Patents by Inventor David R. Fischell

David R. Fischell 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: 6591137
    Abstract: A system and method for treating gastrointestinal and other disorders via electrical stimulation of plural portions of a patient's gastrointestinal tract uses an implantable control module, sensors attached to various structures of the gastrointestinal tract, and electrodes also attached to various structures of the gastrointestinal tract. Signals received from the sensors are analyzed to identify events in the gastrointestinal system, and electrical stimulation is applied to structures of the gastrointestinal tract, in sequence, to restore normal function or achieve other clinically desirable results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Fischell, Adrian R. M. Upton
  • Publication number: 20030114868
    Abstract: A stent which is adapted for placement in the vessels of a human body is provided. The stent may be in the form of a thin-walled metal cylinder having a longitudinal axis. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a number of circumferentially relatively rigid portions. The relatively rigid portions are joined to each other by one or mor longitudinals which extend in a substantially longitudinal direction. At least a portion of at least one of the longitudinals has an undulating shape where a first relatively rigid portion is located at the proximal end of the stent and a second relatively rigid portion is located at the distal end of the stent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Publication number: 20030100941
    Abstract: Disclosed is an open cell stent that has adjacent sets of circumferential struts connected by means of highly flexible, undulating, connecting struts. To decrease outward flaring of the circumferential struts when the pre-deployed stent is advanced through highly curved vessels, each unconnected strut of the sets of circumferential struts has a decreased longitudinal length as compared to the longitudinal length of the circumferential struts that are connected by the flexible connecting struts. To decrease the propensity for outward flaring of the end set of circumferential struts, the longitudinal length of the end set of circumferential struts is shorter than the longitudinal length of the interior set of circumferential struts. Also, the attachment point of the flexible connecting struts is off the center of the curved sections of the circumferential struts, thus also decreasing the tendency for outward flaring of the end set of circumferential struts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Patent number: 6547817
    Abstract: An expandable stent for delivery to a coronary artery. The stent has at least two longitudinally spaced apart circumferential rings having closed ends. Each of the circumferential rings has at least two peak segments and at least two valley segments. At least one longitudinally extending connector extends between adjacent circumferential rings. The connector has a first end portion fixedly connected to a first circumferential ring and a second end portion fixedly connected to an adjacent circumferential ring. The connector has at least one circumferentially extending turn back portion between its first and second end portions that can expand or contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Publication number: 20030065382
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of this invention is a stent that is coated with an anti-restenosis drug that is selected from the group that includes, Alkeran, Cytoxan, Leukeran, Cis-platinum, BiCNU, Adriamycin, Doxorubicin, Cerubidine, Idamycin, Mithracin, Mutamycin, Fluorouracil, Methotrexate, Thoguanine, Toxotere, Etoposide, Vincristine, Irinotecan, Hycamptin, Matulane, Vumon, Hexalin, Hydroxyurea, Gemzar, Oncovin, Etophophos, tacrolimus (FK506), and the following analogs of sirolimus: SDZ-RAD, CCI-779, 7-epi-rapamycin, 7-thiomethyl-rapamycin, 7-epi-trimethoxyphenyl-rapamycin, 7-epi-thiomethyl-rapamycin, 7-demethoxy-rapamycin, 32-demethoxy, 2-desmethyl and proline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Patent number: 6540775
    Abstract: Disclosed is an open cell stent that has adjacent sets of circumferential struts connected by means of highly flexible, undulating, connecting struts. To decrease outward flaring of the circumferential struts when the pre-deployed stent is advanced through highly curved vessels, each unconnected strut of the sets of circumferential struts has a decreased longitudinal length as compared to the longitudinal length of the circumferential struts that are connected by the flexible connecting struts. To decrease the propensity for outward flaring of the end set of circumferential struts, the longitudinal length of the end set of circumferential struts is shorter than the longitudinal length of the interior set of circumferential struts. Also, the attachment point of the flexible connecting struts is off the center of the curved sections of the circumferential struts, thus also decreasing the tendency for outward flaring of the end set of circumferential struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Publication number: 20030055480
    Abstract: The system is used for treatment of a stenosis of a vessel of the human body as follows:
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Patent number: 6534693
