Patents by Inventor Mark A. Wierzbicki
Mark A. Wierzbicki 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: 11944317Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignees: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, SHAPE MEMORY MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Publication number: 20230250212Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Publication number: 20230200822Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a catheter; an optic fiber having a long axis and a short axis that is orthogonal to the long axis; first and second radiopaque elements coupled to the optic fiber; a first wire coupled to the optic fiber and extending from the first radiopaque element to the second radiopaque element; a fluid; wherein (a)(i) the first wire wraps at least partially around an exterior surface of the optic fiber; (a)(ii) an outer diameter of the first wire and an outer diameter of the optic fiber are collectively less than an inner diameter of the catheter, and (a)(iii) the first wire is configured to center the optic fiber within the catheter within a plane orthogonal to the long axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki, Landon D. Nash, Wonjun Hwang
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Patent number: 11613603Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Patent number: 11576679Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a catheter; an optic fiber having a long axis and a short axis that is orthogonal to the long axis; first and second radiopaque elements coupled to the optic fiber; a first wire coupled to the optic fiber and extending from the first radiopaque element to the second radiopaque element; a fluid; wherein (a)(i) the first wire wraps at least partially around an exterior surface of the optic fiber; (a)(ii) an outer diameter of the first wire and an outer diameter of the optic fiber are collectively less than an inner diameter of the catheter, and (a)(iii) the first wire is configured to center the optic fiber within the catheter within a plane orthogonal to the long axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki, Landon D. Nash, Wonjun Hwang
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Publication number: 20220323079Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Publication number: 20220304667Abstract: A device for a tissue channel includes a device frame, a shape memory polymer foam segment coupled to the device frame, and an attachment structure coupled to the device frame. The device frame includes a proximal structure, a distal structure, and an intermediate structure coupled to the proximal structure and the distal structure. The proximal structure is configured to collapse to fit into a delivery structure and expand to block migration of the proximal structure. The distal structure is configured to collapse to fit into the delivery structure and expand to block migration of the distal structure. The intermediate structure is configured to fit in the tissue channel upon device deployment. The shape memory polymer foam segment is configured to compress to fit into the delivery structure and occlude the channel. The attachment structure is configured to attach and detach the device from a delivery guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
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Patent number: 11369385Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignees: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, SHAPE MEMORY MEDICAL, INCInventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Patent number: 11357488Abstract: A device for a tissue channel includes a device frame, a shape memory polymer foam segment coupled to the device frame, and an attachment structure coupled to the device frame. The device frame includes a proximal structure, a distal structure, and an intermediate structure coupled to the proximal structure and the distal structure. The proximal structure is configured to collapse to fit into a delivery structure and expand to block migration of the proximal structure. The distal structure is configured to collapse to fit into the delivery structure and expand to block migration of the distal structure. The intermediate structure is configured to fit in the tissue channel upon device deployment. The shape memory polymer foam segment is configured to compress to fit into the delivery structure and occlude the channel. The attachment structure is configured to attach and detach the device from a delivery guide.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEMInventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
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Publication number: 20210015485Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Publication number: 20200339730Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Patent number: 10786261Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Patent number: 10730991Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Publication number: 20200155131Abstract: A device for a tissue channel includes a device frame, a shape memory polymer foam segment coupled to the device frame, and an attachment structure coupled to the device frame. The device frame includes a proximal structure, a distal structure, and an intermediate structure coupled to the proximal structure and the distal structure. The proximal structure is configured to collapse to fit into a delivery structure and expand to block migration of the proximal structure. The distal structure is configured to collapse to fit into the delivery structure and expand to block migration of the distal structure. The intermediate structure is configured to fit in the tissue channel upon device deployment. The shape memory polymer foam segment is configured to compress to fit into the delivery structure and occlude the channel. The attachment structure is configured to attach and detach the device from a delivery guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
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Patent number: 10555737Abstract: A device for a tissue channel includes a device frame, a shape memory polymer foam segment coupled to the device frame, and an attachment structure coupled to the device frame. The device frame includes a proximal structure, a distal structure, and an intermediate structure coupled to the proximal structure and the distal structure. The proximal structure is configured to collapse to fit into a delivery structure and expand to block migration of the proximal structure. The distal structure is configured to collapse to fit into the delivery structure and expand to block migration of the distal structure. The intermediate structure is configured to fit in the tissue channel upon device deployment. The shape memory polymer foam segment is configured to compress to fit into the delivery structure and occlude the channel. The attachment structure is configured to attach and detach the device from a delivery guide.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
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Publication number: 20190231362Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: a catheter; an optic fiber having a long axis and a short axis that is orthogonal to the long axis; first and second radiopaque elements coupled to the optic fiber; a first wire coupled to the optic fiber and extending from the first radiopaque element to the second radiopaque element; a fluid; wherein (a)(i) the first wire wraps at least partially around an exterior surface of the optic fiber; (a)(ii) an outer diameter of the first wire and an outer diameter of the optic fiber are collectively less than an inner diameter of the catheter, and (a)(iii) the first wire is configured to center the optic fiber within the catheter within a plane orthogonal to the long axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2017Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki, Landon D. Nash, Wonjun Hwang
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Publication number: 20190015108Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising: an outer conduit; a shape memory polymer (SMP) foam; a metal backbone including: (a)(i) a first portion that extends from the SMP foam proximal end to the SMP foam distal end and which is generally covered by the SMP foam, and (a)(ii) a distal portion that extends distally from the SMP foam distal end and which is not covered by the SMP foam; wherein: (b)(i) SMP foam and the metal backbone are both included within the outer conduit adjacent to the outer conduit distal end; (b)(ii) the metal backbone distal portion transitions from a secondary shape that is uncoiled to a primary shape that is coiled; and (b)(iii) the metal backbone distal portion is in the metal backbone distal portion secondary shape and is located between the SMP foam distal end and the distal end of the outer conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
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Publication number: 20180132856Abstract: A device for a tissue channel includes a device frame, a shape memory polymer foam segment coupled to the device frame, and an attachment structure coupled to the device frame. The device frame includes a proximal structure, a distal structure, and an intermediate structure coupled to the proximal structure and the distal structure. The proximal structure is configured to collapse to fit into a delivery structure and expand to block migration of the proximal structure. The distal structure is configured to collapse to fit into the delivery structure and expand to block migration of the distal structure. The intermediate structure is configured to fit in the tissue channel upon device deployment. The shape memory polymer foam segment is configured to compress to fit into the delivery structure and occlude the channel. The attachment structure is configured to attach and detach the device from a delivery guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
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Publication number: 20180009932Abstract: An embodiment includes a platform shape memory polymer system. Such an embodiment exhibits a blend of tunable, high performance mechanical attributes in combination with advanced processing capabilities and good biocompatibility. A post-polymerization crosslinking synthetic approach is employed that combines polyurethane and thiol-ene synthetic processes. Other embodiments are described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki