Patents Assigned to MUFFIN INCORPORATED
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Publication number: 20190151092Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: May 23, 2019Applicant: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Shaun Davis Gittard, John C. Sigmon, JR., Gregory James Hardy, Jeremy T. Newkirk, Neal E. Fearnot, William J. Havel, Rita Hadley, Yun Zhou
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Publication number: 20190117843Abstract: Described are methods, cell growth substrates, and devices that are useful in preparing cell-containing graft materials for administration to patients. Tubular passages can be defined in cell growth substrates to promote distribution of cells into the substrates. Also described are methods and devices for preparing cell-seeded graft compositions, methods and devices for preconditioning cell growth substrates prior to application of cells, and cell seeded grafts having novel substrates, and uses thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicants: Muffin Incorporated, Cook Biotech IncorporatedInventors: Michael C. Hiles, Chad E. Johnson, Neal E. Fearnot, Thomas Payne, Ronald Jankowski
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Publication number: 20190085285Abstract: Described are medical products, methods, and cryogenic bags or other containers suitable for storing and/or transporting and/or processing cellular compositions and other related materials. In certain aspects, the contents of such cryogenic bags may be warmed, mixed, and applied to a patient. Medical products described herein find particular use in treating diseased and/or damaged tissue such as in wound repair and/or bone repair. Related methods of manufacture are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Muffin IncorporatedInventor: Neal E. Fearnot
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Patent number: 10231703Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments of devices and methods for ultrasound imaging, for example of the inside of a body part such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a tip chamber, within which is an ultrasound transducer mounted on a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and an implement for pivoting the transducer. Examples of such an implement are a second motor operating a shaft or a filament, and the pivot mechanism may be biased to return to a base position when the implement is not pivoting the transducer. In other embodiments, a mirror reflecting ultrasound signals from the transducer may be rotated and/or pivoted, using similar mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Sarah Robbins, Yun Zhou
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Patent number: 10154830Abstract: Described are embodiments of devices and methods for imaging a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, the catheter has a chamber within which is a transducer mounted to a pivot mechanism. A coil provides a pivot force to the transducer. A magnet is attached to the transducer and is receptive of a torque applied by a magnetic field produced by energizing of the coil. A driving mechanism receives an impact from the pivot member and causes the pivot mechanism to rotate about a rotation axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: William J. Havel, Peter S. McKinnis
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Patent number: 10111645Abstract: Described are methods and systems and system components useful for percutaneously delivering or retrieving vascular implant devices, such as filters, utilizing intravenous ultrasound (IVUS) imaging alone or in combination with external (e.g. transabdominal) ultrasound or other imaging technology. Implants deliverable by such systems, such as vena cava or other vascular filters, can have two or more echogenic markers spaced at such a distance that they are separately discernible by IVUS and/or external ultrasound imaging.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Kasper Klausen
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Patent number: 10098739Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of a valve implant that in particular examples are implantable within a blood vessel, which include a first set of elongate members, a second set of elongate members, and a hood affixed to the first set of elongate members. The first set of elongate members is resiliently deformable, and their distal ends are flared radially outward. The distal ends of the second set of elongate members are distal to the ends of the first set of elongate members. The hood is affixed to the first set of elongate members, and seals against the interior wall of the blood vessel in an expanded configuration. When blood flows from the proximal to the distal side of the valve implant, it presses on the hood, compressing the first set of elongate members, breaking the seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Peter S. McKinnis, Neal E. Fearnot
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Patent number: 10077423Abstract: Described are medical products, methods, and cryogenic bags or other containers suitable for storing and/or transporting and/or processing cellular compositions and other related materials. In certain aspects, the contents of such cryogenic bags may be warmed, mixed, and applied to a patient. Medical products described herein find particular use in treating diseased and/or damaged tissue such as in wound repair and/or bone repair. Related methods of manufacture are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventor: Neal E. Fearnot
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Patent number: 10071187Abstract: Described are methods, cell growth substrates, and devices that are useful in preparing cell-containing graft materials for administration to patients. Tubular passages can be defined in cell growth substrates to promote distribution of cells into the substrates. Also described are methods and devices for preparing cell-seeded graft compositions, methods and devices for preconditioning cell growth substrates prior to application of cells, and cell seeded grafts having novel substrates, and uses thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignees: Cook Biotech Incorporated, Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Michael C. Hiles, Chad E. Johnson, Neal E. Fearnot, Thomas Payne, Ronald Jankowski
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Patent number: 10034655Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing observability under ultrasound imaging of medical devices include temporal markers which are dynamic, producing a variable ultrasound image over time. Included are rotating markers which produce a Doppler shift visible through ultrasound imaging in a Doppler mode and which enhance visibility of the marker. Other devices and methods include alternating streams of fluid contrast agents and saline as well as destroying a fluid contrast agent stream with a high intensity ultrasound pulse.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Peter S. McKinnis, Yun Zhou, Neal E. Fearnot
