Patents by Inventor Frank Fago

Frank Fago 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: 20240115388
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for a reusable clip sizing tool to select a clip for use with a left atrial appendage. The clip can comprise a handle portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a base portion distal to the handle portion, a plurality of indicator markers on the base portion, wherein the plurality of indicator markers comprise numbers corresponding to a size of a left atrial appendage when a distal end of the base portion is aligned with the left atrial appendage. The plurality of indicator markers can comprise alternating contrast levels. The handle portion and the base portion can comprise a malleable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank FAGO, Ed BIEHLE, David HOLTMEIER
  • Publication number: 20230240737
    Abstract: Cryosurgical devices, such as cryosurgical probes (cryoprobes) are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a cryogenic probe comprising an elongated tube at least partially housing or delineating a fluid supply conduit and a fluid exhaust conduit, the elongated tube including a distal ablation section terminating at a closed distal end, the elongated tube including at least one stagnant fluid pocket interposing an exterior of the conduit and at least one of the fluid supply conduit and the fluid exhaust conduit, and a housing at least partially circumscribing at least a portion of a proximal end of the elongated tube and receiving or delineating at least a portion of the fluid supply conduit and a portion of the fluid exhaust conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Skorich, David Wilson, Todd Frangolis, Christopher Widenhouse, Frank Fago
  • Patent number: 11628007
    Abstract: Cryosurgical devices, such as cryosurgical probes (cryoprobes) are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include an elongated shaft at least partially housing or delineating a fluid supply conduit and a fluid exhaust conduit, the elongated shaft including a distal ablation section terminating at a closed distal end, a housing at least partially circumscribing at least a portion of a proximal end of the elongated shaft and receiving or delineating at least a portion of the fluid supply conduit and a portion of the fluid exhaust conduit; and/or a flow restricting element in fluid communication with the fluid exhaust conduit, the flow restricting element regulating the flow of fluid through at least a portion of the fluid exhaust conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Skorich, David Wilson, Todd Frangolis, Christopher Widenhouse, Frank Fago
  • Publication number: 20230083170
    Abstract: Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An application instrument for an exclusion device may include an end effector including a head configured to be disposed distally on a shaft, a stationary jaw fixedly disposed on the head and configured to releasably couple to a first clamping portion of an exclusion device, the exclusion device being biased in a closing direction, and a movable jaw movably disposed on the head and configured to releasably couple to a second clamping portion of the exclusion device. The movable jaw may be movable relative to the stationary jaw to reconfigure the exclusion device from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The movable jaw may be oriented generally parallel to the stationary jaw when the exclusion device is in the open configuration and the closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Biehle, Frank Fago, Carol Ann Mata, Lynn Ann Recker
  • Publication number: 20230083697
    Abstract: Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device for an anatomical structure may include a first beam, a second beam, and/or at least one spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam and bias the first beam and the second beam in a closing direction. The spring may be operatively coupled to the first beam by a crimp connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Ann Recker, Edward Biehle, Frank Fago, Carol Ann Mata
  • Publication number: 20230083738
    Abstract: Exclusion devices for anatomical structures, and related instruments and related methods, are disclosed. An exclusion device for an anatomical structure may include a first beam, a second beam, and/or a first spring operatively coupled to the first beam and the second beam to exert a closing force on the first beam and the second beam. The first spring may be generally U-shaped and/or may include a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite a connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannah Vivian Ziton, Frank Fago, Lynn Ann Recker, Carol Ann Mata
  • Publication number: 20220361886
    Abstract: Medical devices and instruments, particularly appliers that may be used to apply occlusion devices such as occlusion clips on anatomical structures, are disclosed. Some example clip appliers may include an activation lever configured to open and close an occlusion clip releasably mounted in an end effector. Some example clip appliers may include a deployment trigger configured to release the occlusion clip from the end effector. Some example clip appliers may include a shaft extending between a handle and the end effector that is rotatable and/or bendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc
    Inventors: Christopher Widenhouse, Frank Fago, Jonathan McHale, Edward Biehle, Heidi Koett, Erica Schwab
  • Patent number: 11439406
    Abstract: Medical devices and instruments, particularly appliers that may be used to apply occlusion devices such as occlusion clips on anatomical structures, are disclosed. Some example clip appliers may include an activation lever configured to open and close an occlusion clip releasably mounted in an end effector. Some example clip appliers may include a deployment trigger configured to release the occlusion clip from the end effector. Some example clip appliers may include a shaft extending between a handle and the end effector that is rotatable and/or bendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Widenhouse, Frank Fago, Jonathan McHale, Edward Biehle, Heidi Koett, Erica Schwab
  • Patent number: 11062626
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for a surgical training tool that drives movement of an organ In order to reproduce a movement of that organ to mimic the conditions of a live surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon McHale, Frank Fago, Matthew Monti, Robert M. Trusty, John Wesley, Jeffrey Paul Sites, Eric S. Norman
  • Publication number: 20200085485
    Abstract: Cryosurgical devices, such as cryosurgical probes (cryoprobes) are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include an elongated shaft at least partially housing or delineating a fluid supply conduit and a fluid exhaust conduit, the elongated shaft including a distal ablation section terminating at a closed distal end, a housing at least partially circumscribing at least a portion of a proximal end of the elongated shaft and receiving or delineating at least a portion of the fluid supply conduit and a portion of the fluid exhaust conduit; and/or a flow restricting element in fluid communication with the fluid exhaust conduit, the flow restricting element regulating the flow of fluid through at least a portion of the fluid exhaust conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Skorich, David Wilson, Todd Frangolis, Christopher Widenhouse, Frank Fago
