Patents by Inventor David B. Willis

David B. Willis 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: 20170296294
    Abstract: Tissue localization devices and methods of localizing tissue using tissue localization devices are disclosed. The tissue localization device can comprise a handle comprising a delivery control, a delivery needle extending out from the handle, and a localization element within the delivery needle. The localization element can be deployed out of the delivery needle or retracted back into the delivery needle when the delivery control is translated in a first direction or a second direction, respectively. The localization element can be coupled to a flexible tracking wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: George D. HERMANN, Jonathan M. OLSON, Michael J. DREWS, Gail S. LEBOVIC, David B. WILLIS
  • Publication number: 20170181842
    Abstract: Described herein are devices for placement in surgically created soft tissue spaces, potential spaces, or cavities. The implantable devices generally include a bioabsorbable body having an open framework that facilitates attachment of tissue thereto in a manner that helps avoid post-surgical deformities. Methods for using the implantable devices in oncoplastic surgery are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Gail S. LEBOVIC, David B. WILLIS, George D. HERMANN, Jonathan M. OLSON
  • Publication number: 20170181843
    Abstract: Described herein are devices for placement in surgically created soft tissue spaces, potential spaces, or cavities. The implantable devices generally include a bioabsorbable body having an open framework that facilitates attachment of tissue thereto in a manner that helps avoid post-surgical deformities. Methods for using the implantable devices in oncoplastic surgery are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Gail S. LEBOVIC, David B. WILLIS, George D. HERMANN, Jonathan M. OLSON
  • Publication number: 20170181845
    Abstract: Described herein are devices for placement in surgically created soft tissue spaces, potential spaces, or cavities. The implantable devices generally include a bioabsorbable body having an open framework that facilitates attachment of tissue thereto in a manner that helps avoid post-surgical deformities. Methods for using the implantable devices in oncoplastic surgery are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Gail S. LEBOVIC, David B. WILLIS, George D. HERMANN, Jonathan M. OLSON
  • Publication number: 20170181844
    Abstract: Described herein are devices for placement in surgically created soft tissue spaces, potential spaces, or cavities. The implantable devices generally include a bioabsorbable body having an open framework that facilitates attachment of tissue thereto in a manner that helps avoid post-surgical deformities. Methods for using the implantable devices in oncoplastic surgery are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Gail S. LEBOVIC, David B. WILLIS, George D. HERMANN, Jonathan M. OLSON
  • Patent number: 9615915
    Abstract: Described herein are devices for placement in surgically created soft tissue spaces, potential spaces, or cavities. The implantable devices generally include a bioabsorbable body having an open framework that facilitates attachment of tissue thereto in a manner that helps avoid post-surgical deformities. Methods for using the implantable devices in oncoplastic surgery are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Focal Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gail S. Lebovic, David B. Willis, George D. Hermann, Jonathan M. Olson
  • Patent number: 9561037
    Abstract: Space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple elements connected to a flexible leader. The devices can be coated by a binding agent. The devices can also be fillable. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, D. Bruce Modesitt, Neil Bruce Holmgren, David B. Willis
  • Publication number: 20160113658
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. FOGARTY, Michael J. DREWS, D. Bruce MODESITT, Neil D. HOLMGREN, David B. WILLIS
  • Publication number: 20160022415
    Abstract: Described herein are devices for placement in surgically created soft tissue spaces, potential spaces, or cavities. The implantable devices generally include a bioabsorbable body having an open framework that facilitates attachment of tissue thereto in a manner that helps avoid post-surgical deformities. Methods for using the implantable devices in oncoplastic surgery are further described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Gail S. LEBOVIC, David B. WILLIS, George D. HERMANN, Jonathan M. OLSON
  • Patent number: 9005235
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leaden. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, D. Bruce Modesitt, Neil D. Holmgren, David B. Willis
  • Publication number: 20130289390
    Abstract: An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: FOCAL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: George D. Hermann, David B. Willis, Michael J. Drews, Gail S. Lebovic, James B. Stubbs
  • Publication number: 20130289389
    Abstract: An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spaced apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: FOCAL THERAPEUTICS
    Inventors: George D. Hermann, David B. Willis, Michael J. Drews, Gail S. Lebovic, James B. Stubbs
  • Patent number: 8562636
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, D. Bruce Modesitt, Neil B. Holmgren, David B. Willis
  • Publication number: 20120303108
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas J. FOGARTY, Michael J. DREWS, D. Bruce MODESITT, Neil HOLMGREN, David B. Willis
  • Patent number: 8262686
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, D. Bruce Modesitt, Neil Holmgren, David B. Willis
  • Publication number: 20120179192
    Abstract: Space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple elements connected to a flexible leader. The devices can be coated by a binding agent. The devices can also be fillable. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas J. FOGARTY, Michael J. DREWS, D. Bruce MODESITT, Neil HOLMGREN, David B. WILLIS
  • Publication number: 20090105748
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. FOGARTY, Michael J. DREWS, D. Bruce MODESITT, Neil HOLMGREN, David B. WILLIS
  • Patent number: 7481821
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, D. Bruce Modesitt, Neil Holmgren, David B. Willis
  • Publication number: 20040210249
    Abstract: Non-expandable space-occupying devices for treating voids within the body are disclosed. The devices can have multiple non-expandable space-occupying elements connected to a flexible leader. Methods of making and using the devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, D. Bruce Modesitt, Neil Holmgren, David B. Willis
  • Publication number: 20040168692
    Abstract: This invention is an improved tissue localizing device for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision. This invention also encompasses methods for deployment of the localizing device and its excision along with the marked tissue volume. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. The locator element path preferably encompasses the distalmost portion of the tissue volume without penetrating that volume. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Other localization wire embodiments of the invention are disclosed in which the tissue volume may be penetrated by a portion of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, David B. Willis, Thomas A. Howell, George D. Hermann, Peter M. Wilson, Elizabeth M. Bush, Steven W. Kim, Roman Turovskiy