    Abstract: This invention is an anti-proliferative drug placed onto or within a sterile sheet or mesh that is designed to be placed between internal body tissues to prevent the formation of post-operative adhesions, which adhesions are really scar tissue formation. This mesh or gauze onto or into which the drug is placed may be either a permanent implant or it may be biodegradable. By impregnating an existing product such as the Johnson & Johnson SURGICEL™ absorbable hemostat gauze-like sheet with an anti-proliferative drug such as Rapamycin or Taxol, the biodegradable, drug impregnated mesh would act as a barrier to cell proliferation and hence be a deterrent to the formation of adhesions. Another embodiment of this invention is an anti-proliferative drug attached to a bandage that is placed onto a cut in the skin to decrease scar tissue formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Afmedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell, Scott J. S. Fischell
  • Publication number: 20030050688
    Abstract: The present invention uses sets of strut members where the most distal set of strut members is similar to that of most stents in that the plane of the distal set of strut members is perpendicular to the stent's longitudinal axis. The present invention has a multiplicity of circumferential sets of strut members, but only the distal set of strut members has its plane perpendicular to the stent's longitudinal axis. The more proximal sets of strut members are angulated, so that the plane of the most proximal set of strut members has a preset angle such as 30°, 45° or 60° relative to the stent's longitudinal axis. The stent could also be formed from or coated with a highly radiopaque material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: David R. Fischell, Robert E. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Patent number: 6520985
    Abstract: A balloon expandable metal stent is provided that includes a multiplicity of circumferential sets of strut members wherein at least two adjacent circumferential sets of strut members are coupled together by a plurality of undulating longitudinal struts. The stent is annealed to a degree where frictional forces existing in the longitudinal direction between adjacent circumferential sets of strut members and the balloon, during inflation, are greater than a force required to permanently deform the undulating longitudinal struts. Thus, the expansion of the space between adjacent circumferential sets of strut members during inflation of the balloon compensates for shortening of the stent that would otherwise occur during radial expansion of the stent responsive to the inflation of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Cordis Corporation
    Inventors: Janet Burpee, David R. Fischell
  • Publication number: 20030028072
    Abstract: A system for treating neurological conditions by low-frequency time varying electrical stimulation includes an electrical device for applying such low-frequency energy, in a range below approximately 10 Hz, to the patient's brain tissue. An implantable embodiment applies direct electrical stimulation to electrodes implanted in or on the patient's brain, while a non-invasive embodiment causes a magnetic field to induce electrical currents in the patient's brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Fischell, Adrian R. M. Upton
  • Patent number: 6473639
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to information processing techniques used in the treatment of epilepsy and to devices for using these techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Neuropace, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Fischell, Jonathan Harwood, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Patent number: 6468263
    Abstract: Disclosed is a completely implantable system that can detect the occurrence of a myocardial infarction, i.e., a heart attack, and automatically inject a thrombolytic and/or anti-thrombogenic agent into the bloodstream to promptly dissolve the thrombus that caused the myocardial infarction and prevent the formation of additional thrombi. It is well known that a myocardial infarction can be detected from a patient's electrocardiogram by noting an ST segment voltage deviation. Upon detection of a myocardial infarction, an ST segment deviation electronic detection circuit within the implanted device can produce an output signal that can cause a thrombolytic and/or anti-thrombogenic agent contained within an implanted, pressurized reservoir to immediately and automatically release medications into the patient's bloodstream. A patient warning system is also provided by an audio alarm or an electrical tickle within the human body indicating that a myocardial infarction has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Angel Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Publication number: 20020147491
    Abstract: The present invention is a stent delivery system that uses short section of guidewire fixedly attached to the distal section of a balloon angioplasty catheter onto which a stent is co-axially mounted. By not having a guidewire that slides through the balloon of the balloon angioplasty catheter, the deflated balloon on which the stent is mounted can have a reduced diameter. Therefore, the outer diameter of the pre-deployed stent mounted onto that balloon is also minimized. This provides a smaller profile, i.e., a smaller outer diameter, for the stent. The time to perform a stent delivery procedure is reduced; a separate guidewire does not have to be placed prior to using the stent delivery system to place the stent at the site of a stenosis. Another embodiment of the present invention has a core wire that extends for nearly the entire length of the stent delivery system, the guidewire having different levels of stiffness for different portions of the core wire's length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: I. John Khan, Robert Burgermeister, Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell
  • Patent number: 6459936
