Patents by Inventor L. Michael Cutrer
L. Michael Cutrer 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).
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Patent number: 11918735Abstract: An inhaler having first and second user-operable controllers configured to independently meter first and second amounts of a physiologically active substance and a pressurized gas, respectively, to a user is disclosed. A regulator is configured to release a dose to the mouthpiece in some embodiments. Triggering can be activated by one or more of (1) the user drawing a breath through the mouthpiece, and (2) the user operating a trigger.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Inventors: Irwin A. Olian, Jr., L. Michael Cutrer, Philip Cacayorin
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Publication number: 20200368459Abstract: An inhaler comprises first and second user-operable controllers configured to independently meter first and second amounts of a physiologically active substance and a pressurized gas, respectively, to the user in the dose. In preferred embodiments a regulator is configured to release a dose to the mouthpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Irwin A. Olian, JR., L. Michael Cutrer
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Patent number: 8257241Abstract: A brachytherapy device for treating tissue within a cavity of a body. The device may include a first set of tubes configured to be inserted into the cavity through an opening at the surface of the body. Each of the tubes may have an external end and an interior channel beginning at the external end that is configured to receive radioactive material. The external ends of the tubes may be bundled together. The tubes may be of a length that causes the external ends to be near the opening in the surface of the body while the tubes are in the cavity. A seal may be configured to prevent fluid that originates from the cavity from entering into the external ends of the tubes while they are near the opening in the surface of the body. The seal may include a gasket that is pressed against the external ends of the tubes. The gasket may have openings that align with channels within the external ends of the tubes.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Portola Medical, Inc.Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Leigh Spotten, Joseph Wong, Fredrick Winch
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Patent number: 8253120Abstract: Method and/or system for forming a radiation flood source. The radiation flood source includes a paper sheet, a pigmentless radioactive fill printed on the paper sheet, and a pigmented border printed on the paper sheet and around the pigmentless radioactive fill. In one embodiment the radiation flood source is formed by preparing a radioactive isotope carrier solution; loading the radioactive isotope carrier solution into a radioactive isotope carrier solution cartridge; loading a separate border cartridge into a plotter; selecting and configuring a shape of an active area; setting a border to be placed around the active area; printing the active area by utilizing the radioactive isotope carrier solution cartridge on a sheet substrate; and printing the border by utilizing the separate border cartridge on the sheet substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventors: Jason Short, Mike Palatas, L. Michael Cutrer, Jeff Gabler
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Patent number: 8226539Abstract: The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus, system and method that delivers partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a trocar. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources, at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation, a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Portola Medical, Inc.Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Fredrick W. Winch, John Zhang, Wayne Higgins, Terence Ellard, David Bossi
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Patent number: 8157717Abstract: A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between certain positions while maintaining a substantially constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Portola Medical, Inc.Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Joe Wong, Fredrick Wintch
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Patent number: 8137256Abstract: The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus that delivers a low dose, partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a cannula. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes a seed containment device configured to contain a plurality of low-dose radioactive seeds therein. The seed containment device may be one or more thin-walled tubes. The apparatus is further configured to expand so that at least a portion of the seed containment device is positioned against the remaining tissue and the plurality of radioactive seeds are disposed at the perimeter of the seed containment device. Also described are various clamps for the apparatus, and sleeves for adjusting the size of the device to fit a cavity when the apparatus is in use.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Portola Medical, Inc.Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Fredrick Winch, John Zhang, Wayne Higgins, Terence Ellard, David Bossi
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Patent number: 7862497Abstract: A brachytherapy device may include a plurality of rods, each configured to move between a straightened position and a bowed position, the plurality of rods configured to collectively form a shaft while each rod is in the straightened position and to collectively form at least one cage while at least some of the rods are in the bowed position, at least some of the rods having lumens that are configured to receive and hold radioactive material. A brachytherapy device may further include a rotatable mechanism configured to cause at least some of the plurality of rods to move between the straightened position and the bowed position upon rotation of the rotatable mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Portola Medical, Inc.Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Fredrick Wintch, Richard A. Terwilliger, John Zhang, David Bossi
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Publication number: 20100204536Abstract: A brachytherapy device for treating tissue within a cavity of a body. The device may include a first set of tubes configured to be inserted into the cavity through an opening at the surface of the body. Each of the tubes may have an external end and an interior channel beginning at the external end that is configured to receive radioactive material. The external ends of the tubes may be bundled together. The tubes may be of a length that causes the external ends to be near the opening in the surface of the body while the tubes are in the cavity. A seal may be configured to prevent fluid that originates from the cavity from entering into the external ends of the tubes while they are near the opening in the surface of the body. The seal may include a gasket that is pressed against the external ends of the tubes. The gasket may have openings that align with channels within the external ends of the tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Leigh Spotten, Joseph Wong, Fredrick Winch
