Abraham J Lee

US Patent:

6370757, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

May 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/568615

Inventors:

Abraham P. Lee - Walnut Creek CA
William J. Benett - Livermore CA
Daniel L. Schumann - Concord CA
Peter A. Krulevitch - Pleasanton CA
Joseph P. Fitch - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

B23P 1102

US Classification:

29447, 29517

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for loading deposit material, such as an embolic coil, into a shape memory polymer (SMP) gripping/release mechanism. The apparatus enables the application of uniform pressure to secure a grip by the SMP mechanism on the deposit material via differential pressure between, for example, vacuum within the SMP mechanism and hydrostatic water pressure on the exterior of the SMP mechanism. The SMP tubing material of the mechanism is heated to above the glass transformation temperature (Tg) while reshaping, and subsequently cooled to below Tg to freeze the shape. The heating and/or cooling may, for example, be provided by the same water applied for pressurization or the heating can be applied by optical fibers packaged to the SMP mechanism for directing a laser beam, for example, thereunto. At a point of use, the deposit material is released from the SMP mechanism by reheating the SMP material to above the temperature Tg whereby it returns to its initial shape. The reheating of the SMP material may be carried out by injecting heated fluid (water) through an associated catheter or by optical fibers and an associated beam of laser light, for example.

US Patent:

6379325, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Jul 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/350494

Inventors:

William Benett - Livermore CA
Peter Celliers - Berkeley CA
Luiz Da Silva - Danville CA
Michael Glinsky - Livermore CA
Richard London - Orinda CA
Duncan Maitland - Livermore CA
Dennis Matthews - Moss Beach CA
Peter Krulevich - Pleasanton CA
Abraham Lee - Walnut Creek CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61B 1720

US Classification:

604 22, 606 15

Abstract:

This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus.

US Patent:

6480730, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Dec 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/742775

Inventors:

Christopher B. Darrow - Pleasanton CA
Stephen M. Lane - Oakland CA
Abraham P. Lee - Walnut Creek CA
Amy W. Wang - Berkeley CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61B 505

US Classification:

600347, 600345

Abstract:

An implantable chemical sensor system for medical applications is described which permits selective recognition of an analyte using an expandable biocompatible sensor, such as a polymer, that undergoes a dimensional change in the presence of the analyte. The expandable polymer is incorporated into an electronic circuit component that changes its properties (e. g. , frequency) when the polymer changes dimension. As the circuit changes its characteristics, an external interrogator transmits a signal transdermally to the transducer, and the concentration of the analyte is determined from the measured changes in the circuit. This invention may be used for minimally invasive monitoring of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.

US Patent:

6575965, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Nov 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/713988

Inventors:

Joseph P. Fitch - Livermore CA
Dennis L. Matthews - Moss Beach CA
Karla G. Hagans - Livermore CA
Abraham P. Lee - Arlington VA
Peter Krulevitch - Pleasanton CA
William J. Benett - Livermore CA
Robert E. Clough - Danville CA
Luiz B. DaSilva - Danville CA
Peter M. Celliers - Berkeley CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61B 1822

US Classification:

606 15, 607 88

Abstract:

A medical device is constructed in the basic form of a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a proximal end providing for a user to control the manipulation of the distal end within the body. A fiberoptic cable is disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter and a proximal end for external coupling of laser light energy. A laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter is connected to receive light from the distal end of the fiber optic cable and may include a photo-voltaic cell and an electromechanical motor or a heat-sensitive photo-thermal material. An electronic sensor is connected to receive electrical power from said distal end of the fiberoptic cable and is connected to provide signal information about a particular physical environment and communicated externally through the fiberoptic cable to the proximal end thereof. A mechanical sensor is attached to the distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to provide light signal information about a particular physical environment and communicated externally through the fiberoptic cable.

US Patent:

6740094, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Jan 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/761023

Inventors:

Duncan J. Maitland - Pleasant Hill CA
Abraham P. Lee - Walnut Creek CA
Daniel L. Schumann - Concord CA
Dennis L. Matthews - Moss Beach CA
Derek E. Decker - Byron CA
Charles A. Jungreis - Pittsburgh PA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61F 1100

US Classification:

606108

Abstract:

An actuator system is provided for acting upon a material in a vessel. The system includes an optical fiber and a shape memory polymer material operatively connected to the optical fiber. The shape memory polymer material is adapted to move from a first shape for moving through said vessel to a second shape where it can act upon said material.

US Patent:

7081227, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Jun 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/862998

Inventors:

David S. Clague - Livermore CA, US
Elizabeth K. Wheeler - Livermore CA, US
Abraham P. Lee - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

The Reagents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01N 21/00

US Classification:

422 81, 422 82, 422 50, 422 681, 436518, 436524, 436 52, 435 71, 4352871

Abstract:

A flow cytometer includes a flow cell for detecting the sample, an oil phase in the flow cell, a water phase in the flow cell, an oil-water interface between the oil phase and the water phase, a detector for detecting the sample at the oil-water interface, and a hydrophobic unit operatively connected to the sample. The hydrophobic unit is attached to the sample. The sample and the hydrophobic unit are placed in an oil and water combination. The sample is detected at the interface between the oil phase and the water phase.

US Patent:

7291154, Nov 6, 2007

Filed:

Nov 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/713622

Inventors:

Duncan J. Maitland - Pleasant Hill CA, US
Abraham P. Lee - Walnut Creek CA, US
Daniel L. Schumann - Concord CA, US
Dennis L. Matthews - Moss Beach CA, US
Derek E. Decker - Byron CA, US
Charles A. Jungreis - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

A61F 11/00

US Classification:

606108

Abstract:

An actuator system is provided for acting upon a material in a vessel. The system includes an optical fiber and a shape memory polymer material operatively connected to the optical fiber. The shape memory polymer material is adapted to move from a first shape for moving through said vessel to a second shape where it can act upon said material.

US Patent:

7504265, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Jun 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/447754

Inventors:

David S. Clague - Livermore CA, US
Elizabeth K. Wheeler - Livermore CA, US
Abraham P. Lee - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC - Livermore CA

International Classification:

G01N 33/543

US Classification:

436518, 436532, 436534, 436800, 436805, 435 71, 4352831, 4352871, 4352887, 422 8205, 422 8208, 422213, 422215

Abstract:

A flow cytometer includes a flow cell for detecting the sample, an oil phase in the flow cell, a water phase in the flow cell, an oil-water interface between the oil phase and the water phase, a detector for detecting the sample at the oil-water interface, and a hydrophobic unit operatively connected to the sample. The hydrophobic unit is attached to the sample. The sample and the hydrophobic unit are placed in an oil and water combination. The sample is detected at the interface between the oil phase and the water phase.