Patents by Inventor Loren Francis
Loren Francis 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: 11771815Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a panel with integrated fluid channels, wherein the panel and the fluid channel consist only of surfaces that can be manufactured with a straight-pull mold. A port may also be integrated into the panel to facilitate coupling the fluid channel to pneumatic components in an assembly. A seal may be secured to the panel over the fluid channel to form an integrated fluid conductor. The seal is preferably an adhesive label that can also be used for product labeling. Such an apparatus may be used in a control unit of a therapy system, employing several integrated fluid conductors. A method of manufacturing may include molding a panel, wherein the mold forms a channel integral to the panel. The panel and the channel preferably consist of surfaces that can be molded with a straight-pull mold.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Andrew Pratt, James Killingworth Seddon, Christopher Brian Locke, David Richard Mercer, Loren Francis
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Patent number: 11744710Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods for replacing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc with an implantable nuclear prosthesis filled with a curable silicone material in situ. Configurations of the present spinal implant devices include a flexible body defining an outer fillable enclosure that defines an outer chamber, an inner fillable enclosure that defines an inner chamber, and a proximal plug configured to be coupled to the inner fillable enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: W. Loren Francis, Mark A. Novotny, Cory R. A. Hallam, Jake Ganem
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Publication number: 20230218409Abstract: A nuclear disc implant includes an inner fillable enclosure and an outer fillable enclosure. After insertion into a enucleated disc cavity, the inner enclosure is filled with a fluid and the outer fillable enclosure is filled with a curable material. The curable material is allowed to cure and the fluid is removed from the inner enclosure to leave an inner enclosure surrounded by an cured outer enclosure. A reinforcing band may be provided around the nuclear disc implant. An inflation tool to fill the nuclear disc implant is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Applicant: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: James D. Lutz, W. Loren Francis, Mark Novotny
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Patent number: 11633287Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation in a de-nucleated intervertebral disc includes a fiber ring-like layer which encloses a polymeric layer to create an annular space. The annular space is inflatable with an in-situ curable liquid polymer and forms an interior cavity. The annular space may be expanded uniformly or differentially to be tailored to the needs of a particular vertebral segment and to achieve optimal disc space width and angle, thereby stabilizing the segment while preserving normal motion of the vertebral segment. The interior cavity provides a void that allows inward deformation of the implant during weight bearing activities and bending. The prosthesis can be elastically deformed through axial elongation to a reduced profile to load into a delivery cannula using pulling techniques.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Nadi S. Hibri, W. Loren Francis, Mark A. Novotny
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Patent number: 11576793Abstract: A nuclear disc implant includes an inner fillable enclosure and an outer fillable enclosure. After insertion into a enucleated disc cavity, the inner enclosure is filled with a fluid and the outer fillable enclosure is filled with a curable material. The curable material is allowed to cure and the fluid is removed from the inner enclosure to leave an inner enclosure surrounded by an cured outer enclosure. A reinforcing band may be provided around the nuclear disc implant. An inflation tool to fill the nuclear disc implant is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: James D. Lutz, W. Loren Francis, Mark Novotny
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Patent number: 11523914Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation in a de-nucleated intervertebral disc includes a fiber ring-like layer which encloses a polymeric layer to create an annular space. The annular space is inflatable with an in-situ curable liquid polymer and forms an interior cavity. The annular space may be expanded uniformly or differentially to be tailored to the needs of a particular vertebral segment and to achieve optimal disc space width and angle, thereby stabilizing the segment while preserving normal motion of the vertebral segment. The interior cavity provides a void that allows inward deformation of the implant during weight bearing activities and bending. The prosthesis can be elastically deformed through axial elongation to a reduced profile to load into a delivery cannula using pulling techniques.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Nadi S. Hibri, W. Loren Francis, Mark A. Novotny
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Patent number: 11351294Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus for providing negative-pressure therapy may comprise a negative-pressure source, a pressure sensor, and a control valve. The negative-pressure source may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a distribution component. The control valve may be fluidly coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to be selectively coupled to the negative-pressure source, the distribution component, or both. A controller may also be configured to operate the control valve to selectively couple the pressure sensor to at least one of the negative-pressure source and the distribution component through the control valve, and the pressure sensor may provide a feedback signal to the controller indicative of pressure in a feedback path associated with the position of the control valve. The controller may also be configured to operate the negative-pressure source based on the feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: KCI LICENSING, INC.Inventors: Tyler H. Simmons, Reuben Walter Edgar, Jr., Kevin Higley, Loren Francis