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Patent number: 10004475Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods and devices for providing enhanced echogenicity to medical devices. The method includes rolling an impression roller having a plurality of protrusions and an outer surface against a medical device. The protrusions create depressions in the surface of the medical device. A guide roller forms a ridge of the depression into the depression to create a lobe. The lobe forms a pocket between a bottom surface of the depression and the lobe.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventor: Benjaman B. Quearry
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Patent number: 9993580Abstract: Osteogenic compositions include a decellularized extracellular matrix tissue and bone morphogenic protein, preferably BMP-2. The compositions make beneficial use of the BMP, which can be used at relatively low doses and can bind to native components (e.g., native sulfated glycosaminoglycans such as heparin and/or heparan sulfate) remaining in the decellularized extracellular matrix tissue. Methods for preparation and use of such compositions are also described. The compositions and related methods can be used in the treatment of diseased or damaged bone tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Shelley Lynn Scoville, Amanda F. Taylor, Steven Charlebois, Christine M. Steinhart, Neal E. Fearnot
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Patent number: 9987194Abstract: Described in one aspect is a multi-cell or multi-chambered container for sealing various materials such as therapeutic or diagnostic agents, animal or human tissue, tissue samples, specimens, blood, genetic material, or any other material. The container includes seals formed by folding the wall of the elongate body transverse to the interior of the elongate body and maintaining the folded wall portions adjacent one another or joining them together. In another aspect, the container disclosed may be made according to a method involving creating multiple seals at various locations along the elongate body thus creating sealed voids or cells between the seals within the elongate body.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: William J. Havel, Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Richard B. Sisken, Charles Leland Baxter
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Patent number: 9980701Abstract: A device for endoluminal therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound procedures includes a motor which rotates a drive shaft and ultrasound transducer. In one example, conductors attach to the transducer and extend through a hollow drive shaft. In another example, a bias member conducts electric signals and stores energy. The device includes an operational state in which the motor rotates the drive shaft alternatingly between a first direction and an opposite second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Sarah Robbins, Yun Zhou
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Patent number: 9931439Abstract: Described are medical graft materials and devices which can be usefully modified with liquid additives such as cell suspensions, bioactive agents, or combinations of these. The medical graft materials and devices can have a first outer surface and a second outer surface and can define an internal chamber between the first outer surface and the second outer surface. The medical graft materials and devices can also have at least one region of the graft material interrupting the chamber and surrounded by the chamber. Also described are methods for making and using these medical graft materials and devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignees: Cook Biotech Incorporated, Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Michael C. Hiles, Jeremy Metz, F. Joseph Obermiller, Andrew J. Kaucher, Steven Charlebois
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Publication number: 20180049731Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of closure devices and systems for closing holes in tissue such as those caused unintentionally (e.g. hernia) or intentionally (e.g. openings in the right atrial appendage to access cardiac tissue). Such devices and systems include one or more mesh elements or anchors. In particular embodiments, a closure device includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for such closure devices are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Applicant: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Gregory James Hardy, Shaun Davis Gittard, John C. Sigmon, JR., William J. Havel, Jeremy T. Newkirk, Neal E. Fearnot, Rita Hadley, Danny A. Sherwinter, Vihar C. Surti, Tyler E. McLawhorn
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Patent number: 9872666Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for providing enhanced echogenicity to medical devices. An echogenic feature is formed in the shape of a pyramidal reuleaux triangle. A lobe is constructed at a rim of an echogenic feature to create a pocket between the lobe and a bottom surface of the feature. A test fixture is disclosed which provides a method for obtaining quantifiable echogenicity data of medical devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventor: Benjaman B. Quearry
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Patent number: 9855401Abstract: Arrangements and methods for delivering bioactive agents and/or cells into an extended volume of tissue are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cell-delivering needle arrangement has a tube positioned within a tube and fixedly attached to a wall thereof. In one exemplary method, a cell-delivering needle is advanced into tissue, a suspension of cells is passed through a first lumen and out of side ports, and a suspension of cells is passed through a second lumen and out of a distal opening. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: MUFFIN INCORPORATEDInventor: Frank J. Fischer, Jr.
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Patent number: 9814444Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for registering images obtained through internal (e.g. intravascular) ultrasound devices. Embodiments of a device with a rotating ultrasound beam is provided, with a wall of the device being anisotropic in ultrasound passage. As examples, a cable opaque to ultrasound is attached along the wall of the device, so that the ultrasound beam at the location of the cable is blocked, reflected or scattered. As another example, a thin film of metallic material is placed on or in the wall to allow a portion of the beam to be blocked or attenuated. The imaging system recognizes the changes to the signals made by the anisotropic wall, and registers successive images according to those changes.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Sarah Robbins, Yun Zhou
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Patent number: 9808592Abstract: A nebulizing catheter for bronchial therapy includes a catheter having a sheath defining an interior space and an open tip. A nebulizer is positioned in the interior space and located adjacent the open tip. The nebulizer includes a piezoelectric device. A liquid mixture is provided and placed in flow communication with the piezoelectric device for nebulizing a portion of that liquid mixture into small droplets for use in the bronchial therapy.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Jeffry S. Melsheimer, Frank J. Fischer, Jr.