Patents by Inventor Joshua Makower

Joshua Makower 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).

  • Patent number: 7678147
    Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Moximed, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton G. Clifford, Mary O'Connell, Joshua Makower, Richard G. Vecchiotti
  • Patent number: 7670329
    Abstract: A transvascular system (10) for delivering a drug to a tissue region from a blood vessel, such as a coronary vein, includes a catheter (12) having a distal portion (26) with puncturing (14), orientation (16), drug delivery (62), and imaging elements (18). The puncturing element (14) is deployable for penetrating the vessel wall to access the tissue region. The orientation element (16), e.g. a “cage” including a plurality of struts (38) (40) and/or a radiopaque marker, has a predetermined relationship with the puncturing element (14), the imaging element (18) detecting the location of the orientation element (16) with respect to the tissue region to orient the puncturing element. The catheter (12) is percutaneously introducing into the vessel, the puncturing element (14) is oriented towards the tissue region, the puncturing element (14) is deployed to access the tissue region, and the drug is delivered to the tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Philip Evard, Patrick Macaulay, Jason Whitt, Robert Colloton, K. Angela MacFarlane
  • Publication number: 20100042046
    Abstract: Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: ACCLARENT, INC.
    Inventors: John Y. Chang, Joshua Makower, Julia D. Vrany, John H. Morriss, Ketan P Muni, Isaac J. Kim, Hung Ha, William M. Facteau, Amrish Jayprakash Walke
  • Publication number: 20100030262
    Abstract: A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: NEOTRACT, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew McLean, Mitchell C. Barham, Michael Wei, Floria Cheng, Andrew L. Johnston, Michael Gearhart, Joseph Catanese, III, Theodore C. Lamson, Joshua Makower
  • Publication number: 20100030113
    Abstract: Devices and methods for locating sinus ostia and positioning a guide wire within the sinus ostia. The subject devices comprise a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a curved region located between the distal and proximal ends, and an interior channel, an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel and a probe tip joined to the guide wire. Certain devices further include expandable portions for engaging and treating body anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Morriss, Joshua Makower, Carlos F. Fernandez, Eric Goldfarb, Thomas Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7654997
    Abstract: Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang
  • Patent number: 7655041
    Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Moximed, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton G. Clifford, Mary O'Connell, Joshua Makower, Richard G. Vecchiotti
  • Publication number: 20100016836
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of substances or apparatus to target sites located outside blood vessels within the body of a human or animal patient. A vessel wall penetrating catheter is inserted into the vasculature, positioned and oriented within a blood vessel near the target extravascular site and a penetrator is advanced from the catheter so as to penetrate outwardly through the wall of the blood vessel in the direction of the target site. Thereafter, a delivery catheter is passed through a lumen of the penetrator to the target site. A desired substance or apparatus is then delivered to or obtained from the target site. In some applications, the penetrator may be retracted into the vessel wall penetrating catheter and the vessel wall penetrating catheter may be removed, leaving the delivery catheter in place for chronic or continuous delivery of substance(s) to and/or obtaining of information or samples from the target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, Theodore C. Lamson, J. Christopher Flaherty, John A. Reggie, John Y. Chang, Joseph Catanese, III, David R. Tholfsen
  • Patent number: 7648367
    Abstract: Anatomical models representing one or more anatomical structures of a human or non-human animal and related methods for demonstrating, training, promotion and sale of medical, cosmetic and surgical products or procedures. A working device is inserted into the anatomical model and used to perform a simulated procedure, thereby causing an indicator apparatus (e.g., a removable business card) to become perceptibly altered. The indicator apparatus may then be removed and provided a potential user, consumer or purchaser of the medical, surgical or cosmetic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, John H. Morriss, Robert N. Wood, John Y. Chang, Greg Miller
  • Patent number: 7648517
    Abstract: The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason Brian Whitt, Philip Christopher Evard, Patrick Edward Macauley, John Thomas Garibotto, Margaret W. Tumas, Alan Robert Selfridge
  • Patent number: 7645272
    Abstract: Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: John Y. Chang, Joshua Makower, Julia D. Vrany, Theodore C. Lamson, Amrish Jayprakash Walke
  • Patent number: 7645286
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues, organs, anatomical structures, grafts or other structures within the body of human or animal subjects for the purpose of treating a diseases or disorders and/or for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes and/or for research and development purposes or other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Neotract, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Catanese, III, Theodore Charles Lamson, Joshua Makower, Amik Nagpurkar, Amrish Jayprakash Walke, Claude Vidal, Russell J. Redmond, Michael Collinson, Jacqueline Nerney Welch
  • Patent number: 7641644
    Abstract: Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: John Y. Chang, Joshua Makower, Julia D. Vrany
  • Patent number: 7637870
    Abstract: A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
  • Publication number: 20090318976