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Patent number: 11219711Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system for stimulating healing of tissue at a wound site is disclosed. The system comprises a dressing including a porous pad and a drape covering the pad at a wound site for maintaining negative pressure at a wound site, a negative-pressure source including a pump and an electric motor to generate a pump pressure (PP) for applying to the wound site, and a first pressure sensor for sensing the pump pressure (PP). The system further comprises a controller coupled to the first pressure sensor and electric motor and including a PID controller that compares the pump pressure (PP) to a target pump pressure (TPP) and a bang-bang controller that controls wound pressure (WP) proximate the wound site, and wherein the controller is configured to alternatively select the bang-bang controller when the system is in a low-leakage condition or the PID controller when the system is in a high-leakage condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Loren Francis, Reuben W. Edgar, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210077266Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation in a de-nucleated intervertebral disc includes a fiber ring-like layer which encloses a polymeric layer to create an annular space. The annular space is inflatable with an in-situ curable liquid polymer and forms an interior cavity. The annular space may be expanded uniformly or differentially to be tailored to the needs of a particular vertebral segment and to achieve optimal disc space width and angle, thereby stabilizing the segment while preserving normal motion of the vertebral segment. The interior cavity provides a void that allows inward deformation of the implant during weight bearing activities and bending. The prosthesis can be elastically deformed through axial elongation to a reduced profile to load into a delivery cannula using pulling techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: NADI S. HIBRI, W. LOREN FRANCIS, MARK A. NOVOTNY
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Patent number: 10786360Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation in a de-nucleated intervertebral disc includes a fiber ring-like layer which encloses a polymeric layer to create an annular space. The annular space is inflatable with an in-situ curable liquid polymer and forms an interior cavity. The annular space may be expanded uniformly or differentially to be tailored to the needs of a particular vertebral segment and to achieve optimal disc space width and angle, thereby stabilizing the segment while preserving normal motion of the vertebral segment. The interior cavity provides a void that allows inward deformation of the implant during weight bearing activities and bending. The prosthesis can be elastically deformed through axial elongation to a reduced profile to load into a delivery cannula using pulling techniques.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Nadi S. Hibri, W. Loren Francis, Mark A. Novotny
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Publication number: 20200229947Abstract: A nuclear disc implant includes an inner fillable enclosure and an outer fillable enclosure. After insertion into a enucleated disc cavity, the inner enclosure is filled with a fluid and the outer fillable enclosure is filled with a curable material. The curable material is allowed to cure and the fluid is removed from the inner enclosure to leave an inner enclosure surrounded by an cured outer enclosure. A reinforcing band may be provided around the nuclear disc implant. An inflation tool to fill the nuclear disc implant is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: James D. LUTZ, W. Loren FRANCIS, Mark NOVOTNY
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Publication number: 20200113705Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, apparatuses, kits, and methods for replacing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc with an implantable nuclear prosthesis filled with a curable silicone material in situ. Configurations of the present spinal implant devices include a flexible body defining an outer fillable enclosure that defines an outer chamber, an inner fillable enclosure that defines an inner chamber, and a proximal plug configured to be coupled to the inner fillable enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: W. Loren FRANCIS, Mark A. NOVOTNY, Cory R.A. HALLAM, Jake GANEM
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Patent number: 10575967Abstract: A nuclear disc implant includes an inner fillable enclosure and an outer fillable enclosure. After insertion into a enucleated disc cavity, the inner enclosure is filled with a fluid and the outer fillable enclosure is filled with a curable material. The curable material is allowed to cure and the fluid is removed from the inner enclosure to leave an inner enclosure surrounded by an cured outer enclosure. A reinforcing band may be provided around the nuclear disc implant. An inflation tool to fill the nuclear disc implant is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: James D. Lutz, W. Loren Francis, Mark Novotny
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Publication number: 20200016302Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a panel with integrated fluid channels, wherein the panel and the fluid channel consist only of surfaces that can be manufactured with a straight-pull mold. A port may also be integrated into the panel to facilitate coupling the fluid channel to pneumatic components in an assembly. A seal may be secured to the panel over the fluid channel to form an integrated fluid conductor. The seal is preferably an adhesive label that can also be used for product labeling. Such an apparatus may be used in a control unit of a therapy system, employing several integrated fluid conductors. A method of manufacturing may include molding a panel, wherein the mold forms a channel integral to the panel. The panel and the channel preferably consist of surfaces that can be molded with a straight-pull mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Benjamin Andrew PRATT, James Killingworth SEDDON, Christopher Brian LOCKE, David Richard MERCER, Loren FRANCIS
