Patents by Inventor George L. Matlock
George L. Matlock 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: 12370351Abstract: An apparatus includes a base housing, an actuator, and a blade. The base housing defines an upwardly presented support surface. The base housing also defines a distally oriented tip receiving recess. The distally oriented tip receiving recess is sized and configured to receive a bulbous distal tip of a dilation catheter. The actuator is movably coupled with the base housing. The blade us secured to the actuator. The actuator is operable to move the blade downwardly relative to the base housing. The blade is configured to sever a portion of a dilation catheter along a plane longitudinally interposed between the support surface and the tip receiving recess to thereby sever the bulbous distal tip of the dilation catheter in response to movement of the actuator relative to the base housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2023Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: George L. Matlock, John H. Thinnes, Jr., Jordan R. Trott, Karthick Ramyan Mohan
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Patent number: 12357791Abstract: An apparatus includes a bod, an actuation assembly, and a guide catheter extending distally from the body. The guide catheter includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, a rigid proximal portion, a bendable distal portion, and a pull wire extending from the bendable distal portion to the rigid proximal portion. A proximal end of the pull wire is coupled with the actuation assembly. The actuation assembly is operable to translate the pull wire relative to the rigid proximal portion to thereby articulate the bendable distal portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: George L. Matlock, Don Q. Ngo-Chu, Tuan Pham, John H. Thinnes, Jr.
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Publication number: 20240216646Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and a deflection actuation assembly. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and includes a flexible distal portion. The deflection actuation assembly includes a first rotary actuator, a translatable actuation member, and a resilient member. The translatable actuation member extends through the shaft assembly and is operatively coupled with the first rotary actuator and the flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly. The first rotary actuator is rotatable by a rotational force to thereby drive the translatable actuation member longitudinally. The resilient member is positioned between the first rotary actuator and the body and is configured to apply a friction force between the first rotary actuator and the body. The friction force is operable to increase the rotational force required to rotate the first rotary actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Inventors: George L. Matlock, Jetmir Palushi, Behnam Amin, Karthick Ramyan Mohan, Krishna M. Rajan
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Publication number: 20240198065Abstract: A catheter system includes a body, a guide member assembly, an articulation assembly, and a partial sleeve. The guide member assembly extends distally from the body and includes a proximal rigid portion defining a longitudinal axis, a distal flexible portion, and an open distal end. The guide member assembly defines a lumen in communication with the body and the open distal end. The articulation section can flex the distal flexible portion and the open distal end relative to the longitudinal axis between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration. The partial sleeve is disposed within a portion of the lumen defined by the distal flexible portion. The partial sleeve also defines a longitudinally extending gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2024Publication date: June 20, 2024Inventors: Jetmir Palushi, Fatemeh Akbarian, Behnam Amin, George L. Matlock
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Publication number: 20240131310Abstract: An apparatus includes a base housing, an actuator, and a blade. The base housing defines an upwardly presented support surface. The base housing also defines a distally oriented tip receiving recess. The distally oriented tip receiving recess is sized and configured to receive a bulbous distal tip of a dilation catheter. The actuator is movably coupled with the base housing. The blade us secured to the actuator. The actuator is operable to move the blade downwardly relative to the base housing. The blade is configured to sever a portion of a dilation catheter along a plane longitudinally interposed between the support surface and the tip receiving recess to thereby sever the bulbous distal tip of the dilation catheter in response to movement of the actuator relative to the base housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: George L. Matlock, John H. Thinnes, Jr., Jordan R. Trott, Karthick Ramyan Mohan
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Patent number: 11964114Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and a deflection actuation assembly. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and includes a flexible distal portion. The deflection actuation assembly includes a first rotary actuator, a translatable actuation member, and a resilient member. The translatable actuation member extends through the shaft assembly and is operatively coupled with the first rotary actuator and the flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly. The first rotary actuator is rotatable by a rotational force to thereby drive the translatable actuation member longitudinally. The resilient member is positioned between the first rotary actuator and the body and is configured to apply a friction force between the first rotary actuator and the body. The friction force is operable to increase the rotational force required to rotate the first rotary actuator.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: George L. Matlock, Jetmir Palushi, Behnam Amin, Karthick Ramyan Mohan, Krishna M. Rajan
