Patents by Inventor F. Nicholas Franano
F. Nicholas Franano 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).
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Patent number: 9662431Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary blood pump with a double pivot contact bearing system with an operating range between about 50 mL/min and about 1500 mL/min. The rotary blood pump is part of a blood pump system that includes blood conduit(s), a control system with optional sensors, and a power source. Embodiments of the present invention may include elements such as wear resistant bearing materials, a rotor back plate for magnetic attraction of the rotor to reduce bearing pivot bearing forces and wear, a rotor size and shape and a bearing gap that combine to create a hydrodynamic bearing effect and reduce bearing pivot bearing forces and wear, improved intravascular conduits with increased resistance to thrombosis, conduit insertion site cuffs to resist infection, and conduit side ports amenable to the easy insertion of guidewire and catheter-based medical devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: FLOW FORWARD MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Howard M. Loree, II, Geoff Tansley, Steve Woodard, Barrett Hutto
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Publication number: 20170112993Abstract: A system and method for increasing the speed of blood and the wall shear stress in a peripheral artery or peripheral vein to a sufficient level and for a sufficient period of time to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the donating artery or donating vein is provided. The method includes systems and methods to effect the movement of blood at the desired rate and in the desired direction. The movement of blood is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired blood speed and wall shear stress in the peripheral artery or vein in order to optimize the rate and extent of persistent diameter increase of the peripheral artery or peripheral vein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventor: F. Nicholas Franano
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Patent number: 9572698Abstract: What is disclosed are medical devices comprising a rounded, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (“ballstent”) and a flexible, elongated delivery device (“delivery catheter”) and systems and methods of use for treating saccular vascular aneurysms with the medical devices. Ballstents comprised of gold, platinum, or silver that can be compressed, positioned in the lumen of an aneurysm, and expanded to conform to the shape of the aneurysm are disclosed. The external surface of ballstents can be configured to promote local thrombosis and to promote the growth of tissue into and around the wall of the ballstent in order to seal the aneurysm and fix the ballstent in place in the aneurysm. The wall of the ballstent can also be configured to release drugs or pharmacologically active molecules, such as those that promote thrombosis, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and tissue growth.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Metactive Medical, Inc.Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Katherine J. Stephenson
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Patent number: 9572697Abstract: What is disclosed is a medical device comprising a compressed, cylindrical or oblong, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (a “blockstent”) and a flexible, elongated device (a “delivery catheter”) to position the compressed blockstent into the lumen of a blood vessel segment to be treated, and methods of use for occlusion of treated blood vessel segments. A blockstent can be made with ductile metals such as gold, platinum, or silver such that the blockstent will conform to the shape of the lumen of the treated blood vessel segment during expansion and allow for the shape of the blockstent to be permanently changed by the application of an external force. The surface of the blockstent can be configured to promote local thrombus on the external surface of the blockstent and to promote the growth of tissue into the wall of the blockstent in order to occlude the treated blood vessel and fix the blockstent in place.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Metactive Medical, Inc.Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Katherine J. Stephenson
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Patent number: 9555174Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotary blood pump with a double pivot contact bearing system with an operating range between about 50 mL/min and about 1500 mL/min, wherein the force on the upper bearing is less than 3N during operating speeds up to 6000 rpm. The disclosure also relates to a method of using a blood pump system for persistently increasing the overall diameter and lumen diameter of peripheral veins and arteries by persistently increasing the speed of blood and the wall shear stress in a peripheral vein or artery for period of time sufficient to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: FLOW FORWARD MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Howard M. Loree, II, Geoff Tansley, Steve Woodard, Barrett Hutto
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Patent number: 9539380Abstract: A system and method for increasing the speed of blood and the wall shear stress in a peripheral artery or peripheral vein to a sufficient level and for a sufficient period of time to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the artery or vein is provided. The method includes systems and methods to effect the movement of blood at the desired rate and in the desired direction. The movement of blood is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired blood speed and wall shear stress in the peripheral artery or vein in order to optimize the rate and extent of persistent diameter increase of the peripheral artery or peripheral vein.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: FLOW FORWARD MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: F. Nicholas Franano
