Patents by Inventor Larry C. Heaton

Larry C. Heaton 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: 9636096
    Abstract: A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 9486196
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor with an oximeter sensor at its tip and a force sensor coupled to the retractor. The retractor system also includes a system unit which can send signals to and receive signals from the oximeter sensor via optical fibers. The oximeter sensor measures oxygen saturation of a tissue being refracted by the retractor, and the force sensor measures an amount of force that is applied to the retracted tissue by the tip of the retractor. Another retractor system has a closed loop control arrangement with a positioning mechanism which moves the retractor based on measurements of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 9339221
    Abstract: Devices and systems have a sensor probe configured to measure tissue oxygen saturation in the intestine or mesentery. The devices and systems can determine the oxygenation state of the entire thickness of the intestine or mesentery. Thus, embodiments of the invention can be applied in diagnosing intestinal ischemia in a patient, as well as in monitoring tissue oxygen saturation of the intestine or mesentery during or after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Publication number: 20160074109
    Abstract: A family of barrel structures is provided in a kit. Each barrel structure is differently sized and configured for advancement into anal canals of different anatomic morphologies. Instructions are provided for using the barrel structures to treat an individual. The instructions instruct assessing an anatomic morphology of an anal canal of an individual to be treated and selecting one of the barrel structures based upon the assessed anatomic morphology. Each barrel structure carries an electrode sized and configured to be coupled to a source of tissue ablation energy to be applied through the electrode to form a lesion. Each barrel structure includes a transparent side wall visualized by a direct line of sight from an end portion of the first barrel structure. The instructions instruct inserting the selected barrel structure into the anal canal and visualizing by the direct line of sight through the transparent side wall of the selected barrel structure the dentate line and the targeted tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. West, John W. Gaiser, Patrick Rimroth, Larry C. Heaton
  • Patent number: 9204926
    Abstract: A family of barrel structures is provided in a kit. Each barrel structure is differently sized and configured for advancement into anal canals of different anatomic morphologies. Instructions are provided for using the barrel structures to treat an individual. The instructions instruct assessing an anatomic morphology of an anal canal of an individual to be treated and selecting one of the barrel structures based upon the assessed anatomic morphology. Each barrel structure carries an electrode sized and configured to be coupled to a source of tissue ablation energy to be applied through the electrode to form a lesion. Each barrel structure includes a transparent side wall visualized by a direct line of sight from an end portion of the first barrel structure. The instructions instruct inserting the selected barrel structure into the anal canal and visualizing by the direct line of sight through the transparent side wall of the selected barrel structure the dentate line and the targeted tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Mederi Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. West, John W. Gaiser, Patrick Rimroth, Larry C. Heaton
  • Patent number: 8938279
    Abstract: An oximeter measures oxygen saturation for two or more different tissue depths and shows these results on a screen. A probe of the oximeter has multiple different distances between source and detector sensors. One probe implementation has fixed sensor positions. Other implementations include sensors on a moveable platform or openings to accept sensors, which allow a user to vary a distance between sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: VioOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash, Jimmy Jian-min Mao
  • Patent number: 8798700
    Abstract: A medical device such as an oximeter includes a marking feature. In an implementation, a marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on a location of where a measurement was taken by the device. In an implementation, the marking mechanism of the device marks tissue based on an oxygen saturation measurement obtained by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Robert E. Lash
  • Publication number: 20140200403
    Abstract: A family of barrel structures is provided in a kit. Each barrel structure is differently sized and configured for advancement into anal canals of different anatomic morphologies. Instructions are provided for using the barrel structures to treat an individual. The instructions instruct assessing an anatomic morphology of an anal canal of an individual to be treated and selecting one of the barrel structures based upon the assessed anatomic morphology. Each barrel structure carries an electrode sized and configured to be coupled to a source of tissue ablation energy to be applied through the electrode to form a lesion. Each barrel structure includes a transparent side wall visualized by a direct line of sight from an end portion of the first barrel structure. The instructions instruct inserting the selected barrel structure into the anal canal and visualizing by the direct line of sight through the transparent side wall of the selected barrel structure the dentate line and the targeted tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Mederi Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. West, John W. Gaiser, Patrick Rimroth, Larry C. Heaton
  • Patent number: 8696661
    Abstract: A family of barrel structures is provided in a kit. Each barrel structure is differently sized and configured for advancement into anal canals of different anatomic morphologies. Instructions are provided for using the barrel structures to treat an individual. The instructions instruct assessing an anatomic morphology of an anal canal of an individual to be treated and selecting one of the barrel structures based upon the assessed anatomic morphology. Each barrel structure carries an electrode sized and configured to be coupled to a source of tissue ablation energy to be applied through the electrode to form a lesion. Each barrel structure includes a transparent side wall visualized by a direct line of sight from an end portion of the first barrel structure. The instructions instruct inserting the selected barrel structure into the anal canal and visualizing by the direct line of sight through the transparent side wall of the selected barrel structure the dentate line and the targeted tissue region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mederi Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H West, John W. Gaiser, Patrick J. Rimroth, Larry C. Heaton, II
  • Publication number: 20100114301
    Abstract: An anastomotic device includes a tube and anastomotic coupler rings having vessel openings attached to each end of the tube. In an embodiment, the diameters of the vessel openings are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: VIOPTIX, INC.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller
  • Publication number: 20100114292
    Abstract: An anastomotic device includes a tube and anastomotic coupler rings having vessel openings attached to each end of the tube. In an embodiment, the diameters of the vessel openings are the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: VIOPTIX, INC.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller
  • Publication number: 20100114293
    Abstract: An anastomotic device has a tube with three or more tube portions that are connected together. A first anastomotic coupler ring is attached to a first tube portion. A second anastomotic coupler ring is attached to a second tube portion. In an embodiment, a third anastomotic coupler ring is attached to a third tube portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: VIOPTIX, INC.
    Inventors: Larry C. Heaton, II, Alex Keller
  • Patent number: 7329254
    Abstract: An assembly for treating tissue in the anal canal uses a barrel structure having a dimension that can be selectively altered to be conducive for insertion into an anal canal according to an anatomic condition assessed within the anal canal. An electrode is carried by the barrel structure that can be coupled to a source of tissue ablation energy, which, when applied through the electrode, forms a lesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott West, John W. Gaiser, Patrick Rimroth, Larry C. Heaton
  • Patent number: D618803
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: ViOptix Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Larry C. Heaton, II
  • Patent number: D629521
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Lash, Larry C. Heaton, II