Patents by Inventor Christopher Griffith
Christopher Griffith 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: 20150306421Abstract: A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: THERAGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: JACK C. WHITE, DAVID WESLEY STEPHENS, AMIT PRAKASH GOVIL, JOSHUA J. BERGMAN, NATHAN CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITH, KYLE KEVIN MILLAGE
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Patent number: 9050458Abstract: A point-of-care seed stranding device for automating assembly of brachytherapy seed strands for implantation in patients. The device includes a number of features to reduce the potential for mistakes by the user, as well as to reduce the potential for damaging the radioactive seeds during the stranding process. Tactile feedback may be provided to prevent exertion of too much force in the packing step of the stranding process, as well as to indicate that the seed and/or strand cartridges are empty and need to be replaced. The device may also include a mechanism for holding seeds or spacers in place to allow automated packing of seeds or spacers having corresponding geometries. The device may also be provided with a seed counter which can be employed to preset the number of seeds in a strand and which disables the device from dispensing or packing additional seeds once the preset number of seeds has been packed into the strand.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Theragenics CorporationInventors: David Schreiber, Jack C. White, David Wesley Stephens, Henry C. Goode, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Ming K. Tai
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Patent number: 8795311Abstract: A stoma dilator having a base dilator and a plurality of dilators coaxially disposed over the base dilator. The base dilator has a hub and an opening therethrough. Each of the plurality of dilators has a tapered distal end, a proximal end, and a tubular body, and are held in separated, telescoping position by a dilator positioner such that part of each distal end is exposed from beneath another dilator and is graspable for movement such that a smaller dilator does not become inaccessible inside of a larger dilator. The stoma dilator includes a hollow sheath positioned over an outermost dilator to hold open a tissue opening created by the plurality of dilators. The base dilator and the plurality of dilators may be removed while the sheath remains in a tissue opening. Another device may be inserted through the sheath, and the sheath may be peeled away therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Christopher Griffith, Donald J. McMichael
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Patent number: 8690746Abstract: A brachytherapy device for the provision of brachytherapy is disclosed. The brachytherapy device has at least one source lumen located outside a movable surface of the device. The source lumen may be secured to the movable outer surface in a manner whereby relative movement of the source lumen relative to the movable outer surface is permitted. The brachytherapy device is inserted into a body cavity. After insertion, the movable surface is moved to position the at least one source lumen closer to the tissue boundary of the cavity. One or more sources of radiation are then placed within the at least one source lumen to provide a customizable treatment. Also disclosed are methods for providing brachytherapy via body cavities.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Theragenics CorporationInventors: Jack C. White, David Wesley Stephens, Amit Prakash Govil, Joshua J. Bergman, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Kyle Kevin Millage
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Patent number: 8684899Abstract: A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Theragenics CorporationInventors: Jack C. White, David Wesley Stephens, Amit Prakash Govil, Joshua J. Bergman, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Kyle Kevin Millage
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Patent number: 8568284Abstract: A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Theragenics CorporationInventors: Jack C. White, David Wesley Stephens, Amit Prakash Govil, Joshua J. Bergman, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Kyle Kevin Millage
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Patent number: 8562504Abstract: A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Theragenics CorporationInventors: Jack C. White, David Wesley Stephens, Amit Prakash Govil, Joshua J. Bergman, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Kyle Kevin Millage
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Publication number: 20130225902Abstract: A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: THERAGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: JACK C. WHITE, DAVID WESLEY STEPHENS, AMIT PRAKASH GOVIL, JOSHUA J. BERGMAN, NATHAN CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITH, KYLE KEVIN MILLAGE
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Patent number: 8398534Abstract: A brachytherapy device including an elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device also includes a movable surface portion surrounding at least the distal portion of the elongate member and a plurality of source lumen tubes defining respective source lumens, the source lumen tubes being located around the elongate member, distal ends of the source lumen tubes coupled to the distal portion of the elongate member, the source lumen tubes extending a sufficient distance in a proximal direction such that the source lumen tubes extend outside a body when distal portions of the source lumen tubes are positioned in a body cavity for brachytherapy.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Theragenics CorporationInventors: Jack C. White, David Wesley Stephens, Amit Prakash Govil, Joshua J. Bergman, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Kyle Kevin Millage
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Patent number: 8382772Abstract: A gastropexy kit includes a plurality of safety needle assemblies. Each safety needle assembly includes a needle and a stylus. A fastener is positioned in a distal end of the needle. The fastener is coupled to one end of the suture and a suture retention hub is coupled to an opposite end of the suture. The fastener is deployed in a patient's stomach via the needle and stylus which has a blunt distal end which extends through the needle to push the fastener out of the needle and to blunt the needle. The suture retention hub is positioned on a patient's skin and adjustably tensions the suture, which, desirably, is a resorbable suture.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: John Anthony Rotella, Donald Jay McMichael, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Thomas Gregory Estes
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Patent number: 8360951Abstract: A point-of-care seed stranding device for automating assembly of brachytherapy seed strands for implantation in patients. The device includes a number of features to reduce the potential for mistakes by the user, as well as to reduce the potential for damaging the radioactive seeds during the stranding process. Tactile feedback may be provided to prevent exertion of too much force in the packing step of the stranding process, as well as to indicate that the seed and/or strand cartridges are empty and need to be replaced. The device may also include a mechanism for holding seeds or spacers in place to allow automated packing of seeds or spacers having corresponding geometries. The device may also be provided with a seed counter which can be employed to preset the number of seeds in a strand and which disables the device from dispensing or packing additional seeds once the preset number of seeds has been packed into the strand.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Theragenics CorporationInventors: David Schreiber, Jack C. White, David Wesley Stephens, Henry C. Goode, Jr., Nathan Christopher Griffith, Ming K. Tai