  • Publication number: 20190142428
    Abstract: Medical devices and instruments, particularly appliers that may be used to apply occlusion devices such as occlusion clips on anatomical structures, are disclosed. Some example clip appliers may include an activation lever configured to open and close an occlusion clip releasably mounted in an end effector. Some example clip appliers may include a deployment trigger configured to release the occlusion clip from the end effector. Some example clip appliers may include a shaft extending between a handle and the end effector that is rotatable and/or bendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: AtriCure, Inc
    Inventors: Christopher Widenhouse, Frank Fago, Jonathan McHale, Edward Biehle, Heidi Koett, Erica Schwab
  • Publication number: 20170116887
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for a surgical training tool that drives movement of an organ In order to reproduce a movement of that organ to mimic the conditions of a live surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathon MCHALE, Frank FAGO
  • Patent number: 7621892
    Abstract: The filling of a syringe can be performed at a faster rate using a filling sequence which expels air from the fill tube before filling the syringe. A similar method is used when changing contrast containers during a filling sequence to ensure that all the air is expelled from the fill tube before filling resumes with the new contrast container. Additionally, by including a contrast container holder that is affixed to an injector head and holds the container near the syringe tip, the filling sequence can be accomplished without requiring the operator to hold the contrast container during the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Fago, Robert Bergen, James F. Farmer
  • Publication number: 20090149745
    Abstract: The present invention embodies a method and an injector adapted to incorporate this method, for keeping a patient's vein open during an intravenous contrast injector procedure without injecting a saline solution from a separate syringe. The injector includes a controller having a programmable software module to allow an operator to configure the injector to push some contrast media fluid through an injection site and then retract a plunger drive ram. A syringe is adapted to allow a patient's blood pressure to move the syringe plunger back towards its starting position, thus enabling a patient's blood to pass through the injection site. Alternatively, the syringe is adapted with an elastic plunger which as it enlarges and contracts facilitating fluid communication through the injection site. Additionally, the plunger drive ram can be adapted to gradually pull as well as push the plunger, thereby causing fluid to flow across the injection site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Gary S. Wagner, Frank Fago
  • Patent number: 7491191
    Abstract: The present invention embodies a method and an injector adapted to incorporate this method, for keeping a patient's vein open during an intravenous contrast injector procedure without injecting a saline solution from a separate syringe. The injector includes a controller having a programable software module to allow an operator to configure the injector to push some contrast media fluid through an injection site and then retract a plunger drive ram. A syringe is adapted to allow a patient's blood pressure to move the syringe plunger back towards its starting position, thus enabling a patient's blood to pass through the injection site. Alternatively, the syringe is adapted with an elastic plunger which as it enlarges and contracts facilitates fluid communication through the injection site. Additionally, the plunger drive ram can be adapted to gradually pull as well as push the plunger, thereby causing fluid to flow across the injection site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Liebel-Flarsheim Company
    Inventors: Gary S. Wagner, Frank Fago
  • Publication number: 20080091164
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical pig is used to transport a syringe containing a liquid radiopharmaceutical from a radiopharmacy to a medical facility for administration to a patient. The pharmaceutical pig includes an elongate polymer cap that is removably attached to an elongate polymer base. The elongate polymer cap includes a cap shell that completely encloses a cap shielding element and the elongate polymer base includes a base shell that completely encloses a base shielding element. Preferably the polymer utilized for the cap shell and the base shell is polycarbonate resin, e.g., LEXAN®. An inner liner is not utilized and the cap shielding element and the base shielding element, which are preferably, but not necessarily, made of lead, are completely sealed and unexposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Fago, Matt Bantly, David Wilson
  • Publication number: 20070250005
    Abstract: An injector that may be used to deliver radiographic contrast media and/or flushing solution into a patient's vascular system for the purposes such as obtaining enhanced diagnostic x-ray images. The injector includes a drive ram movable along its longitudinal axis, and a control system that controls operation of the injector. The control system has an enabled state that allows an injection procedure to be performed, and a disabled state that does not allow an injection procedure to be performed. The control system transitions from the disabled state to the enabled state in response to movement of the drive ram along its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT INC.
    Inventors: Frank Fago, Charles Neer
  • Publication number: 20070250414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefor, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT INC.
    Inventors: Frank Fago, David Wilson, Chad Gibson, William Bausmith, Vernon Ortenzi, Elaine Haynes, Elaine Borgemenke, John Lewis, Gary Wagner
  • Publication number: 20070241883
    Abstract: The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefore, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT INC.
    Inventors: Frank Fago, David Wilson, Chad Gibson, William Bausmith, Vernon Ortenzi, Elaine Haynes, Elaine Borgemenke, John Lewis, Gary Wagner
  • Publication number: 20070235534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to management of information relating to medical fluids, containers therefor, and medical fluid administration devices for administering such medical fluids to patients. Data tags (e.g., RFID tags) are generally associated with containers of the invention and may be electromagnetically read from and/or written to using an electromagnetic device, for example, that may be associated with a medical fluid administration device of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: MALLINCKRODT INC.
    Inventors: Frank Fago, David Wilson, Chad Gibson, William Bausmith, Vernon Ortenzi, Elaine Haynes, Elaine Borgemenke, John Lewis, Gary Wagner