Patents by Inventor William W. Roberts

William W. Roberts 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: 20210015507
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for treating a kidney stone. In particular, provided herein are suction devices, laser systems, and related methods for use in treating a kidney stone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: William W. ROBERTS, Timothy L. HALL, Ali H. ALDOUKHI, Khurshid R. GHANI
  • Patent number: 9943708
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can image a target tissue volume and apply ultrasound energy to the target tissue volume. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured controllably apply ultrasound energy into the prostate by maintaining a cavitational bubble cloud generated by an ultrasound therapy system within an image of the prostate generated by an imaging system. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: HISTOSONICS, INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: William W. Roberts, Timothy L. Hall, Charles A. Cain, J. Brian Fowlkes, Zhen Xu, Michael Thomas Kusner, Jr., Dejan Teofilovic
  • Patent number: 9901753
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, HISTOSONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Thomas W. Davison
  • Patent number: 9642634
    Abstract: Therapy methods using pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy can include the subprocesses of initiation, maintenance, therapy, and feedback of the histotripsy process, which involves the creation and maintenance of ensembles of microbubbles and the use of feedback in order to optimize the process based on observed spatial-temporal bubble cloud dynamics. The methods provide for the subdivision or erosion of tissue, liquification of tissue, and/or the enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents. Various feedback mechanisms allow variation of ultrasound parameters and provide control over the pulsed cavitational process, permitting the process to be tuned for a number of applications. Such applications can include specific tissue erosion, bulk tissue homogenization, and delivery of therapeutic agents across barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9526923
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: HISTOSONICS, INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Russell C. Jahnke, James A. Bertolina, William W. Roberts, Charles A. Cain, Dejan Teofilovic, Thomas W. Davison
  • Publication number: 20150290477
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Russell C. JAHNKE, James A. BERTOLINA, William W. ROBERTS, Charles A. CAIN, Dejan TEOFILOVIC, Thomas W. DAVISON
  • Patent number: 9061131
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: HISTOSONICS, INC., THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Russell C. Jahnke, James A. Bertolina, William W. Roberts, Charles A. Cain, Dejan Teofilovic, Thomas W. Davison
  • Publication number: 20130303906
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Thomas W. Davison
  • Publication number: 20120010541
    Abstract: Therapy methods using pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy can include the subprocesses of initiation, maintenance, therapy, and feedback of the histotripsy process, which involves the creation and maintenance of ensembles of microbubbles and the use of feedback in order to optimize the process based on observed spatial-temporal bubble cloud dynamics. The methods provide for the subdivision or erosion of tissue, liquification of tissue, and/or the enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents. Various feedback mechanisms allow variation of ultrasound parameters and provide control over the pulsed cavitational process, permitting the process to be tuned for a number of applications. Such applications can include specific tissue erosion, bulk tissue homogenization, and delivery of therapeutic agents across barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8057408
    Abstract: Therapy methods using pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy can include the subprocesses of initiation, maintenance, therapy, and feedback of the histotripsy process, which involves the creation and maintenance of ensembles of microbubbles and the use of feedback in order to optimize the process based on observed spatial-temporal bubble cloud dynamics. The methods provide for the subdivision or erosion of tissue, liquification of tissue, and/or the enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents. Various feedback mechanisms allow variation of ultrasound parameters and provide control over the pulsed cavitational process, permitting the process to be tuned for a number of applications. Such applications can include specific tissue erosion, bulk tissue homogenization, and delivery of therapeutic agents across barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20110054315
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can image a target tissue volume and apply ultrasound energy to the target tissue volume. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured controllably apply ultrasound energy into the prostate by maintaining a cavitational bubble cloud generated by an ultrasound therapy system within an image of the prostate generated by an imaging system. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: WILLIAM W. ROBERTS, Timothy L. Hall, Charles A. Cain, J. Brian Fowlkes, Zhen Xu, Michael Thomas Kusner, JR., Dejan Teofilovic
  • Publication number: 20110054363
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Thomas W. Davison
  • Publication number: 20110040190
    Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to a patient. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to conform to the anatomy of a patient's perineal area to acoustically couple an ultrasound therapy transducer to the patient for treatment of BPH. The medical imaging and therapy device can be used in therapeutic applications such as Histotripsy, Lithotripsy, and HIFU, for example. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Russell C. Jahnke, James A. Bertolina, William W. Roberts, Charles A. Cain, Dejan Teofilovic, Thomas W. Davison
  • Publication number: 20080319356
    Abstract: Therapy methods using pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy can include the subprocesses of initiation, maintenance, therapy, and feedback of the histotripsy process, which involves the creation and maintenance of ensembles of microbubbles and the use of feedback in order to optimize the process based on observed spatial-temporal bubble cloud dynamics. The methods provide for the subdivision or erosion of tissue, liquification of tissue, and/or the enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents. Various feedback mechanisms allow variation of ultrasound parameters and provide control over the pulsed cavitational process, permitting the process to be tuned for a number of applications. Such applications can include specific tissue erosion, bulk tissue homogenization, and delivery of therapeutic agents across barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: CHARLES A. CAIN, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7101609
    Abstract: Disclosed is a film, and process for making the same, that can be used as a label and which provides an etched appearance by the application of the combination of at least two layers of coarse-grained inks. A more specific form of the invention is to prepare a heat-shrink over-wrap film label as disclosed and then apply it to a regular glass bottle so as to create the appearance of an all-over etched treatment or a look of etched treatment to specific areas only. According to another more specific version of the invention, a heat-shrinkable overwrap sleeve may be printed as described above with a portion of the finish gradated from a full strength coating on the main body section of the container to a lesser degree in a continuous gradation over to a narrower neck part of the bottle to be covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Multi-Color Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Belanger, William W. Roberts, John Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6805908
    Abstract: A film, and process for making the same, that can be used as a label and which provides an etched appearance by the application of the combination of at least two layers of coarse-grained inks. A more specific form of the invention is to prepare a heat-shrink over-wrap film label as disclosed and then apply it to a regular glass bottle so as to create the appearance of an all-over etched treatment or a look of etched treatment to specific areas only. According to another more specific version of the invention, a heat-shrinkable overwrap sleeve may be printed as described above with a portion of the finish gradated from a full strength coating on the main body section of the container to a lesser degree in a continuous gradation over to a narrower neck part of the bottle to be covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Multi-Color Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Belanger, William W. Roberts, John Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20030194541
    Abstract: Disclosed is a film, and process for making the same, that can be used as a label and which provides an etched appearance by the application of the combination of at least two layers of coarse-grained inks. A more specific form of the invention is to prepare a heat-shrink over-wrap film label as disclosed and then apply it to a regular glass bottle so as to create the appearance of an all-over etched treatment or a look of etched treatment to specific areas only. According to another more specific version of the invention, a heat-shrinkable overwrap sleeve may be printed as described above with a portion of the finish gradated from a full strength coating on the main body section of the container to a lesser degree in a continuous gradation over to a narrower neck part of the bottle to be covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Belanger, William W. Roberts, John Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 4927650
    Abstract: A food product for a desired ultimate dish includes a divided main ingredient such as meat coated with dry particulate additional ingredients such as flavoring, thickening etc. agents. Preparation includes admixing the main and additional intgredients supplied at prescribed rates with the main ingredient offering surface adherence for the additional ingredients, and the final product remains divided. The desired ultimate dish is prepared in any required quantity simply by heating up the divided final product in a suitable cooking medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Quick Cuisine Limited
    Inventor: William W. Roberts