Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Minnich

Thomas E. Minnich 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: 5935076
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for measuring the transmittance of blood within a retinal vessel detects the intensity of light reflected from illuminated portions of an eye, including the retinal vessel and background fundus, and adjusts the corresponding intensity signals to compensate for reflections from the retinal vessel. In particular, the transmittance measuring method and apparatus constructs an intensity profile function based upon the intensity signals. As a result, the intensity profile function approximates the intensity of light transmitted through the retinal vessel as a function of retinal vessel position. During the construction of the intensity profile function, the transmittance measuring method and apparatus can compensate for at least some of the reflections of light from the retinal vessel which occurred prior to propagation of the light through the retinal vessel, thereby increasing the accuracy with which the transmittance of blood within a retinal vessel is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: University of Alabama in Huntsville
    Inventors: Matthew H. Smith, Russell A. Chipman, Thomas E. Minnich, Lloyd W. Hillman, Kurt R. Denninghoff
  • Patent number: 5776060
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for measuring the oxygen saturation of blood within a retinal vessel illuminates the retinal vessel with light having a combination of wavelengths selected to reduce the error in the measured blood oxygen saturation. The oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus illuminates a retinal vessel with light having the selected combination of wavelengths. For example, the oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus can illuminate the retinal vessel with light having a first wavelength between 460 nm and 503 nm, a second wavelength between 600 nm, and 770 nm and a third wavelength between 770 nm and 1000 nm. The oxygen saturation measuring method and apparatus then measures the transmittance of the blood within the retinal vessel in response to the illumination at each of the selected wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: University of Alabama in Huntsville
    Inventors: Matthew H. Smith, Russell A. Chipman, Thomas E. Minnich
  • Patent number: 5762606
    Abstract: A combined eyelid retracting and eye flushing device that permits an operator to retract the upper eyelid of a patient for selective eye flushing or other treatment. The device comprises a frame with spaced apart ends. One end forms an integral handle and the other end defines a peripheral edge that forms an arcuate lip for securing the eyelid to the frame. A plurality of spaced apart orifices penetrate the lip to distribute suction along the entire edge surface. An integral flushing system attached to the frame near the lip comprises an irrigator with a hollow stem protruding outwardly from one side of the frame and an aspirator with a hollow stem protruding oppositely. The irrigation stem terminates in a nozzle that selectively sprays liquids upon the eye and the aspiration stem terminates in a receptive orifice that drains run-off liquids and entrained contaminants therefrom. The lip, irrigator and aspirator all connect to a plurality of channels housed inside the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas E. Minnich
  • Patent number: 5308919
    Abstract: A non-invasive eye oximeter which monitors the arteriovenous oxygen difference. The optic disc region of the ocular fundus is illuminated with three or more wavelengths of light focused in approximately the same area. One of the light sources serves as a tracking beam which, through reflectance spectrophotometry, is used to determine when the tracking light beam is focused upon the optic disc. The scanning light beams are primarily focused within the boundary of the tracking beam. The intensity of light reflected from retinal venules and arterioles is detected, and the arteriovenous oxygen difference is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas E. Minnich
  • Patent number: 5119814
    Abstract: A non-invasive retinal scanning system which monitors internal blood loss. A portion of the ocular fundus is illuminated, in an annular fashion, with two wavelengths of light, one of which serves as a reference. Scanning the fundus circumferentially enables retinal venous blood to be detected, which corresponds to desaturated hemoglobin. The intensity of light reflected from the retinal vein is detected and converted to an electronic signal proportional to the value of oxygen saturation of venous hemoglobin, which becomes the value of interest. Thus, a decline in venous oxygen saturation over time correlates linearly with progressive internal bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas E. Minnich