Patents by Inventor Mark L. Mathis

Mark L. Mathis 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: 12622724
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve abrading a patient lung airway wall to reduce mucus production therein. Exemplary techniques include rotationally and/or linearly oscillating an abrasive material against the airway wall so as to damage mucus producing tissues, for example by removing goblet cells, while destroying less than the entire airway wall. The abrasive material may be present on the surface of an expandable balloon body or another expandable device, which can be delivered to the patient treatment site via a bronchoscope. In some cases, the abrasion techniques can cause cell damage or death at a controlled or predetermined tissue depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Free Flow Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20260108248
    Abstract: Pulmonary treatment devices, systems and methods of use are provided which take into account the vast tissue damage of advanced COPD sufferers and provide treatments designed specifically to treat the particularly compromised lung tissues that are present in these patients. These treatments reduce trapped air volume, tension lung tissue and enhance lung elastic recoil. In particular, a variety of embodiments of pulmonary treatment devices are provided. The devices are comprised of a shape memory material wherein the devices are able to be expanded under tension, and then are able to recoil back toward an original relaxed or resting shape as the devices are deployed into the tissue. This action causes the pulmonary treatment devices to corkscrew into damaged tissue, becoming sufficiently entwined to allow pulling of the tissue by retraction of the device. This in turn re-tensions the lung causing lung volume reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2025
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Michael W. Lau, Kevin Mitz
  • Patent number: 12558099
    Abstract: Pulmonary treatment devices, systems and methods of use are provided which take into account the vast tissue damage of advanced COPD sufferers and provide treatments designed specifically to treat the particularly compromised lung tissues that are present in these patients. These treatments reduce trapped air volume, tension lung tissue and enhance lung elastic recoil. In particular, a variety of embodiments of invertible pulmonary treatment devices are provided. The devices are comprised of a shape memory material wherein the devices are able to be expanded under tension, and then are able to recoil back toward an original relaxed or resting shape. In these embodiments, a portion of the device is invertible. Thus, each device is able to store energy at least in the inversion, wherein the energy is utilized to continually tension the lung as the device relaxes toward its original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Free Flow Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Michael W. Lau, Kevin Mitz, Ryan Braxtan
  • Patent number: 12426916
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve abrading a patient lung airway wall to reduce mucus production therein. Exemplary techniques include rotationally and/or linearly oscillating an abrasive material against the airway wall so as to damage mucus producing tissues, for example by removing goblet cells, while destroying less than the entire airway wall. The abrasive material may be present on the surface of an expandable balloon body or another expandable device, which can be delivered to the patient treatment site via a bronchoscope. In some cases, the abrasion techniques can cause cell damage or death at a controlled or predetermined tissue depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2025
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Free Flow Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Mathis
  • Patent number: 12419664
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve abrading a patient lung airway wall to reduce mucus production therein. Exemplary techniques include rotationally and/or linearly oscillating an abrasive material against the airway wall so as to damage mucus producing tissues, for example by removing goblet cells, while destroying less than the entire airway wall. The abrasive material may be present on the surface of an expandable balloon body or another expandable device, which can be delivered to the patient treatment site via a bronchoscope. In some cases, the abrasion techniques can cause cell damage or death at a controlled or predetermined tissue depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2025
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: Free Flow Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20250268601
    Abstract: Pulmonary treatment devices, systems and methods of use are provided which take into account the vast tissue damage of advanced COPD sufferers and provide treatments designed specifically to treat the particularly compromised lung tissues that are present in these patients. These treatments reduce trapped air volume, tension lung tissue and enhance lung elastic recoil. In particular, a variety of embodiments of pulmonary treatment devices are provided. The devices are comprised of a shape memory material wherein the devices are able to be expanded under tension, and then are able to recoil back toward an original relaxed or resting shape as the devices are deployed into the tissue. This action causes the pulmonary treatment devices to corkscrew into damaged tissue, becoming sufficiently entwined to allow pulling of the tissue by retraction of the device. This in turn re-tensions the lung causing lung volume reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Michael W. Lau, Kevin Mitz
  • Publication number: 20250248734
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve abrading a patient lung airway wall to reduce mucus production therein. Exemplary techniques include rotationally and/or linearly oscillating an abrasive material against the airway wall so as to damage mucus producing tissues, for example by removing goblet cells, while destroying less than the entire airway wall. The abrasive material may be present on the surface of an expandable balloon body or another expandable device, which can be delivered to the patient treatment site via a bronchoscope. In some cases, the abrasion techniques can cause cell damage or death at a controlled or predetermined tissue depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventor: Mark L. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20250241674
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve abrading a patient lung airway wall to reduce mucus production therein. Exemplary techniques include rotationally and/or linearly oscillating an abrasive material against the airway wall so as to damage mucus producing tissues, for example by removing goblet cells, while destroying less than the entire airway wall. The abrasive material may be present on the surface of an expandable balloon body or another expandable device, which can be delivered to the patient treatment site via a bronchoscope. In some cases, the abrasion techniques can cause cell damage or death at a controlled or predetermined tissue depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2025
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Inventor: Mark L. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20240382309
