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).

  • Patent number: 11944317
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: 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
  • Publication number: 20230250212
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Publication number: 20230200822
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki, Landon D. Nash, Wonjun Hwang
  • Patent number: 11613603
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Patent number: 11576679
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki, Landon D. Nash, Wonjun Hwang
  • Publication number: 20220323079
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Publication number: 20220304667
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
  • Patent number: 11369385
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: 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
  • Patent number: 11357488
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
  • Publication number: 20210015485
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Publication number: 20200339730
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Patent number: 10786261
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Patent number: 10730991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Publication number: 20200155131
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
  • Patent number: 10555737
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
  • Publication number: 20190231362
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki, Landon D. Nash, Wonjun Hwang
  • Publication number: 20190015108
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland, Todd L. Landsman, Jennifer N. Rodriguez, Anthony J. Boyle, Alan C. Glowczwski, Mark A. Wierzbicki
  • Publication number: 20180132856
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Wierzbicki, Duncan Maitland, Matthew W. Miller, Andrea D. Muschenborn, Landon Nash, Jason M. Szafron, Todd Landsman
  • Publication number: 20180009932
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Keith Hearon, Landon D. Nash, Thomas Wilson, Duncan J. Maitland, Mark A. Wierzbicki