Patents by Inventor Daniel E. Francis

Daniel E. Francis 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: 20230019979
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy. Microwave energy may be applied to epidermal, dermal and subdermal tissue of a patient to achieve various therapeutic and/or aesthetic results. In one embodiment, the microwave energy is applied to a target tissue via an energy delivery applicator connected to an energy generator. The energy delivery applicator may comprise one or more antennas, including monopole, dipole, slot and/or waveguide antennas (among others) that are used to direct the microwave energy to the target tissue. The energy delivery applicator may also comprise a cooling element for avoiding thermal destruction to non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize thermal treatment at specific portions of a skin fold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Mark E. Deem, Daniel E. Francis, Jessi Ernest Johnson, Steven W. Kim, Alexey Salamini
  • Publication number: 20220273327
    Abstract: Components, systems and kits for capturing and removing tissue from mammalian bodies include a tissue container that may be introduced into a body cavity and within which a tissue specimen may be placed, cut and removed from the body cavity. Methods of using these components, systems and kits are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph N. JONES, Daniel E. FRANCIS, Kevin LE, Alexey SALAMINI, Steven W. KIM, Scott ANDERSON, Ronald G. FRENCH
  • Patent number: 11419678
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy. Microwave energy may be applied to epidermal, dermal and subdermal tissue of a patient to achieve various therapeutic and/or aesthetic results. In one embodiment, the microwave energy is applied to a target tissue via an energy delivery applicator connected to an energy generator. The energy delivery applicator may comprise one or more antennas, including monopole, dipole, slot and/or waveguide antennas (among others) that are used to direct the microwave energy to the target tissue. The energy delivery applicator may also comprise a cooling element for avoiding thermal destruction to non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize thermal treatment at specific portions of a skin fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MiraDry, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Deem, Daniel E. Francis, Jessi Ernest Johnson, Steven W. Kim, Alexey Salamini
  • Patent number: 10779887
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MIRADRY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Deem, Daniel E. Francis, Jessi Ernest Johnson, Ted Y. Su, Steven W. Kim, Alexey Salamini, Peter Smith, Daniel Hallock
  • Publication number: 20200129236
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy. Microwave energy may be applied to epidermal, dermal and subdermal tissue of a patient to achieve various therapeutic and/or aesthetic results. In one embodiment, the microwave energy is applied to a target tissue via an energy delivery applicator connected to an energy generator. The energy delivery applicator may comprise one or more antennas, including monopole, dipole, slot and/or waveguide antennas (among others) that are used to direct the microwave energy to the target tissue. The energy delivery applicator may also comprise a cooling element for avoiding thermal destruction to non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize thermal treatment at specific portions of a skin fold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Mark E. DEEM, Daniel E. FRANCIS, Jessi Ernest JOHNSON, Steven W. KIM, Alexey SALAMINI
  • Patent number: 10463429
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy. Microwave energy may be applied to epidermal, dermal and subdermal tissue of a patient to achieve various therapeutic and/or aesthetic results. In one embodiment, the microwave energy is applied to a target tissue via an energy delivery applicator connected to an energy generator. The energy delivery applicator may comprise one or more antennas, including monopole, dipole, slot and/or waveguide antennas (among others) that are used to direct the microwave energy to the target tissue. The energy delivery applicator may also comprise a cooling element for avoiding thermal destruction to non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize thermal treatment at specific portions of a skin fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MIRADRY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Deem, Daniel E. Francis, Jessi Ernest Johnson, Steven W. Kim, Alexey Salamini
  • Patent number: 10321954
    Abstract: A tissue interface module has an applicator chamber on a proximal side of the tissue interface module and a tissue acquisition chamber on a distal side of the tissue interface module. The applicator chamber may include: an opening adapted to receive the applicator; an attachment mechanism positioned in the applicator chamber and adapted to attach the tissue interface module to the applicator; a sealing member positioned at a proximal side of the applicator chamber; and a vacuum interface positioned at a proximal side of the applicator chamber and adapted to receive a vacuum inlet positioned on a distal end of the applicator. The invention also includes corresponding methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MIRADRY, INC.
