Patents by Inventor Charles C. Kuyava

Charles C. Kuyava 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: 8585580
    Abstract: Embodiments of an inflatable medical implant system configured for implantation in a patient to treat a condition of the patient comprise a first fluid path, an inflatable implant, an electric pump, a controller, and an implantable power supply that provides electrical power to the pump. The inflatable implant is in fluid communication with the first fluid path and is configured to serve a medical purpose. The electric pump is in fluid communication with the first fluid path. The controller is electrically coupled to the pump and is configured to activate the pump to drive a flow of fluid through the first fluid path. In one embodiment, the inflatable implant comprises and inflatable cuff or a penile prosthesis. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of operating embodiments of the inflatable medical implant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Shay Moshe Vaingast, Charles C. Kuyava
  • Patent number: 8545391
    Abstract: A penile prosthesis implantation device comprises a barrel having a bore, an obturator and a needle clamp. The obturator has a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end. The second end of the obturator is adapted for slidable insertion into the bore of the barrel. The needle clamp is coupled to the second end of the obturator and comprises first and second pinching surfaces that are separated by a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Gary Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 8276591
    Abstract: A method of preventing inadvertent inflation of an implantable prosthetic includes biasing a valve assembly such that an outlet is substantially closed and using inadvertent pressure increases from the inlet to supplement the biasing of the valve assembly. It may further include the step of preventing fluid flow through the outlet by selectively varying fluid pressure within a bypass passageway having a first end which is in fluid communication with an inlet and a second end which is in fluid communication with a chamber. And, may also additionally include the step of displacing a flexible abutting wall disposed between the chamber and the valve assembly so that the abutting wall is caused to contact the valve assembly and urge the valve assembly into a closed position when the fluid pressure within the chamber exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Henkel, Larry E. Waldack, Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, John G. Almli
  • Patent number: 8123674
    Abstract: An inflatable penile prosthesis cylinder of the present invention includes an inflatable chamber and a constraining sleeve of fabric. The inflatable chamber is configured to expand in response to an increase in pressure within the chamber. The sleeve of fabric constrains the expansion of the chamber, however, the sleeve of fabric includes a corrugation that facilitates some expansion of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Patent number: 8114011
    Abstract: An inflatable penile prosthesis of the present invention includes a cylinder that has an external wall that defines a pressure chamber. That external wall preferably incorporates a number of corrugations that extend in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder. In a preferred embodiment, the external wall of the cylinder is formed of a polyurethane or of a material having a modulus of elasticity greater than that of silicone. The corrugations enable the cylinder to move from a small, deflated diameter to a much greater diameter in the inflated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Patent number: 8109870
    Abstract: An inflatable penile prosthesis includes an implantable pump having a bypass valve. The bypass valve includes a cavity having a valve seat at a port, a poppet and a spring. The poppet includes a valve member and a stem extending from the valve member. In operation, the poppet includes a sealing position, where the valve member seals the port through contact with the valve seat, and a deflating position, where the valve member is displaced from the valve seat. The spring is configured to bias the valve member toward the valve seat, wherein the spring engages a portion of the stem while the poppet is in the deflating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Gregory J. Henkel
  • Patent number: 8062209
    Abstract: An implantable pump with a plurality of protrusions and grooves is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Randall P. Rowland, Gary A. Rocheleau, Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar
  • Patent number: 8052594
    Abstract: A prosthetic device comprises a column formed of resilient material. The column comprises external protrusions that vary a girth of the column. The protrusions are separated by valleys that reduce bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Stephanie A. George, Charles C. Kuyava, Sara E. Nelson, Randall P. Rowland
  • Publication number: 20110087068
    Abstract: An implantable pump with a plurality of protrusions and grooves is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, Randall P. Rowland, Gary A. Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 7918782
    Abstract: A prosthetic device comprises a column formed of resilient material and having a proximal end and a distal end. The prosthetic device comprises a bladder having a liquid cavity at the distal end. The bladder is inflatable and deflatable to increase and decrease a girth at the distal end of the prosthetic device. The prosthetic device comprises a liquid supply system that couples along the column to the bladder for selectively controlling liquid flow to the bladder to increase and decrease the girth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Stephanie A. George, Sara Elizabeth Nelson, Randall P. Rowland, Charles C. Kuyava
  • Patent number: 7914439
