Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Danek

Christopher J. Danek 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: 8888801
    Abstract: The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and methods relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. In some variations, the devices comprise a catheter body, a cutter assembly, a drive mechanism, a torque shaft, and a deflecting mechanism. The deflecting mechanism may be slidable within the catheter body to point the cutter assembly toward a side of a body lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: AtheroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: John To, Christopher J Danek
  • Publication number: 20140330332
    Abstract: Control systems and methods for delivery of energy that may include control algorithms that prevent energy delivery if a fault is detected and may provide energy delivery to produce a substantially constant temperature at a delivery site. In some embodiments, the control systems and methods may be used to control the delivery of energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to body tissue, such as lung tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher J. DANEK, William WIZEMAN, Timothy R. DALBEC, Gary KAPLAN
  • Patent number: 8828945
    Abstract: Treatment and procedures for treating bodily conduits involves deactivating, killing, or otherwise treating smooth muscle tissue of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Laufer, David C. Auth, Christopher J. Danek, William J. Wizeman, Gary S. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 8795306
    Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for performing atherectomies. Generally, the atherectomy devices include a handle, a cutter assembly, and a catheter or catheter assembly therebetween. The cutter assembly includes a cutter housing and a cutter having a first cutting element and a second cutting element, each of which can be rotated relative to the atherectomy device to cut occlusive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: AtheroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Torrey Smith, Douglas E. Rowe, August Christopher Pombo, Paul Quentin Escudero, Christopher J. Danek, John T. To
  • Publication number: 20140148635
    Abstract: This relates to treating airways in a lung to decrease asthmatic symptoms. The also includes steps of measuring a parameter of an airway at a plurality of locations in a lung, identifying at least one treatment site from at least one of the plurality of locations based on the parameter, and applying energy to the treatment site to reduce the ability of the site to narrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. DANEK, Michael BIGGS, Bryan E. LOOMAS, Michael D. LAUFER, Gary S. KAPLAN, Kelly M. SHRINER, William J. WIZEMAN
  • Patent number: 8733367
    Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan E. Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly M. Shriner
  • Publication number: 20140114378
    Abstract: A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. DANEK, Bryan E. LOOMAS, Thomas M. KEAST, Michael D. LAUFER
  • Publication number: 20140107680
    Abstract: The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: AtheroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Q. ESCUDERO, John TO, Christopher J. DANEK
  • Publication number: 20140058423
    Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for performing atherectomies. Generally, the atherectomy devices may comprise a handle, a cutter assembly, and a catheter or catheter assembly therebetween. The cutter assembly may include a cutter housing and a cutter comprising a first cutting element and a second cutting element, each of which may be rotated relative to the atherectomy device to cut occlusive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: AtheroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Torrey SMITH, Douglas E. Rowe, August Christopher Pombo, Paul Quentin Escudero, Christopher J. Danek, John T. To
  • Publication number: 20140046319
    Abstract: A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan E. Loomas, Thomas M. Keast, Michael D. Laufer
  • Patent number: 8647355
    Abstract: The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: AtheroMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Q. Escudero, John To, Christopher J. Danek
  • Patent number: 8640711
    Abstract: A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan E. Loomas, Thomas M. Keast, Michael D. Laufer
  • Publication number: 20140025063
    Abstract: This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary KAPLAN, Christopher J. DANEK, William WIZEMAN, Timothy R. DALBEC, Noah D. WEBSTER, Huy D. PHAN
  • Publication number: 20140018790
    Abstract: A method of treating an airway includes inserting a treatment device into the airway, wherein the treatment device includes an energy delivery element configured to deliver energy to tissue of the airway, advancing the treatment device to a treatment location in the airway, activating the energy delivery element to deliver energy to tissue at the treatment location, and cooling tissue near the treatment location simultaneously with the activating step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. KAPLAN, Christopher J. DANEK, William J. Wizeman, Timothy R. DALBEC, Noah WEBSTER, Huy PHAN
  • Publication number: 20140018789
    Abstract: A method for treating a subject includes positioning an intraluminal device at a treatment location in an airway of the subject, and delivering energy from an electrode of the intraluminal device to nerve tissue extending along the airway so as to permanently damage the nerve tissue while cooling airway tissue disposed radially between the electrode and the nerve tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. KAPLAN, Christopher J. DANEK, William J. WIZEMAN, Timothy R. DALBEC, Noah WEBSTER, Huy PHAN
  • Patent number: 8584681
    Abstract: A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan E. Loomas, Thomas M. Keast, Michael D. Laufer
  • Publication number: 20130253492
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a method for decreasing resistance to airflow within a bronchial tree of a subject. The method may include the step of moving an intraluminal device along a lumen of an airway of a bronchial tree, where the intraluminal device includes an expandable member and an energy emitter. The method also may include damaging nerves along the airway using the intraluminal device without destroying an inner surface of an airway wall disposed radially between the intraluminal device and the nerves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher J. DANEK, Bryan E. LOOMAS, Thomas M. KEAST, Michael D. LAUFER
  • Publication number: 20130253623
    Abstract: This relates to treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, to exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in human lungs. This exchange of energy reduces the ability of the airways to constrict, reduces the resistance within the airway to the flow of air through the airway, reduces mucus plugging of the airways, and/or increases the airway diameter. This energy exchange also may reduce the ability of the lung to produce at least one of the symptoms of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. DANEK, Michael BIGGS, Keith M. BURGER, Bryan LOOMAS, Thomas KEAST, Dave HAUGAARD
  • Patent number: 8534291
    Abstract: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary Kaplan, Kelly Shriner
  • Publication number: 20130226167
    Abstract: This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. KAPLAN, Christopher J. DANEK, William J. WIZEMAN, Timothy R. DALBEC, Noah WEBSTER, Huy PHAN