Patents by Inventor Larry D. Pool

Larry D. Pool 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).

  • Methods and devices for treating morbid obesity using hydrogel
    Patent number: 8608642
    Abstract: An environmentally sensitive hydrogel material swells or collapses in response to a parameter such as pH level associated with consumption of food by a patient. This swelling or collapsing is harnessed to treat morbid obesity or some other condition of the patient. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may be used to tighten a gastric band or gastric valve when the patient starts eating; then loosen the band or valve when the patient is between meals. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may also be used to increase the size of a space occupying device in the patient's stomach when the patient starts eating; then decrease the size of the space occupying device when the patient is between meals. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may also be used to selectively restrict the absorption of nutrients within a patient's gastrointestinal tract, such as in the duodenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Janna M. Burrell, Randal T. Byrum, Robert Louis Koch, Jr., Larry D. Pool, Christopher W. Widenhouse
  • Methods and Devices for Treating Morbid Obesity Using Hydrogel
    Publication number: 20110207994
    Abstract: An environmentally sensitive hydrogel material swells or collapses in response to a parameter such as pH level associated with consumption of food by a patient. This swelling or collapsing is harnessed to treat morbid obesity or some other condition of the patient. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may be used to tighten a gastric band or gastric valve when the patient starts eating; then loosen the band or valve when the patient is between meals. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may also be used to increase the size of a space occupying device in the patient's stomach when the patient starts eating; then decrease the size of the space occupying device when the patient is between meals. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may also be used to selectively restrict the absorption of nutrients within a patient's gastrointestinal tract, such as in the duodenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Janna M. Burrell, Randal T. Byrum, Robert Louis Koch, JR., Larry D. Pool, Christopher W. Widenhouse