Ralph M Weisner

US Patent:

6792314, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/160804

Inventors:

Charles L. Byers - Canyon Country CA
Kate E. Fey - Valencia CA
Ralph M. Weisner - Woodland Hills CA
Gary D. Schnittgrund - Granada Hills CA

Assignee:

Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 105

US Classification:

607 53, 607116, 607141

Abstract:

An implantable miniature eyelid electrode apparatus that causes a paralyzed eyelid to close or open by passing an electrical stimulating current to a nerve or muscle, is comprised of a longitudinally flexible, nonconductive body containing electrodes that pass an electrical signal to the nearby nerve or muscle, which closes or opens the eyelid. The apparatus is electrically actuated by a source that may be located remotely from the apparatus. The electrical signal passes along wires from the source to the apparatus. The apparatus is biocompatible with the environment in the living tissue and is electrically insulated from the surrounding tissue, except where the electrodes contact the living tissue. The apparatus is very small and is not obvious to visual inspection when implanted.

US Patent:

6829508, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Apr 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/116619

Inventors:

Joseph H. Schulman - Santa Clarita CA
Ralph M. Weisner - Woodland Hills CA
David L. Canfield - Lake Hughes CA
Kate E. Fey - Santa Clarita CA
Charles L. Byers - Canyon Country CA

Assignee:

Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research - Valencia CA

International Classification:

A61N 105

US Classification:

607116

Abstract:

An electrically sensing and stimulating outer sheath for ensuring accurate surgical placement of a microsensor or a microstimulator near a nerve in living tissue is disclosed. The electrically sensing outer sheath may also be used to verify the function of the microstimulator or microsensor during surgical placement but before the outer sheath is removed. In the event that the microstimulator is not optimally placed near the nerve, or if the microstimulator is malfunctioning, this can be determined prior to removal of the outer sheath, thus reducing the possibility of nerve or tissue damage that might be incurred during a separate operation to remove the microstimulator.

US Patent:

7024249, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Feb 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/081346

Inventors:

Ralph M. Weisner - Woodland Hills CA, US
David L. Canfield - Lake Hughes CA, US
Richard J. Nelson - Canyon Country CA, US
Joseph H. Schulman - Santa Clarita CA, US

Assignee:

Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research - Santa Clarita CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/32

US Classification:

607 60, 600300

Abstract:

A magnetic control system for selectively enabling/disabling an implantable device's operation using externally applied pulsed magnetic means, e. g. , a controlled electromagnet or the like. Typically, such implantable devices stimulate a neural pathway or muscle and/or block pain or muscle stimulation according to programmable settings. Preferably, once programmed from an external programmer, such implantable devices can operate “independently” using the externally provided programmed information. However, in certain circumstances, it may be desired to stop/pause the operation of such selected implanted device while not affecting other such devices. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include a magnetic sensor, preferably a magnetoresistive, Hall effect, saturated core reactors, or the like, to sense an externally provided magnetic field. By externally applying pulsed magnetic fields in sequences of controlled polarities, durations, intensities, etc. , and sensing these identifiable sequences and transitions, the operation of the implantable device may be enabled/disabled.

US Patent:

47061685, Nov 10, 1987

Filed:

Nov 15, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/798632

Inventors:

Ralph M. Weisner - Canoga Park CA

Assignee:

View Engineering, Inc. - Simi Valley CA

International Classification:

G03B 1502

US Classification:

362 18

Abstract:

An illumination system, particularly suitable for use with automatic vision systems employing an image sensing device or system, illuminates an object under analysis with the cone of light that may cover 360. degree. or only an arc segment about a part of the object under analysis. Light from a ring source is directed toward a curved parabolic surface on a light collector ring that substantially collimates the light and fans it out radially out toward a toroidal reflector surface on an encompassing ring, the relative position of which determines the angle of incidence of a cone of light formed to fall in the region of the object, so as to illuminate particular features with optimal efficiency. To change the angle of incidence while maintaining focus, a differential drive mechanism moves the parabolic collector ring and the toroidal angle generator ring in differential fashion concurrently.

