Patents by Inventor Erik K. Walberg

Erik K. Walberg 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: 20220330942
    Abstract: A device for closing a tissue opening includes a proximal housing portion having a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The first portion and the fourth portion extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the proximal housing portion on opposite sides of the proximal housing portion. A distal portion extends from the proximal housing portion. At least the second portion and the third portion are configured to move toward the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Yenkai Jair, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Patent number: 11344304
    Abstract: A device for closing a tissue opening includes a proximal housing portion having a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The first portion and the fourth portion extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the proximal housing portion on opposite sides of the proximal housing portion. A distal portion extends from the proximal housing portion. At least the second portion and the third portion are configured to move toward the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Yenkai Jair, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Publication number: 20190021735
    Abstract: A device for closing a tissue opening includes a proximal housing portion having a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion. The first portion and the fourth portion extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the proximal housing portion on opposite sides of the proximal housing portion. A distal portion extends from the proximal housing portion. At least the second portion and the third portion are configured to move toward the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Yenkai Jair, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Patent number: 10085753
    Abstract: A method for delivering a closure element to an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen. The method includes inserting a distal end region of an apparatus into the opening in the wall of the body lumen, moving a third grasping portion toward the first grasping portion to limit movement of the distal end of the apparatus relative to the opening in the wall of the body lumen, and moving a second grasping portion toward the first grasping portion to advance the closure element distally. The second grasping portion and third grasping portion are movable toward the first grasping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Yenkai Jair, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Patent number: 9592038
    Abstract: A surgical device of suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. In one form the device includes a distal member that contains a suture and needle engaging fitting. A needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the puncture wound and into the needle engaging fitting to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close the puncture wound. In another form the device includes a needle advanceable through tissue and into a needle capture element within a distal end of the surgical device to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close various puncture wounds. In still another form the device includes at least one needle advanceable to draw lengths of suture material to close various puncture wounds. A foot is pivotal between a non-deployed and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Anthony J. Pantages, Brian A. Ellingwood, Erik K. Walberg
  • Publication number: 20150265279
    Abstract: A method for delivering a closure element to an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen. The method includes inserting a distal end region of an apparatus into the opening in the wall of the body lumen, moving a third grasping portion toward the first grasping portion to limit movement of the distal end of the apparatus relative to the opening in the wall of the body lumen, and moving a second grasping portion toward the first grasping portion to advance the closure element distally. The second grasping portion and third grasping portion are movable toward the first grasping portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Yenkai Jair, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Patent number: 9050068
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A locator assembly and a carrier assembly are at least partially received in the housing. The locator assembly can have one or more expansion members that can selectably contact the wall of the body lumen and a proximal end configured to cooperate with a portion of a locator control system operable to expand the one or more expansion members. A triggering system cooperates with the locator assembly and is moveable toward the one or more expansion members of the locator assembly upon the locator control system being operated to expand the one or more expansion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Yenkai Jair, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Patent number: 8893947
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A locator assembly and a carrier assembly are at least partially received in the housing. The locator assembly can have a distal end that contains notches or a shaped edge which are designed to help prevent the misfiring of the tines of the closure element. A triggering system cooperates with the locator assembly and is moveable toward the one or more expansion members of the locator assembly upon the locator control system being operated to expand the one or more expansion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Timothy C. Reynolds, Erik K. Walberg, Anthony J. Pantages, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Y. Jair
  • Patent number: 8820602
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A triggering element deploys the closure device and can at least be partially formed in the housing. A throw reducing mechanism can slide relative to the housing and reduce the distance a user must stretch a hand to move a triggering system within the housing. The housing can include, or be connected to, a handle member having one or more expansion members which expand to provide a stable base for manipulating the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Publication number: 20130253539
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A locator assembly and a carrier assembly are at least partially received in the housing. The locator assembly can have one or more expansion members that can selectably contact the wall of the body lumen and a proximal end configured to cooperate with a portion of a locator control system operable to expand the one or more expansion members. A triggering system cooperates with the locator assembly and is moveable toward the one or more expansion members of the locator assembly upon the locator control system being operated to expand the one or more expansion members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Yenkai Jair, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Patent number: 8518057
