Patents by Inventor Keith A. Wells

Keith A. Wells 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).

  • Patent number: 8608649
    Abstract: Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John O. McWeeney, Benjamin E. Morris, David W. Robertson, David I. Freed, James F. Schuerman, John B. Golden, Jozef Slanda, Brian Keith Wells, Jesse Leonard Farris, III, Michael S. H. Chu, Oscar R. Carrillo, Jr., Todd A. Hall, Yem Chin, Mark L. Adams
  • Publication number: 20130123807
    Abstract: An apparatus for deployment of a hemostatic clip includes a clip assembly releasably coupled to a distal portion of a shaft, wherein the clip assembly includes a capsule releasably coupled to the shaft, clip arms slidably received within the capsule and cooperating with the capsule to provide a first user feedback indicating a decision configuration of the clip assembly and a yoke slidably received within the capsule, the yoke including proximal and distal portions releasably and rotatably connected to one another via a first control wire, a distal end of the distal portion being connected to proximal ends of the clip arms. A second control wire extends from the handle assembly and is coupled to a proximal end of the second portion to move the clip assembly between open and closed configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Keith WELLS, Lance Alan Wolf, Gregory R. Furnish, Vasiliy P. Abramov, William C. Mers Kelly, Gary A. Jordan, Allison Kidder, Theresa A. Durgin
  • Publication number: 20120209073
    Abstract: Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and resuable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. The catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: John O. McWeeney, Benjamin E. Morris, David W. Robertson, David I. Freed, James F. Schuerman, John B. Golden, Jozef Slanda, Brian Keith Wells, Jesse Leonard Farris, III, Michael S.H. Chu, Oscar R. Carrillo, JR., Todd A. Hall, Yem Chin, Mark L. Adams
  • Publication number: 20120109162
    Abstract: Apparatus includes Flexible Sheath extending from a proximal end which extends into living body; Capsule extending from a proximal to a distal end and having an opening formed in a proximal end thereof; Clip Assembly provided in Capsule and configured to be operably movable between a closed configuration in which first and second arms of Clip Assembly are drawn toward one another and an expanded configuration in which the first and second arms are separated from one another to receive target tissue therebetween; Bushing extending between a proximal end coupled to Sheath and a distal end releasably coupled to Capsule via a tab on the distal end of Bushing engaging the opening of Capsule; and Control Member a distal end of which is releasably coupled to Clip Assembly to transmit to Clip Assembly forces applied thereto to move Clip Assembly between the insertion and expanded configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Russell F. DURGIN, William C. Mers Kelly, Lance Alan Wolf, Brian Keith Wells, Vasily P. Abramov, Gregory R. Furnish
  • Publication number: 20120071898
    Abstract: An apparatus for deployment of a hemostatic clip comprises a handle assembly, a shaft connected to a distal portion thereof and a clip assembly releasably coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. The clip assembly includes clip arms and a capsule cooperating with the clip arms to provide a first user feedback indicating a decision configuration of the clip assembly. In addition, the apparatus includes a control wire including a ball connector, the control wire extending from the handle assembly and coupled to the clip assembly by the ball connector to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the shaft, wherein the ball connector is detachable from the clip assembly to provide a second user feedback indicating separation of the clip assembly from the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Keith Wells, Lance Alan Wolf, Gregory R. Furnish, Vasily P. Abramov, William C. Mers Kelly, Russell F. Durgin
  • Patent number: 8088061
    Abstract: An apparatus for deployment of a hemostatic clip comprises a handle assembly, a shaft connected to a distal portion thereof and a clip assembly releasably coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. The clip assembly includes clip arms and a capsule cooperating with the clip arms to provide a first user feedback indicating a decision configuration of the clip assembly. In addition, the apparatus includes a control wire including a ball connector, the control wire extending from the handle assembly and coupled to the clip assembly by the ball connector to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the shaft, wherein the ball connector is detachable from the clip assembly to provide a second user feedback indicating separation of the clip assembly from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Keith Wells, Lance Alan Wolf, Gregory R. Furnish, Vasily P. Abramov, William C. Mers Kelly, Russell F. Durgin
  • Patent number: 8083668
    Abstract: A hemostatic clip assembly for mounting on a delivery device comprises a capsule and a clip slidably mounted within the capsule so that, when the clip is drawn proximally into the capsule, arms of the clip are drawn together to a closed position, an abutting surface of at least one of the arms contacting a corresponding surface of the capsule when the clip is drawn to a predetermined position within the capsule to provide a first user feedback indicating closure of the clip in combination with a tension member connected to the clip arms and biasing the clip arms toward an open, tissue receiving configuration and a yoke slidably received within the capsule and releasably coupled to the tension member, the yoke including a ball cavity for receiving a ball connector of a control element of the delivery device to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the delivery device, wherein the control element is frangible to detach the yoke from the delivery device and to provide a second user feedback and, wherein release
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell F. Durgin, William C. Mers Kelly, Lance Alan Wolf, Brian Keith Wells, Vasily P. Abramov, Gregory R. Furnish
