Richard P Hular

US Patent:

7945312, May 17, 2011

Filed:

Aug 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/196769

Inventors:

Richard Hular - San Carlos CA, US
Luiz Da Silva - Danville CA, US
Charles Chase - Dublin CA, US

Assignee:

Bioluminate, Inc. - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

A61B 6/00
A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600476, 600473, 600310

Abstract:

A multisensor probe for continuous real-time tissue identification. The multisensor probe includes a tissue penetrating needle, a plurality of sensors useful in characterizing tissue and a position sensor to measure the depth of the needle into the tissue being diagnosed. The sensors include but are not limited to an optical scattering and absorption spectroscopy sensor, an optical coherence domain reflectometry sensor, an electrical impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a pOsensor, a chemical sensor and other sensors useful in identifying tissue. The sensors may take the form of a plurality of optical fibers extending through said needle. A retractable sheath may be disposed around the distal section of the needle to protect the needle when not in use. The sheath retracts when the probe is inserted into tissue and the position of the sheath relative to the needle may be measured to determine the needle's depth. Systems and methods for tissue identification are also provided.

US Patent:

20030045798, Mar 6, 2003

Filed:

Sep 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/947171

Inventors:

Richard Hular - San Carlos CA, US
Luiz Da Silva - Danville CA, US
Charles Chase - Dublin CA, US

International Classification:

A61B005/05
A61B006/00

US Classification:

600/476000

Abstract:

A multisensor probe for continuous real-time tissue identification. The multisensor probe includes a tissue penetrating needle, a plurality of sensors useful in characterizing tissue and a position sensor to measure the depth of the needle into the tissue being diagnosed. The sensors include but are not limited to an optical scattering and absorption spectroscopy sensor, an optical coherence domain reflectometry sensor, an electrical impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a pOsensor, a chemical sensor and other sensors useful in identifying tissue. The sensors may take the form of a plurality of optical fibers extending through said needle. A retractable sheath may be disposed around the distal section of the needle to protect the needle when not in use. The sheath retracts when the probe is inserted into tissue and the position of the sheath relative to the needle may be measured to determine the needle's depth. Systems and methods for tissue identification are also provided.

US Patent:

20050261568, Nov 24, 2005

Filed:

May 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/139904

Inventors:

Richard Hular - San Carlos CA, US
Luiz Da Silva - Danville CA, US
Charles Chase - Dublin CA, US

Assignee:

BioLuminate, Inc. - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

A61B005/05
A61B010/00

US Classification:

600407000

Abstract:

A multisensor probe for continuous real-time tissue identification. The multisensor probe includes a tissue penetrating needle, a plurality of sensors useful in characterizing tissue and a position sensor to measure the depth of the needle into the tissue being diagnosed. The sensors include but are not limited to an optical scattering and absorption spectroscopy sensor, an optical coherence domain reflectometry sensor, an electrical impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a pOsensor, a chemical sensor and other sensors useful in identifying tissue. The sensors may take the form of a plurality of optical fibers extending through said needle. A retractable sheath may be disposed around the distal section of the needle to protect the needle when not in use. The sheath retracts when the probe is inserted into tissue and the position of the sheath relative to the needle may be measured to determine the needle's depth. Systems and methods for tissue identification are also provided.

US Patent:

7248032, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Jul 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/458486

Inventors:

Richard Hular - San Carlos CA, US
Liuz B. Da Silva - Danville CA, US
Charles L. Chase - Discovery Bay CA, US
Bruce W. Haughey - Redwood City CA, US

Assignee:

BioLuminate, Inc. - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

G01R 31/02
G01R 27/26
A61B 8/14

US Classification:

324 725, 324690, 600459

Abstract:

A low capacitance measurement probe having an outer conductor forming an outer wall; a non-conductive spacer forming a first wall between a conductive layer and the outer conductor; the conductive layer forming a second wall coupled to the interior of the first wall; an insulating layer forming a third wall coupled to the interior of the second wall; and an inner conductor forming an inner wall coupled to the interior of the third wall. The probe may include a knob or a button in the inner conductor at a tip of the probe to increase the surface area of the inner conductor in order to the sensitivity of the probe.