Patents by Inventor James H. Dreher
James H. Dreher 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: 20240138866Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing material within a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a core wire extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, an actuator member defining a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the core wire, and a distal basket having a distal enclosed end fixed relative to the core wire and one or more elements extending from a proximal open end to a collar slidable on the core wire. The collar is slidable on the core wire within an interior of the distal basket such that, when the collar contacts the actuator member, the collar applies an inward force to direct the proximal open end of the distal basket radially inwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Jeffrey A. KROLIK, Gwendolyn WATANABE, James H. DREHER
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Patent number: 11648021Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing material within a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a core wire extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, an actuator member defining a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the core wire, and a distal basket having a distal enclosed end fixed relative to the core wire and one or more elements extending from a proximal open end to a collar slidable on the core wire. The collar is slidable on the core wire within an interior of the distal basket such that, when the collar contacts the actuator member, the collar applies an inward force to direct the proximal open end of the distal basket radially inwardly.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Incept, LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Gwendolyn Watanabe, James H. Dreher
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Patent number: 10898695Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is operable in different modes to perform various functions for treating a body lumen. The apparatus includes a shaft including proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending there between, and a balloon on the distal end. The apparatus includes a valve on the distal end that selectively opens or closes an outlet communicating with the lumen. With the valve open, fluid introduced into the lumen exits the outlet into a body lumen. With the valve closed, fluid introduced into the lumen expands the balloon. The valve may be biased to be closed, e.g., by a spring element disposed within the balloon. Optionally, the apparatus also includes an actuator for expanding a helical member within the balloon interior, e.g., either before or after expanding the balloon, such that the helical member and balloon may adopt an expanded helical shape for removing material within a body lumen.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Gwendolyn Watanabe, Juan Domingo, Ray Betelia, James H. Dreher, Daryush Mirzaee, Lucas Fernandez
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Patent number: 10849647Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for accessing and/or removing material from a body lumen. The apparatus includes a tubular sheath including a shaft having a proximal end and an expandable distal end that is expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded, tapered configuration. A treatment member can be introduced into the body lumen through the tubular sheath. The treatment member includes one or more expandable members to interact with the material to be removed from the body lumen.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Incept, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, James H. Dreher, Gwendolyn A. Watanabe
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Patent number: 10729459Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for removing obstructive material within a body lumen. The apparatus includes a macerator device deployable from a sheath that includes an expandable cage carried by a shaft and within a constraint tube. The shaft is movable relative to the constraint tube for deploying and expanding the cage within a body lumen such that an open end of the cage is oriented towards obstructive material. The cage is advanced to capture the material or the material is directed into the cage using an expandable member expanded beyond the material and retracted to direct the material into the cage. The cage is withdrawn into the constraint tube to compress the cage radially inwardly. Materials extending through apertures in the cage are sheared off by a sharpened edge of the constraint tube. The smaller, sheared off particles are then aspirated from the body lumen through the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Arrow International Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Juan Domingo, Daryush Mirzaee, James H. Dreher
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Patent number: 10716586Abstract: A method for removing material within a body lumen of a patient is disclosed. The method include introducing a distal end of a tubular member into a body lumen. The tubular member has a guide member extending distally from the distal end. Next, the tubular member is positioned such that the distal end is disposed adjacent material to be removed and a distal tip of the guide member is disposed beyond the material. One or more lumen clearing elements are then deployed from the distal tip of the guide member. Each lumen clearing element includes an expandable structure that expands from a contracted condition within the guide member to an expanded condition when deployed from the distal tip. Then, the deployed one or more lumen clearing elements are retracted along a track of the guide member to engage the material disposed adjacent the distal end of the tubular member and draw the material into a lumen of the tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Arrow International, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Daryush Mirzaee, James H. Dreher, Juan Domingo, Gwendolyn Watanabe
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Publication number: 20190298395Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing material within a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a core wire extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, an actuator member defining a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the core wire, and a distal basket having a distal enclosed end fixed relative to the core wire and one or more elements extending from a proximal open end to a collar slidable on the core wire. The collar is slidable on the core wire within an interior of the distal basket such that, when the collar contacts the actuator member, the collar applies an inward force to direct the proximal open end of the distal basket radially inwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Gwendolyn Watanabe, James H. Dreher
