Patents by Inventor David Melanson

David Melanson 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: 20050125020
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor configured for minimally-invasive implantation and sized to remain securely positioned within at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. The anchor includes a radial spring formed from an elongated resilient member shaped into an annular wave pattern about a central axis. The anchor defines a central lumen and provides an outward radial force, while allowing for substantial flexure about its perimeter. The anchor is generally removable, but can include fasteners, such as barbs, to further secure it to the surrounding anatomy. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a connector coupling a fixed portion to a removable portion. Further, the anchor can be used to secure a medical device within the body, such as a flexible sleeve within the intestine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Meade, Andy Levine, David Melanson, John Cvinar
  • Publication number: 20050125075
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the duodenum and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for attaching the device to the duodenum and an unsupported flexible sleeve to limit absorption of nutrients in the duodenum. The anchor can include a stent and/or a wave anchor and is collapsible for catheter-based delivery and removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: GI Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Meade, Andy Levine, David Melanson, John Cvinar
  • Publication number: 20050107188
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising fast-chemical-reaction-produced component, such as a component which comprises a reaction injection molded polyurethane material. The golf ball has excellent light stability. Also disclosed is a method making a golf ball by forming a cover component of the ball by mixing two or more reactants that react and form a reaction product with a flex modulus of from about 1 to about 310 kpsi in a reaction time of about 5 minutes or less, the component having a thickness of at least 0.01 inches and a demold time of 10 minutes or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Kennedy, Michael Tzivanis, David Melanson
  • Publication number: 20050079929
    Abstract: A golf ball component, such as a golf ball cover layer, formed from a self cross-linkable thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is disclosed. The self cross-linkable thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is cross-linked during molding without the need for an independent cross-linking agent; such as an isocyanate. The cover layer may be relatively thin (i.e., 0.075 or less, preferably less than 0.040 inches). In addition, the outer cover may be further treated, such as by exposure to an isocyanate solution, to improve certain physical properties of the resulting golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Michael Tzivanis, David Melanson, Sushant Muchhala
  • Publication number: 20050049082
    Abstract: A golf ball component, such as a golf ball cover layer, formed from a reaction injection molded polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is disclosed. The cover layer may be relatively thin (for example, 0.075 or less, preferably 0.050 inches or less, more preferably less than 0.040 inches, even more preferably less than 0.030 inches). The golf ball component is produced from a fast reacting aromatic polyurethane composition that is PTMEG based.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Michael Tzivanis, Thomas Kennedy, David Melanson
  • Publication number: 20050049083
    Abstract: An apparatus and related techniques for making a golf ball with deep dimples are disclosed. The golf ball comprises a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides deep dimples that extend through the cover layer and/or into a layer or component underneath are disclosed. At least one percent (1%), preferably about five percent (5%), of the dimples of the ball comprise deep dimples. The cover may be a single layer or include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the dimples extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend to or into the core. The dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Michael Tzivanis, David Melanson, Vincent Simonds, Kevin Shannon, Thomas Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6610033
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for making and using a medicinal polymer formed from two components. The apparatus includes a double syringe holder housing first and second syringes that is adapted to be coupled with a predetermined orientation to a double vial holder housing first and second vials. The double syringe holder and double vial holder have mating key features that prevent the first syringe from being coupled to the second vial and the second syringe from being coupled to the first vial. The apparatus also includes a delivery device having first and second inlet ports and a key feature that prevents the first syringe from being coupled to the second inlet port and the second syringe from being coupled to the first inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Incept, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Melanson, Michelle D. Lyman, Peter G. Edelman, Amarpreet S. Sawhney
  • Patent number: 6387977
    Abstract: An impoved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitiator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as “priming”. The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, “priming” can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignees: Focal, Inc., Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Amarpreet S. Sawhney, David A. Melanson, Chandrashekar P. Pathak, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Luis Z. Avila, Mark T. Kieras, Stephen D. Goodrich, Shikha P. Barman, Arthur J. Coury, Ronald S. Rudowsky, Douglas J. K. Weaver, Marc A. Levine, John C. Spiridigliozzi, Thomas S. Bromander, Dean M. Pichon, George Selecman, David J. Nedder, Bradley C. Poff, Donald L. Elbert
  • Patent number: 6165201
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of forming in situ tissue adherent barriers are provided using a sprayer capable of applying two or more viscous crosslinkable solutions to tissue. The sprayer comprises separate spray nozzles for each of two or more crosslinkable solutions, wherein each nozzle is either surrounded by an annular gas flow outlet or in communication with a gas-pressurized chamber, and also may include valves that prevent backflow through the supply lines carrying the crosslinkable solutions, and a venting system for venting excess pressure for laparoscopic applications In the presence of gas flow, the crosslinkable solutions are atomized and mixed to form a spray. Multi-component hydrogel systems suitable for use with the inventive methods and apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Incept LLC
    Inventors: Amarpreet S. Sawhney, Patrick K. Campbell, David A. Melanson
  • Patent number: 6121341
    Abstract: An impoved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitiator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as "priming". the polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, "priming" can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Focal, Inc.
