Patents by Inventor Darryl E. Barnes

Darryl E. Barnes 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).

  • Patent number: 12605181
    Abstract: A device for treating trigger thumb or trigger finger may include a handle, an introducer shaft extending from the handle, a blade shaft slidably disposed on the handle and the introducer shaft, a blade at or near a distal end of the blade shaft, a slider on the handle, attached to a proximal end of the blade shaft, for sliding the blade shaft and the blade distally and proximally along the introducer shaft, and a neurovascular guard slidably coupled with the handle and disposed over at least part of the blade shaft. The neurovascular guard may be made of a material that allows passage of ultrasound waves, such as Ultem, PEEK, PPS, or other polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: SONEX HEALTH, INC.
    Inventor: Darryl E. Barnes
  • Publication number: 20260060741
    Abstract: The invention provides a tissue cutting device comprising a handle, a first blade, and a second blade. The second blade is coupled to the handle. The second blade is rotatable relative to the first blade such that the second blade is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The second blade is in a same plane as the first blade when the second blade is in the first position. The second blade is rotated into a different plane from the first blade when the second blade is rotated from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Applicant: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith
  • Publication number: 20260033861
    Abstract: A device for treating de Quervain's tenosynovitis may include a handle, an introducer shaft extending from the handle, and a blade that includes a blade shaft extending along a top surface of the introducer shaft and onto the handle and a blade cutting edge that faces toward the handle. The device may further include a blade slider attached to a proximal portion of the blade shaft, a blade pivot attached to at least one of the proximal portion of the blade shaft or the blade slider, an upper deck along which the blade slider slides in an upper horizontal orientation, and a lower deck along which the blade slider slides in a lower horizontal orientation. The blade pivot is configured to allow the blade slider to rotate in a plane that is perpendicular to a plane of the introducer shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2025
    Publication date: February 5, 2026
    Applicant: Sonex Health, Inc.
    Inventors: DARRYL E. BARNES, JAY SMITH, DAVID HERRIDGE
  • Patent number: 12527595
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a soft tissue device, such as a transverse carpal ligament cutting device having one or more balloons that are deflated when the device is in an inactive position and are inflated when the device is in an active position. Other embodiments provide a soft tissue cutting method, such as a method of cutting a transverse carpal ligament that uses a soft tissue cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith
  • Patent number: 12465395
    Abstract: A device for treating de Quervain's tenosynovitis may include a handle, an introducer shaft extending from the handle, and a blade that includes a blade shaft extending along a top surface of the introducer shaft and onto the handle and a blade cutting edge that faces toward the handle. The device may further include a blade slider attached to a proximal portion of the blade shaft, a blade pivot attached to at least one of the proximal portion of the blade shaft or the blade slider, an upper deck along which the blade slider slides in an upper horizontal orientation, and a lower deck along which the blade slider slides in a lower horizontal orientation. The blade pivot is configured to allow the blade slider to rotate in a plane that is perpendicular to a plane of the introducer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: SONEX HEALTH, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith, David Herridge
  • Patent number: 12426939
    Abstract: The invention provides a tissue cutting device comprising a handle, a first blade, and a second blade. The second blade is coupled to the handle. The second blade is rotatable relative to the first blade such that the second blade is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The second blade is in a same plane as the first blade when the second blade is in the first position. The second blade is rotated into a different plane from the first blade when the second blade is rotated from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith
  • Patent number: 12343032
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to a device for cutting soft tissue, such as transverse carpal ligaments and annular ligaments of the finger, and methods of using the soft tissue cutting device. A soft tissue cutting device includes an inner tubular member extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the inner tube, an outer tubular member disposed over at least a portion of the inner tubular member and movable between an initial position and an extended position, an outer tubular member movement controller that controls movement of the outer tubular member between the initial position and the extended position, and an attachment mechanism for removably coupling the proximal end of the inner tubular member to a dispensing member. A distal end of the outer tubular member includes a cutting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Sonex Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Darryl E. Barnes
  • Patent number: 12336732
    Abstract: Methods of using a soft tissue cutting device are disclosed. The methods include providing the soft tissue cutting device, positioning the soft tissue cutting device in a priming slot of a tray configured for receiving and holding the soft tissue cutting device, attaching a priming syringe to the soft tissue cutting device, priming a balloon disposed on a distal end of the soft tissue cutting device by equalizing a first pressure inside the balloon to a second pressure inside the priming syringe, removing the soft tissue cutting device from the priming slot, and positioning the distal end of the soft tissue cutting device on a safety slot included in the tray to determine whether the tissue cutting device has been properly primed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignees: Sonex Health, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Aaron Keenan, Jay Smith, Kevin Arnal, Sara Schlick
  • Publication number: 20250176989
    Abstract: A method of cutting soft tissue in a hand to treat trigger finger involves advancing an introducer shaft into the hand to position a distal end of the introducer shaft beyond a pulley in a finger of the hand, advancing a blade along a guiding channel on an upper surface of the introducer shaft, to position a distal end of the blade at or near the distal end of the introducer shaft, and rotating a cutting surface of the blade to an orientation at or near perpendicular relative to the upper surface of the introducer shaft. The method further involves retracting the blade along the introducer shaft to cut the pulley and removing the introducer shaft and the blade from the hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Applicant: Sonex Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith, Aaron Keenan, Kevin Arnal
