Patents by Inventor Wentai Liu

Wentai Liu 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: 11202907
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementation of a disposable miniaturized implant for treatment of Post-Operative Ileums (POI),a miniaturized implant for treating chronic GI dysmotility (e.g., dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nausea, functional dyspepsia, blockage of transit, and gastroparesis, inflammatory bowel disease) and obesity, by providing electrical stimulation to the part of bowel going through surgery to expedite the healing process while recording the smooth muscle activities simultaneously, or providing stimulation on a treatment location of the GI tract or the branch of the vagus nerve. Systems and methods are also provided for non-invasive, transcutaneous stimulation of anatomy within the abdomen of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Yi-Kai Lo, Wentai Liu
  • Patent number: 11129983
    Abstract: A wireless implant and associated system for motor function recovery after spinal cord injury, and more particularly a multi-channel wireless implant with small package size. The wireless implant can further be used in various medical applications, such as retinal prostheses, gastrointestinal implant, vagus nerve stimulation, and cortical neuromodulation. The system also includes a method and its implementation to acquire the impedance model of the electrode-tissue interface of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Yi-Kai Lo, Wentai Liu, Victor R. Edgerton, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 11042982
    Abstract: An ultra-dense electrode-based brain imaging system with high spatial and temporal resolution. A Sparsity and Smoothness enhanced Method Of Optimized electrical TomograpHy (s-SMOOTH) based reconstruction technique to improve the spatial resolution and localization accuracy of reconstructed brain images is described. Also described is a graph Fractional-Order Total Variation (gFOTV) based reconstruction technique to improve the spatial resolution and localization accuracy of reconstructed brain images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Ying Li, Jing Qin, Chi-Wei Chang, Yi-Kai Lo
  • Patent number: 10773074
    Abstract: In certain embodiments an electrode array for epidural stimulation of the spinal cord is provided where the array comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed on a flexible polymer substrate; said electrodes being electrically connected to one or more lead wires and/or connection points on an electrical connector; where the electrodes of said array are bonded to said polymer so that the electrodes can carry an electrical stimulation signal having a voltage, frequency, and current sufficient to provide epidural stimulation of a spinal cord and/or brain in vivo or in a physiological saline solution, without separation of all or a part of an electrode from the polymer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Victor Reggie Edgerton, Chih-Wei Chang, Parag Gad
  • Patent number: 10583285
    Abstract: In certain embodiments an electrode array for epidural stimulation of the spinal cord is provided where the array comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed on a flexible polymer substrate; said electrodes being electrically connected to one or more lead wires and/or connection points on an electrical connector; where the electrodes of said array are bonded to said polymer so that the electrodes can carry an electrical stimulation signal having a voltage, frequency, and current sufficient to provide epidural stimulation of a spinal cord and/or brain in vivo or in a physiological saline solution, without separation of all or a part of an electrode from the polymer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20190358450
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementation of a disposable miniaturized implant for treatment of Post-Operative Ileums (POI),a miniaturized implant for treating chronic GI dysmotility (e.g., dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nausea, functional dyspepsia, blockage of transit, and gastroparesis, inflammatory bowel disease) and obesity, by providing electrical stimulation to the part of bowel going through surgery to expedite the healing process while recording the smooth muscle activities simultaneously, or providing stimulation on a treatment location of the GI tract or the branch of the vagus nerve. Systems and methods are also provided for non-invasive, transcutaneous stimulation of anatomy within the abdomen of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Yi-Kai Lo, Wentai Liu
  • Publication number: 20190355476
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for optimization techniques and a realistic 3D model to design optimal parameters for transcutaneous stimulation to achieve focalized stimulation of a target tissue such as the spinal cord, brain or other internal organ. The methods, apparatus, and systems include generation of a 3D model from a CT/MRI image, as well as an optimization algorithm that enables stimulation of any target location (e.g., on the dorsal root, or on the dorsal column) with any orientation at high precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Ying Li, Wentai Liu, Yi-Kai Lo
