Patents by Inventor John Edwards Crowe
John Edwards Crowe 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: 10772756Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 10646671Abstract: Systems and methods for improving airway patency are disclosed. An oral device is positioned in the oral cavity and applies a negative pressure to the oral cavity. The oral device has pressure delivery ports directed toward an anterior surface of the soft palate when positioned therein. The negative pressure generates an air flow out of the oral cavity. A pressure tube is coupled to the oral device to provide the applied negative pressure. A pressure source is coupled to the pressure tube to generate the applied negative pressure. A collector is coupled to the pressure tube and/or pressure source to collect liquid, typically saliva, from the air flow out of the oral cavity. The collector is disposed outside of the oral cavity and coupled to the oral device.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edward Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 10426905Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for improving airway patency are provided. A medial surface of the patient's tongue is constrained with a tongue constraint of an oral device placed in the oral cavity to generate a clear region between the medial surface and the hard palate. The clear region is in fluid communication with the soft palate. The tongue constraint has superior surface and inferior surfaces configured to generate the clear region. Negative pressure is applied within the oral cavity to hold the soft palate in a position in which the airway is at least partially open. The negative pressure is applied through one or more ports of the oral device. The one or more ports remain unobstructed by the tongue when the negative pressure is applied. The applied negative pressure causes the soft palate and tongue form a seal whereby the patient's airway is substantially fluidly isolated from the clear region.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edward Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 10245175Abstract: Systems for maintaining a vacuum in a patient's oral cavity comprises an oral device, a vacuum control system, and an assembly including first and second tubes for connecting the vacuum control system to the oral device. The oral device has an internal plenum, and a vacuum is drawn in the plenum by a vacuum pump connected by a first tube of the tubular assembly. The vacuum is maintained by an air source which is connected to the plenum by the second tube of the tubular assembly. By maintaining a constant circulating air bleed through the oral device and the connecting tubes, saliva may be removed from the system and collected in a saliva trap located before the vacuum pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Jonathan Podmore, Nicholas R. Vitale, John Edwards Crowe, Matthias Vaska
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Patent number: 9763759Abstract: A saliva collector comprises a reservoir, a bubble barrier, and a membrane, where the bubble barrier and membrane are arranged in tandem on a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity enters the reservoir through the inlet, passes through the bubble barrier to remove foam and bubbles, passes through the membrane to remove entrained liquid saliva, and passes out through the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas R. Vitale, Kenneth Mejia, Michael C. Holzbaur, John Edwards Crowe, Jonathan L. Podmore
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Publication number: 20170216085Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Publication number: 20170151400Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for improving airway patency are provided. A medial surface of the patient's tongue is constrained with a tongue constraint of an oral device placed in the oral cavity to generate a clear region between the medial surface and the hard palate. The clear region is in fluid communication with the soft palate. The tongue constraint has superior surface and inferior surfaces configured to generate the clear region. Negative pressure is applied within the oral cavity to hold the soft palate in a position in which the airway is at least partially open. The negative pressure is applied through one or more ports of the oral device. The one or more ports remain unobstructed by the tongue when the negative pressure is applied. The applied negative pressure causes the soft palate and tongue form a seal whereby the patient's airway is substantially fluidly isolated from the clear region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2017Publication date: June 1, 2017Inventors: MATTHIAS VASKA, JONATHAN PODMORE, JOHN EDWARD CROWE, SEAN CHRISTOPHER DANIEL
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Publication number: 20170151399Abstract: Systems and methods for improving airway patency are disclosed. An oral device is positioned in in the oral cavity and applies a negative pressure to the oral cavity. The oral device has pressure delivery ports directed toward an anterior surface of the soft palate when positioned therein. The negative pressure generates an air flow out of the oral cavity. A pressure tube is coupled to the oral device to provide the applied negative pressure. A pressure source is coupled to the pressure tube to generate the applied negative pressure. A collector is coupled to the pressure tube and/or pressure source to collect liquid, typically saliva, from the air flow out of the oral cavity. The collector is disposed outside of the oral cavity and coupled to the oral device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2017Publication date: June 1, 2017Inventors: MATTHIAS VASKA, JONATHAN PODMORE, JOHN EDWARD CROWE, SEAN CHRISTOPHER DANIEL
