Patents by Inventor Mark Ashby

Mark Ashby 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: 8317821
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus related to a releasable mechanism having a first connector having a first end and a second end, a second connector having a top and a bottom, a first notch positioned near the first connector second end to releasably mate with the second connector bottom, and a second notch located near the second connector bottom to releasably receive the first connector second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ashby, Eduardo Chi Sing, Luis R. Urquidi, Tin Tran
  • Publication number: 20120271338
    Abstract: Improved devices and components for securing and retrieving an implantable medical device including at least one of a flanged tip disposed at a distal end of the implantable medical device; a halo retrieval tip disposed at a distal end of the implantable medical device; an external leash disposed at least one of a proximal end, a midportion, and a distal end of the implantable medical device; and an internal leash disposed within an inflatable balloon of the implantable medical device. A method of retrieving an implantable medical device, comprising: securing a retrieval device to at least one of the components described herein; and removing the implantable medical device from a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Reshape Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Outhit Bouasaysy, Mark Ashby
  • Publication number: 20120191126
    Abstract: According to embodiments, disclosed is an inflation and deflation device for an inflatable medical device, comprising: an inflation tubing disposed between an access block and a roller configured to rotate about an axis of a roller head; wherein the inflation tubing provides fluid communication between a container and the inflatable medical device; wherein the access block and the roller are configured to restrict flow through the inflation tubing at the area of pressure between the roller and the access block; and wherein the rotation of the roller about the axis of the roller head is configured to transport a fluid within the inflation tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ReShape Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pecor, Jason Kwok, Mark Ashby
  • Publication number: 20120184981
    Abstract: A deflation catheter device, comprising: a catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end; a stylet disposed within the catheter tube; a stylet handle attached to the stylet; and a y-connector disposed near a proximal end of the catheter tube, configured to provide fluid communication from the distal end of the catheter tube and a suction port, and configured to provide access for the stylet from the proximal end of the catheter tube to the distal end of the catheter tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ReShape Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pecor, Jason Kwok, Mark Ashby
  • Patent number: 8050741
    Abstract: A biopsy cannula and a delivery catheter are configured to deliver one or more absorbable sponge pledgets to a biopsy site after removal of one or more tissue samples from the site. The delivery catheter allows a large amount of hydrated sponge material to be delivery to the biopsy site to facilitate hemostasis. One example of the delivery catheter includes a closed distal end, a side port, a tapered section, and an enlarged proximal portion for receiving the pledget. The side port of the delivery catheter is arranged to delivery the pledget through the side port of the biopsy cannula. In order to fill a relatively large biopsy site where multiple tissue samples have been taken in a radial pattern, the biopsy cannula is rotated and additional pledgets are delivered to the biopsy site at different radial locations. The absorbable sponge pledget may also be used as a marker for location of the biopsy site at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ashby, Vaughn P. Whalen, Eduardo Chi Sing
  • Patent number: 7955353
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus to provide hemostasis at a puncture site having a communication tube with a lumen, a top and a bottom; a hemostatic material positioned around the communication tube bottom, the hemostatic material having a first end and a second end; and a hemostatic material cover positioned around the hemostatic material and the communication tube bottom, wherein the hemostatic material cover forms a hollow distal tip cavity at the hemostatic material first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Sub-Q, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ashby, Eduardo Chi Sing, Tin T. Tran
  • Patent number: 7875043
    Abstract: A solution is provided to release a tissue cinching loop within a body having a first thread having a first end and a second end, and a second thread having a first half having a first tip, a second half having a second tip, a bottom half having a link, and a top half, wherein the first end is inserted through the link. A first knot is formed around the first thread with the top half thereby forming a loop where the diameter of the loop decreases as the knot is pushed into the body and the first thread is pulled out of the body and where the loop is released within the body when the first end is pulled out of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sub-Q, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ashby, Roy D. Bertolet, Tin T. Tran, Andrew H. Cragg
  • Publication number: 20110014290
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus to provide hemostasis at a blood vessel puncture site, having a hemostasis material and a clot formation accelerator, wherein said clot formation accelerator is substantially dispersed throughout said hemostasis material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Eduardo Chi Sing, Mark Ashby, Tin Tran, Richard Greff
  • Publication number: 20100256667
    Abstract: An in vitro testing process for simulating conditions of a stomach, comprising, in combination: providing an intragastric device to an acetone bath; inducing swelling of the intragastric device; exacerbating weak spots in the intragastric device; observing the results; and estimating the results of an in vivo study. Improvements to an intragastric space filler to reduce failure at a balloon to shaft area including an adhesive fillet, washers, a balloon cuff and collar, a molded in balloon fillet, and a one-piece molded balloon assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Ashby, Outhit Bouasaysy
  • Publication number: 20100251837
    Abstract: An in vitro testing process for simulating conditions of a stomach, comprising, in combination: providing an intragastric device to an acetone bath; inducing swelling of the intragastric device; exacerbating weak spots in the intragastric device; observing the results; and estimating the results of an in vivo study. Improvements to an intragastric space filler to reduce failure at a balloon to shaft area including an adhesive fillet, washers, a balloon cuff and collar, a molded in balloon fillet, and a one-piece molded balloon assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Outhit Bouasaysy, Mark Ashby
  • Publication number: 20100234853
