Patents by Inventor Justin M. Crank

Justin M. Crank 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: 9364615
    Abstract: A needleless fluid injection device including a flexible shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, an injection lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft, and at least one injection orifice extending through a wall of the injection lumen at the distal end of the shaft. The injection lumen can include a depth-limiting system (462) at its distal end for controlling the depth of insertion of the injection lumen relative to a target tissue of a patient. The injection lumen can alternatively or additionally include at least one guidance feature. The injection lumen can alternatively or additionally include at least one flow-modifying protrusion extending from the inner tubular wall of the injection lumen and toward a longitudinal axis of the injection lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Justin M. Crank, Suranjan Roychowdhury, Carey J. Becker
  • Patent number: 9295823
    Abstract: Described are needleless injection systems and methods that involve features including one or more of a tissue tensioner and a fitting that includes or attaches to a shaft, exemplary embodiments including: an elastic sleeve sized to fit under tension about the distal end of a flexible scope, such as an endoscope; a non-metal, polymeric tube-like device being optionally attached to the elastic sleeve for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment site within a patient wherein the elastic sleeve may include an integral balloon (tissue tensioner) feature that can be used to position the injection orifice of the tube-like device proximate a treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventors: Robert L. Rykhus, Jr., Jason W. Ogdahl, Justin M. Crank
  • Patent number: 9283353
    Abstract: Described are devices useful to inject fluid to tissue without the use of a needle, and related methods; the devices include one or a combination of features such as ejection orifices (40), distal end control features, or combinations of these; the systems can include a fluid delivery system having an injector source and an access device; the access device can comprise a minimally invasive, tubular delivery lumen (34) such as a catheter or endoscope; the tube-like device further includes one or more apposing jets that are selectively fired to force the injection orifice of the tube-like device against the target tissue; selective firing can include a continuous firing during the injection to improve the efficiency of the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventors: Justin M. Crank, Kathryn Bertelson
  • Publication number: 20160051356
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Paul J. Gindele, Justin M. Crank, Matthew S. Finlay, William J. Rissmann
  • Publication number: 20160001041
    Abstract: A needleless fluid injection system including an injection console, an injection chamber in operative communication with the console, an injectate shaft in operative communication with the console, which has an injection lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the shaft, and at least one injection orifice extending through a wall of the injection lumen proximate the distal end of the shaft. The injection lumen can include a sealing cap at its distal end. Alternatively, the system can include an injection plunger having an extending flange portion that is engageable with the console. In another alternative, the system includes an intermediate connector between injection chamber and the injectate shaft. In another embodiment, the system includes a leak management system extending from an outer surface of the injectate shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Kathryn A. Bertleson, Justin M. Crank
  • Patent number: 9179992
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Gindele, Justin M. Crank, Matthew S. Finlay, William J. Rissmann
  • Patent number: 9138535
    Abstract: A needleless fluid injection system (100) including an injection console (102), an injection chamber in operative communication with the console, an injectate shaft (104) in operative communication with the console, which has an injection lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the shaft, and at least one injection orifice extending through a wall of the injection lumen proximate the distal end of the shaft. The injection lumen can include a sealing cap (40) at its distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kathryn A. Bertleson, Justin M. Crank
  • Publication number: 20150246178
    Abstract: Described are devices useful to inject fluid to tissue without the use of a needle, and related methods; the devices include one or a combination of features such as ejection orifices, distal end control features, or combinations of these; the systems can include a fluid delivery system having an injector source and an access device; the access device can comprise a minimally invasive, tubular delivery lumen such as a catheter or endoscope; the tube-like device further includes one or more apposing jets that are selectively fired to force the injection orifice of the tube-like device against the target tissue; selective firing can include a continuous firing during the injection to improve the efficiency of the treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventor: Justin M. Crank
  • Publication number: 20150196717
    Abstract: A high-pressure fluid injection system, which includes a rechargeable injection chamber with a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal opening extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a plunger slideably engaged with the internal opening of the injection chamber, an injection tube extending from the distal end of the injection chamber and in fluidic communication with the internal opening of the injection chamber, and a check valve between the proximal and distal ends of the injection chamber. The internal opening includes a high-pressure zone adjacent to the check valve and having a first diameter, and a low-pressure zone proximal to the high-pressure zone and having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventor: Justin M. Crank
  • Patent number: 9017282
    Abstract: A high-pressure fluid injection system, which includes a rechargeable injection chamber with a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal opening extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a plunger slideably engaged with the internal opening of the injection chamber, an injection tube extending from the distal end of the injection chamber and in fluidic communication with the internal opening of the injection chamber, and a check valve between the proximal and distal ends of the injection chamber. The internal opening includes a high-pressure zone adjacent to the check valve and having a first diameter, and a low-pressure zone proximal to the high-pressure zone and having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Justin M. Crank
  • Publication number: 20150045779