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Patent number: 11944769Abstract: A catheter system includes a body, a guide member assembly, an articulation assembly, and a partial sleeve. The guide member assembly extends distally from the body and includes a proximal rigid portion defining a longitudinal axis, a distal flexible portion, and an open distal end. The guide member assembly defines a lumen in communication with the body and the open distal end. The articulation section can flex the distal flexible portion and the open distal end relative to the longitudinal axis between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration. The partial sleeve is disposed within a portion of the lumen defined by the distal flexible portion. The partial sleeve also defines a longitudinally extending gap.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Jetmir Palushi, Fatemeh Akbarian, Behnam Amin, George L. Matlock
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Publication number: 20240050720Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a dilation catheter. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly. At least a distal portion of the guide tube is malleable. The dilation catheter is slidably positioned in the guide tube. The dilation catheter includes a distal end, a dilator, and a position sensor. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the position sensor in three-dimensional space. The dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Babak Ebrahimi, Ehsan Shameli, George L. Matlock, John H. Thinnes, JR., Fatemeh Akbarian
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Patent number: 11883618Abstract: A method of using an apparatus including a base housing, an actuator, and a blade. The base housing defines an upwardly presented support surface. The base housing also defines a distally oriented tip receiving recess. The distally oriented tip receiving recess is sized and configured to receive a bulbous distal tip of a dilation catheter. The actuator is movably coupled with the base housing. The blade us secured to the actuator. The actuator is operable to move the blade downwardly relative to the base housing. The blade is configured to sever a portion of a dilation catheter along a plane longitudinally interposed between the support surface and the tip receiving recess to thereby sever the bulbous distal tip of the dilation catheter in response to movement of the actuator relative to the base housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: George L. Matlock, John H. Thinnes, Jr., Jordan R. Trott, Karthick Ramyan Mohan
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Patent number: 11839729Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a dilation catheter. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly. At least a distal portion of the guide tube is malleable. The dilation catheter is slidably positioned in the guide tube. The dilation catheter includes a distal end, a dilator, and a position sensor. The position sensor is configured to generate a signal indicating a position of the position sensor in three-dimensional space. The dilation catheter is configured to translate relative to the guide tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Babak Ebrahimi, Ehsan Shameli, George L. Matlock, John H. Thinnes, Jr., Fatemeh Akbarian
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Patent number: 11686043Abstract: A method is provided for making a fiber wire having a fiber bundle core and a polymer jacket. The method includes rotating a spool of fiber bundle about a first rotational axis to progressively unwind the fiber bundle from the spool. The fiber bundle includes a plurality of continuous synthetic fiber filaments. While the spool is rotated about the first rotational axis, the spool is simultaneously rotated about a second rotational axis to thereby twist the unwound fiber bundle about its longitudinal axis. The method further includes coating the twisted fiber bundle with a molten polymer, and permitting the molten polymer to cool to define a flexible outer jacket that encapsulates the twisted fiber bundle.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: George L. Matlock, John H. Thinnes, Jr.
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Publication number: 20220370768Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture includes a helical wire coil and a core wire. The core wire has a first wire portion and a second wire portion. The first wire portion of the core wire extends through the helical wire coil. The second wire portion of the core wire is intertwined with the first helical wire coil to fixedly secure the core wire relative to the first helical wire coil. The core wire is formed from a first material that is non-extensible. The core wire is fixedly secured relative to a distal portion of the helical wire coil such that the core wire inhibits longitudinal elongation of the helical wire coil along a longitudinal coil axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: George L. Matlock, Henry F. Salazar
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Patent number: 11484366Abstract: An apparatus includes a proximal portion and a distal portion attached to the proximal portion. The proximal portion includes a proximal surface. The proximal portion defines a first pathway and a second pathway that both extend distally from the proximal surface. The first pathway is dimensioned to receive a shaft while the second pathway is dimensioned to receive a navigation guidewire. The distal portion includes a distal tip terminating into a distal end. The second pathway extends from the proximal portion into the distal tip.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Azhang Hamlekhan, Jetmir Palushi, John H. Thinnes, Jr., Krishna Murthy Rajan, George L. Matlock
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Publication number: 20220339407Abstract: An apparatus includes a bod, an actuation assembly, and a guide catheter extending distally from the body. The guide catheter includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, a rigid proximal portion, a bendable distal portion, and a pull wire extending from the bendable distal portion to the rigid proximal portion. A proximal end of the pull wire is coupled with the actuation assembly. The actuation assembly is operable to translate the pull wire relative to the rigid proximal portion to thereby articulate the bendable distal portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: George L. Matlock, Don Q. Ngo-Chu, Tuan Pham, John H. Thinnes, JR.
