Patents by Inventor Karl Bruce Thor

Karl Bruce Thor 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: 20240099998
    Abstract: Methods, pharmaceutical formulations, and kits are provided for using Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) agonists to increase rectal pressure and induce defecation in mammals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Karl Bruce THOR, Lesley MARSON
  • Patent number: 11458112
    Abstract: Methods, pharmaceutical formulations, and kits are provided for using capsaicin to effectuate voluntary defecation in mammals who cannot defecate without external invasion of the bowel or those who defecate involuntarily (i.e., those having fecal incontinence). The pharmaceutical formulations and kits can also be useful for inducing defecation in mammals that do not have defecation dysfunction such as, for example, in a person who is unconscious and may defecate unconsciously or in a pet at a convenient location at a specific time. The methods and compositions provide patients with defecation dysfunction control over when and where they defecate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: DIGNIFY THERAPEUTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Bruce Thor, Lesley Marson
  • Patent number: 10994134
    Abstract: A stimulator device for controlling waste storage for a subject, having one electrode placed in proximity to a portion of each of the right and left pudendal nerves, which contains efferent fibers that, when stimulated, produce contraction of the urethral or anal sphincter. The stimulator device having a pulse generator connected to electrodes, bilaterally, to provide stimulation for each electrode to stimulate pudendal efferent axons. The pulse generator adapted to provide a first type of stimulation to cause waste to be stored within the subject. The pulse generator adapted to provide a second type of stimulation, different from the first type of stimulation, to allow waste to be voided from the subject by blocking nerve impulses that accompany sphincter dyssynergia. An input device to allow an end user to select the first type of stimulation, the second type of stimulation, or no stimulation. Variations of the concept are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Dignify Therapeutics, LLC
    Inventor: Karl Bruce Thor
  • Publication number: 20210015771
    Abstract: Methods, pharmaceutical formulations, and kits are provided for using capsaicin to effectuate voluntary defecation in mammals who cannot defecate without external invasion of the bowel or those who defecate involuntarily (i.e., those having fecal incontinence). The pharmaceutical formulations and kits can also be useful for inducing defecation in mammals that do not have defecation dysfunction such as, for example, in a person who is unconscious and may defecate unconsciously or in a pet at a convenient location at a specific time. The methods and compositions provide patients with defecation dysfunction control over when and where they defecate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Karl Bruce THOR, Lesley MARSON
  • Publication number: 20200222693
    Abstract: A stimulator device for use in controlling waste storage for a patient, the stimulator device having a set of at least one electrode placed in proximity to a relevant portion of a pudendal nerve. The stimulator device having a pulse generator connected to the set of at least one electrode to provide stimulation input for use by the electrode to stimulate the pudendal nerve. The pulse generator adapted to provide a first type of stimulation to cause waste to be stored within the patient. The pulse generator adapted to provide a second type of stimulation different from the first type of stimulation, the second type of stimulation to allow waste to be voided from the patient by blocking nerve impulses that would produce sphincter dyssynergia. An input device to allow an end user to select to apply the first type of stimulation or the second type of stimulation. Variations of the concept are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventor: Karl Bruce Thor
  • Patent number: 9598434
    Abstract: Provided is a compound which is useful as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like. The present inventors have investigated compounds having a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and have found that the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have an excellent 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, thereby completing the present invention. That is, the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and can be used as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ASTELLAS PHARMA INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Koshio, Norio Asai, Taisuke Takahashi, Takafumi Shimizu, Yasuhito Nagai, Keiko Kawabata, Karl Bruce Thor
  • Publication number: 20150368220
    Abstract: [Problem ] To provide a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing urinary incontinence on the basis of a novel mechanism of action, and a method for screening a compound to be comprised in the pharmaceutical composition as an active ingredient. [Means for Solution] The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing stress urinary incontinence or mixed urinary incontinence, comprising a compound having a melatonin receptor activation action as an active ingredient. Examples of the active ingredient include melatonin, ramelteon, agomelatine, tasimelteon, TIK-301, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: Astellas Pharma Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Watanabe, Keiko Kawabata, Yuka Watanabe, Hironori Yuyama, Noriyuki Masuda, Edward C. Burgard, Karl Bruce Thor
  • Publication number: 20150315208
    Abstract: Provided is a compound which is useful as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like. The present inventors have investigated compounds having a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and have found that the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have an excellent 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, thereby completing the present invention. That is, the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and can be used as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: ASTELLAS PHARMA INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KOSHIO, Norio ASAI, Taisuke TAKAHASHI, Takafumi SHIMIZU, Yasuhito NAGAI, Keiko KAWABATA, Karl Bruce THOR
  • Patent number: 9108977
    Abstract: Provided is a compound which is useful as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like. The present inventors have investigated compounds having a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and have found that the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have an excellent 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, thereby completing the present invention. That is, the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and can be used as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ASTELLAS PHARMA INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Koshio, Norio Asai, Taisuke Takahashi, Takafumi Shimizu, Yasuhito Nagai, Keiko Kawabata, Karl Bruce Thor
  • Publication number: 20140221497
    Abstract: Methods for the prevention, treatment, or management of sexual dysfunction, such as premature ejaculation, by administering to a patient in need of therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a rapid-onset selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor on an as-needed basis shortly before sexual activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: APBI Holdings, LLC.
