Patents by Inventor Gregory G. Brucker

Gregory G. Brucker 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: 20240252316
    Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Chambers, Gregory G. Brucker, Joseph P. Higgins, Saravana B. Kumar, Jason S. Diedering, Karl A. Kabarowski, Robert J. Thatcher, James E. Flaherty, Jeffrey R. Stone
  • Patent number: 11957577
    Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 4C Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Chambers, Gregory G. Brucker, Joseph P. Higgins, Saravana B. Kumar, Jason S. Diedering, Karl A. Kabarowski, Robert J. Thatcher, James E. Flaherty, Jeffrey R. Stone
  • Patent number: 11744993
    Abstract: A deflection system for deflecting a body lumen that includes a deflection mechanism, wherein the deflection mechanism includes: a beam having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the beam includes a neutral position and a deflected position, a pull wire coupled to the distal end of the beam, wherein the beam is configured to be placed in the deflected position when a tension force is applied to the pull wire, and wherein at least a portion of the pull wire is configured to move to a displacement distance away from the beam when the tension force is applied to the pull wire, and one or more constraint members operatively coupled to the beam, wherein each one of the one or more constraint members is configured to limit the displacement distance of the pull wire from the beam when the tension force is applied to the pull wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Innovations in Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory G. Brucker, Steven D. Savage
  • Publication number: 20230020076
    Abstract: A deflection system for deflecting a body lumen that includes a deflection mechanism, wherein the deflection mechanism includes: a beam having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the beam includes a neutral position and a deflected position, a pull wire coupled to the distal end of the beam, wherein the beam is configured to be placed in the deflected position when a tension force is applied to the pull wire, and wherein at least a portion of the pull wire is configured to move to a displacement distance away from the beam when the tension force is applied to the pull wire, and one or more constraint members operatively coupled to the beam, wherein each one of the one or more constraint members is configured to limit the displacement distance of the pull wire from the beam when the tension force is applied to the pull wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory G. Brucker, Steven D. Savage
  • Patent number: 11504205
    Abstract: A positioning device configured for introduction within a body lumen. Some embodiments include a catheter shaft with a longitudinal axis; an expandable element coupled along a length of the shaft, the expandable element being substantially thin and flexible in an unexpanded state and exerting a gentle outward force in an expanded state; and a deflection mechanism located within the shaft, wherein the deflection mechanism is flexible when in a non-deflected state and wherein, in the deflected state, the deflection curves in a predetermined lateral direction such that the positioning device laterally deflects the body lumen. In some embodiments, the deflection is a lateral curve that moves the body lumen away from a surgical site, such as a cardiac ablation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Innovations in Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory G. Brucker, Steven D. Savage
  • Publication number: 20220218433
    Abstract: A positioning device configured for introduction within a body lumen. Some embodiments include a catheter shaft with a longitudinal axis; an expandable element coupled along a length of the shaft, the expandable element being substantially thin and flexible in an unexpanded state and exerting a gentle outward force in an expanded state; and a deflection mechanism located within the shaft, wherein the deflection mechanism is flexible when in a non-deflected state and wherein, in the deflected state, the deflection curves in a predetermined lateral direction such that the positioning device laterally deflects the body lumen. In some embodiments, the deflection is a lateral curve that moves the body lumen away from a surgical site, such as a cardiac ablation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory G. Brucker, Steven D. Savage
  • Patent number: 11298203
    Abstract: A positioning device configured for introduction within a body lumen. Some embodiments include a catheter shaft with a longitudinal axis; an expandable element coupled along a length of the shaft, the expandable element being substantially thin and flexible in an unexpanded state and exerting a gentle outward force in an expanded state; and a deflection mechanism located within the shaft, wherein the deflection mechanism is flexible when in a non-deflected state and wherein, in the deflected state, the deflection curves in a predetermined lateral direction such that the positioning device laterally deflects the body lumen. In some embodiments, the deflection is a lateral curve that moves the body lumen away from a surgical site, such as a cardiac ablation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Innovations in Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory G. Brucker, Steven D. Savage
  • Publication number: 20200276013
    Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Chambers, Gregory G. Brucker, Joseph P. Higgins, Saravana B. Kumar, Jason S. Diedering, Karl A. Kabarowski, Robert J. Thatcher, James E. Flaherty, Jeffrey R. Stone
  • Publication number: 20200222179
    Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Chambers, Gregory G. Brucker, Joseph P. Higgins, Saravana B. Kumar, Jason S. Diedering, Karl A. Kabarowski, Robert J. Thatcher, James E. Flaherty, Jeffrey R. Stone
  • Patent number: 10653523
    Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: 4C Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Chambers, Gregory G. Brucker, Joseph P. Higgins, Saravana B. Kumar, Jason S. Diedering, Karl A. Kabarowski, Robert J. Thatcher, James E. Flaherty, Jeffrey R. Stone
  • Publication number: 20190314109
    Abstract: A positioning device configured for introduction within a body lumen. Some embodiments include a catheter shaft with a longitudinal axis; an expandable element coupled along a length of the shaft, the expandable element being substantially thin and flexible in an unexpanded state and exerting a gentle outward force in an expanded state; and a deflection mechanism located within the shaft, wherein the deflection mechanism is flexible when in a non-deflected state and wherein, in the deflected state, the deflection curves in a predetermined lateral direction such that the positioning device laterally deflects the body lumen. In some embodiments, the deflection is a lateral curve that moves the body lumen away from a surgical site, such as a cardiac ablation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory G. Brucker, Steven D. Savage
  • Publication number: 20180325588