    Inventors: Yoav Ben-Haim, Peter J. Bentley, Donghoon Chun, Daniel E. Francis, Jessi E. Johnson, Kevin Shan, Ted Y. Su, Steven W. Kim
  • Publication number: 20190133684
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: MIRADRY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. DEEM, Daniel E. FRANCIS, Jessi Ernest JOHNSON, Ted Y. SU, Steven W. KIM, Alexey SALAMINI, Peter SMITH, Daniel HALLOCK
  • Patent number: 10166072
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MIRADRY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Deem, Daniel E. Francis, Jessi Ernest Johnson, Ted Y. Su, Steven W. Kim, Alexey Salamini, Peter Smith, Daniel Hallock
  • Publication number: 20170245929
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy. Microwave energy may be applied to epidermal, dermal and subdermal tissue of a patient to achieve various therapeutic and/or aesthetic results. In one embodiment, the microwave energy is applied to a target tissue via an energy delivery applicator connected to an energy generator. The energy delivery applicator may comprise one or more antennas, including monopole, dipole, slot and/or waveguide antennas (among others) that are used to direct the microwave energy to the target tissue. The energy delivery applicator may also comprise a cooling element for avoiding thermal destruction to non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize thermal treatment at specific portions of a skin fold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Mark E. DEEM, Daniel E. FRANCIS, Jessi Ernest JOHNSON, Steven W. KIM, Alexey SALAMINI
  • Publication number: 20170156794
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Mark E. DEEM, Daniel E. FRANCIS, Jessi Ernest JOHNSON, Ted Y. SU, Steven W. KIM, Alexey SALAMINI, Peter SMITH, Daniel HALLOCK
  • Publication number: 20160213426
    Abstract: A tissue interface module has an applicator chamber on a proximal side of the tissue interface module and a tissue acquisition chamber on a distal side of the tissue interface module. The applicator chamber may include: an opening adapted to receive the applicator; an attachment mechanism positioned in the applicator chamber and adapted to attach the tissue interface module to the applicator; a sealing member positioned at a proximal side of the applicator chamber; and a vacuum interface positioned at a proximal side of the applicator chamber and adapted to receive a vacuum inlet positioned on a distal end of the applicator. The invention also includes corresponding methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Yoav BEN-HAIM, Peter J. BENTLEY, Donghoon CHUN, Daniel E. FRANCIS, Jessi E. JOHNSON, Kevin SHAN, Ted Y. SU, Steven W. KIM
  • Publication number: 20160135888
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus, methods and procedures for the noninvasive treatment of tissue, including treatment using microwave energy. In one embodiment of the invention a medical device and associated apparatus and procedures are used to treat dermatological conditions using, for example, microwave energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Steven W. KIM, Daniel E. FRANCIS, Jessi Ernest JOHNSON, Alexey SALAMINI, Ted Y. SU, Donghoon CHUN, Yoav BEN-HAIM
  • Publication number: 20160045755
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use in the reduction of fat, which may include a number of features. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include an applicator having electrodes that form capacitors to heat tissue, an acquisition chamber having a cooling system, and a vacuum input providing a vacuum to acquire tissue to be treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Donghoon CHUN, Daniel E. FRANCIS, Jessi E. JOHNSON, Steven W. KIM, Kevin LE, Ted Y. SU
  • Patent number: 8702679
    Abstract: Interventional catheter-based systems and methods are described herein for use in generating an initial pathway through vascular occlusions. The catheter systems generally include two elements. A first element is a Blunt Dissection Catheter including a manually actuated assembly located at the distal tip of the Blunt Dissection Catheter that performs blunt dissection in the vascular occlusion to produce a dissection track, or small pathway through the occlusion. The second element is a Sheath Catheter that serves as a conduit within which the Blunt Dissection Catheter is freely advanced, retracted and rotated. The first and second elements are used in some combination to cross vascular occlusions in both the coronary and peripheral vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Robert K. Deckman, Erik Thai, Amiel R. Aguilar, Benjamin J. Clark, Sergio Salinas, Daniel E. Francis, Kurt D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20020058961
    Abstract: Embodiments of a catheter for intravascular procedures are described. The embodiments described include a catheter with various elements arranged about a central axis. The elements include an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and an actuation mechanism. In one embodiment, the inner shaft forms the actuation mechanism, and includes a flexible hypotube. The flexible hypotube further forms a lumen that can accommodate, for example, a guidewire. The actuation mechanism actuates, or deploys, a working element at the distal end of the catheter. In one embodiment, the working element includes a tissue spreading member for disrupting an occlusion. In one embodiment, the catheter includes an imaging element that helps the operator of the catheter determine where the working element is located with respect to tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Amiel R. Aguilar, Robert K. Deckman, Jeffery L. Emery, Daniel E. Francis, Kurt D. Sparks