Patents by Inventor Robert L. Clark

Robert L. Clark 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: 20240156462
    Abstract: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Robert L. CLARK, Russell A. SEIBER, Russell PONG, Arnold M. ESCANO
  • Publication number: 20240118061
    Abstract: Shaped charge devices, systems, and related methods of use. A housing sheet is configurable to form at least part of a shaped charge enclosure enclosing a shaped charge and biasing an explosion in a desired direction. The housing sheet can include one or more incisions in at least one surface thereof. The housing sheet can have at least one connection mechanism integrally formed therein, and the housing sheet can be configurable to form a plurality of sizes of shaped charge housing portions. The housing sheet can also provide for forming a plurality of dimensions of the shaped charge enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Kevin C. Galloway, Kelsay E. Neely, Aimee J. Valles, Robert J. Clark, Jesse L. Frederick
  • Publication number: 20240081903
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Randall J. LEE, Russell PONG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Arnold M. ESCANO
  • Patent number: 11844566
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Randall J. Lee, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
  • Patent number: 11844526
    Abstract: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell A. Seiber, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano
  • Publication number: 20220354501
    Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. Generally, the closure devices include an elongate body, a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop, and a shuttle connected to the snare and releasably coupled to the elongate body and retractable therein. In some variations, the shuttle may be configured to fit into the lumen. In other variations, a handle may be attached to the elongate body, and the handle may comprise a track and a snare control coupled to the track. The handle may be configured to release the shuttle from the elongate body and allow movement of the snare control along the track to retract the snare loop and the shuttle into a lumen of the elongate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. CLARK, Alan L. BRADLEY, Gregory W. FUNG
  • Patent number: 11389167
    Abstract: Closure devices and methods are provided for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. Generally, the closure devices include an elongate body, a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop, and a shuttle connected to the snare and releasably coupled to the elongate body and retractable therein. In some variations, the shuttle may be configured to fit into the lumen. In other variations, a handle may be attached to the elongate body, and the handle may comprise a track and a snare control coupled to the track. The handle may be configured to release the shuttle from the elongate body and allow movement of the snare control along the track to retract the snare loop and the shuttle into a lumen of the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, Alan L. Bradley, Gregory W. Fung
  • Patent number: 11337725
    Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Patent number: 11224435
    Abstract: Closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally, include an elongate body having a first lumen therethrough, a snare loop assembly, a vacuum tube, and an imaging device. The snare loop assembly may include a snare and a suture loop releasably coupled to the snare and may at least partially extend from a distal end of the elongate body. The vacuum tube may be slidably positioned within the first lumen to extend through the snare loop assembly. The imaging device may be disposed within the lumen of the vacuum tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: SentreHEART LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell A. Seiber, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano
  • Patent number: 11213618
    Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes. A tool is provided to aspirate excess fluid and tissue from the treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Patent number: 11207073
    Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The closure devices may comprise a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop releasably attached thereto. The snare may be releasable from an elongate body of the closure device. In some instances, the closure device may comprise one or more markers to allow a user to determine whether the snare loop assembly is twisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SentreHEART LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, Gregory W. Fung, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano, Greg Liu
  • Patent number: 11178356
    Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can be configured to create media messages with automatic titling. For example, a user can create a media messaging project that includes multiple video clips. The video clips can be generated based on video data and/or audio data captured by the user device and/or based on pre-recorded video data and/or audio data obtained from various storage locations. When the user device captures the audio data for a clip, the user device can obtain a speech-to-text transcription of the audio data in near real time and present the transcription data (e.g., text) overlaid on the video data while the video data is being captured or presented by the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Black, Andrew L. Harding, Joseph-Alexander P. Weil, James Brasure, Joash S. Berkeley, Katherine K. Ernst, Richard Salvador, Stephen Sheeler, William D. Cummings, Xiaohuan Corina Wang, Robert L. Clark, Kevin M. O'Neil
  • Publication number: 20210338262
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing subcutaneous surgery in a minimally invasive manner are provided. The methods include application of reduced air pressure in a recessed area of a handpiece placed over a section of skin and drawing the section of skin and subcutaneous tissue into the recessed area. In a subsequent step a tool is inserted through a tool conduit in the handpiece and through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, enabling the performance of the desired surgery. Common surgical procedures include dissection and ablation . The devices and methods can be directed at the treatment of skin conditions like atrophic scars, wrinkles, or other cosmetic issues, at treatments like or promoting wound healing or preventing hyperhidrosis, or can be used for creating space for various implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Patent number: 11096708
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing subcutaneous surgery in a minimally invasive manner are provided. The methods include application of reduced air pressure in a recessed area of a handpiece placed over a section of skin and drawing the section of skin and subcutaneous tissue into the recessed area. In a subsequent step a tool is inserted through a tool conduit in the handpiece and through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue, enabling the performance of the desired surgery. Common surgical procedures include dissection and ablation. The devices and methods can be directed at the treatment of skin conditions like atrophic scars, wrinkles, or other cosmetic issues, at treatments like or promoting wound healing or preventing hyperhidrosis, or can be used for creating space for various implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Publication number: 20210205010
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Randall J. LEE, Russell PONG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Arnold M. ESCANO
  • Patent number: 11026690
    Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, and tensioning devices and mechanism for actuating these devices. The tensioning mechanisms and devices may allow a user to apply one or more predetermined forces to a suture or other portion of the closure devices. The closure devices may comprise a suture loop releasably attached to a snare loop assembly, and a tensioning mechanism or device may be configured to tighten the suture loop and/or release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SentreHEART LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Arnold M. Escano, Russell A. Seiber, Robert L. Clark, III
  • Patent number: 10959734
    Abstract: Described herein are tissue closure devices and methods for ligating a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The tissue closure devices may have an elongate body, a snare at least partially housed within the elongate body, a suture at least partially housed within the elongate body, and a tightening element coupled to the suture. The suture may have a suture loop, and the tightening element may be configured to decrease the size of the suture loop when the area of a tissue within the suture loop decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SentreHEART LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Alan L. Bradley, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
  • Patent number: 10799288
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. The methods described here utilize a closure device for closing the left atrial appendage and guides or expandable elements with ablation or abrading elements to ablate or abrade the left atrial appendage. In general, these methods include positioning a balloon at least partially within the atrial appendage, positioning a closure assembly of a closure device around an exterior of the atrial appendage, inflating the balloon, partially closing the closure assembly, ablating the interior tissue of the atrial appendage with the inflated balloon, removing the balloon from the atrial appendage, and closing the atrial appendage with the closure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SentreHEART LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Randall J. Lee, Russell Pong, Robert L. Clark, III, Arnold M. Escano
  • Patent number: 10716571
    Abstract: Surgical and percutaneous devices for closing tissue, for example, the left atrial appendage, may have an elongate body with a stiffened proximal portion, a flexible middle portion, a distal portion, a closure element with a loop having a continuous aperture therethrough, and a suture loop. The closure devices may have a malleable member attached to the elongate body that may be configured to retain a curve after a force is applied to the malleable member. System and methods for closing the left atrial appendage may utilize a closure device and a curved guide device, and the closure device and curved guide device may be self-orienting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SENTREHEART LLC
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Alan L. Bradley, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell Pong, Russell A. Seiber
  • Publication number: 20200187971
    Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III