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Patent number: 10321924Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing material within a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a core wire extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, an actuator member defining a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the core wire, and a distal basket having a distal enclosed end fixed relative to the core wire and one or more elements extending from a proximal open end to a collar slidable on the core wire. The collar is slidable on the core wire within an interior of the distal basket such that, when the collar contacts the actuator member, the collar applies an inward force to direct the proximal open end of the distal basket radially inwardly.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: INCEPT, LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Gwendolyn Watanabe, James H. Dreher
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Publication number: 20190021759Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for accessing and/or removing material from a body lumen. The apparatus includes a tubular sheath including a shaft having a proximal end and an expandable distal end that is expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded, tapered configuration. A treatment member can be introduced into the body lumen through the tubular sheath. The treatment member includes one or more expandable members to interact with the material to be removed from the body lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicant: Incept, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. KROLIK, James H. DREHER, Gwendolyn A. WATANABE
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Patent number: 10085765Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for accessing and/or removing material from a body lumen. The apparatus includes a tubular sheath including a shaft having a proximal end and an expandable distal end that is expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded, tapered configuration. A treatment member can be introduced into the body lumen through the tubular sheath. The treatment member includes one or more expandable members to interact with the material to be removed from the body lumen.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Incept, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, James H. Dreher, Gwendolyn A. Watanabe
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Publication number: 20180093080Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is operable in different modes to perform various functions for treating a body lumen. The apparatus includes a shaft including proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending there between, and a balloon on the distal end. The apparatus includes a valve on the distal end that selectively opens or closes an outlet communicating with the lumen. With the valve open, fluid introduced into the lumen exits the outlet into a body lumen. With the valve closed, fluid introduced into the lumen expands the balloon. The valve may be biased to be closed, e.g., by a spring element disposed within the balloon. Optionally, the apparatus also includes an actuator for expanding a helical member within the balloon interior, e.g., either before or after expanding the balloon, such that the helical member and balloon may adopt an expanded helical shape for removing material within a body lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey A. KROLIK, Gwendolyn Watanabe, Juan Domingo, Ray Betelia, James H. Dreher, Daryush Mirzaee, Lucas Fernandez
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Publication number: 20180092653Abstract: A method for removing material within a body lumen of a patient is disclosed. The method include introducing a distal end of a tubular member into a body lumen. The tubular member has a guide member extending distally from the distal end. Next, the tubular member is positioned such that the distal end is disposed adjacent material to be removed and a distal tip of the guide member is disposed beyond the material. One or more lumen clearing elements are then deployed from the distal tip of the guide member. Each lumen clearing element includes an expandable structure that expands from a contracted condition within the guide member to an expanded condition when deployed from the distal tip. Then, the deployed one or more lumen clearing elements are retracted along a track of the guide member to engage the material disposed adjacent the distal end of the tubular member and draw the material into a lumen of the tubular member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Daryush Mirzaee, James H. Dreher, Juan Domingo, Gwendolyn Watanabe
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Publication number: 20180036028Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for removing obstructive material within a body lumen. The apparatus includes a macerator device deployable from a sheath that includes an expandable cage carried by a shaft and within a constraint tube. The shaft is movable relative to the constraint tube for deploying and expanding the cage within a body lumen such that an open end of the cage is oriented towards obstructive material. The cage is advanced to capture the material or the material is directed into the cage using an expandable member expanded beyond the material and retracted to direct the material into the cage. The cage is withdrawn into the constraint tube to compress the cage radially inwardly. Materials extending through apertures in the cage are sheared off by a sharpened edge of the constraint tube. The smaller, sheared off particles are then aspirated from the body lumen through the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Juan Domingo, Daryush Mirzaee, James H. Dreher
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Patent number: 9855067Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing material within a body lumen that includes a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end for introduction into a body lumen, and an aspiration lumen extending therebetween; a guide member extending from the distal end and terminating in a distal tip, the guide member comprising a track adjacent a track lumen extending from the distal tip into the aspiration lumen; and an obstruction clearing device deployable from the guide member and retractable along the track. In addition or alternatively, the apparatus includes a cutting head reciprocable within the aspiration lumen adjacent the distal end for macerating material being aspirated into the aspiration lumen.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Hotspur Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Daryush Mirzaee, James H. Dreher, Juan Domingo, Gwendoln Watanabe