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Publication number: 20100191034Abstract: A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between certain positions while maintaining a substantially constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Joe Wong, Fredrick Winch
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Publication number: 20100025598Abstract: Method and/or system for forming a radiation flood source. The radiation flood source includes a paper sheet, a pigmentless radioactive fill printed on the paper sheet, and a pigmented border printed on the paper sheet and around the pigmentless radioactive fill. In one embodiment the radiation flood source is formed by preparing a radioactive isotope carrier solution; loading the radioactive isotope carrier solution into a radioactive isotope carrier solution cartridge; loading a separate border cartridge into a plotter; selecting and configuring a shape of an active area; setting a border to be placed around the active area; printing the active area by utilizing the radioactive isotope carrier solution cartridge on a sheet substrate; and printing the border by utilizing the separate border cartridge on the sheet substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: Jason Short, Mike Palatas, L. Michael Cutrer, Jeff Gabler
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Publication number: 20090326314Abstract: The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus, system and method that delivers partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a trocar. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources, at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation, a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Fredrick W. Winch, John Zhang, Wayne Higgins, Terence Ellard, David Bossi
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Publication number: 20080269539Abstract: A brachytherapy device for treating tissue within a cavity of a body. The device may include a first set of tubes configured to be inserted into the cavity through an opening at the surface of the body. Each of the tubes may have an external end and an interior channel beginning at the external end that is configured to receive radioactive material. The external ends of the tubes may be bundled together. The tubes may be of a length that causes the external ends to be near the opening in the surface of the body while the tubes are in the cavity. A seal may be configured to prevent fluid that originates from the cavity from entering into the external ends of the tubes while they are near the opening in the surface of the body. The seal may include a gasket that is pressed against the external ends of the tubes. The gasket may have openings that align with channels within the external ends of the tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Leigh Spotten, Joseph Wong, Fredrick Winch
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Publication number: 20080161633Abstract: A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between certain positions while maintaining a substantially constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Joe Wong, Frederick Winch
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Publication number: 20080146862Abstract: A brachytherapy device may include a plurality of rods, each configured to move between a straightened position and a bowed position, the plurality of rods configured to collectively form a shaft while each rod is in the straightened position and to collectively form at least one cage while at least some of the rods are in the bowed position, at least some of the rods having lumens that are configured to receive and hold radioactive material. A brachytherapy device may further include a rotatable mechanism configured to cause at least some of the plurality of rods to move between the straightened position and the bowed position upon rotation of the rotatable mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: L. Michael CUTRER, Frederick WINTCH, Richard A. TERWILLIGER, John ZHANG, David BOSSI
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Publication number: 20080108859Abstract: A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between certain positions while maintaining a substantially constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Joe Wong, Fredrick Winch
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Patent number: 7357770Abstract: A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between certain positions while maintaining a substantially constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: North American Scientific, Inc.Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A Terwilliger, Joe Wong, Fredrick Winch
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Publication number: 20070142694Abstract: The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus that delivers a low dose, partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a cannula. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes a seed containment device configured to contain a plurality of low-dose radioactive seeds therein. The seed containment device may be one or more thin-walled tubes. The apparatus is further configured to expand so that at least a portion of the seed containment device is positioned against the remaining tissue and the plurality of radioactive seeds are disposed at the perimeter of the seed containment device. Also described are various clamps for the apparatus, and sleeves for adjusting the size of the device to fit a cavity when the apparatus is in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2005Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: L. Michael Cutrer, Richard A. Terwilliger, Fredrick Winch, John Zhang, Wayne Higgins, Terence Ellard, David Bossi
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Patent number: 6881183Abstract: A radioactive seed which discloses the orientation and the location of the seed when the seed is exposed to X-ray photography is provided. The seed contains multiple X-ray detectable markers which will disclose the orientation and the location of the seed when the seed is exposed to X-ray photography. The seed can also have a single marker which wraps around the external surface of the seed or wraps around a carrier body within the seed. The single marker will also disclose the orientation as well as the location of the seed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: North American Scientific, Inc.Inventor: L. Michael Cutrer
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Patent number: 6787786Abstract: The present invention relates to radiation sources and a method for producing radiation sources. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to radiation sources that can be used to calibrate nuclear imaging equipment, such as flood sources. According to embodiments of the invention, the radiation source includes a outer housing that contains a substrate upon which a radioactive pattern is deposited. The radioactive deposit may be placed on the surface of the substrate in the form of a deposited solution and may be fixed to the surface of the substrate by, for example, a binding agent and/or a sealing layer. The deposited solution may also include a colorant to visually indicate the activity distribution of the radioactive deposit.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: North American Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Dan Kalas, L. Michael Cutrer, Jack Webb