Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Zappia

Thomas M. Zappia 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: 20220044368
    Abstract: A medical system includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an imaging device at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller, the controller receives image data comprising pixel data from the imaging device, the pixel data including a plurality of individual pixel values, converts the pixel data from a RGB format to a YCbCr format, and forms adjusted pixel data by applying a gain to the pixel data, wherein the gain is based on a Y value, a Cb value, and a Cr value of the individual pixel values of the converted pixel data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan S. FETTINGER, Matthew PROTAS, Phillip C, DINGMAN, Thomas M. ZAPPIA, JR., Longquan CHEN
  • Publication number: 20210030258
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. OSKIN, Brian C. MacLEAN, William M. ASSELIN, Michael O'BRIEN, Thomas M. ZAPPIA
  • Patent number: 10842361
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oskin, Brian C. MacLean, William M. Asselin, Michael O'Brien, Thomas M. Zappia
  • Publication number: 20190183316
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. OSKIN, Brian C. MacLEAN, William M. ASSELIN, Michael O'BRIEN, Thomas M. ZAPPIA
  • Patent number: 10251534
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oskin, Brian C. MacLean, William M. Asselin, Michael O'Brien, Thomas M. Zappia
  • Patent number: 9949627
    Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device may include a tubular member. The medical device may also include a handle assembly connected to the tubular member. The handle assembly may include a handle housing, and an illumination assembly. The illumination assembly may include an illumination unit housed within an interior of the handle housing. The illumination assembly may also include an illumination fiber operatively coupled to the illumination unit. The illumination unit may extend through the interior of the handle housing into an interior of the tubular member. The illumination unit may also include a heat sink coupled to the illumination unit. The heat sink may be configured to receive heat from the illumination unit, and dissipate the heat away from the illumination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oskin, Sujat Sukthankar, Brian C. MacLean, Roy Bromander, Thomas M. Zappia, Steven A. Olivieri
  • Publication number: 20150305596
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Christoper L. OSKIN, Brian C. MacLEAN, William M. ASSELIN, Michael O'BRIEN, Thomas M. ZAPPIA
  • Publication number: 20150282701
    Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a medical device may include a tubular member. The medical device may also include a handle assembly connected to the tubular member. The handle assembly may include a handle housing, and an illumination assembly. The illumination assembly may include an illumination unit housed within an interior of the handle housing. The illumination assembly may also include an illumination fiber operatively coupled to the illumination unit. The illumination unit may extend through the interior of the handle housing into an interior of the tubular member. The illumination unit may also include a heat sink coupled to the illumination unit. The heat sink may be configured to receive heat from the illumination unit, and dissipate the heat away from the illumination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher L. OSKIN, Sujat SUKTHANKAR, Brian C. MacLEAN, Roy BROMANDER, Thomas M. ZAPPIA, Steven A. OLIVIERI
  • Patent number: 8846310
    Abstract: Methods of preparing assays and of assaying, using substantially self-contained, portable, user-initiated fluidic assay systems. Example assays include diagnostic assays and chemical detection assays. Diagnostic assays may include, without limitation, enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA), and may include one or more sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnostic assays. An assay system may include one or more fluid chambers, one or more fluid paths amongst the fluid chambers and/or between the fluid chambers, a sample portion, and/or an assay portion. The assay system may include a fluid controller system to dispense fluid from the one or more fluid chambers, and a user-initiated actuator to control the fluid controller system. The fluid controller system may be configured to dispense fluids serially, and may be configured to mix a plurality of fluids. The user-initiated actuator system may include an external user-operated trigger mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Microfluidics
    Inventors: Brandon T. Johnson, Thomas M. Zappia, David A. Vogler
  • Publication number: 20130190561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oskin, Brian C. MacLean, William M. Asselin, Michael O'Brien, Thomas M. Zappia, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110152720
    Abstract: Methods and systems to prepare a sample, including a relatively small amount of a biological sample, and to mix the sample with preparation fluid stored in a device. The device may include multiple fluid chambers and a stepped plunger to force a fluid in at least one of the chambers into a sample receiving chamber and then to a storage chamber. Methods and systems disclosed herein may be implemented to collect and controllable mix a sample for analysis and/or storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: BOSTON MICROFLUIDICS
