Patents by Inventor Bret C. Millett

Bret C. Millett 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).

  • Publication number: 20210161398
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide-wires that include one or more sensing components and a sensor control module that stores information about the guide-wire. In some instances, the information about the guide-wire stored in the sensor control module is calibration information for a sensing component of the guide-wire. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide-wires that include wireless communication functionality. In some instances, the guide-wires include one or more antennas adjacent a proximal portion of the guide-wire. In some instances, the guide-wires include passive radio frequency devices integrated into the guide-wire. Systems associated with such intravascular devices are disclosed. Methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Bret C. MILLETT, Paul Douglas CORL
  • Publication number: 20210163284
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a capacitive pressure-sensing component disposed at a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making such intravascular devices, including various manufacturing and assembling techniques, are disclosed. Systems associated with such intravascular devices and methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Bret C. MILLETT, Paul Douglas CORL
  • Patent number: 10927003
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a capacitive pressure-sensing component disposed at a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making such intravascular devices, including various manufacturing and assembling techniques, are disclosed. Systems associated with such intravascular devices and methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bret C. Millett, Paul Douglas Corl
  • Publication number: 20210030364
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors printed on a solid core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. In certain aspects, guidewires of the invention include a body having an inner core and an outer layer with one or more embedded conductors. The conductors are exposed at one or more locations along the body and a conductive material can be layered over the exposed locations. A sensor can also be coupled to the body via the conductive material at one of the exposed locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: David H. BURKETT, Bret C. MILLETT, Paul Douglas CORL
  • Patent number: 10869603
    Abstract: Systems and methods for user control over the acquisition, processing, and presentation of medical data are provided. Some embodiments are particularly directed to controlling the display of multi-modality medical data in a multi-modality processing system. In one embodiment, a medical imaging system receives a set of medical data including a first data subset collected using a first sensor and a second data subset collected using a second sensor, where the first sensor and the second sensor are different. A display attribute to be applied to the first data subset independent of the second data subset is received. An instruction is generated that affects the processing of the first data subset based on the display attribute. The first data subset is processed according to the instruction. The processed first data subset is displayed according to the display attribute, and the second data subset is displayed independent of the display attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bret C. Millett, Paul Michael Hoseit
  • Patent number: 10791991
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors printed on a solid core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. In certain aspects, guidewires of the invention include a body having an inner core and an outer layer with one or more embedded conductors. The conductors are exposed at one or more locations along the body and a conductive material can be layered over the exposed locations. A sensor can also be coupled to the body via the conductive material at one of the exposed locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David H. Burkett, Bret C. Millett, Paul Douglas Corl
  • Publication number: 20190330055
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a capacitive pressure-sensing component disposed at a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making such intravascular devices, including various manufacturing and assembling techniques, are disclosed. Systems associated with such intravascular devices and methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: BRET C. MILLETT, PAUL DOUGLAS CORL
  • Patent number: 10329145
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a capacitive pressure-sensing component disposed at a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making such intravascular devices, including various manufacturing and assembling techniques, are disclosed. Systems associated with such intravascular devices and methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bret C. Millett
  • Publication number: 20190133462
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated substrate such that the pressure-sensing component is mounted perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. In some implementations, the elongated substrate has a cylindrical profile. Methods of making, assembling, and/or using such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Bret C. MILLETT, David H. BURKETT, Paul Douglas CORL
  • Patent number: 10238302
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated substrate such that the pressure-sensing component is mounted perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. In some implementations, the elongated substrate has a cylindrical profile. Methods of making, assembling, and/or using such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bret C. Millett, David H. Burkett, Paul Douglas Corl
  • Patent number: 10213182
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a blockage in a vessel and, in particular, a stenosis in a blood vessel. In some particular embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a stenosis in the coronary arteries by monitoring fluid flow. In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure include a flow-sensing element within a distal portion of an intravascular device that is mounted at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the intravascular device. The angled flow-sensing element can be oriented away from a vessel wall and towards the center of the vessel lumen through rotation of the intravascular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bret C. Millett