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Patent number: 10524923Abstract: An expandable implant for augmenting a damaged or otherwise torn posterior annulus fibrosus. The implant is deployable into an evacuated posterior disc space following a subtotal nuclectomy. The implant includes an inflatable balloon which is fixed to the annulus fibrosus to protect against migration. When inflated with a curable polymer, the posterior wall of the implant is intimately disposed along the inner surface of the annulus fibrosus to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal of the annular tear or defect and reinforce the weakened posterior annulus. The anterior wall of the implant sequesters the nuclear remnant to guard against disc remnant herniation. The implant can restore intradiscal pressure and disc height. An integrated posterior reinforcement band creates a strong, yet flexible and resilient structure, resistant to penetration of the implant through the annular tear or defect.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: SPINAL STABILIZATION TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Nadi S. Hibri, W. Loren Francis, Mark A. Novotny
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Patent number: 10478536Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a panel with integrated fluid channels, wherein the panel and the fluid channel consist only of surfaces that can be manufactured with a straight-pull mold. A port may also be integrated into the panel to facilitate coupling the fluid channel to pneumatic components in an assembly. A seal may be secured to the panel over the fluid channel to form an integrated fluid conductor. The seal is preferably an adhesive label that can also be used for product labeling. Such an apparatus may be used in a control unit of a therapy system, employing several integrated fluid conductors. A method of manufacturing may include molding a panel, wherein the mold forms a channel integral to the panel. The panel and the channel preferably consist of surfaces that can be molded with a straight-pull mold.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Andrew Pratt, James Killingworth Seddon, Christopher Brian Locke, David Mercer, Loren Francis
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Publication number: 20190255230Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus for providing negative-pressure therapy may comprise a negative-pressure source, a pressure sensor, and a control valve. The negative-pressure source may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a distribution component. The control valve may be fluidly coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to be selectively coupled to the negative-pressure source, the distribution component, or both. A controller may also be configured to operate the control valve to selectively couple the pressure sensor to at least one of the negative-pressure source and the distribution component through the control valve, and the pressure sensor may provide a feedback signal to the controller indicative of pressure in a feedback path associated with the position of the control valve. The controller may also be configured to operate the negative-pressure source based on the feedback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Tyler H. SIMMONS, Reuben Walter EDGAR, JR., Kevin HIGLEY, Loren FRANCIS
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Patent number: 10328185Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus for providing negative-pressure therapy may comprise a negative-pressure source, a pressure sensor, and a control valve. The negative-pressure source may be configured to be fluidly coupled to a distribution component. The control valve may be fluidly coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to be selectively coupled to the negative-pressure source, the distribution component, or both. A controller may also be configured to operate the control valve to selectively couple the pressure sensor to at least one of the negative-pressure source and the distribution component through the control valve, and the pressure sensor may provide a feedback signal to the controller indicative of pressure in a feedback path associated with the position of the control valve. The controller may also be configured to operate the negative-pressure source based on the feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Tyler H. Simmons, Reuben Walter Edgar, Jr., Kevin Higley, Loren Francis
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Publication number: 20190125942Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system for stimulating healing of tissue at a wound site is disclosed. The system comprises a dressing including a porous pad and a drape covering the pad at a wound site for maintaining negative pressure at a wound site, a negative-pressure source including a pump and an electric motor to generate a pump pressure (PP) for applying to the wound site, and a first pressure sensor for sensing the pump pressure (PP). The system further comprises a controller coupled to the first pressure sensor and electric motor and including a PID controller that compares the pump pressure (PP) to a target pump pressure (TPP) and a bang-bang controller that controls wound pressure (WP) proximate the wound site, and wherein the controller is configured to alternatively select the bang-bang controller when the system is in a low-leakage condition or the PID controller when the system is in a high-leakage condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Loren FRANCIS, JR., Reuben W. EDGAR, JR.
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Patent number: 10124093Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system for stimulating healing of tissue at a wound site is disclosed. The system comprises a dressing including a porous pad and a drape covering the pad at a wound site for maintaining negative pressure at a wound site, a negative-pressure source including a pump and an electric motor to generate a pump pressure (PP) for applying to the wound site, and a first pressure sensor for sensing the pump pressure (PP). The system further comprises a controller coupled to the first pressure sensor and electric motor and including a PID controller that compares the pump pressure (PP) to a target pump pressure (TPP) and a bang-bang controller that controls wound pressure (WP) proximate the wound site, and wherein the controller is configured to alternatively select the bang-bang controller when the system is in a low-leakage condition or the PID controller when the system is in a high-leakage condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Loren Francis, Reuben Walter Edgar, Jr.