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).

  • Publication number: 20030229366
    Abstract: Implantable embolic devices for occluding the lumens of blood vessels and other anatomical conduits comprising a generally tubular, radially expandable frame and a flexible occluder member attached to the frame. The flexible occluder member may be of generally tubular form having a closed end and an open end. The open end is attached to the frame and the closed end serves to substantially block the flow of blood through the lumen of the anatomical conduit. In some embodiments a small or self-sealing opening is formed in the closed end of the flexible occluder member such that a guidewire, catheter or other device may pass through such opening during delivery of the device and/or at some later time following implantation of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Reggie, Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 6660024
    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: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, John Y. Chang, David R. Tholfsen, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
  • Patent number: 6655386
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a) revascularization and/or b) performing other medical procedures at vascular or non-vascular intracorporeal locations within a mammalian body. The methods generally comprise the formation of at least one extravascular passageway from a blood vessel to a vascular or non-vascular target location. In the revascularization methods the extravascular passageway is utilized for blood flow. In the medical procedure methods the extravascular passageway is utilized as a conduit for accessing or performing procedures at the vascular or non-vascular target location. Also disclosed are catheter devices and systems which are useable to form the extravascular passageways of the invention, as well as apparatus for modifying, maintaining and/or closing such extravascular passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason Brian Whitt, Philip Christopher Evard, Patrick Edward Macaulay, John Thomas Garibotto, Claude A. Vidal, Russell J. Redmond, Thomas Banks
  • Patent number: 6638293
    Abstract: This invention is methods and apparatus for occluding blood flow within a blood vessel (22). In a first series of embodiments, the present invention comprises a plurality of embolic devices (16) deployable through the lumen (12) of a conventional catheter (10) such that when deployed, said embolic devices (16) remain resident and occlude blood flow at a specific site within the lumen of the blood vessel (22). Such embolic devices (16) comprise either mechanical embolic devices that become embedded within or compress against the lumen of the vessel or chemical vaso occlusive agents that seal off blood flow at a given site. A second embodiment of the present invention comprises utilization of a vacuum/cauterizing device capable of sucking in the lumen of the vessel about the device to maintain the vessel in a closed condition where there is then applied a sufficient amount of energy to cause the tissue collapsed about the device to denature into a closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason B. Whitt, Philip C. Evard, Patrick E. Macaulay, John T. Garibotto, Marc Jensen
  • Publication number: 20030181938
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for enlarging interstitial penetration tracts which have been formed between blood vessels or elsewhere within the body of a mammalian patient. Included are debulking-type tract enlarging systems, dilation-type tract enlarging systems, tissue-slicing-type tract enlarging systems and two-catheter-type tract enlarging systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Alex T. Roth, J. Christopher Flaherty, Adrian E. Johnson, Joshua Makower, Jason Brian Whitt
  • Patent number: 6616675
    Abstract: Anastomotic connectors and apparatus for forming and/or maintaining connections between openings formed in anatomical structures, such as blood vessels. The apparatus is initially deployed in a first configuration which is sufficiently compact to be delivered through the lumen of a catheter or cannula. Thereafter, the device is expanded to a second configuration whereby it engages the anatomical structures and forms or maintains the desired connection between openings in the anatomical structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Transvascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower, J. C. Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason B. Whitt, Patrick E. Macaulay, John T. Garibotto, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 6613081
    Abstract: A plastically deformable stent for implantation within a body passage includes a plurality of cylindrical segments, and a plurality of connectors extending between adjacent segments. Each segment has an alternating pattern of curvilinear elements extending about its circumference, including first and second sets of curvilinear elements having different resistances to expansion, and preferably defining “U” shapes with alternating lengths that are connected to one another to define a substantially sinusoidal pattern. The connectors define a sinusoidal shape adapted to extend and compress axially substantially evenly when the adjacent segments are subjected to bending. The stent may be delivered on a device including an elongate member with a nose cone, an expandable member, and a proximal shoulder thereon, and an outer sheath for slidably receiving the elongate member therein. The outer sheath and/or nose cone may have perfusion holes for allowing continued perfusion of fluid during stent delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Transvascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Kim, Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 6602241
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, Theodore C. Lamson, J. Christopher Flaherty, John A. Reggie, John Y. Chang, Joseph Catanese, III, David R. Tholfsen
  • Patent number: 6579311
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for transvascular interstitial interventions, including transvascular, catheter based vascular bypass, transmyocardial revascularization, bypass grafting of blood vessels, and interstitial surgical/interventional procedures wherein a catheter is advanced translumenally through the vasculature to a desired location and an operative instrument is passed through the wall of a blood vessel and to a target location (e.g. another blood vessel, an organ, a tumor, another anatomical structure) such that one or more operative devices may be advanced to the target location to perform the desired operative or interventional procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Makower
  • Patent number: 6561998
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for enlarging interstitial penetration tracts which have been formed between blood vessels or elsewhere within the body of a mammalian patient. Included are debulking-type tract enlarging systems, dilation-type tract enlarging systems, tissue-slicing-type tract enlarging systems and two-catheter-type tract enlarging systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex T. Roth, J. Christopher Flaherty, Adrian E. Johnson, Joshua Makower, Jason Brian Whitt
  • Publication number: 20030078562
    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: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, Theodore C. Lamson, J. Christopher Flaherty, John A. Reggie, John Y. Chang, Joseph Catanese, David R. Tholfsen
  • Patent number: 6544230
    Abstract: A system of catheter devices and methods for forming channels or passageways between a luminal anatomical structure (e.g., a blood vessel) and a target location (e.g., another blood vessel, an organ, a mass of tissue, etc.) for the purpose of rerouting blood flow or for delivering a substance or instrument, etc. to the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason B. Whitt, Patrick E. Macaulay, David R. Tholfsen, John T. Garibotto, Philip C. Evard, Joshua Makower
