Patents by Inventor Brian L. Dukart
Brian L. Dukart 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: 7846208Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg
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Patent number: 7828850Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair with and without the use of a patch or stent. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as compared to conventional surgical procedures.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Paul Burmeister
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Patent number: 7749273Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Ishmael Bentley
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Publication number: 20100094425Abstract: This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses, fixation apparatuses, patch delivery tools and patches positioned, at least in part, in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment of the intervertebral disc or its components. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one disc anchor by a shortenable elongate member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: Anulex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ishmael Bentley, Matthew M. Burns, Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Brian L. Dukart, Rodney L. Houfburg, Lawrence W. Wales, Bradley J. Wessman
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Patent number: 7615076Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Ishmael Bentley
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Publication number: 20090259260Abstract: This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses, fixation apparatuses, patch delivery tools and patches positioned, at least in part, in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment of the intervertebral disc or its components. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one disc anchor by a shortenable elongate member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: ANULEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: ISHMAEL BENTLEY, MATTHEW M. BURNS, JOSEPH C. CAUTHEN, III, BRIAN L. DUKART, RODNEY L. HOUFBURG, LAWRENCE W. WALES, BRADLEY J. WESSMAN
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Publication number: 20090157184Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Ishmael Bentley
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Publication number: 20090131978Abstract: A release assembly is provided to aid the reversible and repositionable deployment of a defect occluder. The release assembly includes an occluder tether having a distal portion comprising at least one suture loop, and a snare structure having a distal portion comprising a snare element. The at least one suture loop is receivable through at least a portion of the defect occluder, and reversibly looped over an anchor element so as to permit reversible collapse the defect occluder for selective ingress and egress from a delivery catheter. The snare element is reversibly engageable with the anchor element so as to reversibly retain the at least one suture loop upon the anchor element, and thereby hold the defect occluder in a posture for reversible free-floating tethered deployment in a defect while being observable in a final position prior to release.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2009Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: John P. Gainor, Brian L. Dukart, Darren L. Wegner
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Publication number: 20090036989Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen III, Mathew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Ishmael Bentley
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Publication number: 20090036990Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: Joseph C. CAUTHEN, III, Matthew M. BURNS, Lawrence W. WALES, Brian L. DUKART, Bradley J. WESSMAN, Rodney L. HOUFBURG, Ishmael BENTLEY
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Publication number: 20090036937Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Ishmael Bentley
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Publication number: 20090030522Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Ishmael Bentley
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Patent number: 7479155Abstract: A release assembly is provided to aid the reversible and repositionable deployment of a defect occluder. The release assembly includes an occluder tether having a distal portion comprising at least one suture loop, and a snare structure having a distal portion comprising a snare element. The at least one suture loop is receivable through at least a portion of the defect occluder, and reversibly looped over an anchor element so as to permit reversible collapse the defect occluder for selective ingress and egress from a delivery catheter. The snare element is reversibly engageable with the anchor element so as to reversibly retain the at least one suture loop upon the anchor element, and thereby hold the defect occluder in a posture for reversible free-floating tethered deployment in a defect while being observable in a final position prior to release.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: EV3 Endovascular, Inc.Inventors: John P. Gainor, Brian L. Dukart, Darren L. Wegner
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Patent number: 7004970Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair with and without the use of a patch or stent. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as compared to conventional surgical procedures.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Anulex Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen III, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg, Paul Burmeister
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Patent number: 6659981Abstract: A delivery catheter for delivering an intra-bodily medical device to an internal bodily site. The delivery catheter includes an elongated shaft defining a proximal section and a distal section. A delivery lumen is formed by the shaft, extending from the proximal section and terminating at an opening formed proximal the distal section. Finally, a locator is formed by the distal section, and is configured to locate a target site. In one preferred embodiment, the locator is elongated, having a diameter less than that of a remainder of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the delivery catheter includes a steering device capable of effectuating a bend both proximal and distal the opening for steering the locator to a target site.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, James R. Skarda, Brian L. Dukart
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Publication number: 20030158604Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair with and without the use of a patch or stent. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as compared to conventional surgical procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg
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Publication number: 20030153976Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: Joseph C. Cauthen, Matthew M. Burns, Lawrence W. Wales, Brian L. Dukart, Bradley J. Wessman, Rodney L. Houfburg
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Publication number: 20020198563Abstract: A release assembly is provided to aid the reversible and repositionable deployment of a defect occluder. The release assembly includes an occluder tether having a distal portion comprising at least one suture loop, and a snare structure having a distal portion comprising a snare element. The at least one suture loop is receivable through at least a portion of the defect occluder, and reversibly looped over an anchor element so as to permit reversible collapse the defect occluder for selective ingress and egress from a delivery catheter. The snare element is reversibly engageable with the anchor element so as to reversibly retain the at least one suture loop upon the anchor element, and thereby hold the defect occluder in a posture for reversible free-floating tethered deployment in a defect while being observable in a final position prior to release.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: Microvena CorporationInventors: John P. Gainor, Brian L. Dukart, Darren L. Wegner
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Patent number: 6440152Abstract: A release assembly is provided to aid the reversible and repositionable deployment of a defect occluder. The release assembly includes an occluder tether having a distal portion comprising at least one suture loop, and a snare structure having a distal portion comprising a snare element. The at least one suture loop is receivable through at least a portion of the defect occluder, and reversibly looped over an anchor element so as to permit reversible collapse the defect occluder for selective ingress and egress from a delivery catheter. The snare element is reversibly engageable with the anchor element so as to reversibly retain the at least one suture loop upon the anchor element, and thereby hold the defect occluder in a posture for reversible free-floating tethered deployment in a defect while being observable in a final position prior to release.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Microvena CorporationInventors: John P. Gainor, Brian L. Dukart, Darren L. Wegner
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Publication number: 20020072710Abstract: A delivery catheter for delivering an intra-bodily medical device to an internal bodily site. The delivery catheter includes an elongated shaft defining a proximal section and a distal section. A delivery lumen is formed by the shaft, extending from the proximal section and terminating at an opening formed proximal the distal section. Finally, a locator is formed by the distal section, and is configured to locate a target site. In one preferred embodiment, the locator is elongated, having a diameter less than that of a remainder of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the delivery catheter includes a steering device capable of effectuating a bend both proximal and distal the opening for steering the locator to a target site.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2000Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, James R. Skarda, Brian L. Dukart