Patents by Inventor Earl A. Bright

Earl A. Bright 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: 8834492
    Abstract: A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for creating continuous defects or indentations in lobes of a prostate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: NeoTract, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew McLean, Floria Cheng, Theodore C. Lamson, Joseph Catanese, III, Ling-Kang Tong, Michael Gearhart, Kevin McDermott, Ben Thompson, Earl A. Bright, II
  • Publication number: 20140142374
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for promoting female sexual wellness and function. The devices, systems, and methods encourage clitoral engorgement using suction over the clitoris combined with vibratory stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, Earl A Bright, II, Eric Goldfarb, Arthur Ferdinand, Pablo Acosta, William M Facteau, Sharon Lam Wang, Alex Goldenberg, Michael Strasser, Imraan Aziz, Kyle Lamson
  • Publication number: 20140090654
    Abstract: A device for receipt in a user's mouth includes a tongue engagement element having a front region, a rear region, and side regions that define an opening for receiving a user's tongue, means for retaining the user's tongue in a forward position, and means for changing the size of the opening. The tongue engagement element is shaped such that when placed in a user's mouth, the rear region extends over the user's tongue and the front region extends under the user's tongue. A method of securing a tongue engagement element in a user's mouth includes moving an expanded tongue engagement element under a front region of a tongue and over a rear region of the tongue, and allowing the tongue engagement element to return toward a non-expanded state. The tongue engagement element acts to resist rearward motion of the tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: SLEEPY, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, Earl A. Bright, II, Eric Goldfarb, William Facteau, Ravinder D. Pamnani, Joseph Catanese, III, Theodore Bender, Imraan Aziz, Kyle Lamson, Michael Strasser, Jason Hegener
  • Publication number: 20140034065
    Abstract: An oral appliance includes a frame for mounting to a user's teeth and a tongue contacting retaining member extending from the frame and configured in use to limit movement of the tongue toward the user's throat when the user is exercising or sleeping to maintain an open air passageway. The retaining member is positioned relative to the frame such that in use the retaining member contacts the tongue in a zone behind the second molars and in front of the pharyngeal reflex region of the tongue. The retaining member is further configured to lightly contact the tongue, and to apply a restraining force to the tongue as the tongue begins to move toward the user's throat during exercise or as the user falls asleep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, James Blackburn Joslin, Michael Strasser, Clinton N. Slone, Earl A. Bright, II, Marc Spinali, Richard A. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20130296889
    Abstract: A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Ling-Kang Tong, Joseph Catanese, III, Floria Cheng, Jolene Cutts, Daniel Merrick, Theodore C. Lamson, Kristin Taylor, Earl A. Bright, II, Michael Gearhart, Matthew McLean, James Niederjohn, Brian Y. Tachibana, Andrew L. Johnston, John Stiggelbout
  • Publication number: 20130289342
    Abstract: A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for comprising, distracting and/or retracting the lobes of a prostate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Ling-Kang Tong, Theodore C. Lamson, Joseph Catanese, III, R. James Yu, Daniel Merrick, Matthew McLean, James W. Niederjohn, Floria Cheng, Ben Thompson, Brian Y. Tachibana, Kristin N. Taylor, Earl A. Bright, II
  • Publication number: 20130211489
    Abstract: Methods and devices for relieving stenoses in, or otherwise improving blood flow through, body lumens. Although applicable in a variety of different body lumens, the methods and devices of this invention are specifically useable for relieving stenoses in, or otherwise improving blood flow through, veins which drain blood from the brain for treatment of multiple sclerosis or other neurodegenerative disorders that are caused, triggered or exacerbated by venous occlusion or venous insufficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: APERTOMED L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, Earl A. Bright, II, Theodore M. Bender, Joseph Cantanese, III, John Y. Chang, Thomas King, Clinton Slone, Theodore C. Lamson, Aziz Imraan
  • Patent number: 8491606
    Abstract: A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for comprising, distracting and/or retracting the lobes of a prostate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Neotract, Inc.
