Patents by Inventor Craig Ball

Craig Ball 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: 20070249997
    Abstract: Two renal delivery members have two distal ports that are adapted to be positioned within two renal arteries via their corresponding renal ostia at unique locations along an abdominal aortic wall. A proximal coupler assembly is outside the body and is coupled to deliver material to the two distal ports for bi-lateral renal therapy. One or both of the delivery members may be self-cannulating into the corresponding renal ostium, or may be controllably steered into the respective ostium. Non-occlusive anchors may be coupled with one or both of the delivery members at anchoring positions in the renal artery or abdominal aorta to secure the renal delivery member within the renal artery. Renal-active fluid agents are coupled to the bi-lateral delivery system. Another renal therapy system cannulates a renal vein from the vena cava and controls a retrograde delivery of agents to the respective kidney.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Goodson, Jeffrey Elkins, Samir Patel, Aurelio Valencia, Ricardo Aboytes, Craig Ball, Randy Kesten, Andrew Kramer, Sam Payne, Sophia Pesotchinsky, Michael Rosenthal
  • Publication number: 20070213686
    Abstract: An apparatus and method particularly useful in treatments and therapies directed at the kidneys such as the prevention of radiocontrast nephropathy (RCN) arising from diagnostic procedures using iodinated contrast materials. A series of treatment schemes are provided based upon local therapeutic agent delivery to the kidneys that can be used as a prophylactic treatment for patients undergoing interventional procedures that have been identified as being at an elevated risk for developing RCN as well as for low risk patients. The methods may include pre-exposure and post contrast exposure treatments alone or in combination with the local delivery of therapeutic agents to the kidneys. Among the agents identified for such treatments are normal saline and the vasodilators papaverine and fenoldopam mesylate and appropriate dosing is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Vandana Mathur, Craig Ball, Jeffrey Elkins, Harry Goodson, Samir Patel
  • Publication number: 20070167913
    Abstract: A system for delivering a renal treatment and a peripheral treatment includes a renal catheter, a peripheral catheter, and an introducer sheath having first and second lumens. The first lumen is configured to receive the renal catheter and is sized to extend from a patient insertion site to a femoral or iliac artery location near or distal to a patient aortic branch. The second lumen is configured to receive the peripheral catheter and is sized to extend from the patient insertion site to an opposite femoral or iliac artery location near or distal to the patient aortic branch. A method of delivering a renal treatment and a peripheral treatment includes positioning an introducer sheath in an iliac artery, advancing a renal catheter and a peripheral catheter through the introducer sheath, where the renal catheter is separated from the peripheral catheter within the introducer sheath by a flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elkins, Harry Goodson, Craig Ball, Aurelio Valencia, Samir Patel, Neema Hekmat
  • Publication number: 20060149350
    Abstract: Bifurcated delivery assemblies provide bilateral access to first and second branch lumens extending from a main body space or lumen in a patient. One or more interventional devices are combined with the delivery assemblies for delivery s into one or both of the branch lumens. Bilateral renal stenting or embolic protection procedures are performed using the combination delivery/interventional device assemblies. Fluids may also be injected or aspirated from the assemblies. A bifurcated catheter has a first fluid port located on one bifurcation branch, a second fluid port located on a second branch of the bifurcation, and a third fluid port positioned so as to be located within a vena cava when the first and second ports are positioned bilaterally within first and second renal veins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Patel, Harry Goodson, Jeffrey Elkins, Craig Ball, Vandana Mathur
  • Publication number: 20060079859
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for delivering treatment to the renal arteries are provided. Exemplary systems include a delivery catheter having a distal bifurcation, an introducer assembly comprising an introducer sheath in operative association with a Y-hub, wherein Y-hub includes a first port for receiving the delivery catheter and a second port for receiving a second catheter, and a constraint assembly for holding the distal bifurcation of the delivery catheter in a low-profile configuration when it is advanced distally beyond the introducer sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elkins, Harry Goodson, Craig Ball, Aurelio Valencia, Samir Patel, Neema Hekmat
  • Publication number: 20060036218
    Abstract: Two renal delivery members have two distal ports that are adapted to be positioned within two renal arteries via their corresponding renal ostia at unique locations along an abdominal aortic wall. A proximal coupler assembly is outside the body and is coupled to deliver material to the two distal ports for bi-lateral renal therapy. One or both of the delivery members may be self-cannulating into the corresponding renal ostium, or may be controllably steered into the respective ostium. Non-occlusive anchors may be coupled with one or both of the delivery members at anchoring positions in the renal artery or abdominal aorta to secure the renal delivery member within the renal artery. Renal-active fluid agents are coupled to the bi-lateral delivery system. Another renal therapy system cannulates a renal vein from the vena cava and controls a retrograde delivery of agents to the respective kidney.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Goodson, Jeffrey Elkins, Samir Patel, Aurelio Valencia, Ricardo Aboytes, Craig Ball, Randy Kesten, Andrew Kramer, Sam Payne, Sophia Pesotchinsky, Michael Rosenthal