  • Publication number: 20110213300
    Abstract: Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. The catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: John O. McWeeney, Benjamin E. Morris, David W. Robertson, David I. Freed, James F. Schuerman, John B. Golden, Jozef Slanda, Brian Keith Wells, Jesse Leonard Farris, III, Michael S.H. Chu, Oscar R. Carrillo, JR., Todd A. Hall, Yem Chin, Mark L. Adams
  • Publication number: 20110138361
    Abstract: A computer based method and apparatus generate a class relationship diagram of dynamic language objects. In response to a user selecting a subject object implemented in the dynamic language, a diagramming member forms and displays a class relationship diagram of the subject object The class relationship diagram visually illustrates relationships between the subject object and objects it inherits from and objects it contains as extracted from the inheritance chain of the subject object. UML or graph notation may be employed in the generated class relationship diagram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark D. McEntee, Merle D. Sterling, Keith A. Wells
  • Patent number: 7922650
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises a catheter having an access port leading to an interior lumen through which an image transmission member is routed, and an endoscope having an access port leading to an interior lumen through which the catheter is routed. The catheter and endoscope are connected by an endoscope attachment device such that a handle of the catheter is mounted distal of the endoscope access port and the catheter access port is distal to the mounted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John O. McWeeney, Benjamin E. Morris, David W. Robertson, David I. Freed, James F. Schuermann, John B. Golden, Jozef Slanda, Brian Keith Wells, Jesse Leonard Farris, III, Michael S. H. Chu, Oscar R. Carrillo, Jr., Todd A. Hall, Yem Chin, Mark L. Adams
  • Publication number: 20100152753
    Abstract: A tissue clipping apparatus, comprises a flexible, elongate member, a proximal end of which remains external to the body accessible to a user while a distal end of the flexible member is inserted into the body to a location adjacent to target tissue to be clipped and a control wire extending through the flexible member in combination with a capsule releasably coupled to a distal end of the flexible member and a clip a proximal portion of which is received within the capsule. A joint releasably coupling the clip to the control wire, includes a yoke extending around a proximal end of the clip and a frangible link which fails when subject to a predetermined force to separate the clip from the control wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Dmitri Menn, Russell F. Durgin, Brian Keith Wells, Lance Alan Wolf, Gregory R. Furnish, Vasiliy P. Abramov, William C. Mers Kelly
  • Publication number: 20090306545
    Abstract: A catheter assembly configured for use in a non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage procedure. The catheter assembly may include an inner catheter member having an inner catheter lumen and an outer catheter member having an outer catheter lumen, where the inner catheter member is disposed longitudinally and coaxially through at least a lengthwise portion of the outer catheter lumen, a distal end portion of the outer catheter includes an atraumatically-shaped disruptable seal—which seal includes at least a pair of overlapping slits that extend at least partially through an internal distal end wall portion of the outer catheter—and where a distal end portion of the inner catheter includes a wedging structure configured to at least partially sealingly contact an inner circumference of a passage in a lower portion of a patient lung.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Mamdouh Elsakka, Christine T. Kearney, Keith Wells, John Edrington, Greg Furnish
  • Publication number: 20090301480
    Abstract: A bronchoalveolar lavage instillation/aspiration system which includes (i) a needleless bronchoalveolar lavage instillation/aspiration device with a barrel member including a barrel lumen having a distal aperture and a self-sealing member configured for maintaining a fluid-disruptable, resealable barrier to the distal aperture; and (ii) a catheter assembly configured to provide a patent path of fluid communication between the instillation/aspiration device and a patient bronchial passage, where the catheter includes a wedging structure configured to engage a patient bronchial passage. In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention may include one or more methods of making and using a system or component described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Mamdouh Elsakka, Christine T. Kearney, Ho-Kin Ng, John Edrington, Keith Wells, Greg Furnish, Eric E. Bielefeld
  • Publication number: 20090138028
    Abstract: An apparatus for deployment of a hemostatic clip comprises a handle assembly, a shaft connected to a distal portion thereof and a clip assembly releasably coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. The clip assembly includes clip arms and a capsule cooperating with the clip arms to provide a first user feedback indicating a decision configuration of the clip assembly. In addition, the apparatus includes a control wire including a ball connector, the control wire extending from the handle assembly and coupled to the clip assembly by the ball connector to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the shaft, wherein the ball connector is detachable from the clip assembly to provide a second user feedback indicating separation of the clip assembly from the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Keith Wells, Lance Alan Wolf, Gregory R. Furnish, Vasily P. Abramov, William C.Mers Kelly, Russell F. Durgin
  • Patent number: 7494461
