Patents by Inventor Francisco G. Lopez
Francisco G. Lopez 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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Publication number: 20240090744Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a stiffening layer positioned radially outwards of the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the elongate flexible tube and the stiffening layer, and a vacuum or pressure inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The elongate flexible tube includes a first reinforcement element and a second reinforcement element. The second reinforcement element is counterwound relative to the first reinforcement element. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Francisco G. LOPEZ, Garrett J. GOMES, Alexander Q. TILSON
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Publication number: 20240081619Abstract: Apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) and methods that may provide access to one or more tools to a remote site in the body including expandable and external working channels that may be part of a tube that is coupled to an outer surface of an elongate medical device, such as an endoscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Alexander Q. TILSON, Mark C. SCHEEFF, Garrett J. GOMES, Francisco G. LOPEZ, Justin KIRSCHBROWN, Wei Li FAN, William EVANS, Viet Anh NGUYEN, Stephan T. HOFFMANN, Kassidy MACPHAIL, Thomas HSIU
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Patent number: 11793392Abstract: Apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) and methods that may provide access to one or more tools to a remote site in the body including expandable and external working channels that may be part of a tube that is coupled to an outer surface of an elongate medical device, such as an endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: NEPTUNE MEDICAL INC.Inventors: Alexander Q. Tilson, Mark C. Scheeff, Garrett J. Gomes, Francisco G. Lopez, Justin Kirschbrown, Wei Li Fan, William Evans, Viet Anh Nguyen, Stephan T. Hoffmann, Kassidy MacPhail, Thomas Hsiu
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Patent number: 11744443Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a stiffening layer positioned radially outwards of the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the elongate flexible tube and the stiffening layer, and a vacuum or pressure inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The elongate flexible tube includes a first reinforcement element and a second reinforcement element. The second reinforcement element is counterwound relative to the first reinforcement element. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: NEPTUNE MEDICAL INC.Inventors: Francisco G. Lopez, Garrett J. Gomes, Alexander Q. Tilson
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Publication number: 20230210351Abstract: A rigidizing system includes an elongate rigidizing device configured to be rigidized by vacuum or pressure from a flexible configuration to a rigid configuration and an outer tube configured to be positioned around the rigidizing device. The outer tube includes a plurality of expandable channels therein configured to enable passage of a working tool therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2021Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Mark C. SCHEEFF, Alexander Q. TILSON, Francisco G. LOPEZ, Justin KIRSCHBROWN, Wei Li FAN, William EVANS, Viet Anh NGUYEN
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Publication number: 20230120269Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a stiffening layer positioned radially outwards of the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the elongate flexible tube and the stiffening layer, and a vacuum or pressure inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The elongate flexible tube includes a first reinforcement element and a second reinforcement element. The second reinforcement element is counterwound relative to the first reinforcement element. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Francisco G. LOPEZ, Garrett J. GOMES, Alexander Q. TILSON
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Publication number: 20230014281Abstract: Apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) and methods that may provide access to one or more tools to a remote site in the body including expandable and external working channels that may be part of a tube that is coupled to an outer surface of an elongate medical device, such as an endoscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Alexander Q. TILSON, Mark C. SCHEEFF, Garrett J. GOMES, Francisco G. LOPEZ, Justin KIRSCHBROWN, Wei Li FAN, William EVANS, Viet Anh NGUYEN, Stephan T. HOFFMANN, Kassidy MACPHAIL, Thomas HSIU
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Publication number: 20220323166Abstract: A rigidizing device includes a plurality of layers and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: NEPTUNE MEDICAL INC.Inventors: Alexander Q. TILSON, Stephen J. MORRIS, Garrett J. GOMES, Adam S. WIGGINTON, Mark C. SCHEEFF, Charles S. LOVE, Viet Anh NGUYEN, Elias ELETHERIADES, Jonathan SINDLER, Francisco G. LOPEZ, Andy C. KISER
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Patent number: 6167731Abstract: A novel method of fabricating surgical gowns basically comprises the steps of fabricating main body robe portions for the gowns, each having a pair of arm sleeves terminating at respective wrist openings, knitting on a circular knitting machine a plurality of discreet individual annular cuff blanks for the gowns, and affixing, e.g., by sewing, one cuff blank to each sleeve of each robe portion in surrounding relation to the sleeve's wrist: openings. According to the invention, each cuff blank is knitted to have an annular main cuff body portion entirely of a single ply knitted construction, with an annular turned welt integrally knitted with one end of the cuff body. The material and fabrication costs associated with disposable surgical gowns and like medical garments may thereby be significantly reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1995Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.Inventors: Francisco G. Lopez, Roscoe M. Farrell, Melvin Euliss
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Patent number: 5561861Abstract: Material and fabrication costs associated with disposable surgical gowns and like medical garments are significantly reduced by utilizing a circularly-knitted tubular fabric cuff formed predominantly of a single-ply knitted construction with a small annular turned welt presenting a finished outer cuff edge. The circularly-knitted fabric of each cuff comprises a main body having plural body yarns and an elastic yarn formed in needle loops in circumferential courses and axial wales, the turned welt of each cuff comprising a welt beginning course connected to a welt ending course with a plurality of intervening courses therebetween. Preferably, each cuff's main body has an annular region adjacent the welt having courses of alternating needle loops and yarn floats and courses entirely of successive needle loops and an adjacent annular region having courses of alternating needle loops and tuck stitches and courses entirely of successive needle loops.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1993Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.Inventors: Francisco G. Lopez, Roscoe M. Farrell, Melvin Euliss
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Patent number: 5444871Abstract: A medical gown has a tubular, seamless, and impervious protective layer surrounding each sleeve to provide enhanced protection from contamination, particularly during surgical procedures. The bottom end of the protective layer is attached to the sleeve cuff and the top end preferably extends at least 70% of the distance to the shoulder seam. The protective layer may be of polyethylene or other suitable material, and the top end may be adhered to the sleeve by commonly used adhesives.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1993Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.Inventor: Francisco G. Lopez