  • Publication number: 20060030814
    Abstract: A local renal delivery system includes a flow isolation assembly and a local injection assembly. The flow isolation assembly in one mode is adapted to isolate only a partial flow region along the outer circumference along the aorta wall such that fluids inject there are maintained to flow substantially into the renal arteries. Various types of flow isolation assemblies and local injection assemblies are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Aurelio Valencia, Ricardo Aboytes, Jeffrey Elkins, Harry Goodson, Samir Patel, Craig Ball, Trevor Greenan, Randy Kesten, Andrew Kramer, Sam Payne, Sophia Pesotchinsky, Michael Rosenthal
  • Publication number: 20050267010
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for local renal delivery of agents to subjects that are at risk for congestive heart failure and other conditions. The invention encompasses devices for renal drug delivery and methods of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Goodson, Samir Patel, Craig Ball, Jeffrey Elkins
  • Publication number: 20050245882
    Abstract: A renal flow system injects a volume of fluid agent into a location within an abdominal aorta in a manner that flows bi-laterally into each of two renal arteries via their respectively spaced ostia along the abdominal aorta wall. A local injection assembly includes two injection members, each having an injection port that couples to a source of fluid agent externally of the patient. The injection ports may be positioned with an outer region of blood flow along the abdominal aorta wall perfusing the two renal arteries. A flow isolation assembly may isolate flow of the injected agent within the outer region and into the renals. The injection members are delivered to the location in a first radially collapsed condition, and bifurcate across the aorta to inject into the spaced renal ostia. A delivery catheter for upstream interventions is used as a chassis to deliver a bilateral local renal injection assembly to the location within the abdominal aorta.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elkins, Aurelio Valencia, Samir Patel, Ricardo Aboytes, Harry Goodson, Craig Ball
  • Publication number: 20050197624
    Abstract: A dual lumen introducer sheath provides access to at least one renal artery and at least one peripheral blood vessel of a patient. The introducer sheath includes a proximal hub comprising first and second ports, a first lumen, and a second lumen. The first lumen extends from the first port to a first distal aperture and has sufficient length such that when the first port is positioned outside the patient the first distal aperture is positionable in the abdominal aorta at or near origins of the patient's renal arteries. The second lumen extends from the second port to a second distal aperture, has a shorter length than the length of the first lumen, and is configured to allow passage of a catheter device through the second lumen and into or through an iliac artery contralateral to an insertion point of the introducer sheath into the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Goodson, Craig Ball, Jeffrey Elkins
  • Publication number: 20020095955
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes an assembly constructed and arranged to removably cover the top of the draw furnace while mating with the downfeed handle. The apparatus includes an elongated sleeve having a base and a sealing mechanism positioned on the sleeve at a location remote from the base. The sleeve defines a chamber for receiving the downfeed handle, and the sealing mechanism is arranged with respect to the sleeve to mate with the downfeed handle received in the chamber. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further includes an inert gas purge for providing an inert atmosphere within the chamber. A method of sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Steven Craig Ball, John Morris Barnard, James Alan Snipes
  • Patent number: 6381990
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes an assembly constructed and arranged to removably cover the top of the draw furnace while mating with the downfeed handle. The apparatus includes an elongated sleeve having a base and a sealing mechanism positioned on the sleeve at a location remote from the base. The sleeve defines a chamber for receiving the downfeed handle, and the sealing mechanism is arranged with respect to the sleeve to mate with the downfeed handle received in the chamber. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further includes an inert gas purge for providing an inert atmosphere within the chamber. A method of sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven Craig Ball, John Morris Barnard, Sr., James Alan Snipes
  • Patent number: 6244099
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the bottom of an optical waveguide draw furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes an assembly constructed and arranged to mate with the bottom of the draw furnace to form a seal, and a leak detection system communicating with the assembly to signal the forming of a proper or an improper seal. The covering plate of the assembly is selectively seated on the sealing plate of the draw furnace to form the seal, and an inert gas is delivered between the covering plate and the bottom of the draw furnace. The flow of the inert gas is detected to determine if the seal has been properly formed. An assembly including a covering plate having at least two radially spaced gaskets circumferentially positioned on the top surface of the covering plate for engagement with the sealing plate at the bottom of the draw furnace, and a method for sealing the bottom of a draw furnace are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven Craig Ball, John Morris Barnard, Sr., James Alan Snipes