Patents by Inventor Andres D. Tomas
Andres D. Tomas 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).
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Patent number: 9463112Abstract: A carrier is sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region. The carrier includes at least one interior compartment. At least one ferromagnetic material is carried within the compartment. The compartment and the ferromagnetic material are mutually sized and configured to allow movement of the ferromagnetic material within the compartment in response to magnetic interaction with a magnetic material located outside the carrier. The magnetic interaction can include either a magnetic attracting force or a magnetic repelling force. The carrier can be used in association with a source of magnetism sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region outside the carrier for magnetic interaction with the ferromagnetic material carried within the compartment, e.g., to stabilize the orientation of a tissue region within an airway.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Andres D. Tomas, Ryan P. Boucher, Edward M. Gillis, Scott A. McGill, Lionel M. Nelson, Joe Paraschac
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Patent number: 9161856Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods employ at least one ferromagnetic structure sized and configured for placement in a tissue region. A component is attached to the structure to stabilize its placement in the tissue region. An anchoring structure holds the component in a state of tension. The anchoring structure can, e.g., take the from of an anchoring body that expands in situ. The anchoring structure can be adjustable for adjusting the state of tension. The component can be elastic, to deflect under load in a prescribed manner and to recover an initial shape when unloaded.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Lionel M. Nelson, Octavian Iancea, Brian K. McCollum, Andres D. Tomas
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Publication number: 20130319428Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods employ at least one ferromagnetic structure sized and configured for placement in a tissue region. A component is attached to the structure to stabilise its placement in the tissue region. An anchoring structure holds the component in a state of tension. The anchoring structure can, e.g., take the from of an anchoring body that expands in situ. The anchoring structure can be adjustable for adjusting the state of tension. The component can be elastic, to deflect under load in a prescribed manner and to recover an initial shape when unloaded.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Lionel M. NELSON, Octavian IANCEA, Brian K. McCOLLUM, Andres D. TOMAS
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Patent number: 8528564Abstract: Systems and methods resist posterior movement of both the tongue and the soft palate/uvula during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ first, second, and third structures. The first structure is sized and configured for placement in or on a tongue. The second structure is sized and configured for placement in or on a region of a soft palate or uvula. The third structure is sized and configured for placement in or on tissue in a desired relationship. anterior of the first and second structures. The first and second structures each includes a ferromagnetic material. The third structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with both the first and second ferromagnetic materials by attracting both the first and second ferromagnetic materials, thereby resisting posterior movement of both the tongue and the soft palate/uvula.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Joseph Paraschac, Ryan P. Boucher, Edward M. Gillis, Andrew W. Kramer, Scott A. McGill, Lionel M. Nelson, Andres D. Tomas
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Patent number: 8522790Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods employ at least one ferromagnetic structure sized and configured for placement in a tissue region. A component is attached to the structure to stabilize its placement in the tissue region. An anchoring structure holds the component in a state of tension. The anchoring structure can, e.g., take the from of an anchoring body that expands in situ. The anchoring structure can be adjustable for adjusting the state of tension. The component can be elastic, to deflect under load in a prescribed manner and to recover an initial shape when unloaded.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Lionel M. Nelson, Octavian Iancea, Brian K. McCollum, Andres D. Tomas
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Publication number: 20120240940Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for resisting posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ a first structure that can be placed either in or on a tongue within an oral cavity and/or in a region of hyoid muscle. The first structure includes a ferromagnetic material. The systems and methods employ a second structure that can be placed either in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity and/or in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure. The second structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the ferromagnetic material by attracting the ferromagnetic material, thereby resisting posterior movement of the tongue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: JOE PARASCHAC, RYAN P. BOUCHER, EDWARD M. GILLIS, OCTAVIAN IANCEA, ANDREW W. KRAMER, BRIAN K. MCCOLLUM, SCOTT A. MCGILL, LIONEL M. NELSON, Andres D. Tomas