    Inventor: Karl Bruce Thor
  • Publication number: 20130059837
    Abstract: Provided is a compound which is useful as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like. The present inventors have investigated compounds having a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and have found that the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have an excellent 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, thereby completing the present invention. That is, the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and can be used as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ASTELLAS PHARMA INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KOSHIO, Norio ASAI, Taisuke TAKAHASHI, Takafumi SHIMIZU, Yasuhito NAGAI, Keiko KAWABATA, Karl Bruce THOR
  • Publication number: 20130012496
    Abstract: Provided is a compound which is useful as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like. The present inventors have investigated compounds having a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and have found that the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have an excellent 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, thereby completing the present invention. That is, the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and can be used as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: ASTELLAS PHARMA INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Koshio, Norio Asai, Taisuke Takahashi, Takafumi Shimizu, Yasuhito Nagai, Keiko Kawabata, Karl Bruce Thor
  • Publication number: 20110294881
    Abstract: A method is provided for using ?2? subunit calcium channel modulators or other compounds that interact with the ?2? calcium channel subunit in combination with one or more compounds with smooth muscle modulatory effects to treat and/or alleviate the symptoms associated with painful and non-painful lower urinary tract disorders in normal and spinal cord injured patients. According to the present invention, ?2? subunit calcium channel modulators include GABA analogs (e.g. gabapentin and pregabalin), fused bicyclic or tricyclic amino acid analogs of gabapentin, and amino acid compounds. Compounds with smooth muscle modulatory effects include antimuscarinics, ?3 adrenergic agonists, spasmolytics, neurokinin receptor antagonists, bradykinin receptor antagonists, and nitric oxide donors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: EDUSA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Oliver Fraser, Karl Bruce Thor, Edward C. Burgard, Lee R. Brettman, Steven B. Landau, Daniel J. Ricca
  • Publication number: 20110269744
    Abstract: [Problem] Provided is a compound which is useful as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like. [Means for Solution] The present inventors have investigated compounds having a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, which is promising as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like, and have found that the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have an excellent 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, thereby completing the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ASTELLAS PHARMA INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KOSHIO, Norio ASAI, Taisuke TAKAHASHI, Takafumi SHIMIZU, Yasuhito NAGAI, Keiko KAWABATA, Karl Bruce THOR
  • Publication number: 20110236318
    Abstract: An animal model of an ejaculation-like reflex, wherein the ejaculation-like reflex is induced by continuous infusion of saline through a catheter extending into the proximal urethra of a non-human male animal, and wherein the urethra of the animal is occluded by extending and bending the penis at the base; and a method of screening a test substance for effectiveness in prevention or treatment of male ejaculatory dysfunction using the animal model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ASTELLAS PHARMA INC.
    Inventors: Masayuki TANAHASHI, Karl Bruce THOR, Venkateswarlu KARICHETI
  • Patent number: 7718705
    Abstract: Methods for the prevention, treatment, or management of sexual dysfunction, such as premature ejaculation, by administering to a patient in need of therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a rapid-onset selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor on an as-needed basis shortly before sexual activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventor: Karl Bruce Thor
  • Publication number: 20090203792
    Abstract: A method is provided for treatment of non-painful bladder disorders, particularly non-painful overactive bladder without loss of urine. The method comprises administration of an ?2? subunit calcium channel modulator, including gabapentin, pregabalin, GABA analogs, fused bicyclic or tricyclic amino acid analogs of gabapentin, amino acid compounds, and other compounds that interact with the ?2? calcium channel subunit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Dynogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Bruce Thor, Edward C. Burgard, Mathew Oliver Fraser
  • Patent number: 7459430
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of using Cav2.2 subunit calcium channel modulators to treat painful and non-painful lower urinary tract disorders and the related genitourinary tract disorders vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis in normal and spinal cord injured patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Dynogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Oliver Fraser, Karl Bruce Thor, Edward C. Burgard
  • Publication number: 20080275080
    Abstract: A method is provided for using ?2? subunit calcium channel modulators or other compounds that interact with the ?2? calcium channel subunit in combination with one or more compounds with smooth muscle modulatory effects to treat and/or alleviate the symptoms associated with painful and non-painful lower urinary tract disorders in normal and spinal cord injured patients. According to the present invention, ?2? subunit calcium channel modulators include GABA analogs (e.g. gabapentin and pregabalin), fused bicyclic or tricyclic amino acid analogs of gabapentin, and amino acid compounds. Compounds with smooth muscle modulatory effects include antimuscarinics, ?3 adrenergic agonists, spasmolytics, neurokinin receptor antagonists, bradykinin receptor antagonists, and nitric oxide donors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Dynogen Pharmacueticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Oliver Fraser, Karl Bruce Thor, Edward C. Burgard, Lee R. Brettman, Steven B. Landau, Daniel J. Ricca
  • Patent number: 7223754
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of using Cav2.2 subunit calcium channel modulators, particularly thiazolidinone, oxazolidinone, and imidazolone derivatives, to treat lower urinary tract and related disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Dynogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Oliver Fraser, Karl Bruce Thor, Edward C. Burgard