    Inventors: Thomas M. Zappia, Brandon T. Johnson, David A. Vogler, Kate E. Christian
  • Publication number: 20110151432
    Abstract: Methods and systems to related to sample collection, assays, and fluid control and management, including methods and systems to implement hand-held portable assays, to activate an assay system, to collect and prepare samples, to capture antibodies, and to trap or capture gas bubbles. Methods and systems disclosed herein, and portions thereof, may be implemented alone and/or in various combinations with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: BOSTON MICROFLUIDICS
    Inventors: Thomas M. Zappia, Brandon T. Johnson, Kate Christian, David Vogler, David Butz
  • Publication number: 20110151486
    Abstract: Methods and systems to remove gas bubbles from liquids and to improve uniform fluid flow through a region of a membrane in a microfluidic device, including to reduce, remove, and/or prevent gas bubbles on a surface of a porous membrane. An example membrane bubble trap system may include a fluid channel connected to a bubble pathway that surrounds an opening sealed with a membrane. The bubble pathway may be configured to collect bubbles in fluid that passes through the membrane through buoyancy forces and through a directional feature of a curved surface placed above the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Boston Microfluidics
    Inventors: Thomas M. Zappia, Brandon T. Johnson, David Butz
  • Publication number: 20110143335
    Abstract: Methods and systems to capture competitive molecules, such as to reduce false positives in an assay. Competitive molecules may be captured in a fluid moving through a portable point-of-care diagnostic assay system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: BOSTON MICROFLUIDICS
    Inventors: Brandon T. Johnson, Thomas M. Zappia, Kate E. Christian
  • Publication number: 20110124129
    Abstract: Methods and systems to perform sequential user-controlled fluidic assays, using substantially self-contained, portable, user-initiated fluidic assay systems, including user-initiated activation methods and systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: BOSTON MICROFLUIDICS
    Inventors: Thomas M. Zappia, Brandon T. Johnson, Kate E. Christian
  • Publication number: 20110117673
    Abstract: Methods and systems to related to sample collection, assays, and fluid control and management. Methods and systems disclosed herein, and portions thereof, may be implemented alone and/or in various combinations with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Brandon T. Johnson, Thomas M. Zappia, Kate E. Christian
  • Patent number: 7925059
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing an iris biometrics system that operates in minimally constrained settings. The image acquisition system has fewer constraints on subjects than traditional methods by extending standoff distance and capture volume. The method receives design parameters and provides derived quantities that are useful in designing an image acquisition system having a specific set of performance requirements. Exemplary scenarios of minimally constrained settings are provided, such as a high volume security checkpoint, an office, an aircraft boarding bridge, a wide corridor, and an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Hector T. Hoyos, Thomas M. Zappia
  • Publication number: 20100074478
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing an iris biometrics system that operates in minimally constrained settings. The image acquisition system has fewer constraints on subjects than traditional methods by extending standoff distance and capture volume. The method receives design parameters and provides derived quantities that are useful in designing an image acquisition system having a specific set of performance requirements. Exemplary scenarios of minimally constrained settings are provided, such as a high volume security checkpoint, an office, an aircraft boarding bridge, a wide corridor, and an automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Hector T. Hoyos, Thomas M. Zappia
  • Patent number: 7634114
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing an iris biometrics system that operates in minimally constrained settings. The image acquisition system has fewer constraints on subjects than traditional methods by extending standoff distance and capture volume. The method receives design parameters and provides derived quantities that are useful in designing an image acquisition system having a specific set of performance requirements. Exemplary scenarios of minimally constrained settings are provided, such as a high volume security checkpoint, an office, an aircraft boarding bridge, a wide corridor, and an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Zappia
  • Publication number: 20080181467
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing an iris biometrics system that operates in minimally constrained settings. The image acquisition system has fewer constraints on subjects than traditional methods by extending standoff distance and capture volume. The method receives design parameters and provides derived quantities that are useful in designing an image acquisition system having a specific set of performance requirements. Exemplary scenarios of minimally constrained settings are provided, such as a high volume security checkpoint, an office, an aircraft boarding bridge, a wide corridor, and an automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas M. Zappia