US Patent:

44178182, Nov 29, 1983

Filed:

Feb 12, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/233785

Inventors:

Ralph M. Weisner - Canoga Park CA

International Classification:

G01J 340
G01J 348
G03B 2772

US Classification:

356404

Abstract:

An integrating densitometer for comparing unknown values of an integrated color print with reference values of a standard to indicate changes in density and quality and quantity characteristics of color for correcting the values of the unknown to have substantially the values of the reference, the densitometer having a photopic filter before a light sensor, and a master control for biasing simultaneously individually adjustable color controls.

US Patent:

49202731, Apr 24, 1990

Filed:

Apr 22, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/185150

Inventors:

Jack Sacks - Thousand Oaks CA
Ralph Weisner - Canoga Park CA

Assignee:

View Engineering, Inc. - Simi Valley CA

International Classification:

G01N 2186
G01V 904
G01C 308

US Classification:

250560

Abstract:

This invention concerns an optical system for use with a television camera for detecting the surface location of an object. A preferred optical image having a distinct, unique, recognizable pattern is projected on a surface along a defined path that ultimately falls on an imaging sensor associated with a television camera. The optical configuration causes a maximum light pattern energy to fall on the image sensor when the focal point coincides exactly with the surface of the object being detected. The system is not an automatic focussing system, since best focus is normally considered to be that condition which produces an image of maximum detail and sharpness, and the present invention does not rely on detail or sharpness of image for its operation. The invention can be used as an automatic focussing device if desired, since best focus can be derived as a useful by-product of accurate surface detection. In operation the camera moves in the Z direction through the point of maximum light pattern energy.

US Patent:

48720526, Oct 3, 1989

Filed:

Dec 3, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/128329

Inventors:

Valerie A. Liudzius - Simi Valley CA
Ralph M. Weisner - Canoga Park CA
Takashi Kamiharako - Tokyo, JP
Iwami Uramoto - Tokyo, JP

Assignee:

View Engineering, Inc. - Simi Valley CA
Kaijo Denki Co., Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

358106

Abstract:

A semiconductor device inspection system capable of objectively accomplishing visual image inspection of a semiconductor device and minimizing error in the inspection, to thereby effectively carry out the inspection with high accuracy and at high speed. The system includes a low magnification image pickup mechanism which consists of a plurality of low magnification image pickup units each carrying out low magnification image pickup of a semiconductor device to generate an image signal. The system also includes a signal processing system for processing the image signal to judge the correctness of the semiconductor device. In the image pickup units, their light receptors are each arranged in parallel to an inspected surface of the semiconductor device and their central axes intersect together on the inspected surface. The system may also include a high magnification image pickup unit consisting of a high magnification image pickup mechanism and a light-permeable element retractably positioned between the unit and a semiconductor device to be inspected.

US Patent:

47437715, May 10, 1988

Filed:

Jun 17, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/745192

Inventors:

Jack Sacks - Thousand Oaks CA
Ralph Weisner - Canoga Park CA

Assignee:

View Engineering, Inc. - Simi Valley CA

International Classification:

G01N 2186
G01V 904
G01C 308

US Classification:

250560

Abstract:

This invention concerns an optical system for use with a television camera for detecting the surface location of an object. A preferred optical image having a distinct, unique, recognizable pattern is projected on a surface along a defined path that ultimately falls on an imaging sensor associated with a television camera. The optical configuration causes a maximum light pattern energy to fall on the image sensor when the focal point coincides exactly with the surface of the object being detected. The system is not an automatic focussing system, since best focus is normally considered to be that condition which produces an image of maximum detail and sharpness, and the present invention does not rely on detail or sharpness of image for its operation. The invention can be used as an automatic focussing device if desired, since best focus can be derived as a useful by-product of accurate surface detection. In operation the camera moves in the Z direction through the point of maximum light pattern energy.