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Patent number: 9833599Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is operable in different modes to perform various functions for treating a body lumen. The apparatus includes a shaft including proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending there between, and a balloon on the distal end. The apparatus includes a valve on the distal end that selectively opens or closes an outlet communicating with the lumen. With the valve open, fluid introduced into the lumen exits the outlet into a body lumen. With the valve closed, fluid introduced into the lumen expands the balloon. The valve may be biased to be closed, e.g., by a spring element disposed within the balloon. Optionally, the apparatus also includes an actuator for expanding a helical member within the balloon interior, e.g., either before or after expanding the balloon, such that the helical member and balloon may adopt an expanded helical shape for removing material within a body lumen.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Hotspur Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Gwendolyn Watanabe, Juan Domingo, Ray Betelia, James H. Dreher, Daryush Mirzaee, Lucas Fernandez
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Patent number: 9820769Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for removing obstructive material within a body lumen. The apparatus includes a macerator device deployable from a sheath that includes an expandable cage carried by a shaft and within a constraint tube. The shaft is movable relative to the constraint tube for deploying and expanding the cage within a body lumen such that an open end of the cage is oriented towards obstructive material. The cage is advanced to capture the material or the material is directed into the cage using an expandable member expanded beyond the material and retracted to direct the material into the cage. The cage is withdrawn into the constraint tube to compress the cage radially inwardly. Materials extending through apertures in the cage are sheared off by a sharpened edge of the constraint tube. The smaller, sheared off particles are then aspirated from the body lumen through the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Hotspur Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Juan Domingo, Daryush Mirzaee, James H. Dreher
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Publication number: 20170296215Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for removing obstructive material within a body lumen. The apparatus includes a macerator device deployable from a sheath that includes an expandable cage carried by a shaft and within a constraint tube. The shaft is movable relative to the constraint tube for deploying and expanding the cage within a body lumen such that an open end of the cage is oriented towards obstructive material. The cage is advanced to capture the material or the material is directed into the cage using an expandable member expanded beyond the material and retracted to direct the material into the cage. The cage is withdrawn into the constraint tube to compress the cage radially inwardly. Materials extending through apertures in the cage are sheared off by a sharpened edge of the constraint tube. The smaller, sheared off particles are then aspirated from the body lumen through the sheath.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Juan Domingo, Daryush Mirzaee, James H. Dreher
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Publication number: 20170056034Abstract: An apparatus and method for capturing material within a body lumen are disclosed. The apparatus includes a core wire extending from a proximal end to a distal tip, an actuator member defining a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the core wire, and a distal basket having a distal enclosed end fixed relative to the core wire and one or more elements extending from a proximal open end to a collar slidable on the core wire. The collar is slidable on the core wire within an interior of the distal basket such that, when the collar contacts the actuator member, the collar applies an inward force to direct the proximal open end of the distal basket radially inwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, Gwendolyn Watanabe, James H. Dreher
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Patent number: 9498557Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure relate to a method for forming a biomaterial in situ comprising: combining a solution of a crosslinker in a water soluble organic solvent with a precursor to covalently crosslink the precursor to form a crosslinked gel, with the crosslinker comprising a plurality of first functional groups and the precursor comprising a plurality of second functional groups, with the first functional groups chemically reacting with the second functional groups in situ to form covalent bonds and thereby form the crosslinked gel.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Incept, LLCInventors: Chandrashekhar P. Pathak, Amarpreet S. Sawhney, James H. Dreher
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Patent number: 9492263Abstract: An apparatus for capturing material within a body lumen includes a shaft carrying an expandable basket device on a distal end thereof. The basket device includes a distal basket carried and a proximal basket carried on the shaft such that the proximal basket is proximal to and spaced apart from the distal basket. Each basket includes an open end communicating with an interior of the respective basket and oriented towards one another. In one embodiment, a tubular middle portion extends between the baskets. In another embodiment, the distal basket includes an actuator coupled to the distal basket open end such that movement of the baskets towards one another causes the actuator to direct the distal basket open end inwardly to allow the open end to be received within the proximal basket to facilitate removal of the apparatus after capturing material within the baskets.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Incept, LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Krolik, James H. Dreher, Gwendolyn Watanabe