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Patent number: 9655768Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: ApniCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 9610190Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency includes a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity and allow an anterior portion of the tongue to rise. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency includes a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Publication number: 20170087004Abstract: Systems for maintaining a vacuum in a patient's oral cavity comprises an oral device, a vacuum control system, and an assembly including first and second tubes for connecting the vacuum control system to the oral device. The oral device has an internal plenum, and a vacuum is drawn in the plenum by a vacuum pump connected by a first tube of the tubular assembly. The vacuum is maintained by an air source which is connected to the plenum by the second tube of the tubular assembly. By maintaining a constant circulating air bleed through the oral device and the connecting tubes, saliva may be removed from the system and collected in a saliva trap located before the vacuum pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Jonathan Podmore, Nicholas R. Vitale, John Edwards Crowe, Matthias Vaska
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Patent number: 9549795Abstract: Systems for maintaining a vacuum in a patient's oral cavity comprises an oral device, a vacuum control system, and an assembly including first and second tubes for connecting the vacuum control system to the oral device. The oral device has an internal plenum, and a vacuum is drawn in the plenum by a vacuum pump connected by a first tube of the tubular assembly. The vacuum is maintained by an air source which is connected to the plenum by the second tube of the tubular assembly. By maintaining a constant circulating air bleed through the oral device and the connecting tubes, saliva may be removed from the system and collected in a saliva trap located before the vacuum pump.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: ApniCure, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Podmore, Nicholas R. Vitale, John Edwards Crowe, Matthias Vaska
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Publication number: 20160262859Abstract: A saliva collector comprises a reservoir, a bubble barrier, and a membrane, where the bubble barrier and membrane are arranged in tandem on a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity enters the reservoir through the inlet, passes through the bubble barrier to remove foam and bubbles, passes through the membrane to remove entrained liquid saliva, and passes out through the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Nicholas R. Vitale, Kenneth Mejia, Michael C. Holzbaur, John Edwards Crowe, Jonathan L. Podmore
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Patent number: 9387118Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes a base, a tongue-engaging member and a tongue pocket. Partial vacuums are separately drawn through the tongue-engaging member and the tongue pocket in order to advance and control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: ApniCure, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, Nicholas R. Vitale, Michael C. Holzbaur, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 9375541Abstract: A saliva collector comprises a reservoir, a bubble barrier, and a membrane, where the bubble barrier and membrane are arranged in tandem on a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from a patient's oral cavity enters the reservoir through the inlet, passes through the bubble barrier to remove foam and bubbles, passes through the membrane to remove entrained liquid saliva, and passes out through the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas R. Vitale, Kenneth Mejia, Michael R. Holzbaur, John Edwards Crowe, Jonathan L. Podmore
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Publication number: 20160106571Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 9241825Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Publication number: 20150157492Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity and allow an anterior portion of the tongue to rise. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Apnicure, Inc.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Publication number: 20150157433Abstract: Systems for maintaining a vacuum in a patient's oral cavity comprises an oral device, a vacuum control system, and an assembly including first and second tubes for connecting the vacuum control system to the oral device. The oral device has an internal plenum, and a vacuum is drawn in the plenum by a vacuum pump connected by a first tube of the tubular assembly. The vacuum is maintained by an air source which is connected to the plenum by the second tube of the tubular assembly. By maintaining a constant circulating air bleed through the oral device and the connecting tubes, saliva may be removed from the system and collected in a saliva trap located before the vacuum pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Jonathan PODMORE, Nicholas R. VITALE, John Edwards CROWE, Matthias VASKA
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Publication number: 20150107603Abstract: A saliva collector comprises a reservoir and a flow path from an inlet to an outlet on the reservoir. Air aspirated from the patient's oral cavity passes through an antechamber before reaching the reservoir. The antechamber is shaped to promote the collapse of any bubbles, allowing liquid saliva to drop from the antechamber to the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Jonathan L. PODMORE, John Edwards CROWE, Nicholas R. VITALE, Michael C. Holzbaur