  • Publication number: 20190329029
    Abstract: A flexible thin film metal oxide electrode fabrication methods and devices are provided and illustrated with thin film polyimide electrode formation and IrOx chemical bath deposition. Growth factors of the deposited film such as film thickness, deposition rate and quality of crystallites can be controlled by varying the solution pH, temperature and component concentrations of the bath. The methods allow for selective deposition of IrOx on a flexible substrate (e.g. polyimide electrode) where the IrOx will only coat onto an exposed metal area but not the entire device surface. This feature enables the bath process to coat the IrOx onto every individual electrode in one batch, and to ensure electrical isolation between channels. The ability to perform selective deposition, pads for external connections will not have IrOx coverage that would otherwise interfere with a soldering/bumping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Chih-Wei Chang, Pu-Wei Wu, Chung-Yu Wu, Po-Chun Chen, Tsai-Wei Chung
  • Patent number: 10391310
    Abstract: A gastrointestinal stimulation apparatus and methods with an electronic controller and a flexible and stretchable electrode array with a central branch and orthogonal bilateral branches that wrap around a section of the gastrointestinal tract and can accommodate repetitive contraction and relaxation movements of the tract. Array branches have a flexible spring structure, stimulation electrodes, recording electrodes, sensors controlled by a controller and adhesion nodes that fix the branches to the tissue. The electrode array can sense the normal peristalsis from upstream tissue and produce a stimulus signal to stimulate the incapable intestine section to generate stimulation-induced contractions. Electrodes on the incapable intestine section can be used for stimulation or recording, the recorded signal from the incapable intestine section can be sent back to the electronics to form a closed loop control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, James C. Y. Dunn, Benjamin M. Wu, Yi-Kai Lo, Chih-Wei Chang, Justin P. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20190038899
    Abstract: A wireless implant and associated system for motor function recovery after spinal cord injury, and more particularly a multi-channel wireless implant with small package size. The wireless implant can further be used in various medical applications, such as retinal prostheses, gastrointestinal implant, vagus nerve stimulation, and cortical neuromodulation. The system also includes a method and its implementation to acquire the impedance model of the electrode-tissue interface of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Yi-Kai Lo, Wentai Liu, Victor R. Edgerton, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20190022371
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a transcutaneous needle electrode and uses thereof are provided. In certain embodiments the needle electrodes comprise a plurality of electrically conductive needles, where the needles are solid, or where the needles are hollow and have a closed tip, where the needles have an average tip diameter less than about 10 ?m and an average length greater than about 20-50 ?m wherein the electrically conductive needles are electrically coupled to one or more electrical leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Chang, Victor Reggie Edgerton, Wentai Liu, Yuri Gerasimenko, Parag Gad, Yi-Kai Lo
  • Publication number: 20180345011
    Abstract: A disposable implant that may be positioned inside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery. The implant may be secured in place using a biodegradable glue or biodegradable suture and is naturally expelled from the body with bowel movement after a certain period of time. In one embodiment, GI implant comprises a coil that receives power from, and sends the recorded physiological information to, an external device through wireless inductive coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Yi-Kai Lo, Wentai Liu
  • Patent number: 10136832
    Abstract: A system and method of suppressing stimulation artifacts when performing electrophysiological electrical stimulation and recording. An artifact waveform is captured associated with a stimulus output, and then the artifact waveform calibrated during another stimulus output for accurately representing the actual artifact waveform received within each measured response to a stimulus. During actual stimulus generation and response recording, the calibrated artifact waveform is subtracted in at least one of the amplifier stages so that the artifacts are removed from the amplified response to the stimulus thus providing an accurate output without saturating the amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Yi-Kai Lo
  • Publication number: 20180276822
