Patents by Inventor Celeste L. Huster
Celeste L. Huster 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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Publication number: 20230032987Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an auto-tensioning feature. The handle assembly includes a body and a plunger. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an interior shaft that is coupled to the plunger. The interior shaft is slidable relative to the external sheath. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the interior shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The first and second coupling elements are magnetically attracted to each other and are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop. The auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the plunger portion proximally relative to the handle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Lauren E. Flakne, Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, JR.
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Patent number: 11439431Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an auto-tensioning feature. The handle assembly includes a body and a plunger. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an interior shaft that is coupled to the plunger. The interior shaft is slidable relative to the external sheath. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the interior shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The first and second coupling elements are magnetically attracted to each other and are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop. The auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the plunger portion proximally relative to the handle body.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Lauren E. Flakne, Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr.
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Patent number: 11324512Abstract: A sphincter augmentation device includes a plurality of bodies and a flexible band coupled with the bodies. The bodies define a first circumferential portion of the device and are magnetically biased toward one another. The flexible band defines a second circumferential portion of the device such that the bodies are arranged non-axisymmetrically about a central axis of the device. The device is sized to be positioned around a human urethra so that the bodies and the flexible band bear inwardly against the urethra. The device is configured to transition between a radially expanded state and a radially contracted state by the magnetic bias of the bodies to constrict the urethra.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Torax Medical, Inc.Inventors: Celeste L. Huster, Brandon D. Bullitt, Kyle P. Taylor, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr., Janet L. DeMarchi
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Patent number: 11051931Abstract: A method is provided for rerouting flow through the small intestine of a patient with an implanted artificial sphincter that encircles a portion of the small intestine. The small intestine includes a duodenum, a jejunum extending from the duodenum, and an ileum extending from the jejunum. The method includes providing the artificial sphincter in an open state to thereby permit intestinal flow through the encircled portion of the small intestine such that the intestinal flow passes through the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. The method further includes, in response to a user-activated electrical input, transitioning the artificial sphincter to a closed state to constrict the encircled portion of the small intestine and thereby redirect intestinal flow from a first portion of the small intestine to a second portion of the small intestine such that the intestinal flow bypasses at least a portion of the jejunum.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignees: Cilag GmbH International, Torax Medical, Inc.Inventors: Brett E. Swensgard, Michael D. Auld, Celeste L. Huster
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Patent number: 10945738Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of beads, a plurality of links, a clasp assembly, and an adjustment feature. Each bead includes a housing, a passageway extending through the housing, and at least one annular magnet. The at least one annular magnet is coaxially positioned about the passageway. The links join the beads together. Portions of the links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads. The clasp assembly is configured to removably secure the beads and links in a loop formation. The adjustment feature is operable to adjust an effective circumference of the loop formation. The adjustment feature may be incorporated into one or both of the clasp assembly or at least one of the beads.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignees: Torax Medical, Inc., Ethicon LLCInventors: Michael D. Auld, Lauren E. Flakne, Kyle P. Taylor, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr., Celeste L. Huster
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Publication number: 20210038256Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an auto-tensioning feature. The handle assembly includes a body and a plunger. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an interior shaft that is coupled to the plunger. The interior shaft is slidable relative to the external sheath. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the interior shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The first and second coupling elements are magnetically attracted to each other and are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop. The auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the plunger portion proximally relative to the handle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Lauren E. Flakne, Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, JR.
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Patent number: 10828064Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an auto-tensioning feature. The handle assembly includes a body and a plunger. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an interior shaft that is coupled to the plunger. The interior shaft is slidable relative to the external sheath. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the interior shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The first and second coupling elements are magnetically attracted to each other and are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop. The auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the plunger portion proximally relative to the handle body.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignees: Torax Medical, Inc., Ethicon LLCInventors: Lauren E. Flakne, Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr.
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Patent number: 10813737Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of beads and a plurality of links joining the beads together. Each bead includes a housing, a passageway extending through the housing, and at least one annular magnet. The passageway defines an axis. The at least one annular magnet is coaxially positioned about the passageway. The housing defines a gap adjacent to the at least one annular magnet. The gap is sized and configured to allow at least one annular magnet to rotate relative to the housing about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is offset from the axis of the passageway. Portions of the links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignees: Torax Medical, Inc., Ethicon LLCInventors: Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Lauren E. Flakne, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr.
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Publication number: 20200129283Abstract: A method is provided for rerouting flow through the small intestine of a patient with an implanted artificial sphincter that encircles a portion of the small intestine. The small intestine includes a duodenum, a jejunum extending from the duodenum, and an ileum extending from the jejunum. The method includes providing the artificial sphincter in an open state to thereby permit intestinal flow through the encircled portion of the small intestine such that the intestinal flow passes through the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. The method further includes, in response to a user-activated electrical input, transitioning the artificial sphincter to a closed state to constrict the encircled portion of the small intestine and thereby redirect intestinal flow from a first portion of the small intestine to a second portion of the small intestine such that the intestinal flow bypasses at least a portion of the jejunum.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Brett E. Swensgard, Michael D. Auld, Celeste L. Huster
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Publication number: 20200129184Abstract: A sphincter augmentation device includes a plurality of bodies and a flexible band coupled with the bodies. The bodies define a first circumferential portion of the device and are magnetically biased toward one another. The flexible band defines a second circumferential portion of the device such that the bodies are arranged non-axisymmetrically about a central axis of the device. The device is sized to be positioned around a human urethra so that the bodies and the flexible band bear inwardly against the urethra. The device is configured to transition between a radially expanded state and a radially contracted state by the magnetic bias of the bodies to constrict the urethra.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Celeste L. Huster, Brandon D. Bullitt, Kyle P. Taylor, Jerome K. Grudem, JR., Janet L. DeMarchi
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Publication number: 20190274803Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of beads and a plurality of links joining the beads together. Each bead includes a housing, a passageway extending through the housing, and at least one annular magnet. The passageway defines an axis. The at least one annular magnet is coaxially positioned about the passageway. The housing defines a gap adjacent to the at least one annular magnet. The gap is sized and configured to allow at least one annular magnet to rotate relative to the housing about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is offset from the axis of the passageway. Portions of the links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Lauren E. Flakne, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, JR.
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Publication number: 20190274689Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of beads, a plurality of links, a clasp assembly, and an adjustment feature. Each bead includes a housing, a passageway extending through the housing, and at least one annular magnet. The at least one annular magnet is coaxially positioned about the passageway. The links join the beads together. Portions of the links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads. The clasp assembly is configured to removably secure the beads and links in a loop formation. The adjustment feature is operable to adjust an effective circumference of the loop formation. The adjustment feature may be incorporated into one or both of the clasp assembly or at least one of the beads.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Michael D. Auld, Lauren E. Flakne, Kyle P. Taylor, Jerome K. Grudem, JR., Celeste L. Huster
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Publication number: 20190269436Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an auto-tensioning feature. The handle assembly includes a body and a plunger. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an interior shaft that is coupled to the plunger. The interior shaft is slidable relative to the external sheath. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the interior shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The first and second coupling elements are magnetically attracted to each other and are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop. The auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the plunger portion proximally relative to the handle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Lauren E. Flakne, Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, JR.
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Patent number: D856513Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Torax Medical, Inc.Inventors: Kyle P. Taylor, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr., Celeste L. Huster
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Patent number: D857195Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Torax Medical, Inc.Inventors: Kyle P. Taylor, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr., Celeste L. Huster