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: 10485957
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Muffin Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Kem Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10226264
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. McIntosh, Ram H. Paul, Jr., Darin G. Schaeffer, M. Kem Hawkins, Frank J. Fischer, Jr., Grant T. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20180289392
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick C. Melder, Darin Schaeffer, Kathryn Hardert, Cleve Koehler, Kem Hawkins, Thomas Cherry, Chase Wooley
  • Publication number: 20150320979
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Kem Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20150148612
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Darin Schaeffer, Patrick C. Melder, Kathryn Evert, Cleve Koehler, Kem Hawkins, Thomas Cherry, Chase Wooley
  • Patent number: 8945142
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Darin Schaeffer, Patrick C. Melder, Kathryn Evert, Cleve Koehler, Kem Hawkins, Thomas Cherry, Chase Wooley
  • Publication number: 20140257090
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Muffin Incorporated
    Inventors: Frank J. Fischer, JR., Kem Hawkins, Neal E. Fearnot
  • Patent number: 8480628
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: M. Kem Hawkins, Thomas A. Osborne
  • Publication number: 20130023802
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Charles L. McIntosh, Ram H. Paul, JR., Darin G. Schaeffer, M. Kem Hawkins, Frank J. Fischer, JR., Grant T. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20120150119
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Darin Schaeffer, Patrick C. Melder, Kathryn Evert, Cleve Koehler, Kem Hawkins, Thomas Cherry, Chase Wooley
  • Patent number: 6613002
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Tamisha A. Clark, Melvin Kem Hawkins, John A. Karpiel