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).

  • Publication number: 20090132043
    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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Stephanie A. George, Sara Elizabeth Nelson, Randall P. Rowland, Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20090132044
    Abstract: A prosthetic device including a column of resilient material that has a central region between the proximal and distal ends. The central region has a reduced diameter relative to the proximal and distal ends. Discs protrude from the central region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Stephanie A. George, Sara Elizabeth Nelson, Randall P. Rowland, Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20090131745
    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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Stephanie A. George, Sara Elizabeth Nelson, Randall P. Rowland, Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20090124851
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20090105530
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20090105818
    Abstract: A penile prosthetic device comprising a column formed of resilient material. The prosthetic device comprises multiple malleable cores arranged inside the column. The multiple malleable cores are spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephanie A. George, Sara Elizabeth Nelson, Randall P. Rowland, Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20090084447
    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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory J. Henkel, Larry E. Waldack, Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, John G. Almli
  • Patent number: 7438682
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the patient. The pump assembly has an actuating bar with 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. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the cylinders from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Henkel, Larry E. Waldack, Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, John G. Almli
  • Patent number: 7407482
    Abstract: Penile implant devices and methods are disclosed. A penile implant device in accordance with the present invention includes an implantable penile prosthesis pre-connected to a needle by a suture. The needle and suture may also be at least partially enclosed in a sheath or the like. In accordance with the present invention, a penile prosthesis is connected to a needle by a suture during a pre-operative storage period of the penile implant device. For example, the penile prosthesis may be connected to the needle during manufacture of the penile implant device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Publication number: 20080114202
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Gregory J. Henkel
  • Patent number: 7350538
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the user. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the pump assembly from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, John W. Westrum, Jr., David W. Clark
  • Patent number: 7344554
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical device or article that reduces the ability of the Keith needle to unintentionally fall out of the barrel, improves the ability of the Keith needle to track on axis, or both. In one aspect, the disclosure is directed toward a medical device suitable for use in implant surgery. The medical device includes a Furlow insertion tool with a barrel having a bore. The Furlow tool further includes an obturator adapted for slidable insertion into the bore. The medical device further includes a Keith needle adapted for slidable insertion into the bore. The Keith needle is adapted to yieldably fit against at least one of the barrel and the obturator when the Keith needle is disposed within the bore. In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed toward a Keith needle adapted for use with a Furlow insertion tool. The Furlow insertion tool including a barrel and an obturator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, James Taylor
  • Patent number: 7250026
    Abstract: A penile prosthesis is provided, which includes at least one cylinder, a reservoir, and a pump including a pump housing, at least one reservoir channel fluidly coupling the pump housing to the reservoir, at least one cylinder tube fluidly connecting the pump housing to the cylinders, and a fluid passageway fluidly coupled to the cylinder tube and a transfer chamber. The pump also includes a pump bulb fluidly connected to the fluid passageway between the bypass input channel and bypass output channel along the length of the fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Patent number: 7066877
    Abstract: A penile prosthesis beneficially includes components coated with parylene in order to increase product life and reduce wear. In particular, components of the inflatable cylinder benefits from having been coated with parylene. The parylene-coated cylinder components are resistant to wear generated by pinching of the cylinder when the cylinder is in a flaccid state. The parylene-coated cylinder may be formed by masking a tube of silicone (or other appropriate material) and vapor coating the silicone tube with parylene. Further, where a double walled cylinder is used, each of two tubes making up the double wall cylinder can have their surfaces coated with parylene, thus increasing cylinder life and avoiding wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Kuyava
  • Patent number: 7011622
    Abstract: This invention provides an artificial sphincter including a component coated on at least one contacting surface with a polymeric material, the polymeric coating adapted to expand and return to an original configuration and to prevent or inhibit wear or abrasion of the contacting surface. The polymeric material is parylene in some embodiments. The component adapted for inflation and deflation may be a cuff formed from silicon and adapted to surround a urethra or a rectum. Also provided by the present invention is 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: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, John W. Westrum, Jr., Gary J. Nachreiner, Mona J. Inman
  • Patent number: 6991601
    Abstract: An implantable pump with a plurality of protrusions and grooves is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, Randall P. Rowland, Gary A. Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 6935847
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the user. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the pump assembly from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, John W. Westrum, Jr., David W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20040220448
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the patient. The pump assembly has an actuating bar with 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. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the cylinders from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory J. Henkel, Larry E. Waldack, Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, John G. Almli
  • Publication number: 20040193005
    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: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: John G. Almli, Charles C. Kuyava, Randy L. Morningstar, Kevin R. Watts
  • Publication number: 20040167574
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical device or article that reduces the ability of the Keith needle to unintentionally fall out of the barrel, improves the ability of the Keith needle to track on axis, or both. In one aspect, the disclosure is directed toward a medical device suitable for use in implant surgery. The medical device includes a Furlow insertion tool with a barrel having a bore. The Furlow tool further includes an obturator adapted for slidable insertion into the bore. The medical device further includes a Keith needle adapted for slidable insertion into the bore. The Keith needle is adapted to yieldably fit against at least one of the barrel and the obturator when the Keith needle is disposed within the bore. In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed toward a Keith needle adapted for use with a Furlow insertion tool. The Furlow insertion tool including a barrel and an obturator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, James Taylor