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: 20140098374
    Abstract: A method and a system for Uniform Frequency Sample Clocking to directly sample the OCT signal with a temporally-non-linear sampling clock derived from a k-space wavemeter on the external sample clock input port of a digitizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Kemp, Roman Kuranov, Austin B. Mcelroy, Thomas E. Milner
  • Publication number: 20140083970
    Abstract: Provided are forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Karthik KUMAR, Jonathan C. CONDIT, Nathaniel J. KEMP, Thomas E. MILNER, Xiaojing ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8657443
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods to temporarily alter visual acuity of a subject. An example system includes a first light source configured to produce infrared light in an infrared wavelength spectrum for transient propagation into an eye of the subject and a second light source configured to produce visible light in a visible wavelength spectrum for transient propagation into the eye of the subject. The system further includes a transmission unit configured to propagate the infrared light and the visible light into the eye, wherein the light propagated into the eye temporarily alters visual acuity of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ashley J. Welch, Rebecca L. Vincelette, Henry Grady Rylander, III, Thomas E. Milner
  • Publication number: 20130338495
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein is related to a system for optical coherence tomographic imaging of turbid (i.e., scattering) materials utilizing multiple channels of information. The multiple channels of information may be comprised and 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: 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: 20130331701
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and compositions for the use of ultrasound for detection of cells and nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Marc D. Feldman, Christopher Condit, Jung-Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 8593641
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for producing an OCT image from a swept laser source. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve producing light from a swept laser source, splitting the light into a first and a second portion, in which the first portion is sent to an OCT interferometer to produce an OCT signal and the second portion is sent to a uniform frequency sample clock, processing the second portion into an external clock signal that is accepted by a digitizer, sending the OCT signal and the clock signal to the digitizer, and generating an OCT image from a combination of the OCT signal and the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Kemp, Roman Kuranov, Austin Broderick McElroy, Thomas E. Milner
  • Patent number: 8570527
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Eunha Kim
  • Patent number: 8540627
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein is related to a system for optical coherence tomographic imaging of turbid (i.e., scattering) materials utilizing multiple channels of information. The multiple channels of information may be comprised and 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: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Jung Hwan Oh, Eunha Kim, Karthik Kumar, Chris Condit, Robert Grant, Nate Kemp, Jeehyun Kim, Shaochen Chen, Li-Hsin Han
  • Publication number: 20130245378
    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: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. Kemp
  • Patent number: 8531676
    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: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Condit, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Kumar Karthik, Thomas E. Milner, Xiaojing (John) Zhang
  • Patent number: 8454511
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and compositions for the use of ultrasound for detection of cells and nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Marc D. Feldman, Christopher Condit, Jung-Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20130091941
    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: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Chun Huh, Steven L. Bryant, Thomas E. Milner, Keith P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20130090536
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for an analyte sensor. In one aspect, an analyte sensing device comprises a sensor body member including at least one nanopore and an optical conduit in optical communication with the sensor body member. The optical conduit transmits optical energy to the sensor body member and receives reflected optical energy back from the sensor body member. A photodetector is optically coupled to the optical conduit to determine an optical parameter from the reflected optical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Paul Castella
  • Patent number: 8401610
    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: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. Kemp
  • Publication number: 20130032024
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods to temporarily alter visual acuity of a subject. An example system includes a first light source configured to produce infrared light in an infrared wavelength spectrum for transient propagation into an eye of the subject and a second light source configured to produce visible light in a visible wavelength spectrum for transient propagation into the eye of the subject. The system further includes a transmission unit configured to propagate the infrared light and the visible light into the eye, wherein the light propagated into the eye temporarily alters visual acuity of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    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: 20130023714
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention discloses a nanocluster or a nanorose composition comprising two or more closely spaced nanoparticles each comprising one or more metals, metal oxides, inorganic substances, or a combination thereof and one or more stabilizers. The stabilizers are in contact with the two or more closely spaced nanoparticles to form a nanocluster composition in which the inorganic weight percentage is greater than 50% and the average size is below 300 nm, and the nanocluster composition has magnetic properties, optical properties or a combination of both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Keith P. Johnston, Li L. Ma, Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Konstantin V. Sokolov, Jasmine Rowe, Justina Tam, Stanislav Emelianov, Kort Travis, Avinash K. Murthy
  • Patent number: 8355776
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the use of optical coherence tomography for detection of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Thomas E. Milner
  • Patent number: 8352022
    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: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Taner Akkin, Thomas E. Milner, Digant P. Dave, H. Grady Rylander
  • Patent number: 8323273
    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: August 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Christopher G. Rylander, Thomas E. Milner, Oliver Stumpp, J. Stuart Nelson
  • Patent number: 8280470
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses for an analyte sensor. In one aspect, an analyte sensing device comprises a sensor body member including at least one nanopore and an optical conduit in optical communication with the sensor body member. The optical conduit transmits optical energy to the sensor body member and receives reflected optical energy back from the sensor body member. A photodetector is optically coupled to the optical conduit to determine an optical parameter from the reflected optical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Milner, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Paul Castella