  • Publication number: 20030015203
    Abstract: A method of introducing continuous lengths of filament into the body in surgical procedures in which it is desirable to place a significant amount of material into the body through a small portal. The material so introduced may serve to bulk a tissue or cavity of the body or to occlude a vas, as well as to introduce diagnostic or therapeutic agents into a site in the body. A device for implementing the method has a mechanism for feeding the filament through a conduit in such a manner that sufficient force is applied to the filament that it is forced into the desired site. In one embodiment, a system of reciprocating cannulae and synchronized grippers is used to supply the requisite force to the filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, Claude Vidal, Thomas F. Banks, Russell J. Redmond
  • Patent number: 6491707
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passing attachment apparatus or connector material into or through the wall of a luminal anatomical structure for the purpose of, closing the lumen of the anatomical structure, forming an anastomotic junction between separate anatomical structures or between approximated segments of the same anatomical structure, and/or attaching an article, or other apparatus to the wall of the anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, John Thomas Garibotto, Jason Brian Whitt
  • Publication number: 20020179098
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direct coronary revascularization wherein a transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary blood vessel to permit blood to flow therebetween. In some embodiments, the transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary vein. The invention includes unstented transmyocardial passageways, as well as transmyocardial passageways wherein protrusive stent devices extend from the transmyocardial passageway into an adjacent coronary vessel or chamber of the heart. The apparatus of the present invention include protrusive stent devices for stenting of transmyocardial passageways, intraluminal valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, intracardiac valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, endogenous tissue valves for valving of transmyocardial passageways, and ancillary apparatus for use in conjunction therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason Brian Whitt, Margaret W. Tumas, Theodore C. Lamson, Marc Jensen
  • Publication number: 20020123698
    Abstract: Devices and methods for achieving directed placement of guidewires or other flexible rails over which other catheters or other devices may be introduced to a targeted location. A guidewire directing device includes a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal peripheral opening for directing a guidewire laterally from the device, and may have a deflecting member with a predetermined deflection angle in the lumen adjacent the peripheral opening. A snaring device is also provided that includes one or more lumens through which a snare or other grasping member is directed for releasably capturing or coupling to a guidewire. The snaring and target guidewire devices may include cooperating end effectors for releasably coupling or securing the devices together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: Transvascular, Inc.
    Inventors: John Garibotto, Steven W. Kim, Jason Whitt, J. Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Motoya Hayase, John Chang
  • Publication number: 20020111672
    Abstract: A plastically deformable stent for implantation within a body passage includes a plurality of cylindrical segments, and a plurality of connectors extending between adjacent segments. Each segment has an alternating pattern of curvilinear elements extending about its circumference, including first and second sets of curvilinear elements having different resistances to expansion, and preferably defining “U” shapes with alternating lengths that are connected to one another to define a substantially sinusoidal pattern. The connectors define a sinusoidal shape adapted to extend and compress axially substantially evenly when the adjacent segments are subjected to bending. The stent may be delivered on a device including an elongate member with a nose cone, an expandable member, and a proximal shoulder thereon, and an outer sheath for slidably receiving the elongate member therein. The outer sheath and/or nose cone may have perfusion holes for allowing continued perfusion of fluid during stent delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Transvascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Kim, Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 6432127
    Abstract: Implantable connector devices which are useable to maintain fluidic connection between, or approximation of, openings formed in adjacent natural or prosthetic anatomical conduits (or adjacent openings formed in a single anatomical conduits). These connector devices generally comprise a plurality of radially expandable annular members having one or more elongate strut members extending therebetween. Initially, the device is mountable on or within a delivery catheter while in a radially compact configuration. After the delivery catheter has been inserted into the body, the device is caused to transition to a radially expanded configuration whereby it becomes implanted within the body so as to maintain the desired fluidic connection between, or the desired approximation of, the anatomical conduit(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: TransVascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kim, J. Christopher Flaherty, Jason Brian Whitt, Theodore C. Lamson, Joshua Makower
  • Publication number: 20020062146
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direct coronary revascularization wherein a transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary blood vessel to permit blood to flow therebetween. In some embodiments, the transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary vein. The invention includes unstented transmyocardial passageways, as well as transmyocardial passageways wherein protrusive stent devices extend from the transmyocardial passageway into an adjacent coronary vessel or chamber of the heart. The apparatus of the present invention include protrusive stent devices for stenting of transmyocardial passageways, intraluminal valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, intracardiac valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, endogenous tissue valves for valving of transmyocardial passageways, and ancillary apparatus for use in conjunction therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, J. Christopher Flaherty, Timothy R. Machold, Jason Brian Whitt, Margaret W. Tumas, Theodore C. Lamson, Marc Jensen
  • Patent number: 6379319
    Abstract: Devices and methods for achieving directed placement of guidewires or other flexible rails over which other catheters or other devices may be introduced to a targeted location. A guidewire directing device includes a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal peripheral opening for directing a guidewire laterally from the device, and may have a deflecting member with a predetermined deflection angle in the lumen adjacent the peripheral opening. A snaring device is also provided that includes one or more lumens through which a snare or other grasping member is directed for releasably capturing or coupling to a guidewire. The snaring and target guidewire devices may include cooperating end effectors for releasably coupling or securing the devices together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Transvascular, Inc.
    Inventors: John Garibotto, Steven W. Kim, Jason Whitt, J. Christopher Flaherty, Joshua Makower, Motoya Hayase, John Chang