    Abstract: Embodiments of a laser ablation system include a shaft, a balloon and a laser fiber. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon is attached to the distal end of the shaft, a portion of which is disposed within the balloon. A light dispenser at a distal end of the laser fiber deliver laser light through the balloon. A central axis of the balloon is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The balloon has a variable transparency such that the transmission of laser light through the balloon is non-uniform along the central axis. Accordingly, an energy of laser light transmitted from the light dispenser through the balloon to the targeted tissue varies due to the variable transparency of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Michael T. Beck, Edouard A. Koulick, Robert E. Lund, Douglas L. Evans, Samuel L. Will, Stuart F. Watson, Hyun Wook Kang, Justin M. Crank, Somany Dy, Micah D. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20150038789
    Abstract: A non-metal, polymeric tubular device for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment site within a patient. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated using suitable high strength polymers and in some versions can be reinforced through the inclusion of reinforcement materials or braiding. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated so as to have a burst strength exceeding at least about 2,000 psi. The non-metal, polymeric tubular device can be fabricated so as to have distention properties, wherein an orifice or jet port located at a distal end of the polymeric tubular device retains its shape and/or size without suffering swelling that can have a detrimental impact on a fluid jet used to deliver the therapeutic fluid at the treatment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Justin M. Crank
  • Patent number: 8936592
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a laser ablation system. In one embodiment, the laser ablation system comprises a shaft, a balloon, a laser fiber and a viewing fiber. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon is attached to the distal end of the shaft, a portion of which is within the balloon. The laser fiber has a distal end comprising a light dispenser that is configured to deliver laser light through the balloon. The viewing fiber is configured to image an interior balloon. In accordance with another embodiment, the laser ablation system comprises a shaft, a balloon and a laser fiber. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon is attached to the distal end of the shaft, which is within the balloon. The balloon includes an inflated state, in which the balloon is shaped to conform to a cavity of a patient. The laser fiber has a distal end comprising light dispenser that is configured to deliver laser light through the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Beck, Edouard A. Koullick, Robert E. Lund, Douglas L. Evans, Samuel L. Will, Stuart F. Watson, Hyun Wook Kang, Justin M. Crank, Somany Dy, Micah D. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20150011966
    Abstract: Needleless injection device components, systems, and methods that involve features including an elongate shaft that has a working shaft comprising a working shaft proximal end, a working shaft distal end, and a working lumen extending between the working shaft proximal end and the working shaft distal end, an injection shaft including an injection shaft proximal end, an injection shaft distal end, and a needless injection orifice disposed through the sidewall at the injection shaft distal end, the injection shaft moveably disposed within the working lumen, and a tissue tensioner secured to the injection shaft at the injection shaft distal end and moveable relative to the working lumen, the tissue tensioner having an expandable surface capable of exhibiting an expanded state and a non-expanded state, the tissue tensioner in the expanded state being capable of tensioning luminal tissue for injection by the needless injection orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Justin M. Crank
  • Publication number: 20140357940
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Paul J. Gindele, Justin M. Crank, Matthew S. Finlay, William J. Rissmann
  • Patent number: 8876759
    Abstract: An injection system (200) including an injection chamber (202) and an injectate reservoir (204) that is removably attached to the injection chamber via an intermediate connector (206). The connector extends at a first end from the chamber and terminates at an opposite end with a fitting, such as a luer fitting, to which the injectate reservoir can be attached. The connector can be a relatively flexible component, such as a flexible tube, which is capable of absorbing the energy of an impact or other manipulation of the system to prevent or minimize the possibility of premature disconnection of the reservoir from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Justin M. Crank
  • Patent number: 8852084
    Abstract: An endoscope adapter ring for a needleless fluid delivery system for delivering therapeutic fluids to treatment sites within a patient. The needless fluid delivery system can include an automated injector source and a needleless access device. The access device can include a delivery scope and a treatment specific applicator. The adapter ring is operably attached to the endoscope to keep the injector lumen in a known orientation for the use of a side injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Justin M. Crank
  • Patent number: 8852142
    Abstract: Described are needleless injection systems and methods that involve features including one or more of a tissue tensioner and a fitting for attaching to a distal end of a shaft, exemplary embodiments including: an elastic sleeve sized to fit under tension about the distal end of a flexible scope, such as an endoscope; a non-metal, polymeric tube-like device being optionally attached to the elastic sleeve for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a treatment site within a patient wherein the elastic sleeve may include an integral balloon (tissue tensioner) feature that can be used to position the injection orifice of the tube-like device proximate a treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventor: Justin M. Crank
  • Patent number: 8808162
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of surgical procedures, systems, implants, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions in a male or female, the pelvic conditions including incontinence (various forms such as fecal incontinence, stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, etc.), vaginal prolapse (including various forms such as enterocele, cystocele, rectocele, apical or vault prolapse, uterine descent, etc.), and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools including devices and tools for anchoring an implant to supportive tissue and adjusting the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Gindele, Justin M. Crank, Matthew S. Finlay, William J. Rissmann
  • Publication number: 20140228863
    Abstract: Various surgical tissue anchor retention mechanisms, systems and methods are provided. The mechanisms, systems and methods can include a delivery tool or needle having a flex joint, a snap-fit, a cam and follower, a rotating tip, an expandable lock, a coil, an inverted collet, a tab, a buckling tube, an inflation element or like anchor retention or securement features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: AMS RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian P. Watschke, James R. Mujwid, James A. Alexander, Justin M. Crank