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: 20160078309
    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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Marc D. FELDMAN, Thomas E. MILNER, Jennifer E. PHIPPS
  • Publication number: 20160045116
    Abstract: Provided are forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Karthik Kumar, Jonathan C. Condit, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Thomas E. Milner, Xiaojing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160002523
    Abstract: Methods for detection of the presence and distribution of oil in subsurface formation are described herein. The present invention involves injection of an aqueous dispersion of the nanoparticles into the potentially oil containing subsurface formation, followed by a remote detection of the oscillation responses of the nanoparticles in the oil/water interfaces in the reservoir rock by applying magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Chun Huh, Steven L. Bryant, Thomas E. Milner, Keith P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20150376493
    Abstract: Hydrophobic paramagnetic nanoparticles can be injected with the enhanced oil recovery injection water by incorporating them inside of surfactant micelles to serve as an oil tracer. A variety of paramagnetic nanoparticles that show different susceptibility and magnetization responses to applied magnetic oscillation can be injected at different injectors, so that the origin of the oil from the different enhanced oil recovery patterns could be quantitatively identified. The concentrations of the nanoparticles in the produced crude oil and brine can be easily and instantly measured individually, employing the magnetic susceptibility meter without contacting the fluids directly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Chun Huh, Nabijan Nizamidin, Gary A. Pope, Thomas E. Milner, Bingqing Wang
  • Patent number: 9215983
    Abstract: A novel contrast mechanism for imaging blood flow using magneto-motive optical Doppler tomography (MM-ODT), Optical Coherence Tomography, and Ultrasound. MM-ODT, OCT, and ultrasound combined with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field detects erythrocytes moving according to the field gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Thomas E. Milner
  • Patent number: 9204802
    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 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Junghwan Oh
  • Patent number: 9198596
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the use of optical coherence tomography for detection of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Thomas E. Milner
  • Patent number: 9168388
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for non-invasively modifying, maintaining, or controlling local tissue optical properties. Methods and devices of the disclosure may be used for optically clearing tissue, for example, for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. A method of optically clearing a tissue may comprise contacting the tissue with an optical clearing device having a base, an array of pins fixed to one side of the base, a brim fixed to the base, an inlet port in the base, an exit port in the base, and a handpiece interface tab fixed to the side of the base opposite the array of pins, applying a mechanical force to the tissue, and illuminating said tissue with at least one wavelength of light through the optical clearing device. A method may further comprise controlling the temperature of the tissue illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Regents, the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Christopher G. Rylander, Thomas E. Milner, Oliver Stumpp, J. Stuart Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150265152
    Abstract: A catheter imaging probe for a patient. The probe includes a conduit through with energy is transmitted. The probe includes a first portion through which the conduit extends. The probe includes a second portion which rotates relative to the conduit to redirect the energy from the conduit. A method for imaging a patient. The method includes the steps of inserting a catheter into the patient. There is the step of rotating a second portion of the catheter relative to a conduit extending through a first portion of the catheter, which redirects the energy transmitted through the conduit to the patient and receives the energy reflected back to the second portion from the patient and redirects the reflected energy to the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. MILNER, Shaochen CHEN, Jihoon KIM, Li-Hsin HAN, Jung Hwan OH, Ho LEE
  • Publication number: 20150265304
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for scoring human endocardium tissue may include a first conduit and an activation system. The first conduit may include a first opening, a second opening, and a cutting device. The first opening may be positioned at a proximal end of the first conduit. The second opening may extend from adjacent to a closed distal end portion of the first conduit. The cutting device, when activated, may cut through a portion of a depth of endocardium tissue positioned adjacent the second opening. The cutting device may selectively cut or score the endocardium to a specified depth and length in the endocardium of a left ventricle of a human heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Daniel Escobedo, David L. Halaney, Jordan C. Dwelle, Austin B. McElroy, Thomas E. Milner
  • Patent number: 9133709
    Abstract: Methods for detection of the presence and distribution of oil in subsurface formation are described herein. The present invention involves injection of an aqueous dispersion of the nanoparticles into the potentially oil containing subsurface formation, followed by a remote detection of the oscillation responses of the nanoparticles in the oil/water interfaces in the reservoir rock by applying magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Chun Huh, Steven L. Bryant, Thomas E. Milner, Keith P. Johnston
  • Patent number: 9121690
    Abstract: Provided are forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and probes. In one embodiment, a scanning reflector surface is configured to be rotated about two axes in a single operating plane to direct light transmitted along the sample path to a sample to be imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Directors, the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Karthik Kumar, Jonathan C. Condit, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Thomas E. Milner, Xiaojing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150230709
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating catheter tip for optical coherence tomography based on the use of an optical fiber that does not rotate, that is enclosed in a catheter, which has a tip rotates under the influence of a fluid drive system to redirect light from the fiber to a surrounding vessel and the light reflected or backscattered from the vessel back to the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Marc D. Feldman, Jung-Hwan Oh, Shaochen Chen, Paul Castella
  • Publication number: 20150223681
    Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to methods and apparatus for ultrafast MWP-OCT that is based on precise control of the OCT tunable-laser source combined with synchronization of the photothermal excitation laser emission. The invention is generally related to physics, biology, medicine, and imaging. In certain embodiments the field of the invention is directed to multiple wavelength photothermal optical coherence tomography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas Systems
    Inventors: Roman V. Kuranov, Austin B. McElroy, Jordon Dwelle, Thomas E. Milner
  • Patent number: 8996099
    Abstract: A catheter imaging probe for a patient. The probe includes a conduit through with energy is transmitted. The probe includes a first portion through which the conduit extends. The probe includes a second portion which rotates relative to the conduit to redirect the energy from the conduit. A method for imaging a patient. The method includes the steps of inserting a catheter into the patient. There is the step of rotating a second portion of the catheter relative to a conduit extending through a first portion of the catheter, which redirects the energy transmitted through the conduit to the patient and receives the energy reflected back to the second portion from the patient and redirects the reflected energy to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Shaochen Chen, Jihoon Kim, Li-Hsin Han, Jung-hwan Oh, Lee Ho
  • Patent number: 8989849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating catheter tip for optical coherence tomography based on the use of an optical fiber that does not rotate, that is enclosed in a catheter, which has a tip rotates under the influence of a fluid drive system to redirect light from the fiber to a surrounding vessel and the light reflected or backscattered from the vessel back to the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Marc D. Feldman, Jung-Hwan Oh, Shaochen Chen, Paul Castella
  • Publication number: 20140268163
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods of non-invasively detecting one or more constituents of a target using multiple wavelength photothermal optical coherence tomography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Roman Kuranov, Timothy Duong
  • Publication number: 20140191140
    Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and apparatus for altering a modulation transfer function of an imaging system. The described methods, systems and apparatus can be used to temporarily alter visual acuity of a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ashley J. Welch, Rebecca L. Vincelette, Henry Grady Rylander, III, Thomas E. Milner
  • Publication number: 20140171807
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Taner Akkin, Thomas E. Milner, Digant P. Dave, H. Grady Rylander, III
  • Publication number: 20140098373
    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: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Eunha Kim