn in upon the engaging portion towards a first end of the engaging portion while still allowing trabeculae carneae to enter through an opening between the first and second ends. The cutting device may be positioned within an inner diameter of the engaging portion. The method may include positioning at least one trabeculae carneae in the inner diameter of the engaging portion. The method may include severing the at least one trabeculae carneae. The method may include increasing left ventricular compliance of the human heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Daniel Escobedo, David L. Halaney, Jordan C. Dwelle, Austin B. McElroy, Thomas E. Milner
  • Publication number: 20160150962
    Abstract: A novel contrast mechanism for diagnosing diseased tissue using Ultrasound, Doppler Ultrasonography, Optical Coherence Tomography, or optical Doppler tomography coupled with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. MILNER, Jung-Hwan OH
  • Publication number: 20160154229
    Abstract: Described herein is a polarization microscope that uses spectral-encoding of the polarization state for cellular imaging. The spectral-encoded polarization microscope is both sufficiently fast for cellular imaging and is compatible with high extinction optics required to image molecular structures and assemblies. The spectral-encoded microscope allows for the polarization state of light presented to the specimen to sample discrete states over the entirety of the Poincaré sphere while simultaneously giving a null measurement of the observed cellular birefringence. Sampling over the entire Poincaré sphere allows the microscope to determine of specimen phase retardation due to both linear and circular birefringence. The spectral-encoded polarization microscope can be operated in a slightly off-null state that will improve signal-to-noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Biwei Yin, Jeffrey Russel Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20160150961
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the use of optical coherence tomography for detection of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas E. Milner
  • Publication number: 20160135891
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods capable of imaging, manipulating, and analyzing tissue using light, including for example, coagulating and breaking the molecular bonds (e.g. cutting) tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Marc D. FELDMAN, Thomas E. MILNER
  • Patent number: 9326719
    Abstract: Optical methods, devices, and systems for noninvasively detecting transient surface displacements in a neuron are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems provided may employ a phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer. In addition, surface displacements due to action potential propagation in neural tissues may be detected in some embodiments using back-reflected light. According to some embodiments, exogenous chemicals or reflect ion coatings are not required. Transient neural surface displacement of less then 1 nm in amplitude and 1 ms in duration may be detected and may be generally coincident with action potential arrival to the optical measurement site. The systems and methods may be used for noninvasive detection of various neuropathies such as retinal neuropathies. They may also be useful in detecting the effects of various pharmacological agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Taner Akkin, Thomas E. Milner, Digant P. Dave, H. Grady Rylander, III