Patents by Inventor Dan Balbierz

Dan Balbierz 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: 20180147006
    Abstract: Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Publication number: 20180140821
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a connector for medical devices. The connector may have two interfaces facing different planes. The two interfaces may provide access to the connector's core and hub. The hub may be free to rotate relative to the core to increase accessibility and/or angle attachment while maintaining a fluid pathway between the core and the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Gregory R. McArthur
  • Publication number: 20180116702
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates an osteotome for treating hard tissue. The osteotome embodiments described herein include a shaft with a working end configured to displace hard tissue and a lumen to deliver material through the shaft. The working end may create pathways by selectively transitioning from a linear to a non-linear configuration. The lumen may deliver material through the shaft while the working end is in a linear or a non-linear configuration allowing precise filling of the pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 9180035
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Kevin van Bladel, William S. Eubanks, Jr., William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Richard Kouri
  • Patent number: 8337566
    Abstract: A prosthetic device is described that is positionable within the gastro-esophageal junction region of a patient. The prosthetic device includes a proximal opening and a distal orifice that is adjustable in size prior to and/or following implantation. During use, the prosthetic device is attached to tissue of the gastro-esophageal junction region of the patient, with the device positioned such that food ingested by the patient passes from the esophagus through the proximal opening into the interior of the prosthetic device, and eventually exits the prosthetic device via the distal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Barosense, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S Stack, Fred E. Silverstein, Nathan Every, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams, Richard A. Glenn, John Lunsford, Dan Balbierz
  • Publication number: 20120004590
    Abstract: A method for controlling appetite by means of a satiation device is disclosed. The device, which includes a flexible webbing defining proximal and distal openings and a biasing structure, is attached to the patient's stomach with the proximal opening positioned adjacent and below the patient's gastro-esophageal junction. The biasing structure imparts pressure against the wall of the patient's stomach adjacent the gastro-esophageal junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Barosense, Inc
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Michael S. Williams
  • Patent number: 8029455
    Abstract: A method for controlling appetite by means of a satiation device is disclosed. The device, which includes a flexible webbing defining proximal and distal openings and a biasing structure, is attached to the patient's stomach with the proximal opening positioned adjacent and below the patient's gastro-esophageal junction. The biasing structure imparts pressure against the wall of the patient's stomach adjacent the gastro-esophageal junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Barosense, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Michael S. Williams
  • Publication number: 20110153030
    Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Richard S. STACK, Richard A. Glenn, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, William L. Athas
  • Patent number: 7892292
    Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity, manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Synecor, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, William L. Athas
  • Publication number: 20100241146
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Kevin van Bladel, William S. Eubanks, JR., William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Richard Kouri
  • Publication number: 20100100109
    Abstract: A prosthetic device is described that is positionable within the gastro-esophageal junction region of a patient. The prosthetic device includes a proximal opening and a distal orifice that is adjustable in size prior to and/or following implantation. During use, the prosthetic device is attached to tissue of the gastro-esophageal junction region of the patient, with the device positioned such that food ingested by the patient passes from the esophagus through the proximal opening into the interior of the prosthetic device, and eventually exits the prosthetic device via the distal opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Fred E. Silverstein, Nathan Every, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams, Richard A. Glenn, John Lunsford, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 7628821
    Abstract: A prosthetic device is described that is positionable within the gastro-esophageal junction region of a patient. The prosthetic device includes a proximal opening and a distal orifice that is adjustable in size prior to and/or following implantation. During use, the prosthetic device is attached to tissue of the gastro-esophageal junction region of the patient, with the device positioned such that food ingested by the patient passes from the esophagus through the proximal opening into the interior of the prosthetic device, and eventually exits the prosthetic device via the distal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Barosense, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Fred E. Silverstein, Nathan Every, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams, Richard A. Glenn, John Lunsford, Dan Balbierz
  • Publication number: 20090177215
    Abstract: A method for controlling appetite by means of a satiation device is disclosed. The device, which includes a flexible webbing defining proximal and distal openings and a biasing structure, is attached to the patient's stomach with the proximal opening positioned adjacent and below the patient's gastro-esophageal junction. The biasing structure imparts pressure against the wall of the patient's stomach adjacent the gastro-esophageal junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Michael S. Williams
  • Patent number: 7431725
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s). A patch may be positioned between tissue layers forming the plication so as to reinforce the tissue adhesion forming between the tissue layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Synecor, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Kevin van Bladel, William S. Eubanks, Jr., William L. Athas, Richard A. Glenn, Richard Kouri
  • Publication number: 20070060932
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s). A patch may be positioned between tissue layers forming the plication so as to reinforce the tissue adhesion forming between the tissue layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Stack, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Kevin Bladel, William Eubanks, William Athas, Richard Glenn, Richard Kouri
  • Publication number: 20060287734
    Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity, manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Stack, Richard Glenn, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, William Athas
  • Patent number: 7146984
    Abstract: A prosthetic device is described that is positionable within the gastro-esophageal junction region of a patient. The prosthetic device includes a proximal opening and a distal orifice that is adjustable in size prior to and/or following implantation. During use, the prosthetic device is attached to tissue of the gastro-esophageal junction region of the patient, with the device positioned such that food ingested by the patient passes from the esophagus through the proximal opening into the interior of the prosthetic device, and eventually exits the prosthetic device via the distal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Synecor, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Fred E. Silverstein, Nathan Every, William L. Athas, Michael S. Williams, Richard A. Glenn, John Lunsford, Dan Balbierz
  • Patent number: 7097665
    Abstract: Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity, manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Synecor, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Stack, Richard A. Glenn, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, William L. Athas
  • Publication number: 20050267499
    Abstract: A prosthetic device is described that is positionable within the gastro-esophageal junction region of a patient. The prosthetic device includes a proximal opening and a distal orifice that is adjustable in size prior to and/or following implantation. During use, the prosthetic device is attached to tissue of the gastro-esophageal junction region of the patient, with the device positioned such that food ingested by the patient passes from the esophagus through the proximal opening into the interior of the prosthetic device, and eventually exits the prosthetic device via the distal opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Stack, Fred Silverstein, Nathan Every, William Athas, Michael Williams, Richard Glenn, John Lunsford, Dan Balbierz
  • Publication number: 20050247320
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, at least a portion of a medical implant is positioned within a body cavity, and a wall of the body cavity is re-shaped such that the re-shaped wall prevents migration of the medical implant out of the body cavity. The re-shaped body wall may form a tissue pocket, tunnel, or other barrier against migration of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Stack, Dan Balbierz, John Lunsford, Kevin van Bladel, William Eubanks, William Athas, Richard Glenn, Richard Kouri