    Abstract: A deflation device including a catheter having a proximal opening at a proximal end and a distal opening at a distal end; and a coring member disposed within the catheter and comprising a handle disposed near the proximal end of the catheter, a cable, and a coring tip disposed near the distal end of the catheter; wherein pressing said distal end of said catheter against said wall of said balloon creates a substantially normalized surface of said balloon relative to a coring tip and wherein the coring tip is a sharpened, hollow cylinder. A method for deflating and removing an implantable, inflatable device comprising: pressing a distal end of a catheter against the wall of an inflated balloon of an implanted device; advancing the coring tip within the catheter beyond the distal end of the catheter and into the balloon, whereby a hole adapted for advancing the catheter is created in the wall of the balloon; and advancing the catheter into the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Pecor, Outhit Bouasaysy, Jason Kwok, Mark Ashby
  • Patent number: 7753872
    Abstract: A device, system and method for improving delivery of hemostatic material, in which the device includes a vent cap body capable of removably engaging a cannula. The vent cap has a passage extending through the vent cap body from the cannula to an exterior of the vent cap body where a restricter for restricting the flow of fluid from the cannula to the exterior. In one embodiment, the vent cap has a valve which has an opened and closed position. In the closed position, the valve is designed to provide a back pressure or resistance. When a certain force is applied against the valve, the valve moves from the closed position to the opened position, where a gas or fluid may pass through the vent cap. The vent cap is designed to help maintain the continuity of the hemostatic material during delivery of the material from the adaptor to the trial staging chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Cragg, Rodney Brenneman, Mark Ashby
  • Patent number: 7695492
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus to locate a blood vessel puncture having a bleed back entrance port near a first end, a bleed back exit port near a second end; and a lumen extending between the bleed back entrance port and the bleed back exit port, wherein said bleed back entrance port has a diameter substantially equal to or greater than the lumen diameter. The present invention further provides for a method for locating a blood vessel puncture by inserting a locator into a blood vessel lumen, the locator having a bleed back entrance port at a first end, a bleed back exit port at a second end, and a finger adjacent the bleed back entrance port, observing a blood flow out of the bleed back exit port, and withdrawing the locator out of the blood vessel lumen until the finger contacts the blood vessel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ashby, Andrew H. Cragg, Luis R. Urquidi, Eduardo Chi Sing
  • Publication number: 20100049245
    Abstract: A method of facilitating hemostasis of a blood vessel puncture. The method includes the steps of inserting a tubular device into a puncture in a blood vessel to establish access to the blood vessel, providing a vessel closure system around the tubular device, introducing a hemostatic material into a space between the tubular device and vessel closure system, and delivering the hemostatic material adjacent to the puncture to facilitate hemostasis of the puncture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Cragg, Mark Ashby
  • Publication number: 20100036414
    Abstract: A system for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture site in a blood vessel injects an absorbable sponge pledget in a hydrated state to a position at an exterior of the blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis. The system includes a tract dilator for locating the puncture, an introducer, and a pusher. The introducer includes a staging chamber for receiving the absorbent sponge pledget and a delivery chamber having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the staging chamber into which a hydrated pledget passes. The pledget is hydrated and compressed within the introducer and then ejected with the pusher to the delivery site to facilitate hemostasis of the blood vessel puncture. The system delivers the absorbable sponge pledget over a guidewire to ensure the proper positioning of the pledget over the puncture. The implanted absorbable sponge once delivered expands rapidly to fill the target site and is absorbed by the body over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: SUB-Q, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Cragg, Rodney Brenneman, Mark Ashby, Eduardo Chi Sing
  • Publication number: 20100029908
    Abstract: An absorbable sponge containing a contrasting agent (e.g., radiopaque agent) that can be introduced to a biopsy tract or other puncture wound site is provided. The contrasting agent permits identification of the site by fluoroscopy or other imaging techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Eduardo Chi Sing, Mark Ashby
  • Patent number: 7625352
    Abstract: A depth and puncture control system for a blood vessel hemostasis system includes a blood vessel puncture control tip which, when positioned in the lumen of a blood vessel, can inhibit the flow of blood out of the puncture site. When used together with a pledget delivery cannula and a pledget pusher, the control tip and the delivery catheter can both inhibit blood loss out the puncture site and inhibit the introduction of pledget material and tissue fragments into the blood vessel. The system also includes a handle which releasably connects together the control tip, pusher, and delivery cannula to permit limited longitudinal motion between the control tip and the delivery cannula, and between the pusher and the delivery cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sub-Q, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ashby, Andrew Cragg, Luis Urquidi, Eduardo Chi-Sing, Eric Lee
  • Patent number: 7621936
    Abstract: A method of facilitating hemostasis of a blood vessel puncture. The method includes the steps of inserting a tubular device into a puncture in a blood vessel to establish access to the blood vessel, providing a vessel closure system around the tubular device, introducing a hemostatic material into a space between the tubular device and vessel closure system, and delivering the hemostatic material adjacent to the puncture to facilitate hemostasis of the puncture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Cragg, Mark Ashby
  • Patent number: 7618567
    Abstract: An absorbable sponge containing a contrasting agent (e.g, radiopaque agent) that can be introduced to a biopsy tract or other puncture wound site is provided. The contrasting agent permits identification of the site by fluoroscopy or other imaging techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Chi Sing, Mark Ashby
  • Patent number: 7611479
    Abstract: A system for facilitating hemostasis of a puncture site in a blood vessel injects an absorbable sponge pledget in a hydrated state to a position at an exterior of the blood vessel puncture to facilitate hemostasis. The system includes a tract dilator for locating the puncture, an introducer, and a pusher. The introducer includes a staging chamber for receiving the absorbent sponge pledget and a delivery chamber having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the staging chamber into which a hydrated pledget passes. The pledget is hydrated and compressed within the introducer and then ejected with the pusher to the delivery site to facilitate hemostasis of the blood vessel puncture. The system delivers the absorbable sponge pledget over a guidewire to ensure the proper positioning of the pledget over the puncture. The implanted absorbable sponge once delivered expands rapidly to fill the target site and is absorbed by the body over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sub-Q, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Cragg, Rodney Brenneman, Mark Ashby, Eduardo Chi Sing