James Roland Carl
Engineers at Rill Ln, Houston, TX

5904709, May 18, 1999

Apr 17, 1996

8/641045

G. Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX
James R. Carl - Houston TX
George W. Raffoul - Houston TX
Antonio Pacifico - Houston TX

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

A61F2/00

607101

Method and apparatus are provided for propagating microwave energy into heart tissues to produce a desired temperature profile therein at tissue depths sufficient for thermally ablating arrhythmogenic cardiac tissue to treat ventricular tachycardia and other arrhythmias while preventing excessive heating of surrounding tissues, organs, and blood. A wide bandwidth double-disk antenna (700) is effective for this purpose over a bandwidth of about six gigahertz. A computer simulation provides initial screening capabilities for an antenna such as antenna, frequency, power level, and power application duration. The simulation also allows optimization of techniques for specific patients or conditions. In operation, microwave energy between about 1 Gigahertz and 12 Gigahertz is applied to monopole microwave radiator (600) having a surface wave limiter (606). A test setup provides physical testing of microwave radiators (854) to determine the temperature profile created in actual heart tissue or ersatz heart tissue (841).

6650280, Nov 18, 2003

Sep 14, 2001

09/953612

G. Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX
Phong H. Ngo - Friendswood TX
James R. Carl - Houston TX
Kent A. Byerly - Seabrook TX

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

G01S 1308

342124, 367 99, 73290 V, 73290 R, 7315229, 7315231, 7315232

System and methods are disclosed for fluid measurements which may be utilized to determine mass flow rates such as instantaneous mass flow of a fluid stream. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be utilized to compare an input mass flow to an output mass flow of a drilling fluid circulation stream. In one embodiment, a fluid flow rate is determined by utilizing a microwave detector in combination with an acoustic sensor. The acoustic signal is utilized to eliminate 2 phase ambiguities in a reflected microwave signal. In another embodiment, a fluid flow rate may be determined by detecting a phase shift of an acoustic signal across two different predetermined transmission paths. A fluid density may be determined by detecting a calibrated phase shift of an acoustic signal through the fluid. In another embodiment, a second acoustic signal may be transmitted through the fluid to define a particular 2 phase range which defines the phase shift.

6592579, Jul 15, 2003

Dec 18, 2000

09/746542

G. Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX
James Carl - Houston TX
Phong Ngo - Friendswood TX
George W. Raffoul - Houston TX

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

A61B 1804

606 32, 606 33, 607101

A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue. By changing the various control features of the catheter and method of applying microwave energy a temperature profile can be predicted and produced that is similar to the temperature profile desired for the particular patient.

6651739, Nov 25, 2003

Feb 21, 2001

09/793817

G. Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX
James R. Carl - Houston TX
Kent A. Byerly - Seabrook TX
B. Jon Amini - Houston TX

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

E21B 4704

16625003, 1662542, 175 50, 7315202

System and methods are disclosed for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic pulses through a geological formation. A preferably programmable transmitter having an all-digital portion in a preferred embodiment may be operated at frequencies below 1 MHz without loss of target resolution by transmitting and over sampling received long PN codes. A gated and stored portion of the received signal may be correlated with the PN code to determine distances of interfaces within the geological formation, such as the distance of a water interfaces from a wellbore. The received signal is oversampled preferably at rates such as five to fifty times as high as a carrier frequency. In one method of the invention, an oil well with multiple production zones may be kept in production by detecting an approaching water front in one of the production zones and shutting down that particular production zone thereby permitting the remaining production zones to continue operating.

7019518, Mar 28, 2006

Oct 16, 2001

09/981775

Bijan K. Amini - Houston TX, US
James R. Carl - Houston TX, US

G01B 7/06, G01R 33/12

324229, 324220

This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for determining the thickness of a ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material when only one side of the material is accessible. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for engaging a constant signal with the ferromagnetic material for inducing a changed signal, generating a stepped saturation signal over a range of currents for engagement with the ferromagnetic material, detecting the changed signal as the saturation signal is varied over the range of currents, determining the relationship between the changed signal and the stepped saturation signal, and evaluating the thickness of the material based upon the relationship between the changed signal and the stepped saturation signal. In another embodiment, the invention provides for an apparatus comprising a transmitter for engaging a constant signal with the ferromagnetic material for creating a changed signal, a saturation device for generating a saturation signal over a range of currents for engagement with the ferromagnetic material, a receiver for detecting the changed signal as the saturation signal is varied over the range of currents, such that the relationship between the changed signal and the saturation signal is determined, and the thickness of the material based upon the relationship is determined.

