Patents by Inventor Benjamin I. Espen

Benjamin I. Espen 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: 12064099
    Abstract: A treatment system includes an insert that is resiliently deflectable. The tip portion of the insert can be configured to be coupled to the trailing portion of an implant. A guide tube having an internal lumen is configured to permit passage of the tip portion and the body portion of the insert through a guide tube. The guide tube can have a length that is less than that of the insert. Treatment systems include a plurality of inserts, each insert differing from in at least one of length, diameter, and curvature. Treating a patient can include sizing a fistula using an insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Brendan S. Buchanan, Benjamin I. Espen, Reed A. Houge, Allan B. Dietz, William A. Faubion, Jr., Eric J. Dozois
  • Publication number: 20230404558
    Abstract: A treatment system includes an insert that is resiliently deflectable. The tip portion of the insert can be configured to be coupled to the trailing portion of an implant. A guide tube having an internal lumen is configured to permit passage of the tip portion and the body portion of the insert through a guide tube. The guide tube can have a length that is less than that of the insert. Treatment systems include a plurality of inserts, each insert differing from in at least one of length, diameter, and curvature. Treating a patient can include sizing a fistula using an insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Brendan S. Buchanan, Benjamin I. Espen, Reed A. Houge, Allan B. Dietz, William A. Faubion, JR., Eric J. Dozois
  • Publication number: 20230285173
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Patent number: 11672682
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Publication number: 20230086502
    Abstract: A treatment system includes an insert that is resiliently deflectable. The tip portion of the insert can be configured to be coupled to the trailing portion of an implant. A guide tube having an internal lumen is configured to permit passage of the tip portion and the body portion of the insert through a guide tube. The guide tube can have a length that is less than that of the insert. Treatment systems include a plurality of inserts, each insert differing from in at least one of length, diameter, and curvature. Treating a patient can include sizing a fistula using an insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Brendan S. Buchanan, Benjamin I. Espen, Reed A. Houge, Allan B. Dietz, William A. Faubion, JR., Eric J. Dozois
  • Publication number: 20200306068
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Patent number: 10695203
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Publication number: 20190167458
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Patent number: 10195063
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Publication number: 20170290689
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and a plurality of leg portions, wherein the legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also taught.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Patent number: 9687371
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a branched endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component. In various embodiments, the branched endoprosthesis comprises a body portion and at least two leg portions, wherein at least two legs are in an aligned configuration for ease of cannulation. In various embodiments, at least one leg is in an open configuration for ease of cannulation. Cannulation methods are also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Douglas C. Helsel, Stanislaw L. Zukowski
  • Patent number: 9314352
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a stent graft having a first section and a second section, wherein the first section comprises a first longitudinal profile and a first flow lumen and the second section comprises a second longitudinal profile and a second flow lumen. In exemplary embodiments, a hinged connection between the first and second sections is structurally and/or materially configured to isolate or otherwise not transfer bending forces between the first and second sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen
  • Patent number: 9107770
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component with varying compressibility along the length of the endoprosthesis. In various embodiments, the endoprosthesis comprises at least a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is more compressible than the second. In another embodiment having a second segment between the first and third segments, the third segment can also be more compressible than the second segment. Alternatively, in an embodiment, a second segment can have greater rigidity than a first segment, as well as a third segment, if present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Buckley, Benjamin I. Espen, Stanislaw L. Zukowski