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Publication number: 20120203251Abstract: A gastropexy kit includes a plurality of safety needle assemblies. Each safety needle assembly includes a needle and a stylus. A fastener is positioned in a distal end of the needle. The fastener is coupled to one end of the suture and a suture retention hub is coupled to an opposite end of the suture. The fastener is deployed in a patient's stomach via the needle and stylus which has a blunt distal end which extends through the needle to push the fastener out of the needle and to blunt the needle. The suture retention hub is positioned on a patient's skin and adjustably tensions the suture, which, desirably, is a resorbable suture.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: John Anthony Rotella, Donald Jay McMichael, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Thomas Gregory Estes
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Patent number: 8211136Abstract: A stoma dilator is provided which has a base dilator and a plurality of dilators which are coaxially disposed over the base dilator. The base dilator has a hub and an opening therethrough. The base dilator is configured to be positioned over a wire into a patient's tissue. Each of the plurality of dilators has a tapered distal end, a proximal end, and a tubular body, and are held in separated, telescoping position by the dilator positioner such that a portion of each distal end is exposed from beneath another dilator and is graspable by a health care practitioner for movement such that a smaller diameter dilator does not become inaccessible inside of a larger diameter dilator. The stoma dilator may include a hollow sheath positioned over an outermost dilator. The sheath is configured to hold open a tissue opening created by the plurality of dilators. The base dilator and the plurality of dilators may be removed while the sheath remains in a tissue opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Christopher Griffith, Donald Jay McMichael
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Patent number: 8157816Abstract: A gastropexy kit includes a plurality of safety needle assemblies. Each safety needle assembly includes a needle and a stylus. A fastener is positioned in a distal end of the needle. The fastener is coupled to one end of the suture and a suture retention hub is coupled to an opposite end of the suture. The fastener is deployed in a patient's stomach via the needle and stylus which has a blunt distal end which extends through the needle to push the fastener out of the needle and to blunt the needle. The suture retention hub is positioned on a patient's skin and adjustably tensions the suture, which, desirably, is a resorbable suture.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: John Anthony Rotella, Donald Jay McMichael, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Thomas Gregory Estes
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Patent number: 7867253Abstract: A suture retention hub is provided. It includes a base configured to moveably hold a handle within at least a portion of the base. The base has an aperture which extends through the base. The hub also includes a handle configured to moveably fit into the portion of the base. The handle has an aperture formed therethough as well. When a suture is positioned in the apertures and the base and handle are positioned such that the apertures are substantially in an axial alignment, the suture moves readily through the apertures in the hub. Then the base and handle are positioned such that the apertures are not in a substantial axial alignment, the suture is frictionally crimped and it is prevented from moving through the hub.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Donald Jay McMichael, John Anthony Rotella, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Thomas Gregory Estes
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Publication number: 20100222628Abstract: A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: THERAGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: JACK C. WHITE, DAVID WESLEY STEPHENS, AMIT PRAKASH GOVIL, JOSHUA J. BERGMAN, NATHAN CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITH, KYLE KEVIN MILLAGE
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Publication number: 20100152519Abstract: A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: THERAGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: JACK C. WHITE, DAVID WESLEY STEPHENS, AMIT PRAKASH GOVIL, JOSHUA J. BERGMAN, NATHAN CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITH, KYLE KEVIN MILLAGE
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Publication number: 20100130807Abstract: A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: THERAGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: JACK C. WHITE, DAVID WESLEY STEPHENS, AMIT PRAKASH GOVIL, JOSHUA J. BERGMAN, NATHAN CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITH, KYLE KEVIN MILLAGE
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Publication number: 20100121129Abstract: A brachytherapy device including an elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device also includes a movable surface portion surrounding at least the distal portion of the elongate member and a plurality of source lumen tubes defining respective source lumens, the source lumen tubes being located around the elongate member, distal ends of the source lumen tubes coupled to the distal portion of the elongate member, the source lumen tubes extending a sufficient distance in a proximal direction such that the source lumen tubes extend outside a body when distal portions of the source lumen tubes are positioned in a body cavity for brachytherapy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: THERAGENICS CORPORATIONInventors: JACK C. WHITE, DAVID WESLEY STEPHENS, AMIT PRAKASH GOVIL, JOSHUA J. BERGMAN, NATHAN CHRISTOPHER GRIFFITH, KYLE KEVIN MILLAGE
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Patent number: 7662082Abstract: A brachytherapy device for the provision of brachytherapy is disclosed. The brachytherapy device has at least one source lumen located outside a movable surface of the device. The source lumen may be secured to the movable outer surface in a manner whereby relative movement of the source lumen relative to the movable outer surface is permitted. The brachytherapy device is inserted into a body cavity. After insertion, the movable surface is moved to position the at least one source lumen closer to the tissue boundary of the cavity. One or more sources of radiation are then placed within the at least one source lumen to provide a customizable treatment. Also disclosed are methods for providing brachytherapy via body cavities.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Theragenics CorporationInventors: Jack C. White, David Wesley Stephens, Amit Prakash Govil, Joshua J. Bergman, Nathan Christopher Griffith, Kyle Kevin Millage