Patents by Inventor Thomas Silvestrini

Thomas Silvestrini 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: 20140107556
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, methods and systems for treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma. Implants are described herein that enhance aqueous flow through the normal outflow system of the eye with minimal to no complications. The implant can be reversibly deformed to a first shape, such as a generally linear shape conducive to insertion. Upon insertion, the implant can deform to a second shape, such as a generally non-linear shape conducive to retention within the eye. The shape also improves fluid flow from the anterior chamber and prevents or reduces clogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Steven John, Jose Garcia, Richard S. Lilly
  • Publication number: 20140066831
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Eugene de Juan, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140031737
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices and methods for treating an ocular disorder in an eye. The ocular device includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal lumen forming a flow pathway extending from the proximal end to the distal end; at least one inflow region that communicates with the flow pathway; and an expandable portion having a plurality of interconnected struts forming multiple openings in the device communicating with the flow pathway. The expandable portion has a first cross-sectional shape suitable for insertion into the eye that is generally cylindrical and a second cross-sectional shape that is larger than the first cross-sectional shape. The system also includes a delivery device for inserting the ocular device into an eye including a sheath configured to surround at least a portion of the ocular device; an applier configured to insert into the internal lumen of the ocular device; and an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 8636647
    Abstract: Described herein are delivery devices and methods of using the devices for delivering an ocular implant into a suprachoroidal space without use of a goniolens. The delivery device includes a handle including a channel extending from a proximal end of the handle to a distal end of the handle, an applier coupled to the handle, the applier including a blunt distal tip and an elongate, flexible wire insertable through a fluid channel of an ocular implant, and a fiber optic image bundle reversibly inserted through the channel such that the fiber optic image bundle extends to a region proximal to the blunt distal tip of the applier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Richard S. Lilly
  • Publication number: 20140012279
    Abstract: Described herein is a delivery device and methods for delivering an ocular implant into an eye. The delivery device includes a proximal handle portion; a distal delivery portion coupled to a distal end of the handle portion and configured to releasably hold an ocular implant and includes a sheath positioned axially over a guidewire; and a metering system configured to provide visual guidance regarding depth of advancement of an implant positioned on the guidewire into an anatomic region of the eye. Also disclosed is a device and method for loading an implant onto the delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Euguene de Juan, JR., Steven John, Jose Garcia, Richard S. Lilly, Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 8617139
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, methods and systems for treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma. Implants are described herein that enhance aqueous flow through the normal outflow system of the eye with minimal to no complications. The implant can be reversibly deformed to a first shape, such as a generally linear shape conducive to insertion. Upon insertion, the implant can deform to a second shape, such as a generally non-linear shape conducive to retention within the eye. The shape also improves fluid flow from the anterior chamber and prevents or reduces clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Steven John, Jose Garcia, Richard S. Lilly
  • Publication number: 20130324907
    Abstract: Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: ValenTx, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler HUNTLEY, Cole CHEN, Johann NEISZ, Thomas SILVESTRINI
  • Patent number: 8574294
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Eugene de Juan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8545430
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices and methods for treating an ocular disorder in an eye. The ocular device includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal lumen forming a flow pathway extending from the proximal end to the distal end; at least one inflow region that communicates with the flow pathway; and an expandable portion having a plurality of interconnected struts forming multiple openings in the device communicating with the flow pathway. The expandable portion has a first cross-sectional shape suitable for insertion into the eye that is generally cylindrical and a second cross-sectional shape that is larger than the first cross-sectional shape. The system also includes a delivery device for inserting the ocular device into an eye including a sheath configured to surround at least a portion of the ocular device; an applier configured to insert into the internal lumen of the ocular device; and an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 8535333
    Abstract: Described herein is a delivery device and methods for delivering an ocular implant into an eye. The delivery device includes a proximal handle portion; a distal delivery portion coupled to a distal end of the handle portion and configured to releasably hold an ocular implant and includes a sheath positioned axially over a guidewire; and a metering system configured to provide visual guidance regarding depth of advancement of an implant positioned on the guidewire into an anatomic region of the eye. Also disclosed is a device and method for loading an implant onto the delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Jr., Steven John, Jose Garcia, Richard S. Lilly, Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 8529492
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for use in treating eye conditions with implantable drug delivery devices. One method includes introducing an implant into the suprachoroidal space, wherein the interior volume of the implant is plugged with a drug-release material comprising at least one active agent that elutes through at least one opening in the implant, wherein the drug-release material degrades from the interior volume of the implant over a period time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Trascend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Clauson, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Tsontcho Ianchulev, Steven John
  • Patent number: 8460374
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Patent number: 8444589
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, methods and systems for treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma. Implants are described herein that enhance aqueous flow through the normal outflow system of the eye with minimal to no complications. The implant can include reversibly deformable portions that have a plurality of openings layered, covered or otherwise spanned by an elastomeric film or membrane having micropores. The micropores allow for fluid flow out of the implant while inhibit cellular infiltration and blockage of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Publication number: 20130053953
    Abstract: Disclosed are ophthalmic devices configured to be implanted in an eye of a patient. In one embodiment, the ophthalmic device includes a mask configured to increase the depth of focus of the patient and comprising a highly fluorinated polymeric material in which the number of carbon-fluorine bonds equals or exceeds the number of carbon-hydrogen bonds in the highly fluorinated polymeric material. The highly fluorinated polymeric material can be resistant to degradation upon exposure to ultraviolet light. The mask further includes an aperture configured to transmit light and a portion configured to be substantially opaque to visible light and to surround at least a portion of the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ACUFOCUS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 8377122
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Eugene de Juan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120310137
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma. An implant is placed in the eye wherein the implant provides a fluid pathway for the flow or drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the supraciliary or the suprachoroidal space, or to any space in the eye where drainage to that location will lower the intraocular pressure. The implant may include an elongate compressible structure and may be implanted in the eye using a delivery system that folds and or compresses the implant to provide a smaller cross-sectional area to allow a more minimally-invasive procedure. The compressibility of the implant is provided by a porous structure that may be collapsed by compression and delivered through a tube-shaped introducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas A. SILVESTRINI
  • Patent number: 8287592
    Abstract: Disclosed are ophthalmic devices configured to be implanted in an eye of a patient. In one embodiment, the ophthalmic device includes a mask configured to increase the depth of focus of the patient and comprising a highly fluorinated polymeric material in which the number of carbon-fluorine bonds equals or exceeds the number of carbon-hydrogen bonds in the highly fluorinated polymeric material. The highly fluorinated polymeric material can be resistant to degradation upon exposure to ultraviolet light. The mask further includes an aperture configured to transmit light and a portion configured to be substantially opaque to visible light and to surround at least a portion of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Publication number: 20120245683
    Abstract: A corneal implant adapted for implantation between layers of a cornea to focus an image on a retina of an eye includes an inlay, an outer perimeter, and a clear central region capable of refracting light to compensate for a refractive error of an eye. The inlay also has an annular opaque region comprising a plurality of holes or otherwise being adapted to transport nutrients. The annular opaque region extends from the outer circumference of the inlay to the clear central portion. The opaque region extends over a minority of the surface area of the implant. The anterior and posterior surfaces of the inlay are configured to abut adjacent layers of the cornea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ACUFOCUS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 8262726
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Eugene de Juan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8172899
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Eugene de Juan, Jr.