Patents by Inventor Rachel Croft

Rachel Croft 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).

  • Publication number: 20070118108
    Abstract: Systems and methods treat hemorrhoids by introducing a treatment device into the anal canal to extend above a hemorrhoidal plexus and adjacent a tissue region containing blood vessels that feed the hemorrhoidal plexus. The systems and methods operate the treatment device to affect tissue morphology in the tissue region to occlude or otherwise reduce blood flow through the vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventor: Rachel Croft
  • Patent number: 7160294
    Abstract: Systems and methods treat hemorrhoids by introducing a treatment device into the anal canal to extend above a hemorrhoidal plexus and adjacent a tissue region containing blood vessels that feed the hemorrhoidal plexus. The systems and methods operate the treatment device to affect tissue morphology in the tissue region to occlude or otherwise reduce blood flow through the vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Rachel Croft
  • Publication number: 20060224157
    Abstract: A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: David Utley, Scott West, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Patent number: 7056320
    Abstract: A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Utley, Scott West, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Publication number: 20050049660
    Abstract: Systems and methods treat hemorrhoids by introducing a treatment device into the anal canal to extend above a hemorrhoidal plexus and adjacent a tissue region containing blood vessels that feed the hemorrhoidal plexus. The systems and methods operate the treatment device to affect tissue morphology in the tissue region to occlude or otherwise reduce blood flow through the vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventor: Rachel Croft
  • Publication number: 20050033271
    Abstract: Unified systems and methods enable control of the use and operation of a family of different treatment devices, to treat dysfunction in different regions of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Jay Qin, Robin Bek, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft, Peter Muller, David Utley
  • Publication number: 20050010162
    Abstract: Systems and methods apply a selected treatment agent or agents into contact with tissue at or in the region of a dysfunctional sphincter (in the case of GERD, fecal incontinence, or other dysfunctional sphincter disorders) to affect improved sphincter barrier function and/or to disrupt abnormal nerve pathways. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one tissue bulking agent and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: David Utley, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Publication number: 20050010171
    Abstract: Systems and methods that treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract by applying one or more treatment agents to tissue at or near the region where abnormal neurological symptoms or abnormal tissue conditions exist. The treatment agent is selected to either disrupt the abnormal nerve pathways and/or to alleviate the abnormal tissue conditions. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or as a neoadjuvent or adjuvant treatment modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: David Utley, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Patent number: 6802841
    Abstract: Systems and methods apply a selected treatment agent or agents into contact with tissue at or in the region of a dysfunctional sphincter (in the case of GERD, fecal incontinence, or other dysfunctional sphincter disorders) to affect improved sphincter barrier function and/or to disrupt abnormal nerve pathways. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one tissue bulking agent and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David S Utley, John W Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Patent number: 6790207
    Abstract: Systems and methods that treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract by applying one or more treatment agents to tissue at or near the region where abnormal neurological symptoms or abnormal tissue conditions exist. The treatment agent is selected to either disrupt the abnormal nerve pathways and/or to alleviate the abnormal tissue conditions. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or as a neoadjuvent or adjuvant treatment modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Utley, John W Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Patent number: 6783523
    Abstract: Unified systems and methods enable control of the use and operation of a family of different treatment devices, to treat dysfunction in different regions of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Qin, Robin Bek, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft, Peter Muller, David S Utley
  • Publication number: 20040133197
    Abstract: A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Utley, Scott West, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Patent number: 6645201
    Abstract: A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Utley, Scott West, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Publication number: 20020198519
    Abstract: Unified systems and methods enable control of the use and operation of a family of different treatment devices, to treat dysfunction in different regions of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Qin, Robin Bek, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft, Peter Muller, David S. Utley
  • Publication number: 20020115992
    Abstract: Systems and methods apply a selected treatment agent or agents into contact with tissue at or in the region of a dysfunctional sphincter (in the case of GERD, fecal incontinence, or other dysfunctional sphincter disorders) to affect improved sphincter barrier function and/or to disrupt abnormal nerve pathways. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one tissue bulking agent and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Utley, John W. Gaiser, Rachel Croft
  • Publication number: 20020082670
    Abstract: Systems and methods that treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract by applying one or more treatment agents to tissue at or near the region where abnormal neurological symptoms or abnormal tissue conditions exist. The treatment agent is selected to either disrupt the abnormal nerve pathways and/or to alleviate the abnormal tissue conditions. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or as a neoadjuvent or adjuvant treatment modality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Utley, John W. Gaiser, Rachel Croft