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Publication number: 20160319267Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the manufacture, purification, formulation, and use of biologically active recombinant elastase proteins. Described are recombinant methods for producing therapeutically useful elastase proteins, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said elastase proteins. Novel recombinant elastase proteins and protein preparations are also disclosed. Methods are described for treating and preventing diseases of biological conduits using pharmaceutical compositions containing the elastase proteins of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Applicant: Proteon Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Kimberly Bland, Marco D. Wong, Bee C. Ding
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Publication number: 20160243205Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the manufacture, purification, formulation, and use of biologically active recombinant elastase proteins. Described are recombinant methods for producing therapeutically useful elastase proteins, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said elastase proteins. Novel recombinant elastase proteins and protein preparations are also disclosed. Methods are described for treating and preventing diseases of biological conduits using pharmaceutical compositions containing the elastase proteins of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: Proteon Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: F. Nicholas FRANANO, Kimberly S. Bland, Marco D. Wong, Bee C. Ding
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Publication number: 20160030050Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical devices comprising a single-lobed, thin-walled, expandable body and a flexible, elongated delivery device for treating saccular vascular aneurysms and occluding segments of blood vessels and other biological conduits. The expandable bodies may include gold and other metals that can be compressed, positioned in the lumen of an aneurysm, or other biological conduit and expanded. The external surface of the expandable bodies can be configured to promote local thrombosis and to promote the growth of tissue into and around the surface in order to reduce migration of the expandable body and to occlude and seal the aneurysm or biological conduit. For the treatment of saccular aneurysms, the expandable body may be deployed in combination with one or more coiled wires that contact both the wall of the aneurysm and the expandable body and exert force on the expandable body to aid in sealing the aneurysm neck.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: F. Nicholas FRANANO, Howard M. LOREE II, Stephen BRUNELL, Katherine STEPHENSON
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Publication number: 20160030647Abstract: A system and method for increasing the speed of blood and wall shear stress (WSS) in a peripheral vein for a sufficient period of time to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the vein is provided. The method includes pumping blood at a desired rate and pulsatility. The pumping is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired blood speed, WSS and pulsatility in the peripheral vein in order to optimize the rate and extent of dilation of the peripheral vein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventor: F. Nicholas Franano
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Publication number: 20160030648Abstract: A system and method for increasing the speed of blood and wall shear stress (WSS) in a peripheral vein for a sufficient period of time to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the vein is provided. The method includes pumping blood at a desired rate and pulsatility. The pumping is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired blood speed, WSS and pulsatility in the peripheral vein in order to optimize the rate and extent of dilation of the peripheral vein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventor: F. Nicholas Franano
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Publication number: 20150329846Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the manufacture, purification, formulation, and use of biologically active recombinant elastase proteins. Described are recombinant methods for producing therapeutically useful elastase proteins, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said elastase proteins. Novel recombinant elastase proteins and protein preparations are also disclosed. Methods are described for treating and preventing diseases of biological conduits using pharmaceutical compositions containing the elastase proteins of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: PROTEON THERAPEUTICS, INC.Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Kimberly Bland, Marco D. Wong, Bee C. Ding
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Publication number: 20150322420Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the manufacture, purification, formulation, and use of biologically active recombinant elastase proteins. Described are recombinant methods for producing therapeutically useful elastase proteins, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said elastase proteins. Novel recombinant elastase proteins and protein preparations are also disclosed. Methods are described for treating and preventing diseases of biological conduits using pharmaceutical compositions containing the elastase proteins of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2010Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: F. NICHOLAS FRANANO, KIMBERLY S. BLAND, MARCO D. WONG, BEE C. DING