    Abstract: In some instances, it is desired to restrict or block airflow to a region of the lung such as to replicate the effects of lung volume reduction surgery. This may be achieved with the use of a pulmonary treatment valve that is implanted minimally invasively without the need for surgery. In some instances, such a valve allows air to flow out of the lobe through the valve when the patient exhales but blocks air from entering the lobe during inhalation. This facilitates emptying the lobe of air over time. This has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of a population of patients suffering from emphysema. In other instances, the airflow is reduced or restricted rather than blocked. And in still other instances, the airflow is restricted upon exhalation and blocked upon inhalation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Brennen Van Voorhees, Michael W. Lau, Mark L. Mathis, Kevin Mitz
  • Publication number: 20240285307
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve abrading a patient lung airway wall to reduce mucus production therein. Exemplary techniques include rotationally and/or linearly oscillating an abrasive material against the airway wall so as to damage mucus producing tissues, for example by removing goblet cells, while destroying less than the entire airway wall. The abrasive material may be present on the surface of an expandable balloon body or another expandable device, which can be delivered to the patient treatment site via a bronchoscope. In some cases, the abrasion techniques can cause cell damage or death at a controlled or predetermined tissue depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventor: Mark L. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20220387046
    Abstract: Pulmonary treatment devices, systems and methods of use are provided which take into account the vast tissue damage of advanced COPD sufferers and provide treatments designed specifically to treat the particularly compromised lung tissues that are present in these patients. These treatments reduce trapped air volume, tension lung tissue and enhance lung elastic recoil. In particular, a variety of embodiments of invertible pulmonary treatment devices are provided. The devices are comprised of a shape memory material wherein the devices are able to be expanded under tension, and then are able to recoil back toward an original relaxed or resting shape. In these embodiments, a portion of the device is invertible. Thus, each device is able to store energy at least in the inversion, wherein the energy is utilized to continually tension the lung as the device relaxes toward its original shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Free Flow Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Michael W. Lau, Kevin Mitz, Ryan Braxtan, Christoph Steven
  • Publication number: 20220346828
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve abrading a patient lung airway wall to reduce mucus production therein. Exemplary techniques include rotationally and/or linearly oscillating an abrasive material against the airway wall so as to damage mucus producing tissues, for example by removing goblet cells, while destroying less than the entire airway wall. The abrasive material may be present on the surface of an expandable balloon body or another expandable device, which can be delivered to the patient treatment site via a bronchoscope. In some cases, the abrasion techniques can cause cell damage or death at a controlled or predetermined tissue depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: Mark L. Mathis
  • Patent number: 11452603
    Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Cardiac Dimensions Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Gregory D. Nieminen, Nathan Aronson, Garrett R. Beget
  • Patent number: 11311380
    Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Cardiac Dimensions Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Gregory D. Nieminen, Nathan Aronson, Garrett R. Beget
  • Publication number: 20210330460
    Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Mark L. MATHIS, Gregory D. NIEMINEN, Nathan ARONSON, Garrett R. BEGET
  • Publication number: 20210186512
    Abstract: Pulmonary treatment devices, systems and methods of use are provided which take into account the vast tissue damage of advanced COPD sufferers and provide treatments designed specifically to treat the particularly compromised lung tissues that are present in these patients. These treatments reduce trapped air volume, tension lung tissue and enhance lung elastic recoil. A variety of embodiments are provided, including pulmonary treatment devices that move portions of lung tissue around a rotational axis into a torqued configuration, anchoring such tissue in place for improved breathing mechanics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Free Flow Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Michael W. Lau, Kevin Mitz, Ryan Braxtan
  • Patent number: 10786257
    Abstract: Pulmonary treatment devices, systems and methods of use are provided which take into account the vast tissue damage of advanced COPD sufferers and provide treatments designed specifically to treat the particularly compromised lung tissues that are present in these patients. These treatments reduce trapped air volume, tension lung tissue and enhance lung elastic recoil. A variety of embodiments are provided, including pulmonary treatment devices that move portions of lung tissue around a rotational axis into a torqued configuration, anchoring such tissue in place for improved breathing mechanics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Free Flow Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Michael W. Lau, Kevin Mitz, Ryan Braxtan
  • Publication number: 20200155165
    Abstract: A system for treating a genetically associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a coil implant, wherein the coil implant is configured to increase tension of a lung having alveolar damage caused by a genetic disorder and thereby improve breathing function of the lung. The system includes a delivery system configured to deliver the coil implant into an airway of the lung, wherein the delivery system comprises a cartridge configured to retain the coil implant in a straight configuration. The coil implant is configured to recover to a non-straight, pre-determined shape upon deployment within the airway the lung of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: PneumRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Kara Andersen Reiter
  • Patent number: 10543053
    Abstract: A container for a medical device having a housing defining a cavity for receiving a device, such as a lung volume reduction coil, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the container includes a coupling zone external to the cavity, an exit aperture between the cavity and the coupling zone, and a bearing surface located within the cavity, the bearing surface, exit aperture and coupling zone defining an exit path along which the device can be moved for deployment from the container. The bearing surface is spaced from the exit aperture and arranged, together with the coupling zone, such that the exit path is substantially straight. In some embodiments, the cavity may be approximately cylindrical, and the bearing surface, the exit aperture, and the coupling zone are aligned such that the exit path extends in a direction that is substantially tangential to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: PneumRx, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lehrberg, Jeffrey W. Etter, Mark L. Mathis, Verna Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10537334
    Abstract: A method for treating a genetically associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. At least one implant is advanced into an airway of a lung having a genetically associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The at least one implant is delivered into the lung to increase tension of the lung and thereby improve breathing function of the lung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: PneumRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Mathis, Kara Andersen Reiter