Patents by Inventor Charles Limb

Charles Limb 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: 20250208395
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for facilitating access and procedures in the outer, middle, and inner ear in order to diagnose or treat ear disorders including, but not limited to hearing loss and excessive ear wax. In some examples, the systems and methods include instruments and techniques that facilitate trans-tympanic membrane or trans-fibrous ring access to the middle ear. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2025
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Vrad Levering
  • Patent number: 12270978
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for facilitating access and procedures in the outer, middle, and inner ear in order to diagnose or treat ear disorders including, but not limited to hearing loss and excessive ear wax. In some examples, the systems and methods include instruments and techniques that facilitate trans-tympanic membrane or trans-fibrous ring access to the middle ear. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Spiral Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Vrad Levering
  • Publication number: 20250067966
    Abstract: Intra-tympanic injections of therapeutics into the inner ear can be used to treat conditions such as hearing loss. One or more stabilizing devices that define working channels can be temporarily implanted in the tympanic membrane. Purpose-built instruments such as endoscopes, forceps, and injections instruments can be passed through the working channels of the stabilizer devices to access the inner ear where the therapy can be administered. Afterwards, the stabilizing devices can be removed from the tympanic membrane and the tympanic membrane can heal, typically without the need for sutures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Hugo Peris, Nikhil Talreja, Andrew Ayoob
  • Patent number: 12164095
    Abstract: Intra-tympanic injections of therapeutics into the inner ear can be used to treat conditions such as hearing loss. One or more stabilizing devices that define working channels can be temporarily implanted in the tympanic membrane. Purpose-built instruments such as endoscopes, forceps, and injections instruments can be passed through the working channels of the stabilizer devices to access the inner ear where the therapy can be administered. Afterwards, the stabilizing devices can be removed from the tympanic membrane and the tympanic membrane can heal, typically without the need for sutures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Spiral Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Hugo Peris, Nikhil Talreja, Andrew Ayoob
  • Patent number: 12138436
    Abstract: A system for delivering one or more therapeutics to a region of the ear, the region being internal to a tympanic membrane. The system includes a canal guide configured to be inserted within and fittingly engaged with walls of the ear canal and needle assembly having a flexible shaft sized to extend through the canal guide. The canal guide provides alignment of the needle assembly within the ear canal relative to the tympanic membrane. The canal guide includes a viewing lumen extending between a proximal end to a distal-most end of the canal guide and is sized to remain external to the tympanic membrane. The canal guide includes a guide lumen extending to a distal opening near the distal-most end of the canal guide. The guide lumen curves from a first axis to a second axis. Related devices, systems, and methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Spiral Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Sacherman, Andrew Ayoob, Signe Erickson, Hugo Peris, Charles Limb, Eugene De Juan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230258915
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for trans-tympanic membrane access to the middle ear for delivery of a therapeutic agent, for example, to the round window niche adjacent to the cochlea under direct visualization. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility and visualization for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Hugo Peris, Andrew Ayoob, Vrad Levering
  • Patent number: 11662561
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for trans-tympanic membrane access to the middle ear for delivery of a therapeutic agent, for example, to the round window niche adjacent to the cochlea under direct visualization. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility and visualization for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Spiral Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Hugo Peris, Andrew Ayoob, Vrad Levering
  • Patent number: 11467386
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for trans-tympanic membrane access to the middle ear for delivery of a therapeutic agent, for example, to the round window niche adjacent to the cochlea under direct visualization. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility and visualization for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Spiral Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Hugo Peris, Andrew Ayoob, Vrad Levering
  • Publication number: 20220221700
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for trans-tympanic membrane access to the middle ear for delivery of a therapeutic agent, for example, to the round window niche adjacent to the cochlea under direct visualization. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility and visualization for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Hugo Peris, Andrew Ayoob, Vrad Levering
  • Publication number: 20220126028
    Abstract: A system for delivering one or more therapeutics to a region of the ear, the region being internal to a tympanic membrane. The system includes a canal guide configured to be inserted within and fittingly engaged with walls of the ear canal and needle assembly having a flexible shaft sized to extend through the canal guide. The canal guide provides alignment of the needle assembly within the ear canal relative to the tympanic membrane. The canal guide includes a viewing lumen extending between a proximal end to a distal-most end of the canal guide and is sized to remain external to the tympanic membrane. The canal guide includes a guide lumen extending to a distal opening near the distal-most end of the canal guide. The guide lumen curves from a first axis to a second axis. Related devices, systems, and methods are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin W. SACHERMAN, Andrew AYOOB, Signe ERICKSON, Hugo PERIS, Charles LIMB, Eugene DE JUAN, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210228849
    Abstract: Intra-tympanic injections of therapeutics into the inner ear can be used to treat conditions such as hearing loss. One or more stabilizing devices that define working channels can be temporarily implanted in the tympanic membrane. Purpose-built instruments such as endoscopes, forceps, and injections instruments can be passed through the working channels of the stabilizer devices to access the inner ear where the therapy can be administered. Afterwards, the stabilizing devices can be removed from the tympanic membrane and the tympanic membrane can heal, typically without the need for sutures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Hugo Peris, Nikhil Talreja, Andrew Ayoob
  • Publication number: 20210228411
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for facilitating access and procedures in the outer, middle, and inner ear in order to diagnose or treat ear disorders including, but not limited to hearing loss and excessive ear wax. In some examples, the systems and methods include instruments and techniques that facilitate trans-tympanic membrane or trans-fibrous ring access to the middle ear. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Vrad Levering
  • Publication number: 20210228237
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for trans-tympanic membrane access to the middle ear for delivery of a therapeutic agent, for example, to the round window niche adjacent to the cochlea under direct visualization. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility and visualization for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Eugene de Juan, Signe Erickson, Charles Limb, Hugo Peris, Andrew Ayoob, Vrad Levering