    Abstract: An apparatus for deployment of a hemostatic clip comprises a handle assembly, a shaft connected to a distal portion thereof and a clip assembly releasably coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. The clip assembly includes clip arms and a capsule cooperating with the clip arms to provide a first user feedback indicating a decision configuration of the clip assembly. In addition, the apparatus includes a control wire including a ball connector, the control wire extending from the handle assembly and coupled to the clip assembly by the ball connector to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the shaft, wherein the ball connector is detachable from the clip assembly to provide a second user feedback indicating separation of the clip assembly from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Keith Wells, Lance Alan Wolf, Gregory R. Furnish, Vasily P. Abramov, William C. Mers Kelly, Russell F. Durgin
  • Publication number: 20090043316
    Abstract: A hemostatic clip assembly for mounting on a delivery device comprises a capsule and a clip slidably mounted within the capsule so that, when the clip is drawn proximally into the capsule, arms of the clip are drawn together to a closed position, an abutting surface of at least one of the arms contacting a corresponding surface of the capsule when the clip is drawn to a predetermined position within the capsule to provide a first user feedback indicating closure of the clip in combination with a tension member connected to the clip arms and biasing the clip arms toward an open, tissue receiving configuration and a yoke slidably received within the capsule and releasably coupled to the tension member, the yoke including a ball cavity for receiving a ball connector of a control element of the delivery device to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the delivery device, wherein the control element is frangible to detach the yoke from the delivery device and to provide a second user feedback and, wherein release
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Russell F. Durgin, William C. Mers Kelly, Lance Alan Wolf, Brian Keith Wells, Vasily P. Abramov, Gregory R. Furnish
  • Patent number: 7452327
    Abstract: A hemostatic clip assembly for mounting on a delivery device comprises a capsule and a clip slidably mounted within the capsule so that, when the clip is drawn proximally into the capsule, arms of the clip are drawn together to a closed position, an abutting surface of at least one of the arms contacting a corresponding surface of the capsule when the clip is drawn to a predetermined position within the capsule to provide a first user feedback indicating closure of the clip in combination with a tension member connected to the clip arms and biasing the clip arms toward an open, tissue receiving configuration and a yoke slidably received within the capsule and releasably coupled to the tension member, the yoke including a ball cavity for receiving a ball connector of a control element of the delivery device to maintain the clip assembly coupled to the delivery device, wherein the control element is frangible to detach the yoke from the delivery device and to provide a second user feedback and, wherein release
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell F. Durgin, William C. Mers Kelly, Lance Alan Wolf, Brian Keith Wells, Vasily P. Abramov, Gregory R. Furnish
  • Patent number: 7322031
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for cloning an instantiating a Web service from a calling process to a target host. The method can include expanding an application archive to a Web application container in the target host. The archive can include at least one operational file for implementing the Web service, an implementation document for the Web service, and a deployment descriptor for the Web service. A unique identifier can be generated for the Web service. Subsequently, the implementation document can be modified to reference the target host, the Web application in the target host, and the generated unique identifier in specifying the Web service. Also, the deployment descriptor can be modified to reference the generated unique identifier in specifying the Web service. Finally, the Web service can be deployed in the target host using the deployment descriptor; and, a network address referencing the implementation document can be forwarded to the calling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. Davis, Brad B. Topol, Keith A. Wells
  • Publication number: 20070188744
    Abstract: In an optical scanning system for detecting particles and pattern defects on a sample surface, a light beam is focused to an illuminated spot on the surface and the spot is scanned across the surface along a scan line. A detector is positioned adjacent to the surface to collect scattered light from the spot where the detector includes a one- or two-dimensional array of sensors. Light scattered from the illuminated spot at each of a plurality of positions along the scan line is focused onto a corresponding sensor in the array. A plurality of detectors symmetrically placed with respect to the illuminating beam detect laterally and forward scattered light from the spot. The spot is scanned over arrays of scan line segments shorter than the dimensions of the surface. A bright field channel enables the adjustment of the height of the sample surface to correct for errors caused by height variations of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Leslie, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Keith Wells
  • Patent number: 7240297
    Abstract: A method and system for providing user assistance in utilizing a computer program is disclosed that provides the capability for combining an active display of the past, current, and future steps in an ongoing process with a series of associated decision panels and forms to be completed in order to carry out the steps. A navigator bar, which is situated adjacent to and can be scrolled independently of information appearing in a client area of a computer screen display, provides a user of the computer program with a map of the steps already executed, the current step being executed, and the most likely steps to be performed based on the current step being executed. If the user selects a different step to be the current step, the display of most likely future steps to be performed changes, if appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl T. Anderson, Gregory F. Bush, Michael Faoro, Susan E. Kahler, Alberta Lee, Janet L. Leskovec, Susan E. Liles, Lynn Percival, Keith A. Wells