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Patent number: 11419685Abstract: An array of sensors may be used to perform touchless registration of landmarks of a patient's face before an ENT procedure in order to associate those landmarks with pre-operative images in three-dimensional space, which is required for image guided surgery features such as navigation. Touchless or light-touch registration may improve accuracy by avoiding the need for substantial pressing against a patient's skin, which may deform and thereby introduce erroneous registration data. A sensor may also be implemented in forms other than an array such as handheld probe having a single sensor as opposed to an array.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Henry F. Salazar, Jetmir Palushi, Ehsan Shameli, George L. Matlock, Itzhak Fang
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Patent number: 11376401Abstract: An apparatus includes a bod, an actuation assembly, and a guide catheter extending distally from the body. The guide catheter includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, a rigid proximal portion, a bendable distal portion, and a pull wire extending from the bendable distal portion to the rigid proximal portion. A proximal end of the pull wire is coupled with the actuation assembly. The actuation assembly is operable to translate the pull wire relative to the rigid proximal portion to thereby articulate the bendable distal portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: George L. Matlock, Don Q. Ngo-Chu, Tuan Pham, John H. Thinnes, Jr.
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Patent number: 11278706Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture includes a helical wire coil and a core wire. The core wire has a first wire portion and a second wire portion. The first wire portion of the core wire extends through the helical wire coil. The second wire portion of the core wire is intertwined with the first helical wire coil to fixedly secure the core wire relative to the first helical wire coil. The core wire is formed from a first material that is non-extensible. The core wire is fixedly secured relative to a distal portion of the helical wire coil such that the core wire inhibits longitudinal elongation of the helical wire coil along a longitudinal coil axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: George L. Matlock, Henry F. Salazar
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Patent number: 11272946Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate shaft, a dilation balloon, and a fitting member. The elongate shaft includes an inflation lumen, an irrigation lumen, and at least one irrigation opening. The at least one irrigation opening is in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen. The dilation balloon is at the distal portion of the shaft. The dilation balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The fitting member is at the proximal end of the shaft. The fitting member includes an inflation fluid port, an irrigation fluid port, and a blocking structure. The inflation fluid port is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The irrigation fluid port is in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen. The blocking structure is adjacent to the irrigation fluid port and defines a gap around the irrigation fluid port.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.Inventors: Azhang Hamlekhan, John H. Thinnes, Jr., George L. Matlock
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Publication number: 20210361912Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and a deflection actuation assembly. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and includes a flexible distal portion. The deflection actuation assembly includes a first rotary actuator, a translatable actuation member, and a resilient member. The translatable actuation member extends through the shaft assembly and is operatively coupled with the first rotary actuator and the flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly. The first rotary actuator is rotatable by a rotational force to thereby drive the translatable actuation member longitudinally. The resilient member is positioned between the first rotary actuator and the body and is configured to apply a friction force between the first rotary actuator and the body. The friction force is operable to increase the rotational force required to rotate the first rotary actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: George L. Matlock, Jetmir Palushi, Behnam Amin, Karthick Ramyan Mohan, Krishna M. Rajan
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Patent number: D1039141Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: ACCLARENT, INC.Inventors: Behnam Amin, George L. Matlock, Karthick Ramyan Mohan, Krishna M. Rajan, Ehsan Shameli