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Patent number: 9155827Abstract: A system and method for increasing the speed of blood and wall shear stress (WSS) in a peripheral vein for a sufficient period of time to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the vein is provided. The method includes pumping blood at a desired rate and pulsatility. The pumping is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired blood speed, WSS and pulsatility in the peripheral vein in order to optimize the rate and extent of dilation of the peripheral vein.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: FLOW FORWARD MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: F. Nicholas Franano
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Publication number: 20150209498Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary blood pump with a double pivot contact bearing system with an operating range between about 50 mL/min and about 1500 mL/min. The rotary blood pump is part of a blood pump system that includes blood conduit(s), a control system with optional sensors, and a power source. Embodiments of the present invention may include elements such as wear resistant bearing materials, a rotor back plate for magnetic attraction of the rotor to reduce bearing pivot bearing forces and wear, a rotor size and shape and a bearing gap that combine to create a hydrodynamic bearing effect and reduce bearing pivot bearing forces and wear, improved intravascular conduits with increased resistance to thrombosis, conduit insertion site cuffs to resist infection, and conduit side ports amenable to the easy insertion of guidewire and catheter-based medical devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Howard M. Loree, II, Geoff Tansley, Steve Woodard, Barrett Hutto
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Publication number: 20150166974Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the manufacture, purification, formulation, and use of biologically active recombinant elastase proteins. Described are recombinant methods for producing therapeutically useful elastase proteins, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said elastase proteins. Novel recombinant elastase proteins and protein preparations are also disclosed. Methods are described for treating and preventing diseases of biological conduits using pharmaceutical compositions containing the elastase proteins of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: PROTEON THERAPEUTICS, INC.Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Kimberly Bland, Marco D. Wong, Bee C. Ding
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Patent number: 9057060Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the manufacture, purification, formulation, and use of biologically active recombinant elastase proteins. Described are recombinant methods for producing therapeutically useful elastase proteins, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said elastase proteins. Novel recombinant elastase proteins and protein preparations are also disclosed. Methods are described for treating and preventing diseases of biological conduits using pharmaceutical compositions containing the elastase proteins of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Proteon Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Kimberly Bland, Marco D. Wong, Bee C. Ding
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Publication number: 20140296615Abstract: A blood pump system for persistently increasing the overall diameter and lumen diameter of peripheral veins and arteries by persistently increasing the speed of blood and the wall shear stress in a peripheral vein or artery for a period of time sufficient to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the vessel is provided. The blood pump system includes a blood pump, blood conduit(s), a control system with optional sensors, and a power source. The pump system is configured to connect to the vascular system in a patient and pump blood at a desired rate and pulsatility. The pumping of blood is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired elevated blood speed, wall shear stress, and desired pulsatility in the target vessel to optimize the rate and extent of persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the target vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: NOVITA THERAPEUTICS, LLCInventor: F. Nicholas Franano
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Publication number: 20140296767Abstract: A system and method for increasing the speed of blood and the wall shear stress in a peripheral artery or peripheral vein to a sufficient level and for a sufficient period of time to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the artery or vein is provided. The method includes systems and methods to effect the movement of blood at the desired rate and in the desired direction. The movement of blood is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired blood speed and wall shear stress in the peripheral artery or vein in order to optimize the rate and extent of persistent diameter increase of the peripheral artery or peripheral vein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: NOVITA THERAPEUTICS, LLCInventor: F. Nicholas Franano
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Publication number: 20140018838Abstract: What is disclosed is a medical device comprising a compressed, cylindrical or oblong, thin-walled, expandable metal structure (a “blockstent”) and a flexible, elongated device (a “delivery catheter”) to position the compressed blockstent into the lumen of a blood vessel segment to be treated, and methods of use for occlusion of treated blood vessel segments. A blockstent can be made with ductile metals such as gold, platinum, or silver such that the blockstent will conform to the shape of the lumen of the treated blood vessel segment during expansion and allow for the shape of the blockstent to be permanently changed by the application of an external force. The surface of the blockstent can be configured to promote local thrombus on the external surface of the blockstent and to promote the growth of tissue into the wall of the blockstent in order to occlude the treated blood vessel and fix the blockstent in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: NOVITA THERAPEUTICS, LLCInventors: F. Nicholas Franano, Katherine J. Stephenson