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A locator assembly and a carrier assembly are at least partially received in the housing. The locator assembly can have one or more expansion members that can selectably contact the wall of the body lumen and a proximal end configured to cooperate with a portion of a locator control system operable to expand the one or more expansion members. A triggering system cooperates with the locator assembly and is moveable toward the one or more expansion members of the locator assembly upon the locator control system being operated to expand the one or more expansion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Yenkai Jair, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Publication number: 20130066340
    Abstract: A surgical device of suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. In one form the device includes a distal member that contains a suture and needle engaging fitting. A needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the puncture wound and into the needle engaging fitting to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close the puncture wound. In another form the device includes a needle advanceable through tissue and into a needle capture element within a distal end of the surgical device to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close various puncture wounds. In still another form the device includes at least one needle advanceable to draw lengths of suture material to close various puncture wounds. A foot is pivotal between a non-deployed and a deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Anthony J. Pantages, Brian A. Ellingwood, Erik K. Walberg
  • Publication number: 20130006274
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A locator assembly and a carrier assembly are at least partially received in the housing. The locator assembly can have one or more expansion members that can selectably contact the wall of the body lumen and a proximal end configured to cooperate with a portion of a locator control system operable to expand the one or more expansion members. A triggering system cooperates with the locator assembly and is moveable toward the one or more expansion members of the locator assembly upon the locator control system being operated to expand the one or more expansion members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Y. Jair, Anthony Pantages
  • Patent number: 8313497
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A locator assembly and a carrier assembly are at least partially received in the housing. The locator assembly can have one or more expansion members that can selectably contact the wall of the body lumen and a proximal end configured to cooperate with a portion of a locator control system operable to expand the one or more expansion members. A triggering system cooperates with the locator assembly and is moveable toward the one or more expansion members of the locator assembly upon the locator control system being operated to expand the one or more expansion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Brian A. Ellingwood, Kai Y. Jair, Anthony Pantages
  • Patent number: 8313498
    Abstract: A surgical device for suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device includes a distal member for insertion into a vascular vessel puncture wound. The distal member contains a suture and needle engaging fitting. At least one needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the puncture wound and into the needle engaging fitting to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close the puncture wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Anthony J. Pantages, Brian A. Ellingwood, Erik K. Walberg
  • Patent number: 8267947
    Abstract: A surgical device of suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. In one form the device includes a distal member for insertion into a vascular vessel puncture wound. The distal member contains a suture and needle engaging fitting. At least one needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the puncture wound and into the needle engaging fitting to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close the puncture wound. In another form the device includes at least one needle advanceable through tissue and into a needle capture element within a distal end of the surgical device to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close various puncture wounds, particularly in vascular tissue. In still another form the device includes at least one needle advanceable through tissue to drawn lengths of suture material which can then be used to close various puncture wounds, particularly in vascular tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Anthony J. Pantages, Brian A. Ellingwood, Erik K. Walberg
  • Publication number: 20120150201
    Abstract: A surgical device of suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device includes at least one needle advanceable through tissue and into a needle capture element within a distal end of the surgical device to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close various puncture wounds, particularly in vascular tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Anthony J. Pantages, Brian A. Ellingwood, Erik K. Walberg
  • Publication number: 20110196387
    Abstract: A surgical device for suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device includes a distal member for insertion into a vascular vessel puncture wound. The distal member contains a suture and needle engaging fitting. At least one needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the puncture wound and into the needle engaging fitting to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close the puncture wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Anthony J. Pantages, Brian A. Ellingwood, Erik K. Walberg
  • Publication number: 20110066164
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A triggering element deploys the closure device and can at least be partially formed in the housing. A throw reducing mechanism can slide relative to the housing and reduce the distance a user must stretch a hand to move a triggering system within the housing. The housing can include, or be connected to, a handle member having one or more expansion members which expand to provide a stable base for manipulating the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Anthony J. Pantages
  • Patent number: 7841502
    Abstract: An apparatus for placement into an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprising a housing having a handle portion formed at a distal end, the handle portion configured to be engaged by a user when advancing the housing to deploy the closure element. A triggering element deploys the closure device and can at least be partially formed in the housing. A throw reducing mechanism can slide relative to the housing and reduce the distance a user must stretch a hand to move a triggering system within the housing. The housing can include, or be connected to, a handle member having one or more expansion members which expand to provide a stable base for manipulating the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Erik K. Walberg, Timothy C. Reynolds, Anthony J. Pantages