Patents by Inventor Kem Hawkins
Kem Hawkins 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: 10485957Abstract: Described are guidewires having at least one echolucent segment, and associated apparatuses and methods. The guidewires can be combined with devices equipped with intravascular ultrasound probes and used to effectively image regions during procedures underway in the vascular environment. The echolucent segment can have one or more echogenic markers to enable detection of the segment and/or relative movement of the segment using intravascular ultrasound.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Kem Hawkins
-
Patent number: 10226264Abstract: A device for thrombolytic therapy is provided. The device includes an elongate catheter with a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and a first lumen extending through both distal and proximal end portions. The distal end portion of the catheter includes an echogenic tubular potion that defines or surrounds a portion of the first lumen. An expandable balloon coaxially surrounds the tubular portion. The tubular portion additionally includes a plurality of indentations defined upon an outer surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: Charles L. McIntosh, Ram H. Paul, Jr., Darin G. Schaeffer, M. Kem Hawkins, Frank J. Fischer, Jr., Grant T. Hoffman
-
Publication number: 20180289392Abstract: Delivery systems and methods of creating an accessory maxillary ostium and implanting a ventilation tube for purposes of ventilation, irrigation, infusion or procedural work are described. The delivery systems include an introducer and an associated ventilation tube. An irrigation and/or infusion catheter may be advanced through the ventilation tube in order to irrigate or express the contents of the sinus cavities. A secondary irrigation and/or infusion catheter or a balloon catheter may be advanced through an outer irrigation and/or infusion catheter, deeply into the sinus cavity, in order to irrigate or express the contents of the sinus cavities. Moreover, the balloon catheter may alternatively or additionally be employed to for dilation of the natural ostium. Still further, a device for delivering drugs, fluids or the like, may be coupled to the ventilation tube for delivery of same.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Patrick C. Melder, Darin Schaeffer, Kathryn Hardert, Cleve Koehler, Kem Hawkins, Thomas Cherry, Chase Wooley
-
Publication number: 20150320979Abstract: Described are guidewires having at least one echolucent segment, and associated apparatuses and methods. The guidewires can be combined with devices equipped with intravascular ultrasound probes and used to effectively image regions during procedures underway in the vascular environment. The echolucent segment can have one or more echogenic markers to enable detection of the segment and/or relative movement of the segment using intravascular ultrasound.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Kem Hawkins
-
Publication number: 20150148612Abstract: Delivery systems and methods of creating an accessory maxillary ostium and implanting a ventilation tube for purposes of ventilation, irrigation, infusion or procedural work are described. The delivery systems include an introducer and an associated ventilation tube. An irrigation and/or infusion catheter may be advanced through the ventilation tube in order to irrigate or express the contents of the sinus cavities. A secondary irrigation and/or infusion catheter or a balloon catheter may be advanced through an outer irrigation and/or infusion catheter, deeply into the sinus cavity, in order to irrigate or express the contents of the sinus cavities. Moreover, the balloon catheter may alternatively or additionally be employed to for dilation of the natural ostium. Still further, a device for delivering drugs, fluids or the like, may be coupled to the ventilation tube for delivery of same.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Darin Schaeffer, Patrick C. Melder, Kathryn Evert, Cleve Koehler, Kem Hawkins, Thomas Cherry, Chase Wooley
-
Patent number: 8945142Abstract: Delivery systems and methods of creating an accessory maxillary ostium and implanting a ventilation tube for purposes of ventilation, irrigation, infusion or procedural work are described. The delivery systems include an introducer and an associated ventilation tube. An irrigation and/or infusion catheter may be advanced through the ventilation tube in order to irrigate or express the contents of the sinus cavities. A secondary irrigation and/or infusion catheter or a balloon catheter may be advanced through an outer irrigation and/or infusion catheter, deeply into the sinus cavity, in order to irrigate or express the contents of the sinus cavities. Moreover, the balloon catheter may alternatively or additionally be employed to for dilation of the natural ostium. Still further, a device for delivering drugs, fluids or the like, may be coupled to the ventilation tube for delivery of same.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: Darin Schaeffer, Patrick C. Melder, Kathryn Evert, Cleve Koehler, Kem Hawkins, Thomas Cherry, Chase Wooley