    Abstract: An ultra-dense electrode-based brain imaging system with high spatial and temporal resolution. A Sparsity and Smoothness enhanced Method Of Optimized electrical TomograpHy (s-SMOOTH) based reconstruction technique to improve the spatial resolution and localization accuracy of reconstructed brain images is described. Also described is a graph Fractional-Order Total Variation (gFOTV) based reconstruction technique to improve the spatial resolution and localization accuracy of reconstructed brain images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Ying Li, Jing Qin, Chi-Wei Chang, Yi-Kai Lo
  • Publication number: 20180221651
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a transcutaneous needle electrode and uses thereof are provided. In certain embodiments the needle electrodes comprise a plurality of electrically conductive needles, where the needles are solid, or where the needles are hollow and have a closed tip, where the needles have an average tip diameter less than about 10 ?m and an average length greater than about 20-50 ?m wherein the electrically conductive needles are electrically coupled to one or more electrical leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Chang, Wentai Liu, Yi-Kai Lo
  • Publication number: 20180214046
    Abstract: Neural signal recording apparatus and method is described, in which a micro electrode array is utilized for performing a weighted matrix as a moving window providing superpositioning of electrode signals. A voltage distribution across the electrode array is determined as a Laplacian. The apparatus and method can be utilized in a variety of electrode sensing applications involving registering neural activity, and for electrode stimulation applications, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 10027362
    Abstract: A wireless wearable high data throughput (big data) brain machine interface apparatus is presented. An implanted recording and transmitting module collects neural data from a plurality of implanted electrodes and wirelessly transmits this over a short distance to a wearable (not implanted) receiving and forwarding module, which communicates the data over a wired communication to a mobile post processing device. The post processing device can send this neural data to an external display or computer enabled device for viewing and/or manipulation. High data throughput is supported by aggregating multiple groups of electrodes by multiple n-channel recording elements, which are multiplexed and then modulated into high frequency wireless communications to the wearable module. Embodiments include use of multiple radiators (multiple polarizations and/or spatially distributed), with beam alignment adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Mau-Chung Frank Chang, Yen-Cheng Kuan, Yi-Kai Lo, Yan Zhao
  • Patent number: 9955886
    Abstract: Neural signal recording apparatus and method is described, in which a micro electrode array is utilized for performing a weighted matrix as a moving window providing superpositioning of electrode signals. A voltage distribution across the electrode array is determined as a Laplacian. The apparatus and method can be utilized in a variety of electrode sensing applications involving registering neural activity, and for electrode stimulation applications, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20170273594
    Abstract: A system and method of suppressing stimulation artifacts when performing electrophysiological electrical stimulation and recording. An artifact waveform is captured associated with a stimulus output, and then the artifact waveform calibrated during another stimulus output for accurately representing the actual artifact waveform received within each measured response to a stimulus. During actual stimulus generation and response recording, the calibrated artifact waveform is subtracted in at least one of the amplifier stages so that the artifacts are removed from the amplified response to the stimulus thus providing an accurate output without saturating the amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, Yi-Kai Lo
  • Publication number: 20170266440
    Abstract: A gastrointestinal stimulation apparatus and methods with an electronic controller and a flexible and stretchable electrode array with a central branch and orthogonal bilateral branches that wrap around a section of the gastrointestinal tract and can accommodate repetitive contraction and relaxation movements of the tract. Array branches have a flexible spring structure, stimulation electrodes, recording electrodes, sensors controlled by a controller and adhesion nodes that fix the branches to the tissue. The electrode array can sense the normal peristalsis from upstream tissue and produce a stimulus signal to stimulate the incapable intestine section to generate stimulation-induced contractions. Electrodes on the incapable intestine section can be used for stimulation or recording, the recorded signal from the incapable intestine section can be sent back to the electronics to form a closed loop control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wentai Liu, James C.Y. Dunn, Benjamin M. Wu, Yi-Kai Lo, Chih-Wei Chang, Justin P. Wagner