Patents by Inventor Andy H. Levine
Andy H. Levine 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: 8828033Abstract: A system for performing vascular surgery includes a first retractor blade and a second retractor blade and a fulcrum device. The first retractor blade includes a first grasping bar, and the second retractor blade comprises a second grasping bar. The first retractor blade and the second retractor blade are adapted to engage opposing edges of a subcostal incision in a patient. The fulcrum device includes a first fulcrum slot and a second fulcrum slot formed through opposing edges of the fulcrum device. The first fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the first grasping bar and the second fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the second grasping bar, such that the fulcrum device is adapted to apply leverage from the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade to spread the edges of the incision and to allow access to a chest cavity of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Inventors: J. Donald Hill, Geoffrey Briggs, Michael Sims, John Cvinar, Andy H. Levine, Eric May, John Meade
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Publication number: 20140194805Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John C. Meade
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Patent number: 8771219Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device includes a flexible, floppy sleeve, open at both ends, that extends into the duodenum. The device further includes a collapsible anchor coupled to the proximal portion of the sleeve. The device further includes a drawstring that is threaded through a proximal end of the anchor, and barbs that extend from the exterior surface of the anchor. The collapsible anchor can be a wave anchor. The drawstring can be used to collapse at least a proximal portion of the implant device. This is useful in removing or repositioning the implant device.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: John C. Meade, Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, Ronald B. Lamport, John F. Cvinar
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Publication number: 20140100512Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor configured for minimally-invasive implantation and sized to remain securely positioned within at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. The anchor includes a radial spring formed from an elongated resilient member shaped into an annular wave pattern about a central axis. The anchor defines a central lumen and provides an outward radial force, while allowing for substantial flexure about its perimeter. The anchor is generally removable, but can include fasteners, such as barbs, to further secure it to the surrounding anatomy. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a connector coupling a fixed portion to a removable portion. Further, the anchor can be used to secure a medical device within the body, such as a flexible sleeve within the intestine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: John C. Meade, Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John F. Cvinar
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Patent number: 8668662Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John C. Meade
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Publication number: 20140018719Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device comprises a planar proximal element configured to reside in a stomach to resist distal migration, a distal element configured to reside in an intestine to resist proximal migration and one or more tethers coupling the planar proximal element to the distal element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Andres Chamorro, III, Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, Barry Maxwell, Richard A. Gambale
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Patent number: 8628583Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor configured for minimally-invasive implantation and sized to remain securely positioned within at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. The anchor includes a radial spring formed from an elongated resilient member shaped into an annular wave pattern about a central axis. The anchor defines a central lumen and provides an outward radial force, while allowing for substantial flexure about its perimeter. The anchor is generally removable, but can include fasteners, such as barbs, to further secure it to the surrounding anatomy. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a connector coupling a fixed portion to a removable portion. Further, the anchor can be used to secure a medical device within the body, such as a flexible sleeve within the intestine.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: John C. Meade, Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John F. Cvinar
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Publication number: 20130253410Abstract: A patient is provided with an increased sense of satiety by increasing resistance to the outflow of food from the stomach and through the intestines. Stomach emptying may be slowed with devices implantable within the gastrointestinal tract below the stomach. Implants are preferably removable and can include artificial strictures that may be adjustable to vary the rate of stomach emptying. Slowing gastric emptying may induce satiety for a longer period and may therefore reduce food consumption. Many of the embodiments include intestinal liners or sleeves, but they need not. The resistor concept may be applied to a simple anchor and resistor without a long liner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, Ronald B. Lamport, David A. Melanson, Stuart A. Randle
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Patent number: 8486153Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John C. Meade
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Patent number: 8425451Abstract: A collapsible gastrointestinal anchor can be characterized in various embodiments by a radial force of about 0.1 Newtons (N) or greater at a compressed diameter of 25 millimeters (mm); by an average spring rate of about 13 Newtons/meter (N/m) or greater in a range of motion between a relaxed diameter and a compressive elastic deformation diameter; or by a radial force over the range of motion of about 0.1 N or greater. Typically, the anchor can be adapted to be retained within a subject's intestine, more typically in the duodenum, or particularly in the duodenal bulb just distal to the pylorus. A gastrointestinal implant device includes the collapsible gastrointestinal anchor and a floppy sleeve. The sleeve is open at both ends and adapted to extend into a subject's intestine, the anchor being coupled to a proximal portion of the sleeve. Also include are methods of implanting the gastrointestinal implant device in a subject, and methods of treating a subject for disease.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson
