Patents by Inventor Timothy E. Chin
Timothy E. Chin 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).
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Patent number: 8999571Abstract: The present invention generally relates to batteries or other electrochemical devices, and systems and materials for use in these, including novel electrode materials and designs. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to small-scale batteries or microbatteries. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a battery may have a volume of no more than about 5 mm3, while having an energy density of at least about 400 W h/l. In some cases, the battery may include an electrode comprising a porous electroactive compound. In some embodiments, the pores of the porous electrode may be at least partially filled with a liquid such as a liquid electrolyte. The electrode may be formed from a unitary material. Other aspects of the invention are directed to techniques of making such electrodes or batteries, techniques of forming electrical connections to and packaging such batteries, techniques of using such electrodes or batteries, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Ryan C. Wartena, Timothy E. Chin, Can K. Erdonmez, Wei Lai
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Publication number: 20140350528Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering a fluid to a patient are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a wearable delivery device that includes an electrochemical actuator and a reservoir containing a fluid with viscosity greater than 15 cP. The electrochemical actuator can be actuated such that the actuator exerts sufficient force on the reservoir to cause the fluid within the reservoir to be communicated to the patient's body over a time period. In some embodiments, the time period is two hours. In one embodiment, a delivery system includes a reservoir containing a fluid having a viscosity greater than 15 cP and a fluid communicator in fluid communication with the reservoir. An electrochemical actuator is coupled to the reservoir and configured to exert a sufficient force on the reservoir for a time period upon actuation such that the fluid within the reservoir is communicated through the fluid communicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: SpringLeaf Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Yet-Ming CHIANG, Timothy E. CHIN, Michael J. CIMA, J. Richard GYORY, Malinda TUPPER
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Patent number: 8604664Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Publication number: 20130249348Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Patent number: 8378552Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Patent number: 8368285Abstract: Devices and methods for providing electrochemical actuation are described herein. In one embodiment, an actuator device includes an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode At least a portion of the negative electrode is formed with a material formulated to at least one of intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with a first portion of the positive electrode to an extent different than with a second portion of the positive electrode such that a differential strain is imparted between the first portion and the second portion of the positive electrode and such that at least a portion of the electrochemical cell is displaced. The electrochemical cell includes a portion that is pre-bent along an axis of the electrochemical cell to define a fold axis and the displacement of the at least a portion of the electrochemical cell is maximized along the fold axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignees: Massachusette Institute of Technology, SpringLeaf TherapeuticsInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Timothy E. Chin, Michael J. Cima, J. Richard Gyory
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Publication number: 20130020903Abstract: The present invention provides devices and structures and methods of use thereof in electrochemical actuation. This invention provides electrochemical actuators, which are based, inter-alia, on an electric field-driven intercalation or alloying of high-modulus inorganic compounds, which can produce large and reversible volume changes, providing high actuation energy density, high actuation authority and large free strain.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Steven R. Hall, Yukinori Koyama, Kyungyeol Song, Timothy E. Chin, Urs Rhyner, Dimitrios Sapnaras, Fernando Tubilla
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Publication number: 20130020906Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Patent number: 8310130Abstract: The present invention provides devices and structures and methods of use thereof in electrochemical actuation. This invention provides electrochemical actuators, which are based, inter-alia, on an electric field-driven intercalation or alloying of high-modulus inorganic compounds, which can produce large and reversible volume changes, providing high actuation energy density, high actuation authority and large free strain.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Steven R. Hall, Yukinori Koyama, Kyungyeol Song, Timothy E. Chin, Urs Rhyner, Dimitrios Sapnaras, Fernando Tubilla
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Publication number: 20120244444Abstract: The present invention generally relates to batteries or other electrochemical devices, and systems and materials for use in these, including novel electrode materials and designs. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to small-scale batteries or microbatteries. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a battery may have a volume of no more than about 5 mm3, while having an energy density of at least about 400 W h/l. In some cases, the battery may include an electrode comprising a porous electroactive compound. In some embodiments, the pores of the porous electrode may be at least partially filled with a liquid such as a liquid electrolyte. The electrode may be formed from a unitary material. Other aspects of the invention are directed to techniques of making such electrodes or batteries, techniques of forming electrical connections to and packaging such batteries, techniques of using such electrodes or batteries, or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Ryan C. Wartena, Timothy E. Chin, Can K. Erdonmez, Wei Lai
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Patent number: 8247946Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Publication number: 20120175998Abstract: Devices and methods for providing electrochemical actuation are described herein. In one embodiment, an actuator device includes an electrochemical cell including a negative electrode and a positive electrode At least a portion of the negative electrode is formed with a material formulated to at least one of intercalate, de-intercalate, alloy with, oxidize, reduce, or plate with a first portion of the positive electrode to an extent different than with a second portion of the positive electrode such that a differential strain is imparted between the first portion and the second portion of the positive electrode and such that at least a portion of the electrochemical cell is displaced. The electrochemical cell includes a portion that is pre-bent along an axis of the electrochemical cell to define a fold axis and the displacement of the at least a portion of the electrochemical cell is maximized along the fold axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicants: SpringLeaf Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Timothy E. Chin, Michael J. Cima, J. Richard Gyory
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Publication number: 20120146453Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Publication number: 20120025671Abstract: The present invention provides devices and structures and methods of use thereof in electrochemical actuation. This invention provides electrochemical actuators, which are based, inter-alia, on an electric field-driven intercalation or alloying of high-modulus inorganic compounds, which can produce large and reversible volume changes, providing high actuation energy density, high actuation authority and large free strain.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: Massachusetts Institute Of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Steven R. Hall, Yukinori Koyama, Kyungyeol Song, Timothy E. Chin, Urs Rhyner, Dimitrios Sapnaras, Fernando Tubilla
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Patent number: 8093781Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Patent number: 7999435Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Patent number: 7994686Abstract: The present invention generally provides devices and methods involving electrochemical actuation. The devices may comprise at least one component capable of exhibiting a volumetric or dimensional change upon application of a voltage. In some cases, the volumetric or dimensional change may produce mechanical work. Some embodiments of the invention may provide devices capable of exhibiting high actuation rates and supporting high amounts of stress (e.g., in tensile and/or compressive loading). In some embodiments, the present invention may provide morphing structures that may be useful in applications such as airfoils.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Steven R. Hall, Fernando Tubilla Kuri, Kyungyeol Song, Timothy E. Chin, Georg Baetz
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Publication number: 20110098643Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g., infusion pumps) and drug delivery devices, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin
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Patent number: 7923895Abstract: The present invention provides devices and structures and methods of use thereof in electrochemical actuation. This invention provides electrochemical actuators, which are based, inter-alia, on an electric field-driven intercalation or alloying of high-modulus inorganic compounds, which can produce large and reversible volume changes, providing high actuation energy density, high actuation authority and large free strain.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Steven R. Hall, Yukinori Koyama, Kyungyeol Song, Timothy E. Chin, Urs Rhyner, Dimitrios Sapnaras, Fernando Tubilla
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Publication number: 20110042204Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and related methods, involving electrochemical actuation. In some cases, application of a voltage or current to a system or device of the invention may generate a volumetric or dimensional change, which may produce mechanical work. For example, at least a portion of the system may be constructed and arranged to be displaced from a first orientation to a second orientation. Systems such as these may be useful in various applications, including pumps (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Michael J. Cima, Timothy E. Chin