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Patent number: 8020560Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for resisting posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ a first structure that can be placed either in or on a tongue within an oral cavity and/or in a region of hyoid muscle. The first structure includes a ferromagnetic material. The systems and methods employ a second structure that can be placed either in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity and/or in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure. The second structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the ferromagnetic material by attracting the ferromagnetic material, thereby resisting posterior movement of the tongue.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Joe Paraschac, Ryan P. Boucher, Edward M. Gillis, Octavian Iancea, Andrew W. Kramer, Brian K. McCollum, Scott A. McGill, Lionel M. Nelson, Andres D. Tomas
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Publication number: 20090044814Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided by maintaining tissue regions in desired orientation in or along an airway, e.g., for reducing or preventing snoring and/or sleep disordered breathing events, such as sleep apnea.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Octavian Iancea, Andrew W. Kramer, Richard S. Lilly, John E. Ortiz, Andres D. Tomas
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Patent number: 6500147Abstract: A balloon catheter having improved flexibility in and about its distal end is provided. The flexibility of the catheter is determined in part by improving the properties of a wire or catheter located within the area where the balloon is mounted. In one aspect of the present invention, connecting wires extend through the balloon from the distal end of a catheter body to the proximal end of a core wire. The core wire extends distally away from the connecting wires and the catheter body. In another aspect of the present invention, a core wire is provided having a proximal end extending within the balloon into the catheter tubular body but is not mounted therein. This allows the proximal end of the core wire to “float” within the tubular body, such that when the catheter is advanced through the vasculature of a patient, the core wire may move longitudinally within the tubular body.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Medtronic PercuSurge, Inc.Inventors: Samuel L. Omaleki, Isaac J. Kim, Jefferey C. Bleam, Juan T. Domingo, Andres D. Tomas, Celso J. Bagaoisan
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Publication number: 20020007146Abstract: A balloon catheter having improved flexibility in and about its distal end is provided. The flexibility of the catheter is determined in part by improving the properties of a wire or catheter located within the area where the balloon is mounted. In one aspect of the present invention, connecting wires extend through the balloon from the distal end of a catheter body to the proximal end of a core wire. The core wire extends distally away from the connecting wires and the catheter body. In another aspect of the present invention, a core wire is provided having a proximal end extending within the balloon into the catheter tubular body but is not mounted therein. This allows the proximal end of the core wire to “float” within the tubular body, such that when the catheter is advanced through the vasculature of a patient, the core wire may move longitudinally within the tubular body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 1999Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: SAMUEL L. OMALEKI, ISAAC J. KIM, JEFFEREY BLEAM, JUAN T. DOMINGO, ANDRES D. TOMAS, CELSO J. BAGAOISAN
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Patent number: 6156054Abstract: The present invention provides a protective sheath assembly which combines the function of an introducer, the function of a protective sheath and the function of a sealing valve in an integrated assembly. The protective sheath assembly of the present invention preferably comprises a protective sheath, a strain-relief tubing, and a connecting member or a hub. These parts are mounted, removably or permanently, into an integral device. The protective sheath assembly can also be used in combination with an introducer such as a needle introducer. The protective sheath has a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated hollow body defining a lumen along the longitudinal direction of the protective sheath. A hub is provided to secure the proximal end of the protective sheath to an introducer. The lumen of the protective sheath serves to accommodate and protect a balloon catheter, as well as seal around the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Percusurge, Inc.Inventors: G. Reza Zadno-Azizi, Mukund Patel, Andres D. Tomas, Hung Ha, Celso Bagaoisan
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Patent number: 5997562Abstract: The present invention provides a protective sheath assembly which combines the function of an introducer, the function of a protective sheath and the function of a sealing valve in an integrated assembly. The protective sheath assembly of the present invention preferably comprises a protective sheath, a strain-relief tubing, and a connecting member or a hub. These parts are mounted, removably or permanently, into an integral device. The protective sheath assembly can also be used in combination with an introducer such as a needle introducer. The protective sheath has a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated hollow body defining a lumen along the longitudinal direction of the protective sheath. A hub is provided to secure the proximal end of the protective sheath to an introducer. The lumen of the protective sheath serves to accommodate and protect a balloon catheter, as well as seal around the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Percusurge, Inc.Inventors: G. Reza Zadno-Azizi, Mukund Patel, Andres D. Tomas, Hung Ha, Celso Bagaoisan