Patents by Inventor Grant H. Kruger

Grant H. Kruger 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: 20230329898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices, and systems for dynamically adjusting mandibular advancement. In certain embodiments, the devices and systems employ actuator assemblies configured to allow a subject’s lower jaw to be advanced by a minimum amount (e.g., trigged by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or associated significant oxygen saturations), but still allow the subject to move their jaw further forward, laterally, and open/close on their own. In some embodiments, the devices and systems employ an oxygen saturation measuring sensor linked to a motor control processor that: i) advances extending shafts forward when the oxygen saturation measuring sensor detects significant changes to oxygen saturation levels or other conditions that may signal OSA (e.g. a signal from another sleep monitoring device), and ii) retract the extending shafts backwards when the oxygen saturation measuring sensor detect normal oxygen saturation levels or other condition is met (e.g. elapsed time, head position, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Grant H. Kruger, Neeraj Kaplish
  • Publication number: 20220022906
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanically-actuated tool for cutting a tissue graft having a hollow core and methods for use thereof. A portion of a biological structure, such as a nerve, is attached to the hollow core to form an implantable neural graft assembly. The tool has a cutter mechanism and a grasper mechanism. The grasper mechanism has one or more component(s) that open and close via an actuation mechanism, like a handle, and rotate via a controller component, like a rotatable wheel. The cutter mechanism may be a cutting tube component that harvests the tissue graft. The tool may also have an ejector mechanism to remove the tissue graft as part of the implantable neural graft assembly. Such devices and methods are particularly suitable for treating neuromas and other neural regeneration procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Nicholas B. LANGHALS, Cynthia Anne CHESTEK, Paul S. CEDERNA, Albert SHIH, Melanie G. URBANCHEK, Grant H. KRUGER, Jeffrey Stephen PLOTT, Jordan T. KREDA
  • Patent number: 11185344
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanically-actuated tool for cutting a tissue graft having a hollow core and methods for use thereof. A portion of a biological structure, such as a nerve, is attached to the hollow core to form an implantable neural graft assembly. The tool has a cutter mechanism and a grasper mechanism. The grasper mechanism has one or more component(s) that open and close via an actuation mechanism, like a handle, and rotate via a controller component, like a rotatable wheel. The cutter mechanism may be a cutting tube component that harvests the tissue graft. The tool may also have an ejector mechanism to remove the tissue graft as part of the implantable neural graft assembly. Such devices and methods are particularly suitable for treating neuromas and other neural regeneration procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Langhals, Cynthia Anne Chestek, Paul S. Cederna, Albert Shih, Melanie G. Urbanchek, Grant H. Kruger, Jeffrey Stephen Plott, Jordan T. Kreda
  • Publication number: 20180042629
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanically-actuated tool for cutting a tissue graft having a hollow core and methods for use thereof. A portion of a biological structure, such as a nerve, is attached to the hollow core to form an implantable neural graft assembly. The tool has a cutter mechanism and a grasper mechanism. The grasper mechanism has one or more component(s) that open and close via an actuation mechanism, like a handle, and rotate via a controller component, like a rotatable wheel. The cutter mechanism may be a cutting tube component that harvests the tissue graft. The tool may also have an ejector mechanism to remove the tissue graft as part of the implantable neural graft assembly. Such devices and methods are particularly suitable for treating neuromas and other neural regeneration procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Nicholas B. LANGHALS, Cynthia Anne CHESTEK, Paul S. CEDERNA, Albert SHIH, Melanie G. URBANCHEK, Grant H. KRUGER, Jeffrey Stephen PLOTT, Jordan T. KREDA
  • Patent number: 9307906
    Abstract: A computer-controlled sensory testing system is disclosed that can be used to further pain research and aid in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pain syndromes. The system includes actuators to deliver pressure/deformation (strain), auditory, olfactory, and other stimuli to a subject. The system includes software to control the delivery of the stimuli. The system is further operable to receive feedback regarding the stimuli received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University Of Michigan
    Inventors: Steven E. Harte, Grant H. Kruger, Daniel Clauw
  • Publication number: 20110237976
    Abstract: A biopsy device assembly performs a biopsy of an anatomical tissue of a patient. The biopsy device assembly includes a housing and a biopsy device that extends out of the housing and that collects and cuts anatomical tissue from the patient. The biopsy device assembly further includes a hemostatic agent removably housed in the biopsy device. Moreover, the assembly includes an actuator assembly that moves the biopsy device relative to the housing from a first position to an extended position such that the biopsy device collects and cuts the anatomical tissue from the patient. The actuator assembly also retracts the biopsy device relative to the housing toward a retracted position. Furthermore, the assembly includes an ejection device that ejects the hemostatic agent from the biopsy device as the actuator assembly retracts the biopsy device toward the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: William F. Weitzel, Anne E. Kirkpatrick, David A. Thompson, Todd Addis, Christopher M. Welch, Grant H. Kruger, Philip M. Wong, Panduranga S. Rao
  • Publication number: 20110082384
    Abstract: A computer-controlled sensory testing system is disclosed that can be used to further pain research and aid in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pain syndromes. The system includes actuators to deliver pressure/deformation (strain), auditory, olfactory, and other stimuli to a subject. The system includes software to control the delivery of the stimuli. The system is further operable to receive feedback regarding the stimuli received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Steven E. Harte, Grant H. Kruger, Daniel Clauw