    Inventors: Amarpreet S. Sawhney, David A. Melanson, Chandrashekar P. Pathak, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Luis Z. Avila, Mark T. Kieras, Stephen D. Goodrich, Shikha P. Barman, Arthur J. Coury, Ronald S. Rudowsky, Douglas J. K. Weaver, Marc A. Levine, John C. Spiridigliozzi, Thomas S. Bromander, Dean M. Pichon, George Selecman, David J. Nedder, Bradley C. Poff, Donald L. Elbert
  • Patent number: 5844016
    Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. The barrier can be prepared by staining tissue with a photoinitiator, applying a solution containing a polymerizable barrier material solution and a photoinitiator to the tissue, and polymerizing the polymer solution on exposure to light. The resulting polymer adheres strongly to the tissue surface, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. The method can be used to adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other. Tissue surfaces can be adhered to each other to repair wounds. In addition to photochemical initiators, non-photochemical initiators and combinations of chemical initiators and photochemical initiators can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignees: Focal, Inc., The Board of Regents--University of Texas System
    Inventors: Amarpreet S. Sawhney, David A. Melanson, Chandrashekar P. Pathak, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Luis Z. Avila, Mark T. Kieras, Stephen D. Goodrich, Shikha P. Barman, Arthur J. Coury, Ronald S. Rudowsky, Douglas J. K. Weaver
  • Patent number: 5800373
    Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as "priming". The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, "priming" can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Focal, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Melanson, Amarpreet S. Sawhney, Marc Alan Levine, John C. Spiridigliozzi, Thomas S. Bromander
  • Patent number: 5779673
    Abstract: Devices for providing polymeric layers on the interior surface of body lumens and spaces are disclosed. The devices can include proximal and distal occlusion elements to define the treatment space and an optical emitter to provide light for a photopolymerization procedure. The devices may include a molding member for providing a thick polymeric gel. Alternatively, devices without a molding member may be used to carry out an interfacial polymerization procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Focal, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence A. Roth, Stephen J. Herman, Farhad Khosravi, David Melanson, Michael Dumont, Patrick K. Campbell, John C. Spiridigliozzi
  • Patent number: 5749968
    Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as "priming". The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, "priming" can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Focal, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Melanson, Marc Alan Levine, John C. Spiridigliozzi, Thomas S. Bromander, Dean M. Pichon, George Selecman, David J. Nedder
  • Patent number: 5665063
    Abstract: Devices for providing polymeric layers on the interior surface of body lumens and spaces are disclosed. The devices can include proximal and distal occlusion elements to define the treatment space and an optical emitter to provide light for a photopolymerization procedure. The devices may include a molding member for providing a thick polymeric gel. Alternatively, devices without a molding member may be used to carry out an interfacial polymerization procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Focal, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence A. Roth, Stephen J. Herman, Farhad Khosravi, David Melanson, Michael Dumont