Patents by Inventor William M. Facteau
William M. Facteau 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).
-
Patent number: 11511090Abstract: Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: John Y. Chang, Joshua Makower, Julia D. Vrany, John H. Morriss, Ketan P. Muni, Isaac J. Kim, Hung V. Ha, William M. Facteau, Amrish J. Walke
-
Publication number: 20220007100Abstract: Contact hearing devices for use with a wearable communication apparatus are disclosed to provide the user with an open ear canal to hear ambient sound and sound from an audio signal. The disclosed devices and systems have an advantage of providing sound to user from the audio signal, in many embodiments without creating sound that can be perceived by others. The contact hearing device can also be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing. The wearable information apparatus can be configured to couple wirelessly to the contact transducer assembly, such that the wearable information apparatus can be removed while the contact transducer assembly remains placed on the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Rodney C. PERKINS, William M. FACTEAU, Sunil PURIA
-
Patent number: 11070902Abstract: Contact hearing devices for use with a wearable communication apparatus are disclosed to provide the user with an open ear canal to hear ambient sound and sound from an audio signal. The disclosed devices and systems have an advantage of providing sound to user from the audio signal, in many embodiments without creating sound that can be perceived by others. The contact hearing device can also be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing. The wearable information apparatus can be configured to couple wirelessly to the contact transducer assembly, such that the wearable information apparatus can be removed while the contact transducer assembly remains placed on the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Earlens CorporationInventors: Rodney C. Perkins, William M. Facteau, Sunil Puria
-
Patent number: 10874838Abstract: Devices, systems and methods useable for dilating the ostia of paranasal sinuses and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, an optional handle may be used to facilitate grasping or supporting a device of the present invention as well as another device (e.g., an endoscope) with a single hand.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Eric Goldfarb, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau, Sivette Lam, Hung V. Ha, Isaac J. Kim, Ketan P. Muni
-
Patent number: 10806477Abstract: A dilation catheter device and system for dilating an opening in a paranasal sinus and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat is disclosed. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, shaft markers are disposed on a shaft of the dilation catheter and have a light color to contrast with a dark color of the dilation catheter shaft. The high contrast between the markers and catheter shaft allows for easy viewing of the markers in low light and operation conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Eric Goldfarb, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau, Sivette Lam, Hung V. Ha, Isaac J. Kim, Ketan P. Muni
-
Patent number: 10716629Abstract: Devices and methods for visually confirming the positioning of a distal end portion of an illuminating device placed within a patient include inserting a distal end portion of an illuminating device internally into a patient, emitting light from the distal end portion of the illuminating device, observing transillumination resulting from the light emitted from the distal end portion of the illuminating device that occurs on an external surface of the patient, and correlating the location of the observed transillumination on the external surface of the patient with an internal location of the patient that underlies the location of observed transillumination, to confirm positioning of the distal end portion of the illuminating device.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Eric Goldfarb, John H. Morriss, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau
-
Publication number: 20200164187Abstract: Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic W substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires. tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants. scopes etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: John Y. Chang, Joshua Makower, Julia D. Vrany, John H. Morriss, Ketan P. Muni, Isaac J. Kim, Hung V. Ha, William M. Facteau, Amrish J. Walke
-
Publication number: 20200114132Abstract: Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: John Y. Chang, Joshua Makower, Julia D. Vrany, John H. Morriss, Ketan P. Muni, Isaac J. Kim, Hung V. Ha, William M. Facteau, Amrish J. Walke
-
Patent number: 10500380Abstract: Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: John Y. Chang, Joshua Makower, Julia D. Vrany, John H. Morriss, Ketan P. Muni, Isaac J. Kim, Hung V. Ha, William M. Facteau, Amrish J. Walke
-
Publication number: 20190373352Abstract: Contact hearing devices for use with a wearable communication apparatus are disclosed to provide the user with an open ear canal to hear ambient sound and sound from an audio signal. The disclosed devices and systems have an advantage of providing sound to user from the audio signal, in many embodiments without creating sound that can be perceived by others. The contact hearing device can also be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing. The wearable information apparatus can be configured to couple wirelessly to the contact transducer assembly, such that the wearable information apparatus can be removed while the contact transducer assembly remains placed on the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Rodney C. PERKINS, William M. FACTEAU, Sunil PURIA
-
Publication number: 20190117245Abstract: A dilation catheter device and system for dilating an opening in a paranasal sinus and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat is disclosed. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, shaft markers are disposed on a shaft of the dilation catheter and have a light color to contrast with a dark color of the dilation catheter shaft. The high contrast between the markers and catheter shaft allows for easy viewing of the markers in low light and operation conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Eric Goldfarb, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau, Sivette Lam, Hung V. Ha, Isaac J. Kim, Ketan P. Muni
-
