Patents Represented by Attorney Levine Bagade Han LLP
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Patent number: 7637905Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for endoscopic procedures involving tissue manipulations beyond the capabilities of traditional endoscopic instruments. Embodiments of the systems include an elongated main body having a scope therethrough and at least one steerable tool arm which extends from the distal end of the main body. In preferred embodiments, the system includes two tool arms, each arm steerable to form a curve laterally outward which then bends laterally inward so that the arms form an angular shape. In addition, end effectors extend from the distal ends of each tool arm for use in manipulation of tissue. The angular shape brings the end effectors together in view of the scope for cooperative movements which are continuously visible by the surgeon. In addition, the tool arms may be steerable in any additional direction and may be rotatable to allow grasping, elevation and more complex manipulation of tissue.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Richard C. Ewers, Eugene G. Chen, David Miller
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Patent number: 7626319Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. Acrylic dielectric material based actuators are optionally provided in which architectures are presented that allow for improved power output as compared with other known acrylic dielectric material based transducers. Such technology may be applied in motor-driven applications, lightweight flight applications and lighting applications among others.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventor: Jonathan R. Heim
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Patent number: 7621925Abstract: Needle assemblies for tissue manipulation are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. A needle deployment assembly is deployable through the tissue manipulation assembly via a handle assembly, through the tubular member, and into or through tissue. An elongate pusher is translationally disposed within a sheath of the needle deployment assembly and can be urged distally for deploying an anchor assembly from the sheath distal end. The anchor assembly is positioned distally of the pusher within the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Chris Rothe, Richard C. Ewers
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Patent number: 7618371Abstract: A system and method for recording and depicting ultrasound images of a moving object are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, ultrasound images are acquired as the field of view of an ultrasound probe is advanced across the tissues of interest during a resting period between periods of relatively large-scale heart cycle motion. A series of images acquired during a particular resting period may be represented as a three-dimensional volume image, and the comparison of volume images from adjacent cardiac resting periods enables three-dimensional volume image modulation analysis which may be presented for a user as a moving volume image of the objects of interest within the field of view.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Younge, Daniel T. Wallace
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Patent number: 7618426Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point, moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point to form a tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold near the second tissue contact point.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Ewers, Boris Reydel, Cang Lam, Eugene Chen, Brent D. Seybold, Rodney Brenneman, Vahid C. Saadat
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Patent number: 7607439Abstract: A tongue retaining system is disclosed herein generally having, in one variation, a two-part system. A covering can be sized to fit at least partially over or upon a tongue of a patient, where the covering has an engagement mechanism positioned thereon. A retaining device, sized to fit within a mouth of the patient, may be positioned upon the teeth and have a corresponding engagement mechanism positioned thereon for temporarily coupling with the engagement mechanism on the covering. Such a system can be used to maintain or hold a natural position of the tongue within the mouth of the patient to maintain patency of the airway passages.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Inventor: Kasey K. Li
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Patent number: 7608989Abstract: Described herein are compliant electroactive polymer transducers for use in acoustic applications. A compliant electroactive polymer transducer includes a compliant electroactive polymer at least two electrodes. For sound production, circuitry in electrical communication with the transducer electrodes is configured to apply a driving signal that causes the electroactive polymer to deflect in the acoustic range.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Richard P. Heydt, Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Neville A. Bonwit, Joseph S. Eckerle
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Patent number: 7604281Abstract: A rain guard assembly for providing shelter to an occupant entering or exiting a vehicle is described. Generally, the retractable rain guard assembly may comprise a housing integrally mounted within a roof of an automobile, a covering retractably held within the housing and having one or more engagement portions positioned along a free end of the covering, and one or more securement members positioned along a door of the automobile and aligned in a manner corresponding to positions of the one or more engagement portions. The one or more securement members are actuatable to engage to corresponding engagement portions such that opening of the door relative to the roof extends the covering therebetween. The covering may be engaged remotely, such as by a key fob, or automatically by a water detection sensor on the automobile.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Inventor: Eileen M. Raynor
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Patent number: 7601159Abstract: Interlocking tissue anchor apparatus and methods are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. Anchor assemblies can be delivered via the tissue manipulation assembly into or through the tissue. The anchors can incorporate various temporary interlocking features or spacing elements between one another to ensure that an anchor is not prematurely ejected from the needle assembly. This allows the anchor assembly to be advanced distally as well as withdrawn proximally within a deployment sheath while avoiding inadvertently ejecting an anchor.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Ewers, Tracy D. Maahs, Cang C. Lam, Vahid Saadat, Chris Rothe
