Patents by Inventor Mark A. Tapsak

Mark A. Tapsak 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).

  • Publication number: 20040054080
    Abstract: Compounds that include silicon-containing groups, and optionally urethane groups, urea groups, or combinations thereof (i.e., polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyurethane-ureas), as well as materials and methods for making such compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Eric Benz, Christopher M. Hobot, David L. Miller, David A. Pearson, Mark A. Tapsak, Edward DiDomenico, Randall V. Sparer
  • Patent number: 6702857
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biointerface membrane for use with an implantable device that interferes with the formation of a barrier cell layer including; a first domain distal to the implantable device wherein the first domain supports tissue attachment and interferes with barrier cell layer formation and a second domain proximal to the implantable device wherein the second domain is resistant to cellular attachment and is impermeable to cells. In addition, the present invention provides sensors including the biointerface membrane, implantable devices including these sensors or biointerface membranes, and methods of monitoring glucose levels in a host utilizing the analyte detection implantable device of the invention. Other implantable devices which include the biointerface membrane of the present invention, such as devices for cell transplantation, drug delivery devices, and electrical signal delivery or measuring devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Dexcom, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Brauker, Mark C. Shults, Mark A. Tapsak
  • Publication number: 20040011671
    Abstract: Devices and methods for determining analyte levels are described. The devices and methods allow for the implantation of analyte-monitoring devices, such as glucose monitoring devices that result in the delivery of a dependable flow of blood to deliver sample to the implanted device. The devices include unique architectural arrangement in the sensor region that allows accurate data to be obtained over long periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Dexcom, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Shults, Stuart J. Updike, Rathbun K. Rhodes, Barbara J. Gilligan, Mark A. Tapsak
  • Publication number: 20030217966
    Abstract: The invention provides an implantable membrane for regulating the transport of analytes therethrough that includes a matrix including a first polymer; and a second polymer dispersed throughout the matrix, wherein the second polymer forms a network of microdomains which when hydrated are not observable using photomicroscopy at 400× magnification or less. In one aspect, the homogeneous membrane of the present invention has hydrophilic domains dispersed substantially throughout a hydrophobic matrix to provide an optimum balance between oxygen and glucose transport to an electrochemical glucose sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Dexcom, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Tapsak, Rathbun K. Rhodes, Mark C. Shults, Jason D. McClure
  • Patent number: 6534587
    Abstract: Symmetric and asymmetric cyclic silalkylenesiloxane monomers and copolymers thereof, as well as crosslinked and/or reinforced silalkylenesiloxane copolymers, medical devices containing such materials, and methods of preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc
    Inventors: Mark A. Tapsak, Edward Di Domenico
  • Publication number: 20030032874
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor head for use in an implantable device that measures the concentration of an analyte in a biological fluid which includes: a non-conductive body; a working electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode, wherein the electrodes pass through the non-conductive body forming an electrochemically reactive surface at one location on the body and forming an electronic connection at another location on the body, further wherein the electrochemically reactive surface of the counter electrode is greater than the surface area of the working electrode; and a multi-region membrane affixed to the nonconductive body and covering the working electrode, reference electrode and counter electrode. In addition, the present invention provides an implantable device including at least one of the sensor heads of the invention and methods of monitoring glucose levels in a host utilizing the implantable device of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Dexcom, Inc.
    Inventors: Rathbun Rhodes, Mark A. Tapsak, James H. Brauker, Mark C. Shults
  • Publication number: 20030023317
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biointerface membrane for use with an implantable device that interferes with the formation of a barrier cell layer including; a first domain distal to the implantable device wherein the first domain supports tissue attachment and interferes with barrier cell layer formation and a second domain proximal to the implantable device wherein the second domain is resistant to cellular attachment and is impermeable to cells. In addition, the present invention provides sensors including the biointerface membrane, implantable devices including these sensors or biointerface membranes, and methods of monitoring glucose levels in a host utilizing the analyte detection implantable device of the invention. Other implantable devices which include the biointerface membrane of the present invention, such as devices for cell transplantation, drug delivery devices, and electrical signal delivery or measuring devices are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Dexcom, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Brauker, Mark C. Shults, Mark A. Tapsak
  • Publication number: 20020082673
    Abstract: A novel polymeric electrically insulating material that includes a linked voltage stabilizing agent. Also provided are methods of making the novel material and articles and devices that incorporate the novel material, particularly implantable medical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Michael E. Benz, Mark A. Tapsak, Angela Pratt, Randall V. Sparer
  • Patent number: 6080829
    Abstract: Symmetric and asymmetric cyclic silalkylenesiloxane monomers and copolymers thereof are disclosed, as well as crosslinked and/or reinforced silalkylenesiloxane copolymers, medical devices containing such materials, and methods of preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Tapsak, Edward Di Domenico
  • Patent number: 5921933
    Abstract: A medical device for insertion into human body having an echogenic portion of enhanced visibility in an ultrasound scan. The echogenic portion includes an echogenic material comprising a plastic impregnated with sonically reflective particles, the particles having an average size of less than 500 nanometers and formed of a substance having a specific gravity of 5 or greater. Preferably the particles have an average size of less than 100 nanometers and the sonically reflective particles are 5% to 40% of the echogenic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall G. Sarkis, Eileen L. Halverson, Mark A. Tapsak