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Publication number: 20130012862Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor configured for minimally-invasive implantation and sized to remain securely positioned within at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. The anchor includes a radial spring formed from an elongated resilient member shaped into an annular wave pattern about a central axis. The anchor defines a central lumen and provides an outward radial force, while allowing for substantial flexure about its perimeter. The anchor is generally removable, but can include fasteners, such as barbs, to further secure it to the surrounding anatomy. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a connector coupling a fixed portion to a removable portion. Further, the anchor can be used to secure a medical device within the body, such as a flexible sleeve within the intestine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: John C. Meade, Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John F. Cvinar
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Patent number: 8303669Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor configured for minimally-invasive implantation and sized to remain securely positioned within at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. The anchor includes a radial spring formed from an elongated resilient member shaped into an annular wave pattern about a central axis. The anchor defines a central lumen and provides an outward radial force, while allowing for substantial flexure about its perimeter. The anchor is generally removable, but can include fasteners, such as barbs, to further secure it to the surrounding anatomy. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a connector coupling a fixed portion to a removable portion. Further, the anchor can be used to secure a medical device within the body, such as a flexible sleeve within the intestine.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: John C. Meade, Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John F. Cvinar
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Publication number: 20120215152Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve. When implanted within the intestine, the sleeve can limit the absorption of nutrients, delay the mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes, altering hormonal triggers, providing negative feedback, and combinations thereof. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, John F. Cvinar, David A. Melanson, John C. Meade
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Publication number: 20120184967Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, John C. Meade
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Publication number: 20120179086Abstract: An implant (100) includes a protrusion (110) with an open or rounded loop (112) (or open head) connected to a collapsible anchor. The protrusion may include a straight length of wire (114) or a helical length wire, with one or more wire loops (112) at the end of the length forming the loop. Upon deployment within the gastrointestinal tract, the protrusion expands from a collapsed state, alongside the anchor, to a relaxed state, in which the protrusion extends outward from the anchor. As the protrusion expands to its relaxed state, it pushes the loop into the wall of the duodenum, causing the loop to penetrate the duodenal wall. A pocket of scar tissue forms about the head and possibly through an opening in the head, securing the anchor within the duodenum. The implant may also include a thin-walled sleeve that is coupled to the anchor and extended from the anchor into the intestine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Peter Shank, David A. Melanson, Barry Maxwell, Sean K. Holmes, James Loper, Ian K. Parker, Andy H. Levine
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Patent number: 8162871Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve. When implanted within the intestine, the sleeve can limit the absorption of nutrients, delay the mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes, altering hormonal triggers, providing negative feedback, and combinations thereof. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, John F. Cvinar, David A. Melanson, John C. Meade
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Patent number: 8137301Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve. When implanted within the intestine, the sleeve can limit the absorption of nutrients, delay the mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes, altering hormonal triggers, providing negative feedback, and combinations thereof. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, John F. Cvinar, David A. Melanson, John C. Meade
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Publication number: 20120065475Abstract: A system for performing vascular surgery includes a first retractor blade and a second retractor blade and a fulcrum device. The first retractor blade includes a first grasping bar, and the second retractor blade comprises a second grasping bar. The first retractor blade and the second retractor blade are adapted to engage opposing edges of a subcostal incision in a patient. The fulcrum device includes a first fulcrum slot and a second fulcrum slot formed through opposing edges of the fulcrum device. The first fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the first grasping bar and the second fulcrum slot is adapted to receive the second grasping bar, such that the fulcrum device is adapted to apply leverage from the first retractor blade and the second retractor blade to spread the edges of the incision and to allow access to a chest cavity of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: J. Donald Hill, Geoffrey Briggs, Michael Sims, John Cvinar, Andy H. Levine, Eric May, John Meade
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Publication number: 20120029413Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device includes a flexible, floppy sleeve, open at both ends, that extends into the duodenum. The device further includes a collapsible anchor coupled to the proximal portion of the sleeve. The device further includes a drawstring that is threaded through a proximal end of the anchor, and barbs that extend from the exterior surface of the anchor. The collapsible anchor can be a wave anchor. The drawstring can be used to collapse at least a proximal portion of the implant device. This is useful in removing or repositioning the implant device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: JOHN C. MEADE, Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, Ronald B. Lamport, John F. Cvinar
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Patent number: 8096966Abstract: The invention relates to improved means for preventing eversion and subsequent obstruction of thin-walled, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary eversion-resistant features provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist eversion. In some embodiments, the eversion-resistant feature includes an anti-buckling element, such as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: GI Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Andy H. Levine, David A. Melanson, Ian Parker