  • Patent number: 10076301
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for visually depicting a vessel and evaluating treatment options are disclosed. A method of evaluating a vessel of a patient, comprises: obtaining intravascular data from an intravascular instrument positioned within a vessel of a patient while the intravascular instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel from a first position to a second position; obtaining an angiographic image of the vessel while the intravascular instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel; correlating the intravascular data from the intravascular instrument to locations on the angiographic image; and outputting an enhanced angiographic image of the vessel on a display, the enhanced angiographic image including the angiographic image overlaid with visualizations representing the intravascular data at the correlated locations. Corresponding systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bret C. Millett, Joe Burnett, Howard David Alpert, Fergus Merritt
  • Patent number: 9913584
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated substrate such that the pressure-sensing component is mounted perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. In some implementations, the elongated substrate has a cylindrical profile. Methods of making, assembling, and/or using such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bret C. Millett, David H. Burkett, Paul Douglas Corl
  • Publication number: 20170283251
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a capacitive pressure-sensing component disposed at a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making such intravascular devices, including various manufacturing and assembling techniques, are disclosed. Systems associated with such intravascular devices and methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Bret C. MILLETT, Paul Douglas CORL
  • Patent number: 9750418
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one pressure sensing component within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electrical, electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical pressure-sensing components is secured to an elongated substrate such that the pressure-sensing component is mounted perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. In some implementations, the elongated substrate has a cylindrical profile. Methods of making, assembling, and/or using such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bret C. Millett, David H. Burkett, Paul Douglas Corl
  • Patent number: 9624095
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a capacitive pressure-sensing component disposed at a distal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making such intravascular devices, including various manufacturing and assembling techniques, are disclosed. Systems associated with such intravascular devices and methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Bret C. Millett, Paul Douglas Corl
  • Publication number: 20150272538
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a blockage in a vessel and, in particular, a stenosis in a blood vessel. In some particular embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are configured to assess the severity of a stenosis in the coronary arteries by monitoring fluid flow. In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure include a flow-sensing element within a distal portion of an intravascular device that is mounted at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the intravascular device. The angled flow-sensing element can be oriented away from a vessel wall and towards the center of the vessel lumen through rotation of the intravascular device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Bret C. Millett
  • Publication number: 20140214004
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular device includes at least one artificial muscle segment. In some instances, the artificial muscle segment or a plurality thereof is configured to move a distal portion of the intravascular device, change the shape of the tip of the intravascular device, rotate a portion of the intravascular device, and any combination thereof. A method for using an associated intravascular device is also provided. The method includes inserting an intravascular device into a vessel of a patient. The intravascular device has an actuator segment. The method further includes moving a portion of the intravascular device by selectively rotating the actuator segment and returning the portion of the intravascular device to a pre-activation position by selectively deactivating the actuator segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Volcano Corporation
    Inventor: Bret C. Millett
  • Publication number: 20140187874
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular device is a guide wire with electrical conductors printed on a solid core wire. In some instances, the electrical conductors are coupled to conductive bands adjacent a proximal portion of the guide wire. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided. In certain aspects, guidewires of the invention include a body having an inner core and an outer layer with one or more embedded conductors. The conductors are exposed at one or more locations along the body and a conductive material can be layered over the exposed locations. A sensor can also be coupled to the body via the conductive material at one of the exposed locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Burkett, Bret C. Millett, Paul Douglas Corl
  • Publication number: 20140187981
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide-wires that include one or more sensing components and a sensor control module that stores information about the guide-wire. In some instances, the information about the guide-wire stored in the sensor control module is calibration information for a sensing component of the guide-wire. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices are guide-wires that include wireless communication functionality. In some instances, the guide-wires include one or more antennas adjacent a proximal portion of the guide-wire. In some instances, the guide-wires include passive radio frequency devices integrated into the guide-wire. Systems associated with such intravascular devices are disclosed. Methods of using such devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Bret C. Millett, Paul Douglas Corl