Patents by Inventor Clifton A. Alferness
Clifton A. Alferness 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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Patent number: 11771449Abstract: A system for breaking obstructions in body lumens includes a catheter including an elongated carrier, a balloon about the carrier in sealed relation thereto, the balloon being arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon, and an arc generator including at least one electrode within the balloon that forms a mechanical shock wave within the balloon. The system further includes a power source that provides electrical energy to the arc generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: John M. Adams, Daniel Hawkins, Clifton A. Alferness
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Publication number: 20220387039Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for driving a needle to facilitate suturing, such as may be performed in a surgical anastomosis procedure. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame. First and second rollers are rotatably mounted parallel with each other in the frame and are configured to engage therebetween a shaft of a needle formed in a helical shape. The first and second rollers are configured to counter-rotate. The needle is revolvable eccentrically around the first roller responsive to counter-rotation of the first and second rollers. A drive mechanism is secured to the frame and is configured to move the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Adam Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, David R. Seward, Chenhao Fu, Ilia Timonin, Blake Stancik, Amanda Kay Woodcock, David A. Desmarais, Donald C. Baumgarten, Paul T. Hinrichs, Thomas H. Ruscher
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Patent number: 11439397Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for driving a needle to facilitate suturing, such as may be performed in a surgical anastomosis procedure. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame. First and second rollers are rotatably mounted parallel with each other in the frame and are configured to engage therebetween a shaft of a needle formed in a helical shape. The first and second rollers are configured to counter-rotate. The needle is revolvable eccentrically around the first roller responsive to counter-rotation of the first and second rollers. A drive mechanism is secured to the frame and is configured to move the frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, David R. Seward, Chenhao Fu, Ilia Timonin, Blake R. Stancik, Amanda Kay Woodcock, David A. Desmarais, Donald C. Baumgarten, Paul T. Hinrichs, Thomas H. Ruscher
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Publication number: 20220022874Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to engage a first external surface of a receiving passage adjacent a first opening in the receiving passage in order to create a receiving flange presenting a first interior face. A donor support mechanism is configured to support a donor passage with an opening in an end in an everted position that forms a donor flange presenting a second interior face. The donor support mechanism is further configured to present the second interior face of the donor flange against the first interior face of the receiving flange to present a passage juncture. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a helical path around the passage juncture to suture the second interior face of the donor passage to the first interior face of the receiving passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, Clinton L. Finger
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Publication number: 20210378673Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening of a receiving passage and further configured to leave a proximal portion of the opening of the receiving passage in a non-everted position. A donor support mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening at an end of a donor passage and further configured to leave a first proximal portion of the end of the donor passage in a non-everted position. The donor support mechanism is further configured to form a passage juncture at the end of the donor passage and the opening of the receiving passage. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a generally helical path around the passage juncture to suture the donor passage to the receiving passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, Clinton L. Finger, David R. Seward
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Publication number: 20210338230Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: EndoGastric Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Steve G. Baker, Brett J. Carter, Stefan J.M. Kraemer, Clifton A. Alferness, John M. Adams
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Patent number: 11141161Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to engage a first external surface of a receiving passage adjacent a first opening in the receiving passage in order to create a receiving flange presenting a first interior face. A donor support mechanism is configured to support a donor passage with an opening in an end in an everted position that forms a donor flange presenting a second interior face. The donor support mechanism is further configured to present the second interior face of the donor flange against the first interior face of the receiving flange to present a passage juncture. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a helical path around the passage juncture to suture the second interior face of the donor passage to the first interior face of the receiving passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, Clinton L. Finger
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Publication number: 20210282792Abstract: A system for breaking obstructions in body lumens includes a catheter including an elongated carrier, a balloon about the carrier in sealed relation thereto, the balloon being arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon, and an arc generator including at least one electrode within the balloon that forms a mechanical shock wave within the balloon. The system further includes a power source that provides electrical energy to the arc generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: John M. ADAMS, Daniel HAWKINS, Clifton A. ALFERNESS
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Patent number: 11116506Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening of a receiving passage and further configured to leave a proximal portion of the opening of the receiving passage in a non-everted position. A donor support mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening at an end of a donor passage and further configured to leave a first proximal portion of the end of the donor passage in a non-everted position. The donor support mechanism is further configured to form a passage juncture at the end of the donor passage and the opening of the receiving passage. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a generally helical path around the passage juncture to suture the donor passage to the receiving passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, Clinton L. Finger, David R. Seward
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Patent number: 11090037Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: EndoGastric Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Steve G. Baker, Brett J. Carter, Stefan J. M. Kraemer, Clifton A. Alferness, John M. Adams
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Patent number: 11033271Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a first connector configured to engage an opening of a donor passage. A second connector is configured to engage an opening in a receiving passage. A separator is configured to support the first connector and the second connector and to fix relative positions of the end of the donor passage to edges of the opening in a receiving passage across a gap. The separator is configured to maintain the gap between the first connector and the second connector while multiple loops of a suture are passed through the edge of the opening in the donor passage and the edges of the opening in the receiving passage. The first connector, the second connector, and the separator are further configured to be removed from between adjacent loops of the multiple loops of the suture.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, Clinton L. Finger, David R. Seward
