Patents by Inventor Martin R. Willard

Martin R. Willard 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: 11857148
    Abstract: Medical devices for sympathetic nerve modulation are disclosed. An example medical device for sympathetic nerve modulation may include a catheter shaft having a distal region. An expandable member may be coupled to the distal region. A flexible circuit assembly may be attached to the expandable member. The flexible circuit assembly may include a first electrode strip, a second electrode strip, and a sensor strip disposed between the first electrode strip and the second electrode strip. The first electrode strip may include a first electrode. The second electrode strip may include a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may define a pair of bipolar electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Haverkost, Martin R. Willard, Derek C. Sutermeister, Joel N. Groff, Jeffrey S. Lindquist, Robert N. Squire
  • Publication number: 20230389876
    Abstract: Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may include one or more biased tines that shift from a first position to a second position to secure the wireless electrode assembly into the inner wall of the heart chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM J. DRASLER, MICHAEL J. PIKUS, ROGER HASTINGS, SCOTT R. SMITH, DANIEL M. LAFONTAINE, DOUGLAS R. SAHOLT, GRAIG L. KVEEN, MARTIN R. WILLARD
  • Patent number: 11766219
    Abstract: Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may include one or more biased tines that shift from a first position to a second position to secure the wireless electrode assembly into the inner wall of the heart chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Drasler, Michael J. Pikus, Roger Hastings, Scott R. Smith, Daniel M. Lafontaine, Douglas R. Saholt, Graig L. Kveen, Martin R. Willard
  • Patent number: 11730486
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns release mechanisms for medical implants, particularly embolic coils and the like, which utilize bulbous elements and receiving elements to constrain the bulbous elements. In some cases, the receiving elements are sized and shaped to help constrain the bulbous element axially and/or radially, and may work in concert with constraining elements and/or release wires that are optionally moveable independently of the receiving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Tassoni, Mary-Claire Anderson, Gary Pederson, Ken Zhang, Martin R Willard
  • Patent number: 11607207
    Abstract: A clip for reducing a dimension of an opening in tissue may include a continuous member having a plurality of legs and a plurality of preformed bends connecting adjacent legs, wherein the plurality of legs form: a first group having two protrusions; a second group having two protrusions; and a third group having two protrusions, wherein each protrusion of each group includes two legs of the continuous member and a corresponding preformed bend connecting the two legs, and each protrusion of each group extends from a region adjacent a first end of the clip to a region adjacent a second end of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Haverkost, Joel N. Groff, Martin R. Willard, Anthony Frank Tassoni, Jr., Nicholas Lee Tassoni, Gary John Pederson, Jr., Joseph Michael Connolly
  • Patent number: 11564737
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable member may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The expandable member may be capable of shifting between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. A plurality of flexible elements may be attached to the expandable member, with a plurality of electrode assemblies disposed on the flexible elements. The flexible elements may have a grooved substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lindquist, Cass A. Hanson, Patrick A. Haverkost, Daniel J. Horn, Martin R. Willard, Derek C. Sutermeister
  • Publication number: 20220287729
    Abstract: In some examples, a thrombus removal device includes a stationary element and a movable element configured to macerate a thrombus into smaller pieces as the thrombus moves into a basket defined by an expandable element. The stationary element defines a plurality of arms configured to segment the thrombus into smaller pieces. The movable element is configured to move relative to the stationary element, e.g., to rotate, plunge, vibrate, and/or oscillate, in order to macerate the thrombus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Shawn Phillips, Martin R. Willard, Sarah E. Drilling, Alan M. Twomey, Wanda F. Dent, Nathan K. Weidenhamer
  • Patent number: 11266463
    Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An illustrative system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including a catheter shaft, an expandable basket and one or more electrode assemblies affixed to the expandable basket. The one or more electrode assemblies may be affixed to the expandable basket using one or more covers or coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Martin R. Willard, Patrick A. Haverkost
  • Publication number: 20220008010
    Abstract: Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may include one or more biased tines that shift from a first position to a second position to secure the wireless electrode assembly into the inner wall of the heart chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM J. DRASLER, MICHAEL J. PIKUS, ROGER HASTINGS, SCOTT R. SMITH, DANIEL M. LAFONTAINE, DOUGLAS R. SAHOLT, GRAIG L. KVEEN, MARTIN R. WILLARD
  • Patent number: 11213345
    Abstract: A catheter including an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, where the catheter includes a thermal element at the distal end thereof. The thermal element may be used in an ablation procedure or other procedure to heat a tissue adjacent a vessel. In some instances, the thermal element may be positioned in a first vessel and may operate to heat tissue adjacent a second vessel or adjacent an ostium between the first vessel and the second vessel. Further, the catheter may include an expandable portion on which the thermal element may be connected or positioned. The expandable portion(s) may comprise a basket or cage, a balloon, a memory shape and formable portion, and/or other mechanical expanders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin R. Willard
  • Patent number: 11202671