    Abstract: Pumps for use with inflatable implantable penile prostheses in accordance with the invention include features that can provide for free fluid flow during inflation and deflation modes of the pump. Pumps may also include a bypass chamber that is fluidly connected to the fluid passageway by a bypass input channel and a bypass output channel. The bypass chamber comprises a bypass check valve biased toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Gary A. Rocheleau, Greg J. Henkel
  • Patent number: 7874978
    Abstract: An implantable pump with a plurality of protrusions and grooves is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, Randall P. Rowland, Gary A. Rocheleau
  • Publication number: 20110015738
    Abstract: Embodiments of an inflatable medical implant system configured for implantation in a patient to treat a condition of the patient comprise a first fluid path, an inflatable implant, an electric pump, a controller, and an implantable power supply that provides electrical power to the pump. The inflatable implant is in fluid communication with the first fluid path and is configured to serve a medical purpose. The electric pump is in fluid communication with the first fluid path. The controller is electrically coupled to the pump and is configured to activate the pump to drive a flow of fluid through the first fluid path. In one embodiment, the inflatable implant comprises and inflatable cuff or a penile prosthesis. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of operating embodiments of the inflatable medical implant system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shay Moshe Vaingast, Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20100168509
    Abstract: An implantable penile prosthesis having a protective surface protecting an inflatable cylinder from damage caused by repeated contact with kink resistant tubing. The protective surface is fabricated of a low friction material to reduce abrasive damage caused by the kink resistant tubing repeatedly rubbing against the inflatable cylinder. The protective surface can have cushioning or force distributing qualities to reduce impact forces caused by the kink resistant tubing repeatedly impacting the inflatable cylinder. The protective surface can be adapted to expand and contract with the inflation or deflation of the inflatable cylinder such that the protective surface does not deform the inflatable cylinder nor does the protective surface separate from the inflatable cylinder as the inflatable cylinder changes in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20100160723
    Abstract: A delivery tool and related methods for transporting a pre-assembled implantable penile prosthesis to an operating room. The delivery tool includes at least a first cap with receptacles for receiving and retaining pre-connected components during transport to prevent shifting, tangling and/or damage to the pre-connected components. The receptacles can be adapted for receiving pre-connected components, tubing used to connect the components, as well as stand-alone components that are utilized during a surgical procedure. The delivery tool can include cushioning elements for protecting the pre-connected components from damage caused by shifting during transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20100160722
    Abstract: A penile prosthesis implantation device comprises a barrel having a bore, an obturator and a needle clamp. The obturator has a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end. The second end of the obturator is adapted for slidable insertion into the bore of the barrel. The needle clamp is coupled to the second end of the obturator and comprises first and second pinching surfaces that are separated by a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Gary Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 7681518
    Abstract: A method of depositing a coating to a surface of an inflatable component by providing a vacuum chamber system having an inner chamber positioned within an outer chamber. At least one coating material is introduced into at least one of the inner and outer chambers to deposit a coating onto an exposed surface of the component. This invention also provides methods of masking portions of surfaces of an inflatable component to prevent a coating from being deposited on the masked portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, John W. Westrum, Jr., Gary J. Nachreiner, Mona J. Inman
  • Publication number: 20100056859
    Abstract: Pumps for use with inflatable implantable penile prostheses in accordance with the invention include features that can provide for free fluid flow during inflation and deflation modes of the pump. Pumps may also include a bypass chamber that is fluidly connected to the fluid passageway by a bypass input channel and a bypass output channel. The bypass chamber comprises a bypass check valve biased toward a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Gary A. Rocheleau, Greg J. Henkel
  • Patent number: 7637861
    Abstract: Pumps for use with inflatable implantable penile prostheses in accordance with the invention include features that can provide for free fluid flow during inflation and deflation modes of the pump. Pumps may also include a bypass chamber that is fluidly connected to the fluid passageway by a bypass input channel and a bypass output channel. The bypass chamber comprises a bypass check valve biased toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Gary A. Rocheleau, Greg J. Henkel
  • Publication number: 20090287042
    Abstract: A pump and valve assembly for an implantable prosthesis is provided with an internal actuating bar positioned such that when any portion of the housing is compressed, the check valves within are opened allowing for deflation of the cylinders. The pump and valve assembly also includes a textured surface over a portion of the housing to allow for quick identification of the component, as well as to make it easier for the patient to grasp it. The valve assembly further comprising an actuating bar which has ribs to enhance the spring force applied to a flow valve, a support structure to support and appropriately position the actuating bar, and a check valve made of metal with a segment covered with a plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: John G. Almli, Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, Kevin R. Watts