  • Patent number: 12251122
    Abstract: A method of cutting soft tissue in a hand to treat trigger finger involves advancing an introducer shaft into the hand to position a distal end of the introducer shaft beyond a pulley in a finger of the hand, advancing a blade along a guiding channel on an upper surface of the introducer shaft, to position a distal end of the blade at or near the distal end of the introducer shaft, and rotating a cutting surface of the blade to an orientation at or near perpendicular relative to the upper surface of the introducer shaft. The method further involves retracting the blade along the introducer shaft to cut the pulley and removing the introducer shaft and the blade from the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Sonex Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith, Aaron Keenan, Kevin Arnal
  • Publication number: 20250025197
    Abstract: The invention provides a tissue cutting device comprising a handle, a first blade. and a second blade. The second blade is coupled to the handle. The second blade is rotatable relative to the first blade such that the second blade is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The second blade is in a same plane as the first blade when the second blade is in the first position. The second blade is rotated into a different plane from the first blade when the second blade is rotated from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: DARRYL E. BARNES, JAY SMITH
  • Publication number: 20250025196
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a soft tissue device, such as a transverse carpal ligament cutting device having one or more balloons that are deflated when the device is in an inactive position and are inflated when the device is in an active position. Other embodiments provide a soft tissue cutting method, such as a method of cutting a transverse carpal ligament that uses a soft tissue cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: DARRYL E. BARNES, JAY SMITH
  • Patent number: 12137929
    Abstract: The invention provides a tissue cutting device comprising a handle, a first blade. and a second blade. The second blade is coupled to the handle. The second blade is rotatable relative to the first blade such that the second blade is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The second blade is in a same plane as the first blade when the second blade is in the first position. The second blade is rotated into a different plane from the first blade when the second blade is rotated from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith
  • Publication number: 20240293142
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to a device for cutting soft tissue, such as transverse carpal ligaments and annular ligaments of the finger, and methods of using the soft tissue cutting device. A soft tissue cutting device includes an inner tubular member extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the inner tube, an outer tubular member disposed over at least a portion of the inner tubular member and movable between an initial position and an extended position, an outer tubular member movement controller that controls movement of the outer tubular member between the initial position and the extended position, and an attachment mechanism for removably coupling the proximal end of the inner tubular member to a dispensing member. A distal end of the outer tubular member includes a cutting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Applicant: Sonex Health, Inc.
    Inventor: DARRYL E. BARNES
  • Publication number: 20240285309
    Abstract: Methods of using a soft tissue cutting device are disclosed. The methods include providing the soft tissue cutting device, positioning the soft tissue cutting device in a priming slot of a tray configured for receiving and holding the soft tissue cutting device, attaching a priming syringe to the soft tissue cutting device, priming a balloon disposed on a distal end of the soft tissue cutting device by equalizing a first pressure inside the balloon to a second pressure inside the priming syringe, removing the soft tissue cutting device from the priming slot, and positioning the distal end of the soft tissue cutting device on a safety slot included in the tray to determine whether the tissue cutting device has been properly primed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicants: Sonex Health, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: DARRYL E. BARNES, AARON KEENAN, JAY SMITH, KEVIN ARNAL, SARA SCHLICK
  • Patent number: 12064136
    Abstract: A soft tissue cutting device and methods of cutting soft tissue are disclosed. The soft tissue cutting device includes a blade having a blade working end. One or more balloons are disposed in proximity of the blade working end, and an inflation assembly configured inflate the one or more balloons is included. The inflation assembly includes a fill port in fluid communication with a bellows, and the one or more balloons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignees: Sonex Health, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Aaron Keenan, Jay Smith, Kevin Arnal, Sara Schlick
  • Publication number: 20240268852
    Abstract: The invention provides a tissue cutting device comprising a handle, a first blade. and a second blade. The second blade is coupled to the handle. The second blade is rotatable relative to the first blade such that the second blade is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The second blade is in a same plane as the first blade when the second blade is in the first position. The second blade is rotated into a different plane from the first blade when the second blade is rotated from the first position toward the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: DARRYL E. BARNES, JAY SMITH
  • Patent number: 12053197
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a soft tissue device, such as a transverse carpal ligament cutting device having one or more balloons that are deflated when the device is in an inactive position and are inflated when the device is in an active position. Other embodiments provide a soft tissue cutting method, such as a method of cutting a transverse carpal ligament that uses a soft tissue cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith
  • Publication number: 20240225681
    Abstract: Device, systems, and method for cutting body tissue may include a handle, a blade, a shaft, and an expander. The handle may include a slider and a lever in communication with the slider. The blade may be coupled with the slider. The shaft may extend distally from the handle and the shaft may define a guideway along which the blade is configured to travel. The expander may be in communication with the lever and extend along the shaft. Actuation of the lever may adjust the expander to an expanded position and unlock the slider to allow actuation of the slider and longitudinal movement of the blade along the guideway. The expander may be or may include one or more balloons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Sonex Health, Inc.
    Inventors: DARRYL E. BARNES, JAY SMITH, DAVID HERRIDGE, BRIAN MULLINS, RICK KOGLER, GRACE RIERMANN
  • Patent number: D1090834
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: Sonex Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl E. Barnes, Jay Smith, Kevin Arnal, Aaron Keenan, Jeffrey King