    Inventors: Ling-Kang Tong, Theodore C. Lamson, Joseph Catanese, III, R. James Yu, Daniel Merrick, Matthew McLean, James W. Niederjohn, Floria Cheng, Ben Thompson, Brian Y. Tachibana, Kristin Taylor, Earl A. Bright, II
  • Publication number: 20130178877
    Abstract: Methods, instruments and systems are provided for separating opposite walls of the stomach by extragastric application of suction. Plication of the stomach can be performed between the separated walls after which the separate walls are brought back toward one another. In another aspect, methods, instruments, devices and systems are provided for reducing the effective volume of a stomach by performing one or more extragastric plications of the stomach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Theodore M. Bender, Joshua Makower, Brian K. Shiu, Pablo G. Acosta, Robert M. George, Lisa Serventi, Ed Orbeta, Scott Early, Earl A. Bright, II, Timothy A. Limon
  • Patent number: 8474462
    Abstract: An oral appliance includes a frame for mounting to a user's teeth and a tongue contacting retaining member extending from the frame and configured in use to limit movement of the tongue toward the user's throat when the user is exercising or sleeping to maintain an open air passageway. The retaining member is positioned relative to the frame such that in use the retaining member contacts the tongue in a zone behind the second molars and in front of the pharyngeal reflex region of the tongue. The retaining member is further configured to lightly contact the tongue, and to apply a restraining force to the tongue as the tongue begins to move toward the user's throat during exercise or as the user falls asleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sleepy, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, James Blackburn Joslin, Michael Strasser, Clinton N. Slone, Earl A. Bright, II, Marc Spinali, Richard A. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8435290
    Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton G. Clifford, Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang, John H. Morriss, Earl A. Bright, II, Eric Goldfarb, Julia D. Vrany, Ketan P. Muni, William E. Bolger, Joseph Roberson
  • Publication number: 20130068235
    Abstract: An oral appliance includes a frame for mounting to a user's teeth and a tongue contacting retaining member extending from the frame and configured in use to limit movement of the tongue toward the user's throat when the user is exercising or sleeping to maintain an open air passageway. The retaining member is positioned relative to the frame such that in use the retaining member contacts the tongue in a zone behind the second molars and in front of the pharyngeal reflex region of the tongue. The retaining member is further configured to lightly contact the tongue, and to apply a restraining force to the tongue as the tongue begins to move toward the user's throat during exercise or as the user falls asleep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: SLEEPY, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, James Blackburn Joslin, Michael Strasser, Clinton N. Slone, Earl A. Bright, II, Marc Spinali, Richard A. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8382775
    Abstract: Methods, instruments and systems are provided for separating opposite walls of the stomach by extragastric application of suction. Plication of the stomach can be performed between the separated walls after which the separate walls are brought back toward one another. In another aspect, methods, instruments, devices and systems are provided for reducing the effective volume of a stomach by performing one or more extragastric plications of the stomach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Vibrynt, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore M. Bender, Joshua Makower, Brian K. Shiu, Pablo G. Acosta, Robert M. George, Lisa Serventi, Ed Orbeta, Scott Early, Earl A. Bright, II, Timothy A. Limon
  • Publication number: 20110172767
    Abstract: A method includes selecting a template from a plurality of different sizes of templates based on measurements of the abdominal cavity of a patient; orienting the template on the patient at a location overlying the abdominal cavity to select an appropriate size implant using fluoroscopic imaging; marking an incision location and an indicator of an angle of approach; and removing the template from the patient, wherein marks made by the marking remain on the patient. Methods apparatus, instruments and implants for treating a patient are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Pankaj Rathi, Theodore M. Bender, Brian K. Shiu, Pablo G. Acosta, Joshua Makower, Shuji Uemura, Narvel M. Brooks, III, Robert M. George, Earl A. Bright, II, Dane A. Johnson, Matthew B. Newell, Marlo Dreissigacker, Crystine M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20110160747
    Abstract: A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for creating continuous defects or indentations in lobes of a prostate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Neotract, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew McLean, Floria Cheng, Theodore C. Lamson, Joseph Catanese, III, Ling-Kang Tong, Michael Gearhart, Kevin McDermott, Ben Thompson, Earl A. Bright, II
  • Publication number: 20110144423
    Abstract: A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for comprising, distracting and/or retracting the lobes of a prostate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: NEOTRACT, INC.
    Inventors: Ling-Kang Tong, Theodore C. Lamson, Joseph Catanese, III, R. James Yu, Daniel Merrick, Matthew McLean, James W. Niederjohn, Floria Cheng, Ben Thompson, Brian Y. Tachibana, Kristin Taylor, Earl A. Bright, II
  • Publication number: 20100305697
    Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube are provided. One device may include a lumen with a valve. A portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent muscle. Another portion of the valve may be tethered to adjacent cartilage. When the muscle contracts the valve may open through movement of the tethers, and provide a gas pathway between the nasopharynx and the Eustachian tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton G. Clifford, Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang, John H. Morriss, Earl A. Bright, II, Eric Goldfarb, Julia D. Vrany, Ketan P. Muni, William E. Bolger, Joseph Roberson
  • Publication number: 20100198191
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accessing a Eustachian tube of a patient are disclosed. The system includes a guide configured for passing into a nasal passage of the patient to position a distal tip of the catheter at or near a Eustachian tube, the guide having a distal tip with a bend having an angle between 30 and 90 degrees; and a guidewire configured to pass through the guide into the Eustachian tube. A device for providing therapy to the Eustachian tube is passed through the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton G. Clifford, Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang, John H. Morriss, Earl A. Bright, II, Eric Goldfarb, Julia D. Vrany
  • Publication number: 20100076269
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating paranasal sinuses in a head of a patient include, for example, forming an opening through a canine fossa into a maxillary paranasal sinus and performing a procedure such as a balloon catheter dilation of the maxillary sinus ostium. In some embodiments, one or more procedures other than a balloon dilation procedure may be performed. In some embodiments, a combination of balloon dilation and one or more other procedures may be performed. Various approaches involve employing medical devices to accomplish alternative treatment modalities as well as taking alternative routes to the interventional site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ACCLARENT, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau, Eric Goldfarb, Ketan P. Muni, Earl A. Bright, II, Greg Garfield, Greg Liu, Thomas Jenkins, John H. Morriss, Julia D. Vrany, Hung V. Ha, Ronda M. Heiser, Scott M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100030263
    Abstract: A slotted anchor that secures to a connector as part of an anchor assembly is disclosed. The slotted anchor includes a pair of spaced apart prongs which join together at a slot inception. The prongs are shaped and sized of a configuration and of a rigidity to substantially prevent deflection of the prongs. The prongs include inwardly facing protrusions that are configured to capture and deform the connector between the protrusions and prevent the connector from disengaging from the slotted anchor once engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Neotracrt, Inc.
    Inventors: Floria Cheng, Matthew McLean, Michael Wei, Joseph Catanese, III, Theodore C. Lamson, Earl A. Bright, II