-
Publication number: 20140257090Abstract: A medical device includes a guidewire with a lumen, a plastic tip, and a removable mandrel. The medical device has echogenic properties which can be altered between an echogenic state and an echolucent state by evacuating the lumen and applying a liquid or gas within the lumen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Muffin IncorporatedInventors: Frank J. Fischer, JR., Kem Hawkins, Neal E. Fearnot
-
Patent number: 8480628Abstract: An apparatus for providing percutaneous access to a vessel of a patient over a wire guide. An outer sleeve of the apparatus has proximal and distal open ends, and has a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. An inner sleeve has proximal and distal open ends, and has a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The inner sleeve is sized to be received within the lumen of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve has a main body portion having a distal portion that tapers toward its distal open end. The tapered distal portion extends distal to the distal open end of the outer sleeve to provide a generally smooth diametrical transition between the outer sleeve and the wire guide. A more rigid stiffening cannula has proximal and distal open ends, and has a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The lumen of the stiffening cannula is sized to receive the wire guide therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: M. Kem Hawkins, Thomas A. Osborne
-
Publication number: 20130023802Abstract: A device for thrombolytic therapy is provided. The device includes an elongate catheter with a distal end portion and a proximal end portion and a first lumen extending through both distal and proximal end portions. The distal end portion of the catheter includes an echogenic tubular potion that defines or surrounds a portion of the first lumen. An expandable balloon coaxially surrounds the tubular portion. The tubular portion additionally includes a plurality of indentations defined upon an outer surface thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: Charles L. McIntosh, Ram H. Paul, JR., Darin G. Schaeffer, M. Kem Hawkins, Frank J. Fischer, JR., Grant T. Hoffman
-
Publication number: 20120150119Abstract: Delivery systems and methods of creating an accessory maxillary ostium and implanting a ventilation tube for purposes of ventilation, irrigation, infusion or procedural work are described. The delivery systems include an introducer and an associated ventilation tube. An irrigation and/or infusion catheter may be advanced through the ventilation tube in order to irrigate or express the contents of the sinus cavities. A secondary irrigation and/or infusion catheter or a balloon catheter may be advanced through an outer irrigation and/or infusion catheter, deeply into the sinus cavity, in order to irrigate or express the contents of the sinus cavities. Moreover, the balloon catheter may alternatively or additionally be employed to for dilation of the natural ostium. Still further, a device for delivering drugs, fluids or the like, may be coupled to the ventilation tube for delivery of same.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: Darin Schaeffer, Patrick C. Melder, Kathryn Evert, Cleve Koehler, Kem Hawkins, Thomas Cherry, Chase Wooley
-
Patent number: 6613002Abstract: The present invention involves a elongated member, such as a wire guide, that is used with in a endoscopic procedure. In one aspect of the invention, the elongate member includes a first system of indicia comprising a scale reference markings that can include numeric indicia, sequentially increasing markers, etc., located at regular increments (e.g., 1 cm) on the distal portion of the elongate member, that permit measurement of structures within a body passage. In one example, an exchange wire guide having a radiopaque marker on the distal portion is positioned under fluoroscopy at a first location, such as the distal point of a stricture, and the scale reference marking on the wire guide that visible in the viewing region of the endoscope is read. The wire guide is partially withdrawn such that the marker corresponds to a second position (e.g., the proximal point of the stricture) and the new scale reference marking is read. The difference is calculated to determine the length of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2000Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical IncorporatedInventors: Tamisha A. Clark, Melvin Kem Hawkins, John A. Karpiel