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple electrode, closed-loop, responsive system for the treatment of certain neurological diseases such as epilepsy, migraine headaches and Parkinson's disease. Brain electrodes would be placed in close proximity to the brain or deep within brain tissue. When a neurological event such as the onset of an epileptic seizure occurs, EEG signals from the electrodes are processed by signal conditioning means in a control module that can be placed beneath the patient's scalp, within the patient's chest, or situated externally on the patient. Neurological event detection means in the control module will then cause a response to be generated for stopping the neurological event. The response could be an electrical signal to brain electrodes or to electrodes located remotely in the patient's body. The response could also be the release of medication or the application of a sensory input such as sound, light or mechanical vibration or electrical stimulation of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Adrian R. M. Upton
  • Patent number: 6427086
    Abstract: Disclosed is a means and method for placing an implantable neurostimulator control module into a place in the cranium where cranial bone has been removed. The method for accomplishing this cranial implantation is by first removing a patient's hair over the site of the implant, then cutting the scalp at that site and pulling it back to expose the cranium. A neurosurgeon would then remove a portion of the cranial bone to accept a control module to be implanted within that hole. The control module would then be placed into that hole. It is also conceived that the control module would be fixed in place by the use of one or more attachment devices such as a multiplicity of bone screws placed through holes in one or more flanges that extend over the cranium beyond the control module. The implantation could also include a fairing placed around the control module to provide a smooth contour under the patient's scalp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Adrian R. M. Upton, Dennis R. Potts, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Publication number: 20020099412
    Abstract: An implantable device incorporating an acoustic transducer allows information and alerts to be communicated from the device to a patient. Sounds, including but not limited to buzzes, tones, sequences of tones, combinations of tones, complex sounds, and segments of reproduced or simulated human speech, are transmitted from an intracranially implanted portion of the device via bone conduction to the patient's ears, particularly the inner ears. In the disclosed embodiment, the acoustic transducer is used in cooperation with an implantable closed-loop system for the treatment of certain neurological disorders such as epilepsy, migraine headaches and Parkinson's disease, to warn the patient of an imminent seizure or other episode, to provide information to the patient on the state of the implantable apparatus, and to provide reminders and other information to the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Fischell, Stephen T. Archer, Robert E. Fischell, Adrian R.M. Upton
  • Publication number: 20020099433
    Abstract: The present invention is a stent delivery system that uses a short section of a guide wire that is fixedly attached to a distal section of a balloon angioplasty catheter. By not having a guide wire that slides through the balloon of the balloon angioplasty catheter, the balloon on which the stent is mounted can have a reduced diameter. Therefore, the outside diameter of the undeployed stent mounted onto that balloon is also minimized. This provides a minimum profile, i.e., a minimum outside diameter, for the stent. A minimum profile at the distal section of the stent delivery system is highly advantageous for improving the percentage of cases that can be treated by means of direct stenting; i.e., without requiring pre-dilation of a stenosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell
  • Patent number: 6402678
    Abstract: Disclosed is a means and method for the treatment of migraine headaches. Patients who have migraine headaches typically have a band of excited brain neurons that are a precursor of the headache. By placing an intense alternating magnetic field onto a certain region of the brain, an electrical current can be generated in the cerebral cortex that can depolarize these excited brain neurons. This procedure can stop a migraine headache in some patients or at least decrease its severity. The device to perform this function can be called a “magnetic depolarizer”. The magnetic depolarizer can be placed in some headgear such as a bicycle helmet in order to place the magnetic field at the correct location relative to the patient's cerebral cortex. This technique can be particularly valuable for patients who have a perceptible aura that occurs prior to the onset of a migraine headache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: NeuraLieve, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischell, David R. Fischell, Adrian R. M. Upton
  • Publication number: 20020058989
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stent having improved characteristics of its structural design and improved radiopacity characteristics. Specifically, the present invention is a stent that has circumferential sets of strut members at the ends of the stent and central sets of strut members that are longitudinally placed between the end sets of strut members. Optimal radiopacity is achieved when the end sets of strut members are more radiopaque as compared to the radiopacity of the central sets of strut members. Also disclosed is the concept of adjusting the strut width of the curved sections of the end and central sets of strut members so that equal strain in all curved sections is achieved as the stent is expanded even though the diagonals sections of the end sets of strut members are shorter than the diagonal sections of the central sets of strut members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Chao Chen, David R. Fischell