    Abstract: The present invention provides an irrigated ablation electrode that includes a plurality of high L/d interior fluid passageways and/or slit-shaped apertures to provide for a lower rate of fluid flow and a more uniform distribution of fluid over an exterior surface of the electrode and reduce propensity for aperture blockage. In some embodiments, the slit-shaped apertures have an aspect ratio of at least three, at least five, at least ten, or at least fifteen. Some embodiments include maintaining a pressure drop of at least 345 pascals between irrigation fluid inside the irrigated ablation electrode and fluid immediately outside the electrode when the irrigation fluid has a flow rate of no more than five milliliters per minute (5 ml/min). Some embodiments include a low-density insert with a plurality of fluid channels on its exterior surface to more efficiently cool the electrode and provide a faster thermal response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory G. Brucker, Steven D. Savage
  • Publication number: 20180200049
    Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Chambers, Gregory G. Brucker, Joseph P. Higgins, Saravana B. Kumar, Jason S. Diedering, Karl A. Kabarowski, Robert J. Thatcher, James E. Flaherty, Jeffrey R. Stone
  • Patent number: 10022183
    Abstract: The present invention provides an irrigated ablation electrode that includes a plurality of high L/d interior fluid passageways and/or slit-shaped apertures to provide for a lower rate of fluid flow and a more uniform distribution of fluid over an exterior surface of the electrode and reduce propensity for aperture blockage. In some embodiments, the slit-shaped apertures have an aspect ratio of at least three, at least five, at least ten, or at least fifteen. Some embodiments include maintaining a pressure drop of at least 345 pascals between irrigation fluid inside the irrigated ablation electrode and fluid immediately outside the electrode when the irrigation fluid has a flow rate of no more than five milliliters per minute (5 ml/min). Some embodiments include a low-density insert with a plurality of fluid channels on its exterior surface to more efficiently cool the electrode and provide a faster thermal response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Innovations in Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory G. Brucker, Steven D. Savage
  • Patent number: 9724497
    Abstract: Various methods for optimizing coating of medical devices, such as balloon catheters are disclosed. One method configures catheter balloon folds based on balloon diameter and volume. Other methods include using a specifically-sized protective sheath, using a vacuum, using pressure, pulling the balloon through a coating solution, using at least one spacer or a wick between at least one fold for metering a therapeutic coating into the folds of the balloon, placing an intermediate layer between the balloon and the therapeutic coating, placing a soluble film having a therapeutic agent around the catheter balloon or inside the folds, and any combination thereof. Balloon catheters and catheter balloons having a specific folding configuration, a specifically-sized protective sheath, an intermediate layer, or a soluble film are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Ewing, Gregory G. Brucker, Scott A. Bednar, John R. Periard, Ashok A. Sharma, Steven D. Savage, Arthur E. Uber, Brian P. Dickerson
  • Publication number: 20170027460
    Abstract: An intraluminal microneurography probe has a probe body that is configured to be introduced into an artery near an organ of a body without preventing the flow of blood through the artery. An expandable sense electrode and an expandable stimulation electrode are fixed to the probe body at one end of each electrode such that movement of the other end toward the fixed end causes the sense electrode to expand from the probe body toward a wall of the artery. A ground electrode is configured to couple to the body, and a plurality of electrical connections are operable to electrically couple the electrodes to electrical circuitry. The sense electrode is operable to measure sympathetic nerve activity in response to excitation of the stimulation electrode. An ablation element is located between the expandable sense electrode and expandable stimulation electrode, and is operable to ablate nerves proximate to the artery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jin Shimada, Harry A. Puryear, Gregory G. Brucker
  • Publication number: 20160338773
    Abstract: Method and systems for ablating nerves including measurement of physiological parameters and/or electrical conduction. The method may include ablating nerves within an artery of a patient such as the renal artery and may include advancing a catheter into the artery, measuring a physiological parameter, emitting an electrical pulse into a wall of the artery, measuring the physiological parameter during or after the step of emitting the electrical pulse, ablating the artery wall, then repeating the steps of measuring the physiological parameter, emitting an electrical pulse, and measuring the physiological parameter during or after the step of emitting the electrical pulse. The change in the physiological parameter caused by the electrical pulse before ablation may be compared to the change in the physiological parameter caused by the electrical pulse after ablation to determine the degree of nerve ablation achieved and whether or not to perform further ablation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Jin Shimada, Gregory G. Brucker, William J. Rissmann
  • Publication number: 20160287270
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: InterValve, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Pedersen, Robert A. Van Tassel, Robert S. Schwartz, Gregory G. Brucker, Skott E. Greenhalgh
  • Patent number: 9439598
    Abstract: Method and systems for ablating nerves including measurement of physiological parameters and/or electrical conduction. The method may include ablating nerves within an artery of a patient such as the renal artery and may include advancing a catheter into the artery, measuring a physiological parameter, emitting an electrical pulse into a wall of the artery, measuring the physiological parameter during or after the step of emitting the electrical pulse, ablating the artery wall, then repeating the steps of measuring the physiological parameter, emitting an electrical pulse, and measuring the physiological parameter during or after the step of emitting the electrical pulse. The change in the physiological parameter caused by the electrical pulse before ablation may be compared to the change in the physiological parameter caused by the electrical pulse after ablation to determine the degree of nerve ablation achieved and whether or not to perform further ablation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroMedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Shimada, Gregory G. Brucker, William J. Rissmann
  • Patent number: 9375555
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: InterValve, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Pedersen, Robert A. Van Tassel, Robert S. Schwartz, Gregory G. Brucker, Skott E. Greenhalgh