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Patent number: 7597101Abstract: The present invention may create and maintain a pressure differential in the vicinity of the user's nasopharynx. A portable filter and pressurized air source subjects the region of the user's nasopharynx to positive or negative pressured air. Positive pressure prevents exposure to surrounding air while negative pressure isolates those around the user from potential toxins or pathogens exhaled from the user. With positive pressure, surrounding air is displaced preventing exposure to ambient air in most instances. With negative pressure, exhaled air is evacuated from the nasopharynx, filtered and returned to the user's surroundings to prevent exposure to those around the user. Such devices may be incorporated into garments, accessories or existing isolation devices (e.g., face masks) to improve efficacy. Alternatively, the device may also be attached to an air source in the user's vicinity and provide filtration of the air prior to delivery to the region surrounding the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: TheraNova, LLCInventors: Daniel Rogers Burnett, Shane Mangrum
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Patent number: 7595580Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. The devices include pumps, valves, cameras (where electroactive polymer actuators control either one or both of zoom and focus), vibrators (for inclusion in cell phones, game console controls, etc.) and audio speakers. These devices advantageously incorporate the actuator configurations descried. The devices generally incorporate a diaphragm-type actuation having a central section of material that is less flexible than adjacent material.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Artificial Muscle, Inc.Inventor: Jon Heim
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Patent number: 7581328Abstract: A measuring device for measuring tunnel defects in tissue is disclosed. The measuring device can size the defect to aid future deployment of a tissue distension device. Exemplary tunnel defects are atrial septal defects, patent foramen ovales, left atrial appendages, mitral valve prolapse, and aortic valve defects. Methods for using the same are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Stout Medical Group, L.P.Inventors: E. Skott Greenhalgh, Stephen J. Kleshinski
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Patent number: 7572257Abstract: A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: nContact Surgical, Inc.Inventors: James G. Whayne, Sidney D. Fleischman
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Patent number: 7571729Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for performing mucosectomy, such as to map out gastrointestinal surgery, including endoluminal gastric reduction. In one variation, the apparatus comprises a separating element and an integrated resection element. In one variation, the apparatus is configured to simultaneously separate mucosal tissue from underlying muscularis tissue and to resect the separated mucosal tissue. Methods of using the apparatus are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: USGI Medical, Inc.Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Lee L. Swanstrom
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Patent number: 7567681Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymer transducers that produce out-of-plane deflections. The transducers form a set of surface features based on deflection of an electroactive polymer. The set of surface features may include elevated polymer surface features and/or depressed electrode surface features. Actuation of an active area may produce the polymer deflection that creates one or more surface features. A passive layer may operably connect to a polymer. The passive layer may comprise a thicker and softer material to amplify polymer thickness changes and increase surface feature visibility.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Roy D. Kornbluh, Harsha Prahlad
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Patent number: 7562660Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for thermally and/or mechanically treating tissue, such as valvular structures, to reconfigure or shrink the tissue in a controlled manner. Mechanical clips are implanted over the leaflets of a valve, e.g., in the heart, either alone or after thermal treatment to cause the valve to close more tightly. The clips are delivered by a catheter and may be configured to traverse directly over the valve itself or to lie partially over the periphery of the valve to prevent obstruction of the valve channel. The clips can be coated with drugs or a radiopaque coating. Alternatively, individual anchors with a tensioning element, like a suture, may be used to approximate the valves towards each other. The catheter can also incorporate sensors or energy delivery devices, e.g., transducers, on its distal end.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.Inventor: Vahid Saadat
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Patent number: 7554452Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an electronic tracking and locating system. More specifically, it discloses an electronic tracking and locating system, having a biocompatible housing such that it may be located within the body, either temporarily or for a longer duration.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Inventor: Cary Cole
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Patent number: 7549987Abstract: This invention relates to the working end of a medical instrument that applies energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the instrument has a microfluidic tissue-engaging surface fabricated by soft lithography means together with optional superlattice cooling means that allows for very precise control of energy application, for example in neurosurgery applications. The tissue-engaging surface can eject a high-heat content vapor into the engaged tissue for treating tissue, while the superlattice cooling structure can prevent collateral thermal damage. Also, the superlattice cooling structure can be used to localize heat at a selected depth in tissue and prevent surface ablation. Also, the superlattice cooling structure can be used to prevent tissue sticking to a thermal energy delivery surface. In another embodiment, the tissue-engaging surface can be used in a jaw structure for sealing tissue together with hydrojet means for transecting the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Tsunami MedTech, LLCInventor: John H. Shadduck
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Patent number: 7520950Abstract: Flexible tubular liner coating systems are described herein. A method for coating and forming the flexible tubular inner liner may comprise, in one example, coating at least a first surface of a flexible elongate strip having a first and a second edge and then bringing the first and second edges of the flexible elongate strip into proximity of one another. Once the edges are brought towards one another, they may be joined such that a flexible tubular liner is formed having the coated first surface formed as an inner surface of the flexible tubular liner. Flexible tubular liner coating systems are described herein. A method for coating and forming the flexible tubular inner liner may comprise, in one example, coating at least a first surface of a flexible elongate strip having a first and a second edge and then bringing the first and second edges of the flexible elongate strip into proximity of one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: USGI Medical Inc.Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Arvin T. Chang
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Patent number: D608966Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Alternate Choice, LLCInventor: Frank Chu