Patent number: 10258776Abstract: Systems and methods for treating target tissues within the ears are disclosed. Systems include a device including a cutting edge configured to form an incision in a tympanic membrane, a pressure equalization tube positionable within an interior space of the device in a compressed configuration and configured to expand into an expanded configuration when released from the interior space, and an elongate positioning element configured to release the pressure equalization tube from the interior space such that the pressure equalization tube is deployed in the incision formed in the tympanic membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Tusker Medical, Inc.Inventors: Anton G. Clifford, Greg Liu, John H. Morriss, Joshua Makower, William M. Facteau, Eric Goldfarb, John Y. Chang
-
Publication number: 20180304059Abstract: Systems and methods for treating target tissues within the ears are disclosed. Systems include a device including a cutting edge configured to form an incision in a tympanic membrane, a pressure equalization tube positionable within an interior space of the device in a compressed configuration and configured to expand into an expanded configuration when released from the interior space, and an elongate positioning element configured to release the pressure equalization tube from the interior space such that the pressure equalization tube is deployed in the incision formed in the tympanic membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Tusker Medical, Inc.Inventors: Anton G. CLIFFORD, Greg LIU, John H. MORRISS, Joshua MAKOWER, William M. FACTEAU, Eric GOLDFARB, John Y. CHANG
-
Patent number: 10098652Abstract: A dilation catheter device and system for dilating an opening in a paranasal sinus and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat is disclosed. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, shaft markers are disposed on a shaft of the dilation catheter and have a light color to contrast with a dark color of the dilation catheter shaft. The high contrast between the markers and catheter shaft allows for easy viewing of the markers in low light and operation conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Eric Goldfarb, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau, Sivette Lam, Hung V. Ha, Isaac J. Kim, Ketan P. Muni
-
Publication number: 20180270560Abstract: Contact hearing devices for use with a wearable communication apparatus are disclosed to provide the user with an open ear canal to hear ambient sound and sound from an audio signal. The disclosed devices and systems have an advantage of providing sound to user from the audio signal, in many embodiments without creating sound that can be perceived by others. The contact hearing device can also be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing. The wearable information apparatus can be configured to couple wirelessly to the contact transducer assembly, such that the wearable information apparatus can be removed while the contact transducer assembly remains placed on the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Rodney C. PERKINS, William M. FACTEAU, Sunil PURIA
-
Patent number: 10034682Abstract: Devices, systems and methods wherein a dilator, such as a balloon or other expandable member, is positionable within the frontal sinus ostium and adjacent frontal recess and useable to dilate the frontal sinus ostium and substantially all of the frontal sinus recess without requiring repositioning and repeated re-expansion of the dilator. One balloon catheter device of the invention comprises a catheter body that is less than about 50 cm in length (and in some embodiments less than 25 cm in length and a semi-compliant or non-compliant balloon on the catheter body. The balloon may have a working length of about 12 mm to about 30 mm and a width at its widest point when fully inflated of about 2 mm to about 7 mm. Such balloon may be constructed to withstand inflation pressures of about 12 atmospheres. In some embodiments, the dilator is advanced through or over a guide (e.g., guidewire or guide catheter) that has a preformed shape.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Ketan P. Muni, Carlos F. Fernandez, Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau
-
Patent number: 10003877Abstract: Contact hearing devices for use with a wearable communication apparatus are disclosed to provide the user with an open ear canal to hear ambient sound and sound from an audio signal. The disclosed devices and systems have an advantage of providing sound to user from the audio signal, in many embodiments without creating sound that can be perceived by others. The contact hearing device can also be used to amplify ambient sound to provide a hearing assistance to users with diminished hearing. The wearable information apparatus can be configured to couple wirelessly to the contact transducer assembly, such that the wearable information apparatus can be removed while the contact transducer assembly remains placed on the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Earlens CorporationInventors: Rodney C. Perkins, William M. Facteau, Sunil Puria
-
Publication number: 20180085563Abstract: Systems and methods for treating target tissues within the ears are disclosed. Systems include a tubular member defining a first lumen configured to deliver a solution containing a therapeutic agent into a space adjacent to a tympanic membrane in an ear canal; a support structure defining a second lumen separate from the first lumen; and an iontophoresis electrode disposed in the second lumen and configured to deliver a current to the solution to apply the therapeutic agent to the tympanic membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Tusker Medical, Inc.Inventors: Anton G. CLIFFORD, Greg LIU, John H. MORRISS, Joshua MAKOWER, William M. FACTEAU, Eric GOLDFARB, John Y. CHANG
-
Publication number: 20180001065Abstract: Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: John Y. Chang, Joshua Makower, Julia D. Vrany, John H. Morriss, Ketan P. Muni, Isaac J. Kim, Hung V. Ha, William M. Facteau, Amrish J. Walke
-
Patent number: 9833601Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by mounting a support structure to the head of the patient; aligning the support structure with a target tissue in an ear canal of the first ear; stabilizing the support structure relative to the target tissue by injecting a material into the canal and hardening the material; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support structure so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: TUSKER MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Anton G. Clifford, Greg Liu, John H. Morriss, Joshua Makower, William M. Facteau, Eric Goldfarb, John Y. Chang