    Abstract: A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include a catheter shaft, an expandable member disposed on or coupled to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each constructed as a flexible circuit having a plurality of layers. The expandable member may be configured to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member. Each of the plurality of electrode assemblies may include enhanced tear resistance properties such as through the inclusion of a reinforcement structure with one or more of the layers of the electrode assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Cass A. Hanson, Derek C. Sutermeister, Timothy A. Ostroot, Robert N. Squire, James M. Anderson, Martin R. Willard, Patrick A. Haverkost, Jan Weber, Jeffrey S. Lindquist, Daniel J. Horn
  • Patent number: 11154247
    Abstract: Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may include one or more biased tines that shift from a first position to a second position to secure the wireless electrode assembly into the inner wall of the heart chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Drasler, Michael J. Pikus, Roger Hastings, Scott R. Smith, Daniel M. Lafontaine, Douglas R. Saholt, Graig L. Kveen, Martin R. Willard
  • Patent number: 11147874
    Abstract: An example implantable microparticle for delivering therapeutic heat treatment comprises a generally spherical body. The body may be formed from a first material comprising a biodegradable material and a second material comprising a Curie temperature material. The biodegradable material may be a non-Curie temperature material or have a Curie temperature lower than a Curie temperature of the Curie temperature material. The first material and the second material are mixed to form a composite having a Curie temperature in the range of 35° C. and 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek C. Sutermeister, Martin R. Willard, Patrick A. Haverkost, Timothy A. Ostroot
  • Patent number: 10952790
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The balloon may be capable of shifting between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. A plurality of elongate electrode assemblies may be disposed on the balloon. A cover layer may be deposited on the electrode assemblies. Portions of the electrode assemblies may be free of the cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Haverkost, Mary M. Byron, Cass A. Hanson, Martin R. Willard, Derek C. Sutermeister, Robert N. Squire, Brian K. Jablonski
  • Patent number: 10945786
    Abstract: A medical device and related methods of use or manufacture are disclosed. The medical device may include an intravascular catheter for nerve modulation. The medical device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region, and a lumen extending therebetween. An expandable member is coupled to the distal end region of the elongate shaft. One or more electrical conductors extend from the proximal end region of the elongate shaft to the expandable member. The one or more electrical conductors may have a distal end region secured directly to an outer surface the expandable member. One or more energy delivery regions are positioned on the expandable member and coupled to the one or more electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Martin R. Willard, Derek C. Sutermeister, Kenneth R. Larson, Timothy A. Ostroot, Patrick A. Haverkost
  • Publication number: 20210000539
    Abstract: Medical devices for sympathetic nerve modulation are disclosed. An example medical device for sympathetic nerve modulation may include a catheter shaft having a distal region. An expandable member may be coupled to the distal region. A flexible circuit assembly may be attached to the expandable member. The flexible circuit assembly may include a first electrode strip, a second electrode strip, and a sensor strip disposed between the first electrode strip and the second electrode strip. The first electrode strip may include a first electrode. The second electrode strip may include a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may define a pair of bipolar electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: PATRICK A. HAVERKOST, MARTIN R. WILLARD, DEREK C. SUTERMEISTER, JOEL N. GROFF, JEFFREY S. LINDQUIST, ROBERT N. SQUIRE
  • Patent number: 10828090
    Abstract: Medical devices for sympathetic nerve modulation are disclosed. An example medical device for sympathetic nerve modulation may include a catheter shaft having a distal region. An expandable member may be coupled to the distal region. A flexible circuit assembly may be attached to the expandable member. The flexible circuit assembly may include a first electrode strip, a second electrode strip, and a sensor strip disposed between the first electrode strip and the second electrode strip. The first electrode strip may include a first electrode. The second electrode strip may include a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may define a pair of bipolar electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Haverkost, Martin R. Willard, Derek C. Sutermeister, Joel N. Groff, Jeffrey S. Lindquist, Robert N. Squire
  • Publication number: 20200261151
    Abstract: Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An illustrative system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including a catheter shaft, an expandable basket and one or more electrode assemblies affixed to the expandable basket. The one or more electrode assemblies may be affixed to the expandable basket using one or more covers or coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: MARTIN R. WILLARD, PATRICK A. HAVERKOST
  • Publication number: 20200222057
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns release mechanisms for medical implants, particularly embolic coils and the like, which utilize bulbous elements and receiving elements to constrain the bulbous elements. In some cases, the receiving elements are sized and shaped to help constrain the bulbous element axially and/or radially, and may work in concert with constraining elements and/or release wires that are optionally moveable independently of the receiving elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas TASSONI, Mary-Claire Anderson, Gary Pederson, Ken Zhang, Martin R. Willard
  • Patent number: 10695124
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The balloon may be capable of shifting between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. A support structure may be coupled to the balloon. The support structure may be capable of shifting the balloon toward the folded configuration. A plurality of elongate flexible electrode assemblies may be disposed on the balloon. The elongate flexible electrode assemblies may be oriented at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Joel N. Groff, Patrick A. Haverkost, Martin R. Willard, Hong Cao, Daniel J. Horn, Kenneth R. Larson, John Jianhua Chen