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).

  • Patent number: 6752154
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 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
  • Patent number: 6722371
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, David B. Willis, Thomas A. Howell, George D. Hermann, Peter M. Wilson, M. Elizabeth Bush
  • Patent number: 6564806
    Abstract: This invention is an improved tissue localizing device for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision without penetrating that volume. 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. Polar and tangential deployment configurations as well as a locator element that may be cold-formed by a die in the distal portion of the deployment tube into a permanent arcuate shape is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, David B. Willis, Thomas A. Howell, George D. Hermann
  • Patent number: 6405733
    Abstract: This invention is an improved tissue localizing device for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision without penetrating that volume. 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. Polar and tangential deployment configurations as well as a locator element that may be cold-formed by a die in the distal portion of the deployment tube into a permanent arcuate shape is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, David B. Willis, Thomas A. Howell, George D. Hermann, Peter M. Wilson, M. Elizabeth Bush
  • Publication number: 20020059938
    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: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, David B. Willis, Thomas A. Howell, George D. Hermann, Peter M. Wilson, Elizabeth M. Bush, Steven W. Kim, Roman Turovskly