Patents by Inventor Rob Faulkner

Rob Faulkner 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).

  • Apparatus and methods for achieving serosa-to-serosa closure of a bodily opening
    Patent number: 8480687
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, a tissue retraction member and a closure member are provided. The tissue retraction member is advanced in a distal direction through the bodily opening in a contracted state, and then expanded at a location distal to the opening. The tissue retraction member then is proximally retracted to engage first and second serosal tissue regions at least partially surrounding the opening, thereby causing the first and second serosal regions to be disposed in an adjacent relationship. The closure member then is deployed around first and second mucosal tissue regions, such that when deployed, the closure member imposes a compressive force to hold the first serosal tissue region in a sealing relationship against the second serosal tissue region to facilitate sealing of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Ducharme, Rob Faulkner
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ACHIEVING SEROSA-TO-SEROSA CLOSURE OF A BODILY OPENING
    Publication number: 20110106116
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, a tissue retraction member and a closure member are provided. The tissue retraction member is advanced in a distal direction through the bodily opening in a contracted state, and then expanded at a location distal to the opening. The tissue retraction member then is proximally retracted to engage first and second serosal tissue regions at least partially surrounding the opening, thereby causing the first and second serosal regions to be disposed in an adjacent relationship. The closure member then is deployed around first and second mucosal tissue regions, such that when deployed, the closure member imposes a compressive force to hold the first serosal tissue region in a sealing relationship against the second serosal tissue region to facilitate sealing of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Wilson-Cook Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Ducharme, Rob Faulkner