5675259, Oct 7, 1997

Sep 14, 1995

8/528069

G. Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX
Thanh X. Nguyen - Houston TX
James R. Carl - Houston TX

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

G01R 2726

324642

Method and apparatus for making measurements on fluids related to their complex permeability are disclosed. A microwave probe is provided for exposure to the fluids. The probe can be non-intrusive or can also be positioned at the location where measurements are to be made. The impedance of the probe is determined, in part, by the complex dielectric constant of the fluids at the probe. A radio frequency signal is transmitted to the probe and the reflected signal is phase and amplitude detected at a rapid rate for the purpose of identifying the fluids. Multiple probes may be selectively positioned to monitor the behavior of the fluids including their flow rate. Fluids may be identified as between two or more different fluids as well as multiple phases of the same fluid based on differences between their complex permittivities.

6223086, Apr 24, 2001

Feb 9, 2000

9/504768

James R. Carl - Houston TX
G. Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX
Patrick W. Fink - Fresno TX
N. Reginald Beer - Houston TX
Phillip D. Henry - Houston TX
Antonio Pacifico - Houston TX
George W. Raffoul - Houston TX

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

A61F 200

607101

Method and apparatus are provided to treat atherosclerosis wherein the artery is partially closed by dilating the artery while preserving the vital and sensitive endothelial layer thereof. Microwave energy having a frequency from 3 GHz to 300 GHz is propagated into the arterial wall to produce a desired temperature profile therein at tissue depths sufficient for thermally necrosing connective tissue and softening fatty and waxy plaque while limiting heating of surrounding tissues including the endothelial layer and/or other healthy tissue, organs, and blood. The heating period for raising the temperature a potentially desired amount, about 20. degree. C. within the atherosclerotic lesion may be less than about one second. In one embodiment of the invention, a radically beveled waveguide antenna is used to deliver microwave energy at frequencies from 25 GHz or 30 GHz to about 300 GHz and is focused towards a particular radial sector of the artery. Because the atherosclerotic lesions are often asymmetrically disposed directable or focussed heating preserves healthy sectors of the artery and applies energy to the asymmetrically positioned lesion faster than a non-directed beam.

8388613, Mar 5, 2013

Apr 9, 2010

12/757657

G. Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX, US
Phong H. Ngo - Friendswood TX, US
Chau T. Phan - Sugar Land TX, US
Diane L. Byerly - Seabrook TX, US
John R. Dusl - Houston TX, US
Marguerite A. Sognier - Houston TX, US
James R. Carl - Houston TX, US

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

A61B 18/14

606 33, 606 49, 606 41, 607101

Methods and apparatus for joining biological tissue together are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, a method for joining biological tissue together can include applying a biological solder on a wound. A barrier layer can be disposed on the biological solder. An antenna can be located in proximate spatial relationship to the barrier layer. An impedance of the antenna can be matched to an impedance of the wound. Microwaves from a signal generator can be transmitted through the antenna to weld two or more biological tissue pieces of the wound together. A power of the microwaves can be adjusted by a control circuit disposed between the antenna and the signal generator. The heating profile within the tissue may be adjusted and controlled by the placement of metallic microspheres in or around the wound.

6134476, Oct 17, 2000

Sep 17, 1998

9/154989

G. Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX
James R. Carl - Houston TX
George W. Raffoul - Houston TX
Vincent G. Karasack - Melbourne FL
Antonio Pacifico - Houston TX
Carl F. Pieper - Tulsa OK

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

A61F 200

607101

Method and apparatus are provided for propagating microwave energy into heart tissues to produce a desired temperature profile therein at tissue depths sufficient for thermally ablating arrhythmogenic cardiac tissue to treat ventricular tachycardia and other arrhythmias while preventing excessive heating of surrounding tissues, organs, and blood. A wide bandwidth double-disk antenna (700) is effective for this purpose over a bandwidth of about six gigahertz. A computer simulation provides initial screening capabilities for an antenna such as antenna, frequency, power level, and power application duration. The simulation also allows optimization of techniques for specific patients or conditions. In operation, microwave energy between about 1 Gigahertz and 12 Gigahertz is applied to monopole microwave radiator (600) having a surface wave limiter (606). A test setup provides physical testing of microwave radiators (854) to determine the temperature profile created in actual heart tissue or ersatz heart tissue (841).

7111497, Sep 26, 2006

Feb 26, 2004

10/787339

Curtis Goad - Ellisville MO, US
James R. Carl - Houston TX, US
Fred Dyer - Newport News VA, US

Tankinsight, LLC - Ellisville MO

G01M 3/16, G01M 3/40

73 40, 73 492, 73 493, 73 52

A leak detection apparatus detects leaks or premature wearing in a lined fluid filled vessel. A leak detection apparatus comprises a current density meter, a power supply, and a probe. The probe is inserted into the fluid filled vessel. The power supply supplies an AC or DC electric current to a directional amplifier of the probe. A torroid of the probe senses the current density in the fluid and sends an electrical signal to the current density meter. The current density meter measures the electrical signal and communicates a current density readout to a display. This readout indicates to an operator whether or not there is a crack, premature wearing, or a bypass.