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Patent number: 10959743Abstract: A system for breaking obstructions in body lumens includes a catheter including an elongated carrier, a balloon about the carrier in sealed relation thereto, the balloon being arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon, and an arc generator including at least one electrode within the balloon that forms a mechanical shock wave within the balloon. The system further includes a power source that provides electrical energy to the arc generator.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: John M. Adams, Daniel Hawkins, Clifton A. Alferness
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Publication number: 20200305876Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for driving a needle to facilitate suturing, such as may be performed in a surgical anastomosis procedure. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame. First and second rollers are rotatably mounted parallel with each other in the frame and are configured to engage therebetween a shaft of a needle formed in a helical shape. The first and second rollers are configured to counter-rotate. The needle is revolvable eccentrically around the first roller responsive to counter-rotation of the first and second rollers. A drive mechanism is secured to the frame and is configured to move the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Spiration, Inc., d/b/a Olympus Respiratory AmericaInventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, David R. Seward, Chenhao Fu, Ilia Timonin, Blake R. Stancik, Amanda Kay Woodcock, David A. Desmarais, Donald C. Baumgarten, Paul T. Hinrichs, Thomas H. Ruscher
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Publication number: 20200305875Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a first connector configured to engage an opening of a donor passage. A second connector is configured to engage an opening in a receiving passage. A separator is configured to support the first connector and the second connector and to fix relative positions of the end of the donor passage to edges of the opening in a receiving passage across a gap. The separator is configured to maintain the gap between the first connector and the second connector while multiple loops of a suture are passed through the edge of the opening in the donor passage and the edges of the opening in the receiving passage. The first connector, the second connector, and the separator are further configured to be removed from between adjacent loops of the multiple loops of the suture.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Spiration, Inc., d/b/a Olympus Respiratory AmericaInventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, Clinton L. Finger, David R. Seward
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Patent number: 10702293Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating calcified lesions within a wall of a blood vessel. The first step includes breaking apart a calcified lesion using a plurality of shockwaves generated in an angioplasty balloon of an angioplasty catheter device. The angioplasty balloon is dilated via a fluid to a first extent to fit against at least a portion of the wall of the blood vessel. A plurality of electrical pulses are delivered to a pair of electrodes disposed within the fluid inside the balloon. The electrical pulses have an amplitude sufficient to create plasma arcs in the fluid to generate shockwaves that are conducted through the fluid and through the balloon to the blood vessel, to crack the calcified lesion. After breaking apart the calcified lesion, the angioplasty balloon is allowed to further expand to a second extent greater than the first extent, thereby expanding an opening in the blood vessel.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Shockwave Medical, Inc.Inventors: John M. Adams, Daniel Hawkins, Clifton A. Alferness
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Publication number: 20190365400Abstract: A two-stage method is disclosed for treating calcified lesions within a wall of a blood vessel. The first step includes breaking apart a calcified lesion using a plurality of shockwaves generated in an angioplasty balloon of an angioplasty catheter device. The angioplasty balloon is dilated via a fluid to a first extent to fit against at least a portion of the wall of the blood vessel. A plurality of electrical pulses are delivered to a pair of electrodes disposed within the fluid inside the balloon. The electrical pulses have an amplitude sufficient to create plasma arcs in the fluid to generate shockwaves that are conducted through the fluid and through the balloon to the blood vessel, to crack the calcified lesion. After breaking apart the calcified lesion, the angioplasty balloon is allowed to further expand to a second extent greater than the first extent, thereby reshaping an opening in the blood vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: Shockwave Medical, Inc.Inventors: John M. ADAMS, Daniel HAWKINS, Clifton A. ALFERNESS
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Publication number: 20190343527Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening of a receiving passage and further configured to leave a proximal portion of the opening of the receiving passage in a non-everted position. A donor support mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening at an end of a donor passage and further configured to leave a first proximal portion of the end of the donor passage in a non-everted position. The donor support mechanism is further configured to form a passage juncture at the end of the donor passage and the opening of the receiving passage. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a generally helical path around the passage juncture to suture the donor passage to the receiving passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: Spiration, Inc., d/b/a Olympus Respiratory AmericaInventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, Clinton L. Finger, David R. Seward
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Publication number: 20190343529Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to engage a first external surface of a receiving passage adjacent a first opening in the receiving passage in order to create a receiving flange presenting a first interior face. A donor support mechanism is configured to support a donor passage with an opening in an end in an everted position that forms a donor flange presenting a second interior face. The donor support mechanism is further configured to present the second interior face of the donor flange against the first interior face of the receiving flange to present a passage juncture. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a helical path around the passage juncture to suture the second interior face of the donor passage to the first interior face of the receiving passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: Spiration, Inc., d/b/a Olympus Respiratory AmericaInventors: Adam Lee Smith, Clifton A. Alferness, Gina M. Muia-Longman, Clinton L. Finger
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Publication number: 20190021720Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicant: EndoGastric Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Steve G. Baker, Brett J. Carter, Stefan J.M. Kraemer, Clifton A. Alferness, John M. Adams
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Publication number: 20180317946Abstract: A system for breaking obstructions in body lumens includes a catheter including an elongated carrier, a balloon about the carrier in sealed relation thereto, the balloon being arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon, and an arc generator including at least one electrode within the balloon that forms a mechanical shock wave within the balloon. The system further includes a power source that provides electrical energy to the arc generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Applicant: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: John M. ADAMS, Daniel HAWKINS, Clifton A. ALFERNESS