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).

  • Publication number: 20130211402
    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: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ASTHMATX, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. DANEK, Michael BIGGS, Bryan E. LOOMAS, Michael D. LAUFER, Gary KAPLAN, Kelly M. SHRINER
  • Patent number: 8480667
    Abstract: This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device under conditions in which an access path and the subject anatomy are not aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Kaplan, Christopher J. Danek, William J. Wizeman, Tim R. Dalbec
  • Patent number: 8464723
    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: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan E. Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary S. Kaplan, Kelly Shriner, William J. Wizeman
  • Publication number: 20130035747
    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: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher J. DANEK, Michael Biggs, Bryan E. Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary S. Kaplan, Kelly M. Shriner, William J. Wizeman
  • Publication number: 20130023873
    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: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, William J. Wizeman, Tim R. Dalbec, Gary S. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 8337516
    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. The devices may include a catheter and a cutter assembly, where the cutter assembly has a distal cutter and a proximal cutter. The devices may also include a drive mechanism, a torque shaft, a deflecting mechanism and a torque control mechanism. The torque control mechanism may sweep the cutter assembly when the cutter assembly is deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Atheromed, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Q Escudero, John To, Christopher J Danek
  • Publication number: 20120323235
    Abstract: Methods of increasing gas exchange performed by the lung by damaging lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and/or destroying airway smooth muscle tone with an apparatus inserted into an airway of the lung are disclosed. The damaging of lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and/or destroying smooth muscle tone with the apparatus may be accomplished via any one of or combinations of the following: heating the airway; cooling the airway; delivering a liquid to the airway; delivering a gas to the airway; puncturing the airway; tearing the airway; cutting the airway; applying ultrasound to the airway; and applying ionizing radiation to the airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher J. DANEK, Bryan LOOMAS, Thomas KEAST, Michael D. LAUFER
  • Patent number: 8298224
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, William J. Wizeman, Tim R. Dalbec, Gary S. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 8292882
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, William J. Wizeman, Tim R. Dalbec, Gary S. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 8267094
    Abstract: Methods of increasing gas exchange performed by the lung by damaging lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and/or destroying airway smooth muscle tone with an apparatus inserted into an airway of the lung. The damaging of lung cells, damaging tissue, causing trauma, and destroying airway smooth muscle tone with the apparatus may be any one of or combinations of the following: heating the airway; cooling the airway; delivering a liquid to the airway; delivering a gas to the airway; puncturing the airway; tearing the airway; cutting the airway; applying ultrasound to the airway; and applying ionizing radiation to the airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan E. Loomas, Thomas M. Keast, Michael D. Laufer
  • Patent number: 8251070
    Abstract: This relates to a method of treating airways in a lung to decrease asthmatic symptoms. The method 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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: 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: 8181656
    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: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Michael Biggs, Bryan E. Loomas, Michael D. Laufer, Gary S. Kaplan, Kelly M. Shriner
  • Patent number: 8161978
    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: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan E. Loomas, Thomas M. Keast, Michael D. Laufer
  • Publication number: 20110196288
    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 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Kaplan, Christopher J. Danek, William J. Wizeman, Timothy R. Dalbec, Noah Webster, Huy Phan
  • Publication number: 20110184330
    Abstract: Treatment and procedures for treating bodily conduits involves deactivating, killing, or otherwise treating smooth muscle tissue of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. LAUFER, David C. AUTH, Christopher J. DANEK, William J. WIZEMAN, Gary S. KAPLAN
  • Publication number: 20110172655
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors which are rest after energy deliver has begun. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature. The PID controller determines a new power set point base on an error between a preset temperature and the measured temperature. The algorithm can be Pi+1=Pi+G(?ei+?ei?1+?ei?2) where ?, ? and ? are preset values and ? is from 1 to 2; ? is from ?1 to ?2; and ? is from ?0.5 to 0.5. In another variation, the controller is configured to shut down if various measured parameters are exceeded such as, for example, energy, impedance, temperature, temperature differences, activation time and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Biggs, Roger A. Stern, Christopher J. Danek
  • Patent number: 7949407
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Kaplan, Christopher J. Danek, William J. Wizeman, Timothy R. Dalbec, Noah Webster, Huy Phan
  • Patent number: 7938123
    Abstract: A method for decreasing responsiveness or decreasing resistance to airflow of airways involves the transfer of energy to or from the airway walls to prevent or reduce airway constriction and other symptoms of lung diseases. The treatment reduces the ability of the airways to contract during an acute narrowing of the airways, reduces mucus plugging of the airways, and/or increases the airway diameter. The methods according to the present invention provide a longer duration and/or more effective treatment for lung diseases than currently used drug treatments, and obviate patient compliance issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan E. Loomas, Thomas M. Keast, Michael D. Laufer
  • Patent number: 7921855
    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 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan E. Loomas, Thomas M. Keast, Michael D. Laufer
  • Publication number: 20110079230
    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: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Asthmatx, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Danek, Bryan Loomas, Thomas Keast, Michael D. Laufer