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: 20180270446
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph-Alexander P. Weil, Andrew L. Harding, David Black, 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
  • Patent number: 9936956
    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 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SentreHEART, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Alan L. Bradley, Robert L. Clark, III, Russell Pong, Russell A. Seiber
  • Publication number: 20180085130
    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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Russell A. SEIBER, Russell PONG, Arnold M. ESCANO
  • Publication number: 20170333074
    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: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Patent number: 9757145
    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: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ULTHERA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Publication number: 20170245861
    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: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. CLARK, III, Alan L. BRADLEY, Gregory W. FUNG
  • Publication number: 20170209141
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Ryan Douglas HELMUTH, Arnold M. ESCANO, Russell A. SEIBER, Robert L. CLARK, III
  • Publication number: 20170042608
    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: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Publication number: 20170014147
    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: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Patent number: 9510849
    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: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ULTHERA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Patent number: 9498206
    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: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SentreHEART, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fung, Ryan Douglas Helmuth, Arnold M. Escano, Russell A. Seiber, Robert L. Clark, III
  • Patent number: 9486274
    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: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ULTHERA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Publication number: 20160310145
    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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Robert L. CLARK, III, Gregory W. FUNG, Russell PONG, Arnold M. ESCANO, Greg LIU
  • Publication number: 20160302793
    Abstract: Described herein are tissue closure devices and methods for ligating a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The tissue closure device 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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Alan L. BRADLEY, Russell PONG, Robert L. CLARK, III, Arnold M. ESCANO
  • Publication number: 20160278781
    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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory W. FUNG, Alan L. BRADLEY, Robert L. CLARK, III, Russell PONG
  • Publication number: 20160262788
    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: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Publication number: 20160249946
    Abstract: A minimally invasive skin treatment system includes a platform having a recessed area on its bottom and one or more injection ports orthogonal to its top, each injection port including a through-hole to the recessed area. The system includes an injection device including a needle slidably disposed in a selective port such that the needle passes into the recessed area and percutaneously through a dermis disposed within the recessed area. A nozzle is configured to discharge a fluid at a high pressure in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the needle and parallel to the top of the platform to cut create a plane of dissection within the subcutaneous tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Sowmya Ballakur, Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Ben F. Brian, III, David M. Clapper
  • Patent number: 9408608
    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: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SentreHEART, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, Gregory W. Fung, Russell Pong, Arnold M. Escano, Greg Liu
  • Patent number: 9364246
    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: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III
  • Patent number: 9358064
    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: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clark, III, James E. Chomas, Adnan I. Merchant, Ben F. Brian, III