    Abstract: Internal braces and methods of implanting same. A brace can be implanted on one side of a joint, or a pair of braces can be implanted, one on each opposite side of a joint. Each brace supports the joint over at least a portion of its range of motion. Distraction may be provided, or load sharing can be accomplished without distraction. Relative axial rotation of the bones connected by the brace may be permitted. One or more compliant members may be provided in the brace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: MOXIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Gabriel, Anton G. Clifford, David Lowe, Mary O'Connell, Michael E. Landry, Clinton N. Slone, Alan C. Regala, Kevin Sidow, Eric Dremel, Joshua Makower
  • Publication number: 20090287227
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and assemblies are provided for treating a patient by: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin over the abdominal cavity; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; advancing an instrument through the tract; contacting a distal end portion of the instrument against an inner surface of the abdominal cavity; driving at least one stitching needle through the inner surface of the abdominal cavity; continuing the driving until the at least one stitching needle exits the inner surface of the abdominal cavity; anchoring a suture carried by each of the at least one stitching needle to a suture anchor at an exit location, respectively; and applying tension to each of the sutures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew B. Newell, Pankaj Rathi, Robert M. George, Marlo Dreissigacker, Narvel M. Brooks, III, Shuji Uemura, Theodore M. Bender, Joshua Makower, Dane A. Johnson, Brian K. Shiu, Pablo G. Acosta, Timothy A. Limon, Beverly Huss, Crystine M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090281556
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and assemblies are provided for treating a patient by: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin over the abdominal cavity; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; advancing an instrument through the tract; contacting a distal end portion of the instrument against an inner surface of the abdominal cavity; driving at least one stitching needle through the inner surface of the abdominal cavity, continuing the driving until the at least one stitching needle exits the inner surface of the abdominal cavity, anchoring a suture carried by each of the at least one stitching needle to a suture anchor at an exit location, respectively; and applying tension to each of the sutures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew B. Newell, Pankaj Rathi, Robert M. George, Marlo Dreissigacker, Narvel M. Brooks, III, Shuji Uemura, Theodore M. Bender, Joshua Makower, Dane A. Johnson, Brian K. Shiu, Pablo G. Acosta, Timothy A. Limon, Beverly Huss, Crystine M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090281498
    Abstract: Apparatus, tools, device and methods provided for treating a patient including: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; inserting a guide member having a flexible distal portion and a distal tip into the initial tract and extending the initial tract to form a delivery tract leading to a target location within the patient's body; wherein said distal tip and at least a portion of a remainder of said guide member are transparent and delivering an obturator and conduit assembly over said guide member to place a distal end of the conduit of said obturator and conduit assembly in a location at or near the target location, said obturator having been inserted into said conduit prior to delivering said assembly over said guide member such that a distal end of said obturator extends distally out of a distal opening of said conduit wherein said obturator comprises a central lumen adapted to closely follow said guide me
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Pablo G. Acosta, Dane A. Johnson, Timothy A. Limon, Beverly Huss, Shuji Uemura, Brian K. Shiu, Theodore M. Bender, Matthew B. Newell, Joshua Makower, Crystine M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090281500
    Abstract: Apparatus, tools, device and methods provided for treating a patient, including: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; inserting a guide member having a flexible distal portion and a distal tip into the initial tract and extending the initial tract to form a delivery tract leading to a target location within the patient's body; wherein said distal tip and at least a portion of a remainder of said guide member are transparent; and delivering an obturator and conduit assembly over said guide member to place a distal end of the conduit of said obturator and conduit assembly in a location at or near the target location, said obturator having been inserted into said conduit prior to delivering said assembly over said guide member such that a distal end of said obturator extends distally out of a distal opening of said conduit; wherein said obturator comprises a central lumen adapted to closely follow said guide
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Pablo G. Acosta, Dane A. Johnson, Timothy A. Limon, Beverly Huss, Shuji Uemura, Brian K. Shiu, Theodore M. Bender, Matthew B. Newell, Joshua Makower, Crystine M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090281386
    Abstract: Apparatus, tools, device and methods provided for treating a patient including: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; inserting a guide member having a flexible distal portion and a distal tip into the initial tract and extending the initial tract to form a delivery tract leading to a target location within the patient's body; wherein said distal tip and at least a portion of a remainder of said guide member are transparent and delivering an obturator and conduit assembly over said guide member to place a distal end of the conduit of said obturator and conduit assembly in a location at or near the target location, said obturator having been inserted into said conduit prior to delivering said assembly over said guide member such that a distal end of said obturator extends distally out of a distal opening of said conduit wherein said obturator comprises a central lumen adapted to closely follow said guide me
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Pablo G. Acosta, Dane A. Johnson, Timothy A. Limon, Beverly Huss, Shuji Uemura, Brian K. Shiu, Theodore M. Bender, Matthew B. Newell, Joshua Makower, Crystine M. Lee